NBA 2009 Finals

[sirthought]

Just watched a great game 3. Lots of players making some spectacular shots. Now that Cleveland is out, I'm not really rooting for one team over another, which actually makes the game more enjoyable.

All three games have been fun to watch, even with the Magic's struggling play in game 1.

I'm really impressed with Courtney Lee. When they drafted him I was kinda surprised. I knew his rep was as a shooter, but I didn't know that he had such a complete game. For a rookie he's been defending Kobe Bryant about as good as you could expect. He should be one to watch in the next couple years. Him being an Indy native, I'm trying to remember if Miller recruited him?

Between Mikael Pietrus (who plays both the 2 and 3) and Lee, the Magic seem set at shooting guard. I think JJ Redick might be buried on the bench forever. I know he played some critical minutes, but he doesn't seem to be the first or second choice overall.

I wonder if Cleveland's Mike Brown could coach Redick into playing better defense?
They could use another shooter and somebody who can hit FTs. I don't know that he'd be a starter but I bet he'd fit in better on the Cavs than a lot of other teams.
(slamming on Redick can start now)

[GuyFawkes38]

Yeah, what really surprises me about Lee is that he shows flashes of incredible athleticism. He dunked in the face of Lebron a couple times and had a spectacular dunk last night.

It's strange to have a Redick vs Adam Morrison finals (who's in street clothes. even with cut hair, his look remains sleazy).

Redick has played well for the Magic. But I would imagine the Cavs will look for more of a taller, athletic 2 (like Turko...but those are hard to find).

[sirthought]

Hedo is not a two guard, even if he shoots as well as he does. He's 6'10". Anyhow, who else is tall enough and can score his points? Joe Johnson? Danny Granger? They won't get them.

I just read a fan blog that made a logical, if somewhat reaching, argument that the Cavs could trade for the King's Kevin Martin. The Kings really need the money. While they've tried to build around Martin they've gone from bad to worse. They might just be willing to start over with some of Cleveland's younger players and non-guaranteed contracts while they draft a shooting guard with their #4 pick. Martin would be an attractive, 6"7", very gifted scorer. But I think he'd be hard to get.

Redick, with the right coaching, could be more productive--and taller--than current options such as Boobie Gibson. Plus, Orlando is going to need some big men next year. Cleveland could maybe offer a package of Darnell Jackson and Tarence Kinsey for Redick.


The Cavs biggest needs are at the 2, 4, and 5. There aren't any centers of note. (Maybe Gortat or Chris Andersen.) There are a few 4s that might work. Villanueva, Millsap, Bass, and even Rasheed Wallace. But the 2 is a tricky spot for the Cavs that they have to improve on.

I hope they stay away from the older players and go for guys with more upside. But they need to win NOW and can't rely on draft picks to get them that championship.

[Raoul Duke]

I've enjoyed the finals too. Jameer Nelson seems to be getting more comfortable. I think he's going to pick it up even more now.

[THRILLHOUSE]

Problem for Orlando is it took an absolute lights out shooting performance for them to win and they barely won. If Kobe doesn't have an uncharacteristically bad night at the line the lakers win. But they got the win and remain alive, they have to tighten up their d especially on the inside because Gasol and Odom are killing them.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I wonder if Cleveland's Mike Brown could coach

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let me stop you right there. Nothing that comes next in that questioncould possibly be true. Mike Brown coach? HA!

[sirthought]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let me stop you right there. Nothing that comes next in that question could possibly be true. Mike Brown coach? HA!

Not sure if that's sarcasm or what you're implying. He's coach of the year. The guy can manage a team and seems to get a lot out of a not uber-talented roster.

Yes, they have MVP James, but it's more than that. I think he's a good coach.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not sure if that's sarcasm or what you're implying. He's coach of the year. The guy can manage a team and seems to get a lot out of a not uber-talented roster.

Yes, they have MVP James, but it's more than that. I think he's a good coach.

No I am being dead serious. And see how you changed the word from coach to manage. I think you have doubts yourself. If that Orlando series didnt show you that the guy cant coach nothing will. He got completely outcoached by Van Gundy. Not to mention what is the deal during every time out where one of the assistants draws up the play? I didnt see Mike Brown once with a clipboard in his hands.

[sirthought]

I do think the Cavs need to rethink their offense. But I think they lost because they couldn't handle Howard and that opened up the outside too much. Plus, Mo Williams was shut down.

Mike Brown delegates to his assistants. Everyone knows that. But it doesn't mean he doesn't step up when and where he sees fit. You might not like that style but that doesn't mean he's a bad coach.

Orlando has more talent throughout and they defended the Cavs well.
LA has more talent than Orlando throughout, but Orlando is still defending really well.

I think James was just wore down and I see the same thing happening to Kobe now.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I do think the Cavs need to rethink their offense. But I think they lost because they couldn't handle Howard and that opened up the outside too much. Plus, Mo Williams was shut down.

Mike Brown delegates to his assistants. Everyone knows that. But it doesn't mean he doesn't step up when and where he sees fit. You might not like that style but that doesn't mean he's a bad coach.

Orlando has more talent throughout and they defended the Cavs well.
LA has more talent than Orlando throughout, but Orlando is still defending really well.

I think James was just wore down and I see the same thing happening to Kobe now.

I dont think you could say the same about many, if any, elite NBA coaches.

