2015 NBA Playoffs

Carcharodon

Warriors game was decent, great atmosphere and buzz around the place. Never felt like that they were in any trouble, always had another gear to steph into(you see what I did there), but got a bit sloppy towards the end. I liked the productivity from Bogut and Barnes, Steph will be Steph but its the others that need to produce some valuable min.
a video from the start of game
https://t.co/qr4rElu6z5

NufcNavan

malistheman wrote: »

I would really appreciate it if you at least attempted to join the conversation on here about the league rather than making your first appearance to promote something external to the site and forum

It's absolute ****e as well.

padraig_f

Paully D wrote: »

Great night from D Rose last night which is very encouraging. 23 and 7, shooting almost 67% from inside the paint. I seen someone say this last night on Twitter and it's very accurate IMO - he should be put on a 3 point shooting limit more so than a minutes limit! Just make him attack the paint at any given opportunity.

Yeah, he was very good. I'm not getting over-excited yet, because you need to see him do it consistently over a number of games. But it was a great start all round. The Bucks are ideal first-round opponents, they're playing hard, and giving the Bulls a workout (they're not bad defensively), but they don't have enough.

Looked like Rose was still on a minutes restriction, though he did play more than the 20 he was restricted to before (27 mins). But the good thing to see, for the minutes he was in there, he was going 100%.

Paully D

D2D must be absolutely buzzing now! Enjoy it mate.

D2D

Paully D wrote: »

D2D must be absolutely buzzing now! Enjoy it mate.

Buzzing isn't the word man! Ah, it's great to be back in the Playoffs again:D

Itssoeasy

The celtics not backing down from the cabs. Let's go Boston.

D2D

Itssoeasy wrote: »

The celtics not backing down from the cabs. Let's go Boston.

Very close game this. Stevens has done an incredible job with the Celtics

Itssoeasy

D2D wrote: »

Very close game this. Stevens has done an incredible job with the Celtics

Great coach.ill admit that I was worried when we traded so many players during the season but the players that came in have meshed amazingly well.

D2D

Cavs up 62-54 at the half. Big scoring 2nd Q by Cleveland, including a Kyrie buzzer beater

Itssoeasy

What in the actual **** are they showing on NBA league pass during half time in the game ?

Itssoeasy

Btw it's some old lad stacking chairs and standing on them high above the court. If he falls it won't be pretty.

Itssoeasy

Well he didn't brain himself. Agile enough for an old lad.

D2D

^ greatest halftime report ever

Itssoeasy

D2D wrote: »

^ greatest halftime report ever

I take it you were watching it aswell D2D ?

Itssoeasy

The cavs scream team ? Hahaha Jesus that's something else.

Itssoeasy

The Swedish Larry bird.

D2D

Itssoeasy wrote: »

I take it you were watching it aswell D2D ?

Yep, had to double check I was actually watching it

Itssoeasy

17 point game with 8:19 left in the game.

Itssoeasy

12 point game.

D2D

Kyrie's on fire, 28 points of 10-19 shooting

D2D

TOR's Ujiri Fined $35,000 for using obscene language in a public setting on April 18, and Raptors organization fined $25,000.

D2D

Cavs win 113-100, Game 2 in Cleveland on Tuesday

Itssoeasy

D2D wrote: »

Cavs win 113-100, Game 2 in Cleveland on Tuesday

Caves had an answer every time the C's got it close.

PizzamanIRL

D2D wrote: »

TOR's Ujiri Fined $35,000 for using obscene language in a public setting on April 18, and Raptors organization fined $25,000.

Playoffs are becoming expensive or Ujiri.

D2D

Hawks up by 10 at the half, 55-45

NufcNavan

D2D wrote: »

Hawks up by 10 at the half, 55-45

That's one series I won't be bothered watching.

D2D

NufcNavan wrote: »

That's one series I won't be bothered watching.

I'm only taking a passing interest in this game tbh. Hawks ball movement is incredible though

Soby

More like this series. Surprized with Portland

BQQ

I'm sorry i went with the hawks in my bracket.
Really felt the Nets were a danger for them, but decided home court might just be enough for Atlanta.

