*** 2016 NBA Playoff thread ***

[Muse]

actually, that's how everyone judges, and that is the entire point. You and Sp33dy are arguing to change that standard for no real reason. None of this is to detract how awesome Steph has been--everyone agrees with that--it's just that you guys need to expand the tiny windows of reality that you are using to judge these things.

You're still ignoring my larger point here with the comparison (Steph isn't yet better than someone like David Thompson, who casual basketball fans like yourself have never heard of; but that doesn't mean he isn't going to be), so I assume it will continue to be that way and there is no more need to repeat this a 3rd time.

You don't need to try to belittle us by insinuating that everyone agrees with you and that our view means we are seeing the world through a "tiny window." I don't get to see Steph as much as you since I can't see ESPN or TNT without going to a sports bar. When I see him, well, I'm often uber-impressed. I honestly think you have issues. I'm not saying I don't, but I think I have to take your comments with a few grains of salt.

Hell, even Charles Barkley the other day conceded that Steph is the greatest shooter of all time, he said that's "in the bag."

A few haters on here. Steph is the best right now, just sit back and enjoy the show.
Lebron is still very good, but his reign as the greatest is over.
Just shutup about David Thompson, a good player but not even in the conversation about the best ever.
I heard all of the flack about Steph winning the MVP last year, Lebron and James Harden were whining about it. I haven't heard a peep from anyone questioning the MVP this year. Just shut up before you make yourself look like a fool.
I heard Shaq and Kenny Smith agree last night that Steph is the best shooter- ever.

Yeah, and Charles Barkley agreed, said it was "in the bag." I watched that whole thing on Youtube.

They should put Durant on him and not switch, like say fu I'm not switching, lockdown baby. Then GS would run picks/screens after screens to try and force the switch lol.

You think KD can stop Steph one on one? They say nobody can stop Steph one on one. Yeah, KD's a super talent, but can he shut down Steph? I doubt it. Steph has the best range in NBA history, no contest and if you try to stop him out there he'll blow by you.

 

[lupi]

You don't need to try to belittle us by insinuating that everyone agrees with you and that our view means we are seeing the world through a "tiny window." I don't get to see Steph as much as you since I can't see ESPN or TNT without going to a sports bar. When I see him, well, I'm often uber-impressed. I honestly think you have issues. I'm not saying I don't, but I think I have to take your comments with a few grains of salt.

Hell, even Charles Barkley the other day conceded that Steph is the greatest shooter of all time, he said that's "in the bag."Yeah, and Charles Barkley agreed, said it was "in the bag." I watched that whole thing on Youtube.You think KD can stop Steph one on one? They say nobody can stop Steph one on one. Yeah, KD's a super talent, but can he shut down Steph? I doubt it. Steph has the best range in NBA history, no contest and if you try to stop him out there he'll blow by you.

I've seen someone less capable than durant do it for several games in a row, so why not?

 

[Majes]

Thunder - Warriors is the match-up I wanted as an NBA fan and dreaded as a Warriors fan... I was pretty confident that the Warriors could beat the Spurs in a series. Aldridge and Leonard would score, but the Warriors back court would outscore them easily...

The Thunder on the other hand are a problem for the Warriors... On a given night it's quite possible the Thunder have the best two players in the series... Durant is a match-up nightmare for their switching line-up and the Thunder bigs have had a field day on the offensive boards in their games this season.

The series will come down to a few things...
How well can the Thunder balance Westbrook and Durant touches?
How effective can Draymond Green be against Kanter, Adams, and Ibaka rebounding?
Can Donovan match Kerr evenly in coaching decisions and 2nd unit match-up choices?

Do any of these questions really matter if Curry magic happens 3-4 times in the series?

I hope I can stay up and watch at least some of the games. I also hope whoever wins this series sweeps the Cavs. That would be nice

 

[SP33Demon]

Thunder - Warriors is the match-up I wanted as an NBA fan and dreaded as a Warriors fan... I was pretty confident that the Warriors could beat the Spurs in a series. Aldridge and Leonard would score, but the Warriors back court would outscore them easily...

