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Basically, I don't think anybody in the East will make Miami go 7. I think Chicago could have, with Rose.
Durant was only 10/27 and 1/6 on 3s, but he made the plays late. Ibaka played quite well. A lot of Ian Mahinmi burn for Der K.
http://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/7868860/chicago-bulls-guard-derrick-rose-injury-caused-overloaded-schedule
I didn't say disregard the whole season, but there are reasons to believe they're better than the season-long numbers suggest. Pierce and Garnett took an uncomfortably long time to round into shape, but have come on strong in the back half of the season. Bradley didn't start the season at the 2 and was indeed terrible last year, but that has nothing to do with how much of a revelation he's been since he came on strong this year. Brandon Bass is no all-world defender, but he has gotten significantly better as he learned the schemes and how to work with KG. Various key players missed time with injuries. (To be fair, Ray Allen might well not play or play up to his standards, given his ankle bone spurs.)
I'm not saying the Celtics should be favored over the Rose-less Bulls, let alone anything beyond that. But I do think they're a better team than the season-long numbers suggest. Not that those numbers should be thrown away, but that they should be taken with a grain of salt for a few concrete reasons. Assuming they beat the Hawks, which I see as likely but not a sure thing, I think the have a good chance of beating the Bulls, and then a puncher's chance against (presumably) the Heat. I get why others might be skeptical, but I don't think you can totally dismiss them. In the scheme I put up earlier, I think they're a solid tier 2 team. I would be very surprised if they hoisted the Larry O'Brien, but not completely shocked. More or less the same as I would be for a number of other non-Heat/OKC/Spurs teams.
The Wilbon article rr linked in 1802 is well worth reading. I'm still bummed about Rose and I hope he's able to get back to his old self at some point. I know it must be a million times worse for Bulls fans and you have my sympathy.
1) AFAIK ACL tears are pretty much always attributed to a singular traumatic impact events
2) Rose, because of his other injuries, had more time off than virtually any other player in the game. If somebody should have had time to recuperate from simple wear and tear it's Rose.
That is not to say that the schedule didn't have any casualties, but the type of injuries you would expect are primarily of the repetitive stress type (e.g. tendinitis). Yes you can absolutely make the case that exhausted players are more likely to be sloppy (mentally and physically), and that increases the risk of other injuries as well. But I don't see how that applies to Rose with all his time off before last night.
But hey, if noted medical expert Rip Hamilton says otherwise, who am I to argue...
What, by point differential? That's a pretty narrow definition of "performed as well", but it's your post.
Then again, you also described the Celtics defense (which topped the league in defensive efficiency) as "decent", so...
I agree, though, that there's plenty of reason to be skeptical of the Celtics, especially with Ray Allen's contributions now appearing to be far from a guarantee. I suppose I might still pick Chicago to beat them in a hypothetical 2nd round series, because of HCA, but to me that's basically a toss up now, and I'd no longer be the least bit surprised to see the Celtics beat them.
That said, I like the Celtics chances against the Heat more than a Rose-less Bulls team - but I wouldn't give either team more than a puncher's chance, and basically none if Lebron plays like he did yesterday.
I know, I know. That's messed up.
Is that even a real game?
It'd be nice to get him some more PT, especially if it keeps Howard on the bench.
Edit, just ran a search for Boris Diaw to pull up his BBREF page:
Searches related to Boris Diaw
boris diaw out of shape
Exactly. I don't know why we only use the Millsap/Jefferson/Favors front line for select stretches rather than starting with it and playing it for 30 minutes a game.
Presumably because they're worried about defensive issues? But I'm not quite clear why?
Generally teams don't go big because they're worried about the opponent going small and shooting a bunch of 3's/layups. Big Al isn't much of a shot blocker.
He's not terrible at it. Averaged 1.7 a game. And Favors could pick up some of the slack.
I'm sure there'd be some issues I'm missing, but I'd like to see them try it just to see what would happen.
A quick google search indicates that yes, it is.
Kobe Bryant is not the most valuable player in the NBA this season.
Sincerely Yours,
Joe C
Indeed. If there is one perspective that is underrepresented at BTF, it is that of the Boston sports fan.
Mike Brown deserves some credit for putting Jordan Hill in the playoff rotation; like I said, he will help a bit.
