Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1519558 times)

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2460 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:44:21 PM »

Mavs have really stepped up top to bottom. Terry's playing great, JJ Barea has finally started getting into the game, a key rejection from Chandler. Good stuff all around.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #2461 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:46:52 PM »

Lebron James with the Triple Double, GOAT

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2462 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:47:14 PM »

Mavs were crazy from 3 point range tonight. 13-19. 68%.

etiolate · « **Reply #2463 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:47:21 PM »

Mavs hittin deep threes

other team is doomed

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2464 on:** June 09, 2011, 11:59:08 PM »

I no longer feel this series is about what Miami is doing wrong but is about what Dallas is doing right. That Miami defense just doesn't work the same against a team like this that can pass and shoot three's. In fact it often makes them look flat-footed and slow. We know they aren't slow. So its just they are doing an amazing job.

Chandler has shut down Wade and Lebron driving. Miami offense isn't consistent enough to hold or maintain leads. And the Mavs offense is incredibly efficient down the stretch because it mostly involves them being in the penalty or giving it to Dirk who tends to get fouled and is automatic from the free throw line.

Anything is possible in these last two games. I mean last Year the Lakers were in the exact same situation and won but I think the Heat are in a much weaker position by comparison simply based on how they play.

The one thing you can say is its unlikely for the Mavs to shoot that well on offense again but arguably you could say the same thing about miami.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2465 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:01:05 AM »

Another Heat fourth quarter meltdown. LeBron had a pretty good game, but once again didn't produce (offensively) in the fourth either.

I still think Miami can win the next two games though

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2466 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:08:33 AM »

In a single postseason, the Mavs have:

-Ended four years of first-round [and one second round] exits from the playoffs
-Dispelled the stigma that they're soft and can't win big games
-Dispelled the belief that Dirk is only good at outside shooting
-Come closer to winning a championship than ever before.

All the need is one more win, and they've got two chances to get it.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2467 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:10:52 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on June 10, 2011, 12:08:33 AM

In a single postseason, the Mavs have:

-Ended four years of first-round [and one second round] exits from the playoffs
-Dispelled the stigma that they're soft and can't win big games
-Dispelled the belief that Dirk is only good at outside shooting
-Come closer to winning a championship than ever before.

All the need is one more win, and they've got two chances to get it.

Conspiracy won't allow it. Stern has only allowed this to make it that much more sweet when the Heat finally win.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2468 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:12:12 AM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on June 10, 2011, 12:10:52 AM

Quote from: Great Rumbler on June 10, 2011, 12:08:33 AM
In a single postseason, the Mavs have:

-Ended four years of first-round [and one second round] exits from the playoffs
-Dispelled the stigma that they're soft and can't win big games
-Dispelled the belief that Dirk is only good at outside shooting
-Come closer to winning a championship than ever before.

All the need is one more win, and they've got two chances to get it.

Conspiracy won't allow it. Stern has only allowed this to make it that much more sweet when the Heat finally win.

Stern and his cronies can't stop the Dirk Express.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2469 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:16:24 AM »

Interesting bit of trivia from ESPN:

Quote

The closeness of this series can be looked at not just by games, but by quarters. 12 of the 20 quarters in the NBA Finals have been decided by 2 points, 1 point or tied. The average margin per quarter in the first 5 games is 2.7 points, which would be the lowest in the Finals during the shot clock era by a wide margin

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #2470 on:** June 10, 2011, 12:31:46 AM »

I'm still in shock, I still can't believe the Mavs had the sheer cojones to do what they've done during these playoffs. From Game 3 of the first round when they blew a 23-point lead to Portland until now, it's like who is this team? I've never seen them before. They're pushing guys around, they're talking smack, they're coming back from behind, they're closing games, they're just flat refusing to lose. It's incredible.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #2471 on:** June 10, 2011, 10:50:13 AM »

Quote from: Mandark on June 09, 2011, 04:03:42 PM

Eh, LeBron's had one bad game and people are freaking.

ok to freak now?

I mean, normally I'd totally agree with you about one game, even in a must-win situation. But this one?

