The NBA playoffs are getting exciting! SA/OKC obviously the most intriguing matchup right now. Would love to see a Heat/Cavs eastern conference final too. Who is everybody pulling for?
I like Toronto. Love watching Lowry and DeRozan in the backcourt and DeMarre Carrol is one of my favorite Mizzou alums. They should have won Game 1 and it's going to be a tough hole to climb out of. If they can though, Carrol can guard Lebron better than most, and I want to see 7 games of that!
As much as I have hated them in the past (as a Nash-era PHX Suns fan) I'm pulling for the Spurs out of respect for the way they have consistently and quietly remained a contender for years and years. They are doing something in that organization that no other team is doing in the past 10 years or so.
I'm fully expecting a Warriors/Spurs Western Conf. finals as a battle of the new school vs old school and I hope old school style of play wins.
Woof, was that game bad last night. It was brutal to see KL/DD miss all those FTs. Other hand it was great to see Lowry hit some big shots from the field down the stretch.
The main course right now is the OKC-SA series - so pumped for tonight's game. I've been a Westbrook fan from day 1 so kinda pulling for them but not going to be upset to see Spurs win. Kawhi is a freak!
Dubs vs whoever in the WCF and its going to be better than the Finals.
Curry's health could be the deciding factor for the WCF. I hope he's good to go.
The Philadelphia 76ers are my team. Hey! Stop laughing!!!
For this year's playoffs, I guess I'm going for the Toronto Raptors as the underdog. I wouldn't mind seeing LBJ bring a championship to Cleveland either.
Quote from: parkervb on May 06, 2016, 10:05 AM
Dubs vs whoever in the WCF and its going to be better than the Finals.
Right, because Cleveland is awful... :rolleyes:
Besides, 'Dubs' have to get to the WCF first and they are in a series right now with Portland. If Portland doesn't choke in game two, they would be up 2-1 with home court advantage right now...
Meanwhile, the Cavs are sitting back and resting and recovering after their 2nd consecutive series sweep. BTW, did you see how many 3's they made in their 4 game sweep of the Hawks? They made 72 in four games!!! The record for a SEVEN game series was 79!!! :shocked: Oh and the previous record for a FOUR game series was 49...
The Cavs seem to be peaking at the right time. They are healthy which they weren't a year ago at this time. And this didn't just happen. It started about 2 weeks before the end of the season when they seemed to turn on a different gear.
Quote from: iLikeBeer on May 09, 2016, 10:45 AM
Quote from: parkervb on May 06, 2016, 10:05 AM
Dubs vs whoever in the WCF and its going to be better than the Finals.
Right, because Cleveland is awful... :rolleyes:
Besides, 'Dubs' have to get to the WCF first and they are in a series right now with Portland. If Portland doesn't choke in game two, they would be up 2-1 with home court advantage right now...
Meanwhile, the Cavs are sitting back and resting and recovering after their 2nd consecutive series sweep. BTW, did you see how many 3's they made in their 4 game sweep of the Hawks? They made 72 in four games!!! The record for a SEVEN game series was 79!!! :shocked: Oh and the previous record for a FOUR game series was 49...
The Cavs seem to be peaking at the right time. They are healthy which they weren't a year ago at this time. And this didn't just happen. It started about 2 weeks before the end of the season when they seemed to turn on a different gear.
Cavs peaking at right time but regression in regards to 3PTers is lurking my friend. You're right about GSW, they are definitely in a series with Rip City right now, but they'll need to win one on the road to win series. Will be very tough to do that, may have had best chance for that in gm2 and blew it.
He's back! That was insane.
First EVER unanimous MVP
that's bananas. But absolutely correct.
Ba - Ba - Ba -Banannas - nannas.
These are funny...
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:15499922
I would put Draymond Green up in the top five in the list for MVPs. He is incredible. Golden State is must see TV. I would love to see them play the Cavs and think it's going to happen again.
