Around the NBA: Playoffs Edition

[Tince]

Well Kevin Pelton is actually an analyst and stats guy, so he's not just offering up some emotional fan rant about Brooks performance in the series. Coaching doesn't always matter in the regular season, but in the playoffs it can make a huge difference.

I agree it can make a huge difference.

Pelton is a numbers guy, but what stats did he use in his assessment of Brooks last night?

 

[Ed O]

You're all just bitter because you used to be the young, lovable NBA darlings that got their dicks sucked by ESPN at every opportunity. You all act like it was all well deserved when it was you guys doing damage in the playoffs (though now that I think about it I'm not sure you ever got out of the first round) and getting TONS of props for it but now that everyone's left you for the younger, sexier woman that is the OKC Thunder you can do nothing but arbitrarily hate on them.

I don't think it's arbitrary.

They've had INCREDIBLE luck in terms of injuries... they've had almost no significant players lose time due to injuries.

The Blazers have had INCREDIBLE luck in terms of injuries, too... but the opposite way.

There's definitely some jealousy and bitterness when I root against the Thunder (and I don't even mind that they used to play 4 blocks from my apartment)... but that's no more irrational than why I root FOR the Blazers.

Ed O.

 

[PapaG]

I don't think it's arbitrary.

They've had INCREDIBLE luck in terms of injuries... they've had almost no significant players lose time due to injuries.

The Blazers have had INCREDIBLE luck in terms of injuries, too... but the opposite way.

There's definitely some jealousy and bitterness when I root against the Thunder (and I don't even mind that they used to play 4 blocks from my apartment)... but that's no more irrational than why I root FOR the Blazers.

Ed O.

Do you ever go to Sport? I love that place.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Lakers and Thunder sure have done a good job of making the Blazer's performance look better against Dallas.

 

[PapaG]

The Lakers and Thunder sure have done a good job of making the Blazer's performance look better against Dallas.

Our former GM tried to get his team swept too, though.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i hate the thunder because i want kevin durant to fail because it makes me feel better about greg oden not doing anything so far in the nba

and yes i am mad that they are the new chosen ones

and their jerseys are fucking lame

and their owner is a bitch

 

[Ed O]

Do you ever go to Sport? I love that place.

I haven't been, no. I'm on the other side of the City Center, and I'm not a huge sports bar guy.

What's good about it, if you don't mind me asking? Food? Televisions?

Ed O.

 

[mook]

I'm of course resentful of the Thunder's good fortunes. Especially with Durant. And I know it's completely irrational.

But more than that, I find myself more and more really rooting for the Mavs. Just look over that roster--Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Peja, Terry....it's a murderer's row of "Man, if only for a few breaks and some decent refereeing, I'd have a ring right now" talent.

And then you add in how Kidd has completely overhauled his game to accommodate for his 38 years of age. That dude's the same age as me!

I really, really want to see them win it all.

 

[Draco]

I'm of course resentful of the Thunder's good fortunes. Especially with Durant. And I know it's completely irrational.

But more than that, I find myself more and more really rooting for the Mavs. Just look over that roster--Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Peja, Terry....it's a murderer's row of "Man, if only for a few breaks and some decent refereeing, I'd have a ring right now" talent.

And then you add in how Kidd has completely overhauled his game to accommodate for his 38 years of age. That dude's the same age as me!

I really, really want to see them win it all.

I think Kidd may be more impressive than Dirk, he is what the 3rd leading all time 3point shooter? Insane! I know he's played for many years but still, guys like Stockton and Nash have played at a high level to a late age and they are no where close to Kidd. He couldn't hit the Ocean when he was ason (with no J) Kidd racking up triple doubles. He's so calm and intelligent with the ball, the whole team takes on his persona of passing. I love watching the Mavs offense, the ball movement and outside shooting is beautiful.

Kidd is beginning to feel like watching Randy Courture or Nolan Ryan, just so fun. I love rooting for the geezer.

 

[Run BJM]

I'm of course resentful of the Thunder's good fortunes. Especially with Durant. And I know it's completely irrational.

But more than that, I find myself more and more really rooting for the Mavs. Just look over that roster--Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Peja, Terry....it's a murderer's row of "Man, if only for a few breaks and some decent refereeing, I'd have a ring right now" talent.

And then you add in how Kidd has completely overhauled his game to accommodate for his 38 years of age. That dude's the same age as me!

I really, really want to see them win it all.

I HATE the Mavericks, Dirk, Cuban, Jason Terry but man can you imagine 3 or 4 years ago if someone told you Dirk, Kidd, Marion, Chandler, Stojakovic, Haywood, Terry, and Caron Butler would all be on the same team? Most of them are past their primes but shit how many all-star games are there between that core. Even guys like Haywood and Terry are legit starting caliber. Gotta say I actually am a fan of all of these guys except Dirk/Terry/Cuban.

 

[MickZagger]

Count me in as having no qualms with the Mavs winning it all.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Dallas to me is the "lesser of 4 evils".

 

[PapaG]

I think Kidd may be more impressive than Dirk, he is what the 3rd leading all time 3point shooter? Insane! I know he's played for many years but still, guys like Stockton and Nash have played at a high level to a late age and they are no where close to Kidd. He couldn't hit the Ocean when he was ason (with no J) Kidd racking up triple doubles. He's so calm and intelligent with the ball, the whole team takes on his persona of passing. I love watching the Mavs offense, the ball movement and outside shooting is beautiful.

