NBA Playoffs are wide open....because the league is weak right now.

[teecee]

Any of the remaining teams (with the exception of ATL, and probably Memphis) could win it.  With the Heat and OKC losing, this further proves it; there is no great team in the NBA right now. 

Heat are a player or two away, as well as  a new offense, from winning it all.  If they somehow manage to do it, it's only because Lebron and Wade play out of their minds the rest of the way. 

OKC has issues...namely Westbrook.   If Westbrook defers to Durant, they have a chance.

ATL...is going down in 5.  Very predictable offense.  No chance at all.

Boston...OLD (but they have mad pride). Wouldn't be overly surprised to see them beat the Heat...but I'm not sure KG can go off again like he did last night.  They could still beat the Heat.

Dallas...OLD and soft.  Boston would beat them in the finals.  Dirk ballin out of control, Peja hitting shots, JT killin it..but the Lakers defense right now is maybe the worst I have ever seen as far as getting out on shooters.  I like Dirk though, so I'd like to see Mavs win.  Some see these guys as the favourites right now...

Chicago...one man offense, and that man hasn't been shooting great in these playoffs (besides one game); if Boozer gets healthy they have a chance I guess.

Memphis...deep team without a game-breaker, but they destroyed OKC in the 4th and OT yesterday.  Could very well win the series if Westbrook keeps hogging ball, but I doubt it.

L.A...mad talented on paper, but are plagued by inconsistencies. I thought Barnes was a great pickup, but dude does nothing.  Kobe is playing quite well, but his game is no longer transcendent; he's faltered down the stretch in all three games, or at least not looked like the "greatest clutch shooter" ever.  Gasol has been horrible, but he could possibly turn it around.  Bynum has been great, but I think it's safe to say that this team has too many issues and will likely go down in 5 or 6 to the Mavs. 


The playoffs are wide open, and it's because all you have is a group of very flawed teams.  Even L.A. winning the last two years, they did it with inconsistent play, and a superstar who didn't play next-level ball.  The league is weak, but there are a few teams (Heat, OKC, Chicago) on the verge of becoming GREAT teams. 

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

I dont think it means the league is weak itself, there is just more parody than in most years. If Lebron, Wade and Bosh started any kind of a trend...that parody will disappear soon. Big market teams still have shit handed to them for the most part.

[Chamillitary Click]

If anything, the league is better lol.

I'd rather have some surprises than two-three dominate teams that are the only ones with a chance.

[teecee]

I'm not saying the players are worse, I'm saying the top end teams aren't great TEAMS at the moment.  To me, it makes it more exciting, but I'm just saying there are no great TEAMS at the moment.

As for parity, if te hard cap comes on we will really see parity, as Lakers (90 mil) And celtics won't be able to have obscene payrolls.  Not that it's helping as of now!

[Chamillitary Click]

I'm pretty sure in 2-3 years, if the Heat obtain some better role players, they will be virtually unbeatable, unless 3-4 other all-stars come together. But then there will still be two "great" teams out there.

[.:DaYg0sTyLz:.]

I'm not saying the players are worse, I'm saying the top end teams aren't great TEAMS at the moment.  To me, it makes it more exciting, but I'm just saying there are no great TEAMS at the moment.

As for parity, if te hard cap comes on we will really see parity, as Lakers (90 mil) And celtics won't be able to have obscene payrolls.  Not that it's helping as of now!

I dont think theres been any GREAT TEAMS for a few years now. The Lakers have been very good the last few years, but its like they have just been good enough, not GREAT. Like when ESPN put out their "Top Championship Teams" list a year or so ago. You didnt see any recent teams in the top 10. The most recent was the Spurs squad from the shortened season. Thats quite a while ago.

[Native American]

Any of the remaining teams (with the exception of ATL, and probably Memphis) could win it.  With the Heat and OKC losing, this further proves it; there is no great team in the NBA right now. 

Heat are a player or two away, as well as  a new offense, from winning it all.  If they somehow manage to do it, it's only because Lebron and Wade play out of their minds the rest of the way. 

OKC has issues...namely Westbrook.   If Westbrook defers to Durant, they have a chance.

ATL...is going down in 5.  Very predictable offense.  No chance at all.

Boston...OLD (but they have mad pride). Wouldn't be overly surprised to see them beat the Heat...but I'm not sure KG can go off again like he did last night.  They could still beat the Heat.

