PlasmaDogPlasma
Footballguy
Last night wasn't the best advertisement for my 1-800 tips hotline.
I did say before the series that I thought TOR would be an easier match up than IND. So I've got a good baseball average.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
2017-18 NBA (Playoffs): A gasping, wheezing thread begs message board poster arguing how Jordan never lost a Finals to just let it die in peace (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Capella
- Start date
- Status
I did say before the series that I thought TOR would be an easier match up than IND. So I've got a good baseball average.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
This is all valid but it's also not a counterpoint. Just because the Warriors were smart and rational and operated within the rules to build their dynasty doesn't mean fans aren't allowed to hate what they've done to the league.
If a huge fat guy shows up early for an all you can eat buffet and eats every crab leg and ounce of prime rib in the joint, he's acted rationally and within the restaurant's rules. But the other diners are probably still gonna hate his guts.
Thomas The Skank Engine
Footballguy
Short Corner
Footballguy
I'd go soft cap with only a single Bird exception and no player max. The range of values of players receiving max contracts is too broad.
Jayrod
Footballguy
Well, the Sixers sucked it up and finally got the win we all expected. I only got to watch about 5 minutes of the 2nd quarter, so no thoughts on the game itself.
I'm still in shock it was 3-0. Boston stole game 3, and now I really, really, really hope they get game 5 and finish this thing. Going to 6 and risking a game 7 would be very detrimental to their chances vs. Cleveland.
I honestly think the C's will be better vs. the Cavs than Philly would at this point. Boston won't be scared of LeBron like Philly would be. Stevens will have a plan, tweak that plan, and continually make Cleveland make tough decisions all game long. I don't think that Lue will know how to counter and many of the role players in Cleveland will get taken advantage of. The only question is (as usual with this Boston squad sans Kyrie) can they score enough? If Boston hits 3's they can win, if they don't, they won't.
Neither Boston or Cleveland stands a chance against Golden State. If Houston somehow gets past the W's, I'd be more inclined to give the East champ a chance. This next round is going to get interesting and I just hope Boston doesn't let Philly drag this series out.
I'm still in shock it was 3-0. Boston stole game 3, and now I really, really, really hope they get game 5 and finish this thing. Going to 6 and risking a game 7 would be very detrimental to their chances vs. Cleveland.
I honestly think the C's will be better vs. the Cavs than Philly would at this point. Boston won't be scared of LeBron like Philly would be. Stevens will have a plan, tweak that plan, and continually make Cleveland make tough decisions all game long. I don't think that Lue will know how to counter and many of the role players in Cleveland will get taken advantage of. The only question is (as usual with this Boston squad sans Kyrie) can they score enough? If Boston hits 3's they can win, if they don't, they won't.
Neither Boston or Cleveland stands a chance against Golden State. If Houston somehow gets past the W's, I'd be more inclined to give the East champ a chance. This next round is going to get interesting and I just hope Boston doesn't let Philly drag this series out.
modogg
Footballguy
big fan of some Celtics' fans demanding an investigation. the whining and crying is baffling, and the need to be coddled is just depressing (http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/don’t-worry-celtics-fans-76ers-will-not-win-this-series/ar-AAwV6oy?ocid=ientp). I think this is the first game in the series they called appropriately
it is funny all the ref complaints, and I have yet to see anybody point out anything specific. Yet last game, the ESPN crew (miles better then McHale), pointed out how some fouls were being called on one team, and they weren't being called on the other. Now that makes sense and is something you can discuss and point out to the refs.
modogg
Footballguy
Sixers handled Lebron pretty well in that game where both Lebron and Simmons had a triple double. and no Embiid as well.
