Sports Talk

[OA]

Originally Posted by Mr. Snackpants

If I know this team at all they will be in this game to the wire.

Well, not exactly...

Gibson played the game of his young career...James while not putting up the big numbers, was still very effective driving in and making the big plays....Unbeilievable the way they made the Pistons look like amatuers...I mean, 4 straight!!!

And the Pistions, well what can you say. Sheed explodes again, the defence was porous at best, and they had no answer for Gibson...

What a game and series...

Now for the Finals. I still think the Spurs will win, but these Cavs are for real....I hope they make it interesting at least...

[Mr. Snackpants]

Originally Posted by TMNTerminator

Well, not exactly...

Gibson played the game of his young career...James while not putting up the big numbers, was still very effective driving in and making the big plays....Unbeilievable the way they made the Pistons look like amatuers...I mean, 4 straight!!!

And the Pistions, well what can you say. Sheed explodes again, the defence was porous at best, and they had no answer for Gibson...

What a game and series...

Now for the Finals. I still think the Spurs will win, but these Cavs are for real....I hope they make it interesting at least...

I guess I don't know this team. They used to play with poise and heart but neither was seen since game 3 against the Bulls. Billups yet again played poorly. What happened to him. I was sick and tired of that giant grin on his face everytime something bad happened. It didnt looked like he even cared. Tayshaun was a non factor, he never got going. Rip and Sheed were the only ones out there playing with any heart. Rip took it strong the the hole at every opportunity. He wanted to win...so did Sheed. Sheed had a pretty good game. I blew up at the end. After a BS 5th foul he basically grabbed Lebron to pick up his 6th which was stupid. Then he got 2 techs and was thrown out of the game and game 7 if a miracle happened. It was selfish in a way to go out like that with 7 minutes left but he knew the game was over...his teamates werent giving he or Rip any help. I would rather him go out with some heart and desire than walk through the motions like Chauncey and Tayshaun.

Varejao is a p.o.s.. I hated him last year and I hate him even more now. I cannot stand a flopper. When I played bball in high school there was a center in our conference that loved to flop. It was the most frustrating thing ever. I would make a move and if I came close to him he would flop. Thats what Varejao does. It's the cheapest thing in basketball. That offensive foul on Sheed that gave him his 5th was ********. Varejao chest bumped him 3-4 times and Sheed comes back with some contact and the bitch just falls over. He can be as physical as he wants but noone can be physical back. I dont have a problem with anyone on the Cavs but Varejao. I hope that "flop rule" will pass because then everytime he does it he'll get a technical. He wouldn't last a quarter if that new rule passes.

This team is done. Joe D has to make changes this offseason. I would hate to see him go, but if they can trade Sheed they gotta do it while they can still get something in return. After the way Billups played I would not be sad to see him walk away, I don't want a whole season of what I just saw. Webber...get him outta here, same with Flip(Saunders and Murray). The only people they shouldnt think about moving are Rip, Tayshaun, Maxiell, and Amir Johnson. Fix the rest. Their play made me sick. Im not trying to say thats the reason they lost because Cleveland was the better team and I give them credit, but that was not the same Piston team of the last 4 years. I guess Im sad because this core group of guys are basically done.

I think Cleveland will give the Spurs a scare. But in the end, the Spurs will win in 6. It should be a decent series...I hope the Cavs win though, and Varejao breaks his neck.

[OA]

Originally Posted by Mr. Snackpants

I was sick and tired of that giant grin on his face everytime something bad happened. It didnt looked like he even cared.

You know, I said that same thing to my brother. He said, it was that billups was just brushing it off and not letting it get to him. I, on the other hand, felt the exact way you did...

And yea, I really don't like Varejo either...but other than him, they got a pretty solid team...

Theres definately going to be some changes in Detroit. It'll be interesting to see who they actually give up because I'm not too sure people realize that its time for a pretty major overhaul in the D.

[jeff the cheff]

Is flopping when they try to get someone to be fouled by faking a fall?

