What did we learn after the first set of playoff games?

[midnightpulp]

1. Lebron James is the best player in basketball, bar none.

2. The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their near month long streak of underwhelming basketball and are ripe for an upset, which could happen in the first round or the next.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers are serious contenders and have a very good chance at winning the West. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

4. The San Antonio Spurs are for real and by no means a "fool's good" team. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

5. The Memphis Grizzlies' much touted and feared frontline is massively overrated. That frontline ain't bullying shit, much less the other West contenders, with Zack Randolph going 3-13 from the field and getting dominated by Reggie Evans. And no, Z-Bo will not find last year's form.

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks.

[VBM]

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.



Not 100% true as we saw with the Clipper game. With about 9 or 8 min left, that game looked like it was a wrap.

[pass1st]

You should save that post for the series' to be over, tbh.

1. LBJ looked like gold last year, crumbled later on
2. OKC almost lost at home to a weaker Mavs team
3. Lakers are historically streaky, they can lose both at Denver if they aren't careful
4. Spurs have a pretty weak opponent, not a good sample
5. Grizzilies were dominating until the last 5 minutes, it might be just a fluke. For 3 and 1/2 quarters they were playing like contenders.

6 & 7 are a given even before the playoffs

[z0sa]

+1 to the OP

The only part I somewhat disagree with is OKC... they are young and have no title experience. These kinds of let downs are to be expected; the road to a title for a young club will always be bumpy.

[DJB]

4. Spurs have a pretty weak opponent, not a good sample


Same can be said for the Lakers.

[midnightpulp]

Not 100% true as we saw with the Clipper game. With about 9 or 8 min left, that game looked like it was a wrap.

9 min left in a playoff game is not necessarily garbage time unless you're down something like 40.

[pass1st]

Same can be said for the Lakers.

What's your point? That doesn't really have anything to do with what I said.

[Sec24Row7]

You should save that post for the series' to be over, tbh.

1. LBJ looked like gold last year, crumbled later on
2. OKC almost lost at home to a weaker Mavs team
3. Lakers are historically streaky, they can lose both at Denver if they aren't careful
4. Spurs have a pretty weak opponent, not a good sample
5. Grizzilies were dominating until the last 5 minutes, it might be just a fluke. For 3 and 1/2 quarters they were playing like contenders.

6 & 7 are a given even before the playoffs

Ditto...

Mike Brown is going to get out coached by Karl in this series... will it make a difference?

Spurs can fold vs Great defense... we haven't seen an opponent perform like Miami v NY for example... all year...

[midnightpulp]

Both the Lakers and Spurs are serious contenders. No need to dick measure over a comparison of the two teams. I see a series between OKC and the Lakers, a series everyone expects the Thunder to dominate, a 50/50 proposition. Anytime a team has a center who is capable of 30 points, 20 boards, or 10 blocks, a versatile power forward who can shoot, pass, and play in the post, long defenders at the 3, a 2 guard who'll consistently average 20+ points a game, and a quick, playmaking point guard, they're a contender.

[blah blah blah]

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks.

the Miami game exposed just how surprisingly limited Anthony is in terms of knowledge of the game in general.

When he has the ball in his hands, he's as talented as anyone. However, as we all know, he doesn't understand that being a ball stopper negatively affects the entire team.

Also, it is now apparent that he is terrible in terms of moving without the ball. LeBron would just front him and bully him to the sideline. What does Anythony do? Just sit there and keep demanding the ball from an impossible angle. It was sad/astonishing how he never adjusted to the way they were guarding him.

[mavs>spurs]

I learned that the mavs would repeat with chandler

[pass1st]

Both the Lakers and Spurs are serious contenders. No need to dick measure over a comparison of the two teams. I see a series between OKC and the Lakers, a series everyone expects the Thunder to dominate, a 50/50 proposition. Anytime a team has a center who is capable of 30 points, 20 boards, or 10 blocks, a versatile power forward who can shoot, pass, and play in the post, long defenders at the 3, a 2 guard who'll consistently average 20+ points a game, and a quick, playmaking point guard, they're a contender.

Sometimes I don't know if you're trying to jinx or give good analysis

[Venti Quattro]

For a coach of a team that is heavily feared in the West, Lionel Hollins makes too many mistakes.

[midnightpulp]

Sometimes I don't know if you're trying to jinx or give good analysis

No jinx here. Like we've said all year, the Lakers are built for the post-season. If you're a Lakers fan, their much maligned depth shouldn't even be too much of a concern considering how great the starting lineup is.

[midnightpulp]

the Miami game exposed just how surprisingly limited Anthony is in terms of knowledge of the game in general.

When he has the ball in his hands, he's as talented as anyone. However, as we all know, he doesn't understand that being a ball stopper negatively affects the entire team.

Also, it is now apparent that he is terrible in terms of moving without the ball. LeBron would just front him and bully him to the sideline. What does Anythony do? Just sit there and keep demanding the ball from an impossible angle. It was sad/astonishing how he never adjusted to the way they were guarding him.

Yep. He's atrocious moving without the ball. It's beyond me why more swingmen don't study Reggie Miller and Larry Bird.

[NewcastleKEG]

1. Lebron James is the best player in basketball, bar none.

2. The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their near month long streak of underwhelming basketball and are ripe for an upset, which could happen in the first round or the next.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers are serious contenders and have a very good chance at winning the West. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

4. The San Antonio Spurs are for real and by no means a "fool's good" team. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

5. The Memphis Grizzlies' much touted and feared frontline is massively overrated. That frontline ain't bullying shit, much less the other West contenders, with Zack Randolph going 3-13 from the field and getting dominated by Reggie Evans. And no, Z-Bo will not find last year's form.

