The Perpetual NBA Thread

**ILuvDetailing** · April 17th, 2006 05:25 PM

Preparing for the playoffs:

Looks like Phoenix shutting down Steve Nash and Raja Bell

Detroit's starters will be limited to 20-25mins

Chris Kaman didn't play today because of a sore knee, looks like a precautionary measure.

Looks like teams going to the playoffs are set, teams are now jocking for position. If Sacto wins another game and/or the Lakers lose another, Kings get the 7th spot thus avoiding the Spurs/Mavs.

In the East #5-#8 are still up for grabs (seperated by a game and a half).

Orlando and Philly are eliminated with a Bulls win today.

NOK and Utah are officially out of the playoffs with a Kings win today.

There is no clear cut favorite for the title, playoffs are gonna be interesting... sit back relax and enjoy.

**Altis6453** · April 17th, 2006 06:15 PM

If Miami doesn't shape up, I'm predicting another Spurs-Pistons final. On the other hand, if Timmy (or Teemee...as Tony Parker would mispronounce it) doesn't get his legs back, we could see a finals breakthrough by the Mavs. Hard to imagine Detroit being knocked off by the Nets. Miami has a chance though...

**BlueBimmer** · April 17th, 2006 06:23 PM

go NETS!

**ILuvDetailing** · April 17th, 2006 06:26 PM

I don't see Miami knocking off Detroit or any East contender for that matter. They are banged up - No Zo (for now), a gimpy J. Will, an aging Glove, a banguped Shaq and Wade, an injured James Posey. They still don't have that fluidity and cohesiveness that you sorely need to go all the way. But I can see them matching up with Detroit in the Conference Finals if all goes well. Team to watch out for in the East - New Jersey Nets.

**mazdamazda** · April 17th, 2006 06:48 PM

I hope the Nets can pull one over the Pistons.

**theveed** · April 17th, 2006 07:33 PM

Nets are strong mainly because JKidd is still a primo PG that runs the show much like Nash does. VC may get the highlights, but it's Kidd's play that dictates how the Nets will fare... While I don't want to see Detroit in the finals, I'd be extremely surprised if they don't get there. The way the run their show is just scary, they have no sense of fear even if they're down * the fourth...

As for the West, I think the Mavs can go deep if Terry, Josh Howard and Dampier remains consistent since Dirk is a given.

As much as I love the Suns and Nuggets, they're hard to predict since they don't seem to be teams that enjoys grinding games, they'll either win big or lose bad.

LA and Kings... All about containing Kobe and Bibby in my opinion.

**ILuvDetailing** · April 17th, 2006 08:56 PM

In the West, I can't see anyone dethroning the Spurs, maybe the Mavs, but their bench lack big game experience. the Spurs are seasoned and battle tested. Phoenix should make round 2 but not go further, they are just too small and they don't have that low post presence they had last season. Kurt Thomas' loss will be huge. I wanna see a Lakers - Suns 1st round series, it should be fun - Kobe averaging 45pts a game

**ILuvDetailing** · April 17th, 2006 10:56 PM

Chinese upset about Yao
Recovery time might keep center off national team

While Yao Ming begins the first steps in his recuperation from surgery on a broken bone in his left foot, the Rockets could be faced with trying to mend a suddenly anxious relationship with basketball officials and fans in China.

The concern is over the recovery timetable — four to six months — the Rockets originally announced and Yao's subsequent availability to play with the Chinese national team at the World Championships this summer in Japan.

Wire service stories out of Beijing and Internet chat rooms have been filled with suspicion about the Rockets' motives at bringing Yao back so slowly and with anger directed at coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Chat-room fan fumes
"He (Van Gundy) disabled Yao Ming! He's more vicious than a capitalist!" fumed one chat-room fan, according to Reuters news service. "The Rockets are already out of the playoffs, yet Yao still plays. I firmly support (Van Gundy's) sacking!"

The World Championships will run from Aug. 19-Sept. 3 and even a four-month recovery period would put Yao's return just before the start.

Though China is guaranteed a berth in the 2008 Olympics by being the host country, the fact is that outside the United States, the World Championships are considered the most prestigious competition.

In addition, the fact the event will be held in Japan — a political and cultural rival — gives China added motivation. Plus, pre-tournament exhibition games featuring the national team are scheduled across China. Those games would lose their top money-making draw if Yao, 7-6, were to sit out.

Rockets officials expressed dismay that anyone would think they were attempting any funny business.

"I don't want to get into a fight," said Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson. "I've had a good relationship with the Chinese, and I very much want to keep it that way. What we've got to do is convey to them that our only interest is Yao's best interest. That's going to be the way it always is. It's unfortunate that he got hurt. We've got to get it fixed where it won't affect his career."

The decision will be left to Yao, who agreed to play for the Chinese national team when he received permission to enter the 2002 NBA draft. There have been indications he would prefer to sit out the World Championships and rehabilitate with the Rockets.

But he will feel pressure — from basketball fans, from the government, perhaps from his parents — to play.

The player's call
"This is Yao's call," Van Gundy said. "We want him to do what's best for his career. But this is about Yao."

Yao was injured one week ago in Salt Lake City when he was kicked by the Utah Jazz's Mehmet Okur, resulting in a clean break in the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot. Dr. Tom Clanton repaired the break — and inserted a screw for strengthening — Friday at Memorial Hermann-Texas Hospital. Chinese basketball officials had wanted to send two of their doctors to Houston to examine Yao before the surgery, but they were rebuffed by the Rockets.

Healing varies
If the recovery goes fast, it is possible Yao, 25, can be back on a basketball court working out in 10 weeks. That's late June. But there have been other players — Michael Jordan among them — who have taken closer to the four- to six-month timetable.

That is the time that, according to medical experts, it takes for a clean break to return to its previous bone density. But the screw was inserted to strengthen the bone.

"As you might expect, it all caused much concern in China among the media and the fans," said Jai Li, a reporter for the World Journal who is based in Houston to cover the Rockets. "At first, there was a great deal of alarm. There were even some people saying the injury could force Yao Ming to retire. I think it has calmed down quite a bit since then."

"I just want Yao to recover when he can and become an even better basketball player," Van Gundy said. "I've got enough problems already without being a vicious capitalist pig."

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hehe, I heard that Wang Zhi Zhi went back to China, maybe he can be their starting center again

**empy** · April 18th, 2006 01:17 PM

OA naman nung mga ibang chinese diyan, hehe...dapat yata sa mga Turko sila nagalit dahil si Okur ang nakadale sa kanya :hihihi:

**kimpOy** · April 18th, 2006 04:26 PM

random thoughts

wow seeds 6th, 7th and 8th (east) is tight...to tight because they have all the same percentages (.494)

cleveland/washington imho is the series to watch (1st round)

lakers maybe the darkhorse....maybe not also...

fearless forecast
2nd round
1.Detroit vs 4.Cleveland
2.Miami vs 3. New Jersey

1. San Antonio vs 4. Dallas
2. Phoenix vs 5. LA Clippers

East
Detroit vs Miami

West
San Antonio vs Phoenix

NBA Finals
Detroit vs San Antonio

Detroit in 5 or 6