NBA Playoffs Thread

[Lukie]

Nuggets @ Warriors tonight, and that will likely decide the 8th spot in an unbelievably sick west.

The 'actual' playoffs kick off soon.

I pick Boston to win the title.

[Numbr2intheWorld]

Wizards

[Deanglow]

I don't think anyone is going to stop Boston.

And my god where did New Orleans come from?

[bikes]

SUNS!

will lose again =(

[gabe]

anyone want to bet even money that boston wins? i think they will not win

[mcatdog]

I guess I'm the only Pacers fan left on FTR since bode is a bandwagon fan who turns down free seats in a luxury box and only cares about the team when they're winning. Don't look now though, we've won 9 of 12 and we just might get to be the sacrificial lambs for Boston! Gogogo!

Anyway, the NBA has been ridiculously awesome this year and I'm so ready for the playoffs to start. I'm going to do my best to watch every single playoff game this year. Last year I missed maybe five of them or so.

[Deanglow]

anyone want to bet even money that boston wins? i think they will not win

I'm game.

[mcatdog]

deanglow I'll give you action too

[bode]

first and formost, great thread. who fucking cares about hockey anyway?

I guess I'm the only Pacers fan left on FTR since bode is a bandwagon fan who turns down free seats in a luxury box and only cares about the team when they're winning.

nah, im still a pacers fan. i would have had to spend time with people i REALLY REALLY REALLY dont like, and that is way more important than seeing the pacers in a suite. ive been to like 4 or 5 games this year anyways.

agree that the playoffs are going to be sick this year and i think the west is going to be a giant fucking tossup between the top 5 or 6 teams. boston FTW in the east for sure.

[lolzzz_321]

KANSAS

[swiggidy]

who mentioned hockey?

*cross fingers* please turn it on again cleveland *uncrosses fingers*

[Deanglow]

Am I the only Heat fan in existence?

[swiggidy]

Am I the only Heat fan in existence?

bwahahahaha

def the only one who would post in a playoff thread

[nutsinho]

gabe/mcat-what kind of odds are you looking to offer?

[IowaSkinsFan]

What kind of odds would someone give me on Wizards making the finals?

[mcatdog]

Nutsinho - I'd put up $700 against your $300. PM me if you want to set something up.

What kind of odds would someone give me on Wizards making the finals?

It says 36:1 on Betfair, but you won't get that from me. I think your team is underrated and they'll probably beat Cleveland in the first round. That's a series I'm excited about watching, I can't wait to watch the Cavs lose this year.

[will641]

is 36:1 on winning the finals or making it to the finals?

on a side note, go houston!!! boo dallas/san antonio.

[swiggidy]

I can't wait to watch the Cavs lose this year.

[Lukie]

anyone want to bet even money that boston wins? i think they will not win

........

I don't think any reasonably intelligent person thinks that Boston will win the title (i.e. better than 1:1 shot).

[Lukie]

I can't wait to watch the Cavs lose this year.

in fairness, as much as i love the cavs, they were a really awful finals team last year and aren't nearly as good this year, especially down the stretch here.

not sure if he has something against the cavs on top of that, but who knows

[mcatdog]

I just really don't like your team. Mostly it's because of the LeBitch Scowl. I also can't stand Sideshow Bob. He's probably my least favorite player in the league to watch.

I'll also be rooting against Boston because most Boston fans are really obnoxious and full of themselves, and Phoenix because of Shaq.

[will641]

does sideshow bob= verejao(sp?)

[mcatdog]

Yes.

[WildBobAA]

Warriors are 15 games over .500 and are probably going to miss the playoffs. The Hawks are 6 games under .500 and are going to make the playoffs.

[bigspenda73]

Warriors are 15 games over .500 and are probably going to miss the playoffs. The Hawks are 6 games under .500 and are going to make the playoffs.

yea, life's not fair

maybe they should try not blowing 17pt leads at home in the biggest game of the year


oh yea GO SPURS GO

[WildBobAA]

oh yeah: go pistons, etc

[will641]

Warriors are 15 games over .500 and are probably going to miss the playoffs. The Hawks are 6 games under .500 and are going to make the playoffs.

yea, life's not fair

maybe they should try not blowing 17pt leads at home in the biggest game of the year


oh yea DIE SPURS DIE, ESPECIALLY GINOBAFUCK

fyp

[IowaSkinsFan]

Man I gots to get some money on Betfair!

[bikes]

Yes.

this tilts me

[bikes]

Warriors are 15 games over .500 and are probably going to miss the playoffs. The Hawks are 6 games under .500 and are going to make the playoffs.

yea, life's not fair

maybe they should try not blowing 17pt leads at home in the biggest game of the year


oh yea DIE SPURS DIE, ESPECIALLY GINOBAFUCK and HORRYTHUG AND BOWBITCH

fyp

FYP double post

[martindcx1e]

omg i hate sideshow bob! he replaced drew gooden as my least fav player ever. as far as this year's champ goes i will be amazed if it isn't boston or detroit.

also, go magic!