Even though the Nets lost last night, I'm even more convinced they can cause an upset.
Lopez has such a huge advantage over anyone who guards him.
It's criminal that he only got 7 shots last night and there was still only about 8 pts in it at the end.

Lt J.R. Bell

Itssoeasy wrote: »

Btw it's some old lad stacking chairs and standing on them high above the court. If he falls it won't be pretty.

I much preferred the Cleveland Mascot's take on the act in the third quarter

He was doing his thing at half time on Saturday in Chicago and on Sunday in Cleveland. Same bloody routine.

The kissing camera, so old.

Why are Americans so quick to make utter workers of themselves when a camera comes on them?

Lt J.R. Bell

D2D wrote: »

TOR's Ujiri Fined $35,000 for using obscene language in a public setting on April 18, and Raptors organization fined $25,000.

What? Again?

What did he say this time

Sounds rather disproportionate and a huge sum for just words. Does NBA pluck out the figures out of their ass?
What crime did he break? How did it bring the league into disrepute. Where's the soul man?

padraig_f

Some random thoughts on the opening weekend...

- The Eastern Conference 1st round isn't great, is it? Three series look like foregone conclusions, and while game 1 of Raptors-Wizards was exciting, the standard wasn't great for a 4-5 seed.

- If the Raptors lose in round one, they need to fire their coach. They look mismanaged to me, and Valnciunas in particular looks under-utilised. He played just 24 mins, and the Wizards killed them on the boards, with 19 offensive rebounds.

- Bit of a surprise last night with the Clippers beating the Spurs fairly comfortably. I thought the Clips won it with their defense....DeAndre swatting shots inside, and also some great perimeter defense.

- Is Splitter hurt? He played just 10 mins, while Aron Baynes played 20 off the bench.

- It was partly an off-night for the Spurs, missed some good looks. I still like them to win the series, but they're in a real fight now, and exiting in round 1 is a possibility.

- I don't get as excited about dunks as I did when I was a kid, but I liked this one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QF6g4K0fAM

- I didn't see any of Mavs-Rockets or Grizzlies-Blazers, anyone watch them?

padraig_f

Series odds after game 1:

Hawks 1/35 vs. Nets
Cavs 1/100 vs. Celtics
Bulls 1/18 vs. Bucks
Wizards 4/6 vs. Raptors

Warriors 1/85 vs. Pelicans
Rockets 1/4 vs. Mavs
Clippers 10/11 vs. Spurs
Grizzlies 2/9 vs. Blazers

Lt J.R. Bell

Celtics played well for most part. They got rattled and frustrated by the third quarter and collapsed, expediently. my god they really do need a rim protector and more help defensively

I guess it's next to impossible to find a big who can (a) shoot free throws consistently (b) rebound at both ends (c) defend (d) post up offensively and be able to take a score or give accurate passes to the presenters from the post.

The only one who can still do it is Tim Duncan and his free throwing is iffy. Lamarcus Aldridge is normally the man, but his shooting was awful last night (thumb injury catching up?) Of course young Gasol is improving.

What the hell are the Americans teaching these kids anymore? It can't be all because of tactics. If you got a power forward or centre who has the skill and physicality, like De Marcus Cousins (love it if Celtics could go after him, if it was possible) you pound the ball down low And let them work.

This hope and pray three jump shooting and low per centage jump shoots are frustrating. That's what Celtics had to resort to at the beginning of the third quarter

I dint care how talented Thomas is, its a bad reflection on basketball if your best scorer is a small guy (I know Kelly played well) or a talented shooter getting points via free throws (Harden)

PizzamanIRL

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/04/20/lou-williams-wins-2014-14-kia-sixth-man-award/index.html
Lou Will named 6th man of the year with 502 points
Isaiah Thomas 2nd with 324
Jamal Crawford with 131

Isaiah had this to say about it:

Congrats to Lou Will… All I’m going to say is numbers don’t lie. Congrats to him, he deserves it.

https://twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/status/590200943876055040

