**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

[KC_Connection]

I do. And I'd like to use this opportunity to apologize to KevB for my reaction last night. I should not have said what I did. You were still a bit of a **** to take a shot at me out of the blue like you did, though, while seriously quoting a pathetic LeBron-hating troll who was trying to engage me with a personal attack.

[SFfan79]

I'm just a lurker on these boards as I just enjoy reading the debates... but i'll just drop this article here for you guys to discuss about Curry's non-suspension.

Edit... and I still can't post the link normally. It's at world wide web sbnation.com/nba/2016/6/17/11962842/steph-curry-mouthpiece-fan-nba-finals-suspension-fine

[dls6501]

Thank you for posting SFfan79.....

Exactly what I have been saying. There is precedent NOT to suspend Curry for the mouthpiece incident.

[Red Dawg]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

If you think that was a "flail" and not a kick, yeah, we're definitely not going to get anywhere here.

The league failed to act and should have. Is flailing allowed? Are you allowed to kick your feet trying to draw a foul? By the rules no. Green should have been suspended for the kick but he hot what he deserved in the end.

[Al Bundy]

Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson were so pathetic last night, it was almost as embarrassing as the refs letting Lebron commit foul after foul and flop after flop.

[New World Order]

What do you think happens Game 7 KCC? Also, I'm curious if GS wins, what type of avatar do you have picked out for me?

As far as the game goes, I think it's a coin flip.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by New World Order

What do you think happens Game 7 KCC?

There's a lot of history that suggests it is incredibly difficult to win game 7s on the road (especially in the NBA Finals). The Warriors also always get an inordinate amount of calls at home and surely Sunday will be no different. But LeBron James looks like he's on a mission. Even with his physical skills declining, it's quite possible that he's never played better. The Cavs will need more than just him to beat that team in that building, though. They likely need another great game from Kyrie to win and probably a role player like TT or JR to contribute in a major way as well (as Kevin Love should be sitting).

I'd still go Warriors because they are still the better team overall and have home advantage (which counts for a lot in a game like this), but the fact that it's even a debate in my mind at this point says a lot about how well LeBron has played in this series.

Also, I'm curious if GS wins, what type of avatar do you have picked out for me?

Something involving LeBron, I'm sure.

[Miles]

The fix was in when the league only allowed the Warriors to score 11 points in the first quarter.

[DanBecky]

Originally Posted by Miles

The fix was in when the league only allowed the Warriors to score 11 points in the first quarter.

Sarcasm. Sarcasm. I believe this to be sarcasm.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Considering he has a track record for hitting opponents in the balls...absolutely. The penalty was all about his history.

If he kept his hands (and his feet) to himself, he wouldn't have been in that ridiculous position.

If Leflop hadn't purposely stepped over and tried to start a fight, Green wouldn't have been in that situation. Leflop is a bitch.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

If Leflop hadn't purposely stepped over and tried to start a fight, Green wouldn't have been in that situation. Leflop is a bitch.

But he is a "pussy ass bitch" like you called Curry? Why do you keep choosing to embarrass yourself with posts like this?

[KC_Connection]

But during these NBA playoffs, and the finals in particular, James has been playing at a level so superhuman that even the most jaded LeBron watchers have to sit up and pay attention.

James’s best per-minute playoff campaign came in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ ill-fated 2009 postseason, when they flamed out against the Orlando Magic in the conference finals. His per-game averages in that series were 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks. But apart from that one-man exhibition in a losing effort (something James knows well), these 2016 playoffs have seen the best statistical version of LeBron — and certainly the best version ever to appear in the NBA Finals.

In Thursday night’s Game 6, James produced the top Game Score of his finals career (44.1 after adjusting for pace), thanks to a jaw-dropping stat line: 41 points on 59 percent shooting, 11 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. He even splashed home three of six threes, bringing his finals 3-point percentage to 40 percent, a massive difference from the 31 percent rate we were all so worried about during the regular season.

In other words, James’s game has rounded into peak form at exactly the right time for the Cavs. And I really mean peak form: If we look at his Game Scores relative to what a league-average player would produce in the same number of minutes and then weight by the importance of each game in terms of championship odds, we’re currently witnessing the second-best three-game stretch of James’s entire career, culminating in his second-best game ever on Thursday night:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...-in-his-prime/

Just when you think we've seen it all from this guy, LeBron has a stretch like this. Incredible.

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...-in-his-prime/

Just when you think we've seen it all from this guy, LeBron has a stretch like this. Incredible.

C'mon that's ridiculous.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by New World Order

C'mon that's ridiculous.

His athleticism has been eroding for a few years now, he's nowhere near his physical peak at age 31, and he lost his jump shot this season (at least until this series). Now he's a much better player in other ways than he was when he was younger, but it was quite possible that we had already seen the best of him.

So much for that.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I do. And I'd like to use this opportunity to apologize to KevB for my reaction last night. I should not have said what I did. You were still a bit of a **** to take a shot at me out of the blue like you did, though, while seriously quoting a pathetic LeBron-hating troll who was trying to engage me with a personal attack.

No worries. I reacted because I knew you'd jump at the chance to rip Curry and elevate LeBron due to your Warriors hate. Whatever, doesn't really matter. Curry did not show himself well last night, and I think some of the shine will wear off a bit, which you should enjoy. Just goes to show all of these guys are human and flawed, despite our attempts to elevate or tear them down.

I'm just excited we get a Game 7, and I'd really love it if both teams bring their very best. Love to see Curry/Klay/Draymond all doing their thing with LeBron/Kyrie and Thompson playing their best. Who would win with all at their peak?

Two huge keys : 1) will Iggy be healthy enough to play well?, 2) Will Harrison Barnes show up? if they answer is yes to both, I think the Warriors win at home. If not, could very well be the Cavs.