2011 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Cheesebeef]

VASQUEZ WITH THE PRAYER IN OT!

Jesus!

 

[AfroSuns]

Man, crazy game

 

[Beaver]

I was yelling terrible shot! and BAM

 

[slinslin]

Who still wants to tell me that Gortat really is better than Marc Gasol??

 

[AfroSuns]

Memphis are going to miss Mayo and Conley in the 2nd OT

 

[Cheesebeef]

this is one of the craziest games I've seen since that Bulls-Celtics series two years ago.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

3OT !!!!

Yes !!!!

 

[NoelPHX]

Reminds me of that classic Suns-Bulls game in 93.

 

[Cheesebeef]

they should call this team the Memphis Cockroaches. They just won't die!

 

[Manu4five]

Great game!

 

[Cheesebeef]

between the Lakers getting swept, an 8 seed knocking off a 1, a 24 point comeback game, and this 3OT game... I can never remember Western Conference Playoffs this insane.

The East hasn't been nearly as good (although there's been some good games there and a relatively big upset with Atlanta beating Orlando), but me thinks a Chicago-Miami series could make up for that.

 

[BC867]

Who still wants to tell me that Gortat really is better than Marc Gasol??

Oh, I thought you were going to ask, "... better than Robin Lopez?"

Marc Gasol is playing better than his brother. Robin Lopez did not play better than his.

But since neither of the Gasol's nor Brook is on the Suns, I guess your point is moot.

Go Marcin! I can't wait to see him next season with his new inside game on offense, now that he has been given the chance that Pau, Marc and Robin had just about all season.

 

[Bert]

Who still wants to tell me that Gortat really is better than Marc Gasol??

Who ever said Gortat was better than Marc Gasol? Why would that even come up? Better yet, show me where YOU said that Marc Gasol was better than Gortat before tonight.

You're hilarious how you turn everything into a chance to bash the Suns.

Dude, Amare is gone, get over it.

 

[slinslin]

I said many times that Gasol is better than Gortat in many threads, same for Chandler. The playoffs are validation for that.

http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb...-suns-are-back-in-the-playoffs-165170-15.html

eg

how exactly do you make the argument that Gasol is better than Gortat when he averages 11.7/7.0/1.7 versus Gortat's 13/9.3/1.3? I mean, even in starts for Orlando (when Howard was out) Gortat still averaged close to double doubles.

 

[Covert Rain]

I said many times that Gasol is better than Gortat in many threads, same for Chandler. The playoffs are validation for that.

They are on better teams. Gasol has Randolph playing out of his mind and drawing attention. Chandler is playing next to Dirk. Notice how both of those centers have PF playing next to them at an all-star level?

By the way....where were you when Gasol played almost 40 minutes put up 16 points and only 7 rebounds last game? Where were you then?

He has a great game and you crawl of the woodwork to AGAIN take a shot at Gortat out of the blue.

Hilarious.

Yep....you said.....

I have nothing personal against Gortat.

What a joke. Two things we can always count on you for......eventually taking a shot at Gortat and eventually bring some conversation back to Lopez.

At least your consistent.

 

[SirStefan32]

Yeah, I don't understand Slin's irrational hatred for Gortat.

 

[slinslin]

Not like Gasol doesn't average 17/13/3/1/2 in the playoffs overall..

And how exactly is it an advantage statistically as a big man to share the court with another stud big man in Randolph who takes away many touches and rebounds himself. History proves that individual stats suffer in that case.

Gortat is a for him perfect scenario here, Frye doesn't clog the lane, Gortat is set up by Nash a ton of time and he stands out as an abover average rebounder on an otherwise terrible rebounding team.

10rpg are a lot more impressive when the guy next to you also grabs 10 instead of 6.

Not to mention the much lower pace the Grizzlies are playing. It was absolutely stupid ridiculous to say Gortat was better than Gasol even before the playoffs, no matter what statistics are brought up. Just a look at both playing tells you there is a huge difference in skill level between both while Gasol is considerably bigger too.

