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

[DesiPower]

So far the playoffs have been pretty meh... most of the pairs are up by 2-0 Today we have Atlanta-Brooklyn, Memphis-Portland and Clippers-Spurs. Atlanta-Brooklyn, Memphis-Portland will both be one sided games, ATL and MEM will take it going up 2-0 again. Spurs might put up a fight against Clippers but breaking through their defense will be very difficult. Lets see if Pop can pull out some new tricks out of his hat, his hack-a-Shaq failed miserableness last time.

 

[Carson Dyle]

The Spurs are my team, too.

I was a little surprised by how badly they got spanked by the Clippers in the first game. They suddenly looked very old. Like you say, that Clippers defense was the big difference in the first game. The Spurs need to have everything working to win this series which is a tough matchup against a young, physical team. They really need Splitter back at something closer to full health.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Bulls fan, I think we are the best team in the league right now (if healthy).

Most of the results have been expected so far, but every game is close and just about any team can win IMO.

There hasn't been any convincing wins, all close games.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Most of the results have been expected so far, but every game is close and just about any team can win IMO.

No way. There are 16 teams in the playoffs (which is just stupid) and I'd say that half of them don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning the championship. Milwaukee shouldn't even be in the playoffs, but at least they're not as bad as Boston and Brooklyn. I wouldn't get too excited when the Bulls sweep the Bucks.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Bulls fan, I think we are the best team in the league right now (if healthy).

I completely agree. I mean, honestly, no one is touching Michael and Scottie, and the addition of Rodman gives them a much needed boost on the defensive end... Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I was posting in 1996. In 2015? Have you heard of the Warriors? It's one thing to be a fan, but you can't let fandom blind you to reality. I mean, shit, I'm a Blazers fan, and at full strength, I like the Blazers odds against anyone... but there isn't a snowball's chance in hell the Blazers, at full health (which they aren't), would beat the Warriors in a 7 game series this year. The Warriors are the best team offensively AND defensively. Objectively, they are the best, and it's really not even debatable. Meanwhile the Bulls likely won't make it out of the second round in the East. But other than that, yeah, the Bulls, best team.

I'm totally bummed about the Blazers, too, which has really soured me on the playoffs. Frankly, I hope they get bounced in the first round so I can stop pretending there's any hope for the season after the cursed Spring we had (punctuated by Wesley Matthews' Achilles snapping after contacting exactly nothing). As soon as the Blazers are out, I can start rooting for the Spurs or the Warriors. The Spurs are a classier organization, and the Warriors have Bogut, who is the Archbishop of Dicks, but it's hard to root against Curry. That dude is fun to watch.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Everyone is sleeping on the Hawks. They remind me of the 2004 Pistons. No standout players, just a solid team.

That saying, I'm rooting for the Spurs to win this year. Clippers had a good game but I don't think they will be able to keep that up.

 

[Vdubchaos]

No way. There are 16 teams in the playoffs (which is just stupid) and I'd say that half of them don't stand a snowball's chance in hell of winning the championship. Milwaukee shouldn't even be in the playoffs, but at least they're not as bad as Boston and Brooklyn. I wouldn't get too excited when the Bulls sweep the Bucks.

Milwaukee, Boston and Brooklyn....as well as Pels, Dallas and San Antonio all kept pretty close games so far.

It SHOULD be one sides, but it's not. Any of those teams can win the series.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Cavs are the only realistic team that will come out of the East. In the East, wouldn't be shocked to see any of the teams minus Portland, Dallas, New Orleans

 

[DesiPower]

Damn, Spurs are struggling... seems like that are done... Doc is GOOD. Rarely do you get to watch a match between the two greatest coaches of all time, it should be fun

 

[Carson Dyle]

What game are you watching? The Spurs are hanging tough and have the lead right now. Timmy is in the groove and their shooting percentage has been good enough to keep them in the game. They're not able to really keep up with the Clippers' athleticism on the defensive end, though, and that's going to be what decides this game.

 

[DesiPower]

Good game indeed, end of 3rd and neither of the team could break away, always within 4-5 points...

 

[DesiPower]

What happened to Parker? Did he get hurt?

 

[DesiPower]

phew... I am glad my wife was watching with me, I almost had a cardiac arrest a few times... Go Spurs Go!

 

[Carson Dyle]

Wow. What a battle.

Parker went to the locker room, reportedly with a tight right Achilles, to go along with the left ankle and thigh injuries.

I hope Duncan can recover fully for Friday's game. Glad they're playing at home, so that's at least some blessing in being the lower seed.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Spurs are the biggest threat in the West IMO. What happened last night was a given.

Warriors are great and all but their Defense is not very good, and they will need to improve that if they want to get places.....

All of the teams have kept close games so far, Game 3s will be the turning point to prove themselves.

Only Raptors are at a place of no return now......

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Warriors are great and all but their Defense is not very good, and they will need to improve that if they want to get places.....

