2011-12 NBA Playoffs LD
- Thread starter Big Sexy
- Start date
Martin Gabriel
Pre-Show Stalwart
San Antonio vs. Oklahoma is going to be very interesting.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
The Lakers absolutely need to win tonight, this is a must-win G2. The writing is on the wall that if they don't tie the series tonight, they won't be able to come back from being down 2 games to the younger, more rested, and frankly more talented OKC.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
If the Lakers can hang onto their slim lead here at the end of the 4th, they're still in the series. IF they can do that. I hope so.
Great game right now.
Great game right now.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
holy shit the lakers are choking it hard right now.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
what a collapse.
well, lakers are done.
it'll be OKC vs. Spurs for the West, Miami vs. Boston for the East. Miami wins East, West will be up in the air.
well, lakers are done.
it'll be OKC vs. Spurs for the West, Miami vs. Boston for the East. Miami wins East, West will be up in the air.
Martin Gabriel
Pre-Show Stalwart
Having thought it over I think the Spurs will win against the Thunder. It won't be easy, but they will do it. I just don't think the Thunder will win against a healthy Spurs team and their incredible bench. No one has a more deeper team and better bench than the Spurs do. The Spurs have replenished their bench nicely this year.
I wonder what happens to the Lakers if they get swept - frankly, if they lose this series at all in less than seven. Is it time to blow up the roster? Personally, I wouldn't - building a team long term around/with Bynum is the smart move. But I get the feeling that management will be pressured by their own expectations, the fans, and Kobe to make one more title happen before Bryant retires in a few years, which could definitely lead to them pulling the trigger on Gasol/Bynum to Orlando for Howard. Howard would probably be willing to sign an extension with the Lakers through at least the end of Kobe''s career, though then again, who the heck knows what Howard will do. All I know is that Orlando is probably sick of him and honestly should try to exploit someone to get pieces for the future.
Related, I also wonder what happens if the Heat don't make it. If Bosh is gone for the whole playoffs, that puts a huge damper on their ability to play well, given that they basically have no bigs at that point. LeBron James is, at the end of the day, just a man, and playing at the 4 is not his spot. If the Heat don't win the title, I think it's probably time to trade Bosh for bench depth and role players. That, plus picking up, say, Nash and a good center - I don't think they can afford Hibbert, even if they move Bosh, but somebody - would be a wise move for them.
Related, I also wonder what happens if the Heat don't make it. If Bosh is gone for the whole playoffs, that puts a huge damper on their ability to play well, given that they basically have no bigs at that point. LeBron James is, at the end of the day, just a man, and playing at the 4 is not his spot. If the Heat don't win the title, I think it's probably time to trade Bosh for bench depth and role players. That, plus picking up, say, Nash and a good center - I don't think they can afford Hibbert, even if they move Bosh, but somebody - would be a wise move for them.
Lowdown
Ooh baby I like it roooaaaaw!
The way I see it, they've been trying to build around Bynum since they drafted him. He has the potential, but even he admits that he doesn't bring it every night or doesn't have his head in the game. Couple that with his off court issues and what you have is a 24 year old adolescent who still hasn't grasped the concept of reliability after being a pro for 7 years. Granted I wanted Bynum gone for Howard, but after all the drama from what went down in Orlando I'm kinda straight on him. Gasol tends to play soft but I'd rather keep him than Bynum. And there's been talk among fans and analysts like Magic Johnson stating that if the Lakers get bounced out of the playoffs Mike Brown is done as the coach. We'll have to wait and see.
I the case of Miami, there's a chance that if they don't win the title that Eric Sproelstra will be fired. Plus Lebron has been talking about going back to Cleveland at some point, but I don't know when his current contract expires.
LeBron can opt out after four years, I think? But don't quote me on that. He has player options on the fifth and six year, I think.
I don't know what to make of LeBron's comments from earlier this year. What I've mostly settled on is that he wanted to open the door, at least. I think that he regrets the way he left Cleveland. People want to call it PR, but I think LeBron is a good guy and I take him at face value when he says, as he's said all year, that's he's changed his attitude a lot. So, I don't think he really regrets leaving Cleveland - and frankly, he shouldn't, given the general inability of management to build around him - but I think he regrets the way he did it, and I think he misses what he had in Cleveland. He was universally loved, rarely criticized, one of the sport's most well regarded athletes - and then he became an overnight villain. So I think part of him would like to return and recapture part of that. Obviously, I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James? I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
I don't know if he'll ever really do it. When he hits free agency again, every team worth its salt will make an offer. Cleveland will have some advantage in the process, I'm sure, and I don't doubt LeBron will want to make the same call he did last time - go where he can win a title. By the time LeBron could be a free agent, Kyrie Irving will be at least an All-Star and potentially an MVP candidate. Thompson could easily be an All-Star as well. LeBron would no doubt see the potential there. But who knows what the league will look like at that point, I'm sure there will be other teams that are just one player away.
