NBA Playoffs 2013

[M.Holmes]

I was just remembering the thread we had last year and I was wondering how you guys think this postseason is going to go.

Here's my tentative bracket: http://betterbracketmaker.com/#!/d48618ce5c715

It's early on, but the Heat vs. Spurs matchup is looking to be preordained.

The Knicks are looking pretty good, but not good enough to beat the Heat, and I think the Spurs will easily take the Western Conference unless Westbrook can make it back in time

[ranger]

yeah I've been too busy to make a new one this season

go spurs! westbrook is out for the playoffs.

[Jd-]

Heeeeaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttttttttt.

That said: Still really glad the Lakers got bounced after being shoved down our throats to get into the playoffs in the first place. It's obvious they didn't deserve to be in. The league was clearly doing everything possible to get Kobe and dem ratingz into the playoff picture. Now that that's behind us, maybe we can actually start the playoffs for realsies.

[kei]

I think that the Heat are going to win it again. The other contenders should be OKC or the Spurs.

[ranger]

Heeeeaaaaaaaatttttttttttttttttttttt.

That said: Still really glad the Lakers got bounced after being shoved down our throats to get into the playoffs in the first place. It's obvious they didn't deserve to be in. The league was clearly doing everything possible to get Kobe and dem ratingz into the playoff picture. Now that that's behind us, maybe we can actually start the playoffs for realsies.

Obviously - the league has backed up the Lakers since the early 2000's, with all the conspiracies regarding the .4 shot, LA vs Sacramento, Gasol trade, etc. Nothing was more satisfying as a Spurs fan from the early 90's to see the Lakers completely demolished!

And to boot, it's not like the Lakers can just be like "oh man, at least next year will be better!" They are totally screwed financially and future-wise. Mwahahaha.

Also, I gotta bring it up but..

>Heat fan complaining about LA media-hogging

[dilbertschalter]

Don't care too much for the thunder, but what a bummer for my favorite player to miss almost all of the playoffs with an injury (lol at the thunder's non-durant scoring options now).

[M.Holmes]

I hate the Lakers, but you can't say that the .4 shot wasn't the real deal.

OKC is struggling hard; even though KD is throwing up nearly 40 per game while getting double-teamed, no one else can seem to find a rhythm. It also doesn't help that Houston, with nothing to lose, are throwing up and landing a crazy number of 3-pointers. Had OKC kept Harden, I think he would have filled Westbrook's shoes nicely. Instead, they have 1/12 Kevin Martin

And I don't know what's going on with NYK.

It's a shame that these playoffs seem more plagued by injuries than usual. The Heat and Spurs are about the only two healthy teams. However, assuming it stays that way, it should make for an interesting final.

[ranger]

Don't care too much for the thunder, but what a bummer for my favorite player to miss almost all of the playoffs with an injury (lol at the thunder's non-durant scoring options now).

you're favorite player is westbrick? what.. That guy is a dummy.

I hate the Lakers, but you can't say that the .4 shot wasn't the real deal.

OKC is struggling hard; even though KD is throwing up nearly 40 per game while getting double-teamed, no one else can seem to find a rhythm. It also doesn't help that Houston, with nothing to lose, are throwing up and landing a crazy number of 3-pointers. Had OKC kept Harden, I think he would have filled Westbrook's shoes nicely. Instead, they have 1/12 Kevin Martin

And I don't know what's going on with NYK.

It's a shame that these playoffs seem more plagued by injuries than usual. The Heat and Spurs are about the only two healthy teams. However, assuming it stays that way, it should make for an interesting final.

The timer started late for the .4 shot! But forget about that for now.


To nitpick...The Heat nor the Spurs are 100% healthy either. Dwayne Wade's knee could be a possible concern as we continue through the playoffs; he's always been known as a frail player and his knees been giving him issues the entire season.

The Spurs were missing Boris Diaw coming into the playoffs as he had surgery, but he'll most likely be back next round. Also, Tiago Splitter went down.

[M.Holmes]

To nitpick...The Heat nor the Spurs are 100% healthy either. Dwayne Wade's knee could be a possible concern as we continue through the playoffs; he's always been known as a frail player and his knees been giving him issues the entire season.

The Spurs were missing Boris Diaw coming into the playoffs as he had surgery, but he'll most likely be back next round. Also, Tiago Splitter went down.

Fair enough, but Diaw, playing even worse than last year, is hardly an asset, and I'm sure Splitter will be back for game 1.

Dwyane(it's actually spelled this way)Wade isn't in top shape, but I don't think his injury is that bad. He played the first 3 against the Bucks, so he can still perform. I'd take an 80% Wade over a 100% Ginobili for SG.

But to be honest, I could see the Heat sitting Wade for the entire playoffs and still winning. The 3 other future hall-of-famers on the team seem like more than enough to handle any of the other competition in the playoffs at the moment.

As for the .4 shot, I haven't watched the video and examined the exact hundredths of a second, but to make that shot, he deserved it. Besides, I remember the officials reviewing it and I trust them on everything but foul calls! TD should have waited about another second before shooting.

[ranger]

Diaw's not great but he's useful, especially since the Spurs frontline is thin. Don't underestimate his interior passing, he was a solid pickup last year and one of the reasons why we got to the western conf finals. Splitter won't be back for game 1 according to press.

Wade is a better player than Ginobili at this point of their career and definitely more consistent, but a 100% Ginobili just brings in a wild X-factor that almost no one can predict. Nearly everyone and ESPN's dog thought the Lakers even had a chance, a "favorable matchup", against SA. But then, Ginobili goes ahead and scores 18 points in 19 minutes.

It's been a saying for nearly the past decade but I don't think you should so easily dismiss the Spurs. I've heard it far too many times already

I dunno about Wade sitting the rest of the playoffs and the Heat coming out unscathed - I mean, yes, they probably would be fine..but, you're increasing the chances of a freak injury or a crazy upset.

>I trust them on everything

HAHAHAHA

[M.Holmes]

I'm not so much trying to count the Spurs out as I am counting the Heat in. Miami is coming off a beast of a season and I don't see anything, other than a freak set of injuries, that can stop them. I was thinking that NYK could have given them a good run, but they're struggling against a Rondo-less Celtics.

There's a good set of do-or-die games tonight that should make for a good watch. Looking ahead to round 2, I'm interested in the Spurs/Warriors matchup.

[dilbertschalter]

heat off to a bright start.

[kei]

Double OT and the Spurs get the game with Manu's 3-pointer. It seems that it'll be a tough series.
Curry played the whole game but 4s.

[Jd-]

Dream ratings scenario the league is hoping for:

Spoiler:

Warriors-Pacers. Clash of the titans.

[M.Holmes]

The Bulls beating Miami and D-Rose coming back during the finals to win it all would be like something straight out of a movie. Never would have expected them to lose at home against a hobbled Bulls team though.

Pacers-Warriors final incoming.