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vinster132
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vinster132
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Jester

Who's going it all? Will the Nuggets come back? etc...

The finals is probably going to be the Heat vs Thunder. Well, that's what I think, so, what's your opinion?

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CalvinKidd137
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CalvinKidd137
891 posts
Nomad

which shows hes played for at least least 6 years
second westrbrook didn't
hes played for about 5

Yeah but neither had been to the Finals before so they didn't know how to handle being in the Finals. The only one on that team who had been their before was Fisher. And that was with a different team.
wrong
look at the top
its playoff MVP not season
so durnt won

No you look at the top, it doesn't say Finals MVP anywhere. Besides Steve Nash is on there in 2005 and 2006, the years he won reg. Season MVP and he has never won Finals MVP, never even won the Finals. You're wrong.

This topic is called "NBA Playoffs" and Kobe was in the NBA Playoffs so what's wrong about me talking about him?

Nothings wrong with it, but The Thunder beat him and listing his stats has nothing to do with the finals.
stalker

He was calling you immature by asking that.
Guys this Thunder team is still young. They've got a lot of years left on them. They'll be fine.

That's what I keep telling myself but The Jazz never won, and they had Stockton and Malone. The Knicks never won with Patrick Ewing. I hope the Thunder win for Durants sake, but I'm not sure.
LBJ is playing unselfish now

13 assists to prove it.
Respect Kobe for once, he's worked incredibly hard to get all the rings and beat the records. He's done a lot of great things.

Yeah I'm a Suns Fan and so I hate Kobe no matter what, but you've got to respect what he's done. 5 Championships, MVP, 2 times Finals MVP etc. You gotta respect what hes done for the Lakers organization.
Being a Cleveland fan and Ohioan, I was angry at him for leaving Cleveland but now it looks like it was the right thing to do

I just think it was immature when he put an hour long "Decision" show on ESPN to announce it.
I'm happy for him winning his first championship.

I'm only happy about that so he could silence all the Haters. Otherwise I don't really care. Good for him.
slipsoccer
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slipsoccer
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Peasant

Nothings wrong with it, but The Thunder beat him and listing his stats has nothing to do with the finals.

I know, but i'm just trying to prove my point to superbob.

I'm only happy about that so he could silence all the Haters.

Yeah me too and I think he's the one who wanted that championship more than anyone. He even changed his style of play to try to get to it.

I forgot who I told, but I told you LeBron was going to be finals MVP.

If the Thunder continue to play like how they played this season then they're always going to remain in the playoffs. Anything could happen though, like Dallas for example.
vinster132
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vinster132
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Jester

I'm only happy about that so he could silence all the Haters.

since Lebron has his first ring. Who is everyone going to start hate on now?

Carmelo? Chris Paul? Durant? Danny Granger? Andre Igoudala?

I really wonder who.
AngelOfDemon
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AngelOfDemon
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U really cant start hating on Kevin Durant or Andre Iguodala or Danny Granger for not having a ring yet in my opinion for a couple reasons.
1. Kevin Durant is only 23 years old, he, in all honesty, is too young to win a ring, as well as the entire Thunder team, they are all young players. Durant and Westbrook I believe are both 23, I believe Harden is 22, Ibaka is around 20. The point is, the fact that the Thunder made the finals this year is amazing given their lack of experience, they'll get there. In like 4-5 years if Durant still doesn't have a ring, then we can start hatin, that's what we did with lebron.
2. Iguodala is not on an incredible team like the Heat, Thunder, or Cavs when Lebron was there. The reason I think people were so hard on Lebron for not having a ring is because he got to the playoffs, he got to the finals a couple times and failed to finish it off. Iguodala, if my memory is serving me correctly, has only made the playoffs once or twice, three times tops in his career. Also, let's face it, Iguodala isn't an elite enough player to be expected to get a ring anytime soon. And if he stays in Philly he might as well forget it.
3. Danny Granger isn't the exact centerpiece of the Pacers anymore, the point of putting so much pressure on players like Lebron, Kobe and Durant is that they are the faces of their franchise's past 10-15 years. Like, if i asked someone who comes to mind when they think of the Lakers, they say Kobe. But if I say the Pacers? People i think now a days will say Roy Hibbert more than they will Granger. Also, like I said for Durant, he is too young to be getting a ring.

