OFFICIAL Around the NBA thread - End of season/Playoffs!!

Like who, the Mexicans, the Jews?

 

Pacers are in a freefall.

 

PG said he doesn't know what's going on. And Lance is still out on his island. We took our punch and seem to have bounced back by handling stuff in house, but Indy is airing out stuff to the media and calling guys out. I still think they'll clobber their first round opponent, but I like how we reacted to adversity better than how Indy's handling it.

 

Our record right now if we played in the east would be 51-24. Indiana isn't *that* special.

 

But I thought they were the best team in the NBA...... I thought Paul George was a superstar in the making..... Shit they play in the east and only have 4 more wins than us. Could you imagine what the Pacers forum would look like if all these bi polar freaks on here were Indy fans!

 

If Indy was in the west, their fans would be wondering if the Pacers make the playoffs. Because they're in a shitty conference, they get a free ride. If Portland was in the east there's be a lot less worrying from us because we're still so much stronger than most teams we'd face in the playoffs. In the west? It's scary.

 

Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Blake Griffin (back spasms), Jamal Crawford (sore left Achilles') both doubtful for Clippers @Phoenix Wednesday

 

Very True. Pacers were supposed to have this amazing chemistry, a team on a collective mission to knock off their hated rival/Miami. Now they have "some selfish dudes in here"? Shocking to hear from that locker room. Last week, the vultures were circling around the Blazers. After 0-3 start to trip J-Quick, Canzano, & Co. were ready to pounce. They jabbed, and they dug. "Is there a bigger problem with the team?" There was no finger pointing, no selling out, no griping. They stuck together & said they still believe in each other. The Pacers may still turn it around. Actually, if it was just THEIR POOR PLAY that was being talked about, you would expect them to right the ship. But with all of this bickering and back stabbing? That's not a good sign to say the least. It's nice to know our guys were pushed to the brink like that & didn't implode like Indiana is.

 

"Three down, seven to go." -LaMarcus Aldridge

 

The Pacers did the same thing the Bulls did. Built a team to stop Miami defensively, but instead of lack of offensive firepower (The Pacers have plenty of it IMO) they have amassed a lot of players with rather big personalities and without the right coach (Vogel is a great coach but the Pacers need a Pop or a Phil) it can tail spin like we are seeing right now. Do they still make the ECF though? I'm 80% sure they do. Do I think Miami beats them? As long as Wade is relatively healthy, no doubt in my mind.

 

Did he say that? Love it if it's true.

As for Indy, people are overreacting. They just beat Miami for the 2nd time this season. Plus how great is Miami if they're only a few percentage points ahead of the "collapsing" Pacers? It's not over. Pacers still have to right the ship.

 

The Nets have beat the Heat 3 times I think. The Heat don't care about the regular season and they have paced themselves in a weak Eastern conference. Once the playoffs start you will see the real Heat that play intense D and break teams down on the fast break.

 

That's what people said about 2011 Lakers. They were in the same position. Had been to last 3 Finals and won the last 2. They struggled a little in the season and everyone said they'd flip a switch. Instead, they got swept by a Dallas team that most people thought would lose to us in the first round. Getting to the Finals 4 straight times is nearly impossible and hasn't happened in almost 30 years. Miami is vulnerable. Especially against the Nets who have been one of the best teams in the league in 2014.

 

The difference is the Heat have arguably the best player of all time in his prime, two supporting stars who are also fairly young, and GREAT team chemistry. The 2011 Lakers were a different story, aging, bad team chemistry, and a coach who looked done (and was).

 

Good points but I still think it's incredibly difficult to reach the Finals 4 straight times no matter who is on the team. And you can see that weighing on the Heat having lost 7 of 11 at one point. I don't think there is a switch.

 

Yes. In the team huddle, on the court, immediately after the Memphis win. This team is coming together for the playoffs.

Folks better not sleep on the Blazers.

 

Fuck James Harden.