*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (4 Viewers)

[tommyGunZ]

I agree that much of this is on the players, particularly Wade. But Spoelstra doesn't get a pass here. His offensive sets are horribly unimaginative and he really doesn't demonstrate an ability to make solid in-game adjustments.

IMO Spoelstra does a very good job with the defensive gameplan and what is going on at that end of the court during games. I do agree with you about his offense.I suppose it could be argued what options does he have... LeBron and Wade are both at their best starting the play on the left point with the ball (1), Bosh is their only mobile big, and the other perimeter guys are mainly spot-up shooters by trade. When those are the pieces, the team is designed to play 1990s-style NBA: wait for the playmaker to do something awesome while everyone else stands in their shooting/rebounding spot. This is coming off like excuses LeBron, Wade, and Spolestra, but the intent here is to show the plan's weakness. MIA can figure out defensive adjustments, but their offense requires LeBron and Wade to be awesome and for LeBron, Wade, and Bosh to play their full allotment of minutes. Bosh isn't playing his usual minutes, and Wade has been as far from awesome in this postseason as Kobe has been from clutch. And LeBron is playing the bulk of his minutes at his third-best position. (2) LeBron is at his best when he plays his largest distribution of minutes at SF but also moves up or down the lineup based on matchups. But with Bosh out and MIA's other bigs not getting it done, he's stuck at PF. He can trigger a big run in a small lineup against the backup/subpar PF, but he seems to be wearing down physically and mentally playing there full-time. I guess I get why Spolestra is doing it, but watching him do it the whole game gives me the same feeling I get when I see someone pour A-1 on a choice-grade ribeye grilled to perfection.So we've got solid evidence the Bosh is injured, Wade is playing terrible, and Spolestra is getting outcoached. So obviously the conclusion to draw here is to blame MIA's struggles on LeBron James's inability to make his teammates better from his third-best position and his supposed aversion to clutch shooting when he scored almost every bucket in the fourth quarter of a Game 1 that was tied after three. It's a conclusion that fits both the narrative and the evidence. Go with it, folks. -----(1) It's actually pretty amazing LeBron and Wade produce offensively at the levels they do when each spends a lot of on-court time not doing what they do best. The whole is less than the sum of the parts because LeBron and Wade's offensive preferences have so much overlap. They do close the synergy gap on the defensive end. Great offensive players risk overlap on usage and cannibalization on production since there's only one ball, but great defensive players almost always complement each other since there's five opponents to guard.(2) If MIA blows this series, there's an opportunity to say LeBron will never catch Magic because Magic's best positions were PG and SG, but his most memorable postseason performance came while playing C. Magic took the starting jump as a symbolic gesture that he was taking on Kareem's workload, but he actually played very little C that night, instead logging time at all five positions.

Thanks for the post Maverick. LeBron has now shot under 50% from the field 7 playoff games in a row. Since Game 1 of the playoffs (vs. the Knicks), LBJ is shooting at a 44.5% clip, after shooting 53.1% from the field this season. He's 1-11 from beyond the arc against the Pacers and shooting 56% from the FT in the series. His assist's are down in this series ~ 33% from his season average as well. But of course it's all everyone else's fault.

 

[Gr00vus]

I agree that much of this is on the players, particularly Wade. But Spoelstra doesn't get a pass here. His offensive sets are horribly unimaginative and he really doesn't demonstrate an ability to make solid in-game adjustments.

IMO Spoelstra does a very good job with the defensive gameplan and what is going on at that end of the court during games. I do agree with you about his offense.I suppose it could be argued what options does he have... LeBron and Wade are both at their best starting the play on the left point with the ball (1), Bosh is their only mobile big, and the other perimeter guys are mainly spot-up shooters by trade. When those are the pieces, the team is designed to play 1990s-style NBA: wait for the playmaker to do something awesome while everyone else stands in their shooting/rebounding spot. This is coming off like excuses LeBron, Wade, and Spolestra, but the intent here is to show the plan's weakness. MIA can figure out defensive adjustments, but their offense requires LeBron and Wade to be awesome and for LeBron, Wade, and Bosh to play their full allotment of minutes. Bosh isn't playing his usual minutes, and Wade has been as far from awesome in this postseason as Kobe has been from clutch. And LeBron is playing the bulk of his minutes at his third-best position. (2) LeBron is at his best when he plays his largest distribution of minutes at SF but also moves up or down the lineup based on matchups. But with Bosh out and MIA's other bigs not getting it done, he's stuck at PF. He can trigger a big run in a small lineup against the backup/subpar PF, but he seems to be wearing down physically and mentally playing there full-time. I guess I get why Spolestra is doing it, but watching him do it the whole game gives me the same feeling I get when I see someone pour A-1 on a choice-grade ribeye grilled to perfection.So we've got solid evidence the Bosh is injured, Wade is playing terrible, and Spolestra is getting outcoached. So obviously the conclusion to draw here is to blame MIA's struggles on LeBron James's inability to make his teammates better from his third-best position and his supposed aversion to clutch shooting when he scored almost every bucket in the fourth quarter of a Game 1 that was tied after three. It's a conclusion that fits both the narrative and the evidence. Go with it, folks. -----(1) It's actually pretty amazing LeBron and Wade produce offensively at the levels they do when each spends a lot of on-court time not doing what they do best. The whole is less than the sum of the parts because LeBron and Wade's offensive preferences have so much overlap. They do close the synergy gap on the defensive end. Great offensive players risk overlap on usage and cannibalization on production since there's only one ball, but great defensive players almost always complement each other since there's five opponents to guard.(2) If MIA blows this series, there's an opportunity to say LeBron will never catch Magic because Magic's best positions were PG and SG, but his most memorable postseason performance came while playing C. Magic took the starting jump as a symbolic gesture that he was taking on Kareem's workload, but he actually played very little C that night, instead logging time at all five positions.

