NBA Playoffs 2012

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[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:

[quote]sam_sneed wrote:

[quote]HS wrote:

[quote]red04 wrote:

[quote]HS wrote:
No 1 in the NBA can beat the Thunder right now[/quote]

Sounds like the exact same thing everyone said about the Spurs 2 weeks ago…[/quote]

Not every1. In basketball, explosiveness is king. Thunder is the most explosive team in the NBA, yes more explosive than the Heat. As long as the Thunder executes and minimizes turnovers, Thunder in 6 games[/quote]

Did the more explosive team win the Finals last year?

I predicted OKC-Miami in the last thread with OKC winning. I still think they will win but I don’t think they’re THAT much better than the Heat. The Lakers kept it close with the Thunder and I think the Heat have a better team than the Lakers this year when Bosh is healthy and playing.

[/quote]

Everyone, notice how Sneed doesn’t mention the Spurs.

I think it’s pretty much general consensus among real NBA fans that the Spurs were a better squad than the Thunder. The Thunder got it done and won so all the props to them but that whole series just felt wrong after Game 3.

(Apologies) if I’m bringing up old news but I’m a Spurs man so I’m still experiencing some “post-traumatic” nostalgia or whatever you want to label it as.
[/quote]

Brooks just flat out out-coached Pop in that series, which was a shock to everyone. He made some big adjustments both in personnel (namely Sefolosha for Fisher which should’ve happened eons ago) and in scheme (less iso’s, more set plays, more perimeter passing). Pop didn’t have an answer.

Please don’t think I’m saying Brooks is BETTER than Pop. I think he would outcoach Pop in about 1 out of 10 series - Pop is way better - but Brooks just won this battle.

Also, The Thunder exploited the Spurs one weakness - they didn’t have anyone capable of carrying them if the roleplayers went cold. They RELIED on Green/Leonard/Neal/Jackson hitting open shots, and when they didn’t fall, the Thunder could collapse on Parker more and prevent his dribble drives.

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I originally said OKC in 5, but I forgot the 2-3-2 format of the finals, so I’m amending that to say OKC in 6.

303

[quote]scj119 wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:

[quote]HS wrote:

[quote]red04 wrote:

[quote]HS wrote:
No 1 in the NBA can beat the Thunder right now[/quote]

Sounds like the exact same thing everyone said about the Spurs 2 weeks ago…[/quote]

Not every1. In basketball, explosiveness is king. Thunder is the most explosive team in the NBA, yes more explosive than the Heat. As long as the Thunder executes and minimizes turnovers, Thunder in 6 games[/quote]

Sorry, but this couldn’t be more wrong. In pro basketball, money is king. Remember several years when the NBA fucked the Suns (by far the leagues most explosive team) out of a title by handing the Spurs (a dynasty) the title? That’s what they’re trying to do here. OKC in 6.[/quote]

LOL yea, the Spurs dyansty has made them SO much money. Such huge ratings they always get when they’re in the finals /sarcasm
[/quote]

Actually, not only did the Spurs reign bring in a TON of money, their good guy persona shed a positive light on the league when the American public thought the league was full of cornrowed, tatted up thugs. There’s a lot more to professional sports than what goes on on the floor brother.

304

I don’t want to dwell on this conspiracy stuff as the Finals approach - one thing though, if Stern pulled strings to make money, why on earth would he veto the Paul-to-Lakers trade? We all know the Lakers being good is a huge cash cow for the league (and gets a lot more people to tune in), and Paul would have been awesome for them.

It seems like allowing that trade would have been a very easy, non-shady maneuver to keep a dynasty in LA. Sure the Clips are exciting now, but I think Stern wants as little attention on Donald Sterling as possible, so it would’ve made more sense to have CP3 on LAL.

305

As far as the finals, I wonder how LBJ is going to hold up if he has to guard Durant heavy minutes, given his insane minutes load these playoffs. I think he might get fatigued in a hurry and he would never be honest with Spo about it. Spo has to be forceful in making sure LBJ gets some rest (he has never been forceful about it in the past).

