13/18 ESPN analysts pick Heat

[Creation88]

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6948/capturejk.jpg

hopefully this means good things for us! :downspin:

[George Gervin's Afro]

The Heat should be prohibitive favorites.

[Mugen]

My nuggas Marc Stein & Legs back on the bandwagon.

[Gospursel]

Thank goodness. Wouldn't want it the other way around tbh.

[Gospursel]

Everyone who chose the Spurs chose the spurs and six. Interesting.

[siraulo23]

No question the heat are the overwhelming favourites

[hooperflash]

:tu

[capek]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5y78vm1Al1rqfhi2o1_500.gif

[rjv]

can't blame them . heat are the safe pick (so was memphis i suppose)

[Toni61]

Why folks things we get mor Love some the Finals I dont think so.

[Toni61]

No surprise

What we have expected otherwise?!?

[timtonymanu]

The lone analysts who picked against us (Elhassan - Lakers, Torres - Warriors) are picking us to win the Finals? That's scary, tbh.

[Spur|n|Austin]

Welcome back Legler, and I like the picks like this. Reminds me of the Memphis series. LETS GET THIS THING STARTED!

[timtonymanu]

SpurPadre is probably angry with these picks.

:cry disrespecting the Spurs

[elec99]

I like this, especially legler since he was the lone one who predicted us to sweep the fakers. I feel ALOT better now. El hassan was a dumb dumb when he chose the fakers but he wizened up in the subsequent series. Either way I dont see this going 7, one team will have their way with the other in 6 or less.

[davidbowie]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/e6e402302de012dc3101916993af5c92/tumblr_mnkkpwRDf31qj37pio1_1280.jpg

[elec99]

Pressure is squarely on the heat now, and they are extremely vulnerable in the 1st game of any series (call it lack of interest or whatever), we can take game 1.

[mando6599]

Pressure is squarely on the heat now, and they are extremely vulnerable in the 1st game of any series (call it lack of interest or whatever), we can take game 1.

Heck, we're even better on the road, it seems, in these playoffs, why not take Games 1 & 2? I'd love to finish them off in SA!!!!

[Mugen]

:lol People remember that the majority picked the Spurs over Memphis, correct?

Also IIRC, Stein/Legler/Shelburne picked Memphis to win that series while the other two picked the Warriors & Lakers in those series.

So not really encouraging if you're going by the ESPN experts tbh, but those "in 7s" pretty much mean that everybody thinks this series could go either way.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Israel Gutierrez, picking the Heat over the Spurs of course.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

There needs to be more accountability in this industry. Journalists need to be held accountable for repeatedly making picks that don't come true.

Everyone makes mistakes or can't foresee surprises, but when a journalist is consistently, repeatedly, wrong, and way off, there needs to be accountability for that.

[coachmac87]

Experts picking Heat in 7 means Spurs blow 2 chances on closing out Heat..I don't think that happenS

[dunkman]

Game 1 is a sure win for the Heat. The Spurs haven't played like in 10 days.

[Obstructed_View]

The one guy who picked the Lakers to beat the Spurs and three of the four who picked Memphis to beat the Spurs. Not really an encouraging sign, folks.

This is the Heat's series to lose, tbh.

[Budkin]

Welcome back Legler, and I like the picks like this. Reminds me of the Memphis series. LETS GET THIS THING STARTED!

Can't believe Legler picked us :lol

[polandprzem]

Strange that most are picking 7 game series


Spurs needs to hit Heat quick and leave

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Game 1 is a sure win for the Heat. The Spurs haven't played like in 10 days.


That's actually a reason the Spurs should win.

[timaios]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg

[benefactor]

There needs to be more accountability in this industry. Journalists need to be held accountable for repeatedly making picks that don't come true.

Everyone makes mistakes or can't foresee surprises, but when a journalist is consistently, repeatedly, wrong, and way off, there needs to be accountability for that.
Or you could...you know...not care so much.

