The nba playoffs -question

[ManitouDan]

anyone else severly turned off by the fighting ? Flagrant Fouls ? the obvious " I can whip you" type BS . I have --the game sucks --it's a sideshow to the personalities. Don't get me wrong --I'd rather watch reruns of WEC fights or UFC or Tuff or any mma over hoops right now. so I have no problem with violence. But the art of scoring/moving/thinking has evaporated to such small levels the game just isn't enjoyable to me anymore --It's like streetball with millionaires . To me it looks like a mockery of the game I'm passionate about. opinions ?

[Orange and Brown]

The NBA sucks!!!!!
It is a sad version of what it once was.

[JChipwood]

The fighting has greatly reduced since the 80s, especially in the playoffs and even the finals. But yes the NBA certainly does lack alot of the things that made it great at one time. My issue with it is that the athletes are far superior to those of even ten years ago but they rely on athletics rather than fundamentals and appear to not want to look as if they are "trying hard". Nobody moves their feet anymore to get into position to rebound when the ball is in the air. The defensive stance is a lost art, especially on the weak side. None of this was ever more evident than in the Olympics. Those guys broke down, boxed out, and played team defense. Also guys don't move or run the offensive sets they used too, too much one on one stuff. I know guys are BFS but some old principles may still work. I really think too many guys want to "be like Mike" but have no idea what that actually means. I saw Jordan play his whole career. He played 100% all the time, the problem was that he did it with such grace that for anyone else to simulate his style they have play at 70% to look like Mike. He was so smooth but still was the best defender, scorer, leader, and at times rebounder on the court every night. These guys today are too affraid to be humiliated that they would rather go at 3/4 than all out and get burned on a play. The team that wins it all will be the team that has more guys sell out to the idea of going 100% the most.

I personally will root for Lebron vs Kobe to happen because at least those 2 players strive to get better and better along with make their teammates better players and both show some character while having some fun playing a GAME. Both set an example of hard work which is also a lost art.

[ManitouDan]

chip--I agree with everything you said --not 100% sold on the fighting statement --there might have been more full blown throw downs back then but the number of cheap shots and flagrants is much higher today IMO. I think the reason behind that is today's players know full well that it is highly highly unlikely someone cleans their clock with a punch.

Back in the day (80's early 90's ) you cheap shot the crap out of someone like I've seen numerous times in round 1 --you might seriously get punched with the goal of inflicting harm --todays players have no such fear. So they cheap shot away --knowing it might cost them a game off. But thats it. the fundementals of the game have dropped like crazy -- No type's of the following HOF"ers NO George Gervin's. No Bernard King. No Kevin McHale. Very few players who are dominate scorer's with their back to the basket. Just jump shooters and drivers. The 3 has changed the game drastically. MD

[JChipwood]

MD, yeah I agree with that totally. Back then guys would actually duke it out and the rest would hold each other at bay or just watch. Cheap shots are for cowards but happen, like you said, with no fear.

Today's athletes are tremendous but don't use their heads or their feet like the lesser athletes that are now HOFers. Barkley, Bird, and Rodman were good rebounders because they anticipated and moved to get position, not because they could outjump everyone. Very few guys have that concept anymore. I will give props to D Rose, J Kidd, D Wayde, T Parker and a few others that still play the game with their feet and give it their all. I know the list is much longer than that but the 100%ers are severely outnumbered.

I also agree with the big man game too. Duncan is one of the few left and he is aging although he has a descent jumper as well. And an actual BANK SHOT.

[fightingtigers45]

Are we being serious right now?

What is not to like about the NBA at this point?? Its playoff basketball at its best right now.

Today's athletes are tremendous but don't use their heads or their feet like the lesser athletes that are now HOFers.

Watch the Bulls-Celtics Game 7...#34 on the Celtics...Check him out.

The defensive stance is a lost art, especially on the weak side

Weak side defense suffered with the inclusion of defensive 3 seconds in 2001.

Also guys don't move or run the offensive sets they used too, too much one on one stuff.

Really? Ive watched a lot of NBA this year an see PLENTY of sets.