On offense, sure, but he was pretty bad defensively today. Lots of late/missing rotations.
RDF.
Parker just killed the Jazz today. I expected it to be Ginobli, but Hayward and others did a good job against him. The Spurs did a good job against the Jazz big lineup, but I'd stick with it.
I have seldom seen him play particularly good defense; his thing in games I have seen him have an impact on is offense. Karl likes to double Bynum, and Denver's chance in the series revolves around taking advantage of MWP's absence, forcing tempo and TOs, and winning the PG matchup. They didn't do these things today, and the results followed. Denver's big guys are probaby not going to outplay Gasol and Bynum, and while Afflalo makes him work, Kobe is mostly still Kobe.
Hollinger said that defending P/R and by extension Parker would be Utah's biggest obstacle to making a real challenge in the series. Didn't see today's game.
Indeed, it is almost as rare as condescending snark.
Take a breath and relax, big guy. Joe C and I go way back, and I like him about as much as a Lakers fan can like a Celtics fan in these contentious times (unless one is very unfortunate, like El Hombre is, and one's BROTHER is a Celtics fan).
And let's face it: there are probably more Boston fans at this site than there are fans of any other type except for perhaps New York fans. The old Primer was founded by a group with a lot of Boston Red Sox fans in it (including Jim Furtado) and those roots run deep here. There is a reason that Sox Therapy has been around and is still going strong here after all this time.
This is the main reason I'd like to see them go with the big lineup. Favors is by far their best P&R defender; he typically makes smarter decisions and is far more athletic than the other Jazz big men.
David Locke noted that the Spurs responded to the big lineup by going to Duncan isolated on left block. I agree with him on this: "If the Spurs response is Duncan in the left block on Al Jefferson when we go to the big line-up my answer is go for it. It means they are taking the ball out of Paker’s hand and taking the pick and roll out of the game and that sounds like a good trade to me." -
David Locke
I don't expect the Jazz to win this series, but I'm hoping they can at least make some adjustments and take a couple at home. On the plus side for the future, I think Favors was the best all around Jazz player today and Hayward was probably the 2nd best on offense (and did a solid job on defense).
Boston will make this closer...Hollinger said the crowd is "75-25 Hawks fans" and that is better than some expected from the ATL POV.
Likewise - I knew just what you meant.
Watching the local feed in Boston - Uncle Tommy and his ref hating is my only refuge right now. Garnett looks old so far, had to come out earlier than usual because he (I'm guessing) was exhausted. Celtics offense is *lost* without Rondo. Hawks have a ton of energy. Josh Smith reminds me a lot of Antoine Walker.
Can't wait for Hutcheson to appear after the Hawks win tonight, then disappear again once the Hawks lose one.
(consider that a delayed reaction to the Ian-signal)
He tripped over the ref's foot!
Huuuuuuge play for us.
By that, I take it you mean "the game was slipping away, and that (questionable) call saved our asses?"
Imagine if the Lakers had traded Pau for Rondo this year? MWP, Rondo, Matt Barnes and Bynum would have made one of the great combustible teams in league history. We would have alternated between blowing people out by 20 and having someone serving 3 game suspensions every other night.
No. It'll be zero, or, more likely, one.
Mike Brown, Hedo, and Robin Lopez all bumped refs this year, all of them got one game. There's no argument Rondo did anything more than them - again, if anything, the argument is that he just tripped on the guy's foot.
Stupid, stupid thing to even put yourself in that position, though, regardless of the intent.
I can't tell if you're being serious.
Zero or one, I agree. Rondo provoked that, though - dumb dumb dumb.
I don't see a lot of walker in smith myself.
I can't tell if you're being serious.
Did you watch the replay? It probably shouldn't make a difference regarding a suspension, he still put himself in that position, but he did trip on the refs foot. Steve Kerr was talking about it on the broadcast.
Zero or one, I agree. Rondo provoked that, though - dumb dumb dumb. Irrespective of my hawks fandom, I say one.
Bass call was a tough break to say the least.
I don't see a lot of walker in smith myself.
Yes, I watched the replay. He tripped, but that had nothing to do with his decision to bump the ref with his chest.
Nice start griz!
