KD/Westbrook v Wade/LeBron?
The playoffs have had their moments but something has been missing for me. Perhaps the over-hype let me down a little, but thats another story.
I expect Miami to win against the Pacers now, and I like OKC over the Spurs primarily because they have no one to match up with KD or Westbrook even (Danny Green isnt stopping him). The Celtics should slow Miami down a little but they can't score.
This leads us to Miami v OKC in the finals. Which I think is the best possible outcome and one I'm looking forward to watching. That said, I wanted to see people's views on a few topics.
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Are KD/Westbrook a better duo then Wade/LeBron?
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When its all said and done, which two will have the better career? (I see KD as winning more rings)
Westbrook isn't on the same level as the other three and Wade is in the background to LeBron's unbelievable performance so far this year.
KD and LBJ are both freaks in their own right.
I would be inclined towards Westbrook over Wade right now. More durable and much more room to grow.
I agree as far as room to grow. Wade is fading. I'd rather have a healthy Bosh with Wade out than what they have right now in Miami.
I would prefer to see an OKC-MIA final, but I think you are underestimating the Spurs. They are a veteran team that is insanely hot right now and really controls the game, which might give the Thunder some trouble.
As far as the KD/WB vs LBJ/DW comparison goes... LBJ and Wade blow them out of the water. Westbrook is great and definitely a big star in the NBA but is not on the same level as the other 3. Wade is close behind Durant, despite his 5pt performance.
As far as better career, again, the MIA duo. Wade's already got 1 ring and with them paired up for so long, itll definitely be more (yes, LBJ will get one eventually). Statistically, Durant compares/outshines Lebron in scoring, but lebrons overall stats are out of this world. Nobody competes in all stat categories like he does and never will. I would love to see Durant get a few rings, but its hard to say whether that will ever really happen. Gonna be fun to watch
I think the Spurs are pretty great right now but I dont see how they're going to stop KD. The only player who comes to mind who might give him a little trouble because of his strength is Stephen Jackson but I fail to see him on the court for extended minutes because of his defense.
I'm surprised the amount of love Wade is still getting. As much as I love him as a player and he's still Top 10 for sure but Westbrook is ahead of him right now. There's a reason people are commenting on the disparity between Wade and LeBron right now. I've mentioned before that perhaps people are taking Wade for granted but between Westbrook and Wade, there's no real argument for me, now or in the future.
As much as I want to see OKC in the finals but with the way the Spurs are playing right now, IDK man. I think they will get the best of OKC 4-2 series.
Wouldnt be surprised at all if that happens. But that would be mean the Westbrook shooting too much and fucking up OKC's offense argument is gonna come out again. Looking at the two teams on paper, OKC should win.
I disagree with a lot of what is posted. Yes, I like Miami over Boston and I love to watch OKC play but during game 2 of the Lakers-OKC series when both teams were playing like shit and the Thunder stole that game, I came to terms with the fact that the Spurs will be NBA champs. OKC will give them everything they have but this Spurs team is special. On paper, the Thunder stack up better than anyone (including the Heat) but the Spurs are the true definition of a team. They get the absolute most out of their players and execute in halfcourt offense and defense nearly perfectly. That's where they win the series. Despite not having any superstars (don't tell that to Tony Parker tho) I like them to move past both OKC and the Heat in 6 games. And this is coming from someone who couldn't stand their blandness for years.
As far as KD/Westbrook vs Lebron/Wade I think it is a toss-up or a slight edge to OKC. Granted, Lebron is the best player in the world but I think there's no question that at this point in their careers Durant is a better player than Wade. And most people will disagree with me here but I might give the edge to Westbrook over Wade too. People love to hate on Westbrook but he is freaky good and for many points of the game (when his jumper is falling which it has been) he carries the team and gets them back in the game. He sometimes forces too many shots but just check his playoff stats and compare to Wade's. Both duos are phenomenal but I like the Thunder's just because I'll always take a duo that consists of a good 1 and 3 versus a 2 and 3, even if Westbrook is sort of a hybrid between a 1 and a 2. When you factor in their age, I think few GM's in the league would say they'd rather build a team around the Heat's duo as opposed to the Thunder's. Just my .02
Agreed.