Because of this, I think the series starts out close to even, but OKC wears down MIA as Wade/James get tired and can’t keep it up for a full series. James will have to chase Durant around craploads of screens and carry the offense. Wade will have to match up with either Harden or Westbrook.

If I was Spo I’d get creative to save their energy - start James at the 4, put him on Perkins on defense (if OKC tries to get the ball to Perkins to “exploit” this “mismatch” it’s a huge win for MIA, Perkins is a complete sinkhole for offensive possessions). This also frees up James to help away from his man and get those blocks on help D. Start Battier at the 3 and put him on KD, he’s not great but he can hold down the fort till LBJ takes KD in the 4th quarter. Start Wade on Sefolosha and Chalmers on Westbrook. Save James/Wade energy for 4Q.

306

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I don’t want to dwell on this conspiracy stuff as the Finals approach - one thing though, if Stern pulled strings to make money, why on earth would he veto the Paul-to-Lakers trade? We all know the Lakers being good is a huge cash cow for the league (and gets a lot more people to tune in), and Paul would have been awesome for them.

It seems like allowing that trade would have been a very easy, non-shady maneuver to keep a dynasty in LA. Sure the Clips are exciting now, but I think Stern wants as little attention on Donald Sterling as possible, so it would’ve made more sense to have CP3 on LAL.[/quote]

Think that had more to do with getting the (league run) Hornets the best return value. Gordon and change is much better than Scola and change, even for half a season or whatever. Now, they miraculously have the #1 pick. Stern is shady as fuck.

307

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I don’t want to dwell on this conspiracy stuff as the Finals approach - one thing though, if Stern pulled strings to make money, why on earth would he veto the Paul-to-Lakers trade? We all know the Lakers being good is a huge cash cow for the league (and gets a lot more people to tune in), and Paul would have been awesome for them.

It seems like allowing that trade would have been a very easy, non-shady maneuver to keep a dynasty in LA. Sure the Clips are exciting now, but I think Stern wants as little attention on Donald Sterling as possible, so it would’ve made more sense to have CP3 on LAL.[/quote]

I’m usually quick to throw out a conspiracy theory with the NBA, it would make sense that an obvious sweep would generate significantly more money for each game past 4. However, I can’t see how anybody abusing that much power would let the Knicks not be in the finals for over 10 years. The would generate billions more than OKC/Miami type games.

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^^^ Can’t be too obvious, and it’s not like the Knicks haven’t made crazy moves. They just keep falling flat. Did anyone read the link I posted?

309

[quote]scj119 wrote:
As far as the finals, I wonder how LBJ is going to hold up if he has to guard Durant heavy minutes, given his insane minutes load these playoffs. I think he might get fatigued in a hurry and he would never be honest with Spo about it. Spo has to be forceful in making sure LBJ gets some rest (he has never been forceful about it in the past).

Because of this, I think the series starts out close to even, but OKC wears down MIA as Wade/James get tired and can’t keep it up for a full series. James will have to chase Durant around craploads of screens and carry the offense. Wade will have to match up with either Harden or Westbrook.

If I was Spo I’d get creative to save their energy - start James at the 4, put him on Perkins on defense (if OKC tries to get the ball to Perkins to “exploit” this “mismatch” it’s a huge win for MIA, Perkins is a complete sinkhole for offensive possessions). This also frees up James to help away from his man and get those blocks on help D. Start Battier at the 3 and put him on KD, he’s not great but he can hold down the fort till LBJ takes KD in the 4th quarter. Start Wade on Sefolosha and Chalmers on Westbrook. Save James/Wade energy for 4Q.[/quote]

James is not someone I would worry about getting tired, specially if he’s not guarding a point guard, or Terry explosive type shooting guard. James my apply excessive man to man pressure at the end of games, but for the majority he doesn’t overexert himself. I don’t think he should be on Durant until the end anyway. If he guards Collison or Ibaka he will have more opportunity to help. Durant is extremely difficult to guard, and has yet to be stopped. The best chance at beating Oklahoma is to keep everyone but the big 3 from getting hot. I would play a head game and let Westbrook get a little warm, Thunder can still lose when he has a good scoring game because he stops sharing the ball.

