*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (6 Viewers)

[Cliff Clavin]

Howard getting a taste of what life will be like next year if he re-signs.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Too bad they didn't activate McGrady tonight so he could get some run for the final quarter and a half while the regulars rest.

 

[Britney Spears]

Not necessarily related to this Harden trade argument, Durant, Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka were 2nd, 4th and 5th and 15th, respectively, in win shares this season. That's ####### nuts. Presti's draft picks since he took over right before the 2007 draft: PG: Westbrook (2008-4th), Reggie Jackson (2011-24th)SG: James Harden (2009 - 3rd), Robert Vaden (2009, 54th)SF: Durant (2007-2nd), Jeff Green (2007-5th), Perry Jones (2012-28th), Latavious Williams (2010 - 48th)PF: Serge Ibaka (2008 - 24th), DJ White (2008-29th), Ryan Reid (2010 - 57th)C: Byron Mullens (2009-24th), Cole Aldrich (2010-1th) DeVon Hardin (2008 -50th), Tyler Pleib (2010 - 31st) Hasn't had any success in the second round, but other than that, hes done pretty well.

I wouldn't consider this really that amazing, considering they expunged their top players for high picks and tanked so their own picks were very high. Those players picked in the top 5 aren't exactly crapshoots. Ibaka was really the only gem. They were in the unique situation where losing games and reducing ticket sales was a primary goal. I also think its a safe assumption they would have Oden if Portland took Durant.

 

[Kev4029]

Mcgee is playing by far his worst basketball as a Nugget, and that's saying something because hes played some really bad basketball at times. They need to bring in Mozgov for Kofous and Mcgee as he is usually a halfway decent PnR defender.

 

[Kev4029]

Not necessarily related to this Harden trade argument, Durant, Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka were 2nd, 4th and 5th and 15th, respectively, in win shares this season. That's ####### nuts. Presti's draft picks since he took over right before the 2007 draft: PG: Westbrook (2008-4th), Reggie Jackson (2011-24th)SG: James Harden (2009 - 3rd), Robert Vaden (2009, 54th)SF: Durant (2007-2nd), Jeff Green (2007-5th), Perry Jones (2012-28th), Latavious Williams (2010 - 48th)PF: Serge Ibaka (2008 - 24th), DJ White (2008-29th), Ryan Reid (2010 - 57th)C: Byron Mullens (2009-24th), Cole Aldrich (2010-1th) DeVon Hardin (2008 -50th), Tyler Pleib (2010 - 31st) Hasn't had any success in the second round, but other than that, hes done pretty well.

I wouldn't consider this really that amazing, considering they expunged their top players for high picks and tanked so their own picks were very high. Those players picked in the top 5 aren't exactly crapshoots. Ibaka was really the only gem.They were in the unique situation where losing games and reducing ticket sales was a primary goal.I also think its a safe assumption they would have Oden if Portland took Durant.

The Durant pick was a gimmie but picking in the top 5 isn't a sure thing. Ask your Raptors.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Purple and Gold? More like Purple and Old!!!

amirite?

 

[timschochet]

Purple and Gold? More like Purple and Old!!!amirite?

Um, did you see who the Lakers started in their backcourt tonight?

 

[timschochet]

Raider Nation, be sure to PM your address. I'll send you a check on Monday.

 

[Nucker101]

Steph Curry....beast.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Purple and Gold? More like Purple and Old!!!amirite?

Um, did you see who the Lakers started in their backcourt tonight?

Yeah but if they weren't so old maybe they would have some healthy starters and wouldn't have to throw out half their D League team to be eaten alive!!!!

 

[Kev4029]

I wish I wasn't a Nuggets fan watching this game, but its been crazy fun.

 

[Courtjester]

I wish I wasn't a Nuggets fan watching this game, but its been crazy fun.

Exactly. Great NBA game,

Just frustrating as a Denver fan....

 

[Nucker101]

I wish I wasn't a Nuggets fan watching this game, but its been crazy fun.

Love this series, tonight's game is what makes the NBA playoffs great.

The Lakers-Spurs on the other hand not so much.......

