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The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: TyphonInc on April 25, 2018, 10:44:25 PM

Title: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on April 25, 2018, 10:44:25 PM
I couldn't find a thread for the NBA. Do we have one?

I just watched Lebron, mess up 5 possessions in a row, allowing the Pacers back into the game. Then get beat, recover, and block Indiana's game winning lay up. Then with 3 seconds left gets an open minimally contested 3 pointer to win game 5.

Oh and a couplet bad ref calls to end the game.
1) Ball gets poked from Lebron hits the out of bound line, comes back up and hits his elbow going further out of bounds. Call out on him.
2) Indiana player lays the ball off the glass, then Lebron blocks it, should have been goaltending. called as a block.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 26, 2018, 09:25:26 AM
(https://www.cfb51.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthesource.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F01%2FLebron.jpg&hash=9c26b8b4face22fabd5aa8ca68a803df)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on April 29, 2018, 04:04:27 PM
Cavs live to fight another round.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on April 29, 2018, 04:58:02 PM
'Bron's Round one Streak still alive.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 01, 2018, 05:14:30 PM
Now that we have reached the second round of the NBA Playoffs, I'm starting to pay attention.  I have long felt that WAY too many teams go to the NBA Playoffs.  

There are 30 teams and 16 make the playoffs.  Thus, I've long ignored the regular season.  Additionally, the only real purpose of the first round of the playoffs is to eliminate the eight teams that shouldn't have been there in the first place.  

Ignoring conference and just ranking the >.500 teams by final record:
The other 12 teams were sub .500.  

In the history of the NBA there have only been four #8 over #1 upsets.  Three of the four #8 seeds to upset a #1 lost in the next round.  The only exception is the 1999 Knicks who went to the finals but that was in a strike-shortened year.  

This year:

Bottom line, the top six teams in the NBA all advanced to the second round while the other two teams to advance were both 48-34 so only two games down on #6.  If you missed the entire NBA regular season and first round of the playoffs, as usual, you barely missed anything.  Now that we have reached the Conference Semi-Finals it has finally gotten interesting at least in the East:  


There still isn't much drama in the West where Houston and Golden State are pretty much prohibitive favorites but in the East things are more interesting.  Toronto finished nine games ahead of Cleveland in the regular season but the Cavaliers have defeated the Raptors in the playoffs in each of the past three seasons so there is hope in Cleveland and question as to whether the Raptors can pull it off elsewhere.  The Boston/Philly series seems pretty evenly matched with Boston a favorite but not by ridiculous odds.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 01, 2018, 10:28:38 PM
Hows that a foul? (Cavs Raptors 1:42) Ibaka lands on Lebrons foot. Called a shooting foul on Lebron.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 01, 2018, 10:30:42 PM
Hows that a foul? (and not a travel?) Cavs Raptors 1:13 left, Love gets rebound, mugged by 3 Raptors, take 4 steps while bear hugging the ball. DeRozan trying to get the ball puts his face into Love's elbow. Foul on Love.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 01, 2018, 10:56:11 PM
Cavs take game one in OT. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 01, 2018, 11:00:55 PM
Cavs take game one in OT.
So frustrating watching Clevland play. Cool they stole game one.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 03, 2018, 08:38:58 PM

Cavs take game 2 in Jurassic Park, edging out the Raptors 128-110. 

Cleveland heads home up 2-0 in the series. 

(https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/images/Cleveland-Cavalier-Girls-da940d0c6cf74aeb922e61a6a26842a5-0.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 04, 2018, 12:51:58 AM
Lebron was insane last night. He and Love were causing so many mismatches, Toronto looks totally outclassed.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 04, 2018, 11:40:13 AM
We are now half-way through the first meaningful series of the NBA season and the #2 seeds are dominating.  They are both up 2-0 on their #3 and #6 opponents.  

The #1 seeds, oddly, are struggling.  East #1 Toronto lost twice at home to Cleveland and at this point they will be lucky to even get back to Toronto.  West and overall #1 seed Houston went only 1-1 against #5 seed Utah at home and now heads to Utah needing to steal a road win sometime during this series.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 05, 2018, 11:31:42 PM
Has there ever been a player, in any sport, to more fully love up to every bit of the hype than LeBron?
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 06, 2018, 01:56:56 AM
Conference semis hype?  

LeBronference Semis?   :72:
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 06, 2018, 01:57:14 AM
"love up to every bit of the hype"

Hoping game 4 is a huge Clevland blowout.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 06, 2018, 08:56:25 AM
Conference semis hype?  

LeBronference Semis?   :72:
I meant as a career
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 06, 2018, 11:42:33 AM
I could see Toronto stealing game 4, and then subjecting their fans to another home loss to the Cavs. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 08, 2018, 06:51:57 AM
I am looking forward to the LeBronference Finals.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 08, 2018, 10:26:28 AM

Hoping game 4 is a huge Clevland blowout.

