****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

But how exactly is that a pity article though, 24th?

The same stuff that the writer mentioned was the samething that people here were saying earlier in the year and went as far as to say he would be the Thunder's downfall and prevent them from going anywhere and that they should trade him and start Eric Maynor(which looks even more stupid and ridiculous right now, not that it didn't then).

He's limited his mistakes(compared to last year)and that's still not enough to some but the point of the article was contrary to what people think, he has matured and you can tell that in his play and that there's no need for him to change anything at this point.

[The 24th Letter]

Because it was more "stop picking on Westbrook" then focusing on what the more level headed people are actually saying about him....

Never mind the crowd who wants to blame him for every loss or overreact to every bad possession....a lot just want to see him, as I said, continue to eliminate some of the bonehead stuff from his game...he's definitely improved, but still has some ways to go...

Just like the article I posted, it was truth mixed in with a little over sympathizing...

"I get that" -KD voice

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Oh you mean the same level headed people that say he needs to stop taking so many shots and just give Durant the ball and get out the way?

The same level headed people that'll then bitch and moan at Westbrook if he's not doing anything on the floor?

The same level headed people that don't say a damn thing about him when they win but as soon as they lose, they point the finger at what Westbrook DIDN'T do???

The writer actually talked about and addressed the same issues that these "level headed people" you mentioned were constantly talking about.

Figured you try to go ahead and make a connection between this article and the Lebron one though.

Man I can tell already this is going to be a fun thread and I can definitely tell that there are going to be alot "Oh if Durant/WB does (insert action)it's fine but if Lebron does it, then he's the devil" type posts in here.

[RedSceptile]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Blame LeBron, it's LeBron's fault.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

The players aren't the ones that get the trophy.

I could care less. I'm not happy for Mark Cuban for last year (okay a little bit but that's different), I'm happy for the players and coaches. And obviously for all of us fans.

[DukeC]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I've always criticized Westbrook when he's:

1. Playing completely out of control
2. Taking bad, contested, jumpers early in the shot clock when the defense is set

3. Complaining about a call and expecting the refs to bail him out. I find it hilarious and sad when Wade does it but with Westbrook, I dunno, it just makes me supremely irritated. It doesn't help that he's not exactly the prettiest MF (ASAP reference ) out there.

When he's played well I've always given him his props though.

Where I think most of the scrutiny comes from is that Westbrook is the PG. When he's the guy you're inbounding the ball too, and within 5 seconds he comes down and jacks a contested mid-range with no one else even touching the ball? Yeah, that's gonna make people cringe. That's the type of thing people DON'T like seeing in a PG and that image of him jacking up that shot is forever burned into their brain.

Of course, he wouldn't be getting this much scrutiny if he wasn't playing with the best scorer in the NBA on his team. He'd get the Derrick Rose pass I think.

[Hotobu]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I've always criticized Westbrook when he's:

1. Playing completely out of control
2. Taking bad, contested, jumpers early in the shot clock when the defense is set

3. Complaining about a call and expecting the refs to bail him out. I find it hilarious and sad when Wade does it but with Westbrook, I dunno, it just makes me supremely irritated. It doesn't help that he's not exactly the prettiest MF (ASAP reference ) out there.

When he's played well I've always given him his props though.

Where I think most of the scrutiny comes from is that Westbrook is the PG. When he's the guy you're inbounding the ball too, and within 5 seconds he comes down and jacks a contested mid-range with no one else even touching the ball? Yeah, that's gonna make people cringe. That's the type of thing people DON'T like seeing in a PG and that image of him jacking up that shot is forever burned into their brain.

Of course, he wouldn't be getting this much scrutiny if he wasn't playing with the best scorer in the NBA on his team. He'd get the Derrick Rose pass I think.

Everything here is true.

[Strangerstake]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

Better Team = Thunder
Better Experience in Finals = Heat

This is going to be a good matchup, no matter how many people say that the role players are going to be a huge part, I think its all going to be between the Big 3's each side. Heat seems to have learned a lot from last years finals and at this stage I think experience plays a lot more part then people think so especially after last year. The Thunder needs to heavily depend on Durant. He needs to play MVP level for them to seal the games. Lebron has to play a little higher then the MVP level if Miami need a chance to win. I think inexperience might crawl into Westbrooks head and he wouldn't play as expected. I am aware of all the talent I am talking here but this is just what I think and hope will happen.

Since I'm a Heat fan, Heat in 6

[The 24th Letter]

Oh you mean the same level headed people that say he needs to stop taking so many shots and just give Durant the ball and get out the way?

The same level headed people that'll then bitch and moan at Westbrook if he's not doing anything on the floor?

The same level headed people that don't say a damn thing about him when they win but as soon as they lose, they point the finger at what Westbrook DIDN'T do???

The writer actually talked about and addressed the same issues that these "level headed people" you mentioned were constantly talking about.

Figured you try to go ahead and make a connection between this article and the Lebron one though.

Man I can tell already this is going to be a fun thread and I can definitely tell that there are going to be alot "Oh if Durant/WB does (insert action)it's fine but if Lebron does it, then he's the devil" type posts in here.