Thanks for the post Maverick. LeBron has now shot under 50% from the field 7 playoff games in a row. Since Game 1 of the playoffs (vs. the Knicks), LBJ is shooting at a 44.5% clip, after shooting 53.1% from the field this season. He's 1-11 from beyond the arc against the Pacers and shooting 56% from the FT in the series. His assist's are down in this series ~ 33% from his season average as well. But of course it's all everyone else's fault.

It's hard to get assists when your teammates can't shoot. And at this point, who else does the defense have to focus on besides LeBron? I'd expect his percentages to drop, except the free throws - that's just odd.

 

[timschochet]

Coach Erik Spoelstra approached Dwyane Wade during a timeout, as if to place his hand on the player's shoulder."Get out of my [expletive] face!" Wade snapped.

Oof.

See, this reminds me of when I read Shaq's first book, years ago. He talked about how when Kurt Rambis was the head coach of the Lakers, all the players liked him, but nobody respected him. Rambis tried to be tough, but it only made the players laugh. Then when Phil Jackson took over, from day one they all paid attention- and it wasn't just because he had 6 rings- it also had to do with his commanding presence. Some people have that, some don't. I don't think Spoelstra does.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I agree that much of this is on the players, particularly Wade. But Spoelstra doesn't get a pass here. His offensive sets are horribly unimaginative and he really doesn't demonstrate an ability to make solid in-game adjustments.

IMO Spoelstra does a very good job with the defensive gameplan and what is going on at that end of the court during games. I do agree with you about his offense.I suppose it could be argued what options does he have... LeBron and Wade are both at their best starting the play on the left point with the ball (1), Bosh is their only mobile big, and the other perimeter guys are mainly spot-up shooters by trade. When those are the pieces, the team is designed to play 1990s-style NBA: wait for the playmaker to do something awesome while everyone else stands in their shooting/rebounding spot. This is coming off like excuses LeBron, Wade, and Spolestra, but the intent here is to show the plan's weakness. MIA can figure out defensive adjustments, but their offense requires LeBron and Wade to be awesome and for LeBron, Wade, and Bosh to play their full allotment of minutes. Bosh isn't playing his usual minutes, and Wade has been as far from awesome in this postseason as Kobe has been from clutch. And LeBron is playing the bulk of his minutes at his third-best position. (2) LeBron is at his best when he plays his largest distribution of minutes at SF but also moves up or down the lineup based on matchups. But with Bosh out and MIA's other bigs not getting it done, he's stuck at PF. He can trigger a big run in a small lineup against the backup/subpar PF, but he seems to be wearing down physically and mentally playing there full-time. I guess I get why Spolestra is doing it, but watching him do it the whole game gives me the same feeling I get when I see someone pour A-1 on a choice-grade ribeye grilled to perfection.So we've got solid evidence the Bosh is injured, Wade is playing terrible, and Spolestra is getting outcoached. So obviously the conclusion to draw here is to blame MIA's struggles on LeBron James's inability to make his teammates better from his third-best position and his supposed aversion to clutch shooting when he scored almost every bucket in the fourth quarter of a Game 1 that was tied after three. It's a conclusion that fits both the narrative and the evidence. Go with it, folks. -----(1) It's actually pretty amazing LeBron and Wade produce offensively at the levels they do when each spends a lot of on-court time not doing what they do best. The whole is less than the sum of the parts because LeBron and Wade's offensive preferences have so much overlap. They do close the synergy gap on the defensive end. Great offensive players risk overlap on usage and cannibalization on production since there's only one ball, but great defensive players almost always complement each other since there's five opponents to guard.(2) If MIA blows this series, there's an opportunity to say LeBron will never catch Magic because Magic's best positions were PG and SG, but his most memorable postseason performance came while playing C. Magic took the starting jump as a symbolic gesture that he was taking on Kareem's workload, but he actually played very little C that night, instead logging time at all five positions.