Celtics have played a game every 48 hours except for that weird twist in this series, so basically 9 out of 10 or something are played close together. McConnell was running circles around the Celics last night, similar to Rozier in game 1. Could be they were surprised, or could be this schedule is beginning to catch up to Boston.
my money will be on Boston next game (I have to hedge out of quite a few Sixers bets, so more financial decision then any kind of feel for the game), but if the Sixers can play like they did the first half of game 2 (minus the last 5 minutes of that half), they have a chance. TJ does a good job of getting that "spark" teams need, and hopefully they can come out like gang busters on Wednesday. If the Sixers can somehow steal the next game, this will be a series again (I hope)
Last edited by a moderator:
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Seems unlikely, the players have a lot of power and the owners are still making a ton of money. They can make small tweaks that would ensure more competitive balance without killing the goose that's laying all those golden eggs. Mandate smoothing if there's any big cap jumps, for example, or bump the tax and repeater rates.
Insein
Footballguy
Jayrod
Footballguy
I think they will roll right into the WCF after a couple of days off. What is really going to suck is waiting for the Finals to start on May 31st. If both Conference Finals end up being done somewhat early, we could be waiting almost 2 weeks for the Finals to start.
. I can not figure out why Vegas and the lines makers have been all over the 6'ers this series. I think they were +450 yesterday before game 4. for comparison sake, Toronto was over +1000. 
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
I don't generally deal in or care about GOAT - i know i'd still take Magic over both of em in chooseup & would consider Russell, too - but here's something i can throw in about the Kang, whom i despise so much i have a difficult time watching any games in which he participates (i usually eyeball the sportswire to see if it's close then tune in and i'm always out as SOON as the outcome of a game i care about is clear):
I was around when the GOAT talk started on Jordan. Wasnt long before he passed Magic & Bird in folks' mind, so the only bugaboo was Wilt, the most physically imposing (sry, not close, Kareem) player in the game. It kinda stopped the discussion cuz it was apples & oranges, those who wanted Michael pointed to the # of championships & that was that.
The most impressive thing i have to say about LeBron James is that he can be compared to both Jordan & Wilt. Though of nowhere near the height & therefore not doing so regularly from the post, lebrohan is as physically imposing as Wilt and possessing of as complete a game as Jordan. Didn't think i'd ever be able to say that about anyone.
rendered.
I was around when the GOAT talk started on Jordan. Wasnt long before he passed Magic & Bird in folks' mind, so the only bugaboo was Wilt, the most physically imposing (sry, not close, Kareem) player in the game. It kinda stopped the discussion cuz it was apples & oranges, those who wanted Michael pointed to the # of championships & that was that.
The most impressive thing i have to say about LeBron James is that he can be compared to both Jordan & Wilt. Though of nowhere near the height & therefore not doing so regularly from the post, lebrohan is as physically imposing as Wilt and possessing of as complete a game as Jordan. Didn't think i'd ever be able to say that about anyone.
rendered.
Jayrod
Footballguy
I'd say you have a short list of Wilt, Shaq, LeBron and now Giannis as actual contenders for the Most-physically-freaky Award. They can/could do things that simply no one on the planet can/could do anything about.I don't generally deal in or care about GOAT - i know i'd still take Magic over both of em in chooseup & would consider Russell, too - but here's something i can throw in about the Kang, whom i despise so much i have a difficult time watching any games in which he participates (i usually eyeball the sportswire to see if it's close then tune in and i'm always out as SOON as the outcome of a game i care about is clear):
I was around when the GOAT talk started on Jordan. Wasnt long before he passed Magic & Bird in folks' mind, so the only bugaboo was Wilt, the most physically imposing (sry, not close, Kareem) player in the game. It kinda stopped the discussion cuz it was apples & oranges, those who wanted Michael pointed to the # of championships & that was that.
The most impressive thing i have to say about LeBron James is that he can be compared to both Jordan & Wilt. Though of nowhere near the height & therefore not doing so regularly from the post, lebrohan is as physically imposing as Wilt and possessing of as complete a game as Jordan. Didn't think i'd ever be able to say that about anyone.
