**2016 Official NBA Playoffs Thread**

[KC_Connection]

Round 1:

EAST:

#8 Pistons @ #1 Cavs
#7 Pacers @ #2 Raptors
#6 Hornets @ #3 Heat
#5 Celtics @ #4 Hawks

WEST:
#8 Rockets @ #1 Warriors
#7 Grizzlies @ #2 Spurs
#6 Mavericks @ #3 Thunder
#5 Blazers @ #4 Clippers

[Chiefs Pantalones]

With no Curry, it's San Antonio's title to lose. You could even argue the WCFs goes 7 even with a healthy Curry. Nobody in the east is beating anybody from the west, even in a down year. But we'll see for sure, that's why they play.

[Al Bundy]

Looks like Curry is out at least 2 weeks with a sprained MCL. Damn slippery Houston floor.

[KC_Connection]

So nothing changes really. He'll be back for the Spurs series, which is the one that will decide the championship this season. The Clippers are no real threat in the meantime (especially with Blake playing as poorly as he has).

[Toby Waller]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

So nothing changes really. He'll be back for the Spurs series, which is the one that will decide the championship this season. The Clippers are no real threat in the meantime (especially with Blake playing as poorly as he has).

LOL

I LOL at you.
You shall be wrong

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Prime Dwight is a different thing altogether. Great, dominant two-way player. But I thought we were talking about what he is now, which is not a hell of a lot.

Nope I acknowledge that Dwight sucks now, he's only 30 and his body is already broken down because of the NBA mileage he put on at such a young age. But my point remains he was the last great center that impacted the game to the point where he affected a 1) winning team 2) made the playoffs and actually beat teams. His prime as a big man was an actual factor.

I am not giving credit to any of these other centers in the league because it's literally been YEARS since a big man has affected the game. All these big man that are good today are on absolute shit teams and can't carry their teams to even .500 records.

Boogie Cousins had an option to leave Sacremento plenty of times, hes gone through 100 different coaches, a bunch of different teammates, bought into the FO by signing an extension when he could have left and did anything else. So it's on him to carry that team/franchise, and well frankly he can't. I don't want to hear anything about him developing either. The guy is 25 years old, he's in the prime or entering the prime. As of right now Cousins looks nothing more than a stat compiler on a bad team to me. Dwight Howard at 25 was already winning 50 games and making the playoffs.

Anthony Davis I thought would be the next Dwight but holy crap are the Pelicans terrible. That dude had to put up an almost historical season just to get them the 8th seed a year ago. He's not winning anything unless he A) leaves NO or B) he gets a really good player with him.


I just think the cream rises to the top in the NBA and if you are good you are good, it's a talent/superstar league and without it your team stinks.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Nope I acknowledge that Dwight sucks now, he's only 30 and his body is already broken down because of the NBA mileage he put on at such a young age. But my point remains he was the last great center that impacted the game to the point where he affected a 1) winning team 2) made the playoffs and actually beat teams. His prime as a big man was an actual factor.

I am not giving credit to any of these other centers in the league because it's literally been YEARS since a big man has affected the game. All these big man that are good today are on absolute shit teams and can't carry their teams to even .500 records.

Boogie Cousins had an option to leave Sacremento plenty of times, hes gone through 100 different coaches, a bunch of different teammates, bought into the FO by signing an extension when he could have left and did anything else. So it's on him to carry that team/franchise, and well frankly he can't. I don't want to hear anything about him developing either. The guy is 25 years old, he's in the prime or entering the prime. As of right now Cousins looks nothing more than a stat compiler on a bad team to me. Dwight Howard at 25 was already winning 50 games and making the playoffs.

Anthony Davis I thought would be the next Dwight but holy crap are the Pelicans terrible. That dude had to put up an almost historical season just to get them the 8th seed a year ago. He's not winning anything unless he A) leaves NO or B) he gets a really good player with him.


I just think the cream rises to the top in the NBA and if you are good you are good, it's a talent/superstar league and without it your team stinks.

Just to be clear; you are stating that Anthony Davis isn't better than Dwight Howard.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Just to be clear; you are stating that Anthony Davis isn't better than Dwight Howard.

Present day Anthony Davis is better than present day Dwight Howard. I know Howard sucks now.

I'm stating:

Resume so far:
Dwight Howard at 23 years old. NBA finals lost to the Lakers
Anthony Davis at 23 years old. 30-52.

Now I know the counter will be the Pelicans had injuries, blah blah. Even at full health that team isn't coming close to what Dwight and the Magic did regardless.

My argument is that the last great big man that actually affected the game and had a winning record/made the playoffs and was a factor, was Dwight Howard.

All these guys today are just losing, it's an archaic position like the RB is in the NFL.

I just can't get behind centers that are winning 30-40 games and call them good, elite, the best big men, etc.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Present day Anthony Davis is better than present day Dwight Howard. I know Howard sucks now.

I'm stating:

Resume so far:
Dwight Howard at 23 years old. NBA finals lost to the Lakers
Anthony Davis at 23 years old. 30-52.

Now I know the counter will be the Pelicans had injuries, blah blah. Even at full health that team isn't coming close to what Dwight and the Magic did regardless.

My argument is that the last great big man that actually affected the game and had a winning record/made the playoffs and was a factor, was Dwight Howard.

All these guys today are just losing, it's an archaic position like the RB is in the NFL.

I just can't get behind centers that are winning 30-40 games and call them good, elite, the best big men, etc.

And you really think that Dwight Howard in his prime on those Pelicans teams in the WESTERN conference would have done so much better than one 8th seed appearance and a first round loss?

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

And you really think that Dwight Howard in his prime on those Pelicans teams in the WESTERN conference would have done so much better than one 8th seed appearance and a first round loss?

Probably not, but the game has changed. But that's my point, Anthony Davis putting up similar numbers, can't carry a team by himself in today's NBA landscape.

Dwight Howard was able to do that in 09.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Probably not, but the game has changed. But that's my point, Anthony Davis putting up similar numbers, can't carry a team by himself in today's NBA landscape.

Dwight Howard was able to do that in 09.

So did Yao Ming. Your point?

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

So nothing changes really. He'll be back for the Spurs series, which is the one that will decide the championship this season. The Clippers are no real threat in the meantime (especially with Blake playing as poorly as he has).

They're not getting past the Clippers without Curry.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

So did Yao Ming. Your point?

Yao Ming is in the hall of fame. lol

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by New World Order

They're not getting past the Clippers without Curry.

They will. It might take 6 or 7but they will

I think OKC will give the Spurs a tough fight as well.

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

They will. It might take 6 or 7but they will

I think OKC will give the Spurs a tough fight as well.

AV bet?

Only rule is Curry can't play.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by New World Order

They're not getting past the Clippers without Curry.

Maybe if Blake Griffin starts playing the way he did before injury, but right now, I don't see that at all. They really aren't that good.

The Warriors also essentially won the Finals last year without Curry (who didn't show up as you'll recall; Iguodala was their MVP). They're still a great team without him.