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NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

#151
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4/2/09 at 9:28am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
I think last night's game was a good example of why I don't think any team should fear the Rockets in the playoffs. For all his virtues, Yao simply doesn't demand the ball in pressure situations. (Adelman has even called him out on this in the press, which I think is kind of pathetic.) And Artest's decision-making isn't what you want from a closer, not that that's a surprise The rest of the team are fairly even-playing scrappers and glue guys - a great bunch of supporting pieces but not a single one of them is a threat to just pop off for a scoring or defensive explosion.
Andy,

But there was a stretch, I think either late in the first quarter or early in the second, where the Rockets put together three or four three-pointers. I don't think it was Artest; I can't recall who it was, but man was he hot for a while there.

Did you see Ray Allen last night? Unconscious!
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#152
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4/2/09 at 12:22pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
But there was a stretch, I think either late in the first quarter or early in the second, where the Rockets put together three or four three-pointers. I don't think it was Artest; I can't recall who it was, but man was he hot for a while there.

I missed the first quarter but the box score shows the only Rocket that had more than one 3 was Battier. He was certainly unusually productive last night as he's only averaging 7 ppg this season

Quote:
Did you see Ray Allen last night? Unconscious!

Yeah, I've always liked Allen's game. I think he's greatly underrated compared to the other two stars in Boston because he's so soft-spoken and spent so much of his career toiling in Milwaukee and Seattle.
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#153
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4/2/09 at 12:37pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Ray's game is not as rounded as KG's or Pierce's, but that one thing he does best -- whoa Nellie!!!

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#154
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4/2/09 at 12:56pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
I missed the first quarter but the box score shows the only Rocket that had more than one 3 was Battier. He was certainly unusually productive last night as he's only averaging 7 ppg this season



Yeah, I've always liked Allen's game. I think he's greatly underrated compared to the other two stars in Boston because he's so soft-spoken and spent so much of his career toiling in Milwaukee and Seattle.
Andy,

It must have been later, because at one point I believe they were 7-9 from the three-point arc. I'll check.

Aaron,

Ray Allen does have a gorgeous jump shot. I actually defeated him in one-on-one a couple of years ago, too.
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#155
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4/6/09 at 7:31pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Manu Ginobili is out for the season. Let's just go ahead and shut down this thread because what reason is there to keep watching or talking about the NBA? See y'all in 2010.
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#156
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4/7/09 at 8:29am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
Aaron,

Ray Allen does have a gorgeous jump shot. I actually defeated him in one-on-one a couple of years ago, too.

Hey, so did my wife, MORGAN FAIRCHILD!!!

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#157
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4/7/09 at 9:24am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Hey, so did my wife, MORGAN FAIRCHILD!!!
LOL! Did I forget to mention that I was dreaming at the time? Yeah, a minor detail.

Too bad about Ginobili and Iverson.

So, who do people think the Lakers will meet in the NBA finals? They have three byes (some refer to these as series) in the West, and then they have to play some basketball. I wonder how tested they will be this year.
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#158
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4/14/09 at 8:06am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Well, the Cavaliers earned the best overall record in the NBA this year. As one poster above noted, Cleveland has been the most consistent team this year. The playoffs should be interesting. I have my thoughts on how it will pan out, but who knows.

I was dead wrong about the Magic finishing with 60 wins. I really thought that they would, but then they folded the final week of the season. Still, the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Celtics all hit the 60-win plateau this year. That's astonishing to me. As I mentioned earlier, I don't know if even three teams have done this before, let alone four.

Here are the standings as of today. These teams will all be in the playoffs. I don't envy the Pistons their first-round matchup. Still, they could make it interesting (Cleveland in six games?)

East:

Cleveland 66-15
Boston 60-20
Orlando 58-23
Atlanta 46-34
Miami 42-38
Chicago 41-40
Philadelphia 40-40
Detroit 39-42

Jockeying for position is still open in the West, especially between positions 2-5. I don't think any team in the West can play with the Lakers -- maybe only Portland. Still, I see Los Angeles losing about one game over the next 12-13 games en route to the NBA Finals. I used to think that the Lakers were going to win it all this year, but now I will have to wait to see who they will be playing in the Finals.

West:

Los Angeles 64-17
Denver 54-27
Houston 53-28
Portland 53-28
San Antonio 53-28
New Orleans 49-32
Dallas 49-32
Utah 48-33
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#159
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4/14/09 at 10:23am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

The Celtics and Sixers will be on TNT tonight in a preview of their playoff series which starts in a few days. It'll be interesting to see how the coaches handle this game.

I'll be surprised if Detroit survives past game 5, but then again the Celtics were a bit iffy in their first two rounds last season -- who knows what the Cavs will do?

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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#160
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4/14/09 at 11:19am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
I'll be surprised if Detroit survives past game 5, but then again the Celtics were a bit iffy in their first two rounds last season -- who knows what the Cavs will do?