On the Spurs though, how are people missing that no one on that team can guard KD? Ibaka can roam a little and Westbrook will be a huge factor seeing as Sefalosha is likely to guard TP.
I like the Spurs but its a major upset in my mind if they get to the finals. Westbrook will have to have an atrocious series for that to happen because KD is gonna get his and then some. Its just depends on who steps up to help him.
I could not agree more.
Watch the Spurs play. That whole team is deep and very much going under the radar. The hype is on OKC/Heat. Unfortunately, it's still a mix-up if either is going to the finals.
The question was not, which two individual combinations are better but how they work together. I give the edge to KD/Westbrook, Lebron and Wade try and play the same role too often and we have seen that can and will lead to losses. When it is all said and done I believe KD will be known as the best player of this era (yea, better than Lebron) because, although he does not have the same diversity in skills as Lebron, he is cold-blooded and hungry (the opposite of Lebron). In all honestly Lebron is like one of those spoiled prep kids who feel entitled to the ivy league while Durant was the kid going to a shitty public HS where college is an accomplishment in its own right. The kid was not recruited highly out of middle school and not that highly out of high school whereas Lebron has had everything set up for him since middle school. People do not value the psychological impact this has on the court highly enough. Also, the Spurs have had the easiest road to the finals, I do not care that they swept a scrub Jazz team who should not have even been in the playoffs and a Clippers team that had their 2 best players at like 50-70% due to injuries. OKC has had the toughest road to the finals playing against the 2 previous world champions and have looked great doing so, they will beat SA in 7. If they play Miami its just lol, they will beat them in 5. Look at their team folks, Miami has no inside game and Lebron/Wade are not going to have freedom to just attack the paint with Ibaka and Perkins back there and even if they do go off, they have a very high chance of being countered by Durant/Westbrook not to even mention Harden. The only way Miami wins is if Wade/Lebron can avg. 70 pts a game combined (which ain't happenin). If they play Boston, it will be a better series. Either way, OKC or the Spurs are taking it this yr.
disclaimer: I chose NY Knicks vs. OKC Thunder with thunder winning it at the beginning of the season
if you think Westbrook can lead a team, as in be the guy, to a championship at any point in his career you must be smoking, he is a point guard for a reason and cost the Thunder the western conference finals last year, he is not currently (and probably will never be) better than Dwayne Wade, I guess since Wade is chillin because he plays with 'Bron 'Bron people forgot just how dominant he was before he took a back seat to Lebron.
Wade is great but there are times where he plays poorly and gets a pass, unlike Westbrook or Lebron. Everyone wants to blame Westbrook when the Thunder lose but ignore how important he is to them when they win. People forget that Wade was literally non-existant against the Bulls last year and Lebron carried them but no one mentioned that
no one mentioned it because they won the series. If it had been Wade that disappeared during the finals when they lost, like Lebron, he would've been slammed. Wade averaged 29 ppg vs. Lebron's 17 in the finals.
Westbrook has ample room to grow. Wade is the player he is. I'm not gonna put a stamp on the fact that Westbrook will never be able to lead a team to a championship because we dont know his ceiling.
And honestly, Wade is a terrific player but he hasnt led Miami to anything either. In 2007, Miami were beaten by a ordinary Chicago side in the 1st round. That was his team then. Miami got incredibly lucky with 2006 because that was not a championship team.
Not to mention the fact that Miami got Beasley with the number 2 pick because they were the worst team in the NBA the year before, despite Wade being involved for a lot of that season before being injured. They sucked worse when he got hurt but they also sucked when he was playing.