Thanks for the post Maverick. LeBron has now shot under 50% from the field 7 playoff games in a row. Since Game 1 of the playoffs (vs. the Knicks), LBJ is shooting at a 44.5% clip, after shooting 53.1% from the field this season. He's 1-11 from beyond the arc against the Pacers and shooting 56% from the FT in the series. His assist's are down in this series ~ 33% from his season average as well. But of course it's all everyone else's fault.

It's hard to get assists when your teammates can't shoot. And at this point, who else does the defense have to focus on besides LeBron? I'd expect his percentages to drop, except the free throws - that's just odd.

Agreed. Unfortunately, a large part of the LeBron narrative is his supposed ability to make everyone around him better. Chalmers certainly made enough baskets last night to get LeBron a few assists.And while I'd expect his FG% to drop with all of the expected extra usage with Wade playing horrible and Bosh out, I'd also expect LeBron's PPG to explode. The past two games, his PPG is actually down.

 

[Gr00vus]

And while I'd expect his FG% to drop with all of the expected extra usage with Wade playing horrible and Bosh out, I'd also expect LeBron's PPG to explode. The past two games, his PPG is actually down.

I agree with this. Given the current sorry state of his teammates, he needs to be scoring well over 30 PPG to give the Heat a chance to win. He's got to go into selfish mode until Bosh returns - more Jordan than Magic.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think a part of the problem is that James expends so much energy playing like a beast on defense that it depletes his energy level over the course of the game (even the best conditioned athletes will tire out a little bit going all-out on both offense and defense like that). Considering that playing like he does on defense is part of his basketball DNA, right or wrong, I don't think it's as simple as him toning it down on defense and saving his energy for later.

 

[matuski]

And while I'd expect his FG% to drop with all of the expected extra usage with Wade playing horrible and Bosh out, I'd also expect LeBron's PPG to explode. The past two games, his PPG is actually down.

I agree with this. Given the current sorry state of his teammates, he needs to be scoring well over 30 PPG to give the Heat a chance to win. He's got to go into selfish mode until Bosh returns - more Jordan than Magic.

I fully expected him to be in beast mode lastnight... I'm not sure what he is waiting for, no better time than now.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think a part of the problem is that James expends so much energy playing like a beast on defense that it depletes his energy level over the course of the game (even the best conditioned athletes will tire out a little bit going all-out on both offense and defense like that). Considering that playing like he does on defense is part of his basketball DNA, right or wrong, I don't think it's as simple as him toning it down on defense and saving his energy for later.

He needs to be savvy enough to do this. The guys he has around him right now are much more capable of picking up the slack on the defensive end than they are on the offensive end. It also falls on the coach to recognize this and adjust the game plan/strategy accordingly.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I think a part of the problem is that James expends so much energy playing like a beast on defense that it depletes his energy level over the course of the game (even the best conditioned athletes will tire out a little bit going all-out on both offense and defense like that). Considering that playing like he does on defense is part of his basketball DNA, right or wrong, I don't think it's as simple as him toning it down on defense and saving his energy for later.

What do you mean, "part of his basketball DNA"?

 

[LC512]

I think a part of the problem is that James expends so much energy playing like a beast on defense that it depletes his energy level over the course of the game (even the best conditioned athletes will tire out a little bit going all-out on both offense and defense like that). Considering that playing like he does on defense is part of his basketball DNA, right or wrong, I don't think it's as simple as him toning it down on defense and saving his energy for later.

This wasn't a problem for Jordan, Kobe, Duncan, Russell, Shaq, etc. The guys who are legitimately in the top 10 based on accomplishment rather than "potential" played on both ends of the court and won titles. Next excuse.

 

[drpill]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.

I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool.

It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.

I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool. It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm pulling for Pacers/Thunder, if OK City gets past the Lakers. But it won't hurt to see Tim get another title. Guy is underrated on the All Time lists, IMO.

 

[Hack Attack]

 

[Moe.]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.

I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool.

It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.

I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm a glass half empty guy but I really disagree. I'll be happy for the Thunder to just get a game. The Spurs are giong to win this thing. Cliche I know but the Thunder's half-court offense is not good enough for them to beat San Antonio in a series.

 

[drpill]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.

I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool.

It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.

I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm a glass half empty guy but I really disagree. I'll be happy for the Thunder to just get a game. The Spurs are giong to win this thing. Cliche I know but the Thunder's half-court offense is not good enough for them to beat San Antonio in a series.

I'll admit I haven't had a chance to watch much of OKC this postseason so I can't really argue, but it seems almost unfathomable to me that the Spurs could waltz all the way through the playoffs without playing a truly difficult series at some point. The Thunder's length and athleticism scare me... Though SA's had a lot of success against them the last couple of years (only one loss in the last nine games), and that was before adding Jackson and Diaw.

