NBA BeatDown FastBreak 04.29.08: Magic Finish Raptors, Lakers Broom Out Nuggets, Atlanta TIES SERIES /W BOSTON!
Posted by BL Anderson on 04.29.2008
What do you mean Atlanta tied the series w/ Boston?! What is this, bizarro world?!?!
NBA BeatDown Fastbreak
Hello everyone I'm BL Anderson and this is the NBA BeatDown Fastbreak, where we'll be covering all of tehe somewhat surprising playoffs action for 04.28.08! Let's get right to it...
BL's Take: The underachieving Raptors will need to go back to the drawing board in the summer, consider losing Sam Mitchell as coach, and finding different pieces to go around Calderon, who disappeared in this game, and Bosh. I would jettison TJ Ford for some expiring contracts, and go from their. The Raptors have a long road ahead.
The Magic, and specifically Dwight Howard, dominated on offense. This is Howard's 3rd 20-20 game of the series; he is certainly proving why he is considered the best center in the NBA today. Kudos to him and the Magic, as they'll now have to step into the winner of the Pistons-Sixers series.
BL's Take: What the hell is going on here?! Ever since the Hawks got into the playoffs, most everyone has been talking about how this will be an easy out for the Celtics, how they will sweep the Hawks. I even made the comment several times that the Celtics will give the Hawks the one game because they felt bad for them. Well...what can you say now? Now that the Hawks have tied the series going back into Boston for game 5?
You can say...good job Atlanta. Atlanta is still not going to win this series. But again, by showing this type of talent and effort, I feel like Mike Woodson should have his job spared, at least another year. The Hawks confidence level is sky high, as I am sure that even they are surprised at what they have been able to accomplish. Believe it or not, I think the Hawks are hungrier than the Celtics are in these past two games.
So much for Eastern Conference sweeps. Wow...Celtics will need to come with the intensity of old if they hope to get out of this mess they've gotten themselves into. Much like the Pistons, I believe it's partly a desire issue. The Hawks have proven that they are no longer an inexperienced, over-matched team. The Celtics need to go back to Boston and handle their business accordingly.
BL's Take: Word came out of Denver yesterday insinuating that George Karl's job was not, in fact, in jeopardy, regardless of the outcome of this playoff series. I say bologna, as I would imagine that the front office certainly did not expect the Nuggets to get swept out. Carmelo's assertion that the team quit is very accurate, as in game three, they were playing like it was a regular season game, instead of a playoff game where every possession counts. I would imagine the Nuggets will need to go back and retool things -- if you aren't going to make Carmelo Anthony defend on every possession, surround him with individuals who are. Anthony is starting to turn into Glenn 'Big Dog' Robinson, and that's not a good thing at all. In this game, both Iverson and Carmelo shot below 50% from the field, and neither could hit any from beyond the arc. Carmelo was active on the boards, but Iverson was unable to set anyone up for easy points on their home court. Nene came back and played in this one, but only 11 minutes, and hardly effective. Linus Kleiza only shot 3-9 from the field. The Nuggets need to come back with a different take on how to get this done, as they continue to make it into the playoffs, but are a quick exit each time.
The Lakers did exactly what they needed to do to complete the sweep, and not even on their home court. Kobe had another great performance (minus the turnovers), and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom did exactly what they needed to. The Lakers are in prime condition (minus Andrew Bynum) to play the winner of the Jazz-Rockets Series, which should come to it's conclusion tonight!
Don't forget to send feedback. I love feedback! Don't forget to email if you need comics. I HAVE comics! I want to sell them to you!
I'm BL, be back tomorrow night -- stay safe and take care.
Atlanta, Cleveland, Philly, and Orlando in the 2nd round? Naw! But it may end up taking 7 games for the "beasts of the east" to get it done. So far the East has been entertaining, the West not so much.
Posted By: JM (Guest) on April 29, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I know one thing...Woodson job should be safe. Give him a whole year with Bibby and this experience under these young guy's belts the Hawks will be a force next year. To think we could have had Chris Paul instead of Marvin Williams! I haven't been this excited about Hawks basketball since Dominique was traded. Now lets work on those Falcons....
Posted By: Chizel (Guest) on April 29, 2008 at 04:48 PM
