2016 NBA Playoffs Thread

JoeKing

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ATL had their chance on the road to upset CLE and blew it. That will cost them dearly.
 

bounce

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Feel like I'll weigh in on the OKC/Spurs finish last night. I was at the game, and it was absolute chaos in the final minute. Subjectively, it's BS that they missed that egregious call. Objectively, they missed a lot of stuff on that play that could have gone against either team.

- Waiters pushed off of Ginobili
- Waiters left his feet, which the inbounder can't do
- Ginobili crossed the line, which the defender can't do
- Kawhi grabbed Westbrook before the inbounds (but that happens every play)
- Aldridge was fouled underneath
- Durant was fouled on the inbound

All of those were missed, and that's just ridiculous. I get the "let them play," but you can't miss THAT many calls in one sequence. Bottom line, even if that call WERE made against Waiters, it's a change of possession and the Spurs get the ball to try and get an open look to win. Despite the mess of events, San Antonio had an open look to win, and they missed it. They should have attacked the basket in the 3 on 1, and tried to draw the foul, but they inexplicably pulled it back twice. Oh well. Onward.

A couple other thoughts on it...

- Aldridge is an absolute beast. I didn't watch much of him in Portland, mainly just saw the numbers, but that is a man. His post game/turnaround is almost unguardable. OKC has no answer for him right now.
- Kawhi, for all his attributes, needs to develop more of a killer instinct. He has all the talent in the world, and is a matchup nightmare for most players in the league. He needs to go into absolute "F-U mode," and take over a game.
- Westbrook is the most important player on OKC. They go as Russell goes. Durant is the better scorer, but if Westbrook is about 5 inches taller, he's in the Lebron conversation.
- Adams is WAY more athletic than I realized.
 

RonSpringsdaman20

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Feel like I'll weigh in on the OKC/Spurs finish last night. I was at the game, and it was absolute chaos in the final minute. Subjectively, it's BS that they missed that egregious call. Objectively, they missed a lot of stuff on that play that could have gone against either team.

- Waiters pushed off of Ginobili
- Waiters left his feet, which the inbounder can't do
- Ginobili crossed the line, which the defender can't do
- Kawhi grabbed Westbrook before the inbounds (but that happens every play)
- Aldridge was fouled underneath
- Durant was fouled on the inbound

All of those were missed, and that's just ridiculous. I get the "let them play," but you can't miss THAT many calls in one sequence. Bottom line, even if that call WERE made against Waiters, it's a change of possession and the Spurs get the ball to try and get an open look to win. Despite the mess of events, San Antonio had an open look to win, and they missed it. They should have attacked the basket in the 3 on 1, and tried to draw the foul, but they inexplicably pulled it back twice. Oh well. Onward.

A couple other thoughts on it...

- Aldridge is an absolute beast. I didn't watch much of him in Portland, mainly just saw the numbers, but that is a man. His post game/turnaround is almost unguardable. OKC has no answer for him right now.
- Kawhi, for all his attributes, needs to develop more of a killer instinct. He has all the talent in the world, and is a matchup nightmare for most players in the league. He needs to go into absolute "F-U mode," and take over a game.
- Westbrook is the most important player on OKC. They go as Russell goes. Durant is the better scorer, but if Westbrook is about 5 inches taller, he's in the Lebron conversation.
- Adams is WAY more athletic than I realized.

The end of the game was a mess.

Credit to OKC to being in it after such a beatdown the other night. That showed mental toughness.

Aldridge has always been a best. Him and Kawhi together is why the spurs is my favorite to win it. His high post game is the best in the league right now, imo. I think Kawhi has the killer instinct. He showed it in the last finals they played, and showed it on numerous occasions this season. I think Pop needs to let the two man game between Kawhi and Aldridge roll a bit more late in games... but hey, he got the rings.

Westbrook should be the most important, he is the PG. He has the ball so much, If he's out of control, they are out of control. (I still hate there offense game plan)

Steven Adams was applauded as a good athlete when he came from Australia to Pitt.... I thought he was a stiff... but you're right, his nba game has developed quite nicely.
 

JoeKing

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OKC squeaked out a game they deseved to win handedly. Good on them for getting the win. Now let's see if they can win two on their home court because failing that, they still won't win the series. The Spurs have to play better then they did last night and they no doubt will. Kawhi and Parker need to step up their games more, LeMarcus Aldridge can't do it all by himself. Series now ties at a game a piece, the Spurs know they only have to win one of the next two road games to put OKC back on their heels. I'm just glad we have a competitive series now.
 

Biggems

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My biggest issue with the end of the game was the lack of composure from the Spurs. Two things should have happened IMO.

1. Just go with the chaos and play out the play.....but Mills does a pump fake, then takes the jumper as Adams is fouling him, earning 3 FTs......OKC was out of timeouts, so they would have had to heave a quick shot with less than 2 seconds left.

2. Green secures the ball and immediately calls a timeout, with 7-10 seconds left on the clock. Pop draws up a play where Aldridge is option #1 and Kawhi is option #2. I know you give the D a chance to set up, and you are out of timeouts, so you have to inbound the ball, but I feel this was the correct strategy. Pop is one of the best ever when it comes to drawing up successful plays out of a timeout. Aldridge is doing whatever he wants, when he wants so far in this series. I would have much rather lived and died with his shot attempt, than the way the game actually ended.
 

bounce

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2. Green secures the ball and immediately calls a timeout, with 7-10 seconds left on the clock. Pop draws up a play where Aldridge is option #1 and Kawhi is option #2. I know you give the D a chance to set up, and you are out of timeouts, so you have to inbound the ball, but I feel this was the correct strategy. Pop is one of the best ever when it comes to drawing up successful plays out of a timeout. Aldridge is doing whatever he wants, when he wants so far in this series. I would have much rather lived and died with his shot attempt, than the way the game actually ended.

In hindsight, I absolutely agree. But, they were in a 3 on 1 break. If any of those three attack, there's probably a desperation foul by Adams to put them on the line. They all played out of control.
 

Biggems

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Ok that game was closer than it needed 2 be. Too many missed fts, 10 to be exact. Instead of killing the okc confidence, all those missed fts allowed them to have hope and confidence.

I will take the win. Go Spurs Go.

Btw, i wonder if russell gets a 5k fine for the flop on the last play.
 

RonSpringsdaman20

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As everyone ignores the Cavs... quietly Kyrie Irving has been extremely efficient this playoff....
If he explodes at the right time (the finals)... The Cavs could be a bigger problem than most expect.
 

RonSpringsdaman20

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Nothing the Defensive player of the year could do about that last night...

Durant is a killer when he's on...
 

Jstopper

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Man OKC is making this series much too close for my comfort. I need my spurs to go ahead and put them away. I do not want to see a game 7.
 

RonSpringsdaman20

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That Steph Curry man.......

and for anyone who says "he only shoot threes!"

he added 8 &9.....

he is the best in the league... simple.
 

DenCWBY

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SA sux. They are being out coached, out hustled, out played. Congrats OKC.
 
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