I agree with BigBucks that the Spurs had a much easier road and will be pulling for the Thunder big time but when I look at the Thunder, they could have easily lost the first 2 against Dallas and Game 2 and 4 against the Lakers while the Spurs have yawned through their first 8 games. There is something to be said for knowing how to win close games, but I think the reason they had to come from behind in many of their wins is because the Thunder are not always super efficient in the halfcourt offense. The Spurs halfcourt offense and ball movement is superb. Either way, this will be a phenomenal series and I agree with Barkley and most other people that these are the best 2 teams left in the NBA and will make quick work of whoever comes out of the East. And please, when the Heat lose don't blame Lebron because at least up to this point he has been excellent. Spurs and Thunder are just better TEAMS.
As we're talking about it, top 10 players in the league:
LeBron KD Dwight Howard Rose Paul Westbrook Kobe Wade Dirk Love
There is no doubt in my mind that Tony Parker is on this list, as he seems to be a better overall point guard than even Chris Paul (and CP3 went to my high school so it hurts to say that).
Dirk? Just no. And Dwight Howard in third place is dubious when it's unclear that he's better than Andrew Bynum...
Obviously these lists are arbitrary and serve no purpose, but that's how I'd place these guys.
Tony Parker is not a Top 10 NBA player. Fact.
The lists are subjective and for the most part I respect anyone's opinion. However, Tony Parker is not a top 10 player in anyway shape or form. Frankly, its ridiculous to even mention that. TP's been stellar this year but there was a reason that the Spurs considered shipping him out. He's peaked. And even with that, I would take 6 PG before him.
What's even worse is that you think Rose has peaked. Nowhere close. He's the best PG in the league. Dealing with a lot of injuries this year has derailed him a little but I expect him to make a full recovery. Judge him when he comes back. And to say he doesnt have that winners mentality is just as bad. Do you even watch the game?
I'll give you Dwight just about as I'm not wholly convinced there is such a disparity between him and Bynum, but given the choice I would rather take him.
Wow Vontropnats. So many problems with those statements. The fact that Rose put up numbers anywhere near what he did last season is a testament to how good he is. The guy played with more injuries than most players get over their whole career. Although I do agree that Howard deserves to be way lower (probably around 5-7) because of what a cry baby he is, but to even use his name in the same sentence as Bynum makes me think you are just a shill for the Lakers. But I do think Melo deserves to be on that list over Love for sure.
All I will say is if there's an OKC/MIA final and those four all show up to play, it will be an amazing series.
BigBucks is right on about Wade, I remember watching them come into Chicago the year before they got Lebron and whip the Bulls by 40, and watching Wade put on a clinic was really something to see. Every time I watch the Heat I'm still more impressed w/ Wade and his ability to make baskets in the clutch.
I know it's off topic but FWIW I'm not a big Wade fan. He piggy backed Shaq to get a ring and I also think Shaq delivered Kobe his first two rings. Wade can be great when he wants to but he's always been injured.
no way is westbrook better than wade. westbrook can post great numbers and has amazing talent, but he can throw off the OKC offense at times by shooting too much (something you never want to do when you have an undeniable scorer like KD on your team).
KD is going to go off on every team, there are few people that can stop him. But the Spurs will force OKC to play their style game and cause errors. This is where Westbrook and the others could struggle. The Spurs are on fire right now and healthy because Duncan played a total of about10 mins for the first half of the season. Parker had his 2nd best season in a solid career and Ginobli is trying toget another ring before Argentina nationalizes him and forces him to play in the Argentinian league.
D. Wade has the 3rd highest finals ppg of all time so I don't think he piggy-backs anyone on that stage. Piggy-backed Shaq? really? dude it was the other way around, Shaq could not even get 15 ppg b/c he was old and tired and D. Wade averaged damn near 35 points a game to win the series. Please do not compare LA Lakers Shaq in the playoffs to Miami Heat Shaq in the playoffs, it exhibits an egregious lack of basketball knowledge.