[anonoftheinternets]

Everyone who chose the Spurs chose the spurs and six. Interesting.

Well its difficult to win game 7 on the road. I realize game 6 is on the road as well, but if both teams win home games until game 7, it would be 3-3. And if the spurs did not win game 6 to finish the series, not much chance of them winning 2 games in a row on the road.

[Old School 44]

I don't know what the Vegas odds are right now, but I really think the Spurs winning the title would be a good bet straight up, even better at 4-1 or greater.

[DOS CHAINZ]

YALL MOTHAFKERS DONT WATCH US ANYWAYS!!!NO HOMO!!!

[pikkiwoki]

Actually, only 3 analysts picked Heat in 6, while 5 analysts picked Spurs in 6, so it's not much of a diss.

We need a timvp cliff jumper thread to really put us over the top, imo

[boutons_deux]

There needs to be more accountability in this industry. Journalists need to be held accountable for repeatedly making picks that don't come true.

Everyone makes mistakes or can't foresee surprises, but when a journalist is consistently, repeatedly, wrong, and way off, there needs to be accountability for that.

accountability and culpability is only applied to the bottom of society.

[spurspokesman]

Hate it or love it the underdogs on top" - 50 cent

[admiralfats]

the question is whom will magic pick? he's the kiss of death (kind of) After heat went up 2-1 he said, "Series over. heat in 5" That went well.

[rmt]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg

Laker/Kobe fans out in full force.

[spurraider21]

:lol Legler on air picked the Lakers to beat the Spurs, then on his official pick online he chose the Spurs to sweep 'em. now he has us beating heat.
:lol shelburne is an LA bitch who just wants Miami to lose

just glad to have stein back on our wagon, and i think elhassen has had us all the way

[Creation88]

Or you could...you know...not care so much.

this is gold coming from you. lol.

[JR3]

=)

[pikkiwoki]

i think elhassen has had us all the way

nope

http://i.imgur.com/AbClNDH.jpg

[Splits]

I don't know what the Vegas odds are right now, but I really think the Spurs winning the title would be a good bet straight up, even better at 4-1 or greater.

Spurs are +185. Basically 2-1 dogs.

[Solid D]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg

Also consider the non-US voters' impact on popular voting. James and Wade are worldwide stars but the Heat only have 1 player (Anthony-Canadian) from outside the US. The Spurs have more non-US-born than US-born players: 3 Frenchmen, 2 Aussies, 1 Argentine, 1 Brazilian, 1 Canadian.

[Splits]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg

That one is who do you "think" will win. This one is who you are "rooting for" to win.

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/akelch/espnspursheat.png

[BatManu20]

The Heat are the favorites, no doubt. As they should be. Spurs have to steal one of the first 2 or it's over, and if it goes 7, the Spurs are done.

[hater]

agree with predictions. most call for long series. which means it's a pretty even series. Heat should be the favorites. they are the champs and have the MVP

[DarrinS]

Damn. Didn't realize the Heat were hated this much. :lol



That one is who do you "think" will win. This one is who you are "rooting for" to win.

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/akelch/espnspursheat.png

[Budkin]

The Heat are the favorites, no doubt. As they should be. Spurs have to steal one of the first 2 or it's over, and if it goes 7, the Spurs are done.

This. We lose both on the road we're toast.

[ducks]

barry picked spurs in 5

[Aztecfan03]

Well its difficult to win game 7 on the road. I realize game 6 is on the road as well, but if both teams win home games until game 7, it would be 3-3. And if the spurs did not win game 6 to finish the series, not much chance of them winning 2 games in a row on the road.

? If they don't win game 6, winning game 7 would not be winning 2 in a row. :bang

[DOMV]

Aren't these the same people who predicted Grizzlies to win over the Spurs?

[hater]

Aren't these the same people who predicted Grizzlies to win over the Spurs?

yup :( :(


we're doomed

[Big Empty]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg
Looks like this race is in a dead Heat

[ohmwrecker]

I know who five of those people are. Tops.

