2011 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Cheesebeef]

I think dallas would win that series in an upset(from a national perspective)

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).

I'll be stunned if they lose to Chicago. That's a one man team and they've struggled against some pretty mediocre opponents now that the pressure has ratcheted up and intensity has gone through the roof for everyone. What Chicago had all season that made them so good was that they played every night like it was their last and that kind of energy in the regular season = major success. Problem there though is that in the playoffs, they don't seem to have that second gear and thus everyone's playing at that level now and it seems to have leveled the playing field.

at some point it will become 2 on 10 for them.

not really sure i buy this. again, bosh isn't a super-star but he's still a VERY good player. He's had one really bad game in the playoffs, but bounced back with 20 and 12 last night and has been consistently doing that throughout the playoffs.

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.

this is both a blessing and curse for Dallas. They do have GREAT depth, but I think sooner or later, that lack of a second super-star is going to bite them in the ass. Maybe i'm wrong. Maybe they're like the Pistons of 2004 where the sum of it's parts is greater than the whole and they've definitely got a shot, but i'll be really surprised if they can shut down Wade and LeBron and Bosh 4 times in a series.

even jordan and pippen had a great supporting cast.

that they did but Wade and LeBron are a more dominating one-two punch than those two guys IMO because they're a 1-1 punch.

kobe and shaq etc. those teams argueably had two of the top 5 players in the game when they were in their prime.

true, but those teams didn't have much else besides those guys. They had horry, fisher and fox... but that 2002 champion fell off a freaking cliff after that and i think Bosh as your number 3 = the combo of what those guys bring to the table, especially because LeBron and Wade close anyway.

bosh is the wild card, but he is very inconsistent. it is almost like they need him to be the difference maker.

just not really seeing the inconsistency. he's had two bad games in the playoffs out 9 (one of which they won handily against Boston anyway) and is
averaging 17 and 10 not-withstanding. he's not a super-star, but he doesn't have to be.

regardless, it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. i think they can eek out a title this year, but there's no doubt that for them to become a dynasty, they'll need MUCH better role players in the future.

 

[Covert Rain]

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.

Wow...I just don't know. With the Heat having Wade and LeBron, they just need Bosh to show up 50% of the time to win that series. I just don't see Dallas being able to stop Wade or LeBron and Bosh only needs to keep Chandler honest. Also, Pippen was nowhere near as dynamic as Wade or LeBron. Not that I am saying either player was as good as Jordan but it's like having 2 of this era's "Jordenesque" players on one team.

I just don't see the Mavs having a shot there.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Wow...I just don't know. With the Heat having Wade and LeBron, they just need Bosh to show up 50% of the time to win that series. I just don't see Dallas being able to stop Wade or LeBron and Bosh only need to keep Chandler honest.

I just don't see the Mavs having a shot there.

after seeing what the Mavs did to the Lakers, I'd give them a shot against anyone.

 

[Superbone]

Honestly I don't think miami will win it this year.

I sure hope not. Yes, I am a Heat hater. Yes, I have Heatred. I hope the self-entitled bastards go down in flames.

 

[Lorenzo]

I'll be stunned if they lose to Chicago. That's a one man team and they've struggled against some pretty mediocre opponents now that the pressure has ratcheted up and intensity has gone through the roof for everyone. What Chicago had all season that made them so good was that they played every night like it was their last and that kind of energy in the regular season = major success. Problem there though is that in the playoffs, they don't seem to have that second gear and thus everyone's playing at that level now and it seems to have leveled the playing field.



not really sure i buy this. again, bosh isn't a super-star but he's still a VERY good player. He's had one really bad game in the playoffs, but bounced back with 20 and 12 last night and has been consistently doing that throughout the playoffs.



this is both a blessing and curse for Dallas. They do have GREAT depth, but I think sooner or later, that lack of a second super-star is going to bite them in the ass. Maybe i'm wrong. Maybe they're like the Pistons of 2004 where the sum of it's parts is greater than the whole and they've definitely got a shot, but i'll be really surprised if they can shut down Wade and LeBron and Bosh 4 times in a series.



