The Real 2014-15 NBA Regular Season Thread

[elcheato]

So the Celtics can push the Cavs to six games with no advantage and no star, but a Pelicans or Thunder team with each having a megastar is a guaranteed sweep?

 

[bosoxlover12]

The Warriors have much better matchups versus the Pelicans the Cavs do versus Boston

Like, keep just looking at Boston's overall record, and not that we're the 4th best record in the NBA since March.

 

[Mexi]

Celtics are fun af

 

[bosoxlover12]

And also way to twist my words around (like always) dan. Celtics are as likely to make Game 6 as the Pels to Game 5, in my opinion. I don't think the Pelicans are that good, and I think Boston can steal one at home

 

[Mexi]

Pels could steal a game or two from oakland

 

[jonathanlambert33]

The Pelicans don't matchup poorly against Golden State.

 

[buzzy]

Honestly think C's would be an easy sweep for Cleveland. 
Playoff LeBron is a different beast. He doesn't want to play unnecessary games. He's gonna get shit done.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

And I like how a team going for a playoff spot in the West isn't "that good." Lol

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Honestly think C's would be an easy sweep for Cleveland. 
Playoff LeBron is a different beast. He doesn't want to play unnecessary games. He's gonna get shit done.

They could always win one and the media will hype up "Boston Pride" and all that nonsense. But that's best case scenario. NO could take GSW to 6 best case if AD balls out and Jrue returns to full form and GSW goes cold once or twice

 

[BwareDWare94]

Well, the Thunder just flat out aren't that good. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are pretty damn good now that they're healthy.

I'm sorry, but I don't want to see 30-50 points on 40-50 shots per game in a four game sweep. I'm not interested in watching hero-ball over the Pelicans. It's pretty simple, imo.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Neither team is "that" good. I'd rather see Westbrook vs. Curry, plus you have the outside chance Ibaka makes a return somewhere in the series. The Thunder have had the worst luck in the league all year. Let them catch a break

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Fuck that, they've been catching breaks since they moved to OKC. They were due for this lol

And for the record each team would probably take a game at home but that's it. GS in 5 regardless of who gets in.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

By "catching breaks", do you mean drafting well?

The Harden trade fell flat on their face so they haven't been all good

 

[jonathanlambert33]

This team has definitely been as close to perfect as you can get while building that roster. A ton of luck has factored into that. Hell this season even without Durant, y'all have ignored the other side of the coin. They've had a LOT of help from opponents missing players during games. The list is long. Just look at last night.

 
Because there is still an entire quarter of basketball that the Pelicans play a game without AD, a ton can happen in 12+ minutes of action.
 
and I don't know where this team would be if you could turn injuries off.  I will say this, when a team loses a player or multiple players, there are things the coaching staff can do to minimize the loss.  The one thing that no coach can do, I don't care how good he is, is make up for a lack of continuity.  That is the least talked about thing in basketball, history suggests that if you take an average or slightly above average team and give them exceptional health then that team will play more like an elite team than the average team they are. I think that's some of what you are seeing with Atlanta this season, their top 5 guys have missed just 30 games this season.  Look at Portland last year, their starting 5 missed just 13 games.  Last season their starting 5 played nearly 1700 minutes together, the Pelicans starting five will likely not even get to 200 this season.  Continuity is so important.  It's why you won't ever hear me feel sorry for OKC this year, they've had exceptional health ever since moving to OKC, I would kill for it.  In their first playoff season their top 8 guys missed a combined 13 games.  Without the health they've had, they wouldn't be the team we know today.  So I don't know, I'd definitely take them over Dallas at full health.  You can only go off what you know.  Over two seasons this team has proven to be a top offense in the league when we have Jrue, Gordon, Reke, Anderson, and Davis healthy.  Since the addition of Pondexter and Cole the team has improved to about average defensively.  Add Jrue?  I don't know.  I think a team of Jrue, Gordon, Pondexter, Davis, Asik, Evans, Anderson, Cole, and Ajinca could be damn good if they ever get to play together.  Good compliment of shooters, guys who can get to the rim, passers, perimeter defenders, interior defenders, and so on.  Lots of talent.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

I don't think they've had incredible health though. Look at Westbrook in both 2014 (missed a lot of time), but more importantly, 2013 where there run got cut extremely short.

Durant's been incredibly durable up until this season but that's part of what makes him a superstar

 

[CameronCrazy06]

And we've both already agreed to the fact that the Thunder are much better than the Pelicans when healthy.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

And we've both already agreed to the fact that the Thunder are much better than the Pelicans when healthy.

That's a given, the Thunder are better than everyone in front of them minus maybe GS and SA, and even that may be arguable lol

Though I will say, if this Pels team can get say 40-50 games together, they can compete with that second group of West teams imo. But they need to develop some continuity first.

 

[Pugz]

That's a given, the Thunder are better than everyone in front of them minus maybe GS and SA, and even that may be arguable lol

Though I will say, if this Pels team can get say 40-50 games together, they can compete with that second group of West teams imo. But they need to develop some continuity first.

it's good for you that until recently greg monroe hardly missed games lol

 

[buzzy]

No idea Myers Leonard had a jump shot, let alone a three point shot.

 

[Mexi]

He doesnt go down low anymore
Strictly a jump shooter now