NBA Playoff Thread

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[quote]Malevolence wrote:
tmoney1 wrote:

But, as usual, LBJ tried to do too much, but he had to. The Cavs are his team, and it was his time, but it wasn’t enough. The Spurs were just too much.

That is a really good point about LeBron, he tries to do too much, but I mean that in the best way possible. It’s not like he is arrogant or full of himself, he’s the exact opposite, but if anything, that is his downfall, he is too selfless for his own good. Also, I would say, something gets lost between his ‘okay, I have to do the superstar thing’ and ‘okay, I have to play the team’ thing.

The closest example I can think of is with Kobe, who will spend a whole game dishing to his teammates, but after so long of them missing easy possessions, he switches on the superstar thing, scores 40 points and then gets blasted by the fans.

Lebron is at least half of that formula, except, he just doesn’t seem quite able of forcing the game to go his way like some more advanced players are known to do. But, that is not to say he is incapable of it, so once again, given another year or two he should be there.

But what am I saying, he brought his scrub team to the finals, revitalized their franchise, and posted some huge games. He’s going to win a championship eventually. [/quote]

Agreed 100%. LBJ will get his ring(s) eventually. They didn’t even make the playoffs two years ago, and look where they are now. Eastern Conference champs is NOTHING to be ashamed of.

And ya, I feel ya on the opposite of being arrogant/selfish thing. He is the least bit arrogant and selfish, and is really trying hard to get his teammates involved. If he passes to teammates and they miss and the team loses, people say he should have taken the shot, and if he scores 45 and they still lose, people will say he should have passed, so he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Nonetheless, he’s the face of the NBA and for 22 years old, he’s very mature and professional, not to mention ridiculously good and has a solid frame. He’s the best thing to happen to that franchise since Mark Price.

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[quote]Malevolence wrote:

Although I don’t have any particular personal attachment to either team, you cannot deny the Spurs talent as players and as a team, they deserve this victory completely.[/quote]

I concur.

Do you think they have another title run in them?

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Malevolence wrote:

Although I don’t have any particular personal attachment to either team, you cannot deny the Spurs talent as players and as a team, they deserve this victory completely.

I concur.

Do you think they have another title run in them?[/quote]

You know, I would say yes, but the West is just too damn good right now. If they are going to get another title, it will be next year. After that, I think too many of their players will be getting a little bit too old. But, Tony Parker is still young enough, and if he continues to improve, he and Duncan could be pretty unstoppable.

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Congrats to the city ofSan Antonio and the Spurs.

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I say a big thanks goes to Tmoney1 for this thread!!! His analysis of the entire playoffs was great and very interesting to read. I wished I had been reading it from the start of the playoffs but I went back and caught up. Tmoney did as good a job as any manistream press guy.

Just a quick report from San Antonio. After the game the city went nuts and downtown SA quickly filled up with screaming fans partying well into the night. As a lifelong Spurs fan this one was great because back in January and early February this team was really struggling and I think a lot of people had written them off.

I thought Dallas was a cinch back then. The only thing that would have made it better would have been for Dallas to have beaten Golden State and then gon on and played SA for the Western Conf. championship.

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[quote]deputydawg wrote:
I say a big thanks goes to Tmoney1 for this thread!!! His analysis of the entire playoffs was great and very interesting to read. I wished I had been reading it from the start of the playoffs but I went back and caught up. Tmoney did as good a job as any manistream press guy.

Just a quick report from San Antonio. After the game the city went nuts and downtown SA quickly filled up with screaming fans partying well into the night. As a lifelong Spurs fan this one was great because back in January and early February this team was really struggling and I think a lot of people had written them off.

I thought Dallas was a cinch back then. The only thing that would have made it better would have been for Dallas to have beaten Golden State and then gon on and played SA for the Western Conf. championship. [/quote]

Hey, thanks a lot deputydawg, that means a lot to me!!! Your comments made the thread worthwhile, I greatly appreciate it!!

Your insight is good as well, you have solid knowledge of the NBA, and made many good points throughout the playoffs.

Also, congrats to your Spurs as well for winning another championship, 4 titles in 9 years is awesome, and they should be the front runner next year, as long as all the pieces stay in place. Did you go downtown and do your fair share of partying as well?

Yeah, I remember a lot of people had written them off right around the All-Star break. Analysts were saying it should be a PHX/DAL Western Conference Finals matchup, and whoever wins that wins the whole thing. SA beat PHX in 6, and didn’t have a chance to play Dallas, so I guess we’ll have to wait til next year to find out.

Spurs got the last laugh. Congrats again to you, all the fans, the team, and the city.

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[quote]Malevolence wrote:
tmoney1 wrote:
Malevolence wrote:

Although I don’t have any particular personal attachment to either team, you cannot deny the Spurs talent as players and as a team, they deserve this victory completely.

I concur.

Do you think they have another title run in them?

You know, I would say yes, but the West is just too damn good right now. If they are going to get another title, it will be next year. After that, I think too many of their players will be getting a little bit too old. But, Tony Parker is still young enough, and if he continues to improve, he and Duncan could be pretty unstoppable.
[/quote]

Well said.

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I would like to thank everyone who viewed and posted on the NBA Playoff Thread this year. Everyone’s insight, knowledge, and comments were much appreciated, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

You are all studs of the night in my book.

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It’s now time to hand out some postseason awards!

OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Tony Parker. He proved he’s an elite point guard with his shooting, passing, and slashing abilities, and is only 25 years old. He has many, many solid years of basketball ahead of him. Congrats to him for his third championship and his NBA Finals Most Outstanding Player award, well deserved.