Not claiming I'm a prophet, but that was the defination of a blowout.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Kris61 on May 08, 2018, 10:43:12 AM
Has there ever been a player, in any sport, to more fully love up to every bit of the hype than LeBron?
Tiger?
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Kris61 on May 08, 2018, 10:49:20 AM
I’m not a hockey guy so I’ll leave it to people who follow it closer than I do but hasn’t but hasn’t Sidney Crosby sort of lived up to the hype so far?
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 08, 2018, 10:58:42 AM
#4 seed Cleveland is in the Conference Finals (NBA semi-finals) while #2 seed Boston, #1 seed Houston, and #2 seed Golden State are all up 3-1.  

Looks like the conference finals will be:
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 08, 2018, 11:02:13 AM
Tiger?
Good call
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 08, 2018, 11:04:53 AM
I’m not a hockey guy so I’ll leave it to people who follow it closer than I do but hasn’t but hasn’t Sidney Crosby sort of lived up to the hype so far?
He has definitely fixed that the last couple years.  Before that the story was he won one early, then had concussion issues and playoff failures.  He also always had Malkin and great goalkeeping.  LeBron made an NBA Finals at the age of 23, with the 2nd best player on his team being Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
When Crosby hangs them up, I think he'll be where he was supposed to be, but there were some doubts from like 2011-14 whether he would elevate from being a great player to being an all timer. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 08, 2018, 11:05:39 AM
The hype regarding Tiger was that he would slay the Golden Bear's Major record. 

The hype regarding LeBron was that he'd win more titles than Jordan. 

Neither of those things are likely to happen. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 08, 2018, 11:08:43 AM
The only mild surprise in the NBA final 4, is Boston with the injury to their best player, Cleveland transfer, bad knees Irving.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 08, 2018, 11:24:15 AM
The only mild surprise in the NBA final 4, is Boston with the injury to their best player, Cleveland transfer, bad knees Irving.
It ain't over yet
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 08, 2018, 11:35:27 AM
#4 seed Cleveland is in the Conference Finals (NBA semi-finals) while #2 seed Boston, #1 seed Houston, and #2 seed Golden State are all up 3-1.  

Looks like the conference finals will be:
  • #2 Boston vs #4 Cleveland in the East
  • #1 Houston vs #2 Golden State in the West.  

I was replying to this. but 3-1 is still a hard spot to come back form.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 08, 2018, 01:36:16 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcpKRa1WAAAxNRW.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Kris61 on May 08, 2018, 04:40:44 PM
The hype regarding Tiger was that he would slay the Golden Bear's Major record.

The hype regarding LeBron was that he'd win more titles than Jordan.

Neither of those things are likely to happen.
I don’t think either of those statements are true.  The hype surrounding both of them when they turned pro was that they could/would be historically great players.  They have both proven to be just that.  Both are widely considered among the top 5 players to ever play each of their respective sports.
Tiger’s catching Jack didn’t start at the onset of his career but only after he started racking up Majors at a ridiculous pace.  I don’t remember anyone saying Lebron would win more title than Jordan, but the comparisons started after Lebron started winning MVP’s and got his first couple of rings with Miami.  Then I started seeing charts comparing what Lebron had accomplished by a certain age compared to what Jordan had accomplished by the same age.
Both Tiger and Lebron have been everything they were portrayed to be, IMO.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 08, 2018, 05:20:47 PM
I watched portions of the GS/NO game on Sunday while at a brewery, and I was struck that the modern NBA looks more like AAU ball than I ever thought. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 09, 2018, 11:52:55 PM
It ain't over yet
It's over.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 10, 2018, 11:42:08 AM
The CQF looked like they were going to be great, instead the prior round was a hell of a lot more fun.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 10, 2018, 02:49:36 PM
The CQF looked like they were going to be great, instead the prior round was a hell of a lot more fun.
It is kinda odd how that has worked out, at least in the East:
Ironically, the other two first round series were less competitive with #1 Toronto beating #8 Washington 4-2 and #3 Philly beating #6 Miami 4-1.  

In the West the two two seeds each won both of their first two playoff series 4-1:

There really hasn't been any excitement in the West so far because the other two quarter-final series were a #6 NOLA sweep of Portland and a #5 Utah 4-2 win over #4 OKC.  

