The Official Thread of the NBA Playoffs

[Cormacaroni]

Well, Cleveland are a far better team so the odds are pretty good they'll take any given game, especially with LeBron's elbow better. The Celtics look beat already - lots of slumping and frowny faces on the bench.

I don't get the parallels with last season, sorry. Both the Cavs and the Magic have had multiple seasons of destroying chumps at this point, they know the difference in difficulty between playing the Bulls and playing the Lakers.

[etiolate]

I think the Magic almost have to blow out everyone to win in these playoffs. I don't see anyone on that team that can finish out a close game for them.

[Cormacaroni]

Depends on whether Howard is in foul trouble, really. If he  only has 2 or 3 in the 4th, they can play exactly like they do in the 1st. You do have a point that no-one other than Howard can really get to the line, and he can't make them. But they're an unconventional team - they win plenty of close games with the 3pt shot.

[TakingBackSunday]

I think the Magic almost have to blow out everyone to win in these playoffs. I don't see anyone on that team that can finish out a close game for them.

Expanding on Cormac's post, did you watch any of the Eastern Conference Finals last year when they played the Cavs?  The first few games were exceedingly close, and the Magic would win with clutch threes from Pietrus, Lewis, and Turkeyglue.  They aren't that much different this year, only TurkeyGlue is gone and Vince Carter has been great in sealing the deal so far this playoff season.

[Cormacaroni]

And they're only "clutch" because they happened to come late in the game - those were high percentage shots that those guys were hitting all season on the same set-ups, not off-balance heaves by Kobe at the end of the shot clock.

And btw LeBron

Simply not human

[Brehvolution]

I never thought I would see anyone better than Jordan, but Lebron is fucking amazing. He just needs 6 rings to prove it to me.

[etiolate]

I think the Magic almost have to blow out everyone to win in these playoffs. I don't see anyone on that team that can finish out a close game for them.

Expanding on Cormac's post, did you watch any of the Eastern Conference Finals last year when they played the Cavs?  The first few games were exceedingly close, and the Magic would win with clutch threes from Pietrus, Lewis, and Turkeyglue.  They aren't that much different this year, only TurkeyGlue is gone and Vince Carter has been great in sealing the deal so far this playoff season.

Yeah, I watched. That's why I think they lack it now because Hedo was the guy setting those threes up, and when that failed he managed to make space to get his midrange shot. Rashard can nail that corner three, but he still needs to be set up.

[Cormacaroni]

Hedo is no genius playmaker, as has been adequately demonstrated by his tenure in Toronto. If Howard is on the floor and kicking ass, someone will be open for a three.

[TakingBackSunday]

Fuck, I thought the Cavs were on TNT tonight again...I've had Bones on for like the past three hours before I realized it was half-time on ESPN 

[Cormacaroni]

I never thought I would see anyone better than Jordan, but Lebron is fucking amazing. He just needs 6 rings to prove it to me.

Impossibly high standard. I'm not seeing Scottie Pippen or Phil Jackson out there.

[Brehvolution]

The knicks will sign Lebron and Nowvitski next season.

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[Cormacaroni]

just watch them blow it all on Joe Johnson and Carlos Boozer or somesuch

I'm a bit scared at the prospect of Bosh to the Lakers. He has some nice options. Houston could also really work for him, but it would be tough to turn down LA, and getting Bynum is by far the best option I can see for Toronto.

[TakingBackSunday]

This Dragic fellow is a fucking stud

[Phoenix Dark]

lol I headed downstairs to read, assuming the Spurs were on their way to a blowout of the Los Suns. Wow

[Stoney Mason]

Cavs completely falling apart.

It's hard to honestly see this as a championship squad.

[Stoney Mason]

Maybe spoke too soon...


Closing the gap now.

[Cormacaroni]

Boston is a tough out, but the Cavs are the better team. This was always going to be a long series, as will be the one with Orlando (and they might lose THAT one).

[Stoney Mason]

It amazes how dogshit the cavs offense can look at times.

[Stoney Mason]

Rondo

27 pts  18 Rebs 13 Ast  2 stl

 

[Cormacaroni]

Mo Williams has been exposed again, can barely penetrate anyway, forgets how to shoot in the playoffs. He barely handles the ball either so he has the easiest point guard job in the league; even then he barely contributes other than opening the door for Rondo, Rose etc.

[TakingBackSunday]

Mo is a terrible playoff player.  We need West in more.  And just overall the Cavs need to hit their threes.  They had NOTHING going on today.  They're so inconsistent 

[T234]

Rondo

27 pts  18 Rebs 13 Ast  2 stl

 

WHERE OH WHERE DID HE PLAY HIS COLLEGE BALL?

<-----------OH YEAH BITCHEZ

[TakingBackSunday]

Lebron had that "amazing" game but really a human can only be so focused only so much. It seems he expends all this emotional and physical energy in having these "statement" games (where he takes over) like the last one and then he'll have something like this: he plays a decent game but nothing too great.

