*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (5 Viewers)

[rockaction]

http://www.newsweek.com/2014/06/06/birdmans-vengeful-ghost-252517.html?utm_content=buffer9cdaa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Wow

Good read. People are so weird.

Yeah, I remember this, but still a good read. Thanks for posting. And people are indeed weird.

 

[BassNBrew]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

 

[Abraham]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

 

[DrJ]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

 

[Reegus]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

Oh yah? Close to 90 percent? Is this the thread where we all pull statistic out of our asses?

 

[DrJ]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

Oh yah? Close to 90 percent? Is this the thread where we all pull statistic out of our asses?

Okay, maybe 95 percent.

 

[Juxtatarot]

As a die-hard Bulls fan during those years, I remember being quite happy whenever the Rockets were eliminated. In retrospect, it's disappointing that that series never happened.

 

[Popinski]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

In 94, the Bulls with Jordan would certainly be the favorites, although the likelihood is not near 90%.

In 95, losing Grant to Orlando shifted the power balance in the East. When Jordan joined them in March, they were barely playing .500 ball. They ended the season strongly, but could only get the #5 seed. Jordan played well, but clearly wasn't at his best (he was rusty and his activity on defense was notably diminished, likely related to conditioning), or at the level of Olajuwon or Shaq that season. Still, only an Orlando comeback to close game 6 is what prevented that series from going 7. Had Jordan played the entire season, who knows what happens. They would clearly be higher than a #5 seed, but it's hard to tell whether they they get the #1. Also, if they were coming off of a 4 peat, a degree of mental fatigue would inevitably set in.

 

[timschochet]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

 

[matuski]

Would the real Gordon Gecko please come back?

 

[Routilla]

Go Spurs!

 

[DrJ]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

In 94, the Bulls with Jordan would certainly be the favorites, although the likelihood is not near 90%.

In 95, losing Grant to Orlando shifted the power balance in the East. When Jordan joined them in March, they were barely playing .500 ball. They ended the season strongly, but could only get the #5 seed. Jordan played well, but clearly wasn't at his best (he was rusty and his activity on defense was notably diminished, likely related to conditioning), or at the level of Olajuwon or Shaq that season. Still, only an Orlando comeback to close game 6 is what prevented that series from going 7. Had Jordan played the entire season, who knows what happens. They would clearly be higher than a #5 seed, but it's hard to tell whether they they get the #1. Also, if they were coming off of a 4 peat, a degree of mental fatigue would inevitably set in.

Okay, 90% may be stretching it, but I'm going to go with at least 70%. Hakeem was on a tear, but that Rockets team wasn't more talented as a whole than the Suns team they took out the season before, or the Jazz teams they beat at the end. Barkley and Malone were both on incredible tears and put a fight in those respective series, and they had some incredible talent beside them in guys like KJ and Stockton, but they ultimately lost. I don't see how what Hakeem was doing during those couple years was all that much more incredible than those Barkley/Malone years, but in the end he gets credit for a couple of titles and those guys fall to the "yeah, but they couldn't get it done" category thanks to the time period that their teams peaked and the time period that Jordan decided to hang it up. Similar deal for Robinson - he managed to get his title as an "alpha" in a year Jordan hung it up, Tim Duncan became a force, and the season was strike shortened. So all of the sudden he's in some other tier over Barkley and Malone. Or someone like Ewing. This is why titles is a pretty stupid metric for individual greatness, but it's a nice and lazy way to put people in tiers I guess.

 

[Jayrod]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

So does DrJ

 

[Todem]

Heat in 6.

Again it's going to be a great series. And as a Heat fan I know they will have to play their absolute best ball to win this thing (well I think you have to in any year…winning titles is not easy). I just think one key difference between this year and last is the health of Dwayne Wade. He is looking far better this post season than last. Our role players are doing well with Allen, Birdman, Coles and now an emerging Rashard Lewis giving us quality minutes. Also Bosh is really heating up and that is huge. If he can continue his great outside shooting (since game 4 onward) we should be ok.