As for Chris Paul, does he deserve grief? No, he is one of the best PGs in the league, but he will because he can't lead the Clippers to the finals. But think of this, the Clippers were one of the worst teams in the league before Chris Paul got their, they had the worst win % in the past 10 combined seasons. Then they get Paul and suddenly they are contenders for the title. So what if they didn't win it this year, I think this season just leading them to the playoffs from where they were the year before is a step in the right direction for Chris Paul's ring journey.
Carmelo, he is going to be getting the grief that Lebron got, but not as much. I think what the problem with Lebron for everyone was that he kept saying that he was going to get all these rings and never did. Carmelo is a great player, we all know that, he is going to be the new Lebron when it comes to critics. But i feel like that isn't fair because of all of the injuries he had to deal with. Not his own personal injuries but injuries to Jeremy Lin and Amar'e and Tyson Chandler in the middle of the season, his teammates weren't able to help him out. He can't do it alone.

Another player that I think will be getting grief soon is Dwight Howard. He is the best big man in the game, no doubt. Also, the Magic are a franchise that has made the playoffs a lot in the past 10 years. They have even been to the finals recently, so in my eyes, the pressure will lie on the shoulders of Jameer Nelson and Dwight, maybe Jason Richardson because he's another skilled vet, but the point is, the Magic are going to be subject to a lot of criticism this coming season. Especially with the drama with Stan Van Gundy, a lot of negative publicity is going to come from that. Do i think they can do it? Maybe, they are a good team, no getting around it, but there are so many other good teams in the league.

My top 5

5. Lakers: Bynum's game is coming along, Sessions is fitting in nicely, but Kobe and Pau's numbers are beginning to drop and will continue to do so. Also, losing Derek Fisher, their clear-cut leader, is a huge loss for them. It all comes down to, and i'm being serious, is Jordan Hill. He provided a huge spark in the Denver series this year and will need to play like that all year for the Lakers to have a chance.
4. Clippers: Chris Paul and Blake Griffin's connection is only going to get better, this was their first season together and it looked like they had been playing with each other forever. Deandre Jordan is going to play a huge role defensively, one of the league's leading shot blockers. But, the league is talking about giving technical fouls for flopping, if they do, the Clippers are screwed. Also, Randy Foye needs to be way more consistent this year.
3. Bulls: Biggest boom or bust team this year, we saw what happened in the playoffs, D-Rose gets injured, they get screwed. Rose needs to stay healthy if the Bulls are going to be contenders. With Rose, they are almost unstoppable.
2. Heat: D-Wade, Lebron and Bosh will keep doing they thing out there and lead them to the playoffs, no doubt, top 3 seed in the east, easy. But how far they go depends on the play of their role players. Chalmers, Battier and Norris Cole need to play the way they did in the finals all the way through the playoffs and the Heat will repeat. GUARANTEED.
1. Thunder: Durant, nuff said. He will be top 3 scorer again, for sure. The only thing is if he stays healthy, which im not too worried about. Westbrook is an amazing scorer, notice i said scorer, not PG. Because he plays for like a streaky 2 guard. He needs to assume for of a PG role and be a &quotass first" PG rather than a "shoot first" PG> His scoring will be fine. Ibaka is playing extremely well and gels in well with the team, he needs to keep playing his game defensively and protect the basket, along with Perkins. And they always have someone to guard the Kobe Bryants and the Lebron James' in Sefolosha. If all these things happen, their growing experience will carry them to the finals.

MVP Candidates
5. Kobe: he's Kobe, no matter what he does his scoring puts him up here
4. Roy Hibbert: Sounds crazy, but I expect big things from him as his experience advances, both scoring and rebounding, and even shot-blocking.
3. Derrick Rose: Best PG in the league, if he stays healthy, he WILL put up incredible numbers.
2: Lebron: Expanding his game, he is now lethal from everywhere, possible scoring champ and also gets it done on defense.
1. Kevin Durant: Getting more experienced, better knowledge of the game. Best scorer in the league, par none (maybe lebron). Also, rebounding numbers climbing, if they stay up, he's in good shape.

The top 2, durant and lebron, it's whichever of their teams has the better reg. season record because they are both outstanding, but whoever's team does better will make the player look better.

Top rookies
5. Thomas Robinson
4. Jared Sullinger
3. Bradley Beal
2. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
1. Anthony Davis
Shouldn't have to explain anything there

I'm really looking forward to this year.