Cleveland/Boston and Houston/Golden State should provide more drama if for no other reason than that the two lower seeds are both favored at this point.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 10, 2018, 03:26:44 PM
Yeah, but at least the 3-6 and 4-5 series in the West involved the lower seed winning.  I'd argue 5 of the 8 CQF series we're interesting
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: bayareabadger on May 10, 2018, 03:28:26 PM
I watched portions of the GS/NO game on Sunday while at a brewery, and I was struck that the modern NBA looks more like AAU ball than I ever thought.
How do you mean?
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 10, 2018, 03:39:21 PM
Yeah, but at least the 3-6 and 4-5 series in the West involved the lower seed winning.  I'd argue 5 of the 8 CQF series we're interesting
That is technically correct, but I think it is a bit misleading because the #5 and #6 had the exact same record as the #4 and only one gmae behind the #3 so even though they were lower seeded it wasn't like those were major upsets.  
In the west there was a logjam of seven teams all between 49-33 and 46-36 for the #3 through #8 seeds and the first team out.  
Those would have been much more surprising upsets if they had occurred in the East where the #5 seed was two games behind the #4 and the #6 was fully eight games behind the #3.  In the West, IMHO, #3 through #9 were effectively interchangeable.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on May 10, 2018, 04:32:17 PM
How do you mean?
Players just barreling towards the hoop with reckless abandon. Players playing "fast" rather than "sound". Players just trying to create rather than actually running offensive sets. Players playing sloppy in their driving and their passing. Players jacking up ridiculous off-balance shots that bounce off the backboard without even hitting rim creating easy DRBs. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 10, 2018, 05:12:48 PM

Yeah, the West is always much better than the East. 
I am surprised (yet glad) that the NBA Playoffs have avoided installing a crossover rule. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: bayareabadger on May 10, 2018, 08:45:32 PM
Players just barreling towards the hoop with reckless abandon. Players playing "fast" rather than "sound". Players just trying to create rather than actually running offensive sets. Players playing sloppy in their driving and their passing. Players jacking up ridiculous off-balance shots that bounce off the backboard without even hitting rim creating easy DRBs.

It's interesting how differently we can see things. 
There's a lot of reckless abandon/speed over fundamentals/sloppiness, but the turnovers are better than the majority of college games. I know Kerr is a pretty big sets guy, and imagine Gentry is as well, though they're faster and have to be tighter than more simple and repetitive college offenses. I'd be interested to see how many ridiculous shots came just from the three outlier players: Thompson, Curry, Durant. I can't speak to the link between off-balance shots and easy defensive boards. Were there a ton of shots that didn't hit the rim? That seems like a stretch. 
What I can say is that the aesthetics of the NBA are likely not any worse than they've been. It's a sport that went from frenetic sloppiness through the 80s to the iso-ball of the 90s. The sport is at a pretty high level at the moment, granted, flowing basketball might not be to one's taste at the moment as compared to some of the more drawn-out, occasionally mechanical schemes college can provide. (There's also the possibility we see what we want to. The way people saw NBA players as "not playing defense," when in truth, the level of defense even bad NBA players could play was absurdly better than most in college)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 13, 2018, 07:07:22 PM
ummm.... Yuck.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 16, 2018, 08:53:31 AM
Cavs down 0-2, really bad 3rd quarter did them in.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 16, 2018, 09:17:45 AM

The lower seeded team only has to hold serve at home and steal one on the road. 

That game plan remains intact, even after the inauspicious start. 

Now if they drop one of these next two home games, then yeah. Stick a fork in 'em, they're done. 

But until that happens, it is shaping up to be a seven gamer. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on May 16, 2018, 09:41:19 AM
Seems likes Boston's length is bothering the perimeter guys for the Cavs.  Shooting 15 percent from 3 in the first game, and non Lebron guys going 25% in the second.  Cavs can't win if the role players aren't playing their roles.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 19, 2018, 11:00:54 PM
Cavs emerge from a nail biter 116-86
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on May 20, 2018, 07:39:02 AM
Cavs other guys make an appearance, play some defense, make some shots.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 20, 2018, 06:06:48 PM
Cavs other guys make an appearance, play some defense, make some shots.  
That is the key.  I strongly believe that LeBron is the GOAT, but LeBron can't beat Boston (and he certainly can't beat Houston/GS) all by himself.  The "Cavs other guys" have to do something.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 20, 2018, 09:02:47 PM
That is the key.  I strongly believe that LeBron is the GOAT, but LeBron can't beat Boston (and he certainly can't beat Houston/GS) all by himself.  The "Cavs other guys" have to do something.  
I agree he's the GOAT, which I is why I disagree that he can't beat Boston alone.   Boston without their two best players is the easiest opponent Cleveland has faced in the playoffs to date.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 21, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
I agree he's the GOAT, which I is why I disagree that he can't beat Boston alone.   Boston without their two best players is the easiest opponent Cleveland has faced in the playoffs to date.
You should be right and frankly I expected the Cavs to cruise past the Celtics but the first two games certainly did not back that up.  In Game #2 specifically:
LeBron had 42 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds and the Cavs lost by 13.  It would be crazy to ask for MORE than that from LeBron but the problem was that the other Cavs had:
The obvious problem here is that Hill, Smith, and Nance played a combined total of 71 minutes and had only three more points than I scored from my barstool.  

