NBA Season 2011-12 Thread

[Rodster]

Lord, I hate the 2-3-2 format for a seven-game series for ANY sport. Gives an unfair advantage to the lower seed. All it has to do is split the first two games, and it's in the driver's seat, getting a blowjob from title glory.

I don't like that format either but The Thunder are really, really good. I can't see Miami winning the next 3 games.

[pk500]

Lord, I hate the 2-3-2 format for a seven-game series for ANY sport. Gives an unfair advantage to the lower seed. All it has to do is split the first two games, and it's in the driver's seat, getting a blowjob from title glory.

I don't like that format either but The Thunder are really, really good. I can't see Miami winning the next 3 games.

I could easily see Miami winning two of the next three at home, which would force the higher seed to win the last two at home.

Again, a bullsh*t system. There's no reason why teams can't alternate home arenas for the last three games. It's done in hockey. Baseball, too?

[dbdynsty25]

So far so good.

[Brando70]

Miami played great D last night and definitely outplayed the Thunder, but it is amazing how it seems like they want to give the games away. If this series was a videogame, there'd be 100 posts on OS about how there was comeback code.

[dbdynsty25]

Miami played great D last night and definitely outplayed the Thunder, but it is amazing how it seems like they want to give the games away. If this series was a videogame, there'd be 100 posts on OS about how there was comeback code.

Miami's issue is that they don't have a reliable ballhandler for end game situations. We get to watch their shooting guard and small forward bring the ball up the court all the time and when the D gets tighter and the calls get looser, it makes it really tough as you saw Wade get ripped and Lebron had it knocked away and almost lost it and then elbowed Harden in the chest and then eventually got the blocking call. It's that stuff that allows teams back into the game.

Just in general, how many times did each team just throw the ball away in the last 5 minutes? Just sloppy as neither team has a true PG to bring the ball up and ice the game at the free throw line. Calling Free Agent to be, Steve Nash...you're needed on both sidelines.

[Brando70]

Yeah, very sloppy at the end in addition to some timely D by LeBron and Bosh. Good point on lack of a traditional PG on the floor, too.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm getting pretty good at these projections. I guess the Heat my win in 5. LOL.

No one gave them a chance but me and they are taking it to the Thunder as I expected. That doesn't meant the Thunder can't win, but the Heat are GOOD.

[wco81]

Officiating is ridiculous, touch fouls on one end, no calls on the other.

Mild-mannered Durrant was showing some anger after a non-call on a crucial possession.

How many times did Westbrook go to the hole and get contact and he had like 3 FT attempts on like 30 FG attempts?

[jLp vAkEr0]

I'm getting pretty good at these projections. I guess the Heat my win in 5. LOL.

No one gave them a chance but me and they are taking it to the Thunder as I expected.

Yeah, I guess you had it all along...

All growns up. No way they lose in the finals. Too much firepower and athleticism...regardless of who they play. Very impressed with Brooks and his adjustments as well. I criticized the hell out of him after the first two games and he made the necessary adjustments to contain Parker which was the main reason they were getting sliced inside and out. Gotta give it up for him. Outcoached the master.

[wco81]

Brooks' substitution patterns in the fourth quarter is inconsistent. He's telling his players to make the extra pass but his players seem ill prepared, making fouls in crunch time when they don't need to.

Fisher makes a stupid play, had numbers on a fast break with the game tied or it was a 2-point game and he goes into a crowd of bigger players instead of passing off, gets the shot blocked, goes the other way and it's a 4-point swing.

Thunder have the officiating going against them but there's a lot of room for improvement on the coaching front.

[Brando70]

Thunder have the officiating going against them...

I thought the same thing but it's really not true. Freethrow attempts are 103-93 in Miami's favor, not a dramatic difference and not surprising given James and Wade's ability to draw contact. Home team has had FT advantage in all the games. I've seen both teams get jobbed by calls.

At this point, I can't really take anything away from the Heat. James is playing like a superstar, Wade has been just a step behind him, and they are getting support from the rest of the team. The Thunder looked like they were going to run the Heat out of the arena at the start of the game and Miami just calmly got it together. OKC had more than its fair share of chances to win the last three games, but they cracked down the stretch.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm getting pretty good at these projections. I guess the Heat my win in 5. LOL.

No one gave them a chance but me and they are taking it to the Thunder as I expected.