The Thunder on the other hand are a problem for the Warriors... On a given night it's quite possible the Thunder have the best two players in the series... Durant is a match-up nightmare for their switching line-up and the Thunder bigs have had a field day on the offensive boards in their games this season.

The series will come down to a few things...
How well can the Thunder balance Westbrook and Durant touches?
How effective can Draymond Green be against Kanter, Adams, and Ibaka rebounding?
Can Donovan match Kerr evenly in coaching decisions and 2nd unit match-up choices?

Do any of these questions really matter if Curry magic happens 3-4 times in the series?

I hope I can stay up and watch at least some of the games. I also hope whoever wins this series sweeps the Cavs. That would be nice

Well that's assuming Cavs get by TOR or MIA. They should but you never know.

 

[Majes]

Well that's assuming Cavs get by TOR or MIA. They should but you never know.

I could see Toronto giving the Cavs a series. Derozan and Lowry can play at a level high enough to snatch a game or two. I don't think it's possible for them to take the series unless something happens to Lebron... He has a death grip on the Eastern conference that I really can't explain right now...

I think Miami is done. They could steal two from the Raptors if the aforementioned guards play poorly, but they can't beat the Cavs... Dragic will just lose more teeth if they make it to the next round.

 

[Gryz]

The Cavaliers will sweep Toronto (or Miami) 4-0. Toronto or Miami doesn't stand a chance. The Cavs will be well rested for the finals.

I think it's likely the Warriors-Thunder series will go to 6 or 7 games. Hard-fought games. The winning team will be exhausted.

I really hope the Cavs won't win. But I am scared. Even though the Western Conference is so much stronger than the Easter Conference, the Cavs have to win only 1 series against 1 team from the West. Not impossible at all.

 

[drum]

The Cavaliers will sweep Toronto (or Miami) 4-0. Toronto or Miami doesn't stand a chance. The Cavs will be well rested for the finals.

I think it's likely the Warriors-Thunder series will go to 6 or 7 games. Hard-fought games. The winning team will be exhausted.

I really hope the Cavs won't win. But I am scared. Even though the Western Conference is so much stronger than the Easter Conference, the Cavs have to win only 1 series against 1 team from the West. Not impossible at all.

You're clearly not familiar with Cleveland sports.

Assuming the Cavs get to the finals, I don't see them beating the Warriors. Of course I am an extremely pessimistic, jaded Cleveland fan.

I wouldn't be confident even if Curry decided to become a Buddist Monk and went off to some secluded place.

 

[lupi]

Was mildly surprised the heat managed to pull away in 2nd half of game 6. Game 7 was about what I thought would occur.

Think the WCF would be highly unlikely to see less than 6. Eastern feels more like 4-5.

 

[Drako]

You're clearly not familiar with Cleveland sports.

Assuming the Cavs get to the finals, I don't see them beating the Warriors. Of course I am an extremely pessimistic, jaded Cleveland fan.

I wouldn't be confident even if Curry decided to become a Buddist Monk and went off to some secluded place.

Factory of Sadness. :'(

 

[smackababy]

I know it's game 1 and it isn't even finished yet, but with the Warriors playing like shit and not down by much, they may have a chance. If Durant and Westbrook and go off in 4 games, they may grind out the series.

Maybe I spoke too soon! Thunder coming back. I hope this doesn't turn into a Rockets / Magic style series where Magic dominated the first half of game 1 and when Houston came back it just deflated the series.

 

[lupi]

damn, thought this was a game over situation 45 minutes ago and turned it off, just checked score and wow.

 

[smackababy]

Is this happening?

 

[QueBert]

LOL I hope OKC sweeps, this is fucking great.

 

[smackababy]

Oh, man. I don't think Kerr will let GS choke hard, but OKC just stole one. They can win this series.

