HotelVitale wrote:cgf wrote:HotelVitale wrote:
Nah, the plot simply won't allow for that type of ending. If the Pacers end up winning it will be because they've figured out how not to get flustered as hell by OKC's swarming defense, and they've got some way to make their quick-hit offense create shots more steadily than what we saw last game. Like they did against your Knicks, had no problem creating all day against any look the Knicks gave. The mental toughness gives an extra tool but you're simply not going to get murdered like they did with TOs and offensive creation and win a series just because you 'don't give up.'
It's like using wildfire against Stannis--it helps your odds for sure and gives you a much better chance, but you're still gonna need the Lannister and Tyrell army to swoop in if you want to actually win the whole thing.
Nah, western conference fans this season have been (f)Aegon bickering over a meaningless crown, while they all ignore the real threat marching towards them. The Pacers just find a way. The Knicks were a team of destiny that was also going to beat OKC, and Indy just out "team of destiny"d us. They'll just keep finding a way and while everyone talks about how unsustainable their wins are, they'll keep racking them up.
Think we're talking past each other here. The Pacers didn't win the last game because of 'not giving up' or being a 'team of destiny' or whatever, they won because they played their game really well for most of the game and had multiple guys step up at the right time.
They didn't mount a crazy comeback or need miraculous stuff to happen to win, that's what I was saying was a bad take. They're a good team, and last game they specifically figured out how to take care of the ball much better while still being aggressive and whipping the ball around the court. And their defense was really good at staying in front of SGA and J Dub and wearing them down and making them take tough shots.
Fair enough, let me clarify what I was trying to say.
They don't need to make crazy comebacks every game, but making crazy comebacks is a regular part of what makes them so damn good and their style of play puts them in position to make crazy comebacks because of the way they exhaust opponents and the way they put their guys in position to get hot before crunch time, so they can ride a crazy hotstreak...like Nesmith in game 1 of the ECF...when they need it, taking advantage of your tiredness to get better looks and win the turnover/possession battle down the stretch.
And knowing they can do that helps them do it even when they've been off all night before the comeback...like game 1 of the finals. That's why they're the Wights of the NBA; with Hali and Carlisle as the White Walkers, calling the shots. A team that will just zerg rush you into oblivion over 7 games.
