Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1519828 times)

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1920 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:21:12 PM »

Celtics bench playing really well.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1921 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:25:49 PM »

Big shots by the heat in the clutch

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1922 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:31:20 PM »

It's over. Lebron with the dagger closing out the celts from beyond the arc.

Boston played well. Rondo being hurt just killed them eventually in this series.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1923 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:42:47 PM »

Quote from: Billy Rygar on May 11, 2011, 09:38:06 PM

Bland, forgettable series. Who said 7 games?

lots of people. But Rondo got hurt which lessened the chances of that.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1924 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:20:59 PM »

OKC's stepping it up finally, they just have to keep the pressure on and not throw this away in the fourth.

Up by 19 at the end of the third.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #1925 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:36:35 PM »

Heat

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1926 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:46:33 PM »

Quote from: BrandNew on May 11, 2011, 11:36:35 PM

Heat

Lebron and Wade were bad ass.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1927 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:47:05 PM »

OKC has just totally smothered the Memphis offense in this game, less than 60 points with 7 minutes to go.

Beezy · « **Reply #1928 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:33:43 AM »

I really hope the Grizzlies can take game 6.

etiolate · « **Reply #1929 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:59:43 AM »

Hope the Grizz can come back. I'm not watching Thunder/Heat.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1930 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:03:52 AM »

Quote from: Great Rumbler on May 11, 2011, 11:47:05 PM

OKC has just totally smothered the Memphis offense in this game, less than 60 points with 7 minutes to go.

True to an extent, but Memphis just looks tired to me. They basically lost twice in Game 4.

Cohen clearly has no eye for defense. Heat - Celtics was some of the most amazing defense I've ever seen, especially in light of their respective offensive capabilities against lesser defences. Amazing games.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #1931 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:04:47 PM »

I hope we see this next series

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1932 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:08:15 PM »

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1933 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:08:31 PM »

Derrick Rose is great but the Bulls offense has really devolved in the playoffs into 1 on 5.

Beezy · « **Reply #1934 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:24:26 PM »

Bosh

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1935 on:** May 12, 2011, 06:11:28 PM »

I love seeing slow-mo clips of blatantly-obvious flopping.

Beezy · « **Reply #1936 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:37:36 PM »

Heat vs. Bulls ECF

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1937 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:42:22 PM »

Should be a good series. honestly not sure who will win it.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1938 on:** May 13, 2011, 12:00:10 AM »

Also for what its worth the Heat never beat the Bulls this season. I think this series is all about the first two games. If the Bulls win the first two games its over. They [Heat] are not a team that will respond well to being down in a series 0-2 imo. I believe they are frontrunners and get their confidence from jumping out ahead or at least splitting the first two games.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1939 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:05:17 AM »

huh. I would have been with you a few weeks ago Stoney (I probably said as much...) but I think the Heat will win it handily now. In fact, I'd say they are the overwhelming favorites to win it all now, and my interest in the playoffs has dipped quite a bit since Game 4 of Heat - Celtics.

The Heat defense is ridiculous, especially when Spoelstra plays smart and plays Chalmers and Anthony big minutes (Bibby and Ilgauskas were the best players for the Celtics in that series...). There is just no way that the Bulls can contain the Heat better than the Heat can contain the Bulls. It might only go 5 games, I think.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1940 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:15:29 AM »

Predictions are always tough so who honestly knows what will happen.

What I will say is that I think Derrick Rose presents a rondo-like problem but much worse for the heat. The argument against that of course is that the rest of bulls aren't remotely up to the quality of garnett, pierce, or ray allen which I agree with. Are they gonna make the shots when he kicks it to them on his drives. Not sure. I still think they play equally as good a defense as the heat though.

My prediction is heat in 6 or 7. I just don't think they will roll over this bulls team easily. Especially with the bulls having home court advantage. If they do, then they are a lot better than I thought they were which I would be happy to see but that's not my current opinion of them. I think this series will be a grind.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1941 on:** May 13, 2011, 01:27:06 AM »

I agree that Rose is a Rondo-like problem. But LeBron and Wade are Lebron-like and Wade-like problems, respectively. Both are better players on both ends of the floor than Rose is (at this point in his career anyway). If they play Korver on Wade, it will be nuclear armageddon. If they don't, that leaves Deng as the best shooter for Rose, which is ok but not great. Boozer has been pretty terrible on both ends....the more minutes he plays, the more I like the Heat's chances.

