The only two things the Heat have going for them are Spoelstra (vastly underrated) and the second-best away record in the East. That's not enough to win more than one round in the playoffs.wco81 wrote:I think the Heat could be a dark horse in the playoffs.
NBA Season 2017/18
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- pk500
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
"You know why I love boxers? I love them because they face fear. And they face it alone." - Nick Charles
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Well considering that they're likely to be a lower seed if they get into the playoffs at all, if they won the first round, it would mean they're upsetting one of the top 4 seeds.
- DivotMaker
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
James Harden....60 point triple double.....
Re: NBA Season 2017/18
I still believe if OKC had found a way to keep Harden, Westbrook and Durant they would probably be in the same situation as the G.S. Warriors. You could see when the Heat played them in the NBA Finals that all three were special players.DivotMaker wrote:James Harden....60 point triple double.....
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Maybe, maybe not.Rodster wrote:I still believe if OKC had found a way to keep Harden, Westbrook and Durant they would probably be in the same situation as the G.S. Warriors. You could see when the Heat played them in the NBA Finals that all three were special players.DivotMaker wrote:James Harden....60 point triple double.....
Golden State is a true team, with few stories about clashing egos or guys crying about playing time or touching the ball. Any team with Westbrook also will have undercurrents of gripes about selfishness, ball dominance, etc. Durant admitted as much when he left OKC, saying there were possessions in which he knew he'd never see the ball from Russ. And Harden wanted more minutes during his final years in OKC, so he probably welcomed the deal to leave.
Westbrook's assist totals indicate he's an unselfish player. Stats sometimes lie. Westbrook's turnover stats are more illuminating. The guy is so ball dominant that he coughs up the ball too often. He's No. 2 in the league in average turnovers per game, second only to Boogie.
Plus Kerr is underrated as a coach. He's superior to Brooks or Donovan.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
I was pissed the Heat lost to the Magic the other night by 2 points and then last night they blew out the Cavaliers. It’s beginning to look like this will be the last year for LeBron in Cleveland with the way the team is melting down. There was a report that LeBron let a few F-Bombs fly at 2 Cleveland front office personnel.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
It's Trade Deadline Day! Woj is reporting many teams will be quiet today, waiting on buyouts and waived players after the deadline.
Hopefully some team breaks the logjam, and deals start flowing today!
Hopefully some team breaks the logjam, and deals start flowing today!
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
The Sixers have been talking about some trades...Lou Williams, Tyreke Evans. I hope they don’t do any. Teams want our 1st Round picks. This team is much improved but we aren’t a title contender this year so there is no reason to make a trade unless its a legit star blockbuster. I hope we stay put.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
I hope the Heat stay put as well. No need to add to the baggage of an above average team. The team is still having to deal with expensive contracts for average players although Josh Richardson looks like the real deal and he was gifted to the Heat in the 2nd rd. Goran Dragic is legit but that cost the Heat two 1st rounders to the Suns although I believe one of them is protected.Diablo25 wrote:The Sixers have been talking about some trades...Lou Williams, Tyreke Evans. I hope they don’t do any. Teams want our 1st Round picks. This team is much improved but we aren’t a title contender this year so there is no reason to make a trade unless its a legit star blockbuster. I hope we stay put.
As much as I like Tyler Johnson, he's not worth the 19 million per year on his balloon contract.
Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Biggest trade so far is Isaiah Thomas to the Lakers.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Cleveland has traded seven players so far today. This either will be a spectacular overhaul or crushing failure.
Either way, program sales will spike at games at the Q for the next few weeks.
