Who wants my NBA plays?

[sportfan]

Lakers win big tomorrow

[shari91]

I might not know ball like a few of you here but this is what I see.. The Lakers will have the 2 best players on the floor tommorow. The Celtics will field the best "team" tommorow.. and I am not saying the sum of Boston's parts is greater than LA I am just saying there is more togetherness and cohesiveness with Boston right now. Boston players at this point really would die,sweat,bleed, or kill for the man beside them. Do you know anybody on LA's team right that would jump into a fox hole with Kobe Bryant....Me, I wouldn't and it has nothing to do with his game. He will be the best player on the court tommorow and there will be no close second in tommorows game. As corny as it sounds the Boston players would die for one another at this point and folks that is the most dangerous thing in the world and if any of you reading this played any sport at a high level you know what I am talking about. So what will it be tommorow? Will the overall talent of having the 2 best players on the floor plus the best 6th man be too much? Or could it be the "team" that actually is willing to lay it all on the line for the man next to them? Call me square and I have been called worse, but I have bought the Celtics Kool Aid. IMO, If LA wins this championship they will do it by winning 2 at home. I just saw too much the other nite. Maybe, just maybe I was too caught up in the hype and madness of watching 2 Subs kick LA's ass in game 4. Will it happen again in game 5? Probably not, but there performance spoke larger volumes about Boston's team... Players like Garnett, Pierce who are going to be future HOF's were cheering those guys on from the bench most of the 4Q and was just as proud of them as if those guys were there son's. Maybe, I read too much into that but I have played on teams like LA as far as character goes...More talented but.... and I have played on teams like Boston were the guys are pulling for one another and it's a scary thing. Regardless of what you pick I am sure this will be a great game. So far this has been a great series especially compared to the others this season.

That was an awesome post Lyon. Thank you!! Although it doesn't make me feel too great about the LA bets I put in yesterday because I 100% agree that I'd rather back the team who may not have as much raw talent but want it more and will do or die together.

Best of luck

[lyon804]

That was an awesome post Lyon. Thank you!! Although it doesn't make me feel too great about the LA bets I put in yesterday because I 100% agree that I'd rather back the team who may not have as much raw talent but want it more and will do or die together.

Best of luck

No worries Shari.. Just my opinions and they are like assholes...We all have 1 Best of Luck to you as well.

[TakeIt]

i just have one question for all of the experts in this thread:

does kobe ever pass the ball?

[shoebox]

Nice to see you on the same side Lyon, I was getting lonely

[TNT28]

I'm with you too shoebox

[tltaylor89]

Congrats Lakerboy

[tltaylor89]

Boston loses
by 10
tomorrow

[kkkkk]

Boston will probably lose but not by more then 10 pts. Lakers have no reason to push for big win, as they will let Boston some space, cose if they win big Boston will be much more prepared for next game. And Lakers will want to take it to 4-2 up to me.

[Goat Milk]

I might not know ball like a few of you here but this is what I see.. The Lakers will have the 2 best players on the floor tommorow. The Celtics will field the best "team" tommorow.. and I am not saying the sum of Boston's parts is greater than LA I am just saying there is more togetherness and cohesiveness with Boston right now. Boston players at this point really would die,sweat,bleed, or kill for the man beside them. Do you know anybody on LA's team right that would jump into a fox hole with Kobe Bryant....Me, I wouldn't and it has nothing to do with his game. He will be the best player on the court tommorow and there will be no close second in tommorows game. As corny as it sounds the Boston players would die for one another at this point and folks that is the most dangerous thing in the world and if any of you reading this played any sport at a high level you know what I am talking about.



So what will it be tommorow? Will the overall talent of having the 2 best players on the floor plus the best 6th man be too much? Or could it be the "team" that actually is willing to lay it all on the line for the man next to them?


Call me square and I have been called worse, but I have bought the Celtics Kool Aid. IMO, If LA wins this championship they will do it by winning 2 at home.

I just saw too much the other nite. Maybe, just maybe I was too caught up in the hype and madness of watching 2 Subs kick LA's ass in game 4. Will it happen again in game 5? Probably not, but there performance spoke larger volumes about Boston's team... Players like Garnett, Pierce who are going to be future HOF's were cheering those guys on from the bench most of the 4Q and was just as proud of them as if those guys were there son's. Maybe, I read too much into that but I have played on teams like LA as far as character goes...More talented but.... and I have played on teams like Boston were the guys are pulling for one another and it's a scary thing

Red disagree, blue agree. No person here has played with a guy like Kobe in ball. He is one of the many ultimates.

