On March 25 2011 05:11 Ace wrote: The Heat also have been dominant on the road, won 21 out of 22, had the largest PD in the league for most of the year and are top 5 in both Offense and Defense.
So how is that not as credible than what the Bulls have done? The media spins a lot of things but do realize Chicago has had a lot of luck thrown their way also.
PD is the most important stat in predicting future games but it can be skewed by how the teams are coached. For example, Pop usually sits starters earlier when there is a blowout, so San Antonio's PD isn't that high. Compare that to the Heat. In their 30-point win over San Antonio, Lebron played 42 minutes and Wade played 39 as they increased their 14 point lead at the end of the third quarter into a 30 point win.
It's still a good stat, but the Heat run up the score enough to take theirs with a grain of salt.
And can you show that their end of game possessions on close games get them good shots? I saw a video compilation and it seems like a lot of long threes and isolation plays that don't lead to good shots. Managed to find the video below. It's not as good but it shows some of their crappy shots.
On March 25 2011 05:11 Ace wrote: The Heat also have been dominant on the road, won 21 out of 22, had the largest PD in the league for most of the year and are top 5 in both Offense and Defense.
So how is that not as credible than what the Bulls have done? The media spins a lot of things but do realize Chicago has had a lot of luck thrown their way also.
Do tell, you didn't say anything about the Bulls in this post. How has Chicago been lucky?
On March 25 2011 05:11 Ace wrote: The Heat also have been dominant on the road, won 21 out of 22, had the largest PD in the league for most of the year and are top 5 in both Offense and Defense.
So how is that not as credible than what the Bulls have done? The media spins a lot of things but do realize Chicago has had a lot of luck thrown their way also.
Do tell, you didn't say anything about the Bulls in this post. How has Chicago been lucky?
He was saying they were lucky cause when the injuries happen it was their soft part of the season
Has PD ever been adjusted for strength of schedule during the season? For instance, I think more of Los Angeles's +6.4 than Miami's +7.1, though they tell me roughly the same thing. Also, Atlanta has a -0.4 PD...and they are 5th in the East, with a 55.6% win percentage - just tells you how bizarre their season has been. They should probably blow it up.
I don't know how many of you watch college ball, but how do you think Jimmer Fredette will fare in the NBA? He strikes me as the kind of bench player who you put in when you say "screw defense" and just bring him in for a few quick threes.
On March 26 2011 05:47 Ferrose wrote: I don't know how many of you watch college ball, but how do you think Jimmer Fredette will fare in the NBA? He strikes me as the kind of bench player who you put in when you say "screw defense" and just bring him in for a few quick threes.
He's like Reddick coming out of college only he can get his own shot and has a lot more versatility offensively. Reddick ended up becoming a decent defender though so I guess there will be hope for Fredette in the future.
Tonight's game is the reason why I think the Heat can not be underestimated in the playoffs http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310325014. On any night, Wade OR Lebron can put up a statline that explodes your brain. The 76er's are a good team, not great by any stretch, of course, but good and Dwyane Wade was just beastly.
On March 26 2011 14:30 slyboogie wrote: Tonight's game is the reason why I think the Heat can not be underestimated in the playoffs http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310325014. On any night, Wade OR Lebron can put up a statline that explodes your brain. The 76er's are a good team, not great by any stretch, of course, but good and Dwyane Wade was just beastly.
I used to have that same theory: watch out for Miami in the play-offs. But, the more physical style of play is one that Miami is not suited for. At all.
What's your definition of "good". The 76ers don't fit mine: a .500 team in the East.
On March 25 2011 05:11 Ace wrote: The Heat also have been dominant on the road, won 21 out of 22, had the largest PD in the league for most of the year and are top 5 in both Offense and Defense.
So how is that not as credible than what the Bulls have done? The media spins a lot of things but do realize Chicago has had a lot of luck thrown their way also.
How so?
1.) When Boozer and Noah both went down for major time it was during a long home stretch for Chicago and a soft part of their schedule. Part of it has to due with their brutal opening schedule but it's still the result: Chicago peaked at the perfect time.
home loss to Orlando road loss to Boston home win vs OKC home win vs LA home win vs Boston (no KG) home win vs Miami (no Lebron, Bosh leaves 4th quarter) road win vs Memphis (The game where Luol Deng was officially back) home win vs Dallas home win vs Orlando
During the home heavy stretch of the 9 games vs Playoff teams 2 were at the perfect timing with both being at home. This doesn't diminish their accomplishments at all but do realize Chicago's injury situation isn't as bad as people make it out to be. All good teams go on massive winning streaks but to treat Chicago as if it's some amazing thing to do without Noah/Boozer vs a not so intimidating schedule is ludicrous.
I'm not sure how you can say the injuries were well timed when the Bulls have been without either Boozer or Noah for about 80% of their games this year (Boozer missed 24, Noah missed 32). Even more if don't count the 2-3 games it took Noah to start playing starter minutes. The Bulls just don't have a very hard schedule this year because no one in the East has a hard schedule.
Boozer missed the first 15 games of the season, maybe the hardest part of the Bulls schedule. This included the entirety of the circus trip(OKC, Lakers, Spurs, Dallas) He wasn't even close to 100% in his first two games back, which happened to be Orlando and Boston; the Bulls got crushed.
