Both teams had injury issues this year & are old, but Boston never had to worry about not making the playoffs in the East, so they were able to rest more & be more cautious.

And NO, this is not an excuse thread, but I think it's a meaningful point SA's season ended where it should have. However, if Boston were in danger of not making the playoffs & trying to avoid Orlando, or even Cleveland in the 1st round, they probably wouldn't be in as good of shape as they are now.

as you well know... Boston's 3 pointing shooting was far superior to the Spurs this year...

Two big differences: Rondo just keeps getting better and a healthy KG.

Even at his age, a healthy KG is ridiculous on both ends when he has it going. In spite of all the credit he has gotten, I've always thought the guy was underrated. There are only so many people that can legitimately play and guard all five positions with the energy and athleticism he has.

Here's to Boston and Orlando beating the crap out of each other.

The Spurs shot for shat, especially after Manu got hurt, in the playoffs from 3, but in the regular season SA hit 554 3's at a .358 average while Boston made 499 on .348 shooting. Boston isn't a great 3 point shooting team like they were in 08.

And again, this is just pointing out the benefits of playing in the East right now.

I'd have like to have seen Tim in the playoffs if wasn't needed so much in the last 25 games of the season. He was actually playing back to backs because they didn't have a choice. But, that's how it goes.

Also for comparison, Garnett played in 69 games in the reg season & average 28 mins in those, Duncan played in 78 averaging 31. Then take into account the 1st round. Duncan had to play big minutes to beat Dallas. Boston had a much easier 1st round opponent & Garnett was suspended. He's finally healthy, but he's also well rested.

[This message has been edited by Syd_X_Barrett (edited 5/13/2010 10:56p).]

the west has been the better conference since 1990

the bulls would not have won 6 in row if they had been in the west- they would have won titles but not 6

huge advantage for the good teams in the east

I'd have to completely disagree with you there mookie. Jordan was winning his 6 regardless.

not if he had to go thru the Rockets, Lakers, Spurs, Jazz and Portland every year

sorry you be wrong

forgot about seattle too

all he had to beat was the sorry arse knicks and the pacers for the 1 seed

[This message has been edited by MookieBlaylock (edited 5/13/2010 11:11p).]

Love how you tell me I be wrong and really can't prove anything. The only FACT is that Jordan and the bulls did win 6 championships, so I'd say regardless of what effing conference they were in there was a damn good chance they were winning those 6 anyways. Did you not watch basketball back then?

Look, Jordan's bulls were the best team in the league in each of those seasons, especially come playoff time. It didn't matter what damn conference they were in, they were the best team.

[This message has been edited by beerad12man (edited 5/13/2010 11:21p).]

I could have stopped Jordan. That, or just pissed him off with my flopping, thus causing him to go into f. u. mode and dropped 90 points....

Have to agree with Beer. The Bulls were clearly the best team all 6 years they won it, especially come playoff time. It would be one thing if they arguably were not, but it's not even close. Giving that, it's hard to believe Jordan will would not have been imposed on the West all 6 years. And while were doing the what ifs, they probably would have won 7 or 8 if Jordan didn't (have to?) leave the game for a short while.

I think the Bulls were clearly the best team, however, the teams that they "struggled" against were those with great big men, obviously. San Antonio w/Robinson always did well against Chicago for example. San Antonio, Houston & Portland were all tougher matchups for them than any team in the East. New York had Ewing, but Robinson & Hakeem were more athletic & gave the Bulls big men a lot more trouble. Shaq was too young. To come out of the West they probably would have had to play a couple of those each year.

[This message has been edited by Syd_X_Barrett (edited 5/16/2010 3:08p).]

name the last team to beat the magic before the C's did today.

that would be the spurs