**2014 Official NBA Playoffs Thread**

[-King-]

Round 1:

EAST:

#8 Hawks @ #1 Pacers
#7 Bobcats @ #2 Heat
#6 Nets @ #3 Raptors
#5 Wizards @ #4 Bulls

WEST:
#8 Mavericks @ #1 Spurs
#7 Grizzlies @ #2 Thunder
#6 Warriors @ #3 Clippers
#5 Blazers @ #4 Rockets

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KevB

Barkley on Van Gundy getting the Pistons job, "he's got his hands full with those damn bums"

He's on fire tonight, calling everyone names.

He's like this every night. And thats what makes Inside the NBA the best sports analyst show. They're not afraid to say what they mean.

[KevB]

Westbrook looks like he's wearing a cape from Great Clips.

[-King-]

Shaq

[KC_Connection]

Durant to the refs tonight.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Durant to the refs tonight.

Or to Chris Paul.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Or to Chris Paul.

Clippers wouldn't have been in the game or the series without Chris Paul.

[KC_Connection]

Just going through the last minute again and it's really about as bad as it gets by refereeing standards.

After Durant made his 2 baskets to get it within 2, Westbrook lunges at Paul's arms and knocks the ball loose (a play that will often be called a foul in similar circumstances). The ball then goes out of bounds for a replay which clearly shows it to be Clippers ball (although the refs incredibly determine it to be inconclusive). Then Westbrook is bailed out on a terrible 3 point shot on negligible contact, giving OKC the lead. And on the final possession of the game, Paul is slapped on the wrist by Jackson while driving to the basket, which knocks the ball loose for Ibaka to grab. At which point, Paul intentionally fouls Ibaka with over a second left (only to have the refs refuse to blow the whistle again). That's 5 separate calls or non-calls over the course of just 13 seconds that completely gifted OKC the game (and maybe the series). Unreal. I mean the entire game was pretty bad in that regard (see the FT/foul differential), but I can't say I've ever seen anything quite like that final sequence.

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by Mr. Arrowhead

did he not get hammered on the wrist?

Depending on if it were hand or wrist, hand is part of the ball. And generally never called.

I watched the first 3 qtrs, I was shocked then how bad the calls were and in more favor of OKC.


The conspiracy theorist in me is thinking they are needing to help validate the award.

And with Sterlings not selling, they do not want the Clippers to go any further.

[okcchief]

Yeah, still feel no sympathy towards the Clippers today. They live more off tricky tactics than any other team. I also maintain there was only one bad call. The Westbrook steal was Paul giving up on the play. The Reggio play was not a foul. The Clippers put themselves in that position. Shit happens.

That being said if the Thunder keep playing like they did last night they aren't long for the playoffs. Both these teams will lose in 5 or less playing SA if they play like they've played the last 2 games.

[Snapplez]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Yeah, still feel no sympathy towards the Clippers today. They live more off tricky tactics than any other team. I also maintain there was only one bad call. The Westbrook steal was Paul giving up on the play. The Reggio play was not a foul. The Clippers put themselves in that position. Shit happens.

That being said if the Thunder keep playing like they did last night they aren't long for the playoffs. Both these teams will lose in 5 or less playing SA if they play like they've played the last 2 games.

Goddamn right. **** Flop City

[KC_Connection]

I have no dog in this fight and would honestly probably prefer that OKC goes through for the more competitive West final, but you don't have to feel sympathy for the Clippers to acknowledge that was a hilarious joke of an ending from a refereeing perspective. They were completely robbed.

[KC_Connection]

A funny thing is that nearly identical plays to those last few happened in the LAC/GS series with completely different refereeing outcomes.

Paul fouled a perimeter shooter in Curry at the end of a game (in a way more obvious way with real contact that clearly affected the shot) but unlike with Westbrook, nothing was called. And in another play, Paul was hacked while dribbling near the sideline, which jarred the ball loose out of bounds. They looked at replay and awarded the ball to Golden State as Paul was the last player to touch it (the right decision and doing exactly what they didn't do yesterday with the OKC home call).

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by KevB

Barkley on Van Gundy getting the Pistons job, "he's got his hands full with those damn bums"

He's on fire tonight, calling everyone names.

I feel like he's on most nights- it's more rare when he doesn't make a crack or take a jab.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I have no dog in this fight and would honestly probably prefer that OKC goes through for the more competitive West final, but you don't have to feel sympathy for the Clippers to acknowledge that was a hilarious joke of an ending from a refereeing perspective. They were completely robbed.

They robbed themselves man. Refs didn't help matters, but they shit the bed.

[Anyong Bluth]

If you play sloppy and let teams hang around to put refs in a position to make calls late that can cost you then the only place to look for blame is in the mirror.



Hot Cold Hot Cold = heartbreak defeat.