NBA Playoffs Thread

Totally off topic: In press conferences, why do Lebron and Wade constantly look down at the podium when they talk, as if there was a sheet of paper there telling them what to say? It is very annoying and makes them look terrible.

 

Because they lack the basic concept of eye contact.

 

Duncan's a 5. At least he shoots free throws that way.

 

Some stats:

Since the beloved 2-3-2 format went into effect, the home team has gone back down 3-2 seven times. They're 3-4, pretty good. Celtics lost in 1985, Lakers won in '88, Suns lost in '93, Rockets won in '94, Jazz lost in '98, Mavs lost in 2006, Lakers won in 2010. The four road teams that won all won Game 6, didn't allow it to go to Game 7.

And I'd have to check online for pre 1980. But since '80, I believe only the 1984 Celtics and the 2006 Heat have come back from a 2-1 deficit in the Finals, which the Mavs are trying to do.

 

You'll note that three of the four teams that lost did so to GREAT teams, the '90s Bulls and '80s Lakers.

 

LeBron's new signature move (he says, placing hands around throat.)

 

Let LeBron dominate the offseason. Here's hoping he disappears again on Sunday and the Mavs are raising the trophy late Sunday night.

 

my daughter's 5'2"1/2

 

Regular season records: Heat 58-24, Mavs 57-25. Head-to-Head: Mavs 2-0.

Postseason records: Heat 14-6, Mavs 15-5.

What --- other than preseason expectations that months ago proved to be horribly off the mark --- makes this a monumental upset if Dallas wins?

 

^^^Talent gap in the core.

 

Keep in mind that this isn't the same Dallas team that won 57 games. They lost their second leading scorer, Caron Butler, to season ending knee injury in January. Everybody thought Dallas' hopes were finished when Butler went down. Plus they're now playing without Haywood in addition to Butler.

With Miami, it's the opposite situation. They have a more loaded roster than the one that won 58 regular season games. Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller and Mike Bibby weren't playing for them the first half of the season when they were struggling. But they got everybody back at full strength and added Bibby before the playoffs.