That being said, I still give it to OKC. I find what Durant did over the summer dominating every summer league(including ones with Lebron) possible incredible. Wade will have his hands full with Westbrook or Harden. Chalmers will be outmatched across the board. Miami’s biggest x factors are Miller and Haslem. If Haslem can help keep both Ibaka and Perkins from banging Bosh around Miami will have a chance, and if Miller can contribute defensively Miami may even win.

310

[quote]Airtruth wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
I don’t want to dwell on this conspiracy stuff as the Finals approach - one thing though, if Stern pulled strings to make money, why on earth would he veto the Paul-to-Lakers trade? We all know the Lakers being good is a huge cash cow for the league (and gets a lot more people to tune in), and Paul would have been awesome for them.

It seems like allowing that trade would have been a very easy, non-shady maneuver to keep a dynasty in LA. Sure the Clips are exciting now, but I think Stern wants as little attention on Donald Sterling as possible, so it would’ve made more sense to have CP3 on LAL.[/quote]

I’m usually quick to throw out a conspiracy theory with the NBA, it would make sense that an obvious sweep would generate significantly more money for each game past 4. However, I can’t see how anybody abusing that much power would let the Knicks not be in the finals for over 10 years. The would generate billions more than OKC/Miami type games.[/quote]

Or giving the BROOKLYN NETS the first overall pick which would help them keep Deron Williams.

If the NBA was rigging drafts for their long term financial gain, the Nets would be getting the first overall chance (they had a better chance of getting it than the Hornets).

**AT THE VERY LEAST, they would have landed top 3 so that they didn’t have to give their pick to Portland and lose out on the first round entirely.

Until someone tells me why it makes sense to tear apart a team moving into Brooklyn I will not believe in any lottery conspiracies whatsoever.

311

[quote]Airtruth wrote:

[quote]scj119 wrote:
As far as the finals, I wonder how LBJ is going to hold up if he has to guard Durant heavy minutes, given his insane minutes load these playoffs. I think he might get fatigued in a hurry and he would never be honest with Spo about it. Spo has to be forceful in making sure LBJ gets some rest (he has never been forceful about it in the past).

Because of this, I think the series starts out close to even, but OKC wears down MIA as Wade/James get tired and can’t keep it up for a full series. James will have to chase Durant around craploads of screens and carry the offense. Wade will have to match up with either Harden or Westbrook.

If I was Spo I’d get creative to save their energy - start James at the 4, put him on Perkins on defense (if OKC tries to get the ball to Perkins to “exploit” this “mismatch” it’s a huge win for MIA, Perkins is a complete sinkhole for offensive possessions). This also frees up James to help away from his man and get those blocks on help D. Start Battier at the 3 and put him on KD, he’s not great but he can hold down the fort till LBJ takes KD in the 4th quarter. Start Wade on Sefolosha and Chalmers on Westbrook. Save James/Wade energy for 4Q.[/quote]

James is not someone I would worry about getting tired, specially if he’s not guarding a point guard, or Terry explosive type shooting guard. James my apply excessive man to man pressure at the end of games, but for the majority he doesn’t overexert himself. I don’t think he should be on Durant until the end anyway. If he guards Collison or Ibaka he will have more opportunity to help. Durant is extremely difficult to guard, and has yet to be stopped. The best chance at beating Oklahoma is to keep everyone but the big 3 from getting hot. I would play a head game and let Westbrook get a little warm, Thunder can still lose when he has a good scoring game because he stops sharing the ball.

That being said, I still give it to OKC. I find what Durant did over the summer dominating every summer league(including ones with Lebron) possible incredible. Wade will have his hands full with Westbrook or Harden. Chalmers will be outmatched across the board. Miami’s biggest x factors are Miller and Haslem. If Haslem can help keep both Ibaka and Perkins from banging Bosh around Miami will have a chance, and if Miller can contribute defensively Miami may even win.[/quote]

The biggest reason I like OKC is what the hell do the Heat do to defend Westbrook? Even if KD and LBJ play to a standstill, MIA has absolutely no one to handle Russ.

