NBA Thread

[liebzz]

I'm not a Bulls fan and I think the Bulls have a shot with the Heat. They disrupt the Heat, and physically punish them...and the Heat are not a soft team - and are not used to getting pushed around. It is precisely how the Bulls ended the Heat's 27 game win streak.

[Monkey_Driven]

There is no way the Bulls can beat the Heat in a 7 game series. They might win a game or two but not 4.

[4/5]

I'm not a Bulls fan and I think the Bulls have a shot with the Heat. They disrupt the Heat, and physically punish them...and the Heat are not a soft team - and are not used to getting pushed around. It is precisely how the Bulls ended the Heat's 27 game win streak.

The Bulls won that game because Luol Deng hit very tough shots in a way that is unsustainable for him in a 7 game series and a lot of 50/50 balls went their way. They scored 3 baskets in which the first shot got blocked and went right to another Bulls player under the basket. They hit 3 or 4 ridiculous shots at the end of the shot clock.

Please don't mistake this for me saying they shouldn't have won that game or didn't deserve it. The Bulls absolutely won that game, and they earned it. I'm just saying that it's the type of win that happens once in a series, or maybe twice at the outer limit. The Bulls will not beat Miami in a 7 game series barring injury/suspension.

[liebzz]

I should clarify that I don't expect the Bulls to beat them, but I think if there is a team in the east that can, it's them.

I look at the Heat very similarly to the Bulls from 1989-1998. More often than not, they won, and I would expect the Heat to do the same...but the teams that pushed them in those years (89-90 Pistons, 92-95 Knicks, and even the Heat in 1997), they all were tough physical teams that slowed the game down some and had punishing defenses. Those Bulls teams were not soft, and neither are the Heat, but this is what I expect the Bulls to do. To push them, make it a tough series, and not be absolutely stunned if they did pull it off.

[4/5]

I should clarify that I don't expect the Bulls to beat them, but I think if there is a team in the east that can, it's them.

I look at the Heat very similarly to the Bulls from 1989-1998. More often than not, they won, and I would expect the Heat to do the same...but the teams that pushed them in those years (89-90 Pistons, 92-95 Knicks, and even the Heat in 1997), they all were tough physical teams that slowed the game down some and had punishing defenses. Those Bulls teams were not soft, and neither are the Heat, but this is what I expect the Bulls to do. To push them, make it a tough series, and not be absolutely stunned if they did pull it off.

I agree with 95% of this. The Bulls absolutely will push the Heat, it will be hard fought, and each game will be a war. The main difference is that I would be stunned if those battles didn't come out with the Heat on top 4 times.

The Bulls, Pacers, and Celtics can all give Miami trouble. But in a 7 game series, I just don't see Miami losing to any of them.

In order of toughest matchups in the East for Miami:

1. Celtics
2. Bulls w/o Rose
3. Pacers
4. Bucks (They've played Miami very tough throughout the Big 3 era)
5. Knicks
6. Bulls w/ Rose
7. Hawks/Nets are both cakewalks

[liebzz]

Interesting list. I'm a little surprised by it. I think the Bulls give them the toughest fight, and the Pacers (similar reasons) just after that. The Knicks are just not good enough, but they could take a few games so long as Anthony continues to play at Bernard King levels of offensive power. I do think the Nets and Hawks are likely to get exposed in the first round, and hope that Chicago can get that 5 seed so we aren't all forced to endure a Nets-Hawks series. I guess we'll know all after tonight.

[4/5]

Interesting list. I'm a little surprised by it. I think the Bulls give them the toughest fight, and the Pacers (similar reasons) just after that. The Knicks are just not good enough, but they could take a few games so long as Anthony continues to play at Bernard King levels of offensive power.

The Bulls and Pacers are certainly the toughest physically. I've learned enough to never take Boston for granted, though. Maybe I'm overrating them, but the past has made me always assume Boston has another level when they play the Heat/LeBron, especially in Boston.

I think the Knicks would get a game, maybe two, but I don't think they'd seriously test Miami. I just don't think a team can beat Miami in a 7 game series trying to out shoot them or beat them on the wing.

