The 2014 Playoffs thread

[mgent]

It's sad how most Raptors fans blame the refs for the entire series. No sportsmanship whatsoever lol. I saw one comment blaming the refs for every single call...smh.

I lost a lot of respect for Raptors fans today.  What makes them think they can chant BS at every single call that doesn't go their way?  Like, absolutely black and white calls, where the defender is clearly sliding and leaning to the side in slow motion on the big screen in front of their faces.

This obviously doesn't apply to all the fans but the ones at that game were either complete idiots when it came to basketball, or they just felt unbelievably entitled (though apparently you seemed to find some online too).

[PhoSita]

It's sad how most Raptors fans blame the refs for the entire series. No sportsmanship whatsoever lol. I saw one comment blaming the refs for every single call...smh.

I lost a lot of respect for Raptors fans today.  What makes them think they can chant BS at every single call that doesn't go their way?  Like, absolutely black and white calls, where the defender is clearly sliding and leaning to the side in slow motion on the big screen in front of their faces.

This obviously doesn't apply to all the fans but the ones at that game were either complete idiots when it came to basketball, or they just felt unbelievably entitled (though apparently you seemed to find some online too).

Yeah.  Celtics fans NEVER do anything like that!

[Rondo9]

Or other fans for that matter.

[SparzWizard]

It's sad how most Raptors fans blame the refs for the entire series. No sportsmanship whatsoever lol. I saw one comment blaming the refs for every single call...smh.

I lost a lot of respect for Raptors fans today.  What makes them think they can chant BS at every single call that doesn't go their way?  Like, absolutely black and white calls, where the defender is clearly sliding and leaning to the side in slow motion on the big screen in front of their faces.

This obviously doesn't apply to all the fans but the ones at that game were either complete idiots when it came to basketball, or they just felt unbelievably entitled (though apparently you seemed to find some online too).

Yeah.  Celtics fans NEVER do anything like that!

It's just that (1) the Raptors haven't had a taste of "success" for a very long time making it into the postseason. Also, (2) they rarely play in the postseason and thus they think every call is BS in their eyes. I thought Kyle Lowry flopped on almost every single play and what can I say lol

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

You really don't see a difference between the 2012 Thunder and the 2014 Thunder?  Just for starters, one of the two teams has a vastly-improved Kevin Durant who's going to be named MVP in a day or two. I'll leave it to you to figure out which one that is. 

But seriously, the 2014 Heat are worse than the Heat we saw in 2012; not even just off record alone, but from the actual contributions of the players.  Also, again, the Clippers aren't a grind it out team; that's not really how they win games.  They win by overwhelming you on the offensive end more often than not.

No, I don't see a difference in their style of play. Of course some of their players have grown but I don't see how their style matches up any better than it did then.

[mgent]

It's sad how most Raptors fans blame the refs for the entire series. No sportsmanship whatsoever lol. I saw one comment blaming the refs for every single call...smh.

I lost a lot of respect for Raptors fans today.  What makes them think they can chant BS at every single call that doesn't go their way?  Like, absolutely black and white calls, where the defender is clearly sliding and leaning to the side in slow motion on the big screen in front of their faces.

This obviously doesn't apply to all the fans but the ones at that game were either complete idiots when it came to basketball, or they just felt unbelievably entitled (though apparently you seemed to find some online too).

Yeah.  Celtics fans NEVER do anything like that!

It's just that (1) the Raptors haven't had a taste of "success" for a very long time making it into the postseason. Also, (2) they rarely play in the postseason and thus they think every call is BS in their eyes. I thought Kyle Lowry flopped on almost every single play and what can I say lol

I would have given anything to hear Tommy call that game, he would have been flipping out like never before.

[PhoSita]

It's just that (1) the Raptors haven't had a taste of "success" for a very long time making it into the postseason. Also, (2) they rarely play in the postseason and thus they think every call is BS in their eyes. I thought Kyle Lowry flopped on almost every single play and what can I say lol

Not sure what (1) has to do with anything.

Lowry flops, but you don't think the Nets have lots of dirty veteran tricks up their sleeves?  They've got Pierce and KG on their team after all. 

There was a pretty big non-call / call sequence late in the game where Deron Williams got the benefit of the doubt on a charge, then Demar Derozan got called for a charge on the other end the next trip down.  Pretty easy to see why Raps fans might be mad about that.

[Endless Paradise]

You really don't see a difference between the 2012 Thunder and the 2014 Thunder?  Just for starters, one of the two teams has a vastly-improved Kevin Durant who's going to be named MVP in a day or two. I'll leave it to you to figure out which one that is. 

But seriously, the 2014 Heat are worse than the Heat we saw in 2012; not even just off record alone, but from the actual contributions of the players.  Also, again, the Clippers aren't a grind it out team; that's not really how they win games.  They win by overwhelming you on the offensive end more often than not.

No, I don't see a difference in their style of play. Of course some of their players have grown but I don't see how their style matches up any better than it did then.

Experience.  Experience is always important in the playoffs.  Experience is why teams like the Thunder can advance over the arguably more talented but inexperienced Nets.

Also, part of the reason why the Heat beat the Thunder was because of Brooks' insistence on not going small.  When the Thunder went small, they were insanely effective against the Heat; this was seen as recently as this past season when they blew them out in South Beach - without Westbrook, mind you.  As long as Brooks is willing to swallow his pride and make the necessary adjustments, the Thunder have a better chance against the Heat if they meet in the Finals again.

[GreenFaith1819]

Congrats, BKN!

Here's hoping that KG and Paul gives MIA some payback for 2011 and 12.

Do it, BKN!

[timobusa]

How awesome would it be if the Spurs and Nets met in the finals.

KG vs TD. If only it was 10 years earlier.

[SparzWizard]

LeBron James playing against Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. I am definitely tuning in onto this one.

I think Miami will get the Lakers treatment back in 2011 as they will get swept in the second-round! 

[Mazingerz]

How awesome would it be if the Spurs and Nets met in the finals.

KG vs TD. If only it was 10 years earlier.

Although I don't want to see Deron Williams win anything.

[celtic -_- pride]

the officiating in the raptors/nets game 7 was incredibly inconsistent. that was the problem. quit favoring the nets like kg/pierce are still on the celtics where your homerism is justified

[staticcc]

^You mean when Lowry was flopping all over the place but the Nets were still being called for fouls? The block call against Lowry was correct because he was sliding; charge call that Blatche took also correct because he was stationary. Raptora didn't deserve to win anyway; they just showed up in the last 5 minutes.

[Fafnir]

I loved that Pierce got two big moments out of that series. Closing out both game 1 and game 7 with huge plays. Wish he was still in green no matter how much the trade made sense.