Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[Murat B.]

Bron misses 2 FTs in the last 4 secs, Cavs trailing by 1 point against the Rockets. In fact, he was 3/11 from the line. Not good.

 

[Billie]

I usually don't care that much, but I was rooting for Houston to win today. So much grabbing and dirty plays, especially on the part of Cavaliers. Karma is a bitch, LBJ!

 

[DarthFed]

That was an exciting game. Lebron has always been a mediocre FT shooter but 3-11 is atrocious for anyone's standards, even Shaq's.

 

[Billie]

That was an exciting game. Lebron has always been a mediocre FT shooter but 3-11 is atrocious for anyone's standards, even Shaq's.

It was exciting even though there were many dirty plays and fights among players. Is that the norm nowadays? I don't have time to watch NBA on a regular basis these days.

 

[calitennis127]

That was an exciting game. Lebron has always been a mediocre FT shooter but 3-11 is atrocious for anyone's standards, even Shaq's.

Yeah, that really cost them, as well as Love bricking a bunch of threes in the 4th quarter and JR not making anything in the first half.

 

[calitennis127]

I usually don't care that much, but I was rooting for Houston to win today. So much grabbing and dirty plays, especially on the part of Cavaliers. Karma is a bitch, LBJ!

The "dirty play" came much more from Houston than Cleveland.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Well, Harden kicked Lebron in the balls so I wouldn't complain about the Cavs' dirty play. Lebron was kind of awful down the stretch after having a terrific game, and every now and then, he's going to have an abysmal free throw shooting night that ends up costing his team dearly, so this wasn't too surprising. Still 3-11 from the line is unacceptable.

 

[the AntiPusher]

First Drose, next Taj Gibson now Jimmy Butler.. the Bulls are cursed this year

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/12408787/jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-expected-miss-3-6-weeks-need-elbow-surgery

 

[brokenshoelace]

Yeah the Bulls are cursed, not as much as OKC but still cursed.

 

[Murat B.]

First Drose, next Taj Gibson now Jimmy Butler.. the Bulls are cursed this year

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/12408787/jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-expected-miss-3-6-weeks-need-elbow-surgery

But if we look at it in tennis terms, they have nothing to defend next year...:snicker

 

[the AntiPusher]

First Drose, next Taj Gibson now Jimmy Butler.. the Bulls are cursed this year

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/12408787/jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-expected-miss-3-6-weeks-need-elbow-surgery

But if we look at it in tennis terms, they have nothing to defend next year...:snicker

Amen.. Brotha.. Maybe just making the playoffs as the number 2 seed isn't realistic at this point but who knows what can happen in post season

 

[DarthFed]

I'd say the Bulls are a lot more cursed than OKC. But realistically this is the first year I feel it might have cost them a decent chance at the finals. Lebron has slipped enormously this year. Even after he came back he's played better but not what we are used to seeing. Good opportunity for another team out East to get to the finals.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'd say the Bulls are a lot more cursed than OKC. But realistically this is the first year I feel it might have cost them a decent chance at the finals. Lebron has slipped enormously this year. Even after he came back he's played better but not what we are used to seeing. Good opportunity for another team out East to get to the finals.

Maybe they're more cursed in recent years but this year it's not even close. OKC by far.

 

[DarthFed]

No doubt about that

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well, Harden kicked Lebron in the balls so I wouldn't complain about the Cavs' dirty play. Lebron was kind of awful down the stretch after having a terrific game, and every now and then, he's going to have an abysmal free throw shooting night that ends up costing his team dearly, so this wasn't too surprising. Still 3-11 from the line is unacceptable.

LBJ is kind of soft to have a body type like he does.. No way Harden kicks, Kobe, MJ , Dr J or even Larry Bird like that. Those guys played street ball(even Larry Bird had to somewhere). If Harden played like that in the NBA finals a few years ago and "Jesus" hadn't came to LBJ rescue, LBJ may still have been a " king" in search of a ring.

 

[Murat B.]

LeBron was clutch yesterday. Raps came back from 19 down to take the lead in the 4th., and after that Bron did not miss. Also Love looks like he has finally found his place in this team and JR is contributing nicely. I was happy to see Valanciunas school Mozgov at every chance though. He is becoming a good centre. It takes time with big guys, no?

 

[Murat B.]

Westbrook had insane numbers for a 4th straight triple double, but all that effort was to beat Philly in OT!...Philly, who is 13-48...

 

[calitennis127]

Well, Harden kicked Lebron in the balls so I wouldn't complain about the Cavs' dirty play. Lebron was kind of awful down the stretch after having a terrific game, and every now and then, he's going to have an abysmal free throw shooting night that ends up costing his team dearly, so this wasn't too surprising. Still 3-11 from the line is unacceptable.

LBJ is kind of soft to have a body type like he does.. No way Harden kicks, Kobe, MJ , Dr J or even Larry Bird like that. Those guys played street ball(even Larry Bird had to somewhere).

Totally disagree. LeBron's persona is much more hip-hopish and overtly thuggish than Jordan's ever was. Let's point out the obvious here - LeBron has tattoos and sports headbands regularly. Also, Jordan never made the kinds of controversial remarks or undertook the kind of grandstanding that LeBron did when he left Cleveland. For those reasons, LeBron can't afford to throw a punch or else he'll instantly be branded a punk and a thug. Do you want him to be perceived as a Kenyon Martin?

LeBron is not soft at all. He plays tough, and all of these guys are fully aware that they better not be too over-the-top with how they target him, because, quite simply, he can take them to the woodshed if need be. LeBron's Cavs will probably have an 8-day break waiting for the Eastern Conference Finals to begin while Harden is embroiled in a tight series in the Western Conference second round and Valanciunas is catching a flight back to Europe for the offseason.

 

[calitennis127]

Westbrook had insane numbers for a 4th straight triple double, but all that effort was to beat Philly in OT!...Philly, who is 13-48...

Well, in fairness, Philly does have some talent between Nerlens, J-Rich, their point guard, Thomas Robinson, and a couple other athletic players. They're not like they were earlier in the year.

But yes, Westbrook's play has been outstanding and he is really disproving what the likes of Darth and Broken have said about how he plays too out-of-control or takes too many shots. Westbrook is better the more you cut him loose, not the more you restrict him. Hopefully Darth and Broken keep that in mind before they predictably blame him for every playoff loss the Thunder have (while overrating Durant like they do).

 

[brokenshoelace]

Westbrook had insane numbers for a 4th straight triple double, but all that effort was to beat Philly in OT!...Philly, who is 13-48...

Well, in fairness, Philly does have some talent between Nerlens, J-Rich, their point guard, Thomas Robinson, and a couple other athletic players. They're not like they were earlier in the year.

But yes, Westbrook's play has been outstanding and he is really disproving what the likes of Darth and Broken have said about how he plays too out-of-control or takes too many shots. Westbrook is better the more you cut him loose, not the more you restrict him. Hopefully Darth and Broken keep that in mind before they predictably blame him for every playoff loss the Thunder have (while overrating Durant like they do).

He is disproving by being less out of control and taking less shots, other than the Phoenix game in which he took way too many shots, missed way too many shots, admitted as much, and oh, OKC lost the game.

Also, when have I ever criticized Westbrook?