***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

The Cavs were on the road...if LBJ ties it, the Pistons still get a chance to win it...

And o/t at home. I.e. Detroit likely still wins.

Conversely...Marshall makes that shot, the Cavs go up 1 and they are one stop on D away from a huge win.

I feel like it was the right play.

What we are all overlooking is that Marshall should have hit it. Open 3's don't get much more open than that. He should have made it.

My issue with that, Marshall was hot the last game, but the rest of the playoffs, and 90% of the season he's been ice cold.

[Court_vision]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

My issue with that, Marshall was hot the last game, but the rest of the playoffs, and 90% of the season he's been ice cold.

Agreed.

Realistically, though...LBJ simply cannot beat the Pistons on his own.

His teammates are going to have to hit key shots. Marshall was so wide open that he could have made a cup of tea while he got ready to take it...

LBJ is going to have to keep trusting those guys.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I agree with you 100%.

I want to see LeBron get that killer streak in him though, final 10 seconds of a game should be LBJ time, not Donyell Marshall time.

And I'll say this, James can't win today. Had Marshall made the show, it was genius, now that he missed it, it's on LeBron for making the pass.

I blogged my full opinion on it, and stand by my not passing, taking the shot opinion.

[Court_vision]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Steve Kerr.

Giving Cavs their best shot

By Steve Kerr
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 1:37 am EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Should he have shot instead of passed?
That was the question being asked at the Palace on Monday night after LeBron James passed up a last-second, potentially game-tying hoop and dished the ball to a wide-open Donyell Marshall at the three-point line. If Marshall makes the shot, we're all praising LeBron for his unselfish nature and passing skills. But since Marshall missed -- and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Detroit Pistons -- critics are saying LeBron should have attacked the rim and gone for the tie.

Personally, I loved the decision. On the road against a superior team, you go for the win. Marshall had hit six three-pointers in the Cavs' East semifinals closeout game against New Jersey, so why not give him a look? Mike Brown designed a beautiful play, James executed it perfectly and Marshall didn't hesitate. As a coach, you cheer your team and say, "Let's get 'em next time."
But when LeBron is involved, there is always going to be second guessing. Why? Because, with his talent, people expect him to be the second coming of Michael Jordan. But that's not who he is.

Let's put it this way: Would M.J. have passed that ball? No way. But Magic Johnson would have, and fans wouldn't have thought twice about it ("There goes Magic, making his teammates better"), so before you start criticizing James, it's important to recognize who he is. He's a guy who is most comfortable passing the ball, and he's not someone who shoots free throws well down the stretch.

[jmood88]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I agree with that. Your star player has to make star plays. Granted Marshall was open, but LeBron had the chance to at least tie it, as he was most likely getting fouled on that if he put it up.

Oh well, game 2 now.

But c'mon, he was wide open. It's not like Lebron passed it to someone who had no chance of making it. I do agree that Lebron should take more shots but if Donyell made that shot the game was over.

[jmood88]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Steve Kerr.

Giving Cavs their best shot

By Steve Kerr
Tuesday, May 22, 2007 1:37 am EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Should he have shot instead of passed?
That was the question being asked at the Palace on Monday night after LeBron James passed up a last-second, potentially game-tying hoop and dished the ball to a wide-open Donyell Marshall at the three-point line. If Marshall makes the shot, we're all praising LeBron for his unselfish nature and passing skills. But since Marshall missed -- and the Cleveland Cavaliers lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Detroit Pistons -- critics are saying LeBron should have attacked the rim and gone for the tie.

Personally, I loved the decision. On the road against a superior team, you go for the win. Marshall had hit six three-pointers in the Cavs' East semifinals closeout game against New Jersey, so why not give him a look? Mike Brown designed a beautiful play, James executed it perfectly and Marshall didn't hesitate. As a coach, you cheer your team and say, "Let's get 'em next time."
But when LeBron is involved, there is always going to be second guessing. Why? Because, with his talent, people expect him to be the second coming of Michael Jordan. But that's not who he is.

Let's put it this way: Would M.J. have passed that ball? No way. But Magic Johnson would have, and fans wouldn't have thought twice about it ("There goes Magic, making his teammates better"), so before you start criticizing James, it's important to recognize who he is. He's a guy who is most comfortable passing the ball, and he's not someone who shoots free throws well down the stretch.

I completely agree, even though Magic was talking about how he should've shot. Lebron is probably the only elite player I've seen who gets criticized for trying to get his teammates involved.

[Shaver]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Anyone who is defending LeBron for passing up that shot is kidding themselves. Yes, Marshall was wideopen... but big players make big plays in big situations. Whoever said Larry and MJ needed help too forgets about two things.... #1 Larry Bird NEVER passed up a shot in that situation. Never. He'd take it now. #2 MJ only passed those shots after he had made them dozens of times. Now is the time LeBron needs to take those shots. Throw the dagger at teams and build the body of work.... then that pass off is more justified. LeBron has shown little to no willingness to take that shot.

Second Point.... the "Pistons Fans" in this thread are so funny to me. I loved the beating on Rasheed the whole game and then when they win they all switch to "Well... he did have a good game." Wake up, Fellas. That's what you get with Rasheed. If you accept what he brings that is good... you accept the bad as well. Don't ride the fence.

Finally....I pray that I am watching the night that a player turns around and punches Mike Brown in the face. I've never seen a coach that screams and flails his arms in an attempt to distract the other team's shooters more than that ****er. Is he gonna drop a "Hey Batter Batter Batter... Hey...." next? Have a little dignity kid. Jeez.

Win is a win. Thanks Pistons.

