General NBA watching thread 2010-11 edition

[LonghornDub]

If the Mavs win tomorrow, it would still really help if Chicago could win Game 5. It would push back the Finals start 2 days. Two more days rest for the Mavs, two more days to gameplan, and two more days for Caron to maybe get back (not counting on it, but if it's going to happen, every extra day helps).

[sefant77]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Actually they remind me a lot of the 07 Mavs. One phenomenal player surrounded by a bunch of decent-to-mediocre players.

Deng had a terrific season (easily all defense team), Noah is damn good.

Rose played horrible playoffs. I say switch Rose with a healthy Paul and the Bulls beat the Heat.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Gonna be a god damn bloodbath.

I'm really trying to stay optimistic. One thing that is encouraging is that this game went to OT even though the Bulls played like idiots. The Mavs are infinitely smarter than the Bulls.

I'm trying to focus on the advantages the Mavs have. They're a better rebounding team, a much better 3 pt shooting team, and a much deeper team. I just hope that's enough.

[mavsfan1000]

Watching the Bulls offense is painful to watch.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm really trying to stay optimistic. One thing that is encouraging is that this game went to OT even though the Bulls played like idiots. The Mavs are infinitely smarter than the Bulls.

I'm trying to focus on the advantages the Mavs have. They're a better rebounding team, a much better 3 pt shooting team, and a much deeper team. I just hope that's enough.

They also have the best player.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Deng had a terrific season (easily all defense team), Noah is damn good.

Rose played horrible playoffs. I say switch Rose with a healthy Paul and the Bulls beat the Heat.

Perhaps I should have said "decent-to-mediocre offensive players." There's no real reliable offensive weapon on that team after Rose.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

They also have the best player.

Before this playoffs, I would've said that Lebron and Wade are both better than Dirk. But... f*ck it. Dirk rules.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm really trying to stay optimistic. One thing that is encouraging is that this game went to OT even though the Bulls played like idiots. The Mavs are infinitely smarter than the Bulls.

I'm trying to focus on the advantages the Mavs have. They're a better rebounding team, a much better 3 pt shooting team, and a much deeper team. I just hope that's enough.

End of the day, I think the mismatches come out pretty even. Heat obviously way more talented on the wings. Mavs better at the PF, C, and PG. What's scary, as you've pointed out, is the sort of vulnerability of feeling like there will be plays where there's absolutely nothing we can do to stop Wade and LeBron from driving. Of course, the Heat will feel the same way with Dirk, but we only have one Dirk.

What I like about the matchup is it puts the Mavs in a really nice position mentally. They won't have homecourt. They won't be favored. But they will simultaneously have the majority of people rooting for them, even people who normally don't. There will be a lot of positive vibes behind them. And they have 5 years of built up rage, not just at losing a title, but at this particular team and one of their players.

The way I see it, if the Mavs can't win a championship with those sorts of motivating factors, then it just wasn't gonna happen. Not unless they somehow lucked out and played the Hawks or something.

[sefant77]

It sucks big time that Haslem came back in time and Butler probably wont make it.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by sefant77

Deng had a terrific season (easily all defense team), Noah is damn good.

Rose played horrible playoffs. I say switch Rose with a healthy Paul and the Bulls beat the Heat.

Yeah, the Bulls' have been getting by all season with excellent defense and rebounding. The offense on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. I just don't think they have the pieces offensively to get it done so they've pretty much just built their offense around Rose trying to iso one-on-one to either free himself for a jumper or drive into the teeth of the defense.

Problem is that despite all the accolades, Rose isn't really good enough to make this a workable offense. And when you run into a great defensive team like Miami with a couple of super-athletic wings that can otherwise pack in the paint, the Chicago offense is going to get exposed. Chicago is pretty much screwed if they let a team get to 90 points because Rose takes way too many shots to get his 25 points a night.

I really like Rose because his game is really fun to watch when he's not being asked to do too much, but he's not exactly ready to have an entire offense built around him yet. I don't care what the MVP voters say on that front either.

[pwd81]

I think the Bulls had three unforced turnovers in their final three possessions... while the Heat were able to muster three championship celebrations in the same time.

#dribblinoffmyfeets

[pwd81]

Kidd + Carlisle > Devin + Avery

[pwd81]

Never underestimate greatness.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by FINtastic

Yeah, the Bulls' have been getting by all season with excellent defense and rebounding. The offense on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired. I just don't think they have the pieces offensively to get it done so they've pretty much just built their offense around Rose trying to iso one-on-one to either free himself for a jumper or drive into the teeth of the defense.

Problem is that despite all the accolades, Rose isn't really good enough to make this a workable offense. And when you run into a great defensive team like Miami with a couple of super-athletic wings that can otherwise pack in the paint, the Chicago offense is going to get exposed. Chicago is pretty much screwed if they let a team get to 90 points because Rose takes way too many shots to get his 25 points a night.

I really like Rose because his game is really fun to watch when he's not being asked to do too much, but he's not exactly ready to have an entire offense built around him yet. I don't care what the MVP voters say on that front either.

