CarbonGray Earl

Honestly, I don't want anyone to win. Its an asterisk season anyways, where 'normality' was set aside to see how much punishment players can take. I would have loved to see DRose affect the ECFs, as he should have.

That aside, I would have like see the Heat and the Thunder meet up finally. Lebron vs. Durant, the speed and athleticism etc. The matchups at each position would be pretty equal. I think that would be better for the NBA as a whole.

I don't want to see either the Spurts or the Smelltics.

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

IMHO I think the Spurs will win the championship I'm not sure who they will meet but I don't think any of the remaining teams can beat them. The Celtics have too many injuries and because of that not enough fire power, The Heat just don't matchup well and also have that Bosh injury, and the Thunder aren't ready to make that next step and they showed it in the Lakers series. I do believe that of all the teams left the Heat have the best chance of beating the Spurs so I will roll with that matchup for the finals but I wouldn't be surprised if the Celtics beat the Heat up and win that series.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

My analysis also ^ ... well said and put. I have FAITH the HEAT can and will win it all but the SPURS in fact when looking at them in depth, they have what it takes period. Even though, OKC scares me with their speed, heart and KD at clutch moments. But can they they do it day in and day out at the biggest stage and situations...That remains to be the question in doubt. Finally, I said it before and say it again, do not sleep on the C's. They are the Cinderella story of the playoffs this season. Beside what paper says regarding injuries, they are not showing or playing like they are hurt. But what will show is Ray A covering and chasing DWade. That is going to be their nail in the coffin.

Yumcha

I have FAITH that the LeHeat can beat Jesus and Gawd in a game of basketball.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

This is TRUE...If the game was 2:2. But we are speaking of 5 on 5 + rotating bench. The HEAT need Miller and Battier to have a decent game and the bench to do what they have been doing all yr. They are not the best bench or rotational players but when u have the BEST players you don't need to be. U just need to go out there post a presents in defense, maybe score 1-2 buckets and hold down the fort not allowing a break out from the opponent while the BEST players rest and come back.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Spoken like a true laker fan.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Imo. If d wade is playing the way he is. He will exploit the miss match with Ray Allen and his ankles.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

That was my point and that will be their weak link. And that being their weak link is HUGE! Ray Allen is a GAME CHANGER! and a GAME/CLUTCH player!

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

If the Heat get past the Celtics the Heat can win the championship if their supporting cast / bench over achieves and Lebron and Wade do themselves every game if they face the Spurs or if they face the Thunder in the finals their supporting cast /bench just needs to overachieve most games. The Heat cannot win no matter who they face if Lebron chokes as he has in the past. Beyond the players the Heat's coaching staff is also a big handicap all the remaining coaches are at least 3x better than Spo. Like I have said before if the Heat don't win this year Spo needs to go.

mystikk

LeBron has to be the only player in history to average nearly a triple double and still get blasted by every single person as a choker. I feel for the dude, really.

Regarding matchups on the ECFs, KG will make whatever center the Heat has his bitch, since Bosh will be out until further notice. Wade is gonna run circles around Ray Allen, as stated. Not only that, Avery is out for the season, and I think he was one of the top 5 perimeter defenders in the NBA. Wade's really gonna enjoy this series. I bet you he was happy about Avery not coming to the ECFs, even if he won't say it. Rondo can shut any point guard the Heat has defensively. Lebron will be Lebron, putting up monster numbers no matter who you put on him, especially an aching Pierce. Bench vs bench, Boston is still a few levels above Miami, but it won't matter much if the stars on each team are on the floor for 40+ minutes a night.

Unfortunately, my gut objectively says the Heat will be coming out on top in maybe 6, but damn my soul if I don't believe Boston and Doc Rivers can craft some miracles out of that battered team.

I can't say anything about the WCFs because I have absolutely no clue what to expect with these two teams. Matchup-wise, they're so similar that almost every position cancels out, even the sixth man spot. All I can say is, these two teams will be like watching two dragons fight to the death. I can't wait.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

I think the key match for the ecf is Brandon bass vs Shane battier if or even Bosh comes back. Bass has been the underrated person of the playoffs I would focus on him other than the obvious

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

GAWD 8 O'clock can't come fast enough

CarbonGray Earl

Yes sir...

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Gonna be a fun series.

Yumcha

I'm cheering for the LeHeat.

CarbonGray Earl

I kinda agree with you. FWIW, the same thing was said about (one of) the greatest ever, Magic Johnson. The very guy he's most compared to.

I think he'll outgrow the label, in time.

gonzo08452

no Lakers no care!! lol j/k. Getting ready for Game 1 of WCF. Go Spurs!

