The TB NBA Playoff thread

[Jared Lash]

Lebron is also great player, no doubt. But I get the impression that his humble, "aw shucks" persona is just a ruse, perpetuated by his handlers to maximize his earning potential. I could practically see him biting his own tongue to keep himself from screaming "I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!" "EAT THIS YOU PUNK #######!". I'm guessing the facade is getting a little too much to bear without a ring.

Of course it is. And he's really not that great at concealing it. Witness his comments after his Game 2 with Orlando when he hit the game winner. First he mentioned repeatedly what a great shot it was (which it was, but not fitting in the team first persona he tries to exude) and even worse he referred to his teammates as "the complimentary players" twice.

The funny thing about Kobe is that he (like LeBron) was trying to craft that Jordan like image that belied their true nature on the court. But neither pull it off with the same ease.

Truthfully, Bryant changed after the rape allegation. Having that (wrongly it would seem) tarnish his reputation changed the way he presented himself. In were the tatoos, the sometimes edgy comments and out was the forced good guy persona which never fit him.

I'm far from a Laker fan, but I like this version of Bryant more than the prepackaged one he always had trouble maintaining.

 

[bwv1013]

I'm far from a Laker fan, but I like this version of Bryant more than the prepackaged one he always had trouble maintaining.

i agree. i could care less what kind of dude he is off the court, he tears it up on the court and measures his greatness in championships. all business and no fluff.

ps - i'm obviously a laker fan.

 

[bwv1013]

on a similar note, is anyone else tired of the "nba cares" marketing? it's all well and good to contribute to a community but if you have to advertise it on national tv who are you really serving?

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

Magic in 4.

I'm not putting any money on it, or any beer, but that's where I stand.

 

[elgecko]

Magic in 4.

I'm not putting any money on it, or any beer, but that's where I stand.

Only if Mike Ditka and Chuck Norris are in the starting 5

 

[bwv1013]

Magic in 4.

I'm not putting any money on it, or any beer, but that's where I stand.

i'll take some of that action. i'll say lakers in 5. winner gets pride/bragging rights right here on TB.

although i really hope it's lakers in 6 so we can win it at home.

 

[Eric Perry]

Hoping for the Magic, but I ain't optimistic.

 

[bwv1013]

Mr. President has spoken:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[bwv1013]

DOMINATION!

 

[Eric Perry]

Yeah, it was.

 

[elgecko]

100-75, Lakers!

Somewhere out there, a portly woman with a viking helmet is booking a rehearsal studio so she can woodshed before the impending big gig

 

[MakiSupaStar]

 

[Eric Perry]

Eh, after tonight's game, the Lakers look like the team that deserves to win.

 

[MJ5150]

This was tonight? Was it game one of the Finals?

-Mike

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Magic in 4.

I'm not putting any money on it, or any beer, but that's where I stand.

Where you standing now? Or are you sitting down now, or perhaps you're laying down?

 

[elgecko]

This was tonight? Was it game one of the Finals?

-Mike

Yes. w00t! Next game is on Sunday!

 

[bwv1013]

i don't expect the games to be that lopsided all series, the Magic missed a lot of shots they usually make. still, decisive game one victory. LAKERS!

 

[Hoover]

What was that?

I only watched 10 minutes of the Game One 3rd quarter, and my wife had to come into the room and ask "Please stop screaming 'These asshats beat Boston?!?!?' at the television."

 

[elgecko]

Anyone know the rationale for the change from the 2-2-1-1-1 format in the semi-finals to the 2-3-2 format in the finals?

 

[jongor]

Don't get too excited, the Magic will make adjustments.

They didn't get this far by laying down to good teams.

I hope so mostly because of my deep-seated hatred of LA.