 

[Daywalker]

Guys I promise you that Sam Presti is better at this than you are.

So we should just shut the message board down? What's the point of discussing any of this?

No, but I guess only Jerry West, Red Auerbach, Sam Presti and maybe a couple of other guys should be allowed to post. GM from Memphis is cool for now I figure, but Moe could revoke his posting privileges at any time.

Hollinger is on notice but good for now. Premier> Are we not discussing it? It's not like that was my only post on the subject, and the trade has been discussed in here at length in the past. That was semi tongue-in-cheek anyways, but I do think it's worth mentioning. He's the one that knows what the owners are willing to do, what the market is like for Harden, etc. He's not perfect but given what he had to work with I think you have to trust his judgment that the deal was the best one he could make. It doesn't make any sense to me to call it a disaster. They finished first in the conference and had the best point differential in the league.

Also, I've said this exact same thing in here before, but say they don't make the trade and keep Harden. If you forget Westbrook getting hurt, are their odds to win the championship that much better? They still probably can't beat Miami. I think you have to just accept the fact that he was leaving after this season and then go from there. It makes a lot more sense once you get past the idea of the Thunder keeping him long-term.

Yes OKCs' odds are a lot better with Harden. They are all so young and improving. You just can't give the title to Lebron. The Celtics were up 3-2 at home LAST season on Lebron. J.J. Barea and Dallas beat them two years ago.

The OKC trade is a disaster in retrospect. Forget the Houston version of James Harden. Does any team drafting top 5 this year not trade their pick for the OKC version of James Harden? Instead OKC is going to basically end up with Toronto's late lottery pick.

 

[thecatch]

Not necessarily related to this Harden trade argument, Durant, Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka were 2nd, 4th and 5th and 15th, respectively, in win shares this season. That's ####### nuts. Presti's draft picks since he took over right before the 2007 draft: PG: Westbrook (2008-4th), Reggie Jackson (2011-24th)SG: James Harden (2009 - 3rd), Robert Vaden (2009, 54th)SF: Durant (2007-2nd), Jeff Green (2007-5th), Perry Jones (2012-28th), Latavious Williams (2010 - 48th)PF: Serge Ibaka (2008 - 24th), DJ White (2008-29th), Ryan Reid (2010 - 57th)C: Byron Mullens (2009-24th), Cole Aldrich (2010-1th) DeVon Hardin (2008 -50th), Tyler Pleib (2010 - 31st) Hasn't had any success in the second round, but other than that, hes done pretty well.

I wouldn't consider this really that amazing, considering they expunged their top players for high picks and tanked so their own picks were very high. Those players picked in the top 5 aren't exactly crapshoots. Ibaka was really the only gem.They were in the unique situation where losing games and reducing ticket sales was a primary goal.I also think its a safe assumption they would have Oden if Portland took Durant.

The Durant pick was a gimmie but picking in the top 5 isn't a sure thing. Ask your Raptors.

He's a sonics fan. And how many draft have franchise superstars in them? Only happens every few years.

 

[Kev4029]

Not necessarily related to this Harden trade argument, Durant, Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka were 2nd, 4th and 5th and 15th, respectively, in win shares this season. That's ####### nuts. Presti's draft picks since he took over right before the 2007 draft: PG: Westbrook (2008-4th), Reggie Jackson (2011-24th)SG: James Harden (2009 - 3rd), Robert Vaden (2009, 54th)SF: Durant (2007-2nd), Jeff Green (2007-5th), Perry Jones (2012-28th), Latavious Williams (2010 - 48th)PF: Serge Ibaka (2008 - 24th), DJ White (2008-29th), Ryan Reid (2010 - 57th)C: Byron Mullens (2009-24th), Cole Aldrich (2010-1th) DeVon Hardin (2008 -50th), Tyler Pleib (2010 - 31st) Hasn't had any success in the second round, but other than that, hes done pretty well.

