NBA Playoffs 2012 Running thread

Think any of that has to with being 6' 9" 260 pounds?

 

I can't believe anyone would talk about roster adjustments OKC has to make. What the Thunder need is experience, which they're getting this playoff series. The core of this team is made up of 22- and 23-year-olds. They've had leads, usually sizable, in every game. OKC just needs to learn how to keep its head on straight when the situation is tight.

 

Even though it looks highly unlikely that it will be this year, I don't think anyone doubts that OKC will win a title within the next couple years and be the team to beat in the West for at least the next five years.

 

Can we have another lockout?

Just kidding... back to topic: I think OKC is also likely to win a title in the next couple years. With the new salary rules put in place, I don't know how long Miami can keep that core together.

 

It's LeBron' time.

I think OKC's tough Finals this year makes them the favorite next year.

See: Lakers 1984, Pistons 1988, Bulls late '80s, etc. Got to have your heart broken before you can claim the big prize.

 

Even before this season people were saying said they needed a shooter. This isn't something new. It's a slight tweak to address a weakness. It's not like suggesting an overhaul or changing the starting lineup or dumping Harden. Of course, just about every team in the NBA could use a shooter. Even with experience, getting someone who can hit 3s would help them so when they get into situations where they're down, they'd have another option to turn to. Maybe Cook's that guy, though.

And again, I didn't say the reason they're losing is because they don't have this guy. They're losing for several reasons. One of those reasons is James Harden's pisspoor offensive play. Adding a shooter who can take some pressure off him could help when he goes cold like he has this series.

 

The officiating has been a little slanted toward the Heat the past couple games. It was a little slanted toward the Thunder the first two. It's usually like that at home.

 

Did you not see the part where I mentioned I wasn't completely rational?

 

Seattle was down 3-0 in 1996 and forced a Game Six.

Boston was down 3-1 in 1987 and forced a Game Six.

Indiana was down 3-1 in 2000 and forced a Game Six.

SportsCenter apparently needs to fire some research intern. Or they actually said "The team going down 3-1 has yet to force a Game Seven," which would be accurate.

 

Harden has gone 2-10 in the past two games -- that's the biggest reason that the Thunder are losing.

I understand the calls for a shooter like a Ray Allen during crunch time, but unless you are going to play Durant at the 5 (which I actually like), who is the person that the shooter replaces -- Sefolosha? It wouldn't help in this series because they do need him on D.

 

You're not looking for someone who is out there most of the game. You don't need to replace Sefolosha. You're looking for someone you can throw in when you need him, either because other guys go cold or you need to make up points late. I'm thinking a Dan Majerle-type player (which if they could get someone like Majerle, who was a great perimeter shooter and could defend, that'd be great). You add them into the rotation with Cook and Maynor to spell the other guys, and yeah, at times you go small with Durant sliding to the 5.

 

Agreed. Give the team some time. Certainly there will be some changes in the summer, there always is. But I think it's a mistake to significantly change the makeup of this team. I wouldn't be surprised to see the same Finals matchup next June, and see OKC take a 3-1 lead.