NBA playoffs, anyone??

[TitoFan]

Probably not a big NBA fanbase here, and frankly... basketball's not my favorite sport. But I do get somewhat interested when the playoffs come around. I don't have a favorite team, per say. I do have teams I would not like to see win, such as the Miami Heat. Nothing in particular to dislike... other than the amount of hype they keep heaping on Lebron James.

Not that he doesn't deserve all types of praise. Hey, if I was 6'-8" and well over 250 pounds, with all that God-given natural athleticism and agility... I'd probably be dominating the NBA as well. He would be an under-achiever if he didn't dominate. And it's not like I dislike him the way I used to utterly dislike Shaquille O'Neal. Now THERE was a freak of nature who only had an NBA career due to his penchant for using his huge ass to bump people out of the way before yet another boring-as-hell dunk.

But back to Lebron. I just get tired of hearing the same phrase over and over again.... "the next Michael Jordan". When will these people ever learn... we will probably not see another Michael Jordan, at least in this generation. The press is so quick to anoint someone as the next Michael Jordan... they fall all over themselves in the process. They've done the same thing to Kobe Bryant. And they'll do the same thing with Derrick Rose and Kevin Durant.

No argument... these are all established or up-and-coming superstars. But the next Michael Jordan? C'mon, give me a break. Jordan wasn't just a great basketball player. He was a great CLUTCH player. A player you could count on in the last second of the game to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. How many playoff games did Jordan win with a last minute jumper? How many times did Jordan put the team on his back and carried them when they needed it the most? Jordan was also a great leader. He made his teammates better. His Bulls won six NBA championships. Lebron is still looking for that first ring.

Nothing against these other guys, but they all have a LONG way to go before they should be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan. It's normal for the young generation who didn't see much of Jordan to want to compare him with Kobe and Lebron. But there's not much to compare at this point. Kobe has the potential... but he lacks the consistency. AND he lacks the leadership skills. He's also known to fold in the clutch on occasion. Not all the time, mind you, but enough to discredit any comparisons to Michael Jordan.

So who do I want to win this year's championship? I don't have a clear favorite, although I'd like a fresh new team to win, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

[boozeboxer]

The Miami Heat do not have a true leader on the team. Also unable to take any criticism for all the expectations (which they puzzlingly put on themselves). A very classless group. If justice is found anywhere, they will not beat the Pacers out of this round.

The Lakers are done. The Celtics and Spurs are fun for the toughness.

The Pacers are a solid, very large team.

I would really like to see OKC win as well! Durant loves the game of basketball and is fun to watch. Durant will continue to garner fan support and love because he is simply a better person and almost as good of a basketball player than Lebron.

[TitoFan]

I agree about the Heat..... classless. I'm rooting for the Pacers as well. Although they have to watch out, if the Heat want to make it into a street fight. They might try to unnerve the Pacers. I hope they don't fall for it. If the Heat falls to the Pacers, there will be finger-pointing all around.

[TitoFan]

Well, the Lakers were bounced out of the playoffs. Time's running out on Kobe to get another ring. For some reason, I don't see them getting any better next year. Tonight's the other big game... Pacers-Heat at Miami. Go-o-o-o-o Pacers!!!

[TitoFan]

I guess no one else is watching basketball. Well... the Pacers were blown out by the Miami Thugs......er..... I mean... Heat. Geeeez man! What kind of backalley, 'hood street ball were these guys playing. There were flagrant fouls and elbows flying everywhere. The Pacers were outplayed and outfought. But I dislike the Heat more than ever. If the Pacers can't take them, either the Celtics or the Spurs will.

[Nameless]

Though it.s not the sport that I follow the most, I always have been a Celtics fan. I think that it might be the last year where they have a shot at the title in a long time, good team but getting old and the "renewing cycle" is knocking at their door.