Any thoughts on anything I stated??

superbob111
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superbob111
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Superbob:
You're not really facing the facts here, many arguments have been presented towards Kobe having been a better player than Durant is now and you just keep blowing them off not even presenting a valid counter, just something like, "we all know Durant is better."



i do say that
that is true
but i also give facts
go to this year
OKC vs. LAL
Durant wins
plus he gets most his points cuz he hogs the ball



The only MVP in the playoffs is the Finals MVP. I don't know what you are talking about



no you don't know what were talking about
were talking about season



I understand Durant is your favorite player. But really though, do you have to smack around all other players? Respect Kobe for once, he's worked incredibly hard to get all the rings and beat the records. He's done a lot of great things. And you're just sitting there saying that Kobe sucks.


i can't go around saying kobe is bad
hes not
iim just sayin durant is better


Guys this Thunder team is still young. They've got a lot of years left on them. They'll be fine.


im not worried



No you look at the top, it doesn't say Finals MVP anywhere. Besides Steve Nash is on there in 2005 and 2006, the years he won reg. Season MVP and he has never won Finals MVP, never even won the Finals. You're wrong.


were talking about season


If the Thunder continue to play like how they played this season then they're always going to remain in the playoffs. Anything could happen though, like Dallas for example.



ill deal with calvinkid later
g2g
superbob111
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superbob111
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Nomad

i mean angel of demon

superbob111
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superbob111
465 posts
Nomad

1. Kevin Durant is only 23 years old, he, in all honesty, is too young to win a ring, as well as the entire Thunder team, they are all young players. Durant and Westbrook I believe are both 23, I believe Harden is 22, Ibaka is around 20. The point is, the fact that the Thunder made the finals this year is amazing given their lack of experience, they'll get there. In like 4-5 years if Durant still doesn't have a ring, then we can start hatin, that's what we did with lebron.



kendrick perkins is 26
and the oldest man on the team (not including scott broocks lol)


2. Heat: D-Wade, Lebron and Bosh will keep doing they thing out there and lead them to the playoffs, no doubt, top 3 seed in the east, easy. But how far they go depends on the play of their role players. Chalmers, Battier and Norris Cole need to play the way they did in the finals all the way through the playoffs and the Heat will repeat. GUARANTEED.


agreed
that was the only reason the heat one this year
well major reason


Ibaka is playing extremely well and gels in well with the team, he needs to keep playing his game defensively and protect the basket, along with Perkins


their defence is very is imporant to the thunder
but they gota be able do do a little bit on offense too
ive seen a game where ibaka was 11/11 and 24 points
im not saying he has to do that every game but he gotta do at least 5/11 every game
now for perkins i haven't seen him do incredible
but he shuold be getting some alley-oops or some assits


1. Thunder


what about harden and collision


ATTENTION

ok so i want to take a poll
so if you watch the thunder games you may notice that perkins and ibaka don't play in the 4rth often
lately that has been affecting them
so do you think scott brooks is right or wrong
hoow long should they play

i say they should each play half
the thunder needs someone tall (other that durant) to gaurd the basket
6 minutes each should be good

so what do you think
slipsoccer
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slipsoccer
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Peasant

OKC vs. LAL
Durant wins

You can't assume Durant is better than Kobe just because Durant's team won Kobe's team.

no you don't know what were talking about
were talking about season

LeBron won season MVP and Finals MVP, so Durant couldn't possibly win any of those.

i can't go around saying kobe is bad
hes not

You've been saying Kobe is horrible since forever!
AngelOfDemon
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AngelOfDemon
418 posts
Nomad

what about harden and collision


My bad I completely forgot about them for some reason. James Harden, sixth man of the year, definitely a huge spark off the bench. He plays phenomenal at times and can't do anything wrong. But other times, like we saw in the finals, he can play not so good. For the thunder to have a chance at the title he has to play way more consistently. Also, people have been saying he deserves a spot in the starting lineup. I think that he is definitely good enough to be a starter, there is no doubting his skill, but I think he needs to remain on the bench because the team does need someone like him to bring some energy off the bench.
Nick Collison, one of the Thunder's most important role players. He doesn't see a whole lot of minutes, not as many as I'm sure he wants. But he does make the most of his minutes. He is a hard worker on both ends of the ball. The energy he brings off the bench is always important. He is a very athletic player, more than people think. But I do think he needs to develop more of a mid range jump shooting game to make him more of an offensive threat.
Serge Ibaka, I agree with you about shooting at least around fifty percent consistently for the Thunder to succeed. I think his defensive dominance can only get the job done for so long before he needs to expand his game.
Perkins, he may not be doing any kind of showtime dunks and stuff. But he does a very good job on the defensive end. Shot blocking and rebounding, it goes unnoticed a lot but it does have a huge effect on the game.

