Yay, It's the 2010 NBA Playoffs thread!

[RainMaker]

I still think Cleveland is the cream of the crop thanks to Lebron, but I'm less confident they'll be in the Finals this year than I was a week or so ago.

The Bulls are better than a #8 seed but barely snuck in thanks to major injuries throughout the season. But still, the Cavs have had some trouble in this series. Maybe they win in 5 and everyone goes on their way, but I think Game 2 and 3 showed some serious flaws defensively.

The Bulls have been extremely efficient the last two games (and they are not an efficient offense). Not a lot of turnovers and some very open looks. While Lebron has done his thing when he's needed to, the rest of that team has not been good defensively. They aren't forcing turnovers at all and letting Rose completely destroy them. That will work in the first round against an overmatched Bulls squad, but I don't think you can be that lax against the better teams.

And Shaq sucks. He'll back his fat ass into 15 points a night but he's a huge liability on the court against any center who can run the floor. Noah beat him down the court regularly to the point that they had to pull him in the 2nd half. I don't even want to know what Dwight Howard is going to do to him.

I also think people need to realize how important a title is for Lebron. Despite his age, he's in his prime now and probably only has 5-7 more years left as an elite performer. There are a lot of minutes on that body and he's going to have to start winning titles soon if he wants to be up there with elites.

[larrymcg421]

LOL, Wade runs into Rondo's back and Rondo gets called for the foul. I don't think NBA officiating is rigged. I just think it makes absolutely no sense.

[larrymcg421]

LOL, studio host mentions Dwyane Wade's comments about being able to come back from a 2-0 deficit like they did in 2006, and then throws it to Avery Johnson. Cold.

[larrymcg421]

Pierce buzzerbeater FTW!

[SirFozzie]

Hoooooolleee shit. I was screaming at the tv "Drive! Do something! Three seconds.. SHOOOT DAMN YOU! NOOOOO..... YES!"

[TroyF]

Nuggets/Jazz series is about over. Denver, for the most part isn't even trying. The only guy who is is Melo and if the Jazz have how to defend him down cold. Simply flop, flop, flop and watch the refs call foul after foul. it's fucking comical. How they can justify a call like that last one on Mathews?

It isn't going to decide the game, the Jazz are the only team that wants to play tonight. But it's still disgusting. Melo with 22 shot attempts tonight. 17 actual, 4 offensive fouls on Jazz flops and 2 FT attempts. Just comical.

As for the Jazz, the flopping will work on Melo. it won't on Kobe. They'll also face a team that actually cares to play some defense. They'll be done in round two.

[RainMaker]

I told you that's why Utah is such a tough out. The stadium is built so fans are right on top of the court and those fans are nasty. There is always home cooking in the playoffs with the refs, but they get scared in Utah and sort of feed off the energy of the crowd.

You guys did get to the line 35 times so it's not like they weren't blowing the whistle on them.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo

In fairness to Troy here, I screamed at the television for the exact same reason.

It's funny, I saw this same play, and didn't see at first who shot it, just assumed at that point of the game it had to be Durant. Then the announcer said Ibaka misses the jump shot, and I lmao.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

LOL, studio host mentions Dwyane Wade's comments about being able to come back from a 2-0 deficit like they did in 2006, and then throws it to Avery Johnson. Cold.

Cold. And yet completely awesome.

[Ajaxab]

Spurs withstand a 17-0 third quarter run by the Mavs to beat Dallas in an extremely hard fought game. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili played like it was '07 and George Hill had his first good game of the series. Parker's injuries the last couple of seasons may have been a blessing in disguise. He looked as fresh as he's looked since the start of '08 last night. Hill has had a chance to get some experience and is becoming a solid player.

Dirk played just about as well as he could play but Caron Butler was invisible and Terry faded down the stretch. If all the remaining games are as intense as last night's, I have a hard time seeing either team getting past Phoenix in the next round. The winner is going to be physically and mentally drained.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

LOL, Wade runs into Rondo's back and Rondo gets called for the foul. I don't think NBA officiating is rigged. I just think it makes absolutely no sense.

[whomario]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

Spurs withstand a 17-0 third quarter run by the Mavs to beat Dallas in an extremely hard fought game. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili played like it was '07 and George Hill had his first good game of the series. Parker's injuries the last couple of seasons may have been a blessing in disguise. He looked as fresh as he's looked since the start of '08 last night. Hill has had a chance to get some experience and is becoming a solid player.

Dirk played just about as well as he could play but Caron Butler was invisible and Terry faded down the stretch. If all the remaining games are as intense as last night's, I have a hard time seeing either team getting past Phoenix in the next round. The winner is going to be physically and mentally drained.

agree, this was a "slugfest" in the best possible way (well, if you are only watching). I don´t think any player got to any spot without getting bumped a couple times and every shot was contested.
Tough loss for the Mavs but i don´t think that series is close to decided, can very well see the Mavs winning game 4.