[bigspenda73]

stop hatin, start appreciatin

[WildBobAA]

stop hatin, start appreciatin

I don't mind Ginobli or Horry. Bowen is a fuck though.

[Lukie]

omg i hate sideshow bob! he replaced drew gooden as my least fav player ever. as far as this year's champ goes i will be amazed if it isn't boston or detroit.

also, go magic!

sure they are going to have disproportionally high chance to win because of how weak the east is this year, but saying you'd be 'amazed' if it wasn't one of them is a bit of a stretch.

[Deanglow]

I don't mind Ginobli or Horry. Bowen is a fuck though.

When I was a kid I had lunch with Bruce Bowen in Miami and he was a nice guy imo.

[bigspenda73]

stop hatin, start appreciatin

I don't mind Ginobli or Horry. Bowen is a fuck though.

Bowen gets the "dirty" rap because people hate being defended toughly in the NBA these days. He's so under their skin that things that most would say are normal get blow way out of proportion because opposing players cannot stand him.

HOWEVER

every single team in the playoffs would kill for a Bruce Bowen on their team, you and I both know that.

Here's who he defends, just in the West

a. Kobe
b. Carmello
c. Peja
d. Nash (yea, he does)
e. McGrady
f. Deron Williams (yea, he does)
g. Dirk

Add on shooting 40%+ from 3 and you have yourself an extremely valuable piece of a playoff team.

What bugs me the most is that his "bad" rep has cost him from getting the DPOY award numerous times, which, in my opinion, the greatest shut-down defender of his ear deserved to win at least once.

[mcatdog]

It wouldn't be a NBA thread without some Spurs homerism from bigspenda. The Sixers, Mavs, and Pistons wouldn't kill for Bruce Bowen since they all already have a small forward who's better than him at both ends of the court. Bowen is still valuable but he's not the best defender around anymore, like he was for a few years (well Artest was better but too unreliable).

[bigspenda73]

He's certainly lost a step, as has the entire Spurs roster it seems down the stretch this year. We've given up in the 4th quarter like 4-5 times this year where we were down by 5-8 points and just let the other team blow us out (see Utah, PHX lately).

So, I don't know what's going on but I hope we get Barry back on the court soon because Finley and Bruce are both shooting it like shit when it matters and teams are collapsing on Manu and Timmy, forcing TP to shoot the 18 footer, and not having to defend the 3pt line as much as we'd like.

PLAYOFFS BABY, it's gonna be fun

[bigred]

Go Celtics

[martindcx1e]

omg i hate sideshow bob! he replaced drew gooden as my least fav player ever. as far as this year's champ goes i will be amazed if it isn't boston or detroit.

also, go magic!

sure they are going to have disproportionally high chance to win because of how weak the east is this year, but saying you'd be 'amazed' if it wasn't one of them is a bit of a stretch.

ya that's a bad word choice. i do think they are the 2 best teams in the league though regardless of conference.

[will641]

hey spenda you forgot to add 40% from the line

[bigspenda73]

hey spenda you forgot to add 40% from the line

well it's a good thing he never puts the ball on the floor then isn't it

[grnydrowave2]

go houston!!!

[Lukie]

GO CAVS!!!!!

I will be shocked if they get out of the second round this year. I will not be shocked if they don't even get to the second round.

[Schiplt]

diff between 1st and 2nd seed in west: 1/2 game
diff between 1st and 2nd seed in east: 7 games
diff between 1st and 8th seed in west: 7 games
diff between 1st and 8th seed in east: 26 games

[tom]

oh yea GO SPURS GO

I'll 2nd that

the correct Texas team order is Spurs > Rockets > Mavs. I'll root for the others but not till the >'s gets knocked out.

I've also always had a secret/not-so-secret crush on shaq attack so I'll be looking for them to go deep.

[martindcx1e]

GO CAVS!!!!!

I will be shocked if they get out of the second round this year. I will not be shocked if they don't even get to the second round.

cavs in finals was such a fluke.

[will641]

GO CAVS!!!!!

I will be shocked if they get out of the second round this year. I will not be shocked if they don't even get to the second round.

cavs in finals was such a fluke.

qft. i really dont like the cavs. it just bothers me that a team with lebron can be so boring to watch. i mean obv lebron is sick, but watching them is just kinda boring to me.

also spurs @ lakers tomorrow, who do you like? i think/hope the spurs win, even though i hate them, because i probably hate the lakers equally, and i really want the hornets to get the #1 seed.

