Hoops

Cav's v Magic *Spoilers*

He was an all-star due to injuries to two other players. He was over-looked at first, he was over-looked again, then he finally made it.

So Pippen may not have been the second best playr in the league behind Jordan, but he was not far behind.

Mo Williams to LeBron is nowhere near a Scottie Pippen. The closest and most accurate to Jordan and Pippen IMO would be Malone & Stockton, and Shaq & Kobe (Maybe even throw in Shaq & Wade).

PS - ask yourself who he Pippen was ahead of in MVP voting that season?

Let me help you...Names like Charles Barkley (92-93 MVP), Karl Malone (All-NBA first team that year and 97-98 NBA MVP), John Stockton (All-NBA first team that year), and Latrell Sprewell (All-NBA first team that year). Malone and Stockton are also in the top 50 NBA players of all time.

He was also ahead of other big names such as Dominique Wilkens and a young Shaq - both top 50 NBA players as well just to name two more.

Yes I agree...didn't say they weren't. I was just pointing out that he was third - behind two of the greatest NBA centre's of all time. All three of them are in the NBA's top 50 players of all time. Only Jordan could have topped those two names before him.

And Pippen is also listed as one of the NBA's 50 greatest players...

I'm quite sure Pippen steped his game up scoring-wise the year aftr MJ first retired, and the Bulls went from a 57 win season to a 55 win season. Can't really say Pippen was a flop.

Skud, agreed on Pippen. He was really important to Jordan, but nowhere close to 2nd best player in the league. Not close. Not ever.

I just want to say that watching Orlando play was a pleasure to watch. They move the ball so well and if they keep hitting those trey's like they did against the Cav's, then it really opens up the inside play of Howard.

I hope they play like this against the Lakers as it will be beautiful basketball to watch.

Awesome result! The Magic really deserve their shot at a title. Have loved the way they have played during this years playoffs, so I hope they knock off the Lakers too.

Its going to be an interesing off-season now for the Cavs. What if Lebron comes out and says he is opting out at the end of the season? Do they trade him? Or can they convince him to stay with some smart trades and signings?

They have a lot of guys out of contract and several entering their last year, so there are a few options for the Cavs. You'd think the expiring contracts of Wallace, Big Z, Varejao and Pavlovic could be used to good effect (over $36mill worth there). They might be able to bring in something from teams wanting to be players in next years FA bonanza with that.

They definitely need a legit 2nd star though. Mo Williams clearly wasn't enough. Its gotta be a guy who can score against the best when its crunch time in the playoffs. It would be interesting if that guy was Boozer. He burned the Cavs all those years back when they let him become an unrestricted FA in the understanding that he would resign with them - but instead jumped ship when Utah offered him more money!

Speaking of a low post threat for the Cavs... can anyone tell me why James has never developed a post up game? I reckon he needs to think seriously about doing that, because late in the playoffs, good opponents just clog the lane and really nullify his effectiveness. If he could develop a good back to the basket game, I think he would be much more dangerous in crunch time. Not too many opponents would be able to stop him making hook shots and turnarounds in the paint!

not going to go anywhere i wouldn't think...they will need to build around him...

but the owners/coaches are trying to build all the time...they just cant get decent players to play the supporting role...

better recruiting and retaining players of value....

It was disppointing to see LBJ walk off the court at the end without congratulating his opponents.

All over and the Magic head to the finals against the Lakers...