As I said, there's people who take it to the extreme (which I wouldn't classify as "level headed") and people who are basically speaking the truth about the young man.....but I guess since you just lumped them all together in one group, I assume any criticism of Westbrooks game is just people being ridiculous

If you can "already tell what kind of thread it's going to be" that's awesome....even though this has absolutely nothing to do with that. Notice I didn't go on a diatribe when you commented on the article I posted right? Lol.

Your never wrong though Pack, and that's cool. I'll try not to mention anything when when Mario Chalmers hits a 3, says something to WB, then Russ comes down on the other end with a contested pull up 3 to settle the score.

[The 24th Letter]

I think my official prediction is going to be: OKC in 6....

Too many weapons for OKC, I'm just having a hard time picturing MIA slowing them down enough. We shall see

[BlueNGold]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I have no predictions to make. I just want it to be a well-played series that ends with LeBron finally getting his first championship. Durant is going to have plenty more chances in the coming years, so he can wait lol. But even if LeBron falls short again, I'd be happy to see OKC get their first of possibly multiple titles.

Either way let's get this **** going. I can't wait.

[jeebs9]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I have no predictions to make. I just want it to be a well-played series that ends with LeBron finally getting his first championship. Durant is going to have plenty more chances in the coming years, so he can wait lol. But even if LeBron falls short again, I'd be happy to see OKC get their first of possibly multiple titles.

Either way let's get this **** going. I can't wait.

The one thing I'm waiting to see is if the Thunder play any zone defense. Do they play a lot. Or stick to their regular man to man.

I also think it's a lot differen then last year playoff when the Heat first got there. I thought LeBron was very tenative in who was the leader of the team. You see him just being on more attacking this year. I wonder who will pick up LeBron from the start. I also expect Wade to go crazy this series. I don't see the Thunder doubling him as much as the Celtics did. And if I were the Heat. I'd keep Bosh coming off the bench. He brings something Haslem (or any other bigs bring).

I hope the Thunder will be ready for the Heat to over play Durant off the screens. Those weakside shooter better be ready. I wonder what they will do with Perkins on pick & rolls. He's not going to be able to keep up with Wade and LeBron.

So I been watching old games last night. So I also watched this game where Eddie House hits the game winning shot. And then does the "big balls" sign haha

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6qZ4GrnPrm0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[lonewolf371]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

I could care less. I'm not happy for Mark Cuban for last year (okay a little bit but that's different), I'm happy for the players and coaches. And obviously for all of us fans.

Well good for you!

[Jasong7777]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

If you thought Kobe going to the line 17 and 18 times in the series against the Thunder was a lot, wait till Lebron starts attacking the rim. If he has that attack mentallity this series, good things will happen for the Heat.

IMO, the series basically comes down to Westbrook/Harden vs. Wade/Bosh. Which ever duo plays the best will decide who wins the series.

[ehh]

Re: ****2012 NBA FINALS DISCUSSION THREAD****

This is such a difficult series for me to predict because LeBron is still a huge question mark to me. Despite his legendary efforts in the final two games of the ECF I'm not sold that he's put all of his issues to bed permanently and that he'll be other-worldly in the Finals. I'm praying he is though, despite how much fun it is to hate on the man I really hope he rises to the occasion and we witness the start of the LeBron Era. I want to see greatness and I hope he puts up insane numbers and is focused and playing hard the entire series.

Why I like OKC

• Dallas, LA and SA are all better than any of the three teams Miami faced
• They have consistently played well, even during the first two games of the WCF
• Depth, athleticism, size, versatility
• Durant will be the most difficult match up they face this post season and I can't wait to see how well LeBron does defending him.
• While Westbrook isn't as good of a PG as Rondo I think he might be an even tougher match up because he's almost unintelligently aggressive. He'll have his fair share of stupid decisions as always but I think he'll have a huge series. He's going to attack Chalmers endlessly.
• Of the Top 5 best individual players Miami faces this post season, three will be in the Finals (Melo & Rondo being the others).

Why I don't

• They don't have LeBron
• I think their front court advantage will be neutralized to a large degree

Why I like Miami

• LeBron, duh
• Bosh is healthy enough
• I think they can really exploit the Perkins/Ibaka front line by spreading the floor. They've proved they can still rebound even with a smaller lineup. LeBron, Wade and Haslem are great rebounders for their size and got the job done thus far.
• I believe Miami plays to their competition to a certain degree and didn't take any of the Eastern opponents as serious as they should have. I think they know their margin for error against OKC is smaller and they'll play better because of it.
• On a similar note I think Wade really steps up his game this series.

Why I don't

• They haven't put together a full series yet where they consistently played well.
• When they've looked bad they look really bad
• Can such a team with such little depth beat a team with talent AND depth. The Pacers had depth but no star power, OKC is on a whole other level.
• Wade has not been playing well enough for Miami to win it all IMO

When I objectively look at the teams on paper I think OKC has a decided advantage but LeBron will finally play up to his potential and dominate this series. Heat in 7.