*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (8 Viewers)

[Cliff Clavin]

I think people just like competition so they are putting Durant on the same tier as Lebron when it really isn't even kind of close. Durant is on the same tier as Howard, Wade, and Paul and probably isn't at the top of that tier. There is no argument to be made that makes Durant the best player in the NBA.

He may not be the absolute best player in the NBA, but couldn't disagree more with just about everything else you wrote.

Why do you disagree? Do you think Durant belongs in the conversation for best player in the NBA? Do you think he is significantly better than Wade/Paul/Howard?The big difference between the other four I mentioned and Durant is they are all world defenders while Durant is very average.

Depends on what you value more. Efficient scoring? Durant >>> them all. Defense? Durant doesn't sniff them. He ends up in the middle of the pack in rebounds and assists. Personally, I really value efficient scoring so I'd put him ahead of everyone but LeBron. Other would like Howard's defense or Paul's play making.

 

[Instinctive]

I think people just like competition so they are putting Durant on the same tier as Lebron when it really isn't even kind of close. Durant is on the same tier as Howard, Wade, and Paul and probably isn't at the top of that tier. There is no argument to be made that makes Durant the best player in the NBA.

He may not be the absolute best player in the NBA, but couldn't disagree more with just about everything else you wrote.

Why do you disagree? Do you think Durant belongs in the conversation for best player in the NBA? Do you think he is significantly better than Wade/Paul/Howard?The big difference between the other four I mentioned and Durant is they are all world defenders while Durant is very average.

Gotta agree with Kev here...Especially the bolded. Only one player in this seriesthe league could arguably be the best offensive player AND the best defensive player and has the most MVPs. (Hint: it isn't Durant)

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Lakers in 5.

 

[The Juggernaut]

My prediction... Thunder in 7. This series is an all-time great and spurs the new great NBA rivalry. Westbrook wins Finals MVP. Bosh and Perkins have a fight in game 4, resultimg in ejections. LeBron goes beast mode to win 2 games, one against Durant in beast mode. Fisher hits a big three to clinch a game. How's that for a prediction?!?!?!

 

[gump]

What an experience....you appreciate how great these athletes are when seeing them up close, especially seeing 6 potential HOFers up close. Hard to believe how big they are, yet so coordinated. I watched KG warm up....he was taking jumpers along the baseline just inside the 3 point line....he hit 12 in a row.

The pose:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60350165@N06/7359449482/

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Truck, Wilked, Icon.Double or nothing on the Heat +4.5 in Game 1?If not, is there any chance as the series goes along we could find another wager? If you want to just pay it off that's fine too.

I only took the initial one because it was clearly +EV. I'll just pay it off.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

What an experience....you appreciate how great these athletes are when seeing them up close, especially seeing 6 potential HOFers up close. Hard to believe how big they are, yet so coordinated. I watched KG warm up....he was taking jumpers along the baseline just inside the 3 point line....he hit 12 in a row.

The pose:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60350165@N06/7359449482/

Curry down?

 

[JMon348]

Heat take games 1,3,5,7.

Lebron with a legendary game 7.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Truck, Wilked, Icon.Double or nothing on the Heat +4.5 in Game 1?If not, is there any chance as the series goes along we could find another wager? If you want to just pay it off that's fine too.

I only took the initial one because it was clearly +EV.

Now that RedRaiders is basically dead, you can be the new Mr. +EV.

 

[Popinski]

Perkins may start but his minutes will be limited.

Spoelstra doesn't want to go big unless if he has to. I think we'll see plenty of Durant and Battier playing the 4.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Truck, Wilked, Icon.Double or nothing on the Heat +4.5 in Game 1?If not, is there any chance as the series goes along we could find another wager? If you want to just pay it off that's fine too.

I only took the initial one because it was clearly +EV.

Now that RedRaiders is basically dead, you can be the new Mr. +EV.

I can never take RR's place.

 

[Todem]

Heat in 6

Lebron MVP of the Finals

I expect a tough hard fought series with each game taking on a life of it's own. I think this has the potential to be the dawn of a wonderful rivalry for the next 2-3 seasons. We have two heavyweights with star power about to slug out an epic Finals.

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do). Wade must be the Wade we have known and have been used to seeing in the past. Getting going earlier is a key.

And of course a healthy Chis Bosh (back in the starting lineup as expected) will be a huge help. We have no realistic shot without him. In fact we would not have made it out of the Conference Finals without him.

I am super pumped as this is the series the country has been waiting for.

