2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

Last year they were the top team with: no post presence whatsoever...no tall defenders...one-dimensional players Wally, Sasha and Ben as frontline contributors...and Bron wasn't the post player or shooter he is now. Even with those holes, the only teams that gave us trouble last year were ORL and LAL due to size mismatches.

That advantage is dust.

I agree that nothing in this regular season matters...but this aint the same team.

I agree. Between their acquisitions and Lebron's continued growth, Cleveland is a lock for Bron's first real chance to win a championship. Last year, I thought Denver would beat them in a matchup, but now I think Cleveland has too much size with the additions of Parker, Moon, Hickson and Shaq. (I know Hickson was there, but he wasn't in the rotation so he didn't count).

So Cleveland definitely beats Denver if they come out of the West. They easily beat Dallas if they defy the odds and come out. Los Angeles looks complacent right now. If they show up in the Finals as is, they will be embarrassed by Cleveland. Cleveland is big, they defend, they've got a great superstar and fantastic three point shooters. If they had a PF who could hit jumpers, they'd literally have no holes. But their SF is 6'8 and 260+ lbs, so that's a wash anyway.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

And I wish people would stop saying Spurs need help up front. If Duncan really is the best PF to ever play the game then he should be enough.

That's ridiculous. He's no longer in his prime, and it takes two big men to rebound and block shots at the championship level. One to block out, and one to get the ball. One to guard the post and one to help. One to have the ball in the post and the other to get bunnies/open jumpers.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

If there was a city that NEEDS(not deserves) a Championship, it's Cleveland now that New Orleans has their Championship now.

[PrettyT11]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

It's not just the Spurs system as to why RJ sucks.

The NBA has a heap of players that only get stats because they're there to be had on certain teams. Put them on good teams and they usually suck.

I would love to get rid of him but the fact is no one would take him.

I wouldn't put RJ in that catergory. He was a big part of a good Nets team. He wasn't just out there as a guy putting up numbers cause he has to. He put up over 20 a game multiple times as a second and sometimes third option.

He isn't the Spurs problem and is the easy cop out as to why the team as struggled. Yet people forget to mention that Manu is having the worst shooting year of his career and his lowest scoring output since his second season. Parker hasn't been the same player he was last year. This is Parker's lowest scoring output since 2005. Duncan is the only player on the squad that has been consistent and still playing on thier All Star level.

[NYCBred]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

I agree. Between their acquisitions and Lebron's continued growth, Cleveland is a lock for Bron's first real chance to win a championship. Last year, I thought Denver would beat them in a matchup, but now I think Cleveland has too much size with the additions of Parker, Moon, Hickson and Shaq. (I know Hickson was there, but he wasn't in the rotation so he didn't count).

So Cleveland definitely beats Denver if they come out of the West. They easily beat Dallas if they defy the odds and come out. Los Angeles looks complacent right now. If they show up in the Finals as is, they will be embarrassed by Cleveland. Cleveland is big, they defend, they've got a great superstar and fantastic three point shooters. If they had a PF who could hit jumpers, they'd literally have no holes. But their SF is 6'8 and 260+ lbs, so that's a wash anyway.

I think if Denver get another bigman, They'll match up with Cleveland for sure. Billups not going to allow Mo to get open shots, Affalo is going to play Parker good. Denver's bigs are terribly underrated. Melo and Lebron is going to go shot for shot.

I guess we'll just see next week when they play.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

I think if Denver get another bigman, They'll match up with Cleveland for sure. Billups not going to allow Mo to get open shots, Affalo is going to play Parker good. Denver's bigs are terribly underrated. Melo and Lebron is going to go shot for shot.

I guess we'll just see next week when they play.

If _____ got another bigman is an argument you could use for a lot of teams. San Antonio, Denver, Atlanta...

With the rosters as is, rebounding would undo the Nuggets in a 7 game series vs. the Cavs. There is a lot of time before the playoffs though, so who knows what will happen. There are some aging and hurt players on all of the good teams, so health will be a big issue going into the playoffs. If the playoffs were today, we'd be getting ready to crown the King.

[fluent2332]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

as for RJ, he needs to learn the plays, and the nuances that come with playing in the spurs offense. they also want him to rebound and play defense, and be aggressive offensively. all season he's looked pretty timid and lost out there, whereas someone like george hill who technically should not be as good as RJ is playing with a lot of confidence and looking great. that offense is about nuance and attention to detail and i think RJ is having a hard time catching on.

as for boston, i know it's too early to count them out but i think i'm going to do just that. KG looks like that once elite boxer who suffered a bad knockout and now he's a shell of his former self. that to me is the single key that will keep boston from getting back to the finals. i think the hawks can and will beat them in a 7 game series if they face in the 2nd rd, leaving a cleveland/hawks ECF. if the hawks face the magic in the 2nd rd it will be a different story, unless the hawks can add another big to throw at howard

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

If there was a city that NEEDS(not deserves) a Championship, it's Cleveland now that New Orleans has their Championship now.

Needs as in their sports history is futile? Or needs as in their city is so screwed up and the citizens need something to feel great about?

If it's the first one, Cleveland works.

If it's the second one, its Detroit.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

First one Matrix LOL.

