Will There Be Carryover From LeBron’s Dunk?
NBA May 14th. 2008, 7:00pm
Most important game of the NBA season? We think so. That’ll change if game seven arrives, but for tonight, it doesn’t get any more significant than the league’s best player going against the league’s best team. Clearly, there’s more at stake for the Celtics, who had the best record in the league this season and probably have the most talented roster in the NBA, even if it’s top-heavy. What’s more at stake here – KG’s legacy or Doc Rivers’ job? Nobody’s going to hammer LeBron if the undermanned Cavs lose – but if Boston loses, the internet’s going to be a crazy, crazy place on Thursday.
144 Responses to “Will There Be Carryover From LeBron’s Dunk?”
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May 14th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
It’s like the Pujols homer off Brad Lidge a couple years ago. Creates a sensation. Everyone thinks they’ll get a huge momentum lift and win the series, but then they eventually go down to a superior team.
Celtics in 7–and Game 7 won’t be close.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Most important game of the season-are you kidding me? Maybe if it was to determine who’s going to the Finals, but give me a break. You don’t have to slurp Lebron every time you get a chance to-we get it, you’re a Lebron fan, yadda yadda yadda….
May 14th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I would say that the Utah-Jazz game 5 and last night’s NO-SA game 5 was more important than tonight’s game. Only because all four of those teams have legit shots to go further no matter the outcome of the series.
The Celtics have been awful on the road, and Lebron isn’t taking out the Pistons if they move on.
(And I am a die-hard Cs fan).
May 14th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
LOVE THE PIC… That’s going to be ALOT of screen-savers & avatars
You know KG pushed LBJ so it has that…
“Move Bitch, Get-Out-The-Way, Get-Out-The-Way Bitch, Get-Out-The-Way” Vibe to it!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
most important game will probably change if the NBA finals happen as well. or if conference finals happen maybe.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
@ my earlier comment, I meant Utah-LA. Whoops.
And @iwill- I think TBL means ’so far’…
May 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
oh i didnt catch that. i thought it was only between this game and the possible game 7.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
@broseph, also like Fisk’s HR in 1975 World Series, the Reds won the World Series, not the Red Sox
May 14th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
@broseph – That homer may not have won a series, but it did destroy Brad Lidge’s career, so it wasn’t totally without effect.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Correction, *nearly* destroy, since he seems to be finally in recovery this season.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
ChiTownsFinest would you please stop using smiley faces around here. Unless you are 15, they are not needed.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
KG’s legacy? The guy is what, 31? He’s got a few years yet to win a title.
Doc shouldn’t have been brought back last year, then he managed a good front-running team and, for that, became an NBA COY candidate, and now he’s showing he’s not a good game manager or adaptive coach. Nowhere this side of Bobby Knight is there a more schizophrenic coach, and for that, I’m going to say his job could be on the line, certainly if the Celts lose a close-out at home.
Now, most important game of the season? You may be kidding yourself to say that any of these teams in the East will play the most important game of the season. I’d also like to remind that Kobe dropped 31 with a bad back while LeBron only had 21 (and 13 dimes, yeah) in their respective Game 4s.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
jumper bish!
May 14th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Guys im pretty sure he meant to this point. Its a toss up between this game and the one that follows it. Game 6 spurs hornets would also qualify for different reasons
May 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
There will be blood.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Well Simmons got what he wanted: Posey defending LeBron.
Hasn’t turned out well.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Utah is the league’s best team?
May 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
No the Lakers are, Deron Williams is the best player.
/blatant homerism
May 14th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
You guys still think the Cavalier supporting cast is a bunch of bums? They look better than what’s assembled around KG..
May 14th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Trying not to get excited, but it’s 33-22 and Boston looks terrible. Practically petrified.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
The supposting cast has been getting killed because until recently they have not all played very good. Especially at the same time.
If they can keep it up team can do some things
May 14th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
LBJ came to mother f’in play tonight
wow, he’s attacking the hoop with that old lebron vigor. 17 points with 4 mins left in the qtr
he looks about as confident as he did when he owned detroit last year
May 14th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
jumper bish
May 14th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
IT’S ON TONIGHT!
LBJ with a step back 3 in Pierce’s grill … he had to back off because James is abusing everyone and going to the rack
May 14th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
This is going to be a classic, boston can cut it to 4..
May 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
dammit
anytime i post a comment, Boston makes a run
that’ll be all of for me for a bit
C’s pull back within 6 on two Rondo triples.
LBJ has 23 en route to a monster night
May 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
fucking abusing mofo’s. WITNESS
May 14th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Anyone else watching the Reds game? (yeah, I doubt it).
The Marlins tried a sac bunt, but the Reds had other, more fun things in mind. Two errors later the lead runner was thrown out at home.
