2011-2012 NBA Season - Page 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis 

 

No offense, but who are you to call one of the smartest writers on the Internet an idiot? He had a different reaction to LeBron and the final minutes of the game than you did. That's kind of what being a fan and following sports are all about.

He had an idiotic and indefensible reaction to the final minutes of the game.

The -serious- suggestion that Lebron, in the middle of a drive to the basket, suddenly opted to fake an injury in order to remove himself from a game in which he was succeeding greatly, is a "different reaction" in the way that claiming David Stern scripts every game and draft pick is a "different reaction". Both are nonsensical and deserving of nothing but scorn.

If that's what being a fan is all about, sports could use a few less fans. 

I am as big of a Lebron hater as anyone......but you cant take anything away from him in this years playoffs. He has constantly proved himself, delivering big games when needed against Boston, Indiana and now in the finals. When he rose up and buried that 3 pointer with the cramped legs it was the dagger that led his team to the win. You could see OKC react, and Miami took it from there. Sometimes you simply have to step back and give a guy credit. Now if OKC somehow manages to win 3 straight, and Lebron chokes in a couple of those games then those that wish to can continue that old storyline.....because lets be honest.....it is a storyline promoted through the media to stir the pot. What's really funny is the media's need to find a scapegoat. All this westbrook stuff stinks of the media trying to find their new whipping boy.

Regarding Beaks, the guy is a dyed in the wool Cleveland fan, so his reactions have to be taken with a grain of salt.  He's one of the best film writers on the web, though; so calling him an "abject idiot" feels as reactionary and over the top an assessment as his tweets were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey 

Regarding Beaks, the guy is a dyed in the wool Cleveland fan, so his reactions have to be taken with a grain of salt.  He's one of the best film writers on the web, though; so calling him an "abject idiot" feels as reactionary and over the top an assessment as his tweets were.

Unlike the tweet, I think it's an accurate assessment of a person -in that moment-. However, I do freely admit to enjoying a liberal application of hyperbole now and then. 

Bill Simmons hit on what I was getting at:

Lebron has tied a playoff record by scoring 25 points in 14 straight games. The person he tied? Lebron James ('09).

He's -averaging- 31-10-5 in the playoffs. And 29-10-6 in the finals, even with the game 4 cramping that was apparently going on since halftime.

There's dislike, there's hatred, and then there's losing touch with reality. At this point, I find myself rooting for Lebron, simply so that the dialogue can move on to something more interesting (and rational).

Sadly, that "something" will likely be how big of a loser Russel Westbrook is. Sigh.

At this point Miami winning the finals while the game is there seems like such a thing that is supposed to happen, that if you were writing a story about this that's how you would conclude it. I'm hoping for a twist and I think everyone benefits with more basketball.

I heard others saying that this entire series is only the first chapter of an epic saga. In my Hollywood version of the story, Lebron will get the ring, but then that won't be enough and I imagine Don Draper's speech to Dow Chemical:

You’re on top and you don’t have enough.  You’re happy because you’re successful…for now.  But what is happiness?  It’s a moment before you need more happiness. You get hungry even though you’ve just eaten.  You’re not happy with anything.  You don’t want most of it…you want all of it.
 

And so after this series, i that's where things could truly get exciting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farsight 

 

Unlike the tweet, I think it's an accurate assessment of a person -in that moment-. However, I do freely admit to enjoying a liberal application of hyperbole now and then. 

 

Bill Simmons hit on what I was getting at:

 

 

 

Lebron has tied a playoff record by scoring 25 points in 14 straight games. The person he tied? Lebron James ('09).

 

Well, just for the record, Beaks was very impressed by what LeBron was doing.  He felt like he was really earning this, and then he went out with cramps and it got a little weird.

As a Bulls fan, I hope not-- but still, depending on what Dallas does in the offseason, there really only seems to be about 4 teams that could make the finals next year... with Miami and OKC being the huge favorites.

Don't be hatin', my Grizz will be there to give somebody a series before moving on to the next round.  It's what we do.

I think the refs have been a bigger issue in the Thunder's collective heads than reality. The number of times I've seen Westbrook and others throwing their arms up in the middle of a play is too high to count. It's hard to get back on D if you're busy complaining to the refs.

ETA: And I've gone from liking Harden at the start of these playoffs to absolutely hating his game. His nickname needs to be "Glass James" with how every nudge sends him flying. I'm surprised we haven't seen him flailing on the ground like a soccer player yet.

Checking out now.

And I still think OKC is better (at least in terms of pieces and raw talent.)  I don't know if it's experience or not, but Miami's role players outplayed the Thunder's, which is something I did not expect in this series.  That was really the difference.  That and I probably underrated the Heat's defensive advantage... but all the games were close and I heard a commentator say today that if the Thunder had just hit their season averages on threes and free throws in the series it very well could have been 3-1 OKC going into tonight.