Yes if u say as far as fit I agree with the Lebron/Bosh teamup, but as far as production it is not even close b/w Bosh and Wade.
Statistically Wade had a great series. But that series was officiated dubiously (to say the least) and no matter what people say, still averaged 19 and 10 in the playoffs. With his pedigree, Dallas were absolutely more concerned with him beating them, especially with Dampier the only one able to guard him.
Bosh is a good fit on the heat because all of the focus is on LBJ and Wade. I don't think its a negative that you have two extremely talented, athletic freaks on the same team. Thats why nobody can touch them in a fast-paced game, its the half-court offense that has some question marks, especially without Bosh
What I don't and never will understand is why Lebron didn't go to Chicago. They could have signed a big man of his choice to bring with him (probably Bosh). Combine them with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, a good bench, coach, and fans who are actually into their basketball team and that team would have been a dynasty.
That has to be the only reason. That he was afraid of failing to live up to the expectations of playing in Jordan's town. Otherwise from a basketball standpoint, the Bulls made perfect sense.
tony parker is great, solid PG, but top 10 in the NBA is an outrageous statement. deron williams, rondo, paul and rose (maybe nash too) are all better than him and thats just PGs. If we are talking about top NBA players, one player who gets no love and definitely deserves some is Lamarcus Aldridge
whoever thinks it is unclear whether Howard is better than Bynum after watching that OKC/LA series... just lol. Kid had games with less than 5 rebounds.. it is clear Howard is the only center worth building a team around in the NBA right now. Tony Parker over Wade and Anthony, lol. Kevin Love over Dwight Howard, lol. Chris Paul below Westbrook/Parker, lol.
The question should be LeBron vs Durant. That is the only relevant thing to look at. They are the 2 best players in the game and any one else on their respective teams' job is to support them.
In that argument, LBJ is the guy 30 out of 30 GMs would pick to start their franchise from scratch if it happened today.
I dont think its that clear cut. Another season of improvement and you're looking at more in the high teens favouring LeBron, and one of the major reasons being he's simply more marketable then KD.
Totally agree Conan, he is the player you choose to build around 100/100 times. Interesting anecdote... Doc Rivers, someone who probably doesn't like LBJ given the fierce rivalry between BOS and MIA had this to say after Bron Bron's 3rd MVP announcement:
"I think LeBron is an MVP candidate every year It's just who he is. He only does everything. So I don't know what more you can ask from him. LeBron, to me, is the favorite every year. The years he doesn't win it, it'll usually be because people are just tired of voting for him. Statistically, if you go all-around game, I don't know how you don't vote for him every year."
I actually wouldn't be surprised if San Antonio went all the way this year.
They're not going to be beaten. Bill Simmons sums it up pretty nicely. Skip to "four hours later..."
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7960136/the-playoff-eclipse-chronic…
They're not going to be beaten. Bill Simmons sums it up pretty nicely. Skip to "four hours later..."
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7960136/the-playoff-eclipse-chronic…] Great article. OKC is very tough though. Being a Boston fan, I'll just hope for a miracle.
this is tough.. I'm from Seattle so I would hate to see the Thunder win it, though I do still love Durant (he did play one year there) and how their team was built is a perfect model to be copied (though they did have some luck along the way - esp. with that durant #2 pick and Portland getting Oden). On the other hand I dislike Lebron and enjoy seeing him lose, but I love DWade.... Go Miami
Yeah on second thought Rondo takes Parker's place, for some reason I overlooked him. I guess just watched all of the Spurs' series so far and seeing TP absolutely wreck everyone has been influential.
Rose? I just hate the Bulls.
K-Love is a true beast and it's hard to deny that. I think he might sneak into the top 5, but if not is certainly 6 or 7. I might also switch Wade and Paul and then switch Wade and Melo on my list. That might be more accurate.
Even as a Knicks fan, Melo is not a top 10 player. Cannot believe Woodson was given the gig.
