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NBA 2017 Playoffs |OT| WE DID IT

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Ainge gonna do it tonight
Playoff Horford gonna go for two straight against LeBron D:

Live by the 3
Die by the 3
That's just it for this series and next series
 

Surfinn

Member
LeMonstar better not have an off night again.

Depending on how things play out, Cavs might be in better shape taking a loss or two, as they head into the finals. Warriors haven't faced a team who has challenged them much at all. I'm afraid they might have a big wake up call in game 1. They've coasted for 12 games straight. Played very well obviously, not trying to take that away, but the Cavs will bring competition.
 
I disagree. CP3 is one of the top 10 players in the league; if he wants to come you do what you can to get him. Dejounte Murray is a nice player but you don't structure your team building around him.

I also think your analysis of a hypothetical Warriors - Lakers lineup is very simplistic. While Shaq was a great and dominant player on the offensive end, I think that Lakers team would have struggled greatly at dealing with the Warriors 3-point, perimeter-oriented attack. They had no competent wing defenders outside of Kobe on a good day.


The Spurs won't build the team around Murray, they build around Kawhi Leonard who is already better a player than CP3. The Spur is in passing-the-torch period. They are not a win-now type of team that burn their franchise's future for the sake of an aging allstar. They are building another Dynasty that will last for another decade and to do that they need to build the team around draft picks and young talents. Kawhi, Murray and Bertan might not help the team to be a contender next year. Hell, maybe not even a year after. But that's a part of process to greatness. The Warrior sucked balls for so many years before they turned their draft picks into possibly the greatest team the league ever witnesses.

The Spur is not immune from taking a short-cut, however. Every time they took the short-cut to title it backfired. Last time they overpaid for an unproductive star was Richard Jefferson. Now I feel like LaMarcus Aldridge is possibly another mistake that they shouldn't repeat again.
 

Ripenen

Member
Depending on how things play out, Cavs might be in better shape taking a loss or two, as they head into the finals. Warriors haven't faced a team who has challenged them much at all. I'm afraid they might have a big wake up call in game 1. They've coasted for 12 games straight. Played very well obviously, not trying to take that away, but the Cavs will bring competition.

The Cavs haven't faced particularly strong competition either. The Jazz are probably better than any team the Cavs have faced.
 

Boogs31

Member
The Spurs won't build the team around Murray, they build around Kawhi Leonard who is already better a player than CP3. The Spur is in passing-the-torch period. They are not a win-now type of team that burn their franchise's future for the sake of an aging allstar. They are building another Dynasty that will last for another decade and to do that they need to build the team around draft picks and young talents. Kawhi, Murray and Bertan might not help the team to be a contender next year. Hell, maybe not even a year after. But that's a part of process to greatness. The Warrior sucked balls for so many years before they turned their draft picks into possibly the greatest team the league ever witnesses.

The Spur is not immune from taking a short-cut, however. Every time they took the short-cut to title it backfired. Last time they overpaid for an unproductive star was Richard Jefferson. Now I feel like LaMarcus Aldridge is possibly another mistake that they shouldn't repeat again.

Couldn't the Spurs theoretically sign CP3 and have a better team right now while also developing Murray and Bertans? Don't understand why it has to be one or the other. The draft picks to get young players are going to be in the late 20's whether San Antonio has CP3 or not, so adding him shouldn't change their ability to draft and develop future prospects.
 

Surfinn

Member
The Cavs haven't faced particularly strong competition either. The Jazz are probably better than any team the Cavs have faced.

Right, but at least they experienced a relatively early loss in the series. That will wake them up and they'll probably finish strong heading into the finals. The Warriors haven't had that jumpstart yet. Maybe they'll get it when they play the Cavs.
 

cHaotix8

Member
A physically fit and disciplined Shaq would have been amazing to witness. Definitely would have been in his own tier. Like, just imagine a Shaq with Kawhi's work ethic... Shit'd be unstoppable.
 

RootCause

Member
I was so bummed when the Lakers didn't get Aldrige. I didn't realize he is so stiff in his movements, and slow. He is not the center I thought he was. I think i would take McGee over him lol i never thought Id say that.
LMA is the superior player, he'd look great surrounded by the Warriors talent.
 

Ripenen

Member
Right, but at least they experienced a relatively early loss in the series. That will wake them up and they'll probably finish strong heading into the finals. The Warriors haven't had that jumpstart yet. Maybe they'll get it when they play the Cavs.

I've heard people say that some teams have another gear, and can "flip the switch" whenever they want. The Warriors could probably do the same.
 
one of the biggest weaknesses that doesn't get mentioned is how Shaq was poor defending the 1-5 pick and roll. if a player like bibby could exploit it with simple freethrow extended line jumpers.. imagine the havoc Curry would create having to force Shaq to come out and defend the 3.

