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05-04-2014, 04:39 PM | #1711 |
Perpetual Mediocrity
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The Heat still beat that team last year, I think they'll be fine. But yes, Indiana is the only team in the East who can legitimately compete with Miami.
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05-04-2014, 05:19 PM | #1712 |
MVP
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Got the Blazers in 6
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05-04-2014, 05:23 PM | #1713 |
Damnit Peg
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He knows he's gone. |
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05-04-2014, 05:30 PM | #1714 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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The Heat and my theory in part that's been beneficial to the East is the lack of competition. There's no way the 10 previous title winners should be a 5-5 split, imo. The best in the East have benefited from coming into the Finals better rested and the inverse being the case for the dogfights the West has been.
I still think Miami is the best team in all likelihood, but they have been the beneficiary of a much easier path and it does have an effect on wearing down teams over the long course of the NBA playoffs. As for last year, San Antonio gave the Finals away with some sloppy and fluke play when only needing to close it out in the final few with the game looking squarely in their control for the win. If the Spurs, with their age, end up playing 7 in the 1st round, 6 or 7 in the 2nd and 3rd round, it only makes me think that come time for the Finals they're won't have fresh legs and that will be a major part of winning or losing the series. Some think that the Portland series will be short, but Blazers came in hot, winning 9 of their last 10 before the playoffs, and are playing more like the team at the start of the season. They split with San Antonio 2-2 on the year, and one of those losses was a 109-111 win for San Antonio when Aldridge didn't play in the game due to a groin strain. I'm thinking this 2nd round matchup goes at least 6.
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05-04-2014, 05:32 PM | #1715 | |
Better than Nelson
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Quote:
Lillard can't play D. Gonna wear down against Parker. |
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05-04-2014, 05:33 PM | #1716 | |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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Quote:
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05-04-2014, 05:45 PM | #1717 |
Better than Nelson
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Revise my picks for Houston loss
LAC in 7 SAS in 5. (though I'm hoping the Spurs don't show up again) MIA in 5 IND in 6 |
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05-04-2014, 05:52 PM | #1718 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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You really think that they're going to make Damian the Primary on Parker? I'd expect to see Williams and Matthews on him quite a bit.
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05-04-2014, 05:55 PM | #1719 |
Better than Nelson
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That's Fine. But he's still not gonna get to coast on defense like he could against the Rockets. Spurs will wear this team out. If I'm wrong, then I'll be happy as ****... except for the losers Lopez, Matthews, and Williams of course.
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05-04-2014, 06:34 PM | #1720 |
Better than Nelson
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Just because. 2014-2015 (with age next year) :
Pat Beverley (26)- Garbage offensive player and starter. Above-average defense. He is a a guy who can play off the bench, but he needs to be replaced. He'll be back. James Harden (26)- Really, really good player. Bad defense, obviously. Could still be a top 8 player IMO. Chandler Parsons (26)- He's a solid offensive player. Hopefully he'll reach 40+ from 3 soon. Not sure about his defense, it seems to have regressed, but maybe reducing his minutes could help. Terrance Jones (23) Athletic forward who can block shots and get to the rim against average players. Needs to improve defense and get better/stronger. Dwight Howard (29)- Shades of old Howard. Just keep grinding. FTs may never come but he is a really good player. Omer Asik (28)- He is what he is. Legit 7-footer. Really good defender, rim protector, and rebounder. Not so good on offense minus the boards. Should probably start somewhere. Jeremy Lin (26)- average player, too many turnovers, not a good fit. Three point shooting not where it needs to be. - Get rid of Casspi, Garcia, Hamilton - Give Motiejunas (24) one more year to perhaps stop being such a soft dick - Keep developing young shooters in Daniels, Canaan, and Covington. - Look for a good wing defender in FA Trade Bait includes a Asik, Lin, and Parsons- could make a push for Melo or Rondo. Maybe I'm not huge on Rondo, but Melo intrigues me. Last edited by Rudy tossed tigger's salad; 05-04-2014 at 06:40 PM.. |
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05-04-2014, 06:48 PM | #1721 | |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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Quote:
No other team in the West has done better against Duncan for his career - holding him to around 18 ppg average for his career, his lowest of any team in the West. I think it will end up being a great series and longer than maybe many think initially in part because Portland doesn't get a lot of national exposure.
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05-04-2014, 06:51 PM | #1722 | |
Better than Nelson
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Quote:
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05-04-2014, 07:02 PM | #1723 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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So, do I.
Interesting...
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05-04-2014, 07:07 PM | #1724 |
Better than Nelson
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[QUOTE=Anyong Bluth;10602255]So, do I.
Interesting... Monster stuff. I know Lin/Beverley shared duties... but I think it was still enough to expose Beverley as the fraud he is |
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05-04-2014, 07:10 PM | #1725 |
Deus ambulans inter homines
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[QUOTE=Rudy lost the toss;10602262]Damian Lillard always goes off on the Spurs. He actually averages better numbers against them then any other team in the NBA.
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