Melo is nuts dude. He doesn't try at all and is just so nice with it. If he put in some effort he'd be a real candidate for a top 5 spot.
Try what? Defense? Team basketball? I agree if he put some actual effort into defense, ball movement, team basketball, and other intangibles, he would be terrific. Right now, he's a fantastic scorer, nothing else. There's plenty of them in the league.
I agree with you on Woodson. "Let Melo run the iso" is not a viable offensive strategy.
But Melo is a top 3, if not the best, pure scorer in the league. Based purely off of talent Melo should be on a Top 10 list.
But the fact that he came out after D'Antoni left and said, "I didn't try on defense" makes him almost dead to me. You don't say that. But you still have to respect the guys offensive talent.
Woodson is a terrible coach. He proved it in the playoffs by his non-reactions to anything and the fact that he was on Melo's junk to ensure he gets the FT gig, to the detriment of the team. Miami are a very good team, but as the Pacers are proving, completely beatable. More effort and more heart would have ensured a series. JR Smith has to go.
OP, you are dumb as shit. SPURS will WIN the nba finals
And if you don't feel melo is not a top 10 player in the NBA, you're even dumber than I thought.. smh
is*
Wade's game is going to have a huge drop off within the next three years. His success relies so heavily on how ridiculous he is athletically. He has had a good amount of injury problems in the past and has a reckless style of play. I think I'd take LeBron/Wade right now, but next year onwards give me Westbrook/KD for sure.
Regardless, even though LeBron/Wade is a better duo right now, I'd still take the thunder in the finals. Much better supporting cast even when Bosh makes it back.
Are we really trying to take away from Wade's '06 performance because of the refs and Dallas' bad D? give me a break, his performance was the closest thing i've ever seen to Michael Jordan. Period. how does someone avg 39.5 ppg/ almost 8 rpg with over 50% shooting in the 4 games that decided the series (3-6) and not get lauded as the premier clutch player of your generation (not to mention 1 block per game for a guard)? Its complete crap the way Wade gets over-looked because he has been having injury issues and he doesn't call himself King Wade. In the 2 finals he played in he has been the best player on the court both times. Better than Dirk, Lebron, Shaq, Bosh whatever. I'd bet if they make it to the finals this year he out-plays Lebron once again. Comparing Wade to Westbrook in anything other than potential is an insult. Saying he piggy-backed Shaq to the championship is an even bigger insult.
KD doesnt call himself King Durant, doesnt mean he gets overlooked.
Seriously? If Wade was a better player in the last finals, Miami would have their 2nd championship. Dirk was ridiculous all playoffs.
Wade was immense in the 2006 series but there were several factors to consider. In addition, you can't look at a series in isolation. Prior to that series, Wade was having an average playoffs.
Ironic how you're saying Wade is being overlooked however you seem to be doing the same thing to Westbrook. If both reach the finals, this matchup determines the champs.
My top 10
Lebron Wade Kobe Rose CP3 Dwight Howard Durant Westbrook Carmelo Parker
And I'm a heat hater, go spurs!
if jeezy payin lebron im paying dwayne wade, Hova
Look, its going to be a very tough series for both teams. I have no horse in this race but I'm thinking OKC because of the points I've made already.
The Spurs are much better to watch then before but all the talk of them being underrated, they've become overrated. I heard Bruce Bowen on the radio the other day, who mentioned this team is good but nowhere great. No defense. This coming from their player.
I'm all-in for the Thunder.
lol @ if wade was the best player on the court they would have won, u need a team to win dude and the supposed best player in the NBA averaging 17 per isn't going to cut it. How am I over looking Westbrook? He has done absolutely nothing worth noting on the level of Dwayne Wade. I watched the kid cost his team the western conference finals last year and that is just the honest truth. You're talking about outside factors but that is irrelevant, 39.5 ppg on 50% shooting is 39.5 ppg on 50% shooting, numbers don't lie. I actually did think KD got over-looked last year and is just getting recognition as the clutch player that he is this year...
p.s. Idk how you claim scoring 24.7 ppg on 44% shooting, 27.6 ppg on 49% shooting, and 26.6 ppg and a whopping 62% shooting in the 3 rounds prior as average, you obviously have some bias, and he obviously picked up the pace in the finals when he realized relying on Shaq would lose it for them after the 0-2 start.