[Frank Dux]

There needs to be more accountability in this industry. Journalists need to be held accountable for repeatedly making picks that don't come true.

Everyone makes mistakes or can't foresee surprises, but when a journalist is consistently, repeatedly, wrong, and way off, there needs to be accountability for that.

Accountability in the entertainment industry?

[atoyotagaspedal]

That one is who do you "think" will win. This one is who you are "rooting for" to win.

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/akelch/espnspursheat.png

Wow Pheonix is rooting for us

[Budkin]

barry picked spurs in 5

Dunno why but that makes me happy. :toast

[timtonymanu]

Dunno why but that makes me happy. :toast

I'm assuming Bones? Cause Jon Barry picked Heat in 7.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

Ahahahaa, almost everyone is rooting against the Heat

[Darkwaters]

Everyone of those picks is in 6 or 7 games. Nobody is saying Heat in 5 or 4. That tells me that they're hedging their bets just a bit.

[phxspurfan]

Wow Pheonix is rooting for us

Hell yeah we are. You guys don't realize how much respect Phoenecians have for Duncan. Spurs do it right.

[phxspurfan]

Everyone of those picks is in 6 or 7 games. Nobody is saying Heat in 5 or 4. That tells me that they're hedging their bets just a bit.

If any public sports figure says this is going to be a sweep in either direction they would be out of a job.

[benefactor]

this is gold coming from you. lol.
Shut up you lazy bitch.

[hater]

If any public sports figure says this is going to be a sweep in either direction they would be out of a job.

but it very well could be a sweep either way IMO

kinda like the grizz spurs series. Close games, OT games but sweep nonetheless

[Sean Cagney]

I'm assuming Bones? Cause Jon Barry picked Heat in 7.

Yep, Jon Barry picks against us alot, for some reason he has a grudge where his BRO played! Probably because that bald clown never won.

[ajballer4]

Two of those writers specifically cover the Heat for ESPN

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

but it very well could be a sweep either way IMO

kinda like the grizz spurs series. Close games, OT games but sweep nonetheless



Even the 2007 Finals, though being a sweep, was decided by just 3 points in Game 3 and one point in Game 4.


(Spurs 75-72 Cavaliers, Spurs 83-82 Cavaliers.)

[TampaDude]

Even the 2007 Finals, though being a sweep, was decided by just 3 points in Game 3 and one point in Game 4.


(Spurs 75-72 Cavaliers, Spurs 83-82 Cavaliers.)

Yup...but to be fair, in Game 4 the Spurs were up by 4 and just let Cleveland hit a garbage 3 at the buzzer because they didn't want to foul the shooter.

[KaiRMD1]

The thing is the Heat are the safe bet because simply because of Lebron. That's a pretty good safe bet though.

[anonoftheinternets]

? If they don't win game 6, winning game 7 would not be winning 2 in a row. :bang

yea not sure what I was thinking .. what i meant to say was...
assuming home team always wins out, - heat in 7 (game 7 on the road).

Assuming heat steal one road game (possibly game 1 due to rust), heat up 3-2, two chances to close out for the heat at home, assuming spurs win game 6, heat in 7 (difficult for spurs to win 2 in a row on the road which is what they need to do to win in 7).

The other option is heat close it out in game 6 and win 4-2. But I guess people figure spurs might fight it out in game 6 and get that win.

Spurs in 6 because if they steal one on the road (say game 1 because miami is too tired and quick turnaround) .. then they would be up 3-1, if miami puts up a fight in one elimination game, 3-2, then spurs close it out on the road, because if they don't its going to be miami in 7 (spurs cant win 2 in a row on the road, but miami can win two at home). Spurs in 5 is difficult because that means they stole one and then won 3 in a row. Heat in 5 is difficult because that means they won 2 on the road.