that they did but Wade and LeBron are a more dominating one-two punch than those two guys IMO because they're a 1-1 punch.



true, but those teams didn't have much else besides those guys. They had horry, fisher and fox... but that 2002 champion fell off a freaking cliff after that and i think Bosh as your number 3 = the combo of what those guys bring to the table, especially because LeBron and Wade close anyway.



just not really seeing the inconsistency. he's had two bad games in the playoffs out 9 (one of which they won handily against Boston anyway) and is
averaging 17 and 10 not-withstanding. he's not a super-star, but he doesn't have to be.

regardless, it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. i think they can eek out a title this year, but there's no doubt that for them to become a dynasty, they'll need MUCH better role players in the future.

I didn't realize bosh was playing so well. I guess i must have picked his bad games to watch. when I watched him earlier in the year vs. dallas he was getting worked by the dallas players on the boards. at least that's how I remember it, but I may be wrong.


anyway I think they are capable. anytime you have dwade and lebron on your roster you have a chance. then add bosh and it is great. I just think lebron has never played on a team that is good enough to win a title. the notion around the league is that he is going to carry his team by himself and that myth has already been disproven. while wade is a great pairing...i just don't see their overall team winning a title in the end.

I may be wrong...but I doubt it. lol..chuck

 

[Lorenzo]

Wow...I just don't know. With the Heat having Wade and LeBron, they just need Bosh to show up 50% of the time to win that series. I just don't see Dallas being able to stop Wade or LeBron and Bosh only needs to keep Chandler honest. Also, Pippen was nowhere near as dynamic as Wade or LeBron. Not that I am saying either player was as good as Jordan but it's like having 2 of this era's "Jordenesque" players on one team.

I just don't see the Mavs having a shot there.

keep chandler honest? good luck with that...because bosh would have to try to guard dirk a lot. chandler would be much more of a scorer and problem for the heat(compared to other guys they are facing) especially because of dirk.

the main problem for dallas would be how to guard the wade/lebron combo. bosh is not the problem for dallas at all. dallas actually killed miami in the paint when they met earlier in the year. marion, chandler, and dirk will have a field day offensively. outside shooters will have open shots as well.


I think the heat are overrated because of james. I don't see this heat team as being that much better than the cleveland team last year. they might be a little better because of wade, but there is a significant drop off after their 3 star players. I honestly feel like that is going to hurt them. when they get veteran role players...sure they are going to probably win titles!


in fact the lakers would have beaten the heat. I think because its dallas...people expect them to fail and they are not going to be the sexy pick like james' heat.

 

[Covert Rain]

keep chandler honest? good luck with that...because bosh would have to try to guard dirk a lot. chandler would be much more of a scorer and problem for the heat(compared to other guys they are facing) especially because of dirk.

It's not like Chanlder tears it up to begin with. He has managed double digit rebounds and scoring only twice since the playoffs started. Like most teams, I think the Heat would know that Dirk would get his. It's not going to be about shutting down Dirk IMO. It's going to be about not letting other guys like Chandler or Terry going above and beyond their normal performances.

I just don't see the Heat having a problem with that. Not to mention nobody on Dallas can stop LeBron or Wade IMO.

 

[Lorenzo]

It's not like Chanlder tears it up to begin with. He has managed double digit rebounds and scoring only twice since the playoffs started. Like most teams, I think the Heat would know that Dirk would get his. It's not going to be about shutting down Dirk IMO. It's going to be about not letting other guys like Chandler or Terry going above and beyond their normal performances.

I just don't see the Heat having a problem with that. Not to mention nobody on Dallas can stop LeBron or Wade IMO.

chandler will probably average 10 points against the heat. against portland and LA he was guarding bynum, aldridge, gasol. against portland he was in foul trouble most of the series trying to guard aldridge who was probably the toughest guy he will have to guard in the playoffs. when he wasn't in foul trouble...he actually outscored and rebounded aldridge as the series went on. in LA bynum neutralized his offensive abilities. I actually think chandler would be a force in that series. he can score against small teams like miami.

also terry killed them in the last 2 games they played miami. for terry it's all about shot making. dallas' shooters will have wide open shots in that series. marion, peja, kidd, barea, all can have their shots.