Nowitzki indeed played a great game, at some point it´s not on the best player but on the role players to step up. The only one that really did that yesterday was Barea, who´s playing a pretty good series again.
Still i´d like to see more Beaubois in game 4.

Tim Duncan has been amazing so far, very impressive showing so far ! And it´s not like Dampier is playing bad defense, he´s actually playing Duncan very well i think.

[Ajaxab]

Is Phil Jackson getting increasingly desperate? His tactic of 'deflect attention toward someone else when my team doesn't get the job done' wore out its welcome long ago.

[MrBug708]

10 rings is hard to argue with

[whomario]

Brandon Roy has been activated, 8 days after knee surgery I had that same injury and surgery twice and i barely could walk without crutches after 8 days. Even when you don´t have to "do" much inside the knee and it´s a minor surgery, that´s absolutely unbelievable.


Charlotte finishing the game with, um, not good late-game execution ... Huge FTs by Gortat to finish the game and essentially the series.

[Big Fo]

Great reception for Roy by the Blazer fans.

[RainMaker]

Is there any risk for further damage? If so, it's kind of silly to bring him back.

[whomario]

not really, at least not directly. Of course, there´s allways the risk of sub-consciously favoring one side or just make unusual moves. But the injury/surgery itself really shouldn´t cause any serious problems (some swelling of course could allways happen).
It´s basically a "if you can do sth you are allowed to do it medically" type of injury.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow - that was an absurd fucking call.

i hope kobe fucking breaks his leg and has to retire...that was ridiculous. clear travel and then he bitches and gets it reversed.

[Neon_Chaos]

Blame the refs.

[Neon_Chaos]

The Lakers should just pack it up and concede this one. They've been outhustled on both ends of the floor and are having a nightmare of a game.

[Neuqua]

The Thunder are going to be downright frightening in a year or two. Wow.

[CU Tiger]

I ahve no doubt that the Lakers will blow the Thunder out when they get back to LA, but this is a fun feel goo basketball game.

Reminds me of the very early Charlotte Hornet days...

[vex]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

I ahve no doubt that the Lakers will blow the Thunder out when they get back to LA, but this is a fun feel goo basketball game.

Reminds me of the very early Charlotte Hornet days...

Which was favorite team as well until the dismantling.

[Ajaxab]

I fully expect Phil Jackson to petition the league about the distracting problem of fans wearing the same colored shirts as the home team. 'Course David Stern will not do anything about the problem because that would mean he would be acting too heavy-handed.

I still see LA winning this series, but it was hard not to start seeing flashes of Dallas-Golden St. from '07 last night with the raucous crowd and the underdog playing lights out.

[RainMaker]

About 6 hours from heading to the United Center for Game 4 of Cavs-Bulls. This series has turned out to be a lot funner than I had thought it would be.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

wow - that was an absurd fucking call.

i hope kobe fucking breaks his leg and has to retire...that was ridiculous. clear travel and then he bitches and gets it reversed.

Ahahahaha

[Neuqua]

Lebron's obviously the superior player but I do wish he handled himself with the class that MJ and DWade do.

Wade's gone nuts this game, single handedly beating Boston.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Ahahahaha

you're kidding me that you're somehow going to try to say that wasn't a travel? it was clear as fucking day, and the refs had it right the first time, until kobe bitched enough to get it overturned

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

you're kidding me that you're somehow going to try to say that wasn't a travel? it was clear as fucking day, and the refs had it right the first time, until kobe bitched enough to get it overturned

I think his response was about your ridiculous "breaking leg" overreaction than anything to do with the play itself.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

you're kidding me that you're somehow going to try to say that wasn't a travel? it was clear as fucking day, and the refs had it right the first time, until kobe bitched enough to get it overturned

CR had it right. I can also appreciate the irony in you pointing out how Kobe "bitched" about the call.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Lebron's obviously the superior player but I do wish he handled himself with the class that MJ and DWade do.

Wade's gone nuts this game, single handedly beating Boston.

Getting the props on Wade prior to his tenure in Chi-town?

[whomario]

James needs to stop shooting 3s, at least at the rate he´s doing now and of the variety he´s taking them, there´s just no reason .

I love Hubie Brown. I get that he can be annoying to some, but he flatout knows what he´s talking about in comparison to couple other of those "experts" on the air.

[Neuqua]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Getting the props on Wade prior to his tenure in Chi-town?

Hah, I'd love nothing more than to see Wade come back home and play but I think he's the least likeliest to leave. Every sign I get from him suggests he loves living in South Beach.

Don't know how much of a match him and Rose would be together anyway, as both are perimeter players who need the ball.

[TroyF]

Kobe in games 1 and 2 - Averages 13.5 FT a game.

Kobe in games 3 and 4 - 1 FT a game.

hmmm, I wonder if Kobe might be going to the line 20 times in game 5.

Dallas beats the Spurs by 6 in game one with a +20 FTA advantage. they lose the next two games. One was equal, one was +11 for the Spurs.