In the blowout win in Game #3 LeBron scored 27 (15 less than Game #2) and Love scored 13 (9 less than Game #2) but the other guys contributed and the Cavs cruised:
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 21, 2018, 11:20:15 PM
Cavs win game 4 111-102

Series knotted up at 2-2

(https://www.cfb51.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neosportsinsiders.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2Flebron-1-777x437.jpg&hash=4d35414e8efa8e0facd90dd6242945c4)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 23, 2018, 09:40:52 AM
Rockets win game 4  95-92

Series knotted up at 2-2
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 23, 2018, 09:48:44 AM
(https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/images/Houston-Rockets-Power-Dancers-459265054_master.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 25, 2018, 11:07:06 PM

Cavs take game six 109-97
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 27, 2018, 01:30:45 AM
Both series going to game 7, and everyone belly aching about the refs. Seems like the NBA operating par for the course. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on May 27, 2018, 10:37:34 AM
I didn't see much for the Rockets to complain about.  They stopped running offense in the second half and everyone just stood around and watched James Harden dribble.  It was as pathetic a second half as I've seen a team play.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 27, 2018, 01:49:33 PM
He had to burn soe energy somewhere, and per usual it certainly wasn't going to be on defense.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 27, 2018, 10:20:54 PM
Certainly not the most well played Game 7 I've ever seen, but it's close so I'll take it
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 27, 2018, 11:00:55 PM
Cavs take game seven. 

:cheer:
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on May 28, 2018, 10:13:53 AM
So ... Houston or Golden State tonight?

I think both teams are better than Cleveland, but hard to minimize the Lebron factor.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: DevilFroggy on May 28, 2018, 01:08:53 PM
Rooting like hell for Houston.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on May 28, 2018, 08:24:49 PM
No Chris Paul
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 29, 2018, 08:05:17 AM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeVZRvhUQAAdumC.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 29, 2018, 08:44:15 AM
Even J.R. Smith is surprised J.R. Smith is on that poster.  It should be LeBron's personal chef or something
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 29, 2018, 09:21:35 AM

Like this? 

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeTUXnSWAAAcAdP.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 29, 2018, 09:26:38 AM
Even that one still has about 14 useless pieces on it
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on May 29, 2018, 09:36:56 AM
Not just the players, but look at the coaches Lebron dragged to the Finals - Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra, Dave Blatt, Ty Lue.  Only Spoelstra has even made the playoffs without Lebron.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on May 29, 2018, 10:13:02 AM
Not just the players, but look at the coaches Lebron dragged to the Finals - Mike Brown, Erik Spoelstra, Dave Blatt, Ty Lue.  Only Spoelstra has even made the playoffs without Lebron.
I do think Spoelstra's a pretty good coach.  I think Miami has grossly overachieved in the post-LeBron years, primarily due to him.  But point still stands.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 29, 2018, 10:26:47 AM
They are a Helluva lot better than the first Cavs team he took to the finals, where the supporting cast was Boobie Gibson, Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, Drew Gooden, Z, Varajao, Sasha Pavlovic and Ira Newble.

Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 29, 2018, 10:42:20 AM
Even J.R. Smith is surprised J.R. Smith is on that poster.  It should be LeBron's personal chef or something
LoL.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 29, 2018, 10:45:47 AM
I agree he's the GOAT, which I is why I disagree that he can't beat Boston alone.   Boston without their two best players is the easiest opponent Cleveland has faced in the playoffs to date.
Ok, I stand corrected, he pretty much did.  
I just don't get this team.  In three playoff series so far they:

In theory the Raptors should have been by far the toughest opponent.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 29, 2018, 04:38:28 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeSVmDIVAAIBJpR.jpg)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: DevilFroggy on May 29, 2018, 07:19:10 PM
Rooting for Bron to get another ring but I don't see the Cavs lasting even 6 games. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on May 30, 2018, 01:18:41 AM
Ok, I stand corrected, he pretty much did.  
I just don't get this team.  In three playoff series so far they:
  • Needed seven games to barely survive the #5 seed Indiana Pacers.  
  • Easily coasted past the #1 seed Toronto Raptors in a sweep.  
  • Needed seven games to barely survive the #2 seed Boston Celtics despite Boston missing some very important pieces.  