 

[Lorenzo]

after seeing what the Mavs did to the Lakers, I'd give them a shot against anyone.

Exactly, dallas just defeated the team that we all thought was the best team. certainly better than the heat. while you have some guys that think the heat were going to win the title no matter what......i've never thought that....i think the consensus is that dallas just swept the best team in the NBA. From that observation I'd say dallas can beat any team that is left. it's just a matter of will they. and I think they would rather play miami...than chicago. again I just feel that miami would be overmatched because of depth. just as the lakers were. and the lakers are better than the heat.

 

[Lorenzo]

I'll be stunned if they lose to Chicago. That's a one man team and they've struggled against some pretty mediocre opponents now that the pressure has ratcheted up and intensity has gone through the roof for everyone. What Chicago had all season that made them so good was that they played every night like it was their last and that kind of energy in the regular season = major success. Problem there though is that in the playoffs, they don't seem to have that second gear and thus everyone's playing at that level now and it seems to have leveled the playing field.



not really sure i buy this. again, bosh isn't a super-star but he's still a VERY good player. He's had one really bad game in the playoffs, but bounced back with 20 and 12 last night and has been consistently doing that throughout the playoffs.



this is both a blessing and curse for Dallas. They do have GREAT depth, but I think sooner or later, that lack of a second super-star is going to bite them in the ass. Maybe i'm wrong. Maybe they're like the Pistons of 2004 where the sum of it's parts is greater than the whole and they've definitely got a shot, but i'll be really surprised if they can shut down Wade and LeBron and Bosh 4 times in a series.



that they did but Wade and LeBron are a more dominating one-two punch than those two guys IMO because they're a 1-1 punch.



true, but those teams didn't have much else besides those guys. They had horry, fisher and fox... but that 2002 champion fell off a freaking cliff after that and i think Bosh as your number 3 = the combo of what those guys bring to the table, especially because LeBron and Wade close anyway.



just not really seeing the inconsistency. he's had two bad games in the playoffs out 9 (one of which they won handily against Boston anyway) and is
averaging 17 and 10 not-withstanding. he's not a super-star, but he doesn't have to be.

regardless, it'll be interesting to see how it all shakes out. i think they can eek out a title this year, but there's no doubt that for them to become a dynasty, they'll need MUCH better role players in the future.

chicago has one star, but they are much deeper than miami as well. that's why they beat them in the regular season too. not to say that it matters now, but chicago has depth. the question for them is that they might put too much pressure on rose. they don't have a lot of creative scoring on their roster which might be enough to even things up for miami. but they are loaded with guys that can defend, rebound, and make open shots. chicago is struggling with indiana and atl. but miami is playing philly? and an older boston team who is injured. remember boston has been eliminated by orlando and chicago in recent years when they aren't 100%.


that is another thing impressive about dallas. the team dallas eliminated in the first round could have pushed both chicago and Miami to a long series. philly and indiana are not series that we need to really look at. those teams were not very good.

oh and for LA role players. ron harper, horrace grant, devon george.

 

[Cheesebeef]

oh and for LA role players. ron harper, horrace grant, devon george.

neither ron, nor horace grant played on the 2002 team which I specifically pointed to as what i thought this Heat team reminded me of... and devon george was awful. James Jones is just as much of a role player if not more than him.

seriously, slava medvedenko and Samaki Walker were getting decent burn on that last Shaq-Kobe title team and they played a Kings team that was MUCH deeper (and more talented than this Dallas team) AND the Kings had HCA and basically just riding Shaq and Kobe alone (with one huge shot by Horry), they overcame. I just kinda see it playing out the same way here.

 

[Lorenzo]

neither ron, nor horace grant played on the 2002 team which I specifically pointed to as what i thought this Heat team reminded me of... and devon george was awful. James Jones is just as much of a role player if not more than him.

seriously, slava medvedenko and Samaki Walker were getting decent burn on that last Shaq-Kobe title team and they played a Kings team that was MUCH deeper (and more talented than this Dallas team) AND the Kings had HCA and basically just riding Shaq and Kobe alone (with one huge shot by Horry), they overcame. I just kinda see it playing out the same way here.

