NBA Playoff Thread

[Iono]

Probably gonna be Nowitzki then. My vote goes for Nash tho even before his 23 assist game. But, I doubt they'd give it to him 3 times in a row, and Nowitzki is the main contributor on the most winningest team this season. Especially if you don't consider their 0-4 skid start.

[Tyr]

Saying the Suns are a shoe-in if Dallas is knocked out is kinda farfetched. They are up against the Spurs/Nuggets next. While they are pretty on par with the Spurs, you can't count the Spurs out.

...Phoenix Suns > San Antonio Spurs > Dallas Mavericks > Phoenix Suns...

It's how it works. I'd love to watch Suns-Spurs. Once Reggie left, I had to split honors of "my favorite player" between Arenas and Ginobili.

[Cyrus_Phoenix]

If Nowitzki wins MVP and loses in the first round he is never going to live it down.

The Suns can beat the Spurs. All they have to do to beat San Antonio is keep them off the boards and not foul Tony Parker. When Marion and Stoudamire do not get rebounds the Suns do not win. The Spurs are the older, smarter and more experienced ballclub but they are also past their prime. The Suns failing is that they do not always give 100% hustle every game(Marion is the main culprit) which is what has led to some embarassing losses like the one in Game 3 in Los Angeles.

[dietvanillapepsi]

Lots of interesting storylines this year.

Don Nelson vs Dallas
Vince Carter vs Toronto
Darko vs Pistons
Tracy McGrady vs Advancing to the 2nd round

and now...
Ben Wallace vs Pistons

That Mavs/War game last night was definitely the best gm so far. Back and forth the whole way. Lots of "wow" plays.

If (and prolly when) Dirk does win the MVP this year, he will be the biggest joke of all MVPs. I always thought he played avg def at best and could easily be shut down on offense if his jumper is not falling. After Dirk made that sore loser comment about the Finals last year, Wade called him out about disappearing in the playoffs. So what does he do this year? Um, get two meanlingless 3's at the end of last nights game. Good job!

I am rooting for the Suns this year because they are the most entertaining team plus I would like to see an offensive team disprove the saying "defense wins championships." (even though I agree with the saying. :wink

I actually would be OK if anyone won this year, even Dallas. I would love to see Stern hand the trophy to Cuban. Prolly the only team I am rooting against is New Jersey because of V Carter. Never been a fan since he decided to mail in the last couple of seasons in Toronto.

[Vish]

I didn't read most of this thread as i dont have time cuz i'm at work but.....i'm from dallas and OMG MAV'S SORK!! if they would have turned those 3 point bricks into actual points they would have won. They deserve to get their asses handed to them. I mean with those bricks from yesterday they should build me a house or something.

[GRT]

it's funny how when a lot of people consider players as MVPs, they look at more of the player's individual performance more than anything else, when I thought it's more about the player's contribution and value to his team

so you look at Nash vs. Dirk vs. Kobe

to use a lame FF11 analogy, Nash is the gjallarhorn bard while the other guys are ridill war/relic gun rng at best, and while Dirk and Kobe can put out such awesome numbers occasionally, Nash elevates his entire team's performance at all times. I really can't imagine how in term of overall value Nash wouldn't be at least a foot above those two guys

[octopus]

Edit: Just realized how well Kidd is doing. He's averaging a Triple-double? >.> Holy shit.

He had that game where he went like 18/18/18...

[Deejay]

to use a lame FF11 analogy, Nash is the gjallarhorn bard while the other guys are ridill war/relic gun rng at best, and while Dirk and Kobe can put out such awesome numbers occasionally, Nash elevates his entire team's performance at all times. I really can't imagine how in term of overall value Nash wouldn't be at least a foot above those two guys

For you to argue Nash's validity as an MVP you need to take into account that Jason Kidd took the LOLNETS from a laughing-stock of the league to an eastern conference powerhouse. The NJ Nets had a franchise-best season during their 2001-02 campaign. With a record 52-win season, the Nets were Atlantic Division Champs and Eastern Conference Champions and took their first ever trip to the NBA Finals. This good fortune began with the trade for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd in 2001 and escalated from there.

