NBA thread

[FireWaterBurn]

Originally Posted by Sparky

damn kudos on calling it

I thought this game was officiated surprisingly well. Even though he fouled i thought leonard played an amazing game, bright future for that dude.

I didn't like the way san antionio played tonight. It was out of their element running it through manu ginobli made everyone else stagnant.

Chicago was the team destined to play OKC, neither boston or miami has any chance of matching them

Leonard has a great future. Not a lot of rookies play D like he does, and the offensive game will just improve. Perfect guy for the Spurs and I'd never heard of him in college.

I didn't like how they played either, I thought starting Ginobili really backfired. I don't think Parker could get going like usual and then bring Ginobili in midway through the 1st quarter. They said it's the first time Ginobili scored 30 in a playoff game and Spurs lost. He was really their only consistent scoring and he played great.

But I agree with you. Even with a healthy Rose, I don't know if Bulls win the East. I envisioned an epic 7 game battle between Bulls and Heat at the beginning of the season and I've been really surprised with Boston stepping up. I don't think either is as good as OKC though. They have built a near perfect team. Amazing scorers, incredible athleticism and length, and lots of guys who can put in buckets. They don't have to just rely on 2 guys like the Heat do.

Saw on the ESPN bottom line that Bosh will be activated for Game 5 Wonder if he will play or have an effect on the rest of the series. Heat just gotta win their home games though

[debaserr]

Chicago wouldn't get past Miami even with Rose, it's not like anyone on their team took a big step up from last year. They don't have a good second option, Boozer vanishes from playoff games like no one else.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by FireWaterBurn

Saw on the ESPN bottom line that Bosh will be activated for Game 5 Wonder if he will play or have an effect on the rest of the series. Heat just gotta win their home games though

I doubt he plays, i think it would be too awkward trying to get him back in the flow, especially how physical the series is now.

Dwayne Wade can't keep being a no-show for the first half. It allows Boston to get settled.

If Dwayne Wade was like typical shooting guard sometimes, who could hit an occasional 3 (29% avg) miami would be a lot better. Lebron is your best rebounder but he has to take all the big shots because all dwayne can do is drive and get fouled.

Still can't see boston winning on the road though

[FireWaterBurn]

Originally Posted by eric generic

Chicago wouldn't get past Miami even with Rose, it's not like anyone on their team took a big step up from last year. They don't have a good second option, Boozer vanishes from playoff games like no one else.

Deng??

I don't think Boston would beat Miami either, but they play great defense and have 4 great big guys who rebound and protect the rim. Bulls do need another scorer though. I think offensively Deng is a great #3 to have, but they need a shooting guard who can knock down shots. Korver is really just a off-screens shooter and I think they need someone else who can get their own shot. I think adding Rip Hamilton was basically just adding another Korver.

Originally Posted by Sparky

I doubt he plays, i think it would be too awkward trying to get him back in the flow, especially how physical the series is now.

Dwayne Wade can't keep being a no-show for the first half. It allows Boston to get settled.

If Dwayne Wade was like typical shooting guard sometimes, who could hit an occasional 3 (29% avg) miami would be a lot better. Lebron is your best rebounder but he has to take all the big shots because all dwayne can do is drive and get fouled.

Still can't see boston winning on the road though

I don't know how healthy Bosh really is, but I think he will see some time. And just be asked to run the pick-and-pop with LeBron. At least with Bosh out there, KG has to respect his foul line jumper. Maybe it will open up more lane for Wade and LBJ. I totally agree though about Wade on everything you said. He has been a complete no show in first halfs, and you're right if he was a more typical shooting guard they would be better off sometimes. He doesn't like the 3 and him and LeBron really don't complement each other very well on the court. Two of the best drivers in the game but both pass on open threes alot. How many possession have I seen where LeBron or Wade just stand in the corner while the other one is on the other side of the court playing isolation.

Heat need to hit their foul shots. DAMN they have been horrible. Wade and Bron both haven't hit **** from the line and you know they will be living there in Miami tomorrow night

[debaserr]

Deng is a very good defender, slasher, and open jump shooter, but having him as your third best offensive player is questionable for a title contender. In crunch time they basically have Rose creating his shot or someone else's. That's way to easy to contain.

[FireWaterBurn]

Originally Posted by eric generic

Deng is a very good defender, slasher, and open jump shooter, but having him as your third best offensive player is questionable for a title contender. In crunch time they basically have Rose creating his shot or someone else's. That's way to easy to contain.

Yeah I hear ya. I meant Deng is basically their #2 scorer and would be a great #3 if they had someone else to fill that void. To me, Boozer and Deng are both #3 scorers and they don't have a #2 caliber guy

[debaserr]

Contenders with superior scorers to Deng / Boozer:

Mia: LBJ / Wade / Bosh / Chalmers

OKC: Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka???

Bos: Rondo / Pierce / Garnett

SA: Parker / Ginobili / Duncan???(For the record, I think Garnett is a superior player at this point in time).

LA: Kobe / Bynum / Gasol / Artest / Sessions???

Ind: Granger / Hibbert

Mem: Z-Bo / Gasol / Conley / Mayo

[FireWaterBurn]

Originally Posted by eric generic

Contenders with superior scorers to Deng / Boozer:

Mia: LBJ / Wade / Bosh / Chalmers

OKC: Durant / Westbrook / Harden / Ibaka???

Bos: Rondo / Pierce / Garnett

SA: Parker / Ginobili / Duncan???(For the record, I think Garnett is a superior player at this point in time).

LA: Kobe / Bynum / Gasol / Artest / Sessions???

Ind: Granger / Hibbert

Mem: Z-Bo / Gasol / Conley / Mayo

I'd agree with everything except Indiana. If you're talking 2nd and 3rd best scorers, outside of Granger it's probably West and George Hill or Hibbert and I'd rather have Deng and Boozer.

[debaserr]

I forgot West, but I think Hibbert has grown into a better scorer than either of those CHI guys.

[FireWaterBurn]

It's pretty much a toss up to me. I am glad Indy got to play Miami in the playoffs since they never get any national games. Hibbert really impressed me. I knew with his size he would be able to protect the paint but he has a soft little jump hook and is pretty nice around the rim.

Can't help but be reminded of Haseem Thabeet when I think of Hibbert because of the similiar size and age. What a bust they guy has been. Just think if Memphis woulda drafted someone else. Literally anyone else that could contribute any amount of skills would of made them better.

Talking with Sparky in shoutbox earlier, I'm excited to see the Nets next year