Official 2012-2013 NBA Playoffs Thread

[HendrixFan]

Oh lookie, you're wrong.

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/201...-oklahoma-city-thunder-undergoes-knee-surgery

Westbrook out until the offseason.

Very interesting.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--t...--return-this-season-uncertain-173113321.html

Based on those reports it was similar to Artest (return to play in 12 days) or Blake Griffin in college (return to play in 6 days).

Game three was a perfect example of the Thunder, most notably Durant and Ibaka, proving that they are a better team when those two are getting more shots and the PG is actually focused on distributing the ball. This especially is Durant's time to shine, to show some Lebron like qualities and put up something similar to those numbers he put up back in '09 when he was shouldering the load on his own. I fully expect Durant to put up 35+ until they get eliminated, be it sooner or later.

 

[Miramonti]

Howard just played his last minutes as a laker...ejected in the 3rd quarter for arguing in this close out game. His time with the lakers has been miserable and fairly inept, and he's best playing for another coach and system that will feature him better in the post.

 

[dougp]

Howard just played his last minutes as a laker...ejected in the 3rd quarter for arguing in this close out game. His time with the lakers has been miserable and fairly inept, and he's best playing for another coach and system that will feature him better in the post.

He should have been suspended for his multiple elbows to the head. I'm glad he's out before he hurts someone intentionally.

 

[IAteYourMother]

I feel truly fortunate that Stephen Curry is a member of the team I root for.

 

[preslove]

Stephen Curry is a beast. He just single handedly broke denver. While injured.

 

[Miramonti]

I feel truly fortunate that Stephen Curry is a member of the team I root for.

Someone needs to tell him he's not in the ncaa tournament playing for Davidson anymore and that he can't do this same pwnage in the nba playoffs. Not bad for someone that couldn't get a decent D1 scholarship offer.

 

[Schfifty Five]

LOL @ Lakers.

And how dumb is Howard. As a Mavs fan, I'm kind of torn now about wanting him. Mavs lack a strong defender/center, but he is too much of a baby. Don't need that drama.

 

[HendrixFan]

I feel truly fortunate that Stephen Curry is a member of the team I root for.

I love the Warriors crowds. The NBA would be so much better if every arena had the same passionate fans as those out there in Oakland. The way they pump up the team really is something special. They are the exact opposite of the Miami fans.

 

[HendrixFan]

Don't look now, but the Heat are now 39-1 in the last 40 games Lebron James has played in (they went 2-1 in three games where he rested up near the end of the season). This run the Heat are on is really getting ridiculous.

I did read a quick blurb today that Derrick Rose's brother said he might come back in the second round series if the Bulls make it there. I'm not sure starting rusty against the Heat is a good idea, he should shake out some cobwebs against the Nets first. Either way, if it is true that we see Rose back on the floor that will be a welcome sight. I'm tired of talking heads talk about the elite athleticism of Lebron, Eric Bledsoe or Russell Westbrook, but seem to leave out Rose this year. They quickly forget that he is as explosive as anyone in the league.

 

[randomrogue]

I'm fine with 82 games if they space them out more. Maybe less teams would make it more exciting, get rid of the flop, and force older players out if they can't keep up.

 

[Vdubchaos]

How about that Bulls game....wow

Curry = my current favorite player, guy is something else!

Bulls take it tonight and up next is Heat....Rose better get his ass back!

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Don't look now, but the Heat are now 39-1 in the last 40 games Lebron James has played in (they went 2-1 in three games where he rested up near the end of the season). This run the Heat are on is really getting ridiculous.

I did read a quick blurb today that Derrick Rose's brother said he might come back in the second round series if the Bulls make it there. I'm not sure starting rusty against the Heat is a good idea, he should shake out some cobwebs against the Nets first. Either way, if it is true that we see Rose back on the floor that will be a welcome sight. I'm tired of talking heads talk about the elite athleticism of Lebron, Eric Bledsoe or Russell Westbrook, but seem to leave out Rose this year. They quickly forget that he is as explosive as anyone in the league.

hard to be explosive when you're not playing

 

[Miramonti]

LOL @ Lakers.

And how dumb is Howard. As a Mavs fan, I'm kind of torn now about wanting him. Mavs lack a strong defender/center, but he is too much of a baby. Don't need that drama.

I predict he'll wind up on the Mavs. He needs to be pampered, and I think their culture will do that for him. That and Cuban's dollars to get a strong roster around him and Dirk.

 

[Red Storm]

So many injured stars missing out in these playoffs. Don't matter who you root for that's sad to see.

 

[vi edit]

Derrick who? We got Nate Robinson.

