What's Wrong With the Playoffs This Year?

by hurryup09 on May 15, 2008 10:06 AM PDT

After last night's Fakers/ Jazz and Celtics/ Cavs games, the home teams have won 19 of 20 second-round games. The lone exception to the trend: a narrow, 2-point win by the Pistons over a weak Magic team. Sorry, but this is getting beyond predictable.

Last night, with two of my least-favorite teams playing at home, it got to the point where I would just fast-forward my DVR towards the inevitable conclusions. Yes, the Jazz made their game a little interesting, but somehow I never believed they could win.

Remember the past two seasons, with all the overtime games and road wins? It seemed the only time the home court advantage amounted to much was in game 7's. Now it's suddenly all-important.

So is this just an incredible coincidence, or has something changed? I'd like to say it's a grand conspiracy by the league, but for one thing, I haven't noticed much of a pattern of officiating bias (except maybe the near-impossibilty of road teams getting a charge call). For another, where's the advantage to the league? It could be to increase teams' incentive during the regular season, but that seems a stretch.

One thing for sure: the overwhelming home court advantage is taking a lot of excitement out of watching these playoffs for me.

Poll

Why can't the road teams win this year?

The officials have it in for them (curse you, David Stern!)

19 votes

The bench players choke on the road

9 votes

Thanks to parity, the subtle effect of the crowd is decisive

17 votes

Sheer coincidence; we'll see road wins next round

21 votes

Other

2 votes

68 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 52 comments

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Comments

It's something in the water

Apparenelt every home team puts something in the water in th eopposing plyers locker room…or better yet something is put in both teams locker room water but the home team has been taking small doses all season long and therefore are imune to the additive.

In additon, the something in the water makes the refs eyes really blurry leading to phantom foul calls on away teams and no calls on obvious charges comminted by home teams.

The biggest travesty of the playoffs is having the Jazz playing the Lakers. Why can’t both teams lose and then the winner of NO and SA is declared WC champion.

by NWfan on May 15, 2008 10:32 AM PDT 0 recs

I apologize for all the typos...

my keyboard was over-writing rather than inserting

by NWfan on May 15, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

Tell me about it

I’ve been rooting for the Jazz in that series, but what a strain!

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 15, 2008 10:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

Hoo doggies it's tough

My fiance knows I hate the Jazz, and I told her I was rooting for them to win and she went “HUH”; it was cute. I told her that they are playing the LAKERS and thus my hatred of the Lakers takes precedence over my strong dislike (not hatred, these days) of the Jazz. She didn’t quite get why I could root for a team I hate, but I said “SOMEONE has to win, I’d rather it not be the Lakers”. She doesn’t trust it, but she understands…

The NBA is very rude to schedule the playoffs in this manner. It should be NO vs Utah, so I can root for the Hornets and we’d get Deron vs Paul, and Spurs vs Lakers so I can feel okay rooting for the Spurs and watch the Lakers die horrible basketeering deaths.

It seems like a no brainer, but thats the NBA for ya.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on May 15, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up 0 recs

HUH

What stood out to me here is that you have a fiance, Mortimer. Women, I have found, see no logic in men when it comes to sports loyalties. Just tell her it’s like watching the finale of American Idol after your favorite contestant has been voted off; you may have hated BOTH of the finalists at some point before then, but odds are you’ll end up rooting for one over the other.

By the way, I think I should add a note that I don’t watch American Idol myself, and I’m basing this on the fact that fans of the show that I’m aware of are largely female.

~Chris

by ChrisB803 on May 15, 2008 2:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

She's a pretty understandin' lady-person

She is fine with my Blazer love, and has even become a casual fan. I watch every single Blazer game, all 82, or DVR the ones I’m too busy for, and I’d need someone who is willing to put up with it. I tell her at least it isn’t baseball… deathly boring, AND twice as many games. I’m glad I don’t care about baseball anymore.

Why ain’t ol’ Mortimer allowed to have a fiance? I’m a handsome, charming devil! And she ain’t bad either, for a girl!

