Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

[KG]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Y'all are being WAY too hard on Nene.

First, he deserves ZERO blame for that final layup. He was boxing out the proper man and doesn't have eyes in the back of his head to know that the tallest and most athletic player on the team is coming full speed untouched. I believe it was Beal's rotation and he opted to jump on Korver to prevent an open 3. Things just worked out perfectly for the play to go the way it did.

Second, people are calling for Gortat when he's been garbage on both ends of the court for pretty much the entire series? I'm not mad at him bc the Hawks are a horrible match up, playing basically two stretch 4's who are more athletic than Nene and Gortat by a country mile. But Gortat has gotten so many stupid fouls just from throwing guys out of bounds on rebounds or trying to catch entry passes. I'm much more disappointed in him THIS series than Nene (the Toronto series was a very different story).

I don't think I need to even mention how awful Gooden looks on defense.

Combine these guys with the PnR defense of Sessions and Bynum, and the back side PnR rotations of Beal, Pierce, Tempe and focusing what the Hawks have done on Nene is completely unfair. BTW, he started off aggressive this last game too but just got his shots blocked or altered. It's a bad match up. He's had some open 17 footers that he knocked down. The Wizards strength in this series is with their wing players. Just can't expect much than average from any of the bigs.

People are throwing the blame his way because he had the ball in his hands before Horford ripped it out. I don't blame him for not boxing out Al, he (Nene) was already engaged with Milsap and there were bodies flying all over the place. I just expect a guy of his size, strength, and stature to hold onto it.

Gortat has been far from horrible aside from Game 4 which he was really bad. He's much better on screen rolls and his activity level is something Nene can't match.

Gooden's defense HAS always been terrible. He has a low bball IQ and is extremely slow on rotations. Like I said earlier in this thread, it takes about 2 minutes of game-time to realize what Gooden will show up. If Bad Gooden shows up Whitman needs to pull the plug immediately. I mean that soft layup on the fast break that got blocked by Bazemore was embarrassing.

I can't deny that their bigs are a bad matchup for us. It's why they've had so much success under Bud vs the Wiz. Whitman needs to do a better job of riding the hot big instead of going with his normal Nene down the stretch, Gortat sitting on the bench routine.

There have been so many games this year where Gortat has played well in qtrs 1-3 and didn't see the floor in the 4th.

TBH, Pierce should have never been in the game when we NEED a defensive stop.

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Two things:

1) I'm thinking positive. I think the Wiz win game 6 and game 7.

2) Game 4 is on my anniversary. I will have tickets to that game. My wife is a so-so fan of basketball. Help me game plan a way to convince her to go the game with me that doesnt require me breaking the bank.

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

So basically, you don't care as long as it's not Wittman coaching.

LOL. At this point, yes. Ive been on this roller coaster for 4 yrs. I think we've capped out what we can do with his issues.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread



Random, lol

[wwharton]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

People are throwing the blame his way because he had the ball in his hands before Horford ripped it out. I don't blame him for not boxing out Al, he (Nene) was already engaged with Milsap and there were bodies flying all over the place. I just expect a guy of his size, strength, and stature to hold onto it.

Gortat has been far from horrible aside from Game 4 which he was really bad. He's much better on screen rolls and his activity level is something Nene can't match.

Gooden's defense HAS always been terrible. He has a low bball IQ and is extremely slow on rotations. Like I said earlier in this thread, it takes about 2 minutes of game-time to realize what Gooden will show up. If Bad Gooden shows up Whitman needs to pull the plug immediately. I mean that soft layup on the fast break that got blocked by Bazemore was embarrassing.

I can't deny that their bigs are a bad matchup for us. It's why they've had so much success under Bud vs the Wiz. Whitman needs to do a better job of riding the hot big instead of going with his normal Nene down the stretch, Gortat sitting on the bench routine.

There have been so many games this year where Gortat has played well in qtrs 1-3 and didn't see the floor in the 4th.

TBH, Pierce should have never been in the game when we NEED a defensive stop.

Nene has no idea there's even a chance of someone coming to rip the ball from him though. I would've liked it if he held onto the ball but it's a bit much to chastise him for getting it stripped there. You box out your man and assume everyone else is boxing out a man. It was just unlucky.

Gortat's been bad, man. When Wall is in, he's been great on the offensive PnR, and he does run the floor well. But he is completely lost on the defensive end. You want to talk about a rebound that should've been had? How about Horford posterizing Gortat because he DIDN'T box out? He can't close on jump shooters bc he's too slow and has no lateral movement... a simple pump fake and it's a layup. Meanwhile every single big on ATL that he's guarding is knocking down open jumpers. And the one advantage he should have is on the boards and he just takes two hands and shoves anyone near him into the 1st row time and again.

Like I said, I'm not mad at Gortat, but I'm not mad at Nene either THIS series. I think Nene left a bad taste in people's mouths after the Toronto series, bc he should've been able to do more there. What's happening against the Hawks is pretty much expected.

But we do agree, in general. Humphries matches up best against their bigs and isn't getting any time, Pierce is more of a joke than Gooden trying to guard one of their bigs (and we already talked about the joke that Gooden is). Despite my criticism of Gortat, coming out of a timeout on the defensive end, there's no excuse for him not to be in there.

Two things:

1) I'm thinking positive. I think the Wiz win game 6 and game 7.

2) Game 4 is on my anniversary. I will have tickets to that game. My wife is a so-so fan of basketball. Help me game plan a way to convince her to go the game with me that doesnt require me breaking the bank.