Durant,Westbrook and Harden

Vs

Lebron,Wade,and Bosh

 

[[icon]]

Truck, Wilked, Icon.Double or nothing on the Heat +4.5 in Game 1?If not, is there any chance as the series goes along we could find another wager? If you want to just pay it off that's fine too.

I only took the initial one because it was clearly +EV. I'll just pay it off.

 

[timschochet]

I am super pumped as this is the series the country has been waiting for.

Durant,Westbrook and Harden and Ibaka

Vs

Lebron,Wade,and Bosh

The bolded is one of the main reasons I favor the Thunder. More talent.

 

[Todem]

I am super pumped as this is the series the country has been waiting for.

Durant,Westbrook and Harden and Ibaka

Vs

Lebron,Wade,and Bosh

The bolded is one of the main reasons I favor the Thunder. More talent.

Yeah Ibaka is a tough match-up for us. That is why our role players must come up with some big games.

Should be a sick series.

 

[[icon]]

Thunder in 3. Heat wil concede the series after the beatings in the first 3 contests.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

 

[Todem]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

 

[Gr00vus]

OKC in 5. Don't see the Heat stealing one in OKC unless LeBron and Wade both have a great games. OKC wins 1,2,4,5.

I figure OKC in 5 or 6. LeBron could (and hopefully will) play great and it still probably won't be enough. Wade's obviously nowhere near 100%. I still think the Heat have the best top 3 guys (regardless of position), but over the rest of the roster the Thunder are better and their players fit together better. Brooks has to be a better coach than Spoelstra, right?If left 1 on 1, LeBron will give Durant the business on both ends of the court. The Thunder are going to have to find ways to shake Durant free of James on offense, and they're going to have to get Durant plenty of help on D if they're really going to stick with Durant covering James. I expect OKC will probably play plenty of small lineups with Durant actually covering Haslem, maybe spending some Sefolosha time on James - see if James will post him up and use his weight advantage.Should be plenty of fast action, I expect an entertaining series.

 

[tommyGunZ]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

Don't forget about JJ, U-Don and Shane-Shane. They can step up as well.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

God, I couldn't agree more. If you're pressed for time, just use the guy's initials.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Rio?

Bron James

Ne Wade

Is Bosh

Vin Durant

Sell Westbrook

Mes Harden

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Rio?Bron JamesNe WadeIs BoshVin DurantSell WestbrookMes Harden

Couver.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

 

[tommyGunZ]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

Do Heat announcers and local talk radio guys refer to Mario as "Rio", the same way Joel Myers, Stu Lanz, Spero Dedes, Mychal Thompson, Petros, and Money all refer to Andrew as "Drew"?

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Rio?Bron JamesNe WadeIs BoshVin DurantSell WestbrookMes Harden

Rick Perkins and Bo Sefalosha could be big factors in the series

 

[tommyGunZ]

Why are you guys discussing Wade like he's in mid-season form? The guy had his knee drained during the Indiana series and clearly isn't at 100% (nobody is at 100% at this point of the season but Wade is definitely more banged up than most players right now).

It's not as bad as referring to Kobe as the "most clutch player" in the league. If the player is on the court, he is expected to produce. When Spoelstra said he held Bosh out of the 4th quarter of Game 5 of the MIA/BOS because it wouldn't be fair to play an injured Bosh in that situation, he got crushed for it. Making excuses for Wade playing hurt comes off as, well, making excuses.

There's also the small faction of NBA fans who are constantly setting LeBron James up for failure, from calling him an arrogant liar for not living up to the "promises" made at a pep rally to using data from 2008 to claim Dwyane Wade is a better player than Kevin Durant today. If the second-best player on MIA is better than OKC's best player, then clearly it's the fault of MIA's best player if OKC wins the title.

I think that data would be relevant if someone was pointing out that Wade has been Durant's superior EVERY year that Durant has been in the league, including this year.But I understand why Minn/Miami long time homers are sensitive about anything they perceive as a LeBron slight. How dare fans criticize an athlete who proclaims himself "King" in his early 20s and talks about how easy it's going to be to win 8 championships when he's still looking for his first ring in his 9th NBA season.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

Neither are OK. HTH.

 

[Todem]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

We all refer to him as Rio down here. The local broadcast team, the sports writers etc. It is our nickname for him. I don't understand why people would be annoyed with some nick names.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

The X-factor for the Heat is to continue to get consistent play form Mario Chalmers. He has come into his own this post season IMO. He has been aggresive going to the hoop, hitting the three when it's open and limiting his turnovers. Rio can be a major factor to tip the scale in key moments by hitting some big shots (which he has the mental make-up to do).

stop it

I guess you have not watched him play the past 2 series. He has been a nice player for us....giving us some key baskets at key moments in games. I am not saying he is a major factor....but he can be an X-factor, a player no one talks about that can quietly pour in 10-12 points that can be the difference in a close game.