However, Jason Kidd never received even half of the MVP votes as Nash did, why? The media just loves to ride on Steve Nash for no good reason.

Even Kobe Bryant is an extremely bigger asset to his team than Steve Nash. Without Bryant, the Lakers wouldnt win 30 games. The Suns without Nash are still playoff bound. I could even go as far to say Steve Nash is the most overrated player of the past decade, closely followed by Gilbert Arenas.

[Po]

Davis was awesome.

That is all.

Yea he was. That was unreal.

How far you guys think the Warriors will go?

[Akiyama]

to use a lame FF11 analogy, Nash is the gjallarhorn bard while the other guys are ridill war/relic gun rng at best, and while Dirk and Kobe can put out such awesome numbers occasionally, Nash elevates his entire team's performance at all times. I really can't imagine how in term of overall value Nash wouldn't be at least a foot above those two guys

For you to argue Nash's validity as an MVP you need to take into account that Jason Kidd took the LOLNETS from a laughing-stock of the league to an eastern conference powerhouse. The NJ Nets had a franchise-best season during their 2001-02 campaign. With a record 52-win season, the Nets were Atlantic Division Champs and Eastern Conference Champions and took their first ever trip to the NBA Finals. This good fortune began with the trade for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd in 2001 and escalated from there.

However, Jason Kidd never received even half of the MVP votes as Nash did, why? The media just loves to ride on Steve Nash for no good reason.

Even Kobe Bryant is an extremely bigger asset to his team than Steve Nash. Without Bryant, the Lakers wouldnt win 30 games. The Suns without Nash are still playoff bound. I could even go as far to say Steve Nash is the most overrated player of the past decade, closely followed by Gilbert Arenas.

You also seem to forget the Suns have a losing record without Nash in the lineup. Remember that week he had that injury? Either way, he's a more valuable asset to the team than a Kobe or a Kidd. Granted, the Lakers could not win without Kobe, but they are a very mediocre team anyway. Also, Nash led the Suns to what.. 62, 63 wins in the West? While the Nets finished 41-41. Hmn.. well maybe some years Kidd would come out MVP as he does seem to get triple-double after triple-double, but Nash is more valuable.. hence what MVP means.

[GRT]

to use a lame FF11 analogy, Nash is the gjallarhorn bard while the other guys are ridill war/relic gun rng at best, and while Dirk and Kobe can put out such awesome numbers occasionally, Nash elevates his entire team's performance at all times. I really can't imagine how in term of overall value Nash wouldn't be at least a foot above those two guys

For you to argue Nash's validity as an MVP you need to take into account that Jason Kidd took the LOLNETS from a laughing-stock of the league to an eastern conference powerhouse. The NJ Nets had a franchise-best season during their 2001-02 campaign. With a record 52-win season, the Nets were Atlantic Division Champs and Eastern Conference Champions and took their first ever trip to the NBA Finals. This good fortune began with the trade for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd in 2001 and escalated from there.

However, Jason Kidd never received even half of the MVP votes as Nash did, why? The media just loves to ride on Steve Nash for no good reason.

Even Kobe Bryant is an extremely bigger asset to his team than Steve Nash. Without Bryant, the Lakers wouldnt win 30 games. The Suns without Nash are still playoff bound. I could even go as far to say Steve Nash is the most overrated player of the past decade, closely followed by Gilbert Arenas.

Actually I do think Kidd is more deserving of an MVP than Nowitzki and Bryant, but the reason he didn't get it during the 01-02 season was not because he wasn't deserving, but because there was someone else more deserving in that period of time alone. That's how MVPs are determined: season by season. But just as I pointed out in my previous post, people put on too muc emphasis on individual performance than player's contribution to the team; I thought Kidd was indeed the MVP instead of Duncan that year, but the NBA clearly didn't agree with me.

And my thought on another reason why he hasn't got one yet is how "OMFG again??" frequently he gets injured and taken off from the game for extended periods of time. It's probably not the actual reason, but it seems like it in my opinion, same kind of personal opinion as your accessment of Nash.