Well, apparently numbers did lie

Player comparison

me and the biz

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/04/20/lou-williams-wins-2014-14-kia-sixth-man-award/index.html
Lou Will named 6th man of the year with 502 points
Isaiah Thomas 2nd with 324
Jamal Crawford with 131

Isaiah had this to say about it:


https://twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/status/590200943876055040

Well, apparently numbers did lie

Player comparison

Now the real competition, who's going to be Lou's 6th bird of the year

BQQ

PizzamanIRL wrote: »

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/04/20/lou-williams-wins-2014-14-kia-sixth-man-award/index.html
Lou Will named 6th man of the year with 502 points
Isaiah Thomas 2nd with 324
Jamal Crawford with 131

Isaiah had this to say about it:


https://twitter.com/ESPNForsberg/status/590200943876055040

Well, apparently numbers did lie

Player comparison

I like Isaiah Thomas, but IMO Lou Williams was the right call.
Isaiah has a slight advantage in shooting%, points per game and rebounds, but he turns it over way more, has less steals and less win shares.

It was a close call. Probably the fact that he won more games swung it in Williams favour.

Carcharodon

Very good game in Oakland tonight, final score kind of flatters the Warriors a bit because the Pelicans pushed them all the way and in my opinion were probably the better team for the most part.
Warriors had too much depth and were able to hit the big shots when it mattered.
Anthony Davis is outstanding, he just looks so good, he can do it all, Warriors just couldn't handle him at all, Pelicans should of put more through him, he just demands so much attention and he is quick, he can post up virtually anywhere, do a quick move and he has his man beaten for an easy basket or he gets fouled, he is able to hit free throws too.

Pelicans did well to not let the Warriors build a lead cos the Warriors are a team that hits you for a quick 15 points in 3 mins and before you know it, you are chasing the game.

I think the West could be a coin toss at this stage

SlimJ

malistheman wrote: »

I would really appreciate it if you at least attempted to join the conversation on here about the league rather than making your first appearance to promote something external to the site and forum

Gotcha - sorry

SlimJ

padraig_f wrote: »

Some random thoughts on the opening weekend...

- The Eastern Conference 1st round isn't great, is it? Three series look like foregone conclusions, and while game 1 of Raptors-Wizards was exciting, the standard wasn't great for a 4-5 seed.

- If the Raptors lose in round one, they need to fire their coach. They look mismanaged to me, and Valnciunas in particular looks under-utilised. He played just 24 mins, and the Wizards killed them on the boards, with 19 offensive rebounds.

How much of the crappy shooting was down to the early start time? I've always felt that the early afternoon tip-off games lacked in execution.

I want the Wizards coach gone no matter who wins. Did you guys see this yet? https://vine.co/v/ezttEPM33jn

SlimJ

Lt J.R. Bell wrote: »

I much preferred the Cleveland Mascot's take on the act in the third quarter

He was doing his thing at half time on Saturday in Chicago and on Sunday in Cleveland. Same bloody routine.

Getting to watch the halftime 'entertainment' on League Pass is one of the unsung benefits of that service. Anyone catch this act out of OKC during the regular season?

padraig_f

I liked this dunk too...

Hope Mirotic is ok, he was in the wars.

"The Bulls said Mirotic has a left quad strain and will be re-evaluated Tuesday morning. Mirotic also has a swollen left knee, and the fear in the locker room immediately after the 91-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks was that he might have a concussion as well."

Lt J.R. Bell

Carcharodon wrote: »

Very good game in Oakland tonight, final score kind of flatters the Warriors a bit because the Pelicans pushed them all the way and in my opinion were probably the better team for the most part.
Warriors had too much depth and were able to hit the big shots when it mattered.
Anthony Davis is outstanding, he just looks so good, he can do it all, Warriors just couldn't handle him at all, Pelicans should of put more through him, he just demands so much attention and he is quick, he can post up virtually anywhere, do a quick move and he has his man beaten for an easy basket or he gets fouled, he is able to hit free throws too.

