NBA Playoffs Thread

[NMThreeMVP]

You say closer to contending, but this series is showing that they are just a flavor of the month team. Here today, gone tomorrow. Sure they have the #1 pick, but who is to say that the pick will get them over the top. The Cavs are just corn holing people.

Didn't Jazz get swept in the previous 2nd round?! My point wasn't that the Celtics were about to win a title, but that they are closer than the Jazz.

The Celtics are spent. They had an emotional first round with Thomas' tragedy and having to climb out of an 0-2 hole. Then they went 7 games in the best matchup of the playoffs thus far. And there reward has been a very well rested defending champion.

This offseason the Jazz have to hope they can bring back their team from last year, but could lose either of Ingles or Hill. The Celtics can keep whoever they want, add Hayward, and add the #1 pick. Or trade the pick. Or trade Isiah. Or Bradley. Or Smart. Or Crowder. The Celtics are closer than the Jazz because they have more assets and more options, and are building on a #1 seed, not hoping to maintain a #5 seed.

[tyler]

I just want to know. Does anybody think the warriors is going to demolish the Cavs just because of the lack of talent the eastern conference has.

[PelsFan2313]

I just want to know. Does anybody think the warriors is going to demolish the Cavs just because of the lack of talent the eastern conference has.

Not at all.

[tyler]

Not at all.

Idk why but I feel that way... I mean I know the same could be said about the warriors but I see it going to game 6 at the most

[PelsFan2313]

Idk why but I feel that way... I mean I know the same could be said about the warriors but I see it going to game 6 at the most

Exactly. People are so quick to hate on the East, but the West was basically a cakewalk for GS outside SA (who would have been competitve with Leonard, Parker, and Lee) and HOU (who were eliminated by SA).

[tyler]

Exactly. People are so quick to hate on the East, but the West was basically a cakewalk for GS outside SA (who would have been competitve with Leonard) and HOU (who were eliminated by SA).

If Cavs were on the West I would give them the 3rd seed tbh

[PelsFan2313]

If Cavs were on the West I would give them the 3rd seed tbh

The Cavs finished second in the East, so that's not really saying much. Particularly since one of the teams ahead of them in your scenario would be Golden State and the other presumably would be San Antonio, who are playing without Parker, Leonard, and Lee.

The level of play has been equally putrid in both conferences. Each team's true strength won't be revealed until they play each other.

[Buckwheat]

The Cavs are playing some Damn good ball.
They will be hard to beat.

[tyler]

The Cavs finished second in the East, so that's not really saying much. Particularly since one of the teams ahead of them in your scenario would be Golden State and the other presumably would be San Antonio, who are playing without Parker, Leonard, and Lee.

The level of play has been equally putrid in both conferences. Each team's true strength won't be revealed until they play each other.

Who do you see winning the finals honestly and in how many games?

[Tinman]

Didn't Jazz get swept in the previous 2nd round?! My point wasn't that the Celtics were about to win a title, but that they are closer than the Jazz.

The Celtics are spent. They had an emotional first round with Thomas' tragedy and having to climb out of an 0-2 hole. Then they went 7 games in the best matchup of the playoffs thus far. And there reward has been a very well rested defending champion.

This offseason the Jazz have to hope they can bring back their team from last year, but could lose either of Ingles or Hill. The Celtics can keep whoever they want, add Hayward, and add the #1 pick. Or trade the pick. Or trade Isiah. Or Bradley. Or Smart. Or Crowder. The Celtics are closer than the Jazz because they have more assets and more options, and are building on a #1 seed, not hoping to maintain a #5 seed.

Until Boston finds a legit #5, a stopper in the lane w/ at least average offensive skill, they wont win w/Hayward & Fultze either.Horford (listed as 6'10) Bwahaha, has ZERO intimidation factor & Olynyk,although 7'0", is a #4. Ainge is going to get a legit #5 someway this summer. If Utah happens to keep Ingles, Hill & Hayward, then they are an athletic #2 that shoots the 3-ball well, away from being a contender. UNTIL Boston gets a LANE protector,they wont compete. Most of there players are carbon copies of each other.