Two unmistakable truths I have taken from this series:

1.  There is no reasonable argument against LeBron's game.  Even Skip "I'll say anything for attention" Bayless can't take anything away from James.

and

2.  Dwayne Wade is totally just along for the ride.  People will say that he has won two titles but he was pretty much just another guy during this series.

What a boring Finals. Inexperience was a factor, but I also think OKC used up all their energy figuring out the machine that was the San Antonio Spurs.

What was up with Miller's threes? 

There were lots of little components that affected the Thunder in the 3 game stretch that probably cost them those very close games. I think that the Spurs could've drug it out more, but ultimately I think this was just Lebron's year.
 

Is anyone going to point out that this title is stained for the Heat because it was a shortened season?? I think so.. ********** Baby!!!

Amazes me that the Thunder beat the Mavericks, Lakers, and Spurs yet looked totally overmatched against Miami. Even the fossil Celtics were able to push Miami too 7 games!! Really shocking that they lost 4 straight!

Quote:

Originally Posted by History Buff 

Is anyone going to point out that this title is stained for the Heat because it was a shortened season??

No... because it's not.  The regular season standings would have been about the same with 82 as 66.  The playoffs weren't shortened.  Everyone played the same schedule.  It's a dumb argument.

The shortened season may have been harder, but was it better basketball? I don't think so.
 

I'll tell you what's really making me scratch my head-- KC Jones, Pat Riley, Chuck Daly, Phil Jackson, Rudy Tomjanovich, Greg Popovich, Larry Brown, Doc Rivers, Rick Carlisle... Eric Spoelstra?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey 

I'll tell you what's really making me scratch my head-- KC Jones, Pat Riley, Chuck Daly, Phil Jackson, Rudy Tomjanovich, Greg Popovich, Larry Brown, Doc Rivers, Rick Carlisle... Eric Spoelstra?

Eric Spoelstra is the NBA's Barry Switzer, with more humility and likeability? Is that fair?

Speaking as someone who knows some of the Switzers, I take offense to that comment.

Spoelstra is WAY more humble and likable.

Haha... good for Beaks.

.@cavsdan Congratulate LeBron, you ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agent Z 

The shortened season may have been harder, but was it better basketball? I don't think so.
 

The playoffs were pretty great, though.

The shorter season was better, too. The compression was obviously a bad idea, but 82 games is just waaay too many. 16 more games would've added nothing meaningful to this season. A 64-game schedule with the normal amount of off days would be a huge improvement.

As for the ending, I was disappointed at the lack of focus from OKC, but as we've kept hearing, they're young, and they'll hopefully learn from this. Clearly Lebron learned from his previous failure on the biggest stage. He just had the mental toughness to match his physical talents this time around. Good for him, and more selfishly, good for us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farsight 

 

The playoffs were pretty great, though.

 

The shorter season was better, too. The compression was obviously a bad idea, but 82 games is just waaay too many. 16 more games would've added nothing meaningful to this season. A 64-game schedule with the normal amount of off days would be a huge improvement.

On that we can agree!

The thing with guys like Miller and Battier (remember, I'm a Grizz fan), those guys are first round draft picks.  They may be in the twilight of their careers now, but to think they can't come up big in certain games is insane.  These are guys that were starters on playoff teams in the past, they've been there and done that.  They are role players now, true, but to think they are the same as late round filler players is inviting trouble.  I've watched them both drain clutch threes for years and seeing them do it in the Finals makes me happy for them.  They may not be flashy season long guys, but seeing what they've done in the playoffs when their career is on the line doesn't surprise me.

Battier was amazing the entire finals.....Chalmers had some good games....Haslem played his role, Bosch was productive.....and Lebron was the best player on the basketball court. Miami earned this title, you have to give credit where it is due. OKC has now had their learning experience and dissapointment. Ibaka dissappeared in the finals, Harden wilted under the lights. Durant did not close the way he did against the Lakers and Spurs after game 3. OKC will get better. I expect them to win the title next year.

And another nonsensical sports meme bites the dust. Here’s hoping we’re not in for an offseason full of idiotic calls for Russell Westbrook to be traded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Girma 

And another nonsensical sports meme bites the dust.

Speaking of sports memes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben W 

 

2.  Dwayne Wade is totally just along for the ride.  People will say that he has won two titles but he was pretty much just another guy during this series.

Yep, because that TOTALLY makes sense. 

Apparently you need the best stats on the team, to be considered a champion.

Who's that lady that hangs out to the entrance of the Heat lockers and kisses each one of 'em as they go by?

Boy do I feel stupid.  I guess this'll learn me to make predictions about the NBA, which I admittedly know VERY little about.  Congrats to LeBron, and the Heat.