A LEGEND IS BORN II

[Fresh8]

The Story So Far…
Conference Final Games 3 and 4 Results

Western Conference

Game 3

Portland Trailblazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Portland win 107-82 (Portland lead series 2-1)
Top Performers
LA Lakers: K Bryant 20 pt, 6 ast | Stuckey 18 pt | P Gasol 13 pt, 13 reb
Portland: B Gordon 25 pt | C Boozer 15 pt, 12 reb | J Bayless 15 pt

Game 4

Portland Trailblazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers win 96-108 (Series tied 2-2)
Top Performers
LA Lakers: K Bryant 28 pt, 10 reb | A Bynum 16 pt | J Carter 16 pt
Portland: S Nash 26 pt, 6 ast | B Roy 21 pt, 7 reb, 8 ast | B Gordon 15 pt

Eastern Conference

Game 3

Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons
Miami win 107-87 (Miami lead series 3-0)
Top Performers
Detroit: L Head 18 pt, 5 ast | R Hamilton 15 pt, 6 ast, 2 stl | Z Randolph 14 pt
Miami: M Beasley 36 pt, 9 reb, 4 blk | D Wade 19 pt, 5 reb, 11 ast, 3 stl | M Williams 15 pt

Game 4

Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit win 103-113 (Miami lead series 3-1)
Top Performers
Detroit: L Head 33 pt, 4 reb, 6 ast | R Hamilton 16 pt, 8 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl | S Vujacic 15 pt
Miami: D Wade 25 pt, 5 ast | D Wright 15 pt, 5 reb | M Williams 12 pt, 5 reb, 4 ast

[Fresh8]

The Story So Far…
Conference Final Games 5 and 6 Results

Western Conference

Game 5

Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers
LA Lakers win 93-74 (LA Lakers lead series 3-2)
Top Performers
LA Lakers: A Bynum 20 pt, 9 reb | K Bryant 18 pt, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl | J Carter 15 pt
Portland: J Bayless 19 pt | C Boozer 15 pt, 7 reb | S Nash 15 pt, 7 ast

Game 6

Portland Trailblazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Portland win 109-107 (Series tied 3-3)
Top Performers
LA Lakers: K Bryant 25 pt, 5 reb, 4 ast | J Farmar 17 pt, 7 ast, 2 stl | J Carter 15 pt
Portland: B Roy 25 pt, 5 reb, 4 ast, 3 stl | B Gordon 18 pt | C Boozer 16 pt, 7 reb

Eastern Conference

Game 5

Detroit Pistons @ Miami Heat
Miami win 99-113 (Miami win series 4-1)
Top Performers
Detroit: R Hamilton 25 pt | S Vujacic 18 pt | Z Randolph 12 pt, 10 reb, 6 ast
Miami: D Wade 34 pt, 10 ast, 2 stl | M Beasley 21 pt, 10 reb, 2 blk | D Wright 16 pt

[kibaxx7]

If it's a Lakers-Heat final, that would be nice too. But I can't believe the Lakers took it to a decisive Game 7.

[Lamrock]

C'mon Potland! Play like you got some damn sense!

[Fresh8]

If it's a Lakers-Heat final, that would be nice too. But I can't believe the Lakers took it to a decisive Game 7.

I swear on my life I did not rig this... even if it may appear so... but yes, the losses have been lopsided and the wins been close for LA.

C'mon Potland! Play like you got some damn sense!

It's hard when you come up against Kobe.

[hova-]

Sit is manipulating his dynasty, Sit is manipulating his dynasty!

[kaiser_kobe]

Looks like Kobe wants to have another ring in your association...but yeah, it would be cool to see a Wade-Bryant showdown at the finals! go Black Mamba!

[Fresh8]

Sit is manipulating his dynasty, Sit is manipulating his dynasty!

Pains me to hear this. I should have re-simmed and had the Blazers win 4-0 to distance myself from these malicious rumors!

Looks like Kobe wants to have another ring in your association...but yeah, it would be cool to see a Wade-Bryant showdown at the finals! go Black Mamba!

That's the spirit!

[The X]

I don't think you tampered with the Blazers-Lakers series, just any Nuggets' playoff series instead

[Martti.]

Boooo Lakers, booo!

[Its_asdf]

Well I've come back from the dead for the hundredth time only to come back and realize that you've been eliminated.

Being a Blazer fan and all, it'd be nice to see Roy come out on top in this case. It sounds like Portland's got a pretty stacked roster too with Boozer, Gordon, Nash and Roy.

[hova-]

Was just kidding. But you could play the last game if this is possible (I don't know wether it is), that would be some fun I guess. I don't care about LA making the finals, Kobe's already 34 (?) in your dynasty, so this might be his last chance.

[Fresh8]

The Story So Far…
Conference Final Games 7 Result

Western Conference

Game 7

Los Angeles Lakers @ Portland Trailblazers
LA Lakers win 105-103 (LA Lakers win series 4-3)
Top Performers
LA Lakers: K Bryant 25 pt, 5 reb, 4 ast | J Farmar 23 pt, 3 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl | P Gasol 21 pt
Portland: S Nash 22 pt | B Gordon 19 pt | J Bayless 14 pt

[Lamrock]

If there is a team I hate more than the Lakers, its the Heat though, so go Lakers.

[The X]

Roy & Boozer just disappeared in Conference Finals

[dare]

Haha, the Lakers in the finals.. I guess that Kobe shoot the final two points for the Lakers to win

[kaiser_kobe]

Where the hell are Portland's big 5? Steve Nash not getting any assists?
Maybe defeating your Stealth is enough for them!

