NBA Playoffs 2012 Thread Round II

[ranger]

randy foye you blockhead!!!!!!!!!

Jesus, terrible execution for game 6 of the Clippers vs Grizzlies game.

[Jd-]

LeBron's third MVP in four years? #skill #hype #heat2012

[kei]

LeBron's third MVP in four years? #skill #hype #heat2012

I bet he is willing to trade all the MVP awards for a ring.

[ranger]

LeBron's third MVP in four years? #skill #hype #heat2012

I bet he is willing to trade all the MVP awards for a ring.

lolz, timmy d's got 3 MVPs too.  Finals Mvps

My Nuggets...noo..valiant effort to send that series to a game 7.  LAL vs OKC is going to very entertaining, I'd rather have OKC win.

[Beastly]

LeBron's third MVP in four years? #skill #hype #heat2012

LeBron's 0 ship in 9 years #quit #hype #ringless

[Beastly]

Oh Boston leading 1-0

[Jd-]

LeBron's 0 ship in 9 years #quit #hype #ringless

LeBron is the single best player in the NBA right now. #fact

Unlike other teams he was competing against when he was on the Cavs, LeBron was the entire team. Anytime the rest of the team had to do anything, it was already a lost cause. LeBron was carrying an entire team on his shoulders, which is something his rivals like the Celtics don't have to worry about given they have several hall-of-famers on the court every night (KG, Ray Allen, Rondo, and Paul Pierce). Not to mention they have a hall of fame coach leading the squad in Doc Rivers. It's not easy to win a championship by yourself, especially when you're facing a real team alone. Or, as the stats tell us:

Cleveland Cavaliers in 2002 without LeBron James: 17-65 (.207)
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 with LeBron James: 35-47 (.427)  [Rookie Season]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004 with LeBron James: 42-40 (.512)
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005 with LeBron James: 50-32 (.610)  [Playoff Appearance]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2006 with LeBron James: 50-32 (.610)  [Playoff Appearance]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 with LeBron James: 45-37 (.549)  [Playoff Appearance]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008 with LeBron James: 66-16 (.805)  [Playoff Appearance]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2009 with LeBron James: 61-21 (.744)  [Playoff Appearance]
Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 without LeBron James: 19-63 (.232)

I rest my case.

[ranger]

I don't think Doc Rivers is HoF material; there are ton of other coaches in the league that deserve it far more.

It's pretty obvious that Lebron is the best player in the league, and I don't think anyone is doubting that - but he really should of won last year with Dwayne, the arguable number 1-2 SG in the league, and a top 10 PF in the league Chris Bosh.  

I just don't like him as a person/individual.  

Also, wow, Clippers won.  Good stuff, they are going to be destroyed by San Antonio.  I didn't want them to play against the Memphis Grizzlies, so everything is going my way.

And of course, Lebron is going to get the MJ comparisons just like Kobe has, so of course rings are going to be brought up anytime the topic is on LBJ.

[Jd-]

and a top 10 PF in the league Chris Bosh. 

Let's say top 15 on that one.

I put a lot of the blame on Spoelstra. It's obvious he really has no chemistry with the team and isn't really the fit these guys need. They don't need a young and inexperienced coach heading them up who didn't even play in the league. Having a coach that's been in the game helps a great deal in forming that initial chemistry, which still doesn't seem to be forming between the "Big Three" and Spo. If they don't win this year, they need to get rid of Spoelstra (despite the contract extension) and Bosh to free up some cap for a couple of quality players instead of just one guy.

[M.Holmes]

Durant should have gotten the MVP in my opinion. Not saying he's a much better player than LeBron, but he was certainly more valuable to his team.

I think the SA-LAC match-up will be great. SA is a far more well rounded team with an amazing bench, so I don't see them losing unless they choke bigtime, but I highly doubt they'll sweep it. CP3 is a better PG than Parker, but sadly that won't be enough to win them the series.

[dilbertschalter]

Durant should have gotten the MVP in my opinion. Not saying he's a much better player than LeBron, but he was certainly more valuable to his team.

I think the SA-LAC match-up will be great. SA is a far more well rounded team with an amazing bench, so I don't see them losing unless they choke bigtime, but I highly doubt they'll sweep it. CP3 is a better PG than Parker, but sadly that won't be enough to win them the series.

The Heat aren't even close to as good as they would be without Lebron, the rest of that team+a decent player would be maybe a 4th seed at best.  Durant is great, but he doesn't do enough defensively; if he did it would be reasonable to talk about him as being on about the same level.

[ranger]

I'd agree with Lebron getting his 3rd MVP, his impact on that Heat team truly makes him the most valuable player in the NBA.

My rankings would have went
1. Lebron 2. Kevin Durant 3. Tony Parker 4. Chris Paul 5. Rajon Rondo

I didn't put Kobe on here, because LA proved that, they could win games w.o his dank ass, and could possibly be better with a tandem of Bynum and Gasol as the go-to players. 

[kei]

Conference semifinals

WEST
Spurs over Clippers: 4-1.
Thunder over Lakers: 4-3.
EAST
Celtics over Sixers: 4-3.
Heat over Pacers: 4-2.

It's late here, so I'll probably add some comments later.

[Jd-]

Kei's got my thoughts ready to go there.

Spurs over Clippers: The unfortunate part is that I'd really love for the Clippers to win, but it won't happen. However, this is very good for them as a team, given how far they've come in a year with their new roster additions.
Thunder over Lakers: I'm about as tired of Kobe as can be. I expect a long series, but I really hope the Thunder can pull it off in the end (and expect them to).

Celtics over Sixers: Another one in which I'd love for the other team to win, but just don't see it happening.
Heat over Pacers: Heat will best the Pacers, but the Pacers proved they can hang in there last night. Depending on how long Bosh is out, this can be either a breeze or a 4-2 series. If Bosh is in, I expect 4-1 max but the Heat will never fall behind in the count. LeBron and Wade aren't going to get knocked out by the Pacers.

[ranger]

Go Pacers - most underrated team in the NBA!