Give-A-Crap-O-Meter regarding the NBA playoffs

[WilliamPitt]

Win or go home? How about just go home.

[VelmaD]

1. Well, I don't give a crap now...

that the Mavericks have been eliminated. x(

And while I'm normally a basketball fan it's been hard for me to give much of a crap about any of the sports I normally follow for the last few months. It just all seems so meaningless in the face of more important things going on in the world. I am not pleased about this development because I think we all need distractions sometimes and sports used to be that for me.

[felonious thunk]

2. Now this NBA you speak of

What is that? Does it have anything to do with the Phillies?

[WilliamPitt]

3. Well

Given how much the Phillies tend to suck, maybe they'd do better if they started playing in the Eastern division of the NBA.

:)

[felonious thunk]

6. We're your minor leagues

You're banking pretty hard on a couple of ex-Phillies right now!

I loved Francona. Was sad to see him go, I wish the Phils had given him a decent team while he was there.

[VelmaD]

8. Hell, my junior high team...

coulda done well in the Eastern Division of the NBA. :)

[dolo amber]

4. For those of you who do give a crap

but are unable for whatever reason to watch, allow me to summarize...

Team A: Pass, dribble (sorta, y'know *Jordan stylee*, dribble once, walk 8 steps, dribble again)...DUNK.

Team B: Inbound, pass, dribble...DUNK.

Rinse, repeat for 60 minutes. :)

Enjoy! :hi:

[The_Counsel]

5. Other...

I only watched to see if the Knicks could get a game off New Jersey (they obviously couldn't).

Now I'll watch just to see the Nets get their asses handed to them by Detroit, a REAL team.... :evilgrin:

It's easy to beat up on a 39-43 squad who only made the playoffs by default. Beating a team that's actually trying to win is another story...

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. you're just jealous your Celtics are a laughingstock

and my Nets are the powerhouse who will yet again, steamroll over the Eastern Conference.

And just a hint, next time your team faces one of the best players in the game, don't chant 'wife beater' at him.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Next time you watch one of the best players in the league,

tell him he shouldn't beat his wife up.

[THUNDER HANDS]

15. his wife has forgiven him

Of course, that didn't stop Boston fans and media from still getting on him. And Bob Ryan from saying HE wanted to slap Kidd's wife.

I see Bostonites are just as classy as their team is talented.

;)

[VelmaD]

17. That fact that she "forgave" him...

doesn't mean he isn't a horse's ass for beating her in the first place.

I expect better from you Rat. You should know how often abused spouses take their abusers back and "forgive" them only to get beaten again.

[THUNDER HANDS]

19. I've read all about this

From everything I've read it was a one-time incident. Not excusable in any way. But she is his wife and wasn't dependent on him for money (she's very successful on her own) and continued to have children with him even after this incident.

She chose to forgive him and keep him in her life. It's her choice and she doesn't seem like someone who can't make a decision for herself.

And anyway, it was two years ago and there've been no reported problems since.

And anyway even though he was an ass for hitting her, he did go and continues to go to therapy - so here's hoping that both of them have a much happier marriage.

[VelmaD]

20. Going to therapy is good...

and should serve as a roll model for other people who abuse their spouses and want to stop.

As is so often the case I am of two minds on this situation. Part of me thinks he deserves some credit for getting help and that because of that the fans were out of line.

But another part of me wishes all spouse-abusers would face that kind of public humiliation. Though I'm realistic enough to know that the fans taunting the player in this case were likely not making a statement about their real feelings on spousal abuse.

It's too complicated and it's making my brain hurt. :)

[catzies]

39. MagicRat, didja ever hear the 911 call? Phoenix news site had link

for a long time.

I listened to it several times back when it was "breaking news." Made my blood run cold.

And I LIKED Jason Kidd, being partial to point guards. But he's off my list for that regardless of what Joumana has had to do. And I'm glad he's in the Leastern Conference.

[74dodgedart]

9. Since the Knicks have folded...

The crap I give is very small...Go Timberwolves and take my little ball of crap with you..

[bearfan454]

31. Yes my Bullies

used to have it all when they 3-peated ! Michael Jordan is gone now.

