***Official NBA Thread***

[Riggins]

what a ****ing result!

 

[Riggins]

This doco is so sweet. I love Charles Barkley so much! "we trained, we went to the beach, we played cards til 5 am. it was a lot of fun."

 

[nightprowler10]

I loved the competitive nature of all of them. These guys didn't want to play on each others team in PRACTICE. Trying to outdo each other, especially Michael vs Magic. So awesome. Today we got the best stars trying to team up to win a ring or two, can you imagine these guys doing that? They'd rip each others throats out. Loved the bit about Daly planting the seed by throwing the practice game.

Also, poor Kukoc. He had such a 'wtf did I do' look on his face.

 

[Fusion]

They need Lebron and Wade to play balls out every quarter. Against this Thunder team no lead is safe so they can't afford sloppy stretches. They put points up so quickly. Miami's D has got to improve a heap though, the amount of easy buckets Ibaka got and the layups the Thunder got late in the game were too easy. I don't think Spo is a good enough coach to stop this though, Brooks has his number so far.

Heat need the next one, I can't see them holding 3 games in a row at home.

The biggest mystery/shock to me is how the Heat seemingly have no half-court offense in the 4th qtr. That’s what killed them in last year’s Finals, and that was their Achilles’ heel in Game 1 this year. During the second half in general, but the 4th qtr in particular, the plan seems to be for Lebron to bring the ball up the court, dribble, and then either try to take it to the basket or shoot a jumper. Next possession, it’s Wade’s turn to do the same. Well that works in the regular season when their individual brilliance allows them to dominate. It gets harder in the playoffs and becomes nearly impossible to do in the Finals when you are playing a team that’s equal or greater to you in the talent department. Where are the double screens? Why can’t Lebron and Wade execute the pick and roll on each possession? Hell if those two just master the pick and roll, they’ll be simply unstoppable. I get that Lebron and Wade have had a lot of success playing the way they have, but they’ve got to realize that something needs to change or they’re doomed to repeat the same offensive performances no matter how many times they get to the Finals. I’m really perplexed that Pat Riley doesn’t interfere and force them to learn a few new plays. I’m sure they’ll tune out Spoelstra, but they won’t ignore Riley.

 

[nightprowler10]

OKC deserved to lose that one. Ridiculous turnovers and failure to execute in the final stretch really cost them. Their plan just seemed to be to get the ball to Durant and expect him to deliver on every possession.

That inbound pass at the end was no surprise. Thabo is notoriously bad at making inbound passes down the stretch. He cost us several games this way when he was in Chicago.

 

[Fusion]

Erik Spoelstra decides to guard Westbrook himself since no one else would do it

NBA is the only sport that allows coaches to regularly get on the court while play is going on. Can you imagine the reaction if a MLB manager got on the field and instructed the fielder on where to throw the relay throw? Unbelievable.

 

[nightprowler10]

Hand down, man down. FFS Spo.

 

[Adamc]

Dwyane Wayne

 

[benchmark00]

Jam it, f00lins.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Dwyane Wayne

Blake Griffin Slam Dunks 2011-2012: NBA Jam Style - YouTube

 

[Adamc]

Jam it, f00lins.

 

[benchmark00]

MJ's ankles looking thin.

 

[nightprowler10]

There seem to be some serious rumors going around that we're offering Loul Deng with the Bobcats pick to the Kings for 'Reke and the fifth pick. Should/Would Sacramento do this?

 

[Johnners]

Heat!

 

[Fusion]

Those Heat fans haven't been this happy since they were Lakers fans.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

u mad

 

[Jono]

 

[Ikki]

If Miami win the championship - which they probably will - then in a season Lebron has really enhanced his legacy. He carried Miami through both the regular season and the playoffs. Had big performances in crunch matches. Scored points in clutch times. Did it at both ends. Will surely be the finals MVP. Will be hard for his haters to muster any arguments.

 

[duffer]

There seem to be some serious rumors going around that we're offering Loul Deng with the Bobcats pick to the Kings for 'Reke and the fifth pick. Should/Would Sacramento do this?

I wouldn't do it if I was the Bulls. Tyreke and Rose wouldn't work imo.

 

[duffer]

Also, Harden has lost himself some money this series. He's been garbage, Westbrook and Durant can't do this alone.