FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Rafer Alstons play..... + or - has NOTHING to do with why the
Magic got HAMMERED game one.....there are literally a dozen
reasons I can think of- and Kobe going into TERMINATOR mode
is reason #1

One of the most important factors in a championship run is chemistry. Alston has earned the right to be there at crunch time. I'm a Jameer Nelson fan, but he's been gone 4 months, and during that time Alston saved their bacon. Smart money says Nelson isn't in game shape. It makes no sense to find this out after a series of mistakes that could have been avoided.

I'm a Rafer Alston fan, he understands his role, and he knows what he's doing. When Rafer Alston sat down and Nelson came in, he started dribbling and trying to get pick-and-rolls going and that's not what the Magic have been doing in the playoffs. It's been about Turkoglu-Howard pick and rolls, Rashard Lewis spot up 3s, and giving it to Dwight Howard down low. Nelson has no business coming back. He isn't in basketball condition.

Rafer played very well against the Cavs and the whole world knows bringing Nelson in for 12 minutes was just idiotic.

You guys are dead on the money.

It doesn't matter who you are. Even if MJ came back after 4 months being out no coach but SVG would play him for the first game back in a CHAMPIONSHIP game. And don't just think basketball, hell any sport.

You don't do that to the starting PG, or better yet the team. I just hope the Magic realize what a dummy they have as a coach, because this guy may be a likeable dude, but he has no business coaching a NBA team. And I am not just saying this because of that one game. He made terribly bad mistakes in each of these playoff series, but the Magic had enough talent to overcome his bad coaching.

He said his team didn't show energy. Well how many teams do? When they don't believe in the game plan. Even DH didn't want JN playing and he is his bestfriend, because he knew what it would do the team chemistry. I hope SVG gets his crap together or he is going down as the worst coach in NBA finals history real fast.

And to come out before the game and say he knows he shouldn't be doing it, and does it anyway is just plain stupid.

I give much respect to Alston and the other Magic guards and players, had that been me, I would have definitely called him on it in the MEDIA, just like DH did. Those guys just changed their offense overnight in a championship game.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:51 AM ET  06.07 by Denis24

I'm a Rafer Alston fan, he understands his role, and he knows what he's doing. When Rafer Alston sat down and Nelson came in, he started dribbling and trying to get pick-and-rolls going and that's not what the Magic have been doing in the playoffs. It's been about Turkoglu-Howard pick and rolls, Rashard Lewis spot up 3s, and giving it to Dwight Howard down low. Nelson has no business coming back. He isn't in basketball condition.

Your description of what ORL has been doing well in the play-offs is a good one. I think they saw what Brooks and small guards can do against LA, and they wanted to replicate that, which was not very sharp on their part cuz' Nelson has been out for a while.

Alston has a legitimate gripe for he has done a good job after all. Eitherway, LA did a great job playing defense. Finally, Bynum decided to show up and play like a man which was also pretty handy. He still need to move his feet though. But it was the team playing really well as a unit and a little bit of Kobe. No...a whole lot of Kobe rather.

I disagree with what SVG did. Nelson was out for 4 months, and just came back. If this was the regular season, fine, let him play minutes and get himself back in rythm. But this isn't the regulary season. It's the Finals!!! Rafer Alston did a good job in the playoffs, he deserves these minutes!

I can't believe the Cleveland Cavaliers were THAT bad. I mean they should have been swept by the Magic, if not for a 1 in a million shot that saved their pathetic sorry a--es. The only way Lebron can get into the finals is if Kobe gives him a ticket and he still has the same chance of actually winning a game in the finals, which is 0.

You lost to a talentless Orlando Magic team that is not only going to get swept by the Lakers, but the games aren't even close!!!! King James? King of losers.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:49 AM ET  06.07 by Hllywd: Old Schoolin'

One of the most important factors in a championship run is chemistry. Alston has earned the right to be there at crunch time. I'm a Jameer Nelson fan, but he's been gone 4 months, and during that time Alston saved their bacon. Smart money says Nelson isn't in game shape. It makes no sense to find this out after a series of mistakes that could have been avoided.

I agree. Having Alston sit on the bench for a whole quarter made no sense considering he has been the starting PG for so long. Why play with the chemistry that got you this far in the post season?

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 02:14 PM ET  06.07 by Canadian Eagles Fan

I agree. Having Alston sit on the bench for a whole quarter made no sense considering he has been the starting PG for so long. Why play with the chemistry that got you this far in the post season?

Well said chemistry is underrated....and did anyone notice that the Lakers played well on both sides of the ball from the start plus Bynum finally showed up and still the game was real close with several ties in the 1st quarter then as soon as they put Nelson in he tried to hard,wasnt in sync, made a bunch of turnovers and missed everything....which was the beginning of the end for Orlando, Kobe in the 2nd Half just gave the death blow but they were already done by halftime...hopefully they make it a game tonight if not this series is over....

bad move by SVG, but on the other hand, if Alston was playing subpar, they were going to lose anyway...so start getting Nelson ready for those games Alston is off...it's a win-win,no win type of situation..you get back one of your stars you need, it messes up chemistry and Alston's playing time...you don't, and they lose the series, a post with "Nelson could have played, but SVG didn't play him" will surface and people will be finding something wrong with SVG decision not to try Nelson...SVG was hoping Nelson would get hot during game...but I don't think that made Rafer not hot...he's wasn't playing his best and neither were the rest of the team...chalk that as a team (including the coach) lost...

