Around the NBA / Finals - Part 5

[Mech Engineer]

The Heat might still come back and win but it seems unlikely.

1. Bosh is still not himself. He is either hurt or he is trying to be like Korver shooting 3 pointers. I don't think he is even a big man now. Boston could have put a wing player on him instead of Garnett and maybe he wouldn't have gone inside even then.

2. Haslem was going crazy against the Bulls last year maybe because of confidence or fresh legs. The Bulls definitely would be better this year. Miami was scared of the Bulls and were trying to send messages/play mind games in the last reg season game.

3. Wade stoppers are becoming dime a dozen especially in the playoffs(Bogans, Brewer, Bradley, Sefolosha etc..). This guy shows up at random times like Boozer against really bad match-ups like Barbosa in the Indiana series.

4. The Heat haven't beaten anyone of worth until now. NY was probably worse than Philly. Indiana was better than last year but the point is they didn't add any superstar this year. So, in reality how much were they better? Boston was old and hurt on top of it and still took them to 7 games.

It might be one of the easiest path to the finals after his Cleveland finals appearance.

[Lanky Gunner]

Thunder in 5.

Also, there is no way the current Bulls can beat this incarnation of the Thunder. If the Thunder somehow manage to keep Ibaka and Harden this offseason, I don't see who beats them for quite a while, unless the Bulls manage to make some big changes, e.g. adding a second player capable of creating offense and breaking down a defense. But doing that will require some sacrifice of their defensive talent, which weakens that end. Now I'm depressed.

On the plus side, Wade looks washed up, which is delightful for the Bulls' prospects in the East going forward, especially as the Celtics look likely to be dismantled and retooled this off season.

[LoveDaBoo]

I can't believe there's any argument about which team is more unlikable. I've hated Haslem's guts going back to the Heat-Bulls series with the baby bulls. I've hated Chalmers since he hit that shot against Memphis. I've always hated Mike Miller, dating back to his days at Florida. I used to like Wade, but the dude made a point of burning us in FA, and he's become one of the whiniest most insufferable players in all of the NBA in recent years.

That's all before even considering the little party the Miamegos threw after signing.

[Red Larrivee]

The way LeBron is playing it's hard to count Miami out. Problem is he needs one of Wade or Bosh to step up for the series and both are playing hurt.

OKC is at full strength. Durant is still playing at an MVP level, and you can count on either Westbrook or Harden to produce like the 2nd banana you need to win titles.

That said it was just Game 1. Miami won Game 1 of the Finals last year and then lost 4 of the next 5 games. Anything can happen.

[aaqubed]

This year's Bulls' team would have matched up well against the Thunder. They have more top-line talent but we're still deeper. And I'm confident Thibs would have figured out a way to slow down their offense.

They're a great team. But they're not all-time great. They're still very beatable.

[fallacy]

Thunder in 5.

Also, there is no way the current Bulls can beat this incarnation of the Thunder. If the Thunder somehow manage to keep Ibaka and Harden this offseason, I don't see who beats them for quite a while, unless the Bulls manage to make some big changes, e.g. adding a second player capable of creating offense and breaking down a defense. But doing that will require some sacrifice of their defensive talent, which weakens that end. Now I'm depressed.

On the plus side, Wade looks washed up, which is delightful for the Bulls' prospects in the East going forward, especially as the Celtics look likely to be dismantled and retooled this off season.

Harden and Ibaka are under contract for next season

[DuckIII]

Random responses:

(1) The Heat aren't winning this. That is an understandable internal defense mechanism to avoid disappointment if you predict OKC takes it. But its OKC in 5. 6 tops. The Heat can't answer that. Not because they are soft or uncluth or whatever, but because they aren't good enough. OKC is a class above them this year, and matches up perfectly.

(2) Following that theme, the Bulls would have drubbed the Heat as well. But I don't think we could have done anything with OKC. They're better and match up with us well. Basically, they are a better version of the Bulls. Its scary. But I'm okay with it because . . . .

(3) . . . . everything about them is likeable. Why is Westbrook a dick? Because he's passionate on the court? Outside of that, I see nothing. There's nothing not to like about that team other than their embarrassment of riches. All of their players are likeable, they play great defense, they play with effort, they aren't exactly the 2002 Kings, but they share the ball, they have a classy coach, a premiere GM who isn't arrogant about it, etc. And they have Thabo. What's not to like about a team that has Thabo?

(4) On the other hand, what's with this "I don't hate the Heat" or "I'm over hating the Heat" or "The Heat aren't scary enough to hate anymore" flibbidy-floo? Man up and embrace your pettiness. You don't let your hatred fade just because they aren't as threatening anymore. You revel in it. The point of the hatred is to see them fade away with nothing. If they start to slip in the East over the years to the point that they are fighting for a playoff spot, you root for them to lose every game. Even when the Thupafwendth scatter to the four corners of the NBA, I'll hate the Heat franchise. The taint is permanent. And I'll hate whatever teams these clowns end up on when they do eventually leave (unless its the Bulls, hypocrisy be damned).

