2015 NBA Playoffs Thread

[godfather]

I am torn who I want to win. I hate the Rockets, but know they'd be easier.

On the other hand I'd be forced to watch Harden play in two more rounds, and I might have a stroke because of it.

 

[The Red Viper]

CP3 is a good player, but he's vastly overrated..

He's playing with a current top 3 PF a top 5 C and what most consider to be a top 5 coach as well.

You have a 3-1 lead in the series, a 19point lead with 15 minutes to go or so...

Finish !!!!!

The only thing worse than CP3 getting a pass is Blake Griffin getting a pass

DeAndre isn't a Top-5 centre though. He isn't better than Pau, Al Horford, Boogie, Duncan Dwight etc. He offers nothing in the attacking end except dunks from lobs. And his defense while really good isn't exactly Hakeem or Dikembe or Ben Wallace level. He doesn't marshal or organize a team's defense like those guys did.

Now, yes, CP has a Top-3 power forward alongside him and a great coach but why should he be blamed when he has performed well throughout the series? Even in the game six where they choked, CP shot 50% from the field in the fourth quarter.

Clippers lost because they had fuck-all depth. Due to that both CP and Blake had to play a LOT of minutes and they looked gassed during the end of the game. Every good team needs good role-players. Every great had them as well.

Blaming this on CP and Blake would be like blaming the loss to Spurs in 2007 on LeBron. Not to the same extent obviously as LeBron had a bigger workload but hopefully you get the point.

 

[spydy13]

I'd consider a sign and trade for Jordan for Haywood. Not sure what else we could fit in there. If the Clippers want to blow it up and get cap space, that's a start.

No way they would do that. Cap space means nothing to them. Just like us, they have way too much salary commitments to even try to get far enough below the salary cap to get anyone of use. Their only hope is to try and sign and trade Jordan, and I would assume they would be looking for someone else that can create a shot.

 

[The Red Viper]

Also, they have arguably the richest owner in the NBA in Steve Ballmer. He won't care about the cap space and all.

 

[godfather]

I think too many people are just exaggerating what Paul is supposed to be.

If the topic is relying largely on a 6 foot guard to be your go to scorer, which isn't really his best criteria, then yeah, I guess he's overrated.

But that's not his game to begin with, so it's hard to be critical of Paul, when he's forced into a bigger role.

I agree, Paul as your best offensive option is never winning a title.

The Clippers inability to take the next level is largely because of Blake Griffin. He has the talent to do it, he was beginning to show that. But then he let down, and went from great, to just being good.

Being good isn't going to cut it. They needed him to be great.

Paul is a great player. Top 3 in the NBA? No, no one thinks that. Top 3 point guard? Definitely.

No let down from him, as long you understand what he is to begin with. He's not going to lead his team to victories being the best offensive weapon. He's more John Stockton than Allen Iverson.

 

[The Red Viper]

No way they would do that. Cap space means nothing to them. Just like us, they have way too much salary commitments to even try to get far enough below the salary cap to get anyone of use. Their only hope is to try and sign and trade Jordan, and I would assume they would be looking for someone else that can create a shot.

I am not one of DeAnre's biggest fans as a player. But, it is essential they keep him. He has a great understanding with Blake and CP and is a good center. The key for them this summer is to improve their atrocious bench. They need three players. A good 3 & D small-forward who can start for them, a good ball-handler as back-up and a back-up center who can come into the line-up when Hack-A-DeAndre is employed!

 

[Mdog1]

What I would do to get Jordan here in a Cavs uniform and have Mozgov as our backup center....

A Jordan/Love, Moz/TT, and Andy FC would overkill lol. I would absolutely love it, but that's a lot of money to tie up. It would open us up to a trade for Mozgod/Andy/TT.

Biggest worry with Jordan is that he has a loser attitude. Cares about his stats too much imo. Couple that with the common fear I have about contract year guys, and I honestly think I would pass on him if we had the opportunity. Every year there are guys who play above their heads for money, and year after year they suck when they get the big money.