 

[DesiPower]

Thumbs up to the referees, good job. I think it was just a glitch, GSW will sweep 4-1. But enjoyed watching curry choke, always a great site. Great playoff game overall, thoroughly enjoyed.

 

[Drako]

The Warriors taunt cheer was not heard tonight. I'm shocked.

 

[Miramonti]

Oh, man. I don't think Kerr will let GS choke hard, but OKC just stole one. They can win this series.

I would use a different word than 'stole', ie 'won', because that's what OKC does...Westbrook or Durant go off, and this time it was Westbrook. They really earned this one imo and owned the 2nd half, especially defensively. GS didn't have many open shots they didn't make (Barnes must be one of the best open-shot makers in the league.) However I was surprised, since they had problems 'going off' in the previous regular season outings, so this will definitely jack their team's confidence.

Thumbs up to the referees, good job. I think it was just a glitch, GSW will sweep 4-1. But enjoyed watching curry choke, always a great site. Great playoff game overall, thoroughly enjoyed.

Agreed. And finally GS-hater food, yum. Just goes to show, GS is just about dead in the water in close games without Curr-eroics.

I don't know what the books say, but an OKC series win would be one of the historically great conference finals upsets. GS absolutely has to win a championship, or the 73 wins becomes a quick BFD, aka NE Patriots undefeated season.

That said, the 76'ers won Game 1 of the finals in '00-01 and then lost the next 4, so there is no celebration at this point for GS-haters/Thunder fans, or any panic for GS fans.

 

[manly]

I would use a different word than 'stole', ie 'won', because that's what OKC does...Westbrook or Durant go off, and this time it was Westbrook. They really earned this one imo and owned the 2nd half, especially defensively. GS didn't have many open shots they didn't make (Barnes must be one of the best open-shot makers in the league.) However I was surprised, since they had problems 'going off' in the previous regular season outings, so this will definitely jack their team's confidence.

OKC absolutely stole that game. Westbrook and Durant together missed 34 shots, KD living down to the Mr. Unreliable moniker in the 4th quarter. GSW had 88 points through 3 quarters and even with an offensive meltdown, was in the game until the final minute.

Agreed. And finally GS-hater food, yum. Just goes to show, GS is just about dead in the water in close games without Curr-eroics.

I don't know what the books say, but an OKC series win would be one of the historically great conference finals upsets. GS absolutely has to win a championship, or the 73 wins becomes a quick BFD, aka NE Patriots undefeated season.

That said, the 76'ers won Game 1 of the finals in '00-01 and then lost the next 4, so there is no celebration at this point for GS-haters/Thunder fans, or any panic for GS fans.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...hunder-cavaliers-vs-raptors-2016-nba-playoffs

Depending on who you ask, the Cavs are a bigger favorite in their series than the Dubs were in their's. Now if you mean GSW is potentially the best NBA team ever to miss the Finals, then that is probably accurate. But on paper, OKC is a strong team. They knocked off a 67 win Spurs team that advanced metrics had roughly equal with the Dubs for virtually the entire season.

As far as how much the odds were swung, I'm guessing it went from 70/30 to roughly 50/50 (probably a slight edge for OKC).

 

[Majes]

Could only really watch the first quarter last night. Went to sleep pretty sure the Warriors had it. Westbrook was sandwiched every time he drove the paint and Durant looked clueless out on the perimeter. The Warriors didn't look great, but I thought they had enough to win. Guess not...
Not sure what to make of the rest of the series. I could see pretty much anything happening from this point on.

 

[Red Storm]

I have a feeling this Warriors / Thunder series is going to be one for the ages.

 

[Miramonti]

OKC absolutely stole that game. Westbrook and Durant together missed 34 shots, KD living down to the Mr. Unreliable moniker in the 4th quarter. GSW had 88 points through 3 quarters and even with an offensive meltdown, was in the game until the final minute.



http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...hunder-cavaliers-vs-raptors-2016-nba-playoffs

Depending on who you ask, the Cavs are a bigger favorite in their series than the Dubs were in their's. Now if you mean GSW is potentially the best NBA team ever to miss the Finals, then that is probably accurate. But on paper, OKC is a strong team. They knocked off a 67 win Spurs team that advanced metrics had roughly equal with the Dubs for virtually the entire season.

