NBA playoffs

[Sausy]

Two knee injuries right on the first game of the NBA playoffs thraten the playoff
hopes of the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks.Chicago was leading with over a minute to play in a game they won 103-91 over Philadelphia and all world point guard Derrick Rose goes down with a nasty tear of his ACL ligament.Should he even had been in the game that late with the Bulls so comfortably ahead?He's had a number of issues withinjuries during the regular season,wonder if Bulls coach Tom Thibodeaux's insistence on having his starters ALWAYS on the floor to end games is foolish...now Chicago's resilience even with Derrick missing some games this season will be tested as playoffs are a whole new ballgame.

Lebron James had his way with the New York Knicks in Miami as the Heat absolutely CRUSHED the Knicks 100-67.I mean thank goodness I was working today,I would have blown a gasket watching the Knicks look utterly overmatched and in disarray.Carmelo Anthony was beyond atrocious and the supporting cast could do little against a fired up,totally in the zone Lebron James who got solid support from guard Dwayne Wade and looked every bit revved up to avenge his poor play in the Finals last year against the champion Dallas Mavericks.Miami definitely sent a message they were ready to get moving to a championship series return.Knicks however lost their best defender,guard Iman Shumpert who had been playing mostly as a point guard since knee injury took out sudden sensation Jeremy Lin a few weeks back.Looked like a freak thing as he pulled up injured after making a behind the back dribble move and was carried from the flor in great pain bt teammates.Iman was the most ferocious defender the Knicks had,and without him again til sometime in the new season it looks very doybtful they have the answers to hold back Miami from advancing.


Feel free to talk about all the playoff teams and your picks and perspectives .....love NBA playoff time!!!

 

[Ninja108]

The Knicks were basically crushed today. There is no way on earth they are going to beat Miami.
As for Miami..still hope they don't win. I can't stand Lebron at all.

 

[Sausy]

I don't want to see Miami win but I think they're really hungry this year,LeBron's on an even higher plane than usual and it's gotta be a really focused,deep club that could bring them down.Don't see them losing to anyone in the East,they'll make it to the Finals with no Derrick Rose led Chicago Bulls to contend with.LA Lakers,maybe Oklahoma City Thunder but I really don't see anyone else in the West getting to the Finals,and I just have a feeling Lebron will be feeling much better about things by the time the Finals are done.

It was just beyond atrocious for the Knicks.A few good role player performances but without Tyson Chandler to hold fort in the middle and the devastating double ligament tear to Iman Shumpert happening in most freakish way that's the heart of the Knicks defense removed.The stars of the Heat showed up with a vengeance,especially Lebron just abused Carmelo Anthony,who did virtually nothing as Amar'e Stoudemire was useless today also.I think New York has built in the Carmelo/Amar'e pairing a pretender,not a true contender.During the regular season the chemistry of this club just vacillated.The thing with Lebron and Dywane that makes them a lethal pairing is that both can handle and distribute,can run a team either together or taking turns.Amar'e isn't a real defender,consistent rebounder,or great facilitator and while Carmelo can pass he's not an instinctual playmaker.They're stat oriented all stars,great numbers scoring wise and valuable players but thrown together they need everyone to be on the same page,healthy,committed to defense as a group and need someone whocan control the pace of the offense to best utilize them as well as the supporting cast.Well,the good news is that there are only three more years on both Stoudemire and Anthony's contracts...the bad news is that there still ARE three years left on both their contracts.

 

[Dextro]

Knicks need chemistry. You can get all the stars in the world, no chemistry and it doesn't matter. When lin started with melo and stoudemire out, he was good because there wad massive chemistry. Melo and stoudemire are used to being over half of the teams offense, and while melo got it done last game, game five is in Miami. Knicks need stoudemire and Chandler to play aggressive and not foul, no stupid fouls. Melo needs help, last game it was amare, so who knows? They might go to game six, but I doubt it.

Anyone else think that thunder vs clips would be the most exciting series ever?

 

[SwimmerBoy]

I'm still pulling for my LA Lakers. I think that once they have MWP back in the lineup, they actually have a chance against the Thunder. One of those two is going to the finals against the Heat or the Pacers this year, that's my guess. Even though MWP has been out for the Lakers, have you guys seen the way Devin Ebanks has been taking control? Kid's going crazy! Love it!

 

[80KGold]

Dwayne Wade's play has been shitty during this series against the Pacers!

There. I got that off my chest.

 

[PeteGG]

I believe the Miami Heat will win, but I think if you look at all the teams that have won the championship over the last 25 years this may be the worst two teams.

 

[80KGold]

Wow. Really? Even worse than when the Spurs met the Cavs, or when the Spurs met the Nets?

Anyhow, I think game 5 is more crucial for the Heat than for the Spurs. I think the Heat have a great opportunity to win that game, though.

 

[PeteGG]

What I was saying, I believe whichever one of these teams wins the championship could not beat any of the previous 25 winners.

 

[Ninja108]

One more game..go SPURS!!!

 

[Sausy]

Pretty surprised how off Miami is when they lose... as great as Lebron James is, the best ever like Magic or Michael, Kobe or even Tim Duncan will their way to championships when the opportunity presents itself. They find ways to win. If Miami loses this one, Lebron has an option I believe to opt out after next season and may go elsewhere as Dywayne Wade isn't getting any younger and less expensive in the team budget. I think he'll take his talents somewhere else. He may be the greatest physical all around talent in his generation, or any one to be honest.... but the Michael comparisons will have to stop even if future championship appearances await him.

 

[PeteGG]

Sausy,
I have to agree with you the Michael comparisons will have to stop. Lebron is missing that killer instinct and ability to rally his team.
It would eat Micheal,Kobe,Magic,Bird up inside knowing they are losing a championship, Lebron not so much.

 

[PeteGG]

Last night what a game, I am not a fan of either team, but wow!!!
I LOVE game 7 in any sport. That is all she wrote!!!

 

[Ninja108]

I will say this,the changes made by the Spurs coach made no sense. You don't assume the game is over with that much time left.

 

[Phlash]

I think that the Spurs can still pull this one out. I know that they're facing a 3-4 deficit, but I think that they're best when their backs are against the wall.

 

[Rickrock]

I'm surprised that no one is talking about the NBA 2015 finals.

I have to appreciate the skills of Steph Curry for Oakland, but of course I'm hoping that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win. All of the injuries on the Cavaliers are making this a more trying experience for Cleveland, including the fans. Before the finals started someone said that this would go for six or seven games, which means that they thought that the teams were well matched and no one was a push over.

Good Luck CAVS! Go CAVS!

 

[echiba1]

I haven't really been into basketball since high school when I tried out for the jv team with my friends, mainly just to try and fit in but I got back into watching the finals for the past two years now. I think it's mainly to look at the guys though. Last year, it was to watch Tony Parker but i really liked the whole underdog, older team story. This time, I started watching just to look at Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. But I did like seeing how the smaller guys handled shooting and outpacing the bigger guys. I actually do like Lebron though and hope he can win a championship with the Cavs one day.

 

[The Loner]

The league has gone soft. Too much flopping and crying from the players, and you can't show even the slightest of emotions on the court without getting T'd up.