 

[tommyGunZ]

If MIA loses this series, how shall we distribute blame among LeBron's fear of success, Bosh's injury, the pep rally before the 2011 season, Wade's poor play, Spolestra's lack of authority with the referees and his own players, LeBron's poor play, lack of fan support, IND actually being a good team that had the 5th-best record in the league and matched up well against MIA, the MIA role players/bench laying so many bricks MIA's home arena naming rights should be transferred to Habitat For Humanity, LeBron's diminishing coaxing skills causing those bricks, the players' excitement over Facebook's IPO distracting them from the task at hand, Spolestra's unwillingness to install the high-low motion offense Mario Chalmers played in when he won the NCAA title and Final Four MVP in 2008, the letters "M-I-A" also used as an abbreviation for "Missing In Action", and LeBron just being a loser who has never won anything and never will?

I'd choose none of the above. But let's all be honest that those who were touting LeBron as being better than Kobe in threads way back in '06 certainly didn't think he'd be heading into '13 still looking for that first piece of jewelry, despite playing on several teams with enough talent to lead the NBA in wins and be the prohibitive favorites. Seven years later, Kobe has 2 rings, LeBron still sitting on a goose egg. I'm happy with the outcome thus far.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I think a part of the problem is that James expends so much energy playing like a beast on defense that it depletes his energy level over the course of the game (even the best conditioned athletes will tire out a little bit going all-out on both offense and defense like that). Considering that playing like he does on defense is part of his basketball DNA, right or wrong, I don't think it's as simple as him toning it down on defense and saving his energy for later.

He needs to be savvy enough to do this. The guys he has around him right now are much more capable of picking up the slack on the defensive end than they are on the offensive end.]/b] It also falls on the coach to recognize this and adjust the game plan/strategy accordingly.

That's the thing, I don't think this is true. Indy is a matchup nightmare for the Heat with Bosh out because they can't even come close to matching up size. Indy just kills them. Who on the Heat can really guard guys like West, George and Granger? They just don't have the height or athleticism to cover guys like that all the time if LeBron isn't working his butt off. If Lebron isn't guarding Granger tightly, Granger will go off for 30 points. If he JUST guards Granger and stops helping everywhere else, then West and George will have 20 a piece. Indy's size and athleticism was going to be a tough matchup for the Heat even before Bosh's injury. With Bosh out, the Heat are going to continue to get worked on the boards, have trouble finishing in the paint, and have a really difficult time keeping Indy from pounding it down low.

Vogel said after Game 1 that the way to beat Miami was to go small against small, just like he did against the Magic. I disagree and I think he started to realize that as well in Game 2. The way to beat the Heat is to make the offense go through Hibbert right now. Nobody on Miami can come close to stopping him. They can only double him and try to trap him when the ball goes down inside, and that opens things up for everyone else. And since Hibbert is a very good passer, they'll make the Heat pay either way. Same thing on the other end. Vogel went to essentially a man + Hibbert floating down low defense and it kept LeBron and Wade from driving to the hoop.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Well, is David Stern all talk, or will he actually start to do something about this? I would think at least a fine is in order with all of Lebron's flops so far this series.

 

[Moe.]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.

I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool.

It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.

I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm a glass half empty guy but I really disagree. I'll be happy for the Thunder to just get a game. The Spurs are giong to win this thing. Cliche I know but the Thunder's half-court offense is not good enough for them to beat San Antonio in a series.

I'll admit I haven't had a chance to watch much of OKC this postseason so I can't really argue, but it seems almost unfathomable to me that the Spurs could waltz all the way through the playoffs without playing a truly difficult series at some point. The Thunder's length and athleticism scare me... Though SA's had a lot of success against them the last couple of years (only one loss in the last nine games), and that was before adding Jackson and Diaw.

People always think it's size that troubles the Thunder but it's the pick and roll that they can't defend. I just don't see them having an answer. I think SA scores at will, huge series from Parker. I'm expecting two relatively easy wins in SA (similar to these first two games against the Clips), two close games in OKC (one of which the Spurs win), and then they finish it off in 5. I think it'll be close as far as a 5 game series goes but the Spurs are just too good. Best offense in the league imo by a considerable margin, and the Thunder's just isn't good enough in the half court to keep up. If Durant and Westbrook are able to shoot at an extremely high clip throughout the series I guess I'd give them a puncher's chance but I just don't see it. I really don't know what I'm talking about though and am wrong more often than I'm right, so take all of that fwiw.

 

[tommyGunZ]

And while I'd expect his FG% to drop with all of the expected extra usage with Wade playing horrible and Bosh out, I'd also expect LeBron's PPG to explode. The past two games, his PPG is actually down.

I agree with this. Given the current sorry state of his teammates, he needs to be scoring well over 30 PPG to give the Heat a chance to win. He's got to go into selfish mode until Bosh returns - more Jordan than Magic.