She doesn’t like American Idol, but I’ll change it to a Project Runway or America’s Next Top Model example. Anyone watch Project Runway? I like that show.

Plus, my fiance hates the Lakers a lot because they represent LA to her. And Utah is crazy cult central so hating the Jazz is like second nature. She ain’t from Portland, but she loves it, so the Blazers make her happy. She gets it!

Her only mistake was thinking that when I “hate” a team, that the hate is equal. My hatred of Utah isn’t anywhere as close to my hatred of the Lakers and Laker fans. When I moved to LA a few playoffs ago, everyone was a Clipper fan because they were in the 2nd round. They said “Lakers who?” Now somehow they’re extremely popular and they don’t make fun of them anymore… crazy.

Mortimer, man.

by Mortimer on May 15, 2008 2:35 PM PDT up 0 recs

Or Political Idol...

Ever watch that show? You basically hate every contestant, some just make you less violently ill than others. Take the path of least upchuck, I always say.

by ChrisB803 on May 15, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

I've never watched Political Idol

I love American Idol though. I don’t care for the last two contestants but I’ll watch it because I want to know who wins.

It is amazing to see the contestants step up their game. It could legitimately be compared to the playoffs. Some people get it, take it to the next level, others collapse under the pressure, and some just go through the motions. The ones that raise the level of their play are the ones who succeed. Right now American Idol is a Lakers – Celtics Finals.

"Reality is for people who can't handle Blazers Edge." - MiledAnimal

by tominhawaii on May 15, 2008 5:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Following up on girlfriends and basketball

My girlfriend’s from New Orleans and she’s thrilled that I’m pulling so much for the Hornets to win it all this year. (To maintain relationship harmony, I haven’t disabused her of the notion that it’s because of her…and not because Chris Paul is Superman and Jesus rolled into one lil’ guy on the basketball court. Bob, you sly dog! ::back pat::)

She was a little bit confused at first as to why I hated the Jazz because they’re originally from N.O., so I was explaining that the L*kers are like Stalin while the Jazz are like Mussolini—both loathsome, just with slightly different degrees of loathing on my part.

So then she asks, “If the Lakers (she didn’t know to put in the asterisk while she was talking—forgive her) are #1 and the Jazz are #1a on the list of teams you hate, then who’s your second-favorite team?” And I was stumped! Some teams, like the SSOL group in Phoenix, as obviously more entertaining than others, but second favorite? It’s the Blazers and then everybody else!

I’ll root for New Orleans out of necessity but that doesn’t mean I’ll actually care if the Spurs knock them off tomorrow night. So my question for you is this: do the dictators named above accurately correspond to each team? No, wait, that’s not it. Does anybody here have an actual second-favorite team? Or is it Rose City till death do you part?

by BlazersOrBust on May 16, 2008 2:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

You remind me

the moment when my wife asked my opinion about polygamy.
It is Rose City till death but I can take a look to other teams and like them.

Of those powders these muds went out.

by amlmart1 on May 16, 2008 3:27 AM PDT up 0 recs

I have just recently adopted the Milwaukee Bucks.

After the Hawks made the playoffs this year, they were no longer quite the underdog that they used to be. I hope Hammond can turn things around up there and Skiles can make the Bucks a team again. Don’t know if it will happen or not, but they are a likable underdog in my book.

One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season

"Scholars have long known that fishing eventually turns men into philosophers. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to buy decent tackle on a philosopher's salary." - Patrick McManus

by T Darkstar on May 17, 2008 8:28 AM PDT up 0 recs

I've always liked the Sonics.

They’re my “second-favorite team.” However, if we were to rank all of the NBA teams in a list according to preference, the Blazers would be #1, #2-500 would be blank for emphasis, and the Sonics would be #501, with all the other teams following suit (except the L*kers, who don’t deserve to be on any list where the word “favorite” is involved).