Yeah I meant to really say LBJ will be tired ASSUMING he draws Durant on D the whole game. If Spo is smart and puts LBJ on a nonthreatening Big, LBJ will be fine.

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[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ Can’t be too obvious, and it’s not like the Knicks haven’t made crazy moves. They just keep falling flat. Did anyone read the link I posted?[/quote]

Too Obviuos? They’ve had some of the worst records in the last 10 years, the league could’ve easily given them Wade/Lebron/Melo/(from the start)/durant, and countless other players with draft potential as good as theres. If I’m abusing my power so much that I put OKC in the finals. There’s no way the Knicks would be that bad over a 12 year stretch. Media hype has made it look like they fall flat, truth is they’ve overachieved with some horrible players and teams.

313

[quote]scj119 wrote:

The biggest reason I like OKC is what the hell do the Heat do to defend Westbrook? Even if KD and LBJ play to a standstill, MIA has absolutely no one to handle Russ.
[/quote]

He’s difficult to stop but he goes overboard very quickly. That’s good for a shooting guard, but for a point guard that means nobody else is getting the ball. I think that would be a good thing for Miami. When they beat the Spurs, the role players got hot.

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[quote]Airtruth wrote:

[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
^^^ Can’t be too obvious, and it’s not like the Knicks haven’t made crazy moves. They just keep falling flat. Did anyone read the link I posted?[/quote]

Too Obviuos? They’ve had some of the worst records in the last 10 years, the league could’ve easily given them Wade/Lebron/Melo/(from the start)/durant, and countless other players with draft potential as good as theres. If I’m abusing my power so much that I put OKC in the finals. There’s no way the Knicks would be that bad over a 12 year stretch. Media hype has made it look like they fall flat, truth is they’ve overachieved with some horrible players and teams. [/quote]

Overachieved? You and Scj are a trip. I’ll leave y’all to it. Good guys in 6.

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Sneed I was referring to your comparison of the Lakers and OKC as argument for Miami having a chance at beating OKC. You said the Lakers kept it close with OKC and then said Miami is better than LA i.e. you didn’t say SA kept it close and Miami is better than SA (because they’re not).

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Miami is better than SA

BAM Mindfuck. When the Heat win the championship haters can go home.

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[quote]Gettnitdone wrote:
Sneed I was referring to your comparison of the Lakers and OKC as argument for Miami having a chance at beating OKC. You said the Lakers kept it close with OKC and then said Miami is better than LA i.e. you didn’t say SA kept it close and Miami is better than SA (because they’re not).

[/quote]

Ok I misunderstood. To be clear, I believe Miami would’ve beat the Spurs had they met in the finals with Bosh playing 100%.

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Miami would need to out coach SA like Brooks did. And Spo sucks.

319

How does Spo suck? He is one of the youngest coaches in the league. He is dealing with a sports team in Miami, which has the most fair weather fans. He has also brought his team to the finals two years in a row…

Do you even watch basketball? :slight_smile:

320

[quote]Achilles of war wrote:
How does Spo suck? He is one of the youngest coaches in the league. He is dealing with a sports team in Miami, which has the most fair weather fans. He has also brought his team to the finals two years in a row…

Do you even watch basketball? :)[/quote]

Spo takes a lot of unfair criticism, but he’s not great. Most of their offensive plays consist of only one action (off-ball screen one guy, a pick-and-roll attempt, something like that) and if it doesn’t work they iso-ball with LBJ or Wade. Very bland offense and it explains why they can have 2 of the best offensive players in the league (and a very good scoring threat on PnR’s with Bosh) and still have a mediocre halfcourt offense.

He does however have to manage the egos/personalities of 3 stars despite barely being older than them, which is no small task, and he’s built a great defense. When they’re engaged, the Heat D has lightning quick rotations that make it really hard to beat them unless you deliver 3, 4, 5 consecutive pinpoint passes which is hard to do.

So, he’s a decent coach, not great but often takes too much heat IMO.