Either way, program sales will spike at games at the Q for the next few weeks.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Good to see D-Wade back in Miami where he belongs. He's not the same player but who is at 36 but he should make them a lock for the playoffs and it makes a ton of sense since Waiters is out for the season with ankle surgery. And they brought back 3 point specialist Like Babbitt who Pat Riley couldn't afford to keep at the start of the season.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
D-Wade can still be effective for 18-20 minutes per night.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
So who gets the credit for putting this Sixers team together? That is one team that is destined for several Championship runs. It's just scary seeing players like Embiid, Fultz and Simmons in their early 20's playing on the same team and they added Belinelli. The only thing that will hold back the Sixers is youth.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Hinkie and Colangelo. Hinkie, for "The Process" that brought all of these young players and Brett Brown to Philly. Colangelo, for signing valuable veteran free agents like Bellinelli and Redick.Rodster wrote:So who gets the credit for putting this Sixers team together? That is one team that is destined for several Championship runs. It's just scary seeing players like Embiid, Fultz and Simmons in their early 20's playing on the same team and they added Belinelli. The only thing that will hold back the Sixers is youth.
Much more Hinkie, though. I thought he was a Mad Scientist during this experiment. I was 100 percent wrong.
Youth isn't the Sixers' biggest enemy for a long run of contention: The salary cap and free agency are the biggest foes.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Fultz is only 19 Rodsterpk500 wrote:Hinkie and Colangelo. Hinkie, for "The Process" that brought all of these young players and Brett Brown to Philly. Colangelo, for signing valuable veteran free agents like Bellinelli and Redick.Rodster wrote:So who gets the credit for putting this Sixers team together? That is one team that is destined for several Championship runs. It's just scary seeing players like Embiid, Fultz and Simmons in their early 20's playing on the same team and they added Belinelli. The only thing that will hold back the Sixers is youth.
Much more Hinkie, though. I thought he was a Mad Scientist during this experiment. I was 100 percent wrong.
Youth isn't the Sixers' biggest enemy for a long run of contention: The salary cap and free agency are the biggest foes.
Paul just nailed it. I have always been a Hinkie supporter...loved (still love) him. Phila fans worship him. Colangelo’s moves this year have been invaluable. BC was a bit ‘absent’ early in the year but he has made up for it. Getting Illy back was big but Bellinelli has been a godsend. His energy and scoring ability are an awesome addition. Their veteran presence (along with J.J.) have been so impactful. When Dwayne Wade threw Justin Anderson into the crowd the other night (and f*** Dwayne Wade BTW) Belli spent the time while they were reviewing it by talking Anderson down. It was needed and Belli did it. The Sixers youth could sting them into an earlier than projected exit but I don’t see it. My goal was to be over .500 this season and win a series. They could do more than that. Ben is a SICK player. Incredible talent (clear cut ROY - sorry Paul). Embiid is a generational type player also (read column below)...he just needs to stop handling the damn ball...give it to a guard! Its going to be fun watching how this thing turns out. I just need the NBA refs to get their heads out of their asses. Its really pathetic to watch sometimes.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2321 ... ople-think
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Simmons is ROY, but it's not clear-cut. Mitchell is carrying such a heavy load for the team in the West that's just as surprising as the Sixers.
Who is the multi-faceted Embiid on the Jazz? Philly's roster is more talented than Utah's. Mitchell is forced to carry more of the scoring load for Utah, and he's succeeding.
I agree Simmons is the ROY. A generational talent. But Mitchell isn't as far behind as you and most Sixers' fans think. He's a ridiculous player who gets little attention because he wasn't as heralded as Simmons coming out of college and also plays in the media wasteland known as Salt Lake City.
Simmons also has a HUGE edge over other rookies. He was around an NBA environment, participating in film study, seeing practices, learning Brown's system, etc., for a year before taking the floor. He's only a rookie on the floor, not in the mind. Mitchell is making his magic straight out of Louisville.
Not Simmons' fault, but something to consider. Again, Simmons is the ROY. But there's no way in hell the choice should be unanimous.
The only unanimous award this season should be Most Improved Player. That's Victor Oladipo of the Pacers, in a walk. No one else is even close.
