Dallas / Lakers backlash ... & compare to Cavs

[OldDawg]

I know we have a playoff thread. Shoot me.
I have been laid up for a while, watching games and ESPN more than I care.

SOME COMMENTS ON THIS SERIES:
1) Media backlash on Lakers. Media is ripping the Lakers mercilessly for quitting and playing classlessly. How could the vaunted Lakers quit? HEY, where was this same nationally media last year when the vaunted LeBron quit to end his Cavs career. It seems only the local folks were really ticked about that. And that does not include the local media, just folks like you and I. The local media was still treating LBJ with TLC and kissing his butt. But the local media at least hoped he would return. The national media doesn't have that excuse. I still don't get how LBJ got a free pass by the national media on quitting last year. UGH

2) Dallas/Lakers match up eerily similar to Orlando/Cavs. Watching game 4 of this series I thought I was watching a re-run of Orlando disecting the Cavs with penetrate and pitch.

3) Dallas wins, but Lakers are the story. It is disappointing that the only story is the Lakers after they sucked this series. Dallas played absolutely unbelievable basketball and they are an afterthought.

[hermanfontenot]

3) Dallas wins, but Lakers are the story. It is disappointing that the only story is the Lakers after they sucked this series. Dallas played absolutely unbelievable basketball and they are an afterthought.

That's the way it works with the glamour teams in every sport. Remember how after the Indians eliminated New York in the 2007 ALDS the main topic was, "WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE YANKEES???"

[OldDawg]

3) Dallas wins, but Lakers are the story. It is disappointing that the only story is the Lakers after they sucked this series. Dallas played absolutely unbelievable basketball and they are an afterthought.

That's the way it works with the glamour teams in every sport. Remember how after the Indians eliminated New York in the 2007 ALDS the main topic was, "WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE YANKEES???"

Yes. No doubt. Its kinda sad. They pull off the most impressive feat of the post season and nobody outside of Texas is talking about it.

[Larvell Blanks]

Don't frget it was the Zen Masters last game as well. Kobe went out w/ yet another 30+ playoff defeat. Gasol doing his best Chris Bosh imitation. Artest being the guidance for Bynum walking off the court. All that trumps the Mavs destroying the Lakers.


Plus Stern probably told LeSPN to not give Cuban's team too much credit.

[JCoz]

I know we have a playoff thread. Shoot me.
I have been laid up for a while, watching games and ESPN more than I care.

SOME COMMENTS ON THIS SERIES:
HEY, where was this same nationally media last year when the vaunted LeBron quit to end his Cavs career. It seems only the local folks were really ticked about that. And that does not include the local media, just folks like you and I. The local media was still treating LBJ with TLC and kissing his butt. But the local media at least hoped he would return. The national media doesn't have that excuse. I still don't get how LBJ got a free pass by the national media on quitting last year. UGH
[b]

Isn't this one obvious? In the end it was Cleveland, they expect to be losers.

This was the Lakers, who they expect to be winners.

[e0y2e3]

I dunno, I seem to remember Woj spending about a year after LBJ quit ripping him.

And IIRC Dwyer went apeshit after game five (and pointed out that Game 6 LBJ put up nice numbers but wasn’t interested in winning the game)

I mean if you’re talking about Mike and Mike or some dumb fucks like that (I trust no one here is dumb enough to listen to Cowherd) sure, maybe.

There is a reason I pick and choose who I read?

And Dirk has gotten a lot of love thus far.

Also worth noting is that the Laker’s didn’t just quit, then started acting like four year olds, Bynum could have heart someone and the greatest coach in NBA history got to walk out with his head hanging.

[JCoz]

I dunno, I seem to remember Woj spending about a year after LBJ quit ripping him.

And IIRC Dwyer went apeshit after game five (and pointed out that Game 6 LBJ put up nice numbers but wasn’t interested in winning the game)

I mean if you’re talking about Mike and Mike or some dumb fucks like that (I trust no one here is dumb enough to listen to Cowherd) sure, maybe.

There is a reason I pick and choose who I read?

And Dirk has gotten a lot of love thus far.

Also worth noting is that the Laker’s didn’t just quit, then started acting like four year olds, Bynum could have heart someone and the greatest coach in NBA history got to walk out with his head hanging.

Wasn't that always Woj's MO though?

[mattvan1]

The greatest under-acheiving playoff team in the last 10 years? They will get their run in the next series and ad-nauseum throughout the next month. The Lake show are rightfully the story now. No one gives 2 shits about the Mavs.

With LA out and the Celts on their last legs, Stern is all in on a Heat-Dallas final. The thought of Griz vs. Hawks makes NBA execs cry like little kids. Be prepared for the most revolting run up to an NBA finals in recent memory.

[e0y2e3]

The Hawks are intolerable.

If they make the finals I may cry.

Memphis would be fine, basketball wise and I think the awesome of the Spurs, Thunder and Dallas series all in a row for them would carry on some solid views.

Not Dirk – Heat, but there is a legit buzz and intrigue around this thug-styled Memphis team.

And frankly I don’t see any way the Heat aren’t in from the East.

The Hawks are intolerable and Chicago a mess.

[e0y2e3]

And yeah, I agree that we are about to get a feroucious Dirk and Kidd going for the ring press run.

[jb]

And yeah, I agree that we are about to get a feroucious Dirk and Kidd going for the ring press run.

Don't forget Cuban (as much as I know you want to , he'll be a story)

[mattvan1]

And yeah, I agree that we are about to get a feroucious Dirk and Kidd going for the ring press run.

