2011/2012 NBA Thread: Where Weather Happens

[Daniel Thompson]

My pick still OKC but with way things been anything is possible. Well all I can hope for is a great series.

 

[MoPlaYa]

I dont think the Heat can beat OKC for the Championship

 

[Raiden]

I'm not gonna lie, I have nothing against Lebron, I actually defend him at times and bash him at others when it's appropriate. But I'm pulling for the C's for one reason only, KG.

I used to get into arguments, and still do on occasion, because I thought KG was the 2nd best player overall throughout the 2000's. I thought he was better than Duncan but saddled with a much worse team, and I think he's better than Duncan right now, easily.

I remember an interview he did, I think, with John Thompson. And he started crying because he couldn't figure out how to get Minnesota to win. Just true, honest passion, man. He's the last of a dying breed, those players who brought it every night and left it all out on the court, just trying to win. Of course he finally got that ring, but I'd like to see him get one more crack at it before being broken up.

I like KG too, but there is no way that I can ever root for Celtics to win another ring, even for KG.

 

[Darthphere]

It's going to be amazing because it seems like the Heat are underdogs and at the same time they will get blasted if they don't win. Wow.

 

[Erzengel]

The public perception will be harsh against them no matter if they win or lose or if they are underdogs or not.

Still, I know I've said it before, but can the Heat fans in the better seats actually stand up and cheer every once and a while.

 

[Darthphere]

The public perception will be harsh against them no matter if they win or lose or if they are underdogs or not.

Still, I know I've said it before, but can the Heat fans in the better seats actually stand up and cheer every once and a while.

I know right. It's ridiculous actually. You see the OKC crowd, those guys are standing the whole game, it's amazing. Over at the AAA, fools just be there because it's the cool thing to do.

 

[Matt]

It's going to be amazing because it seems like the Heat are underdogs and at the same time they will get blasted if they don't win. Wow.

Firstly, they shouldn't be underdogs, not with their level of talent. They are because the big three is inconsistent, but with the level of talent they ought to be dominant. That is why they get blasted.

Second, even as a Miami Heat fan, you must admit, they brought this level of scrutiny on themselves. Remember, "not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven!" The Heat brought this scrutiny on themselves. LeBron brought the scrutiny on himself.

Jeff Van Gundy may have been right when he said last night that "stupidity has a statute of limitations," regarding "the decision," and "the promise," but that statute of limitations can only even begin to pass once they win a championship and prove that they weren't (as LeBron said), "blowing smoke up the butts of all these fans." But that is really only for "the promise." Like it or not, fair or unfair, the decision is going to haunt LeBron for the rest of his career and forever be a part of his legacy. And that isn't the media being unfair. That isn't haters hating. That is LeBron's own actions coming back to haunt him and no one is to blame but LeBron.

 

[Darthphere]

All that **** is overblown. Anyone who takes not two, not three etc seriously or literally is an idiot. They were at a pep rally. People just need a reason to hate on Lebron. He gives you enough reasons to hate him, you don't need to manufacture them.

 

[Matt]

It would be idiotic if LeBron did not literally say right afterward, "And I'm not just saying that because this is a pep rally."

 

[Darthphere]

It would be idiotic if LeBron did not literally say right afterward, "And I'm not just saying that because this is a pep rally."

Except he said that because he was at a pep rally. Come on Matt, as if we take everything an athlete says at face value. "Hey Kobe are you nervous? I never get nervous". My ass.

Again, the whole point is, people are writing off the Heat. I mean in this thread there are OKC in 5 predictions. Should the Heat be underdogs? I agree, no they shouldn't but a lot of people are crowning the Thunder already. If you want to crown their asses, crown 'em. The Thunder are are who we thought they were and we let them off the hook...

Anyway, The Decision thing is overblown too. The funny thing is, if he did The Decision and stayed with Cleveland, there wouldn't be all this backlash. I find it funny because you'll argue that they're kids but ESPN televises signing day every year and I never hear anything being said about that.

 

[Matt]

Except he said that because he was at a pep rally. Come on Matt, as if we take everything an athlete says at face value. "Hey Kobe are you nervous? I never get nervous". My ass.

Again, the whole point is, people are writing off the Heat. I mean in this thread there are OKC in 5 predictions. Should the Heat be underdogs? I agree, no they shouldn't but a lot of people are crowning the Thunder already. If you want to crown their asses, crown 'em. The Thunder are are who we thought they were and we let them off the hook...

Anyway, The Decision thing is overblown too. The funny thing is, if he did The Decision and stayed with Cleveland, there wouldn't be all this backlash. I find it funny because you'll argue that they're kids but ESPN televises signing day every year and I never hear anything being said about that.

It is absurd to say someone can't be held to their word when they specifically qualify the statement by saying it is not just a pep rally comment but rather his accurate belief. If you can't take someone at face value when they make such a qualifier, when can you?

Furthermore, I'm not anointing. I'm just predicting. Heat struggled with both Boston and Indiana. Indiana is a less talented mix between the Thunder and the Spurs. Boston got worn out, hell, they were worn out going in and still gave the Heat a run for their money (and were arguably one bad call away from a game 2 win and thus the series in 5). The Thunder are more talented than Indiana and far more energetic than Boston. If the Spurs managed to get past the Thunder, I'd be predicting the Heat. But I just think that this is a terrible match up for Miami.