[fightingtigers45]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFsjhIEolmc&feature=player_embedded

[ManitouDan]

SEC SEC SEC ! now that I've agreed with you I'll state this --I'm 100% serious , the game is suffering and this year's round 1 has been the worst ball I've ever seen the NBA offer up. And I watch some every year. (But I have not caught the cav's or lakers' the 2 best teams) I've been a celtics fan without jumping off the bandwagon for over 30 years and # 34 might be my least favorite celtic of all time.
Is he very talented YES --Is he top 10 in the league I'd say propably yes ? Is he an egotistical jerk who has said he's better than Kobe or LeBron YES ?

[fightingtigers45]

SEC SEC SEC ! now that I've agreed with you I'll state this --I'm 100% serious , the game is suffering and this year's round 1 has been the worst ball I've ever seen the NBA offer up. And I watch some every year. (But I have not caught the cav's or lakers' the 2 best teams) I've been a celtics fan without jumping off the bandwagon for over 30 years and # 34 might be my least favorite celtic of all time.
Is he very talented YES --Is he top 10 in the league I'd say propably yes ? Is he an egotistical jerk who has said he's better than Kobe or LeBron YES ?

Pierce's comments last summer were pretty ridiculous...Thats for sure...However, I believe Paul Pierce does a lot with his talent and athleticism...You look at LeBron and Kobe...They are extremely athletic and fast...Pierce is kind of chunky and kind of slow (as shown by the Noah dunk last night)...I love the way Paul plays

Also, I think this Bulls-Celtics series is by far the best of my lifetime...Whether it be Round 1 or the Finals...This series is insane...Its basketball at its best.

I do understand your point about basketball...It is not "basketball" anymore...However, over the last 10 years the Spurs have been the consistent best team...Why? Because they play basketball...That being said, it is tough to win playing basketball against someone like LeBron, Kobe, Dwight Howard, Shaq in the past...Those guys can beat you by themselves...Lets face it...1 on 1 basketball is "basketball" in this generation

[ManitouDan]

Yep I pretty much agree with every bit of that . Not suprised , anyone who recognizes the SEC as vastly superior to the big ten has to be very intelligent MD

[Portsmouth98]

If you watch a Cavs game, you will see fundamental basketball. They typically out-rebound their opponents, they play stiff defense for the full court, they are always looking for the open man, and someone is always diving for the ball or taking a charge. As far as fighting goes, they aren't thugs but they've definitely toughened up over the last few years and won't take crap from anyone. I'd dare say if that would have been Ben Wallace or Big Z instead of Brad Miller the other night, the last thing Rondo would have to worry about would be the ref's whistle. All that being said, the Lakers are taller and more athletic and barring any injuries or miracles should be able to bring home the gold this year.

[WitnessProtection]

I don't watch a lot of regular season NBA games - mostly Cavs - but am pretty much glued to the set for the playoffs.
Bulls-Celtics series has been very entertaining.
Miami-Atlanta isn't necessarily pretty basketball, but it's going to a Game 7, so that's cool. D-Wade is smokin' right now. Fun to watch.
I'm looking forward to a Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals, if they both survive.
Overall, I'm enjoying the NBA playoffs.

[fightingtigers45]

I don't watch a lot of regular season NBA games - mostly Cavs - but am pretty much glued to the set for the playoffs.
Bulls-Celtics series has been very entertaining.
Miami-Atlanta isn't necessarily pretty basketball, but it's going to a Game 7, so that's cool. D-Wade is smokin' right now. Fun to watch.
I'm looking forward to a Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals, if they both survive.
Overall, I'm enjoying the NBA playoffs.