Game one is actually a critical game. I think The Heat have a great shot to steal that one. Get out of San Antonio at least 1-1 and sweep at home and go for the close in game 6.

Should be fun.

 

[Britney Spears]

When the Spurs win the championship, how many of their players retire?

Good question.

 

[Abraham]

"0"

 

[timschochet]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

So does DrJ

It's a compliment to him, but an insult to me.

 

[DrJ]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

So does DrJ

I have like 1500 posts to make up before I can tim up this thread. Again, I'm the Lebron James of this, I can only sustain this greatness for so long. He's the Michael Jordan.

 

[Apple Juice]

This is one of the most hideous page of posts I've ever seen here.

 

[Politician Spock]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

So does DrJ

It's a compliment to him, but an insult to me.

HFS!!!

 

[Popinski]

Still waiting on an answer to the "who guards Hakeem?" Question. Been waiting for a long time and just like the bulls fans that forget losing to Orlando, they forget to answer this one as well.

Rodman

That was in the WCF and he didn't fare any better than Robinson. I'm talking about the 94 or 95 finals.

In 94 you've still got Horace Grant, Cartwright/Perdue/Longley/Wennington.

The 95 configuration they rolled out blows because you drop Grant and Cartwright, but I just doubt it unfolds that way if MJ is around and they're off a 4-peat. I'd put the odds of them 4-peating at close to 90% if you add Jordan to that 55 win 94' team.

In 94, the Bulls with Jordan would certainly be the favorites, although the likelihood is not near 90%.

In 95, losing Grant to Orlando shifted the power balance in the East. When Jordan joined them in March, they were barely playing .500 ball. They ended the season strongly, but could only get the #5 seed. Jordan played well, but clearly wasn't at his best (he was rusty and his activity on defense was notably diminished, likely related to conditioning), or at the level of Olajuwon or Shaq that season. Still, only an Orlando comeback to close game 6 is what prevented that series from going 7. Had Jordan played the entire season, who knows what happens. They would clearly be higher than a #5 seed, but it's hard to tell whether they they get the #1. Also, if they were coming off of a 4 peat, a degree of mental fatigue would inevitably set in.

Okay, 90% may be stretching it, but I'm going to go with at least 70%. Hakeem was on a tear, but that Rockets team wasn't more talented as a whole than the Suns team they took out the season before, or the Jazz teams they beat at the end. Barkley and Malone were both on incredible tears and put a fight in those respective series, and they had some incredible talent beside them in guys like KJ and Stockton, but they ultimately lost. I don't see how what Hakeem was doing during those couple years was all that much more incredible than those Barkley/Malone years, but in the end he gets credit for a couple of titles and those guys fall to the "yeah, but they couldn't get it done" category thanks to the time period that their teams peaked and the time period that Jordan decided to hang it up. Similar deal for Robinson - he managed to get his title as an "alpha" in a year Jordan hung it up, Tim Duncan became a force, and the season was strike shortened. So all of the sudden he's in some other tier over Barkley and Malone. Or someone like Ewing. This is why titles is a pretty stupid metric for individual greatness, but it's a nice and lazy way to put people in tiers I guess.

Hakeem is ranked ahead of Barkley and Malone because he was clearly better.

 

[Kev4029]

Scottie Pippen was the Bulls leading rebounder in 94-95. Totally forgot about that one. Wasn't that like the only time in history a guy led his team in Points, Rebounds, Blocks, Steals, and Assists? Or maybe Wilt did it as well. And I'm pretty sure they were in position (barely) to make the playoffs that year even before Jordan returned. Scottie was so under rated - he was the poor man's Lebron James which is why I was very happy pairing him with Jordan for $1 rather than binging on Lebron at $5.