So amped for OKC-GSW. OKC lost all 3 games but had leads in the 4th Q each game so this is more competitive than the results dictate. Contrasting styles, 5 of the top 12 players in the league, lots at stake for OKC with Durant approaching FA (he'd be smart to do a 1-year deal and stay 1 more yr). Best part is that no game starts later than 9:30
On the other end, maybe last time we see 2 Hall of Famers in Manu and Timmy. I think they both could be back but I really think 1 of the 2 (Timmy) will be back. Spurs just not athletic or young enough to keep w/ the Thunder.
Quote from: parkervb on May 13, 2016, 11:24 AM
So amped for OKC-GSW. OKC lost all 3 games but had leads in the 4th Q each game so this is more competitive than the results dictate. Contrasting styles, 5 of the top 12 players in the league, lots at stake for OKC with Durant approaching FA (he'd be smart to do a 1-year deal and stay 1 more yr). Best part is that no game starts later than 9:30
On the other end, maybe last time we see 2 Hall of Famers in Manu and Timmy. I think they both could be back but I really think 1 of the 2 (Timmy) will be back. Spurs just not athletic or young enough to keep w/ the Thunder.
I think all the games start at 9:00 except Sunday might be earlier! It's going to be a very fun and very high scoring series. I think OKC will play their big guys like they did last night. Bogut is going to have to stay out of foul trouble. Or maybe GS stays small and runs by all of them (except Westbrook.....that's not possible).
Quote from: APR on May 13, 2016, 04:28 PM
Quote from: parkervb on May 13, 2016, 11:24 AM
So amped for OKC-GSW. OKC lost all 3 games but had leads in the 4th Q each game so this is more competitive than the results dictate. Contrasting styles, 5 of the top 12 players in the league, lots at stake for OKC with Durant approaching FA (he'd be smart to do a 1-year deal and stay 1 more yr). Best part is that no game starts later than 9:30
On the other end, maybe last time we see 2 Hall of Famers in Manu and Timmy. I think they both could be back but I really think 1 of the 2 (Timmy) will be back. Spurs just not athletic or young enough to keep w/ the Thunder.
I think all the games start at 9:00 except Sunday might be earlier! It's going to be a very fun and very high scoring series. I think OKC will play their big guys like they did last night. Bogut is going to have to stay out of foul trouble. Or maybe GS stays small and runs by all of them (except Westbrook.....that's not possible).
Bogut vs Adams, Aussie vs Kiwi...there will be blood!
Quote from: parkervb on May 13, 2016, 11:24 AM
On the other end, maybe last time we see 2 Hall of Famers in Manu and Timmy. I think they both could be back but I really think 1 of the 2 (Timmy) will be back. Spurs just not athletic or young enough to keep w/ the Thunder.
There was a moment in that last game between Spurs and OKC when the Spurs were climbing back in. 11 points down with 4 minutes to go. Duncan went in for a dunk and got blocked. I might be reading more into it than there was, but it just seemed like the comeback for that game got deflated, Duncan realized that just being a bit slow and not jumping as high instead of putting them down only 9 point put the lead back to 13 on the fast break and the comeback was over and it probably would've been different if Duncan weren't that old. (although they certainly could've not gotten in that deep of a hole to begin with). He looked pretty bummed out to me right after that. I'm glad to see two really athletic teams go at it in the Western Conference finals, but a bit sad for the Spurs. I wonder if any of those Spurs are going to retire?
Quote from: Shug on May 16, 2016, 02:44 PM
Quote from: parkervb on May 13, 2016, 11:24 AM
On the other end, maybe last time we see 2 Hall of Famers in Manu and Timmy. I think they both could be back but I really think 1 of the 2 (Timmy) will be back. Spurs just not athletic or young enough to keep w/ the Thunder.