Oh well I must have been thinking 2000 or 2001. I remember going to a game at reunion arena where ron harper hit a game winning shot for the lakers to beat the mavs. I think they were the 1X defending champs then.

anyway it really doesn't matter. I would rate kobe and shaq ahead of dwade and lebron. then from there those lakers teams had role players who were championship caliber. this heat team does not appear to have them, but I guess we will see. again I feel one day they will...i just think they are missing some pieces. the guys on the current squad do not strike me as championship role players. I think when the heat get some older guys who have played on other teams(like they did with gary payton, antione walker, alonzo mourning, james posey, etc) they might be more in line for one. at least they had the right idea with bibby...

but back to the heat and mavs. it's not like the mavs are like those kings or pistons all together. both of those teams were stacked with good players and it is argueable that they were deeper. you could say billups was great and you could say weber was great.

dallas has a better player in dirk. he showed his value against LA and even portland when he closed out games in spite of his poor shooting. I think that is what makes dallas unique. they have dirk and a lot of other great role players that consistently step up in all aspects of the game. even j-kidd at 38 is of great value to this team.

 

[Lorenzo]

If OKC beats memphis...the mavs would face a similiar scoring duo as to what they would face against miami. westbrook/durant score as much as lebron/wade do. the difference is both wade and james are better defensive guys and maybe better passing the ball. but from scoring aspect those guys are about the same.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If OKC beats memphis...the mavs would face a similiar scoring duo as to what they would face against miami. westbrook/durant score as much as lebron/wade do. the difference is both wade and james are better defensive guys and maybe better passing the ball. but from scoring aspect those guys are about the same.

better passers and defenders is a huge reason that Miami is so successful. That's where they really have an advantage. I don't think you're gonna see Mavericks players just wide-open for 3s against Miami like you did against the Lakers. miami's perimeter D is fast. like having two velociraptors on the court.

I also think if OKC advances, they have a decent shot of knocking off the Mavs... just as I think the Mavs have a decent shot of knocking them off. It's a toss up between those three teams IMO.

 

[82CardsGrad]

better passers and defenders is a huge reason that Miami is so successful. That's where they really have an advantage. I don't think you're gonna see Mavericks players just wide-open for 3s against Miami like you did against the Lakers. miami's perimeter D is fast. like having two velociraptors on the court.

I also think if OKC advances, they have a decent shot of knocking off the Mavs... just as I think the Mavs have a decent shot of knocking them off. It's a toss up between those three teams IMO.

Definitely agree. Though, I think the Mavs are in the "favored" slot - as least for me, jsut because of Dirk. Neither OKC or Miami has an answer for Dirk. And if the Mavs can continue to get tremendous production from the guard position, and Dirk stays healthy throughout, I am really liking their chances. The Lakers were really the only team built to stop this Mavs team, and they folded like the punks they are...

 

[Lorenzo]

I'm enjoying this bulls/hawks game. that boozer elbow on josh smith was almost funny because it looked like it was an accident...but you couldn't tell. atlanta needs to stop shooting 3's and go to the hole like they were in the comeback.

 

[Lorenzo]

Definitely agree. Though, I think the Mavs are in the "favored" slot - as least for me, jsut because of Dirk. Neither OKC or Miami has an answer for Dirk. And if the Mavs can continue to get tremendous production from the guard position, and Dirk stays healthy throughout, I am really liking their chances. The Lakers were really the only team built to stop this Mavs team, and they folded like the punks they are...

yeah dirk is playing very well. unguardable...and clutch. It's great when dirk gets the ball in the 4th quarter in a close game...and you just know that he is going to score the ball. it's really amazing to watch. he cannot be stopped..especially when his supporting cast are knocking down shots. but again...no one is really talking about their defense. they just took out two of the most physical teams in the playoffs. miami, boston, or chicago would all be favorable matchups for dallas because dallas can play that style of game. and if the role players for dallas are doing what they have been the edge will be with dallas. I don't see a team that has their depth(in the east). you could make a case that OKC would be a tougher series for dallas(at least defensively trying to stop their scoring) than what they would see in the finals.

