Official 2013-2014 NBA Playoffs Thread

[DesiPower]

Oh look, freak can make basket!! and if not, 3 little angles are always there to help him out!!

 

[smackababy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/s...tractors-cant-live-with-the-results.html?_r=0

Good writeup on the ridiculous criticism heaped on James.

Lebron James' breaks neck mid game, "pundits" go to twitter to call him a pussy for missing the rest of the game. Lebron scores 50 points, "pundits" go to twitter to criticize him for not scoring more AND for not passing more. I really don't get the fascination with trashing him. Sometimes he does act like a bitch (crying for fouls, the Decision), but most of the time he just plays better than anyone else.


I hope that Tim Duncan getting a tech sets the stage for players to stfu and stop bitching to the refs.

 

[DesiPower]

Lebron James' breaks neck mid game, "pundits" go to twitter to call him a pussy for missing the rest of the game. Lebron scores 50 points, "pundits" go to twitter to criticize him for not scoring more AND for not passing more. I really don't get the fascination with trashing him. Sometimes he does act like a bitch (crying for fouls, the Decision), but most of the time he just plays better than anyone else.

I hope that Tim Duncan getting a tech sets the stage for players to stfu and stop bitching to the refs.

Some players don't have to bitch to refs as refs are already their bitches. Others will be called out for pointing the obvious and trying to remind the refs that they are supposed to be fair.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Spurs lost game 2 because of their missed free throws and the refs. Those where the only to difference compared to game 1

don't forget the air-conditioning

 

[lupi]

I don't know about that, I find Jackson entertaining to listen to. I'd be perfectly happy if it was just him and Walton on the mic.

Now Tirico, it can't be too soon of a day when you no longer hear his voice.

 

[manly]

I don't know about that, I find Jackson entertaining to listen to. I'd be perfectly happy if it was just him and Walton on the mic.

Now Tirico, it can't be too soon of a day when you no longer hear his voice.

I do like Jackson's delivery and don't mind his trademark cliches. But analysis? He ain't no Hubie Brooks, that's for sure. Some people hate JVG's whining, or frequent tangents. I don't care much because I'm watching the game, and mostly tuning out the talking heads anyway.

Did the mod(s) just wake up and finally ban the #1 troll?

I felt in the first half, the Heat were getting the benefit of the doubt a bit, nothing egregious. We know the NBA loves its long series. But late in the game, the refs are trying to make the right calls and not pander as much to "home cooking".

Obviously fans of both teams could be "homers" in this thread, but there's a lot of whining here on a play where LeBron got fouled by both defenders. And whining about LeBron's strip of Duncan that looked quite clean on the single replay they showed (did he come down on forearm? I didn't see). LeBron's strip of Parker was clean as well, but the refs did NOT correct the call. Perhaps because it's possible that the ball glanced off LeBron's hand immediately after going off Parker's leg. Possible, but like JVG I didn't see redirection or a change in spin.

It doesn't matter that much that LeBron has these "behind the 8 ball" transcendent games on an annual basis now. His 35/8/8 games didn't win in 2009 and he'll continue to need significant help if they're to beat the Spurs execution and depth. I find it unlikely that the Heat will win a game 7 on the road (not that they can't), so they still need 3 out of the next 4. A split in Miami makes the Spurs a good favorite (probably 60/40) again.

 

[dougp]

I don't know about that, I find Jackson entertaining to listen to. I'd be perfectly happy if it was just him and Walton on the mic.

Now Tirico, it can't be too soon of a day when you no longer hear his voice.

Walton and Hubbie would be one of the better lineups IMO.

 

[darkewaffle]

Obviously fans of both teams could be "homers" in this thread, but there's a lot of whining here on a play where LeBron got fouled by both defenders. And whining about LeBron's strip of Duncan that looked quite clean on the single replay they showed (did he come down on forearm? I didn't see). LeBron's strip of Parker was clean as well, but the refs did NOT correct the call. Perhaps because it's possible that the ball glanced off LeBron's hand immediately after going off Parker's leg. Possible, but like JVG I didn't see redirection or a change in spin.

