2013 NBA Playoffs thread

Agreed.

Also, didn't know if I should resurrect the old percoset thread, but how's the arm coming along?

 

Bone is fine. Still dealing with nerve damage. Out of work for at least five more weeks.

 

You said this happened at work, right? So you're still covered as far as getting paid? I sure hope so.

 

Not sure that means much.

The '85 Lakers got smoked by the Celtics by 34 points in the "Memorial Day Massacre," yet went on to win the series.

A year earlier, the Celtics lost a Finals game by 33 points to the Lakers, but won the series anyway.

Those teams' historical reputations don't seem to have been permanently besmirched by a 30-point loss in the Finals.

Ultimately, it's just one game.

 

Also agreed ... but after all, we know ESPN has an agenda.

 

I agree. I'm of the position that Heat have a really skilled set of players but don't really play as a team in the same way that Spurs have been this series. Last night when it fell apart for Heat it felt like the reason they were unable to generate momentum was precisely because they didn't have that same 'team' element that was allowing Spurs to dominate and move the ball so quickly.

On a side note, how do you think the idea of the 'best team ever' is affected by changes in the rules? Can you judge, say, the mid-80s Lakers by the same criteria that you would judge Heat in 2013?

 

Until a team wins 9 championships in 11 years again, I think the "best team ever" argument will remain moot. Why don't we wait and see who's the best damn team THIS year?

 

Someone pointed it out upthread but the Lakers lost 148-114 in Game 1 in '85, this is just a blip for the Heat.

The greater urgency is why LeBron isn't just doing whatever he has to do and drag everyone with him. He should penetrate or post up every possession. Who's going to stop him? And even if they do double him, that's when the others step up. He seemed so stagnant last night.

 

When the other team has two guys who make 90 percent of their threes, you're going to lose and lose big, no matter what.

 

That goes without saying.

But LeBron lacked his usual luster.

 

The Rockets team with Hakeem and Drexler is better than this Heat team. The Magic/Kareem/Worthy/Cooper et al Lakers are a better team than this Heat team. The Bird/McHale/Parrish teams were better. I'd even take the Shaq/Kobe teams. The Bad Boy Pistons would have Bosh and Wade in tears by the 2 quarter of game 1.
Bosh would be killed by the Celtics, dominated by the Lakers and he would be clueless against Hakeem. Wade is hurt now and slower than he was 3 years ago.

With Parrsih and McHale or Hakeem or Shaq in the middle, LeBron wouldn't have it as easy as he does driving off the pump fake off the top of the key. He could be played a little tighter for the jumper and the middle would collapse with true bigmen. The drive and the dish to the wing isn't as effective as LBJ driving to the basket against less physical players.

The Jordan teams pose an interesting dilemma.

Unless Wade is just injured and can be repaired, the Heat's big 3 lasted 2 1/2 seasons, win or lose this championship.

 

"A year earlier, the Celtics lost a Finals game by 33 points to the Lakers, but won the series anyway."

I was just thinking about that, when Bird made his famous "we played like a bunch of sissies" quip after getting blown out in Game 3 in The Forum and falling behind 2-1. Interesting to see if history repeats itself and the Heat come back.