Not to mention the holes in his game. With Bron on the team we need spacing. Mozzy might not be Big Z, but he can hit a jumpshot if left open. Jordan can't hit a FT.

 

[PIP]

DeAndre isn't a Top-5 centre though. He isn't better than Pau, Al Horford, Boogie, Duncan Dwight etc. He offers nothing in the attacking end except dunks from lobs. And his defense while really good isn't exactly Hakeem or Dikembe or Ben Wallace level. He doesn't marshal or organize a team's defense like those guys did.

Now, yes, CP has a Top-3 power forward alongside him and a great coach but why should he be blamed when he has performed well throughout the series? Even in the game six where they choked, CP shot 50% from the field in the fourth quarter.

Clippers lost because they had fuck-all depth. Due to that both CP and Blake had to play a LOT of minutes and they looked gassed during the end of the game. Every good team needs good role-players. Every great had them as well.

Blaming this on CP and Blake would be like blaming the loss to Spurs in 2007 on LeBron. Not to the same extent obviously as LeBron had a bigger workload but hopefully you get the point.

He should be blamed like any star who hasn't gotten it done.... Just like LeBron was blamed for Orlando and Dallas losses..

I'm sorry, but losing big games and series has to do with numbers and leadership... I'm sorry, but in a game like this, when its slipping away, you go down fighting... You, as the leader, have to put up 35 shots to get 40-50 points when you see your guys aren't performing ? Do it...

Chris Paul is a fine player-- but taking his game to that next level 10 years in is just not there...

LeBron in year 4 against the Spurs ? Ok, but if that LeBron played the same today as he did then ?? I'd be damn concerned...

Recognizing the moment, taking over, putting the team on your back ?? I don't see it with CP3...

I don't see him as a guy who's going to lead his team to a title..... Ever.... Maybe as someone's backup in the twilight or someone's sidekick, just not as the man...

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Don't know about Top-5. But, I have him in my Tier-3. Great player, indeed.

Tier 1:- Magic.

Tier 2:- Oscar, Isiah, Stockton.

Tier 3:- Kidd, Nash, Frazier, CP, Payton.

I can't help but notice, in Tier 2, the conspicuous absence of Messrs. Price, Bagley, and Archibald.

 

[luffyq1]

The Clippers:

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Barnes killed them..the guy is an absolute scrub....rockets went on a run every time he was on the floor

He was huge against the Spurs...

 

[DougHeil]

They DID go through a ton of injuries. They lost their starting PG. They lost Terrence Jones for a huge portion of the year, then lost his replacement for the playoffs. Dwight missed half the year with injuries. This team has persevered a ton.

Also, David Blatt always brought up injuries when this team was going through a rough patch, so it's a little hypocritical to call out McHale for doing the same.

I'd say losing one the top PF's in the game is more of a loss than some PG they lost. At least Jones and Howard are in the playoffs. You missed my point but I probably wasn't clear. My point is that the Cavs, more so than any other team, have been through the grinder this year and have persevered so far.

 

[Tornicade]

Clippers are chokers surprise surprise. it seems i was totally off base calling this series the chokerbowl

 

[czvo]

I'd say losing one the top PF's in the game is more of a loss than some PG they lost. At least Jones and Howard are in the playoffs. You missed my point but I probably wasn't clear. My point is that the Cavs, more so than any other team, have been through the grinder this year and have persevered so far.

What do Houston's comments have to do with the Cavs? Last I checked, nothing. So because the Cavs have also gone through injuries, other teams can't talk about how they've persevered?

They have every right to talk about how they've overcome adversity to win, just like the Cavs did when they got through the Bulls.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

I am torn who I want to win. I hate the Rockets, but know they'd be easier.

On the other hand I'd be forced to watch Harden play in two more rounds, and I might have a stroke because of it.

I would accept losing to the Warriors. I would NOT accept losing to the Rockets. The thought of Howard and Harden lifting the O'Brien Trophy makes me want to projectile vomit.

That's how I make my decision.