But then again, I don't see any other "overrated" PG right now score 23 assists in a playoff game. Moreover, has anybody noticed how accurate Nash's jumpshots are and how fast he penetrates? If only he could go all out attack mode sometimes and score a few 50+ points :D

[Akiyama]

Davis was awesome.

That is all.

Yea he was. That was unreal.

How far you guys think the Warriors will go?

First.. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... ies=miadal

Anyone else find it funny two picked the Heat, three picked the Mavs and it's looking like neither will get past the first round? Made me lol@Espn.

Anyway, on that note about the Warriors.. it looks like they will be playing the Spurs in the second round unless the Nuggets make a run, which I doubt seeing as they have two shooting guards. So, Warriros vs Spurs. I'm not sure how that will match up though. The Spurs and Warriors are both a quick team, but I think the Spurs are just too strong. They might win the series in 6. (Of course unless the Mavs become the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-0 down, which would suck.)

Oh, and lolNowitzki.

[GRT]

Anyone else find it funny two picked the Heat, three picked the Mavs and it's looking like neither will get past the first round? Made me lol@Espn.

to be fair, I don't think anybody save a few hardcore hometown fans really picked the Warriors

nor did anybody see it coming that Heat would be swept even with Wade in his poor condition, most of my friends thought Bulls would come out from at least a 6 game series

And that's exactly what's making this year's playoff so fun to watch :D

[Deejay]

to use a lame FF11 analogy, Nash is the gjallarhorn bard while the other guys are ridill war/relic gun rng at best, and while Dirk and Kobe can put out such awesome numbers occasionally, Nash elevates his entire team's performance at all times. I really can't imagine how in term of overall value Nash wouldn't be at least a foot above those two guys

For you to argue Nash's validity as an MVP you need to take into account that Jason Kidd took the LOLNETS from a laughing-stock of the league to an eastern conference powerhouse. The NJ Nets had a franchise-best season during their 2001-02 campaign. With a record 52-win season, the Nets were Atlantic Division Champs and Eastern Conference Champions and took their first ever trip to the NBA Finals. This good fortune began with the trade for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd in 2001 and escalated from there.

However, Jason Kidd never received even half of the MVP votes as Nash did, why? The media just loves to ride on Steve Nash for no good reason.

Even Kobe Bryant is an extremely bigger asset to his team than Steve Nash. Without Bryant, the Lakers wouldnt win 30 games. The Suns without Nash are still playoff bound. I could even go as far to say Steve Nash is the most overrated player of the past decade, closely followed by Gilbert Arenas.

Actually I do think Kidd is more deserving of an MVP than Nowitzki and Bryant, but the reason he didn't get it during the 01-02 season was not because he wasn't deserving, but because there was someone else more deserving in that period of time alone. That's how MVPs are determined: season by season. But just as I pointed out in my previous post, people put on too muc emphasis on individual performance than player's contribution to the team; I thought Kidd was indeed the MVP instead of Duncan that year, but the NBA clearly didn't agree with me.

And my thought on another reason why he hasn't got one yet is how "OMFG again??" frequently he gets injured and taken off from the game for extended periods of time. It's probably not the actual reason, but it seems like it in my opinion, same kind of personal opinion as your accessment of Nash.

But then again, I don't see any other "overrated" PG right now score 23 assists in a playoff game. Moreover, has anybody noticed how accurate Nash's jumpshots are and how fast he penetrates? If only he could go all out attack mode sometimes and score a few 50+ points :D

Didnt someone say Kidd had 18/18/18? He's a way more complete guard than Nash. Penetrating and dishing are only parts of the game. Winning with what you have, playing defense, and being an all around threat are something Jason Kidd does better Nash all at the ripe age of 35(?)but doesnt get any recognition for. Why? Because hes not canadian?

[GRT]

Didnt someone say Kidd had 18/18/18? He's a way more complete guard than Nash. Penetrating and dishing are only parts of the game. Winning with what you have, playing defense, and being an all around threat are something Jason Kidd does better Nash all at the ripe age of 35(?)but doesnt get any recognition for. Why? Because hes not canadian?

