Poll

If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?

Spurs
23 (32.9%)
Thunder
34 (48.6%)
Clippers
3 (4.3%)
Pacers
7 (10%)
Heat
2 (2.9%)
Sixers
1 (1.4%)

Total Members Voted: 68

Author Topic: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?  (Read 14701 times)

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Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #45 on: May 14, 2012, 01:21:44 AM »

Offline Celtic Fan Forever

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Thunder
Spurs
Pacers
Clippers
Sixers






Lakers









Heat
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Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #46 on: May 14, 2012, 02:19:35 AM »

Offline LarBrd33

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Not gonna be a popular opinion, but if not the CEltics I think I'd like the Heat to win.  I know that sounds nuts, but I like the fact that the NBA isn't the NFL.  In other words... I like the idea that there isnt' a new champion every year.  I like that with the NBA, the best of the best usually takes home the title.  And right now, nobody is better than LeBron.  He's the king of the league and he deserves the gold.  The heck with parity.  I like prestige.  And it'd be a shame if we looked back on this era without noting that it was the era of LeBron James.  Plus, with them as the big bad evil champs, whoever eventually knocks them off will be a special thing. 

Can't root for Oklahoma city.  I live in Seattle.  Just can't do it.

It's not tennis either.  It's a team game.  Lebron James may be the best player, but that doesn't mean the Miami Heat are the best team.

I root against the Heat precisely for the reasons that you root for them.  I don't think of the game of basketball as an individual sport.

It's a team game.  Sure.  But look at who has won championships in the past and it's almost always the team that had the best player.  Russell, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Hakeem, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe... with a few aberrations sprinkled here and there.  For the most part... dominant players get it done.  It's probably LeBron's time.  He deserves it.  Dude is an all-timer.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/finals_mvp.html

The league is changing.  You have to go back more than a decade to find championship teams containing the league's best player.  This notion that having the best player in the game necessarily wins you a championship is out-dated.

Catch up, man.
I dunno, brotha.  You might be right.  You'll be hard pressed to find many people who disagree that Shaq, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant were the greatest players of their generation.  Bill Simmons in his "top 96 greatest players ever" list has Duncan #7, Shaq #11, Kobe #15 (I think he has him ahead of Duncan since the additional championships) and KG #22.  In fact, the only other active player in the top 25 is LeBron (who he had ranked #20 at the time). 

SO yes... it's a team game.  But still... most champions have a least one pantheon player.

2000, 2001, 2002 - Shaq
2003, 2005, 2007 - Duncan
2008 - KG
2009, 2010 - Kobe

What are you talking about?  Pretty much every champion has a top 5 player on the team.  2006's Heat team had the tail end of Shaq and the absolute prime of Dwayne Wade (probably a top 3 player at the time).   

In fact... in the past 30+ years the only real exception to this rule would be Detroit in 2004... and I guess last year's Dallas team, but that really discredits Dirk (who was statistically in the top 10 last year and Bill Simmons had ranked #37 prior to his title)...

Yes.  It's a team game.  But you need a phenom to win a title.  Nobody better than LeBron right now.  He deserves a title.

If I didn't live in Seattle... I'd want the Thunder to win.  I have too many heartbroken friends out here to root for Durant (as much as I love Durant).  So I'll say Bron is my non-Celtic pick.  He's paid his dues and I never had a problem with the guy.  Actually... I might change my mind.  I think I'd love to see Chris Paul win it.  By far the best point guard alive and it would really p--- off Laker fans.

Yeah... Clippers.  They have no shot this year, but that's who I'll root for in the West. 
« Last Edit: May 14, 2012, 02:26:27 AM by LarBrd33 »

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #47 on: May 14, 2012, 07:40:37 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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No one, really but if I had to choose, not MIA or LA.  I might want the Spurs.

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #48 on: May 14, 2012, 08:40:44 AM »

Offline jdub1660

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Thunder or Spurs.

Only issue with Thunder winning would be the bighead effect it would give to their 5 young studs - Westbrook,Durant,Harden,Ibaka and Perkins.

They would all want to be paid like champions at their respective positions(which OKC can't possibly afford) and they awesome core would be broken up in 2013 or 2014
Can't stop, Rondo!

