Marc Stein

  (11:00 AM)

Hello, all. Greetings from Denver.

Marc Stein

  (11:01 AM)

Let's try to sneak in some chatting before I depart for the Nuggets' and Mavs' practices . . . and before LeBron James collects his MVP trophy this afternoon.

bret miami

Cavs in four.

Marc Stein

  (11:02 AM)

I've got Cavs in five. Atlanta is very good at home, let's not forget. Cavs will take a split there and finish it off at home in Game 5.

Austin Barnard Wooster Ohio

How do you think a week of rest will effect the Cavs as they prepare to play the Hawks?

Marc Stein

  (11:03 AM)

Not hugely. I imagine that LeBron being named MVP today and collecting the trophy pre-game in front of the fans would help matters.

Matt from Columbus, OH

We saw a shot of Paul Pierce wipe is forehead with a grin after the Bulls game Saturday as if to say "Phew! We escaped that." What do you think that says about the attitude the defending champions have this post-season? We would have never seen that last year with the determination that group had.

Marc Stein

  (11:05 AM)

Zero. They don't have Kevin Garnett. It was a great escape. No one's killing Boston right now like we did when Atlanta took them seven.

Chris Andersen

Do you think I'll make more than league minimum next year?

Marc Stein

  (11:07 AM)

It's 1,000 percent. A big man who can move like you can? Don't worry about it. Six blocks off the bench made you a few bucks for sure.

Paul (New York)

To my delight, you have Boston taking down Orlando in 7. However, how do you think the celts can handle Dwight Howard in the paint with only 2 big men who even have a shot at covering him? Counting out Mikki Moore and Scal, the C's only have perk who loves to get in foul trouble and that giant baby who is only 6'8" anyways...

Marc Stein

  (11:12 AM)

Dealing with Dwight, Rashard and even Gortat will obviously be a major problem. But I went the Celts because I think their guards can do as much damage -- especially with Lee missing at least two games to rob Orlando of its best Rondo counter -- and because the Magic weren't exactly convincing against Philly. It's a series Orlando SHOULD win give the teams' respective health situations. But I just have a feeling Boston finds a way to win another long one.

A. from Denver!

Any chance Del Negro is replaced next year? Don't think Eddie Jordan is perfect for that group?

Marc Stein

  (11:13 AM)

After rallying Chicago to the No. 7 seed and a 41-41 record for way under .500 in mid-March and then taking Boston to the limit? No.

Rueben (Houston, TX)

Houston has a legit shot right? I mean with the defense they play, they should make every series tough. BOLD PREDICTION - ROCKETS IN six what do you think Marc?

Marc Stein

  (11:16 AM)

Too bold. Don't see how the Rockets score enough to beat the Lakers four times. But they will have their moments in the series. I look forward to seeing how well Houston plays in a series where all the pressure is off for once.

Nathan (Boston)

What do you think was learned (if anything) about the Blazers and what they need to do in the offseason and coming seasons, based on how the playoffs went?

Marc Stein

  (11:21 AM)

They need to play at a faster pace. Take advantage of all the athleticism and make the game easier for Roy.

Andy (Denver)

After watching game one of the Nuggets-Mavs series, did you see anything you hadn't anticipated?

Marc Stein

  (11:25 AM)

Didn't think Denver could win such an important game with Chauncey sitting out the first six-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. But Anthony Carter was fantastic. Birdman and Nene were huge. The Nuggets are an absolute handful at home when they get everyone involved.

Travis C. (Lake Highlands)

If Dallas limits turnovers, they can still win this series, right?

Marc Stein

  (11:26 AM)

It'll take more than that. They have to slow the game down and really shoot well in the road games.

John Elway (Denver)

Marc, you probably didn't know who I was when I did the Nuggets introductions, but I am pretty famous here in Denver.

Marc Stein

  (11:27 AM)

I actually didn't have to ask anyone on press row. I already knew you're the guy who owns all the steakhouses in town.

Neumms (Mpls.)

Hey, Marc! Away from playoffs a second, give a Wolves fan hope we'll ever see playoffs again. How lousy should we feel that the only solid candidate for GM, SA's Lindsey pulled out?

Marc Stein

  (11:33 AM)

That would give me great distress, as a Wolves fan, because Lindsey is highly regarded and comes from an organization that obviously does it right. Signals are mixed on who ranks as the favorite now. One day you hear it's Randy Pfund. The next you hear it's David Kahn.

Eric (Bermuda)

Wanna toss Big Baby and Perk some bones???

Marc Stein

  (11:34 AM)

OK. Consider the bones tossed. But that doesn't change the fact that they've got their hands full in this series.

Andy (Boston, MA)

Denver is showing how awesome their squad can be. With every passing game I think they actually might be able to take down the Lakers.

Marc Stein

  (11:38 AM)

They've never shown the extended discipline needed to beat a team that good. But they're obviously playing with a better-than-ever swagger. If they can keep this up, one factor that could make a Lakers-Nuggets series better than anyone imagined: Denver usually needs to get its offense going to fuel its defense and the Lakers don't exactly play every game in lockdown mode.

Jeremy (New Orleans)

Thx for standing up for hornets fans everywhere on the podcast.

Marc Stein

  (11:40 AM)

Thanks for listening.

mike (denver)

If you're looking for some good restaurants in Denver try Rioja or Bistro Vendome (in an alcove across the street) at 14th and Larimer. The gelato place a couple of doors down is stellar too.

Marc Stein

  (11:41 AM)

ALWAYS looking for new restaurants. Appreciate the suggestions.

Anthony Florida

What's up with that guy Sheridan? Did he really pick the Rockets in 7 or was that a typo?

Marc Stein

  (11:43 AM)

Did he really pick the Rockets? I've received a few questions to this effect but I haven't seen the staff picks for that series yet. If so, I'm sure he did it purely to take the focus off the poor guy who picked Dallas over Denver in six.

Eric (Houston, TX)

Like you just said a few posts ago, the Lakers don't really take every possession seriously defensively, yet you think the rockets cant score enough to win some games? i think they can hang around the 100 point mark against the lakers, and if they slow the game down enough and make things ugly, just the way the rockets like it, people are going to be surprised.

Marc Stein

  (11:44 AM)

Houston doesn't have the firepower Denver does. The Rockets are easier to guard.

Tyler(Denver)

Sam Cassell stole the testicle dance from Major League 2.

Marc Stein

  (11:46 AM)

I have watched that movie a zillion times and never made the connection before. I will investigate.

Hatton UK

Now that I fought the 2 best fighters, I think Pacman can take Mayweather jr... but Im still woozy from the left hook I took from Pacman on Saturday. Thoughts?

Marc Stein

  (11:49 AM)

I appreciate that we made it this far into the chat without anyone bringing up what happened to my man Hatton until the end. Humbling night for me to watch Pacquiao destroy the most famous City fan in the world.

matt (sfo)

steiny mo! you cant go changing your chat time up on this, what do i have to look forward to this afternoon at work?!

Marc Stein

  (11:51 AM)

My apologies. The schedule is fluid in the playoffs. Appreciate your understanding and patience . . . dodgy hotel internet connection didn't help the cause today. Gotta get to practice. We'll do this again next week.