[eyesroll]

11. I am happy the Bucks are out!

Last year, Bucks playoffs pre-empted the last few episodes of Buffy. We were able to tape them when they aired at 3 a.m., but it was still aggravating.

This year, it won't happen with Angel. (The same company owns both the WB and UPN affiliates out here, and would rotate where the playoffs ran.)

[kmla]

12. I give a crap.

My Pacers are doin' just fine. }(

Seeing that they just scraped what remains of the Celtics off of the bottom of their shoe, they now can concentrate on the next round...

[THUNDER HANDS]

16. I say Pacers in 5

And Nets in 5 over Detroit.

And then Nets in 6 over the Pacers.

[kmla]

18. Pacers in 5. Nets in 5 over Detroit? That's optimistic, I think.

The Pistons are on a tear. And they have Larry Brown, the coaching gypsy genius, guiding them. They will be tough to get by. For the Nets. And if they Nets can't get by them, for the Pacers (provided they get out of this round.):)

Of all the teams in the East, the Pistons worry me the most...

[bif]

22. Pistons are great

Now mind you, I don't follow basketball much. But I watched part of the game last night and was shocked by how well they played. Shocked I tell ya!

[THUNDER HANDS]

27. against Milwaukee, they should have looked good

They are a better team than Milwaukee. But they are not better than the Nets.

Jason Kidd is still the most dominant player in the conference.

[THUNDER HANDS]

23. of all the teams, they worry me the least

Kenyon Martin is a better player than either Ben or Rasheed Wallace.
Richard Jefferson is a better player than Tayshawn Prince.
Jason Kidd is a better player than anyone on the court.

For those three reasons, plus the fact that the Nets have won 14 straight playoff games in the Eastern Conference.

Plus the fact that the Nets SWEPT the Pistons last year.

Plus the fact that the Pistons can't score.

Means the Nets in 5.

Maybe 4, but I wanted to be generous to Detroit.

[kmla]

24. But last year...

Larry Brown wasn't there. Rasheed Wallace wasn't there. And the Pistons seem to be playing very well together right now, despite their lack of individual talent. The sum is greater than the parts.

They still scare me.

[THUNDER HANDS]

25. not me, Larry Brown is overrated

He'll coach the Pistons to death. He's got so many different matchups and lineups that he'll try to out-think the Nets.

It won't work. The only teams that can stop the Nets are teams with dominant big men.

Which is why the only teams to beat the Nets in the Jason Kidd era have been Shaq and Tim Duncan.

And last time I checked, neither of them plays for Detroit.

[SCDem]

13. I prefer college ball

I think the NBA sucks. It's all money money money and making or breaking or not enforcing rules to make the players look better than they are.

I'd rather support the local college in my town and go to an actual game $7 than sit like a pretzel on my couch in front of the TV watching overpaid megalomaniacs.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. I give a crap and am interested in the outcome,

but not a big one. I used to watch, as a kid, with my Dad, when the likes of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain were playing.:shrug:

[supernova]

21. I never gave a crap

about the NBA.

I pay a little attention to ACC basketball and that's the extent of it.

[woofless]

26. I'll give a crap when the Celtics come back.

Gimme Bird, DJ, Ainge, McHale et al and I will care again.

[WilliamPitt]

30. Prepare to be constipated for a long, long, long time

:(

[Rhiannon12866]

65. I was a great admirer of Bill Russell

I watched the Celtics with my Dad, as a kid, and that was our team and my father enjoyed him both as a player and commentator.:-)

[Hand]

28. What's an NBA?

Is it anything like an MBA? If so, then it is plainly a great evil...
:dunce:

[ZenLefty]

29. Hockey playoffs are on.

n/t

[drumwolf]

32. That's right. GO SHARKS!!

n/t

[SiliconMethod]

33. Never gave a crap

Sometimes I'd rather watch ants running up my driveway...

[Triple H]

34. I don't give a flying fuck about the NBA.

Dribble, dribble, dribble-shoot. Dribble, dribble, dribble-shoot. Where's the physical violence???? This sport lacks any form of physical violence! I want to see tackling! I want to see fights! C'mon, B-ballers! I tell you, Shaq has to be one of the wimpiest players ever in the history of professional sports. Cripes, he whines when someone just touches him.