Overall, they're a tough out but there is no way I see them beating the Heat now. Home court might stretch it to 6, but my gut say 5.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1942 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:09:43 AM »

...although Boozer would good tonight. Not clear if that means he's all better now though.

etiolate · « **Reply #1943 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:14:29 AM »

Heat will be the weakest frontline Boozer's faced in the playoffs.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1944 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:16:18 AM »

Maybe its the match-ups or the turf toe but Boozer has played god damn awful in these playoffs. Much worse than Bosh. Whichever of those two actually shows up will be a big deal.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1945 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:17:50 AM »

The Heat has survived Elton Brand and Kevin Garnett though. I doubt that match-up will be a major advantage for the Bulls.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1946 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:18:28 AM »

Taj Gibson has honestly been far better and worthy of more playing time.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #1947 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:24:05 AM »

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. The bulls have not proved to me that they are a playoff-ready team, despite the fact that they've gotten through the first two rounds against two pretty average teams. I don't know...I think the Bulls defense is great, but two teams with smothering D...I'll chose the team with the stronger offense to break free and get the important points. And I think the Heat have the scorers to do so: LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Chalmers, Anthony, and Jones. Who do the Bulls have, really, for scoring? Rose, Noah, and Deng? I pick the Heat in 6.

Mandark · « **Reply #1948 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:24:36 AM »

The Pacers forwards aren't the most intimidating group, and Boozer didn't eat them up. It might be the turf toe, but so far he's going totally Mo Williams this playoffs.

Chicago's struck me all year as regular season overachievers who kept up the intensity so much that they don't really have an extra gear for the playoffs. I could be wrong, but they really seem like a better version of a Scott Skiles team.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1949 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:29:10 AM »

The thing is Boozer's had good playoffs before this.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/1703/seasontype/3/carlos-boozer

Which leads me to believe his injury is really bothering him based on his huge decline.

Mandark · « **Reply #1950 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:32:00 AM »

Yeah, but the point's moot. Either way he's not likely to explode in the conference finals.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #1951 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:32:48 AM »

Yeah, I think if Boozer's healthy, these playoffs are a different story–this round, at least.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1952 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:35:44 AM »

Well since I'm rooting for the Heat I hope his feet fall completely off and he has another terrible series.

I'm hoping this is the real finals with the Bulls versus the Heat. Because I don't think the Grizzlies are gonna advance and the Mavs and the Thunder don't really play the exceptional kind of defense that I think its gonna take to win the title. (Although the mavs in general scare me a little more for some reason) So I think the Heat will have an easier time with those teams.

etiolate · « **Reply #1953 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:41:58 AM »

The Bulls should exploit whoever Bibby is guarding when he's on the floor. Does Bogans have enough of a game to do that? I figure that Wade will cover Rose.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1954 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:45:03 AM »

I think the Grizzlies could win tomorrow but I think the Thunder are gonna win that series.

Mavericks, Thunder could be an amazing offensive playoff series.

Mandark · « **Reply #1955 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:45:52 AM »

Bogans vs. Bibby would be the stoppable force vs. the movable object.

Really hope the Grizz take it to game 7. Wouldn't mind either team making the WCF, but I'd hate to think that awesome game 4 just broke their spirit.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #1956 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:02:52 AM »

Yeahh, I'd hate the Grizzlies to go out like chumps after that amazing game 4. I think they'll play well at home since the Memphis crowd is so great. I really want Memphis to win, but I'll be good with the Thunder because I love Durant. I hope its Heat-Mavs though, simply for the press of it all. Lebron/Wade vs. Nowitzki and Chandler...man I love the stories with that,

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1957 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:15:04 AM »

Quote from: etiolate on May 13, 2011, 02:41:58 AM

The Bulls should exploit whoever Bibby is guarding when he's on the floor. Does Bogans have enough of a game to do that? I figure that Wade will cover Rose.

If Spoelstra plays Bibby another second this year, he should be sacked. I am deadly serious.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1958 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:16:17 AM »

I am chatting with Bethlehem Shoals from freedarko on twitter now btw. I am such a fanboy for Free Darko, reading their 2nd book now actually.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1959 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:24:40 AM »

It just feels to me that the biggest questions of these playoffs have already been answered.

- does the Spurs regular season dominance mean they are back as contenders? (resounding no)
- are the Lakers just waiting to flip the switch? (no...unless they're waiting 'til next season

)
- are the Heat capable of playing together and not getting rattled in crunch time? (MASSIVE YES)

That'll be the Big 3 stories when we look back at these playoffs, and I bet the Heat's winning it all will put the last one to the fore, historically.

