A LEGEND IS BORN II

[The X]

Go Pistons. Rip is playing great

[dare]

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

[Mark.]

Pistons vs Magic ECF would be awesome!

[The X]

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

You must remember that the Warriors did take down a half-strength Nuggets team so they must be pretty good.

[C-77]

Pistons vs Magic ECF would be awesome!

[dare]

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

You must remember that the Warriors did take down a half-strength Nuggets team so they must be pretty good.

Yeah but this time their against my team, the Los Angeles Lakers they should not lose until they get to the Finals

[The X]

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

You must remember that the Warriors did take down a half-strength Nuggets team so they must be pretty good.

Yeah but this time their against my team, the Los Angeles Lakers they should not lose until they get to the Finals

50% Nuggets > Sit's Lakers

[Dee.]

Pistons and Warriors are Wilding.
Fuck Lakers.

[kibaxx7]

Durant's shit is what keeps all of you reading. Just admit it If I traded him away, it would be the end of the story. It's also not very realistic to trade away the NBA 2-time scoring champion about to enter his prime.

I didn't say a trade... I said a fist fight with coach Karl and a fine and suspension by the league

[Martti.]

It wouldn't be the end. A legend IS born - in Memphis.

[Clutch]

frak man, down 0-2? that aint good

[Fresh8]

The story so far

Lee Listed Day-To-Day

May 4, 2011

PORTLAND (AP) – David Lee has been cleared to play by doctors after twisting his ankle in Game Two of the second round playoff series between the Seattle Stealth and Portland Trailblazers. Lee hurt his ankle in the third quarter after an awkward landing following a block attempt.

The Stealth are already missing key forward Rasheed Wallace; out due to a lower back strain. Lee has been excused from team practice and Head Coach George Karl has indicated that Lee will be replaced in the starting lineup by Chris Wilcox. Seattle plays Portland tomorrow.

Read More…

- - -

Reshawn Tyson Could Suit Up?

May 4, 2011

SEATTLE (AP) – Reshawn Tyson returned to practice midway through the first round but it was never anticipated that he would be playing any part in the Stealth’s playoff journey for 2011. However, injuries to key players Rasheed Wallace and David Lee could be keys to Tyson’s return despite him announcing that his season was over due to injury and personal reasons.

After recovering from a strained groin injury, Tyson returned to practice with the team. The second year guard has been said to look unfit in team scrimmages. Injuries to Wallace and Lee, as well as the ineffectiveness of Raja Bell have brought up the possibility of George Karl asking Tyson to make a return to the team.

One NBA source stated, “Seattle has dug themselves a 2-0 hole and the only way I see them getting out of it is by activating Reshawn Tyson.”

Read More…

- - -

We’re Ready For Anything: Boozer

May 5, 2011

SEATTLE (AP) – Portland PF Carlos Boozer had a message for his team’s second round opponent. After a Blazers shoot around, he went on record saying, “Get the brooms ready, we’re going to win the series 4-0 no matter what you throw at us. We’re ready for anything!”

Ahead of their game three clash, Seattle’s George Karl announced that there would be a few lineup changes. It is expected that Chris Wilcox will start in place of the injured David Lee at PF. Speculation is also rising at the possibility of Reshawn Tyson replacing Raja Bell.

Whatever happens tonight, Boozer claims that it won’t stop Portland’s strong march towards the NBA Finals. “We swept Minnesota in the first round and we’re going to do the same to Seattle,” Boozer proclaimed, “Our aim is to be undefeated for the whole playoffs. I think that it’s very achievable.”

Read More…

[kibaxx7]

Go Tyson!!!

[Skills]

Awesome flashback article... mainly because UNC won. Not-so awesome loss. It's gonna be tough to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit, but it's been done before, so I have faith. I really hope Tyson comes back. He's no doubt the X-Factor in bringing the Stealth back into this series.

Happy to know there's one more chapter up!

[Fresh8]

Go Pistons. Rip is playing great

Yeah man, very happy about Rip's performances!

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

Yeah, I was hoping Lakers would at least split the home games... but they were both very close losses so it makes for an entertaining series!

Pistons vs Magic ECF would be awesome!

The Magic are boring.

Damn the Lakers down 0-2, they disappointed me

You must remember that the Warriors did take down a half-strength Nuggets team so they must be pretty good.

You were the one who brought it on yourself, calling Louis Nixon shit. :p

Pistons vs Magic ECF would be awesome!

\

Pistons and Warriors are Wilding.
Fuck Lakers.

Yes. Go Pistons!

Durant's shit is what keeps all of you reading. Just admit it If I traded him away, it would be the end of the story. It's also not very realistic to trade away the NBA 2-time scoring champion about to enter his prime.

I didn't say a trade... I said a fist fight with coach Karl and a fine and suspension by the league

I wonder if Durant would try to choke him.

It wouldn't be the end. A legend IS born - in Memphis.