[Grandmaster B]

winner of game 5 wins it all??????

[Tommy_de1st]

A lyrical masterpiece!

Damn Shoe

I remember that, it was 90`s ... crazy 90`s

[melia26]

I admit I took the weak route with a 5.5 teaser, Lakers +8 and over 182. Good luck tomorrow LB!

[Brocc]

This guys isn't as good lyrically as Nas or Lupe. He's no poet but he's very radical, often talks shit about the government and his music a lot about international affairs. he keeps it real. This is just a story though, nothin to do with the govt. good story. gets you thinkin a little

I must give credit where credit is due...Immortal Technique is one of the best rappers people never heard of.....Revolution 1 & 2 are great albums. Good post Goat

[JR007]

Good morning everyone .......

[JR007]

This has certainly been one of the most challenging NBA playoff series for handicappers and TV analysts in recent memory.
Pro basketball had kind of gone into a rut in recent seasons. One team or the other had a matchup advantage. They exploited that as best they could through a series to grind out a win. Maybe the opponent had a hot game from long range to steal a victory. Maybe the opponent had a huge night from the bench to take another. Sometimes the series favorite just fell asleep in Game Three on the road and that helped push a series to extra games.
For the most part though, the teams who were better at 'playoff style' basketball kept marching through round by round until the BEST team at 'playoff style' basketball lifted the trophy and had a parade.
That all held up through the early rounds this year too. It was a bit of a surprise when Boston was so much better than Cleveland and Orlando at playoff style basketball. But, they were league champs two years ago, and had a maturing point guard who was becoming a force in the league. It wasn't a 'Miracle on Wood' or anything. Just a power team findings its legs again.
In the West, Phoenix was a bit of a surprise to reach the finals. They did it with defense and rebounding rather than just three-pointers though. The rules of the game hadn't changed. Phoenix was just doing a better job of learning the rules.
So far in the NBA Finals, it's been bedlam!
*The Lakers looked like they had exploitable matchup advantages with a comfortable win in the opener. They lost two of the next three games, and it's hard to figure out now why they seemed so dominant at first.
*Boston looked like they could create havoc from long range when Ray Allen was nailing three's left and right in Game Two (the team was 11 of 16). The Celtics are just 7 of 30 on treys in the two games since...but still managed to win a game where they were only 3 of 12.
*Rajon Rondo of Boston seemingly created matchup headaches with a huge performance in Game Two. He went into hiding as Derek Fisher of Los Angeles became a point guard star in Game Three.
*The Boston bench was mostly out there to commit fouls and take up space in the first few games. THEY WON GAME FOUR with a huge fourth quarter.
Just when you think you've put your finger on a key, a star player doesn't live up to expectations, while somebody else does. Or, an important contributor like Andrew Bynum wears down so badly trying to play through an injury that he has to sit. And, it all leads to this:
*Boston can actually DOMINATE the Lakers if Bynum is too hurt to play...the bench keeps hustling, Rondo works his magic, and Ray Allen makes his treys. We haven't seen Boston dominate yet even though they've won a couple of games. If all the pieces come together at the same time, the Lakers are forced to hoping that Derek Fisher makes clutch shots. That happens sometimes, but not all the time.
*The Lakers can DOMINATE the Celtics if the big guys inside are fresh and controlling the boards...while the Boston guards are missing the mark. Los Angeles coasted to a 20-point lead in the first game, and has had strong stretches in the others simply by working the ball inside and letting their bigs decide who wins. The problem is...Kobe Bryant prefers to be the star himself. And, fatigue was clearly setting in on Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom when they were playing their third game in five days.
Actual game play has mixed and matched elements from the best and worst of both teams in a way that makes for great drama, but can frustrate matchup handicappers, stat handicappers, and even information Wise Guys who are trying to find out how bad Rondo's back is...or whether or not Bynum can even go.
The secret to picking these next two or three games is likely to come down to handicapping experience. JIM HURLEY has been through the ringer for more than 20 years of championship handicapping experience. It may seem to YOU that we're seeing a lot of randomness. JIM HURLEY is seeing a series that's about finally sorted itself out. Everybody knows what they have to do now. JIM HURLEY knows whether or not they'll be able to do it!
GAME FIVE: LOS ANGELES AT BOSTON
Series TIED at 2-2
Vegas Line: Boston by 3, total of 187.5
The line is still sitting around three in Boston. There was some late steam in Game Three on the Lakers that brought the line to 2.5...and some late steam in Game Four on Boston that took the line to four. Oddsmakers are getting two-sided action for the most part in this range, though they're made about the late steam winners! The basic fundamentals are still in play here. If you think Boston is the better team at playoff style basketball, they should be laying more than this because home court is worth at least three by itself. If you believe the Lakers are the championship side, then this line is too high because it doesn't represent Laker superiority.
The total has dropped to 187.5 off the low 190's that we were seeing in earlier rounds. This is clearly a reaction to the last two games...which have landed on 175 and 185...with the 185 seeing a lot of late scoring with a free throw parade. Something in this range is vulnerable to a big three-point shooting effort (Game Two in Los Angeles went Over with 16 made free throws). If the treys aren't falling, and the refs are going to keep swallowing their whistles...then 187.5 is arguably still too high.
It's been a few days since the last encounter. Let's crunch the numbers from Thursday.
BOSTON 96, LA LAKERS 89
Three-Point Scoring: Lakers 21, Boston 9
Two-Point Scoring: Lakers 50, Boston 68
Free Throw Scoring: Lakers 18, Boston 19
This game was very much out of character with the rest of the series. Boston won 'Inside Scoring' (one's and two's) in dramatic fashion, after getting outclassed inside the arc in the first three games. Boston also won rebounding for the first time in the series. In terms of the math, it was like the teams changed uniforms! It was the Lakers who had grown soft inside and needed to make treys to hang around. It was the Celtics who weren't afraid to charge the basket and control the flow of the game.
What happened? If you were watching closely, you probably figured out that fatigue was the single-greatest cause. The Lakers bigs were huffing and puffing late in the third quarter. They needed a break, but couldn't get one because the game was in the balance. Boston's bench always brings energy. Thursday Night, they were FRESH against a tired opponent, and that energy turned into inside scoring when it was needed most. Big Baby had a huge game. Little Nate Robinson kept scampering in the paint and doing damage.
Basically, ALL the starters for both teams were tired playing their third game in five days. Boston's bench exploded against the tired Lakers starters to earn the victory. The Lakers bench doesn't have what it takes to do the same thing in the same way.
Today? Both teams should be better rested with the extra day off. And, we saw in the Phoenix series that fantastic bench performances don't string themselves together. The basketball gods frown on backups winning a trophy!
In short:
*The Lakers will be much more fresh, but Andrew Bynum may not be able to play much because of his injury. He's such a linchpin player right now that this series may well hinge on his health.
*Boston won't get the same stuff from the bench, but is due to see Ray Allen make some more treys finally. Rondo's due to bounce back strong as well.
We might get the very best from BOTH teams today if the stars align. Tuesday's Game Six will feature a short turnaround with an intercontinental flight. Thursday will be the third game in five days again if the series goes the distance. TODAY IS THE DAY where championship basketball will be played. And, today's winner will obviously be in the driver's seat in terms of the title. Today's loser has to win the last two games to win the championship. If today's loser is Boston, they'll have to win two straight on the road.

