*** Official 2014-2015 NBA Playoff thread ***

[lupi]

After near universal sweep snoozefest, round 2 looking more interesting in that regard.

 

[darkewaffle]

Round1 wasn't that bad imo, just all the series couldn't really compare to last years first round or Spurs/Clips. That said, in a vacuum, most of them at least had competitive games if not results.

Also for anyone who hasn't seen it the E:60 on Ernie Johnson is really wonderful. Skip to about 4-5m for it to start and keep a tissue handy.

 

[smackababy]

Round1 wasn't that bad imo, just all the series couldn't really compare to last years first round or Spurs/Clips. That said, in a vacuum, most of them at least had competitive games if not results.

Also for anyone who hasn't seen it the E:60 on Ernie Johnson is really wonderful. Skip to about 4-5m for it to start and keep a tissue handy.

This. While the Spurs / Clippers is looking to be one of the best best of 7 series in history, the other series were fairly competitive. Even the GS / Pelicans series was closer than the sweep indicated.

Also, the more I hear about it, the more I am hating that I missed that game 7. Chris Paul pulling out an epic injured, play through the pain moment that near rivaled Isiah Thomas in the 88 game 6 against Boston. The clutch Duncan late game free throws, only to be topped by a double clutch Chris Paul finish over Duncan (who Bill Russell things would have blocked 10 years ago).

 

[darkewaffle]

Paul's shot at the end was pretty amazing. I watched it leave his hand and just thought "Damnit, that's the end". If this had been, hypothetically, the finals you can guarantee that it would go down as an all-time historic shot. If the Clips manage to win the title then it still might anyway.

 

[lupi]

Competitive means there would be more than a 5% chance for the other team to win the series, not just that they can keep within double digits of the final score.

 

[lupi]

Paul out tonight, and so are the Bulls.

 

[lupi]

never good to walk to the locker room from midcourt holding your junk,

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Rivers gon' Rivers.

 

[QueBert]

Wow even without Love the Cavs looked crazy good. If James can keep playing like he did tonight. And Irving stays on point they might have a shot here even without Love.

 

[lupi]

I'd be worried if I was on houston. 2 games at home to start the series and you lose one and just barely win the other while the other team had its best player sit.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Wow even without Love the Cavs looked crazy good. If James can keep playing like he did tonight. And Irving stays on point they might have a shot here even without Love.

He was aggressive, but his "playing well" has to be blamed on poor Chicago defense.

Let's face it, he missed all but one shot? Rest was just shoving people with shoulder/pushing off and going for a lay up.

I blame the D for not being aggressive enough with him and not blocking him once in the paint.

Bulls also didn't make their shots last night.....

That's ok, we stole one. It's time to move on and get back in shape in Chicago.

 

[smackababy]

I'd be worried if I was on houston. 2 games at home to start the series and you lose one and just barely win the other while the other team had its best player sit.

Houston seems to be playing with a huge lack of effort in this series. I'd be seriously upset if I was the coach, or even a player on the team.

 

[DesiPower]

Houston may not be at their 100% but have to give credit to the Clippers, they are on fire.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Houston seems to be playing with a huge lack of effort in this series. I'd be seriously upset if I was the coach, or even a player on the team.

Agreed, they look just like Bulls in game #4 and #5 series 1 and yesterday's game.

Lazy, lack of intensity or urgency or hard work....

 

[darkewaffle]

Son of a bitch, Marc Stein from ESPN reporting Wizards have announced five fractures in Wall's hand and wrist.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Wizards are done....

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Wizards are totally done. Granted, last month I would have bet every dollar in the world on Atlanta crushing that series regardless of whether Wall was in it or not, but Atlanta's slipped a bit in recent weeks, so it looked like Washington had a shot. Bummer for Wall.

 

[darkewaffle]

Grantland Basketball Hour was quite good last night. Jalen was less Jalen-y than usual and Daryl Morey was actually a really interesting interview. I think the fact that he tries to keep his players involved (or at least informed) of the decisions he wants to make for the team and actually said [paraphrasing] "I think the worst thing a GM can do with a player is mislead them. That gets around." is really forward-thinking.

 

[lupi]

another good reason for spurs being out, espn actually wasting time on sportcenter about that gawd awful sounding twerp who they kept dragging out for the anthem.

 

[vi edit]

Well that was a crazy ending in Chicago.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

What a sensational shot by JR Smith and an even sensationaler one by Derrick Rose. Great finish.

 

[DesiPower]

Referees tired their best but Lebron failed the NBA, their dream of a fairy tale seems to be slipping away...

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I never thought I'd say this, but Austin Rivers is tearing shit up. In a good way.

 

[QueBert]

Referees tired their best but Lebron failed the NBA, their dream of a fairy tale seems to be slipping away...

Yes because being 1-1 then losing a game at the last second means they're done. Bulls don't have what it takes to win an entire series. Even without Love the Cavs were 1 second away from winning the game.

 

[DesiPower]

That is because Cavs get to play with 8 person team, 5 players and 3 referees. With a 5 - 5 match-up, Cavs don't stand a chance.