[Mr. Snackpants]

Originally Posted by jeff the cheff

Is flopping when they try to get someone to be fouled by faking a fall?

Yup. Players from "soccer nations" are mostly known for it.

As for Chaunceys grin, it's something he has always done. It felt like he was doing it much more often and after really bad plays.

[OA]

Yea i know i see him do it all the time, but like u, this time around it seemed a bit much and not particularly appropriate...

[HalfcourtGame]

Should be an interesting Finals it will be a real test for the young Cavs. I hope that Lebron punks Bowen all series long cuz I really dislike him. Spurs are probably just too good and experienced and take it in 6 though.
As for Deeetroit basketball man they looked heartless in that loss and 'Sheed was back to the old 'Sheed. Varajo sure set him up didn't he? He is one of those players that you hate to play against but love to play with. I think you're right it's about time to disband the Pistons, but I think that will be easier said than done. I don't know who'd be willing to pay Rasheed that kind of money anymore. Chauncey is kind of up in the air the Pistons say they want him back and will probably get him at a discout after that series 9 pts and 0 assists in an elimination game?
I've heard that some players (and Snackpants) want Saunders out. I don't get that though. What could he have done differently? I mean they kind of figured a way to contain Lebron last night and he just found the open man all night. It's always easy to blame the coach.

[Dinny]

I wanted to ask you guys how Vassilis Spanoulis is doing. He left Panathinaikos for the Houston Rockets and apparently after a promising start he has had a very quiet season? If you don't know who he is then I guess that answers my question anyway

[HalfcourtGame]

I'm a Rockets fan so I know who he is, but only kinda. He got some minutes at the beginning of the season, but really didn't do a lot with them. He is currently the third string PG behind Rafer Alston and John Lucas III. In the playoff series that they totally blew he never even took his shooting shirt off. He is considered "promising" from what I read and there has been a coaching change so maybe his sophomore season will be better. Hope that helps. One thing I know for sure if he wants to minutes at point he has an opportunity because the Rockets' PG production blew last season.
I take it back...he played for 3 minutes in one of the games vs. the Jazz and scored 4 with a board and an assist.
Here's his regular season stat line:

G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
31 0 8.8 .319 .172 .810 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.94 1.10 2.7


Hey that was a good education for me thanks.

[Dinny]

Better education for me! I feel very sorry for him because he was a real fan favourite in Greece, not only because he was the "master of turnovers" but also because he's such a great guy. I was very happy when I heard that when Panathinaikos approached him about coming back to Greece he refused. I support Panathinaikos but I just felt it shows real determination from his part to turn away the easy option.

Found an interview with him, in English (just), from back in November. Mentions how he had a promising start to the season and how he was a fan favourite in Athens:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Odmj7i7a6Ck

[Mr. Snackpants]

Originally Posted by Raphsation

I've heard that some players (and Snackpants) want Saunders out. I don't get that though. What could he have done differently? I mean they kind of figured a way to contain Lebron last night and he just found the open man all night. It's always easy to blame the coach.

This year and last year we were strong contenders to go to the Finals. Last year the team fell apart against Miami. Ben didn't like him and was part of the reason for his departure. This year our chances for making the finals looked good. They were doing awesome, going up 3-0 on the Bulls, but after that it all fell apart. 2 wasted years, 2 good teams. I think the blame falls on his shoulders. I was 100% against his hire after Brown ditched us. He failed year after year in Minny...why bring him here to underachieve in the playoffs? He did just that for 2 years. Joe D is an amazing GM. He bring in the right FAs and drafts well(minus Darko), but he really messed up when hiring Flip.

[OA]

C'mon now, Darko was one of the all time greatest picks!

