Let's talk NBA

[DesiPower]

I was worried that he would get a heart attack or something

 

[dbk]

It was a good win... Spurs definitely settled down after the 1st qtr and really made an effort to get back on defense.. a lot of hustle. Manu was out of control though.. seemed like everybody else was doing what they were supposed to do (Splitter is so good on the pick & roll) but Manu was like on speed or something.

 

[HendrixFan]

Just got home and saw the Spurs rolled the Thunder. I gotta watch the replay of this one tomorrow. Looking at the box score the biggest thing that stands out to me is Durant scoring 26 on 13 shots (hyper efficient) and Westbrook meanwhile taking 27 shots.

I'm not sure Westbrook will ever get it.

 

[Gibsons]

Just got home and saw the Spurs rolled the Thunder. I gotta watch the replay of this one tomorrow. Looking at the box score the biggest thing that stands out to me is Durant scoring 26 on 13 shots (hyper efficient) and Westbrook meanwhile taking 27 shots.

I'm not sure Westbrook will ever get it.

7-13 from the floor, 11-11 from the line, pretty amazing.

Westbrook manage only 3 free throws somehow.

 

[DesiPower]

39 minutes, and the 11-11 was the refs giving him FTs anytime anyone came with his 5 ft radius... "Amazing" not found. if you take the refs out of the equation, even Leonard's score looks better than his. The world needs to stop kissing up to players like Kevin and Lebron, and give other "teams" a fair chance. The refs again tried to decide the game, just like last years Western finals, it needs to stop.

 

[TheFamilyMan]

39 minutes, and the 11-11 was the refs giving him FTs anytime anyone came with his 5 ft radius... "Amazing" not found. if you take the refs out of the equation, even Leonard's score looks better than his. The world needs to stop kissing up to players like Kevin and Lebron, and give other "teams" a fair chance. The refs again tried to decide the game, just like last years Western finals, it needs to stop.

Yeah, have to agree it's pretty bad. My wife walked by the other night and stopped to catch a few minutes of the game I was watching. About 5 minutes after sitting down, she gets up and says, "Only differences between NBA and WWF are the letters and a ball." This coming from a woman who used to love watching ball.

 

[fustercluck]

I've felt for a while now that this season is leading to a Spurs vs Heat finals. Anyone else think that's what this season is leading to?

 

[DesiPower]

I've felt for a while now that this season is leading to a Spurs vs Heat finals. Anyone else think that's what this season is leading to?

Yes probably till a month ago, right now it seems like spurs are getting tierd and falling apart... Let's see...

 

[darkewaffle]

I'm still pulling for the Lakers lol, go Nash!

 

[child of wonder]

Watching Rubio last night was a blast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=If_J2LQsJ-w

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Watching Rubio last night was a blast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=If_J2LQsJ-w

His double around the back crossover was ridiculous.

 

[fustercluck]

Yes probably till a month ago, right now it seems like spurs are getting tierd and falling apart... Let's see...

I dunno, they just beat a really young OKC team and they're going to get a healthy Tony Parker back for the playoffs. Plus coach Pop will probably give them all plenty of rest before the playoffs

 

[fustercluck]

So the Heat were down 27 points to Cleveland midway through the 3rd quarter, and came back to win! I don't know what's crazier...that the Heat were down 27 to a bad Cavaliers team without their best player (Kyrie Irving) or that they came back to win. Couple of other weird things happened: the stadium was leaking/dripping condensation (classy) and some fan ran onto the court and asked Lebron to come back to Cleveland. What a crazy fuggin game!

I think the heat will lose at Orlando or Chicago...or San Antonio

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Watching Rubio last night was a blast.

Rubio is definitely in the top 3 my favorite guys to watch in the NBA. Reminds me of a younger Kidd but obviously not quite as good as Kidd was in his prime but still very Kidd like.

 

[dougp]

So the Heat were down 27 points to Cleveland midway through the 3rd quarter, and came back to win! I don't know what's crazier...that the Heat were down 27 to a bad Cavaliers team without their best player (Kyrie Irving) or that they came back to win. Couple of other weird things happened: the stadium was leaking/dripping condensation (classy) and some fan ran onto the court and asked Lebron to come back to Cleveland. What a crazy fuggin game!