Kidd is beginning to feel like watching Randy Courture or Nolan Ryan, just so fun. I love rooting for the geezer.

In his own way, sure. But watching Nowitzki in these playoffs has been so fun. He's is unstoppable offensively. He finally IS Larry Bird. People thought Nellie was crazy, but Nellie was right.

 

[KingSpeed]

Ugh. Hate Dirk/Bird comparison. People only make it cuz they're both white. Their games are entirely different.

 

[Rhal]

Ugh. Hate Dirk/Bird comparison. People only make it cuz they're both white. Their games are entirely different.

I agree that the comparisons are stupid. There both great shooters thats the end of it.
Bird was a bad-ass who wasn't afraid to get in your face and didn't flail around like he was shot every time there is even a little contact.
Dirk is a giant guy who plays like he is a guard, and as mentioned above, flails like he was shot every time there is any contact. Amazing player yes, but has evolved his game to take advantage of getting to the line.

 

[Run BJM]

6'11 Manu Ginobili.

 

[Minstrel]

He reminds me of Rick Barry. But taller. And much, much whiter.

Though their free throw shooting styles are totally dissimilar so maybe I'm going by skin color too much.

 

[PapaG]

Ugh. Hate Dirk/Bird comparison. People only make it cuz they're both white. Their games are entirely different.

I didn't make it because he is white. I made it because Dirk is the closest thing to Larry Bird that I've seen since Bird. Bird was a better passer, but other than that, they are very similar. Rebounding, shooting, shot creation, etc. Even their career stats are comparable outside of assists, but Bird played with a combo PG in Dennis Johnson, while Dirk has played with some pure PGs.

Learn the game, then post. Oh, and stop accusing me of racism. If you disagree with my comparison, fine, but stop supplying my reasoning for it.

 

[KingSpeed]

I said "People." And I don't consider it racism. Just lazy. Bird was a point forward. A play maker. As you said, more assists. That's a big difference. A closer comparison to that part of Bird's game is Pippen. Dirk is taller than Bird. Dirk's offensive moves aren't anything like Bird's at all. They have completely different demeanors on the court. The only real comparison is that they're white and can hit the three. Seriously.

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird also got more steals. More steals. Three times the assists. That is a huge difference. They played the game in an entirely different way. Ridiculous comparison.

 

[PapaG]

I said "People." And I don't consider it racism. Just lazy. Bird was a point forward. A play maker. As you said, more assists. That's a big difference. A closer comparison to that part of Bird's game is Pippen. Dirk is taller than Bird. Dirk's offensive moves aren't anything like Bird's at all. They have completely different demeanors on the court. The only real comparison is that they're white and can hit the three. Seriously.

Um, no. They both could create shots for themselves, they both were liabilities on defense, they both were some of the greatest pure shooters in NBA history, and they both were much better rebounders than Pippen.

Saying Pippen is closer to Bird than Dirk in terms of style of play is laughable to me, and makes me question how much of Bird you watched as a child. Bird and Dirk also both had/have goofy yet unstoppable fadeaway jumpers. There is another similarity.

LOL at the Scottie Pippen comparison. I guess I'll give you that one, although Bird never ran the offense like Pippen did in Chicago. Everything else says "Dirk".

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird 6' 9" 220 lbs
Dirk 7' 0" 237 lbs

Those are completely different bodies. Find me video clips of Bird that looks anything like Dirk's turnaround shooting off one leg. Learn the game, then post.

 

[KingSpeed]

Pippen and Bird were point forwards. Big guys who played like a PG. That's the comparison. Dirk doesn't play like a point guard at ALL.

 

[PapaG]

Bird fade away

Dirk fade away

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird's top 10 greatest plays:



Bird diving on floor , then making a quick pass. Bird running the break, throwing the behind the back pass. Bird with no look over the head pass. Most of Bird's highlights are passes I've NEVER seen Dirk make. Ridiculous ridiculous comparison.

 

[PapaG]

Pippen and Bird were point forwards. Big guys who played like a PG. That's the comparison. Dirk doesn't play like a point guard at ALL.

Bird played nothing like Pippen. You don't know what you're talking about.

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird fade away

Dirk fade away

Lots of players in the league shoot fadeaways. Jordan and James Worthy had great fadeaways. But the rest of their games were nothing like Bird's. Most of Bird's highlights are amazing passes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird played nothing like Pippen. You don't know what you're talking about.

They're similar in that they were forwards who could run a break and usually averaged over 5 assists per game.

 

[PapaG]

Bird's top 10 greatest plays:



Bird diving on floor , then making a quick pass. Bird running the break, throwing the behind the back pass. Bird with no look over the head pass. Most of Bird's highlights are passes I've NEVER seen Dirk make. Ridiculous ridiculous comparison.

Youtube. LOL

Just admit you didn't watch Bird in his prime.

 

[KingSpeed]

Bird's top 10 greatest plays:



Bird diving on floor , then making a quick pass. Bird running the break, throwing the behind the back pass. Bird with no look over the head pass. Most of Bird's highlights are passes I've NEVER seen Dirk make. Ridiculous ridiculous comparison.

^^^^^me teaching game to PapaG^^^^^