[HalfcourtGame]

Flip on the TV to get my SportsCenter fix and Billy D wants out?! While I'm sure Terminator loves it this has go to be the craziest thing I've heard in awhile. What do ya think happened? The wife get mad at him didn't wanna move? Is he just afraid of failure? Or is the college game that intriguing? Pretty hard to pass up 5 mil a year. Like I said weird story

[Mr. Snackpants]

Originally Posted by Raphsation

Flip on the TV to get my SportsCenter fix and Billy D wants out?! While I'm sure Terminator loves it this has go to be the craziest thing I've heard in awhile. What do ya think happened? The wife get mad at him didn't wanna move? Is he just afraid of failure? Or is the college game that intriguing? Pretty hard to pass up 5 mil a year. Like I said weird story

Wait...he already wants out of Orlando?

[HalfcourtGame]

Originally Posted by Mr. Snackpants

Wait...he already wants out of Orlando?

That's how the story goes. I read that the Florida AD was in Virginia to interview/hire the VCU coach and Donovan called and told him not to hire anyone yet because he wanted to come back. Hasn't been a lot of clarity even today, but he IS under contract. What bothers me is he is really screwing the Magic. They have to start the search all over, it's not like they can call any of the other former candidates "Hello Number 2....uhh I mean Coach _____." Doesn't set a very good precedent for that coach's tenure.

[Mr. Snackpants]

I don't think it screws the Magic because if he stayed they would have an unhapy head coach, who would have no chance of succeeding. Now they can get a coach in there who really wants to be there. It's good for both the Magic and Donnovan, especially Florida.

[HalfcourtGame]

Well obviously no one wants an unhappy coach. I meant he shouldn't have taken the job in the first place if he wasn't sure. That's extremely unprofessional, and puts the Magic in an akward spot for hiring a different coach aka the "second choice". As for UF I think it looks one of two ways to recruits that it must be a really great place to be because Billy D wanted to go back; or the program is in diserray and Donovan is a little unstable.

[OA]

WOW...Things have a been a bit crazy these last cple of days...

First, I was completely SHOCKED and SPEECHLESS when I frist heard the news the other morning...now, I'm just waiting to see if he actually comes back

While I am very happy if he does come back, I can't help but think hes ruined his legacy, if even just a bit. For someone who is anally obsessive about the tiniest of details, you would think that he worked out every possible facet and outcome of the move, PRIOR to making the jump, the news conference, the tears, etc.

That said, I forgive you Billy...welcome home

[Dinny]

Originally Posted by Mr. Snackpants

Yup. Players from "soccer nations" are mostly known for it.

You mean diving?

Anyway, qualifying for the Euro 2008 tournament for "soccer nations" is now over halfway through and teams who still have a good chance of qualifying in each group so far (in order of current standings) are:

Group A: Poland, Serbia, Portugal, Finland
Group B: France, Italy, Scotland, Ukraine
Group C: Greece, Turkey, Norway
Group D: Germany, Czech Rep., Rep. of Ireland
Group E: Croatia, Israel, Russia, England
Group F: Sweden, Spain, N. Ireland, Denmark
Group G: Romania, Bulgaria, Holland

Group B is the group of death made even more difficult by the surprisingly good results (not performances) of the Scottish team. Group F, meanwhile, is the tightest and a group of death in as much as all of the teams are of a very similar quality. Greece, Turkey and Germany have practically qualified and it would take a disaster for them not to. Bosnia are actually placed higher than Turkey in Group C, but have to play Greece and Turkey away from home and Greece already beat them in Bosnia so it seems very unlikely. England, meanwhile, is struggling even more than usual, but you can safely assume that England will qualify (just) and that the media will make England look like favourites, forgetting about their awful performances in qualifiers and then look surprised when they're knocked out at the quarter finals. As for group A, a little bull tells me that Finland are practically out of the running, so it's a three horse race. I'd put my money on Portugal and Poland .

[HalfcourtGame]

So the Spurs might be just too experienced and too good. The refs sure are letting them be physical defensively though. Tony Parker where did that come from??! Cavs might steal a game at home. Stephen A is interviewing Robert Horry right now and all I can think is "now this is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down..."