Farmar for Finals MVP?

[kibaxx7]

GO HEATTTTTTTTTTT

[Martti.]

Wade and the Heat will crush the Lakers!!!

[|)e8*]

Frickin Kobe, he ruins everything

[Fresh8]

NBA Playoffs: Final Round
NBA Final Preview

Join ESPN.com’s Woody Hannes in this NBA Final preview. Click on the link for more comprehensive coverage of the 2011 NBA Finals.

1. Miami Heat (53-29) vs. 7. Los Angeles Lakers (45-37)

Team Rotations
Miami: C: K Thomas | PF: M Beasley | SF: D Wright | SG: D Wade | PG: M Chalmers | S Livingston
LA Lakers: C: A Bynum | PF: P Gasol | SF: L Walton | SG: J Carter | PG: K Bryant | J Farmar

Series Breakdown After winning Game 4 against the Portland Trailblazers, the Lakers decided to try something a little bit different. Drawing on their experience from the beginning of the season, Luke Walton was reinserted into the starting lineup and Jordan Farmar got shelved on the bench. Back in the beginning of the season; this was done out of necessity. But now in the middle of the Western Conference Finals; this was one major gamble.

To combat the speed of Steve Nash and Ben Gordon, the Lakers decided to test the limits of the vertically challenged Blazers. The Lakers opted to go with a ‘bigger’ lineup. And boy did it pay dividends! The two losses in Games 1 and 3 were by double digits but after going with their new starting five, the Lakers only lost Game 6 by one clutch basket by Brandon Roy. They won Game 5 and then the one that counted the most: Game 7. And now a bit of coaching genius has rewarded the Lakers with an NBA Finals berth.

Kobe Bryant admitted that he never imagined getting this far after all the injuries this season resulting in a dismal team record. The Lakers, after all, only kept a hold of the seventh seed by a handful of games. Since then, they have knocked off some well fancied opponents: the New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and now the Portland Trailblazers. The Lakers’ journey to the 2011 NBA Finals proves the point of how strong the NBA’s Western Conference is.

And that is why no one should write off the seventh seeded Lakers just yet. The Miami Heat understands that the Lakers are on a roll and should not underestimate them. Kobe Bryant is hungry for that elusive fourth championship and lone ring without the help of a big man in Sacramento by the name of Shaquille O’Neal.

The Lakers may be a little bit fatigued though as they have played a postseason high 19 games. That is a testament to the team as they have grinded out some tough wins and proven themselves down the stretch. Bryant has played a whole different game as he has willed his team to victory. His stats have dipped across the board but the intangibles he brings with him are unable to be measured by numbers.

Bryant is averaging 21/5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.7 spg for the postseason and ably backed up by the big man duo of Pau Gasol (14.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg) and Andrew Bynum (12.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg). Jordan Farmar, who had been injured for most of the regular season, has come back strong from injury by averaging 13.4 ppg, 5.9 apg, and 2.3 spg while Rodney Stuckey has also proven solid with 9.8 ppg, 4.3 apg in just 23.2 mpg. Rookie swingman James Carter was a steal late in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft as he continues a stellar rookie season by averaging 10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.4 spg, and 1.0 bpg.

The Lakers come up against the first seeded Heat team who has lost just 3 games in the entire postseason thus far. Miami have cruised into the Finals averaging post-season best marks of 105.7 ppg, 97.5 papg, and a winning margin of 8.2 ppg. The Heat have played with a vigor on defense that no one thought they could muster and the entire playing group has been exceptionally efficient.

Miami has been the most consistent and best team in the playoffs so far. One would argue they weren’t this good during the regular season why they were allowing 105.8 points on a nightly basis. They have managed to trim that down to 97.5, an amazing feat proving that they have stepped their game up a notch or two for the playoffs.

Dwyane Wade has been amazing for the Heat, leading the team with 26.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.7 apg, and 1.5 spg. Wade has been waiting all season to have another shot at winning a second NBA title. Michael Beasley continues to improve and make an argument for himself to be considered an All-Star. The Heat PF is averaging 19.3 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 2.1 bpg. Dorell Wright continues to have a breakout season posting 11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 1.5 bpg while Marcus Williams, Marcus Banks, and Shaun Williams have all somehow split minutes in the backcourt and scoring close to double digits every game.

Both teams have strong bids and desires to win the Larry O’Brien trophy. The underachieving Lakers still remember the 2008 NBA Finals where they lost to the Boston Celtics. After losing Lamar Odom in the 2009 off-season, they have never been the strong team they used to be but the drafting of James Carter has rejuvenated this team.

As for the Heat, they have always been so close to the NBA Finals but just never could take that final step. Wade has seen many players come and go; Shawn Marion and Ben Gordon both left after the team made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2009. Despite that, Wade has always kept the side competitive while waiting for Beasley and Mario Chalmers to develop. Finally, Miami has a chance to win the title.

This series may be a complete whitewash because on paper, the Lakers are still the number 7 team in the West and the Heat are the best team in the East. However, the talent on LA’s roster is undeniable and perhaps a clear reflection of how much stronger the West is compared to the East. This series might just turn out to be really close.

Woody’s Prediction Heat in 6

Click here for more NBA Finals coverage

[puttincomputers]

ouch! that carter guy is better than i thought!
prediction for finals
Lakers in 6
mvp Bynum

[kibaxx7]

Heat in 6!

[Cartar]

Heat in 6

[Lamrock]

What an unlikable Finals matchup. Lakers in 6