May

31

ESPN: Garnett, Pierce Lead Boston To The NBA Finals

Filed Under ESPN Reports, NBA PLAYOFFS | Leave a Comment

May

31

ESPN: Celtics Advance To Finals

Filed Under ESPN Commentary, NBA PLAYOFFS | Leave a Comment

May

31

Pierce Leads Celtics Back To NBA Finals Celtics Defeat Pistons In Six 89-81

Filed Under NBA PLAYOFFS | Leave a Comment

Now we shall see if they can earn the rights to be called the “Big Three“. Paul Pierce scored 27 points Friday night, and the Boston Celtics came back in the fourth quarter with a vengeance to knock the Detroit Pistons out of the NBA Playoffs, winning the decisive game six 89-81 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. It is the Celtics first time back in the NBA Finals since 1987. Ironically their opponents will be the Los Angeles Lakers, the team that defeated Boston that year in the Finals. Oh, and if you smell a faint aroma of cigar smoke in the air this weekend, don’t be alarmed. That’s just Red Auerbach lighting up a victory cigar on that great parquet floor in the sky.

It is only fitting that Boston had to play Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston beat the Pistons in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, to advance to take on the Lakers. In 1988 it was the same matchup in the Conference Finals, this time however Detroit had learned their lessons, and were peaking as the Celtics started on the decline. They went to the Finals that year, losing to the Lakers, but would win their first NBA Championship in in 1989. For the Celtics it marked the end of an era, Larry Bird and Kevin McHale were beset by injuries, and the age and wear and tear set in on the entire team. The Boston Celtics who had won 16 of the first 39 NBA Championships in the history of the Association, will now make their first appearance in the Finals in 21 years. A generation has come of age during that period, hearing the tales, but except for DVDs, the NBA Channel, and ESPN Classic have never seen it. This year they will.

Another ironic happening was the Boston Celtics who had not won a road game in two previous seven game series, won two out of three against Detroit. Boston held a slim lead throughout the first half. They had a 24-21 advantage over Detroit at the end of the first quarter. The “Green Team” went into the locker room at the half still leading the Pistons by a score of 40-37. The Celtics knew that they were not going to go unchallenged all night, and Detroit made their run in the third quarter. Boston held their own through the early stages of the quarter leading the Pistons 54-50 with 6:16 left in the third.? But a Chauncey Billups trey, followed shortly after by a Tayshaun Prince trey made it 56-54 Detroit with 5:24 left in the period. Detroit maintained their edge leading 68-60 at the end of the third quarter, and suddenly a game seven Sunday looked like a very real possibility. But this time it was Boston’s turn to make the run, and they did tying the game at 70-70 as Paul Pierce hit 2 from the line with 7:35 left in regulation. The lead went back and forth over the next few possessions, but the Celtics held the Pistons to just 13 points in the quarter, as they turned their defensive intensity to the the max.

Paul Pierce who suffered through some terrible years wearing the Green, led the Celtics as he scored 27 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block in the Boston victory.? Ray Allen scored 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Kevin Garnett scored 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists. Rajon Rondo scored 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal.?

Chauncey Billups scored a game high 29 points, with 6 assists, and 6 rebounds for the Pistons. Richard Hamilton scored 21 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, Tayshaun Prince scored 10 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block. Detroit for the third straight year is eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. Boston will host the Lakers this Thursday at the “New Garden.”

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

May

30

Reports Say Woodson Not a Sure Thing As Hawks Coach

Filed Under Main | Leave a Comment

A few years ago country singer Deana Carter had a hit song called “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” According to The “Atlanta Journal-Constitution” on Friday, Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson may do his own version of it called “Did I Shave My Head For This?” Apparently getting the Hawks to the NBA Post Season was not enough to earn the the Atlanta coach a new pact, his contract expires on June 30. New Hawks General Manager Rick Sund who was hired earlier this week wants to have a sit down with Woodson, befor he commits to signing?Woodson and his staff new deals. Woodson who just completed his fourth year as head coach for the Hawks believes he and his staff have earned new deals. Woodson told reporters “The bottom line is, and my attitude has always been that if our team got better and our players respected what me and my staff have done that we deserved to be back,” Woodson said. “Our team has gotten better. I think our players do respect how we work and prepare. I take pride in that. And there are a lot of coaches in this league that work their tails off, and we’re no different. We work at our craft. And I’m proud to say that!” Woodson shaved his head before the Post Season as a tribute to his players.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

May

30

Shaq Says: You Will Remember My Name!

Filed Under Main | Leave a Comment

Nobody has ever accused Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal of being too humble. In a league that was once ruled by big men, he came along at a time where the selection in the Association at the “5″ spot was not at it’s peak. Although O’Neal would have been a factor at center in any era of the NBA, he came along at a time where there was so little legitimate competition, that he was an incredibly dominant force. The “Big Cactus” believes that he has one more run left in him according to the The “Arizona Republic“. They reported Friday that the Suns center believes he is the key ingredient that will win the team from Phoenix their first NBA Championship. O’Neal told reporters “In my experience, it takes two or three years to get a group of guys together that could possibly get it done. When I was in Orlando, we had a group of guys who couldn’t get it there, and we added the piece in Horace Grant and it took us over the top. I think I was the piece that they were missing. Next year, we’ll have a full season, and things look pretty good. I think I can do enough to still get us there to win. I will go out with a bang. My name will be remembered!” The Magic went to the NBA Finals in 1995, but were swept by NBA Champion’s the Houston Rockets.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

May

30

Staff May Be Shaping Up With Bulls Coaches

Filed Under Main | Leave a Comment

The “Chicago Tribune” reported Friday that the Chicago Bulls could very well have their entire coaching staff set within the next few days. As we reported Thursday here at?Slam Dunk Central,?reports emanating out of the “Windy City” are? that former Bulls coach Doug Collins will be back as the new team’s bench boss. Now it appears that their assistant coaches may be falling into line as well. The paper reported former Bulls center and former head coach Bill Cartwright has already been in touch with Chicago General Manager John Paxson about coming on board as an assistant. A man who was a right hand?man to both Doug Collins and Phil Jackson during their?stints as the Bulls coach?former assistant John Bach said he would love to return. Ron Harper who played for the Bulls during Championship era, and?was formerly an?assistant with Detroit said he would like to join the staff as well. There has been no official announcement from the Bulls, but that could happen any day now that the Western Conference Final have ended. Collins covered the series as an?analyst for TNT.

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net?

May

30

Slam Dunk Central Reporter Stephen Rhodes’ 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Filed Under Slam Dunk NBA Draft Central | Leave a Comment

?????????????????????????????????????????? Charlotte Bobcats

Yesterday, I covered the Milwaukee Bucks’ needs and who I projected as their first-round selection in the 2008 NBA Draft.? Today, I cover the Charlotte Bobcats, their needs and my prediction on who they will select with their pick.

Charlotte Bobcats

Draft Position - #9

Needs - Center, power forward.? Here’s the dilemma; the Bobcats have Emeka Okafor.? Perhaps the question is this - is Okafor a center or a power forward?? Okafor has played both positions, which makes the Bobcats’ pick that much more intriguing.? Other than that situation, Charlotte is pretty much set at the other positions.

Charlotte Bobcats select: DeAndre Jordan, PF/C, Texas A&M

Tomorrow: New Jersey Nets

← Previous Page — Next Page →