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Fred Gonzalez: Hello everybody. I'm looking forward to this, my first Live Online chat, so keep the questions coming regarding the NBA playoffs. Let's get started.

Herndon, Va.: Who's going to win the Piston-Sixers series? Do the Pistons have enough to defeat the Nets if they do eliminate Iverson & friends?

Fred Gonzalez: I think the Pistons will win this series in seven games. They play great defense, especially at home, and seem to find ways to win tight games. Tonight, look for Philly to win behind a solid effort by Allen Iverson and force that seventh game. The Pistons could be without Chauncey Billups again tonight, and that could cause some major offensive problems for Detroit. I'd think he'd be ready for a Game 7 on Sunday.
As for the next round, I don't think the Pistons could beat the Nets. Not enough options on offense to handle New Jersey, which right now is my pick out of the East.

Washington, D.C.: What teams do you think will play in the Championship game this year?

Fred Gonzalez: Right now my picks are the Nets and the Spurs. San Antonio is starting to show how talented they are, and the performances by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker last night can only build confidence.

Germantown, Md.: So are you surprised that the Lakers are gone?

Fred Gonzalez: Surprised? Not really. Perhaps just a bit. I think they didn't do themselves any favors at the end of the regular season when them moved into the fifth seed in the Western Conference. If they would have finished as the sixth seed, they may still be playing, as the Lakers would have faced Dallas in the first round and perhaps a Chris Webber-less Sacramento in the second round. But it is kind of strange to glance at the NBA playoffs and the Lakers aren't there. They have a lot of work to do this offseason.

Falls Church, Va.: Even with the Lakers gone, do any of the remaining Eastern Conference teams have a shot at winning the title? It seems to me that the Nets probably have the best chance to come out of the east.

Fred Gonzalez: I think the Nets have the best shot of any of the remaining teams to win the NBA title. But they won't. The West is just too tough. However, I guarantee that this season it won't be a sweep. Even if Detroit or Philly make the NBA Finals, one of the teams from the East will win at least one game in the championship series, but no more than two.

New York, N.Y.:
Michael Wilbon is such a fake! Yesterday he gave the Lakers all the chances in the world to beat the Spurs (It is obvious he is a Lakers fan). Now today, he suddenly sees them as old and worn. Is this man really qualified to be an analyst?

Fred Gonzalez: I wouldn't call Wilbon a fake. Nor would I say he is a Lakers fan - he's from Chicago, for goodness sake. But I do think he's qualified to analyze what's going on in the NBA, and if Robert Horry's shot at the end of Game 5 would have gone in, this series would still be going on and the Lakers would still have a chance to win. I think everyone was giving the Lakers the benefit of the doubt, even down 3-2, and no one could have predicted such a dominating performance by the Spurs last night. And the Lakers are old (Robert Horry and Brian Shaw are no Malik Rose and Tony Parker) and have NO depth on the bench. They need help.

Springfield, Va.: Why does ABC insist on showing actors during the game? Why does anyone care if Jack Nicholson or Kate Hudson is at the game?

Fred Gonzalez: Ratings, my friend. And I think it has been tradition to show stars in games in LA and NY. By the way, didn't Nicholson look sharp in that yellow and black suit. But what did you think of him getting some air time with ABC's Jim Grey as the game ended?

Arlington, Va.: 1. How much do the Spurs have left in the tank to go the rest of the way?

2. Whatever happened to Scott Pollard?

Fred Gonzalez: I think the Spurs have plenty left. In fact, last night may have just scratched the surface on how good this team can play the rest of the postseason. For me, Tim Duncan finally played like the league MVP. I would not have voted for him this year, opting for the likes of Tracy McGrady or Kevin Garnett. But he just dominated last night and was more aggressive than I have seen in a while.

Arlington, Va.: Is it overreaching to elevate Tim Duncan to one of the best basketball players to play the game? He was a monster last night!