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks .
Incorrect in Red

[midnightpulp]

Who is playing better than Lebron right now?

You actually believe Zack Randolph is going to suddenly start going 25 and 10 every night?

You thought it was a good idea to play Rose up 14 with 2:30 left?

He sucks relative to his perceived "superstar status."

[Venti Quattro]

:lol NewcastleKEG telling somebody about wrong or right observations

That's like the blind telling someone who's not that he's seeing things wrong.

[baseline bum]

^ Shouldn't dude in Ashraf's sig be in hobbler's league right now? I thought this was the NBA forum.

[NewcastleKEG]

Who is playing better than Lebron right now? It is not ''bar none''

You actually believe Zack Randolph is going to suddenly start going 25 and 10 every night? You actually believe Zack Randolph is going to continue going 3 of 13?

You thought it was a good idea to play Rose up 14 with 2:30 left? Healthy lineup for the first time in months. Needed the extra reps

He sucks relative to his perceived "superstar status." Not everyone can fall back on Wade
Here you go kiddo

[Giuseppe]

I have a terrible affect on the NBA Forum.

[midnightpulp]

I have a terrible affect on the NBA Forum.

Welcome back.

[midnightpulp]

Here you go kiddo

Who's even in the conversation with Lebron right now?

I see more 3-13 games in Randolph's future than 25 and 10 games. Z-bo hasn't had a strong performance in months, averaging 11 points for the year on 46% shooting. You think he's magically going to become good?

I don't know. I think it's best to err on the side of caution and sit star players during garbage time.

[Koolaid_Man]

1. Lebron James is the best player in basketball, bar none.

2. The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their near month long streak of underwhelming basketball and are ripe for an upset, which could happen in the first round or the next.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers are serious contenders and have a very good chance at winning the West. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

4. The San Antonio Spurs are for real and by no means a "fool's good" team. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

5. The Memphis Grizzlies' much touted and feared frontline is massively overrated. That frontline ain't bullying shit, much less the other West contenders, with Zack Randolph going 3-13 from the field and getting dominated by Reggie Evans. And no, Z-Bo will not find last year's form.

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks.


I learned that your OCD is kicking in maximum overload

[100%duncan]

1. Lebron James is the best player in basketball, bar none.

2. The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their near month long streak of underwhelming basketball and are ripe for an upset, which could happen in the first round or the next.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers are serious contenders and have a very good chance at winning the West. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

4. The San Antonio Spurs are for real and by no means a "fool's good" team. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

5. The Memphis Grizzlies' much touted and feared frontline is massively overrated. That frontline ain't bullying shit, much less the other West contenders, with Zack Randolph going 3-13 from the field and getting dominated by Reggie Evans. And no, Z-Bo will not find last year's form.

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks.

You just contradicted yourself tbh.

[Leetonidas]

Spurs will play Miami in the Finals

[Killakobe81]

1. Lebron James is the best player in basketball, bar none. 2. The Oklahoma City Thunder continue their near month long streak of underwhelming basketball and are ripe for an upset, which could happen in the first round or the next.

3. The Los Angeles Lakers are serious contenders and have a very good chance at winning the West. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

4. The San Antonio Spurs are for real and by no means a "fool's good" team. Anyone who says otherwise is a deluded hater and doesn't know shit about basketball.

5. The Memphis Grizzlies' much touted and feared frontline is massively overrated. That frontline ain't bullying shit, much less the other West contenders, with Zack Randolph going 3-13 from the field and getting dominated by Reggie Evans. And no, Z-Bo will not find last year's form.

6. That coaches shouldn't play star players in garbage time. Fluke injuries can happen anywhere at anytime.

7. Carmelo Anthony fuckin' sucks.

You REALLY needed Game one to be played to come to THAT conclusion?

[Venti Quattro]

MP, your point #1 didn't need these playoffs to be proven.

[midnightpulp]

MP, your point #1 didn't need these playoffs to be proven.

A lot of non-believers out there.

[Killakobe81]

Not 100% true as we saw with the Clipper game. With about 9 or 8 min left, that game looked like it was a wrap.

great point. But that almost NEVER happens but it will give coaches the excuse to run their stars in to the ground ...

[Killakobe81]

A lot of non-believers out there.

But your OP said "what did we learn?" :lol
At best you could say that he re-affirmed it. Doesnt change that he needs to show he has his closers chops back ...but even without that ...he was the MVP. Again.

[Venti Quattro]

A lot of non-believers out there.

I don't think you can teach staunch non-believers. It's like trying to change a brainwashed Muslim terrorist's mind from bombing an American structure.

[Brazil]

last year lebron until the finals seemed to be the best player in basketball bar none and dirk said hello

btw shitty list nothing really knew or wrong

[NewcastleKEG]

A lot of non-believers out there.
http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1087723/bron2.gif

[Brazil]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1087723/bron2.gif

:lmao

[Spurtacus]

wearing adidas will lead to acl tears

[Brazil]

wtf is your sig spurtucus ?

[Venti Quattro]

wearing adidas will lead to acl tears

Let me take this thread to a lefty route: ACLdidas

[pgardn]

Lebron is the most talented player in the NBA...

The best. Not in the last part of important playoff games. Full choke mode.