Wade gets to the foul line 16 times in the first three games. Miami loses all three. He gets to the line 14 times in game four.

The reffing in the playoffs has been comical, inconsistent and all personality based. Just another year with Stern as the MAN.

As for the games themselves: OKC was unbelievable the other night. I picked the Suns to get out of the west, I'm starting to believe it might be the Spurs. I don't think the Lakers will make it out this year. I'm not impressed at all with what Cleveland is doing. I think they may have a much tougher time with the Celtics than anyone first thought.

[TroyF]

As for the Nuggets, I'll be stunned if they are within 20 of the Jazz tonight. Billups and Melo are playing hard. Lawson is as well. Kenyon is hurt far worse than he's letting on. Nene has been a total disaster this series and the Nuggets are getting the ugly version of JR. Combine that with the jazz flopping and getting four offensive fouls a game on Melo because of it, and I don't see how Denver stays in this series. I almost with AK had played now. They never gave AK the flops they are giving Myles and Dwill.

One final note about the Cavs. . . I'm watching the Bulls consistently pass the ball around and get open shots. As the Bulls can't shoot worth a crap, many of these open shots are missed, but it isn't changing the fact that the Bulls can get an open 15 footer virtually anytime they want it, especially with Shaq on the floor. Maybe I'm being too critical, but if they don't turn it up about 3 levels, they are going to have to rely on James outscoring the other team the entire playoffs. I don't think they can win that way.

[TroyF]

One more dola here. . .

Noah is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. If you'd have asked me four months ago who I'd rather have, Varajeo or Noah, i'd have said Varajeo without question. The Varajeo/Noah matchup in the last three games has been comical. Noah is owning the guy all over the court.

The Bulls get a solid free agent and a real coach, it wouldn't shock me at all to see them and OKC in the NBA Finals as early as next year.

[Neuqua]

Bulls shooting 40% and still in striking distance in the first half, I guess I can't complain too bad.

I love watching Deng run out every time Lebron is shooting, that's worked real well for the Bulls so far. We need to try to make a couple 3's and establish that threat.

[stevew]

LeBron nailed that almost half courter like it was nothing. Crazy.

[Neuqua]

He's entered the NBA Jam "He's on Fire" mode.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by TroyF

One more dola here. . .

Noah is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. If you'd have asked me four months ago who I'd rather have, Varajeo or Noah, i'd have said Varajeo without question. The Varajeo/Noah matchup in the last three games has been comical. Noah is owning the guy all over the court.

The Bulls get a solid free agent and a real coach, it wouldn't shock me at all to see them and OKC in the NBA Finals as early as next year.

He has shown me skills that I did not know he had. He still has the hustle and his ability to be a pain in the ass but he has also showed some very good passing skills. He still causes me to cringe whenever he takes a shot though. While I still don't think he is a starter for a championship team, he has exceeded the expectations that I had for him when he was drafted.

[miami_fan]

BTW That crowd in Milwaukee last night sounded great last night.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Neuqua

Lebron's obviously the superior player but I do wish he handled himself with the class that MJ and DWade do.

Lebron's more worried about showboating, dancing, and looking pretty. It's why despite being the most physically gifted player to ever play the game, he's yet to win a championship at the halfway point of his prime. Lebron wants to dance and choreograph introductions, Jordan just wanted to kick the shit out of you on the court.

[sooner333]

On the travel, the local (OKC) announcers said it likely wasn't a travel because the ball was touched while he was in the air, so he had a free dribble. It is ridiculous that he got the call reversed due to his pouting though--right or wrong.

[ace1914]

Originally Posted by TroyF

The Bulls get a solid free agent and a real coach, it wouldn't shock me at all to see them and OKC in the NBA Finals as early as next year.

There is nothing wrong with Del Negro. They took Salmons away and gave him a couple of scrubs. Plus Noah, Deng and Rose were pretty banged up for a good part of the season. This is why the Cavs have had a bit of a problem with the Bulls. They are a 5 or 6 seed with everyone healthy. Not enough to beat you, but enough to take you to six games.

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Lebron's more worried about showboating, dancing, and looking pretty. It's why despite being the most physically gifted player to ever play the game, he's yet to win a championship at the halfway point of his prime. Lebron wants to dance and choreograph introductions, Jordan just wanted to kick the shit out of you on the court.

Jordan was 28 before he won a title!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Jordan was 28 before he won a title!

Jordan also got the same criticism before he won his first title as well. Remember how he was doing too much dunking and fancy shooting to ever win a title?

[Noop]

I think LeBron compares to Magic Johnson.
Dewayne Wade is like a young Jordan.
Kobe Bryant is the old Jordan.

I hate the Celtics.

[Eaglesfan27]

Feels like San Antonio is choking this game away..

Until Manu hit that huge 3.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Jordan was 28 before he won a title!

Lebron is deeper into his career than Jordan. NBA isn't about age, it's about minutes on the body. Most players breakdown at the same number of minutes.