The Official NBA Playoffs Thread

[nets on nets on nets]

Cavs could very well go 12-0 in the East, which is incredible, I see the Raptors or Heat winning 1 game max against them. As a Cavs fan, I love seeing K-Love at the 5 and Lebron at the 4, it has been unstoppable.

Spurs Thunder is an all-time 2nd round series and a great matchup.

And of course the most important question the rest of these playoffs will be the health of Curry.

 

[crazyduke3]

I said it in times past but I still truly believe Cleveland messed up by giving away Wiggins. They'll wish they had them when they see GSW. The Cavs are setting the nets on fire with them 3's tho, my gosh!

 

[dukiejay]

I'm very happy the Cavs were willing to part with Wiggins. Him paired with KAT looks promising. It's been a while since I've had much to cheer about with regards to the Wolves.

Looking forward to game five tonight. I think the Spurs get it done.

 

[hallside]

Former blue devils all over the playoffs. Mason and Justise have been really impressing me. Mason is the base of that offense, and Justise is playing all-nba defense right now. Very cool to see this new Duke generation starting to make a splash with the world's best.

 

[dukehokie]

I'm very happy the Cavs were willing to part with Wiggins. Him paired with KAT looks promising. It's been a while since I've had much to cheer about with regards to the Wolves.

Looking forward to game five tonight. I think the Spurs get it done.

I think the Thunder will take this one. They're tough with their backs against the wall.

In terms of the Love trade, with the way Tristan Thompson is playing, you wonder if they would have been better off with Wiggins. He's Rudy Gay lite and even though many said he couldn't play with LeBron because they're the same player, I think he could have. But you wonder if it was true that LeBron wouldn't resign if they kept him or if Wiggins would be doing what he's doing right now in spite of LeBron. Tough call.

 

[dukehokie]

Former blue devils all over the playoffs. Mason and Justise have been really impressing me. Mason is the base of that offense, and Justise is playing all-nba defense right now. Very cool to see this new Duke generation starting to make a splash with the world's best.

Mase has really helped that team go. McBobs has been playing some really solid defense. I do like it because what the guys are doing is highlight worthy. For years, the Duke in the NBA stigma came from Duke not having All-Stars, but quiet as kept, Duke players were making the most money and staying in the league longer than any other schools' alumni. Now we have 2nd and 3rd options on the floor as well as role players. And we're constantly battling at the 1 and 2 spot for most players in the league. It's good to be a Duke fan right now.

 

[crazyduke3]

I'm sure you are DJ! I think they could have played together, Andrew does not strike me as a limelight seeker and a pretty good teammate. I don't see why you couldn't run Kyrie at the 1, Wiggins at the 2, Lebron at the 3.

For all of Lebron's incredible attributes, he doesn't quite seem like a full on selfless, for the good of the team guy. Like if he has to he will, but not naturally. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[barkingpumpkin]

For all of Lebron's incredible attributes, he doesn't quite seem like a full on selfless, for the good of the team guy. Like if he has to he will, but not naturally. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think he intends to be, but I think his perception of what's best for the team can be a little strange sometimes.

 

[HuffyJB]

For all of Lebron's incredible attributes, he doesn't quite seem like a full on selfless, for the good of the team guy. Like if he has to he will, but not naturally. Maybe I'm wrong.

I do think he gets a little bit of a bum rap there. I think you could make an argument that he is on the short list with a guy like Larry Bird as the best non-guard passer the league has ever seen.

But that might not be what you meant by "team first."

 

[crazyduke3]

Nope not what I meant by a team first guy, he's for sure an outstanding passer.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

In today's NBA, I don't think a 19 year old Wiggins would mesh very well with Lebron. The best way to put a team around Lebron is to surround him with shooters, David Blatt never figured that out. Look at what they are doing now with Lebron handling the ball, surrounded by Kyrie, JR, Love, and Frye (Thompson starts, but when Frye has played, the offense is unguardable.)

A 19 year old Wiggins cannot shoot a lick (he's 19 and a freak athlete, I don't expect him to be a good shooter yet btw) and would have clogged the lane for Lebron. Kevin Love allows Lebron to operate in space.

I 100% believe the Timberwolves won that trade though because Wiggins will be an annual All Star in a couple years. But for RIGHT NOW, with a 30 year old Lebron and a ticking clock, the Cavs did what they needed to do.

 

[dbav]

I can't believe the Spurs are going home.

 

[skysdad]

I can't believe the Spurs are going home.