OUTSTANDING TEAMS: San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors. The Spurs came out of a very tough Western Conference to win it all again, and the Warriors proved that underdogs can win, and soundly defeated the powerful Mavs in the first round.

RISING STARS: Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, both of the Utah Jazz. C-Booz had a monstrous second round series versus the Warriors, and has proven to be one of the better forwards in the league.

Deron Williams had a fantastic series versus the Spurs. His 30+ point games and double digit assist games proves he is one of the best young point guards in the game, and will continue to shine.

BEST PLAY OF THE PLAYOFFS: Baron Davis dunk on Andrei Kirilenko.

BEST SINGLE GAME PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAYOFFS: LeBron James, game 5, against the Detroit Pistons. 48 points of sheer dominance in a double overtime victory on the road. This was his coming out game, and arguably, the best game of his career to date.

And last, but not least:

TMONEY1’S NEAT-O STUDS OF THE PLAYOFFS, SPONSORED BY T-Nation: Everyone who posted on the thread. Thanks to everyone for keeping the thread alive, and everyone had insightful knowledge to add to the thread. Without you, I would have just been talking to myself, so thank you to everyone who posted and viewed the thread, it is much appreciated, and I hope everyone will be back next year to help with the thread.

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
Do you think they have another title run in them?[/quote]

No. They don’t even get past the 2nd round this year unless the league gifts them a shorthanded opponent.

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[quote]deputydawg wrote:
Just a quick report from San Antonio. After the game the city went nuts and downtown SA quickly filled up with screaming fans partying well into the night. As a lifelong Spurs fan this one was great because back in January and early February this team was really struggling and I think a lot of people had written them off. [/quote]

Funny. Considering the superstars on the team, I would’ve expected a more “boring” celebration. (jusr joking, sort of)

Great job on this thread, tmoney. Already looking fwd to next year’s thread.

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I want to thank T$ as well.

I am not a big basketball fan by anymeans but This is the most fun I’ve had watching playoff basketball, due mostly to this thread.

Golden State in 08!

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[quote]chillain wrote:
deputydawg wrote:

Great job on this thread, tmoney. Already looking fwd to next year’s thread.

[/quote]

Thanks chillain, much appreciated. Thanks for all your posts as well, you know your hoops.

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[quote]KO421 wrote:
I want to thank T$ as well.

I am not a big basketball fan by anymeans but This is the most fun I’ve had watching playoff basketball, due mostly to this thread.

Golden State in 08![/quote]

Thanks KO421, much appreciated. And thanks for filling in for me for a few days in May as well when I was out of town.

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I’d just like to share my sentiments that this thread has been a lot of fun. It made a kind of disappointing* post-season much better.

Same time next year?

*which is not to say the post-season didn’t have a couple of sweet moments(mostly related to baron davis’ dunk… and beard)

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[quote]Malevolence wrote:
I’d just like to share my sentiments that this thread has been a lot of fun. It made a kind of disappointing* post-season much better.

Same time next year?

*which is not to say the post-season didn’t have a couple of sweet moments(mostly related to baron davis’ dunk… and beard) [/quote]

Same time next year Malevolence.

Baron’s dunk, LBJ’s 48 points in game 5 of the conference finals, and the Spurs title run were probably the three most memorable moments of the 07 Playoffs.

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Chillain:

Stop your whining about the Phoenix series.  Phoenix didn't even take it to seven.  The suspensions occurred for game 5.  Come on.  They were back for Game 6. The Spurs did not have Horry for Game 6.  Phoneix still lost that game.  Phoneix didn't take it to game 7. If it had gone to 7 you might have a leg to stand on.

If every one stays healthy the Spurs have at least one more Championship run in them.

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LOL, you beat me to it. I saw tmoney listing the memorable moments and I also had to comment.

As for your Game 6 argument, it’s incorrect. PHO had just stole Game 4 to even the series at 2. They would have 2 of the remaining 3 games at home where they already blew the Spurs out by 20 in Game 2 and only lost by a split nose in Game 1. At full strength, PHO likely wins Games 5 and 7 at home and advances.

I really think tmoney was just looking for some grand conclusion in his last post. Because really, there was nothing memorable about that title run. 3 of their 4 series were completely uninteresting. Just saying.

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[quote]chillain wrote:
LOL, you beat me to it. I saw tmoney listing the memorable moments and I also had to comment.

As for your Game 6 argument, it’s incorrect. PHO had just stole Game 4 to even the series at 2. They would have 2 of the remaining 3 games at home where they already blew the Spurs out by 20 in Game 2 and only lost by a split nose in Game 1. At full strength, PHO likely wins Games 5 and 7 at home and advances.

I really think tmoney was just looking for some grand conclusion in his last post. Because really, there was nothing memorable about that title run. 3 of their 4 series were completely uninteresting. Just saying.

[/quote]

HAHA you’re right chillain, I was just looking for a grand wrap-up on the playoffs. Sorry, I know you’re not a fan of the Spurs, but I had to give them their respect.

Who is your favorite team? You probably mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I forgot.

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[quote]tmoney1 wrote:
HAHA you’re right chillain, I was just looking for a grand wrap-up on the playoffs. Sorry, I know you’re not a fan of the Spurs, but I had to give them their respect.

Who is your favorite team? You probably mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I forgot.[/quote]

No doubt tmoney. I actually do respect what the Spurs have been able to accomplish. The only player I really dislike is Bowen’s dirty ass.

As for my own loyalties, I grew up right in the heart of the Showtime era. So I’m full-blooded purple and gold.