618 replies to this topic

[Brian Fowler]

At least here, I usually get both national and local broadcast for Pistons play-off games...

(Oh, wait, we don't get any of those this year, and we have very little cap room.  And no big men that can score.  And a whole bunch of way too small guards...  FUCK)

[mco543]

Villanueva is technically a big man.

Also I wouldn't worry too much about the Thunder becoming the new Grizzlies, they're better than the Grizzlies ever were and Kevin Durant is capable of winning games all by himself.

[blitzkrieg]

Reading the playoff scenarios hurts my head. Ugh.

[Brian Fowler]

Charlie V has doesn't much scoring this year, though.  Also, he might be 6'11, but he damn sure doesn't play like it.

Christ, I'm rooting for a high pick and a one-and-done headcase from Kentucky

[sydneybrown]

Quote

Reading the playoff scenarios hurts my head. Ugh.

Which is why I don't get all the people bitching and moaning about "are the playoffs here yet?"  Almost every non-LA/Cavs game matters.  I love how the ABC crew were talking about future games Sunday and mentioned out how pointless a televised Toronto Raptors game was compared to every other game airing, then had to apologize because the game had playoff indications too.  I mean, the regular season ends tomorrow, and the NBA freaked out yesterday knowing we FINALLY had a 1st round game set in stone (LA-Thunder.)  A week before the playoffs you had six teams in the West 2 games apart and three-four East teams one game apart, and you still complain?  Pfft, there's no satisfying you.

[-MJ-]

The NBA hasn't had quite the buzz as other sports/leagues in the last month or so.  The Blazer/Laker on ABC last Sunday could end of being the *"lowest rated national Laker game on broadcast tv since at least 1991" when the final numbers come in.  Exciting finishes or not, I still think the season is too long and probably the main reason why so many people keep bringing up the start of the playoffs.

*source: http://sportsmediawa...overnights.html

Shane Battier on the NBA season from a recent interview:

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SB: I also like the idea that Bill Simmons came up with, where instead of the 1 through 8 playoff seeds being determined by record, I think we should only guarantee the top-6 spots in each conference. For the 7th and 8th spots, I think we could have another single elimination tournament – this time including only the non-playoff teams. The teams in the 7th and 8th spots can have byes to give them an advantage but this would give fans of the teams that aren’t in the playoffs something to really grab onto and give them something to cheer for. And it would discourage teams and players from, let’s say, starting their summer vacation early.

I think, again, this would create tremendous excitement for the league and it can only be a positive.

Link:  http://www.nba.com/r...2010_04_13.html

This is intriguing.  

Good interview too.  He also talks about an idea that would replace the all-star game with a March Madness style tournament during all-star weekend; which would include the top 8 teams in the league.  I don't know think the idea would fly, but it's still fun to think about.

Edited by -MJ-, 14 April 2010 - 07:17 AM.

[sydneybrown]

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Exciting finishes or not, I still think the season is too long and probably the main reason why many people keep saying it's dragging.

I agree.

That being said, you'll see the NBA expand further to 100 games LONG before you ever see it shrink to 60-70.  Shit, you saw round 1 advance to best of 7 over best of 5 (which I hated.)  You don't think the NBA won't milk every possible dollar they can out of the regular season fan?

[-MJ-]

Oh, I'm not naive.  If Stern really is gung-ho about his hard-on for "overseas expansion", I think your 100 games prediction won't be too far off.  I know it's a business and money always wins out.  It just sucks because from a fan's prospective, it quite clearly would be better for the overall quality of the league.  One of the many reasons why I'm not a NBA executive, I suppose.  Ha?

Battier also mentions the best of 5 thing in the interview I linked.

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SB: Changing the format back to best-of-5 creates more excitement and it gives the underdog, the lower seed, a better chance to win. There’s no question about it, it’s difficult for an 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in a 7-game series. I’m sure Daryl Morey can come up with some stat which gives you the exact odds of that happening.