Depends on which shaq you're talking about. While the ultra dominant shaq that realized he would get fouled regardless and so bulked up would be still be a monster today, it's actually young Orlando shaq who I think would fit better and dominate more in today's game. He was so damn fast for someone that big

Lakers were 11-0 and lost one overtime game in the Finals. Iverson's 76ers were the least talented Finals roster that I can ever recall too. He carried straight garbage.
Dikembe was good, but not a star player that you would talk about. He was facing shaq and did as decent a job as he could have done.

I love how that one AI game is almost more good vividly remembered than that entire Lakers playoff run XD
 

spyder_ur

Member
You sweet summer children, young Shaq was that dude.

https://youtu.be/3DSN1KnAW-Y

That dunk on McHale and Parish, holy crap. I remember that. Young Shaq really was something else.

Don't really get the criticism on Shaq's conditioning/dedication that much. He was a bigger dude sure, but his agility was incredible for his size. He played 40 minutes a game in 2000, a number basically unheard of for anyone now, much less a big man. He always produced in the playoffs. And he was playing 30 a game into his age 36 season of a 19-year career. At his size, you don't do that without taking care of yourself or being dedicated.
 

Cooter

Lacks the power of instantaneous movement
Depends on which shaq you're talking about. While the ultra dominant shaq that realized he would get fouled regardless and so bulked up would be still be a monster today, it's actually young Orlando shaq who I think would fit better and dominate more in today's game. He was so damn fast for someone that big


Dikembe was good, but not a star player that you would talk about. He was facing shaq and did as decent a job as he could have done.

I love how that one AI game is almost more good vividly remembered than that entire Lakers playoff run XD
AI was one of a kind. One of my all time favorites. He's really what got me interested in basketball. He was amazing.
 
Lacob really needs to STFU during the playoffs. Why he keeps making stupid statements that create controversy is just baffling.
What did he do now?

I swear to God the jinxes are everywhere and people never learn. Monstars theme by Cavs game 3, funeral clothing by Celtics game 6, klay's "it's a man's game", milwaukee losing in 6 games, Milwaukee getting crushed the 2nd Barney game/Giannis playing badly after looking haughtily at the box score for derozan, etc.
 
Celtics should let him. Say LeBron puts up 100 by himself. Then the Celtics just have to score 101 as a team to get the win. Easy peasy.

I've been wanting someone to try this for a while now, don't worry about LeBron; let him get his 40 points but shut Kyrie and KLove down. Stop doubling people in the paint and allowing 3 point shooters to shoot.
 

Nafai1123

Banned
What did he do now?

I swear to God the jinxes are everywhere and people never learn. Monstars theme by Cavs game 3, funeral clothing by Celtics game 6, klay's "it's a man's game", milwaukee losing in 6 games, Milwaukee getting crushed the 2nd Barney game/Giannis playing badly after looking haughtily at the box score for derozan, etc.

Joe Lacob said he wants Cleveland: "We were the better team but they did win. We need a chance to go in there and prove that."

I don't like him running his mouth. He ain't playing and he ain't coaching. Just STFU and let the team your money built do their thing.
 

Ripenen

Member
I've been wanting someone to try this for a while now, don't worry about LeBron; let him get his 40 points but shut Kyrie and KLove down. Stop doubling people in the paint and allowing 3 point shooters to shoot.

And if you make LeBron do everything on offense he has less energy on defense. What's Brad Stevens' twitter handle let's DM him this idea.
 

Tom Penny

Member
I've been wanting someone to try this for a while now, don't worry about LeBron; let him get his 40 points but shut Kyrie and KLove down. Stop doubling people in the paint and allowing 3 point shooters to shoot.

That was their intent in game one but they shot 2/16 from 3 in the first half and rolled out the red carpet for him to get to the rim all night. You will still probably lose but I've always thought that is better than letting guys like Love, Korver, JR etc go HAM from deep. They actually almost blew the game the other night up 3 when Jae decided to double Lebron guarded by Smart when he was in passive mode all game. He passed it to JR for a wide open 3 that tied the game.
 

spyder_ur

Member
It's a do or die game. Olynyk last chance to take out the other arm of Kevin Love.

Only one arm has been injured by that play this series, and it's not a Cav who's hurt.

I wonder who starts tonight. My guess is Jonas. This revolving door of 5th starter is really something.
 

VeeP

Member
Depending on how things play out, Cavs might be in better shape taking a loss or two, as they head into the finals. Warriors haven't faced a team who has challenged them much at all. I'm afraid they might have a big wake up call in game 1. They've coasted for 12 games straight. Played very well obviously, not trying to take that away, but the Cavs will bring competition.

Maybe. But I think a pretty big factor is last years finals. You can see it on the Warriors faces all playoffs. They don't give a shit that they swept or whatever. They're just trying to get back to the finals and redeem themselves/take what they think they should've won.

They played pretty meh in the first half versing the Spurs tho, so maybe your right and they'll have a huge wake up call Game 1.
 
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