The play ended with the pitcher on second with two outs. Sacrifice worked, in a way.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
oh, that jumper wanted to go down. that would have put him at a quarter for the half … damn.
looks like the 13 point lead could be as low as 2. dammit.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
@Long Live
I am also watching the Reds game. Unreal. Going to all 3 Indians games this weekend. Cant wait. On a side note, good thing our offense is so good, because its not like Jay Bruce is tearing it up or anything. (dripping in sarcasm)
May 14th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
LeBron is only 3 of 9 on jumpers.. why is he taking any?!?!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
ok, im off to read whatever bill simmons wrote in his last column
May 14th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
TBL I’ll save you time, he makes it seem like it’s all about the Celtics and if they magically changed their lineup, it would have been a sweep. Of course what he doesn’t tell you is whether or not the Cavs would adjust to those changes, he probably assumes they wouldn’t. He also goes into great detail about how incorrectly they’re guarding LeBron…which is laughable, considering Pierce has put him on lock down.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Sidenote: Chase Utley hit his 14th homer. He is not bad at baseball.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
CC – i just read it. i wanted to bail a few times. he kills doc rivers for lineups, but he alternates between having Pierce play the 2 when West/Gibson are on the floor, and “going small” being the key.
I do agree with him about Cassell … but didn’t he love the Cassell idea in the first place? Can anyone find that column? Me navigating the Sports Guy world is like … ah fuck
2nd half started, quick 4-0 run for Boston and the C’s have the lead
May 14th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Cassell was huge in the wins, awful in the losses.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Those are almost college three pointers guys like Z and KG hit on a regular basis.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
blazer, is it me or are the Reds suddenly a lot better at playing baseball? Probably a fluke, but it’s fun while it’s lasting. The Indians series should be good. Cueto, Harang, and Volquez against their awesome rotation.
And yes, Bruce is unreal right now. Unfortunately, Patterson won’t leave the lineup until July based on the last couple games.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
The Reds, very quietly, have one of the best young cores in baseball. So of course their GM gets fired.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
LeBron is 3 for 11 on jumpers, KG is infinity for infinity..jesus!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
great game so far.. completely off topic, but has any1 gotten to the bank robbery mission in GTA IV? what a great mission that was..
May 14th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Cortes, have you run into opie and anthony on their yet? Or Bas Rutten?
May 14th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
opie and anthony are in GTA IV? didn’t no that, and no i havent not yet, i just beat the bank robbery mission and called it a night to watch lebron and the celts game
May 14th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Yeah Cortez, a good friend of theirs is involved with the game, some dude named “Laslo”
May 14th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Cavs gone ice…need a spark to get going
May 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
cool, thanks for the heads up cursed.. by the way, who ya got in the cavs-celts series?
May 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I thought the Cavs were going down in 5 or 6.. I thought the tide had turned..but we’ll see. KG isn’t missing, and Celts are locking down defensively..
May 14th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
And much like my website, I don’t commit to anything.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Here Cortez..: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJGrnP8l_nk
May 14th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
cortes, you see the lebetard post? figured you’d like it.
im disgusted that boston will win this. overcoming a 10 point deficit on the road in the 4th qtr? no shot
May 14th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
cool thanks cursed.. maybe im just a 790 the ticket dork but as soon as i read “lazlow” i immediately thought of my boy jon zaslow, the late night host on 790 lol
May 14th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
/thread jack cause I’m pissed
Boof Bonser can’t get major league hitters out.
/end thread jack
Looks like I’m gonna have to watch real world tonight.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Lets see what the cavs cab di down 9 at the start of the fourth
May 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
TBL, yeah i saw it and commented on it, thanks for finding a way to get that on the site, really good stuff.. i wish more of the great columnists would do things like that, posnanski’s blog is exceptional.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Good god, the Reds are trying to blow a 6-0 lead entering the ninth. Up 6-1 with the bases loaded, no outs. Cordero in.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I listened to Lebatard on the Ticket with TK (they sure do get their podcasts up quickly..).. i wish it were longer..great stuff
May 14th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
yea that TK interview was great
May 14th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
fantastic. now daniel gibson is hurt.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
cody fucking ross!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Did kg just kiss rondo during the game?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
The Reds..are you kidding me. Nick P is thinking about a murder/suicide at this point
May 14th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Fuck baseball in it’s behind.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
i cant believe this.. cody ross 3 run shot to erase the 6-1 lead in the ninth.. cordero isn’t leaving that ballpark alive is he?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
it’s stuff like this that gives marlins fans irrational hopes.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Yeah, all 7 people in the stadium are going to hunt him down.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
2nd half for lebron is like the first two games
just nothing going down. all in and out. fucking sucks
big baby is having a strong 2nd half
where’s ben wallace?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
TBL, the jumpers haven’t been in and out tonight.. , the floaters and stuff have.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
oh well, the first half was fun while it lasted
May 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Boobie is out of a playoff game with a contusion?!? The boys back at Fonde are going to let him hear about that!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
that floater in the lane a sec ago was in and out; he had another one a minute earlier
so depressing
May 14th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I hope the Stars hang on to win this game so we don’t get any Red Wings homerism tomorrow.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
It’s totally cool guys. He’s only a $46 MM closer.