If I was the video coordinator for the Heat, I'd show LeBron some tape of that stretch from CLE's 2010 season when Mo Williams got hurt and LeBron responded by averaging over 30 points and 10 assists a game and the Cavs won like 10 in a row. LeBron found his own way to dominate the game while neither ignoring his teammates nor putting too much on them, a near-perfect hybrid of what made Magic awesome and what made Jordan awesome. That's how he needs to play the rest of this series. If I was Spolestra, I'd have a private, frank conversation with him about the state of the team right now. "Hey, it's unfair that Bosh is out and Wade is playing hurt. It's unfair you have to play a lot of four right now. It's unfair that after every time we lose a game the media and blogosphere competes with one another to see who can come with the most original and offensive way to say you can't win big games. It's unfair that you left your home state to come play here because you were all alone with your old team, and now it seems like you're all alone again now. It's unfair that if we get anything less than your best the rest of this series, we're going to lose. It's unfair that if we lose this series, I'm probably going to lose my job. All of that. It's unfair. But you know what else is unfair? All that talent you have. It's unfair that no one can run and jump like you can. It's unfair that no one your size can see the floor like you do and do something about it. It's unfair how many different positions and players you can guard. It's unfair that when you're at your best, there isn't a whole lot the other team can do to stop you.The rest of this series is going to be hard. Really ####### hard. And you're going to be asked to do more and play better than you ever have before. But here's the thing: if it was easy to do this, it wouldn't be so awesome to actually do it. People wouldn't pay money to watch it in person or take time out of their lives to watch it on TV. They watch because they can't do it. But you can. And you know why? Because you have an unfair advantage. You're LeBron ####### James, the best basketball player in the entire ####### world.You don't be unfair to yourself. Don't give yourself a reason to stop going hard, don't let everything that's happened give you an excuse to accept losing. Don't let these circumstances define you. Go be unfair to Indiana. Go show them that no Bosh and no Wade is no problem for you. Go make it so that team's players, coaches, and fans will always remember that weird year where everyone was hurt but them made them think they were going to the Finals but didn't because LeBron James stopped them. Go make a memory no one will ever forget."

Isn't this what everyone, even the evil, unfair media has been saying? That LeBron needs to be more aggressive?

 

[drpill]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.

I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool.

It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.

I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm a glass half empty guy but I really disagree. I'll be happy for the Thunder to just get a game. The Spurs are giong to win this thing. Cliche I know but the Thunder's half-court offense is not good enough for them to beat San Antonio in a series.

I'll admit I haven't had a chance to watch much of OKC this postseason so I can't really argue, but it seems almost unfathomable to me that the Spurs could waltz all the way through the playoffs without playing a truly difficult series at some point. The Thunder's length and athleticism scare me... Though SA's had a lot of success against them the last couple of years (only one loss in the last nine games), and that was before adding Jackson and Diaw.

People always think it's size that troubles the Thunder but it's the pick and roll that they can't defend. I just don't see them having an answer. I think SA scores at will, huge series from Parker. I'm expecting two relatively easy wins in SA (similar to these first two games against the Clips), two close games in OKC (one of which the Spurs win), and then they finish it off in 5. I think it'll be close as far as a 5 game series goes but the Spurs are just too good. Best offense in the league imo by a considerable margin, and the Thunder's just isn't good enough in the half court to keep up. If Durant and Westbrook are able to shoot at an extremely high clip throughout the series I guess I'd give them a puncher's chance but I just don't see it. I really don't know what I'm talking about though and am wrong more often than I'm right, so take all of that fwiw.

Good analysis, I certainly hope you're right. If the Thunder can't defend against the pick and roll then yes, they are doomed.

 

[Moe.]

He's not just going to up and start handing out fines randomly in the playoffs. They'd have to put some sort of system in place. Hopefully this offseason.As an avid sports fan whose two favorite sports are basketball and soccer, I'd really like to see the NBA take the lead on this issue. It really wouldn't be that difficult to review these and retroactively assess fines. Maybe once other sports see how easy it is to implement they'd follow suit. Simulation is my least favorite thing about sports. Until that happens I say the players have lost the benefit of the doubt.

 

[GDogg]

it's not a stretch to say that performance can suffer in pressure situations, or that some people handle pressure better than others.

I didn't think this was a revelation until I came here this morning.

Never underestimate the ability of the data-trumps-reason crowd to find examples of Mike Bibby making a layup with 1:56 left in a close game and use it to suggest role players don't feel pressure on game deciding shots.

Feel free to back your argument with data of your own. However, appealing to reason without support is a losing argument. None of us have any idea what NBA players think or feel in the closing moments of any game or any playoff game. No clue. So there is no way any of us can apply "reason" or "common sense" in this discussion, because none of us have any basis to do so. You need to find another way to support your argument.

