stanvandamme

quote: Originally posted by Peaceful Cavalier23: quote: Originally posted by onedollerbills: quote: Originally posted by markketch:^ You actually believe the garbage you just wrote? That's one of the most ignorant and arrogant posts I've ever had the misfortune of reading. Breaking news: Orlando Magic fans are the only fans in the entire NBA who never blame officials. You can search this entire forum and will not encounter one instance of a fan complaining about officiating. Give me a freakin' break, man. For every reasonable fan there are two unreasonable fans. Sorry, but Magic fans are not the exception like you're trying to make it out to be. But go ahead and continue living in your little fantasy world where Magic fans are perfect, darling little fans who would never react unreasonably. Nah, just not possible. Keep making the ridiculous blanket generalizations that you can't seem to get away from. They really make you look incredibly informed and reasonable. Just a quick question do you live in Cleveland? dude sometimes i wonder if that Mark guy is a lawyer or something and hes just practicing his "argument tactics" LOL he sure seems to argue alot. That's all he does when you talk about the Cavs, even if it wasn't a negative statement to begin with. If you try and talk back he just takes things way off course. I've had the misfortune of following him more than once though. At least it raises my Karma points, but I think this post, #500 will be my last as stanvandamme. It's time to retire it at a good number since SVG won't be with the team forever. Though I am from Utah and can't even remember Jerry Sloan not being the coach. I can't ever imagine the Jazz without him, that'll be extremely wierd.

quote: We can easily let Turk walk now, move Shard to the 3 and still have that deep threat at the 4. I could get used to a Polish perimeter.

I think we need to be pretty cautious about this game and the one in Houston. Both have beat us this season and both are playoff teams. I really hope that we spanked Cleveland tonight because of something that went on in that team meeting, and I really hope that it carries throughout the rest of the season and into the playoffs. I'm way proud of the Magic after the Cleveland win and I think that they're going to be in serious playoff fashion from now on and I dare anyone to get in our way. I wonder if Charles Barkley thinks he's an idiot for saying we can't contend with Boston or Cleveland because we lost to the Raptors. Way premature Chuck.....that's what she said.

That last putt by Tiger to seal the victory was way sweet, he definitely owns the sport of golf. I have a question though after watching the Magic Cavs game tonight. Why are Lebron and Tiger such good friends? ESPN kept talking about how they're great friends and crap. Did they just meet at Nike headquarters, or what's up?

Too bad we had to lose to the Raptors. I would actually have some hope for that top seed with the Cavs still having to play the Spurs, the Celtics in Boston, and the Wizards in DC (for some reason the "Zephyrs" know how to handle Cleveland this year). I might just have to root for the Cavs now in that Boston game to help us get the 2 spot. I hate the last weeks of the season like this when we've already got a playoff spot and all. I just want the playoffs to start. Going for home court has been pretty exciting though.

Definitely an embarrassing loss for the Cavs. I wouldn't plan on it happening again in the playoffs, but I'll take it. What should be more embarrassing however, is the fact that they had actual dumbbells for props before the game as Lebron acted like he was filming his idiot team working out, it was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. For all of you at the game, you might not have seen it, but Lebron is acting like he has a camera, Mo Williams is doing pushups and JJ Hickson is repping a dumbbell, and the others were probably doing Turbo Jam or something, who knows. Another annoying thing on ESPN was how much they kept talking about Tiger and Lebron's friendship. What friendship? Why are they even friends? The only connection I can think of is Nike, but they made comments throughout the game of how good of friends they were and how as champions, they study eachother and crap. Almost as stupid as Nancy Lieberman interviewing Dwight's parents. She sucks at interviews. Just want to say that I've been way proud of Rashard lately. He's been lighting it up and actually playing like an all Star. Keep it up.

quote: Originally posted by Osprey23:I still think Cleveland matches up well with LA, and having home court advantage means a lot in the Finals. Pierce went off on Kobe and Co. last year, why wouldn't Lebron be able to? Not to mention Cleveland is playing better D this year. Cleveland's good, but I just finished watching the Lakers and Rockets and seeing Kobe be able to turn it on when he wants while he's defended by good guys like Battier and Artest just makes me think that he's going to be unstoppable come playoff time. We definitely saw that Lebron can turn it on tonight when he was jacking up crap and hitting threes in the third quarter, but it was too little to late. That said, I think that Cavs Lakers would make an excellent finals that I'd definitely watch, but I think Kobe and LA still have the upper hand. And that being said, I'd much rather see the Magic make it to the finals. I can't help but get hopeful after a game like tonight where it seemed like they effortlessly got a 41 point lead on a team that has the largest margins of victory and is one of the top team defenses. I can't help but believe.

quote: Originally posted by Osprey23:The Cavs are built for the playoffs, whether we Magic fans like it or not. Do we match up well with them? Yes. Could we beat them in a 7 game series? Probably not without HCA. Can the Cavs beat the Lakers in the Finals? Yes, and regular season record has no bearing on a 7 game playoff series. The Cavs are having a great year, and I'm guessing they'll make it to the finals, but do they stand a chance against the Lakers if that's who they face? Freak no. You don't even have to base it on regular season records. The Lakers haven't even really had Bynum all year and they still have the second best record in the NBA. Bynum + Pao with Odom backing up >>>> Ilguaskas + Varejao with Smith or Wallace or whoever. Fisher + Farmar is not much less than Williams or West. Don't underestimate Fisher in the playoffs. Kobe >>> Lebron. Lebron will be MVP, but Kobe is still a better scorer. In terms of taking over a game, Kobe and Wade are far better than Lebron, especially if it's in the finals. (Not dissing on LBJ or anything, I know what he did against the Pistons in 2007, but I still think Kobe is the best player on the planet. Karl Malone got MVPs only to lose to Jordan in the finals. It's just the way it is.) Bottom line, the Lakers got there last year and got embarrassed. Kobe is too great a competitor to go another summer as the victim of a terrible, but hilarious Shaq rap. Lebron has better numbers all around, but Kobe hasn't had to put up MVP numbers for his team to win because he definitely has the better supporting cast. I think it'd be an epic matchup of Kobe vs. Lebron, which I'll enjoy watching. But Kobe will come out on top like he has in the past. I was in attendance at Staples Center when Kobe dropped 65 on Portland because he had to, and with the rest of the arena, I chanted MVP. I know it's shameful, but his performance was moving no matter how much you hate him. No way he lets another championship slip through the cracks.