At this point I say they bench Rose even if he does want to play. You'll mess up the team chemistry this late in the season. If it was 10 games before the playoffs that's one thing. Work off the rust, build some confidence, gel with the team. Ect. But right now Chicago is up 3-1 on the Nets and *should* close out the series to move on to the second round.

Let's be honest, Chicago is going to get beat by Miami. With Rose or without. Putting him back in now just screws up things, and adds in that fear that he's not totally healthy and re-injures himself. Bench him, give him the rest of the summer to mend his vagina rebuild his confidence and come back ready to play next year. Who knows...maybe Dwight Howard can join him in Chicago next year and they both can take some classes on how to lead a team.

 

[Miramonti]

Don't look now, but the Heat are now 39-1 in the last 40 games Lebron James has played in (they went 2-1 in three games where he rested up near the end of the season). This run the Heat are on is really getting ridiculous.

I did read a quick blurb today that Derrick Rose's brother said he might come back in the second round series if the Bulls make it there. I'm not sure starting rusty against the Heat is a good idea, he should shake out some cobwebs against the Nets first. Either way, if it is true that we see Rose back on the floor that will be a welcome sight. I'm tired of talking heads talk about the elite athleticism of Lebron, Eric Bledsoe or Russell Westbrook, but seem to leave out Rose this year. They quickly forget that he is as explosive as anyone in the league.

And Miami's two most recent losses were against the Bulls and the Knicks. Should be a great series against the Bulls, hopefully, and perhaps the Knicks too.

I think Rose will be back for the 2nd round. Even tho he's not perfect, I can't imagine him being able to sit it out being such a competitor, especially as gutsy as the rest of the team has been playing thru their issues. He's rusty, but he's been practicing very hard for a few months now and still has great instincts.

 

[Red Storm]

And Miami's two most recent losses were against the Bulls and the Knicks. Should be a great series against the Bulls, hopefully, and perhaps the Knicks too.

I think Rose will be back for the 2nd round. Even tho he's not perfect, I can't imagine him being able to sit it out being such a competitor, especially as gutsy as the rest of the team has been playing thru their issues. He's rusty, but he's been practicing very hard for a few months now and still has great instincts.

Hasn't he been cleared to play for like 2 months now? I think he's scared to come back. If that's at all the case then he should not play, his team does not need that right now.

 

[Miramonti]

Hasn't he been cleared to play for like 2 months now? I think he's scared to come back. If that's at all the case then he should not play, his team does not need that right now.

Yep, that was about 2 months ago. The bulls don't have much of a chance in a 7 game series against Miami without him imo, as banged up as they are. I think if he could just get in one game, he won't want to sit again...

 

[lupi]

Howard with the mavs would be interesting. Makes dirk's last couple of years worthwhile and should be able to attract some other hi level talent.

Making this even more interesting is the chatter among some of the heads thay kobe may want to play for an extra year because he'll miss time this year recovering and he won't want to go out like that; and would howard want not one, but two more years of that.

 

[Red Storm]

Howard with the mavs would be interesting. Makes dirk's last couple of years worthwhile and should be able to attract some other hi level talent.

Making this even more interesting is the chatter among some of the heads thay kobe may want to play for an extra year because he'll miss time this year recovering and he won't want to go out like that; and would howard want not one, but two more years of that.

The Mavs are worse than the Lakers, so he'd have to give up 30 million and go to a team that's even worse, that doesn't really make sense.

 

[Miramonti]

The Mavs are worse than the Lakers, so he'd have to give up 30 million and go to a team that's even worse, that doesn't really make sense.

No state taxes in Texas is a mitigating factor to a smaller contract. I don't know who the Laker's coach is going to be, but if it's D'Antoni, I don't see any chance of him resigning. The lakers seem to be relying on the money factor and that people don't turn down the mighty historic lakers, but this is flaky howard who's going to take care of himself. And imo, that means playing in a system that is going to help/push him be successful on both sides of the court. Signing a shorter contract is a risk, but if he's healthy, he'll still get paid a decent sum on the additional year when he signs another contract, especially if he's viewed as an all-around dominant player.

 

[lupi]

Another Bull out tonight, Nets comeback?

 

[Miramonti]

Another Bull out tonight, Nets comeback?

This will be really tough for the bulls to win. They won't have their stabilizer (Hinrich) and the Nets are going to come out angry. Hopefully the nets have no legs and the bulls keep it ugly enough to have a chance at the end.

 

[HendrixFan]

Another Bull out tonight, Nets comeback?

Nate Robinson won't have another career game tonight. Even with that superb performance it took 3 OTs to get the win at home.

I think the Nets win tonight.

 

[Miramonti]

Nate Robinson won't have another career game tonight. Even with that superb performance it took 3 OTs to get the win at home.

I think the Nets win tonight.

One thing you can count on is Nate trying to have another career night.