 

[Mulli]

I'm enjoying this bulls/hawks game. that boozer elbow on josh smith was almost funny because it looked like it was an accident...but you couldn't tell. atlanta needs to stop shooting 3's and go to the hole like they were in the comeback.

With about 4 min to go, that Hawks had 79 points, and I asked my wife if the Hawks could get to 90. They finished with 81, and it took them two minutes to get that. That is with the Bulls playing their backup C, Asik, and their backup PF, Taj Gibson.

Woot!

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Rick Carlisle press conference was pretty funny. Musing on what Phil Jackson's going to do up in Montana when he gets bored..."smoke peyote"...ha ha ha

http://www.nesn.com/2011/05/phil-jackson-corrects-rick-carlisle-says-you-dont-smoke-peyote.html

"My belief is that he'll retire for a while, but I don’t know how long you can go to Montana and meditate and ... smoke peyote or whatever he does there," Carlisle told reporters. "He's gonna get bored, and I mean that in an endearing way."

Later, Jackson was asked for his response to that assertion, and he first had to make an important correction.

"Well, first of all, you don't smoke peyote. That's one thing," Jackson said with a smile.

 

[desertdawg]

http://www.nesn.com/2011/05/phil-jackson-corrects-rick-carlisle-says-you-dont-smoke-peyote.html

"My belief is that he'll retire for a while, but I don’t know how long you can go to Montana and meditate and ... smoke peyote or whatever he does there," Carlisle told reporters. "He's gonna get bored, and I mean that in an endearing way."

Later, Jackson was asked for his response to that assertion, and he first had to make an important correction.

"Well, first of all, you don't smoke peyote. That's one thing," Jackson said with a smile.

Yamon, people often say that junk about "smoking" peyote. Cracks me up, at least Phil knows what's up.

 

[Bufalay]

neither ron, nor horace grant played on the 2002 team which I specifically pointed to as what i thought this Heat team reminded me of... and devon george was awful. James Jones is just as much of a role player if not more than him.

seriously, slava medvedenko and Samaki Walker were getting decent burn on that last Shaq-Kobe title team and they played a Kings team that was MUCH deeper (and more talented than this Dallas team) AND the Kings had HCA and basically just riding Shaq and Kobe alone (with one huge shot by Horry), they overcame. I just kinda see it playing out the same way here.

Didn't the Lakers also have Dick Bavetta and Bob Delaney in that series? I think those guys really made a difference for them.

 

[Cheesebeef]

damn, Wade carried them in the first half and 'Bron just completely took over in the last two minutes like i haven't seen since he railed the Pistons back in 2007.

it's too bad this series ended in 5. i could keep watching these teams play each other for a while.

side note: jesus Miami... it's just the second round. keep it in your pants. You haven't even won your conference yet.

 

[Cheesewater]

damn, Wade carried them in the first half and 'Bron just completely took over in the last two minutes like i haven't seen since he railed the Pistons back in 2007.

it's too bad this series ended in 5. i could keep watching these teams play each other for a while.

side note: jesus Miami... it's just the second round. keep it in your pants. You haven't even won your conference yet.

Exactly. All of it. I'll just add this: James Jones.

 

[Bert]

damn, Wade carried them in the first half and 'Bron just completely took over in the last two minutes like i haven't seen since he railed the Pistons back in 2007.

it's too bad this series ended in 5. i could keep watching these teams play each other for a while.

side note: jesus Miami... it's just the second round. keep it in your pants. You haven't even won your conference yet.

I completely agree. I was just about to go lavishing praise on Lebron for being the true closer he has always kinda failed to be, and then I see him crumbled on the floor like he just won the championship...

Lebron, good job in this game dude, you beat the Celtics, you were clutch, you put yourself in that 'next level' for now but seriously bro, you have the ECF waiting for you and the Finals after that, it's a bit too early to do the "OMG I'm crouched on the floor praying for 10 minutes cuz I'm so psyched that we won" thing.... Just sayin

 

[chickenhead]

It's like "The Shot That Saved Cleveland"

...

until they lost the series.