I'm starting to think James is just afraid of getting his shot blocked. Like he's more afraid of being embarrassed than of losing. When he plays Dwight Howard, he stays well out of the paint unless he's in transition and Howard is safely behind him. For some reason, he seems to be respecting Chandler almost as much. He should be beating these double teams at least half the time, not just passing out of them. He should be dunking on Chandler at least some of the time, and getting fouled more often than he gets his shot blocked. It's inexplicable to me in terms of what is happening on the court, because the Mavs are not playing him THAT well. They're playing solid team defense, but it's not enough to shut him down like this. There is something in his head that is working against him. We saw it in Boston just days after he single-handedly destroyed that team, seemingly proving that they couldn't contain him any longer. He made a lot of solid, even smart plays tonight but never displayed more than 50% of his talent or ability. It's baffling to me. It sort of feels like I wasted my time watching him all these years because with the exception of that Boston game, he has never done anything like this before. Again, he never even looked TIRED tonight. Or even frustrated. Or even cotton-mouthed like Bosh. He just looked kinda vacant. We are officially in the Twilight Zone; if this keeps up, the Mavs are going to win. In 6. It makes no sense but there it is.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #2472 on:** June 10, 2011, 10:59:03 AM »

Also, the League Pass was totally inaccessible for hours tonight. I ended up watching the game on the iPad, which is the same service but seems to run off different servers. This is the first problem there has been all season, so I'm guessing the ratings for gm 5 are going to be fucking INSANE.

Mandark · « **Reply #2473 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:37:58 PM »

I didn't have a problem with how he was playing to start the 4th quarter. They came back in large part because he was drawing in the defense and finding guys for open layups. If the defense is overcommitting to a player, even the best player in the league, take advantage of it (remember that PHO-DAL series where the Mavs would double either Nash or Amare during a game, so the other one would go off for 40 points?).

But then he was taking 3's off the dribble and deferring to Wade, the "hero ball" stuff Tom Haberstroh was warning about, that worked for a bit in Game 1 and against the Bulls. With Haywood injured, "let's get Tyson Chandler in foul trouble" should have been the first goal of a team with two of the best slashers in the league.

He'll have to play a lot more aggressive, especially if the Mavs keep making those end of the clock 3's.

PS This series shows how much the presence of even one ring works as a reputational shield. Wade had a streak of three terrible performances against the Bulls and has screwed up in crunch time two games in a row in the Finals now. The worst anyone said was "I bet he's carrying an injury we don't know about."

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2474 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:48:13 PM »

There is definitely a lot of areas to criticize Lebron's play in this finals series but I do kinda agree with Mandark in that sense that the criticism should be based on things actually going on and a balanced view rather than fitting preconceived media narratives that I so often see the media doing. (Not aimed at you Cormacaroni. But at media agenda setters)

I thought he played well last night outside of those long distance 4th quarter shots when it was clear that he didn't trust his jumper but took the shots anyway.

etiolate · « **Reply #2475 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:13:27 PM »

Considering his hype and the media's own hype, the criticism has been mild. It's a pattern in the playoffs that any other big time player would get crap for. It does help to have a ring, but he doesn't.

Mostly, I think this shows that the Heat never found a way during the season to run a halfcourt offense that gets the best out of both Wade and Lebron. When Wade was out, Lebron was doing his game and getting the offense to work. When Wade returned, he went back to the 3pt line and lingered there.

Mandark · « **Reply #2476 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:45:55 PM »

Quote from: etiolate on June 10, 2011, 03:13:27 PM

Considering his hype and the media's own hype, the criticism has been mild.

*spit take*

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #2477 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:48:15 PM »

Hey Mandark, I heard that if you ask Lebron for a dollar, he'll give you 75 cents but he'll never give you the fourth quarter.

