NBA Playoffs Season 2014-2015

[mr. dee]

Are we really looking at a sweep?

This series proves it, the Atlanta blueprint is cute and all, but the NBA still hasn't changed.  You need at least 1 superstar talent to be considered a true title contender.  How the Hawks fared in this series was going to be very telling for the Celtics in terms of how just far away they are from a title.  Unfortunately, the Hawks are proving that a team with a star or two (note: star, not SUPERstar) and a bunch of solid role players playing great regular season team ball still doesn't ultimately get a title.

Oh please. 2004 Pistons didn't have a single superstar, although the starters are all-star calibers. Atlanta's front court have been exposed. They have no enforcer in the paint and Horford is clearly not the answer although he's a good defender. They also lack ball handlers. Teague and Schroder ain't doing it. Who in the hawks deserve to be in all-defensive team? none.

the 04 Pistons are the ONE exception to the rule.  Besides that team, name a team to win the NBA title without at least 1 superstar?

1979 Seatle Sonics.

For the 04 pistons, Ben Wallace was their superstar, imo, but Billups, Hamilton, and Sheed were all go-to guys, and that's the difference.  What Cleveland has done is taken the 3s away from the Hawks, and if Atlanta isn't hitting them, they can't win, because apparently no one can take a step towards the basket and hit a midrange jumper, let alone drive it to the hoop.  Most of their guys are specialists, and they're being exposed in this 'series,' if you even want to call it that.  They're good players, don't get me wrong, but they're not complete, well-rounded, ones, imo.

As for the 1979 Supersonics, they had a ton of stars and go-to guys in Gus Williams, DJ, Sikma, John Johnson, and downtown freddie brown off the bench.  Wow.

And you just proved my point. The Hawks just lack the go-to option. They don't have a gunner on the team. Teague and Schroder's jumpshot are suspect to be a consistent threat. The Pistons and Sonic roster have players who are not superstars but can score everywhere and very good defensively. Hawks don't have a legit rim protector either.

Players on the Pistons roster aren't household names. Same with the Sonic team where their best player is our own Dennis Johnson. When you say superstar, it's a star whose name will be recognized by casual fans. Durant, CP3, Harden, Curry, Lebron, etc are household names. I bet many casuals can't even name one player on Hawks roster right now.

[GreenWarrior]

ben Wallace was overrated. he was never an SI candidate for DoY because he wasn't a great individual defender he was average actually. as a help defender he was great at blocking shots...and that's about it.

[Beat LA]

Ben Wallace wasn't a 'superstar' but he was probably the NBA's best player that year. Dude was seriously ahead of his time as far as the ways that we measure the game.

He was defensively and in terms of rebounding.  That guy was a monster.  I would have loved to have seen a Big Ben-KG tandem, but it never happened.  Sigh.  That would have been fun .

[Beat LA]

ben Wallace was overrated. he was never an SI candidate for DoY because he wasn't a great individual defender he was average actually. as a help defender he was great at blocking shots...and that's about it.

Really? Did you miss his ability to switch onto any position in his prime and contain them?  He was amazing.

[GreenWarrior]

oh and he was a great rebounder too.

[Ogaju]

 CROWN LEBRON now

No one is stopping him. At least no natural person. Only injury can stop him.

[GreenWarrior]

ben Wallace was overrated. he was never an SI candidate for DoY because he wasn't a great individual defender he was average actually. as a help defender he was great at blocking shots...and that's about it.

Really? Did you miss his ability to switch onto any position in his prime and contain them?  He was amazing.

he was the ultimate hustling garbage guy. I don't think he was one of the all time greatest defenders.

[SparzWizard]

CROWN LEBRON now

No one is stopping him. At least no natural person. Only injury can stop him.

Just make sure the arena temperature is set at 90+ degrees. 

[mr. dee]

CROWN LEBRON now

No one is stopping him. At least no natural person. Only injury can stop him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HHxkTHjBZo

Atlanta forgot to turn off the air-con.

[SparzWizard]

Cavs won both road games against a #1 seed.

LeBron getting ready for his game plan vs Golden State.