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 02:56 PM ET  06.07 by Heater

bad move by SVG, but on the other hand, if Alston was playing subpar, they were going to lose anyway...so start getting Nelson ready for those games Alston is off...it's a win-win,no win type of situation..you get back one of your stars you need, it messes up chemistry and Alston's playing time...you don't, and they lose the series, a post with "Nelson could have played, but SVG didn't play him" will surface and people will be finding something wrong with SVG decision not to try Nelson...SVG was hoping Nelson would get hot during game...but I don't think that made Rafer not hot...he's wasn't playing his best and neither were the rest of the team...chalk that as a team (including the coach) lost...

I don't agree. Nobody would have criticized SVG. The Magic were playing great with Alston. In the 1st qtr he beat Fisher off the dribble for an easy 2, then he gave Hedo a nice assist for 3 because LA was guarding against another drive by Alston. Then SVG inserts JN, So after the Lakers figured out that JN was not looking to shoot because he didn't have his legs they started zoning up on him and shot the passing lanes, hence all the turnovers.

The way the Magic started that game was very good compared to how they usually start slow, but they were on pace to hit 100pts until JN was inserted. The reason the Lakers looked good on defense is because running the high pick and roll with JN is a totally different cover than when Hedo runs it. The Lakers got away with switching when JN ran it, they wouldn't switch if you run it with Hedo.

Not playing JN would have been considered the correct and safe thing to do, because you had something that was working.
Playing him was disrespectful to the team, and especially disrespectful to the guards.

Why would any guard play his heart out for you when you clearly have shown you don't have trust that he can get the job done. The Magic guards have proven they could get it done all reg and post season and then you go and pull a stunt like that.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 03:26 PM ET  06.07 by GhosTown

I don't agree. Nobody would have criticized SVG. The Magic were playing great with Alston. In the 1st qtr he beat Fisher off the dribble for an easy 2, then he gave Hedo a nice assist for 3 because LA was guarding against another drive by Alston. Then SVG inserts JN, So after the Lakers figured out that JN was not looking to shoot because he didn't have his legs they started zoning up on him and shot the passing lanes, hence all the turnovers.The way the Magic started that game was very good compared to how they usually start slow, but they were on pace to hit 100pts until JN was inserted. The reason the Lakers looked good on defense is because running the high pick and roll with JN is a totally different cover than when Hedo runs it. The Lakers got away with switching when JN ran it, they wouldn't switch if you run it with Hedo.Not playing JN would have been considered the correct and safe thing to do, because you had something that was working.Playing him was disrespectful to the team, and especially disrespectful to the guards.Why would any guard play his heart out for you when you clearly have shown you don't have trust that he can get the job done. The Magic guards have proven they could get it done all reg and post season and then you go and pull a stunt like that.

I mean if they lost the series and Nelson was available, of course there would be a post: Why didn't SVG play JN?

As stated bad move...Why? because he should have played JN for only about 10-15 minutes...

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 02:13 PM ET  06.07 by Sandy Underpants

I can't believe the Cleveland Cavaliers were THAT bad. I mean they should have been swept by the Magic, if not for a 1 in a million shot that saved their pathetic sorry a--es. The only way Lebron can get into the finals is if Kobe gives him a ticket and he still has the same chance of actually winning a game in the finals, which is 0.You lost to a talentless Orlando Magic team that is not only going to get swept by the Lakers, but the games aren't even close!!!! King James? King of losers.

Lmao at the No ring James part.
But when it comes to Orlando you are dead wrong.
I did tell a friend a few days ago the only way lakers beat Orlando is if he hogs and that he did.
Orlando will not be swept I kid you not.
This will be a dog fight.
And dont bet all the money in yout bank account on the Lakers to win.
You may end up on foodstamps!

your*

Van Gundy needs to allow Alston to play, he's the guy that lead them to the finals regardless if he had his ups and downs, if was'nt for Alston the Magics would be home looking at the finals. That's one of the things I don't like about him, he tends to be childish at times.

Come on Van Gundy, this is the finals. stop being so childish and let Alston play, Nelson is a good players, but he's not in shape to take those risk.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 05:25 PM ET  06.07 by the dee of Dees

when it comes to Orlando you are dead wrong.I did tell a friend a few days ago the only way lakers beat Orlando is if he hogs and that he did.Orlando will not be swept I kid you not.This will be a dog fight.

Yeah this is a dog fight. Orlando has gone to the dogs and the Lakers are Michael Vick. Is Orlando shooting 10% or what, they're absolutely terrible. I can't believe they got past the 76ers let alone the Cleveland Calves.

Van Gundy needs to congratulate the Commissioner of Corruption, David Stern and his entourage of corruptanistas masquerading as officials for one of the worst called games in NBA history (Game#2) It was such a bizarre game to watch and such a blatant display of bad officiating that I have decided to boycott the rest of the NBA Finals. Who wants to watch this horsecrap? It isn't basketball. The players are running around confused and complaining about everything that happens because the games are so poorly officiated. The NBA is an absolute joke.

I completely agree Manny. The officiating was so bad on both sides. How often do you see two blatant (and a couple more not as blatant) gold-tending infractions and no call. Howard put his arm up through the hoop to knock Gasol's lay-up out and Gasol hit the rim in that ali-oop at the end. On both goldtends they had their hands caught up in the net, so it wasn't like it was a difficult call. And the other 200 BS calls and non-calls. Furthermore the game was played so lackidazically. What kind of shot selection were those guys taking? There were more airballs and straight up bricks I thought I was watching a pre-season game not the finals. The entire game made me question the integrity and legitimacy of this series. At no time did I feel the Lakers were going to lose, but it seemed like they were intentionally keeping the game close by turning the ball over intentionally and throwing up shots that weren't even close over and over. Looked like a rigged Harlem Globetrotters game to be quite frank, and boring as hell.