2014 NBA Finals

[pokeKingCurtis]

someone just finally needs to lay Bron out when he drives the lane.  just get a stiff that plays with the sole purpose of knocking on his butt every time he drives.

Shaq, as a Celtic, filling the lane and laying Lebron down was a sight to behold.

Not many people simply big enough for the job.

We also had Perkins too.

Imagine if Shaq was 3-4 years younger when he came to us..

That Shaq played for the Heat,,,I'd imagine he'd want to stay there if Lebron was there

Chalmers
Wade
Lebron
Bosh
Shaq of 2007

Imagine that...

Yuck a Heat fan. 

Just kidding. Have a TP. Having more viewpoints is awesome.

[Celtics18]

I'm shocked by all the blame directed at Ginobili for last night's Spurs loss.  I thought he played a really solid game. 

[slamtheking]

Everyone's going to blame Manu but am I the only one who thinks the missed four consecutive freethrows by Parker and Duncan did them in?

The freethrows were #1.  Not calling a timeout to be sure and get a good shot toward the end of the game is probably #2.  That turnover where he tried to rifle it into Duncan was just awful, though.

Mike

would have to rate the FTs as problem 1A and Manu's bad play down the stretch as 1B.

Spurs need much better play out of Manu down the stretch as well as kawhi.  Need to keep Timmy involved in the offense down the stretch.  Heat still can't handle him in the post.

[Snakehead]

It's funny the Spurs are the "fundamental team" beyond criticism and if they lose now, this will be two Finals where FTs and layups cost them.  And like I say, beyond criticism.  Imagine if LeBron missed a layup like Duncan did last year or missed 4 FTs in a row.  There would be T-Shirts and a parody twitter account.   It would be everywhere.

[CelticG1]

It's funny the Spurs are the "fundamental team" beyond criticism and if they lose now, this will be two Finals where FTs and layups cost them.  And like I say, beyond criticism.  Imagine if LeBron missed a layup like Duncan did last year or missed 4 FTs in a row.  There would be T-Shirts and a parody twitter account.   It would be everywhere.

LeBron pretty much stamped his own ticket to get perpetually made fun of.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I'm shocked by all the blame directed at Ginobili for last night's Spurs loss.  I thought he played a really solid game.

Well, playing a solid game doesn't help much ultimately if you make several wrong moves in crunch time. I think that's what people are looking at.

[Waew]

Its probably easier said than done to make free throws after being elbowed in the chest.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Everyone's going to blame Manu but am I the only one who thinks the missed four consecutive freethrows by Parker and Duncan did them in?

The freethrows were #1.  Not calling a timeout to be sure and get a good shot toward the end of the game is probably #2.  That turnover where he tried to rifle it into Duncan was just awful, though.

Mike

would have to rate the FTs as problem 1A and Manu's bad play down the stretch as 1B.

Spurs need much better play out of Manu down the stretch as well as kawhi.  Need to keep Timmy involved in the offense down the stretch.  Heat still can't handle him in the post.

Good point. TP. During the last couple minutes of the game I was thinking, "Why aren't they going to Duncan down low?" Duncan has the advantage against any Heat big man, and he can kick it out if the defense collapses on him.

[pearljammer10]

Everyone's going to blame Manu but am I the only one who thinks the missed four consecutive freethrows by Parker and Duncan did them in?

The freethrows were #1.  Not calling a timeout to be sure and get a good shot toward the end of the game is probably #2.  That turnover where he tried to rifle it into Duncan was just awful, though.

Mike

would have to rate the FTs as problem 1A and Manu's bad play down the stretch as 1B.

Spurs need much better play out of Manu down the stretch as well as kawhi.  Need to keep Timmy involved in the offense down the stretch.  Heat still can't handle him in the post.

Good point. TP. During the last couple minutes of the game I was thinking, "Why aren't they going to Duncan down low?" Duncan has the advantage against any Heat big man, and he can kick it out if the defense collapses on him.

Excellent point... And its not just Timmy, they can get it to Splitter and he can destroy them as well. His 9 straight points in game one was absurd. Any of their big men can get to that middle and have a field day.

It was upsetting to see Ginobili take that deep three and then the long two in crunch time when they can so easily score with the big men down low and in the paint.

[Celtics18]

I'm shocked by all the blame directed at Ginobili for last night's Spurs loss.  I thought he played a really solid game.

Well, playing a solid game doesn't help much ultimately if you make several wrong moves in crunch time. I think that's what people are looking at.

He missed a couple of shots and made a bad pass down the stretch, but he also made a lot of positive plays to help keep it a close game and give the Spurs a shot to be in it down the stretch.

I'm not putting this loss solely on Manu's shoulders. 

[nickagneta]

Spurs lost by the two free throws Wade was awarded for faking out the refs at the end of the second quarter. Further proof that these little $5000 fines mean nothing if the flopping is going to get a player to the line and earn him two points, points which just might be the deciding factor in a game in the Finals

[slamtheking]

I'm shocked by all the blame directed at Ginobili for last night's Spurs loss.  I thought he played a really solid game.

Well, playing a solid game doesn't help much ultimately if you make several wrong moves in crunch time. I think that's what people are looking at.

He missed a couple of shots and made a bad pass down the stretch, but he also made a lot of positive plays to help keep it a close game and give the Spurs a shot to be in it down the stretch.

I'm not putting this loss solely on Manu's shoulders. 

nope, goes on Parker and Timmy too for both missing their FTs.  if they each hit just 1 a piece, whole game changes where the mentality of Miami is now they have to play a bit more catchup rather than exchanging leads.

[D.o.s.]

San Antonio also missed shots for the last two minutes of the game. It's not as if it wasn't a one-possession game for a while.

[SparzWizard]

Not sure if all the blame should be directed to Ginobili/Duncan...or should it be to the entire team including Popovich in general.

Failing to put the Heat away early as a team costed them the game.

But I think Miami would have been up 2-0 if it weren't for LeCramp James in Game 1. There is little to no chance the Spurs can win one in Miami, who has never lost a single home game this postseason.

[merkins]

Spurs lost by the two free throws Wade was awarded for faking out the refs at the end of the second quarter. Further proof that these little $5000 fines mean nothing if the flopping is going to get a player to the line and earn him two points, points which just might be the deciding factor in a game in the Finals

I realize no one here wants to hear this and Ill be called out for it but Manu hacked Wade's hand on the strong side of where he was holding the ball.  Wade does not like it when he is on the receiving end of contact and whipped the ball around the front of his body and threw his head back.  If you watch it again, realizing Wade's hand was hit, it may be an overreaction but its not a 'flop'.