I wouldn't consider this really that amazing, considering they expunged their top players for high picks and tanked so their own picks were very high. Those players picked in the top 5 aren't exactly crapshoots. Ibaka was really the only gem.They were in the unique situation where losing games and reducing ticket sales was a primary goal.I also think its a safe assumption they would have Oden if Portland took Durant.

The Durant pick was a gimmie but picking in the top 5 isn't a sure thing. Ask your Raptors.

He's a sonics fan. And how many draft have franchise superstars in them? Only happens every few years.

Oops, thought I was talking to Cliff for some reason.

 

[Abraham]

It's amazing to think a team that was as hot as Denver in the second half is really close to being down 3-0. Steph Curry is sensational.

 

[Kev4029]

It's amazing to think a team that was as hot as Denver in the second half is really close to being down 3-0. Steph Curry is sensational.

Koufos and McGee have been so unbelievably awful defensively, plus Miller is getting the Chauncey Billups/Derek Fisher disease of thinking he is both a defensive stopper and an offensive force that needs to jack up shots. Lucky for Miller and the Nuggets, he was on fire for one quarter in game one.

I'm not really even sure what they can do to stop the Warriors. I thought they defended the pick and roll pretty well last night and they forced a lot of turnovers, which is their game. I think they should try Mozgov out and play Miller a lot less, as obviously scoring hasn't been an issue and Miller has been by far the worst perimeter defender in the series.

Blah.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Not necessarily related to this Harden trade argument, Durant, Harden, Westbrook and Ibaka were 2nd, 4th and 5th and 15th, respectively, in win shares this season. That's ####### nuts. Presti's draft picks since he took over right before the 2007 draft: PG: Westbrook (2008-4th), Reggie Jackson (2011-24th)SG: James Harden (2009 - 3rd), Robert Vaden (2009, 54th)SF: Durant (2007-2nd), Jeff Green (2007-5th), Perry Jones (2012-28th), Latavious Williams (2010 - 48th)PF: Serge Ibaka (2008 - 24th), DJ White (2008-29th), Ryan Reid (2010 - 57th)C: Byron Mullens (2009-24th), Cole Aldrich (2010-1th) DeVon Hardin (2008 -50th), Tyler Pleib (2010 - 31st) Hasn't had any success in the second round, but other than that, hes done pretty well.

I wouldn't consider this really that amazing, considering they expunged their top players for high picks and tanked so their own picks were very high. Those players picked in the top 5 aren't exactly crapshoots. Ibaka was really the only gem.They were in the unique situation where losing games and reducing ticket sales was a primary goal.I also think its a safe assumption they would have Oden if Portland took Durant.

The Durant pick was a gimmie but picking in the top 5 isn't a sure thing. Ask your Raptors.

He's a sonics fan. And how many draft have franchise superstars in them? Only happens every few years.

Oops, thought I was talking to Cliff for some reason.

Toronto has actually done fairly well when they've had top 5 picks (Camby, McGrady, Carter, Valanciunas, Bosh). The only misses they've had in the top 5 are Bargnani and Bender but those drafts were terrible so it is tough to fault them. It is the 6-10 picks where they've been horrendous.

 

[Gr00vus]

It's amazing to think a team that was as hot as Denver in the second half is really close to being down 3-0. Steph Curry is sensational.

It's not completely surprising to some of us who got to see a decent amount of the Warriors' games towards the end of the season. I can't remember seeing a better shooting team in recent history. I also can't remember seeing the combination of speed and handles Lawson has in recent history, maybe in my entire NBA viewing lifetime. I hope this series goes 14.

 

[Premier]

Gotta say I love seeing Dwight get humiliated like he is in this series.

31 point loss at home.

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Gotta say I love seeing Dwight get humiliated like he is in this series. 31 point loss at home.

By a guy, Tim Duncan, who is dominating him and took a 50% pay cut so he could have a TEAM around him. While Dwight is playing for a max contract to use up the resources the Lakers could use to field a competitive team. It's poetic really!

 

[No. 16]

Waaaaaaaaarriors!

 

[bryhamm]

Gotta say I love seeing Dwight get humiliated like he is in this series. 31 point loss at home.