I read the "stop it" not as a criticism of your praise of Mario Chalmers (1), but as a request to stop referring to him as "Rio". It could be perceived as comparable to the preciousness displayed by Laker fans who refer to Andrew Bynum as "Drew". (2)--------------------

(1) Personally, I thought you were being a bit modest about the

We may need a separate thread...

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Rio? Thats horrible.

 

[Todem]

Ok is it the majority in this "thread" that get annoyed when using nicknames? Is this a house rule of some sort in this thread? I know I am not a frequent poster in the NBA thread....so I will respect any house rules the regulars may have.

I am here to just talk about basketball....not get into confrontations.

It's a game to me nothing more and nothing less.

 

[Todem]

Rio? Thats horrible.

LOL...it's what they call him down here.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Ok is it the majority in this "thread" that get annoyed when using nicknames? Is this a house rule of some sort in this thread? I know I am not a frequent poster in the NBA thread....so I will respect any house rules the regulars may have.I am here to just talk about basketball....not get into confrontations.It's a game to me nothing more and nothing less.

Nah, you're fine. You just have to accept the ribbing from fans of franchises whose players aren't well known even in their own hometown enough to have a nickname.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Anyone using "KG" instead of Kevin Garnett, stop it.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Anyone using "KG" instead of Kevin Garnett, stop it.

Please see the "Initials exception" above.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Anyone using "KG" instead of Kevin Garnett, stop it.

Please see the "Initials exception" above.

 

[Instinctive]

Here's how I see it. Miami has the best two players and the 4th or 5th best player, when everyone is healthy. (LeBron and Bosh, then Durant, then maybe Wade but I'd take Westbrook over Wade and hell, I'd rather have Harden too...)

Unfortunately, Bosh is not at full health.

So Miami has the best player, then OKC has 2-4 (IMO), then 5 and 6 for the Heat, then like the next 2 are OKC (Ibaka and Perkins), then Chalmers, then pretty much every OKC bench player and such before any of the other Heat players.

I'm excited to see if LeBron being so far and away better than everyone else on the court can tilt it in Miami's favor. And it really just makes me wish LeBron and Bosh had picked another team, because I like both of them, but I really hate the Heat because of ####in Dwyane Wade. I want LeBron to get a ring. And I want him to shut down Durant on defense and show everyone just how dominant he can be. I would love to see that.

Here's hoping!

 

[Instinctive]

Ok is it the majority in this "thread" that get annoyed when using nicknames? Is this a house rule of some sort in this thread? I know I am not a frequent poster in the NBA thread....so I will respect any house rules the regulars may have.I am here to just talk about basketball....not get into confrontations.It's a game to me nothing more and nothing less.

Nah, you're fine. You just have to accept the ribbing from fans of franchises whose players aren't well known even in their own hometown enough to have a nickname.

Or maybe it's coming from fans of teams whose players are well known enough to have nicknames everyone recognizes, like KG or Jet, such that you can use them in most settings and general NBA fans will know who you're referring to without context.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Ok is it the majority in this "thread" that get annoyed when using nicknames? Is this a house rule of some sort in this thread? I know I am not a frequent poster in the NBA thread....so I will respect any house rules the regulars may have.I am here to just talk about basketball....not get into confrontations.It's a game to me nothing more and nothing less.

Nah. But in this case, why not go with a better nickname? Plenty of candidates. I think the Kansas fans used "Super Mario." And my wife, upon first seeing the name on the jersey, asked whether people call him "Superintendent." Which they should, really.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Super Nintendo Chalmers >>>>>> RIO

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Rio? Thats horrible.

LOL...it's what they call him down here.

Well in fairness, non-Dolphin Miami fans are generally awful.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Here's how I see it. Miami has the best two players and the 4th or 5th best player, when everyone is healthy. (LeBron and Bosh, then Durant, then maybe Wade but I'd take Westbrook over Wade and hell, I'd rather have Harden too...)Unfortunately, Bosh is not at full health.

Wait - you think a healthy Bosh is better than Wade, Westbrook, and DURANT??

 

[Ghost Rider]

I agree with your analysis, Ferris. Colin Cowherd also picked Miami this morning and I agreed with most of what he said. Yes, OKC looks to be the better team right now, and has home court, but I just get the feeling that Miami is gonna find a way to win it. Like Cowherd said, they have experience, number of superstars and sense of urgency on their side right now. OKC should win, but I just can't shake the feeling that Miami will win.