The strange thing for me about going into these playoffs is that Miami is definitively better than everybody in the East. They should win it. There's not a single team that I really think has better than a puncher's chance of beating them. So then I become paranoid in the what ifs. From the West, I really only think Memphis (the single biggest threat) and OKC (I would say SA but I'm very confused by them right now) have a legitimate shot of beating them.

This feeling of inevitability and sureness terrifies me.

[Monkey_Driven]

The only thing that will make the East interesting is a major Heat injury. There may be some great games in different series, but overall it is Miami's conference to lose.

[liebzz]

4/5, I think that's exactly what gives me pause about Miami, if anything. The inevitability factor. Maybe it's because I am a lifelong Yankees fan who has seen so many of their stacked teams lose in the postseason, but really when you sit on the top, as a team and even a little as a sports fan, there's nowhere to look but down. A scary proposition. Talent alone doesn't win these tournaments, and I am sure these guys will bring their best...they just haven't always done that, especially LeBron, and that's what makes me think someone's got a chance out there.

[Monkey_Driven]

4/5, I think that's exactly what gives me pause about Miami, if anything. The inevitability factor. Maybe it's because I am a lifelong Yankees fan who has seen so many of their stacked teams lose in the postseason, but really when you sit on the top, as a team and even a little as a sports fan, there's nowhere to look but down. A scary proposition. Talent alone doesn't win these tournaments, and I am sure these guys will bring their best...they just haven't always done that, especially LeBron, and that's what makes me think someone's got a chance out there.

The thing about the NBA is that the best player's team in each series usually wins. Lebron is playing better than anyone else right now.

[4/5]

4/5, I think that's exactly what gives me pause about Miami, if anything. The inevitability factor. Maybe it's because I am a lifelong Yankees fan who has seen so many of their stacked teams lose in the postseason, but really when you sit on the top, as a team and even a little as a sports fan, there's nowhere to look but down. A scary proposition. Talent alone doesn't win these tournaments, and I am sure these guys will bring their best...they just haven't always done that, especially LeBron, and that's what makes me think someone's got a chance out there.

I hear ya.

[verb_to_trust]

Edit to add this: Looked at the standings and it appears that if the playoffs started today instead of Saturday, the Heat would get the winner of Nets/Hawks, which is a gift-wrapped trip to the Eastern Conference Finals for Miami.

As a Bulls fan, I'm really hoping the Bulls can move ahead of the Hawks. I wouldn't mind the Bulls getting the Heat in the second round and facing the Nets would be great because they are a total fraud. Each time the Bulls have played them the Nets have been exposed. Playing the Heat in the second round would be fine. The Bulls would be rested.....if they have to go through a physical Pacers team and then another tough second round matchup they won't get to the Heat in the conference finals. The Pacers are actually a really tough matchup for the Bulls because they match their physicality and toughness on the glass.

you think the Bulls can beat the heat?

No

[verb_to_trust]

I should clarify that I don't expect the Bulls to beat them, but I think if there is a team in the east that can, it's them.

I look at the Heat very similarly to the Bulls from 1989-1998. More often than not, they won, and I would expect the Heat to do the same...but the teams that pushed them in those years (89-90 Pistons, 92-95 Knicks, and even the Heat in 1997), they all were tough physical teams that slowed the game down some and had punishing defenses. Those Bulls teams were not soft, and neither are the Heat, but this is what I expect the Bulls to do. To push them, make it a tough series, and not be absolutely stunned if they did pull it off.

I agree with 95% of this. The Bulls absolutely will push the Heat, it will be hard fought, and each game will be a war. The main difference is that I would be stunned if those battles didn't come out with the Heat on top 4 times.

The Bulls, Pacers, and Celtics can all give Miami trouble. But in a 7 game series, I just don't see Miami losing to any of them.

In order of toughest matchups in the East for Miami:

1. Celtics
2. Bulls w/o Rose
3. Pacers
4. Bucks (They've played Miami very tough throughout the Big 3 era)
5. Knicks
6. Bulls w/ Rose
7. Hawks/Nets are both cakewalks

Cool list, except for the part where an MVP caliber point guard playing in an already solid lineup isn't as challenging for the heat as the freaking Bucks. And I think you are vastly overrating the Celtics in a playoff series without Rondo.....

