NBA Playoffs

King Glorious · #1 05-26-2011, 04:10 PM

The Bulls don't run many plays with Rose anyway so to expect them to run one with the ball in his hands at the end of the game was not a good expectation. Every should be able to see that running a play in that situation probably hurts them far more than helps them. Are you going to run a play for someone else? No. Just about any play for Rose would involve a screener and that's exactly what the Bulls didn't want in that situation. Miami has length and quickness on defense and they don't have to fight through the screen and try to help and recover. They just switch and by bringing up a screener, it would have made Rose have to beat 1 1/2 to two guys. Their best option was to hope that he could beat his man to the basket but with James on him, that was going to be very hard because James doesn't have to play up on him as tight because he can outjump him and get his hand in Rose's face from farther away. It just wasn't a good recipe for success for Chicago.

On the other end, Miami isn't doing anything spectacular on offense but they continue to do just enough. It appears that James and Wade coast for long stretches because they know that either or both of them can turn it on for a 5-8 minute burst and do serious damage and they are trying to save that energy until it's needed most. Neither one of them is playing with the same full game intensity that they did playing alone. Fortunately for them, they've been right. Another major difference between the two teams is that Miami needs a contribution from a third and fourth player but it doesn't matter which two players those are, as long as they get it. In order for Chicago to have any chance, Boozer and Deng have to produce because none of their bench guys have a chance of coming in and producing what they need. All of their offensive pressure is on the starters and those guys are inconsistent. With James and Wade, you KNOW that if they really need it, they can get it. Chicago doesn't have anyone like that. It's a huge psychological advantage. Chicago is out there feeling like they better get up by 12+ in order to have a shot because as long as Miami is within 10, they feel they can get that whenever they want and especially so if they are within 5-6.

Simply put, as Van Gundy said last night in talking about Dirk, when you have the best player on the court, you have a high level of confidence. It's even moreso when you have the two best players on the court and one of them is the best player in the world. Like him or hate him, James is the best player in the world and Wade is arguably the second best. Watching him take on the challenge of Rose and then when they play Dallas and he's going to spend time defending Dirk, it's incredible. How many players can defend those two guys and still be a 25-8-8 guy on offense? Only one. Him.

dalakhani · #2 05-26-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

The Bulls don't run many plays with Rose anyway so to expect them to run one with the ball in his hands at the end of the game was not a good expectation. Every should be able to see that running a play in that situation probably hurts them far more than helps them. Are you going to run a play for someone else? No. Just about any play for Rose would involve a screener and that's exactly what the Bulls didn't want in that situation. Miami has length and quickness on defense and they don't have to fight through the screen and try to help and recover. They just switch and by bringing up a screener, it would have made Rose have to beat 1 1/2 to two guys. Their best option was to hope that he could beat his man to the basket but with James on him, that was going to be very hard because James doesn't have to play up on him as tight because he can outjump him and get his hand in Rose's face from farther away. It just wasn't a good recipe for success for Chicago.

On the other end, Miami isn't doing anything spectacular on offense but they continue to do just enough. It appears that James and Wade coast for long stretches because they know that either or both of them can turn it on for a 5-8 minute burst and do serious damage and they are trying to save that energy until it's needed most. Neither one of them is playing with the same full game intensity that they did playing alone. Fortunately for them, they've been right. Another major difference between the two teams is that Miami needs a contribution from a third and fourth player but it doesn't matter which two players those are, as long as they get it. In order for Chicago to have any chance, Boozer and Deng have to produce because none of their bench guys have a chance of coming in and producing what they need. All of their offensive pressure is on the starters and those guys are inconsistent. With James and Wade, you KNOW that if they really need it, they can get it. Chicago doesn't have anyone like that. It's a huge psychological advantage. Chicago is out there feeling like they better get up by 12+ in order to have a shot because as long as Miami is within 10, they feel they can get that whenever they want and especially so if they are within 5-6.

Simply put, as Van Gundy said last night in talking about Dirk, when you have the best player on the court, you have a high level of confidence. It's even moreso when you have the two best players on the court and one of them is the best player in the world. Like him or hate him, James is the best player in the world and Wade is arguably the second best. Watching him take on the challenge of Rose and then when they play Dallas and he's going to spend time defending Dirk, it's incredible. How many players can defend those two guys and still be a 25-8-8 guy on offense? Only one. Him.

He's a freak.

Chuck said a couple of years ago that Lebron could guard a point and he proved you guys right the other night. That was incredible regardless of the help.

I am holding out hope for Chicago tonight and I really do hope that Dirk wins one.

I don't know the answer to this question but when was the last time that neither number 1 seed made the final. I want to say cleveland vs. san antonio but that might not be correct. I know it happens but not as often as people might think.

I am surprised that the Bulls coach isn't taking more heat (no pun intended) for that performance the other night. That play, or lack thereof, in the final 8 seconds was awful.