We need to agree to disagree, because I'm repeating myself here.

You are emphasizing too much on individual performance. In my opinion, that's not what should get you the MVP. Kidd averages almost one triple double every game, so what, do they win every game? It's rhetorical, obviously, because it doesn't matter if Kidd gets triple double, the win-lose ratio shows his triple double doesn't affect the outcome of the game, much like Kobe's 40/50 pts a game.

Nash, on the other hand, doesn't always have high assist, high steals, or high scores. But Suns, led by Nash on every single play in every single game when he's on the court, usually win. Why? Because Nash contributes when it counts, and that makes him a very valuable part of the team and the main factor in Suns' victories.

[Yangsing]

Nash also has better players around him. Would Phoenix have the same level of success with Kidd at point?

And lol @ Dallas. GS is ripping them up. Dirk needs to step up. 7 foot superstar is taking fade aways when posting up point guards.

[Tyr]

Edit: Just realized how well Kidd is doing. He's averaging a Triple-double? >.> Holy shit.

He had that game where he went like 18/18/18...

Yea, even though he does get attention (it's not like he's unknown), Jason Kidd still seems to be underrated, as weird as that sounds. Two players I just love to watch are Kidd and Nash, they hustle so damn much.

And was anyone else jumping up, screaming "Ow mah gawd" every other second of the third quarter where Baron Davis started lighting it up?

Tonight:
Cavaliers @ Wizards - 7:00 (3-0)
Jazz @ Rockets - 8:00 (2-2)
Spurs @ Nuggets - 10:30 (2-1)

I'm hoping the Wizards don't get swept, badly. I'm going to go with the home team in all three games. Should be interesting if the Nuggets can tie the series at 2-games a piece.

[Tyche]

Didnt someone say Kidd had 18/18/18? He's a way more complete guard than Nash. Penetrating and dishing are only parts of the game. Winning with what you have, playing defense, and being an all around threat are something Jason Kidd does better Nash all at the ripe age of 35(?)but doesnt get any recognition for. Why? Because hes not canadian?

We need to agree to disagree, because I'm repeating myself here.

You are emphasizing too much on individual performance. In my opinion, that's not what should get you the MVP. Kidd averages almost one triple double every game, so what, do they win every game? It's rhetorical, obviously, because it doesn't matter if Kidd gets triple double, the win-lose ratio shows his triple double doesn't affect the outcome of the game, much like Kobe's 40/50 pts a game.

Nash, on the other hand, doesn't always have high assist, high steals, or high scores. But Suns, led by Nash on every single play in every single game when he's on the court, usually win. Why? Because Nash contributes when it counts, and that makes him a very valuable part of the team and the main factor in Suns' victories.

Suns, arguably the first or second best team in the league, have a .360 winning percentage without nash past 3 seasons. They lost to fucking atlanta at home. I think that speaks VOLUMES as to how valuable Nash is to the team. The suns completely collapse without him. The dude is just more efficient, almost 50% FG percentage (almost 10% more than kidd), 42% 3pt FG (another 10% better than kidd), and 89% FT% (another 10% more than kidd). Most every GM/coach ive heard on talk radio say that Nash is the most difficult player to prepare for. I don't know how to explain what exactly he does, or how he does it, but he completely discombobulates his opposition. It's just something stats do not reflect and you have to watch in person to see.

[Iono]

(Of course unless the Mavs become the first team in NBA history to come back from 3-0 down, which would suck.)

Actually they're down 3-1 atm. I think two teams bounced back from that last year. The Suns did against the Lakers, can't remember who else if anyone (last year alone).

Kidd is/was considered as one of the point guards around, but not quite MVP material.

Nash has been considered MVP twice, and his production stat-wise this year is better than the previous two years when he won. However, most people that matter will say that Dirk will get the award over Nash this year.

[Tyr]

Actually they're down 3-1 atm. I think two teams bounced back from that last year. The Suns did against the Lakers, can't remember who else if anyone (last year alone).

God bless last year's playoffs.