Hoow long should they play


That's a good question. I think that Ibaka and Perkins' lack of 4th quarter minutes is one of the big reasons they lost the finals, so I agree with both playing half. Because they are both big time defensive stoppers and although it's nice to have both on the floor at the same time, it would be nice to have one on the floor for the whole 48 minutes. Or if they use their draft pick to pick another big defensive specialist they can work out a better substitution method for them.
vinster132
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vinster132
5,881 posts
Jester

5. Lakers: Bynum's game is coming along, Sessions is fitting in nicely, but Kobe and Pau's numbers are beginning to drop and will continue to do so. Also, losing Derek Fisher, their clear-cut leader, is a huge loss for them. It all comes down to, and i'm being serious, is Jordan Hill. He provided a huge spark in the Denver series this year and will need to play like that all year for the Lakers to have a chance.

I like Sessions. He's quick and can score but he needs to work on those three's. Kobe can't shoot them all. He's the guy to do it. Just has to work on it more. Jordan Hill is not the only guy who has to step up. Pau, World Peace, Steve Blake, and Barnes have to step up their game too. The Lakers are getting older and older. And Kobe isn't able to do everything anymore. I still agree on the Lakers being fifth though. They're a smart team and will contend for the Finals. Or at least get into the playoffs.
4. Clippers: Chris Paul and Blake Griffin's connection is only going to get better, this was their first season together and it looked like they had been playing with each other forever. Deandre Jordan is going to play a huge role defensively, one of the league's leading shot blockers. But, the league is talking about giving technical fouls for flopping, if they do, the Clippers are screwed. Also, Randy Foye needs to be way more consistent this year.

Reggie Evans was one player I believe that this year he really stepped up. He played strong defense and sometimes played hard in the paint and scored as well. Chris Paul is a great point guard and will dish the team the ball like always.
3. Bulls: Biggest boom or bust team this year, we saw what happened in the playoffs, D-Rose gets injured, they get screwed. Rose needs to stay healthy if the Bulls are going to be contenders. With Rose, they are almost unstoppable.

IMO, when Rose and Hamilton were out most of the year. They still played pretty well, they beat the Heat. With Asik, Lucas, Watson, Krover,etc. I was impressed with their gameplay and ball movement. But to truly contend for the Finals, they need Rose to patch up the hole.
2. Heat: D-Wade, Lebron and Bosh will keep doing they thing out there and lead them to the playoffs, no doubt, top 3 seed in the east, easy. But how far they go depends on the play of their role players. Chalmers, Battier and Norris Cole need to play the way they did in the finals all the way through the playoffs and the Heat will repeat. GUARANTEED.

Agreed, the role players showed up in the pressuring Finals and delivered it all the way. In one game it was Chalmers going clutch. One game where Norris Cole helped the team comeback from a 15 point deficit. One game where Mike Miller was 7-8 on three pointers. One game where Battier was just on fire.
1. Thunder: Durant, nuff said. He will be top 3 scorer again, for sure. The only thing is if he stays healthy, which im not too worried about. Westbrook is an amazing scorer, notice i said scorer, not PG. Because he plays for like a streaky 2 guard. He needs to assume for of a PG role and be a &quotass first" PG rather than

For the Thunder to win the Finals. Westbrook has to play pass first, yeah. He's been taking more shots than Durant. And most of them are wild panic shots. He needs to calm down and go with the flow. Set up your teammates first, then get on your game.
4. Roy Hibbert: Sounds crazy, but I expect big things from him as his experience advances, both scoring and rebounding, and even shot-blocking.

Hibbert isn't up on top yet. Melo and CP3 have more a chance honestly.
superbob111
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superbob111
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You can't assume Durant is better than Kobe just because Durant's team won Kobe's team


ok fine
go compare the stats


LeBron won season MVP and Finals MVP, so Durant couldn't possibly win any of those.


well this year



You've been saying Kobe is horrible since forever!



hello!
its called trash talking
but im still saying durant is better


For the thunder to have a chance at the title he has to play way more consistently.



its true
i have no clue what happened to him


Also, people have been saying he deserves a spot in the starting lineup. I think that he is definitely good enough to be a starter, there is no doubting his skill, but I think he needs to remain on the bench because the team does need someone like him to bring some energy off the bench.


i agree
he is good enought to make it in but i think if he does he will knock of ibaka and perkin needs help
plus as you said he is amazing off the bench


