Tony Parker is a bad man

[hawkfan33]

And Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan are not the Pacers or the Bulls 7th team. You know what that means? Not much.

Its not hating. It is watching. Lebron is the best player. The spurs are by far the best team (and they didn't play like it last night and still won). Pretty simple really.

It depends how you define killer instinct. Last night in the 4th quarter he was pretty much a non-factor compared to his norm.

I will start the Jordan talk, as that is inevitable. Jordan didn't have some curse on the ball that Lebron doesn't that made other guys make shots when he passed them the ball. It started the second they joined his team when they saw every day that winning wasn't just important to him, it was literally the only thing. (Durant has the same problem as he said so himself) Lebron is possibly the most talented basketball player ever when looking at all skills. But, killer instinct isn't about wanting to win or having the best skills, it is about an absolute hatred of losing. I just don't see it from him.

So you think that was the Heat at their best too? The overraecations after game 1 are always funny. Last year it was Durant was the best player in the NBA, two years ago it was the Heat can't be stopped. It's a long series, far from over.

Everything about killer instinct is just made up garbage and you already have your mind set on that topic so it's not even worth discussing.

 

[theboat]

So you think that was the Heat at their best too? The overraecations after game 1 are always funny. Last year it was Durant was the best player in the NBA, two years ago it was the Heat can't be stopped. It's a long series, far from over.

Everything about killer instinct is just made up garbage and you already have your mind set on that topic so it's not even worth discussing.

Who is overreacting? I have thought the Spurs were better the whole time and expected them to win in 6.
I think that the Heat only played better as a team in one game against the Pacers (3). Can they get better? Sure. But to only turn the ball over 8 times, out-rebound the Spurs fairly easily, give up only 40% FG shooting and 30% from 3 to one of the better 3-point shooting teams, and be in front of a crowd that was way louder than I have heard them all playoffs and still lose? They are fighting an uphill battle. I may be wrong, but unless Parker gets hurt again, I don't see it.

 

[LASBUR]

Lebron isnt as competitive as MJ was but then who is ? Lebron also doesnt have a Scotty Pippin

 

[kicker22]

Who is overreacting? I have thought the Spurs were better the whole time and expected them to win in 6.
I think that the Heat only played better as a team in one game against the Pacers (3). Can they get better? Sure. But to only turn the ball over 8 times, out-rebound the Spurs fairly easily, give up only 40% FG shooting and 30% from 3 to one of the better 3-point shooting teams, and be in front of a crowd that was way louder than I have heard them all playoffs and still lose? They are fighting an uphill battle. I may be wrong, but unless Parker gets hurt again, I don't see it.

While I agree with alot of this, i think the 4th quarter efforts by the Spurs is what won them the game (obviously). Nothing against any of them or Popp, but I don't know if they'll be able to consistently out preform Miami in the 4th quarter the rest of the series.

The Spurs have been off for how many days? While they might have been rusty, it gave them that much longer to prepare for their opponent whether it be the Heat or the Pacers. IMO its alot easier to focus and prepare for the next round when you've already advanced then it is to do so when you've got a game 6 or 7 of the current season to focus on.

Not saying Miami is a better team or that the Spurs can't win a championship, but mentally and in terms of prepartion they were light years ahead of Miami last night as they should have been, and it showed in the 4th quarter. I see both teams making adjustments the remainder of the series, but I also think the Heat come will make the adjustments needed to leave for San Antonio at one a piece. I think the series comes down to what happens in San Antonio.

 

[hawkfan33]

Who is overreacting? I have thought the Spurs were better the whole time and expected them to win in 6.
I think that the Heat only played better as a team in one game against the Pacers (3). Can they get better? Sure. But to only turn the ball over 8 times, out-rebound the Spurs fairly easily, give up only 40% FG shooting and 30% from 3 to one of the better 3-point shooting teams, and be in front of a crowd that was way louder than I have heard them all playoffs and still lose? They are fighting an uphill battle. I may be wrong, but unless Parker gets hurt again, I don't see it.

You can just as easily flip that around, the Heat shot poorly from 3, shot poorly from the free throw line, only forced four TO's playing on two days rest against an extremely rested Spurs team and it still took a miracle Tony Parker shot to put away the Heat. The Heat have lost more games at home than they have on the road during the playoffs, they will be able to win in San Antonio.

 

[hawkfan33]

Who is overreacting? I have thought the Spurs were better the whole time and expected them to win in 6.
I think that the Heat only played better as a team in one game against the Pacers (3). Can they get better? Sure. But to only turn the ball over 8 times, out-rebound the Spurs fairly easily, give up only 40% FG shooting and 30% from 3 to one of the better 3-point shooting teams, and be in front of a crowd that was way louder than I have heard them all playoffs and still lose? They are fighting an uphill battle. I may be wrong, but unless Parker gets hurt again, I don't see it.

Are you really trying to argue that the Pacers played better as a team in Game 7, a game they got blown out in?