In theory the Raptors should have been by far the toughest opponent.  
But the NBA regular season is weird.  Players don't play hard every game.  Hell, teams don't try to win every game.  They sit guys to rest them and instead of spacing it out in order to try to squeak out as many wins as possible, they simply play games with their B-side guys.  The NBA is wanting to combat this, but that's when the 1-game injuries start to happen, lol.
The NBA season is a marathon followed by 4 one-mile runs.  You won't win the title if you exhaust yourself in the marathon.  Toronto was the favorite in seed only - look at the odd makers at the beginning of the playoffs.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/2018-nba-playoffs-odds-to-win-championship-finals-conference-east-west-warriors-rockets-cavs-raptors-76ers/172klmu7ka7vj14pp34c3gfsb7
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on May 30, 2018, 07:10:34 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/OKdG401.png)
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 31, 2018, 10:49:48 AM
Toronto was the favorite in seed only - look at the odd makers at the beginning of the playoffs.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/news/2018-nba-playoffs-odds-to-win-championship-finals-conference-east-west-warriors-rockets-cavs-raptors-76ers/172klmu7ka7vj14pp34c3gfsb7
Interesting, thank you for sharing.  I looked and while I agree that Toronto was not the Eastern Conference Favorite, look at their odds:
I get that the Cavs rather than the Raptors were the favorite and we can all see why but still, the Raptors were next.  They still should have been LeBron's toughest opponent but they were not, not by a long shot.  The +10,000 Pacers and the +3,000 Celtics each put up a LOT more resistance. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on May 31, 2018, 11:17:57 AM
But the NBA regular season is weird.  Players don't play hard every game.  Hell, teams don't try to win every game.  They sit guys to rest them and instead of spacing it out in order to try to squeak out as many wins as possible, they simply play games with their B-side guys.  The NBA is wanting to combat this, but that's when the 1-game injuries start to happen, lol.
The NBA season is a marathon followed by 4 one-mile runs.  You won't win the title if you exhaust yourself in the marathon.  
This is why, IMHO, they should cut the playoffs down to the top-4 in each Conference only.  Then the playoff race, and by extension the regular season in general, would REALLY matter.  
East Playoff Race this year:
With 10 games to go then last-10, then final, then seed (Bold if changed from with 10-games to go):

Basically nothing interesting happened in the last-10 games.  Toronto and Boston had effectively clinched the top-2 seeds with 10 to go and Detroit was an extreme long-shot.  Philly surged past Cleveland for the #3 seed and Washington nosedived from 6th to 8th but so what?  

Cleveland, Philly, Indiana, Washington, Miami, and Milwaukee were all within 5-games of each other for the #3 through #8 seeds but did it really matter?  IMHO, it did not.  

Now imagine for a minute if only the top-4 went to the playoffs.  Six teams within five games for two spots would have been VERY exciting.  

West Playoff Race this year:
With 10 games to go then last-10, then final, then seed (Bold if changed from with 10-games to go):

Houston and Golden State had clinched the top-2 seeds with 10 games to go but the West race was somewhat more interesting because the Nuggets and Clippers were within range of the Jazz and Timberwolves.  Still, that isn't very interesting when you consider that the reward for winning that race was to get slaughtered by the Rockets/Warriors in the first round.  

Now imagine for a minute if only the top-4 went to the playoffs.  Eight teams within six games for two spots would have been VERY exciting.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on June 01, 2018, 09:07:13 AM
Anyone watch game 1? Cleveland almost stole it. Like had the ball under the basket 4.5 seconds left, tie game, and forgot to shoot for the win, almost stole the game.

JR Smith plays the part of  "heel". He slips and takes out Klay Thompson, Gives Currey a "wide open" 30 ft before half shot, Gets an offensive rebound with 4.5 seconds left and runs out the clock instead of passing or shooting.

Kevin Love can't guard the perimeter. 

"Hack-a-James" is in full effect. Hit Lebrons hands / wrists as hard and as often as you can and know the refs will let it be game on, but breath funny close to a less durable player and expect those touch fuls to get called. 

Lebrons whining about isn't very becoming of someone in the conversation of GOAT. I loved the fact the one of the analysts called out continually how bad the refs were, and how bad the whining was.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on June 01, 2018, 09:09:49 AM
I agree with medina, 16 out of 30 teams (NBA & NHL) is too many teams in the playoffs. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 01, 2018, 09:16:25 AM
That was one helluva missed opportunity right there. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on June 01, 2018, 09:34:57 AM
That was one helluva missed opportunity right there.
Sure was, and I feel like it is bigger than one game.  Cavs are the underdog for a reason and the underdog can't afford to miss opportunities like that.  If you go back to the 2016 series, GS won by:
Cleveland won by:

Each team had a blowout win (30+) and two solid wins (11-15).  Cleveland won the series because they won the close game.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Entropy on June 01, 2018, 10:43:39 AM
Like this?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeTUXnSWAAAcAdP.jpg)
It would make more sense if James was on the bottom carrying the rest of the team
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on June 03, 2018, 11:51:59 PM
I threw up in mouth a little watching game 2.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 04, 2018, 12:27:33 AM
If they can hold serve at home, they are still in it. 

Pretty big IF, obviously. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on June 04, 2018, 10:35:43 AM
Anyone else catch they were partying at the Oracle like they had won the title already? and that Paul Pierce commented well this is probable their last game at home. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on June 04, 2018, 10:43:25 AM
Anyone else catch they were partying at the Oracle like they had won the title already? and that Paul Pierce commented well this is probable their last game at home.
Honestly, at this point it is hard to disagree with that.  As a Cleveland guy I'm hopeful but not terribly optimistic. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 06, 2018, 11:28:51 PM
It's over. 

