NBA Thread

[spike]

I hate to even say this, but I think the Heat are gonna need another 15+ point night from Haslem to win this series.

Indy has been crazy difficult to handle in the paint. If we squeak past the Pacers, and least the Spurs don't have the size to do the same....I think.

maybe tiago splitter becomes a 20-10 guy all of a sudden?

[4/5]

I hate to even say this, but I think the Heat are gonna need another 15+ point night from Haslem to win this series.

Indy has been crazy difficult to handle in the paint. If we squeak past the Pacers, and least the Spurs don't have the size to do the same....I think.

maybe tiago splitter becomes a 20-10 guy all of a sudden?

That's not unrealistic. Hibbert was 11.9/8.3 this regular season. So even though his ignorant behind thinks he was overlooked because nobody watches the Pacers the simple fact is that he isn't all that amazing, he's just dominating random power forwards that he dwarfs.

Look up the games Nikola Vucevic had against the Heat this year. Centers destroy this team. But I guess the better story is how we're witnessing the birth of a superstar. It'll be interesting to see if he realizes how much work he needs to do this offseason because of the new level of expectations that are waiting for him next season. Unfortunately, I don't think his offseason starts for another two weeks or so.

[4/5]

33 hours in the fetal position and counting.

[Electromatic]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

[Monkey_Driven]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

I'm thinking there might be another epic Lebron performance tonight (ala Game 6 of the ECF last year). I would love a close game in the 4th though for purely entertainment/storyline reasons.

[Electromatic]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

I'm thinking there might be another epic Lebron performance tonight (ala Game 6 of the ECF last year). I would love a close game in the 4th though for purely entertainment/storyline reasons.

I think it's going to be pretty similar to Saturday night, just with the story flipped around.

[nyquillyn]

I'd like to see triple overtime with lots of physical play.

[warehouse]

over/under for lebron's points tonight: 49.5

im going over

[Monkey_Driven]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

I'm thinking there might be another epic Lebron performance tonight (ala Game 6 of the ECF last year). I would love a close game in the 4th though for purely entertainment/storyline reasons.

I think it's going to be pretty similar to Saturday night, just with the story flipped around.

I can see that. Where would this rank in Conference Finals upsets if the Pacers pull it off tonight? It's got to be way up there, right?

[bada]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

I'm thinking there might be another epic Lebron performance tonight (ala Game 6 of the ECF last year). I would love a close game in the 4th though for purely entertainment/storyline reasons.

I think it's going to be pretty similar to Saturday night, just with the story flipped around.

I can see that. Where would this rank in Conference Finals upsets if the Pacers pull it off tonight? It's got to be way up there, right?

I don't think it would short sighted or prisoner of the moment to say it would be all time. Media and expectations being what they are now a days. I don't see it happening. I have to imagine a role player or two will go nuts and hit some shots tonight. They have too many guys with that potential. If there were too lose I'm not sure how devastating it would be to their legacies. Short term big but if they were to win next year they could blame injuries. Would it be worse than losing in the finals this year? Lebron would be 1 for 4. That's rough. Might be better to lose in the conference finals.

[Monkey_Driven]

Heat win tonight by 10 or 15.

Indy is a good team, not as good on the road.

I'm thinking there might be another epic Lebron performance tonight (ala Game 6 of the ECF last year). I would love a close game in the 4th though for purely entertainment/storyline reasons.

I think it's going to be pretty similar to Saturday night, just with the story flipped around.

I can see that. Where would this rank in Conference Finals upsets if the Pacers pull it off tonight? It's got to be way up there, right?

I don't think it would short sighted or prisoner of the moment to say it would be all time. Media and expectations being what they are now a days. I don't see it happening. I have to imagine a role player or two will go nuts and hit some shots tonight. They have too many guys with that potential. If there were too lose I'm not sure how devastating it would be to their legacies. Short term big but if they were to win next year they could blame injuries. Would it be worse than losing in the finals this year? Lebron would be 1 for 4. That's rough. Might be better to lose in the conference finals.

You're right. One of their role players is due for a 20 point game or something. Heat by 10.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Indiana will win tonight. Spurs win championship.

The Heat will have a mediocre season next year, not winning again. Lebron will go to Cleveland where the front office will screw everything up and he'll never win another championship. Just my prediction...

[pnjguy]

Lebron will be Lebron, Wade will be Wade (generally bad), and one of Bosh, Haslem, Allen, Chalmers, Cole, or Battier will have a big game. Close game but Heat pull away in the last 4 minutes. Heat by 9.

[MattA75]

Am I the only one fully expecting a replay of Kings-Lakers 2002 tonight?

[4/5]

Am I the only one fully expecting a replay of Kings-Lakers 2002 tonight?

This probably means you haven't watched a minute of this entire series, so...

[4/5]

I don't believe I've ever been more terrified for a game in my life. Or, to put it a way that isn't subject to hyperbole, I can't remember ever dreading a game this much in my life.

I honestly think the Heat would be better off if they could acknowledge Wade is injured and dress him up in some stupid capri pantsuit. But they can't. So barring that, I think the best way for Wade to have a positive impact is for him to put all his focus and energy on defense, rebounding, making crisp passes, etc. He clearly is too injured to be a scoring threat, so we need him to do the little things that win games.

[MattA75]

Am I the only one fully expecting a replay of Kings-Lakers 2002 tonight?

This probably means you haven't watched a minute of this entire series, so...

actually I've watched more basketball in the last month than I have in the last 3 years

I just fully expect Stern to always do anything in his power to get the superstar as far as he can (come the finals, I think the cream rises to the top anyway and the better team wins 95% of the time, regardless of officiating, but at that point I feel like Stern doesn't necessarily care who wins...as long as he has who he wants there)...that and the fact that I feel like for 80% of the league the only way you can get good is to not just suck, but suck in the right year, AND get lucky in the same year in the lottery (i.e. the first pick is an actual franchise player) has really turned me off to the league

it's either that or pull a Heat/Knicks, destroy your roster, and hope to attract 2-3 marquee free agents (and if you aren't New York/LA/Miami, good luck with that strategy)

[Electromatic]

Am I the only one fully expecting a replay of Kings-Lakers 2002 tonight?

Not enough Mike Bibby.

[Peeps]

im not sure why people believe the NBA is fixed.

there was a ref a few years ago who was indicted for fixing games by making certain calls and giving information away to help bookies. if ever there was a time for a person to come clean it was right then and there.

[4/5]

Probably because Bill Simmons mixes great analysis of basketball with insane conspiracy theories and does so with such frequency and casua ease they start entering the collective consciousness.