The 2014 Playoffs thread

[PhoSita]

I'm getting frustrated with these ESPN commentators. They obviously want Houston to win this game. Can you please do your job without a bias like you are supposed to? Gah

I agree.....it's biased as can be for Rockets .......Hubbie can bite me.

Announcers always root for close games and close series.   But if you listened just after the game there was a pretty good hint for another reason why they might've been rooting for Houston - now that this series is over Mike + Hubie apparently have to go to Toronto for an early Sunday game.  They were kind of laughing about it a little.

As an aside, I have to admit -- I'm rooting for the Raptors.  All love to Paul and KG, but I like that Toronto team, and I want to see them succeed.  I don't particularly like most of the other players on that Nets team.

I feel similarly except I think Miami will grind Toronto to paste.  I think they'll still beat the Nets but in a much rougher series.  And I want Miami to have some trouble given how wide-open the East and how brutal the West is right now.

I'm not so sure about this.  The Nets have the experience and the confidence, but they lack the kind of interior size that is required to really punish the Heat.  Whereas I think the Raptors have some of that with Valanciunas and Johnson.

On the other hand, I think the Raptors would be pretty easy for the Heat to shut down, since they'd just have to play Wade on Lowry and Lebron on Derozan and then the Raptors' offense would grind to a halt.  So maybe you're right.

I think I'd care more about that Nets team if KG played more than 15-20 hollow, dragging minutes a night.  Fairly obvious at this point that KG really ought to have retired after last season (or gone out on a high note after the 2012 playoffs).

[D.o.s.]

Very Brandon Roy-esque.

I couldn't stop thinking about this play while it was happening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qfGTQEWuOM

So stoked for the Blazers -- my long-adopted West Coast Team.

[SparzWizard]

Roy Hibbert is actually scoring points and rebounding. Is this real life?!

I hope Atlanta wins tonight...

[PhoSita]

Yet another 4 pt play.

[PhoSita]

This Hawks team has a great formula for victory in today's league, I think, especially for underdogs -- force a lot of turnovers and take (and make) a lot of three pointers.

I feel like the league is going to reach a point, eventually, when nearly every regular rotation player in the NBA can hit a corner three at a respectable percentage.  I also think the growing trend is going to be to have multiple players who can handle the ball and run the offense on the floor at any given time.

[SparzWizard]

Watching the Pacers is like watching the Lakers...maybe it's because of that dirty color of their uniform they are wearing.

[PhoSita]

Watching the Pacers is like watching the Lakers...maybe it's because of that dirty color of their uniform they are wearing.

They don't have nearly the same kind of fan entitlement, nor do they have any players I outright despise.

[SparzWizard]

Watching the Pacers is like watching the Lakers...maybe it's because of that dirty color of their uniform they are wearing.

They don't have nearly the same kind of fan entitlement, nor do they have any players I outright despise.

Bynum? Or Lance Stephenson? Hahah I don't know...

But they sure look overrated for a 1-seed team.

[SparzWizard]

Whelp, that's that for Atlanta.

They won't win since they are getting blown out.

[BleedGreen1989]

This Hawks team has a great formula for victory in today's league, I think, especially for underdogs -- force a lot of turnovers and take (and make) a lot of three pointers.

I feel like the league is going to reach a point, eventually, when nearly every regular rotation player in the NBA can hit a corner three at a respectable percentage.  I also think the growing trend is going to be to have multiple players who can handle the ball and run the offense on the floor at any given time.

The league is certainly evolving.

It's a much more perimeter oriented league and spacing is becoming an absolute must. For instance, if one of your PF/C can't hit a jumper, they become a liability.

[SparzWizard]

Definition of mediocre every year: Atlanta Hawks.

[Who]

Delighted Indiana progressed. Hopefully they can get their act together in time for Miami in ECF.

[pokeKingCurtis]

This Hawks team has a great formula for victory in today's league, I think, especially for underdogs -- force a lot of turnovers and take (and make) a lot of three pointers.

I feel like the league is going to reach a point, eventually, when nearly every regular rotation player in the NBA can hit a corner three at a respectable percentage.  I also think the growing trend is going to be to have multiple players who can handle the ball and run the offense on the floor at any given time.

The league is certainly evolving.

It's a much more perimeter oriented league and spacing is becoming an absolute must. For instance, if one of your PF/C can't hit a jumper, they become a liability.

Haven't teams always been able to double up the post?

Isn't it more of a matter of 3's and spacing being a more deadly weapon and available weapon than before, rather than a matter of bigs being hurt by new rules? Defenses are not allowed to be as physical, and spacing opens up the paint to exploit this change.

[SparzWizard]

Tayshaun Prince is a beast.

Missed his Pistons days though.

[Vox_Populi]

Brooks draws some, usually deserved, criticism, but making Butler a starter was a great move. The health of Conley and Allen, and the lack of Randolph might be the major talking points but OKC probably would have won anyway.

I like that Mr. Reliable has become a new nickname of sorts for Durant now.