I prefer the action of the NFL, NHL, and MLB over the NBA anyday.

[ComerPerro]

41. The physical violence is off court

[The_Counsel]

49. NBA Violence

"This sport lacks any form of physical violence! I want to see tackling! I want to see fights!..."

Somehow, I think Tim Thomas would disagree with you there... :P

[frylock]

35. feeling a little depressed after your bosox-yankee sugar rush?

GO LAKES!!

[CrownPrinceBandar]

36. i GAVE a crap...

until my Mavs got beat last night. I guess I gotta root for the Kings now.

[Throckmorton]

37. Whats the NBA, and what do they do.

Were they not a Hardware Chain in new England that went broke?

My dog has got no nose.

[OneBlueSky]

38. haven't cared about the NBA since Larry Bird . . .

Robert Parrish, and Kevin McHale were the Celtics frontcourt . . . probably the best ever, and certainly the most entertaining to watch . . .

[Donkeyboy75]

40. Haven't cared since the 80s

Too much me me me and chest thumping. I also ignore the NFL for the same reason.

[LDS Jock]

42. didn't even know it was going on

NBA means nothing to me

[Commendatori]

43. I give sort of a "reverse" crap

because there's a team in the hunt (and no, it's not the Lakers) that I currently detest as much as I hate any team in pro sports. I want this team to be eliminated.

I'm not saying who it is, don't want to offend anyone, but I will say this: all of my hatred towards this team is directed towards one player, and if he got traded I would hate his next team as much as I hate this Eastern Conference team right now.

[kmla]

44. Oh, stop now. 'fess up.

Who is it? Enquiring minds want to know.

[Commendatori]

46. You get a hint.

The player smacked his pint-sized wife a while back when playing out west. I wish him nothing but ill will.

[regularguy]

45. The crap I give is beyond small.

I just wanted to type in that sentence. Actually I've been trying to give a slightly larger crap, but it just isn't happening.....

[ProfessorGAC]

47. I Used To Give A Crap

Now, i don't watch until the finals. NBA ball has become way to overcoached. It's slow, pedestrian, and boring. Best all around athletes in the world, very big folks, and the game is boring. It absolutely has to be poor coaching, because the talent level is too high (in general) to produce this tedious a game.

That and too many highschoolers going right to the NBA, who really aren't that good. Everyone can't be Lebron.
The Professor

[phillybri]

48. I care, but the 76ers SUUUUUUUUCK!!!!

:puke:

[Champ]

50. Gooooooooo Pacers!!!!!

[TSIAS]

51. I care

I don't watch NBA during the regular season, but I do enjoy Playoff basketball. The first round has been dreadful; however, the Conference Semis should be much more competitive.

I prefer the NCAA Men's Tournament to the NBA Playoffs, but both are still enjoyable to watch. I wish they'd cut the number of teams that can make it into the playoffs. It was embarrassing to see such an awful team in the Boston Celtics make the playoffs.

[Kadie]

52. THE KINGS ARE HOT HOT HOT!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOO....

ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:bounce: :party: :bounce:

[Viking12]

56. Not for long

After the Wolves take care of the loudmouth punks from Denver, they'll clean up the mess in Arco.

Go Wolves!!!!

[SmileyBoy]

63. YEAH WOLVES!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!

ROCK ON!!!

[Guaranteed]

69. Hell yeah. If you all had the Kings, you'd give a crap, too.

Butcha DON'T! HAHAHAHAHA!

[lazarus]

53. I give a crap

Here's the problem: David Stern, Marketing Genius©, decided to extend the first round to 7 games.

This had several effects, all of them bad. First, it virtually eliminates the possibility of an upset. Over seven games, the best team is virtually always going to win. Little things like Lakers/Kings last year are anomalies, the best team almost always wins in seven.

Second, Stern decided to stretch out the first round to maximise television revenue by putting more games on weekends. This means that the first round could, if it goes seven games, last 18 days. That's just insane. Right now, if any series goes 7 games, we'll have the bizarre scenario of a second round series going on at the same time as a first round series' game 2.