[Lukie]

GO CAVS!!!!!

I will be shocked if they get out of the second round this year. I will not be shocked if they don't even get to the second round.

cavs in finals was such a fluke.

I disagree. They were a bad finals team and clearly outmatched by the Spurs, but a fluke? In the East?

Consider:

They were the #2 seed last year.
The last two years, the Pistons and Cavs have met in the playoffs. Both times DET had home court, and both series were neck and neck to say the least.
The Cavs have the best player.

hardly a fluke imo. If they get to the finals this year, it would probably be a fluke.

[will641]

yeah actually lukie brings some good points. the only other contender in the east was the pistons, so really wasnt much of a fluke, but it was still a joke because the west is so much better than the east.

[bigspenda73]

lol Cavs have been outscored by their opponents this year, what a joke, in fact, 3 out of the 8 teams in the Eastern Conference Playoffs will have a negative point differential, so sick.

[ensign_lee]

lol Cavs have been outscored by their opponents this year, what a joke, in fact, 3 out of the 8 teams in the Eastern Conference Playoffs will have a negative point differential, so sick.

+1

[mcatdog]

Sigh. Pacers were in such good shape to make the playoffs, winning 9 of 12 and then they go and lose to the Bobcats at home. GG Atlanta.

I don't understand why Western Conference fans whine so much about how tough they have it. I have never whined about the Colts having to play in the AFC, and the disparity in the NFL was even worse the year we won the Super Bowl than it is in the NBA this year. At least the East has two teams that are as good if not better than anyone in the West.

[nutsinho]

mcat- i dont know what the oddsmakers are putting out there for the celts chances; im just throwing this out there:

i would put up 300 vs your 760.

[swiggidy]

If [the cavs] get to the finals this year because KG got hurt, it would be a fluke.

I'm not saying they're going to make it, but they're so far behind it has to be Cinderella/underdog more than fluke. I really hope it happens now since basically everyone else would hate it.

The cavs are often boring, especially this year. Last year it was cuz they were sick on defense which few people appreciate (e.g. everyone who hates on the spurs).

That being said, bowen is dirty player and, spenda, you're a homer for thinking otherwise. Just like you said I'm a homer because I think OSU beats LSU 60/40 in that championship game. (don't let this statement de-rail the thread, I know you disagree too and I don't give a shit).

Here's the deal with Andy. He's a great bench player. He brings a lot of energy, and his hair is bouncy. If you think he's a flopper it's cuz you don't watch the games. Often he gets himself into position to draw the charge. Since NBA players are allowed to take 3 steps I don't see the problem. As a starter he sucks, he doesn't have the stamina to be everywhere for 30min a game, his passing skills are sub-par to say the least and his shot is mediocre at best. His holdout was bullshit, trying to get $10mill/year (for 6pts,6reb in 20min/game) and is a big part of the reason the cavs have had such a bad year (disrupting chemistry, etc). If Danny Ferry can trade sasha/Andy this off season he needs to be a strong candidate for GM of the year.

[bigspenda73]

Sigh. Pacers were in such good shape to make the playoffs, winning 9 of 12 and then they go and lose to the Bobcats at home. GG Atlanta.

I don't understand why Western Conference fans whine so much about how tough they have it. I have never whined about the Colts having to play in the AFC, and the disparity in the NFL was even worse the year we won the Super Bowl than it is in the NBA this year. At least the East has two teams that are as good if not better than anyone in the West.

I bitch constantly about the Texans having to play the Titans, Jags, and Colts twice a year every year, so at least I stay consistent with my whining.

[mcatdog]

mcat- i dont know what the oddsmakers are putting out there for the celts chances; im just throwing this out there:

i would put up 300 vs your 760.

No thanks. $730?

[will641]

Sigh. Pacers were in such good shape to make the playoffs, winning 9 of 12 and then they go and lose to the Bobcats at home. GG Atlanta.

I don't understand why Western Conference fans whine so much about how tough they have it. I have never whined about the Colts having to play in the AFC, and the disparity in the NFL was even worse the year we won the Super Bowl than it is in the NBA this year. At least the East has two teams that are as good if not better than anyone in the West.

I bitch constantly about the Texans having to play the Titans, Jags, and Colts twice a year every year, so at least I stay consistent with my whining.

yeah well it really doesnt matter with the texans. you could put them in the NFC west and they might be contenders for the division title.

[EzDuzIt]

now that the bucks got hammond from the pistons ill see you guys in next years thread.

but for this year, go hornets!

[EzDuzIt]

oh yeah and go wizards too. would be awesome to see agent zero beat cavs and celtics.