Piss off.

frak man, down 0-2? that aint good

Nope, hoping to turn it around in game 3!

Go Tyson!!!

Awesome flashback article... mainly because UNC won. Not-so awesome loss. It's gonna be tough to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit, but it's been done before, so I have faith. I really hope Tyson comes back. He's no doubt the X-Factor in bringing the Stealth back into this series.

Happy to know there's one more chapter up!

Check page 1.

[Martti.]

Man, Ty back would be awesome. Then you'd have a a chance.

[Fresh8]

Man, Ty back would be awesome. Then you'd have a a chance.

Yes but he's got really bad morale right now... coming off his injury and all of that. It's good he healed by Game 4 of the first round.

Wasn't going to use him until Sheed went down and now Lee.

haha, do we want Ariza starting now? I actually know what you will all say, start Ariza/Tyson, bench Durant/Bell

[Martti.]

Ty - start Ty.
No Ty - start Ariza.

[Fresh8]

Ty - start Ty.
No Ty - start Ariza.

Start Durant?

[Lamrock]

Though I think it might be a smoke screen, I would love to see Ty return. Make it happen $it!

[Fresh8]

Though I think it might be a smoke screen, I would love to see Ty return. Make it happen $it!

Gosh you kids think too much.

[Fresh8]

Chapter 31

Rasheed Wallace wasn’t moving. The team doctor was kneeling by his side as the game officials stood nearby. The Portland faithful were still on their feet and making noise as both teams were at their benches. George Karl and the Stealth watched on as the doctor was barking out orders to some first aid attendants. Karl decided to try and get his players together.
“Let’s go guys, bring it in!” he shouted.
Karl briefed his players on the game and told them how he expected them to keep fighting until the end of the game. It was a lost cause as the Blazers were up by 20 and did not look like slowing down any time soon. Karl did not want the Stealth to give up. Sheed’s head was protected in a brace and after ten minutes, he was finally lifted onto a stretcher, and then carried off the court.
Bell walked over to Sheed as he was carried past the bench, “You ok big fella?”
Sheed was able to utter, “Shit” before giving Bell a thumbs up with his right hand.
Portland cruised to the end of the game. Afterwards, Steve Nash shared his thoughts on the first game of the series.
“We expected more of a challenge,” Nash bluntly told reporters, “We’re not going to underestimate this team. And I think it’s fair to say that they are a lot better than what they showed tonight.”
Karl addressed the media as well, “It was a tough loss for our team tonight. Our thoughts are with Sheed now.”
Sheed spent the night in a Portland hospital. The next day, he was diagnosed with a lower back strain. The injury all but ended his first postseason campaign with the Stealth.

The first half of Game 2 was a hell of a lot better than how all of Game 1 went for Seattle but the end of it was lackluster. Durant started the game with 13 points in the first quarter and his team followed his lead as they took a double digit lead for most of the half. Only a late Portland scoring run would pull the Blazers back closer to end the half trailing by just 6 points. After watching the brilliant Steve Nash rip his team apart and sink back to back buckets to end the first half, Karl ripped through his team in the locker room at the halftime break.
“Are you guys snoozing out there?” Karl shouted, “This is embarrassing. We were up by nearly 20 points, how can you let those guys come back like that? Steve Nash should not be able to do what he wishes out there on the floor!”
Karl looked around and noticed that some of the players weren’t paying attention to him, “Snap out of it! This is an important game! We had a great position but we’ve lost it now!”
Durant got out of his seat and announced, “We’ve got this game Coach, just relax!”
And with that, Durant walked out of the locker room. He was followed by Andrew Bogut and Raja Bell. Karl threw a towel on the ground as he went to take a seat. The rest of the players started to trickle out.

The second half started with Ben Gordon nailing a three point shot.
“We’re coming for you!” Gordon yelled over at the Seattle bench as he ran back down the floor.
The crowd was going crazy as the Blazers took their first lead of the game thanks to Brandon Roy’s three point shot and a step back jumper over Durant. The score was at 51-50 and the Blazers were blazing ahead with inspiring play on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, the Stealth looked like they were about to implode. Karl had no control of his veteran players and Durant was calling and taking all of the shots. Raja Bell was throwing up miss after miss. He would end up hoisting 18 shots and making just 5 of them. The affair got worse after David Lee went down with a hurt ankle. Lee was helped off the court and returned for a brief moment in the final quarter.
“David, you got to get off the floor,” Karl was concerned late in the game.
Lee nodded and made a reference to his ankle, “Yeah, it’s hurting a lot.”
Lee had been struggling to play as he hobbled around on the court. He was a liability on both ends of the floor and did not give the team the kind of spark Karl had hoped for. He looked down his bench and called out his players that would close the game.
“Jason, Kevin, Trevor, Andrew…” he started.
He thought for a long moment and then announced his fifth player, “Chris.”
Chris Wilcox ripped his warm-ups off and readjusted his purple headband.
Karl instructed his players, “We don’t have much time left. We still have enough to make a comeback though.”
Durant put his hand in the middle of the huddle and the other players followed.
“Get me the ball, it’s show time,” Durant confidently stated.
“Stealth on three,” Kidd shouted, “One, two, three!”
The players all yelled in unison and the bench players patted the guys, going onto the court, on the back. Durant lapped up the energy of the roar of the Portland crowd. He looked around and looked for his own fans. There were signs for him. One of them read ‘My Team Baby.’ Durant smiled and thought to himself, It’s time to prove it.

