The inside is going to be Houston's biggest problem. Yao can handle either Pau or Bynum by himself, but there's no one to handle the other big man. We were still able to beat Portland's 2 big men, but these 2 are far more talented.
Houston's best bet is to give it to Yao early and hopefully get one of them in foul trouble early.
I think I need an IV drip.
How do you give up a 28 point lead and draw it down to the wire? That's the Orlando Magic all over.
I'm relieved they won, but not exactly happy.
They got way too complacent and started to settle for the jumper (esp. at the arc) which didn't fall which in turn, allowed Boston to come back by attacking the basket and utilizing the pick and roll drawing the D away from the open man.
Once Boston's D knuckled down, the problems presented themselves too.
Poor ball control and some guys were just all together awful, like AJ.
Lots of moments that just made me puke.
Dwight, don't let a guy get a open three. Don't give a **** if you leave someone unguarded on the inside. 3>2.
Alston, secure the damn ball.
Pietrus, stop shooting threes!
Magic allowed Boston to come back and that's not good going into game 2.
*sigh*
Well, at least Orlando has the lead and home court advantage. On to game 2. Go Magic!
Originally posted by Wittig
I hate Lebron James.
Same here, but I think that's less his fault and more the league's. I hate it when they super hype anyone to be more than they are. They were practically crowning him the greatest player ever before he played his first NBA game.
Also, to prove that the league kisses Lebron's ass, how in the hell did he end up 2nd in defensive player of the year voting?
Originally posted by Wittig
✅
Dright Howard's more beast than Lebron. And Kobe would work both of them...IN A HANDICAP 2 ON 1!!!
Who's Dright Howard? 😛
Lebron deserves it. Kobe, Dwight, CP3 and Dwayne were all deserving of the title as well, but it's over and you really can't take away all that Lebron has done. He's incredible.
Would I have given Lebron the MVP title? No. I would have given it to Wade, but I don't think that Lebron is undeserving. Not as deserving, but not undeserving.
And just to add, of all the guys to come in the NBA to be called the next "Mike", I'd say Lebron is the closest to becoming a player of that kind of caliber. Will he? *shurgs* He is only 23 and he is already averaging nearly 30 points a game, with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Did I mention he's only 23?
Certainly wasn't expecting the Rockets to take game one against the Lakers. However, I never thought the Lakers looked good in Round 1 and they are certainly up against a tougher team.
As for the Magic narrowly blowing a huge lead, well what else would you expect from a team coached by the "Master of Panic"!
Originally posted by jharte
As for the Magic narrowly blowing a huge lead, well what else would you expect from a team coached by the "Master of Panic"!
Meh, Ron Jeremy does his thing and I'm glad he's the coach for the Magic. I wish he'd get his guys together and tell them to attack instead of settling for jumpers, but he's a good coach. Far better than the "coach of the year".
Orlando as a team, got lazy and thus, sloppy while Boston knuckled down. There were a few bad calls as well. That 8 second call, for example, brought back the memories of a certain 3 second call.
The Magic didn't get a lot of calls whereas the Celtics had a lot of fouls called in their favor. Greatly because Boston attacked the basket with reckless abandon and the others were called because refs are dumb and/or crooked.
In fact, to call to attention...
Alston going for the steal from Rondo in the fourth. Rondo fouls him when trying to repossess the ball, which doesn't get called leading to a three point play.
Ray Allen pushing Pietrus down to the floor, but he somehow gets foul shots. Even the fans in the arena were hush on the play. They knew what it was.
Dwight was fouled on several plays, no call, but that always happens.
Just sayin...
I don't like to ***** about the calls because it's pointless to cry about it (esp. since it's the NBA), but Van Gundy is not to blame for contributing to the run Boston had. He called time outs when needed and told his guys to not settle for jumpers and attack. They either couldn't or just didn't listen.
I doubt Orlando will do the same come game 2.
Orlando got complacent which you never do on a team like Boston. They tend to do that with big leads. Just ask Philly.