I take back the average remark. I was thinking of the playoffs prior to those ones, I think he got injure during those. I have no bias against Wade, in fact prior to hooking up with LeBron, he was one of my favorite players (until some of LeBron's immaturity poisoned Wade too). I'm calling it like I see it. Westbrook > Wade today. Unless he proves us wrong in the finals (if they both get there)
Wade wasnt the best player in the finals last year, as again they would have won the title if he was. LeBron averaging 17ppg was still better or equal to anyone on Dallas after Dirk, whilst Bosh was in that series too.
http://www.nba.com/playoffs/2011/finals/
There is so much crazyness being said in this thread its unbelievable. D.Rose doesn't have killer instinct? Is that a joke? Wade winning without a big man? Shaq wasn't on the court or anything. OKC v Spurs.
You heard it here first. The Spurs could SWEEP OKC. This could happen because the Spurs do not give 1 fuck about how athletic OKC is or there fast breaking bullshit. Spurs play half court basketball and good defense. OKC plays high tempo, high volume shots, and they have one Russell Westbrook who has essentially 0 control over his emotions when the going gets rough.These are all things that could cause the perfect storm.
They dont play half-court basketball but can. They play average defense (above average on occasions) and their offense is carrying them.
With the Spurs running mostly to maximize their talent pool, it plays the OKC way. If they play halfcourt ball, Duncan isnt as great anymore and wont be able to carry them.
That said, I still seeing it go 6 or 7. OKC have to take one of the opening two games.
this guy said the Spurs are going to sweep OKC, lol dude. I didn't say he won the 'ship without a big man, I said without significant contribution from a big man. Unless u can call 13 ppg and 10 rpg significant contribution compared to Shaq's 30-36 ppg and 12-15 rpg as a Laker in the finals then my statement was spot on.
Wade and Lebron. I rest my case.
OKC let Game 1 slip, but got their asses handed to them Game 2. Spurs were tremendous in that 3Q, right up there with Steve Nash Suns c.2005/6
Speaking of which though, I like how everyone jumps on the Spurs bandwagon right now when they're effectively lifting the Suns offense from that period (pick and rolls, big man passer, penetrating PG, loaded with shooters), while those Suns were ripped for not being able to get it done (they didnt but were written off everytime, whilst additionally, they were robbed of the title twice (05,07) and the rest was fucked up moves by the owner).
The only difference is an aging Tim Duncan. Interesting. I wonder whether its because teams are now more superstar orientated that team-play comes secondary or whether team-defense is coming up short. Other teams are too good for one team to go 20 straight.
well, the spurs have arguably the best PF in NBA history (top 3 for sure) in Duncan, who is playing closer to his level from his younger days (other than poor shooting last night). i don't want them to win, but I think they have the championship to lose right now.
curious though, do they have investment banking in phoenix? or are you canadian?
A Brit.
Thunder are all hype. Spurs are going to sweep them breaking the record for most consecutive playoff wins then beat the Heat in the finals, they will go down as the best team ever.
This objective analysis and prediction is brought to you by a San Antonio native.
Spurs over Heat in 5 or 6. The Spurs series is beyond over. I'm rooting for OKC but you can't tell me that a team that is 31-2 and won 20 in a row is about to lose 4 out of 5.
Heh
Spurs may be the best overall team in history and definitely in a long time. I can't stand them, but they have no superstars and only good to very good players. Duncan (who is well beyond his prime despite this rediculous year) is a hall of famer, maybe Ginobili and Parker one day. But Splitter, Leonard, Bonner, etc. are all just good roll players. They play only as a team and rarely do they not use a half court set where 4 out of 5 guys touch the ball. Love or hate the Spurs, this shit is insane how well they play as one.