Wade is playing his heart out...I wonder how injured he really is

[qualified101]

my take on some the first round matchups:

cleveland vs detroit-detroit is shell of it former self. cleveland dominated the series. when detroit dealt billups to denver, that was the beginning of the end. even with billups, this might have been a five game series but the cavs are on fire right now. question is, will they have to much time off waiting to see who their next opponent is?

lakers vs jazz- while the jazz put up a valiant effort, ultimately williams and boozer needed help and didnt get it. ak47 didnt show up. pretty much a snoozer of a series.


nuggets vs hornets- boring

bulls vs celtics-dont care for either team but has been a great series to watch. game 7 should be one for the ages as both teams will leave it all on the line. anxious to see how paul pierce responds after pretty much giving away game 6 in ot with a lazy pass and stupid foul at the end of the game. things are getting chippy but that usually happens when series go this long. celtics have home court and the bulls are young but every game has been entertaining. by far, the best series this year. the bulls will be doubling allen so it will be up to pierce to take over, something he didnt do in game 6. if he wants to be compared to lebron or kobe, this is how you do it.

blazers vs rockets- portland needs a point guard bad. yao ming is the real deal as he dominated every big man the blazers threw at him. the rockets are a bit of a wildcard to me. a bunch of no namers thrown together with yao, artest, and battier. they probably play the most team ball probably because they have to being without mcgrady. rockets will definitely have their hands full with the lakers in the next round.

orlando vs philly- boring

atlanta vs miami- what started out as a ho-hum series has quietly become a pretty good watch. i counted out miami but now we have a game 7 so watch out. i think both teams will have their big men back, horford for atlanta and oneil for the heat, so both teams should be at full strength. all the wins in this series were pretty much blowouts so whoever gets up early may have the keys to the next round.

mavs vs spurs- no manu no hope for the spurs. he is the spark that keeps the spurs going. could the spurs be going down the same slope as detroit. they had a great run but they really looked bad against an avg mavs team.

[fightingtigers45]

mavs vs spurs- no manu no hope for the spurs. he is the spark that keeps the spurs going. could the spurs be going down the same slope as detroit. they had a great run but they really looked bad against an avg mavs team.

At this point, I wouldnt say the Mavs are average...They are clicking right now and I think we are looking at a potentially great series between them and the Nuggets...I think the styles mesh well and I like the matchups a lot...I think Mavs can win it in 6...

Also, the Spurs arent done...The Mavs were the one team that was a terrible draw for them...During the Duncan Era, one team has won a Game 7 in San Antonio...Who is it? Yes. The Mavs...The Mavs are the one team that isnt intimidated by San Antonio and probably know more about San Antonio than any other team...

All in all, it was a bad draw for the Spurs.

Also, put Manu on that team and we would have seen a different result...I mean, seriously, Roger Mason was their 3rd option...Roger Mason?! Big Shot Rob?

[qualified101]

i agree with you on the spurs.

how did the rockets win that series against the blazers? they play great defense. maybe thats the answer. plus maybe portland only has two go-to players in roy and aldridge. rockets really surprised me.

[fightingtigers45]

i agree with you on the spurs.

how did the rockets win that series against the blazers? they play great defense. maybe thats the answer. plus maybe portland only has two go-to players in roy and aldridge. rockets really surprised me.

Oden is a foul waiting to happen. Thats why they lost IMO...I like the way the Rockets play without McGrady...I think they are in for a 5 game series max with the Lakers...Kobe loves to go against Artest and it will only be better now that Artest said Roy was "the best player he has played against"

[qualified101]

i think they play better without mcgrady too. you're right about oden. is it me or does he just look lost? definitely hasnt lived up to the hype and probably never will. they should try to move him before his stock goes down even further.(wasted draft pick imo)

im not kobe fan at all so i hope artest slams the door. kobe's a baller (both player and whiner) though, so he'll get his 30. it was funny, artest saying roy was harder to guard. if houstons guards that nobody has ever heard of show up, it might go 5 or 6 games but if not, could be a sweep. im pulling for the rockets.(cant stand this version of the lakers)

[qualified101]

back on topic.
md,
actually, there is some pretty good ball being played with some really good series for a first round. there is some rough stuff. what i dont like is the inconsistancy(sp) in the officiating, especially in regards to flagrant fouls.

ex. wade getting hit with a flagrant foul on a clean block from behind just because the guy going in for the dunk is hanging on the rim. WRONG CALL

ex. rondo intentionally forearming brad miller to the head and no flagrant foul called. WRONG CALL

[Portsmouth98]

Greg Oden is quickly becoming this generations Sam Bowie.