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

no offense, but i find it funny how rival teams can root for their rivals than let the heat win.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

is300eater

Gawd damn Shaw communications isn't showing the Thunder vs Spurs game

(Well, its on TSN 2, which I don't have, hey Shaw.... )

CarbonGray Earl

Love my Lakers, but these are the right teams for the WCFs this year. Dudes are ballin...

mystikk

This is a fucking awesome game right now.

is300eater

I just ask for 3 good series from here out... but I'm hoping for Thunder vs Miami at the end and OKC taking the championship

Yumcha

Who told you not to subscribe to TSN2? I'm on Shaw and I have TSN2.

is300eater

it's only on TSN2 because of the damn NASCAR crap (is on TSN)

TSXmeister

Manu Ginobili is one crafty ball player!

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

I think you need to check your history my friend Magic was never labeled a choker. There's a difference between someone saying something once and being consistently called that.

The only way Lebron outgrows that label is if he stops his choking. I think even if the Heat win with Lebron choking the label stays but if the Heat win and he doesn't choke then maybe.

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

I agree these teams have either been in first or second pretty much all season.

CarbonGray Earl

No need to check it, lived it my Laker brother. Magic and the Lakers earned the 'choker' label in the 1984 series against the Celtics. Cedric Maxwell was famous before even Reggie Miller for making the choking (hands around neck) sign while James Worthy shot a critical free throws and missed. The Lakers were worlds better than the Celtics, but the Celtics played that mental game and roughed 'em up badly. The series went 4-3 for the Celts. Everyone could see that the Lakers were faster and more athletic, but they couldn't close the deal when push came to shove. They were labeled chokers, especially Magic, for not closing the deal. Lived with it all summer and all next season.

The next year, the Lakers and Magic squashed that by not only winning the series, but Magic taking the famous 'baby hook' against the Celtics on that stupid-ass parquet floor. Squashed the 'choker' talk, and the Celtics My'stink' once and for all, lol.

Granted, I agree, its not to the extent that Lebron had it. Lebron's been called that his whole career. Magic got that label against the Celtics and only against them. The series was 4-3 celtics, and Magic lived with it throughout one season. But Magic himself was called a choker, for sure. I remember the antagonism pretty well.

Rick_TL-S

San Antonio showing how great basketball is played tonight! Even when they were down, they stayed cool & came back.

What worries me is that Duncan said some guys on the team were slacking & they weren't playing like they should have been.
OKC had a lot more fouls than usual, too, though. I think we finally found a team who know how to stop Harden & OKC's drive to the basket.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

From what I saw...That was nothing but experience. Been there Done that. Its looking oh to familiar to the Spurs. They may just have this series in the bag off top my friends. But I do expect OKC to give a hellavah fight. 101-98 is a fight in its own. OKC will review this game a tweek on it.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

Com'on 830PM!!! ~ GO HEAT!

mystikk

Man, SA really knew how to draw fouls. Key players were in big foul trouble early, the biggest being Perkins. Ginobili won the battle of the 6th man as well. Not only that, Harden mostly stopped driving to the basket as well. Great interior defense. They came back to take it, even with a torrent of turnovers. The Spurs are on another level. But I fully expect the Thunder to take it to 7.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

Straight up SHOOK!

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

First of all the Lakers organization had a long history of losing to the Celtics and yes they lost that series and that was the reason Maxwell did that there were a few that called Magic a choker but that was taunting for the future because those teams were sure to meet again and it was more to try to keep a mental edge it was obviously by no means true.

Magic Johnson who at that point in his career that your referring to had already had 2 NBA championships, been to 3 NBA finals, he has the record for the most points by a rookie (42) in an NBA finals game, the same Magic Johnson who lead the Lakers to the NBA championship in his rookie season and he had been fresh off an NCAA championship.

What your talking about and what Lebron is going thru are much different things Lebron is a choker and he has proven it Magic was never a choker plain and simple.

clpassenubye

iTrader: (20)

Even though the Thunder played well the battle tested Spurs had that game in hand the whole time. I would be surprised if this series goes more than 6 games and that's being generous to the Thunder.

Rick_TL-S

You're right, but let's not forget that the Spurs had come from 10 down to 10 up in the 4th. It was only in the last minute with the foul calls that OKC came back up & it would have been 101-95 except Harden made that great 3-pointer, buzzer-beater to help lessen the blow.

OKC will tweek, but Popovich & Duncan are definitely going to be reviewing their turnovers. Duncan admitted he didn't quite step up like Parker & Manu did, and that should somewhat worry OKC because he still did ok. OKC has never played against Manu this season, so he's definitely going to be throwing them some curveballs this series.

JayVee

iTrader: (21)

Is it me, or is this becoming more common then mentioned or talked about. Just seems like there is a slope to their game, as if they backed off the arsenal just to pull it off at the end. Almost as if they mean to do this or they are playing around with their opponents X's and O's just to out smart them at the chess match.

CarbonGray Earl

...Hence my last paragraph where we pretty much say the same thing.

Its not the same, however, Magic was called a choker, as you said yourself (even if it was just for taunting). I'm not disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing...as you can see, you also remember the same thing I do.

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Pare, are you arguing with yourself?