[Rob Babcock]

Have a nice off season!   Once again, the "King" ended up looking like a clown.  Looks like the "Old Three" found a fountain of youth!  I'm sure hoping for another Celtics/Lakers finals!

[satfrat]

So much for the best record in the NBA this season,,, must be the Celtics didn't get the memo that they were suppose to lose.     
 
Boston Celtic/ Orlando Magic; Sunday afternoon, game #1. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Rob Babcock]

All the remaining teams are looking pretty good.  Hard to tell if the Suns are "for real'- they handled the Spurs easily but they're a greatly diminished Spurs team.  The Magic are looking pretty fierce, not gonna be a picnic for Boston.  It should be a couple interesting series.  On paper the Lakers shouldn't have much to worry about but the game won't be played on paper.  We shall see!

[JerryM]

...On paper the Lakers shouldn't have much to worry about but the game won't be played on paper.  We shall see!

This series could easily be decided by bench players. If that is made to happen by Phoenix, Mr. Nash may finally see his first Finals game. 

Go Lakers,
Jerry

[Rob Babcock]

BTW, in a way I'm impressed by James- he actually showed some sportsmanship this time.  I see he stuck around to congratulate the winners.  Maybe it's bad when simple courtesy is a surprised, but baby steps...baby steps.

[Kinger]

As a Cleveland native and still a fan of their teams, I'm gonna be sad to see him leave.  He was a guy who made being a Cleveland sports fan bearable and provided hope that someday we might get to the top of the mountain.

[rklein]

My take on this (as a NE Ohioan) is that LeBron James will end up staying in Cleveland.  People seem to think that he will leave for New York, Miami, Chicago, etc.  Fact is, that he deeply cares about the Cleveland area because of his Akron roots.  Secondly, Cleveland has an owner who isn't afraid to spend the money to keep him here(Larry Bird rule).  Thirdly, despite the Cavs playing poorly, this team still gives LeBron the best chance to win a championship ring.  Lastly, James wants desperately to bring a championship to this area of long suffering sports fans(me included )

As for being a clown...this man has always put his team mates before himself.  Sometimes to his own detriment.    He has never embarrassed his team with off the court bulls**t we often see with our major sports figures.  In addition, except for a lapse in good sportmanship last year in the Eastern Conference finals against Orlando, LeBron James has made good decisions with his on the court actions.  He certainly wouldn't spit at opposing players(Paul Pierce at the Cavs bench during a pre-season game held in Columbus, Ohio in 94).

Congrats to the Celtics.  They were definately the better team during these playoffs.  My only hope is that they make it to the NBA finals where they lose to the Lakers!

Randy

[PhilNYC]

BTW, in a way I'm impressed by James- he actually showed some sportsmanship this time.  I see he stuck around to congratulate the winners.  Maybe it's bad when simple courtesy is a surprised, but baby steps...baby steps.

Hmmm...I was actually thinking just the opposite!  Imho, he was a little too enthusiastic congratulating every player and coach from the Celtics.  I would have rather seen him after the game ticked off about losing...or at a minimum, seeing him co-miserating with his teammates.  His actions after the game convinced me that he doesn't think much about his teammates in Cleveland and will probably be headed somewhere else next year...

[sts9fan]

Hmmm...I was actually thinking just the opposite!  Imho, he was a little too enthusiastic congratulating every player and coach from the Celtics.  I would have rather seen him after the game ticked off about losing...or at a minimum, seeing him co-miserating with his teammates.  His actions after the game convinced me that he doesn't think much about his teammates in Cleveland and will probably be headed somewhere else next year...

I totally agree with you.  He looked fine with it and did you see that calculated quick removal of the Cavs jersey?  You gennerally don't high five the fans of the team that just eliminated you. 

[launche]

It seemed to me that the Cav's packed it in early.  I didn't see much fight out of them.  Even though Lebron had great numbers that game they were kind of meaningless because he or the team seemed to play with no passion, energy, toughness or desperation.  I knew they were not going all the way because I thought they were a soft team, I never liked their defense. 

Mo Williams is a playoff bust, he's shown he may not be able to get it down.  He had a bad series, 22 points in the final game but only 2 in second half.  His defense is bad and I am now convinced he doesn't know how to run a team.  Jamison was a defensive liability, they picked on him at will.  Nobody stepped up, I saw no chemistry, bad coaching adjustments.  I don't see how or why they would keep this team together, the whole could blow up.  Shaq and Z are pretty much done, both barely played. They brought both those big guys in and gave them little work.  Great coaching by Rivers to keep the tempo up and keep the bigs on the bench, Cavs transition D was horrible.  Unless they bring in some toughness, it's pointless.  He might as well go unless the Cavs do a very good trade.  Get rid of Jamison, Williams and Shaq.

When the Celtics get on the same page and start playing defense they are a very good team.  They've got pretty much all the weapons and they have tough players in Rondo, Garnett, Perkins and Tony Allen.  They should beat the Magic, I think the Magic are a soft jump shooting team.  The Celtics can easily take Vince Carter and Lewis out of the game, once you get Howard in foul trouble that's it.  Nelson is there only hope and I'd pick Rondo in that matchup any day.  Unless the Magic shoot the lights out from 3 point range they shouldn't win.

Celtic/Lakers:  Celtics in seven if they keep playing this aggressive defense.  Laker's only win if the Celtics ease up and treat Gasol with kids gloves.  Lakers can hang close because they have Kobe and he can do what Lebron couldn't which is pull up and hit a midrange jumper/fade away with a hand dead in his face.  Fisher will be outplayed by Rondo but Fisher's tough and nasty enough to be plenty bothersome.