Alrighty, It's the 2012 NBA Playoffs Thread

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Stern must've lost control of his black helicopters, because if he really had the power to fix games at the level people suggest, surely he wouldn't let an Oklahoma City-San Antonio series to happen. However, I'm sure the conspiracy theorists will ignore that and come back in full force if Miami beats Indiana.

Thunder-Heat is the best possible Finals for the league.

Thunder are an interesting team. Remind me a bit of Miami. You just can't allow them to get into transition. Have to keep them in the half court. Still don't see how anyone beats San Antonio the way they are playing.

[ColtCrazy]

Well thank you Lance Stephenson for waking the Heat up. Moron. Granger's tactics haven't helped either. I've decided this isn't about team vs. super stars. It's about Alpha Dogs vs. Non-Alpha Dogs. The Pacers simply have no one that will stand up and take over a game. Oh well. they got as far as they were supposed to. Maybe they'll push it to game 7, but I doubt it. They look done.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Thunder-Heat is the best possible Finals for the league.

Thunder are an interesting team. Remind me a bit of Miami. You just can't allow them to get into transition. Have to keep them in the half court. Still don't see how anyone beats San Antonio the way they are playing.

Saw an interesting stat the other day that the last 4 teams in the NBA to sweep their first two rounds of the playoffs all lost in the conference finals.

[Logan]

I don't really understand all this outrage over Stephenson giving the choke sign to LeBron. How often did Reggie Miller do that? Was anyone throwing elbows into his throat in retaliation?

[RedKingGold]

Originally Posted by Logan

I don't really understand all this outrage over Stephenson giving the choke sign to LeBron. How often did Reggie Miller do that? Was anyone throwing elbows into his throat in retaliation?

The difference is Reggie Miller is Reggie Miller, legitimate Hall-of-Fame candidate, whereas Lance Stephenson is . . .[INSERT MAD LIB]

[Groundhog]

Lance Stephenson is... the guy who had a threesome with a twitter escort and didn't pay?

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by ColtCrazy

Well thank you Lance Stephenson for waking the Heat up. Moron. Granger's tactics haven't helped either. I've decided this isn't about team vs. super stars. It's about Alpha Dogs vs. Non-Alpha Dogs. The Pacers simply have no one that will stand up and take over a game. Oh well. they got as far as they were supposed to. Maybe they'll push it to game 7, but I doubt it. They look done.

Yeah, I think those first 3 games were a bit of Fool's Gold. The demise of Wade was a bit premature. The Pacers have a nice team, but they still aren't that great. It shows you just how weak the Eastern Conference is that they were a 3-seed.

Thought the Pittman play was disgraceful, especially the wink at the end. He should receive at minimum what Bynum got and perhaps as much as Artest. The Hansbrough foul was a textbook Flagrant 1. He did play the ball but used unnecessary force. He did this in the playoffs last year to Rose a few times but he isn't protected like Wade. Not sure why Barkley was trying to defend it after the game. Haslem was a textbook Flagrant 2.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

The difference is Reggie Miller is Reggie Miller, legitimate Hall-of-Fame candidate, whereas Lance Stephenson is . . .[INSERT MAD LIB]

A guy who was charged with sexually assaulting a 17 year old and also pushing his girlfriend down a flight of stairs. Tough to feel sympathy for Stephenson.

Although I think the hoopla over the choke signal is so overblown. Guys on the bench do dumb shit like that all the time. I don't know how or why it caught on.

[Radii]

ESPN Poll Miami Heat Florida Fail Funny | Jockular

[OldGiants]

Go ABA!!!

Pacers-Spurs in the finals.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by stevew

I figure that Haslem will rape someone in game 3 because that's the way the Heat roll.

Game 5, my bad.

He gets one game off and Dexter Pittman gets 3.

[EagleFan]

Game 7!!!

[RedKingGold]

Pretty crazy what the 76er's are doing right now.

Not sure if they have a chance in Game 7, but this is right up there with the Flyers cup run in 2010 and the Phillies World Series run in 2008 in that all three teams superseded pretty low expectations.

[Young Drachma]

As a hockey fan, I find all of this talk about the NBA playoffs being "physical" sort of hilarious.

Also, I think Miami will beat either side of the BOS-PHI ECF.

[bhlloy]

Shaq in talks to become the new Magic GM. That might be the dumbest thing I've heard, ever

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Shaq in talks to become the new Magic GM. That might be the dumbest thing I've heard, ever

Hey, that's dumbest thing I've ever heard, Ed.D. to you mister.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

Shaq in talks to become the new Magic GM. That might be the dumbest thing I've heard, ever

Hey, if it gets him off of TV...