I can agree with that. I think in terms of sheer talent and ability, Rose is probably top 5, but he is NOT a very good floor general/decision-maker.

[CadBane]

My ass Rose has no help.

Deng: 20 points, 8-16
Boozer: 20 points, 7-14

Rose: 8-27, 7 turnovers.

Oh yeah...and EVERY starter but Rose had a positive +/-. Boozer with a +9 in 49 minutes. Rose -2 in 48.

Rose is an overrated chucker. Dirk would have killed for Deng, Boozer or Noah in 2006, let alone all three.

[pwd81]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I can agree with that. I think in terms of sheer talent and ability, Rose is probably top 5, but he is NOT a very good floor general/decision-maker.

He's a better version of Russell Westbrook. But he's no Jason Kidd.

[LonghornDub]

Chicago responding to an elimination game by scoring 6 points in the first 6 minutes. Well done, sirs.

[CadBane]

Two things:

1. I have never seen LeBron's jumper this locked in and consistent. He's hitting tough fadeaways and contested threes. It's almost like you don't want him shooting jumpers anymore.

2. Mike Miller's confidence had been gone all year (injuries, personal issues, etc.) to the point where he was worthless. But he had a huge Game 4 and he's playing quite well tonight, so it looks like he might be a threat again.

[LonghornDub]

I'm sure the Mavs can't duplicate it since we have nowhere near the same backcourt defense, but Chicago is doing an outstanding job keeping the Heat out of the paint. Only 24 in the paint for the Heat in Game 4, and only 12 in one half tonight. Only guy who's scoring there consistently at all is Bosh, probably do to them overloading on the strong side against Wade and the Queen.

[Mavsfan2thedeath]

This may not really fit this thread.....but what would you do if you were gameplanning against the cHeat? This team really concerns me.

[LetsGoMavs]

Originally Posted by CadBane

Two things:

1. I have never seen LeBron's jumper this locked in and consistent. He's hitting tough fadeaways and contested threes. It's almost like you don't want him shooting jumpers anymore.

True dat, but his (jump-)shot selection is actually fairly predictable - literally everytime Lebron goes left, he takes a jumpshot.

[sefant77]

It sucks that Miller and Haslem coming back playing solid playoffs and we cant get Butler or Roddy back....

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by sefant77

It sucks that Miller and Haslem coming back playing solid playoffs and we cant get Butler or Roddy back....

Well, Roddy's not hurt, though. He just kinda sucks. Very much unfortunate about CB4, though.

I wish Wade would play 1/2 this bad against the Mavs. It's not just the Bulls' D, either. He's playing like a middling roleplayer. Too bad he'll suddenly start dropping 33 a game in the Finals.

[sefant77]

I meant it took too long for Roddy to come back to make really significant contribution...

[dalger]

Still wondering whether the offensive struggles of both teams are the result of their very good defensive efforts or a lack of offensive execution. I wouldn't mind if it was the latter, although it's probably both. To be honest, neither Chicago nor Miami look unbeatable. Good teams, great even at times, but not scary.

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by sefant77

I meant it took too long for Roddy to come back to make really significant contribution...

Maybe, yeah.

Originally Posted by dalger

Still wondering whether the offensive struggles of both teams are the result of their very good defensive efforts or a lack of offensive execution. I wouldn't mind if it was the latter, although it's probably both. To be honest, neither Chicago nor Miami look unbeatable. Good teams, great even at times, but not scary.

I think it's pretty much always both.

[sefant77]

Dont know whats with Wade. He played awesome against Boston.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3708

[dalger]

Yeah, it seems unlikely that Wade would have another series like this one. He's struggling mightily. That said, as long as we can keep guys like Haslem, Miller, Bibby, Chalmers or Jones in check and don't see one or more of them become game changers throughout the series, we would probably be able to compensate increased production from Wade. Two of Miami's wins came in part due to Haslem and Miller's performances in Game 2 and 4, which is something one would want to avoid.

[CadBane]

Refs taking over.

[Dirkadirkastan]

The MVP is shooting 35% again.

[saclare]

Thibodeau = Dick Vitale's offspring...?

[fluid.forty.one]

I love that the Mavs and their coaching staff are at home taking notes right now.

[LonghornDub]

Kurt Thomas looks like a significantly more competent offensive player than the bulk of the Heat's forwards, even though he can't do anything other than pick and roll/pop.

[CadBane]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Kurt Thomas looks like a significantly more competent offensive player than the bulk of the Heat's forwards, even though he can't do anything other than pick and roll/pop.

He's also a very good defender and rebounder. I've been calling for him to play all series. He's like an uber PJ Brown.

[LonghornDub]

Totally.

God damn, the Bulls go such long stretches playing total garbage offense. This is not just elite Heat D.

[CadBane]

Boozer misses so many shots. I hope Dirk gets half the same looks he does.

[CadBane]

Big Sexy merking the glass.

[LetsGoMavs]

Wade is such a whiny bitch...

[LonghornDub]

You know your offense is hot when you're counting on Ronnie Brewer to make 50% of your big jump shots.

[CadBane]

8 rebounds in 14 minutes for Big Sexy