How about those Thunder?
Anyone else think the Heat/Celtics series has been much more entertaining? Rondo has been sensational.
Feels bad man
Enjoying Spurs/OKC a ton. Bosh injury is hurting Miami. Wade+Lebron+trash apparently can't get you to the NBA Finals.
Spoelstra appears out of his depth. Last finals LeBron kinda of overshadowed his ineptness, but the constant rotation of his starting line-up at this stage is odd. I get Bosh is out but please sort out who you want to play. He seems to be throwing shit against the wall and seeing what sticks. LeBron has been playing out of his mind this playoffs and Wade has come up short. Seat's awfully warm for Spoelstra right now.
But as a Knicks fan, I would love to have Spoelstra over the colossal idiot Woodson.
So much goodness in this post. I agree with just about everything. Doc Rivers just simply out-coached and out-classed Spoelstra. The Celtics are playing better basketball. But the fact is that Lebron is playing at an unreal level. The only problem is so are Rondo and Garnett. I think the Celtics close it out in 6.
The Spurs will not sleep tonight, and they should be able to force a game 7. But OKC takes it down. The finals are tricky. My instincts would of course tell me OKC has it locked up, but I think it would be a huge mistake to simply discount how good Boston is. It would definitly be an interesting series.
Also say what you will about Spoelstras coaching abilties, but the man has some pretty awesome suits.
Lol where is the guy who said the Thunder would be swept? lmao... I knew OKC would beat the Spurs, people were crowning that team way too early over them beating the weak Jazz and a depleted Clippers squad. That boi Durant is too real.
Typical fans who dont know jack about the game but just jump on the bandwagon. Picked OKC in 6.
The Spurs were a less efficient Suns team from 2005. They played very average defense and that showed by OKC racking up the scoreboard. I read somewhere they averaged 123 points per 48 with their 3 stars. Incredible. Looking forward to seeing OKC v Celtics, could be a great series.
Spoelstra should be let go. Generally, I dont like rash decisions such as these but its obvious he's out of his depth and come the playoffs the only coaches he can (probably) outwit is Del Negro and Woodson. Some of his schemes were terrible, his rotation was poor, he has run LeBron into the ground and now when he fails, people will be on his case, For once, I wont be, he's been phenomenal these playoffs.
Doc Rivers has been excellent. Rondo has been tremendous.
If an OKC v Celtics final, I got OKC in 6 again, primarily because they have an abundance of youth, KD is too long for Pierce, no one to guard Westbrook, Perk will handle KG in the post and that leaves Ibaka to roam. Harden will be key. However, on the flip, KG doesnt have to worry about Perk or Ibaka scoring heavily so he can roam too. Should be great.
I don't think either the Heat or Celtics can win more than one against the Thunder, I'd give the Heat a better shot of going to 6 (even if i'm not sure they will get to the finals) simply due to D. Wade and Lebron's explosiveness. I just don't see what match-up advantage the Celtics could possibly have against OKC, they're likely to get swept in my opinion but Boston's capacity to muster logic-defying performances at home leaves me reluctant to guarantee the sweep so i'll say OKC in 5.
I think with the 2-3-2 format, Celtics will win more then one game. Lets put that Miami coming back in this series thing to bed. If the Celtics get up by 10+ early, watch their heads drop. I'm really looking forward to how LeBron plays. He's been fantastic but if he plays poorly, that is how his playoffs will be remembered.
Well, no one expected that 45 point game. And judging by how Miami have dealt with adversity, wholly reasonable conclusion. Genuinely thought Celtics only chance to advance was win Game 6. Class act that team though, have a lot of time for them.
If only Doc somehow decides he needs to move to New York.
