****Official 2017 NBA Playoffs Thread****

[KC_Connection]

The real season begins.

Round 1:

EAST:

#8 Bulls @ #1 Celtics
#7 Pacers @ #2 Cavs
#6 Bucks @ #3 Raptors
#5 Hawks @ #4 Wizards

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

[Hammock Parties]

poor Russ

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

Reminds me of one of those gassings by LeBron back in the day.

[dirk digler]

How was that not an over and back lol?

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

unbelievable missed call

[dirk digler]

Now I see why Durant left

[dirk digler]

Durant is out tonight but doesn't look like they will miss him any

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by -King-

So the Cavs aren't trash when LeBron isn't on the floor? Their defense overall isn't very bad so far? 109 points allowed in between the two games. That's good or bad
Posted via Mobile Device

Of course they're bad without LeBron on the floor. He's the best player in the NBA by a massive amount and his secondary players are quite flawed.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by -King-

This is just silly now. So collapsing in the 4th is part of their strategy now? So they could break the game open and have LeBron resting on the benching icing up 5 minutes before the game even ends but they choose to let the other team hang on to the last minute? That's a good strategy to you and you think they're doing it on purpose?
Posted via Mobile Device

Who said anything about strategy? Letting your guard down and dropping your energy level is only natural after you build a double digit lead against a trash team like the Pacers. That's not something to worry about. Actually losing games is (as your Celtics continue to unsurprisingly do against the Bulls).

[mcaj22]

Presti should be fired for putting those turds around Westbrook. 18 million for a bum like Kanter to come off the bench and be a complete liability in the playoffs cause he cant do anything but provide some offense. They cant even play him in this series and hes the only other guy that knows offense on the crap Thunder

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Presti should be fired for putting those turds around Westbrook. 18 million for a bum like Kanter to come off the bench and be a complete liability in the playoffs cause he cant do anything but provide some offense. They cant even play him in this series and hes the only other guy that knows offense on the crap Thunder

He should have been fired after he traded Harden and breaking up a potential dynasty because they didn't want to pay the luxury tax. That could have been one of the greatest teams ever.

In regards to Westbrook though, he is getting alot of heat for camping out in the lane to get a rebound and leaving Beverly open. As I said earlier now I see why Durant left, some of it was probably because for one reason or another none of their players want to get their own shot but I imagine some of it was Russ's unwillingness to play team basketball.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

He should have been fired after he traded Harden and breaking up a potential dynasty because they didn't want to pay the luxury tax. That could have been one of the greatest teams ever.

In regards to Westbrook though, he is getting alot of heat for camping out in the lane to get a rebound and leaving Beverly open. As I said earlier now I see why Durant left, some of it was probably because for one reason or another none of their players want to get their own shot but I imagine some of it was Russ's unwillingness to play team basketball.

Next year the Thunder have

Kanter 17.8 million
Westbrook 28 million
Oladipo 21 million
Adams 22 million

that's like 90 million on 4 guys. Adams you can justify (young center with growth) but Oladipo and Kanter at those prices you could have actually spent the money on someone good or at least traded Ibaka for a better piece that fit Westbrook (maybe a 3 and D guy like Terrance Ross hmmm?)

But that's the talent Presti paid a premium to put around Westbrook and now he's stuck, and they can't win with those 4 because they clearly aren't good enough.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Next year the Thunder have

Kanter 17.8 million
Westbrook 28 million
Oladipo 21 million
Adams 22 million

that's like 90 million on 4 guys. Adams you can justify (young center with growth) but Oladipo and Kanter at those prices you could have actually spent the money on someone good or at least traded Ibaka for a better piece that fit Westbrook (maybe a 3 and D guy like Terrance Ross hmmm?)

But that's the talent Presti paid a premium to put around Westbrook and now he's stuck, and they can't win with those 4 because they clearly aren't good enough.

Wow. They are going to suck next year as well.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

He should have been fired after he traded Harden and breaking up a potential dynasty because they didn't want to pay the luxury tax. That could have been one of the greatest teams ever.

In regards to Westbrook though, he is getting alot of heat for camping out in the lane to get a rebound and leaving Beverly open. As I said earlier now I see why Durant left, some of it was probably because for one reason or another none of their players want to get their own shot but I imagine some of it was Russ's unwillingness to play team basketball.

This. OKC sent up the white flag when they traded Harden for pennies on the dollar. Some OKC idiots thought that the Lamb/Martin return was appropriate, but nobody outside of that area bought that line. It made no sense at the time and it makes no sense now. That was the beginning of the end for OKC. Signing these other clowns to big deals further cements Presti's legacy.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Of course they're bad without LeBron on the floor. He's the best player in the NBA by a massive amount and his secondary players are quite flawed.

No he is not the best player in the NBA by a massive amount. Leonard is close to being as good as him and some actually feel Leonard is better. Lets not forget Leonard's D gave LeBron problems the last time they met in the finals and since then Leonards offense has gotten much better.

Not to mention Westbrook had the better season. He averaged a freaking triple-double.

Don't get me wrong LeBron is still the best player in the world but not by a lot.

[Nirvana58]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

He should have been fired after he traded Harden and breaking up a potential dynasty because they didn't want to pay the luxury tax. That could have been one of the greatest teams ever.

In regards to Westbrook though, he is getting alot of heat for camping out in the lane to get a rebound and leaving Beverly open. As I said earlier now I see why Durant left, some of it was probably because for one reason or another none of their players want to get their own shot but I imagine some of it was Russ's unwillingness to play team basketball.

Westbrook is 110% of their offense. He literally can't come out of the game. Seriously what do you expect the guy to do. He ran out of gas in the 4th quarter. Anybody watching the game should be able to see that. He usually gets a rest between the 3rd and 4th quarter. He was dominating and had his team up by 12. In 2 minutes without Westbrook the Rockets cut that lead to 3.

He is the MVP and twice the player Harden is. He put up 51 points, 10 Rebounds, and 13 Assists. That has never been done before. Plus all of his assists were creating basically dunks for his teammates. Since his team literally can't hit anything. Plus they play horrible defense. Without Westbrook this is the worst team in the league. The GM and Coach both need to be fired. Your team isn't stopping anybody on the perimeter you might as well go with the hot hand and play McDermott. But you sit him pretty much the entire second half???

I will even say Westbrook is the better player than both Durant and Harden. Durant should be a monster. He has all the skills in the world but plays zero defense. Hell the Warriors team seems to play better without him. Sad thing is that Westbrook was loyal and stayed with the Thunder and he gets this as repayment.