2004 - 2005 NBA Finals

[pimpshiznid]

All I have to say about the Pacers/Pistons game is, oh how the tables have turned.... :p

[kombolcha]

i'm dissappointed in today's game.. they just stood there and watched forster/foster ? grab every rebound. pathetic.

come one Detroit, little hightlight dunks here and small putbacks there only gets the crowd going, not the scoreboard. get your **** straight damn it :crazy:

[bigbluepride35]

My goodness. We actually MIGHT have some competitive series after all? Not to anger any Detroit or Phoenix fans but I'm glad Indiana and Dallas pulled off the wins last night. Since I'm not really pulling for any of the teams left, (if I HAD to choose I guess Miami but I really don't care) I'm just looking for some good, intense, down-to-the-wire playoff series.

[bigbluepride35]

Wow Miami didn't even NEED Shaq tonight. I don't know if that's more a credit to Miami or a knock on Washington. All I know is Dwayne Wade is a BALLER. He proved last year he can do it during the regular season and this year he's just owning in the playoffs. Kobe who? Lol. Just kidding. Though I'm sure Shaq forgot his name by now. :laugh:

[mattmatik]

Wow Miami didn't even NEED Shaq tonight. I don't know if that's more a credit to Miami or a knock on Washington. All I know is Dwayne Wade is a BALLER. He proved last year he can do it during the regular season and this year he's just owning in the playoffs. Kobe who? Lol. Just kidding. Though I'm sure Shaq forgot his name by now.  :laugh:

585911806[/snapback]

I wonder what Shaq is thinking watching a guy like Dwayne Wade play his absolute BALLS OFF after having to watch primadonna Kobe Bryant for all those years?

Kobe...you have been surplanted, surpassed, forgotten, and absolutely exposed by a MAN...Dwayne Wade.

Damn, I wish he was a Warrior :p

[djsaad1]

I dont understand what you guys are talking about. This is exactly what kobe was doing for the past few years in the playoffs, carrying the team because shaq couldn't do it anymore. Dwayne Wade is proving that shaq isn't what he used to be and that shaq needs another superstar to win the only difference is that shaq is keeping quite now because he finnaly figured it out.

Here are kobes stats from the playoffs first, then shaqs stats.Notice how shaqs stats went down over the past few years while kobes went up.

Playoff Stats Year Team Lg G Min Pts PPG FGM FGA FGP FTM FTA FTP 3PM 3PA 3PP ORB DRB TRB RPG AST APG STL BLK TO

1996-97 LAL NBA 9 133 74 8.2 21 55 .382 26 30 .867 6 23 .261 1 10 11 1.2 11 1.2 3 2 14

1997-98 LAL NBA 11 220 96 8.7 31 76 .408 31 45 .689 3 14 .214 7 14 21 1.9 16 1.5 3 8 11

1998-99 LAL NBA 8 315 158 19.8 61 142 .430 28 35 .800 8 23 .348 13 42 55 6.9 37 4.6 15 10 31

1999-00 LAL NBA 22 857 465 21.1 174 394 .442 95 126 .754 22 64 .344 26 72 98 4.5 97 4.4 32 32 55

2000-01 LAL NBA 16 694 471 29.4 168 358 .469 124 151 .821 11 34 .324 29 87 116 7.3 97 6.1 25 12 51

2001-02 LAL NBA 19 833 506 26.6 187 431 .434 110 145 .759 22 58 .379 28 83 111 5.8 87 4.6 27 17 54

2002-03 LAL NBA 12 531 385 32.1 137 317 .432 86 104 .827 25 62 .403 16 45 61 5.1 62 5.2 14 1 42

Playoff Stats Year Team Lg G Min Pts PPG FGM FGA FGP FTM FTA FTP 3PM 3PA 3PP ORB DRB TRB RPG AST APG STL BLK TO