Garnett did in 2002-03, may have done it in other years as well. Late 20s Garnett was one of the best players of all time, very unappreciated because of his awful supporting cast.

 

[DrJ]

Scottie Pippen was the Bulls leading rebounder in 94-95. Totally forgot about that one. Wasn't that like the only time in history a guy led his team in Points, Rebounds, Blocks, Steals, and Assists? Or maybe Wilt did it as well. And I'm pretty sure they were in position (barely) to make the playoffs that year even before Jordan returned. Scottie was so under rated - he was the poor man's Lebron James which is why I was very happy pairing him with Jordan for $1 rather than binging on Lebron at $5.

Garnett did in 2002-03, may have done it in other years as well. Late 20s Garnett was one of the best players of all time, very unappreciated because of his awful supporting cast.

Yeah, saw that on Pippen's Wiki page - he was actually 2nd to do it. Cowens was first, then Garnett and Lebron did so afterwards.

 

[Short Corner]

B. Be in a game where the refs called fouls on him, since his entire offense relied on the refs swallowing their whistles.

This is insanely stupid and wreaks of someone who doesn't understand post play or even the game in general.

Shaq was technically proficient from a fundamentals and footwork standpoint. The size and quickness made him that much better.

He also got away with murder running over people backwards.

Blake Griffin and David West get away with much worse.

You're an apologist for a guy you like. It's okay.

You're wrong on all accounts, but I wish you well.

I hated Shaq in his prime (GSW fan and universal SoCal hater) but I recognize that he is one of the best post players ever.

But you know more than Pete Newell did.

 

[Short Corner]

I find the title of this thread insulting.

So does DrJ

It's a compliment to him, but an insult to me.

HFS!!!

He seems to think he is the Farmer Ted of the FFA.

 

[Village Idiot]

Well, I agree that Kareem is underrated (I consider him a top 3 player all-time), and my beef is with these "James won't ever be as good as Jordan no matter what" people. They are basically admitting one or two things:

1. That they are so all over Jordan's nut sack that they refuse to accept that anybody could ever be as good or better than him, no matter what happens.

2. They dislike LeBron James too much to ever give him too much credit or props.

3. Lebron has fallen short in the playoffs numerous times in ways that Jordan didn't during the course of his career, and there's nothing James can do from now until the end of his career that can change that.

I guess the 80s never happened.

They happened, and Jordan never in his existence put up performances that looked like those Lebron James turds.

Never?

7/17 for 15 points in 1989 including 0 for 2 from 3.

5/17 for 17 points in 1996 but yay 1 for 1 from 3 point range.

When LeBron is playing badly it looks like he doesn't continue to hoist up shots and keep missing like Jordan did.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

http://www.newsweek.com/2014/06/06/birdmans-vengeful-ghost-252517.html?utm_content=buffer9cdaa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Wow

Never did know that full story. Good link.

For reference, The Pas is about 1000x worse than Detroit. An absolute ####-hole.

 

[culdeus]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

 

[Jayrod]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

As opposed to a repeat of 2 years ago.

Last year was an epic Finals. I'm jazzed that we get a rematch. I'm pulling for SA big time.

 

[Premier]

Yea pretty excited about this finals. Potential to be epic, and last year was already plenty good enough.

 

[Jayrod]

On a side note, I'm also very pumped that we have almost made the FFA an NBA forum. Keep fighting the good fight, fellas!

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Now I have to root for San Antonio again. Gross.

I'll take the Heats if you want to have ACTION.

 

[Timmay]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

As opposed to a repeat of 2 years ago.

Last year was an epic Finals. I'm jazzed that we get a rematch. I'm pulling for SA big time.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

SA is far more entertaining to watch than OKC IMO.

 

[Jayrod]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

SA is far more entertaining to watch than OKC IMO.

Also better. So instead of a sweep we will have a 6 or 7 game series.

 

[Timmay]

Spurs open as a -120 favorite over Heat.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Great post from GG , well except for the fact he doesn't know what position Durant plays.

