NBA Playoffs 2015-2016

[straightouttabahstun]

Watching the postgame press conferences for both teams. Durant and Westbrook seem calm and eager to take it back at home. Golden State looks slightly rejuvenated, but it really doesn't sound like they want to be back in OKC while still facing elimination. Curry especially looked dogged out at the end there.

[Fafnir]

Yeah OKC has to close this out at home.

I think they will, they were right there they for almost all of game 5.

[Endless Paradise]

Yeah OKC has to close this out at home.

I think they will, they were right there they for almost all of game 5.

I think their best chance is to close this out at home... BUT... having seen Game 5... I have a slight bit of confidence they could even win a Game 7. Game 5's final score just should not have been as close as it was, all things considered.

[Endless Paradise]

I will say it is funny how if Golden State loses, it's because Steph's not healthy, but that's not an issue when they win.

Can we just agree that Steph played poorly in OKC, regardless of his health? Westbrook played poorly in Golden State last night; it's okay to acknowledge that Steph had a couple of bad games.

[CroCorvus]

I will say it is funny how if Golden State loses, it's because Steph's not healthy, but that's not an issue when they win.

Can we just agree that Steph played poorly in OKC, regardless of his health? Westbrook played poorly in Golden State last night; it's okay to acknowledge that Steph had a couple of bad games.

Disagree. Why do people need some proof that he's gonna play poor in some games? He played poor against us when we beat the in Oakland, right?! If I remember correct, in the first half he had more turnovers then points...
If you watched game four and also game five last night, they are switching big guys on him regularly. It's evident that he has no speed in his legs to run past them with ease like he did in regular season. This is crucial for GSW offense and this provides easier job for OKC on defense, which they uses then on offense. If Steph does not play at his high level, the rest of the team does not play at their level either (Green, Barnes, Iggy). Yeah, OKC played well, and they did learn something from this past few years, but they didn't discover hot water either. If they win the series they will win it because Steph's not healthy, just like the Cavs last year wasn't ready...

[Endless Paradise]

I will say it is funny how if Golden State loses, it's because Steph's not healthy, but that's not an issue when they win.

Can we just agree that Steph played poorly in OKC, regardless of his health? Westbrook played poorly in Golden State last night; it's okay to acknowledge that Steph had a couple of bad games.

Disagree. Why do people need some proof that he's gonna play poor in some games? He played poor against us when we beat the in Oakland, right?! If I remember correct, in the first half he had more turnovers then points...
If you watched game four and also game five last night, they are switching big guys on him regularly. It's evident that he has no speed in his legs to run past them with ease like he did in regular season. This is crucial for GSW offense and this provides easier job for OKC on defense, which they uses then on offense. If Steph does not play at his high level, the rest of the team does not play at their level either (Green, Barnes, Iggy). Yeah, OKC played well, and they did learn something from this past few years, but they didn't discover hot water either. If they win the series they will win it because Steph's not healthy, just like the Cavs last year wasn't ready...

Bull****. Golden State lost by 20+ in Games 3 and 4, giving up an average of 126 PPG. Steph being completely healthy wasn't fixing their godawful defense in those games, because that's what contributed primarily to those blowouts.

[Fafnir]

Its not even the speed, its the lateral cuts or lack there off compared to what he usually does. Less jump stopping too.

Which all makes sense he strained his MCL, his knee is almost certainly still sore/recovering. Same thing with Pierce in the Finals in 07-08. He was a little gimpy all finals despite playing great, players play through being hurt especially in the playoffs.

[greece66]

Its not even the speed, its the lateral cuts or lack there off compared to what he usually does. Less jump stopping too.

Which all makes sense he strained his MCL, his knee is almost certainly still sore/recovering. Same thing with Pierce in the Finals in 07-08. He was a little gimpy all finals despite playing great, players play through being hurt especially in the playoffs.

^^ this
if we go down the injury road, an endless series of what ifs awaits us.

[alley oop]

Its not even the speed, its the lateral cuts or lack there off compared to what he usually does. Less jump stopping too.

Which all makes sense he strained his MCL, his knee is almost certainly still sore/recovering. Same thing with Pierce in the Finals in 07-08. He was a little gimpy all finals despite playing great, players play through being hurt especially in the playoffs.

With Pierce, moreso the conference finals against the Heat.

[straightouttabahstun]

Imagine if OKC had Avery Bradley on their team right now...combine that with the way they're playing right now against the Dubs they'd have wrecked them last night

[Endless Paradise]

On what basis? They limited Steph and Klay to inefficient shooting. Roberson still hit his threes. What specifically would Bradley have helped with last night?

[Timdawgg]

Imagine if OKC had Avery Bradley on their team right now...combine that with the way they're playing right now against the Dubs they'd have wrecked them last night

Imagine if Golden State had Bradley..They might actually win the series. He is exactly what Golden State is missing, a defensive stud to slow down Westbrook...

[straightouttabahstun]

On what basis? They limited Steph and Klay to inefficient shooting. Roberson still hit his threes. What specifically would Bradley have helped with last night?

 AB is quicker than Roberson, making it easier to limit Steph and Klay with their perimeter jump shooting. Roberson has been hitting 3's, but Bradley is a more polished offensive player and natural shooting guard, unlike Andre, who converted from power forward.

[CroCorvus]

I will say it is funny how if Golden State loses, it's because Steph's not healthy, but that's not an issue when they win.

Can we just agree that Steph played poorly in OKC, regardless of his health? Westbrook played poorly in Golden State last night; it's okay to acknowledge that Steph had a couple of bad games.

Disagree. Why do people need some proof that he's gonna play poor in some games? He played poor against us when we beat the in Oakland, right?! If I remember correct, in the first half he had more turnovers then points...
If you watched game four and also game five last night, they are switching big guys on him regularly. It's evident that he has no speed in his legs to run past them with ease like he did in regular season. This is crucial for GSW offense and this provides easier job for OKC on defense, which they uses then on offense. If Steph does not play at his high level, the rest of the team does not play at their level either (Green, Barnes, Iggy). Yeah, OKC played well, and they did learn something from this past few years, but they didn't discover hot water either. If they win the series they will win it because Steph's not healthy, just like the Cavs last year wasn't ready...

Bull****. Golden State lost by 20+ in Games 3 and 4, giving up an average of 126 PPG. Steph being completely healthy wasn't fixing their godawful defense in those games, because that's what contributed primarily to those blowouts.
[/quote

Don't understend whats your point? What I was saying is if Steph is hurt he can't play his style of ball. He just can't be as effective as some pf or c. His game is based on healthy legs constantly moving and changing directions. Yes everybody's hurt in this phase of the playoffs but we're not talking about fifth or fourth best player on the team, we're talking about mvp of the league. If he doesn't play his game it affects the whole team period.
Just like gsw, okc also prefers fast paced style of play so you can't say gsw was giving up 126 pts in games 3 and 4. They lost both games and it was blowouts. You can't just like that containe okc to low 90ies. They like this style of play.
Steph isn't great defender, hes not going to stop Westbrook but he can kill him on offense when healthy which will lead him to his old self shooting 30% from the field and 5-10 turnovers...
Okc matchup's very well against GSW but overall I think the Warriors are much better team when healthy.

[SparzWizard]

Toronto needs to win tonight for their season to stay alive.