Third, it eliminates upsets. Yeah, this is a big deal, so I'll mention it twice. This is what makes the NFL playoffs so much fun, and what makes the NCAA tourney so fun. It's one game, win or go home. In the NBA (and MLB), the best team is going to win.

Another problem is that bad teams hang around too long. This is mostly a problem in the lEastern Conference, where teams like Boston and New York were inflicted on us for a full four games, instead of three.

Here's another problem: Psychology, both for fans and teams. For teams, a five game series meant the road team only had to take one of the first two on the road, then hold home court. That's not too hard to think you can do, just one real upset. But now, you have to win one on the road, then THREE at home. That's a lot harder.

For fans, it's harder to get into the playoffs when there's such a long break between games. For instance, Minnesota played Game 1 on 18 April. They played Game 2 on 21 April. Why in the world did they have that long a break? San Antonio played their first two games in three days. That's reasonable. Four, for a homestand, is pathetic.

The reason for the delay? Higher seeded teams were more stretched out so they'd be playing the majority of their games on weekends. Minnesota didn't play Game Three until April 24. So, that's one week to play three games. Game Five of that series is tonight, 12 days later. The regular season is more packed than that. Game Six is planned for Sundays. Most playoff series go six games. Seems obvious what they're planning, right?

Finally, we're facing the problem of rust in the second round. This is what leads to college bowl games' being so underwhelming; take a few weeks off, then come back and play a hugely important game? Makes no sense.

San Antonio will have been off for a week when they finally play the Lakers on Sunday. Had that series gone seven games, it would have been two weeks. That's another ridiculous scheduling cockup that Indiana may be facing if the Miami/New Orleans series goes seven. Indiana finished off Boston on the 25th. Miami/New Orleans may not finish until May 4th, meaning the next round for this bracket may not start until the 7th or 8th.

The playoffs, sadly, really don't start until the second round anymore. Now's when we start seeing some great matchups. So far, we've got Detroit vs New Jersey, which should be a blast. I can't wait to see Kenyon Martin up against the Wallaces.

The other bracket in the East is likely to be bad, though. Indiana should tear through whoever comes out of the New Orleans/Miami matchup.

The West has two great series starting, though. Sacramento/Minnesota is intriguing. This is the T'Wolves' first foray into the second round, while Sacramento has been through a lot of wars with LA in the past, so they've got experience on their side.

And, of course, we have the classic LA/San Antonio matchup in the other bracket. Now that should be some good basketball.

With the first round constantly giving us such bad matchups, the case for extending it just doesn't hold. More games won't mean more money if the ratings are so low that advertisers won't pay much in the future.

[KinkyDem]

54. If I were to give less of a crap

I think it would cause me physical pain.

[UrbScotty]

55. My Pistons are going to the Eastern Conference Finals!

But, I never gave a crap.

[Amaya]

57. All I can say is

Nope, don't give a crap. That pretty much sums up my take on sports in general :P I'm just being honest :D

[mvd]

58. The Sixers aren't in it

So I don't really care. Glad they didn't sneak in with their record, though. The NBA Lottery will be MUCH more worthwhile.

[JohnLocke]

59. The HEAT will kick the HORNETS back to New Orleans!

Tonight!

[belladonna]

60. I used to give a crap

Back when Barkley was in his prime and the Phoenix Suns were kicking ass. Now? Not so much:boring:

[Supormom]

61. I'm not a fan...

But my husband sure is excited about the T-wolves this year!

[SmileyBoy]

62. Hey, don't you be dissin' us, now!!!

GO WOLVES!!!!

[LWolf]

64. Other. What's the NBA?

;-)

[Bundbuster]

66. Grew up in the Gahden with Russell, Cousy, Havlicek, Sam & KC Jones,

Bill Sharman, Satch Sanders, Frank Ramsey, Tommy Heinsohn, Don Nelson, etc.

- Greatest team in the history of Pro Sports (9 world championships in 10 years).

- Most players in the league played their entire careers on ONE team, kinda like family, loyalty, pride, never had to check rosters year-to-year.

- Good players routinely played all 48 minutes; DEFENSE and full-court presses were an integral part of every game.

