Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

You still have to wonder if age will catch up to the Spurs the deeper they go in the playoffs.

No, you more so have to wonder if lack of talent will catch up to the Spurs the deeper they go in the playoffs. They lucked out that Kobe tore his Achilles. As for your age remark, that is a lame excuse. San Antonio's players are unathletic compared to the rest of the players in the NBA and always have been. They have always played a corny old man's game, so now that they are older they are even more in their comfort zone than they were 5 years ago.

If they lose to Memphis, it will be simply because Memphis is a better, more talented basketball team, one that executes just as well as they do but has more talent.

Memphis is so strong everywhere and San Antonio even after all these years plays the best team ball out there.

The only team in professional sports I dislike as much or more than the San Antonio Spurs is the New England Patriots. i cannot stand teams that don't have much talent but win off of robot systems that opposing coaches have far more difficult a time stopping than they should.

I can't say I'm surprised to see you dislike the Spurs since you think basketball should just be a glorified dunkfest. I'm guessing the NBA All Star Game is your favorite day of the year then. Maybe you should stick to watching And1 games

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

The Spurs up 2-0 is a bit of a surprise especially since they dominated both games until the 4th quarter last night. The series is far from over though as I do expect it to go back to SA at 2-2.

Miami and Indy play tonight. The Pacers took game 2 in Miami last year and then put a real scare in the Heat as they threatened to go up 3-1. They will definitely have to win 1 of the first 2 in Miami again.

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Memphis started slowly last night and then got it going in 3rd and 4th. But by the end of the 4Q they had run out of gas and the overtime wasn't competitive.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Crazy game last night. The Pacers have such a big advantage in the paint and it makes the matchup intriguing. It took 30,10,10, from Lebron, a solid game from the hobbled Wade, as well as a perfect 7-7 for Birdman for Miami to win by 1 in overtime. If it does end up being Memphis-Miami the latter will have even worse trouble down low and Memphis is just a better all around team than Indiana. It would be one hell of a series but both of these conference finals could get good beforehand. Obviously there is no guarantee both of them make it, especially Memphis.

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

I think Miami has their hands full. All they can do is hope to wear down Indy in hopes that they will give up mentally. I just don't see that happening because this team knows how close they were last year to defeating MIA and last night's game should give them confidence that they can do it if they are not a turnover machine.

 

[the AntiPusher]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Sorry Darth Fed.. I dont have any "horses" in this race for the title this time. No Kobe, No Drose, No Westbrook and when Step Curry treaked his tender ankles which made him a liability on defense and limited his offensive effectness.. I lost interest this season. See ya next year

I wouldve been ok if the NBA would have had another lock out.. this has been the season from Hell

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

I think Miami has their hands full. All they can do is hope to wear down Indy in hopes that they will give up mentally. I just don't see that happening because this team knows how close they were last year to defeating MIA and last night's game should give them confidence that they can do it if they are not a turnover machine.

It could definitely be tough but Pacers have to win game 2 to have a realistic chance. Bad matchup or not I don't see them winning 4 of 5 vs. the Heat and I also don't see them winning all 3 home games. Most likely scenario for them to win is to take game 2, split in Indy and then take game 5 and 6. The turnovers were bad for both teams so that was kind of a wash last night. The worry for Miami is that not even Lebron can be expected to do 30,10,10 and they will never get another game like that out of Birdman. And Wade will likely be a question mark too.

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Sorry Darth Fed.. I dont have any "horses" in this race for the title this time. No Kobe, No Drose, No Westbrook and when Step Curry treaked his tender ankles which made him a liability on defense and limited his offensive effectness.. I lost interest this season. See ya next year

I wouldve been ok if the NBA would have had another lock out.. this has been the season from Hell

It hasn't been a great playoffs and I see where you are coming from...it kind of lacks the superstars you are used to seeing this deep in the playoffs. You have Lebron and a hobbled Wade but no KD, Kobe, Westbrook, Melo, etc.

But I really am expecting a great finals assuming it's Miami coming out of the East. Memphis will be a nightmare down low and SA would have the advantage there too, as well as the all around team play.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Another great one last night. If this goes 6 or 7 and they are all like this we are in for a real treat. Nothing too surprising last night. The Heat have been sloppy with the ball both games but the Pacers have a lot to do with that. West didn't shoot well but him just being on the court makes a huge impact as the Heat can't match up with him or Hibbert.

The formula for beating Lebron has always been the same: let him get his 30+ but stop his teammates. Lebron often has more impact on the game through his passing than he does scoring. A game where he has 3 assists indicates that the shooters weren't getting open looks or were simply missing. And that he wasn't hurting them as much by getting in the paint. Even Lebron seems to be reluctant to test Hibbert around the rim. A hobbled Wade is still an above average player but that's about it right now. He simply doesn't have 40 quality minutes in him right now. And Indy will gladly let Bosh take 3's all day.

It's still going to take a hell of an effort for Indy to win 4 games but they seem up to the challenge and it's going to take much better games from the other Heat players if they want to win any in Indy...and now they have to win at least 1 there.