[4/5]

I should clarify that I don't expect the Bulls to beat them, but I think if there is a team in the east that can, it's them.

I look at the Heat very similarly to the Bulls from 1989-1998. More often than not, they won, and I would expect the Heat to do the same...but the teams that pushed them in those years (89-90 Pistons, 92-95 Knicks, and even the Heat in 1997), they all were tough physical teams that slowed the game down some and had punishing defenses. Those Bulls teams were not soft, and neither are the Heat, but this is what I expect the Bulls to do. To push them, make it a tough series, and not be absolutely stunned if they did pull it off.

I agree with 95% of this. The Bulls absolutely will push the Heat, it will be hard fought, and each game will be a war. The main difference is that I would be stunned if those battles didn't come out with the Heat on top 4 times.

The Bulls, Pacers, and Celtics can all give Miami trouble. But in a 7 game series, I just don't see Miami losing to any of them.

In order of toughest matchups in the East for Miami:

1. Celtics
2. Bulls w/o Rose
3. Pacers
4. Bucks (They've played Miami very tough throughout the Big 3 era)
5. Knicks
6. Bulls w/ Rose
7. Hawks/Nets are both cakewalks

Cool list, except for the part where an MVP caliber point guard playing in an already solid lineup isn't as challenging for the heat as the freaking Bucks. And I think you are vastly overrating the Celtics in a playoff series without Rondo.....

Yeah, that's true. The Bucks can't beat Miami in a series, either. In an attempt to illustrate my belief that the Bulls are a tougher matchup without Rose than they are with him, I definitely stepped into hyperbole territory. I guess, really it should be something like: Celtics, Bulls w/o Rose, Bulls w/Rose, Pacers, etc.
And I probably am overrating the Celtics, but I rather do that, than underestimate them.

[liebzz]

Stage is set, so let's make some meaningless predictions we can all fight about until the playoff play out!

EAST:
Heat 4, Bucks 0
Bulls 4, Nets 1
Pacers 4, Hawks 1
Knicks 4, Celtics 2

Heat 4, Bulls 2
Knicks 4, Pacers 3

Heat 4, Knicks 2

WEST:
Thunder 4, Rockets 2
Clippers 4, Grizzlies 3
Nuggets 4, Warriors 2
Spurs 4, Lakers 1

Thunder 4, Clippers 2
Spurs 4, Nuggets 1

Thunder 4, Spurs 3

FINALS:
Heat 4, Thunder 2

Despite the vanilla picks, I am hoping for some exciting series.

[4/5]

The first round in the West should be a lot of fun. The East, not so much other than Boston-NYK.

EAST:
Heat 4, Bucks 1
Bulls 4, Nets 1
Pacers 4, Hawks 0
Celtics 4, Knicks 3

Heat 4, Bulls 1 (Much tougher series than 4-1 indicates)
Pacers 4, Celtics 3

Heat 4, Pacers 1

WEST:
Thunder 4, Rockets 0
Grizzlies 4, Clippers 3
Nuggets 4, Warriors 3
Spurs 4, Lakers 1

Thunder 4, Grizzlies 1
Spurs 4, Nuggets 2

Thunder 4, Spurs 2

FINALS:
Heat 4, Thunder 2

[liebzz]

Nice picks as well. The only series we disagree on are the Knicks and I think the Clips. With the Knicks, I feel like with them going in healthy and playing well they will be too much for a Rondo-less Celts team, and in the Clips series, I feel like Chris Paul will get more minutes and ultimately be the difference between the two teams.

[4/5]

Nice picks as well. The only series we disagree on are the Knicks and I think the Clips. With the Knicks, I feel like with them going in healthy and playing well they will be too much for a Rondo-less Celts team, and in the Clips series, I feel like Chris Paul will get more minutes and ultimately be the difference between the two teams.

I just had a conversation with a Knicks fan at work who also thinks I'm overrating the Celtics. And the Bucks for that matter.

[liebzz]

The Bucks aren't a terrible team but I can't see them taking a game from the Heat. Even if they are decent, it still feels like a Battle of the Bands between the Rolling Stones and the Lovin' Spoonful.

[red calzolaio]

Sheed done.

there goes the title hopes.