Playoffs thread

[Monster]

My only prediction for this Finals was that each team would basically have a blowout win.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I do think the Cavs screwed themselves for game 5 a bit by continuing the physicality to the degree they did causing the game to delve into chaos. You know the crew for game 5 is gonna be told to call it tight early and keep the game under control. That "physicality" is going to be called in game 5 in Oracle. As much as the NBA wants more games, games like this are bad for the brand when it's no longer a game and it becomes a bunch of hack and grab and stoppages for reviews.

[Monster]

I do think the Cavs screwed themselves for game 5 a bit by continuing the physicality to the degree they did causing the game to delve into chaos. You know the crew for game 5 is gonna be told to call it tight early and keep the game under control. That "physicality" is going to be called in game 5 in Oracle. As much as the NBA wants more games, games like this are bad for the brand when it's no longer a game and it becomes a bunch of hack and grab and stoppages for reviews.

You bring up an interesting point but I'm not sure that was the Cavs were the only ones being physical. If they call all that stuff in game 5 Draymond Green will foul out in the first 6 minutes. Lol GS plays their own physical brand of basketball. After all those FT the Cavs got early I noticed GS actually attempted more FTs in game 4.

A couple other things about game 4.

The Cavs were even with GS in rebounding. That was a problem in the first 3 games.

GS scored a bunch of points but shot under 45% overall and under 30% from 3. They missed some open shots but the Cavs certainly played much better D than they had been playing when they were getting blown up.

The Cavs got worthily production and overall minutes from other guys. TT was effective. Jefferson was going all out and had a bunch of terrific hustle plays.

Obviously the 3 point shooting of the Cavs was the big story in this game. They probably won't do that again.

This series has gotten interesting. The Cavs have shown up in the last 2 games and they have the talent to push GS. I'm looking forward to Monday to see how both teams respond.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I do think the Cavs screwed themselves for game 5 a bit by continuing the physicality to the degree they did causing the game to delve into chaos. You know the crew for game 5 is gonna be told to call it tight early and keep the game under control. That "physicality" is going to be called in game 5 in Oracle. As much as the NBA wants more games, games like this are bad for the brand when it's no longer a game and it becomes a bunch of hack and grab and stoppages for reviews.

You bring up an interesting point but I'm not sure that was the Cavs were the only ones being physical. If they call all that stuff in game 5 Draymond Green will foul out in the first 6 minutes. Lol GS plays their own physical brand of basketball. After all those FT the Cavs got early I noticed GS actually attempted more FTs in game 4.

A couple other things about game 4.

The Cavs were even with GS in rebounding. That was a problem in the first 3 games.

GS scored a bunch of points but shot under 45% overall and under 30% from 3. They missed some open shots but the Cavs certainly played much better D than they had been playing when they were getting blown up.

The Cavs got worthily production and overall minutes from other guys. TT was effective. Jefferson was going all out and had a bunch of terrific hustle plays.

Obviously the 3 point shooting of the Cavs was the big story in this game. They probably won't do that again.

This series has gotten interesting. The Cavs have shown up in the last 2 games and they have the talent to push GS. I'm looking forward to Monday to see how both teams respond.

While GS has some physicality, they are nowhere near the Cavs when the refs let it go. Most of it is off the ball too so the refs just don't call it, but the two play series that kind of tells the story in the second half was when GS almost got a 5 second call because Jefferson mugged Durant and Klay barely got it in in time. It goes uncalled. Then the next time down the floor Durant gives him a little shot back and it's and instant foul. The Warriors have to deal with hold and grab and mug all game long and then get hit with ticky tack bullshit on the other end. A swift breeze puts Lebron and Kyrie at the line, but the Warriors are dropping on the floor left and right and don't get half the calls. Lebron at one point dropped guys on 3 straight plays on defense before they finally called him for doing it to Steph. And I've always been anti-Tristan Thompson because he literally just throws people around under the hoop to get the boards he gets. How do you box someone out that can just throw you out of the way and not get called for it? Steph and Klay always struggle in these games because they are fighting through bear hugs all game long to try to get open and their rhythm just isn't there.

Another huge problem the league has to address is with more wings and guards setting screens the illegal screen game is just running rampant because they don't have the size to set legitimate screens that work. When a guy is fighting around a screen, you don't get to pivot back and stick your butt into him to take him out of the play completely. So many screens are just the guard or wing never even setting their feet and just trying to drag the defender with them to open up the space. It's hard enough to defend in today's game to then allow a screen setter to just run you out of a play.

[AbeVigodaLive]

My prediction is Doris Burke says something stupid and yet gets universally praised for her work during the series.

I know I'm late with this... but... YES.

I've been thinking for awhile now that she seems woefully overrated. I just don't get it.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I do think the Cavs screwed themselves for game 5 a bit by continuing the physicality to the degree they did causing the game to delve into chaos. You know the crew for game 5 is gonna be told to call it tight early and keep the game under control. That "physicality" is going to be called in game 5 in Oracle. As much as the NBA wants more games, games like this are bad for the brand when it's no longer a game and it becomes a bunch of hack and grab and stoppages for reviews.

