NBA Playoffs Thread

Way to move those goalposts.

The criticism was "celebrating like he won the championship when he didn't."

Jordan celebrated a Game 5, first-round, series-clinching win like he had just won the title.

And we're really going to split hairs because "last-second FG over the Cavaliers = acceptable" but "16-0 run to end the series at home and eliminate a legendary franchise and one that had been a nemesis all season = unacceptable."

Until Kevin Durant or Blake Griffin does it. Then it will be "refreshing."

 

Oh, he does. I love Derrick Rose as much as the next guy. I think he's a worthy MVP. But let's not get crazy here. The best player in the series plays for the Heat.

 

I have no problem with James' reaction after Game 5. The Celtics were a big hoodoo for him and were in his head, as he acknowledged afterwards. The issue is, how will he react after this accomplishment. Some guys and teams break through a wall and can't go further. Others find the rest of the way comparatively easy once the wall's gone.

 

I don't see that as splitting hairs. If Jordan misses that shot, the Bulls are done, out of the playoffs. The instantaneous reaction to an advance or exit single play is much different than a situation where the Heat had clearly claimed victory and had two more chances even if they had lost that game.

 

I think Jordan's shot was only in Game 5. The Heat did not clearly claim victory. They were dominated for most of the game, then went on an electrifying 16-0 run in the last couple minutes to win the series.

 

The first round was only five games back then, correct? That means he either had to make it or they went home.

 

Yes, it was a best-of-five series back then. Seriously, how do people not know that?

 

I said Game 5, but I meant Game 4. Apparently, I was wrong, though. It was a win-or-go-home shot. I stand corrected.

The rest of the post about the Heat stands, though.

 

My signature is a tribute to the great political mind Waylon_Jennings who no longer posts here. Show some respect.

 

I agree. The Celtics were playing with a one-armed Rondo and a one-legged Shaq (after the possibly ill-advised dumping of Perkins). They were a shadow of their former self. I don't begrudge Lebron some celebration though.

One big difference to me is Jordan was on his drafted team, which he had seen go from where it was when he got there, to where it was when at that moment. He felt like he had helped build something.

Lebron helped build something too...during his free agency.

 

Speaking of premature celebration, the Hawks released confetti/streamers after their round 1 win against the Magic. I thought that was rather odd and presumptuous as well.

Of course for a team that's never been beyond the 2nd round in their Atlanta history, one could also say that was just anticipating what was coming.