I don't know of any source that isolates data in a manner that would accurately illustrate all of the dynamics involved in last second, game deciding shots. The data you and Ferris trumpet certainly doesn't. I don't think that data exists, or is measurable. Again, I'm a stat geek. I love advanced statistics and think that the front offices that have embraced James' type analysis are light years ahead of those who don't, in all sports. But the idea that data is infallible and ignoring dynamics that are not captured is where you and Ferris and I disagree. The closer analysis in baseball is the best analogy I can make.

Ferris posted data for shots in the last :30 to tie or take the lead a few pages back. Didn't really support the faction that believe Kobe should be taking that shot at all cost.

I don't think Kobe should be taking that shot at all cost, but I don't believe all last :30 second shots are created equal. I don't think Kobe's necessarily "clutch," but I also don't think he's a worse shooter late in the game. He pounds the ball into the floor, stupidly, and then takes some horrible shots. I'd love it if he'd start attacking the rim earlier in the clock and then dish to Bynum for a dunk when the entire team collapses on him as invariably happens. I'm not sure if that pass has ever been made by Kobe, though.

 

[sports_fan]

Ugh, I can't wait until the Heat and Lakers are eliminated from the playoffs. Lebron this, Kobe that, gets more than a little tired.I decided last night my dream finals matchup would be Spurs-Pacers. I don't want to watch the Heat in another series, it's just plain fugly basketball. Whaddya know, the refs tighten up the calls and the Pacers run them out of the building. I would accept Spurs-Celtics as well but I like that Pacers team a lot, and seeing George Hill take on his old team would be cool. It would/will be a huge challenge for the Spurs to win four against OKC, and unless the Clippers get it going it'll be the team's first serious test. But I'm pretty confident they can do it. The bench really needs to tighten it up, but the starters plus Manu are looking great. Tim Duncan looks so good out there it brings tears to my eyes.I knew this was going to be a special year once the Spurs shipped out Jefferson and got back Jack, and adding Diaw has turned out to be an even bigger move. I don't want to pile on with the hyperbole, but I have to think this is one of the best passing teams in NBA history, though I'm not sure who to compare them to.

I'm pulling for Pacers/Thunder, if OK City gets past the Lakers. But it won't hurt to see Tim get another title. Guy is underrated on the All Time lists, IMO.

Isn't he widely considered the greatest PF ever?

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I'd like to see them implement the NHL system for next season. Call the foul for the contact (if there is) and either a foul or a T for the flop. The vast majority of the time that a player is flopping, there is actually a foul.Fines will do nothing to stop flopping. What are they going to hit them with, $10K? Not much of a detriment for a guy making $15M a year.

 

[Short Corner]

Who do you want taking your last second shot.. Blake or Chalmers?

Both looked like great looks to me. shurg

Agreed, but I think I'd rather go down with a James/Wade/Bryant "tough" shot than watch these guys miss wide open. Not like anyone thought for a second either of those shots were going in.

eta - yes, even if all of these guys had missed 5 in a row prior.

Seriously? You'd rather a hero shot than a wide open 3 from an above average 3 point shooter? The best thing Kobe did last night was not take a contested shot at the buzzer.

Chalmers is a career 35% shooter from 3, Blake 33%.Chalmers is the 4th best 3 point shooter on the team. Blake at least amazingly appears to be the Lakers best option?

Regardless, more than stats I'd rather have the hero step up. Let the guy that expects to make it take a tough shot over a guy where that may not be the case miss the easy.

Not sure where you're getting your numbers from but Blake is .387 career 3pt shooter which is 65th all-time.

I'm also curious about where you got the idea that Mario Chalmers is a guy who doesn't want the ball in his hands for a big shot. Chalmers has hit a bigger shot than any other player currently in the NBA except maybe Metta World Peace.

I think there are different kind of last second shots.. the half court heave imo isn't near the pressure of a wide open 3.One people expect you to miss, the other people expect you to make. No pressure/all the pressure.

The shot at Kansas definitely counts, and the answer to my question would be I'd take Chalmers. But I'd take my Lebron/Kobe/Wade in a set half court play every time.

If they were actually running a set half court play you might have a point.

You guys sure have some deep seeded hate for Kobe when you can internalize an argument for a bench player over an all time great with it all on the line.

My response was not directed exclusively at Kobe.

 

[Moe.]

Completely disagree, fines are the only way to do it in my opinion. You think they give a #### about personal fouls and/or techs? I think just about any human would notice if their next paycheck is 10K lighter, especially for something that is easily avoidable.

 

[Ghost Rider]

No, Stern needs to tell his officials, whom he always defends, to smarten up and stop calling fouls when guys flop. If a guy flops and the ref falls for it, then that is the ref's fault for being dumb enough to call it, right?

 

[Master of Past and Present]

No, Stern needs to tell his officials, whom he always defends, to smarten up and stop calling fouls when guys flop. If a guy flops and the ref falls for it, then that is the ref's fault for being dumb enough to call it, right?