- Teams had actual PLAYS, mid-range jumpers, set shots, hook shots, weaves, unrelenting fast breaks & outlet passes.

- Chest-thumping? Trash-talking? Players getting coaches fired? Wife beating? Salary disputes? Refusing to play? Buying a championship - Lakers/Mavs? "Contract Years?"

If I gave less of a crap today (I do watch March Madness), I could live without a toilet.

[Awsi Dooger]

67. I bet every game, so apparently I give a crap

And overwhelming kudos to the "current form" geniuses who bet the Kings' series price odds down from -260 to -145 vs. the pathetic Mavericks. That is an unheard of move in wagering circles, the equivalent of an NFL playoff pointspread plummeting from -6 1/2 to -2 1/2.

I had a major piece of Sacramento in that series. Dallas is the most overstated, insignificant and boring team in the league. It's like a book or TV show where you know the ending before it even begins. Uptempo ole defense futility, especially on the road. No chance to survive vs. a legit squad. And they will only get worse. Other than the opportunity to bet against the Mavs, the franchise should be absolved.

'80s NBA basketball was pure garbage, not even a threat of truly contested possessions all game long. Has anyone ever watched some of that crapola on ESPN Classic? I laugh like hell. Every 10 foot jumper is conceded. Those wimp teams wouldn't get past midcourt today. My ultimate sports betting fantasy would be to wager on teams from this era vs. the misty-eyed pantyhose teams from the '80s. Every simpleton moron would insist the '80s squads would dominate, then sit there in jaw open shock when the current crop dismantled them from the opening tipoff.

I'll forever insist the ultimate NBA era would produce scores no higher than the 60s. That has been my contention for over 20 years -- based on the 24 second clock, number of possessions and the frequency of success those possessions should produce. Chuck Daly is a major hero in basketball history, frustrating and exposing the Showtime Lakers while decreasing NBA scoring via 48 minute pressure defense. Plus the 3 point shot is a true test and not abused, unlike the gimmick little layup line the colleges use.

[lazarus]

68. Amen

As a Spurs fan, you can imagine I've totally bought into their philosophy: Offense wins games, defense wins championships.

Of course, this season they've added an offense, as well. Less than 12 hours to the first game against the Lakers. Should be fun!

[TroubleMan]

70. NBA playoffs are always one of my favorite TV events

GO HEAT!!

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

71. I love basketball, but I never gave a crap about playoffs.

Honestly, I'd rather watch a high school basketball game. The NBA league has definitely become watered down a bit.

[Rhiannon12866]

72. I followed high school basketball, and college,

the only sport I felt I could give a crap about. My college team was hopeless, until my senior year, when they suddenly started winning. Then I was prevented from getting a seat, even though I was only one of a handful of people in the bleachers in previous years, when they weren't winners. I even attended away games. It was disappointing.

I watched "Remember the Titans" last night on ABC. A friend told me that it was excellent, but I never had seen it. I guess I don't understand the reverence for high school football, having never lived in the South. But you know, as we are neighbors.

My friend told me that there is going to be a Democratic meet-up in Glens Falls. This was a week ago and she told me that four people had signed up, so far. That sounds about right for Glens Falls. Do you know when this is and will you be there?:shrug:

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

73. I've been deleting a lot of emails lately.

I probably overlooked it. If you can get details from your friend, that'd be really cool. I'd like to check it out!

[Rhiannon12866]

76. I will make a point of asking

All I know is that she said it is at Davidson Brothers in Glens Falls. I hope I didn't miss it. I last spoke to her a week ago, where she attended a large gathering in Manchester Center, Vermont, where she works, and was pretty impressed by the large turnout and enthusiasm. I will let you know if I can find out more.:-)

[dad]

74. NO Hornets?

It's hard to give a crap when your team up and moves to New Orleans. I'll give more of a crap about the NBA playoffs once we get into the 2nd round. A 7-game series in the first round really kills the spirit of the thing.

[Norbert]

75. There are NBA playoffs on? LMAO

It seems like the NBA playoffs lasts almost as long as the regular season.

I voted "I don't give a crap though."

[ornotna]

77. I don't give a rat fart

let alone a crap.