There was a moment in that last game between Spurs and OKC when the Spurs were climbing back in. 11 points down with 4 minutes to go. Duncan went in for a dunk and got blocked. I might be reading more into it than there was, but it just seemed like the comeback for that game got deflated, Duncan realized that just being a bit slow and not jumping as high instead of putting them down only 9 point put the lead back to 13 on the fast break and the comeback was over and it probably would've been different if Duncan weren't that old. (although they certainly could've not gotten in that deep of a hole to begin with). He looked pretty bummed out to me right after that. I'm glad to see two really athletic teams go at it in the Western Conference finals, but a bit sad for the Spurs. I wonder if any of those Spurs are going to retire?
That was a big play. I think it was Ibaka that made that incredible block. He skied for that. I think he would have even blocked a young Kevin Garnett on that play. And then someone from OCK scored immediately after, which pretty much ended any chance the Spurs had.
There should be some high scores out West.
The Raptors could barely beat the Heat without Whiteside and Bosh. The Cavs should be well rested for the finals.
So, I just watched ESPN's latest 30 For 30, "Believeland" last night and it was painful to relive all those bad memories as pretty much a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. But, as with most of the 30 For 30's it was really well done.
It is the drought of 60+ years without a Championship in Cleveland as to why I can't really feel sorry for a franchise like the Spurs falling short of expectations with their 5 Championships.
Quote from: APR on May 16, 2016, 05:30 PM
The Raptors could barely beat the Heat without Whiteside and Bosh. The Cavs should be well rested for the finals.
This seems to be the common line of thinking among Cleveland fans as well. That and the fact that Toronto is coming off of a grueling 7 game series and aren't fully healthy while the Cavs are more than rested having almost 10 days off since they last played a game!
The only worry for me is that there is some rust and the Raptors might steal game one tonight but I think that would be the only way Toronto wins a game in this series barring any major injuries to the Cavs.
All I know is I'm glad the Cavs are finally playing again as I'm tired of waiting!!!
my sports city (Atlanta) is only one championship ahead of Cleveland but w/out nearly the misery.
well that didn't start the way I had hoped it would.
Quote from: parkervb on May 17, 2016, 09:30 AM
my sports city (Atlanta) is only one championship ahead of Cleveland but w/out nearly the misery.
And that was at the expense of my Indians when your Braves beat them in the '95 World Series... :cry:
Damn the Braves had some good pitching that year...
Well, that started better than I had hoped it would... (sorry fredo, I had to do it) :beer:
That Bron dunk was insane!
Quote from: Jackets N Pones on May 18, 2016, 01:05 PM
That Bron dunk was insane!
That was pretty sick. But my favorite play of the night was Kyrie's double behind the back dribble/blow by the defender for the easy layup! I loved Mark Jakson's response which was simply, WOW!
Quote from: iLikeBeer on May 18, 2016, 06:46 PM
Quote from: Jackets N Pones on May 18, 2016, 01:05 PM
That Bron dunk was insane!
That was pretty sick. But my favorite play of the night was Kyrie's double behind the back dribble/blow by the defender for the easy layup! I loved Mark Jakson's response which was simply, WOW!
That was the play of the night. I loved the crowd's collective ohhs and ahhs twice during that play...... the dribble and then the finish.
Sure hope Tronto can make a better series out of this but not feeling good after Game 1. Yuck. First quarter was good.... :rolleyes:
so, not exactly how everyone thought this WCF/ECF would be going...
Wow. The Thunder are playing HUNGRY. I do not think they can be stopped. Major props to Donovan. That Steven Adams fastball pass was amazing. Also, KDs new shoes are so clean. I think he was going to wait until the Olympics to debut them but he obviously couldn't hold off.
Tonight will be interesting. Kyrie and Love need to step up. Why doesn't Mosgov get any minutes anymore?
Wow is right, OKC is putting on a spectacle. Before the final blow out, when Golden State came back to within a few points in the 3rd quarter, it was looking like a great game. I really don't have much strong feelings for either team, but there is something satisfying about seeing a team taken down from a pedestal. Warriors haven't been over-the-top arrogant, but so many people have put them up on that pedestal this year, understandably so.
Looking forward to the next game in Oakland, I believe. That place should be electric with the Warriors backs against the wall.