Also it seems as though Mike Brown has a complete inability to find Lebron any rest during games. When you look at the Lakers Phil Jackson always finds rest for Kobe, a minute here an couple there. Last night Kobe sat for a little at the start of the second in a very close game. I think that is another example of why I dont think Brown is a good coach. If Cleveland falls off at all next year I would nto be one bit surprised to see Mike Brown gone. If they dont but Lebron still leaves, I give Mike Brown one year without Lebron before he is canned.

[MuskieCinci]

Mike Brown just lets LeBron play and he gets out of the way. He doesn't draw up plays or mix up the line up to counter what the opposing team has, he just throws 4 guys on the floor with LeBron and says, "Have fun!" It was a good enough strategy for the regular season but against the Magic he got worked by SVG.

[bobbiemcgee]

1 puppet down, one to go.

[GuyFawkes38]

Brutal loss for the Magic.

Why on earth was Jameer Nelson playing the entire 4th quarter and overtime. He made a couple good assists. But other than that he struggled (including giving up a game winning 3). Austin provides a much more athletic and dynamic presence.

Chris Mack was compelled to Tweet:

CoachChrisMack: Lesson learned by Jameer I think. Why are you behind the 3 point line up 3 w 5 secs left??

[D-West & PO-Z]

The worst part about it is that Derrick Fischer is terrible and wouldnt start for another team in the league and he is the guy who makes the two big shots. If the Lakers had a good PG they would be unstoppable.

[ChicagoX]

The Magic deserve to lose The Finals more than the Lakers deserve to win it.

[GuyFawkes38]

yeah, I cannot stand Derrick Fischer.

I think part of that stems from his controversial move from Utah to LA (able to persuade Utah to release him from his contract because his daughter could only be treated for a health condition in LA....I, and Utah fans, don't buy that. He just wanted to play for LA).

Fischer is a crappy player who can only play well against slow, out of shape PG's. So SVG decided to give LA a gift and put Nelson on the court instead of the more dynamic Rafer Alston.

[Juice]

yeah, I cannot stand Derrick Fischer.

I think part of that stems from his controversial move from Utah to LA (able to persuade Utah to release him from his contract because his daughter could only be treated for a health condition in LA....I, and Utah fans, don't buy that. He just wanted to play for LA).

Fischer is a crappy player who can only play well against slow, out of shape PG's. So SVG decided to give LA a gift and put Nelson on the court instead of the more dynamic Rafer Alston.

The exact reason I hate that asshole. He jumps to Utah for the money and then realizes he doesn't like it. He is also a coward to use his sick daughter as an excuse.

It's also cool knowing that I could beat the crap out of him if I wanted to. You can't say that about many NBA players.

[D-West & PO-Z]

The exact reason I hate that asshole. He jumps to Utah for the money and then realizes he doesn't like it. He is also a coward to use his sick daughter as an excuse.

It's also cool knowing that I could beat the crap out of him if I wanted to. You can't say that about many NBA players.

I dont know, his arms are pretty frickin jacked, especially for how old he is.

[GuyFawkes38]

I dont know, his arms are pretty frickin jacked, especially for how old he is.

I agree with Juice. he might have muscles, but he's still very petite.

[xsteve1]

Still don't understand why Nelson was in the game. The Magic were playing great ball while he was hurt. No need to ruin that chemistry. A taller guy would have blocked that Fisher game tying 3. Or as Burrell tweeted about fouling him instead of letting him shoot it.

[Juice]

Still don't understand why Nelson was in the game. The Magic were playing great ball while he was hurt. No need to ruin that chemistry. A taller guy would have blocked that Fisher game tying 3. Or as Burrell tweeted about fouling him instead of letting him shoot it.

Wonder where he learned that lesson from?

[AviatorX]

Well, I can rest easy forever now that Adam Morrison is an NBA Champion.

The first of hopefully many rings to come for Morrison, what a winner!

[GoMuskies]

Well, I can rest easy forever now that Adam Morrison is an NBA Champion.

The first of hopefully many rings to come for Morrison, what a winner!

Better Morrison than Redick.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Well, I can rest easy forever now that Adam Morrison is an NBA Champion.

The first of hopefully many rings to come for Morrison, what a winner!

Wonder if him and JJ still play Halo together online with their headsets telling one another how great they are and arguing whose turn it is to play catcher tonight.

[AviatorX]

Wonder if him and JJ still play Halo together online with their headsets telling one another how great they are and arguing whose turn it is to play catcher tonight.

I could see an argument going something like this:

JJ: Adam, why aren't you online, I'm ready to game.

Adam: Shutup JJ, I had to go out and celebrate the title. I'm an NBA champion.

JJ: At least I got to wear a jersey for the finals...

[Raoul Duke]

Better Morrison than Redick.

Really? Redick bothers me a whole hell of a lot less than Morrison. He seems to be putting in effort and actually contributing to his team.


I've enjoyed the finals too. Jameer Nelson seems to be getting more comfortable. I think he's going to pick it up even more now.


Still don't understand why Nelson was in the game. The Magic were playing great ball while he was hurt. No need to ruin that chemistry. A taller guy would have blocked that Fisher game tying 3. Or as Burrell tweeted about fouling him instead of letting him shoot it.

I am going to pull a reverse Guy Fawkes and point out how awful my prediction was. xsteve is right.

[SixFig]

Nice to see Phil rocking an X hat, albeit not related to Xavier at all.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n125/lbrownie/philjacksonhat.jpg