Finally, The Decision is no way overblown. It was pure arrogance on display. And you're right, the backlash wouldn't have been as bad if LeBron picked Cleveland and that wouldn't have been as bad if LeBron weren't from Cleveland and telling his hometown to **** off on national TV and if LeBron's aunt had a dick she'd be his uncle....but she doesn't. So that is a moot point. LeBron went on national TV and gave his hometown the finger in what was one of the single biggest displays of narcissism in sports history. There is no way to write that off. It is part of his legacy.

Even negating The Decision in and of itself, the fact that LeBron did not have the common decency to at least give a phone call to the teams that he just let spent tens of thousands of dollars courting him, says a lot about him as a person. No GM in the league should've found out his decision on television. He should've given a phone call to the Knicks, Cavs and Bulls.

 

[Scrandy Randy]

Everything said at that "pep rally" was pure hype man talk. It's really ridiculous that ESPN and everyone who hates on the Heat clings to it as something more then that.

 

[Darthphere]

At the pep rally, if you continue the tape and not just stop where it's convenient he does say "I believe we can win multiple championships". Keyword being believe, which is something every team in the NBA except for the Bobcats believe they can do. So yeah, he went overboard with the not one but he almost immediately tried to reign it back in.

All your The Decision points are valid, for NBA GM's and the city of Cleveland. Everyone else need to apply or give a ****. We knew Lebron was arrogant before, we knew he was self centered, it's why I hated him before. It's why I didn't want him to come here. But again, bringing up The Decision everytime is pointless as it doesn't affect 99% of the people who post in this thread.

 

[Darthphere]

Everything said at that "pep rally" was pure hype man talk. It's really ridiculous that ESPN and everyone who hates on the Heat clings to it as something more then that.

No no man. Lebron literally thinks he's going to win 8 championships.

 

[Anubis]

I hear he also thinks the point of sex is to finish first.

 

[Matt]

But even if LeBron just got caught up in the moment it still stands to my point, he brings this **** on himself. Do you think that Steve Nash or KG would ever say something so abundantly dumb. That said, dumb, cocky players seem to be the new trademark of the league so what can you do? LeBron just happens to be the face of the new generation of dumb asswipes, so it is worse for him. But in fairness, his stupidity seems to be worse than say....Rose or Howard. So it is what it is. I'm not going to pity LeBron for his stupidity being held against him.

Anyway, answer your PMs Phere!

 

[Darthphere]

But even if LeBron just got caught up in the moment it still stands to my point, he brings this **** on himself. Do you think that Steve Nash or KG would ever say something so abundantly dumb. That said, dumb, cocky players seem to be the new trademark of the league so what can you do? LeBron just happens to be the face of the new generation of dumb asswipes, so it is worse for him. But in fairness, his stupidity seems to be worse than say....Rose or Howard. So it is what it is. I'm not going to pity LeBron for his stupidity being held against him.

Anyway, answer your PMs Phere!

I thought I did.

 

[Anubis]

How is rose a cocky dumb player? His whole schtick is humble.....maybe even to a fault.

 

[Raiden]

LeBron made those predictions on the championships, and regardless if he were at the pep rally or truly believed the words he said, he will be owe up to them. He can always retract them by saying that he didn't think he could win all those championships, but so far he hasn't. So unless he actually won those "not two, not three, not four..." titles, he will always be perceived as an arrogant fool.

 

[Darthphere]

LeBron made those predictions on the championships, and regardless if he were at the pep rally or truly believed the words he said, he will be owe up to them. He can always retract them by saying that he didn't think he could win all those championships, but so far he hasn't. So unless he actually won those "not two, not three, not four..." titles, he will always be perceived as an arrogant fool.

10 years from now.

"Lebron, you just won your 5th ring but you promised 8, what do you have to do to keep your word?"

"Build a time machine."

 

[Matt]

10 years from now.

"Lebron, you just won your 5th ring but you promised 8, what do you have to do to keep your word?"

"Build a time machine."

Honestly, I can't see LeBron ever getting more than two. I could be wrong, but I just have my doubts that he will.

 

[Darthphere]

Honestly, I can't see LeBron ever getting more than two. I could be wrong, but I just have my doubts that he will.

No, I agree. I think he gets two, maybe 3. And I'll be cryptic and say, they won't all be with the Heat.

-Darthstradamus

 

[Poeman]

I think if Lebron plays the way he has the past few games in playoff runs in the future then I think 2 or 3 is possible.

This is a pivotal moment in both of these players (Durant & Lebron's) careers.

Durant is trying to do the amazing, the matchups are just so good in this series.

Westbrook vs Wade
Durant vs Lebron
Harden vs Battier?
Ibaka vs Bosh

I think Harden will be the X-Factor, and if Westbrook can just not turn the ball over alot.

Lebron vs Durant...I am a big Durant fan. It doesnt get better then this. (Probably a more exciting matchup then the potential Lebron vs Kobe that never happened)

 

[Docker2.0]

No, I agree. I think he gets two, maybe 3. And I'll be cryptic and say, they won't all be with the Heat.

-Darthstradamus

Whoa!!!

 

[kaypain]

The decision was nothing but publicity stunt for ratings, that Lebron was most likely pressured into. All this bs about I hate Lebron is just what it is hating. Personally I never found him arrogant nor self centered. He pretty well tempered guy with class. I mean how many confrontations has he been in, hell he damn sure hasn't gotten into a physical altercation yet that I know of. Everytime he gets foul hard he doesn't run into the defender face like most players do. He walks it off. I don't know, I just think people should get off his nutz for doing something no different the the big three at Boston, only difference is that there wasn't no publicity stunt.