I don't know what to make of LeBron's comments from earlier this year. What I've mostly settled on is that he wanted to open the door, at least. I think that he regrets the way he left Cleveland. People want to call it PR, but I think LeBron is a good guy and I take him at face value when he says, as he's said all year, that's he's changed his attitude a lot. So, I don't think he really regrets leaving Cleveland - and frankly, he shouldn't, given the general inability of management to build around him - but I think he regrets the way he did it, and I think he misses what he had in Cleveland. He was universally loved, rarely criticized, one of the sport's most well regarded athletes - and then he became an overnight villain. So I think part of him would like to return and recapture part of that. Obviously, I'd take him back in a heartbeat. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James? I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
I don't know if he'll ever really do it. When he hits free agency again, every team worth its salt will make an offer. Cleveland will have some advantage in the process, I'm sure, and I don't doubt LeBron will want to make the same call he did last time - go where he can win a title. By the time LeBron could be a free agent, Kyrie Irving will be at least an All-Star and potentially an MVP candidate. Thompson could easily be an All-Star as well. LeBron would no doubt see the potential there. But who knows what the league will look like at that point, I'm sure there will be other teams that are just one player away.
Unsold Bacon
Shucky Ducky Quack Quack
These were my ORGINAL predictions before Bosh got injured and all of that.
Miami in 5
Celtics in 6
OKC in 6
Spurs in 6
Miami in 5
Celtics in 6
OKC in 6
Spurs in 6
29 points total in the last two quarters will put you in a big hole. Shooting 20% from 3 will put you in a big hole. One of your two relied on players making 1 whole shot will put you in a big hole.
Amazing how big of an impact Bosh has on this team. They don't look much better than some of the Cleveland teams Lebron was on without him.
Amazing how big of an impact Bosh has on this team. They don't look much better than some of the Cleveland teams Lebron was on without him.
Mr Mikey Mike
Occasional Pre-Show
Indy put a beatdown on Mia from the second quarter on. Not a good thing for nba if Mia doesn't reach finals.
Mr Mikey Mike
Occasional Pre-Show
Fuck was Wade bad. Five points really? If team doesn't win title this year good chance that wade gets traded.
The dude is overrated. Always has been. He's the Eli Manning of the NBA, except I don't think he'll luck his way to a 2nd Championship.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
Wade will not get traded.
If anyone, it'll be Bosh. But I don't see Miami making any big moves in the offseason in terms of trading anyone important away. Maybe they can pickup Nash, if anything.
If the team loses, they'll probably get new coaches. That'll be the scapegoat.
If anyone, it'll be Bosh. But I don't see Miami making any big moves in the offseason in terms of trading anyone important away. Maybe they can pickup Nash, if anything.
If the team loses, they'll probably get new coaches. That'll be the scapegoat.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
As for the Lakers, I honestly don't know what should be done with them.
I didn't like Mike Brown for the first half of the year. And now, as I was beginning to like him, rumors are swirling that he'll be gone if the Lakers underperform this offseason (and they're probably gonna be bounced this series).
They're a top team, but just not good enough to get it done. Somehow landing Dwight Howard or Deron Williams could be the answer, but I don't see how they'll be able to considering Howard recently turned down the Lakers and Williams has other top suitors after him.
I didn't like Mike Brown for the first half of the year. And now, as I was beginning to like him, rumors are swirling that he'll be gone if the Lakers underperform this offseason (and they're probably gonna be bounced this series).
They're a top team, but just not good enough to get it done. Somehow landing Dwight Howard or Deron Williams could be the answer, but I don't see how they'll be able to considering Howard recently turned down the Lakers and Williams has other top suitors after him.
Mr Mikey Mike
Occasional Pre-Show
Bosh won't be traded. If one of the big 3 is gonna get traded it's wade. Bosh and Lebron both played great together when wade was out and then the fact that wade and lebron both basically play the same exact style only difference is Lebron is bigger, better, stronger, and younger. Besides mia isn't gonna trade their best big man in bosh if anyone's getting traded it's the aging superstar in wade.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
If you think the Miami Heat are going trade Dwyane Wade, you're out of your mind. He's the prodigal son of the city, the only guy on the current roster of note who was there for their one and only title. The outrage would be unfathomable.
PlayTheGame
The Cerebral Assassin
Although I pretty much already counted the Lakers out, the Laker fan in me is dying to give them one last chance. Here it is: they absolutely have to win both of these upcoming home games in order to knot the series at 2-2. If they lose even one, then they are even more "done" than they are now. And this time, I mean it. However, I'm still totally realistic about the situation. Being down 0-2 to a better team doesn't bode well for them. Obviously looks like OKC will win it as of now.
Spurs have their series all but won. The Clippers just aren't experienced enough to hand with the experienced Spurs.
Celtics should still win their series eventually.
My, my, the Heat/Pacers series sure is getting interesting. Initially, I thought this series would be the most boring one and have an obvious winner (Heat), but now the Pacers are in control and I have much more respect for them. This series is now for the Pacers to win or lose. They're the underdog, and I'm rooting for them. I hope they can stay focused and hang on. With Bosh out and Wade debilitated, even LeBron can't carry the rest of those schmucks. Looks like the Pacers may win it, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Spurs have their series all but won. The Clippers just aren't experienced enough to hand with the experienced Spurs.
Celtics should still win their series eventually.
My, my, the Heat/Pacers series sure is getting interesting. Initially, I thought this series would be the most boring one and have an obvious winner (Heat), but now the Pacers are in control and I have much more respect for them. This series is now for the Pacers to win or lose. They're the underdog, and I'm rooting for them. I hope they can stay focused and hang on. With Bosh out and Wade debilitated, even LeBron can't carry the rest of those schmucks. Looks like the Pacers may win it, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Lowdown
Ooh baby I like it roooaaaaw!
The Clips are banged up, but I think they can steal at least one game from the Spurs. For the Lakers, they can still turn their series around. They kept Durant and Westbrook in check up until the last 2 minutes so I expect them to apply that same defense to the thunder tonight.