I wonder if Duncan will retire or give it one more shot. Tough way to end a great career. OFC

 

[DukeSky85]

Thunder/Warriors is going to be an AWESOME series

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I wonder if Duncan will retire or give it one more shot. Tough way to end a great career. OFC

If he does retire, it will be very "Tim Duncan-ish." And what I mean by that, it will be the exact opposite of Kobe's retirement.

 

[crazyduke3]

I can't believe the spurs are going home either. The had an awesome season and a seriously good team but...

a lot like the panthers in the Super Bowl, awesome all season long but then when it really matters all the pieces that were so great for you all season, suddenly aren't doing diddly for you.

 

[dbav]

If he does retire, it will be very "Tim Duncan-ish." And what I mean by that, it will be the exact opposite of Kobe's retirement.

This. I don't even watch the NBA, but I couldn't wait for the season to end because it meant I didn't have to hear any more stories about it.

Duncan is class. I'm a big fan. Regardless of what he does next, he'll do it the right way.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I can't believe the spurs are going home either. The had an awesome season and a seriously good team but...

a lot like the panthers in the Super Bowl, awesome all season long but then when it really matters all the pieces that were so great for you all season, suddenly aren't doing diddly for you.

I believe the Spurs "system" was the main reason they were so dominant during the regular season. They just ran into a younger, longer, quicker, much more athletic Thunder team that seems to be figuring out how to get their role players involved.
Random but I LOVE watching Steven Adams, guy is a monster.

 

[MyDudeG_rivals]

In today's NBA, I don't think a 19 year old Wiggins would mesh very well with Lebron. The best way to put a team around Lebron is to surround him with shooters, David Blatt never figured that out. Look at what they are doing now with Lebron handling the ball, surrounded by Kyrie, JR, Love, and Frye (Thompson starts, but when Frye has played, the offense is unguardable.)

A 19 year old Wiggins cannot shoot a lick (he's 19 and a freak athlete, I don't expect him to be a good shooter yet btw) and would have clogged the lane for Lebron. Kevin Love allows Lebron to operate in space.

I 100% believe the Timberwolves won that trade though because Wiggins will be an annual All Star in a couple years. But for RIGHT NOW, with a 30 year old Lebron and a ticking clock, the Cavs did what they needed to do.

In today's NBA, I don't think a 19 year old Wiggins would mesh very well with Lebron. The best way to put a team around Lebron is to surround him with shooters, David Blatt never figured that out. Look at what they are doing now with Lebron handling the ball, surrounded by Kyrie, JR, Love, and Frye (Thompson starts, but when Frye has played, the offense is unguardable.)

A 19 year old Wiggins cannot shoot a lick (he's 19 and a freak athlete, I don't expect him to be a good shooter yet btw) and would have clogged the lane for Lebron. Kevin Love allows Lebron to operate in space.

I 100% believe the Timberwolves won that trade though because Wiggins will be an annual All Star in a couple years. But for RIGHT NOW, with a 30 year old Lebron and a ticking clock, the Cavs did what they needed to do.

Exactly how I feel.

 

[dukiejay]

I don't think anyone could have predicted the Spurs would go down in six games after the way they dismantled OKC in game one. The Thunder deserve some serious credit. They very easily could have folded. Watching the Spurs last night in that first half was difficult. They looked awful.

I'm of the opinion that Duncan is going to come back for one more shot. He's still able to play at a pretty high level. That said, it's not going to get easier for the Spurs. The Warriors will still be the Warriors....but there's a good chance the Thunder take a dip if Durant feels it's in his best interest to move on. We'll see.

Personally, I think the Spurs presented a more difficult matchup for the Warriors. I'm going to say Golden State in five, maybe six.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I believe the Thunder present a much more difficult series for the Warriors than the Spurs would have. In order to beat the Warriors, you have to "find another gear." I just feel the Spurs maximized there potential during the regular season and got worn down. The Wariors also would have a huge athleticism advantage against the Spurs, the Thunder can match the Warriors athleticism and have longer guys than the Warrios.

The Thunder can be on or off, but when they are "on" they are as good as anyone. Durant/Westbrook will get theirs, I think the Thunder go as far as guys like Waiters/Kanter/Adams/Roberson take them. I'm picking Warriors in 7.

 

[dukehokie]

Maybe I'm the only one, but I think the Thunder have a shot. I still think logically the Warriors will win, but I think with the questions that are still surrounding Steph and his ankle and knee, the Thunder, with the right mix of role players and and KD and Westbrook going off can hang with and or beat the Warriors in a 7 game series. In terms of straight up talent, they're even. In terms of team play, the Warriors are superior. Enes Kanter may prove to be THE key in this whole series.