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #49 on: May 14, 2012, 08:44:43 AM »

Offline Kuberski1

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2 people said the Heat?   Aghhhh........

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #50 on: May 14, 2012, 08:48:28 AM »

Offline Celtics18

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Not gonna be a popular opinion, but if not the CEltics I think I'd like the Heat to win.  I know that sounds nuts, but I like the fact that the NBA isn't the NFL.  In other words... I like the idea that there isnt' a new champion every year.  I like that with the NBA, the best of the best usually takes home the title.  And right now, nobody is better than LeBron.  He's the king of the league and he deserves the gold.  The heck with parity.  I like prestige.  And it'd be a shame if we looked back on this era without noting that it was the era of LeBron James.  Plus, with them as the big bad evil champs, whoever eventually knocks them off will be a special thing. 

Can't root for Oklahoma city.  I live in Seattle.  Just can't do it.

It's not tennis either.  It's a team game.  Lebron James may be the best player, but that doesn't mean the Miami Heat are the best team.

I root against the Heat precisely for the reasons that you root for them.  I don't think of the game of basketball as an individual sport.

It's a team game.  Sure.  But look at who has won championships in the past and it's almost always the team that had the best player.  Russell, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Hakeem, Duncan, Shaq, Kobe... with a few aberrations sprinkled here and there.  For the most part... dominant players get it done.  It's probably LeBron's time.  He deserves it.  Dude is an all-timer.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/finals_mvp.html

The league is changing.  You have to go back more than a decade to find championship teams containing the league's best player.  This notion that having the best player in the game necessarily wins you a championship is out-dated.

Catch up, man.
I dunno, brotha.  You might be right.  You'll be hard pressed to find many people who disagree that Shaq, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant were the greatest players of their generation.  Bill Simmons in his "top 96 greatest players ever" list has Duncan #7, Shaq #11, Kobe #15 (I think he has him ahead of Duncan since the additional championships) and KG #22.  In fact, the only other active player in the top 25 is LeBron (who he had ranked #20 at the time). 

SO yes... it's a team game.  But still... most champions have a least one pantheon player.

2000, 2001, 2002 - Shaq
2003, 2005, 2007 - Duncan
2008 - KG
2009, 2010 - Kobe

What are you talking about?  Pretty much every champion has a top 5 player on the team.  2006's Heat team had the tail end of Shaq and the absolute prime of Dwayne Wade (probably a top 3 player at the time).   

In fact... in the past 30+ years the only real exception to this rule would be Detroit in 2004... and I guess last year's Dallas team, but that really discredits Dirk (who was statistically in the top 10 last year and Bill Simmons had ranked #37 prior to his title)...

Yes.  It's a team game.  But you need a phenom to win a title.  Nobody better than LeBron right now.  He deserves a title.

If I didn't live in Seattle... I'd want the Thunder to win.  I have too many heartbroken friends out here to root for Durant (as much as I love Durant).  So I'll say Bron is my non-Celtic pick.  He's paid his dues and I never had a problem with the guy.  Actually... I might change my mind.  I think I'd love to see Chris Paul win it.  By far the best point guard alive and it would really p--- off Laker fans.

Yeah... Clippers.  They have no shot this year, but that's who I'll root for in the West. 

First and foremost, I'm a Celtics fan, but after that I root for teams to continue to disprove the theory that individuals win titles.

Dirk wasn't a top five player last year, even though he had a magnificent playoff run.  Although Kobe's probably been the best player of his generation, he wasn't a top five player statistically on the last two Lakers championship teams.  KG was great in '08, but he wasn't a top five player that year.  The Spurs have always taken a team approach.  You can say that their titles are all because of Duncan, but it is an insult to Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Greg Popovich and the rest of the those squads to try to turn their success into an individual award.  I'm sure Timmy Duncan would agree.  

Again, this ain't the '80s or '90s.  The talent is too deep at the top to go out there and say that all you have to do is field the best player and you'll automatically rack up titles.

