2007 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Groundhog]

Yup. That was about the best shot the Cavs could have hoped for in that situation.

[Brian Swartz]

Eh, there's just so much western conference Bias in this thread, I figured I'd mix it up. I mean, seriously, does ANYONE think the Jazz can handle the Spurs or Pistons? Didn't think so. And the Pistons are so good and have so much experience in the playoffs, that even Webber can't curse them if they get into the finals vs the Spurs. However, Z is actually rested this year and he usually gives the Pistons a tough match up, meaning that I think the Cavs are the only team left that can possibly beat the Pistons. I think the Pistons will win this round again, but I hope the cavs can give them hell this year.

There's an awful lot of evidence backing up that Western Conference bias, demonstrating that it really is the superior conference. And count me among those who think that while the Jazz will lose in the West finals, they aren't as far away from the level of San Antonio or Detroit as being written here. 'Size' is not a determining factor in handling Duncan either, as was averred in an earlier post ... there's nobody on Cleveland who can guard him in the post without substantial help, and not on the Pistons either with the Fro having departed to the Windy City.

Detroit will be able to give the Spurs a series, but to have a chance to beat them they'd need Chauncey playing at the level he was in 2005 and much of 2006, and he's shown no signs of that recently.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

There's an awful lot of evidence backing up that Western Conference bias, demonstrating that it really is the superior conference. And count me among those who think that while the Jazz will lose in the West finals, they aren't as far away from the level of San Antonio or Detroit as being written here. 'Size' is not a determining factor in handling Duncan either, as was averred in an earlier post ... there's nobody on Cleveland who can guard him in the post without substantial help, and not on the Pistons either with the Fro having departed to the Windy City.

Detroit will be able to give the Spurs a series, but to have a chance to beat them they'd need Chauncey playing at the level he was in 2005 and much of 2006, and he's shown no signs of that recently.

The Cavs swept the Spurs in the regular season. I know that "Cavs looking good in regular season" does not equal Cavs beating the Pistons or the Spurs, however. And the Pistons, now that they have Webber instead of Nazr are a much better team, they now have a very nice big rotation.

[Brian Swartz]

The Cavs swept the Spurs in the regular season. I know that "Cavs looking good in regular season" does not equal Cavs beating the Pistons or the Spurs, however. And the Pistons, now that they have Webber instead of Nazr are a much better team, they now have a very nice big rotation.

Seems to me you are trying to have your cake and eat it too here. If you think the Cavs sweeping San Antonio in the regular season is significant, I don't see how you can not also say that San Antonio sweeping Detroit(the second coming at Detroit well after Webber had joined the team) is not also significant. I think it's fairly obvious that neither is significant based on what tends to happen to the top regular-season team in the playoffs: namely, that they rarely actually win the title. There is also the fact that, if you want to rely on regular-season success, that Utah already beat Houston(two wins more than Cleveland, one less than Detroit) and San Antonio already beat a team(Phoenix) with many more wins than any of them.

The Pistons don't have Webber instead of Nazr: they have Webber instead of Ben Wallace. It's an important distinction, because it was that Wallace + Wallace + McDyess frontcourt that a hobbled Duncan still managed to more than hold his own against two years ago. The Spurs now have more weapons(Parker is improved and Michael Finley has been added), and no-one on Detroit's roster is nearly as good at defending the Big Fundamental as Big Ben was, and Duncan is totally healthy this year.

[Neon_Chaos]

Ugh. Three opportunities to take the lead, and the Jazz can't make their shots. You can't just hang in there, you've got to take control! Come on!

[Neon_Chaos]

Too many ugly shots for the Jazz. They need to clean it up if they want to win.

[miami_fan]

I know there is a bit of hate for the Spurs, but this is beautiful basketball to watch IMO.

[Neon_Chaos]

Jeez. Manu and TP are on seek-and-destroy mode right now.

[Neon_Chaos]

it's raining THREEEEEEEES!

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I was impressed by him too. I still feel Hubie Brown is the best analyst broadcasting the NBA. I really hope either Brown or Van Gundy are the analyst for the Finals.

http://www.nba.com/news/vangundy_070522.html

It will be Breen, Jackson and Van Gundy for the Finals.

[Neon_Chaos]

The Spurs are too machine-like to lose this series. Jesus.

[Brian Swartz]

It really should be illegal for a 7-footer to be able to make a hard bounce pass like that. Unbelievable.

[Neon_Chaos]

Anyone ready for San Antonio vs. Detroit 2 - Return of Boredom?

[Brian Swartz]

Anyone ready for San Antonio vs. Detroit 2 - Return of great team basketball?

I can't wait! .

[Neon_Chaos]

Aaaaand those last 5 points by Ginobili to close out the 3rd quarter just sealed this game for the Spurs.

[Neon_Chaos]

COME ON JAZZ!

[Groundhog]

Can someone please remind me how much we paid Larry Hughes again? I feel like having a good cry...

[Groundhog]

I wonder what kind of numbers Maxiell would put up on a bad team? He always impresses me when he gets minutes.

[Groundhog]

Wow, a Damon Jones sighting!

[Groundhog]

Maxiell is a beast.

[Young Drachma]

Those Pistons jerseys look great in the era of 35 different jerseys for NBA teams. Classic.

