NBA Playoffs 2012 Running thread

[zagoshe]

If Miami had that much trouble with Boston, I don't see how they are going to handle OKC.

Boston is an ecxellent basketball team that is veteran and knows how to win.

Except for Game 6 and 7 up 3-2.

That had everything to do with LeBron James doing what superstars are supposed to do.

 

[JRoyal]

NBA is going to have to decide whether Thunder are the Sonics -- they pitched it as Sonics name and colors are waiting for them in Seattle, yet I just saw a stat that Durant is third player in franchise history with 30-10-5 playoff game, joining X-Man and Payton.

Also: "Steve. Don't come yet." Best sports cameo EVAH!

According to the deals reached with the Thunder owners, the city of Seattle and the NBA, the Thunder are the Sonics -- they get the team history and all that comes with it. The banners, trophies and such are all still kept in Seattle, but OKC can borrow them to display or copy. Also, Bennett still owns the rights to the name "Seattle Supersonics" and the team colors, but when Seattle gets a new team, he'll hand them over free of charge.

Here's where it gets confusing: The NBA agreed to let the Thunder keep the history -- stats, awards, etc. -- of the Sonics. But if a new team ends up in Seattle, then that team would share that history. So two teams could be drawing from the same background.

For now, though, it's all Oklahoma City's, whether anyone likes it or not.

Thanks for clarifying. By the way, is it considered a foregone conclusion Seattle IS going to get another team? Y'all are making it sound inevitable.

It's all but inevitable Seattle will become the 31st team in the NBA. The java slurpers learned their lesson by being punked by an Oklahoma oil baron and won't be caught with their wallet clenched. If that means bending over and funding a new gee-whiz-bang barn, so be it.

The irony is they might not be the 31st team. If the Kings and Sacramento can't reach an arena deal (I understand they've started negotiating again), then Seattle may snag them to bring to the Emerald City.

 

[Stoney]

Exactly. Considering the prevailing view is that the league has over-expanded (indeed, I've heard the word contraction tossed out more than expansion in NBA conversations these days), not sure what would make people think the league will be adding another franchise any time soon.

If Seattle wants another team they'll more likely have to take someone else's.

 

[bigpern23]

It seems like I always hear about what a poor coach Spoelstra is by fans, SJ posters and talk radio screecher, but every coach I hear talk about him says he's very good. Riley, it appears, thinks he's very good.

Where does that disconnect come from? Is it simply NBA coaches not wanting to speak badly of other NBA coaches? Or is it that fans just see his baby face and think he can't possibly be as good as a grizzled NBA coach such as Doc Rivers (he's not as good as Rivers, but you get the point)?

 

[zagoshe]

It seems like I always hear about what a poor coach Spoelstra is by fans, SJ posters and talk radio screecher, but every coach I hear talk about him says he's very good. Riley, it appears, thinks he's very good.

Where does that disconnect come from? Is it simply NBA coaches not wanting to speak badly of other NBA coaches? Or is it that fans just see his baby face and think he can't possibly be as good as a grizzled NBA coach such as Doc Rivers (he's not as good as Rivers, but you get the point)?

It is because the Heat have underachieved in the eyes of many fans who hate the team based on a televised press conference.

And any time there is a perception that a team is underachieving it is always the coaches incompetence.....

 

[Bodie_Broadus]

It always amazes me how Charlotte lost one team, then got another one right away.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

It always amazes me how Charlotte lost one team, then got another one right away.

That's because they never should have left in the first place. Cities are penalized if they won't build a new stadium not because a greedy owner takes the money and runs.. How long did it take Cleveland to get another NFL team? Two years?

I have no idea what Seattle's arena issues are. If they build a new arena, it's probably only a matter of time before they get a team.

I don't know what Seattle's arena issues are. If they have a new arena, they'll eventually get a team.

 

[Bodie_Broadus]

I'm sure the Bobcats have a nice, new arena.

Too bad no one is ever in it.

 

[bigpern23]

I'm sure the Bobcats have a nice, new arena.

Too bad no one is ever in it.

I walked up and got tickets there in the front row of the second deck for $10 in 2008. Place wasn't half full. I think the Raptors were in town.

 

[Bodie_Broadus]

Stern would rather have a team in a brand new arena that is half full, than an average one that is packed.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

The NBA, I think more than any other sport, needs to adjust ticket prices. I'm sure there are a couple places that have, but there was a stretch about a decade ago when the prices just got crazy. My mom and stepdad had seats that went from $35ish to $100 in about three years and I know there were a couple places that went up that quickly as well.

With the exceptions of the Lakers, Heat, Knicks, Bulls and Celtics and maybe 1-2 other teams, people won't pay that these days...

 

[Madhavok]

I really like this for some reason.