1993-94 ORL NBA 3 126 62 20.7 23 45 .511 16 34 .471 0 0 .000 17 23 40 13.3 7 2.3 2 9 10

1994-95 ORL NBA 21 805 539 25.7 195 338 .577 149 261 .571 0 0 .000 95 155 250 11.9 70 3.3 18 40 73

1995-96 ORL NBA 12 459 310 25.8 131 216 .606 48 122 .393 0 0 .000 49 71 120 10.0 55 4.6 9 15 44

1996-97 LAL NBA 9 326 242 26.9 89 173 .514 64 105 .610 0 0 .000 38 57 95 10.6 29 3.2 5 17 22

1997-98 LAL NBA 13 501 396 30.5 158 258 .612 80 159 .503 0 0 .000 48 84 132 10.2 38 2.9 7 34 43

1998-99 LAL NBA 8 315 213 26.6 79 155 .510 55 118 .466 0 0 .000 44 49 93 11.6 18 2.3 7 23 18

1999-00 LAL NBA 23 1000 707 30.7 286 505 .566 135 296 .456 0 0 .000 119 236 355 15.4 71 3.1 13 55 56

2000-01 LAL NBA 16 676 487 30.4 191 344 .555 105 200 .525 0 0 .000 91 156 247 15.4 51 3.2 7 38 57

2001-02 LAL NBA 19 776 541 28.5 203 384 .529 135 208 .649 0 0 .000 67 172 239 12.6 54 2.8 10 48 62

2002-03 LAL NBA 12 481 324 27.0 121 226 .535 82 132 .621 0 0 .000 63 115 178 14.8 44 3.7 7 34 35

By the way there is no way dwayne wade is going to be able to do this vs the pistons, he is just going to be tired and won't be able to handle the pistons defense.

[kombolcha]

i think you should edit.. and put that code using the "code" button so that it keeps it alligned. :/

[mattmatik]

I dont understand what you guys are talking about. This is exactly what kobe was doing for the past few years in the playoffs, carrying the team because shaq couldn't do it anymore.

By the way there is no way dwayne wade is going to be able to do this vs the pistons, he is just going to be tired and won't be able to handle the pistons defense.

585912376[/snapback]

Errr..."aaaaiiiiirrrrbbbbaaaaalllllll"

You want to know why Kobe's stats went up? He got tired of Shaq winning the Finals MVP every year. He started jacking up more shots and using his teammates less and less. You want to know why the Lakers won those 3 championships? Because Shaq brought double teams, he kicked it out to guys like Fisher, Fox, Horry, and Kobe and they made shots. Last year, Kobe clearly paid no attention to this and instead of dumping it to Shaq he took one-on-one and one-on-two shots. Go back and watch the tape, it's all there ;) Also, the role-players for the Lakers didn't show up against the Pistons. I HATE the Lakers and even I could see how frustrated Shaq and Phil Jackson were with Kobe.

Has Shaq lost a step? Sure. Is he the best player on his team? No. But, don't sit there and tell me Kobe carried the Lakers and that Shaq cannot do it anymore.

[djsaad1]

Errr..."aaaaiiiiirrrrbbbbaaaaalllllll"

You want to know why Kobe's stats went up? He got tired of Shaq winning the Finals MVP every year. He started jacking up more shots and using his teammates less and less. You want to know why the Lakers won those 3 championships? Because Shaq brought double teams, he kicked it out to guys like Fisher, Fox, Horry, and Kobe and they made shots. Last year, Kobe clearly paid no attention to this and instead of dumping it to Shaq he took one-on-one and one-on-two shots. Go back and watch the tape, it's all there ;) Also, the role-players for the Lakers didn't show up against the Pistons. I HATE the Lakers and even I could see how frustrated Shaq and Phil Jackson were with Kobe.

Has Shaq lost a step? Sure. Is he the best player on his team? No. But, don't sit there and tell me Kobe carried the Lakers and that Shaq cannot do it anymore.

585912470[/snapback]

At game 3 of the finals last year Shaq was screaming at phil all night because according to him he wasn't getting enough touches. Phil and tex winters brought shaq the video tape of the game the next day. They all sat down and analyzed it and showed shaq that he was getting as much touches as he always got, he just wasn't doing enough when he got the ball.

Last years playoffs and the playoffs before that had nothing to do with shaqs touches because he was getting the ball. He just wasn't playing with the energy that he played with years before.

[bigbluepride35]

By the way there is no way dwayne wade is going to be able to do this vs the pistons, he is just going to be tired and won't be able to handle the pistons defense.

