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Post by MGH on Jun 1, 2014 10:39:35 GMT -5
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Post by kingoftheindies on Jun 1, 2014 11:00:07 GMT -5
For the teams that lost in the conference finals I think there are some quick fixes.
For the 3rd offseason in a row I see myself saying that the Pacers need a spot up shooter. George and Stephenson can get hot as jump shooters but they are still inconsistent. Now they did try last year to address the shooting issue with Gerald Green, but in the draft last year you had Timmy Hardaway Jr and Allen Crabbe available and they took Solomon Hill; who doesn't project well as a jump shooter. There needs to be some roster tweaking but nothing too drastic. Again though, that Evan Turner trade just bit them in the ass.
Thunder are kind of in the same situation (kind of). The issue though is a lot more with coaching decisions. When you are consistently trotting out Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins you are playing 3 on 5 offensively. If Jones and/or Lamb develop (even Roberson but I think that may be asking a bit much) that will help a lot (I have a very high opinion of Steven Adams as well).
The finals should be fun. I THINK based on how the role players are doing the Spurs have the edge right now, but if the Heat get hot from behind the arc it gives them the edge.
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Post by Red Impact on Jun 1, 2014 11:08:09 GMT -5
The Thunder's problem is that they can't play the slow game well. Coaching wise, they did make a lot of adjustments that they hadn't before and were successful, but a lack of consistent post play dooms them. Perkins is great at frustrating big men, but he can't play the role they need him to. If the Thunder don't run you off the court, they'll struggle, and that's what happened in game 6 that didn't happen in games 3 and 4. People want to blame coaching when it's really a player and personnel issue, the Thunder just didn't have the answer available when the Spurs adjusted as well as they did. People blame Scott Brooks, but last night wasn't his fault in the slightest. They were tripping over themselves and giving the ball up all second half, that's not coaching, that's choking.
The Pacers were just immature, like they're not ready to play in the big time yet. They've got enough talent to beat the Heat, but they get ahead of themselves and get too frustrated Stephenson was more interested in trying to play mindgames than actually performing, and it's not going to work on a guy who is just shutting you up every time you open your mouth.
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Crimson
Hank Scorpio
Thank you DWade
Posts: 6,511
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Post by Crimson on Jun 1, 2014 12:59:53 GMT -5
As much as some are complaining about the predictable rematch I honestly believe this is going to be the best possible match out of the alternatives of the Conference Finals contenders. Last night's game proved that any rematch between Heat and OKC was going to end the same way that it did in 2012. Pacers were lucky to even squeeze out a Game 6. With how hot and cold George and Hibbert have been playing, they probaby would've been swept by the Spurs.
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Post by Red Impact on Jun 1, 2014 13:06:55 GMT -5
As much as some are complaining about the predictable rematch I honestly believe this is going to be the best possible match out of the alternatives of the Conference Finals contenders. Last night's game proved that any rematch between Heat and OKC was going to end the same way that it did in 2012. Pacers were lucky to even squeeze out a Game 6. With how hot and cold George and Hibbert have been playing, they probaby would've been swept by the Spurs. As a Thunder fan, yeah, I sort of have to agree. The Thunder are too one-dimensional right now, they still don't have an answer for whoever on the Heat will step up to back up Lebron. In 2012, it wasn't Lebron that was killing them (he helped, obviously), it was all of the tertiary players. The Thunder's Big 3 matched up pretty well against the Heat's, but they didn't have the support to deal with the Heat's bench, who no one thought would be the factor that it was. They still don't, although they have some well developing players that could get there if they can keep Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka. The Pacers would have been demolished by either of them. Going back further, the Clippers probably wouldn't have beaten SA. The Grizzlies might have matched up well though.
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Post by Sponsored by Groose Wipes on Jun 1, 2014 13:10:35 GMT -5
Part of me is excited for this because I think the Spurs is the only team that could give the Heat a fight, but at the same time we've done this dance before.
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Post by Munkie91087 on Jun 1, 2014 13:14:10 GMT -5
Two best teams in the league playing for the championship. That's how it should be.
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Brood Lone Wolf Funker
Ozymandius
Got fined anyway. Possibly a Moose
James Franco is the white Donald Glover
Posts: 61,790
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Post by Brood Lone Wolf Funker on Jun 1, 2014 13:55:44 GMT -5
That is just wow, that lady catfished him horribly. Honestly I have a feeling the Heat are going to take this in six and Greg Olden will finally get a ring
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Post by thetower52 on Jun 1, 2014 15:07:44 GMT -5
I really want the spurs to win But I also want Greg oden to get a ring Specialy before Durant. I'm kinda torn
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Push R Truth
Patti Mayonnaise
Unique and Special Snowflake, and a pants-less heathen.
Perpetually Constipated
Posts: 39,277
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Post by Push R Truth on Jun 1, 2014 15:13:28 GMT -5
Greg Oden getting a ring while Hibbert has to watch from home will make my day.
One dude has all the talent in the world and doesn't give a shit about trying most of the time, and the other guy's body just breaks down... but he keeps on trying. Go go Greg Oden! I have a soft spot for athletes that have glass bodies but their hearts won't let them quit. If Oden's mind was in Hibbert's body I bet the Pacers would be in the finals.
But if the Spurs win, I'm ok with that too. Duncan is hard to hate on.
