**Official NBA thread**

[quest51210 10+ year member]

...

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

so is Utah going to crumble and allow the Rockets to take this series? I don't know that I can see Houston winning all 4 games in a row, but I guess anything is possible, after all they did have that 22 game streak, maybe they are set for another miracle...

Obviously Utah is still the favorite here, but their last two games have been yuckfest...they are really making their supporters look silly...

So are Avery and D'antoni on the way out? both coaches have been rumored to be out the door by ESPN and SI, ESPN even reported last night that Avery was fired after the loss but no one has confirmed this...

both of these teams need to beat down JVG's door if the rumors are true...JVG running that Suns team would be ridiculous...

dam I really wanted Philly to take the Pistons...

 

[MTXman 10+ year member]

Toronto's front line is soft. They have no one who matches up with Dwight Howard. Detroit has plenty of depth in the front court and is more physical. Detroit has basically owned Howard his whole career. He was basically non-existent in the playoffs last year against Detroit. Detroit has faced better big men in the playoffs then Howard.

Haha, name a center they've guarded with more tenacity and energy than Howard right now.

He's the best center in the game, hands down.

Detroit should be frightened at the least by Howard, if they even make it to the second round...

 

[bsean63 10+ year member]

i agree, howard is an animal, detroit stopped him cuz of big ben... howard had 3 or 4 games with 20 points and 20 boards, first time since wilt in 72!!!!!! dont that say something

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

no his #'s are not impressive because it was the Raptors //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

also Ben Wallace was not part of the Detroit Pistons last season and had nothing to do with Dwight's #'s...But it's a new year and Dwight is a new man...we'll see what happens...

 

[bsean63 10+ year member]

chris bosh????

 

[bsean63 10+ year member]

hes a bit skinny but still a goooood player

 

[bsean63 10+ year member]

my mistake but howard is still the top center this year

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

Mavs have officially fired Avery Johnson - Mavs and Johnson Part

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

agreed that Howard is the most dominate big man in the game right now....kinda reminds me of Shaq in his earl Magic days...

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

me? 2004

everyone else?

2007-2008 regular season 20.7ppg/14.2rpg/2.2bpg

2007-2008 playoffs 22.6ppg/18.2rpg/3.8bpg with 3 20/20+ games in a 5 game series (Raptors or not, it hasn't been done in 36 years)

and chances are Dwight Howard>Your team's center

kid is beastly, proving the doubters wrong and he's only 22...

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

even if he doesn't get those #'s he's still a monster...and is only getting better...

Chris Bosh = Not Dwight Howard...Chris Bosh will not be able to bulk up, it's too late for him at this point, he's 5 seasons in and is relatively immune to gaining muscle weight, according to trainers and drafting reports, not to mention he's suffered several knee injures and has had 2 surgeries (i think it's 2, maybe 3) which will hinder him in adding weight to his frame...

 

[goofyre 10+ year member]

I agree Howard is a freak. I don't think they'll beat the pistons though. Too many people to step for the pistons, any night any one of them can have a huge night and you can't stop them all. And lots of people to cover howard too, wallace, mcdyse, ratcliffe, etc.

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

i didn't compare him to Shaq personally...but he is the most dominate center in the league right now...his #'s are impressive, players don't do that left and right, his playoff #'s vs. the Raptors (not just Chris Bosh, he had 5 bodies guard him in rotation) are extremely impressive, and no one has posted 3 20/20 playoff games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1972, and in that time span there have been far worse front courts than the Raptors have played against and those #'s were not achieved by anyone, again pretty impressive...

hate him or love him, he's still an amazing NBA talent...

and im not saying that the Magic will beat the Pistons, I understand how good the Pistons are I really do, but let's not forget that Samuel Dalembert, Reggie Evans and Thaddeus Young have done damage against that same Pistons team with Sheed, Maxiell, Mcdyess and Ratliff...so things arent written in stone...

 

[Johnny Drama 5,000+ posts]

Mavs fire Avery...

Im glad //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

Avery is a "good" coach, but was/is highly overrated IMO. He has a great ability to reach his players, they seem to like him for the most part and he has good work ethic and he does a good job at prepping for games. I don't think the fault for this particular series loss should fall on him, not as much as other might think at least. I hated that trade before it was complete, and I think it hurt them more than helped them.

it's a wonder who they will bring in now...

bright spot though, Brandon Bass is NASTY...

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

Avery had the highest winning percentage after at least 250 game in NBA history.

 

[rtillaree 10+ year member]

he won 70% of his regular season games...

 

[btdickey99 5,000+ posts]

he won 70% of his regular season games...

those games arent important at all if you cant get it done in the playoffs.....that shows the team has talent, and lacks coaching(for the most part atleast)

and as far as Rasheed Wallace going up against Dwight Howard.... this has to be a joke, Wallace has to be one of the most overrated players...the only reason he has the rep he does is bc of his fat mouth...

I dont see any way of Dwight now getting his 20+ pnts a game and 15+ reb

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

Avery is a good coach but he didnt fit the personal in Dallas very well. He never eased up the reigns on Kidd. Plus the Mavs really need to shake some things up.

Now all they need to do is trade J. Ho.