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
I'm not good at hating. While enduring dynasties is rough for hardcore fans of other teams, ultimately they're healthy for the sport and historically more significant than eras of parity or better balance. Most fans aren't hardcores like the men, woman and trolls of this thread. They're just regular folk following from a distance off and on, a little more this time of year. The Packers and Celts put their somewhat obscure sports squarely in the public conscience in the 60s. The Lakers/Celts dual dominance in the 80s is seen as glory days and has been written about ad nauseum as something that might have saved the sport from financial ruin and certainly lifted it to new heights. The Pistons punching all that in the face was good for the game. The 90s Bulls, more of the same.
So we can deal with this Warriors dynasty in several ways. I sleep peacefully knowing they will eventually fall and fade, and I'll be there in Staples leading 20 thousand chanting waaarrrreeeorrrs as LA punches them in the face eliminating them from the playoffs in some distant season. For now I'll just bet the house on them and take advantage of the destroyed competitive balance you all bemoan. It's all good. Die Warriors Die. Long live the Warriors or whoever's next.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Definitely not as a team. LeBron seems to have entered god mode though. I don't expect the Cavs to win more than 2, probably more like 1, but we could be in line for one of the greatest individual performances of all time, even if it is in a losing effort. I said earlier that the finals would suck, but that was before I'd seen LeBron keep this switch flipped continuously.
Last edited by a moderator:
JuniorGong
Footballguy
I can't imagine the players would ever agree to it and frankly not sure most owners would be on board with it. The way valuations are skyrocketing for franchises, I don't see anyone want to upset the apple cart.encaitar said:
Moe.
Footballguy
The only thing that even allowed this (Durant to GS) to happen was the huge spike in the cap and that they couldn't get the union to agree to smoothing. I think knowing what we know now the player's union probably would have agreed to it as it seems to have been bad for everyone who wasn't a free agent that particular summer.
There is no point in trying to come up with a rule that makes a KD to GS scenario unlikely to happen again. It was a perfect combination of factors that made it possible in the first place.
modogg
Footballguy
Gr00vus
Footballguy
I'd imagine he won't have to do this much heavy lifting wherever he lands next year. Even if that's staying in Cleveland, as I imagine him remaining there would be predicated on them adding some talent to help him out.
Bobcat10
Footballguy
Short Corner
Footballguy
I'd replace Giannis with KDJayrod said:
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
LeBron James is also pretty good at basketball. And with the exception of 2016 (when he won the title anyway) there's usually only been one West team capable of making James work. Nobody in 2012, Spurs in 2013 and 2014, Warriors 2015 to present.Alex P Keaton said:
If you did the "LeBron vs the East" thing with "Spurs 2013/14 and Warriors 2015-present vs the West" instead, you wouldn't get that many more losses. Only two seven game series- 2016 Warriors/OKC, when as I mentioned Bron won the title anyway, and a weird 1-8 series in 2014 between San Antonio and Dallas. Lots of sweeps, five gamers and Clippers choke jobs.
Bobcat10
Footballguy
tjnc09 said:The fans of a team that was gifted a no-brainer consensus #1 in LeBron, #1 and #4 in 2011, #4 in 2012, #1 in 2013 and #1 in 2014 are whining. The Warriors won a ring with their ONLY top five pick being an old Andrew Bogut
tjnc09 said:
tjnc09 said:Cleveland drafted Dion Waiters, Jared Cunningham, Bernard James and Jae Crowder ahead of Draymond Green. James went #33, Crowder went #34 and Green went #35
Has there seriously been any other NBA team with nearly as much draft capital as Cleveland over the past decade?
tjnc09 said:
Why get so upset about the Durant talk? Haven't you heard it enough over the past couple seasons that it wouldn't get you so twisted up anymore? Much of the Durant to Warriors talk in here doesn't even have anything to do with the Cavs, but you went on full Cavs tilt last night. Ease up, fella. The cap went up, the stars aligned, and you got the superstar you needed to rebound off the 73 win failure of a season to beat Cleveland. You should be happy! Enjoy your team! It's going to be another well deserved 'ship for the Bay!tjnc09 said:
Last edited by a moderator:
Synthesizer
Footballguy
Indy and Toronto looked like decent teams this year.... until Lebron stomped them. New Orleans looked like a decent team this year.... until Golden State stomped them. Great teams have a way of doing that to everyone else. That doesn't make the other teams "abysmal".
