Spurs vs Heat would be one to watch.
Memphis is just too dull of a team to watch.
Much less drama in the conference semis...hope that changes in the next round. Grizzlies should cut an extra playoff share to the Rockets' Beverley for his crossbody block on Thunder's Westbrook...OKC got way too one-dimensional after his injury.
But OKC made a big mistake when they gave up on Harden and kept that slug Kendrick Perkins instead.
That's what happens when you're a two man show instead of being a real team. Even when one of the Heat's big 3 goes down, they have guys that can step up and help them still win.
Miami would still make the finals if Wade or Bosh got hurt. Maybe not if LeBron since he's such a beast. But OKC made a big mistake when they gave up on Harden and kept that slug Kendrick Perkins instead.
so the thinking in OKC was that they could've kept harden for one more year but he would've left after that one year and OKC would've gotten absolutely nothing for him. he already turned down one extension offer. so he was only staying for max money or close to max money.
so they got martin and i think a draft pick too. meh. the funny thing is if westbrook doesn't go down -- i think OKC management looks like the smartest guys in the world.
instead all the westbrook haters (myself included) look at him a little differently now. maybe A LOT better than we ever gave him credit for. watching durant alone has been like watching lebron in cleveland - so much talent, so little support.
Memphis just played bigger and better. Harden wouldn't have made a difference since you're sacrificing offense for interior defense. And Kevin Durant shooting about 25 percent doesn't help either. Tayshaun, Tony "Smith", Randolph, and Gasol just completely neutralized him.
Spurs vs Heat would be one to watch.
Memphis is just too dull of a team to watch.
Have we got a GREAT Western Conference Finals for you?! "Boring" Spurs vs. "Boring" Grizzlies!
A tremendous season for the Golden State Warriors. They more than lived up to expectations and will be a playoff threat for years to come. Stephen Curry blossomed into a superstar before our eyes.
I think we can say the same to a certain extend for Klay Thompson and Harrison Barnes.
I'm hoping David Lee's hip flexor tear won't be a lingering issue, because he didn't have the hops.
+1 Barnes really performed well, especially relative to his regular season.
If these guys can play as well during the next regular season as they did during these playoffs, they have a real chance for 60 wins, which means spending more time at home and a real chance for a title.
The TNT guys keep saying GS needs another good big man though, and they may be right.
Great series! But Indiana had PAYBACK on their minds. Let the Heat squeak by last year after punching them in the mouth to take a 2-0 lead. This is gonna be a good ole-fashioned throw-down!
Can the league's most dominant interior defense stop the Chosen One? Or are the Heat destined for Finals glory again?
Pretty much everyone has been saying that. Bogut needs to take more shots and start building his offensive confidence and consistency. And David Lee, well that was just bad luck, because before he tore his hip flexor, the dude was a double double machine. But I give him a ton of credit for playing on one leg.
Magic Johnson (and Im a LA fan) sometimes sprouts a lot of BS... he said the Warriors needed a low post scorer next season. When David Lee (20/10 guy, all star) is on that team. Also said GS is strictly a jump shooting team. wow.
He said they needed sign one over the summer! When Bogut and Lee would be healthy!
Even when he wasn't 100%, Bogut was very physical and outplayed Tim Duncan at times on the glass.
Bogut hasn't proven to be a legit low-post threat since returning. So if he isn't going to be an offensive threat, then yeah Warriors need another big who is a threat. In that series, he was nothing more than a more mobile version of Biedrins and all he did was clog up the middle for rebounds.
I was disappointed with Bogut because if your 20/10 guy is out, you need to step up and fill that void.
Outplayed Tim Duncan? Please...
Duncan was great again yesterday, regardless of age, his performances thist post season have been huge.
Do you think the Spurs could beat the Heat, if thats the finals? The Heat do struggle at times against dominant big men, Parker always finds a way to get it done, the defence of Leonard on James could be a factor.
Honestly, I think either Spurs or the Grizzlies will have a GREAT chance against the Heat.
Spurs:
Guards all day long, Parker and Ginobili will pick them apart because they'll get to the paint. And LeBron can only guard one of them at a time. D-Wade can't stay with them, not with that bad knee. Mario Chalmer and the rest of Heat's guards don't stay with anyone, period. The Spurs may not necessarily kill the Heat in the paint, Duncan-Bosh is a wash, but they have enough big guys to throw at Bosh. The Spurs will most likely out-rebound the Heat too with their smaller lineup.
Grizzlies:
More or less the same story with Spurs. They have better guard play. Also, they can throw top defenders Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince at D-Wade and LeBron. In the paint, the Grizzlies should absolutely kill them with Randolph and Marc Gasol. Not to mention Heat's inability to rebound because of the small line up.
The common theme here is that, the Heat will get out-rebounded and sorely out-played at the guard positions. Both teams are bigger and can definitely neutralize any post threats the Heat can come up with.
Heat:
They have LeBron James, and that's scary. I'm pretty sure you can plug LeBron James with just about any team and they'll get to the Finals. Even the Bobcats.
Pacers:
Let's not count out the Pacers, their top notch defense and balanced offensive threats will be a handful for anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers beat the Heat in 6 or 7 games.
Bogut hasn't proven to be a legit low-post threat since returning. So if he isn't going to be an offensive threat, then yeah Warriors need another big who is a threat. In that series, he was nothing more than a more mobile version of Biedrins and all he did was clog up the middle for rebounds.
I was disappointed with Bogut because if your 20/10 guy is out, you need to step up and fill that void.
Outplayed Tim Duncan? Please...
Agree.
Bogut AND Lee I think is a bad Combo. They need a guy next to Lee who plays bigger. Bogut could get healthier, but I am not sure it matters. The main issue is Beidrins. He is very expensive and is horrible. They wont be able to move him and free up space for a 3rd big who would do a better job for them in a 3 man frontcourt rotation.
Biedrins may be the most overpaid player in the history of the NBA.
Dwight always passing the blame to someone else. He does it on the court, off the court, in divorce court..etc.
I think DLee and AndrewBogut are going to be fine together. It might free up Lee to go 20 and 8, while Bogut seems happy with 12 and 12.
Bogut this season is without his right hand. And a sorta gimpy leg. He's averaged 16 pts his career, so he can score from the low post. Obviously, he's no long distance shooter.
Both Lee and Bogut, when healthy, can score from inside the paint. Both pass well.
That should free up some 3 point room for the skinny guys.
Del Negro is out.
Is it possible for the Clippers to snatch D'Antoni from the Lakers?
That would make this Laker fan very happy.
I'm sorry but what did he do wrong again? They had a flawed roster that can only play fast, or they all stand around and watch CP3 go 1on5.
I am very happy with #2. I want #1 next year and I want Wiggins.
I could see us taking Tom's guy - Ben Mac, at #2, or Otto Porter, but I suspect he may go #1.
Some fans see us reaching for Burke, but I am not sure he is talented enough to justify that.