Official 2012-2013 NBA Playoffs Thread

[007ELmO]

Indiana: Built, not Bought.

 

[HendrixFan]

Indiana: Built, not Bought.

They got better when they went away from the whitewash.

 

[fallenangel99]

If Pacers can cut on the TOs (avg 15/game?) and have West/Stephenson contribute and have Hill play PG effectively, Pacers have a chance of winning Game 7. But the Pacers have to cut down on the TO.. too many TOs.. and more driving in!

 

[Miramonti]

Amazing how rarely Lebron can take over the game with his jumpshot. Game 5 was the rarity. He can get any shot on the floor he wants, but has little ability or confidence to turn to it when needed.

 

[Attic]

If Pacers can cut on the TOs (avg 15/game?) and have West/Stephenson contribute and have Hill play PG effectively, Pacers have a chance of winning Game 7. But the Pacers have to cut down on the TO.. too many TOs.. and more driving in!

Yep. They'll have to keep it tight for game 7, but with that they have a good shot.


Nother test for Lebron. Weak reaction to his charge in the 4th tonight.

 

[Miramonti]

Hibbert is throwback. Miami doesn't know how to deal with him. Indiana is bigger, faster, stronger. I'm glad the announcers noticed what I have all series, the Miami Cavaliers.

These playoffs seem to be the year of the big men. Duncan, Gasol, Hibbert, even Joakim Noah. Hibbert is playing like a throwback, that's for sure. He's playing against a small lineup and toasting the Heat. But it's also a culmination of how hard he's worked since getting drafted at only the #17 slot.

Indiana: Built, not Bought.

Larry Bird ftw. :thumbsup: He's been the antithesis of Michael Jordan's post playing career, succeeding as a coach and an executive building the pacers.

 

[Miramonti]

Hobbled knee Wade that struggles to score 15 a game? He has been guarding George more often than anyone this series. Don't be silly.

I don't buy any of the criticisms Wade's getting. He's probably 'heroic' for just being out there. He's an energy guy and an attacker, and he's a 4th quarter clutch player and fierce competitor.

But he hasn't been able to do that this postseason. There's no possible way it's simply poor performance - he's just not able to play his game.

 

[dbk]

Stupifying to think that these current players on the Heat can be called the "Miami Cavaliers". They're really sucking it up! Even if the Heat make it are they going to the swept like the 07 Cavs by the Spurs? Cant see them winning..

 

[HendrixFan]

Amazing how rarely Lebron can take over the game with his jumpshot. Game 5 was the rarity. He can get any shot on the floor he wants, but has little ability or confidence to turn to it when needed.

They had the best record in the NBA this year and they did it on the back of a well rounded offensive attack with Lebron as the main facilitator. Why should he take over games with his jumper? That is a limited approach given his immense skillset. He isn't Kobe.

Nobody in the NBA can read a defense and see the whole floor like Lebron. There is very rarely a situation in which you can break down a play and see Lebron make the wrong decision. His efficiency numbers are off the charts, and that is because he can find holes in the defense that most players can't.

Looking at Lebron's shot chart, he shoots above league average in most areas of the court, but he is much more efficient on the left side three and in the paint. His ability to finish in the paint pushes his FG% to staggering levels. His ability to hit jumpers helps keep defenses honest but his bread is buttered inside.

Either way, he hit some daggers today. Big jumpers at key points in the game. Ideally he can get back onto the right block but that is easy for Indiana to defend if the other Heat guys aren't hitting open shots when he gets doubled or tripled.

 

[Miramonti]

Hibbert on him being voted #10 for defensive player of the year:

"Ya'll motherfvckers don't watch us play all year."

That should cost about $10k :biggrin:

 

[Miramonti]

They had the best record in the NBA this year and they did it on the back of a well rounded offensive attack with Lebron as the main facilitator. Why should he take over games with his jumper? That is a limited approach given his immense skillset. He isn't Kobe.

Nobody in the NBA can read a defense and see the whole floor like Lebron. There is very rarely a situation in which you can break down a play and see Lebron make the wrong decision. His efficiency numbers are off the charts, and that is because he can find holes in the defense that most players can't.

Looking at Lebron's shot chart, he shoots above league average in most areas of the court, but he is much more efficient on the left side three and in the paint. His ability to finish in the paint pushes his FG% to staggering levels. His ability to hit jumpers helps keep defenses honest but his bread is buttered inside.

Either way, he hit some daggers today. Big jumpers at key points in the game. Ideally he can get back onto the right block but that is easy for Indiana to defend if the other Heat guys aren't hitting open shots when he gets doubled or tripled.

Yes, he's so great and they've been so successful, yada yada yada. 41-3 in the last 44 before the playoffs, how about that?!.

Yet a reliable jump shot is another way to make the defense adjust and teammates aren't hitting their shots. But my point is he rarely can do that late in games, which is fairly remarkable for a player at his position and at his level.

This is one area they really miss Wade. He can get his own shot anywhere anytime when healthy, which not only gets buckets but tosses the defenses around...particularly late in close playoff games.