I actually thought it looked like James' strip on Parker might have glanced off James' foot when it hit the floor but the camera kept focusing on upper body. Ultimately didn't make a difference fortunately.

 

[lupi]

Hubie, along with others, would be better if you're going analytical. I was going with a pure entertainment of listening angle.

 

[manly]

Hubie, along with others, would be better if you're going analytical. I was going with a pure entertainment of listening angle.

Well I'm not a hard core hoops junkie, so I do like to be told interesting things that happened that I missed in real time. Oftentimes, it's some wrinkle off the ball that contributed to the play.

Jackson telling me totally obvious shit that I saw with my own eyes does not qualify as entertaining: "LeBron getting to his spot," "LeBron imposing his will," yada yada. It's an endless stream of obvious statements with that guy. If that's at all indicative of his Xs and Os, then the Warriors got as much out of him as possible (do tend to think his dismissal was not warranted based on performance, but the reasons were more about synergy and personal relationships).

 

[smackababy]

(do tend to think his dismissal was not warranted based on performance, but the reasons were more about synergy and personal relationships).

The players got tired of hearing 'hand down, man down'. That doesn't even make any sense... And the post game guys are also annoying as fuck. The girl offers absolutely zero and one of the guys is always bitching in the most obnoxious way.

 

[manly]

The players got tired of hearing 'hand down, man down'. That doesn't even make any sense... And the post game guys are also annoying as fuck. The girl offers absolutely zero and one of the guys is always bitching in the most obnoxious way.

The players loved him, and that's worth quite a bit in today's star-driven NBA where almost every player makes millions and they don't put up with drill sergeant coaches. But Mark Jackson wasn't that strong of an in-game coach, and obviously the owner did not like him for a few documented reasons.

I like the studio crew, personally. Steel(e?) is merely eye candy, and Doug Collins, Jalen and Bill Simmons are pretty solid. You must hate Simmons lol.

 

[darkewaffle]

No idea how they'd work together but I think I'd like Breen/JVG/Reggie. Breen just because "Bang!" is perfect, and JVG and Reggie have the 'real' experience and don't mind not filtering themselves too harshly.

TNT halftime crew beat the crap out of ESPN though, no contest. I do like Simmons though, the guy is actually a really talented writer imo.

 

[smackababy]

The players loved him, and that's worth quite a bit in today's star-driven NBA where almost every player makes millions and they don't put up with drill sergeant coaches. But Mark Jackson wasn't that strong of an in-game coach, and obviously the owner did not like him for a few documented reasons.

I like the studio crew, personally. Steel(e?) is merely eye candy, and Doug Collins, Jalen and Bill Simmons are pretty solid. You must hate Simmons lol.

Yeah, Simmons is who I hate. His "insight" is never insightful and he just rants about dumb shit.

 

[lupi]

Can't wait for PTI later, Wilbon's head gonna explode when they rub it in his face that the horse outdrew an uncharacteristically well rated spurs game by about double.

 

[Blackjack200]

Can't wait for PTI later, Wilbon's head gonna explode when they rub it in his face that the horse outdrew an uncharacteristically well rated spurs game by about double.

Heh, people just flip over for 2 minutes then flip back.

 

[dawheat]

No idea how they'd work together but I think I'd like Breen/JVG/Reggie. Breen just because "Bang!" is perfect, and JVG and Reggie have the 'real' experience and don't mind not filtering themselves too harshly.

TNT halftime crew beat the crap out of ESPN though, no contest. I do like Simmons though, the guy is actually a really talented writer imo.

Yeah Breen isn't great but his 'Bang!' phrase is worth it.