/Vicious plug
May 14th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Cks defense definately stepped up in the second. Friday night will be very very interesting
May 14th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
@ Nick: Believe it or not, I read that post literally seconds before you commented.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
@ fetch
its stuff like 2 rings and the best GM in baseball and the best player in the national league that give us irrational hope.. but thanks
May 14th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Wow the Celts are throwing the game away!! All they had to do was not turn it over..
May 14th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
cortes, this is the marlins guy’s first year on the job i believe. Also Hanley probably is the best player in the majors, although he gives away half the runs with his glove that he contributes with his bat. And I don’t really buy the 2 rings argument, it’s not like craig counsell and edgar renteria are still playing for the fish.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Fucking Aaron Heilman can shit up a pole. In case you didn’t know the Mets blew another one. Fetch thanks for reminding me about the Haren deal in the comments which you can see in all it’s filthy glory . here
May 14th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
michael hill has the technical term of GM but i was talking about beinfest who still has final call on a lot of these things, and built this roster
May 14th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
He’s not the best player in the game as a shortstop.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
RWH: That’s what I’m here for.
cortes: Personally I wouldn’t be too happy about beinfest making the final call on a ton of things. A starting staff that prominently features Andrew Miller might not be a good idea. I think he’ll be good eventually, but AAA is calling his name.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Cavs have outshot Celts from the FT line 31-13!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
And Nick I absolutely agree.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
let’s start talking about how the Cavs can help LeBron this offseason. the Celtics have made too many shots in the middle … Z is worthless on D, Ben Wallace is a shell of his former self, and Joe Smith is old and can’t block shots.
thoughts? they need to go after some incredibly raw 7-footer in the draft
May 14th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Another game where a cleveland starter hasnt given up an earned run…
May 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
We’ve played great D for the most part. Made them shoot jumpers.
If Rondo is gonna make 3s, this team is completely unbeatable.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
It’s ok fellow Reds fans, we have Paul Janish. We can’t lose.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Cleveland picks 19th…Kosta Koufos? Roy Hibbert?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
@fetch: Lord no.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Hey Paul Janish was a national champion.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Very true nick. Cavs plan was to have rajon beat them and he definately has tonight
May 14th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Tough Call on PP there!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
some props for Rondo. He’s been awesome. except for that turnover. wow, Cassell was hot and off the bench
May 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
fetch you wouldn’t be comfortable with beinfest? why not dude? he’s really good at what at he does, look at his track records of trades and what he got back for delgado, and beckett etc. he does a good job.. and the rotation will be fine, when healthy its josh johnson, anibal sanchez, chris volstad, andrew miller, ryan tucker etc.. they have young arms in the system.. and i agree that hanley’s defense knocks him down a few notches, but it will improve throughout his career, hes too good of an athlete not to
May 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
wally misfired. dammit.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Celts really tried to blow this game
May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
too small and too soft?
this might sound absurd … joey dorsey? he’s too small, but damn if he wouldn’t be a nice oakley to Lebron’s jordan. maybe dorsey will be around in the 2nd rd …
May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
LeBron is 3 of 13 on jumpers tonight..
May 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again about “Big” Roy Hibbert, he can walk and chew gum, it just depends on the gum.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
@ cortes: if healthy
@TBL: I would rather have Deondre Jordan than Joey Dorsey, and he has bust written all over him. Cleveland would almost be better off taking Brandon Rush or CDR or somebody. I don’t see a big guy I like all that much in this draft.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
I want Bill Walker. We need more athleticism on the wings. Devin Brown won’t be resigned.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
this is just one big cock tease. cavs have NO SHOT
but i am curious about the line …
May 14th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Long F’ing rebound
May 14th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
i think jordan’s like a lottery pick, though.
cavs seem to have a bevy of good/decent 1-2-3 and ditto for 4-5
Rush isn’t a bad idea, though. bill walker is a nasty athletic beast, also plays D … but he’s small-ish, like 6-5 i think
May 14th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
That’s just a worthless coaching decision there, not to foul with 45 on the clock.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Paul fucking Janish, bitches!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Damn you river! I was watching on MLB.TV, but it was on a delay. You spoiled it.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
If Brandon Rush doesn’t have to be a ball handler he can develop into a really good NBA player I think. And who knew Paul Janish could hit?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
What are you talking about Nick.. it was a 4 pt game.. play d and get the ball back.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Nah man. They shoot with 45-24 = 21 on the clock. The ball bounces around the rim, we get it with 19 down 4?