Fred Gonzalez: He certainly was a monster -- 37 points, 16 rebounds, 16 of 25 from the floor -- but before we make him one of the all-time greats, he needs to do this nearly every night when the games really matter, and for a couple more seasons. He's got two more playoff series to produce more monster games, let's see what happens.

Arlington, Va.: Kobe was crying last night, what's up with that?

Fred Gonzalez: That was a bit odd. But did you see Derek Fisher's tears? I guess having gone so long without a playoff series loss, it must have been a complete shock. But there's no crying in basketball! (or is that baseball?)

Dallas, Tex.: Ok, so my location probably gives some indication of who I hope (and believe) will win the Mavs-Kings series, but I am interested in your opinion of who will win tomorrow night's Game 7. As a Dallas fan, I am surprised and delighted with Van Exel and can't believe he's taken the spotlight away from our usual stars, Nash and Finley, but I'll gladly take it.

Fred Gonzalez: Van Exel's rise has been something else in these playoffs, and at times I wonder how that affects the chemistry with Nash, but I think Dallas will win Game 7. The Mavs play great at home, and especially in big games. They will find a way to win, as I simply think the Kings are about to run out of gas. Vlade Divac had a great game last night, but can he do it again? I don't think so.

Arlington, Va.: What's the buzz on Webber being available for later rounds, assuming that later rounds are in the cards for Sacramento?

Fred Gonzalez: I don't think there is much buzz. Perhaps if the Kings make the NBA Finals he could come back in a limited role, but I don't think Sacramento will get past Dallas on Saturday. If Webber had been in the lineup, I think this series would already have been over, in favor of the Kings.

Sunrise, Fla.: What about San Antonio? Do you think they'll surprise everyone at we get close to the end? In particular, how do you think they'll match up against the possible two final opponents?

Fred Gonzalez: San Antonio has the edge over the Kings (won 3 of 4 in the regular season), especially with Webber out, but a match-up with Dallas in the Western Conference finals would be interesting. Both teams split their four meetings this season, and while the Spurs would hold the edge on the inside with Duncan, I think Dallas would hold the edge with its backcourt. The series would go seven games, and Duncan would again be the difference. Who would have thought that Texas would be the state for the teams in the Western Conference finals, and not the state of California.

Springfield, Va.: Do you think that the media executives are disappointed that large dollar and large media market LA is out of the playoffs?

Fred Gonzalez: Of course. I mean a finals between San Antonio and Detroit is not what ABC had in mind when it paid big bucks for the NBA. Why else would the Lakers have been on primetime last night -- it was the first and last chance for them to do it. I wouldn't be surprised if some media execs are rooting for Philly to rally and win because Allen Iverson can get some ratings.
But I think for NBA fans the rest of this postseason could be fun because there will be teams that surprise.

Cubeland, Washington, D.C.: San Antonio beat the Lakers when the Lakers only had four guys on the bench, Shaq was dragging and the coach is three steps from a heart attack. In the annals of armchair record keeping, does it count?

Fred Gonzalez: Of course it counts. And whose fault is it that the Lakers only had four guys on the bench. Sounds to me Lakers management was content with the status quo and didn't think about shuffling its players. The Bulls made plenty of moves during its run of titles, and, to steal from baseball here, look at the Atlanta Braves, which made even more drastic moves this year and is still in first place in its division. It most certainly counts.

New Jersey: What are the chances of the Nets (assuming the get to the Finals) actually beating the Spurs/Mavs/Kings? I have actually heard a couple of people on ESPN predict that the Nets will win the NBA championship. As a long suffering Nets fan, I find that unbelievable.

Fred Gonzalez: The Nets will win one, maybe two games if they reach the NBA finals, but not the whole thing. I just don't think they have the depth. But they are clearly the best team of the three left in the East.

Playoffs 2004: I am just getting used to the idea of picturing Karl Malone in a different uniform. What are the odds he goes to the Lakers for a ring? What is more important to whom, the scoring record or a ring?