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Post by Koda, Master Crunchyroller on Jun 1, 2014 15:19:01 GMT -5
For the teams that lost in the conference finals I think there are some quick fixes. For the 3rd offseason in a row I see myself saying that the Pacers need a spot up shooter. George and Stephenson can get hot as jump shooters but they are still inconsistent. Now they did try last year to address the shooting issue with Gerald Green, but in the draft last year you had Timmy Hardaway Jr and Allen Crabbe available and they took Solomon Hill; who doesn't project well as a jump shooter. There needs to be some roster tweaking but nothing too drastic. Again though, that Evan Turner trade just bit them in the ass. Thunder are kind of in the same situation (kind of). The issue though is a lot more with coaching decisions. When you are consistently trotting out Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins you are playing 3 on 5 offensively. If Jones and/or Lamb develop (even Roberson but I think that may be asking a bit much) that will help a lot (I have a very high opinion of Steven Adams as well). The finals should be fun. I THINK based on how the role players are doing the Spurs have the edge right now, but if the Heat get hot from behind the arc it gives them the edge. Steven Adams has a very bright future, imo. He's had a few double-doubles this season. If/when he starts averaging 10+ points and 10+ boards a game, he'll be something special.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2014 15:21:29 GMT -5
Still pissed that Vogel's staying. He deserved to get fired. I have no confidence in him for next season, especially if we don't get rid of some deadweight.
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andrew8798
FANatic
on 24/7 this month
Posts: 106,081
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Post by andrew8798 on Jun 1, 2014 15:25:42 GMT -5
Steve Kerr said it's "not accurate" to say a verbal commitment existed between himself and Phil Jackson.
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Waffel113
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Ain't no Rap Mobile with his Waffels
Posts: 19,020
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Post by Waffel113 on Jun 1, 2014 15:30:04 GMT -5
My question about the Kerr thing is what happens to the 2K commentary squad. Does Mark Jackson take Kerr's place?
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andrew8798
FANatic
on 24/7 this month
Posts: 106,081
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Post by andrew8798 on Jun 1, 2014 15:38:33 GMT -5
Game 1:
MIA at SAS | Thu., Jun. 5, 9:00 PM ET | ABC
Game 2:
MIA at SAS | Sun., Jun. 8, 8:00 PM ET | ABC
Game 3:
SAS at MIA | Tue., Jun. 10, 9:00 PM ET | ABC
Game 4:
SAS at MIA | Thu., Jun. 12, 9:00 PM ET | ABC
Game 5:
MIA at SAS | Sun., Jun. 15 | ABC | If Needed
Game 6:
SAS at MIA | Tue., Jun. 17 | ABC | If Needed
Game 7: MIA at SAS | Fri., Jun. 20 | ABC | If Needed
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Post by Cyno on Jun 1, 2014 15:47:38 GMT -5
The Thunder's biggest problem is a complete lack of depth. Their bench is inconsistent and Durant and Westbrook need a big center or power forward who can penetrate inside the paint and get some baskets. Otherwise they're way too reliant on perimeter shooters. Maybe Adams can turn into that guy, but unless he does they're going to be very predictable and one-dimensional on offense.
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Post by Koda, Master Crunchyroller on Jun 1, 2014 15:57:33 GMT -5
The Thunder's biggest problem is a complete lack of depth. Their bench is inconsistent and Durant and Westbrook need a big center or power forward who can penetrate inside the paint and get some baskets. Otherwise they're way too reliant on perimeter shooters. Maybe Adams can turn into that guy, but unless he does they're going to be very predictable and one-dimensional on offense. A big issue is the Thunder rely a little too much on defense, because they have a lot of guys on the team who are defensively focused, but can't score for shit. And 2 of them are in the starting line up....... I'll begrudgingly admit that Perkins DOES have a use. He is effective against a few of the interiors in the league, but not all of them! He can't score and picks up fouls too quickly. He shouldn't be a starter at all, unless playing against one of the teams he's useful against. He's a situational player at his best. And then there is Thabo.....look, I love Thabo, but he just isn't what he used to be. Sure he can still defend, but he isn't the lockdown defender he used to be. At his best he was even giving wing players like Kobe a tough time. But he isn't that kind of defender anymore and his shot is gone. Completely gone. Used to be a time where he was at least good for one or two 3 balls a game, if not more(I even remember a game where he out scores everyone on the Thunder but Durant). He's had way too many games where he's had 0s in his points column these last two years. I think the biggest problem is the Thunder want to have their cake and eat it too. They want to be this fast up tempo scoring machine on offense, but still be at least decent on defense. They aren't getting that with their current line up. They need more two-way players.
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Unocal 76
King Koopa
Providing The Finest Oil
Posts: 12,687
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Post by Unocal 76 on Jun 1, 2014 16:40:44 GMT -5
Since the Pacer fans here wanted Vogel out, do the Thunder fans want Brooks out? He's been a source of polarization at times.
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Post by Koda, Master Crunchyroller on Jun 1, 2014 17:08:07 GMT -5
Since the Pacer fans here wanted Vogel out, do the Thunder fans want Brooks out? He's been a source of polarization at times. I want him out, dunno what Red, Mason, and the others think, though.
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andrew8798
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on 24/7 this month
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Post by andrew8798 on Jun 1, 2014 22:18:04 GMT -5
The Cavaliers may not offer Kyrie Irving a maximum contract extension on July 1, according to beat writer Bob Finnan.
Finnan writes that the "scuttlebutt around the league" is that the Cavaliers may not view Irving as a max-salary talent, and they may be leery of ongoing rumors leaked from Irving's camp that he wants out of Cleveland
Rotoworld
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