All of the teams have kept close games so far, Game 3s will be the turning point to prove themselves.

Do you even watch the NBA? The Warriors defense isn't very good? It was only the best in the league during the regular season... And close games? The Blazers, Bucks and Mavericks have been blown out twice, the Pelicans almost pulled off a miraculous 25 point comeback in the opening game, but those have really both been blowouts as well, the Celtics have been blown out once and haven't looked capable of beating the Cavs... there's a reason seven of the eight series are 2-0 right now, and it's not because of close games (even the closest contest, Spurs/Clippers, opened with a 15 point shellacking). The average margin of victory so far has been just under 10 points (9.9375 to be exact), and there have been more double digit wins (9) than games that finished within five points (2, with yesterday's 4 point margin OT game being the closest yet, meaning zero contests have finished within one score). These games aren't close.

Frankly, this round has been disappointing, outside of the Spurs/Clippers; I'm looking forward to getting rid of some of the real deadweight (Blazers, Mavs, Pels, Bucks, Nets, Celtics and Raptors) and hoping Round 2 delivers some slightly more exciting contests. Usually the first round provides some exciting contests, but contests like these make a good argument for the NBA going back to a Best of 3 or Best of 5 format for the opening rounds; watching teams that have no prayer at the title flail like mad hoping that a star player on a good team gets injured since that's the only possible way they'll advance isn't entertaining.

 

[chitwood]

Spurs are the biggest threat in the West IMO. What happened last night was a given.

Warriors are great and all but their Defense is not very good, and they will need to improve that if they want to get places.....

All of the teams have kept close games so far, Game 3s will be the turning point to prove themselves.

Only Raptors are at a place of no return now......

yea.... no.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency

 

[Vdubchaos]

Do you even watch the NBA? The Warriors defense isn't very good? It was only the best in the league during the regular season...

We get it, you are Warriors fan.

Wonder if that was the case 2......5......10 years ago

And close games? The Blazers, Bucks and Mavericks have been blown out twice, the Pelicans almost pulled off a miraculous 25 point comeback in the opening game, but those have really both been blowouts as well, the Celtics have been blown out once and haven't looked capable of beating the Cavs... there's a reason seven of the eight series are 2-0 right now, and it's not because of close games (even the closest contest, Spurs/Clippers, opened with a 15 point shellacking). The average margin of victory so far has been just under 10 points (9.9375 to be exact), and there have been more double digit wins (9) than games that finished within five points (2, with yesterday's 4 point margin OT game being the closest yet, meaning zero contests have finished within one score). These games aren't close.

You are dillusional.....clearly, OR your definition of blow out is 10 points. To me, blow out is more like 25-30 points.

Here are the scores in case you are blind:
Wizards - Raptors 93 86 (7 pts diff)
Pelicans vs Warriors 99 106 (7 pts diff)
Bucks vs Bulls 91 103 (12 pts diff)
Mavs vs Rockets 108 118 (10 pts diff)
Celtics cavs 100 113 (13 pts diff)
Nets vs Hawks 92 99 (7 pts diff)
Port vs Mem 86 100 (14 pts diff)
San vs Clip 92 107 (15pts diff)
Bucks vs Bulls 82 91 (9 pts diff)
Pelicans vs Warriors 87 97 (10 pts diff)
Celt vs Cavs 91 99 (8 pts diff)
Mavs Rockets 99 111 (12 pts diff)
Wizards vs raptors 117 106 (11 pts diff)
Nets vs Hawks 91 96 (5 pts diff)
Spurs vs LA 111 107 (4 pts diff)
Port vs Mem 82 97 (15 pts diff)

10 point average

All of the teams but Portland have been int he game. San Antonio can be ignored as they won away in game 2.....

Sure some games looked like blow outs at times, but all the teams worked hard to get back into them.

Pelicans had a chance to get back vs Warriors and ARE giving them run for the money (say what you want). We are talking #1 vs #8 that almost didn't make it here.

If I was Warriors fan....I would be scared.

Game 3s will be big ones for the teams that are 2-0. I expect and predict couple of 7 game series in round 1.

Scary game for Bulls today. I love the bulls and all but the way Bucks looked in the first half of Game 2.....is scary. Their energy level and effort was excellent. Celtics show that too....same for # of other teams.

These "dead weights" as you call them have potential for upsets.....we will wait and see.

 

[Vdubchaos]

yea.... no.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency

What they did in a regular season matters none.

The way they are playing D in last 2 games didn't impress me.

Don't get me wrong, I like Warriors too......but their D is struggling right now. Pelicans had a 16-0 run at one point and got themselves right back in the game. I'm sorry but "great" defense NEVER allows that kind of a thing.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

We get it, you are Warriors fan.