 

[Sammy3469]

Overall, MIA got to the Finals with Wade playing through injury rehab and without Bosh for most of two rounds. We've seen LeBron play his best, but we haven't seen this MIA team at their best yet. I'm skeptical about how Harden and Westbrook will respond to their first Finals. OKC is 15-3 in the playoffs, but they did that with a couple of last-second shots, LAL just handing them a game that was 99% lost, and one night where Ibaka hit 11-for-11 from the floor. OKC created a lot of their luck, but they are running on the good side of variance right now.

What makes you think this Miami team (save LeBron) can play their best (their best being the first half of this season)? In any case, this series boils down to how efficient and effective Wade can be. If gets to the rim (since his jumpshot is gone), the Heat win...if he can't or doesn't get fouled, OKC wins.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I agree with your analysis, Ferris. Colin Cowherd also picked Miami this morning and I agreed with most of what he said. Yes, OKC looks to be the better team right now, and has home court, but I just get the feeling that Miami is gonna find a way to win it. Like Cowherd said, they have experience, number of superstars and sense of urgency on their side right now. OKC should win, but I just can't shake the feeling that Miami will win.

Really?

Just wait till the Heat lose the Finals and the usual suspects dog him for not winning a ring again, even though OKC is the favorite and quite clearly the better team heading into the Finals.

But just think if the Heat win...

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I don't see a whole lot of big-game experience on the OKC side. Fisher has more rings than the rest of the roster combined (1), and he won't play much. Perkins has a ring and another Finals appearance, but cutting his minutes was a big part of OKC turning the SAS series around. Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka have never played in a Finals before; Durant and Harden didn't even make the second weekend of the NCAAs while in college.

Yikes.Firstly, if "big-game experience" mattered, how do we explain OKC beating San Antonio? Or LA, for that matter? Secondly, shouldn't the former (and the latter to some degree) count as "big-game experience?"I got in a back-and-forth on FB with a good friend and an ardent Lakers supporter, who contended that LA (or SAS) would emerge victorious against OKC simply by right of seniority (those weren't his exact words, which are always difficult to parse.) My contention was that OKC was more likely to win because, simply, they're better at basketball.Recency Effect? I don't mean that to be insulting, I find myself tilting towards Miami myself. Certainly I'd pick them over OKC at their given series prices.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I agree with your analysis, Ferris. Colin Cowherd also picked Miami this morning and I agreed with most of what he said. Yes, OKC looks to be the better team right now, and has home court, but I just get the feeling that Miami is gonna find a way to win it. Like Cowherd said, they have experience, number of superstars and sense of urgency on their side right now. OKC should win, but I just can't shake the feeling that Miami will win.

Really?

Just wait till the Heat lose the Finals and the usual suspects dog him for not winning a ring again, even though OKC is the favorite and quite clearly the better team heading into the Finals.

But just think if the Heat win...

OKC is the favorite. Part of that is because they have HCA. Clearly the better team? I dunno, it's close.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I agree with your analysis, Ferris. Colin Cowherd also picked Miami this morning and I agreed with most of what he said. Yes, OKC looks to be the better team right now, and has home court, but I just get the feeling that Miami is gonna find a way to win it. Like Cowherd said, they have experience, number of superstars and sense of urgency on their side right now. OKC should win, but I just can't shake the feeling that Miami will win.

Really?

Just wait till the Heat lose the Finals and the usual suspects dog him for not winning a ring again, even though OKC is the favorite and quite clearly the better team heading into the Finals.

But just think if the Heat win...

What are you laughing at? There is nothing unreasonable about what I said. OKC has been the better team throughout the playoffs, which is what I said, but I just have a feeling the Heat will find a way to win. Burn me at the stake for that, I guess.

Or I could be like you and post with an underlying agenda.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I agree with your analysis, Ferris. Colin Cowherd also picked Miami this morning and I agreed with most of what he said. Yes, OKC looks to be the better team right now, and has home court, but I just get the feeling that Miami is gonna find a way to win it. Like Cowherd said, they have experience, number of superstars and sense of urgency on their side right now. OKC should win, but I just can't shake the feeling that Miami will win.

Really?

Just wait till the Heat lose the Finals and the usual suspects dog him for not winning a ring again, even though OKC is the favorite and quite clearly the better team heading into the Finals.

But just think if the Heat win...

OKC is the favorite. Part of that is because they have HCA. Clearly the better team? I dunno, it's close.

I read on the Twitter yesterday that the series line opened at -125 and immediately jumped to -155. Some gamblers out there really like OKC.Also I don't see the conflict between Ghost Rider's two posts. Looks pretty consistent to me.