585912376[/snapback]

So far NO ONE has been able to sustain that kind of performance against Detroit. And Kobe deserves any criticism he gets. He WANTED Shaq gone, he couldn't get along with Phil. That's the most dominant force in the game over the past 13 years or so and the best coach of the past 15 years. It's HIS team now and he can't carry the load by himself. This year: Miami +17 wins. Lakers -22 wins. Granted the Lakers lost other palyers too but Kobe even managed to estrange himself from Malone who was probably the only friend he had left on the team.

[djsaad1]

So far NO ONE has been able to sustain that kind of performance against Detroit. And Kobe deserves any criticism he gets. He WANTED Shaq gone, he couldn't get along with Phil. That's the most dominant force in the game over the past 13 years or so and the best coach of the past 15 years. It's HIS team now and he can't carry the load by himself. This year: Miami +17 wins. Lakers -22 wins. Granted the Lakers lost other palyers too but Kobe even managed to estrange himself from Malone who was probably the only friend he had left on the team.

585914164[/snapback]

I wasn't trying to criticise dwayne wade by that comment. I just meant with him playing so much and so hard right now because shaq isn't doing his job. By the time he will get to detroit he will be to tired to really do anything.

And by kobe trading away shaq, I wouldn't put the blame on him. Even if he did ask to get shaq traded which he probably did jerry buss didn't have to fulfill his request. Jerry Buss saw that shaq was on a decline and he wasn't trying his hardest in LA. He could also probably tell that shaq has max three more years left in him and for three more years of this its not worth paying him the 30 million a year or whatever he was asking for.

I think getting rid of shaq was a good idea, i think what they ended up getting for shaq was a huge mistake. And most of the mistake was brian grant just because of his huge contract.

I really dont know what is going on with the whole phil story. If phil hates kobe so much then why is LA his top prospect for coming back. It doesn't make much sense to me. As a huge laker fan I know that kobe is selfish and egotistic. And hopefully one day he will overcome that, but even knowing this I think it was right to keep kobe and trade shaq away. Just the age difference alone makes it make sense. These two were obviously never going to get along together.

[kombolcha]

WTF IS WRONG WITH THE PISTONS :argh: this is pathetic, they better get their **** together, and god damn it i just wanna kick foster in the balls **** :angry:

[djsaad1]

I don't really like reggie miller but it would be kind of cool to see him win a ring this year. It won't happen, but would be nice.

[bigbluepride35]

Considering what they've done without Shaq, if he gets healthy, anyone see a chance of the Heat not winning the whole thing? When you sweep two teams with ALonzo Mourning being your star center I think you got something special. Not to pick on him but he is just a TAD past his prime. Might be the quality of opponent they've faced too but odds are Indiana and Detroit are going to beat the hell out of each other. Only team from the West that I think can challenge is San Antonio. Anyway, guess we'll just have to wait and see with Shaq. Should be an interesting story line as long as the Heat keep advancing. How far can they make it with a less than 100% Shaq?

[Delerium]

How far can they make it with a less than 100% Shaq?

585921249[/snapback]

They have been good but neither the Wiz nor Nets are as good as really any of the teams that made the playoffs in the west. They were two fluke teams. I mean if the Heat lost more than two games to either of those teams people would be all over them, unsure if their squad is enough to get to the finals. Personally they are the team from the east at the moment with the Pistons reeling. Now if Detroit can find a way to win this series against Indiana, Miami could be in some trouble. I dont think without Shaq contributing "Shaq-like" numbers they can take 4 out of 7. It'd be a tough battle and I think it would go 7. Now if they play Indiana, who has been surprisingly resurgent in the playoffs, I think they could beat them in 6 as long as Shaq plays 25-30 mins a game.

Now I do think the Heat will reach the finals, but I dont think they have enough to take on San Antonio which right now looks like the best team in the west or Phoenix who would be too fast for the Heat stand against a run and gun offense. Now if the Heat can slow the Suns down they have a chance, but honestly I think its the Spurs year yet again, although I'm heartily rooting against both them and the Pistons. What can I say, I like to see new teams win. And since I'm a Hawks fan and wont see them make the playoffs, much less win a championship sometime in the next couple decades, I take pride in rooting for the unexpected teams. Go Phoenix!