I'm a Blazers fan, but I realize that the Blazers have zero hope in the playoffs right now because I'm not the type to let my support of a team blind me to reality. The Warriors are the best team right now. They could certainly lose (not to the Pelicans), but they're going to be the favorites in every series they enter. If I had to pick a team besides the Blazers that I want to win it all, I'd say San Antonio, since I admire how the organization is run and I'd love for Duncan to get some more hardware.

You are dillusional.....clearly, OR your definition of blow out is 10 points. To me, blow out is more like 25-30 points.

My definition of a playoff blowout is 10 points. If you lose by four+ scores, you're not really in it in the final minute barring an absolute miracle. Over half of the games have been double digit wins; that's not a game that comes right down to the wire. I can't find the stats right now, but what percentage of games would you estimate a team wins when trailing by 10+ in the final minute? Almost zero. Kind of takes the thrill out of it. Maybe we'll end up with a Reggie Miller or Tracy McGrady miraculous moment, but those are long odds.

Game 3s will be big ones for the teams that are 2-0. I expect and predict couple of 7 game series in round 1.

Scary game for Bulls today. I love the bulls and all but the way Bucks looked in the first half of Game 2.....is scary. Their energy level and effort was excellent. Celtics show that too....same for # of other teams.

These "dead weights" as you call them have potential for upsets.....we will wait and see.

I hope you're right. It would lend some drama to an otherwise ho-hum opening round. I didn't think the Wizards would look this good against the Raptors and I didn't think Dallas would struggle quite so much with Houston, but other than that, it looks like we're only getting one good series out of eight, and that's a bummer.

Don't get me wrong, I like Warriors too......but their D is struggling right now. Pelicans had a 16-0 run at one point and got themselves right back in the game. I'm sorry but "great" defense NEVER allows that kind of a thing.

They went on a 16-0 run... and were still down 9. And that was with Anthony Davis playing some next level incredible basketball (which I hope he continues to do, cause that was awesome). The Warriors defense hasn't been great in either 4th quarter, but it's been good enough in the other 6 to get convincing wins.

 

[darkewaffle]

God I was up late watching that Spurs/Clips game but it was so worth it. It really does suck that at the end of round 1 one of those teams will be out of it already.

Also I would love to see Wall/Beal/Wizards continue to play like they did in game 2. Admittedly the Raptors haven't looked very good in quite some time, but still.

 

[Vdubchaos]

G

Also I would love to see Wall/Beal/Wizards continue to play like they did in game 2. Admittedly the Raptors haven't looked very good in quite some time, but still.

I am SO glad raptors lost/bulls won last game of the season. I did NOT want Wizards to be our round 1 opponent OR for them to be in Round 2.

I will take Cavs over Wizards in Round 2 match up.....I expect them in the East Final.

And still hope that Celtics can handle the Cavs, if not, Bulls will take care of them.

 

[manly]

Damn, Spurs are struggling... seems like that are done... Doc is GOOD. Rarely do you get to watch a match between the two greatest coaches of all time, it should be fun

I'm not even convinced Doc is a great current head coach. He's no doubt at least close to greatness, and not many active coaches have even one ring. But let's not be silly and put him into any GOAT conversation (you never heard of PJ or Red Auerbach?). Rivers' greatest attribute is that his players love playing for him. When it comes to modern NBA stars and even role players, that's highly valuable. Don't get me wrong, Rivers has done some great things as head coach. But take away defensive assistant Tom Thibodeau in 2007, and Rivers probably has as many NBA championships coaching as I do.

I don't bother watching early playoff rounds, but Vdubchaos just doesn't know hoops. The Bulls aren't an elite contender unless they're healthy AND D-Rose finds his 2011 MVP form. I can pretty much guarantee both of those aren't happening this postseason (the latter actually may never happen based on Rose's extensive injury history).

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I'm not even convinced Doc is a great current head coach. He's no doubt at least close to greatness, and not many active coaches have even one ring. But let's not be silly and put him into any GOAT conversation (you never heard of PJ or Red Auerbach?). Rivers' greatest attribute is that his players love playing for him. When it comes to modern NBA stars and even role players, that's highly valuable. Don't get me wrong, Rivers has done some great things as head coach. But take away defensive assistant Tom Thibodeau in 2007, and Rivers probably has as many NBA championships coaching as I do.

I don't bother watching early playoff rounds, but Vdubchaos just doesn't know hoops. The Bulls aren't an elite contender unless they're healthy AND D-Rose finds his 2011 MVP form. I can pretty much guarantee both of those aren't happening this postseason (the latter actually may never happen based on Rose's extensive injury history).

Yeah I feel like Doc is overrated too. It's like saying Eric Spolstra is one of the top coaches in the NBA because of his two rings and four finals.

 

[QueBert]

Holy damn shit on that NO vs GSW game last night. That was one of the most epic 4th quarter melt downs I've ever witnessed. I knew before game one started NO had no shot at taking out GSW. But tonight they should have won.