2011/2012 NBA Thread: Where Weather Happens

[Scrandy Randy]

OKC's big 3 scored 88 and they lost how many points will Lebron and Wade put up in a hypothetical matchup.

They don't need to score as many points. Miami plays better defense then OKC when they want to. Miami has the best defense left in the Playoffs when they turn it on followed by OKC, Celtics, then the Spurs. They'll need LeBron and Wade motivated and playing their best ball(not hard considering what happened last year) and Bosh back knocking down good shots he gets and giving Duncan a challenge.

 

[Poeman]

Steve Kerr put it best last night...You have 5 guys you are worried about scoring on the Spurs at one time.

How in the world is the Heat going to stop that passing and offense? Their bigs are worse then OKC's
Bosh has to play for a chance

Parker was tearing that **** up last night

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Not to mention the Heat has an even worse bench than OKC.

 

[Docker2.0]

I'm going to predict this. Spurs win game 1. Spurs win game 2, but during game 2(or possibly 3), Westbrook does his best AI impression and the coach tries to talk to him gently, play team ball. He loses it and continues to do his best Kobe thing and bam! They lose the game. I'm going to say they win one in OKC but that's it. Westbrook is going to come back and bite them in this series. He really has been a jock against the Lakers and Mavericks and they really haven't needed Durant to lead them in those series but against the Spurs, Durantula has to play big if they have any chance. I believe he's going to try but they should have shortened the leash on Westbrook earlier because I don't see him stop jocking now.

Didn't happen in game 2 but you can bet a bowl or pork and beans it happens in game 3.

Finally we agree! I'm going Spurs in 5. I think the Lakers had the right blue print until Kobe went crazy and lost the series for them. I think the Spurs will carry out the blue print quite easily.

Anyone remember me saying this? Yep! Call me Docstradomus.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

They don't need to score as many points. Miami plays better defense then OKC when they want to. Miami has the best defense left in the Playoffs when they turn it on followed by OKC, Celtics, then the Spurs. They'll need LeBron and Wade motivated and playing their best ball(not hard considering what happened last year) and Bosh back knocking down good shots he gets and giving Duncan a challenge.

Exactly. The Spurs are not immortal, and we saw that on Sunday. The Spurs' Big Ten had an arduous time defending the The Thunder's Big Three. So, if San Antonio had a hard time defending Durant and Westbrook, they'll definitely struggle against Wade and LeBron. On top of that, The Thunder are not strongest defensive team out there. That's Miami. The Heat are very physical, agile and athletic, and it's showing after getting slapped around by The Pacers.

Miami's biggest weakness is the bench. I'll say that. The players on the bench are older and don't always bring their A-game.

 

[Raiden]

Not to mention the Heat has an even worse bench than OKC.

Yeah, Heat has the worst bench among the four finalists in the playoff. I think SA will be the champion this year, because I just don't see any of the remaining teams have what it takes to defeat them. SA is playing like the 2001 Lakers when they had their championship run in the playoff imo.

 

[Darthphere]

Bench play is somewhat overrated IMO. Sure, Miami's bench is pretty bad but we don't ask them for much. Either keep the lead while the starters rest or keep it close. It's not like we're asking Miller or Battier to score 20 off the bench. If they do, great.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Bench play is somewhat overrated IMO. Sure, Miami's bench is pretty bad but we don't ask them for much. Either keep the lead while the starters rest or keep it close. It's not like we're asking Miller or Battier to score 20 off the bench. If they do, great.

This true as well. If Miller can knock down 3-4 downtown shots and Chalmers/Battier/Haslem can score, at least, 8-10 points then they'll be fine.

BUT the bench can't afford to score only 17 points though (like they've done before).

 

[Doc Samson]

Yeah, Heat has the worst bench among the four finalists in the playoff. I think SA will be the champion this year, because I just don't see any of the remaining teams have what it takes to defeat them. SA is playing like the 2001 Lakers when they had their championship run in the playoff imo.

That '01 team had two completely unstoppable players in the wing and paint, and a bunch of tough defenders and rebounders everywhere else.

This SA team definitely doesn't have that type of firepower in two guys, but they might be one of the best passing teams of all time. Everyone can pass, seemingly, and they usually make the right decisions. Miami will have the same problem OKC & BOS have, which is scoring consistency.

Even in Game 1, Miami went cold in the 2nd and part of the 3rd, but the Celtics couldn't consistently take advantage, in particular once the 3rd qtr came. The Spurs rarely go 5 possessions without getting something, and that's why they've been rolling. They can hit from anywhere, on the break, in the paint, from the arc, from the stripe.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

That 01 Lakers team was BEAST! Bryant, O'Neal, Fisher, Horry, Shaw, Grant, Fox, Madsen and George. I'm surprised they did not go 15-0 in the playoffs, surprised my 76ers won a game against that team.

 

[KBX]

San Antonio can have Tim Duncan go 2 for 11 and score 120 in a playoff game. That is ridiculous. Bench play is HUGE especially for San Antonio. Their bench is as good as their starters.

In order for Maimi to beat them, it wont matter how many points Lebron, Wade, Bosh put up, its going to depend on Mike Miller, Battier and Chalmers.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

If Bosh comes back and even if he does comeback he proably won't be healthy enough to make an impact.

 

[Mister J]

Yes, that does appear to be an ATM.

 

[Doc Samson]

That 01 Lakers team was BEAST! Bryant, O'Neal, Fisher, Horry, Shaw, Grant, Fox, Madsen and George. I'm surprised they did not go 15-0 in the playoffs, surprised my 76ers won a game against that team.

It took A.I.'s greatest game IMO, given the circumstances and what he was up against. They threw Kobe, Lue, a little D-Fish, Shaq hip checking him when he came down the lane, the kitchen sink at dude. He was just balling!

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

Yes, that does appear to be an ATM.

That's pretty awesome, personally.

 

[runawayboulder]

The Hornet's got the #1 pick. Let the cries of lottery rigging begin....

Spoiler

JUST KIDDING

 

[Ironhorse75]

Who can forget this?

 

[Matt]

I love listening to the same people who were writing the Heat off last week and hailing the Celtics now act as if the Heat are now shoe-ins (funny how LeBron is suddenly King James again) and that the Celtics are up the river without a paddle. If the Celtics dominate tonight they will change their tune once again. ESPN is a joke.

 

[L.A.]

The pic was taken last week

 

[Daniel Thompson]

^ She look nice.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

Who can forget this?

A classic NBA Finals moment.

 

[L.A.]

^ She look nice.

Not number one pick nice!

 

[runawayboulder]

I love listening to the same people who were writing the Heat off last week and hailing the Celtics now act as if the Heat are now shoe-ins (funny how LeBron is suddenly King James again) and that the Celtics are up the river without a paddle. If the Celtics dominate tonight they will change their tune once again. ESPN is a joke.

I think that the folks at ESPN/ABC are gearing up to blame a potential Heat loss in the finals on their bench instead of their buddies James and Wade. If they win, "oh we called it!". It's a win-win for them.

 

[Daniel Thompson]

Not number one pick nice!

I'm just speaking for the average joes like myself. I'm sure he will get hotter chicks down the road.

 

[Darthphere]

The Hornets are still owned by the NBA right?