NBA Playoffs Season 2014-2015

[jpotter33]

I went to bed, and dreamed of a world without the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Reality is a cruel mistress.

I don't think you would have been saying that last night during the run. They actually looked like a team sharing the ball, not playing ISO street ball for 22 seconds then jacking a fall-away jump shot. I think it was Terry, Brewer, Ariza, Smith, and Howard that started and completed the run. They looked downright impenetrable defensively, and they got out and ran the ball a lot. Oh, and Josh Smith was nailing threes left and right. 

I find it hilarious what happened, because the Clippers were getting cocky. Hell, Griffin threw in that 360 over the shoulder layup that happened to go in, and you could tell he was just showboating the whole time.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I went to bed, and dreamed of a world without the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Reality is a cruel mistress.

I don't think you would have been saying that last night during the run. They actually looked like a team sharing the ball, not playing ISO street ball for 22 seconds then jacking a fall-away jump shot. I think it was Terry, Brewer, Ariza, Smith, and Howard that started and completed the run. They looked downright impenetrable defensively, and they got out and ran the ball a lot. Oh, and Josh Smith was nailing threes left and right. 

I find it hilarious what happened, because the Clippers were getting cocky. Hell, Griffin threw in that 360 over the shoulder layup that happened to go in, and you could tell he was just showboating the whole time.

I dislike both teams, but I dislike the Clippers more—there aren't many players who whine more than Dwight and Harden, but the Clipper have two such players: Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. It was great to see them blow a big lead and lose at home. I'd love to see those guys get sent packing next game.

Oh, and the Bulls are a huge disappointment. They need to fire Thibs and cut ties with Noah, who looks cooked.

[Donoghus]

I wonder to what extent Chicago decides to blow it up? Thibs is gone but I wonder what else they will do to that roster.

Noah is entering the final year of his contract ($13.4 million).  I think if there is one guy on there that they should start entertaining the thought of dealing, it's him.  That team sorely needs another player who is offensive minded.   Matching anything on Butler should be a given also.  Although you never know with that front office.

[PhoSita]

I wonder to what extent Chicago decides to blow it up? Thibs is gone but I wonder what else they will do to that roster.

Noah is entering the final year of his contract ($13.4 million).  I think if there is one guy on there that they should start entertaining the thought of dealing, it's him.  That team sorely needs another player who is offensive minded.   Matching anything on Butler should be a given also.  Although you never know with that front office.

Yeah, the Bulls just got submarined by their too-frequent offensive droughts.  You can win a title on defense, but you need to be able to score enough to get by.  And you need your key guys to be healthy in order to keep the defensive intensity up.  Just look at what's happening to the Grizzlies with Conley limited and TA missing a key game, not mention giving major wing minutes to Charmin-Soft Jeff Green.

I agree that moving Noah would make some sense for the Bulls, if they can get some decent value.  With Butler, Pau, Mirotic, and Gibson, they've got a solid collection of players in place.  A few smart moves, continued (relative) health from Rose, and renewed energy from a new head coach could all lead to a great season next year.

Or they could get blown up for real.  We'll see.

[D.o.s.]

I went to bed, and dreamed of a world without the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Reality is a cruel mistress.

I don't think you would have been saying that last night during the run. They actually looked like a team sharing the ball, not playing ISO street ball for 22 seconds then jacking a fall-away jump shot. I think it was Terry, Brewer, Ariza, Smith, and Howard that started and completed the run. They looked downright impenetrable defensively, and they got out and ran the ball a lot. Oh, and Josh Smith was nailing threes left and right. 

I find it hilarious what happened, because the Clippers were getting cocky. Hell, Griffin threw in that 360 over the shoulder layup that happened to go in, and you could tell he was just showboating the whole time.

4
So Jason Terry came back to life, Corey Brewer actually contributed (instead of just "looking active") and Josh Smith was hitting threes?

Maybe I was awake, and it was the NBA that was dreaming.

[LGC88]

I went to bed, and dreamed of a world without the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Reality is a cruel mistress.

I don't think you would have been saying that last night during the run. They actually looked like a team sharing the ball, not playing ISO street ball for 22 seconds then jacking a fall-away jump shot. I think it was Terry, Brewer, Ariza, Smith, and Howard that started and completed the run. They looked downright impenetrable defensively, and they got out and ran the ball a lot. Oh, and Josh Smith was nailing threes left and right. 

I find it hilarious what happened, because the Clippers were getting cocky. Hell, Griffin threw in that 360 over the shoulder layup that happened to go in, and you could tell he was just showboating the whole time.

4
So Jason Terry came back to life, Corey Brewer actually contributed (instead of just "looking active") and Josh Smith was hitting threes?

Maybe I was awake, and it was the NBA that was dreaming.

Yes, it was unreal... first time I see the rockets play great defense.
Watching Smith entering 3 x 3s consecutively was almost laughable.
And Clippers just missing shot after shot.
It was all about dynamic. Rockets was moving the ball and running. Clippers was playing one on one alternatively (Paul or Griffin)

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I wonder to what extent Chicago decides to blow it up? Thibs is gone but I wonder what else they will do to that roster.

Noah is entering the final year of his contract ($13.4 million).  I think if there is one guy on there that they should start entertaining the thought of dealing, it's him.  That team sorely needs another player who is offensive minded.   Matching anything on Butler should be a given also.  Although you never know with that front office.

Yeah, the Bulls just got submarined by their too-frequent offensive droughts.  You can win a title on defense, but you need to be able to score enough to get by. And you need your key guys to be healthy in order to keep the defensive intensity up.  Just look at what's happening to the Grizzlies with Conley limited and TA missing a key game, not mention giving major wing minutes to Charmin-Soft Jeff Green.