LeBron James took a crap on his home state on NATIONAL TELEVISION. It is the douchiest non-criminal thing a professional athlete has ever done. Not to mention the 30 other things he's done since then that we know all too well, so I won't bother mentioning.

Dwyane Wade? Its hard to believe, but he's become an even bigger tool than LeBron. Dirk, sniff, Dirk, loyalty, my grandmama gave me that chain, the world is a better place because the Heat lost (which is true, of course), etc. Every time I see him smile I want to smack in him in the teeth with a lead pipe.

And Bosh isn't bad if you like guys who tweet about waffles, want to chill, and get upset about opponents who dive for loose balls near their legs.

I hope Miami never wins another game of basketball for the rest of eternity, the franchise moves to Boise, the American Airlines arena and all Heat merchandise within it deteriorates and crumbles to the ground, and then biodegrades into the atmosphere so we can all breathe it in and fart it out.

[Midway Bully]

Tough crowd.

[jax98]

Random responses:

(1) The Heat aren't winning this. That is an understandable internal defense mechanism to avoid disappointment if you predict OKC takes it. But its OKC in 5. 6 tops. The Heat can't answer that. Not because they are soft or uncluth or whatever, but because they aren't good enough. OKC is a class above them this year, and matches up perfectly.

(2) Following that theme, the Bulls would have drubbed the Heat as well. But I don't think we could have done anything with OKC. They're better and match up with us well. Basically, they are a better version of the Bulls. Its scary. But I'm okay with it because . . . .

(3) . . . . everything about them is likeable. Why is Westbrook a dick? Because he's passionate on the court? Outside of that, I see nothing. There's nothing not to like about that team other than their embarrassment of riches. All of their players are likeable, they play great defense, they play with effort, they aren't exactly the 2002 Kings, but they share the ball, they have a classy coach, a premiere GM who isn't arrogant about it, etc. And they have Thabo. What's not to like about a team that has Thabo?

(4) On the other hand, what's with this "I don't hate the Heat" or "I'm over hating the Heat" or "The Heat aren't scary enough to hate anymore" flibbidy-floo? Man up and embrace your pettiness. You don't let your hatred fade just because they aren't as threatening anymore. You revel in it. The point of the hatred is to see them fade away with nothing. If they start to slip in the East over the years to the point that they are fighting for a playoff spot, you root for them to lose every game. Even when the Thupafwendth scatter to the four corners of the NBA, I'll hate the Heat franchise. The taint is permanent. And I'll hate whatever teams these clowns end up on when they do eventually leave (unless its the Bulls, hypocrisy be damned).

LeBron James took a crap on his home state on NATIONAL TELEVISION. It is the douchiest non-criminal thing a professional athlete has ever done. Not to mention the 30 other things he's done since then that we know all too well, so I won't bother mentioning.

Dwyane Wade? Its hard to believe, but he's become an even bigger tool than LeBron. Dirk, sniff, Dirk, loyalty, my grandmama gave me that chain, the world is a better place because the Heat lost (which is true, of course), etc. Every time I see him smile I want to smack in him in the teeth with a lead pipe.

And Bosh isn't bad if you like guys who tweet about waffles, want to chill, and get upset about opponents who dive for loose balls near their legs.

I hope Miami never wins another game of basketball for the rest of eternity, the franchise moves to Boise, the American Airlines arena and all Heat merchandise within it deteriorates and crumbles to the ground, and then biodegrades into the atmosphere so we can all breathe it in and fart it out.

Imagine reading this post with Nirvana's "Come As You Are" in the background, and it's freaking poetry.

[Jerry Krizause]

I don't think that the Bulls would have beaten the Thunder. The Bulls do have a depth advantage, but their depth is not at all explosive. Gibson, Asik, Watson, Brewer - these guys all bring something to the table, but they're all bricklayers. Good luck trying to grind it out against a team that has 3 guys that can all put it on the floor and score, including one guy who is absolutely unstoppable.

To Duck's point, I will say that my Heat hate has not wavered, nor will it ever. In my world, it would be one of the delicious sports stories of all time if the Heat actually won nothing with Lebron. It seems almost impossible that a talent like James could go his entire career without winning a title, but we edge closer to that reality every year. And BTW, for all of the "you better beat the Heat these first two years" people, I don't know that the Heat roster will get markedly better anytime soon. That team is just so lacking at...everything except 3 positions. Maybe ol' Riles has something up his sleeve, but what would they even get for a 30 year old Wade at this point? One of you trade nerds come up with something, because I'm having trouble thinking of a trade partner for the Heat to deal Wade to. Wade getting traded will be hilarious, by the way.

