Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

[Muzyk23]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Chi is no Boston. I would be very surprised if Bulls get to the Finals.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Chi is no Boston.

What do you mean? Boston is barely even Boston any more after the deadline deal fiasco.

[Muzyk23]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I meant Boston 08 vs Chicago 11

btw..I wouldn't count out Boston 11

[jeebs9]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I mean the Pacers have been a tough team all year long. Even when they weren't playing well. They still beat quality teams during the regular season (Especially since they got rid of Jim).

[HealyMonster]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Yea he walked.

I thought so, and thats what stunk about those announcers last night, they got so many names/calls wrong last night I didnt know what was happening. Even during that play they were screaming "And 1" as if the hibbert shot went in and he was fouled, I would have bet money it was a walk. Im still not 100% that it wasnt a walk and the announcers were saying offensive foul cause they were lost.

[Dice]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I meant Boston 08 vs Chicago 11

btw..I wouldn't count out Boston 11

So does that mean the 08 Hawks is better than the 11 Pacers?

[Po Pimp]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I mean the Pacers have been a tough team all year long. Even when they weren't playing well. They still beat quality teams during the regular season (Especially since they got rid of Jim).

Exactly. The Pacers have quality wins over the Bulls, Miami, Lakers also, so you can't be deceived by their record. Plus, after they made the coaching change, they actually have a winning record, and a lot of that is due to the new coach giving playing time to players who are NOW making a difference.

Also, I'm disappointed at all the Bulls fans who are losing faith. If you are a fan of a team, you ride with them to the end. The NBA is all about matchups. Rose did his thing, but he's also chasing around a PG who's about as quick as he AND who has an offensive game. Don't be surprised if the Bulls have an easier time against Miami/Boston/Atlanta than they would against Indiana and Orlando.

[ezekiel55]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I thought so, and thats what stunk about those announcers last night, they got so many names/calls wrong last night I didnt know what was happening. Even during that play they were screaming "And 1" as if the hibbert shot went in and he was fouled, I would have bet money it was a walk. Im still not 100% that it wasnt a walk and the announcers were saying offensive foul cause they were lost.

The foul was there, albeit pretty weak...he stiff-armed Noah in the face, watch the replay, there was contact.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I thought so, and thats what stunk about those announcers last night, they got so many names/calls wrong last night I didnt know what was happening. Even during that play they were screaming "And 1" as if the hibbert shot went in and he was fouled, I would have bet money it was a walk. Im still not 100% that it wasnt a walk and the announcers were saying offensive foul cause they were lost.

I think the announcers thought that the refs were saying Paul George was fouled on the put-back.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

The foul was there, albeit pretty weak...he stiff-armed Noah in the face, watch the replay, there was contact.

Eh, like the announcers said when they were looking back at the replay, it's just a bad foul to call. Noah was too far away for Hibbert to stiff-arm him out of the way. I'm good with that call being a travel instead, but it shouldn't have been a foul.

[ezekiel55]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Eh, like the announcers said when they were looking back at the replay, it's just a bad foul to call. Noah was too far away for Hibbert to stiff-arm him out of the way. I'm good with that call being a travel instead, but it shouldn't have been a foul.

Unfortunately there was contact to Noah's face/neck, check the replay...I dont like the call, but there is an argument for it.

[TMagic]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Completely unrelated to that foul call, but serious question anyway.

Am I the only one who thinks it's completely stupid to call fouls on jumpshots after the ball leaves a guy's hands? You're not affecting the shot, so what's the point? You have to let them land in a graceful manner after a shot? We worried it won't make a good basketball card if they're touched after the shot? I don't get it.

I think it mostly has to do with affecting someones follow through and making sure the shooter is safe since he's pretty vulnerable in the air. If they didn't call that regularly, then you would have guys constantly contesting and knocking the shooter off balance while in mid air which can lead to injuries.

Having said that, I HATE it when dudes call a foul after the ball is released in pick up games on me. Pisses me off. lol

I still think they have just a good a chance as they did before the series started. Which in my mind I had them behind Boston and Miami still.

I think some people just have to realize that the playoffs are a whole different ball game. Matchups rule.

Also a lot of people who haven't been keeping tabs on Indy are probably shocked at how things have played out so far. They have a focused team since the new coach came in, and they have defined roles. That is crucial in the playoffs. They have an identity.

Their foundation is solid. A go to wing scorer who can go off at any time. Can create his own shot as well. A big and solid center. And the rest of the crew plays within themselves and adheres to a pecking order.

I knew it was going to be a dogfight for Chiacgo.

Exactly. They are a pretty well constucted team.

A good big man in Hibbert
All star player on the wing in Granger
An up and coming PG in Collison who is just as quick or quicker than Rose.
A versatile and athletic wing in Paul George
Blue collar worker with decent mid range jumper in Psycho T
A solid bench with a tough, hardnosed big man rotation, decent back up PG, and good shooting wings.

Not surprised at all that Indiana is giving the Bulls a tough time.

[Altimus]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Some people are not giving Indiana enough respect because of their bad regular season record. They have talent and depth to compete and another important factor is they have the heart to compete.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

are you worried at all Altimus? Bulls fans?

not so much this series, but your overall play?

[ezekiel55]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

are you worried at all Altimus? Bulls fans?

not so much this series, but your overall play?

I wouldn't say I'm that worried, plus, you gotta give credit where it's due and that's to the Pacers...these guys are playing there asses off, remind me of the Bulls team that took the Celtics to 7.

I picked the Bulls to win this series in 5, and I' gonna stick with that, but these Pacers have made it alot more contentious than I thought it would be...if the Bulls advance, I hope they use this series as a building block, because any team down the road isnt gonna come at you as fierce as Indy does night in and night out.