[JR007]

We also have one of the worst cappers that everybody has heard from !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soxwin]

Shari why would I give my input when people are constantly talking shit about me, then they want to USE ME to get to my brain? Then when I hit a few picks or some shit they try and make up with me to get on my good side and act like nothing happend

Fukk all that shit, it doesn't work that way. I give a write up a couple hours in advance, that's all they will get from me. For you I will give you special treament

Keep in mind that I think that we should all be positive and just have fun, BUT it is an internet forum filled with people you don't know or care about. Does what they say really affect you that much? What does that say? The next time someone on an internet forum affects me will be the 1st. I'm not just talking about negative comments either. Positive comments are usually meaningless too. The positive comments turn negative based on whether or not we win the game.

Whatever you choose to play good luck with it and roll with the punches(no pun towards Pierce) life is too short

[Capybara]

Good morning, All. What are you all you sharp fukkers thinking about tonight?!

No leans for me at the moment, except perhaps the Over. Only thing I know is I am jacked up like crazy for this one!!

[Capybara]

Good morning, All. What are you all you sharp fukkers thinking about tonight?!

No leans for me at the moment, except perhaps the Over. Only thing I know is I am jacked up like crazy for this one!!

On second thought, looks like the Under is an RLM play!!! 68% on the Over and it went down two points from 189 to 187! Hmm, verrrrrry interesting.

[chargers4222]

goat milk posted dance with the devil like its some new smash hit. give me a break. you know just as much about rap as you do basketball im guessing

[FireMedic1614]

FireMedic1614's writeup.....
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Lakers will win because I dont like the color green..