 

[Miramonti]

Stupifying to think that these current players on the Heat can be called the "Miami Cavaliers". They're really sucking it up! Even if the Heat make it are they going to the swept like the 07 Cavs by the Spurs? Cant see them winning..

Anything can happen in game 7's, but beyond that the last thing I see is the heat getting swept by the spurs.

Pacers were the best team in the league at defending 3's during the regular season, which has had a big impact on the series. And Wade's ineffectiveness on offense has made that job easier for the pacers. It's also helped the pacer's impose their big game against the heat's small ball.

After each game this series, it's seemed the winner had the momentum if not the advantage. But neither has been able to carry that into the next game. I feel it's time for a change.

 

[Slew Foot]

David Stern will have the refs on full lockdown for game 7. Pacers arent going anywhere on his watch

 

[AznAnarchy99]

David Stern will have the refs on full lockdown for game 7. Pacers arent going anywhere on his watch

Dwade gonna throw some clothes lines last like year.

 

[Via]

The NBA really can't win with this one unless it's a Heat blowout.

 

[007ELmO]

I don't think the Heat will get swept by the spurs either, but I'm sure Popavich is looking at how Indiana is playing to see what's going on. On top of that, with Wade like 15% of his former self, we can somehow scratch him off unless he performs something miraculous (we know he's a good actor). I think the Spurs have the odds in their favor, to say the least.

This Indy/Miami matchup is crazy, I don't think the Finals will compare.

Wade doesn't have a reliable jumper, this will spell his doom earlier than not. Kobe held up very well through his years, now with a major injury nobody really knows how he will recover, but the dude has a killer jumper, possibly the scariest in the NBA.

To me it's apparent how much harder lebron works than wade (in his career). wade depended on his sly moves to the basket, midrange off balance shots, explosive finishes. Lebron has worked on his entire game.

Like anything else in life, you concentrate on one portion too much, you begin to lack in other areas. Wade does not have an old man's game.

One thing is for sure, the Indiana pacers are gaining fans left and right.

 

[jman19]

So does LBJ rack up a $10k fine now for that embarrassing flop against George?

 

[tosaytheleast]

One thing is for sure, the Indiana pacers are gaining fans left and right.

Every team who has stepped up against the Heat will eventually gain fans left and right. The thing with Indiana is that they are throwing back answers to each win by the Heat. Of coarse they can do that because they have the talent and the personnel.

Game 7 will be one hell of a game but if the game goes close on the end, I would pick the Heat to get the win because they have one of the best finishers in the NBA today which is the NBA MVP.

 

[007ELmO]

True.

 

[HendrixFan]

Yes, he's so great and they've been so successful, yada yada yada. 41-3 in the last 44 before the playoffs, how about that?!.

Yet a reliable jump shot is another way to make the defense adjust and teammates aren't hitting their shots. But my point is he rarely can do that late in games, which is fairly remarkable for a player at his position and at his level.

This is one area they really miss Wade. He can get his own shot anywhere anytime when healthy, which not only gets buckets but tosses the defenses around...particularly late in close playoff games.

I said before this series that if Wade plays like he did against Chicago the Heat would go either 8-5 or 8-6 the rest of the way. 8-0 or 8-1 if he is healthy. You need another reliable scorer off of the main guy in this league. Defenses these days are too sophisticated to allow any one guy to win a series. This isn't the kindergarten level defense of the 90s.

This series is going like I figured it would given Wade's contributions.

Lebron's shot is reliable but what is that good for? 40? 50? You need more than that to win a game in the NBA. The other guys need to be involved and that doesn't happen if he is shooting jumpers. He has to get into the paint and draw in the defense to open up things for everyone else. There is no other way right now.

As far as his inability to hit jumpers late, may I refer you to the 2011 ECF? I have any of those games available if you want me to upload some videos. If you don't recall it involves Lebron hitting jumpers late to bury the Bulls. Game after game. I have mountains of games where that happens. Give me the parameters and I'll show you the game. I have 300+ games but it doesn't take me long to sift through the ones I need to prove my point.

 

[007ELmO]

Wade:
"We've got guys individually who want to play better," Wade said. "But we've got to try to help each other out in this locker room and not leave it up to the individual to self-will it."

James:
"I mean, we can state the obvious; they're both struggling," James said of Wade and Bosh. "When you're struggling, the best thing to get is a layup or a dunk. [Wade] missed a couple of them ... Chris is struggling with his shot and him hurting his ankle didn't help."

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/201...-dwyane-wade-says-chris-bosh-need-bigger-role

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Chickenman needs to be suspended for Game 6, if not for pushing then atleast for struggling with referee

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/5/31/4382858/chris-andersen-birdman-tyler-hansbrough-heat-vs-pacers

that's racist man.
if someone had said a certain player was gorilla man, you can be certain there'd be a ban coming their way.

 

[bigpimpatl]

I think he meant chicken as a reference to his hair style, could be wrong though...

 

[dougp]

that's racist man.
if someone had said a certain player was gorilla man, you can be certain there'd be a ban coming their way.

I seriously hope you're kidding ...

 

[007ELmO]

lol at blahblah's chickenman being racist, lol. comon, his name is bird man.