As far as how much the odds were swung, I'm guessing it went from 70/30 to roughly 50/50 (probably a slight edge for OKC).

When I hear 'stole', that sounds to me like they didn't deserve it or play up to par to win. Durant and Westbrook were 17/51, which is unworthy, but yet Westbrook brought them back with 19 points in the 3rd (lots of hard-earned ft's that overlooks shot%.) They also took GS out of their game and took away many easy shots, which caused GS to lose composure down the stretch and jack up shots and have turnovers. Its just semantics, but OKC did a lot of things right to earn the win, which was much more than just GS failing. Their bigs, especially adams, were very effective (critical for the series), and they played very aggressively going over most screens. And down the stretch, they got rebounds and made shots after GS pulled within one. It could have gone either way, but even if GS made more shots, it could have gone to OT, since they couldn't stop OKC. OKC took control of the game half way through the 4th, and major props to them for not letting go. That's not a steal to me.

Nate Silver now gives OKC a 56% chance of going to the finals, but the money is still -8.5 for GS on game 2 (which sounds about right.)

 

[SP33Demon]

When I hear 'stole', that sounds to me like they didn't deserve it or play up to par to win. Durant and Westbrook were 17/51, which is unworthy, but yet Westbrook brought them back with 19 points in the 3rd (lots of hard-earned ft's that overlooks shot%.) They also took GS out of their game and took away many easy shots, which caused GS to lose composure down the stretch and jack up shots and have turnovers. Its just semantics, but OKC did a lot of things right to earn the win, which was much more than just GS failing. Their bigs, especially adams, were very effective (critical for the series), and they played very aggressively going over most screens. And down the stretch, they got rebounds and made shots after GS pulled within one. It could have gone either way, but even if GS made more shots, it could have gone to OT, since they couldn't stop OKC. OKC took control of the game half way through the 4th, and major props to them for not letting go. That's not a steal to me.

Nate Silver now gives OKC a 56% chance of going to the finals, but the money is still -8.5 for GS on game 2 (which sounds about right.)

Weren't you the one saying there was less parity in today's NBA vs the 90's (despite all respectable statistical websites saying otherwise)? Now it's indisputable, parity found, the Warriors lost.

If it wasn't you, then whoever said there isn't parity can suck on it.

 

[smackababy]

I would use a different word than 'stole', ie 'won', because that's what OKC does...Westbrook or Durant go off, and this time it was Westbrook. They really earned this one imo and owned the 2nd half, especially defensively. GS didn't have many open shots they didn't make (Barnes must be one of the best open-shot makers in the league.) However I was surprised, since they had problems 'going off' in the previous regular season outings, so this will definitely jack their team's confidence.

When you were up by double digits and Kevin Durant misses 7 shots in a row and you lose the game, they stole it from you. Sorry, but OKC played like absolute shit, even with Westbrook finally coming alive.

Kerr better hope this doesn't rock GSW, or they are done.

 

[lupi]

Weren't you the one saying there was less parity in today's NBA vs the 90's (despite all respectable statistical websites saying otherwise)? Now it's indisputable, parity found, the Warriors lost.

If it wasn't you, then whoever said there isn't parity can suck on it.

Parity was 1Q of Cle-Tor.

Normal NBA results returned in 2Q.

 

[zinfamous]

Weren't you the one saying there was less parity in today's NBA vs the 90's (despite all respectable statistical websites saying otherwise)? Now it's indisputable, parity found, the Warriors lost.

If it wasn't you, then whoever said there isn't parity can suck on it.

ah, so the long history of real competition in the west vs the one good team in the east (that one good team actually being worse than the earlier one good team) is somehow new?


lol