These all-defense teams are almost always rubbish. Beyond the obvious guys, the voters do a terrible job imo. Winslow was arguably the best defensive player on one of the League's best defensive teams (a 3-seed) and guarded 4 positions at a high level, took the opposition's studs in crunchtime...not a single vote.
Well they were 3-3 against those top three West teams. I do agree the Cavs need to be a better and more consistent defensive team if they want a better chance to win the title, but I don't think you can say "against very good offenses like you have in the West, they can't stop them enough or score enough" based on everything to date. I also believe a Heat team with Whiteside would have scared the Cavs, as it should have.
Per Woj, David Fizzdale has been offered the Memphis job and the parties are finalizing a deal Good for him.
Good luck to Fizzdale, he deserves it. We've been expecting this for years now and it looks like it's finally going to happen for him. Opens up a coaching seat... Someone moves up on the ranks and Haslem slides in one of the coaching slots maybe?
As far as Noah goes... we'll have a chance at landing Biyombo, Noah, or Gasol for depth... not sure which one I like more... I'd probably lean Biyombo because of health alone..
OKC's defense has looked really good in these playoffs, Durant is playing fantastic defense as you pointed out. Cleveland isn't a great defensive team but I don't think they are terrible either just inconsistent at times and not fantastic. They are a streaky team in general.
Cleveland played defense in the first half, maybe their best half of basketball in the postseason and they've been really good with the exception of the last 2 games against Toronto.
I was told as late as 2 years ago that Fizdale was "not ready" to be a head coach and was ADVISED strongly by Riley to NOT take any jobs. (it is believed he was offered the Atlanta job before Bud got it) I guess he got the Popes blessing. Good for him. Spo's coaching tree bears it's first fruit. Next to go is a golden child of sorts....Dan Craig (no, not the James Bond guy). He just won the D-League title for the Heat's org, and should be getting moved up to the Head Assistant job this year. Interesting to note that the Heat blocked several teams from poaching Craig. Expect him to be one of the highest paid assistants in the NBA (Heat do not announce coaches salaries, but they must pay big, since they have so much loyalty) Keith Smart should also be a candidate for the top assistant job and he was a Spo hire, from the Bobby Knight tree, who just happened to run a variation of the offense that Spo loves, brought down from the general himself. Only issue is his bout with skin cancer, but I hope it is under control, and he gets considered.
Oh..and yes..I did chase with Cleveland, but ..like an idiot, bought it down to -8.5 from -10.5. Gotta parlay it into something else to dig out of this postseason hole I have buried myself under. I am planning fireworks for the finals.
Game 1 of the Finals. I don't see Clev being favored by more than a basket at home....pound the Cavs that first game. Beyond that? I could see OKC winning the next 4 of 5 in that scenario.
Key is gonna be the line. This is a sound strategy, while taking OKC to win the series, then take them to win in 5 and a large bet in less than 6.5 games
Didn't Haslem say he still had some years left it him? I'd love it if he moved to the coaching or front office side, but if he wants to stay in the league the Heat will employ him.
Id root for OKC closing out GSW in GS and keep looking pretty doing it. May even get OKC favored slightly in Game 1?
Good for Fizz. And the marketing options here for Memphis write themselves. Fizz's Grizz. The MemFIZZ Grizzlies.
What I would give to be on this trip... [video=twitter;735898844844564480]https://twitter.com/chrisbosh/status/735898844844564480[/video]
Look forward to seeing how he does on the Griz. Not looking forward to him struggling in the playoffs and people dubbing them the Fizzlies.
The Rockets are hiring Mike D'Antoni. This franchise just doesn't get it do they? Harden will probably like that, though.
Everyone left Golden State for dead, and I kept saying it's not over yet. OKC is still more likely than not to win, but they NEED to win game 6 now. The pressure is on. If not, they go back to Oakland with all the momentum going the other way after losing 2 straight. If Golden State is right, winning 2 straight games is very doable.
Toronto is headed home, dont think they can make a ridiculous comeback in the 4th, but Lowry has ascended to another tier. That is a great player. Just needs to bring it on the road games
Lebron may be the most under appreciated all time great ever to be honest. What he has done in his career is nothing short of amazing.
If he wins a 3rd title, goes to 6th straight NBA finals I have to wonder what the haters will have to say? I'm sure theres a reason left at that point to trash him I'm just struggling with what that is.
No need for a chip on your shoulder. Just relish in your team's success. You got a pretty dang good team. Get used to success and let the haters hate.
Are there still LeBron haters? I don't really hear many slighting the guy anymore. At least not more than any superstar gets.
I find this humorous. Who have you heard say he isn't the best player of his generation? Because I haven't heard anyone.
You mean besides jaded Heat fans? I hear a lot of Lebron hate on a pretty regular basis and there are still people in the media that act like he's underachieved in his career, its still a pretty common notion.
Wizards are preparing a max deal for Bradley Beal. lol seriously have not seen anything from that guy that shows he has earned such a contract.
I have certainly heard the argument against. Also, once could certainly say Steph Curry had a better year but more than a few have made the laughable and even more humorous comments that Steph is a better player.
Lol, which jaded Heat fans? I have heard plenty of Heat fans that root against him, or suggest he should have stayed in Miami. I don't hear very many people knocking his game. Certainly nowhere near what it was when he first got to Miami.