The only question left is if the Cavs can avoid the sweep. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 07, 2018, 04:08:43 AM


"Hack-a-James" is in full effect. Hit Lebrons hands / wrists as hard and as often as you can and know the refs will let it be game on, but breath funny close to a less durable player and expect those touch fuls to get called.

Lebrons whining about isn't very becoming of someone in the conversation of GOAT. I loved the fact the one of the analysts called out continually how bad the refs were, and how bad the whining was.
His whining doesn't make what's going on magically 'okay'.  
I guess you could do it for any sport, but watching a game with no volume is very revealing in basketball - especially the high-stakes games.  No crowd noise.  No announcers going ape-shit.  Just the plays and the replays.  Silent.
Once I did that, LeBron's behavior and reactions have seemed extremely subdued.  Yes he has big reactions - but they're to gross errors by those around him (players and refs).  The sheer volume of errors in uncalled fouls, called fouls, teammate ineptitude, etc - I would've given up by now.  
If you're able, go back and watch the last 4 minutes of Game 1 on mute and tell me I'm wrong.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on June 07, 2018, 10:08:12 AM
It's over.

The only question left is if the Cavs can avoid the sweep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI
That said, I agree, it is over.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on June 09, 2018, 12:38:40 AM
Fat Lady
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: bayareabadger on June 09, 2018, 12:55:41 AM
We're about 15 years separated from the last "dynasty"

Turns out, feelings on them have changed. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on June 09, 2018, 09:04:51 AM
What a lackluster couple of finals across both sports.  I'm sure the NBA was excited to have their season end in a sweep, on a Friday night.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on June 09, 2018, 11:17:06 AM
The NBA off-season promises to make up for it
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 09, 2018, 12:46:38 PM
What a lackluster couple of finals across both sports.  I'm sure the NBA was excited to have their season end in a sweep, on a Friday night.
They must've preferred it that way, since they gave the Warriors at least one, and arguable two, games that they didn't deserve. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: bayareabadger on June 09, 2018, 09:02:41 PM
They must've preferred it that way, since they gave the Warriors at least one, and arguable two, games that they didn't deserve.
The psychology when it comes to refs remains odd. 
The one we're talking about is Game 1 I'm assuming. The refs just gave it to Golden State. That's why a Cav had a free throw to go ahead with under 5 seconds to go. Because someone had a thumb on the scale. 
And that's where we are, the team that missed said free throw and then messed up the play after "deserved" a win. We can argue if the Cavs got a tough whistle (probably). But to quote a good TV show "Deserve ain't go nothing to do with it."
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 09, 2018, 09:14:24 PM
I don't think that the Cavs could have won the series. I'm just saying if the NBA wanted to extend the series a little, then they blew a couple of opportunities to do it. 

Golden State was a much better team. No doubt about that. They'd've won regardless. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: OrangeAfroMan on June 10, 2018, 01:12:03 AM
Why is everyone such a conspiracy theorist?!?  

In basketball, you have 5 guys on the floor.  If 3 of them are all-time greats, you're going to win.  
CLE has 1 such player.
GSW has 2, and if you combine Thompson/Green, that could be another.

Sorry that huge upsets can't always occur, lol.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on June 10, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
I'm totally intrigued by the summer of Lebron.  I'm not sure what the best option for him is.  If I'm him, the best fit basketball wise might be San Antonio, where he would be able to win without playing 48 minutes a game.  I have no idea what he is trying to do and what his family would want, so it's tough to make any kind of prediction, which makes it interesting.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on June 10, 2018, 06:30:53 PM
Why is everyone such a conspiracy theorist?!?  .
Technically I was being anti-conspiratorial. Had it been fixed, they would have extended the series. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Kris61 on June 10, 2018, 07:05:51 PM
Technically I was being anti-conspiratorial. Had it been fixed, they would have extended the series.
Saying “they must’ve preferred it that way since they gave Golden St one, and maybe two, games” doesn’t come across as anti-conspiratorial.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on June 11, 2018, 12:32:42 PM
Saying “they must’ve preferred it that way since they gave Golden St one, and maybe two, games” doesn’t come across as anti-conspiratorial.
I agree that Brutus' presentation was not "anti-conspiratiorial", but his underlying point was and I think that underlying point is a great counter-argument to the conspiracy theories.  It is extremely difficult to concoct a plausible motivation for the NBA to want a sweep.  Assuming that they don't want a sweep then any anti-cavs conspiracy theory is pretty much impossible.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: MaximumSam on July 01, 2018, 09:21:18 PM
Summer of Lebron ends early, and he is going to the Lakers
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Brutus Buckeye on July 01, 2018, 09:41:48 PM
Fair enough.