Don't forget Cuban (as much as I know you want to , he'll be a story)

Indeed. Unfortunately, from the ESPN-myopic POV, this revolting aspect of NBA history writes itself. Heat vs. Mavs, Riles vs. Cuban, circus atmosphere attention seekers vs. historic playoff underacheivers, chasing a ring vs. one franchise loyalty, aggressive "new style" sign max guys vs. the more traditional approach of shedding expiring contracts and going after mid level guys, Miami Vice vs. South Fork, all the pressure on the Big 3 vs. a ring for Dirk and Jason................

The very idea of these story lines make me want to start following international cricket

[jb]

The story isn't written yet.

In the end this season may end up being a requium for two great furture HOF vets who always seemed stymied, and enjoyed as such for what it is. Dirk and Kidd may be a great / pure story in a crazy season.

[e0y2e3]

Yep, Dirk is a golden gawd.

[jb]

Yep, Dirk is a golden gawd.

Does he pass Karl Malone with this season as Best 4 Ever?

[e0y2e3]

Duncan is still out there, but he makes the finals he probably passes Malone.

[jb]

Duncan is still out there, but he makes the finals he probably passes Malone.

Hard time thinking of another who can be up there with those 3.

[e0y2e3]

Yeah. And Dirk is showing no signs of slowing down. The older he gets the more he refines his game.

[jb]

Yeah. And Dirk is showing no signs of slowing down. The older he gets the more he refines his game.

Sure nuff is the shit tonite.

OCK may need to get some soap bars and pillowcases and go Full Metal Jacket on Russ in the team hotel tonight for shot selection.

[FUDU]

Yep, Dirk is a golden gawd.

Does he pass Karl Malone with this season as Best 4 Ever?

Their games were too different to make a legit apple apple comparison, hell the position is different enough now as well. Plus Malone was noticeably better on D for a portion of his career. Dirk is one of my favs but man I don't think you can put him above Karl.

[hermanfontenot]

Dirk is better in the clutch than Malone and on a personal level, more fun to watch. My favorite type of player is the big man with skills and Dirk has skills to burn.

[e0y2e3]

Not to mention that with his post game and passing game he is unguardable at this point. Cannot even slow him down.

[Orenthal]

No love for Bob Pettit? KG? Sir Charles?

[e0y2e3]

Not on the Dirk/Duncan/Malone level. If KG had stayed healthy and won more, maybe. But he never did have that killer/closer mentality.

[Orenthal]

Dirk's skill-set isn't destroyed by age. A fun debate.

[e0y2e3]

Dirk has gotten better in the post with age. KG has always had a huge tendency to settle for 18 footers.

[SoulDawg74]

Not on the Dirk/Duncan/Malone level. If KG had stayed healthy and won more, maybe. But he never did have that killer/closer mentality.

SD:

Dirk is the poster for evolution

A soft Euro who formerly got jostled by the hard core NBA,

who morphed into an All Star unguardable big man .


SoulDawg

[Orenthal]

Agree KG doesn't make the cut, Dirk wins it all, its a tough tough call between him, Sir Charles, Duncan, Malone, and Pettit (difficult due to era nearly a 30ppg 20rbg couple times, short career).

[e0y2e3]

Dirk makes the finals this year he will have carried his team their on his back twice.

Charles can't say that and was never anywhere near completely unguardable.

[e0y2e3]

And this is insane:

mySynergySports mySynergySports
When Dirk has passed out of the post in the playoffs, the subsequent shooters come through, posting an aFG% of 72%

[Orenthal]

Kevin Johnson
Thunder Dan
=
Jason Kidd
Shawn Marion

No? Chuck 25 and 12 that season. Went over 40 3 times that in that '92-'93 playoffs, once while getting 24 boards, and twice had 10 assists. The comp is closer then you believe.

ETA
That was only once in the Finals, missed the twice part of your Dirk post...

[JJN]

I can't put Dirk as high as Duncan. Duncan has a ring for every first round exit Dirk has (and their exit to the Dubs was way more embarrassing than SAS losing to the Griz this year). Its also easy to forget, given his recently reduced output, how great Timmy was. Career 20/11.5 with 3 assist and 2.3 blocks. Even better in the post season.

[e0y2e3]

Wow

[StewieG]

And Magic Johnson tells us Dirk has a 3rd leg. Thanks, Magic.

[e0y2e3]

93.9% True Shooting, 48 points on 15 fucking shots.

I mean holy shit.

That TS is a record, BTW.

[StewieG]

That was incredible.

Good news for OKC is I don't think it's humanly possible for Dirk to recreate that.

[mattvan1]

And yeah, I agree that we are about to get a feroucious Dirk and Kidd going for the ring press run.

Don't forget Cuban (as much as I know you want to , he'll be a story)

Indeed. Unfortunately, from the ESPN-myopic POV, this revolting aspect of NBA history writes itself. Heat vs. Mavs, Riles vs. Cuban, circus atmosphere attention seekers vs. historic playoff underacheivers, chasing a ring vs. one franchise loyalty, aggressive "new style" sign max guys vs. the more traditional approach of shedding expiring contracts and going after mid level guys, Miami Vice vs. South Fork, all the pressure on the Big 3 vs. a ring for Dirk and Jason................

The very idea of these story lines make me want to start following international cricket

So England is facing Sri Lanka in a 4 day test match in Cardiff, Wales. At the end of 48 overs Sri Lanka is 133/2.