Playoff Open Thread: 4-19-08

by Seth on Apr 19, 2008 8:40 AM EDT in Game Threads

It's 8 a.m. on a Saturday and I'm already up. That's how excited I am for the first day of this year's playoffs. Today's slate is fantastic, as things kick off with Wiz/Cavs at 12:30 and finish with Jazz/Rocks at 9:30. Here's the full schedule:

12:30- Washington/Cleveland- ESPN

3:00- Phoenix/San Antonio- ABC

7:00- Dallas/New Orleans- ESPN

9:30- Utah/Houston- ESPN

That's a tasty buffet of basketball for the very first day. I couldn't be more excited. This is your thread to comment on all the day's games, and I'll be checking in intermittently all afternoon and evening.

(...meanwhile, in New York...)

Donnie Walsh formally announced Isiah Thomas' firing from the Knicks, but kept with the early reports by retaining Isiah in some ambiguous role. Walsh's comments reflect a lot of the sentiments often expressed here at P&T:

"I just believe a new voice, a new coach, is necessary to change the direction of the team," Walsh said. "This is a coveted job. People want to coach here."

"Obviously, when you're losing, there has to be a culture change," he said. "There's no easy answer. ... We've got to work 24-7 to become competitive.

A culture change, indeed. Maybe with a new coach and a new culture in the locker room, we might still be in contention on April 19th. For now, enjoy the Knicks-free playoffs. Have a great day.

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Should be fantastic

I’m impatiently waiting for it to start, myself. The most intriguing match-up today (at least in my opinion,) is the Cavs/Wiz game at 12:30. Should be VERY interesting. I personally believe the Wiz are going to win the series.

AIM: ThatsNoooGood

by JoshL on Apr 19, 2008 10:50 AM EDT 0 recs

true hoop

if you read the true hoop post on the subject, you saw what this random knicks fan named kyle said about the fact that isiah’s still involved, and that it troubles him.

i find it hard to believe that isiah is making any decisions, and it seems pretty clear he has no power. plus, as most of us here acknowledge, isiah has skills as a scout that wouldn’t be horrible to put to use.

by riise on Apr 19, 2008 12:00 PM EDT 0 recs

agreed

i have no problem with him sticking around. there’s no way he’s in a position of any authority. the guy’s got a decent eye for talent and he’s always come across like a nice person. just couldn’t handle the pressure. he’ll be fine in a smaller role.

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Apr 19, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

hm

I don’t really care if Isiah is still “there.” I think people are missing the fact that the Knicks play in the eastern conference, even if we do rebuild, there is a more than likely chance that a couple of changes can get us into the playoffs next year. What is better than that? A young rebuilding team already getting playoff experience? Good things better be on the way.

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.

by THEWILLY on Apr 19, 2008 12:34 PM EDT 0 recs

!!!!!!

FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.

by THEWILLY on Apr 19, 2008 1:39 PM EDT 0 recs

ahhh!!!

gilbert bombs, lebron oops, and fights!? i love the playoffs!

Posting and Toasting: Unabashed Knicks fanaticism with the occasional poop joke.

by Seth on Apr 19, 2008 1:47 PM EDT 0 recs

this suns-spurs game...

is fun to watch…shows you what basketball is supposed to look like.

by riise on Apr 19, 2008 4:48 PM EDT 0 recs

Too bad for the Wiz...

Stevenson and Mason having off shooting days really killed that poor team. That and some really obvious homer calls… maybe they can pull it off next time.

LeBron made some sick dunks.

The Suns game is fantastic, it seems like the Spurs are doing their best to inch their way back.

Is it true that us New Yorkers are getting screwed over when it comes to the DEN/LA game because of the Pope’s damned mass at Yankee Stadium? What bullshit. It’s on like 17 channels that day, does ABC REALLY need to air it, too? If some religious fanatics really need to watch the thing, I doubt their first channel that they’d stop on would be ABC. Such bullshit.

I am by no means bashing the Pope or anything, just find it completely fucking ridiculous that ABC really needs to air the damn mass, when there’s a playoff game that needs to air. If it were baseball or football, they wouldn’t do that. It’s on like 17 channels already, does ABC really need to air it too? It’s the same when the President does his damned speeches… I mean, it’s on CBS, NBC, FOX, FOX News, MSNBC, does ABC really need to air it too? Why not just air it on one channel? I know it has something to do with competition, which is completely ridiculous.

AIM: ThatsNoooGood

by JoshL on Apr 19, 2008 5:08 PM EDT 0 recs

It's true.

I live in the Financial District and I have RCN cable… ABC has the mass on all fucking day. Great. At least it’s just one game.

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.

by THEWILLY on Apr 19, 2008 5:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

And isn't it a religious airing?

I thought cable networks weren’t allowed to air such things.

Just embarrassing. It’s not even just this that I’m pissed at, either. Just in general I’m sick and tired of this bullshit, where every fucking channel has to air something at the same time. Why not just make one channel specifically for speeches, press conference’s, Pope visits, etc?

AIM: ThatsNoooGood

by JoshL on Apr 19, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

well

theoretically that should be CNN, MSNBC etc. haha. Unfortunately, each network has the goal of attracting viewers, so if they think things like the Pope’s mass are gonna bring in viewers, then they roll with it.

it annoys me, though, that this guy gets so much coverage. he appeals to a very specific person. i find it hard to believe that more people are gonna tune in for this than for the NBA playoffs, esp. considering how many channels it’s on. eh, whatever. i’m in michigan anyway. sorry suckaaaas

by riise on Apr 19, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

well

It’s all about the $$$.

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.

by THEWILLY on Apr 19, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yes

I just don’t see how airing something that’ll be on 423562346534 other channels as compared to airing a playoff game will make them any money.

AIM: ThatsNoooGood

by JoshL on Apr 19, 2008 8:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

I can't imagine...

I know they are covering up all the advertisements at the stadium, but I am sure there will be commercials on before and after (the pre-mass preview, the post-game press conferece by his holiness).. how sad.

You all did love him once. - The New York Knicks.

by THEWILLY on Apr 19, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up 0 recs