Well at this point I'm pretty much off of professional sports.
The Browns perma-sucking combined with all of the political theatrics have turned me off of the NFL.
LeBron and the Crew leaving Ohio have eroded away my half-hearted interest in either of those leagues.
I'm sure as Heck not going to waste away my summer watching baseball.
The Blue Jackets are fine I guess, but I kinda have a tough time getting all that into the NHL.

My fandom is essentially confined to College Sports, from this point forward. Which is perfect, really.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 02, 2018, 10:42:55 AM
Fair enough.

Well at this point I'm pretty much off of professional sports. 
That is pretty much where I am.  Before the Browns left I was a serious NFL fan.  Ever since, I've come to see it as the business that it is and my feeling is that if/when the Cleveland franchise puts a decent product on the field/court/diamond, I'll watch.  If/when they don't, I won't.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 02, 2018, 01:26:47 PM
I'll watch NFL this season...

...to track how my fantasy football team is going.

Beyond that, if it's not involving a former Purdue player, I usually don't care that much about the NFL. I consider myself today a half-hearted Saints fan, but that's just because of Brees. When he retires, I'll be officially without a team.

And no, I'm not going to root for the "Los Angeles" Chargers, even though they're local. I could have become a Chargers fan, but I HATE HATE HATE when teams sell out their market and move for more money. I kinda half-heartedly liked the San Diego Chargers, but I have no use for the LA Chargers. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on July 02, 2018, 01:29:47 PM
I'm pretty sure 99.9% of pro sports fan bases are fair-weather.  I have no issue with it.  I think it could be a problem for MLB going forward the way things are trending with seemingly 2/3 of the league tanking.  NBA can get away with having a small number of true contenders because its a superstar league anyway.  MLB can't.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: medinabuckeye1 on July 02, 2018, 01:50:18 PM
I'm pretty sure 99.9% of pro sports fan bases are fair-weather.  I have no issue with it.  I think it could be a problem for MLB going forward the way things are trending with seemingly 2/3 of the league tanking.  NBA can get away with having a small number of true contenders because its a superstar league anyway.  MLB can't.
I certainly am but I want to emphasize a point that is important to me.  I am a fair-weather Cleveland Pro-Sports fan but I am NOT a bandwagon fan.  I will not jump on the Lakers bandwagon if the Lakers suddenly become NBA title contenders.  I'll still, at heart, be a Cavs fan, I just will not spend any time/money on it unless/until they are good again.  
WRT MLB:
My observation is that other than the BIG MONEY teams (NYY, BOS, etc) the rest of the MLB teams can really only be good about 2-4 years once every decade or so.  That is how it is with the Indians in Cleveland.  I pay some attention in those 2-4 years and watch every game if they get to the World Series.  The rest of the time I don't pay any attention at all.  
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: Entropy on July 02, 2018, 01:56:50 PM
I can't think this is healthy for the NBA.... 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 02, 2018, 01:58:20 PM
I'm pretty sure 99.9% of pro sports fan bases are fair-weather.  I have no issue with it.  I think it could be a problem for MLB going forward the way things are trending with seemingly 2/3 of the league tanking.  NBA can get away with having a small number of true contenders because its a superstar league anyway.  MLB can't.
I just don't know how anyone can care about a 162-game MLB season, or for that matter even an 82-game NBA season.
Football is sustained by being a weekend sport. Even the addition of Monday Night Football and the Thursday night games don't really dilute that, because MNF is sort of an event unto itself.
But MLB? Who has the time or energy to pay attention to a random game played at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday in July? And it gets even harder when your star pitchers only play 1/3 or 1/4 of the time, and even then only pitch for 6-7 innings. I realize there's all sorts of strategy to bringing in relievers and closers, and to managing a pitching staff. But would fans really be all-in on the Patriots if Brady only played half the games? At least the NBA trots their superstars out there [almost] all the time...
NBA is similar. There are too many games. They're mid-week when people have lives to attend to. It's just not feasible to care that deeply about a team, especially when they suck. And >half the teams make the playoffs, so why worry about some mid-season Wednesday night game, especially when the teams care so little about the regular season that they rest their stars from time to time. If the coach doesn't care about winning each game, why should I care about watching it?
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on July 02, 2018, 02:04:49 PM
I certainly am but I want to emphasize a point that is important to me.  I am a fair-weather Cleveland Pro-Sports fan but I am NOT a bandwagon fan.  I will not jump on the Lakers bandwagon if the Lakers suddenly become NBA title contenders.  I'll still, at heart, be a Cavs fan, I just will not spend any time/money on it unless/until they are good again.  
WRT MLB:
My observation is that other than the BIG MONEY teams (NYY, BOS, etc) the rest of the MLB teams can really only be good about 2-4 years once every decade or so.  That is how it is with the Indians in Cleveland.  I pay some attention in those 2-4 years and watch every game if they get to the World Series.  The rest of the time I don't pay any attention at all.  