Mandark · « **Reply #2478 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:54:25 PM »

http://www.wizznutzz.com/labels/Shoes.html <-- Relevant, I think.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2479 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:21:34 PM »

I am just so bewildered at why LeBron never, EVER goes into the paint. One of the best players in the paint, and he NEVER goes in. And the only times he does, he gets called with a charge or has to go to the line, where he's pretty terrible. His balls are being squeezed by the Mavs defense, from the looks of it. It's just so odd.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2480 on:** June 11, 2011, 10:43:59 AM »

Here's a little something for anybody that genuinely wants the Heat to win this series:

[youtube=560,345]e9BqUBYaHlM[/youtube]

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2481 on:** June 11, 2011, 10:49:56 AM »

meh. I genuinely want them to win although I'm fine with whoever wins. I don't mind hyperbole from sports dudes. This ain't politics.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2482 on:** June 11, 2011, 11:00:27 AM »

Came across that while reading a Bill Simmons article:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6649101/the-highs-lows-today-nba

It was actually pretty good.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2483 on:** June 11, 2011, 11:03:00 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on June 11, 2011, 11:00:27 AM

Came across that while reading a Bill Simmons article:

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6649101/the-highs-lows-today-nba

It was actually pretty good.

I like bill simmons. I'm probably one of the few in the thread who really do. I just often disagree with his notion of who the good guys are and who the bad guys are.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2484 on:** June 11, 2011, 11:12:47 AM »

well do you only read his basketball stuff? by most accounts that's his best material

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2485 on:** June 11, 2011, 11:19:34 AM »

Anyway, another Grantland article with an great paragraph:

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-Triangle/post/_/id/90/the-top-five-one-writers-sometimes-relevant-never-boring-breakdown-of-this-weeks-news

Quote

With the exception of that ignominious attempt in D.C. to quash Kwame Brown's career, Michael Jordan retired 13 years ago. And yet he remains the most influential presence in the modern NBA. Case in point: If Dirk Nowitzki were unable to play in Game 4 of the Finals due to a spiking fever, his legacy would have been tarnished all because of what Jordan did in Salt Lake City in '97. Jordan made it acceptable to marginalize illness as a mitigating factor in athletic performance, which, when you give it some thought, is both admirable and insane. Beyond that, he burdened the best players in the game with the notion that anything less than a fistful of rings and a sociopathic dedication to success is the equivalent of desultory failure. When you start to think about it, you realize that his bacon-necked spectre looms over every fourth quarter of every NBA Finals game of the modern era, and will do so for quite some time. Maybe this is what really drives LeBron into hiding.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #2486 on:** June 11, 2011, 10:17:39 PM »

No, insane is Bill Walton and Kevin McHale shortening Hall of Fame careers by playing on a broken foot. Playing with the flu is only remarkable if you also play a classic game, like Jordan did.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2487 on:** June 12, 2011, 01:35:17 PM »

Either the heat win tonight or I go online in NBA 2k11 after the game and beat the mavericks with the heat online.

Either way I win!

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2488 on:** June 12, 2011, 03:37:10 PM »

I dont see Wade letting the Mavs beat his team at his home court twice in a row. Now, for Game 7? All up in the air.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2489 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:32:46 PM »

Yea, desperate Heat+home cooking from the refs=win tonight.

Mandark · « **Reply #2490 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:57:19 PM »

Home cooking from Steve Javie?

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2491 on:** June 12, 2011, 05:24:11 PM »

It's better than Danny Crawford

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2492 on:** June 12, 2011, 07:56:23 PM »

Chalmers starting over Bibby tonight, thank you based god

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2493 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:16:04 PM »

LeBron: 4-4 already, one in the paint, three perfect jumpers. 9 points.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2494 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:17:46 PM »

Quote

I would praise LeBron but he has nothing to do with those shots going in.

I lol'd at this quote from gaf

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2495 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:18:18 PM »

Quote from: BrandNew on June 12, 2011, 07:56:23 PM

Chalmers starting over Bibby tonight, thank you based god

And it only took an all the way until an elimination game before spoelstra realized bibby was playing like shit all playoffs and maybe he shouldn't start!

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2496 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:25:24 PM »

nvm chalmers hurt

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2497 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:27:47 PM »

Quote from: BrandNew on June 12, 2011, 08:16:04 PM

LeBron: 4-4 already, one in the paint, three perfect jumpers. 9 points.

Mr. 1st Quarter

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2498 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:32:40 PM »

james has too much of an ego. stop trying to hit threes you fuck

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2499 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:35:37 PM »

Was Miami sloppy for the whole quarter? I only saw the last few minutes $:-\$

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2500 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:44:00 PM »

No, they looked pretty much perfect for the first 6 minutes or so. Then Chalmers let us all know that he can't play defense and Barea just shat on everyone. Then Terry came in.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2501 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:44:42 PM »

Heat are done. Mavs win title.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2502 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:45:33 PM »

this is fucking beautiful

it's not over yet, though. the game will be tied up by the 4th quarter

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #2503 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:50:51 PM »

OMG Real Steel, I can't believe that's an actual thing.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2504 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:54:17 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on June 12, 2011, 08:44:42 PM

Heat are done. Mavs win title.