[NMThreeMVP]

Until Boston finds a legit #5, a stopper in the lane w/ at least average offensive skill, they wont win w/Hayward & Fultze either.Horford (listed as 6'10) Bwahaha, has ZERO intimidation factor & Olynyk,although 7'0", is a #4. Ainge is going to get a legit #5 someway this summer. If Utah happens to keep Ingles, Hill & Hayward, then they are an athletic #2 that shoots the 3-ball well, away from being a contender. UNTIL Boston gets a LANE protector,they wont compete. Most of there players are carbon copies of each other.

The last time a team won a championship because they had "a legit #5, a stopper in the lane w/ at least average offensive skill," was 2011.

Add an athletic wing that shoots the 3-ball well to any team in the playoffs and they become a contender. Or at least as much a contender as anyone will be against the Warriors or Cavs.

[Eman5805]

They stole one cuz the Cavs took their foot off of their throats.

[PelsFan2313]

LeBron played horrificly bad. Skip Bayless is going to have fun tomorrow.

[NMThreeMVP]

They stole one cuz the Cavs took their foot off of their throats.

That's usually why teams who shouldn't win games end up stealing games in the playoffs. Cavs also started missing and Celtics started making.

Make or miss league. Or so they say.

[NMThreeMVP]

LeBron played horrificly bad.

Celtics also played the opposite of horrifically bad in the 2nd half.

[6warddude]

They stole one cuz the Cavs took their foot off of their throats.

right and i hope they win the next 2 just for the cavs being cocky and not blowing them out 3 in a row......

[PelsFan2313]

Celtics also played the opposite of horrifically bad in the 2nd half.

Cool.

[NMThreeMVP]

Cool.

Great.

[PelsFan2313]

Who do you see winning the finals honestly and in how many games?

I lean Golden State in 6, but you can never discount a LeBron-led team. No point in prognosticating though. Just enjoy the buildup to what promises to be an entertaining series.

[Tinman]

The last time a team won a championship because they had "a legit #5, a stopper in the lane w/ at least average offensive skill," was 2011.

Add an athletic wing that shoots the 3-ball well to any team in the playoffs and they become a contender. Or at least as much a contender as anyone will be against the Warriors or Cavs.

Your specious simplistic argument is weak. 1) not all teams have LBJ .2) I said BOSTON won't win w/out legit #5 due to the teams make-up. 3) Give Boston your SuperWing (Hayward)& the are no closer to competing than they were this year. Give Boston Marc Gasol or Robin Lopez & they become immediate contender. You are contrary just for arguments sake. Btw-Duncan/Splitter were very good defensive #5's as was Bogut.

[UNO Gracias]

Since we have a legit #5, and are missing an athletic wing, does that mean we should write off any chance of winning a title?

[NMThreeMVP]

Your specious simplistic argument is weak. 1) not all teams have LBJ .2) I said BOSTON won't win w/out legit #5 due to the teams make-up. 3) Give Boston your SuperWing (Hayward)& the are no closer to competing than they were this year. Give Boston Marc Gasol or Robin Lopez & they become immediate contender. You are contrary just for arguments sake. Btw-Duncan/Splitter were very good defensive #5's as was Bogut.

I got your point, I just don't believe it to be true in the abstract. But you are 100% correct that if you add Marc Gasol or Robin Lopez to the Celtics they become better.

The question was whether or not Celtics were closer than Jazz to being contenders. Celtics could sign Hayward, and have the assets still to get a Lopez or Gasol, without sacrificing anything. They still have the 2018 Brooklyn pick, the 2019 Grizzlies pick, the 2019 Clippers pick.

But I don't disagree with your point that a #1 seed gets better if you add Marc Gasol or Robin Lopez. Good suggestions. Celtics have the assets to do it.

Can Jazz keep Hill and add an athletic 2 that shoots 3's? What assets do they have? And if they do find a way to add talent, while still playing 1950's style basketball, are they jumping the Spurs or Rockets? That team is a 4 seed at best.

[Tinman]

Since we have a legit #5, and are missing an athletic wing, does that mean we should write off any chance of winning a title?

No, it means we go get an athletic wing. I am deeply disappointed in you, GRACIOUS for NOT having faith in our extremely competent front office to do so.

[NMThreeMVP]

Celtics are getting Zizic next year. There goes your "legit #5, a stopper in the lane w/ at least average offensive skill".

I forgot about him.

http://hardwoodhoudini.com/2017/03/2...te-ante-zizic/

[PelsFan2313]

One more CLE W before the playoffs really begin.