We've seen a lot of other entertaining stories which should fuel my obsessions next season, but probably won't affect the rest of this season too much. It's been a great ride, but I expect the shocks to tail off sharply from here.

Mandark · « **Reply #1960 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:34:28 AM »

Quote from: Cormacaroni on May 13, 2011, 03:16:17 AM

I am chatting with Bethlehem Shoals from freedarko on twitter now btw. I am such a fanboy for Free Darko, reading their 2nd book now actually.

Tell him to bring back Quotemonger!

I think there will be another big story if someone other than the Heat wins at this point (especially OKC or CHI). Next season we get "how legit are the Grizz?" I'd love to see this core keep going for a few more years, but I'm worried about a 2006 Clippers situation.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1961 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:46:21 AM »

Well, yeah, it would be a big story IF someone beats the Heat now. Because everyone with two eyes in their head now expects them to win.

The Grizz would be set were it not for Gasol being able to opt out. He's earned himself a shitload of cash in the past few weeks. I'm not sold on Conley but he just has to not kill them, really.

Have you read the Free Darko books, Mandark? They are really something.

Cormacaroni · « **Reply #1962 on:** May 13, 2011, 04:11:25 AM »

epic troll

'The Heat barely knocked off a Celtics team led by a one-armed point guard. Miami needed overtime Monday night and a 10-point, late-game eruption from James on Wednesday night to hold off an injury-riddled and worn Celtics squad'

and yet:
'We’ve never seen anything like the pairing of James and Wade. It’s better than Jordan and Pippen.'

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/LeBron-James-Dwyane-Wade-Chris-Bosh-Miami-Heat-are-no-match-for-Derrick-Rose-Chicago-Bulls-051211

Brehvolution · « **Reply #1963 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:09:38 AM »

Has anyone been more clutch since Jordan than Lebron James?

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1964 on:** May 13, 2011, 11:19:00 PM »

Memphis look like they will force a game 7.

Mandark · « **Reply #1965 on:** May 13, 2011, 11:19:55 PM »

Aw shit, Zach Randolph getting into one of those grooves again...

Beezy · « **Reply #1966 on:** May 14, 2011, 12:25:38 AM »

Can't wait until Sunday.

T234 · « **Reply #1967 on:** May 15, 2011, 03:27:32 PM »

Okc-Grizz here in a few.

GO GRIZZ

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1968 on:** May 15, 2011, 03:43:00 PM »

Grizz defense giving Durant fits. He has to have at least a decent game for them to win this.

etiolate · « **Reply #1969 on:** May 15, 2011, 04:54:20 PM »

Grizz missing a lot of makeable shots. Can be good or bad, considering how ugly their first half was and they're still in the game. Either they correct their shooting and this goes down to the wire, or they keep bricking and this is probably a blowout.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1970 on:** May 15, 2011, 05:16:37 PM »

Durant is how now. Not a good sign for the Grizz

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1971 on:** May 15, 2011, 05:25:06 PM »

Thunder killing it from 3 point range.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1972 on:** May 15, 2011, 05:52:12 PM »

Gotta give credit to the thunder. Everybody who needed to stepped up and crushed it.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1973 on:** May 15, 2011, 05:56:28 PM »

I was hoping the Thunder would step up on their home court and they've done just that.

etiolate · « **Reply #1974 on:** May 15, 2011, 06:04:33 PM »

Harden was crazy. Wonder if Westbrook will be able to defer like this for more than one game.

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1975 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:37:48 PM »

Go Dallas. Fuck 'em hard.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1976 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:04:38 PM »

Heat getting killed on the offensive boards.

Spoelstra you might wanna do something about that line-up wise you jackass.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1977 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:52:44 PM »

So far this game is exactly why I think this will be a 6 or 7 game series and Chicago has a real chance. Miami is getting nothing easy. They are getting killed on the offensive boards. And they aren't going to win this first game I don't think. Spolestra is making no adjustment from what I see.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1978 on:** May 15, 2011, 10:04:33 PM »

It's over. Bulls crushed tonight. Their defense is stifling.

If the Heat lose the next one they are in big trouble. Hell after the way this first game has gone down I kinda think they are in trouble anyway. We'll see.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #1979 on:** May 15, 2011, 10:28:41 PM »

Bosh was the only Heat who had a good game tonight. Wade and Lebron both were terrible.

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Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1519828 times)