 

[dukiejay]

The Thunder will need to hold serve at home, steal one on the road, and absolutely win the series in six games (they're not winning game seven on the road).

I still think we're more than likely looking at a five, maybe six game series.

 

[Jnood]

Winslow needs some help from his Miami teammates. He got them back in the game in the 3rd quarter and everyone else is on vacation!

 

[skysdad]

Winslow needs some help from his Miami teammates. He got them back in the game in the 3rd quarter and everyone else is on vacation!

Side bar for you here Jnood. I talked to my son DukeSky85 today on the phone and told him you worked Orem but lived in another area. A couple of questions for you if you don't mind. My son said he has already met a couple of Duke fan's out there that are actually Duke grads. Now talk about something rare Duke fans living in Utah that are Duke grads. You don't happen to be a Duke alumni by any chance. He works as an inventory planner for a company called UTi lms . How did you end up in Utah. If you would feel more comfortable in communicating with me by e-mail please do so. It's [email protected] You may know my son and not even know it. You guys might get a Duke/Utah fan club going. OFC

 

[nets on nets on nets]

It's finally the day of the big boy Warriors/ Thunder game1. Will be interesting to see who the Warriors put on Westbrook/Durant. They will probably hide Curry on the 2 guard (Roberson/Waiters) and put Thompson on Westbrook. And then Iguodala will guard Durant when he is in. Honestly I don't think Thompson can keep Westbrook in front of him (who can??) and Iggy may be too short for Durant.

However, the matchups on the other end of the court are just as scary for the Thunder. Does Westbrook guard Curry??? It will take alot of energy to do that. I think each game will come down to who has more role players step up.

 

[dukiejay]

I'm excited for this series. I think the basketball will be competitive, but I still believe Golden State wins in five or six. OKC simply needs Durant and Westbrook to be at their best....the Warriors just have more room for error.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I'm excited for this series. I think the basketball will be competitive, but I still believe Golden State wins in five or six. OKC simply needs Durant and Westbrook to be at their best....the Warriors just have more room for error.

No question the Warriors have more room for error. Even without Curry, the Warriors are a top 6 team in the NBA. Take Westbrook or Durant off the Thunder, and they don't even make the playoffs.

In order for the Thunder to win, Westbrook or Durant need to be the best player on the floor (hopefully its Durant, and that Westbrook becomes more of a facilitator) and then the Thunder need a role player (Kanter) to outplay all of the Warriors role players (they have like 5 good ones.)

 

[timo0402]

I'm excited for this series. I think the basketball will be competitive, but I still believe Golden State wins in five or six. OKC simply needs Durant and Westbrook to be at their best....the Warriors just have more room for error.

Said the same thing to my buddy. I think it'll be an awesome series in terms of the quality of games. But in the end I still expect it to be a 5 game at max 6 game series. I think the Warriors are superior in nearly every category and what will doom the Thunder is their mental mistakes at the end of close games at times.

 

[dukiejay]

Steph Curry just decided to go Steph Curry on game one.

 

[dukiejay]

And Westbrook is playing amazing too.

 

[timo0402]

Russ is absolutely willing his team right now, fun to watch these guys go at it!

 

[dukiejay]

This is a great game!

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

It is a great game. Not sure why Steph isn't the one getting the shots. And the refs seem to be the team in control.

 

[LetsGoDuke301]

This was the series I wanted to see and so far, this is why. Very impressive for OKC to win this one.

 

[timo0402]

Wow what a win! Russ was insane in the 2nd half.

 

[gottagonow]

This game had to change the perception of GS in 5 or 6 games. If GS can't shoot better than they did in the 4th Q tonight it will be the Thunder in 5 or 6 games.

 

[MyDudeG_rivals]

So happy that we get to see these teams go at it for the rest of the series! Hopefully it will make up for what should be a lackluster Eastern Conference Final.

 

[dukehokie]

Here we go, and Durant looked like a shell of himself. If Durant and Russ are Durant and Russ 100%, then the Thunder are one of the top 3 teams in the league as it is obviously being prove. And they could beat almost anyone on any night.

The big issue is that the Warriors won't shoot that poorly every game in the fourth, and Durant and Westbrook probably will hover around 33% from the field as they were last night. Need more from Kanter to win the series. Roberson did a nice job on Thompson and Green.

 

[dukiejay]

I definitely would have like to see that travel on Westbrook late in the game called last night. Those are the kind of plays that sometimes give the NBA a bad name. In fact, it wasn't two minutes after it happened that I was getting texts about just that from my non-NBA loving friends. The joke was on them, though, because clearly they were watching.