[kombolcha]

:D 2 - 2

[entropyx]

Let's hope the Suns can bring it up 3-1.

[ANova]

The Suns basically have the series. They destroyed the Mavs in 2 out of the 3 games and in the game they lost, only by 2 points. The Mavs would have to pull something big to win, or the Suns would have to suddenly get very bad.

I honestly think the Spurs will be the only team to give the Suns trouble. If the Suns manage to beat the Spurs, they'll probably go all the way.

[baseballpro9]

The Suns basically have the series.  They destroyed the Mavs in 2 out of the 3 games and in the game they lost, only by 2 points.  The Mavs would have to pull something big to win, or the Suns would have to suddenly get very bad.

I honestly think the Spurs will be the only team to give the Suns trouble.  If the Suns manage to beat the Spurs, they'll probably go all the way.

585924685[/snapback]

Go all the way? Have you forgotten about the Miami Heat or the Detroit Pistons? The Suns are good and all, but can Stoudimire take care of Shaq while Dwayne Wade wears down Phoenix guards, all the while Eddie Jones and Damon Jones are hitting silent three pointers with the help of Mourning and Hasleem getting offensive rebounds off their misses.

What about the Detroit Pistons, they have the best team chemisty and awarness by far.

If the Phoenix wins the Championship I will be more than stunned, this should be a good one.

[kombolcha]

dallas beating the suns like they did today.. i don't see pheonix winning the championship.

i loved the Samuel L. Jackson thing they had.. the one minute NBA thing.

[ANova]

Go all the way?  Have you forgotten about the Miami Heat or the Detroit Pistons?  The Suns are good and all, but can Stoudimire take care of Shaq while Dwayne Wade wears down Phoenix guards, all the while Eddie Jones and Damon Jones are hitting silent three pointers with the help of Mourning and Hasleem getting offensive rebounds off their misses.

If the Phoenix wins the Championship I will be more than stunned, this should be a good one.

585925818[/snapback]

Yes, all the way. Granted both the Heat and the Pistons are undeniably good teams, they aren't as good as the Suns. Shaq is old and losing steam, he's not even doing anything for the team, that's pretty much all Wade. Nash and Barbosa are as fast as Wade and Richardson, Joe Johnson and Jim Jackson are all better then Eddie and Damon from behind the line. As far as rebounds, Marion is among the best and Stoudemire does well when he tries too.

What about the Detroit Pistons, they have the best team chemisty and awarness by far.

That's hilarious, seriously. Yes their chemistry is good, best by far? No way.

[baseballpro9]

Yes, all the way. Granted both the Heat and the Pistons are undeniably good teams, they aren't as good as the Suns. Shaq is old and losing steam, he's not even doing anything for the team, that's pretty much all Wade. Nash and Barbosa are as fast as Wade and Richardson, Joe Johnson and Jim Jackson are all better then Eddie and Damon from behind the line. As far as rebounds, Marion is among the best and Stoudemire does well when he tries too.

We can only wait and see. Can Marion and Stoudimire outrebound Ben and Rasheed Wallace along with McDyess? No....

Shaq is old and losing steam...maybe, but he still is atracting double teams leaving guards open for driving into the lanes (Wade) and three pointers (Jones')

[BroChaos Veteran]

game on!

so how long is rip gonna wear that facemask? he's been fine for like a year, hasn't he?

[Blues]

The Suns basically have the series.  They destroyed the Mavs in 2 out of the 3 games and in the game they lost, only by 2 points.  The Mavs would have to pull something big to win, or the Suns would have to suddenly get very bad.

I honestly think the Spurs will be the only team to give the Suns trouble.  If the Suns manage to beat the Spurs, they'll probably go all the way.

585924685[/snapback]

Im an avid spurs fan and i have to agree with you ...

cept for one thing...

They have to pull their head out of their butt and beat seattle before they can get into the confrence finals.

its san antonio's curse

strong during the season but we tend to fall apart duiring the post season.

[djsaad1]

usually i would agree with you with san antonio I am a huge laker fan so I would always make fun of the spurs for falling apart in the playoffs. But after what they did to my lakers in 2003 I don't know what to tell you. They could fall apart or they could just get even stronger.