Official NBA Playoffs Thread

[nate33]

Wade's flagrant will stand as called.
http://espn.go.com/nba/conversations/_/ ... grant-foul

Personally, after seeing what he did to Kobe, Rondo, and Collison; Dwayne Wade is the first NBA player that I hope gets the same thing he's been dishing out.

I don't want him to be hurt seriously, but if ever a player deserved some cracked ribs or a broken nose, it is Dwayne Wade. He and Bynum need to be on the receiving end IMO.

LOL at the linked highlights video providing no mention of the Wade flagrant foul.

[Ruzious]

Wade's flagrant will stand as called.
http://espn.go.com/nba/conversations/_/ ... grant-foul

Personally, after seeing what he did to Kobe, Rondo, and Collison; Dwayne Wade is the first NBA player that I hope gets the same thing he's been dishing out.

I don't want him to be hurt seriously, but if ever a player deserved some cracked ribs or a broken nose, it is Dwayne Wade. He and Bynum need to be on the receiving end IMO.

He has been building up a hit list, hasn't he. But honestly, I thought the Kobe's hit on one of the Denver players (Ugg, I can't remember who he hit - It was the game Kobe had food poisoning.) in the Nugz series was worse than DWade's hit last night.

[Nivek]

I'd also try a small-ball lineup of Wade-Chalmers-Miller-Battier-Lebron. Offensive threats at every position. It'd be a bitch for Indy to stay big and defend these guys. Use Lebron on Hibbert. Other than Hibbert, Indy doesn't have overwhelming size. A small-ball lineup like this might be able to push the tempo to a point that Hibbert would struggle to keep up.

It would be an interesting strategy. Hibbert would pretty much score at will in the post because even the double team help would have no realistic chance of altering his shot. On the other hand, Hibbert would have to guard somebody, and whoever that is, would pretty much have wide open 3-point looks.

They'd have to be able to get the ball to Hibbert, and then he'd need to be able to turn and get into shooting position. With that group on the floor, they might be able to limit his touches. But yeah, the real advantage would be on offense. Indy would probably have to play a zone to try and keep Hibbert on the floor. The real point would be to just force matchup problems. I think those would work out in Miami's favor.

[I_Like_Dirt]

If I had Spoelstra's ear, I'd suggest using different screeners. Try using Lebron to set screens for Wade. They'll have to guard Lebron on the roll. Also, use Battier or Miller as the screener in a pick & pop set. Those guys can roll to the 3pt line and they MUST be guarded there.

From what I gather, Spoelstra has been trying to get Lebron to set screens pretty much since he was signed. It's the ultimate weapon with Lebron and really the only way you're going to get both Lebron and Wade functioning offensively together without totally ignoring the rest of the team. Lebron's really good at it to - he just absolutely hates setting screens or any type of physical play like that. To me, Bosh is probably the most important player on their team because Lebron and Wade, while better players, both duplicate what the other does and neither guy really seems willing or able to play a different role. Given all the loyalty it took to get their team together there's no way they really could make the offer, but I really think they'd be wise to talk to Orlando about a Wade for Howard swap. The Heat are still a pretty darn good team, though, so it isn't like I feel bad for them being stuck with their big 3.

[Nivek]

Thanks, Mr. Dirt.

If Lebron won't set screens, then I'd go to Battier and Miller as screeners and use them in pick & pop. Battier, at least, will do it. Both are good enough 3pt shooters that they have to be defended. Right now, the Pacers don't need to guard the screener. That makes defending screen/roll a lot easier.

Agreed that I don't really feel bad for the Heat with their big 3.

[queridiculo]

It looks worse in slow motion, but it also looks also looks like it fits the flagrant 2 criteria of unnecessary and excessive.

Wade dodged one there, but had this foul occurred against either Lebron or Wade I wouldn't be surprised had it been called as a level 2 variety.