Fred Gonzalez: Karl Malone in Lakers gold. That would be weird. But I think the odds are good he goes to L.A. in search of a ring. However, would the Lakers want him to break the scoring record held by one of its all-time great players? Could present an interesting conflict of interest. But I think Malone, Jason Terry (Atlanta), Elton Brand (Clippers) and Scottie Pippen (Portland) or Jermaine O'Neal (Pacers) are all potential future Lakers. They could be offseason targets.

Washington, D.C. Laker Fan: C'mon, Kobe and Fisher were crying because they had to pack it in for the first time in three years. Frustration and disappointment (maybe a little anger?) all came to a head when you lose at the game's highest level. Not to mention they did try their best and were beaten soundly.

What do you think they should do to get back to the finals next year?

Fred Gonzalez: Okay, okay. Here's a kleenex for Fisher. As for next year, the Lakers need to bolster its bench and sign a player who can be a consistent third scoring threat. I think Jason Terry would be solid, as he could free up Kobe from having to bring the ball up and allow Kobe to roam more. They also need one more banger inside to free up the double-teams on O'Neal. That's where Karl Malone could come in, or Elton Brand. But they need to make radical personnel changes.

McLean, Va.: Thanks for the chat Mr. Gonzalez. It seems that the difference between the West and the East -- for years -- has been that no team in the East has had a quality big man since the Knicks had Pat Ewing. If you agree, why do you think this happened? It just seems beyond random chance that only teams west of the Mississippi would have had the good sense to stock their teams with good 4s and 5s.

Fred Gonzalez: I think one factor is the quality of life out west. If you played in the east for most of your career and now have a chance to go out west and live in the sun and fun of the coast, I think young players opt for that.
Case in point: Shaq leaves Orlando for Hollywood.

Fairfax, Va.: How come so many players leave the Wizards and become stars on playoff teams? I'm thinking of Weber, Wallace (Ben and Rasheed), Rip Hamilton most recently.

Fred Gonzalez: I don't think the Wizards are patient when it comes to young talent. I think in a couple of years Kwame Brown could be added to that list you mentioned.

Rockville, Md.: My question involves Jason Kidd. Is success in the playoffs critical to the Nets resigning Kidd, or do you think his mind is made up about where he wants to be and with who? I feel that the deeper they go, and the more success they have, the more he's going to want to stay and build something. What are your thoughts? I love your coverage. Keep up the great work.

Fred Gonzalez: I agree with your theory. The more success his team has the more likely it is he will stay. Also, the more success San Antonio has with Tony Parker running the point, the more likely it is they will NOT pursue Kidd. That's why an NBA finals between San Antonio and New Jersey would be so intriguing -- Parker vs. Kidd and Duncan vs. Kenyon Martin. (And thanks for the kind words. Glad someone is reading)

Arlington, Va.: Hey Fred,

After watching the Spurs defeat the Lakers last night you have to think they will take the West pending Mavs/Kings series, how will the Spurs have to play each of these teams in order to advance?

Fred Gonzalez: Touched on this question earlier, but I think Spurs would beat Kings in 5 or 6 , beat Mavs in 7 -- Duncan should dominate inside in both series. Key will be the backcourt match-up.

Arlington, Va.: You would have voted for Garnett over Duncan! Thank God you don't get a vote. It's plain Duncan won 65 with a mediocre supporting cast, and Garnett won 55 with a mediocre supporting cast. That's why Duncan won the MVP, and that's why every sports editor can not vote.

Fred Gonzalez: Correction. I would have voted McGrady over Duncan, as he carried that team all season, dragged them into the playoffs and, if the first round was still a five-game series, the Magic would have beaten the Pistons since they held a 3-1 series lead at one point. McGrady has no help around him, Duncan has a much better supporting cast than you are giving credit. I don't have a vote, but I'll make sure to get a ballot next year.

Arlington, Va.: Will anything ever be done to remove Bill Walton from the broadcast booth? He is horrible, I mean absolutely horrible. Strongly opinionated and rarely correct.

Fred Gonzalez: And that's why he will stay employed. You either love him or hate him.

Fred Gonzalez: Well, that's it. Thanks for all your questions. I had a blast. Cheers.



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