Right, not everyone is a bandwagoner, but a good deal of people are, and I think the NBA more than any other sport, because it's a league of superstars.  I think a lot of people follow a favorite team over a favorite player.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on July 02, 2018, 02:09:13 PM
I just don't know how anyone can care about a 162-game MLB season, or for that matter even an 82-game NBA season.
Football is sustained by being a weekend sport. Even the addition of Monday Night Football and the Thursday night games don't really dilute that, because MNF is sort of an event unto itself.
But MLB? Who has the time or energy to pay attention to a random game played at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday in July? And it gets even harder when your star pitchers only play 1/3 or 1/4 of the time, and even then only pitch for 6-7 innings. I realize there's all sorts of strategy to bringing in relievers and closers, and to managing a pitching staff. But would fans really be all-in on the Patriots if Brady only played half the games? At least the NBA trots their superstars out there [almost] all the time...
NBA is similar. There are too many games. They're mid-week when people have lives to attend to. It's just not feasible to care that deeply about a team, especially when they suck. And >half the teams make the playoffs, so why worry about some mid-season Wednesday night game, especially when the teams care so little about the regular season that they rest their stars from time to time. If the coach doesn't care about winning each game, why should I care about watching it?
I don't think even die hard MLB fans (of which I sort of consider myself) follow baseball in the way they follow football.  It's not a live and die type sport where you have to watch every game, and hang on every result.  But I sort of find the beauty in that.  The trends, the fact that you lose one day and have to lace them right back up 12 hours later sometimes.  The ability to lose 5, 6, 7 in a row and shake it off.  The best teams are probably going to lose 60+ times, and the worst teams are still going to win 60+ times.  The pace of it to me is perfect for the summer.  I love that I can eat dinner, grab a beer, turn it on and it be the bottom of the 4th inning, and I can just pick it up from there.  Or that I can have the radio on in the background while I do housework.  I know for, it's aided by the fact that I enjoy the game more than I enjoy football.  What football has is what you bring up.  It's on once a week, usually on the weekend, 12 times a year.  That's the only reason I watch every game.  If MSU played 162 football games, and the Tigers were on 12 times a year, that would flip too.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: betarhoalphadelta on July 02, 2018, 02:18:48 PM
I guess... It just seems to me that if I can't have at least some sense of investment in the outcome, it's not worth really watching except as background. A lot of college football is that way for me. I will sit and attend to a broadcast when Purdue is playing. I'll have football on the rest of the weekend, but unless there's something really compelling with a matchup, it's just background. 
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: ELA on July 02, 2018, 02:22:16 PM
I still have an investment in the outcome, it's just a different kind of investment.  For better or worse, a college football result can make or break my weekend.  I like having sports that aren't like that too.
Title: Re: NBA Playoffs
Post by: TyphonInc on July 03, 2018, 12:26:29 AM
That is pretty much where I am.  Before the Browns left I was a serious NFL fan.  Ever since, I've come to see it as the business that it is and my feeling is that if/when the Cleveland franchise puts a decent product on the field/court/diamond, I'll watch.  If/when they don't, I won't.  
NFL - I was a huge Barry Sanders (retired '99) and Dan Marino ('00) fan, and rooted for Cleveland (moved '96) cause everyone else around me did. When those three left the league, so did I. (Well I still watch the Super Bowl; more as a social thing not really a sports thing.)
MLS - Was a season ticket holder until kids arrived. If Crew leaves I'm done with this league.
MLB - I used to watch Baseball nightly with my dad. He was a huge Orioles fan, and I rooted for the Yankees because of the Clippers being a farm team. When the Yankees dropped the Clippers, I dropped Baseball, except for the World Series.
NHL - I started liking Hockey when Columbus got a team, but with the BlueJackets sucking from '00-'12 I quit caring. With CBJ making the playoffs 3 of the last 5 years I've watched them flame out in the 1st round.
NBA - I've been impressed with the physical marvel that we call Lebron James. And watch when he plays, especially the playoffs. This includes his 4 years in Miami, and will prolly watch him play for the Lakers.
NCAA Football - Season Ticket Holder. Love my Buckeyes! Confident that no rich bastard will ever move them away. NCAA Football was one of my favorite video games.
NCAA Basketball - Love my Buckeyes! Watch them every chance I get. March Madness is my favorite postseason.
NCAA Hockey - Was a Buckeye season ticket holder until kids arrived. Love my Buckeyes! It's free to go to the Women's Hockey games, so I take my girls down to see a game at least once a year.
IMSA - Auto Racing, for those who don't want to Google. Gran Touring class is my favorite, love me some Team Corvette. Watch it on TV every chance I get, and now that they are back at Mid-Ohio will try to make it to an event. Also Gran Turismo is my favorite video game.