NBA Finals

[ShueyGaffDarlingNat]

There are a few factors to why Miami beat Chicago last year. First Miami were aggressively double teaming Rose after game 1. By doing so they did two things, made it extremely difficult for him to penetrate the key where he is most dangerous or make him give up the ball to someone else. Truth is last year Korver was shooting rather poorly in the playoffs, Boozer and Noah had no idea how to play with each other plus Booz had turf toe and most of all they had no one that could roll off the screens and put down a jump shot. This year they are 27-8 with Deng so far missing 7 games, Rose missing 10 games, Rip missing 24 games & C.J missing 12 games. Yet they are only one game out of first and for overall best record in the NBA. Boozer and Noah are now really playing extremely well together as evidenced by their numbers recently and really understand one another's games. Forget the D, everyone knows how Thibs runs a team but we lead the league for assists per game and assists per possession per game so they are clicking from 1 to 15. Now after the all- star break we get Rip back (hopefully) the guy we brought in to make Wade accountable and stop teams double teaming Rose and also mind you one of the best shooters off the screen in the NBA. So considering we have the record we do, with all the shit we've had to endure so far AND we might just get our best team up and going very soon with more than enough time to click. I wouldn't go counting Bulls out. If they get a healthy run second half of the season, i'd be very afraid.

 

[lukesicari]

Yeah, but it was first vs eighth!!!

Seems you have forgiven them.... I haven't!!

It's only the Spurs that it's happened to, remember Mavs V Warroirs!!

 

[midnight_show]

Miami are not unbeatable. Miami can't beat the bucks at home or away from home. Chicago were one bees willy away from beating them on their home court this year. Knicks are slowly getting it together and Orlando, while enormously inconsistent have the firepower to take down Miami.

Thunder are not unbeatable either. They have lost to Portland at home, they have lost to Spurs twice this year and the Lakers and Clippers are gathering momentum at the right end of the year. And dismiss Dallas at your own peril.

To suggest at this stage of the season that it's a certainty that this pair will face off in the finals is naive. Actually borders on pretty stoopid.

 

[jimboiitmac]

I'd expect the Heat and Thunder to meet up. That seems to be what conventional wisdom says, or what one of the more likely scenarios is.

If that were to happen I suspect Westbrook would be the x-factor. Let's face it: LeBron, Durant and Wade will get their numbers. LeBron is too strong, Durant too long, and Wade too good in the playoffs not to all do their thing.

Westbrook is the x-factor. If he has an inefficient series things could turn ugly for the Thunder. When he takes ill-advised shots, shoots a low % (because he's a streaky jump-shooter) and turns the ball over things are harder for the Thunder.

Bosh could also be an x-factor. Hopefully he doesn't flail against Ibaka.

 

[tagged]

Remember in the playoffs you need to beat the enemy 4 times in a week.
Some of the teams mentioned are only being mentioned because they're your favourite team.
Just because some one beat the Thunder once doesn't put them in the Final.
Chicago have a chance against the Heat. But if was betting, Miami and Thunder.
With Miami winning this year, next year to be a repeat but Thunder to win. They are young and will only get better, and better is scary good.

 

[tagged]

With most teams only winning 60% of their games against crap teams, how can they expect to get through the finals where they are expected to win 60% against teams that can play.
Not many teams can make the Finals. Is the league strong across the all teams or mostly weak across all teams ?
Firstly Rose and then possibly Westbrook, which Heat player would be responsible for shutting them down for up to seven games ?

 

[ozguy3825]

With most teams only winning 60% of their games against crap teams, how can they expect to get through the finals where they are expected to win 60% against teams that can play.
Not many teams can make the Finals. Is the league strong across the all teams or mostly weak across all teams ?
Firstly Rose and then possibly Westbrook, which Heat player would be responsible for shutting them down for up to seven games ?

I think that would be handed to either Wade or Battier, but honestly the Heat will have their hands full no matter who they play really. Their offence will be fine but they may have trouble stopping some teams scoring. Then if the teams play some zone against them they can hit a wall too.

 

[ozguy3825]

whats going on in Detroit? A big W against the Lakers followed by another big W against the Hawks and now smacking Raptors. They dont have the worst roster, with some good talent without any superstars. If they can keep this roster and add a couple of young guns and keep the old work ethic of the old detroit teams they could improve alot i reckon.

 

[onvison]

Dont sleep on Memphis, Zbo is back on Tuesday and finally the team will be complete. Almost had OKC last year without Rudy Gay.

 

[jimboiitmac]

With most teams only winning 60% of their games against crap teams, how can they expect to get through the finals where they are expected to win 60% against teams that can play.
Not many teams can make the Finals. Is the league strong across the all teams or mostly weak across all teams ?
Firstly Rose and then possibly Westbrook, which Heat player would be responsible for shutting them down for up to seven games ?

LeBron.

Had no problems against Rose last playoffs. Don't get me wrong the Bulls are a great team and they whooped us last night. In addition Rose is the MVP and the Bulls are deadly.

That said last I checked it's 4-1 until further notice. The Bulls may win the regular season again, but the Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions until we get toppled. And if we could shut down the Bulls and Rose in 5 last playoffs, I see no reason to be too concerned right now.

 

[drob50]

LeBron.

Had no problems against Rose last playoffs. Don't get me wrong the Bulls are a great team and they whooped us last night. In addition Rose is the MVP and the Bulls are deadly.

That said last I checked it's 4-1 until further notice. The Bulls may win the regular season again, but the Heat are the reigning Eastern Conference champions until we get toppled. And if we could shut down the Bulls and Rose in 5 last playoffs, I see no reason to be too concerned right now.

Seen the Mavs lately??