Thank-you

[julio_cat]

I agree under seems good.

[lakerboy]

Good morning, All. What are you all you sharp fukkers thinking about tonight?!

No leans for me at the moment, except perhaps the Over. Only thing I know is I am jacked up like crazy for this one!!

You know the total and LA spread moving down isnt a good sign for you Boston fans..

[Goat Milk]

goat milk posted dance with the devil like its some new smash hit. give me a break. you know just as much about rap as you do basketball im guessing

chargers what is your play for tonight?

[Capybara]

You know the total and LA spread moving down isnt a good sign for you Boston fans..

You may be right... but I mean the spread moving down doesn't mean LA is the sharp play, right? Most of the public is on LA anyway.

As for the total, it's clear the sharps are on the Under... but why are you saying that's good for LA? Do you mean because Bynum is going to give them a bunch of minutes, more than most are expecting? Do people think Odom is gonna pick up his game? I can't figure out the sharps being on the Under -- I still see this as an over. Doc admitted he should have gone to Pierce more -- Pierce will drive and either score or get to the line a lot I predict. Between Pierce/Ray/KG, a couple of those guys should be over 20. Kobe is gonna be Kobe, Pao will be Pao, and I predict more scoring from the Laker bench tonight to show that they aren't just cardboard cutouts. Baby is in the zone right now. Even Nate is. Why will this be low-scoring?

[Goat Milk]

LB its not gonna be low scoring at all. Sharps will get buried on their under this game.

[soxwin]

If you like the under, you basically think Bynum will play many minutes. Bynum makes that much of a difference on the defensive end. He keeps the Celtics from getiing free looks in the paint.

If you like the over you think Bynum will be basically useless. You saw 60+ points scored in the 4th quarter when Bynum was not in there. No one on the Lakers was willing to stop the push. They won't score 60 points a quarter but a 48-50 average is reasonable.

[lakerboy]

You may be right... but I mean the spread moving down doesn't mean LA is the sharp play, right? Most of the public is on LA anyway.

As for the total, it's clear the sharps are on the Under... but why are you saying that's good for LA? Do you mean because Bynum is going to give them a bunch of minutes, more than most are expecting? Do people think Odom is gonna pick up his game? I can't figure out the sharps being on the Under -- I still see this as an over. Doc admitted he should have gone to Pierce more -- Pierce will drive and either score or get to the line a lot I predict. Between Pierce/Ray/KG, a couple of those guys should be over 20. Kobe is gonna be Kobe, Pao will be Pao, and I predict more scoring from the Laker bench tonight to show that they aren't just cardboard cutouts. Baby is in the zone right now. Even Nate is. Why will this be low-scoring?

Take a look back to game 3.

LB its not gonna be low scoring at all. Sharps will get buried on their under this game.

All you keep saying is that the sharps are gonna get buried- why do you care what happens to the sharps?

The highest scoring game in this series has been 197 points. I highly doubt your gonna take the over . I am waiting on your over play.

[JR007]

Been surfing a few websites ...seems like a generak consensus on the over....whatever its worth

[SRBI]

Been surfing a few websites ...seems like a generak consensus on the over....whatever its worth

And thats exactly why I'll be on the under, thanks

[Goat Milk]

On second thought, looks like the Under is an RLM play!!! 68% on the Over and it went down two points from 189 to 187! Hmm, verrrrrry interesting.

Percentages don't mean anything. All the money is on the under right now.

[lakerboy]

Game 1- sharps take Boston+6 -lose/sharps take under (win)
Game 2- sharps take Boston +6 -win- sharps dont touch under
Game 3 -sharps take LA +3 and ML (win) sharps take under (win)
Game 4- sharps take under - win(sharps stayed away from side in game 4)

Up to date

Sharps 5-1 . Goat do sharps bother you? Do you know any sharps Goat? I know guys who bet 20 k on sides in NBA at pinny. Do you know any one that bets more than $500 a game?

[Capybara]

Percentages don't mean anything. All the money is on the under right now.

Of course they mean something. If 68% of bettors are on the Over and the total moves down two points, it tells you that all the big money is on the Under. Everyone knows this.

That doesn't mean the sharps are correct, of course. And I agree with you that they are wrong and this game is going Over 187.

[lakerboy]

Of course they mean something. If 68% of bettors are on the Over and the total moves down two points, it tells you that all the big money is on the Under. Everyone knows this.

That doesn't mean the sharps are correct, of course. And I agree with you that they are wrong and this game is going Over 187.

Capy how much you laying on the over tonight?