I was wondering about Mosgov too. I think the Cavs are so much better this year without everyone hurt that he doesn't play much. I think Channing Frye should be in there more. He is hitting the threes.
Yeah, PHX blew it when they let Channing Frye go, just one of a multitude of idiot moves they have made in the past few years. I'm glad to see him in a system where he gets to shine a little bit again.
no bueno
Quote from: APR on May 25, 2016, 04:36 PM
I was wondering about Mosgov too. I think the Cavs are so much better this year without everyone hurt that he doesn't play much. I think Channing Frye should be in there more. He is hitting the threes.
Cleveland has this fairly new Death Lineup with Delle, Bron, Iman, Frye, RJ that has just been killing people. They can't stop the play with Frye on the wing with Bron rolling to the rim, if they double Bron on the roll, they leave Frye wide open, they stay on Frye and Bron finishes.
Pretty crazy that the most efficient CLE lineup has neither Kyrie or Love.
and Shug, Frye was available for a LOOONG time, crazy no one else traded for him. Just to keep him away from the Cavs, knockdown shooter with one of the greatest drive and kick players ever? As Clay Davis would say....SHHHHEEEEEEIIIITTTTTT.
Quote from: parkervb on May 26, 2016, 08:34 AM
Quote from: APR on May 25, 2016, 04:36 PM
I was wondering about Mosgov too. I think the Cavs are so much better this year without everyone hurt that he doesn't play much. I think Channing Frye should be in there more. He is hitting the threes.
Cleveland has this fairly new Death Lineup with Delle, Bron, Iman, Frye, RJ that has just been killing people. They can't stop the play with Frye on the wing with Bron rolling to the rim, if they double Bron on the roll, they leave Frye wide open, they stay on Frye and Bron finishes.
Pretty crazy that the most efficient CLE lineup has neither Kyrie or Love.
and Shug, Frye was available for a LOOONG time, crazy no one else traded for him. Just to keep him away from the Cavs, knockdown shooter with one of the greatest drive and kick players ever? As Clay Davis would say....SHHHHEEEEEEIIIITTTTTT.
That is a surprising lineup. And......Shhheeeeiiittttt....... I didn't know Clay Davis was a hoops fan!
Quote from: parkervb on May 26, 2016, 08:34 AM
and Shug, Frye was available for a LOOONG time, crazy no one else traded for him. Just to keep him away from the Cavs, knockdown shooter with one of the greatest drive and kick players ever? As Clay Davis would say....SHHHHEEEEEEIIIITTTTTT.
I know, I watched Channing Frye his whole time in Phoenix. They let him go, just like they let Dragic go. And Isaiah Thomas. Fucking idiots. Now all they have is Devin Booker to build around (because Bledsoe can't stay healthy). Booker is going to be great, I think, but they will need a lot more than him to be a contender for any kind of success again.
Dreaming of the years with Nash, Stoudemire, Marion, Barbosa, Raja Bell...
Dubs won but they weren't playing their brand of ball. Lots of frantic play from them. OKC didn't play well and was in that game for most of it. Not a good sign going back to OKC for them.
CLE wraps up tonight.
Lots of frantic, chaotic out of control play on both teams. Looked like nerves to me. OKC had a lot of turnovers, not typical for them.
I think OKC is gonna take it next game.
Klay Thompson. WOW. :cheesy: :shocked: :thumbsup:
Well that was an impressive series comeback for Golden State. You can't beat them with that many turnovers. You also gotta have a little bit better 3-pointer % than OKC had in this series.
Curry and Thompson are near-undefendable from the perimeter, they make so many shots even when the defense is spot on. And the other role players do their parts, too on defense and offense.
In the last two games Golden State settled down and OKC remained frantic, it seemed.
Hats off to Golden State. I don't like the outcome, but it was impressive.
:thumbsup:
(Cavs scare me though)
The rematch is on. And with a FULLY HEALTHY Cavs team this time around!!!
I'm still on the guardedly optimistic side though. A 54 year championship drought will do that to a person... :undecided:
I am fired up for this matchup! It's going to be fun.