You bring up an interesting point but I'm not sure that was the Cavs were the only ones being physical. If they call all that stuff in game 5 Draymond Green will foul out in the first 6 minutes. Lol GS plays their own physical brand of basketball. After all those FT the Cavs got early I noticed GS actually attempted more FTs in game 4.

A couple other things about game 4.

The Cavs were even with GS in rebounding. That was a problem in the first 3 games.

GS scored a bunch of points but shot under 45% overall and under 30% from 3. They missed some open shots but the Cavs certainly played much better D than they had been playing when they were getting blown up.

The Cavs got worthily production and overall minutes from other guys. TT was effective. Jefferson was going all out and had a bunch of terrific hustle plays.

Obviously the 3 point shooting of the Cavs was the big story in this game. They probably won't do that again.

This series has gotten interesting. The Cavs have shown up in the last 2 games and they have the talent to push GS. I'm looking forward to Monday to see how both teams respond.

While GS has some physicality, they are nowhere near the Cavs when the refs let it go. Most of it is off the ball too so the refs just don't call it, but the two play series that kind of tells the story in the second half was when GS almost got a 5 second call because Jefferson mugged Durant and Klay barely got it in in time. It goes uncalled. Then the next time down the floor Durant gives him a little shot back and it's and instant foul. The Warriors have to deal with hold and grab and mug all game long and then get hit with ticky tack bullshit on the other end. A swift breeze puts Lebron and Kyrie at the line, but the Warriors are dropping on the floor left and right and don't get half the calls. Lebron at one point dropped guys on 3 straight plays on defense before they finally called him for doing it to Steph. And I've always been anti-Tristan Thompson because he literally just throws people around under the hoop to get the boards he gets. How do you box someone out that can just throw you out of the way and not get called for it? Steph and Klay always struggle in these games because they are fighting through bear hugs all game long to try to get open and their rhythm just isn't there.

Another huge problem the league has to address is with more wings and guards setting screens the illegal screen game is just running rampant because they don't have the size to set legitimate screens that work. When a guy is fighting around a screen, you don't get to pivot back and stick your butt into him to take him out of the play completely. So many screens are just the guard or wing never even setting their feet and just trying to drag the defender with them to open up the space. It's hard enough to defend in today's game to then allow a screen setter to just run you out of a play.

As noted... probably in this thread (and obvious on tv)... the stuff guys get away with while setting screens is pretty comical at this point.

Teams aren't even given a chance to slip the screen because the screener is literally barrelling into them and HOLDING them to force it.

Since I've been watching hoops... the NBA has let certain things go and cracked down on other things. It's just the way it is. When it grows especially tiresome, however, is when (1) officials fall prey to the moment (momentum) and one team gains an advantage. (2) when the things they are calling are so subjective... and coincidentally seem to favor one team at that particular moment. (see how Pachulia and Tristan Thompson rebound... and judge their ability to do so via the number of fouls called against them).

The NBA is very difficult to officiate. That being said, SOME officials really seem to struggle with it. Personally, I think Marc Davis is terrible and should not be near a Finals game. He was voted 3rd worst by both coaching and players... but he's in Game 4?

[Coolbreeze44]

My prediction is Doris Burke says something stupid and yet gets universally praised for her work during the series.

I know I'm late with this... but... YES.

I've been thinking for awhile now that she seems woefully overrated. I just don't get it.

Thank you, I don't get it either.

[Coolbreeze44]

Sure he's a crook, but i believe every word he says here:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/tim-donaghy-nba-will-instruct-refs-to-force-game-6/ar-BBCzCYJ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

So true.

[BloopOracle]

Sure he's a crook, but i believe every word he says here:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/tim-donaghy-nba-will-instruct-refs-to-force-game-6/ar-BBCzCYJ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

So true.

This kind of stuff makes me want to cling to Towns on the Wolves even more. Imagine a few years from now when we're in the playoffs going up against a small market team with no huge marketable players. We will be quite a draw with our core 3 and the home cooking from the refs for us will be ridiculous mwahahahaha!!!!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Sure he's a crook, but i believe every word he says here:

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/tim-donaghy-nba-will-instruct-refs-to-force-game-6/ar-BBCzCYJ?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

So true.

I could never believe everything that man says. Reminds me of Henry Hill... of Goodfellas fame. But it is amazing how relatively unscathed the NBA made it through Donaghy... especially with 2002 and 2006 sitting there for everybody to see.

NBA officiating is difficult... and oftentimes... perfect for theories, angst and frustration.

Zach Lowe, a respectable NBA mind/writer... mentioned officiating as a key difference maker 3x in his article today...

- "They slowed the pace a bit in Game 4, and leaned harder on the Warriors with sheer physicality that will take more of a toll the longer this series goes -- provided the officials allow it."
- "The bet here is that we see more of this kind of thing in Game 5 -- more mismatch basketball, more pick-and-roll, more Curry pindowns for Durant, and less of Golden State's beautiful game. The Cavs can hang with all that motion if they are engaged, and if the referees allow for some grabbing and holding."
- "Sometimes, Jefferson went the other way and held his picks like an offensive lineman: (video)"