[will641]

i really hate baseball season. ive been watching sportscenter for 45 minutes at least trying to see the nba highlights, and its been nothing except butt-fucking baseball analysis.

[EzDuzIt]

i really hate baseball season. ive been watching sportscenter for 45 minutes at least trying to see the nba highlights, and its been nothing except butt-fucking baseball analysis.

qtf, baseball is boring

[IowaSkinsFan]

Why all the Bowen hate? Of course he's a dirty player, if you want to be a very good defender you should be dirty. You want players to be literally afraid to come near you or blow by you, you want them to "tilt," get pissed off, and therefore make mistakes. Haven't you guys ever played with a dirty player. You never want to guard him, you never want him to guard you, you just want him on your side.

That being said, Bowen is also an amazing defender of guards. He's super sick on the ball, he shuts people down. He should have won defensive player of the year like 7 or 8 times but it seems like on the ball defense isn't a sexy statistic.

[martindcx1e]

I think the Magic have a decent shot to make it to the finals this year. They split games with Detroit during the season (2-2) and are ahead of Boston (2-1), and they are a very healthy team. They also had the 2nd highest scoring trio in the league (behind Denver) last time I checked.

EDIT: They also have the best center in the league and a slew of 3-point shooters.

[Lukie]

I think the Magic have a decent shot to make it to the finals this year. They split games with Detroit during the season (2-2) and are ahead of Boston (2-1), and they are a very healthy team. They also had the 2nd highest scoring trio in the league (behind Denver) last time I checked.

EDIT: They also have the best center in the league and a slew of 3-point shooters.

I don't think its the Magic's year, but I think they are going to be very good for a while. Plus you have to be very cautious about using regular season records as an indicator of the much more important post-season in the NBA. The Cavs had a winning record against the Spurs last year... 2-1 IIRC (I probably don't), and we all know how that turned out.

[bigspenda73]

The Cavs had a winning record against the Spurs last year... 2-1 IIRC (I probably don't), and we all know how that turned out.

remind me, how did that turn out?

[will641]

Here's my east predictions, assuming everything stays the same. the west is just too damn crazy and impossible to predict, because you could make a good cause for any match up.

Round 1:
Boston vs. Atlanta = Boston wins 4-0
Detroit vs. Philly = Detroit wins 4-1
Orlando vs. Toronto = Orlando wins 4-1
Cleveland vs. Washington = Washington wins 4-2

Round 2:
Boston vs. Washington = Boston wins 4-2 (i could actually see this going the full 7 though)
Detroit vs. Orlando = Detroit 4-2

Round 3:
Boston vs. Detroit = Boston wins 4-1

[martindcx1e]

Round 3:
Boston vs. Detroit = Boston wins 4-1

orly

[martindcx1e]

Plus you have to be very cautious about using regular season records as an indicator of the much more important post-season in the NBA.

true but it def proves more hope than if they had been swept by both teams this year.

[Lukie]

The Cavs had a winning record against the Spurs last year... 2-1 IIRC (I probably don't), and we all know how that turned out.

remind me, how did that turn out?

it's funny how, despite being a huge cleveland sports fan, i've already gone out of my way IN THIS THREAD ALONE, to say how the spurs were clearly a better team, we got swept, the cavs were a bad finals team, and that i'd be shocked if they got out of round 2 this year.

yet you still have to be a douchebag, ok

[bigspenda73]

Lol, you cannot be any fun to hang out with dude, I mean, you can't even take a basic ribbing about the Cleveland Cavaliers losing in the finals with out getting your panties in a bunch. Try lightening up, you're a Cavs fan, you should have already accepted your fate for the rest of your life, much like Cubs fans already have.

I could give a fuck if you went out of your way to say the Spurs were better, cuz, uh, that was already evident by the Cavs losing 4 successive games to them. You were frankly stating a fact that was proven by a sweep in their NBA finals loss to the San Antonio Spurs. It doesn't make you the bigger man, because it's not like there was any refutable evidence to the contrary (that being the Cavs getting rocked for 4 straight contests). Calling me a douchebag is silly too, because, just like the finals (where the Spurs won 4-0) there is no evidence that I am a nice guy, so once again, just like the four consecutive losses, you are merely stating a fact.

[bigspenda73]

yep, 6 references

[will641]

Round 3:
Boston vs. Detroit = Boston wins 4-1

orly

yeah, idk, that might be off. i havent seen detroit at all this year, so i felt shaky about that one. i guess its cause detroit has been so behind the scenes this year, because it has all been about the west and boston.

[swiggidy]

based on last night's debacle I'll be happy if they make it to the second round.

[bigspenda73]

I think Washington could reak some havoc, they're playing really well.

In the West it's a toss up, but it's no secret everyone would love to play the Rockets in the first round.