I hope that our threes fall, but I hope that we feed Dwight the ball inside. The only things that can stop him from dominating Cleveland are Varejao flopping and phantom three second calls in the last seconds of a close game. Here's hoping to domination.

quote: Originally posted by Peaceful Cavalier23:ouch...lol Not a very "peaceful" statement.

quote: I've ridden in a Delorean several times. I can actually have an opinion based on a real, factual experience. Wasn't really expecting you to try and prove this...lol. My opinion based on the real factual experience of watching the NBA for years and years and witnessing what makes a championship team, is that your Cavs stand no chance against the Lakers (maybe they could win game, but no more). If you're going to make a statement about your precious Delorean rides than don't assume the right to protest the statements of others based on their experiences. quote: When the Cavs went to the Finals in 2007, they swept the Spurs 2-0 in the regular season. This just destroyed your 'argument' about Cavs-Lakers. Good move there, captain. The Lakers this year are exponentially better than the Cavs of 2006-2007, so don't think for a second the Lakers are going to choke in a finals match up with a team they beat twice already this year. Epic failure of a comparison. quote: How many titles have the Magic won? Oh, that's right - same as the Cavs, ZERO. Again, you're talking down the Cavs yet the Magic haven't done squat either. Hello, hypocrisy. It seems to be your best friend these days. Pretty sure if I was a hypocrite in this situation I would be praising the Magic based on their accomplishments while deficating on the Cavs for their lack of accomplishment when in fact both have accomplished the same thing: being swept in the finals. Did I ever praise the Magic in comparison to the Cavs? Negative. I was letting you know that time will tell you that I'm right about the Cavs not winning a title and so have some patience instead of demanding evidence. I guess I was wrong in assuming that after 40 years of suck you might've developed patience in respect to not winning a title, but I was obviously wrong. The Cavs have had a great season, no doubt about it, but they're not going to win the title and you can expect the legions of Lebron fans to put some blame on the refs. Sorry for agreeing with Peaceful Cavalier and giving an example of when his statement would come true. Didn't know it would cause a problem, but than again, every time I mention the Cavaliers, markketch takes the opportunity to get defensive. I guess I should've known better.

quote: Deloreans are sweet to ride in. Where's your proof? quote: The Cavs have plenty of weaknesses in their game that could prevent them from winning a title. Where's your proof? quote: Sometimes I wonder Where's your proof? See how annoying it is when you post your opinions on a message board and people like you demand a bibliography or something? (of course you'll quote this and say, "You didn't say opinion, you said fact", and "When did I ever demand a bibliography?", very predictable) The Cavs are 0 for 2 this year against the favorite out West(FACT). I've watched the Cavs and Lakers play twice this year and the Cavs can't hang(FACT). Time will prove that the Cavs aren't going to win it all this year(FUTURE FACT), and in time Cav message boards will be full of complaints when you're team is finally knocked out of the playoffs(FACT). Maybe instead of demanding proof all the time you should just have a little patience. You're team has amounted to nothing in nearly 40 years of existence(FACT), so it shouldn't be too hard to just wait a little longer, should it? /discussion

quote: Originally posted by TheRevTy:LeBron will come in and look to exploit his ability to get to the foul line, but I think when all is said and done, he gets scared of Dwight down low and settles for too many jumpshots. This would be a game where Jameer would explode for 25+ points, as he is the only player we have who can will himself to take over a game. Hedo will try a few times, but get frustrated by LeBron's D and the lack of foul calls he'll receive. Pietrus and Lee will both have above average games. Dwight will get 20+ rebounds, as he will want to impose his own will, and offensive fouls will limit him on the other end, so he'll work his tail off on D. The difference maker? Rashard Lewis. With the attention Cleveland will send Dwight's way, and the goons they'll have in the game to tug on Superman's cape, Lewis will use his low-post offense to keep us in the game. Final score: Magic - 92 Cavs - 86 You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger, and you don't mess around with...the Orlando Magic. I'm just hoping that's the case tonight. One positive thing is that the teams who have had winning streaks of 10 or more this years have all seemed to suck right afterwards. Utah most recently lost 3 in row (one to us) after winning 12 straight. The Cavs aren't the Jazz or Celtics though, so we'll see how they rebound. Me and Jim Croce still say Orlando wins tonight.

I'm always happy with a Cavs loss, but I think we might've had an advantage if they were coming in on a streak and us having just lost. I thought we'd be more focused and all, but now that kind of gets cancelled out because like us, they just lost to a crappy team. That being said, the teams that have had huge win streaks have always sucked afterwards. The Celtics have done it twice and the Jazz just followed 12 straight with 3 losses. I think this could be really good for us if the trend continues, and I'm looking forward to the Celtics Cavs games coming up. I still don't know who I'll root for but I'm hoping to root for the Celts that game because it means we're close to the top spot.

The Magic will have a nice 15 point lead at some point and then us getting lazy combined with some terrible officiating will allow the Cavs to come back, but we'll hold em off, just like the last two Celtic games. We'll then meet them in the ECF and they'll know that we own them...advantage us.