It's your anniversary man, where are your priorities? Seriously, it's only one game. Take your wife out to a nice dinner and make her feel special.

So, meet you at the Columbia Mall to get those tickets from you?

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Defensive rebounding has been a problem for the Wiz all year. They lose some silly rebounds.

[aholbert32]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

It's your anniversary man, where are your priorities? Seriously, it's only one game. Take your wife out to a nice dinner and make her feel special.

So, meet you at the Columbia Mall to get those tickets from you?

Cant I do both? A nice early dinner and a game. CMON.

No bull****, Let me know when you want to go to a game. I have these tix and always looking for people to go.

[wwharton]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Cant I do both? A nice early dinner and a game. CMON.

No bull****, Let me know when you want to go to a game. I have these tix and always looking for people to go.

You CAN do both, but I don't see a realistic scenario where I can go to the game, lol.

Just let me know when you've got an extra. I'm surprised you even have to look for people now.

[JBH3]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Is that an auto-correct or am I out of the loop enough that I don't know Hawks player's nicknames?

Fixed. Was an autocorrect, I think might've been onto something though....

[KG]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Nene has no idea there's even a chance of someone coming to rip the ball from him though. I would've liked it if he held onto the ball but it's a bit much to chastise him for getting it stripped there. You box out your man and assume everyone else is boxing out a man. It was just unlucky.

Gortat's been bad, man. When Wall is in, he's been great on the offensive PnR, and he does run the floor well. But he is completely lost on the defensive end. You want to talk about a rebound that should've been had? How about Horford posterizing Gortat because he DIDN'T box out? He can't close on jump shooters bc he's too slow and has no lateral movement... a simple pump fake and it's a layup. Meanwhile every single big on ATL that he's guarding is knocking down open jumpers. And the one advantage he should have is on the boards and he just takes two hands and shoves anyone near him into the 1st row time and again.

Like I said, I'm not mad at Gortat, but I'm not mad at Nene either THIS series. I think Nene left a bad taste in people's mouths after the Toronto series, bc he should've been able to do more there. What's happening against the Hawks is pretty much expected.

But we do agree, in general. Humphries matches up best against their bigs and isn't getting any time, Pierce is more of a joke than Gooden trying to guard one of their bigs (and we already talked about the joke that Gooden is). Despite my criticism of Gortat, coming out of a timeout on the defensive end, there's no excuse for him not to be in there.



It's your anniversary man, where are your priorities? Seriously, it's only one game. Take your wife out to a nice dinner and make her feel special.

So, meet you at the Columbia Mall to get those tickets from you?

Gortat getting posterized was an easy over the back call that was missed. It was a fast break so it's kind of hard to get a body on a guy who has a running start. Great play by Al though.

I just like his activity level more than Nene. He hit 2 big buckets late. A turnaround off glass when we needed a bucket with 3-4 mins left and that left hook that got a friendly roll. Nene shot his lefty hook from point blank range off the backboard.

It's all good though. Gotta move on and get ready for Game 6. We HAVE to keep the turnovers down.

[JBH3]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Defensive rebounding has been a problem for the Wiz all year. They lose some silly rebounds.

I didn't see any explosion to the rim by Nene on that play, but I saw Al Horford explode towards the ball. Nene is just lackadaisical...

[jeremym480]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Two things:

1) I'm thinking positive. I think the Wiz win game 6 and game 7.

2) Game 4 is on my anniversary. I will have tickets to that game. My wife is a so-so fan of basketball. Help me game plan a way to convince her to go the game with me that doesnt require me breaking the bank.

Surprise her with a weekend getaway (after basketball season, of course) and tell her about it on your anniversary.

Fixed. Was an autocorrect, I think might've been onto something though....

I liked All Horrors better, TBH

[wwharton]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Gortat getting posterized was an easy over the back call that was missed. It was a fast break so it's kind of hard to get a body on a guy who has a running start. Great play by Al though.

I just like his activity level more than Nene. He hit 2 big buckets late. A turnaround off glass when we needed a bucket with 3-4 mins left and that left hook that got a friendly roll. Nene shot his lefty hook from point blank range off the backboard.

It's all good though. Gotta move on and get ready for Game 6. We HAVE to keep the turnovers down.

It wasn't an over the back. I've had that discussion with many a refs in my day coaching, lol. Under the rim like that with no effort to box out, and you don't even get that call on a high school level... let alone NBA playoffs.

I think the only way this is a "debate" between us is if we're comparing Nene to Gortat. Personally, I think both have been mediocre at best this series. If you want to say Gortat's been better, that's fine but we're grading on a curve, lol. Either way, neither have been so bad that they should be crucified like Nene is being in this thread. And neither should be expected to look much different unless the Wiz make it to the next round.

[OkayC]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

What are you talking about....the refs will make sure Brons team wins.....like last year





I think the Bulls have the most legitimate shot at getting hot and beating a team in the West....so I'm rooting for them even though their fans (not so much talking OS) are making it difficult....

Last part of your quote is basically my sentiments for cleveland fans. Cept im still on the fence about who i want to win this series. Im glad cleveland got a contender after the bad teams they were rolling out during brons first go there, but im still leaning chicago cuz they were my original pick, and im glad to see rose back.

[cima]

Re: Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Damn was just getting psyched for the game and realized it doesn't start until 5:00 here! Why the change? Hasn't every other game started at 7 EST?