He needs to be consistently good over three games, not great/decent/great. Stop being such a media panderer (its great to watch but you have to think how many crazy athletic plays he can do in such a short time) and learn to play a consistent game like Kobe or Wade. I think it would put less stress on his body and let him have energy for a big play whenever he needs it.

Laker fans are the fucking worst.  Do people not remember Kobe JUST had a single digit game, like, a week ago?

[Cormacaroni]

what did LeBron end up with, 24-8-8, something like that? If Derek Rose had a line like that, it would lead ESPN.

[Phoenix Dark]

holy shit @ that Rondo pass

[TakingBackSunday]

what did LeBron end up with, 24-8-8, something like that? If Derek Rose had a line like that, it would lead ESPN.

22-9-8 I think

[Cormacaroni]

what did LeBron end up with, 24-8-8, something like that? If Derek Rose had a line like that, it would lead ESPN.

22-9-8 I think

And the guy he's guarding (Pierce) is averaging 12pts in this series. Yeah, tonight may not have been a dominant performance or anything, but blaming him for this loss is stoopid. The other team is pretty fuckin' good, easily good enough to bloody the Cavs badly before they move on. I don't think they're going to win though - the Big 3 are a joke compared to what they used to be. They'll have good nights individually but the chance of all 3 of them going off at once is pretty much nonexistent now.

[TakingBackSunday]

Pierce hasn't been making shots regardless.  Methinks they should put Lebron on Rondo.

[ToxicAdam]

At this point I'd rather have Boobie Gibson playing over Mo. I'll take my chances on 5 more turnovers a game for the clutch 3's that Gibson can provide. Mo couldn't even hit free throws down the stretch.

[Cormacaroni]

If LeBron could shut down Rondo, I'd be ready to call him the greatest defensive small forward of all time I think. Maybe for a few possessions here and there - a whole game would be madness. If LeBron gets in foul trouble, the Cavs are screwed.

[TakingBackSunday]

Spurs lose, return to assisted living homes you fogeys!

[Cormacaroni]

Glad to see the Suns get that monkey off their back. I think they can give the Lakers plenty thanks to their tougher bench, but their centers are so woeful I just can't pick them to win it. The Collins brothers need to leave the NBA for the good of the entire viewing public.

[TakingBackSunday]

The Lakers definitely look beatable, I think.  I think It'll be the Suns in 6 or 7.

[Stoney Mason]

You're letting your Lakers hate blind you. You can book the Lakers in the finals already. And honestly if the Cavs keep playing the way they have I favor the Lakers if the Cavs even get that far.

[ToxicAdam]

The only way you can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series is defense. Utah has made this series competitive because of this and the Rockets were able to push them to 7 last year.

If you can't get stops on the Lakers in the 4th Q, you're not winning. Unless Kobe plays selfish and beats himself (which happens from time to time).

[TakingBackSunday]

You're letting your Lakers hate blind you. You can book the Lakers in the finals already. And honestly if the Cavs keep playing the way they have I favor the Lakers if the Cavs even get that far.

Yeah I guess.  The Magic or the Lakers definitely look to be the favorites so far, based purely on their amount of losses (or lack of) and the point differential on the games they win.

[Cormacaroni]

You know, once upon a time, the thought of Kobe vs Vince Carter in the Finals would have seemed like a ratings wet dream. It would be a complete afterthought if we actually get a Magic-Lakers Finals now of course.

[Stoney Mason]

And the Cavs toss out another stinker. Not especially surprising. I honestly favored Boston after the previous game.

Mike Brown is so fired.

[Cormacaroni]

Magic-Lakers finals? Kind of my nightmare scenario but they're playing the best at this point. Anything could still happen though.

[TakingBackSunday]

Fucking hell, Boston in 6 for sure now. 

Mike Brown needs his ass canned.  Terrible coach.  Ilgauskas plays for nearly the entirely game...fucking what

[ToxicAdam]

Celtics are just a better defensive team, period. Unless the Cavs shoot the lights out the next two games, this one is done.

[Cormacaroni]

Celtics are just a better defensive team, period. Unless the Cavs shoot the lights out the next two games, this one is done.

Well, they are now. For most of the season, they were horrible and the Cavs were much better. This must be shocking to Cavs fans. Mo Williams campaigning for an All-Star spot gets more -worthy every day 

[Stoney Mason]

The Cavs just aren't built right. Even if they do come back to win this series, there is something just fundamentally flawed about the squad.

And picking up Shaq was a very shortsighted move to try to counter Orlando come the conference finals. The problem is they may not even make it that far.

[Cormacaroni]

Somebody said recently (and I agree) that the Cavs are a bunch of 6s playing with a 10 who makes them look like 8s most of the time. Well, I hope the Cavs aren't toast like everyone says - we deserve ONE Game 7, goddamnit! Hawks-Bucks doesn't count.

[Stoney Mason]

The Lakers really hit the jackpot in this playoffs.