[Beat LA]

Are we really looking at a sweep?

This series proves it, the Atlanta blueprint is cute and all, but the NBA still hasn't changed.  You need at least 1 superstar talent to be considered a true title contender.  How the Hawks fared in this series was going to be very telling for the Celtics in terms of how just far away they are from a title.  Unfortunately, the Hawks are proving that a team with a star or two (note: star, not SUPERstar) and a bunch of solid role players playing great regular season team ball still doesn't ultimately get a title.

Oh please. 2004 Pistons didn't have a single superstar, although the starters are all-star calibers. Atlanta's front court have been exposed. They have no enforcer in the paint and Horford is clearly not the answer although he's a good defender. They also lack ball handlers. Teague and Schroder ain't doing it. Who in the hawks deserve to be in all-defensive team? none.

the 04 Pistons are the ONE exception to the rule.  Besides that team, name a team to win the NBA title without at least 1 superstar?

1979 Seatle Sonics.

For the 04 pistons, Ben Wallace was their superstar, imo, but Billups, Hamilton, and Sheed were all go-to guys, and that's the difference.  What Cleveland has done is taken the 3s away from the Hawks, and if Atlanta isn't hitting them, they can't win, because apparently no one can take a step towards the basket and hit a midrange jumper, let alone drive it to the hoop.  Most of their guys are specialists, and they're being exposed in this 'series,' if you even want to call it that.  They're good players, don't get me wrong, but they're not complete, well-rounded, ones, imo.

As for the 1979 Supersonics, they had a ton of stars and go-to guys in Gus Williams, DJ, Sikma, John Johnson, and downtown freddie brown off the bench.  Wow.

And you just proved my point. The Hawks just lack the go-to option. They don't have a gunner on the team. Teague and Schroder's jumpshot are suspect to be a consistent threat. The Pistons and Sonic roster have players who are not superstars but can score everywhere and very good defensively. Hawks don't have a legit rim protector either.

Players on the Pistons roster aren't household names. Same with the Sonic team where their best player is our own Dennis Johnson. When you say superstar, it's a star whose name will be recognized by casual fans. Durant, CP3, Harden, Curry, Lebron, etc are household names. I bet many casuals can't even name one player on Hawks roster right now.

I was making the same point, lol . No problem .

I disagree on your definition of a superstar, though.  Just because the guy doesn't get the respect he deserves, like Paul Pierce, or plays in a small market (never mind not getting any endorsements), like Paul George, doesn't mean that he isn't a superstar, imo.  I wouldn't call Blake Griffin or CP3 a superstar, especially after this postseason , unless we're talking in terms of marketing, lol . Btw, I wonder if coaching Griffin is a lot like this, in that he doesn't listen, haha -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXNhwvyglYA

If he really is like that, don't you think Doc would just love to let him drive off the end of the aircraft carrier, lol ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbhu6g2b31Q

[Rondo9]

CROWN LEBRON now

No one is stopping him. At least no natural person. Only injury can stop him.

We play the games for a reason.

[GetLucky]

BeatLA,

In what world did Blake Griffin's postseason not solidify his place as a bona fide superstar? He was the best player on the floor for the two series he played in.

[Beat LA]

Lol at the double free throws for Cleveland, with Lebron (11), nearly taking as many as Atlanta's entire team (13). *facepaml* It certainly brings back memories, doesn't it, haha ? Those were the days (sarcasm) .

[Beat LA]

BeatLA,

In what world did Blake Griffin's postseason not solidify his place as a bona fide superstar? He was the best player on the floor for the two series he played in.

He's certainly a star, but not many superstar's lose a series with a 3-1 lead, especially with a 19 point lead late in the 3rd quarter of a closeout game at home, lol . No, you know what, you're right - he is a superstar.  My mistake, and I'm not being sarcastic, for once . Maybe it's the Chris Paul effect, or perhaps he's closer to Karl Malone than we previously believed , ahaha . I just hate those dam commercials, lol , in addition to his acting like a punk on the court, but still - the commercials, lol ! Yes, I am basing whether or not Griffin is a superstar on his atrocious, commercials, ahaha (sarcasm) .