****OFFICIAL 2012 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD****

[dirk digler]

Great sports weekend with the draft and now the NBA Playoffs starting today

First Round Matchups Today:

76ers vs Bulls
Knicks vs Heat
Magic vs Pacers
Mavs vs Thunder

Sunday:

Jazz vs Spurs
Celtics vs Hawks
Clippers vs Grizzlies
Nuggets vs Lakers

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Thank you Chiefs Pantalones for being generous in answering this question

I am kind. /300 voice

[okcchief]

It will make it a lot easier if they win the first 2, but OKC is a very good road team. They would still have a chance. I agree the first 2 games are more crucial in a 2-3-2 format.

I don't see experience being an issue. Our main players are under 23 but this is already their 8th playoff series. We also have played 3 teams with several players with championship experience. I've learned not to give up on them no matter how bleak it looks at times.

My prediction is OKC in 6, but Miami is very capable of flipping that and winning the series.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

LeBron got hack-a-shaq'ed and made his free throws,

He was 12 for ****ing 17.

That's ****ing average as ****.

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by okcchief

It will make it a lot easier if they win the first 2, but OKC is a very good road team. They would still have a chance. I agree the first 2 games are more crucial in a 2-3-2 format.

I don't see experience being an issue. Our main players are under 23 but this is already their 8th playoff series. We also have played 3 teams with several players with championship experience. I've learned not to give up on them no matter how bleak it looks at times.

My prediction is OKC in 6, but Miami is very capable of flipping that and winning the series.

Thanks for clearing that up, okchief - I couldn't help thinking about the Heat's experience and desire after last night's game. I've noticed that LeBron attacked the Celtics and kind of destroyed them from inside the line ... Also, I'm hoping Durant will be ok defending their players.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Thanks for clearing that up, okchief - I couldn't help thinking about the Heat's experience and desire after last night's game. I've noticed that LeBron attacked the Celtics and kind of destroyed them from inside the line ... Also, I'm hoping Durant will be ok defending their players.

You could say the same about OKC falling down 2-0 to a team that had won 20 games in a row, and coming down from 18 in a close out game. OKC has more than responded to pressure themselves. Durant has also attacked and defended in crucial situations.

[Dylan]

I'm rooting for OKC Thunder! Love the team. They're humble. Don't say much, just practices and plays.

I also remember that Durant carried team USA into the gold medal game at the world championship in 2010.

[Dylan]

This is an interesting article: Surprised Ibaka is playing for team Spain - Did he play for a European basketball team?



2012 Summer Olympics Basketball: Teams that Could Challenge Team USA

As teams around the world gear up for the 2012 Olympic Basketball Tournament this summer in London, they all share a common goal - to beat Team USA. By now it's no secret that the American team, winners of 13 gold medals including the 2008 Games in Beijing, are heavy favorites to repeat as gold-medalists. With a roster that is stacked with elite players from the NBA, there is indeed a good chance that, come July, the U.S. team will continue their dominance on the international level by winning gold medal number 14.

While there isn't much standing in the way of Team USA and glory, these three teams could potentially give the American men a run for their money:

1. Spain
Ranked second in the FIBA world rankings behind the United States, Spain is by far the biggest threat to the Americans. Even with the absence of injured NBA guard Ricky Rubio (Minnesota), Spain's roster includes five NBA players: Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers), Marc Gasol (Memphis), Rudy Fernandez (Denver), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City) and Jose Calderon (Toronto). The Gasol brothers will combine with rising star Ibaka to form one of the best front lines in the world. Despite being the runner-ups to the U.S. at the '08 Beijing Olympics, the Spaniards were not satisfied with their performance. This time around, they will look to dethrone the Americans in hopes of winning their first ever Olympic gold medal.

2. Argentina
Anchored by NBA stars Manu Ginobili (San Antonio) and Luis Scola (Houston), third-ranked Argentina has an outside chance (if that) at beating Team USA. While Argentina hasn't really gotten any better over the last couple of Olympics, they do possess experienced players (Both Ginobili and Scola were a part of the gold medal-winning Argentina team at the 2004 Games in Athens). At the end of the day, though, the Argentina team just doesn't have enough firepower to give the Americans serious troubles. Although, Ginobili and company have a good shot at making it onto the podium.

3. France
Though the French national team is ranked just 12th in the world, they could potentially make a deep run in the 2012 Olympic tournament and possibly challenge Team USA. Of all the non-American teams, France has the most NBA players (8) on its roster. Led by veteran Tony Parker (San Antonio), the French squad includes Nicolas Batum (Portland), Boris Diaw (San Antonio), Ian Manhimi (Dallas), Rodrigue Beaubois (Dallas), Joakim Noah (Chicago), Kevin Seraphin (Washington), and Ronny Turiaf (Miami). The 'Les Bleus' are certainly a team to watch out for this summer.

Source: Yahoo 2012 Summer Olympics

U.S. Olympic Basketball Team: The Americans still should have the likes of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams from the '08 team, with players such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love joining them from the world champions.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I am more depressed today than I have been over any sport in a while.

End of an era...

Not having Perkins cost them the series.

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by Fine Uncut Meat

He was 12 for ****ing 17.

That's ****ing average as ****.

Yes, zero in on the one part of him game that was average and use that as a platform to call him out on his entire season. Well done.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

Yes, zero in on the one part of him game that was average and use that as a platform to call him out on his entire season. Well done.

I'm not doing that.

Guy had a good game with a couple of highlight reel plays.

They won because Bosh had a ridiculous game.

If Bosh hadn't pulled that off, it's a very close game...and maybe we see the real Lebron.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Not having Perkins cost them the series.

Perkins is garbage.

Celtics could have used a scorer like Jeff Green far more than Kendrick freakin Perkins

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Keyon Dooling class act all the way. And you know what he is probably right about Lebron.

Very cool guy

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Originally Posted by okcchief

You could say the same about OKC falling down 2-0 to a team that had won 20 games in a row, and coming down from 18 in a close out game. OKC has more than responded to pressure themselves. Durant has also attacked and defended in crucial situations.

This OKC team just has a "team of destiny" feel to it. They remind me of Dallas last year. Although OKC is obviously better than them I'm just talking about the feel. It feels like it's their year.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Fine Uncut Meat

I'm not doing that.

Guy had a good game with a couple of highlight reel plays.

They won because Bosh had a ridiculous game.

If Bosh hadn't pulled that off, it's a very close game...and maybe we see the real Lebron.

He played all 48 minutes, scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. That was following one of the greatest playoff games of all time to save his team from elimination.

I think he did OK.

[Hammock Parties]

It was a B+ performance. He plays regular minutes, he probably only scores 24 points.