NBA Playoffs Thread

Indiana had the same problem at the end of its game against the Bulls, with no one standing up to take over the game. Chicago, obviously, didn't have that problem.

I think this is true at any level of basketball -- you can have all the pretty team play you want all game, but in a tight game in the last few minutes, you need an established leader who has the ability to take over. Sometimes that person doesn't have to actually take over the game -- their mere presence means that's where the attention is focused, opening up the floor for others.

 

Carmelo averaged 30 ppg in the playoffs last year. He scored 27 ppg in 2009 to take the Nuggets - THE NUGGETS - to the Western Conference finals. He has taken his team to the postseason every year of his career, including his rookie season when Denver went from 17-65 to 43-39? And you think the Knicks are better off without him? Really?

 

Yes, I do. Anthony is, like Allan Iverson, a player who's most effective when he's the ONE superstar on a team. Bringing him in to pair with Stoudemire was a mistake.
It's not like I think Anthony isn't a superior talent. He surely is. He's just one of those talents who's not a good fit with comparable talents on one team.

 

You're nuts if you think the Knicks as constituted are worse than they were before the trade.

 

You are correct, but the Nuggets still got the better of the trade if only by addition by subtraction.

 

Agreed. However, on the final shot, Stoudemire was standing around doing nothing and 'Melo had two guys in his face (and, not for anything, but Doc and Lawrence Frank right there ON THE COURT as well). I'm not so sure he could really see anyone around the double team and, even if he did, I'm not sure he could have made a pass without turning it over. The Celts D was excellent there.

He really needed to put the ball on the floor and try to create something, instead of settling for that near-impossible 3-pointer.

 

You forgot the part about the Chauncey Billups stabilizing that Nuggets offense, and averaging 20 points and 6 dimes during that Western Conference Finals run.

Before Billups got there, Melo was well on his way to being the next Tracy McGrady.

 

But they found the formula!

 

Him and Webber together is atrocious. Best to watch on mute.

 

And he even messed that up a few seconds earlier when Green made the layup, saying Green will win it, except all it did was put them up 3 with 2 seconds remaining (cue Pistons fans bitching about fans going on floor and Magic supposedly tripping Isiah).

Dick should have retired after his narration on the 1985 title video Return to Glory.

"It was the greatest of the Lakers nine NBA championships. For Wilt, Elgin, Jerry and everyone who wore a purple and gold uniform, this was the fulfillment of a promise, and a return to glory."

I actually like Webber. Not much he can do with Dick as a partner. They should just put Heinsohn and Stockton back together for old times sake and let them do Celtics games again.

 

Billups not projected to play tonight. Knicks are going to lose for sure unless both Carmelo and Amare combine for over 55 points.