[Mech Engineer]

I don't think that the Bulls would have beaten the Thunder. The Bulls do have a depth advantage, but their depth is not at all explosive. Gibson, Asik, Watson, Brewer - these guys all bring something to the table, but they're all bricklayers. Good luck trying to grind it out against a team that has 3 guys that can all put it on the floor and score, including one guy who is absolutely unstoppable.

To Duck's point, I will say that my Heat hate has not wavered, nor will it ever. In my world, it would be one of the delicious sports stories of all time if the Heat actually won nothing with Lebron. It seems almost impossible that a talent like James could go his entire career without winning a title, but we edge closer to that reality every year. And BTW, for all of the "you better beat the Heat these first two years" people, I don't know that the Heat roster will get markedly better anytime soon. That team is just so lacking at...everything except 3 positions. Maybe ol' Riles has something up his sleeve, but what would they even get for a 30 year old Wade at this point? One of you trade nerds come up with something, because I'm having trouble thinking of a trade partner for the Heat to deal Wade to. Wade getting traded will be hilarious, by the way.

In a year or two, is Wade's contract worse than Boozer's if he keeps up this injury bug and getting shut down? Boozer atleast doesn't rely on his athleticism and is a big man who rebounds.

LeBron might be planning a "DECISION # 2" taking his talents to North Beach or Lake Erie Beach?

[BullsGate]

This year's Bulls' team would have matched up well against the Thunder. They have more top-line talent but we're still deeper. And I'm confident Thibs would have figured out a way to slow down their offense.

They're a great team. But they're not all-time great. They're still very beatable.

Bulls got nothing to slow down Durant and harden or westbrook would go off, so bulls hands would be full.

[greenl]

James:
- calls himself a king
- chokes in big moments
- treats ballboys like crap
- has an unbelievable sense of entitlement

To be fair to LeBron- and I am not a fan nor an apologist of his- we created him. We entitled him. We coddled him. The guys talent for shooting a round ball through an iron hoop (think how absurd and arbitrary that talent is) was identified at an early age. Since then his life has had to be borderline surreal. He's a high school educated, multi-multi millionaire who's been told he's the greatest thing since sliced bread since he was about 14- when those close to him realized his earning potential. He went on national tv to announce he was changing jobs- and we broadcasted it. NIke handed him a near 100mm dollar endorsement contract when he was a teenager. We made him what he is- we are Dr Frankenstein. What's surprising to me is that there aren't more athletes who are vain, self obsessed, entitled d-bags. Maybe there are and they just hide it well?

[coldfish]

+Duck

That's just beautiful man.

Well, other than the Thabo part.

[tclg]

I enjoyed last nights game so much it just may have een the bulls playing the, Durant has been my favorite non bull since he came in the league

[Lanky Gunner]

+Duck

That's just beautiful man.

Well, other than the Thabo part.

How dare you, re: Thabo.

[DuckIII]

To be fair to LeBron- [ ]

We made him what he is- we are Dr Frankenstein.

I used to make the same argument you are making. I used to say that some of his douchiness (in Cleveland) was understandable given his background, and that I was surprised he wasn't a complete and total tool given how he'd been treated like a god since such a young age.

But then it turned out that he actually is a complete and total tool. And when that happens, its on the monster as well as the mad scientist.

Basically, LeBron used to come off as the version of Frankenstein's monster picking flowers with the little girl, but it turns out he's the version that drowns her.

[ChicagoStrong]

The way LeBron is playing it's hard to count Miami out. Problem is he needs one of Wade or Bosh to step up for the series and both are playing hurt.

OKC is at full strength. Durant is still playing at an MVP level, and you can count on either Westbrook or Harden to produce like the 2nd banana you need to win titles.

That said it was just Game 1. Miami won Game 1 of the Finals last year and then lost 4 of the next 5 games. Anything can happen.

Wade is hurt?

[musiqsoulchild]

The Bulls would never get past any of those teams tbh.

In a sense that makes us going fishing early easier to bear since I hate both Heat and Thunder so much.

Except if Miami loses again they have to make changes which creates even more of a chance to be the ECF champion.

Id much rather be the 90's Jazz to the Bulls than the 90's Pacers or 90's Knicks. Atleast we will have EC championships to be proud of.

[Mech Engineer]

To be fair to LeBron- [ ]

We made him what he is- we are Dr Frankenstein.

I used to make the same argument you are making. I used to say that some of his douchiness (in Cleveland) was understandable given his background, and that I was surprised he wasn't a complete and total tool given how he'd been treated like a god since such a young age.

But then it turned out that he actually is a complete and total tool. And when that happens, its on the monster as well as the mad scientist.

Basically, LeBron used to come off as the version of Frankenstein's moster picking flowers with the little girl, but it turns out he's the version that drowns her.

Are you starting a rival network against ESPN? It seems like a perfect antidote for all the love Broussard, Haberstroh(?) etc.. give for LeBron.

All the writers start telling the truth about LeBron and then their human kindness or the LeBron love takes over. Thanks for putting it in blunt terms.