I think you could do a combined effort.1. Agree with Ghost Rider. If guys flop to the ground and get no benefit and even hurt their team as guys are scoring easy buckets over their bodies, that would help.2. The video linked today wasn't even a foul call, just Heat ball so the ref didn't get baited into helping James out on that one but still no reason for James to put forth such an acting job. What about a Tech like system where after X flops, you're suspended for a game? Who the heck would want to miss a game because they flop around? Could fine also but I'm not as convinced as Moe that fines would stop it. Best way to me is make it a hindrance to the team so even if the player doesn't want to stop flopping, his teammates sure would want him to stop. If the refs stop calling it so much, who wants to cover 5-4 or watch easy lay ins because some guy is always on the ground, his teammates would get pissed if this was happening a couple times per game. And worse yet, imagine how ticked off your teammates would be if you were going to miss a game because of flopping.Right now the biggest problem is it is a benefit to flop. For every easy bucket a player allows for a no call on a flop, he probably got the benefit of 4-5 of those calls. Need to swing it the other way so they aren't thinking of a flop os a good play. Refs would help a ton but would love to see a second way for the league to go back to the tape and remind you that just because you got away with it in game, doesn't mean it is forgiven or forgotten.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

When they reach X amount of techs and are about to be suspended they'll think twice about it. When they pick up a couple quick fouls, you think they'll be flopping? If they actually fined the players a substantial amount, it could work... but that ain't gonna happen. Would $3 off your paycheck stop you from doing something? It wouldn't make me think twice.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

No, Stern needs to tell his officials, whom he always defends, to smarten up and stop calling fouls when guys flop. If a guy flops and the ref falls for it, then that is the ref's fault for being dumb enough to call it, right?

The problem is that a lot of the plays are fouls. LeBron's flopping performances in NY were fouls but he decided to look like an idiot and embelish them as well. Either call a double foul or a foul and a tech.

 

[tommyGunZ]

It used to be that way, right? I could have sworn T's counted as personals in the 80s.I know that T's counted as personals in Virginia High School hoops in the early 90s.

 

[Moe.]

No, Stern needs to tell his officials, whom he always defends, to smarten up and stop calling fouls when guys flop. If a guy flops and the ref falls for it, then that is the ref's fault for being dumb enough to call it, right?

I think you could do a combined effort.1. Agree with Ghost Rider. If guys flop to the ground and get no benefit and even hurt their team as guys are scoring easy buckets over their bodies, that would help.2. The video linked today wasn't even a foul call, just Heat ball so the ref didn't get baited into helping James out on that one but still no reason for James to put forth such an acting job. What about a Tech like system where after X flops, you're suspended for a game? Who the heck would want to miss a game because they flop around? Could fine also but I'm not as convinced as Moe that fines would stop it. Best way to me is make it a hindrance to the team so even if the player doesn't want to stop flopping, his teammates sure would want him to stop. If the refs stop calling it so much, who wants to cover 5-4 or watch easy lay ins because some guy is always on the ground, his teammates would get pissed if this was happening a couple times per game. And worse yet, imagine how ticked off your teammates would be if you were going to miss a game because of flopping.Right now the biggest problem is it is a benefit to flop. For every easy bucket a player allows for a no call on a flop, he probably got the benefit of 4-5 of those calls. Need to swing it the other way so they aren't thinking of a flop os a good play. Refs would help a ton but would love to see a second way for the league to go back to the tape and remind you that just because you got away with it in game, doesn't mean it is forgiven or forgotten.

It all happens too fast to put it all on the refs. Without the benefit of video review it's pretty much an impossible task. If the players were honest they'd get the benefit of the doubt, but that's out the window now.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

And while I'd expect his FG% to drop with all of the expected extra usage with Wade playing horrible and Bosh out, I'd also expect LeBron's PPG to explode. The past two games, his PPG is actually down.

I agree with this. Given the current sorry state of his teammates, he needs to be scoring well over 30 PPG to give the Heat a chance to win. He's got to go into selfish mode until Bosh returns - more Jordan than Magic.

If I was the video coordinator for the Heat, I'd show LeBron some tape of that stretch from CLE's 2010 season when Mo Williams got hurt and LeBron responded by averaging over 30 points and 10 assists a game and the Cavs won like 10 in a row.

Luckily Coach Spo has some experience in AV.

 

[Yo Mama]

No, Stern needs to tell his officials, whom he always defends, to smarten up and stop calling fouls when guys flop. If a guy flops and the ref falls for it, then that is the ref's fault for being dumb enough to call it, right?

