Other Sports **2014 Official NBA Playoffs Thread** - Page 115

-King- · 09:39 PM

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

KC_Connection · 05-04-2014, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

That last game was the Pacers from the 1st half of the season. If they're back to that the Heat better worry.

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.

Mr. Arrowhead · 05-04-2014, 05:19 PM

Got the Blazers in 6

Al Bundy · 05-04-2014, 05:23 PM

Thank U DubNation for all the Love and Support!!! Looking forward to the future!!
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) May 4, 2014

He knows he's gone.

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 05:30 PM

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.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I'll take your 2nd round prediction with the same degree of reliability as your 1st round picks.

7 out of 8. Yeah some teams played better than I expected, but just a homer pick got me down, even though they played better for the most part

Lillard can't play D. Gonna wear down against Parker.

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Thank U DubNation for all the Love and Support!!! Looking forward to the future!!
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) May 4, 2014

He knows he's gone.

? He very well may be, but that tweet has no cryptic message within it to indicate that.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 05:45 PM

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

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

7 out of 8. Yeah some teams played better than I expected, but just a homer pick got me down, even though they played better for the most part

Lillard can't play D. Gonna wear down against Parker.

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.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

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.

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.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 06:34 PM

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.

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

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.

..and the Spurs have to keep up with the much younger Blazers who clearly have the better offense, and have the best duo in the playoffs so far. Other than Miami, Portland has played the best in the playoffs so far. In terms of offensive efficiency, they were second in the league at 111.5 only to the Clippers, and has managed to go up in the playoffs to 114.4 per 100 possessions.
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.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

..and the Spurs have to keep up with the much younger Blazers who clearly have the better offense, and have the best duo in the playoffs so far. Other than Miami, Portland has played the best in the playoffs so far. In terms of offensive efficiency, they were second in the league at 111.5 only to the Clippers, and has managed to go up in the playoffs to 114.4 per 100 possessions.
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.

Ok, man. I hope you are right.

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudy lost the toss

Ok, man. I hope you are right.

So, do I.

Interesting...

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 05-04-2014, 07:07 PM

[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

**Anyong Bluth** · 05-04-2014, 07:10 PM

[QUOTE=Rudy lost the toss;10602262]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

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

Damian Lillard always goes off on the Spurs. He actually averages better numbers against them then any other team in the NBA.

04-17-2014, 09:33 PM
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $2485743	2014 Official NBA Playoffs Thread 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 Last edited by -King-; 04-17-2014 at 09:39 PM..
Posts: 63,877

05-04-2014, 05:19 PM	#1712
Mr. Arrowhead MVP Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $10015708	Got the Blazers in 6
Posts: 7,763

05-04-2014, 05:23 PM	#1713
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5381831	Thank U DubNation for all the Love and Support!!! Looking forward to the future!! — Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) May 4, 2014 He knows he's gone.
Posts: 23,316

05-04-2014, 05:30 PM	#1714
Anyong Bluth Deus ambulans inter homines Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago Casino cash: $9669340	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. __________________ Suck it, *beautiful*
Posts: 14,917

05-04-2014, 05:45 PM	#1717
Rudy tossed tigger's salad Better than Nelson Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $10000400	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
Posts: 17,356

05-04-2014, 06:34 PM	#1720
Rudy tossed tigger's salad Better than Nelson Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $10000400	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..
Posts: 17,356

05-04-2014, 07:07 PM	#1724
Rudy tossed tigger's salad Better than Nelson Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $10000400	[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
Posts: 17,356