I think the heat will lose at Orlando or Chicago...or San Antonio

Don't be surprised if Pop rests the starters against Miami again, but just has them in street clothes or on the bench.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Don't be surprised if Pop rests the starters against Miami again, but just has them in street clothes or on the bench.

He should send them to Miami the night before the game as a giant "fuck you" to Stern.

 

[dougp]

He should send them to Miami the night before the game as a giant "fuck you" to Stern.

The consensus I've seen is playoff teams want Miami to continue their streak - look at the Spurs last year as an example. From what I've read, most teams that go on these streaks have a tendency to lose 2-3 in a row when the streak breaks. Pop was thinking about tanking a game or two last year during the streak to avoid this during the playoffs but I don't think they could have tanked with the bench given how well they played at the end of the season.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

The consensus I've seen is playoff teams want Miami to continue their streak - look at the Spurs last year as an example. From what I've read, most teams that go on these streaks have a tendency to lose 2-3 in a row when the streak breaks. Pop was thinking about tanking a game or two last year during the streak to avoid this during the playoffs but I don't think they could have tanked with the bench given how well they played at the end of the season.

That seems like superstition more than anything. The only argument I could see would be fatigue, and, quite frankly, Miami has almost sleep-walked through a good number of these games. Intentionally tanking to avoid taking the curse of multiple losses following a long streak into the playoffs seems like a poor strategy. I can understand Miami resting starters as the playoffs approach and they've sealed home court advantage through the playoffs, but outside of that, I can't fathom a reason they wouldn't try to continue winning every game. The Spurs situation was different, as their streak was ended by a more athletic team that was simply able to outrun them for a long series (and a close series, by the way); who is doing that to Miami?

 

[dougp]

That seems like superstition more than anything. The only argument I could see would be fatigue, and, quite frankly, Miami has almost sleep-walked through a good number of these games. Intentionally tanking to avoid taking the curse of multiple losses following a long streak into the playoffs seems like a poor strategy. I can understand Miami resting starters as the playoffs approach and they've sealed home court advantage through the playoffs, but outside of that, I can't fathom a reason they wouldn't try to continue winning every game. The Spurs situation was different, as their streak was ended by a more athletic team that was simply able to outrun them for a long series (and a close series, by the way); who is doing that to Miami?

Considering the Cavs almost ended it, I'd wager that the Pacers and the Knicks would give them a good run in a 7 game series, assuming both the teams are healthy come playoff time. The Hawks have played them well in the past but I haven't looked at that series this year.

 

[2timer]

Considering the Cavs almost ended it, I'd wager that the Pacers and the Knicks would give them a good run in a 7 game series, assuming both the teams are healthy come playoff time. The Hawks have played them well in the past but I haven't looked at that series this year.

Yeah, let's talk about all the NBA games that were "almost" won. That's a great idea. A win is a win. The Heat came from 17 points behind and won, period.

You think the Knocks would give Miami a good run? With who? Amare is out, and Anthony's been having knee issues. The Knocks would be lucky to win a couple of games against the Heat.

 

[QueBert]

Yeah, let's talk about all the NBA games that were "almost" won. That's a great idea. A win is a win. The Heat came from 17 points behind and won, period.

You think the Knocks would give Miami a good run? With who? Amare is out, and Anthony's been having knee issues. The Knocks would be lucky to win a couple of games against the Heat.

The Nicks could still give them trouble, look at the playoffs last year, they were 1 shot away from losing to the Celtics. But they absolutely mauled OKC. And just last weekend even without Rondo & Garnett the Celtics almost took them. I know almost doesn't count, but any team could potential beat the Heat before the seasons up. Or, as I have a feeling will happen. They're going to make it to the playoffs without losing and sweep. The way James is playing, outside of an injury they're not losing. I suspect the closest will be the "almost losses" like against the Cavs or Celtics.

And for Dougp, the Knicks always fall apart in the playoffs, even without the injuries they have right now. I don't see them giving any team trouble. As with the last 2 seasons they'll get swept in the 1st round. And the only way I can really view their almost losing to the Cavs is as greatest comeback I've even see.

 

[HendrixFan]

The Spurs situation was different, as their streak was ended by a more athletic team that was simply able to outrun them for a long series (and a close series, by the way); who is doing that to Miami?