 

[Covert Rain]

And how exactly is it an advantage statistically as a big man to share the court with another stud big man in Randolph who takes away many touches and rebounds himself. History proves that individual stats suffer in that case.

Where is this history you speak of?

Why is it that Bynums numbers went up after getting a PF in Gasol who could rebound? Why is it in contrast Pau's rebound numbers went up as well? Why is it Zack's rebounding numbers went up after getting placed next to a center who could rebound?

You always say it "takes away" but I can show you several examples were adding another big didn't "take away" but in fact meant more rebounds for the players playing alongside another good rebounder. If anything, the people that end up getting less rebounds are your guards or SF who shouldn't be relied upon for that type of thing anyway (i.e. the Suns). It will usually take away from those types of players.

Many coaches advocate getting two bigs to play next to each other to help box out and get more rebounds and to put a big body against another teams rebounder. Often this creates MORE rebounding opportunities not less as you say.

Gortat is a for him perfect scenario here, Frye doesn't clog the lane, Gortat is set up by Nash a ton of time and he stands out as an abover average rebounder on an otherwise terrible rebounding team.

So now your mixing his rebounding and being setup by Nash. Also, as pointed out before prior to Gortat the Suns were dead last. They moved up the ladder in 1/2 season 8 spots. How often does that happen by adding one player?

10rpg are a lot more impressive when the guy next to you also grabs 10 instead of 6.

Agreed. However, you need that player on your team. As I pointed out above getting such player doesn't not equal less rebounds for Gortat. There are several examples of players benefiting from playing next to another good rebounder. Could it happen? Sure. We have seen were some players become passive after another player with similar skills joins the team. However, that is pure speculation and it's not like that is the "Rule".

Not to mention the much lower pace the Grizzlies are playing. It was absolutely stupid ridiculous to say Gortat was better than Gasol even before the playoffs, no matter what statistics are brought up. Just a look at both playing tells you there is a huge difference in skill level between both while Gasol is considerably bigger too.

Ofcourse you would say that because it's much easier for you to ignore the facts and make crap up then it is to admit your wrong or to admit you have it out for the guy. You seem to like obscure statistics or uncorrelated ones when they support your argument though. Funny how that works.

 

[Lorenzo]

between the Lakers getting swept, an 8 seed knocking off a 1, a 24 point comeback game, and this 3OT game... I can never remember Western Conference Playoffs this insane.

The East hasn't been nearly as good (although there's been some good games there and a relatively big upset with Atlanta beating Orlando), but me thinks a Chicago-Miami series could make up for that.

the EC has 4 maybe 5 teams that could win in the WC. that's it. the WC is a beast and has been for years. it is good to see the east get a couple of star players from the west over the last few years, but many of those teams just lack the depth. NY in particular. Miami I think will eventually lose because of role players that can't get the job done.

 

[Lorenzo]

like I said, Heat in 5.

it's crazy to think this team can win the title with literally three superstars and NOTHING ELSE, but I still see it happening and then next year, if they add even just one mediocre piece, they'll probably just destroy every one for the next three years.

Honestly I don't think miami will win it this year. I don't know if they will even make it out of the EAST. they are so polarizing in the sense that everyone is all over them(much like cleveland before). I just don't see it. they have wade and james, but from there...? there is a drop off. their role players don't seem to have what it takes to win a championship. I think they will win a title, but not until they get some role players(like the heat had in 06 when they won it all).

 

[Lorenzo]

They are on better teams. Gasol has Randolph playing out of his mind and drawing attention. Chandler is playing next to Dirk. Notice how both of those centers have PF playing next to them at an all-star level?

By the way....where were you when Gasol played almost 40 minutes put up 16 points and only 7 rebounds last game? Where were you then?

He has a great game and you crawl of the woodwork to AGAIN take a shot at Gortat out of the blue.

Hilarious.

Yep....you said.....