 

[GoHawks24]

Pops is a great coach but Spoelstra isn't Lionel Hollins. He's one of the better coaches in the league and has done a good job making in series adjustments before. The Spurs had an extra week to prepare for Miami, they didn't throw anything at Miami that the Heat can't handle, they showed they are going to help off of Bosh and Wade any chance they get and force those guys to beat them, but Bosh and Wade aren't Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen. I think they'll eventually start to come through this series.

The poor 3-point shooting is hurting Miami, they are getting good looks though and the Spurs don't have the Pacers insane length, I think they will start dropping at some point this series.

Saying LeBron doesn't have a killer instinct is just silly at this point. The guy was unbelievable all series against the Pacers, he's carrying the Heat on both ends of the floor, he had a triple double, 18/18!/10 last night with 2 TO's. He's won 7 straight playoff series and 10 of his last 11. He's playing at a ridiculously high level on both ends of the court, with the Finals so spaced out I imagine we will see more and more of him on Parker as the series continues. But haters are always going to hate.

Lol. I love LeBron. Go back and look at any of my posts in the past about him. I agree that he's carrying this team on his back, it's like he's back in Cleveland. I am referring to how MJ used to be able to take over a game completely by himself and will his team to a win. I don't see LeBron do that consistently enough, and we'll probably never see somebody be able to do it the way that MJ did. MJ is in a world of his own. LeBron is probably the closest we're ever going to get though. I hope you're right about the 3 pointers starting to drop because I've been waiting awhile for that to happen now...

 

[hawkfan33]

Lol. I love LeBron. Go back and look at any of my posts in the past about him. I agree that he's carrying this team on his back, it's like he's back in Cleveland. I am referring to how MJ used to be able to take over a game completely by himself and will his team to a win. I don't see LeBron do that consistently enough, and we'll probably never see somebody be able to do it the way that MJ did. MJ is in a world of his own. LeBron is probably the closest we're ever going to get though. I hope you're right about the 3 pointers starting to drop because I've been waiting awhile for that to happen now...

Umm...what? Are you saying that it's LeBron's fault that Wade and Bosh have been playing poorly?

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Not just jump shots, but 3's mind you. Bosh should never, ever be shooting 3's especially in the 4th quarter in any game of the finals.

That was what blew my mind too. Ya think it'll change the way Lebron plays when he knows he has to do it himself? Lebron didn't shoot it much in the 2nd half and if he shot more then 4 in the 4th q I missed em. He was a passing fool and woulda had a ton more assists if Bosh, Chalmers etc make the open shots they got cause of James driving. The Spurs D pretty much was pressuring the Heat to play that way and was daring Bosh to make them pay. Heat didn't make any adjustments to that. Parkers numbers weren't staggering but obviously they didn't have to be. Barkley for whatever his opinion is worth has been tooting his horn all year pretty much saying he's the best pg in the game... He's earned his props that's for sure.

 

[hawkfan33]

That was what blew my mind too. Ya think it'll change the way Lebron plays when he knows he has to do it himself? Lebron didn't shoot it much in the 2nd half and if he shot more then 4 in the 4th q I missed em. He was a passing fool and woulda had a ton more assists if Bosh, Chalmers etc make the open shots they got cause of James driving. The Spurs D pretty much was pressuring the Heat to play that way and was daring Bosh to make them pay. Heat didn't make any adjustments to that. Parkers numbers weren't staggering but obviously they didn't have to be. Barkley for whatever his opinion is worth has been tooting his horn all year pretty much saying he's the best pg in the game... He's earned his props that's for sure.

Not only Bosh, but Wade too. Most teams help off Miami's shooters, the Spurs were helping off of Wade and Bosh and sticking with the Heat shooters. If Bosh stays in his funk the Spurs will probably win the series, but Bosh is going to have the opportunity to have some big games if he can shoot like he did in the regular season.

 

[trj]

Pops is a great coach but Spoelstra isn't Lionel Hollins. He's one of the better coaches in the league and has done a good job making in series adjustments before. The Spurs had an extra week to prepare for Miami, they didn't throw anything at Miami that the Heat can't handle, they showed they are going to help off of Bosh and Wade any chance they get and force those guys to beat them, but Bosh and Wade aren't Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen. I think they'll eventually start to come through this series.

The poor 3-point shooting is hurting Miami, they are getting good looks though and the Spurs don't have the Pacers insane length, I think they will start dropping at some point this series.

Saying LeBron doesn't have a killer instinct is just silly at this point. The guy was unbelievable all series against the Pacers, he's carrying the Heat on both ends of the floor, he had a triple double, 18/18!/10 last night with 2 TO's. He's won 7 straight playoff series and 10 of his last 11. He's playing at a ridiculously high level on both ends of the court, with the Finals so spaced out I imagine we will see more and more of him on Parker as the series continues. But haters are always going to hate.

On the flipside of that, last year OKC overwhelmed SA with athleticism that will not be the case this year. Yeah, Miami wants to get out in transition and Lebron is a beast, but OKC had waves and waves of dudes just coming at them at this point Miami only has Lebron. That my friend is simply not enough.