Durant was inspiring as he helped Seattle back into the match. He scored 8 points in a 2 minute span but the Blazers were just too deep. He had an amazing layup in traffic that actually cut the lead to 6 points with a little over a minute left. However, the Stealth struggled to contain Portland from behind the arc. Roy and Jerryd Bayless both hit triples to keep Portland ahead. Steve Nash hit a three and converted the four point play to end the game and rub some salt into the Stealth players’ wounds. As the buzzer sounded, none of Seattle’s players went to shake hands with the Portland players. These were Durant’s orders.
Nate McMillan walked up to halfway to greet his former NBA coach George Karl, “Looks like you’re losing control of your guys?”
Karl shook McMillan’s hand and defended his guys, “They’re just tired.”
“We will see you in Seattle.”
Karl gave him a thumbs up as both returned to their respective locker rooms. The feeling in the visitors change room was somber as it sunk in that they were now in a 0-2 rut with two key forwards out. Karl had his training staff to help the players to warm down and did not even bother to have a team talk. He sent Durant to do the post-game podium interview.
“Portland got lucky. I don’t know what they did at halftime but they must have given their players something. We were the better team all night. I think I will blame the ball boys and the dancers. The court was a bit slippery too. It wasn’t our fault we lost and they didn’t win it either. They got lucky,” Durant rambled on.
He then added, “Watch out for me in Game 3. I’m not going to let us fall out of the series like this. This is my team baby.”

* * *

It wasn’t rocket science that the Stealth needed some changes. Will Sit sat at his desk and re-read the email that was sent from the team medical staff. He couldn’t believe the team’s bad luck. David Lee had a twisted ankle and although he was cleared to play, his mobility would well be hindered. Sit knew the team needed active guys on the glass or else Greg Oden and even Carlos Boozer would rip through the Stealth frontcourt. Lee was in no condition to be any help there if he was going to struggle to jump.
“Can you ask George to come in now?” Sit spoke over the intercom to his secretary.
Raja Bell was playing terrible, Rasheed Wallace was out, and David Lee was hurt. Sit did not like watching the Stealth’s postseason crumble in front of his eyes. Karl walked through the doorway and took a seat in front of him.
“We need some changes,” Sit stated.
Karl was listening.
“David can play but I don’t think he should start the next game. I’m not sure if he should even play much,” Sit said.
Karl agreed, “That’s what I was thinking. I’m going to go with Wilcox at power forward in our next game.”
“Good. At least we’ve got that sorted. I don’t think Bell should start either. It’s time for a change. He’s definitely not working for us right now.”
Karl paused for a moment, “My staff were thinking we might give Trevor Ariza a chance.”
Sit laughed, “Trevor? That guy is a bench warmer! Is this a joke?”
“I think he would be good cover against Brandon Roy,” Karl argued, "Plus the fans love and want him to play."
"Fuck me, I'm not running a popularity contest around here. Pull your head in!" Sit instinctively shot Karl down.
“You’re the coach so it’s your call in the end,” Sit said after realizing he may have overstepped his boundaries, “But as the manager and your friend, I think Ariza starting is too much of a risk.”
Sit then suggested, “I was actually thinking that we could bring back Tyson. He’s been training and I just called the doc and he says that he is healthy again.”
Karl didn’t like the idea, “He is unfit and not ready for any games. Plus he even said his head isn’t in the game.”
This time it was Sit pleading his case, “He’s healthy and this team really needs some kind of spark. Durant is the only guy scoring out there and half of the team doesn't even listen to you anymore. I’m sorry if I am being harsh but that’s what’s real.”
Karl knew Sit had a point and remained silent.
Sit continued, “If he’s unfit, then don't play him too much. Give him less minutes. You know what you’re doing. You’re a great coach. This is also the opportunity for you to show that you are still the boss around here.”
Karl still looked a bit unsure, so Sit made the decision for him, “Go to training this afternoon and announce that Tyson will be starting at the two guard.”

[kibaxx7]

“Go to training this afternoon and announce that Tyson will be starting at the two guard.”

... And that leads to my Durant's Karl-choking scenario.

[Fresh8]

“Go to training this afternoon and announce that Tyson will be starting at the two guard.”

... And that leads to my Durant's Karl-choking scenario.

Want to bet on that?

[dare]

Bah bench Ty and start Ariza, damn it Karl listen to your instincts