Trade Freeland!

by rockingharder on May 17, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

Second favorite team

Philadelphia Eagles. Oh…in the NBA? Hell no. Blazers or bust.

"I never worried if there would be an earthquake or something in Oregon, but now I can do." amlmart1

by Sabonis4Ever on May 17, 2008 12:46 PM PDT up 0 recs

mmm large females

I love this website and I don’t know why.

"Reality is for people who can't handle Blazers Edge." - MiledAnimal

by tominhawaii on May 15, 2008 3:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm going to wait patiently

It may take days, it may take weeks or months: no matter. Eventually tominhawaii will lower his guard and write a serious, on-topic fanpost. And I’ll be there, ready to hijack it off-topic with posts like the one above! (Nevermind that I’ve been posting about American Idol, etc. myself lately.)

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 15, 2008 4:39 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hey

The Harry Potter diary is about Brandon Roy. That is on topic. Oh, and my Mike D’Antoni fanpost was on topic. I remember one of Dave’s post, and basically, if it has a Blazer or a basketball in it, then it’s on topic. I asked for clarification, after I wrote the boy band diary.

It’s like midget said, in the end, it’s all about the number of comments, not the actual comments. I still can’t get over how few comments all the other SB sports blogs get.

"Reality is for people who can't handle Blazers Edge." - MiledAnimal

by tominhawaii on May 15, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was jest joshing

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 16, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's Cool

You’ll always be my boo. I like to know the rules to see how far I can bend, but not break them. I also try to avoid going off topic until someone else opens the the door, or the thread already has a few comments. Admittedly, there are times where I cannot resist.

Seriously, I have 82 comments, half by me, in a thread about Harry Potter. I could spend all day looking on other SB blogs for 82 comments that aren’t in a game day thread.

Oh where oh were could my Jscot be
The cops took him away from me
He's gone to prison so I've got to be good
So I can see my Jscot when I'll leave this blog

by tominhawaii on May 16, 2008 8:18 PM PDT up 0 recs

thats kinda messed up

but I saved it to my favorites….

"Could we make a deal right now to make us a 50-win team? No question," Pritchard said. "Will that get us a championship? That’s what we always have to evaluate."

As the great Vonnegut said, more or less... "You are what you pretend to be, so you must be very careful what you pretend to be."

by timbo on Apr 29, 2008 7:33 AM PDT

by ptwnblzr on May 15, 2008 8:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

Rooting for Carlos Boozer

(aka Karl Malone II) is like rooting for Bluto in a Popeye cartoon.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 15, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

He bamboozled a blind man

But he still ain’t up there with Karl Malone.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on May 15, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

I've heard Boozer is actually a good guy off the court

But I try to block that info out. He’s such fun to hate.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 16, 2008 12:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Bill Simmons PodCast

I listened to his newest one and he asked which sports person you would most like to get drunk with. I think I want to get drunk with Boozer because of his name.

Oh where oh were could my Jscot be
The cops took him away from me
He's gone to prison so I've got to be good
So I can see my Jscot when I'll leave this blog

by tominhawaii on May 16, 2008 8:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

A little change of criteria by officials

A little change of criteria by officials, almost invisible for us, does a lot. Increasing contacts can help defense a lot.. Pau Gasol said the Jazz can do things in Utah they can´t do in LA. I think he was talking about officials, because he was upset with officiating in that game.

Of those powders these muds went out.

by amlmart1 on May 15, 2008 10:32 AM PDT 0 recs

It helps the defense of the home team.

It sure seemed like the Lakers could get away with a lot and the Jazz could do nothing without getting whisled.

by ranma on May 15, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up 0 recs

I noticed that

but was afraid to say anything. Have you seen any of stern’s flying monkies yet?