SA played a efficient game last night, but it was far from perfect they missed open looks they normally make. I could make the argument that that the Spurs were a little rusty. I think, in fact, I know Miami is in a bit of trouble.

 

[trj]

I sure hope you're right on this. I was saying (before the outcome of the game) that the team that wins the first game will win the series, and I still think that will happen, unfortunately. I think that'll be the case because:

1. Popp is the best coach in the game. Spolstra is just over-matched.
2. Bosh blows lately and needs to quit taking so many damn 3's. He needs to actually try and use his quickness to his advantage. He won't do that though.
3. DWade will probably show up in only 2 of the games all series long, if that.
4. Nobody is making 3's for the Heat, besides Ray Allen lately, and he's a liability on D.
5. The Spurs are damn good and determined as hell to get another title before it's too late.
6. LeBron still doesn't have that "killer instinct". If he doesn't have it by now, I don't think he'll ever find it.

Popp is a really great coach, but hawkfan is correct Spoelstra is far from being overmatched. He has made every adjustment you could possibly make throughout these playoffs. He is a good young coach right up there with Vogel, Thibideaux and to a lesser degree Mark Jackson. He is just in a no-win situation right now because how this team was put together. He will get no praise if they win and too much blame if they lose.

 

[trj]

I don't hate Lebron, i actually like him and I have waaaay moved past "the decision". I enjoy rooting against Miami because it causes all sorts of drama when they lose. You can sit back, get your popcorn and watch the fallout.......Absolutely, fascinating to watch the debate and meltdown of "why did the heat lose".

 

[woodyk1]

And Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan are not the Pacers or the Bulls 7th team. You know what that means? Not much.

Its not hating. It is watching. Lebron is the best player. The spurs are by far the best team (and they didn't play like it last night and still won). Pretty simple really.

It depends how you define killer instinct. Last night in the 4th quarter he was pretty much a non-factor compared to his norm.

I will start the Jordan talk, as that is inevitable. Jordan didn't have some curse on the ball that Lebron doesn't that made other guys make shots when he passed them the ball. It started the second they joined his team when they saw every day that winning wasn't just important to him, it was literally the only thing. (Durant has the same problem as he said so himself) Lebron is possibly the most talented basketball player ever when looking at all skills. But, killer instinct isn't about wanting to win or having the best skills, it is about an absolute hatred of losing. I just don't see it from him.

One year ago (today), Heat at Celtics, Game 6 (Heat down 3-2). LeBron had 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. I saw the killer instinct then. He may not have Jordan's level, but he has it.

 

[WindsorHawk]

Lebron is the best player in the NBA. The Heat have arguably the best talent in the NBA. San Antonio is the best team in the NBA...plays the best team ball. Parker and Duncan are going to do their thing and put up their numbers for the most part. Miami will have more ups and downs within a game and throughout a series...all of this IMO.

I think San Antonio is healthy right now and doing their thing. I think Indiana was physical and took Miami the full 7 games. San Antonio will benefit from this. I have no doubt Miami can win at San Antonio. I also have no doubt San Antonio can win again at Miami...run their stuff and do their thing wherever they play.

I think the Spurs are highly motivated to get this championship. The window is closing for this team and they know it. I like the Spurs in 6.

 

[imported_ankle23]

Lebron is the best player in the NBA. The Heat have arguably the best talent in the NBA. San Antonio is the best team in the NBA...plays the best team ball. Parker and Duncan are going to do their thing and put up their numbers for the most part. Miami will have more ups and downs within a game and throughout a series...all of this IMO.

I think San Antonio is healthy right now and doing their thing. I think Indiana was physical and took Miami the full 7 games. San Antonio will benefit from this. I have no doubt Miami can win at San Antonio. I also have no doubt San Antonio can win again at Miami...run their stuff and do their thing wherever they play.

I think the Spurs are highly motivated to get this championship. The window is closing for this team and they know it. I like the Spurs in 6.

Bold.

 

[tm3308]

One year ago (today), Heat at Celtics, Game 6 (Heat down 3-2). LeBron had 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. I saw the killer instinct then. He may not have Jordan's level, but he has it.

This. I'm not LeBron's biggest fan in the world, but his play should have silenced the "killer instinct" critics a long time ago. If people want to keep hating on him for The Decision, that's one thing. But you can't knock his overall ability/intangibles as a player at this point.

 

[hawkfan33]

One year ago (today), Heat at Celtics, Game 6 (Heat down 3-2). LeBron had 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. I saw the killer instinct then. He may not have Jordan's level, but he has it.

As great as that game was, I actually preferred his 40/18/9 game at Indiana that year when they were down 2-1 to the Pacers with Bosh out. But you can't go wrong either way, both were all time great games.

 

[woodyk1]

As great as that game was, I actually preferred his 40/18/9 game at Indiana that year when they were down 2-1 to the Pacers with Bosh out. But you can't go wrong either way, both were all time great games.

Very good game as well. Hard to argue against this game.

 

[theboat]

I expect the Spurs to win 2/3 at home, and go back to Miami back on serve.

Spurs win game 3, Miami game 4, SA game 5 and then 6.