NBA Playoffs Thread

OKC got up by 15 with 5:04 left, and lost in OT because they couldn't get a good shot the whole rest of the way. Dirk was amazing, but all OKC had to do was score a couple times in the final three minutes -- trade baskets, basically -- and they couldn't do it. Because they don't have a point guard.

 

Haven't seen a collapse like that since...the Mavericks in 06 maybe?

Or maybe the Mavs in that game against Portland that came just before their current run. What are they now, 9-1 since that collapse?

Again, Dirk is Dirk even though people tend to dismiss him as soft. People with a clue know better. But what I'm loving from them in this post-season is Kidd. He's been fantastic. The ball ends up in the right place every time because of him. Not just because he always makes the pass -- though he often does -- but he has a way of making it contagious. Hell, even Peja had a couple of nice "extra" passes tonight. I think having Kidd sort of fosters that mentality out of everybody.

Put it like this: As long as Kidd is your point guard, you will never go nine minutes in a crucial fourth-quarter stretch where the league's leading scorer doesn't get a shot. That would NEVER happen with Kidd running the show.

And he's 38 years old, guarding Kobe in one series, Durant and Westbrook at times this series and he has 16 steals in four games in the OKC series. And oh, by the way, he hits the shot in overtime that sort of puts Dallas over the top tonight too.

I sort of expect Dirk to do what he does. But I'm getting a kick out of watching Kidd do his thing.


Unbelievably good this post-season.

 

Westbrook's season peaked while he was playing for Team USA. He hasn't been the same since.

 

I know this is old news, but the Jumana stuff is the fly in the ointment for me with Kidd. That said, the three he hit was big-time and pretty much sucked the life out of OKC.

 

To beat this dead horse theme once more, I might point out that he did not have play as much point guard for Team USA last summer. Coach K had Derrick Rose and Chauncey Billups running the point and was using Westbrook in more of an off guard role for that team. It worked quite well.

Westbrook can look unstoppable offensively when he can focus on what he does best, getting to the rim and creating his own shots. It's just the part about running the damn offense that trips him up.

 

In fairness, it isn't like they ran a lot of plays. It was either Westbrook one on one or Westbrook handing the ball to Durant. The only time they looked fluid at the end was when they got an offensive rebound.

Brooks needed to draw something up better than he did with 6.5 seconds left. The play took too long to get into and required Westbrook to dribble across the court and hand it off to Durant where he had no choice but to jack up a long 3.

 

Also, the fall coincided with James Harden fouling out. Harden can create his own shot and makes wise decisions with the ball, or at least wiser than Westbrook. Without Harden, Dallas could completely overplay Durant.

Of course, if Harden was totally smart, he wouldn't have committed that sixth foul 90 feet away from the basket.

 

Reminds me of this guy I used to play pick-up with. He was a heck of a point guard and it seemed like within minutes he knew everybody's "sweet spot" and would get you the ball there. Then he quit coming and I found out he was in jail. I was sad because I enjoyed playing on the same team as him.

That's Kidd. I just love watching him play.

 

In 1990 some kids who worked in my office took me to watch this phenomenal high school guard; he had that way of controlling everything even though he had no jumper. He also jumped wrong foot and dunked left handed. Yep, that was Jason Kidd. Aside from that personal life thing, he's been the consummate PG, my favorite after Magic retired. I'm thrilled to be rooting for him to perhaps finally get a chance to win the championship (no he was not going to beat the Lakers or the Spurs.)

Happy for Dirk as well. As far as I can tell, he's never complained about his supporting cast or the need to go elsewhere. He was spectacular last night. Loved in the post-game interview where he made light of his poor rebounding numbers; very humble.

Yes I cannot stand for OKC and primarily Westbrook. It just rubs me the wrong way that Westbrook complains all the time and then preens when he scores. I hate complainers when they are clearly wrong; there was the play where Westbrook pulled Kidd down after Kidd stole the ball and Westbrook was complaining, the video showed he pulled him down. At least Paul and Williams are not quite the whiners. Durant is a great player but he needs to get the ball in better spots at the end of the game.

 

Nash would be a perfect fit for OKC

 

Forgot to mention, when did Haywood decide to become a thug instead of a player? He had some skills and size. Now he's just another Diop with a headband.

Collison is tough, I would want him on my team. Same with Ibaka.

Terry has done some punk things (Blake) his whole career but he's one of the best, most clutch mid-range shooters out there.

Mavs are not the same team when Dirk is out.

Sad thing is, when Kidd gets a high screen I expect/want to see him turn the corner and go to the rim like he's 25 again. I want to see him show Westbrook how Kidd went coast to coast with power in his prime.

 

Has there been a bigger playoff collapse than last night's 15 with 5 to go? Probably so, but none jump to mind for me that big with that little left.