King Glorious · #3 05-26-2011, 05:27 PM

I just don't know what they could have done better. Rose has an uncanny ability to beat just about everyone in the league off the dribble and get to the basket at will. Bringing up another player to screen would have brought up another defender as well and I think you want to leave Rose with as much space as possible. Unless you mean that maybe they should have run some kind of play to free up someone else and I just don't like that either because I think you win or lose with your best player making the play. I thought the call was the right one but he just came up against good defense.

dalakhani · #4 05-26-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Glorious

I just don't know what they could have done better. Rose has an uncanny ability to beat just about everyone in the league off the dribble and get to the basket at will. Bringing up another player to screen would have brought up another defender as well and I think you want to leave Rose with as much space as possible. Unless you mean that maybe they should have run some kind of play to free up someone else and I just don't like that either because I think you win or lose with your best player making the play. I thought the call was the right one but he just came up against good defense.

I would agree if there was less time on the clock but with 8 seconds you have time for multiple options. Anything but having the entire Heat team waiting for Rose. Rose was obviously having problems shooting over Lebron's length. He couldn't go around because everyone was waiting for him and even if he got to the basket, it would have been difficult to blow a whistle in a tie game in miami and he was pretty certain to get contact.

Maybe you run a staggered screen for Deng and have him as an other option? Heck, even clearing out a side and running a high screen and roll with boozer was better than what was effectively Rose against five.

King Glorious · #5 05-31-2011, 05:27 PM

I have Miami taking the first two at home, the second game coming to the wire. Dallas then takes the next two at home before losing game five and then going back to Miami down 2-3. I think they win game six then the Heat wins it in seven. One of the two "losers" gets a ring but unfortunately, instead of focusing on how great James and Nowitzki are, the media continues to call the loser a loser. James is the best player in the world and is named MVP.

horseofcourse · #6 05-31-2011, 05:45 PM

I have no clue who is going to win and wouldn't even begin to hazard a guess. And I don't really care who wins.

Cannon Shell · #7 05-31-2011, 05:59 PM

Miami has the best set of Dirk defenders in the league

Dallas has bad defensive matchups on Miami's wings and will have to play zone a great deal.

Dallas depth is not nearly a big a factor with the spread out finals schedule which will allow Miami to play its best players 40+ minutes and give Haslem extra time between games.

If Dirk's effectiveness is lowered, who picks up the slack?

Miami is athletic enough to defend perimeter enough to force Terry, Stevenson and Peja to put the ball on the floor which is a problem

Barea is a tough matchup for Miami on offense but when Miami goes James, Wade, Bosh, Miller, Haslem who does he guard? Who does Terry guard in that lineup? You dont want to give Miami easy baskets because they are vulnerable when go through dry spells which they seem to do at least once or twice a game.

Dallas has to completely dominate the boards, get a lot of put backs, shoot the lights out which will spread the defense and give them an even bigger rebounding advantage and get Miami in foul trouble. They can probably do it well enough to win a few games but this one should be Miami in 6.

Antitrust32 · #8 05-31-2011, 06:02 PM

I'm picking the Heat in 5 games

dalakhani · #9 05-31-2011, 07:54 PM

Im taking Dallas. Miami is going to have a hard time defending the maverick perimeter shooter AND defending the paint against penetration by Barea and the size advantage that Dallas will possess.

Dallas, to me, has been the most complete team in the playoffs and have dominated two teams that I think would have been tough for Miami to beat. I realize that has nothing to do with THIS matchup but at the same time it shows the level of ball that they are playing.

If Wade were 100%, I think Miami would have a chance but with his injury problems, give me Dallas in 6.

herkhorse · #10 05-31-2011, 08:04 PM

I'm setting the over/under on games that I can stay awake until the end at 1, and I'm taking the under.

clyde · #11 05-31-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Im taking Dallas. Miami is going to have a hard time defending the maverick perimeter shooter AND defending the paint against penetration by Barea and the size advantage that Dallas will possess.

Dallas, to me, has been the most complete team in the playoffs and have dominated two teams that I think would have been tough for Miami to beat. I realize that has nothing to do with THIS matchup but at the same time it shows the level of ball that they are playing.

If Wade were 100%, I think Miami would have a chance but with his injury problems, give me Dallas in 6.

kiss-kiss

(and you better be right this time)

dalakhani · #12 05-31-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

kiss-kiss

(and you better be right this time)

don't bet on it...or at least not a lot. I don't have a ton of confidence in that selection.

Although, maybe that is why it might actually win.

Cannon Shell · #13 06-14-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalakhani

Im taking Dallas. Miami is going to have a hard time defending the maverick perimeter shooter AND defending the paint against penetration by Barea and the size advantage that Dallas will possess.

Dallas, to me, has been the most complete team in the playoffs and have dominated two teams that I think would have been tough for Miami to beat. I realize that has nothing to do with THIS matchup but at the same time it shows the level of ball that they are playing.

If Wade were 100%, I think Miami would have a chance but with his injury problems, give me Dallas in 6.

Good call