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on May 15, 2008 11:21 AM PDT 0 recs

This was called correctly

Watch Okur flail his arms and look around for a call afterwards. One would think Okur would have gone mad beserk if he was indeed fouled. Boozer’s defense is highly entertaining.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on May 15, 2008 12:45 PM PDT 0 recs

Seriously,

I didn’t notice Boozer before, but that is possibly the funniest NBA video ever. Thanks, I was having a very boring day.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on May 15, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Also,

could you go pos tthat video over on the Jazz blog, what’s it called? That would be terriffic. Just because we want LA to lose more doesn’t mean we can’t get a few jabs in at the Jazz fans.

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on May 15, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Thank you!

I saw this last night and I was hoping for a better replay, but TNT never showed a good one. This is hilarious, by the way. Boozer looks like he somehow stepped in super glue just before trying to defend Gasol’s put back. Would have been funnier if he’d put his HANDS in super glue as well, then he couldn’t take them off of his head afterwards.

Look, I hate the Lakers, but people in here are right: I think after enough road teams had trouble winning in this round, everyone is thinking about it. It’s a semi-final epidemic brought about by some media hype… Just doesn’t look like – once the road team gets down – they believe they’re able to come back and win.

by ChrisB803 on May 15, 2008 2:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

That's awesome

Nice work. Okur flopped so horribly, and Boozer didn’t even TRY for the rebound! Expecting a floppin bail out call in that situation, on the road, is soooo dumb. I know it’s second nature for a Euro, but flopping isn’t always the answer.

One time Rudy was at a restaurant and had a nice big expensive meal and went to pay and he forgot his wallet! Without even thinking he immediately flopped to try and solve the problem. In Europe, that works. Here, he’d be washing dishes.

Turkey is part of the EU, so it counts as Euro, I sez!

If this wasn’t the final moments of the game, I’m sure the ref would likely make this call. It was a good flopping job in real time. But usually, that call doesn’t get called unless it’s ultra super duper blatant. I agree Okur woulda’ flipped out if he was really pushed; he was kinda like “ohhhh ok, that’s fine”.

But Boozer… that was awful.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on May 15, 2008 2:42 PM PDT up 0 recs

Actually...

Turkey is not part of the EU… but that I suppose adds to your point. He is used to being around people from the EU, so he says, “well, I had better giving this flopping thing a try.” But, since he is not from the EU, he doesn’t get the call. Another reason for Turkey to want to jump on board.

by The Graduate on May 16, 2008 12:21 AM PDT up 1 recs

Hahaha

Any comment that can accurately combine flopping with a pressing geopolitical reality gets a rec in my book.

by BlazersOrBust on May 16, 2008 3:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

seriously???

Do I have to watch some dirty laker slam home a game 5 win. How about we start reliving game 4 of Sac vs. LA? Why dont we watch Shaq and Kobe alley-ooping their way to the finals in 2000? YUCK!!!

The only Laker video worth watching is one that involves Magic Johnson or one that involves Doug Christie punching Rick Fox in the face. Otherwise, no thanks yo….

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on May 15, 2008 11:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Actually, one of

my buddies, a die-hard fan, was bored on YouTube the other day and stumbled across the full fourth quarter of Game 7 in 2000. For reason he decided to watch the entire thing. I honestly picture it as being the same thought process as the people who watched the video of the freaky girl in The Ring.

Sure, people are dying left and right after seeing this thing, but maybe it won’t affect ME…and then the next thing you know, his withered corpse is curled up in the closet, a Drexler jersey extended at arm’s length in one clenched fist, in a desperate final attempt to ward off whatever Lker-loving, fiendish demons he had unleashed with the simple click of a mouse.

Also, Kevin McHale clotheslining Kurt Rambis is totally worthwhile. Take that, Lkers’ championship momentum!

by BlazersOrBust on May 16, 2008 3:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

Well, that's weird

by BlazersOrBust on May 16, 2008 3:18 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'm gonna quibble

I always liked Rambis better than McHale. Anybody who looks like he could be the 4th Hanson brother (not the ‘Mmm-Bob Hansons for those under age 30’) get’s a free pass from me.

by DonkeyShins on May 16, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

I have seen that video

I owed it to myself to relive the horror. It makes it all the better knowing how good a team we have now.