Yeah, I guess you had it all along...

All growns up. No way they lose in the finals. Too much firepower and athleticism...regardless of who they play. Very impressed with Brooks and his adjustments as well. I criticized the hell out of him after the first two games and he made the necessary adjustments to contain Parker which was the main reason they were getting sliced inside and out. Gotta give it up for him. Outcoached the master.

The one that counts BEFORE the series started:

The one thing that really screws me up, is the stupid f'n format in the finals. 2-3-2...different than the first three rounds. So stupid. But that's why I've got Heat in 6...just win one of the 2 in OKC to start off the series and then you can pretty much ice it at home.

And basically, outside of that proclamation after OKC came back against SA, I've been on the money. Including giving your Celtics more credit than anyone else. Come on now...credit where credit is due.

[dbdynsty25]

At this point, I can't really take anything away from the Heat. James is playing like a superstar, Wade has been just a step behind him, and they are getting support from the rest of the team. The Thunder looked like they were going to run the Heat out of the arena at the start of the game and Miami just calmly got it together. OKC had more than its fair share of chances to win the last three games, but they cracked down the stretch.

Harden and Westbrook (at least at the end) were the reason they lost that game, not officiating. Harden specifically in game 4. Dude needs to get it going or they are done. Now that Bosh is back healthy, its going to be a monumental task for sure. If they can win game 5 they've got a chance, but even if they do, I'm pretty sure Lebron and DWade will not let them win game 6 irregardless of where it's played. They've already won in OKC once...they've got the confidence...as long as Lebron can get his hydration in check of course.

[Brando70]

Yeah, when Harden passed on that one open shot at the top of the key, that was a bad sign. Also too bad that Westbrook's terrible foul overshadowed an otherwise incredible game.

I'd like to see it go to seven games just because it's been a fun series to watch. Even sloppy game 3 was entertaining.

[pk500]

The Heat also seem to get a lot of offensive rebounds, and their defense -- especially down the stretch -- has been outstanding.

Westbrook was a major bonehead when he fouled Chalmers at the end of the game last night. No need for that.

[JackB1]

Game over. OKC is done. Nobody besides Westbrook and Durant have showed up for them this entire series. Miami's starters and bench have been far more productive. Gonna make me puke though watching Lebron with that trophy.

[pk500]

Game over. OKC is done. Nobody besides Westbrook and Durant have showed up for them this entire series. Miami's starters and bench have been far more productive. Gonna make me puke though watching Lebron with that trophy.

Take some consolation that Mike Miller, not LeBron, sealed the deal tonight for the Heat.

Still, a very impressive performance this series by Miami. Better on the boards, better defense, smarter in the clutch, and I think Spoelstra completely outclassed Brooks on the sidelines.

A deserved title.

[dbdynsty25]

No one can blame this game on the officials either. World class beatdown.

[pk500]

Give some credit to the Heat's improved mental strength, too. Rallied to beat Indiana, Boston and OK City in the last three rounds.

Last year's failure definitely toughened this team. I'm not sure last year's team -- which seemed to ordain itself as NBA champions the second Bosh and James committed to Miami -- could have recovered to beat Boston in the last two games of the Eastern finals.

[greggsand]

Silver lining for the Heat winning: Dan Gilbert having to watch it & the city Seattle not watching OKC celebrate.

[MizzouRah]

No one can blame this game on the officials either. World class beatdown.

You are correct there.

[Brando70]

LeBron was Madden Greg Jennings with a broken leg. He had one of the most complete playoff runs I've seen in a long time, coming up big in every big game and doing everything well.

Pretty good chance we'll see this matchup again next June.

[Leebo33]

I was rooting for OKC, but I woke up today and have the same life I had before I woke up yesterday.

[Brando70]

I was rooting for OKC, but I woke up today and have the same life I had before I woke up yesterday.

LOL.

I definitely tip my cap to the Heat. I don't like that team, I think they play very dirty at times, but to win four in a row against a very talented Thunder team was impressive. For all of LeBron's faults, he did what great players do and worked hard to improve his game this season. He also got a lot of help from Wade, but during the playoffs and especially in the last two series, there was little question who was Jordan and who was Pippen in that relationship.

[EZSnappin]

Nash to the Lakers? Man, I can only take my man crush on Steve Nash so far; purple and gold is breaking my heart.