The series also completely turned after the fluke game by Perk, Collison and Ibaka. That had to have been a one in a million game that they should have won. Spurs then go up 3-1 and back to SA.

The Thunder also made a huuuuuuge adjustment with their defense which they abandoned for no reason against the Heat. The Spurs were playing way over their head during that streak, you could see it most nights. As has been mentioned here already, the Heat seem to be on cruise control alot during this streak. Scary as that sounds...

 

[dougp]

The Nicks could still give them trouble, look at the playoffs last year, they were 1 shot away from losing to the Celtics. But they absolutely mauled OKC. And just last weekend even without Rondo & Garnett the Celtics almost took them. I know almost doesn't count, but any team could potential beat the Heat before the seasons up. Or, as I have a feeling will happen. They're going to make it to the playoffs without losing and sweep. The way James is playing, outside of an injury they're not losing. I suspect the closest will be the "almost losses" like against the Cavs or Celtics.

And for Dougp, the Knicks always fall apart in the playoffs, even without the injuries they have right now. I don't see them giving any team trouble. As with the last 2 seasons they'll get swept in the 1st round. And the only way I can really view their almost losing to the Cavs is as greatest comeback I've even see.

Funny thing is, I said give them a run - never said they'd win.

 

[HendrixFan]

My take on the Heat and their run is mostly the same as anything I have said since before the season started. They have the best player in the game, by far. They have a team that is built around him and suits his immense abilities.

Any team can win on any given night. Sometimes shots go in, sometimes they don't. Anyone can get hot and win a random game which is a huge part of the excitement of the NCAA tourney. It is also why national champs in NCAA basketball usually aren't the best team from that season.

Nobody is beating this Heat team in a seven game series unless there is a key injury. And that might not even be enough. They will almost certainly lose before 33 games, they will absolutely lose before the season ends, and I would bet my life that they won't go undefeated in the playoffs.

The Thunder are the team best suited to keep up with the Heat but they have two big humps to get past before they can stand a realistic chance of winning a series.

Westbrook has to decide that the game is bigger than him and he has to play it the right way first and foremost. His ceiling is huge, his balls are huge, but his court savvy is tiny.

Second, the Thunder have to play defense. Not Ibaka and Collison, but the whole team. Durant needs to step up and play to his physical ability and lead that charge. He is currently a below average defender and that is inexcusable. Lets shoot for at least average and maybe hope for above average.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Considering the Cavs almost ended it, I'd wager that the Pacers and the Knicks would give them a good run in a 7 game series, assuming both the teams are healthy come playoff time. The Hawks have played them well in the past but I haven't looked at that series this year.

The Cavs almost ended it, indeed. But let's consider some facts. First, Wade and Bosh combined for 22 points as opposed to their average of 38. You may get a bad night from one or both of them occasionally, but you can't expect them to perform that poorly for an entire playoff series. Second, the Heat shot 20% from the field in the second quarter where they were outscored by 13 points. The Heat average around 50% shooting, so a quarter like that is an extreme statistical anomaly, and not likely to happen more than once during a 7 game series. Third, the Heat still managed to win that game in spite of poor performances from two of their top 3 players and better than average nights from several Cavs players (who were thrust into starting roles due to injury, so some increase in stats is to be expected). They rallied from 27 down in less than 12 minutes. Is that going to happen every game in a 7 game series? Of course not. But they wouldn't find themselves in that position as a general rule in a 7 game series either.

This is why we have playoffs as a series rather than one game. It allows a regression to the mean to account for statistical anomalies. The Celtics almost beat the Heat earlier this week, but they did it behind 43 points from a man who averages less than 12. How often is Jeff Green exploding like that in a 7 game series? He's only broken 20 points three other times this season, so obviously you aren't getting that production out of him on a nightly basis. And if the Heat are able to overcome these statistical anomalies within individual games, how is anyone going to be able to sustain any momentum against them in a series? It's going to take a good team effort to beat them, but the only real contenders are coming from the West (say what you will about the Pacers, I don't see them taking Miami 7 games), and the West is so stacked that whoever makes the Finals may well play multiple long series while the Heat waltz through the East with relative ease and extra rest. It's not looking good for Miami's detractors.