Admittedly Noah was injured during a relatively easy part of the schedule, but they ended up going 5-0 vs the top teams they played, so it's not like they were just getting by beating up on the dregs of the league.
I don't think luck has anything to do with the Bulls' standing so far. Boston and Miami have these same kinds of stretches were they play bums.
On March 26 2011 14:30 slyboogie wrote: Tonight's game is the reason why I think the Heat can not be underestimated in the playoffs http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310325014. On any night, Wade OR Lebron can put up a statline that explodes your brain. The 76er's are a good team, not great by any stretch, of course, but good and Dwyane Wade was just beastly.
I used to have that same theory: watch out for Miami in the play-offs. But, the more physical style of play is one that Miami is not suited for. At all.
What's your definition of "good". The 76ers don't fit mine: a .500 team in the East.
They have the 9th ranked defense currently in the NBA, which is pretty strong. I admit, they are not great. That being said, Lebron and Wade don't suffer from "Vince Carter" syndrome, where they stop driving to the basket after getting knocked down. Now that I think about it, what team can even be considered "physical?" Chicago? Boston? Orlando? I don't see it. They have "physical" players, like Noah, Garnett and Dwight Howard but...their styles are not particularly physical.
Hmmm, the Celtics aren't doing so well. At least Pierce and Garnett are playing low minutes, so maybe Doc's just resting them like last year. Right now the heat are outplaying the Celtics.
Spurs having trouble in those close games without Duncan.
Hmmm, anybody wants to talk about Bulls/Lakers finals?
No team in the NBA can match up with the Lakers' size, man for man - except, maybe Dallas. If I'm the Lakers, I'm worried about Dallas, OKC, Miami and Boston - in that order.
As for the Bulls, Joakim Noah is their only 7 footer (super great) and they have a bunch of 6-8, 6-9 guys: Boozer, Deng, Gibson, Thomas and Scalabrinie. Not exactly the perfect matchup for Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. I actually think the off-season acquisition of Ronnie Brewer is what gives the Bulls a chance against the Lakers, otherwise, they'd be running Keith Bogans, Rasual Butler and Kyle Korver at Kobe. Tom Thibodeau might be a defensive genius but he isn't Jesus.
So I guess if the Bulls and Lakers faced off, assuming Bulls home court and 2-2-1-1-1, I'd say...Lakers in 5? Maybe 6?
EDIT: Oops, Finals are 3-2-3..which makes it harder...Now I have to think about it.
Deng's a really good defender (he's the guy taking on Lebron and Melo), and they don't need to waste him on Kobe.
If Tom T. can hold Kobe to 6-24 shooting in the winner take all game with the defensive juggernaut known as Ray Allen, having a more defensively focused player like Keith Bogans should be fine.
Their biggest problem is that Boozer is a little undersized, which always hurt Utah vs the Lakers.
On March 26 2011 14:30 slyboogie wrote: Tonight's game is the reason why I think the Heat can not be underestimated in the playoffs http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310325014. On any night, Wade OR Lebron can put up a statline that explodes your brain. The 76er's are a good team, not great by any stretch, of course, but good and Dwyane Wade was just beastly.
I used to have that same theory: watch out for Miami in the play-offs. But, the more physical style of play is one that Miami is not suited for. At all.
What's your definition of "good". The 76ers don't fit mine: a .500 team in the East.
They have the 9th ranked defense currently in the NBA, which is pretty strong. I admit, they are not great. That being said, Lebron and Wade don't suffer from "Vince Carter" syndrome, where they stop driving to the basket after getting knocked down. Now that I think about it, what team can even be considered "physical?" Chicago? Boston? Orlando? I don't see it. They have "physical" players, like Noah, Garnett and Dwight Howard but...their styles are not particularly physical.
The playoffs just are more physical. Things slowdown, people grind it out. The Finals last year was almost a rugby match.
On March 26 2011 14:30 slyboogie wrote: Tonight's game is the reason why I think the Heat can not be underestimated in the playoffs http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310325014. On any night, Wade OR Lebron can put up a statline that explodes your brain. The 76er's are a good team, not great by any stretch, of course, but good and Dwyane Wade was just beastly.
I used to have that same theory: watch out for Miami in the play-offs. But, the more physical style of play is one that Miami is not suited for. At all.
What's your definition of "good". The 76ers don't fit mine: a .500 team in the East.
They have the 9th ranked defense currently in the NBA, which is pretty strong. I admit, they are not great. That being said, Lebron and Wade don't suffer from "Vince Carter" syndrome, where they stop driving to the basket after getting knocked down. Now that I think about it, what team can even be considered "physical?" Chicago? Boston? Orlando? I don't see it. They have "physical" players, like Noah, Garnett and Dwight Howard but...their styles are not particularly physical.
The playoffs just are more physical. Things slowdown, people grind it out. The Finals last year was almost a rugby match.
I would generally agree with that principle. Less possessions, tougher defense and more aggressive fouls. But Lebron and Wade have both gone deep in multiple playoffs - they can handle a physical game.
@iDominate2.0: Yeah, 2-3-2, sorry, dumb late night typo.
EPT
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