A frisky but ultimately too young to challenge Thunder in the first round.
A game but short handed Jazz in the second round.
Another frisky but ultimately limited squad in the Suns.

The finals will be the first series where they get tested.

[The Fake Shemp]

Well, they are now. For most of the season, they were horrible and the Cavs were much better. This must be shocking to Cavs fans. Mo Williams campaigning for an All-Star spot gets more -worthy every day 

This just highlights why the NBA sucks - nobody plays during the regular season anymore. Veterans freely admit they don't "try" until the playoffs.

[Stoney Mason]

Well, they are now. For most of the season, they were horrible and the Cavs were much better. This must be shocking to Cavs fans. Mo Williams campaigning for an All-Star spot gets more -worthy every day 

This just highlights why the NBA sucks - nobody plays during the regular season anymore. Veterans freely admit they don't "try" until the playoffs.

I'll take the NBA over coma inducing baseball any day of the week.

[Cormacaroni]

Well, the teams on the bubble try, but generally I agree about the effort level. Most players are only roused by a personal rivalry or the chance to steal a march on a division rival etc. I'm still plenty entertained during the regular season, even though there are far too many games.

[The Fake Shemp]

I'll take the NBA over coma inducing baseball any day of the week.

Your loss!

Well, the teams on the bubble try, but generally I agree about the effort level. Most players are only roused by a personal rivalry or the chance to steal a march on a division rival etc. I'm still plenty entertained during the regular season, even though there are far too many games.

I'm just sick and tired of teams loading up with veterans that phone it in until the playoffs. I think this is exacerbated by the fact that half the NBA makes the playoffs, so a lot of veterans don't even feel the need to try.

I say reduce the playoff teams, and reduce the games. Make these guys play in the regular season. As is, the regular season is pointless.

[etiolate]

I had thought Lebron would stay in Cleveland and all these salary dumping teams would end up with overpaid scrubs, but if they lose to the Celtics then I don't see his reasons for staying.

[Stoney Mason]

If they lose in anything but the finals I can't see him staying.

[Cormacaroni]

He has some very very attractive options: Miami, Chicago, New York...all have a lot to offer.

Not sure why LA is considered a possible destination for Bosh (via sign and trade for Bynum) but not for LeBron? Obviously Kobe would feel challenged (he apparently resents Gasol more than a little) but if he could be made to see sense, man oh man, what a team that would be.

[Phoenix Dark]

Seems like most people here thought the Celtics were done a few days ago, as did I. The big three are old and it seems like only one of them shoots lights out a game, but overall the team plays some stingy defense.

LeBron and Wade on the same team would be sweet. Honestly I'd like to see him stay in Cleavland.


and I'll agree with Willco. NCAA tournament shits on the NBA playoffs

[TakingBackSunday]

Yeah, this year for sure.  The playoffs last year were pretty great, though.  Chicago/Boston's series last year was incredible.

I obviously want Lebron to stay in Cleveland, and honestly I don't really see him having many options other than Miami if he were to leave.  Whether people want it or not, Lebron going to the Bulls invites the comparison that I'm sure neither Lebron nor Jordan want, not to mention severely undercutting Derrick Rose's leadership role.  As for the Knicks, why on God's green Earth would Lebron go to a terrible team that will absolutely need another two years to rebuild around Lebron, only to find himself in almost the exact position Cleveland is in now?  He wants a championship A.S.A.P., and his best chances are with already established teams (Cleveland or Miami).  Wade has already made it clear that for him to stay in Miami, he needs some better vets around him, and has openly campaigned for Lebron possibly coming down.  That is really the only situation I can see happening if Lebron decides to leave.

But to be honest, if the Cavs lose, I think there's a much better chance of Mike Brown getting canned (thank christ) than Lebron leaving.  As for if they win, I have no clue.

edit: Also, I changed my mind.  This current series goes 7 games, as I called it earlier in the playoffs.  The Cavs play the best when under the most pressure, especially Lebron.  Not to mention they're one of the best road teams in the league.  But for Christ's sake, Brown, stop giving pity minutes to Z – JJ Hickson all fucking night.  Keep your starting line-up the same (maybe swap Mo for West), then if pressure points are needed, put in Lebron, Hickson, Gibson, Jamison, and West/Mo/maybe Moon if the occasion calls for him.  Brown is such a terrible coach.

[Phoenix Dark]

Any talk/chance of LeBron going to Boston?

[TakingBackSunday]

Oh God Cleveland would mass suicide if that were to happen.  I don't see that being a viable option though – I think there's a little too much hate between the teams, Lebron and Allen especially.

edit: of course if Lebron sees enough ones and zeros, who knows.

[CajoleJuice]

As for the Knicks, why on God's green Earth would Lebron go to a terrible team that will absolutely need another two years to rebuild around Lebron

http://nymag.com/news/sports/lebron/

[Stoney Mason]

Cleveland has a lot to offer.

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

[Great Rumbler]

Cleveland has a lot to offer.

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

"It's okay, I have my friends, I don't care."

 

[Phoenix Dark]