I agree that moving Noah would make some sense for the Bulls, if they can get some decent value.  With Butler, Pau, Mirotic, and Gibson, they've got a solid collection of players in place.  A few smart moves, continued (relative) health from Rose, and renewed energy from a new head coach could all lead to a great season next year.

Or they could get blown up for real.  We'll see.

The Celtics came to mind while reading this sentence. Boston frequently had trouble scoring with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, and the current squad has even less offensive talent. I want a good defensive team, but sometimes I feel that the Celtics are so defensive-minded that it's a serious detriment to the team's offense. And more than a few CBers seem to fully agree with that approach. But it's not going to work. The team has to get some solid offense.

[D Dub]

I went to bed, and dreamed of a world without the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Reality is a cruel mistress.

I don't think you would have been saying that last night during the run. They actually looked like a team sharing the ball, not playing ISO street ball for 22 seconds then jacking a fall-away jump shot. I think it was Terry, Brewer, Ariza, Smith, and Howard that started and completed the run. They looked downright impenetrable defensively, and they got out and ran the ball a lot. Oh, and Josh Smith was nailing threes left and right. 

I find it hilarious what happened, because the Clippers were getting cocky. Hell, Griffin threw in that 360 over the shoulder layup that happened to go in, and you could tell he was just showboating the whole time.

TP jp, share the same sentiment regarding LA.  I want to cheer for that team, for Doc & Baby, Barnes -- but I just can't stomach how smug Paul is.  He flops nearly every possession, constantly working the officials. 

And how about McHale?  I'd have to say he's outcoaching Doc right now.  Doc really blew it last night late in the 3rd, the Clippers were going all globetrotter full court layup line.  Harden a spectator on defense -- and Doc called a timeout because his guys were winded(!)  It was the worst TO I've ever seen.  They then proceeded to try and run out the clock -- no literally the clippers clock guy kept running the clock during FT attempts, and they'd have to stop the game to fix it.  Between Doc's timeout & the clock thing all of LA's momentum was sapped. 

Harden had absolutely given up.  couldn't throw it the ocean and fully disengaged defensively. credit Corey Brewer for sparking this comeback and McHale for instilling the confidence needed to pull out what was the most schizophrenic basketball game I've ever seen.  It will be interesting to see what Harden can do in game 7.  My guess is he'll get up about 2500 jump shots between now and then after he seemingly forgot how to play basketball last night.

what a game. 

[Endless Paradise]

Yeah, I've got nothing: that was an immense choke job by the Clippers. I wanted to be fair to them after they managed to take out the Spurs, but last night was inexcusable. Hot take that I know probably should be dismissed, but I don't care: true title contenders don't collapse like that.

And I should note that I think the Clippers will win this series, but any optimism I had about their chances of winning the title has just about been extinguished.

[D Dub]

Yeah, I've got nothing: that was an immense choke job by the Clippers. I wanted to be fair to them after they managed to take out the Spurs, but last night was inexcusable. Hot take that I know probably should be dismissed, but I don't care: true title contenders don't collapse like that.

and ironically, during the same game, Harden illustrated an equally immense choke job of his own. 

That's why, to me, the difference maker was McHale. 
Both teams shut down in the second half, but only one coach had the nerve to do something about it. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Yeah, I've got nothing: that was an immense choke job by the Clippers. I wanted to be fair to them after they managed to take out the Spurs, but last night was inexcusable. Hot take that I know probably should be dismissed, but I don't care: true title contenders don't collapse like that.

and ironically, during the same game, Harden illustrated an equally immense choke job of his own. 

That's why, to me, the difference maker was McHale. 
Both teams shut down in the second half, but only one coach had the nerve to do something about it.

To be fair, Harden is still recovering from the flu.

[Beat LA]

I wonder to what extent Chicago decides to blow it up? Thibs is gone but I wonder what else they will do to that roster.

Noah is entering the final year of his contract ($13.4 million).  I think if there is one guy on there that they should start entertaining the thought of dealing, it's him.  That team sorely needs another player who is offensive minded.   Matching anything on Butler should be a given also.  Although you never know with that front office.

Yeah, the Bulls just got submarined by their too-frequent offensive droughts.  You can win a title on defense, but you need to be able to score enough to get by. And you need your key guys to be healthy in order to keep the defensive intensity up.  Just look at what's happening to the Grizzlies with Conley limited and TA missing a key game, not mention giving major wing minutes to Charmin-Soft Jeff Green.

I agree that moving Noah would make some sense for the Bulls, if they can get some decent value.  With Butler, Pau, Mirotic, and Gibson, they've got a solid collection of players in place.  A few smart moves, continued (relative) health from Rose, and renewed energy from a new head coach could all lead to a great season next year.

Or they could get blown up for real.  We'll see.

The Celtics came to mind while reading this sentence. Boston frequently had trouble scoring with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, and the current squad has even less offensive talent. I want a good defensive team, but sometimes I feel that the Celtics are so defensive-minded that it's a serious detriment to the team's offense. And more than a few CBers seem to fully agree with that approach. But it's not going to work. The team has to get some solid offense.

Thank you for saying that - TP.

[SparzWizard]

Hawks making this look too easy.

[Who]

Atlanta really lack that secondary ball-handler & playmaker on the wing. The offense struggles whenever Teague has to give up the ball.

It would be great if they could add that final piece in the offseason.

[sahara]

So the Cavs will go to the finals. I wouldn´t even care, but Cavs fans are superdisgusting. They weren´t last season, but now they are.