Dallas...OLD and soft.  Boston would beat them in the finals.  Dirk ballin out of control, Peja hitting shots, JT killin it..but the Lakers defense right now is maybe the worst I have ever seen as far as getting out on shooters.  I like Dirk though, so I'd like to see Mavs win.  Some see these guys as the favourites right now...

Chicago...one man offense, and that man hasn't been shooting great in these playoffs (besides one game); if Boozer gets healthy they have a chance I guess.

Memphis...deep team without a game-breaker, but they destroyed OKC in the 4th and OT yesterday.  Could very well win the series if Westbrook keeps hogging ball, but I doubt it.

L.A...mad talented on paper, but are plagued by inconsistencies. I thought Barnes was a great pickup, but dude does nothing.  Kobe is playing quite well, but his game is no longer transcendent; he's faltered down the stretch in all three games, or at least not looked like the "greatest clutch shooter" ever.  Gasol has been horrible, but he could possibly turn it around.  Bynum has been great, but I think it's safe to say that this team has too many issues and will likely go down in 5 or 6 to the Mavs. 


The playoffs are wide open, and it's because all you have is a group of very flawed teams.  Even L.A. winning the last two years, they did it with inconsistent play, and a superstar who didn't play next-level ball.  The league is weak, but there are a few teams (Heat, OKC, Chicago) on the verge of becoming GREAT teams. 

I agree with everything you said except for your take on OKC. It's rare these forums have real talk on the NBA, you usually get people who band-wagon and only watch highlights with bias comments. I also thought this was gonna be a excuse thread for L.A.....As for OKC, all they have is Durant, you take him out the game and you are a shoe-in for the W. Unfortunately you cant take him out the game (unless you play dirty like Dwane 'bitch-boy' Wade) you can only slow him down. Its Durant's team though, if westbrookie is scoring to much or not passing enough then its because Durant wants that.

oh yeah my ATL, man give them more credit, I will be surprised if 5 gms is all its gonna take. 

peace game is about to start, ill check back after the game if not half time.

Wish your Mom Happy Mothers Day !

[wcsoldier]

 It's because the best two teams fucked up one with a silly trade and the other isn't playing up to his potential ... so both conferences , especially the West which is this year wide open compared to the last three years

Chicago won its 2nd three-peat in a watered down league but nobody will talk about it too much since discrediting MJ is like a crime against humanity ... the league was weak during this era ...

[teecee]

It's because the best two teams fucked up one with a silly trade and the other isn't playing up to his potential ... so both conferences , especially the West which is this year wide open compared to the last three years

Chicago won its 2nd three-peat in a watered down league but nobody will talk about it too much since discrediting MJ is like a crime against humanity ... the league was weak during this era ...

Well, no ten this year is Touching the Utah jazz of Malone and Stockton; not a stacked team by my means but played great team ball.  But ya, the league must've been watered down for the bulls to go 72-10, right?

[7even]

I love those playoffs, and not just because my team is sweeping the back-to-back champions and ending Phil's career. Even aside of that fact, it is dope to not flat out know the finals (and their outcome) in advance.

[teecee]

Agreed 7even; when you have a franchise who has never even won a playoff game up 2-1 in conference semi-finals, then you know it's some crazy shit.  I think most of us just assumed the lakers would be there; props to the Mavs

[Bch]

different time and space, the league has evolved with better athletes but its much different than when 'zo mourning was woopin peoples ass everytime they drove down the lane. You cant even hand check people anymore, but offense not defense will drive ratings up and in a world where NBA basketball competes with NHL hockey for $$$$revenue, that aint gonna change no time soon. You gotta love the parody not just shaq and kobe dominating the fk out of everybody

[sprite]

in my opinion, I didn't think the Heat would do anything this year, but they have as good a chance as anyone else

that being said, I would assume in the coming years Miami will probably win a title, possibly multiple

based on the fact they'll most likely be too good with extra additions

[Russell Bell]

The nba has gone soft

playoff basketball used to be one of the toughest exhibitions of sports, now with the foul calls they make all the time, it isn't close to what it used to be

too bad the nba would rather have high scoring games propped up by pussy techs and foul calls than allow for the games to actually be fought out in the paint

if you dont believe me, watch kobes face anytime someone gets near him; he expects a foul called everytime cause thats how the nba operates these days

[Chamillitary Click]

^Because Stern realized he could fix games at the foul line. In game one of the first round Derrick Rose shot 21 free throws. That's more than Indiana shot combined all series lol.

Donaghy called the NBA out for using corrupt refs & the league didn't even press slander charges against him lol.