What a joke. Two things we can always count on you for......eventually taking a shot at Gortat and eventually bring some conversation back to Lopez.

At least your consistent.

from a neutral perspective I think this is a fair arguement for both sides. I was really impressed with what I saw from gortat in phoenix(and orlando). so much so as to I have to really question what orlando was thinking when they made that trade. I think when you look at these teams that are in the mix they all have at the very least 2 7 foot guys that bring it every night. some have 3.


You see teams like orlando, boston, SA all struggling in the playoffs because they have one or two big guys that are overmatched by 3 or 4 guys. Just like you need to be young and athletic in the backcourt...you need to have 2 or 3 big guys that can get easy shots in the paint, alter shots at the defensive end, and rebound the basketball.

 

[Lorenzo]

between the Lakers getting swept, an 8 seed knocking off a 1, a 24 point comeback game, and this 3OT game... I can never remember Western Conference Playoffs this insane.

The East hasn't been nearly as good (although there's been some good games there and a relatively big upset with Atlanta beating Orlando), but me thinks a Chicago-Miami series could make up for that.

I think chicago miami will be a very interesting matchup. they both have some plus and - to analyze. chicago is a much deeper roster, but they only have one true difference maker. the question is what happens if miami neutralizes rose? but the same for the heat. they have 2 stars and 1 good scorer. the chicago defense and rebounding matches up well on miami. i think that will be a defensive battle and chris bosh will have to man up and be a difference maker or they will lose to the bulls.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Honestly I don't think miami will win it this year. I don't know if they will even make it out of the EAST. they are so polarizing in the sense that everyone is all over them(much like cleveland before). I just don't see it. they have wade and james, but from there...? there is a drop off. their role players don't seem to have what it takes to win a championship. I think they will win a title, but not until they get some role players(like the heat had in 06 when they won it all).

while i agree that they Heat role players don't have what it takes to win a title, this team is unique in the fact that they have two of the top 4 players in the entire league... and a top 20 player in Bosh. We've just never seen a team have that core of a big three, with ALL of them in their prime and I think that, plus HCA in the Finals carries them through a grueling 7 game series with the Mavs.

I mean, you say they have wade and james, but from there...? from there they still have a guy who averages 17 and 10 in the playoffs. With that kind of third option playing next to the top 2 of 4 options in the entire league could be enough to push that team to a title.

 

[Lorenzo]

while i agree that they Heat role players don't have what it takes to win a title, this team is unique in the fact that they have two of the top 4 players in the entire league... and a top 20 player in Bosh. We've just never seen a team have that core of a big three, with ALL of them in their prime and I think that, plus HCA in the Finals carries them through a grueling 7 game series with the Mavs.

I mean, you say they have wade and james, but from there...? from there they still have a guy who averages 17 and 10 in the playoffs. With that kind of third option playing next to the top 2 of 4 options in the entire league could be enough to push that team to a title.

I think dallas would win that series in an upset(from a national perspective) I don't think it would be an upset. I think dallas is a better team overall.

I just think dallas is way too deep for them over the course of 7 games. Honestly I really question if they can beat chicago(Assuming chicago finishes of ATL and they beat boston).

at some point it will become 2 on 10 for them. dallas' second best player is as good as dallas'10th best player. miami's drops significantly. I honestly think there is a major reason why we haven't seen a team aligned that way win it all.

even jordan and pippen had a great supporting cast. kobe and shaq etc. those teams argueably had two of the top 5 players in the game when they were in their prime. bosh is the wild card, but he is very inconsistent. it is almost like they need him to be the difference maker.

 

[Lorenzo]

I think miami might eventually trade bosh if this unit fails. I know bosh was probably part of the package deal to get lebron to miami, but honestly they would be much better off to get out of bosh's contract and use that money to get a tough center...a pure shooting PF, and some bench playing vets who don't get nervous in big games. (that last part is a slight joke, but seriously, it just doesn't seem like bosh fits in.