[in2deep]

the series is very close to call

experience and coaching are on spurs side

home court and current champ on heat side

heat has lebron, but everyone else seems struggling

[Solid D]

2 Canadians, remember Neal is from Canada.

He is? I thought he was born in Baltimore.

[Darkwaters]

If any public sports figure says this is going to be a sweep in either direction they would be out of a job.

Highly doubtful. I've heard some of the crazy shit that has come out of Stephen A. Smith's mouth before.

[ElNono]

Also consider the non-US voters' impact on popular voting. James and Wade are worldwide stars but the Heat only have 1 player (Anthony-Canadian) from outside the US. The Spurs have more non-US-born than US-born players: 3 Frenchmen, 2 Aussies, 1 Argentine, 1 Brazilian, 1 Canadian.

And don't forget T-Mac... a legend in Taiwan...

[Darkwaters]

2 Canadians, remember Neal is from Canada.

Nope, Neal is from Baltimore, Maryland.

Cory Joseph is from Toronto and our resident Canadian.

You might be thinking of Bonner? He was trying to get Canadian citizenship, but last I'd heard it was placed on hold for some reason.

[Splits]

Parker was actually born in Belgium, so count those 7 million frogs/flems in our category.

Spaniards will also be mostly Spurs. Yeah, we swept both the Gasol bros but Tiago played there quite awhile.

Basically it is 195 countries plus 49/50 states for the Spurs against Miami. This series could solve the Israel/Palestine conflict, bring Syrian civil war to an end, and solve world hunger, tbh.

:flag:

[Sean Cagney]

F ESPN, 5 PICKED US! That means we will get #5.. 5 is a good thing from now on.

[LarryDavid]

Hell yeah we are. You guys don't realize how much respect Phoenecians have for Duncan. Spurs do it right.


http://youtu.be/1IFloXOuLgA?t=1m27s

And who cares who ESPN analysts pick? It has no bearing on the outcome of the series.

[mudyez]

I only want Shelburne!

No, I REALLY WANT HER!!!

[TE]

Parker was actually born in Belgium, so count those 7 million frogs/flems in our category.

Spaniards will also be mostly Spurs. Yeah, we swept both the Gasol bros but Tiago played there quite awhile.

Basically it is 195 countries plus 49/50 states for the Spurs against Miami. This series could solve the Israel/Palestine conflict, bring Syrian civil war to an end, and solve world hunger, tbh.

:flag:
:lol C'mon Stern, do the world a favor!

[Kidd K]

It really doesn't sound too far off of reality. Spurs' odds of winning aren't 50% due to lack of HCA, but they're not 5/18 (27%) low either. I'd value the Spurs' odds of winning the title at around 40-45% going into game 1. There are a lot of unknown variables to take into consideration like Wade's health, Tony's calf, how good Manu can still be, and how the refs will call it. . .but I wouldn't say Spurs are too much lower than a 50% fav.

It's going to be really close. Whoever can steal the close games early in the series is going to win the title.

[thOOdee]

The Spurs have the public votes!

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1356/espnvotes.jpg

wow, i almost split exactly amongst east and west.

[Uriel]

Parker was actually born in Belgium, so count those 7 million frogs/flems in our category.Spaniards will also be mostly Spurs. Yeah, we swept both the Gasol bros but Tiago played there quite awhile.Basically it is 195 countries plus 49/50 states for the Spurs against Miami. This series could solve the Israel/Palestine conflict, bring Syrian civil war to an end, and solve world hunger, tbh.:flag::lol

[Kirk Nowitzki]

Legler picked Heat in 7 on SC this morning. So make that 14! :lmao

[Creation88]

Shut up you lazy bitch.

lol

[AaronY]

:lol People remember that the majority picked the Spurs over Memphis, correct?Most in here only seem to remember/care/obsess about the slights, so probably not..

[crc21209]

So Legler picked Spurs in 6 on Espn.com but then on SportsCenter picked Heat in 7. :lol WTF?!?!