Thanks a lot, Stoney.

Mandark · « **Reply #2505 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:54:17 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on June 12, 2011, 08:44:42 PM

Heat are done. Mavs win title.

Way to go, Stoney.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2506 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:54:33 PM »

basketball sucks so much

why am i watching before the 4th quarter

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2507 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:58:48 PM »

Stern's going to suspend the entire Mavs team. Miami autowins title if they win tonight

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2508 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:58:56 PM »

suspend everyone

mavs win by default

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2509 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:04:40 PM »

How is that a foul?

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2510 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:08:15 PM »

Wait, who got suspended? I went out for some groceries.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2511 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:14:39 PM »

The score doesn't even matter. This game feels exactly like the last two games. Dallas is playing a lot better no matter how close the game is. Miami better get a huge lead in the 3rd quarter (unlikely) or I think the exact same pattern will repeat itself. Dallas looks like a real basketball team. Miami doesn't. It's really that simple.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2512 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:20:48 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on June 12, 2011, 09:14:39 PM

The score doesn't even matter. This game feels exactly like the last two games. Dallas is playing a lot better no matter how close the game is. Miami better get a huge lead in the 3rd quarter (unlikely) or I think the exact same pattern will repeat itself. Dallas looks like a real basketball team. Miami doesn't. It's really that simple.

I don't see the Mavs holding on if Dirk continues to struggle. LeBron is hitting shots and seems more aggressive, Chandler is in foul trouble...

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2513 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:24:26 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on June 12, 2011, 09:20:48 PM

Quote from: Stoney Mason on June 12, 2011, 09:14:39 PM
The score doesn't even matter. This game feels exactly like the last two games. Dallas is playing a lot better no matter how close the game is. Miami better get a huge lead in the 3rd quarter (unlikely) or I think the exact same pattern will repeat itself. Dallas looks like a real basketball team. Miami doesn't. It's really that simple.

I don't see the Mavs holding on if Dirk continues to struggle. LeBron is hitting shots and seems more aggressive, Chandler is in foul trouble...

Dirk had a dreadful first half and the Mavs are winning. If that doesn't show the Mavs are a better team I don't know what does. I'd much rather be in the Mav's position at the moment playing the way they are rather than the heat.

It's not even this thing anymore where it's let's root for good old Dirk or this is an upset. I don't think this series is an upset anymore in the sense of one team is a lot better of a basketball team than the other. I legit think the Mavs are the better basketball team. Anything can happen in this second half but unless Wade AND Lebron turn in amazing second half performances they are going to get beat.

CajoleJuice · « **Reply #2514 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:26:20 PM »

Agree with Stoney 100%

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #2515 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:32:01 PM »

I don't see the Mavs bench continuing to blow away the Heat, who aren't playing good defense. If Dirk continues to struggle and the Heat wake up on defense, they win. Chandler won't be effective in the third due to fouls.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #2516 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:38:37 PM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on June 12, 2011, 09:32:01 PM

I don't see the Mavs bench continuing to blow away the Heat, who aren't playing good defense. If Dirk continues to struggle and the Heat wake up on defense, they win. Chandler won't be effective in the third due to fouls.

People have waiting for the Heat defense to "wake up" all series. At a certain point some credit has to go to the offense for putting them to sleep.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #2517 on:** June 12, 2011, 09:43:52 PM »

oh stoney

Mandark · « **Reply #2518 on:** June 12, 2011, 10:09:02 PM »

I'd like to point out that I had Dallas 50/50 to lose to Portland in the first round. In my face.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #2519 on:** June 12, 2011, 10:10:12 PM »

Quote from: Mandark on June 12, 2011, 10:09:02 PM

I'd like to point out that I had Dallas 50/50 to lose to Portland in the first round. In my face.

I think everybody did. Even Mavs fans.

News:

Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1519558 times)