I don't mind the after game crew myself - I can't remember the last time a crew was actually truly insightful and Doug Collins, Jalen and Bill Simmons are reasonably articulate. The TNT crew is more entertaining but I find equally as uninsightful (big man has to dominate...thanks Shaq) and less articulate.

 

[Miramonti]

I'm a fan of breen. I think he's a fan of the game, gives pretty honest assessments and isn't afraid to say what he saw (even tho he's fairly tactful.)

Spurs' heads must be spinning right now. They let off the gas in the 4th quarter last night, ran their game at a much slower pace, and generally screwed themselves out of a ring...hopefully not but most likely so.

 

[jcuadrado]

Just imagine if it was Wade and James who missed those free throws in the 4th quarter.

Duncan is a stud.... but he choked big time at the most critical time in a very critical game.

 

[lupi]

fisher the new knicks coach.

 

[QueBert]

Just imagine if it was Wade and James who missed those free throws in the 4th quarter.

Duncan is a stud.... but he choked big time at the most critical time in a very critical game.

Duncan doesn't choke, he has "off games" James could have 5 30+ point games and then a game with 18 and he's instantly a choker. I mean serious when's the last time Jones choked? And I don't mean had a bad game, I mean had a bad game when it really mattered? That doesn't stop the guy on here from calling him LeChoke. He choked 4 seasons ago, he's always a choker. Ducan could end up blowing the finals for SA and he'll get a pass.

 

[jcuadrado]

Duncan doesn't choke, he has "off games" James could have 5 30+ point games and then a game with 18 and he's instantly a choker. I mean serious when's the last time Jones choked? And I don't mean had a bad game, I mean had a bad game when it really mattered? That doesn't stop the guy on here from calling him LeChoke. He choked 4 seasons ago, he's always a choker. Ducan could end up blowing the finals for SA and he'll get a pass.

Duncan was 0-1 in the 4th qtr!? Really? Amazing player... but 0-1 is downright awful.

 

[dougp]

Duncan doesn't choke, he has "off games" James could have 5 30+ point games and then a game with 18 and he's instantly a choker. I mean serious when's the last time Jones choked? And I don't mean had a bad game, I mean had a bad game when it really mattered? That doesn't stop the guy on here from calling him LeChoke. He choked 4 seasons ago, he's always a choker. Ducan could end up blowing the finals for SA and he'll get a pass.

Since you're not a Spurs fan, nor in San Antonio, you have no idea the amount of flack he got for missing the free layups last year in the Finals. He choked, and he'll be the first to admit it to you. He blew the game on Sunday as well, he's getting the criticism he deserves.

Just not from the national media. That's the type of criticism you deserve when you're hyped and in the spotlight like Lebron is.

 

[dougp]

Duncan was 0-1 in the 4th qtr!? Really? Amazing player... but 0-1 is downright awful.

Here's my big problem - he was abusing them in the first game, and in the first half of the second game. Yet down the stretch, the ball doesn't run through him. The ball should be going through Duncan, as he'll have a high percentage shot or be able to kick out of the double team.

 

[dawheat]

Since you're not a Spurs fan, nor in San Antonio, you have no idea the amount of flack he got for missing the free layups last year in the Finals. He choked, and he'll be the first to admit it to you. He blew the game on Sunday as well, he's getting the criticism he deserves.

Just not from the national media. That's the type of criticism you deserve when you're hyped and in the spotlight like Lebron is.

I agree - TD is a star and universally respected, but today Lebron is THE star and greater criticism comes along with it.

However, I dislike the vitriol he gets - I don't particularly like him or the Heat, but I love watching him play basketball and the game would be far poorer without his unique abilities.

I've never seen a single player get blamed for EVERY loss or attacked with such hatred over cramping. You can say he's prone to cramping or whatever, but he's been an absolute workhorse in the playoffs the last 3 years for the Heat.

And the attacks on his heart and toughness IMO speak more to the people saying it - especially as they tended to lean toward the misogynistic.