Five games sounds about right. I just cannot imagine any way the Pistons can give the Cavs a competitive series. After all those consecutive Eastern Finals appearances, this playoff run is going to be over in the blink of an eye.
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#161
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4/14/09 at 2:32pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
The Celtics and Sixers will be on TNT tonight in a preview of their playoff series which starts in a few days. It'll be interesting to see how the coaches handle this game.

I'll be surprised if Detroit survives past game 5, but then again the Celtics were a bit iffy in their first two rounds last season -- who knows what the Cavs will do?
Detroit in four. Any takers?

The Celtics - Sixers game will be fun. Nothing at stake, and at least one team not at full-strength. I will be shocked if Boston wins the game. Ahh, how I long for the good ol' days of the Celtics - Sixers rivalries. Where are Mo Cheeks and Andrew Tony when you need them?
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#162
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4/16/09 at 9:43am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

It looks like Garnett will miss the entire playoffs.

Kevin Garnett of Boston Celtics could miss entire postseason, Doc Rivers says - ESPN

Related story:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...PERDiem-090416
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#163
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4/16/09 at 1:04pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Guess that means Orlando-cavs in eastern conference finals is a gaurantee.
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#164
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4/16/09 at 4:53pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

^^^

Hmmm. I don't know about that. I'm not certain the Magic are going to get out of the first round. The Celtics defeated Orlando soundly in Florida without Garnett; then Orlando defeated Boston by four not too long after that. The final four or five games played by the Magic have been abysmal. But assuming that they do, I still see Boston defeating them.
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#165
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4/16/09 at 10:44pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I'll take the Cavs sweeping the Pistons too.

More than a Cavs-Magic series, I see KG being out as cementing a Lakers-Cavs Finals. It wouldn't surprise me if the Celtics beat the Magic, but it wouldn't be out of the blue if they struggle against the Bulls either. It's too bad, really, I was still most hoping for a rematch of last year's Finals.

Most people seem to think that the Blazers is the Lakers' biggest threat in the West. If they aren't, maybe the Rockets are; either way, round two looks like the Lakers' biggest challenge on the road to the Finals.

Even though I agree that none of the West teams are in the same class as the Lakers, they are still facing a 48 win team in a talented (if not altogether coherent) Jazz team in the first round. I think this round works out well though, because the Jazz frontline of Okur, Boozer and Millsap are beat up and relatively small, which gives Bynum a chance to further get back into his game and build his confidence. Bynum has looked pretty good in his 4 game return so far. He'll have to play well for the Lakers to win the championship.
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#166
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4/17/09 at 6:12am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I don't think Cleveland will sweep Detroit. But I do think the Celtics could lose in the first round. This is going to be an interesting playoff season.

Cavs - Lakers in the finals? Probably. But I've seen some really odd things transpire in the NBA playoffs the past forty years to make me take a step back and not assume too much, or take anything for granted.*















*With the exception, of course, that the Lakers will make the Finals quite easily.
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#167
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4/17/09 at 7:21am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I'll also pick the Cavs as advancing to the finals. Garnett got hurt at exactly the wrong time.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirk Tsai
Most people seem to think that the Blazers is the Lakers' biggest threat in the West. If they aren't, maybe the Rockets are; either way, round two looks like the Lakers' biggest challenge on the road to the Finals.

The Lakers handled the Rockets pretty easily during the regular season so I don't see the Rockets being much of a threat if they manage to get by Portland. That Dallas game the other night is pretty much all you need to know about beating the Rockets: Front Yao with quick athletic guys and instead of passing it around to work it back into the post the rest of the team will immediately freeze him out of the offense for the rest of the game and start chucking 3's, playing right into the opponent's hands. Portland seems to be one of the few teams that hasn't figured this out so if they stay stupid the Rockets might actually have a shot at advancing this year...
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#168
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4/18/09 at 1:16pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

How about those Bulls today, eh? They worked their tails off against Boston, and deserved to win the game. But I bet Paul Pierce is bumming now, as he had the winning free throw to make, and he didn't. And Ray Allen -- wow, I don't think I've seen him this cold, even including last year's early playoff rounds. The only thing I know for certain is that the Celtics will not sweep the Bulls in the first round.

The Pistons are giving the Cavaliers a good game thus far. It will be interesting to see how that one turns out.
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#169
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4/20/09 at 6:09pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

The Celtics are in a war with Chicago. This is what playoff basketball is all about, and I love it. But what I don't love is that Powe and Rondo left the game with some type of injuries. I hope they're not serious injuries.

The Celtics came out of the gate storming, and were leading (I think) 20-6. But the Bulls are resilient (not to mention quite talented), and have fought back. It's a one-point game (88-87) in favor of Boston at the end of three quarters.

Let's go Dirk in game two!

What the heck happened to Portland the other night? I don't mind Houston outplaying them at both ends of the court, but if they get by the Trailblazers and then wilt if and when they play the Lakers, I won't be happy. In fact, I may even have to challenge Yao to a game of one-on-one just to set the record straight.
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#170
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4/20/09 at 6:45pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Man, I wish I weren't at work! Boston was down 109-104, but went on an 8-2 run. This is wonderful basketball. Then the lead changed a couple of times. Ray Allen just made a three-point jumper to put Boston ahead 115-113 with :20 seconds left in regulation. Chicago has just called a :20 timeout. I really do love the playoffs.