By a guy, Tim Duncan, who is dominating him and took a 50% pay cut so he could have a TEAM around him. While Dwight is playing for a max contract to use up the resources the Lakers could use to field a competitive team. It's poetic really!

How many threads are you gonna make the same post in?

 

[Dr. Gobbler]

Gotta say I love seeing Dwight get humiliated like he is in this series. 31 point loss at home.

By a guy, Tim Duncan, who is dominating him and took a 50% pay cut so he could have a TEAM around him. While Dwight is playing for a max contract to use up the resources the Lakers could use to field a competitive team. It's poetic really!

How many threads are you gonna make the same post in?

It's not the same post, the message is the same however. They're Lakers fans, they're myopic, you have to hit them repeatedly with the sledgehammer.

 

[Raider Nation]

We have an OT playoff game and ...

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Good ####### lord Noah was mugged on that layup at the 2:00 min mark of OT. Should have been 3 point play attempt.

Ref was right there. How the hell you miss that call?

Nate the Great has been amazing again. The Bulls MVP this year. What a find and what a perfect situation for him w/o Rose.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Noah took enough steps to get to the Dan Ryan there.

 

[Raider Nation]

 

[Raider Nation]

WHO NEEDS D-ROSE!!!

 

[Limp Ditka]

what an awful shot.

 

[Raider Nation]

omg

 

[Raider Nation]

This chit is fun.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Jimmy Butler in the picture yet?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Just brutal defense effort by Butler there. How the #### do you let a guy catch it in stride to the basket?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Nate sure is playing himself into a fat contract for next year.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Nate sure is playing himself into a fat contract for next year.

And dumb plays like that are why he won't live up to said contract.

 

[EYLive]

Will I every get to see the Clippers play?

 

[Raider Nation]

When I was a young whippersnapper, 127-127 was an early-4th quarter score... not a 3rd OT score.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Wow, Hinrich and Williams are going to clock in at almost sixty minutes on the floor.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

What a game. And what a choke job by the Nets in the 4th.They were up 14 with less than 3 minutes to go. One of the all-time historic collapses in playoff history.

Amazing that team full of bloated contracts could be making a 1st Round exit against a team missing their superstar.

 

[EYLive]

Clips playing dumb defense.

 

[Britney Spears]

What a game. And what a choke job by the Nets in the 4th.They were up 14 with less than 3 minutes to go. One of the all-time historic collapses in playoff history. Amazing that team full of bloated contracts could be making a 1st Round exit against a team missing their superstar.

Fun game to watch. I was out eating lunch and they had the game on a little TV, most of the people eating were gathered around glued to the TV. Good stuff. Nets lost their composure for a little bit in the 4th, you could feel the implosion coming and CHI capitalized. Amazing to watch this CHI team refuse to die. Their only legitimate star right now is Noah IMO and he's hobbled. I love watching Hinrich.

 

[EYLive]

Is gasol so quick off the dribble that defenders should be playing off him instead of crowding his jumper?

 

[Britney Spears]

Gasol doesn't look that great on defense to me.

 

[Grace Under Pressure]

Watching the Nets give it up like that in the fourth, I can't see how they win the series now. Such a turnaround since the Nets game 1 blowout, have to give the Bulls a lot of credit.

 

[Abraham]

Durant basically beating Houston by himself.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Durant basically beating Houston by himself.

Donuts with a DNP?

 

[Abraham]

Durant basically beating Houston by himself.

Donuts with a DNP?

Yup. Rockets can be good in a year or two. I'd bet good money that Howard, pau, j smith, or millsaps is on the squad next year.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Don't even know why you'd bring him back at this point.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Derrick Rose is at a "good 90 percent" and could return vs. the Heat in the second round, according to his brother Reggie Rose.
"He has been working hard and getting a lot of shots up every day," Reggie said about Derrick. "Most of all, he is getting his mind ready, getting comfortable with his body. I think [his mind] is probably at a good 90 percent now." It's basically been the same story on Rose for three months with different quotes coming from a handful of people. The Bulls didn't need Rose on Saturday with Nate Robinson going off, but this won't be the last we've heard about this story.