NBA 2014-2015 Season Discussion

[Borgminister]

And it could well have been 1 and 4...!

We'll see if this Cavs team is but a mirage or note soon enough, I guess. The only edge the Cavs have is that finals experience in the person of Bron. Maybe it'll be enough to take one of those away games, maybe not. Dubs just better not get too full of themselves.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^I don't think the Warriors mindset will be a problem, aside from some nerves the first game. I could see Cleveland stealing a game from them in Oakland, but unless they're able to hold serve in Ohio, they won't win this series.

--Sran

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Looks like the Bulls are going to hire Fred Hoiberg.

Can Hoiberg be to Thibodeau the way Jackson was to Collins? Can he take a team to the next level or is the situation too different (ie: not as much talent as Jackson inherited)?

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^Jackson had the best player in the league to work with, plus an emerging Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant. Hoiberg has Derrick Rose, who's certainly capable of playing at an MVP-level; on the other hand, he's just as capable of not playing at all.

If the Bulls had a chance to sign another max-player to put with Rose (plus Butler, Noah and Gasol), they'd be in great shape. But too much hinges on Rose and his balky knees, which isn't a situation I'd be excited about walking into.

--Sran

 

[Neroon]

Where in the world did Jimmy Butler come from? Before this season, I don't think I'd ever heard of him. I can't help but wonder if the Bulls will be able to keep a hold of him. Hoiberg has a reputation of being a "player's coach" doesn't he?

 

[gblews]

Where in the world did Jimmy Butler come from? Before this season, I don't think I'd ever heard of him. I can't help but wonder if the Bulls will be able to keep a hold of him. Hoiberg has a reputation of being a "player's coach" doesn't he?

There are rumors, and I do stress the word "rumors', because the team has not confirmed it, that the Lakers are going to try and get Butler to sign an offer sheet once the free agency period begins. But I would imagine that unless the offer is something outrageous, the Bulls will certainly match it and keep him.

At the point Butler is in his career, he will likely place dollar signs ahead of the prospect of playing for likable coaches. It would be his first "big" payday in the NBA.

 

[tomalak301]

The golden state warriors are in the NBA Finals. That in itself feels so surreal.

Warriors in 7 games

 

[Borgminister]

This won't go 7 games unless Cleveland's bench can score some points. Mozgov played well, but no one else. And minus Kyrie, I'd be surprised if it was any closer than a gentleman's sweep now.

 

[gblews]

Wow, Dubs only 3 "dubs" from the Larry O'Brien. As it happens so often, game 1 was the game for the road team to steal and it appeared it might happen there for a while. Unfortunately for the Cavs, they didn't get it and I think game 2 will be even harder for them to win, especially if Kyrie is hobbled or can't go.

Cavs, who had the psychological advantage, have now allowed the Warriors to get over their "first game in the Finals" jitters which might lead to Cavs going home down 0-2. But not only will Kyrie need to play, he is going have to be able to mover freely, be able to stop and cut. It could be a short series if he is out.

But Cavs could very well win 2 at home and the series goes 7. We'll have to see.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^The Cavs announced earlier this afternoon that Kyrie Irving will miss 3-4 months after he undergoes surgery for a fractured kneecap. This is a huge blow to Cleveland's chances; as well as LeBron has played this post-season, I don't know that he can beat the Warriors by himself.

--Sran

 

[Borgminister]

Could this be a repeat of 2014?

 

[Borgminister]

I guess not. Amazing. Gonna come down to Cleveland's physical gas tank.

But however it goes--Respect.

 

[gblews]

Yes, got to give credit to LeBron and the Cavs for playing their hearts out. But it still isn't over, not quite at least. Game 4 will be the decider, I think. Whoever wins that game will get the ring.

If the Warriors are going to allow themselves to be forced to play the way the Cavs want them to, then they better learn how to win playing that way. If they don't, they're going to need the same shrink the Clips are probably seeing right this minute.

 

[Borgminister]

LeBron will be lucky if this goes 7. But then he does have an extra day of rest. I guess we'll really find out how good Blatt is.

 

[Captrek]

LeBron put up 20-12-8 and it was a terrible game by his standards.

Going out on a limb and predicting in Game 5, LeBron puts up better numbers and the Cavs don't lose by 20+.

 

[gblews]

After last night I think there are only 2 questions left to be answered, in what game will the series end (game 6 or 7) and will the Warriors show more heart, pride, and desire, than the Spurs, and repeat in 2016.

Before the series started I felt that the Cavs could not win the series if they lost a home game and now they have done just that. They now have to win another game in Oakland and I don't see the Warriors giving up another one at home. Also, the 22111 format is about to bite them in that the pivotal game 5 is on the home court of the team with HCA. In the 2-3-2 game 5 would have been in Cle.

LeBron's offensive numbers weren't the whole problem. The Cavs biggest problem was that they couldn't play defense as well as they had been.

We still have a ways to go, but it is looking like LeBron is capable of elevating the play of his team, especially against the weaker eastern teams, but is not able to make his teams better enough against the tough western teams.

 

[Captrek]

Also, the 22111 format is about to bite them in that the pivotal game 5 is on the home court of the team with HCA. In the 2-3-2 game 5 would have been in Cle.

On the other hand, 232 would mean they'd have to close out on the road, while 22111 gives them a chance to close out in a Game 6 at home.

 

[gblews]

Also, the 22111 format is about to bite them in that the pivotal game 5 is on the home court of the team with HCA. In the 2-3-2 game 5 would have been in Cle.

On the other hand, 232 would mean they'd have to close out on the road, while 22111 gives them a chance to close out in a Game 6 at home.

Well, who cares where you have to close out. What you want is to have the best chance to be the first to get 3 wins. The 232 would give the Cavs another shot at getting 3 wins first (because game 5 would be in Cle) and the first shot at an elimination game. The Cavs are not likely to win a game 5 in Oak in the 22111. The Dubs will likely get a win in game 5, lose game 6 (maybe) and put Cle in the nearly impossible position of having to win a game 7 in Oak.

The 232 favors the lower seeded team because game 5 is played on their court. The 222111 favors the higher seeded team because game 5 is played on their court.

Y'all know how I'm always making little snide remarks about the Spurs inability to repeat? Well here is what Robert Horry, who played on championship teams for both franchises, had to say recently:

If you literally said, “Kobe, I bet you can’t make five in a row by dropping the ball and kicking it in from half court,” that (bleep) would go out there and practice it until he could do it. And that’s what people don’t understand when they talk about champions — when they talk about a winner’s mentality. Kobe’s dedication to the game is unreal. And I mean that in the truest sense … it was literally unbelievable. The common denominator in every championship team is the mentality that Kobe has, and the mentality that Hakeem had with me at that Christmas party. You have to be so obsessed with winning that you pull no punches with your teammates, even when you’re in first place. Even when you’re a defending champ.

Notice he mentions Kobe, Phil, and Hakeem, all of whom played on champs who repeated, and does not mention any Spurs players or coaches. Timmy, Pop, and Tony, need to read this.

http://www.slamonline.com/nba/rober...uch-hatred-for-that-team/#17QYXotXCombzPd3.97http://forums.lakersground.net/report.php?mode=reportpost&id=6304050

 

[JirinPanthosa]

The difference between the 2-2-1-1-1 and 2-3-2 formats are all in people's heads. One of those things sportscasters make a big deal about because the real statistics are boring television.

The odds of the home team for each individual game don't change based on whether that home game is game 5 or game 6.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors and their fans! Happy to see Andre Iguodala win the Finals MVP; I hope young players recognize and follow his example.

--Sran