I am one of those who disagree with the Spoelstra hate, I mean how many coaches does Lebron have to get rid off before we stop the scapegoating. Durant made Brooks look good by showing up in the 4th quarter, Lebron makes his coaches look inept because of his ability to shy away during said 4th. Doc Rivers is a great coach but I think if Rivers were the coach of the Heat and Spoelstra, the coach of the Celtics the results would be largely the same. One team has heart and the other lacks it ('cept my boi Wade) and that has to do much more with the team leaders (Lebron) than with the coaches.
So how do you feel about last night then? LeBron absolutely murdered, Spoelstra played no role in it, and Wade had a bad night as a bystander watching LeBron James take on everyone Boston through at him.
Last night made my point, Lebron had heart, the Heat won. Nothing Spoelstra or Rivers was gonna do would've changed the outcome. Enough with the coach scapegoating, if Lebron shows up they will win, if he doesn't then it is a toss up.
I agree, but its not scapegoating. Spoelstra has been head coach for several years now and still does not have the proper schemes, defensive or offensive, and often is bailed out by a magnificent performance from LeBron or Wade.
Even when he does, plays break down far too much for him. I get that's the nature of the game, but over this postseason, I've spotted about 5 different occasions, where he called a play and either his team tuned him out or the ball-handler thought he knew better. New York series game 4, this series game 5 being prominent examples. I like Spoelstra generally. I appreciate his hard work to get to where he is right now but I would either consider a change if I was in charge, or I want Spoelstra to be more vocal and change his philosophies a little.
Plus, its redundant to say coach scapegoating when LeBron is constantly chewed out.
If I'm Boston, I'm OK. LeBron was great but he ain't shooting that way again. Same way Miami werent going crazy over Rondo's 44 point game, which was equally as good as LeBron's, but just came out on the losing end. Something is off with Wade. Too much weirdness and inconsistencies.
There's a great piece here on why Durant and the Thunder will win the title before LeBron and the Heat do:
http://sportstanker.blogspot.com/2012/05/will-kevin-durant-get-title-be…
I like the KD/Westbrook combo long-term better than Wade/LeBron. More dynamic.
Really? Great piece? Clearly this is either your blog or you have no idea..about anything.
haha I thought the same thing. This "piece" was about 4 sentences lol
Got OKC over Heat in 7. Should be great however. Playoffs were a little disappointing up until these conference finals so expecting big things.
Ha, come on HPM, who else didnt think LeBron, even though he had been magnificent up until the Finals, might simply be too tired of carrying this team?
In the end, the difference between LeBron and KD was far bigger then Westbrook and Wade.
Anyone still want to take Wade over Westbrook right now?
Nah, im still talking garnett over aldridge
LeBron just had one of the best post-season runs of all time. This guy is the best since Jordan. Simply unbelievable post-season capped off with an unreal finals. Anyone that still hates on this guy needs to take a look within themselves, because there's just no logical way to trash him at this point. Unbelievable.
Agreed. I'd back off the best since Jordan because I think Kobe for a while was amazing but everything else, spot on. I hated how he conducted himself last season, but he has been so damn good this season that it pretty much repairs any damage he had done to himself. Unless Wade completely deteriorates as a player, this isnt the last ring he'll get. Although, I hope people dont get on that track as to whether he'll be a one hit wonder.
KD, man, I know, he's a great scorer but other then that, he didnt do much. Even stopped rebounding. I'm a big fan still but the Finals certainly magnifies shortcomings of any player. If Westbrook had a slightly better shot selection, I'd love to hear the explanation about how KD is actually better then Westbrook right now.
The fake Miami fans are fucking awful though.
RING JAMES!
I hated Bron(even though I purchased his shoes) but what he did this post season is straight up unreal. He realized he couldn't shoot so he took the ball to the basket every damn time. There is nothing more to be said, and this will be the NBA finals for years to come, and as long as Westbrook is on the Thunder the result will be the same everytime.
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