Pelicans did well to not let the Warriors build a lead cos the Warriors are a team that hits you for a quick 15 points in 3 mins and before you know it, you are chasing the game.

I think the West could be a coin toss at this stage

I know it's a case of speculation and potential bull****tery, but, will Golden State come out of the West? Really?

Sure, no doubt about it, they are really really good, defensively and attack. No shame in Anthony Davis killing them and scaring them, he is a stud (Steven A Smith Mode) so long as they do a Celtics or Detroit ie stop Jordan from doing enough to win, everything is gravy

But, I believe that had Durant been fit for the last three games, and OKC got the 8th seed, OKC would have been a horrible gift for Warriors after being champions of the regular season. Sure, Warriors bet them this season, but one of their losses was against OKC. Remember they came from behind against OKC when Durant had his second injury. He left the floor with 30 plus points. Warriors may have lost that game too but for Durant's Injury

Seeing Spurs rejuvenate recently, until the loss against Clippers (in typical defensive Doc Rivers second coming of Celtics team) I was willing to punt that they make the finals.

It's definitely more open in the West. Maybe not so much in the East, Cavs v Hawks (or Bulls?)

Just get round 1 out of the way sharpish ; bar Spurs v Clippers, that maybe a great contest as both would be contenders, impaired to Dallas v Rockets where only the latter are contenders

Which big player shall fall to injury?

Lt J.R. Bell

SlimJ wrote: »

Getting to watch the halftime 'entertainment' on League Pass is one of the unsung benefits of that service. Anyone catch this act out of OKC during the regular season?

Sure hope it was better than some old dude in a onsie piling up chairs in the air as seen In Chicago and Cleveland the other nights (though the mascot version wad better)

GoldFour4

Mike Budenholzer named coach of the year. Steve Kerr a very close second apparently.

SlimJ

Lt J.R. Bell wrote: »

Sure hope it was better than some old dude in a onsie piling up chairs in the air as seen In Chicago and Cleveland the other nights (though the mascot version wad better)

There was some horrific magic act in one of the Saturday games (New Orleans maybe?) and I think it's hilarious that the same old-guy-acrobat gets the gigs in different arenas. I wonder if we'll see him move across the entire league during the playoffs?

SlimJ

padraig_f wrote: »

Hope Mirotic is ok, he was in the wars.

"The Bulls said Mirotic has a left quad strain and will be re-evaluated Tuesday morning. Mirotic also has a swollen left knee, and the fear in the locker room immediately after the 91-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks was that he might have a concussion as well."

Does anybody downplay potential injuries like the Bulls? They're like the tough old man grumpily insisting he's 'fine' as he limps back to his truck.

SlimJ

malistheman wrote: »

Mike Budenholzer named coach of the year. Steve Kerr a very close second apparently.

Full results (LOL - who voted for Jeff Hornacek?)

D2D

malistheman wrote: »

Mike Budenholzer named coach of the year. Steve Kerr a very close second apparently.

Final numbers:

1st) Budenholzer, Mike -- Atlanta 67 -- 1st votes; 58 2nd votes; 4 3rd votes = 513 total votes
2nd) Kerr, Steve -- Golden State -- 56 1st votes; 61 2nd votes; 8 3rd votes = 471 total votes
3rd) Kidd, Jason -- Milwaukee -- 1 1st vote; 5 2nd votes; 37 3rd votes = 57 total votes

Full results can be found here

padraig_f

SlimJ wrote: »

Does anybody downplay potential injuries like the Bulls? They're like the tough old man grumpily insisting he's 'fine' as he limps back to his truck.

It has been a problem, but after a couple of years reaching the post-season banged up, things have changed this season for the better, and I think they're ok now.

Of course this has caused some friction with Thibs, and may be the thing that forces him out, we'll see in the summer. But I think the front-office has been vindicated, the team reached the post-season this season about as healthy as they could be.

Mirotic hasn't been injury-prone, but the Bucks upped the physical stakes last night, and he came off worst. Nothing real dirty, but it was very chippy, with 7 technicals given out (4 Bucks, 3 Bulls) and Pachulia getting ejected.