God, the NBA Playoffs are fun to follow and watch. The Pacers-Cavs' series is becoming more interesting by the night, and I can't believe how New Orleans is tossing around Portland like a rag doll. I know Seeds 3-8 were tight in the West, but I expected more from Portland, especially at home. The Brow is coming through on the biggest stage.
Who is the multi-faceted Embiid on the Jazz? Philly's roster is more talented than Utah's. Mitchell is forced to carry more of the scoring load for Utah, and he's succeeding.
I agree Simmons is the ROY. A generational talent. But Mitchell isn't as far behind as you and most Sixers' fans think. He's a ridiculous player who gets little attention because he wasn't as heralded as Simmons coming out of college and also plays in the media wasteland known as Salt Lake City.
Simmons also has a HUGE edge over other rookies. He was around an NBA environment, participating in film study, seeing practices, learning Brown's system, etc., for a year before taking the floor. He's only a rookie on the floor, not in the mind. Mitchell is making his magic straight out of Louisville.
Not Simmons' fault, but something to consider. Again, Simmons is the ROY. But there's no way in hell the choice should be unanimous.
The only unanimous award this season should be Most Improved Player. That's Victor Oladipo of the Pacers, in a walk. No one else is even close.
God, the NBA Playoffs are fun to follow and watch. The Pacers-Cavs' series is becoming more interesting by the night, and I can't believe how New Orleans is tossing around Portland like a rag doll. I know Seeds 3-8 were tight in the West, but I expected more from Portland, especially at home. The Brow is coming through on the biggest stage.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
That LeBron James is a pretty decent player.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
The Cleveland LeBron's should win Game 7.
Re: NBA Season 2017/18
He gets my vote for G.O.A.T.pk500 wrote:That LeBron James is a pretty decent player.
I would not be surprised to see Philly in the NBA Finals this year. Boston is without it's two Superstars, Toronto is having a battle with Washington and if not for LeBron the series would not be 3-2 right now.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
Not needed. Cleveland will win Game 6 in Indianapolis.AcemanPR wrote:The Cleveland LeBron's should win Game 7.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
MJ 6-0 in NBA Finals. LeBron never will top that.Rodster wrote:He gets my vote for G.O.A.T.pk500 wrote:That LeBron James is a pretty decent player.
I would not be surprised to see Philly in the NBA Finals this year. Boston is without it's two Superstars, Toronto is having a battle with Washington and if not for LeBron the series would not be 3-2 right now.
But you're right about Philly. It's incredible, but the Sixers are the favorites in the East. The most talented, hottest team in that conference. Crazy!
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
He won't but I watched MJ when he came into the league in the 80's. LeBron by himself can make a shitty team a playoff contender even put them in the NBA Finals and can take over a game. Both are great but my vote still goes to LeBron and he said he's sending me a check for saying so.pk500 wrote:MJ 6-0 in NBA Finals. LeBron never will top that.Rodster wrote:He gets my vote for G.O.A.T.pk500 wrote:That LeBron James is a pretty decent player.
I would not be surprised to see Philly in the NBA Finals this year. Boston is without it's two Superstars, Toronto is having a battle with Washington and if not for LeBron the series would not be 3-2 right now.
But you're right about Philly. It's incredible, but the Sixers are the favorites in the East. The most talented, hottest team in that conference. Crazy!
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
LeBron has benefited by playing in the Eastern Conference, which has been weaker and more shallow than the West for most of his career.Rodster wrote:He won't but I watched MJ when he came into the league in the 80's. LeBron by himself can make a shitty team a playoff contender even put them in the NBA Finals and can take over a game. Both are great but my vote still goes to LeBron and he said he's sending me a check for saying so.
And Jordan never took over a game? Never ruled a series? Never ruled an entire playoffs?
Selective amnesia, man.
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Re: NBA Season 2017/18
pk500 wrote:LeBron has benefited by playing in the Eastern Conference, which has been weaker and more shallow than the West for most of his career.
I hear an echo in here.
And my hot take. Lebron will not win another ring. Mark it down.