tkf wrote:

playa2 wrote:This is the time for all the reg season lovable teams get a check up from the neck up with the playoff pressure cooker games. 90% MENTAL 10% PHYSICAL

CAN'T be much more pressure on those teams, than there would be on the oldest team in the league to try and get something done...

Funny you say that when all the younger players say "It's totally different game out there when the defensive intensity is elevated and mental focus on the game goes up a few notches surpassing the typical & average regular season."

3G4G wrote:

TeamBall wrote:

tkf wrote:

playa2 wrote:This is the time for all the reg season lovable teams get a check up from the neck up with the playoff pressure cooker games. 90% MENTAL 10% PHYSICAL

CAN'T be much more pressure on those teams, than there would be on the oldest team in the league to try and get something done...

The Knicks dont have more pressure because they're the oldest team in the league.

Their window is the size of window of a miniature doll playhouse. The pressure is monumental.

playa2 wrote:

tkf wrote:

playa2 wrote:This is the time for all the reg season lovable teams get a check up from the neck up with the playoff pressure cooker games. 90% MENTAL 10% PHYSICAL

CAN'T be much more pressure on those teams, than there would be on the oldest team in the league to try and get something done...

Funny you say that when all the younger players say "It's totally different game out there when the defensive intensity is elevated and mental focus on the game goes up a few notches surpassing the typical & average regular season."

one of the youngest teams in the league made it to the finals last year, beating a great vet team in the spurs.... just stop it...

playa2 wrote:

tkf wrote:

playa2 wrote:

tkf wrote:

playa2 wrote:This is the time for all the reg season lovable teams get a check up from the neck up with the playoff pressure cooker games. 90% MENTAL 10% PHYSICAL

CAN'T be much more pressure on those teams, than there would be on the oldest team in the league to try and get something done...

Funny you say that when all the younger players say "It's totally different game out there when the defensive intensity is elevated and mental focus on the game goes up a few notches surpassing the typical & average regular season."

one of the youngest teams in the league made it to the finals last year, beating a great vet team in the spurs.... just stop it...

The spurs are on the down side they aren't as hungry as they use to be. Miami's veteran team made OKC look like preschoolers at the playground no contest. By the way The clippers can beat the Spurs too so what are you saying ? Nothing

rofl.... dude, you aren't worth the keystrokes man.. seriously....

Miami's veteran team made OKC look like preschoolers at the playground no contest.

there is a difference between veteran and ancient..... and miami won, because they were better, not because ..they were a veteran team... honestly I must admit, and I never said this to another poster, ever.. I usually remain civil.. but you present the worst arguments I have ever, read, on any forum since the advent of the internet...

OKC flat out played better than San Antonio from Games 3-6. OKC shot lights out from Games 4-6. OKC forced 21 turnovers in Game 3 and Game 5.

When you're a young team, if you can force an older team to make a lot of mistakes and force them to run on both ends, you have a great chance to do that.

OKC had all the main components going for them: they shot well, they forced a ton of turnovers, and were able to play at their pace. When you have all three working at the same time, you can win games.

The veteran Spurs were not playing at their speed and were making too many mistakes. There was no way to stop OKC.

With regards to our three golden regular season lovable teams, let's discuss:

Rockets:

1) They may scratch one game against OKC. OKC plays at their speed and faster. McHale's also horrible at adjustments. If Houston turns the ball over, which they'll probably do, they'll lose easy. OKC will just force Harden to go iso. They know all his moves. Lin can't do anything to stop this because Westbrook will run by him all the time on defense. Houston could use a leader or two on their team, but they have none. Easy series for OKC.

Warriors:

Warriors are facing the Nuggets. Nuggets will make this easy and beat them in 5, maybe 6 if GS is lucky. They'll let Steph get his and that's it.

Nuggets:

See above. I could see the Nuggs maybe going to the WCF. Unfortunately, I see them facing OKC most likely. OKC plays the same speed as Denver. OKC can also play lockdown D when needed. The key is matchups.

1) Who will guard Westbrook? I'm not sure what their lineup will be? Perhaps Lawson/Iggy/Wilson/Faried/Koufus? If Iggy and Brewer were on the floor together, I can see Brewer on Westbrook and Iggy on Durant. Problem is that I don't see it happening. Therefore, either Westbrook or Durant will have an easy matchup. Most likely, Lawson will be on Westbrook, so Westbrook will get his. Durant will also get his too, but Iggy will probably make him work.

2) On the other end, I see Thabo guarding Lawson for the most part. If that happens, I wonder how they can get their ball movement going. If Lawson's forced to ISO, then that's a very bad sign for Denver. Perhaps Iggy can play as the lead ball handler to offset that.

3) Who will shoot during the clutch? Who will be Denver's clutch go-to guy? Will Ty Lawson step up?

Both teams are dominant at home, so it'll be an interesting series. It may come down to who makes the most shots and who makes the least mistakes.

I see it interesting, but I see OKC winning in 6.

3G4G wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:What's up with Harden shooting 39% the last 2 months? Is he hurting?