[Fiddy]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Anyone who is defending LeBron for passing up that shot is kidding themselves. .

nope, not kidding myself.. could he have attacked the rim? yes, but i dont second guess him at all.. like steve kerr said, that is him... he likes to get teammates the ball and Marshall (like u mentioned) was open.. it sucks he missed but he had one heck of a look..

slobby b-ball for the most part by both teams all night.. Cavs had the edge in the first half and then the pistons in the second half just enough to win.. The Cavs were taking it to the hoop in the first half and didnt in the 2nd.. IMO that was the diff.. Pistons are a great team, would have been nice to get a win in game 1.. but lets go get em in game 2..

[Court_vision]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Anyone who is defending LeBron for passing up that shot is kidding themselves. Yes, Marshall was wideopen... but big players make big plays in big situations. Whoever said Larry and MJ needed help too forgets about two things.... #1 Larry Bird NEVER passed up a shot in that situation. Never. He'd take it now. #2 MJ only passed those shots after he had made them dozens of times. .

LBJ really is more similar to Magic than Michael or Bird though...

And Magic would have hit the open guy.

Facts are, Marshall should have made it. Then we're all talking about one of the great assists.

MJ passed those shots up to win championships. He always knew the value of team ball also. Steve Kerr won a championship on an MJ assist.

Sure, MJ had made many before...but they don't come bigger than the actual shot to win the ring.

MJ passed it up...and it was a great play.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I think the difference in Jordan dishing it out and James dishing it out is, Jordan hit many a game winning shot. Also missed many game winning shots. When you are that close to the basket, you can't be fearful of throwing it up and putting it on your own shoulders. Once LBJ hits a bunch of game winners, I'm more comfortable with him passing that out, until then, I want him taking the shot.

[Court_vision]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I think the difference in Jordan dishing it out and James dishing it out is, Jordan hit many a game winning shot. Also missed many game winning shots. When you are that close to the basket, you can't be fearful of throwing it up and putting it on your own shoulders. Once LBJ hits a bunch of game winners, I'm more comfortable with him passing that out, until then, I want him taking the shot.

Watching the game live, I felt it was the right play.

Watching it back again on video right now...not sure. He was pretty much at the basket when he passed. The double came prettty late. He had a reasonably easy look.

If he was at the top of the key and doubled...the open man is always the play IMO.

That close to the basket though...got to go with you fellas. He should have been looking to score.

[Shaver]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

I think the difference in Jordan dishing it out and James dishing it out is, Jordan hit many a game winning shot. Also missed many game winning shots. When you are that close to the basket, you can't be fearful of throwing it up and putting it on your own shoulders. Once LBJ hits a bunch of game winners, I'm more comfortable with him passing that out, until then, I want him taking the shot.

Exactly!

Of course, being a Pistons fan, everyone assumes I'm hating on the guy... but a Cavs fan says the same thing and people nod.

LeBron has not shown the willingness to take the shot and miss. THAT is what Bird and MJ had.

[Shaver]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

nope, not kidding myself.. could he have attacked the rim? yes, but i dont second guess him at all.. like steve kerr said, that is him... he likes to get teammates the ball and Marshall (like u mentioned) was open.. it sucks he missed but he had one heck of a look..

Why not question him? What has he shown in that situation that would make you trust him?

Look... LeBron James is unstoppable with a head of steam to the basket. He should be taking that shot 100 times out of 100 right now. Period.

[Fiddy]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Why not question him? What has he shown in that situation that would make you trust him?

Look... LeBron James is unstoppable with a head of steam to the basket. He should be taking that shot 100 times out of 100 right now. Period.

i'm a Cavs fan not a LBJ fan only.. i want my team to have the best possible look to win a game and we got it and didnt win.. move on to game 2..

[trobinson97]

Re: ***Official 2007 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread***

Anyone who is defending LeBron for passing up that shot is kidding themselves. Yes, Marshall was wideopen... but big players make big plays in big situations.

I'm not kidding myself either. If Marshall hit the shot, it would have been because a big player (LeBron) making a big play. I have no criticism for it at all. If he instead tried to lay it up and missed it with no foul called, I can't help but feel some of the same people who are criticizing him for passing would be now criticizing for not kicking out to a wide open Marshall who was still confident from Game 6 of the Nets series.

#1 Larry Bird NEVER passed up a shot in that situation. Never. He'd take it now. #2 MJ only passed those shots after he had made them dozens of times. Now is the time LeBron needs to take those shots. Throw the dagger at teams and build the body of work.... then that pass off is more justified. LeBron has shown little to no willingness to take that shot.

There is a difference here, Lebron is not those players. He's definitely not as good a shooter as those two. His greatest strength right now is getting to the basket and drawing defenders to find an open man. Now, he might not have the best cast to supplement that strength, but I think he made the right decision. He went for the win, but came up short.

Second Point.... the "Pistons Fans" in this thread are so funny to me. I loved the beating on Rasheed the whole game and then when they win they all switch to "Well... he did have a good game." Wake up, Fellas. That's what you get with Rasheed. If you accept what he brings that is good... you accept the bad as well. Don't ride the fence.

So now we aren't being acceptable fans. Would I rather have Rasheed than not have him? Of course. Did he make some questionable choices last night but still end up with a nice overall game? Sure, but that doesn't mean I have to happy with every decision he makes. It doesn't mean that if I, as a fan, think he should have done something else, shouldn't voice that opinion. I would rather see Sheed's mid to low post game where he makes shots more consistently than when he's hanging around the three point line. Even when he makes a three it's more of a "phew" feeling rather than a "great shot Sheed" feeling. There is no "fence riding" here. I am for the Sheed and the Pistons, but I am not going to defend every mistake he makes just because I am a fan of his or his team. Since when is it wrong to criticize players on a team?