2014 NBA Playoff thread

[elindholm]

Too bad the Thunder will not be at full strength as they go forward. I do not see them getting past San Antonio.

You have to hand it to the Spurs. They've spent this entire season on a mission to overwrite their collapse in Game 6 of last year's Finals, and their focus has never relented. They must be psychologically exhausted, but they're still getting it done. There's no question that they'll want it more than the Heat if they get their Finals rematch.

 

[AzStevenCal]

This is terrible news, because it means he will probably go back into broadcasting. Words cannot express how much I hate him in that role.

He and ESPN have already reached an agreement. He'll be back in the booth for the remaining Eastern Playoff games to include the NBA Championship. Lucky us.

Steve

 

[Superbone]

He and ESPN have already reached an agreement. He'll be back in the booth for the remaining Eastern Playoff games to include the NBA Championship. Lucky us.

Steve

Hand down, man down!

 

[sunsfan88]

Hand down, man down!

Mama there goes that man!

 

[Mainstreet]

You have to hand it to the Spurs. They've spent this entire season on a mission to overwrite their collapse in Game 6 of last year's Finals, and their focus has never relented. They must be psychologically exhausted, but they're still getting it done. There's no question that they'll want it more than the Heat if they get their Finals rematch.

Gregg Popovich must be one of the greatest motivators ever. His teams are always focused. They are so methodically good.

 

[Superbone]

Gregg Popovich must be one of the greatest motivators ever. His teams are always focused. They are so methodically good.

I think it's a combination of that and getting the right mix of players with great attitudes.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Hand down, man down!

Mama there goes that man!

I just wish he'd made a "grown man move" and retired to his pulpit.

Steve

 

[95pro]

George has a concussion. Personally I'm not a fan of Wade, but he does some douche moves like that where someone could get hurt.

 

[Russ Smith]

Gregg Popovich must be one of the greatest motivators ever. His teams are always focused. They are so methodically good.

His teams are so good at finding the mismatch and exploiting it.

In that game for 3 quarters Westbrook does a great job of not settling for 3's and driving, he finally gets OKC in front, then SA takes a 1 point lead and Westbrook settles for a 3 and misses. SA scores again and then basically the rest of the game is get Adams in a pick and roll with Ginobili for buckets, or find another mismatch and exploit it.

Westbrook played a great game but the difference between playing for Brooks and playing for Pop is that if you play for Pop you won't take that 3 or you won't be in the game after it. Pop's teams always make the right play, they don't settle for bad shots, they knew the small lineup couldn't guard them so after they forced Adams out, they went to Diaw against smaller guys like Jackson and closed out the game.

 

[Phrazbit]

George has a concussion. Personally I'm not a fan of Wade, but he does some douche moves like that where someone could get hurt.

That play a few years ago when he dislocated Rondo's elbow comes to mind.

 

[Cheesebeef]

this Spurs team is a freaking machine. If LeBron is somehow able to beat them, in back to back years, he's got to start going down as a top 5, maybe even top 3 player of all time.

that would be a great Finals rematch.

the Spurs passing is just incredible. It's like they never take a contested shot. Ridiculous.

 

[sunsfan88]

What's amazing about the Spurs is how they play well even with some no name guys on the floor.

There are so many times when Duncan, Ginobili and Parker won't even be on the court and yet their playing magnificent.

I honestly think Popovich could carry the worst team in a conference to the playoffs. Best HC in NBA history and its not even close.

People say Duncan is the reason that he's good but I think you can pose that in the exact opposite direction...is Popovich the reason for Duncan developing into the player he is today?

 

[Cheesebeef]

LeBron is so freaking good. I've watched a lot of Miami playoff games so far this year and it doesn't even seem like he's dominating...and yet he's averaging 31.7 ppg, 8 rebounds and 5 assists on 56% shooting, while playing lock-down defense against...well...anyone they put him on.

If Bosh hadn't become a complete and utter non-factor, this team would be destroying people.

 

[elindholm]

Wow, what a collapse by the Pacers in Game 3. That series is over.

 

[Superbone]

Wow, what a collapse by the Pacers in Game 3. That series is over.

It was over when they lost game 2 at home. They don't stand a chance.

 

[slinslin]

Still hope the Heat lose. I guess that makes it more likely that Lebron leaves.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Still hope the Heat lose. I guess that makes it more likely that Lebron leaves.

If he leaves I can't see him going anywhere but New York. His sponsors would probably be willing to more than compensate for the salary he'd probably have to lose to play there. It's bad enough looking at a Miami dynasty, I really don't want to see it happen in New York too. Especially since in that market they could probably sustain it far longer than perhaps anywhere else.

Steve

 

[marios13]

On an unrelated topic Goran Dragic confirmed he will play at the FIBA Wold Cup
30 august - 14 september ...

 

[AzStevenCal]

On an unrelated topic Goran Dragic confirmed he will play at the FIBA Wold Cup
30 august - 14 september ...

I'm sure that's good news for Slovenians but that's horrible news for Suns fans. I feel bad for Goran, he made it clear that he didn't want to play but thought he might have to anyway.

Steve

 

[Mainstreet]

I was hoping Dragic would sit this event out. He needs the rest from the grind of a long NBA season. He was worn down last season. The Suns definitely need to draft a top quality PG for insurance.

 

[SirStefan32]

Suns need to step in and protect their most valuable asset. While he is on the Suns payroll, the Suns should be deciding if he plays somewhere else during the off season.

If the Suns extend him next summer, no playing for the national team needs to be in the contract.

 

[Suns_fan69]

I remember Cuban making a big stink about this a few years ago with Dirk always on the national team. I can't remember specifically the outcome but I believe he basically made the German national team pay to insure against his contract should an injury occur.

 

[sunsfan88]

Boy Lance Stephenson really is an idiot.

 

[Superbone]

Boy Lance Stephenson really is an idiot.

Just a general statement or did he do something in particular to incite that comment?

 

[sunsfan88]

Just a general statement or did he do something in particular to incite that comment?

Lance Stephenson and LeBron James exchanged words during the Miami Heat's Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

Stephenson believes he is getting under the skin of James, who earlier Sunday said he does not want to get in a verbal back and forth with Stephenson.

"To me, I think it's a sign of weakness because he never used to say nothing to me," Stephenson said. "I always used to be the one who used to be the one that say, 'I'm going to get under you. I'm going to do something to get you mad' Now he's trying to do it to me. I feel like it's a weakness.

"I'm doing something right and I'm getting under his skin. I definitely have to keep stepping up to the plate and be aggressive when he does that."

James also bypassed any comparisons between he and Stephenson during last season's Eastern Conference finals.

"No. I don't need to get off with Stephenson," James said. "One thing I'm not going to do is give y'all a storyline with LeBron and Stephenson. I'm not going to do that. It's the Pacers versus the Heat."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-main-0526-20140525,0,1209418.story