I think you could do a combined effort.1. Agree with Ghost Rider. If guys flop to the ground and get no benefit and even hurt their team as guys are scoring easy buckets over their bodies, that would help.2. The video linked today wasn't even a foul call, just Heat ball so the ref didn't get baited into helping James out on that one but still no reason for James to put forth such an acting job. What about a Tech like system where after X flops, you're suspended for a game? Who the heck would want to miss a game because they flop around? Could fine also but I'm not as convinced as Moe that fines would stop it. Best way to me is make it a hindrance to the team so even if the player doesn't want to stop flopping, his teammates sure would want him to stop. If the refs stop calling it so much, who wants to cover 5-4 or watch easy lay ins because some guy is always on the ground, his teammates would get pissed if this was happening a couple times per game. And worse yet, imagine how ticked off your teammates would be if you were going to miss a game because of flopping.Right now the biggest problem is it is a benefit to flop. For every easy bucket a player allows for a no call on a flop, he probably got the benefit of 4-5 of those calls. Need to swing it the other way so they aren't thinking of a flop os a good play. Refs would help a ton but would love to see a second way for the league to go back to the tape and remind you that just because you got away with it in game, doesn't mean it is forgiven or forgotten.

It all happens too fast to put it all on the refs. Without the benefit of video review it's pretty much an impossible task. If the players were honest they'd get the benefit of the doubt, but that's out the window now.

Agreed - it's such a tough call to put on the refs. That's why making it a technical would be hard.I think fines would be a deterrent not for the money, but for the embarassing call out the players will get for flopping. Nobody wants to be known as a flopper, and a public call-out via official fine would slow this activity down IMO.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

It all happens too fast to put it all on the refs. Without the benefit of video review it's pretty much an impossible task. If the players were honest they'd get the benefit of the doubt, but that's out the window now.

I think you make it a point if emphasis next year for the refs to watch for flopping but also add in a system where the NBA reviews the game tape and hands out something. I don't think it can only be fines though. I think you need it to be something that can hurt the whole team if a player flops too much. Fines are up to each player how much he can take before it affects him. Some sort of system that leads to missing game(s) affects the whole team.

 

[GroveDiesel]

The problem with just expecting refs to call the flops is that often they don't have the angle to tell if it was a flop or not. That's the whole reason players flop, because they want to make sure the refs "see" any little contact or even no contact. It may only be a little touch, but if the player falls down, suddenly the ref thinks there was a shove. So expecting the penalty to just come from the refs is tough IMO. In fact, I believe flopping is already something they can get T'd up for, but it just doesn't happen because refs are afraid to be wrong about it.

I think the league should hand out fines after reviewing tape, and once a player gets fined a certain number of times, then he gets suspended. He may not care about the fines a lot, but he'll definitely care about the suspension.

And I'd make sure every fine for it is leading Sportscenter to embarass these pansies.

As an aside, I've absolutely LOVED the several times that Pacers defenders have pulled the chair from Wade and James when those guys pull their typical move of slamming back into the defender. Watching them flail, fall down, and get called for traveling is hilarious every time.

 

[Master of Past and Present]

Agreed - it's such a tough call to put on the refs. That's why making it a technical would be hard.I think fines would be a deterrent not for the money, but for the embarassing call out the players will get for flopping. Nobody wants to be known as a flopper, and a public call-out via official fine would slow this activity down IMO.

Players are already laughed at for being floppers, not sure if an official statement from the NBA makes it all that much more embarrassing. Technical Fouls and being seen like a baby and complainer really should be embarrassing enough for people not to do but until they started suspending players for X amount in a season, it was out of control. Still doesn't stop guys from getting within 2 or 3 and then watching their actions but at least at a certain point it mostly stops. Embarrassment has never really show to work imo, have to hit them with games so everyone in their organization cares about the action.

 

[Short Corner]

ETA: a stat guy for an NBA team says NBA refs have the discretion to call a technical foul on a flop, but no one wants to call one.

they are supposed to give a T for flopping if the flop puts another player in danger, ie falls under the guy making it dangerous for him to land.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

76ers shoot 59% from the field.

Now they shoot 39% with Joakim Noah out.So damn bipolar.

32.1%

Sixers shoot 39.7%... beat the Rose-less Bulls to move on to the second round.They will have to hit 44%+ to even be considered a serious threat to any team remaining.

They shoot 43.9% and lose by 1 on the road.

20% thus far tonight with Boston not even having a defender on most any of the jump shots.

 

[Premier]

Man this Sixers offense is horrific.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

It's nice to see the 6ers fight back. The ESPN guys were already advancing Boston at halftime.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

So damn bipolar.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Jay-vee game was entertaining. Time for the big boys.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Nice comeback by Philly.

Elton Brand is running on fumes. He's been horrific.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Nice comeback by Philly.Elton Brand is running on fumes. He's been horrific.

No idea why they run him out there to start instead of Young.

 

[Britney Spears]

Timmy> Still think Artest has changed?

 

[Abraham]

I like artest but he absolutely kneed him.

 

[EYLive]

Yeah right, Russel. You really want to fight a lunatic that's built like the Hulk. Idiot.

 

[EYLive]

I like artest but he absolutely kneed him.

Westbrook hooked the back of his leg.