[pancakes3]

If I had Spoelstra's ear, I'd suggest using different screeners. Try using Lebron to set screens for Wade. They'll have to guard Lebron on the roll. Also, use Battier or Miller as the screener in a pick & pop set. Those guys can roll to the 3pt line and they MUST be guarded there.

From what I gather, Spoelstra has been trying to get Lebron to set screens pretty much since he was signed. It's the ultimate weapon with Lebron and really the only way you're going to get both Lebron and Wade functioning offensively together without totally ignoring the rest of the team. Lebron's really good at it to - he just absolutely hates setting screens or any type of physical play like that. To me, Bosh is probably the most important player on their team because Lebron and Wade, while better players, both duplicate what the other does and neither guy really seems willing or able to play a different role. Given all the loyalty it took to get their team together there's no way they really could make the offer, but I really think they'd be wise to talk to Orlando about a Wade for Howard swap. The Heat are still a pretty darn good team, though, so it isn't like I feel bad for them being stuck with their big 3.

From the second "The Decision" was leaked I feared for the league of a wade/lebron pnr duo but I've never really seen it happening. There's been so much talk about how Lebron's the "better ball handler" and the "more natural passer" to justify lebron handling the ball. I call BS. It's really Wade being off-ball than lebron. tomato/potato but that's the long and short of it. Lebron absolutely can NOT play off the ball and has no idea how (or isn't willing to) and is the de facto ball handler as a result.

the second Lebron surrenders ball handling duties - even the current switch-off ISO bullcrap and starts using his ungodly size (6'8 260!!!) is the second Miami finally starts fulfilling their potential.

[queridiculo]

Ibaka is something else, what a great player.

[Higga]

Damn the Thunder are ice cold tonight. Looks like this series is going at least 6. Still think OKC will pull it out though.

[queridiculo]

Harden is so damn good. Crucial layup down the stretch followed by killer defense against Kobe with yet another clutch layup down the stretch.

[queridiculo]

Man, the Thunder pull this one out it's going to be one heck of a defining moment for them.

[queridiculo]

Durant with that crucial steal against Kobe, kind of symbolic considering how the Lakers fizzled out down the stretch.

[Higga]

Durant with that crucial steal against Kobe, kind of symbolic considering how the Lakers fizzled out down the stretch.

Symbolic passing of the torch. Move aside Kobe, Durant is the new clutch king of the NBA.

Wow though, what a CHOKE by the Lakers. Gotta love it.

[DallasShalDune]

Kevin Durant might get a Finals MVP this year to counter LeBron's regular season trophy.

[queridiculo]

Symbolic passing of the torch. Move aside Kobe, Durant is the new clutch king of the NBA.

Wow though, what a CHOKE by the Lakers. Gotta love it.

Exactly my thought.

Kobe looked awfully human down the stretch.

[miller31time]

Durant with that crucial steal against Kobe, kind of symbolic considering how the Lakers fizzled out down the stretch.

Symbolic passing of the torch. Move aside Kobe, Durant is the new clutch king of the NBA.

Wow though, what a CHOKE by the Lakers. Gotta love it.

The thing with Kobe is that he has this reputation of being an insanely clutch player when, at least by the numbers, he's fairly inefficient in crunch time. He definitely takes a crapload of clutch shots though.

[queridiculo]

Kevin Durant might get a Finals MVP this year to counter LeBron's regular season trophy.

That Spurs vs. Thunder series has all the makings of being an epic conference showdown.

A lot can happen between now and then of course, but man, I really don't think the Lakers and Clippers stand much of a chance with their matchups.

[queridiculo]

It already started last season for me, but it really feels like the NBA is finally back.

Great star power, and just enough top tier teams to keep things competitive.

Very unlikely that it's going to happen, but I would really like to see the NBA go back to best of 5 in the first round.

[Higga]

Man though, I wish Durant didn't resign in OKC. His hometown team could really use him. He'd rival RG3 in popularity IMO.

[queridiculo]

Would have been great to see him DC, but I have a ton of respect for Durant and his decision to stick with the franchise that drafted him.