And as we know, ex NBA players make the best GMs.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

As a hockey fan, I find all of this talk about the NBA playoffs being "physical" sort of hilarious.

I know what you mean. I love basketball but it's by far the softest of our major sports. Going from a hockey game where guys are getting pulverized and going on to a basketball game where a guy gets tapped and acts like he was shot is quite a shock.

Sort of rooting for Philly. Still have a soft spot for Doug Collins. He's a real good guy and deserves a good run.

[korme]

Originally Posted by stevew

Hey, if it gets him off of TV...

And as we know, ex NBA players make the best GMs.

My thoughts exactly. I feel like he'd be a terrible GM, but if it gets him off TNT, cool!

[bulletsponge]

he couldnt be worse than the guy they had previously could he?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by bulletsponge

he couldnt be worse than the guy they had previously could he?

Technically he could sign Rashard Lewis to a $113.1 million contract.

[Fidatelo]

I generally enjoy Shaq, but I can't think of a worse person to be a GM of a sports franchise. It's not that I think he's dumb, but more that he seems awfully spiteful and emotional. I can see him trading guys out of anger, signing guys because they are fun to be around, etc. Basically letting personal feelings get in the way of talent/chemistry evaluations.

[bulletsponge]

can anyone recall the last former player turned studio analyst turned GM was? Matt Millen

[spleen1015]

No way Shaq is Orlando's GM after the way he has been dogging Dwight Howard.

[stevew]

I'm mildly interested in attempting to get Shaq's dissertation. I wonder if I can get it via library loan.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by stevew

I'm mildly interested in attempting to get Shaq's dissertation. I wonder if I can get it via library loan.

He got an Ed.D, so he didn't have to write a dissertation, just do a final paper/project. So you wouldn't be able to get it.

[whomario]

that´s a pretty damn cool idea

[miami_fan]

2011-12 All-NBA First Team
Forward LeBron James, Miami
Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers

2011-12 All-NBA Second Team
Forward Kevin Love, Minnesota
Forward Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers
Center Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers
Guard Tony Parker, San Antonio
Guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City

2011-12 All-NBA Third Team
Forward Carmelo Anthony, New York
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Center Tyson Chandler, New York
Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami
Guard Rajon Rondo, Boston

My favorite part of these is the "Other Players Receiving Votes" category

Other players receiving votes, with point totals: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland, 55; Marc Gasol, Memphis, 52; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 44; Josh Smith, Atlanta, 33; Paul Pierce, Boston, 31; Al Jefferson, Utah, 30; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers, 27; Steve Nash, Phoenix, 24; Kevin Garnett, Boston, 22; Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 18; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 16; Deron Williams, New Jersey, 14; Rudy Gay, Memphis, 10; James Harden, Oklahoma City, 8; Luol Deng, Chicago, 5; Roy Hibbert, Indiana, 5; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 3; Danny Granger, Indiana, 3; Joakim Noah, Chicago, 3; Monta Ellis, Milwaukee, 2; Chris Bosh, Miami, 2; Luis Scola, Houston, 2; Marcin Gortat, Phoenix, 2; Paul Millsap, Utah, 2; Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City, 2; David Lee, Golden State, 1; and DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento, 1.

[whomario]

I only browsed through the game and had the impression, looking at the +- numbers confirms it : The pacer bench stunk tonight, holy cow.

Collison was a -25 in just 16 minutes, Hansbrough -19 in 9 minutes.

Hibbert meanwhile was +13 in his 40 minutes in a 12 point loss, meaning that in the 8 minutes he rested the Pacers were outscored by 25

Wade shoots 17-25 for 41 points.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

He got an Ed.D, so he didn't have to write a dissertation, just do a final paper/project. So you wouldn't be able to get it.

Oh, nice degree then.

[korme]

Originally Posted by whomario

that´s a pretty damn cool idea

that is awesome

[SirFozzie]

Celtics running and gunning but missed a chance to go up big early due to sloppy ball handling

[SirFozzie]

Dola .. if the celtics miss open shots its going to be a long night.. and as it stands.. I cant see either of these teams winning more than one against Miami

[RedKingGold]

Spencer Hawes called for the foul while flat on his back, that has to be a first.

[SirFozzie]

Philly's season just got Roooooooooooooooooondo'd

[stevew]

I think the Celtics have just enough irrational pride to take this. Pierce, Garnett and Rondo have to realize this is probably their last chance.

