[NBA Playoffs] Conference Semifinals open thread

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PurpleHaze said:
Rockets turn Staples into death watch morgue... in 4Q and all without "runner up MVP." Clips played laughably bad in 4th but Rockets defense was utterly tenacious. Yes, playoffs and especially in crunch time is all about lockdown D! Now game 7 in H-Town.
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It was the positive net-balance of Rockets' defense and offense that won them the game. I subscribe to defense win championship battle-cry, but it is not ALL about lockdown D.

Don't forget about Josh Smith and Brewer's offensive contributions during that crucial stretch. Those were actually as equally important.
 
Josh Smith for a supposed "cancer"has been terrific for the Houston Rockets in key games this playoffs.
 
Prince_XY said:
It was the positive net-balance of Rockets' defense and offense that won them the game. I subscribe to defense win championship battle-cry, but it is not ALL about lockdown D.

Don't forget about Josh Smith and Brewer's offensive contributions during that crucial stretch. Those were actually as equally important.
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Agreed. But Clips played zero defense down the stretch in getting outscored 49-18 to get overwhelmed by Rockets. Even Blake in postgame admitted their 4th quarter D (lack of it) was main reason for loss. Smith most often simply walked up launched three after three with no one putting hand in his face and often no defender anywhere near him.
 
Two mini rants here.

I can't stand what the NBA has allowed itself to become with the officiating. Nearly every play has someone flopping, falling down or acting. The Clippers are the worst of the worst. Chris Paul falling all over the place after every shot is just ridiculous. These players are so insanely dramatic with their body language. Sliding all over the floor after every play. I just don't understand why the NBA allows it. Then you have the atrocities that they allow James Harden to get away with. Why is he allowed to just run into people, lay it in and get the foul? On a fast break there will literally be a defender with his back to Harden, running away from him, and the officials will allow Harden to chase the defender down, jump into his back and then lay it in with the foul. It's ridiculous to watch. It just takes away from the game. The fans don't want to watch this stuff, yet they allow it to get worse and worse every year.

I feel like Cousins and Thompson would have dominated the big men of both teams. Thompson held Griffin in check all year. I think Griffin had one good game against him and I believe that was the game where Thompson went for 20 and 20. Cousins would have dominated both Jordan and Howard. Two of the best centers in the league and they are just not on Cousins' level at all. You really don't notice it during the season because you get so used to Cousins game. Once you see these two guys go head to head in the playoffs, it really makes you respect how much better Cousins is than these guys.

Hopefully we can make some improvements and start competing again. Would love to see what Cousins could do in a 7 game series.
 
KingMilz said:
Josh Smith for a supposed "cancer"has been terrific for the Houston Rockets in key games this playoffs.
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Plays with his buddy, at PF and no expectations - life is easy. Still 3 pointers in a row - that's the very end of his shooting Bell's curve.
 
KingMilz said:
Josh Smith for a supposed "cancer"has been terrific for the Houston Rockets in key games this playoffs.
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One of the most underrated aspects of basketball is chemistry in the locker room.

The belief that everyone is on the same page, focused on the same goal, egos checked, accepting of their roles. That btw is one reason there's so much pressure on us to turn this thing around for Cuz's sake. Various agendas at the FO level have a serious trickle down effect behind the scenes and makes it nearly impossible for everyone to be on the same page, working towards a common goal. Not when people are looking out for themselves. Too often fans look at a team on paper when relationships and culture behind the scenes have a large impact.
 
That has to be one of the worst in-game collapses in NBA history. The Clippers just completely disappeared. I've seen teams get beat or struggle, but the Clips just totally gave up. And they were up by 20!!!

I don't like the "choker" label, since I think it's overused and isn't really useful for a team sport. But what else can you call Blake getting to the rim and being completely unable to finish on simple layups? How many games now has he done this?? And WHERE is Chris Paul when the team starts falling apart??

For as good as the Clippers have been in these playoffs, it is just crazy hard it is for them to close the door on teams they should be beating and games they should be winning.

I still think they're the better team, but their swagger evaporates whenever they need it most.
 
captain bill said:
That has to be one of the worst in-game collapses in NBA history. The Clippers just completely disappeared. I've seen teams get beat or struggle, but the Clips just totally gave up. And they were up by 20!!!

I don't like the "choker" label, since I think it's overused and isn't really useful for a team sport. But what else can you call Blake getting to the rim and being completely unable to finish on simple layups? How many games now has he done this?? And WHERE is Chris Paul when the team starts falling apart??

For as good as the Clippers have been in these playoffs, it is just crazy hard it is for them to close the door on teams they should be beating and games they should be winning.

I still think they're the better team, but their swagger evaporates whenever they need it most.
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Blake isn't passing the ball enough. IMO that's really all it is. He gets so fixated on trying to back his guy down and when they double or triple team him he's passing it out way too slowly. Barnes and Redick have to hit shots.
 
