The 2012 NBA Playoff Thread

[luigi_owns]

well Lebron seems to be ok, but if he's not ok the Thunder could easily come back

[Mako]

It seems every team I have rooted for has lost, so...go Miami! There is no way they can lose the next game.

As for the Thunder winning three in a row, it is not going to happen unless Lebron is done for the rest of the series. I wouldn't get my hopes up seeing as how everyone was saying he was fine.

[Wonks]

Welp, I can't see the Thunder coming back from this. Although it's 3-1, it's been a fun series.

You know, the more I watch Lebron and the Heat, the more I... sympathize with Lebron leaving Cleveland. I don't agree with the method that he did it, and I would have liked to see him stay for the city and Cavaliers fans (I mean, he could have been a basketball god/legend in that town...only in a good way). But, here he is--in his second try with the Heat for the Championship with star players like Wade and Bosh (and good players like Battier and Chalmers), and still the games are coming down to the wire. (And obviously with all that talent, they still lost last year to the Mavs.)

You need superstars to win championships, but in Cleveland Lebron wasn't given any complimentary players. Good players, serviceable players, role players, yes--but nothing like what he has in Miami. Lebron had to carry that team game-in and game-out. That he even managed to make it to a NBA Finals with the Cavs is a miracle unto itself. Can you imagine Lebron sitting out the last couple of minutes of any playoff game with the Cavs due to an injury? It wouldn't happen. At least Lebron knows that he can trust in his team to finish. I don't know if or when he would have been given any assistance--for whatever reason (his or management)--in Cleveland.

[StarStabbedMoon]

I'm a KU alum (graduated just this year actually, this is the first instance I've been able to refer to myself as such) so I've been rooting for Miami or, more specifically, for Mario Chalmers to do well. Probably the most unlikely reason to be a Miami fan. I'm also kind of from there, I guess.

So it was a bit painful to have to be working during the game 4 that Chalmers exploded on just now. Had a deadline for a project that required very late hours but that's all done so I won't be missing the next one, I hope.

Of course, OKC has two KU alums on their roster but they both are either before my time (Collison) or not playing significant minutes (Aldrich). Chalmers, however, I will forever be thankful for getting me a day off during my 1st year after he and KU won the NCAA championship. Got a few extra days to study for an exam.

[dkanddiddy]

well, this series looks over. i really wanted a 7 game series but that looks very improbable now. i wonder how different this series could be if james harden showed up. Battier really stepped up for the Heat, but James Harden has just withered on the big stage. I think the series will end today because Miami looks unstoppable, but hopefully it doesn't.

By the way, i don't really know who i'm rooting for. I don't really care for either team that much.

[dkanddiddy]

Now that it's over, i need to make my prediction for next year:

2013 NBA Finals:
Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Clippers are going to have Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, and Chris Paul)

Detroit Pistons win 4-1.

[Mako]

Detroit Pistons win 4-1.

That would be truly amazing. I wish it could happen, but our chances are probably .001%.

Lebron finally has a ring as does Bosh, and now Wade has two. Honestly, I think it will be Miami vs OKC in the finals for quite some time. Spurs, Celtics, and Lakers are too old to compete, unless they get some other young pieces. Bulls and Clippers could have something to say, but they are both missing at least one great player to get to that next level, imo. I don't think anyone else has a chance besides the teams I have mentioned, realistically. Of course, this is assuming there won't be any changes over the off season and we all know there will be.