Who we got in the Finals?
Heart says Cavs (I dislike Draymond so much) but head says go w/ the 73-9 defending champs and the team with homecourt advantage.
Dubs in 7
JNP prediction...Cavs in 6.
well, this has been boring.
Quote from: parkervb on Jun 06, 2016, 09:19 AM
well, this has been boring.
And embarrassing!
This is the Finals for crying out loud! How in the hell can the Cavs play like that in a Championship series?
Quote from: ericm on Jun 06, 2016, 07:19 PM
Quote from: parkervb on Jun 06, 2016, 09:19 AM
well, this has been boring.
And embarrassing!
This is the Finals for crying out loud! How in the hell can the Cavs play like that in a Championship series?
That is a great question Eric....
Warriors are clearly "daring" LeBron to shoot from the outside. He just needs to let it fly and ask questions later. Hopefully tomorrow night is a good one!
Hell yeah!!! The drought is OVER!!!! :cheesy:
I kept telling myself how fitting it would be for the Cavs to end the Cleveland championship drought by becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 down and they did indeed do just that!
And how good is LeBron??? Nice of him to remind everyone just who is the best player on the planet!!! When his team needed him most he stepped up HUGE with back to back 41 point games and then, a freaking triple double in Game 7!!! Are you kidding me???
I got to watch the game with my 3 girls last night so that was pretty cool on Father's Day and all. I just wish my dad was still around to share in this as well. I tried to put in perspective of how long we've been waiting in NE Ohio for a championship. I told them they would be 64 years old if Cleveland goes thru another drought like we just had so I think they got how big that win was!
Still in disbelief over it all and I can't wait to go to my first championship parade on Wednesday!!! :beer:
Quote from: iLikeBeer on Jun 20, 2016, 08:26 AM
Hell yeah!!! The drought is OVER!!!! :cheesy:
I kept telling myself how fitting it would be for the Cavs to end the Cleveland championship drought by becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-1 down and they did indeed do just that!
And how good is LeBron??? Nice of him to remind everyone just who is the best player on the planet!!! When his team needed him most he stepped up HUGE with back to back 41 point games and then, a freaking triple double in Game 7!!! Are you kidding me???
I got to watch the game with my 3 girls last night so that was pretty cool on Father's Day and all. I just wish my dad was still around to share in this as well. I tried to put in perspective of how long we've been waiting in NE Ohio for a championship. I told them they would be 64 years old if Cleveland goes thru another drought like we just had so I think they got how big that win was!
Still in disbelief over it all and I can't wait to go to my first championship parade on Wednesday!!! :beer:
to do it the way they did it has to make it even more sweet. Lebron's block is probably the singular greatest defensive play in the HISTORY of the NBA. His last 3 games will go down as the greatest 3 game stretch in the playoffs off all time. He has passed Larry Bird as the greatest 3 of all time (IMO). Just wow.
Quote from: parkervb on Jun 20, 2016, 09:10 AM
to do it the way they did it has to make it even more sweet. Lebron's block is probably the singular greatest defensive play in the HISTORY of the NBA. His last 3 games will go down as the greatest 3 game stretch in the playoffs off all time. He has passed Larry Bird as the greatest 3 of all time (IMO). Just wow.
Totally did! I mean, I knew Golden State came back from 3-1 down vs. OKC which was also impressive, but they had game 7 at the Oracle. For the Cavs to do it by winning 2 of 3 at Golden State is all the more impressive!
And I also agree that LeBron pretty much cemented his name among the legends with that finals performance. How's this for a stat line? He led both teams statistically in Points, Rebounds, Blocks, Assists and Steals over the entire series!!! :shocked: Not even MJ can boast those kinds of numbers...
Bill Burr's thoughts on Stephen Curry (and soccer)
I hope the finals make up for all these blowouts and boring series. The way the Cavs are playing, I don't think Golden State will be a huge favorite. They look good all the time, but the Spurs don't have Leonard or Parker.