NBA Playoffs Thread

Dirk has a torn tendon in his non-shooting hand now. Everything falling into place for Dave Stern.

 

I don't think what LeBron did, other than to Cleveland Cavaliers fans, was terrible or a crime. But to me a Miami championship would ring hollow. It is unimpressive. They were picked by many experts to win the title, so it is not so much a stretch if they actually do. They colluded to do exactly that.

To me, outside of staying in Cleveland, what would be much more impressive is for LeBron to have gone to the L.A. Clippers. Go right into Kobe's backyard and win a title right in front of him or go to a place like Utah or Memphis, a smaller out of the way market with fewer stars. Winning a title this year with those teams would have been much more impressive than winning a title with Wade and Bosh.

Yes, I know the Clippers have Blake Griffin but still it would have been more impressive than what is taking place now with the Heat.

Kevin Durant seems to have no desire to leave OKC, but we shall see I guess. Nothing is ever as it seems.

 

Think back 10 years ago, Chicago, Miami, Orlando, OKC, Dallas were not marquee places to play nor really points of destination. The powers were LA, SA, NJ, Philly, Indy. Glad to see some change these days.

 

This is utter nonsense.

First of all, winning an NBA title, no matter how stacked the team you have is not easy.

Second - this was not the best roster in the league. It is a roster that is better than the junk Lebron James had to play with in Cleveland, but I don't think this roster, other than having two bonafide superstars, is the best 1 through 10.

Third - Why is Lebron the enemy for wanting to go to play with Wade? And how it is any different than Dirk asking management to get more help for him and them bringing Chandler, Marion, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry (albeit over a few years) to town? Whats the difference?

Fourth - If you've watched these playoffs and still aren't convinced that Lebron James is now the unquestioned best player in the NBA, then you aren't paying attention. He has transformed himself into that elite player some of you refuse to admit he's become.

He has to win a few titles to be in Jordan territory but I'll say this - watching this guy defend alone - forget about offense - watching him defend and shut down guys puts him in a category above most guys who have ever played this game. And now that he's added a legit 3-pointer to his arsenal, he is unstoppable.

I think this series is going 7 and I don't know who is going to win, but I'll say this - if the Heat win it will be an impressive run and will be every bit as impressive as any that Kobe Bryant has won.

 

Why is it utter nonsense? I never said LeBron was not talented or perhaps the best player in the league. I never called him the enemy. I said his title is cheapened to me and not as impressive as it would have been had he stayed in Cleveland or gone to the Clippers or the other teams I mentioned. And, yes, winning a basketball title with superstars is easier than any of the other major sports leagues

 

Are Shaqs titles cheapened?

 

Don't count the Mavs out just yet.

 

Probably made a bad choice as far as using cheapened, but to me not nearly as impressive.

What is so impressive about Miami, the favorite by basketball experts as well as the people who set the line in Las Vegas in September, winning the title? They were supposed to do this. I'm not saying they don't deserve it, just doesn't impress me as much as some of LeBron's other alternatives.

 

They are the odds-on favorites because of his impressiveness.

 

They were made odds-on favorites after LeBron and Bosh joined the Heat last summer.

My point is I think LeBron is so impressive that he didn't have to play with a superstar like Wade and another star like Bosh to win a title. Good for him I guess. Still won't impress me unless Wade goes out injured and misses the rest of the series.

 

OK, I'll wait until after tomorrow night

 

At least wait until Game 3