"I never worried if there would be an earthquake or something in Oregon, but now I can do." amlmart1

by Sabonis4Ever on May 16, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up 0 recs

What's wrong with the playoffs?

I’ll tell you what’s wrong with the playoffs. THE BLAZERS AREN’T IN THEM.

Trade Freeland!

by rockingharder on May 15, 2008 1:31 PM PDT 0 recs

Word!

"Reality is for people who can't handle Blazers Edge." - MiledAnimal

by tominhawaii on May 15, 2008 1:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

Last night

Utah kept trying to get bailed out by the ref’s and they’re not bailing out the visiting team with stupid calls. All the visiting teams seem so passive to me.

"Reality is for people who can't handle Blazers Edge." - MiledAnimal

by tominhawaii on May 15, 2008 1:39 PM PDT 0 recs

I think what everyone is missing here is that

It’s actually the best of both worlds. Just because we want LA to lose more doesn’t mean we can’t get a few jabs in at the Jazz fans. Likewise, if the Jazz manage to win, we can make fun of LA. It’s nearly a win-win situation where no matter what happens, we can be assured of insulting rights. A distasteful team will lose. It’s like Hitler and Stalin in a death match. At least we know one of them is going to die. That’s a plus, yo

I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich

by hobobob on May 15, 2008 1:39 PM PDT 0 recs

It is you who are missing something

If the Fakers win this series, they could continue winning and launch a new LA dynasty! This must be averted at all costs!! So swallow your distaste and send psychic support to the (ughh) Utah Jazz. We know THEY aren’t a threat to win it all. (Famous last words…)

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 15, 2008 2:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

yeah...

And even if they do, I would MUCH rather see Utah win it all than the L*kers or FrankenCeltics.

Trade Freeland!

by rockingharder on May 15, 2008 7:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

This is why it's in everyone's best interest that NO wins it all

I’m not a huge fan of the Hornets, but if they win at least it will be fun to watch…if I have to sit through another Spurs-Pistons final I might kill myself.

by kbbballkid on May 15, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

kill myself out of boredom of course

by kbbballkid on May 15, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

But wait!

Shouldn’t we be rooting for the Spurs so Ime can get his ring? Likewise, shouldn’t we be booing the Hornets so that Bonzi doesn’t get his ring?

by DonkeyShins on May 16, 2008 11:32 AM PDT up 0 recs

Good point

I have to compartmentalize. When Ime hits a shot, I say, “Go, Ime!” Then I go right back to rooting for the Hornets. And when Bonzi does anything, I pretend it’s not really Bonzi. It kinda works because Bonzi is a role player, but no way could I root for ‘sheed’s Pistons. I don’t care how admirable the rest of that team is: I want them to crash & burn.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on May 16, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Between the Celtics and the Pistons

who do you pull for? Because I can’t stand the Celts - can’t stand them - but I think I’d have to cheer for them before that bunch of whiny, we’re-so-good-we-can’t-be-bothered-to-play-hard, we’re-so-tired-of-being-disrespected-even-though-our-four-All-Stars-was-an-all-time-crock bunch of losers in Detroit. Plus their fans were despicable during the Palace brawl.

by BlazersOrBust on May 16, 2008 4:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeh!!!

"Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss" Robert A. Heinlein

by 92wastheyear on May 16, 2008 5:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

I want Boston

To make the finals and lose. I want the Red Sox to make the world series and lose. Ya’all get my drift?

Oh where oh were could my Jscot be
The cops took him away from me
He's gone to prison so I've got to be good
So I can see my Jscot when I'll leave this blog

by tominhawaii on May 16, 2008 8:21 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was thinking the same thing.

What is up with the Spurs melting down in the third quarters against the Hornets? I have never seen a Duncan era Spurs team go to sleep that badly in the third more than once. Chandler is having dunk drills too.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on May 15, 2008 1:53 PM PDT 0 recs