A player I mentioned Wade could have been firing shots at but of course the emotional roller coaster took some for a scare at the message board amusement park.

OK, So what's his issue? Do you know? There are a few people who follow the Rockets so what are your opinions?

NYKBocker wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:What's up with Harden shooting 39% the last 2 months? Is he hurting?

Had a bunch of sprained ankle episodes. Not sure if he is completely healed. Tough guy.

So is he lacking lift, speed, or quickness. Maybe its all of the above?

NYKBocker wrote:

vdfebduderocks wrote:i remember that OKC series.

OKC flat out played better than San Antonio from Games 3-6. OKC shot lights out from Games 4-6. OKC forced 21 turnovers in Game 3 and Game 5.

When you're a young team, if you can force an older team to make a lot of mistakes and force them to run on both ends, you have a great chance to do that.

OKC had all the main components going for them: they shot well, they forced a ton of turnovers, and were able to play at their pace. When you have all three working at the same time, you can win games.

The veteran Spurs were not playing at their speed and were making too many mistakes. There was no way to stop OKC.

With regards to our three golden regular season lovable teams, let's discuss:

Rockets:

1) They may scratch one game against OKC. OKC plays at their speed and faster. McHale's also horrible at adjustments. If Houston turns the ball over, which they'll probably do, they'll lose easy. OKC will just force Harden to go iso. They know all his moves. Lin can't do anything to stop this because Westbrook will run by him all the time on defense. Houston could use a leader or two on their team, but they have none. Easy series for OKC.

Warriors:

Warriors are facing the Nuggets. Nuggets will make this easy and beat them in 5, maybe 6 if GS is lucky. They'll let Steph get his and that's it.

Nuggets:

See above. I could see the Nuggs maybe going to the WCF. Unfortunately, I see them facing OKC most likely. OKC plays the same speed as Denver. OKC can also play lockdown D when needed. The key is matchups.

1) Who will guard Westbrook? I'm not sure what their lineup will be? Perhaps Lawson/Iggy/Wilson/Faried/Koufus? If Iggy and Brewer were on the floor together, I can see Brewer on Westbrook and Iggy on Durant. Problem is that I don't see it happening. Therefore, either Westbrook or Durant will have an easy matchup. Most likely, Lawson will be on Westbrook, so Westbrook will get his. Durant will also get his too, but Iggy will probably make him work.

2) On the other end, I see Thabo guarding Lawson for the most part. If that happens, I wonder how they can get their ball movement going. If Lawson's forced to ISO, then that's a very bad sign for Denver. Perhaps Iggy can play as the lead ball handler to offset that.

3) Who will shoot during the clutch? Who will be Denver's clutch go-to guy? Will Ty Lawson step up?

Both teams are dominant at home, so it'll be an interesting series. It may come down to who makes the most shots and who makes the least mistakes.

I see it interesting, but I see OKC winning in 6.

I respectfully disagree about some of your views on the Rockets/OKC matchup.

Both OKC and Rockets turn the ball over a lot. Westbrook is a turnover machine. He is cut in the same cloth as Lin in that he likes to push the pace which causes a lot of possessions but will also increase TO numbers.

Lin actually played Westbrook very well. On the 2 games that Westbrook scored 28 and 29, McHale had Beverley and TD guarding him for most of his points. Lin bothered Westbrook with his length and ability to stay in front of him. Lin has problems with PGs that run around multiple picks. Westbrook is all straight line speed and goes ISO a lot. His PnR game is not that strong.

The key here is for Lin to be aggressive and take his shots. In the games they lost, he took 7 and 8 shots. In the game Rockets won, he took 22 shots and shot 54%. Harden will get his but Lin needs to be Robin to Harden's Batman.

Here are their numbers head-to-head this year

11/28/12 OKC 120 - Rockets 98
                Pts        Ast        Reb     TO   Min
Lin             6          8          3       3    41:03 
Westbrook       14         9          5       5    36:11
12/29/12 OKC 124 - Rockets 94
                Pts        Ast        Reb     TO   Min
Lin             7          7          2       4    24:23
Westbrook       28         8          8       5    30:23
02/20/12 Rockets 122 - OKC 119
                Pts        Ast        Reb     TO   Min
Lin             29         7          6       3    41:51
Westbrook       28         8          7       7    41:56

Now, in reagards with McHale, he is the worst coach in the NBA. His adjustments, rotation and sub patterns is comical.

very good observation! the games i saw them play OKC and i think i saw them all, lin did a great job staying in front of westbrook, and when he was aggressive he gave them problems... good post bro..

Bonn1997 wrote:It's really amazing that Harden and company took the youngest, lowest paid team to a .550 season in the west. Based on age and salary alone, this probably should have been a .300 team.

morey has done a fantastic job in such a short period of time..

Round 1 picks?

OKC in 4
Memphis in 7
Spurs in 6
GSW in 6 (my upset pick)

Heat in 5
Bulls in 6
Knicks in 5
Pacers in 7