You gotta lengthen the game.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
I disrespectfully disagree!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Sorry for spoiling it, Nick. Paul Janish is my new hero.
And his teammates gave him a bloody nose in the celebration. Welcome to the big leagues, kid.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
im trying to think who Rush may have been like in college .. tough to find a comparison. he can take some people off the dribble but also stroke it like kapano or maybe even korver.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
gotta give it up to the commenters – five posts with 100+ comments today. nice work, ladies
May 14th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Heading to the bar now.. sorry TBL, my work here is done. Wish I could post on my phone and be cool like others on here
May 14th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
cursed, you would have more ad revenue if you didn’t have 8 months between each post. then you could get a cool phone.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Or if you shamelessly plugged your blog as much as the major league jerk guys
May 14th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Nobody shoots as good as Jason Kapono.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Rush will be strictly a spot up guy in the league.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
fetch, what a Major League Jerky thing to say
May 14th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I think Rush is Tayshaun Prince to be honest.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Tayshaun? I don’t think Rush has the night in night out ability. He takes too many games off.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Brandon Rush is second best in his family in NBA ability (Kareem) and drinking ability (JaRon).
May 14th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
But he’s #1 in parrallel parking.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Plenty of NBA players take games off. Plus Rush wouldn’t have any pressure to be the guy. I think he shoots way better than Tayshaun obviously. I don’t see Prince play much in the NBA but in college he was really good defensively, and people have railed on Rush’s defensive abilities a little bit on here, but when he’s all there mentally he was on the short list of best college defenders this year.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
and Brandon is light years ahead of Kareem.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Who is better looking: Tayshaun or Brandon?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
He’s absolutely one of the best defenders. But he can’t take anyone off the dribble, and he’s too small to be a post up guy in the NBA. Kareem was much better offensively in college than Brandon. And as Rick James stated, JaRon was better at partying.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I was kidding about Kareem being a better Rush than Brandon. I don’t see the Tayshaun comparison, though, other than both Brandon & Tay are unselfish on offense.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Kareem was better offensively because he had to carry those Mizzou teams. Kansas got about 50% of their points in the paint this year, and they had just a smidge more talent than those Missouri teams
May 14th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Rick James, I don’t much either the more I think about it, I guess in my mind whenever I watched Rush I thought Tayshaun. Although Prince was a really good shooter in college. And I think they both have it in them to lock a guy down on D
May 14th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
But Kareem had the ability to carry those teams. There have been many games that Self needed Brandon to carry them and he couldn’t do it. Those Missouri teams had pretty decent talent under Quinn Snyder. Unfortunately Quinn Snyder was the coach.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Brandon Rush is the next good college player who is too slow-footed to be good in the NBA. He might be alright off the bench for someone next year though, reminds me of a Shane Battier type skill-set but maybe not as good.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Great comparison. Has a little more offense but not as much defense.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Rush could be Battier I suppose, and there is no way that those Missouri teams had a lot of talent.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
They did have the talent, just couldn’t pull it together. But there was nothing better than seeing Quinn start sweating and having his hair flop around when KU was beating them.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Yeah, it’s hard for me to compare anyone to Battier because the first thing I think is: “But his head looks nothing like Shane Battier’s head” … but if I were going to compare him to Battier, minus the weird raisin head, i think it works.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Yeah maybe I should add a “KU homer tag” but really I can’t remember anybody off that team who was any good. Kleiza I suppose, but I think he is a better pro than collegian, if that makes any sense. But other than that, unless Ricky Paulding floats your boat they weren’t anything to write home about
May 14th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I’m a KU homer too but I remember seeing those Missouri teams play and seeing talent. They just never had depth or discipline to play consistent.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Kleiza probably is a better pro actually, he hadn’t fully developed his game yet in college. He could shoot, but he was soft and couldn’t take it to the hole. Paulding was alright for a year or so though.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Lakers rollin… woot woot
May 15th, 2008 at 12:58 am
I know I’m just talking to myself at this point, but… there were just 8 white guys on the court at once in the Lakers-Jazz game. Maybe more, I’m not sure if Farmar and Deron Williams are half or what… so possibly 9.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I don’t see how anyone still believes this Laker team can win a championship without Andrew Bynum. They will be lucky to win this series…
Oh great screw up by Vujacic. Taunting right in the referee face…
May 15th, 2008 at 1:26 am
And taunting when you are shooting 1 in 10, it’s not very smart to say the least…