NBA Playoffs

[ProneEisenrott]

Each of the three Conference Finals games so far has been excellent. The Rockets-Warriors series is off the charts. Curry vs. Harden (MVP vs. runner-up MVP) has exceeded expectations. Meanwhile, Lebron and the injury depleted Cavs are looking to return to the NBA Finals, but will have to go through the formidable Atlanta Hawks to get there.

I'm rooting for a Cavs-Warriors finals--imagine Curry vs. Lebron in a winner-take-all series, but whichever teams make it will be an exciting matchup.

[rich76]

I picked ATL/GS weeks ago. As you say either way....the games have been terrific

[bballjer44]

Can't get into them Only part that matters is the last 2 minutes and they are now averaging 15 minutes to play the last 2. Between the replays, timeouts and fouls there is no flow to the end of the games.
And of course the whining after practically every whistle...

NBA needs to take a page from the NHL. Last 2 minutes of a playoff game is constant action.

[yon Beast]

Originally Posted by bballjer44

NBA needs to take a page from the NHL. Last 2 minutes of a playoff game is constant action.

I agree!....most of the hockey games have been first rate!

and basketball really slows down the nearer it gets to being over.

*both statements represent a close game.

[P562045]

I just can not watch these basketball playoffs honestly. Part of it is I don't really care much about the four teams that are left. This NBA season has been the least interesting season to me for quite sometime and I don't really know the reason why well I may have given that reason already.

And yes all the timeouts at the end of the game does slow the flow of the game is for sure is part of it. I can see the need for some strategy at the end of the game but that also can mean a team tries to foul players that can't make free throws but that has been going on for awhile at least as well. And some teams don't have their best players in the game towards the end because of this. I am pretty sure that each team gets the number of timeouts they have reduced to four at the start of the fourth quarter unless that rules has changed in the last few years.

One other aspect that really bothers me are the replays. They not only take to long but often the ruling on the court stands. And there was a situation with Cleveland and they had no timeouts left and there was a replay so Cleveland got to set up a play and Lebron hit the game winning shot, I am pretty sure that was when Lebron demanded the ball at the end even though his coach wanted him to inbound the ball. So the players attitude can rub some people the wrong was as well. And yes some players should get some Oscars for their reactions to calls by the officials.

One last thing the obvious traveling not being called nowadays makes me feel really old sometimes. And yes that would slow the pace of the game down some as well.

[bballjer44]

Originally Posted by P562045

One last thing the obvious traveling not being called nowadays makes me feel really old sometimes. And yes that would slow the pace of the game down some as well.

Couldn't agree more. Makes me sick when the announcers tell us about the great drive that just happened when the ball hasn't touch the court since the free throw line.
Bring back The Big "O", Cousy, the Jones', get some actual skills back into the game.

[ProneEisenrott]

Originally Posted by bballjer44

Couldn't agree more. Makes me sick when the announcers tell us about the great drive that just happened when the ball hasn't touch the court since the free throw line.
Bring back The Big "O", Cousy, the Jones', get some actual skills back into the game.

I hear this criticism a lot, but as long as I can remember, going back to the Bird, Magic, Jordan days, I never remember traveling being called very frequently, if at all. So it's not necessarily a symptom of the modern game, but a long-standing basketball tradition that players will get the benefit of the extra step or two.

Perhaps Cousy, West, Wilt and Maravich were called for traveling a lot back in their day, but that predates my time on this earth.

Thoughts?

[rich76]

The rules were much more strictly enforced "back in the day". I'd offer that Pistol Pete and Earl "the pearl" Monroe's exciting play helped to relax the rules to the point we're watching today. Back then defense ruled.
We now live in a world that is driven by the entitled and grievance industry.
I'd like to see today's refs TRY to make those calls on someone like Lebron and see if the SHTF or not. I've seen him take 4 steps and not get called for it. I watch the playoffs (as defensive play is emphasized a bit more) and very little of the regular season.

[SayOw]

Originally Posted by bballjer44

NBA needs to take a page from the NHL. Last 2 minutes of a playoff game is constant action.

I too agree.

The officiating in the NBA should learn from the NHL. During an NBA game how many plays in a close game under 2:00 are without a foul being whistled? I would say very few. I shake my head every time they show a replay and you can clearly see that the refs just blow their whistle because they are just like pavlov's dogs and that's what they do...

In the NHL you will get called for a penalty in a close game as the game is winding down or even in overtime...but it will be a penalty and there is usually little to no debate about it. Whereas in the NBA many penalties late in the game or in overtime are often questionable.

[ProneEisenrott]

Amazing game 2, living up to all of the hype and showcasing Lebron's heroics. Thompson played great, but where was Curry?

By any measure, Cleveland has to be pleased with taking one on the road from the Warriors. Home court shifts back to the Cavs, but I expect the Warriors to win one of the next two there.

Great series!

[rich76]

I actually think that Cleveland's win might be their only one in this series

well....there goes that theory.....Golden State's shooting is horrible. Cleveland has a better %age in all shooting stats.......

[SiteWolf]

the odd thing is....the Warriors don't lose at home...and it was Irving's replacement that shut Curry down