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Yeah, it was a good game. I saw the same thing last night that I saw in game 1. Indy leading the way for most of the game and MIA hanging around until they can close out the quarter. I agree turnovers were present on both teams, but no one capitalizes on T/O better than Miami. Their T/O to point ratio is ridiculous and it's how they make a living so they're really good at it.

Indy has to stay aggressive. There were droughts in scoring in both games. That cannot happen when you want to hold off MIA. If the jumper isn't falling after the 2nd attempt, go back down low and force MIA to defend the basket. Get fouled and make the FT's.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Yeah, it was a good game. I saw the same thing last night that I saw in game 1. Indy leading the way for most of the game and MIA hanging around until they can close out the quarter. I agree turnovers were present on both teams, but no one capitalizes on T/O better than Miami. Their T/O to point ratio is ridiculous and it's how they make a living so they're really good at it.

Indy has to stay aggressive. There were droughts in scoring in both games. That cannot happen when you want to hold off MIA. If the jumper isn't falling after the 2nd attempt, go back down low and force MIA to defend the basket. Get fouled and make the FT's.

I forgot which commentator made the point last night that free throws are a big deal not just for the obvious reason that it should be easy points, but that it allows Indy to setup their defense and keeps the Heat from pushing the ball as often as they'd like. It is an excellent point and despite the turnovers from both teams it has mostly been all about half-court execution and the Pacers got the better of the Heat in both games in that regard.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

I'm shocked that the Spurs are up 3-0. Memphis let that one get away and no team has ever rallied from 3-0 down and I doubt it starts here. It is probably over tomorrow or in game 5.

I know I'm one of the few who doesn't hate the Heat and Lebron James but I don't mind seeing them lose this year. I am rooting for the Spurs to win one last ring with Duncan. If Memphis miraculously recovers I would root for them in the Finals too. For the sake of a more intriguing NBA finals I do want the Heat to beat the Pacers. I can't get too excited over an Indy-SA series.

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Congrats to the Spurs. They sweep the Griz in the WCF. SA hasn't been to the finals in 6 years. Mem needs to go back to the drawing board. All that size down low and they couldn't get one game against an older Spurs team.

 

[calitennis127]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Congrats to the Spurs. They sweep the Griz in the WCF. SA hasn't been to the finals in 6 years. Mem needs to go back to the drawing board. All that size down low and they couldn't get one game against an older Spurs team.

Hollins did an awful coaching job in the Western Conference Finals. To get swept by a team as talent-deficient and lame as San Antonio is really sad.

If Hollins knew what he was doing, he could have quite easily swept San Antonio. But his whole approach toward Parker as well as running Memphis's own offense was asinine.

 

[the AntiPusher]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Congrats to the Spurs. They sweep the Griz in the WCF. SA hasn't been to the finals in 6 years. Mem needs to go back to the drawing board. All that size down low and they couldn't get one game against an older Spurs team.

Hollins did an awful coaching job in the Western Conference Finals. To get swept by a team as talent-deficient and lame as San Antonio is really sad.

If Hollins knew what he was doing, he could have quite easily swept San Antonio. But his whole approach toward Parker as well as running Memphis's own offense was asinine.

yeah, Hollins and team management really showed Rudy Gay that he was just a replaceable player. Very smart move, I hope he goes to the Lakers or the Bulls, both of those teams would show more appreciation of Mr Rudy's basketball talents.Trust me.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

All around disappointing playoffs especially this SA-Memphis series. I didn't see all the games but the big guys down low did next to nothing and Memphis isn't going to win with that happening. The only hope for a good series out East is if the Pacers get game 4 tonight.

 

[mujaidin]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Nice sweep by the spurs , they were way too good

 

[shawnbm]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

I had little doubt the Spurs would be at the big dance. I believe it will be Miami to battle them there, but tonight (Game 4) is really huge for the Heat, even though it is bigger for the Pacers for obvious reasons. Miami needs to close this series out and not get bogged down in a 6 or 7 game series that will leach the confidence out of them when considering the Spurs and tire them out as well. Indiana is a tall order, but they tend to rise and fall collectively--no one guy (although George may become this) can "take over" for a time and get a rally going. They rely too much on the perimeter shooting at times. Yet, they are tenacious. The Heat have to help LeBron out more and did in Game 3. What he did in Game 2 was mighty impressive, but he was visibly winded, played over 45 minutes of hard ball and made two costly turnovers. But, with a 30/10/10 evening on 59% shooting, should it have been so tight in the first place with Wade, Bosh and Allen there to help?

Game 4 promises to be a barn burner and I really look forward to it. James and the Birdman have really been something. DWade was hot in Game 3 too--which was refreshing.

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

Final is 99-92 Pacers. Series is tied 2-2 and there will be a game 6 at Indy.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

You know a ref was terrible when he starts trending on Twitter. It will be all eyes on Joey Crawford whenever he refs another game. And he just happens to have a lot of history with Tim Duncan and the Spurs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOygTd1NWCM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjVCkSR7i1o

 

[kskate2]

RE: 2013 NBA Playoffs

I wonder if they will let him do any of the NBA final games.