Besides, we don't really have fans - we have 'tolerators'. (Self included.)
Oh, some trivia - courtsey of Mr. Hollinger. The Atlanta Hawks have played in the EC semis in fifteen seasons - never to advance.
I still have a hard time seeing Atlanta taking this series, though.
That said ... we are an uninspiring team.
Wonderful jinxing there.
Unless the ref's feet are three feet long, I don't see that as a very compelling excuse.
He has lived in Portland and Atlanta, and has said he roots for those teams. That said, I think Hollinger is correct and Rondo will get suspended a game. Whatever happens with Rondo, Boston needs to get something out of Allen or they need someone else to knock down a few 3s.
Watched the first half of LAC/MEM and then blew off the 2nd half and hung out with the GF...turned on computer 5 minutes ago...needless to say, I am surprised, and a little bummed, as the Grizzlies are my non-Laker rooting interest. Would be interested in insight from those who actually saw the end of the game.
Maxwn was actually at the game, I think. Must have been tough to watch. Feel a little bad for him.
Worth noting: Mike Brown's team came out ready to play, played hard and well, and executed the game plan. Vinny Del Negro's (OK, Chris Paul's) team pulled off an historic comeback on the road.
Caron Butler is done, apparently.
I walked to the corner store to grab some beer after the game ended, and the guys behind the counter didn't believe me that the Clips had won. I had to swear I wasn't pulling their legs for them to turn the tv on and confirm it. It really strains belief. I don't know that I would necessarily have kept it on if I hadn't been cooking and then eating dinner with it on in the background.
'Fast Five' doesn't do it for you?
Really? Wow. I check this thread about once per week, just to see what the NBA fans are saying about the NBA. I didn't know the playoffs had started until I got home last night and pulled up CBS to see what had happened with the Braves and Nats.
But hey, if I have a role to play, fine. Anytime the Celtics lose and angel gets its wings.
Sam, I'm just giving you a bit of a hard time, didn't mean it seriously - I'm sure, based on your posting style, you can appreciate that. I'm sorry if it came across that way. I'm used to being able to get away with it with the Laker fans here, but we have a few years of history on this thread, which you and I don't.
Anytime the Celtics lose and angel gets its wings
That's the spirit!
I didn't know the playoffs had started until I got home last night
Which makes you approximately the 500th biggest Hawks fan in the Atlanta metro area.
Sometimes I drive past the big, flashing, LED-driven Hawks billboard that blinds drivers on the Connector north and look up there, see Josh Smith frozen in his rallying pose in front of what I would assume to be "Hawks fans," and think, "Didn't those guys move to Winnipeg?"
It was a glorious weekend for Sam. The only consolation is, Sam's keeping an eye on the Nats.
I agree here; the Hawks have a very good shot to be up 2-0 with Rondo's suspension. At that point, they have to be considered favored to win the series.
Jumping ahead here, but if the Hawks beat the C's there's a good chance Horford will be ready for round 2 (and Zaza should be playing). With the 2 of them, the Hawks may cancel out the Bulls' front line advantage and could very well beat the Bulls. Odd as it may sound, as a Bulls fan I think I might rather see the C's in round 2 than the Hawks.
I'll admit you're not going to get much objectivity out of me at the moment after that call.
Now that's it after the fact, do you still feel that strongly on the call? IMO, it was clearly a foul on Bass. In general, the refs are lax to call fouls on loose balls on the ground (and I disagree with that strongly, more often than not there's clear fouls that should be called). In this case, Bass clearly dived on top of (crap, I forget who it was now) and was grabbing his arms and shoulder to get to the ball. At no point was it dual possession.
Is there any way to delay the suspension until they go back to Boston? 3-0 is better than 2-0.
Haven't seen the replay today, and can't stream anything at work. I'll watch again later and let you know.
This is a good point. Now Vinny isn't a good coach, but he has coached in some damn entertaining playoff games (the Bulls/Cs 50OT series from a couple of years back).
Thibs also probably feels a tiny bit of validation today, if he cared at all about the criticisms he's been getting for Rose staying in the game (and I don't think he does care).
The team that didn't win was the Nets in 2002 blew that game to the C's.
I guess they're going to say Brooklyn on the home and road jerseys.
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