*The Official 2011-12 NBA Thread*

The officiating is definitely helping miami so far but the thunder are good enough to overcome it. They just need to relax a bit. Game 4 will reveal whether they are too young and nervous or whether its their time

 

Hopefully OKC takes last night as a learning experience. Team defense usually prevails. They're great offensively, they have a few solid individual defenders, but in terms of team defense they have a lot to learn.

 

you have got to be kidding.

 

To be fair, he is right. The officiating is helping Miami. In this case its the refs making the correct calls. OKC gets out of position and reaches in; the refs call the foul. Not a difficult concept.

 

Don't miss 9 free throws next time. Don't foul 3 point shooters... Twice. Also, fight your own impulse to flop at all times...

 

The Thunder did attempt 24 FTs last night. Which is right in line of their season average.

 

Their tackling form on our three point shooters was immaculate.

 

Derek Fisher high fived whoever shot that 3, just put your hand back and u fly right by him. Not a real veteran move.

 

He was closing out hard, and his body told him he was old. Body control. A trait that old people lose.

 

Serge Ibaka: "Lebron James is not a good defender."

and...with that...Heat opponents are now PERFECT this postseason. Each and every opponent has talked ****. The Heat? not a peep.

 

But the Heat are the villains.

 

Ibaka's foul was hilarious. It was as if he never closed out a 3 point shooter in his life and he thought the 3 point line was inside the paint.

 

Glad you brought that up. Most casual fans don't realize how huge that call was. I was begging for a replay. Huge momentum swing that the broadcasters don't even bother to mention, or question.

 

I think his "you got to be kidding me part" was directed more at the we'll find out in game 4 if they're to young and inexperienced! First they're good enough to overcome the refs, then an excuse just in case.

The Thunder are plenty good enough and have plenty of experience even though they're young.

To also be fair, it seems that the Heat have been driving to the basket a ton more after game one and that has to result in more fouls. The Thunder are more of a jump shooting team which usually means less fouls called.

Were there some ticky tack fouls? Sure but Sefalosia could have fouled out of the last two games by halftime, and late in both games 3 and 4 Bosh and anyone else who got an offensive rebound right under the basket were darn near raped time after time late in the games.

 

The officiating has been fair. The Heat don't get called on fouls on defense on one end and the Thunder don't get called on defense on the other end. The refs are terrible but it's even on both teams....it's been happening in the NBA since forever.

The Heat turnovers are concerning and it's the spacing that is the problem. I don't get how Spo is preparing them. Heat players are crowding the same spots on court and they aren't filling vacated spots. Too little movement out there.

Lebron and Bosh need to post up more and especially in the second half. OKC has zoned in on the hero ball, pick and roll stuff and it's a pain to watch.

Lebron can't defend Durant but at least towards the end he could lead him to a drive at an awaiting Bosh. Bosh was great. Wade had energy...but he was a inconsistent (I think he is still bothered by his foot). Miller brings a lot of effort but he grabs his back on every play. Battier needs to shoot more.

 

Pretty much game-set-match if Miami wins tonight. Maybe if the Heat win it will inspire a city to go out and support their Dolphins as they attempt to shock the world.

 

Nah...they will just grow the Heat waiting list for season tickets.

 

why?

 

I blame Gabrielle Union for knocking Wade's knees out of whack...

 

Def not game set match if we win tonight. OKC would have to win game 5 obviously, then I see no reason to believe OKC couldnt win 6 & 7 at home...

 

You think Grover works for free? Bryant was paying him obviously, and Wade summoned him, so Kobe let him go help Wade.

That guy is the best. That guy is the absolute best fitness guru in sports.

 

Well, no team has ever came back from a 3-1 deficit under the 2-3-2 format....

 

That doesn't mean it can't happen. It's ridiculously tough to overcome but not insurmountable.

 

Ibaka needs to be careful...

 

LeBron responded back by calling him stupid.

 

Certainly not insurmountable, but extremely difficult.

If we win tonight, I certainly expect to win the series, if not in 5 than in Game 6.

But if we win tonight I believe we close it out Thursday. OKC is on the verge of cracking already.

 

There have been mixed reports on what he said. Many saying that he called "it" (the situation) stupid.

 

Thanks. I was wondering whether that was actually what he said.

 

He said both:

 

Don't pull on Superman's cape.

Or to quote another one, "Don't make me angry, you won't like me when I'm angry."

 

Is this an immediate dividends kind of thing? I mean I would assume it is with the Finals and Wade's knee but what can a trainer do with so little time?

 

The only thing that'd make this better is if it was James laughing with garnette in the background instead. But still, A+ gif.

 

He can help him with flexibility issues and soreness.

 

This never gets old lol

 

How Ticket vultures work:

(Guy I get tickets from) : "I can get you in tonight in the 400's for $100."

Me: "I can't go tonight, but if they win, there is NO WAY I am not in that building for game 5."

(Guy I get tickets from) : "I will guarantee you a seat for that game in SRO for $650".

 

348 a piece.....DO ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-TIX-Miami...-Sect-123-/140611944046?treq=2#ht_3670wt_1022

 

I get that Sec, but if BOTH are paying him....why does he need Kobe's permission....?

 

Maybe Kobe paid him for a two week workout, which makes sense since the Olympic practices start soon, and Grover, by leaving would be interrupting Kobe's workout.