Trust me, I'm with you all the way when it comes to the word "Need" or "Deserves".

[Rawdeal28]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

I agree. Between their acquisitions and Lebron's continued growth, Cleveland is a lock for Bron's first real chance to win a championship. Last year, I thought Denver would beat them in a matchup, but now I think Cleveland has too much size with the additions of Parker, Moon, Hickson and Shaq. (I know Hickson was there, but he wasn't in the rotation so he didn't count).

So Cleveland definitely beats Denver if they come out of the West. They easily beat Dallas if they defy the odds and come out. Los Angeles looks complacent right now. If they show up in the Finals as is, they will be embarrassed by Cleveland. Cleveland is big, they defend, they've got a great superstar and fantastic three point shooters. If they had a PF who could hit jumpers, they'd literally have no holes. But their SF is 6'8 and 260+ lbs, so that's a wash anyway.

cleveland is a better team yes, but when it comes down to it they still got the same offensive problems. they still play to slow. and although at times this year have run more, they still dont do it enough. and in crunch time its the same thing, Lebron at the top of key going 1 on 5.

for the cavs to win, lebron has to play well EVERY night. he cant have an off game and score like 10 points because they will lose against any good team. thats alot for one man to do every night and in the playoffs every game.

EDIT: Barkley just said the same thing.

[HMcCoy]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

cleveland is a better team yes, but when it comes down to it they still got the same offensive problems. they still play to slow. and although at times this year have run more, they still dont do it enough. and in crunch time its the same thing, Lebron at the top of key going 1 on 5.

for the cavs to win, lebron has to play well EVERY night. he cant have an off game and score like 10 points because they will lose against any good team. thats alot for one man to do every night and in the playoffs every game.

EDIT: Barkley just said the same thing.

Barkley is a moron. The Cavs avg more fast break points than both ORL and LAL, lol. There is a reason that 6 of the top 10 fastbreak point teams are ranked bottom 11 in defensive effeciency, and not one of those high pace teams even cracked the top ten. There also isn't one top 10 fast break team in the top ten of opponents FG%.

Slow pace facilitates great defense by choking off the other teams rhythm. This wins championships, Chowles...but your no-ring having *** wouldn't know much about what it takes to be a champ, lol.

It's also funny how Kobe's off balance crunchtime jumpers 1 on 5 is teh awesome, but James 1 on 5 breaking down the defense and creating wide open shots is terrible.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

HM I am in agreement.

I said it all last year in the playoffs. That thing LBJ does always results in good shots. As much as people knock it, I never have because LBJ usually makes the right play.

If Mo shows up an ounce last year, Cavs are in the Finals.

[HMcCoy]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

HM I am in agreement.

I said it all last year in the playoffs. That thing LBJ does always results in good shots. As much as people knock it, I never have because LBJ usually makes the right play.

If Mo shows up an ounce last year, Cavs are in the Finals.

Thank you.

Bron sizing up from 18 is a wide open jumpshot. Wide. Open. That's why he takes it...no one is going to body up on Bron at the top. He's not shooting on the run, posting up for fancy turnarounds from 18, or fading to the side on those shots. Those are uncontested, dribble for rhythm open jumpers he gets, and if the defender tries to cheat up, he gets taken to the bucket. When he can hit that shot more consistently, its a wrap. As is, he hits it more than enough times to ice games, ala the 2nd LAL game.

The one complaint I have about Le Iso is that the Cavs on the weakside should set picks for each other and have more activity, just to give the defenders something else to think about. Lebron prefers to have them set and ready to shoot off his penetration, but they have a few seconds to create a diversion while Bron sizes up.

[Rawdeal28]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

Thank you.

Bron sizing up from 18 is a wide open jumpshot. Wide. Open. That's why he takes it...no one is going to body up on Bron at the top. He's not shooting on the run, posting up for fancy turnarounds from 18, or fading to the side on those shots. Those are uncontested, dribble for rhythm open jumpers he gets, and if the defender tries to cheat up, he gets taken to the bucket. When he can hit that shot more consistently, its a wrap. As is, he hits it more than enough times to ice games, ala the 2nd LAL game.

The one complaint I have about Le Iso is that the Cavs on the weakside should set picks for each other and have more activity, just to give the defenders something else to think about. Lebron prefers to have them set and ready to shoot off his penetration, but they have a few seconds to create a diversion while Bron sizes up.

and thats the key right there. all that does is just make lebron and the Cavs easier to defend. we know when he is hot he can make them jumpers but if thats the case, u just do what orlando did, u send someone at him and force someone else to beat u. last year no one could hit that shot when they needed it.

we will see if Mo or anyone can hit that shot this year cuz i guarantee its gonna come down to that again. last year lebron was pretty much unstoppable but they still lost. ur literally asking ONE MAN to win four 7 game serieses (sp)

im sorry but i think thats too much to ask of one person.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: 2/1-2/7 NBA Discussion

It's also funny how Kobe's off balance crunchtime jumpers 1 on 5 is teh awesome, but James 1 on 5 breaking down the defense and creating wide open shots is terrible.

Wow, wine and gold earphones in full effect. People have complained about Kobe's shot selection his entire career.