Doesn't the tennis Grand Slam season kick off soon? There's a fun individual sport to follow.  Basketball, on the other hand, is a team sport.  
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If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #51 on: May 14, 2012, 09:28:49 AM »

Offline greenlion

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any team, but MIAMI!!!
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Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #52 on: May 14, 2012, 09:50:31 AM »

Offline Moranis

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2 people said the Heat?   Aghhhh........
I was actually the other one.  I am so tired of hearing about whether or not Lebron James will win a title, I just want him to win (obviously if Boston doesn't) so I don't have to hear about it all next year.  Can you imagine what that is going to be like if Miami doesn't win this year?  Everything else basketball related will pail in comparison.  It will be all Lebron James all the time, and I just do not want to go through that.  It will be horrible.  Sure if they win there will be the obvious can they repeat story, but it will be nothing like if they don't win.  
« Last Edit: May 14, 2012, 10:59:30 AM by Moranis »
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Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #53 on: May 14, 2012, 10:00:55 AM »

Offline CelticG1

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Baffled that anyone would pick the Spurs.

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #54 on: May 14, 2012, 10:10:04 AM »

Online wdleehi

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Baffled that anyone would pick the Spurs.


Why?


A great run organization.  Likeable players.  A top 10 all time NBA player in the twilight of his career.

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #55 on: May 14, 2012, 10:23:39 AM »

Offline mr. dee

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Thunders or Spurs

Used to hate San Antonio because of their boring style but I'm starting to like them now because I realized they are the same concept of our team.

I also like the Thunders because of their players (except Westbrick). Their fans are also a classy bunch. Also, that organization have history of trading with C's which brought championship and the unfortunate Len Bias.

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #56 on: May 14, 2012, 10:27:08 AM »

Offline Kuberski1

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I picked the Spurs....classy team, great coach, Duncan a rare exemplar, and no one ever said "I've decided to take my talents to The Alamo" ;D



Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #57 on: May 14, 2012, 10:42:52 AM »

Offline scaryjerry

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Thunders or Spurs

Used to hate San Antonio because of their boring style but I'm starting to like them now because I realized they are the same concept of our team.

I also like the Thunders because of their players (except Westbrick). Their fans are also a classy bunch. Also, that organization have history of trading with C's which brought championship and the unfortunate Len Bias.

Ive always hated this misconception that the Spurs are "boring" for what playing as a team? defense? unselfishness? winning? absolutely never understood it other than I guess Duncan being a pretty boring personality, but who cares? the other misconception would be them being the "same concept as our team" if you have watched them in the last 2 seasons theyve completely rebuilt their system to an up tempo, deep rotation with lots of young players getting minutes, which only recently could be compared to us with Doc taking a page from Pop and starting Bradley.

As for the original question...Thunder because of Perkins and durant but overall hating westbrook makes me lean to the Spurs

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #58 on: May 14, 2012, 10:49:29 AM »

Offline CelticG1

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Baffled that anyone would pick the Spurs.


Why?


A great run organization.  Likeable players.  A top 10 all time NBA player in the twilight of his career.

Well they've won 4 titles in the last 14 years that's not enough for people?

Man, I wish the Patriots would get this kinda love!!

Re: If not Boston, who would you want to win the title?
« Reply #59 on: May 14, 2012, 10:56:31 AM »

Offline mr. dee

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Thunders or Spurs

Used to hate San Antonio because of their boring style but I'm starting to like them now because I realized they are the same concept of our team.

I also like the Thunders because of their players (except Westbrick). Their fans are also a classy bunch. Also, that organization have history of trading with C's which brought championship and the unfortunate Len Bias.

Ive always hated this misconception that the Spurs are "boring" for what playing as a team? defense? unselfishness? winning? absolutely never understood it other than I guess Duncan being a pretty boring personality, but who cares? the other misconception would be them being the "same concept as our team" if you have watched them in the last 2 seasons theyve completely rebuilt their system to an up tempo, deep rotation with lots of young players getting minutes, which only recently could be compared to us with Doc taking a page from Pop and starting Bradley.

As for the original question...Thunder because of Perkins and durant but overall hating westbrook makes me lean to the Spurs
Ask any casual fans that don't root for SA and they will say they're boring. They are a great team no doubt, but they lack the explosiveness during their championship run. Too much fundamentals. It's like watching 60's basketball.