Or what position Garnett played.

 

[pollardsvision]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

SA is far more entertaining to watch than OKC IMO.

Yeah, outside of getting mesmerized by Durant when he's on fire, OKC can be pretty brutal to watch.

Love the rematch. It's going to be a huge moment for an all-time great either way. Hoping it's Duncan.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I can't be less excited to see a re-run of last year. Really thought an OKC-MIA final would be epic.

SA is far more entertaining to watch than OKC IMO.

Yeah, outside of getting mesmerized by Durant when he's on fire, OKC can be pretty brutal to watch.

Love the rematch. It's going to be a huge moment for an all-time great either way. Hoping it's Duncan.

The only reason I'd want to OKC vs MIA is for a the game where LeBron and KD go toe-to-toe like MJ vs Bird (and lots of thers), Iverson vs Carter, LeBron vs Wade, etc.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

If anyone is wondering if they'll get rid of Perk at this point:

"Anyone watching Kevin Durant's time-stopping MVP press conference last month won't soon forget how it was talking about Perk (yes, Perk) that initially triggered KD's flood of tears. The 29-year-old is held in the highest esteem within the group, not only as a leader but for his role in helping transform the Thunder from fun band of ridiculously talented kids to serious title challenger. He mentors Steven Adams. He also happened to have a quietly positive postseason when you focus on the defensive contributions Perkins made against Memphis monsters Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in particular, without which OKC might not have gotten out of the first round. The reality, furthermore, is that there's no real salary-cap benefit to cutting Perkins loose now. Wiping next season's $9.4 million salary off the books won't get the Thunder under the cap, so there's nothing to be gained by such a move beyond appeasing Perk-bashers that they'd never listen to anyway. "

Seems they missed their chance years ago.

 

[Gr00vus]

I'm a big pops fan but tim duncan plays more of a role in SA success than anyone

Getting guys like Ginobli and Parker with less than prime draft positions is as important. Also pulling off deals like trading Hill for Leonard and finding role guys who fit the scheme perfectly (e.g. Belinelli). The whole organization has been on an impressive 20 year run.

 

[Frostillicus]

Now I have to root for San Antonio again. Gross.

I'll take the Heats if you want to have ACTION.

nah

 

[Cliff Clavin]

1st Team All-D:

Noah

Ibaka

George

Iggy

Paul

2nd:

Hibbert

LeBron

Leonard

Butler

Beverly

Others receiving votes: Harden, DeRozan, Lee and Afflalo

Whomever voted for those guys needs to be stripped of their voting privileges ASAP.

 

[BassNBrew]

1st Team All-D:

Noah

Ibaka

George

Iggy

Paul

2nd:

Hibbert

LeBron

Leonard

Butler

Beverly

Others receiving votes: Harden, DeRozan, Lee and Afflalo

Whomever voted for those guys needs to be stripped of their voting privileges ASAP.

You're either pulling my leg or Abe and Tim have official ballots.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

1st Team All-D:

Noah

Ibaka

George

Iggy

Paul

2nd:

Hibbert

LeBron

Leonard

Butler

Beverly

Others receiving votes: Harden, DeRozan, Lee and Afflalo

Whomever voted for those guys needs to be stripped of their voting privileges ASAP.

You're either pulling my leg or Abe and Tim have official ballots.

Both maybe. He got 2 votes.... ####, Monta Ellis got a vote.

 

[Freelove]

I've come to enjoy the voters' running gag of voting Paul 1st team A.D.

 

[got_nugs]

LeBatard is likely going to rant the Pacers at 4:00 on espn radio today if anyone is interested. Pyzza, i'd not listen if I were you, hth.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Listening to LeBatard is almost never a good idea.

 

[No. 16]

Surprised Iggy got the nod over LBJ for 1st team.

What's funny as a Warrior fan, I felt Klay was a better defender than Iggy all year.