NBA Playoff Thread
- Thread starter lawyerman
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It will be very interesting tomorrow. Can you imagine if the Hawks beat the Celtics tomorrowDonQuixote said:
? That would probably be the greatest upset in NBA history if not in professional sports. The Hawks are a better team than their regular season record indicated. If Mike Bibby can step it up and the Hawks can stay close, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't win the game.I have a lot of faith in KG and that is the main reason I believe the Celtics will pull it out. If he's out of the lineup, no chance.
Sure, but they had to give up so much to get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, so that killed their depth outside of Paul Pierce.
Look at how many guys went to Boston at lower contracts just to play with them (James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, PJ Brown) for a chance to win. Doc hasn't figured out how to incorporate them into the lineup with Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins.
On paper, that looks like depth... Doc just doesn't have a good feel for the game or his players, particularly in-game adjustments. Look at game 4 - he needed to put Posey (a good defender) on a hot Joe Johnson and yet still stuck with Ray Allen, a below-average defender.
Look at how many guys went to Boston at lower contracts just to play with them (James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, PJ Brown) for a chance to win. Doc hasn't figured out how to incorporate them into the lineup with Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins.
On paper, that looks like depth... Doc just doesn't have a good feel for the game or his players, particularly in-game adjustments. Look at game 4 - he needed to put Posey (a good defender) on a hot Joe Johnson and yet still stuck with Ray Allen, a below-average defender.
I think they can all co-exist. That's not the question. The bench is not the greatest. There is no question KG is the leader of that team. He is great.DonQuixote said:
LeBron is the best all-around player in the league. That's my opinion. He will be the MVP of this league soon.
It's too bad that the Cavs aren't very good. He needs help and so does every star in the NBA.
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I think that is part of the problem. KG is not a finisher. Never has been, probably never will be. He settles for jumpers (especially fadeaways / turnarounds) when he should be taking guys to school in the paint. I don't think this team has established who the alpha dog is in crunchtime (there are three guys used to being "the man"), another big problem...lawyerman said:
BTW - Anyone else think it's stupid to start the second round before the entire first round is complete?
KG has always been on those horrible Minnesota teams for years. Like I said before, every great player needs help. Even Jordan, Johnson and Bird needed help to win championships and hopefully KG will win one before his career is over. It's no wonder KG is not not considered a finisher. He is an excellent all around player and a defensive giant. He can't do everything. You might be right in terms of who would take the last shot in a game. They have 3 choices to make. Basically, choose your poison. I still think he is the leader in the room. I don't think Pierce has any resentment to the fact that there are 3 stars on the team. I am sure that their main goal is the championship.Herodotus said:
It is stupid to start the second round when the first round is incomplete.
Well, Sprewell, Sam Cassell and Wally were pretty good offensive players on the 'Wolves and the other role players were ok. In fact, we tend to forget that Latrell Sprewell was one of the best all-around shooting guards in the league for a while - before he had to "feed his family" and sail his yacht. That Minnesota supporting cast is better than anything Lebron has ever had.
Again, I go back to what I said earlier - KG needs to take the ball to the hole in the post a LOT stronger when the game is on the line than he has throughout his career. Stop settling for jumpers - that's what Ray Allen and Paul Pierce (along with his drive to the hole) are for!
Again, I go back to what I said earlier - KG needs to take the ball to the hole in the post a LOT stronger when the game is on the line than he has throughout his career. Stop settling for jumpers - that's what Ray Allen and Paul Pierce (along with his drive to the hole) are for!
Oh, I know. It's just kinda unseemly. Particularly when they space games out so much and stretch the first round too far as is...DonQuixote said:
I still can't get over what a poor game Tim Duncan had last night in the 101-82 New Orleans blowout.
Perhaps the worst of his career - 37 min, 1-9 shooting, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Yikes!
Maybe New Orleans is for real. If so, the Spurs dynasty may be over... Wow.
Perhaps the worst of his career - 37 min, 1-9 shooting, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Yikes!
Maybe New Orleans is for real. If so, the Spurs dynasty may be over... Wow.
I don't see the real surprise with New Orleans. They have a good lineup outside of Chris Paul. David West is looking better every year, Peja can still shoot the ball and Chandler is a rebound monster. The bench is not that bad either. I think that the general public (including myself a bit) took them for granted a tad.
yup..
They are a fun team to watch too. I’d love to see them knock off the spurs, setting up a match-up with Kobe and Lakers!
Chris Paul is growing by leaps and bounds.
They are a fun team to watch too. I’d love to see them knock off the spurs, setting up a match-up with Kobe and Lakers!
Chris Paul is growing by leaps and bounds.
I don't think anyone expected them to do so well this season. I thought they would improve but only marginally. They have had the same core of players for at least a couple of years now and a superstar in Chris Paul. David West has improved as well and it looks like the Spurs do not have an answer for him if he keeps on making those outside shots.DonQuixote said:
It would be great if the Hornets could knock off the Spurs. I like the Spurs but I want to see the Hornets beat them. This is great for the City of New Orleans. Too tough to call.SupahotGavin said:
The Lakers looked good yesterday. Kobe had 38 points and looked strong again. Lakers in 5.
The Celtics pummelled the Hawks and that is the way it should have been all along. What a beating. The Cavs better be ready but I believe they are overmatched. LeBron can't do it all. Celtics in 5.
I think the Pistons/Magic series will be closer than it was in the second game. Detroit looked very strong in Game 1. Detroit in 5.
I hope every series goes to the limit. I just think the the Cavs had a hard time with Washington (without their best player Gilbert Arenas most of the time) and now that they are playing the Celtics, they have to really tighten up. I have mentioned it several times, LBJ is the best all around player in the NBA and would love to see him win a championship but playing against the Celtics and especially those three great players.DonQuixote said:
New Orleans is my sentimental favourite for obvious reasons. Those people in Louisiana have had such a hard time with the devestating effects of Katrina. Chris Paul has taken his game to another level and had a great year.
In my opinion, CP should have won the MVP.
At least they would have something to cheer about.
I meant Arenas played but was ineffective most if the time due to his injury.
The Hawks did have the worst regular season of the bunch but they have a good core of young players. They should be better next year if they keep the same players as this year.
The Cavs are unpredictable. If the Cavs do well, it is only because of LeBron. We'll see what happens. You have to give the Cavs credit since they did get to the Finals last year. I just think that Boston is too strong.
The Hawks did have the worst regular season of the bunch but they have a good core of young players. They should be better next year if they keep the same players as this year.
The Cavs are unpredictable. If the Cavs do well, it is only because of LeBron. We'll see what happens. You have to give the Cavs credit since they did get to the Finals last year. I just think that Boston is too strong.
Generally speaking, Atlanta is a very athletic team. They needed a strong veteran presence on their club. I mean the two oldest guys are turning 30.
Bibby and Claxton. I would not classify either on if those players as a leader. They have a very good young team but they need a veteran leader to help this team.
Bibby and Claxton. I would not classify either on if those players as a leader. They have a very good young team but they need a veteran leader to help this team.