[Groundhog]

I was rooting for the underdog Sixers, but there is no way in hell they beat the Heat anyway. Celtics at least have a chance with their D, just need to knock down their shots.

[Groundhog]

[Desnudo]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I was rooting for the underdog Sixers, but there is no way in hell they beat the Heat anyway. Celtics at least have a chance with their D, just need to knock down their shots.

there's no way the Celtics are beating the Heat more than one game. If everyone was healthy and they'd KO'd the sixers in five, maybe.

[ColtCrazy]

Originally Posted by whomario

I only browsed through the game and had the impression, looking at the +- numbers confirms it : The pacer bench stunk tonight, holy cow.

Collison was a -25 in just 16 minutes, Hansbrough -19 in 9 minutes.

Hibbert meanwhile was +13 in his 40 minutes in a 12 point loss, meaning that in the 8 minutes he rested the Pacers were outscored by 25

Wade shoots 17-25 for 41 points.

Granger may be the scorer, but Hibbert is the most important player on that team. They desperately need a true PG. Collison is reckless and I love Hill, but he's better as a sixth man.

[larrymcg421]

Rondo now tied with Wilt Chamberlain for 4th all-time in playoff triple doubles. He is one behind Bird in 3rd and two behind Jason Kidd in 2nd.

[whomario]

Rondo hitting those 2 long jumpers late was quite a way to step up.

I also have to admit that Garnett has impressed me in theese playoffs.

I also don´t see the Celtics beating Miami at full strength but as long as Bosh is still out i could see them at least having a shot at it as long as Garnett stays out of foul trouble. Allen getting out of his funk would help, too.
The Celtics were a Top3 defensive team by most standards (2nd best defensive efficiency, 1st in opp FG% and 3P%) and showed that in the playoffs as well, what needs to be better is their offense obviously.


I am definitely looking forward more to the other series though. I like defense, but some decent looking offense warms the heart as well

I´m interested how both teams defend the other teams PG, i don´t think either can guard the other effectively without help. The Spurs could definitely opt to hide Parker on Sefolosha as long as he´s out there, when Harden´s in though it will be interesting.

Will be interesting to see Harden and Manu head to head, those guys really have a lot in common and it´s not just cause they are left handed.

[Desnudo]

Pretty cool metrics site. The efficiency ratings seem to line up with the outcomes as the outliers are the final four.

NBAstuffer.com - HOME

[whomario]

the chart in question :

[DaddyTorgo]

I expect the Heat to beat the Celtics, and was actually hoping the C's would lose to the 76ers in some sense, just because I didn't want to hear all the "OMG THE HEAT BIG 3 ARE BETTER THAN THE CELTICS BIG 3...THE CELTICS ARE OLD" crap from the media.

[Groundhog]

Well, we've all seen what can happen to the Heat when they face a strong team defense. I have no doubts in my mind that the Celtics can beat the Heat. It all comes down to whether they can put the ball in the basket. If they shoot the ball like they did against the Sixers, no chance.

[Groundhog]

Spurs almost top 40 in the 4th Q to take out game 1. Sucks that this series didn't start yesterday when I could've actually watched it live...

[whomario]

part of the points was OKC sending them to the line at the end (and part of OKCs 27 were free 3s the Spurs gave up), but that was picture perfect execution down the stretch.

OKC was really impressive defensively early on, Spurs adjusted very well though and then used that agressiveness to their advantage. What was it, 14 TOs in the first and 2 in the 2nd half ?
spectacular game by Manu overall, the guy is just fun to watch. That 3 he hit at the end of the first, wow

Jackson really bought into his role and seems perfectly happy defending hard and shooting 2,3 times a game. Only place that happens with him is San Antonio.

OKC should have gone with Ibaka in the 4th, Perkins just wasn´t getting it done. Sure Ibaka can´t guard Duncan (at all, Serge may be the best help defender in the league but hios post defense isn´t much) but that´s a risk you have to take when everything else isn´t working defensively anymore.

[Noop]

Miami = Buffalo Bills.

Miami will not win the title this year.

[DaddyTorgo]

Not that they're really in this game, or that I expect them to win this series, but man the C's are getting FUCKED on the T's so far this game.

1 bullshit one to Allen on a non-foul, and one on Doc Rivers for NOTHING. Even Garnett's you could make the argument that maybe he didn't even touch the ball (when I glanced at the replay I couldn't tell frankly).