I dislike ATL a fair amount. If they could beat Cle and Lebron I'd be pretty happy though. However, I don't want an ATL/GS Finals as I don't want GS winning a championship. I'd actually prefer Cle winning it all as I despise GS more than any other team including the Lakers. When the Lakers are actually good again that might change.

So I guess I have to sacrifice my desire to see Cle lose in order for GS not to win.

And as I type this, Memphis looks like they ate too much Southern BBQ before this one.
 
rainmaker said:
I dislike ATL a fair amount. If they could beat Cle and Lebron I'd be pretty happy though. However, I don't want an ATL/GS Finals as I don't want GS winning a championship. I'd actually prefer Cle winning it all as I despise GS more than any other team including the Lakers. When the Lakers are actually good again that might change.

So I guess I have to sacrifice my desire to see Cle lose in order for GS not to win.

And as I type this, Memphis looks like they ate too much Southern BBQ before this one.
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At this point I think one can safely say that Steph Curry is about as dependable a scorer over a 7 game series as any post player you could have. He just isn't going to go 4 games missing his 3s.

First priority for me is to have Houston out. We'll see what happens from there ... I'd be ok with ATL winning it all but I doubt that will happen. I'll root for Clippers over GS and GS over Rockets.
 
it was Spurs, Hawks, Warriors in that order for me before the playoffs started and nothing has changed about that. it surprised me to see the Grizz actually winning two games in that series and I do think that the Warriors are going to curb stomp everybody they come across the rest of the way.
 
I want the Clips out. Hate that team almost as much as the other team down there. Can't stand the flopping whiners. Rooting for Houston to win. Don't like Harden much, but hate CP3 and Blake.

As much as I don't want us to emulate them (because of Boogie - we should follow a different path) I got nothing against the Warriors. Wanted Memphis to win, but whatever.

I'd actually like to see Atlanta come out and make it to the Finals. Change things up a bit.
 
Warhawk said:
I want the Clips out. Hate that team almost as much as the other team down there. Can't stand the flopping whiners. Rooting for Houston to win. Don't like Harden much, but hate CP3 and Blake.

As much as I don't want us to emulate them (because of Boogie - we should follow a different path) I got nothing against the Warriors. Wanted Memphis to win, but whatever.

I'd actually like to see Atlanta come out and make it to the Finals. Change things up a bit.
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I also would like to see the Hawks in the Finals, but no way they beat the Cavs. If they struggled with NJ and Washington (with Wall missing 2 games), they will not be able to handle Lebron (and Irving if he gets healthy). I have a gut feeling it will be GS vs CLE in the finals (Houston has no chance - amazed they are still here and the Clippers don't have the mindset). For the first time ever, I may actually root for Lebron. I dislike Curry... and Klay even more so.
 
a Cleveland/Atlanta conference finals doesn't sound as good as a Wizards/Cavs finals....Wall vs Irving, Pierce/Beal vs James sounds more enticing. Let's see if the Clippers choke again...I don't care much for them or Houston, but I'd rather see LA vs Golden State just to make it a little interesting at least.
 
kingsboi said:
a Cleveland/Atlanta conference finals doesn't sound as good as a Wizards/Cavs finals....Wall vs Irving, Pierce/Beal vs James sounds more enticing. Let's see if the Clippers choke again...I don't care much for them or Houston, but I'd rather see LA vs Golden State just to make it a little interesting at least.
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With the way the other DMC in Atlanta has been playing in these playoffs I rather see DMC vs James.
 
Rockets playing clutch. Nice lead going into half-time. If they lose it will be because Doc Rivers makes some profound adjustment at half or Houston goes cold. I don't see it and IMO Rivers is over-hyped, over-rated coach. I actually think Kevin McHale is much better head coach.
 
I gotta admit....I didn't expect to see the Rockets in the conference finals but here they are along with the Warriors based on their three point shooting, which got them this far. With that being said, what a disappointing game seven....the Clippers showed their true colors today and history doesn't remain on their side, Doc Rivers and all.
 
the Rockets are doing all this without Montiejunas and Beverley by the way....who are two solid contributors for them. It would of been fun to see them at full strength versus Golden State.
 
Sac.Kings said:
I also would like to see the Hawks in the Finals, but no way they beat the Cavs. If they struggled with NJ and Washington (with Wall missing 2 games), they will not be able to handle Lebron (and Irving if he gets healthy). I have a gut feeling it will be GS vs CLE in the finals (Houston has no chance - amazed they are still here and the Clippers don't have the mindset). For the first time ever, I may actually root for Lebron. I dislike Curry... and Klay even more so.
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The Hawks will beat Cleveland. You heard it here first.
 
This whole series boiled down to one thing ... I could not even begin to accept the possibility that Spencer Hawes might get to play in the WCF. I am, for that reason, a happy camper right now. :p
 
Clippers FG: 44.7%
Clippers 3 Pointers: 25%

Yet they were shooting three pointers on fast breaks? What is the logic?
 
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