Bobcat10
Footballguy
I know you don't, so no need to ask.Actually, I did. You could ask me if I care about regular season wins.
Why do you feel home court has no relevance? Sincerely, me.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
Indy and Toronto looked like decent teams this year.... until Lebron stomped them. New Orleans looked like a decent team this year.... until Golden State stomped them. Great teams have a way of doing that to everyone else. That doesn't make the other teams "abysmal".
at Cleveland stomping Indiana. 
that's not me being angry. Yeah, people are getting really wild with these claims
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
I'll quibble with Jayrod's addition* of Giannis to my list by quibbling with your sub-out of KD. Neither of them are a force because they can both be put off their game. Freaky how KD can do so many "little" and "big" things just as its freaky that Giannis can Eurostep from Houston to San Antone. But Giannis can be put off & KD dont have the ferocity of purpose to be a Force.
*Shaq may be the most unstoppable athlete ever, but i didn't group him with Wilt or LBJ cuz his game wasnt rounded at all.
Last edited by a moderator:
Lebron was amazing in the finals last year and it didn’t do much to make it a competitive series.
Disagree. The Spurs last year, just as one example, were about to give Golden State a better series than Cleveland did before Leonard went down.
Synthesizer
Footballguy
I said Lebron stomped them. The rest of the Cleveland team pretty much blew for that entire series. But back to my point..... people will look back and say "Oh yep, Lebron went through another weak east." Even though Toronto, Indy, and Boston/Philly were all pretty good teams.
JuniorGong
Footballguy
Can we stop with the whole Golden State is ruining the NBA, they have won a grand total of two titles so far. Granted, they are the favorites this year but lets see how it plays out. Even if they win this year, I don't see why that is a problem or all that different than great teams of the last 30 years. I don't see their window for being a top team being any different than each great team since 1980.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
But the analysis was based entirely on losses suffered in the Conference playoffs. If you start contemplating injuries and whatnot you have to do it on both sides- this year's Celtics being the most obvious example, but also John Wall's broken hand in 2015, whatever the hell caused the 2014 Pacers and 2015 Hawks to implode after looking like world-beaters until March or so, etc.
Obviously the West minus its best team in a given year is still stronger than LeBron's opposition in the East. But the point was that the amazing record isn't entirely or even mostly about the "abysmal" East. It's mostly about LeBron and how much better he is than everyone else, just like how the Warriors' domination outside of that 2016 WCF is mostly about how awesome they've been.
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
I kind of agree with you ... but I assume part of the "ruining" is not just the Warriors themselves but that they are forcing other stars to form superteams if they want to complete, which means fewer appealing matchups on a night-to-night basis and in the playoffs and leaves the fans of 26 or so teams feeling pretty hopeless in the short term. Obviously the superteams and the short-term hopelessness of the majority of the teams are not new, but I think the Warriors have exacerbated both "problems," if you think of them as problems.
Short Corner
Footballguy
When is the last time a non-LeBron East team would have had a reasonable chance of winning the finals?
Bobcat10
Footballguy
It's only minor news coming out of the lowly East, but Hood refused to enter the game last night late in the 4th. I guess he didn't like losing his minutes to Cedi. Interesting to see what the Cavs/Lue, I mean Lebron for some in here, will do in regards to punishment, or lack thereof, for what will be a meaningless ECF.
PlasmaDogPlasma
Footballguy
The murderous glares and under the breath profanities have just become like a dessert to me.TobiasFunke said:
Of course I also have real dessert.
Last edited by a moderator:
PlasmaDogPlasma
Footballguy
TobiasFunke
Footballguy
Other than the 2016 Thunder, when is the last time a West team other than the conference champ would have had a reasonable chance of taking down LeBron in the Finals?
- Status