There are now twelve seconds to go, and Boston has the ball. It's currently tied, 115-115. This one will probably come down (again) to a final shot. This is one exciting playoff series thus far.

The Celtics win by three, 118-115 on Ray Allen's game-winner with a few seconds left!
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#171
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4/21/09 at 6:05am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I was more impressed with Ben Gordon making those crazy shots at the end of that game. Celtics won because they had the ball with 8 seconds left. There were 3 or 4 lead changes in the last 40 seconds. Great game.
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#172
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4/21/09 at 6:59am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

^^^

Yeah, Gordon was outstanding. They (Boston) effectively shut down Rose (ten points), but ... forgot about the immortal Ben Gordon.

I don't really know how this series will end up, but with a little help in one other series, the winner here might -- I say might -- get the Sixers. That would be quite a surprise.
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#173
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4/21/09 at 2:35pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Torn ACL + meniscus for Leon Powe. We've got a better chance of seeing KG back on the court. Sigh. . .

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#174
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4/21/09 at 5:10pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
Torn ACL + meniscus for Leon Powe. We've got a better chance of seeing KG back on the court. Sigh. . .
Yeah, I read about this an hour ago. He's gone for the postseason. It's odd, but I was thinking of how Powe might have been able to kick it up a notch, and perhaps give us what we needed without Garnett.

BTW, your words are true. We may yet still see Garnett if things go our way.
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#175
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4/22/09 at 6:34am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Dikembe Mutombo's career is over after taking a pretty bad knee injury in last night's game. His career was mostly likely going to end regardless of what happened in the playoffs because he had repeatedly said this was his last season but it sucks that even that was ended prematurely due to injury. It makes me sad but I'm also glad that he got to be part of the great center tradition for the Rockets. Dwight Howard is apparently going to be named DPOY this year, but for all his talent he doesn't know even the *slightest* fraction about defense that Mutombo did. The guy was 43 years old and he could still shut down the paint better than anyone I see playing right now.
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#176
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4/22/09 at 9:01am
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Sheets
Dikembe Mutombo's career is over after taking a pretty bad knee injury in last night's game. His career was mostly likely going to end regardless of what happened in the playoffs because he had repeatedly said this was his last season but it sucks that even that was ended prematurely due to injury. It makes me sad but I'm also glad that he got to be part of the great center tradition for the Rockets. Dwight Howard is apparently going to be named DPOY this year, but for all his talent he doesn't know even the *slightest* fraction about defense that Mutombo did. The guy was 43 years old and he could still shut down the paint better than anyone I see playing right now.
What you wrote makes me wish I had watched Mutombo's career more closely. I had no idea he was as good as you say he is in the paint.

BTW, I know that there is at least one fan on this Board whom is secretly hoping for a Sixers series victory against the Magic. He's keeping relatively quiet, but I do hope he shows up soon. I don't think it's fair of me to give his name away of course, so I won't do that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walter C
There hasn't been much to cheer for, in Philly, with the Sixers getting off to a slow start. And it looks like Elton Brand will miss tonight's game.
Walter, what do you think their chances are against Orlando?

Wouldn't it be surprising to see a Chicago - Philadelphia second-round matchup?
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#177
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4/22/09 at 2:43pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I haven't watched Mutombo play much recently, but he was a defensive monster back in the day.

Too bad the Cs didn't pursue him instead of Mikki "Who" Moore. If the guy gets 2 points and 2 rebounds and doesn't foul out, it's like winning the lottery!

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#178
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4/22/09 at 4:54pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron Silverman
I haven't watched Mutombo play much recently, but he was a defensive monster back in the day.

Too bad the Cs didn't pursue him instead of Mikki "Who" Moore. If the guy gets 2 points and 2 rebounds and doesn't foul out, it's like winning the lottery!
Yeah, Moore is one of the few players I know who can actually have more fouls than minutes played per game on a consistent basis.

Still, I'd love for him to go all Mutombo on us -- beginning Thursday night in game three.
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#179
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4/23/09 at 3:19pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ockeghem
Walter, what do you think their chances are against Orlando?

Wouldn't it be surprising to see a Chicago - Philadelphia second-round matchup?

I was even surprised that they won a game, expecting them to get swept. It would be a huge shocker if they somehow made it to the 2nd round.
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#180
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4/24/09 at 1:36pm
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Re: NBA 2008-09 Regular Season Discussion Thread

I think last night was Mikki Moore's best game yet! And Marbury's, too. (For some reason, whenever I think of Marbury, I think "Sebastian Telfair." Go figure!)

Seeing Scal back on the court was a very pleasant surprise. Too bad his first trey wasn't at the Garden though.

"How wonderful it will be to have a leader unburdened by the twin horrors of knowledge and experience." -- Mr. Wick

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