[Brian Swartz]

Can someone please remind me how much we paid Larry Hughes again? I feel like having a good cry...

5 years, $60 million. Enjoy your pain .

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

5 years, $60 million. Enjoy your pain .

Just 3 more years....

[Groundhog]

This has been a solid 2nd Q so far. LeBron looking like he's got some fire in him.

[Brian Swartz]

If Cleveland goes on to win this it could be very interesting ... the Pistons are not focused right now and they aren't good enough to mess around with the Cavs. Other than Maxiell, who is like their third guy off the bunch, they haven't done jack diddly squat so far.

[Groundhog]

Cavs are playing well and getting contributions from Pav, Varej and Gibson. When the Cavs play like this they can beat anybody, because they can't just lock in on LeBron. Still, a 12 point half-time lead against Detroit doesn't mean too much.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Cavs are playing well and getting contributions from Pav, Varej and Gibson. When the Cavs play like this they can beat anybody, because they can't just lock in on LeBron. Still, a 12 point half-time lead against Detroit doesn't mean too much.

Cleveland would be nearly unbeatable if they had guys that could just knock down open jumpers consistently. James would probably average around 10 assists per game.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Cleveland would be nearly unbeatable if they had guys that could just knock down open jumpers consistently. James would probably average around 10 assists per game.

Don't worry, our GM is all over it! That's why we signed Larry Hughes & Damon Jones for ridiculous contracts and drafted Luke Jackson!

[Groundhog]

God damnit Cavs. Get your shit together.

[Schmidty]

Time to win.

I love how the Pistons play with these chumps. Ha.

[Groundhog]

Did I mention how much I love Hughes?

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Did I mention how much I love Hughes?

no, please remind me agian

[Young Drachma]

Down to the wire.

[Young Drachma]

Stupid decision. By both of them.

[Brian Swartz]

it's like no-one really wants to be the guy that wins the game. We'll let you win this one ... no after you ... no it's your turn, I insist. SOMEBODY make an intelligent play for goodness sakes.

[Groundhog]

All I need to see now is Drew Gooden lose the ball while going up for an uncontested layup and this ugly game will have a fitting end.

[Groundhog]

Time to shine LeBron.

[Young Drachma]

Mike Brown doesn't seem to be a very good coach from what I've seen of him this post-season.

And how do you miss that shot with the game on the line.

[Young Drachma]

Hughes is supposed to make that shot.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Mike Brown doesn't seem to be a very good coach from what I've seen of him this post-season.

As far as making proper use of his talent, Mike Brown is the worst coach in the NBA.

[Young Drachma]

I don't think you go looking for a foul in that situation. It's more like you get angry because no one on your team seems capable of stepping up when they need to.

[Groundhog]

$*&@#$^

[Schmidty]

Nice.

Give them hope and rip it away. I love it.

[Brian Swartz]

Pistons are lucky as hell that they didn't lose both of these games. Whoever wins this series, and I think it's still a very open question, had better really step up their game in the Finals or they are going to get positively flattened.

[Schmidty]

Hopefully this tears their hearts out, and ends this series.

By the way, that was an obvious no-call situation. In my opinion, it almost looked like an offensive foul, with his arm buried into Rip's chest.

[Schmidty]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Pistons are lucky as hell that they didn't lose both of these games. Whoever wins this series, and I think it's still a very open question, had better really step up their game in the Finals or they are going to get positively flattened.

Meh, the Pistons just need a challenge. They get bored.

[Gary Gorski]

I would suggest Flip to remind the boys they actually do have to win 4 games on the court to get to the Finals and just being the better team on paper doesn't count. Thank God that everyone other than LeBron on Cleveland blows. I like the Pistons defensive strategy on that last possession - it was 5 guys ready to defend LeBron because nobody else could make a shot in that situation if their life depended on it.

And yes, I agree with everyone who has said Mike Brown is the worst coach in the league. I realize you're probably going to lose the game down one with one second and the other team going to the line but getting a T really isn't the brightest move. Even Rasheed knew not to get a T when he got called for his offensive foul away from the ball down the stretch.

[Brian Swartz]

That explains the first half. Doesn't explain that fourth quarter and all the STUPID turnovers in it. 'Boredom' does not explain allowing Cleveland to have a chance to win two straight games with the last possession on your home floor. Last time they played well was Game 2 against Chicago, and they really need to pull their collective heads out of their posterior.

[Young Drachma]

Hughes rushed that jumper, too. He had more time than I think he realized, but these kids get so caught up in being heroes, rather than just calming down and doing what you need to. And you all are right. They don't realize how special it is to have a guy like LeBron on your team..and they just sit around and suck most of the time.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

That explains the first half. Doesn't explain that fourth quarter and all the STUPID turnovers in it. 'Boredom' does not explain allowing Cleveland to have a chance to win two straight games with the last possession on your home floor. Last time they played well was Game 2 against Chicago, and they really need to pull their collective heads out of their posterior.

Agreed, they are letting Cleveland get entirely too much. But Cleveland luckily (for them) doesn't have the will to win. This finals experience is good for LeBron and this budding situation with the Pistons is also good for him, because it gives him a chance to cut his teeth and decide how much he hates losing.

That said, can he stop opt out of his deal after next year? Or did he sign a long-term extension already?