I’ll never forget watching the Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle Supersonics (in the ’94 playoffs). That was tremendous basketball and I just don’t think that’s going to happen much at all in a 7-game series. You have to give, I believe, your fans a little more hope than they currently have in a 7-game series where the 8-seed faces the 1-seed.

The criticism from the first four seeds is that it’s not fair to them. Well, you know what? If you’re better, go out and prove it.

I'll admit I'm biased, but I like how this man thinks.

[kevin]

The Hawks have secured the #3 seed in the East. They will play either the Bucks or the Heat in the first round. If the Heat win tonight (they play the Nets) or the Bucks lose tonight then the Hawks will play the Bucks. Hawks have The Cleveland Lebrons tonight without Lebron. Jamal Crawford is also resting his turf toe for the 2nd straight game.

[AlfredoE]

Chick Hearn statue with empty seat!  Sounds like a great idea.

[Niners82]

My favorite NBA season (lockout year) is the one that Phil Jackson says doesn't count. He can fuck off.. I love me some 50 games.

[kevin]

Hawks starting line-up tonight:

C Zaza
PF Joe Smith
SF Marvin Williams
SG MARIO WEST!!!!!
PG Jeff Teague

Teague finished with 24 points and 15 assists!!! I don't care if Cleveland didn't play anyone that's huge for his confidence and the fact that he got 15 assists without Crawford, Horford, Joe, Bibby and Josh playing is pretty impressive. Mario West added 10 points (this has to be a career high) and Jason F'N Collins had 10 points!

[Go2Sleep v.2]

Quote

SB: Changing the format back to best-of-5 creates more excitement and it gives the underdog, the lower seed, a better chance to win. There’s no question about it, it’s difficult for an 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in a 7-game series. I’m sure Daryl Morey can come up with some stat which gives you the exact odds of that happening.

I’ll never forget watching the Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle Supersonics (in the ’94 playoffs). That was tremendous basketball and I just don’t think that’s going to happen much at all in a 7-game series. You have to give, I believe, your fans a little more hope than they currently have in a 7-game series where the 8-seed faces the 1-seed.

The criticism from the first four seeds is that it’s not fair to them. Well, you know what? If you’re better, go out and prove it.

Don't forget the 07 Warriors/Mavs series!

[Brian Fowler]

Go2Sleep v.2, on Apr 15 2010, 03:32 AM, said:

Quote

SB: Changing the format back to best-of-5 creates more excitement and it gives the underdog, the lower seed, a better chance to win. There’s no question about it, it’s difficult for an 8-seed to beat a 1-seed in a 7-game series. I’m sure Daryl Morey can come up with some stat which gives you the exact odds of that happening.

I’ll never forget watching the Denver Nuggets beat the Seattle Supersonics (in the ’94 playoffs). That was tremendous basketball and I just don’t think that’s going to happen much at all in a 7-game series. You have to give, I believe, your fans a little more hope than they currently have in a 7-game series where the 8-seed faces the 1-seed.

The criticism from the first four seeds is that it’s not fair to them. Well, you know what? If you’re better, go out and prove it.

Don't forget the 07 Warriors/Mavs series!

That was just a really weird situation where the Warriors were the worst possible match-up in the league for the Mavs.  The Warriors kicked their asses all season long.

[Brian Fowler]

Oh, and also...

Thank fucking god this season is over.  Fuck, 27-55...  That 2004 title seems like a lifetime ago after this season.

[jaedmc]

yay, bulls.

Something tells me this won't be as fun as Celts/Bulls last year. At least not fun for the Bulls.

[AlfredoE]

Its 2010 and John Hollinger still has the Jazz beating the Lakers.  That's 3 years in a row! Lakers goin' to the FINALS baby!

[Los Rudos Infernos]

Cavs over Mavs in Finals

[-MJ-]

I don't believe they're going to win, but I'm definitely rooting for the OKC Thunder.  The Bobcats too, even though I think Orlando is the only eastern team with a decent shot at defeating the Cavs.

If Milwaukee and Portland didn't have key injuries, the western side of the playoffs would look even more thrilling.

Also I would not pay to see a John Paxson/Vinny Del Negro fight, but I would watch a grainy, cellphone video of it.