****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

[-King-]

There are probably at least 20 teams that would fire their coach if Stevens became available.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by New World Order

Malone was the MVP of the league in 1997 (34) and 1999 (36). He was at his very best at a later age. He was light-years ahead of Kemp.

In regards to Stockton v Payton they're not similar players. Stockton is more of a creator and Payton was more of a scorer. It would come down to personnel and who you have around each point guard. But remember, Payton did say Stockton was the hardest player he's ever had to guard.

Just because Hornacek's game changed a bit in that offense doesn't mean he was just a spot up shooter. He could still run the point and score one on one.

The Jazz also dominated the Sonics in 97 and no one past or present has run the pick and roll like the Jazz. Their continuity surpassed every team in the NBA except the Bulls.

But you're right, that Sonics team was very good. It just attests to Jordan's greatness.

I'd go Jazz then Sonics as the toughest teams Jordan faced in the 90's.

The 1998 Pacers were pretty damn good. Their whole starting lineup was an all-star at some point in their career and they had a young Jalen Rose, Travis Best and Derrick McKey coming off the bench.

They took the Bulls to 7-games which is no easy task. The 1998 Jazz had a 10-day rest and they couldn't even do that in the finals.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Wait...what? That roster had no business winning over 50 games. He obviously got them motivated plenty well. It was a maxed out roster that got exposed in the playoffs because they weren't that good.

Who, other than San Antonio, would take their coach over Stevens? Miami? Dallas?

The Warriors just swept through the West with Mike ****in' Brown, so it's hard for me to believe that Kerr is important beyond not being Mark Jackson.

I read reports\rumors early in the playoffs that Stevens was potentially on the hot seat because Ainge had concerns about whether Stevens could motivate. Let's be honest if Rondo doesn't get hurt, the Celtics probably get swept and we would be looking at this in a different light.

Also I don't think Stevens will get fired and he shouldn't but getting blown out at home in the EC Finals by an average of 30 pts IMO is more than lack of talent issue. I realize they were never going to win the series but the lack of competing especially at home is concerning.

Anyway they got the #1 pick and if they take Fultz hopefully they can get another superstar to come over and take that next step.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

I read reports\rumors early in the playoffs that Stevens was potentially on the hot seat because Ainge had concerns about whether Stevens could motivate. Let's be honest if Rondo doesn't get hurt, the Celtics probably get swept and we would be looking at this in a different light.

Also I don't think Stevens will get fired and he shouldn't but getting blown out at home in the EC Finals by an average of 30 pts IMO is more than lack of talent issue. I realize they were never going to win the series but the lack of competing especially at home is concerning.

Anyway they got the #1 pick and if they take Fultz hopefully they can get another superstar to come over and take that next step.

The Celtics are classic overachievers. I don't think you have to motivate players during the playoffs, just like you don't have to motivate students to pay attention when a final is coming up. They know the stakes. However, it can be extremely difficult to motivate players through the dregs of the regular season, just like it can be hard to get students to want to come to class on a daily basis. He kept that team playing with consistent intensity. I just don't see how someone could question their motivation.

[ChiefsCountry]

Some more Jordan vs LeBron debate this time with stats.
https://www.numberfire.com/nba/news/...dan-who-ya-got

[BigCatDaddy]

Such as hard thing to go stat for stat on. Totally different game and rules favoring the offense now, much like the Brady/Montana debate.

Anthony Mason playing Lebron with 90s style rules would have given him fits.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Such as hard thing to go stat for stat on. Totally different game and rules favoring the offense now, much like the Brady/Montana debate.

Anthony Mason playing Lebron with 90s style rules would have given him fits.

See iggy, marion, and Leonard

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Such as hard thing to go stat for stat on. Totally different game and rules favoring the offense now, much like the Brady/Montana debate.

Anthony Mason playing Lebron with 90s style rules would have given him fits.

I'm not so sure. In the 90s, people had to play defense, essentially, 1-1 and couldn't utilize the zone help schemes that are popular now; it was illegal defense. That meant that it was much easier to get the ball where you wanted it, when you wanted it, even if there was more checking and grabbing. Prior to getting the ball, you typically had to worry about one defender. Now, defenses are much more complex, with coaches like Thibs and Pop designing defenses that would have never been allowed in the 90s.

The 90s were rough and tumble, but defenses now are more complex.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I'm not so sure. In the 90s, people had to play defense, essentially, 1-1 and couldn't utilize the zone help schemes that are popular now; it was illegal defense. That meant that it was much easier to get the ball where you wanted it, when you wanted it, even if there was more checking and grabbing. Prior to getting the ball, you typically had to worry about one defender. Now, defenses are much more complex, with coaches like Thibs and Pop designing defenses that would have never been allowed in the 90s.

The 90s were rough and tumble, but defenses now are more complex.

You can't downplay the no handchecking and how much more physical it was. Zone-defense is nice but clearly offenses have adjusted. I mean look at how many pts the Warriors are scoring and how skinny their star players are. You'd never see that in the 90s.

Kevin Durant would get destroyed if he went to the hole in the 90s and so would Curry. Because of how little it takes to foul they can get away with it and not getting hurt in today's NBA. Back in the 90s it'd be totally different.

I'm not sure how it would affect LeBron because LeBron is fairly well-built but I am guessing players would handcheck him a hell of a lot more than they do now because as well-built as LeBron is he is still is somewhat skinny. Let's be honest here Anthony Mason is a lot stronger than LeBron is.

[BigCatDaddy]

Yeah... I appreciate great schematics but in no way does that equal out to hand checking, shots to chest trying to cross the lane, and dealing with the "no layup" philosophy. Especially over thr course of a season and difficult series. Lebron is a big guy, but doesn't really like contact.

[vailpass]

It's clear that there are some here who understand the fundamental difference in how the game, and defense, was played then vs. now and some who do not. And why that makes comparison between the two eras impossible.

[ChiefsCountry]

How come the scoring per game was higher in the 80s and 90s if the defense was so good?

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

How come the scoring per game was higher in the 80s and 90s if the defense was so good?

Is it your position that the defense wasn't much more aggressive and physical in that era and the rules aren't much more geared toward offense in this era?

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

How come the scoring per game was higher in the 80s and 90s if the defense was so good?

Much much much better offensive players.

80s and 90s were unreal

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

You can't downplay the no handchecking and how much more physical it was. Zone-defense is nice but clearly offenses have adjusted. I mean look at how many pts the Warriors are scoring and how skinny their star players are. You'd never see that in the 90s.

Kevin Durant would get destroyed if he went to the hole in the 90s and so would Curry. Because of how little it takes to foul they can get away with it and not getting hurt in today's NBA. Back in the 90s it'd be totally different.

I'm not sure how it would affect LeBron because LeBron is fairly well-built but I am guessing players would handcheck him a hell of a lot more than they do now because as well-built as LeBron is he is still is somewhat skinny. Let's be honest here Anthony Mason is a lot stronger than LeBron is.

LeBron: 6'8" ~250lbs
Mason: 6'7"~250lbs

LeBron must be a tub of lard.