Perkins, he may not be doing any kind of showtime dunks and stuff. But he does a very good job on the defensive end. Shot blocking and rebounding, it goes unnoticed a lot but it does have a huge effect on the game.



thats true
the more defense the more offense

Or if they use their draft pick to pick another big defensive specialist they can work out a better substitution method for them.


yah they need a better big guy (lol)


And Kobe isn't able to do everything anymore


when does kobe's contact with the lakers end


For the Thunder to win the Finals. Westbrook has to play pass first, yeah. He's been taking more shots than Durant. And most of them are wild panic shots. He needs to calm down and go with the flow. Set up your teammates first, then get on your game


westbrook is truly amazing
but hes gotta add some assist to his numbers
he gonna turn into a ball hog if he doesn't
AngelOfDemon
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AngelOfDemon
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Nomad

when does kobe's contact with the lakers end


I may be wrong but I think his contract ends after the 2013 season, but I don't really know.

yah they need a better big guy (lol)


I wasn't saying they need a better big man, I'm just saying that it might help if they got another skilled big man for when Ibaka and Perkins are off the court

westbrook is truly amazing
but hes gotta add some assist to his numbers
he gonna turn into a ball hog if he doesn't


I agree. Westbrook is amazing. But he is an amazing scorer, not an amazing PG, I think if the Thunder draft a good PG they can move Westbrook to SG and that would be good for him because he plays more like SG as it is. And he already is a ball hog, no disrespect but he is.

IMO, when Rose and Hamilton were out most of the year. They still played pretty well, they beat the Heat. With Asik, Lucas, Watson, Krover,etc. I was impressed with their gameplay and ball movement.


I agree. They really stepped up and surprised a lot of people. But the problem with that is I don't think they can win a title without Rose. Sure they can make playoffs. But I think a title will be out of the question
AngelOfDemon
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AngelOfDemon
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Nomad

when does kobe's contact with the lakers end


I may be wrong but I think his contract ends after the 2013 season, but I don't really know.

yah they need a better big guy (lol)


I wasn't saying they need a better big man, I'm just saying that it might help if they got another skilled big man for when Ibaka and Perkins are off the court

westbrook is truly amazing
but hes gotta add some assist to his numbers
he gonna turn into a ball hog if he doesn't


I agree. Westbrook is amazing. But he is an amazing scorer, not an amazing PG, I think if the Thunder draft a good PG they can move Westbrook to SG and that would be good for him because he plays more like SG as it is. And he already is a ball hog, no disrespect but he is.

IMO, when Rose and Hamilton were out most of the year. They still played pretty well, they beat the Heat. With Asik, Lucas, Watson, Krover,etc. I was impressed with their gameplay and ball movement.


I agree. They really stepped up and surprised a lot of people. But the problem with that is I don't think they can win a title without Rose. Sure they can make playoffs. But I think a title will be out of the question
superbob111
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superbob111
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Nomad

I may be wrong but I think his contract ends after the 2013 season, but I don't really know.


that will most likely be the end of his carrer


I wasn't saying they need a better big man, I'm just saying that it might help if they got another skilled big man for when Ibaka and Perkins are off the court


yah i guess so


I agree. Westbrook is amazing. But he is an amazing scorer, not an amazing PG, I think if the Thunder draft a good PG they can move Westbrook to SG and that would be good for him because he plays more like SG as it is. And he already is a ball hog, no disrespect but he is.


but then what will happen to durant
westbrook is trying to be superman
he should stop doing that and use his teamates for help
he has to trust them


I agree. They really stepped up and surprised a lot of people. But the problem with that is I don't think they can win a title without Rose. Sure they can make playoffs. But I think a title will be out of the question


maybe they will get someone good to help them this year in the draft
AngelOfDemon
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AngelOfDemon
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that will most likely be the end of his carrer


I don't think Kobe is even close to retiring. Even though he is getting old and the Lakers aren't doin as well as they used to, I think once Kobe's scoring goes down drastically he will retire, not just his shooting percentage. Or when the Lakers don't make the playoffs will be the year he leaves. But I think he has more than 2 more good years left in him.

but then what will happen to durant


If Westbrook goes to SG, I don't think that would have any effect on Durant because Westbrook plays like a SG right now, also if Durants numbers go down a bit Westbrooks will go up because he wont have to worry about the PG duties he worries about right now that interfere with his scoring.

maybe they will get someone good to help them this year in the draft


Even if they get someone good in the draft, nobody can fill the void Rose leaves when he gets injured
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