2016 NBA Playoffs WESTERN Conference Discussion

Discussion in 'NBA Discussion' started by alam1108, Apr 15, 2016.

  1. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    I wonder what this series means to Durant sticking around in OKC.

    Wasn't the rumor that if they miss the Finals he's out?
     
  2. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    That's what A'm expectin'. :Magic Brows:
     
  3. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    I really don't know what OKC can do at this point to catch up to SA and GS. They cheaped out and traded away talent over the years and now they've fallen just enough outside of those 2 teams that they aren't winning anytime soon. I assume Duncan and Ginobili are retiring after this season, but the Spurs have set themselves up excellently to continue on with Leonard and Aldridge. And GS is a very young team, and if they can keep their core together they are gonna keep winning too. If Durant wants to win he probably needs to join the 2 stars on the Spurs, or maybe even go East to like Boston, as much as I hate to say that. I really can't see him coming here unless we somehow got 2 other stars with him, and become instantly better than OKC, which seems incredibly unlikely.
     
  4. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Wasn't it a couple days ago SAS was certain Durant would be going to Miami?
     
  5. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    I'd think Miami would be another possibility. Riley can recruit, Wade isn't getting any younger, Bosh may be done, and if Deng leaves, Durant can take his spot. I don't know their financial situation, but Dragic is on board for a while still, if they could keep Wade and Whiteside, along with their promising youth like Winslow and Richardson, add Durant, that's a team in the mix in the East. They'd probably be the 2nd best team immediately.
     
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  6. wcsoldier81

    wcsoldier81 - Lakers All Star -

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    OKC has 2 offensive competent players from the SG to the SF included ... 2 out of 6 spots , not sure why its FO isn't called out on a regular basis
     
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  7. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Because they are still getting praised for drafting Russ, KD and Harden.
     
  8. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    How would Miami get to Durant? They've got to figure out a way to pay both Wade and Whiteside this summer already. They don't have enough money for Durant with Bosh on board.

    I wouldn't be surprised at all if Durant and San Antonio figured something out. I still expect him to go for the 1+1 though.

    And I don't expect the Lakers to be a serious candidate for him right now. With the 1+1 they've got a shot at making things happen in a year if they do well this summer, but right now I can't see us being a serious candidate as we're built.
     
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  9. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

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    Same s*** different day with Russell and KD in how they finish the game.

    Bad possessions leading to bad shots and if known of the happens its likely a turnovers. Westbrooks had 2-3 turnovers down the stretch and KD has 1.

    I dont care what happens this series, OKC doesn't play the kind of basketball that you can win a championship with.
     
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  10. Lakers2015

    Lakers2015 - Lakers Starter -

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    People are always gonna blame Durant and Westbrook. What about the supporting cast? They contribute nothing. I don't blame them for not trusting those scrubs.
     
  11. kdctran

    kdctran - Rookie -

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    Lillard is playing like Curry right now.
     
  12. Exonyte

    Exonyte - Rookie -

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    Meh, was bound to have a good game after shooting like crap most of the playoffs
     
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  13. Lakers2015

    Lakers2015 - Lakers Starter -

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    He's a superstar. It's what stars do. Lillard is a big time.
     
  14. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Warriors are gonna lose game 3, down 107-94 with 4:19 to go. Portland is not gonna go down easy if the Warriors have Curry out this whole series.
     
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  15. wcsoldier81

    wcsoldier81 - Lakers All Star -

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    Lillard is a volume shooter and an inconsistent one . You could say he has limited spacing with his current supporting cast and it's true ... but he wasn't shooting much better surrounded by LMA , Matthews and Batum .

    His big games definetely contribute to overrate him imo
     
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  16. Lakers2015

    Lakers2015 - Lakers Starter -

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    Kobe was a volume shooter. So were guys below him like Iverson and McGrady and they were still superstars in this league. Lillard is an absolute assassin. Much like Westbrook. How he's led this team with so many big losses so impressive. What a sensational year this guy has had.
     
  17. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    I like lillard a lot. I think he's better than say, harden, or some other guys with a higher national profile. but as others have said, he's not consistent enough to be your superstar.

    it took a big night from him and aminu catching fire from three to take that home game against gs. next one should be closer. they better get it, or they're going home in 5, curry or no.
     
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  18. Lakers2015

    Lakers2015 - Lakers Starter -

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    Not consistent enough? LOL this dude has been consistent all season long. That's why Portland is in this position to being with. I don't see how you can make the argument when we saw Lillard be great all season. Yes he had some bad games in the playoffs so does everyone. We saw a guy like Durant have off games in the playoffs. If Lillard couldn't be your star this team wouldn't have been anything, but a lottery team. Instead they were a top five seed in the West. Lillard is a superstar. Superstars make players around them better and make their team play and above their beyond their capabilities and that's exactly what Damian has done.
     
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  19. jbiggs

    jbiggs - Rookie -

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    lillard is a beast. if he isnt a superstar he is still a guy you could easily build a team around and attract other free agents with. hes a curry-esque in some ways
     
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  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    This sort of response isn't really conducive to good conversation.

    Lillard is great. I like him a lot. So far in his young career he's played his best when the lights shone brightest. I think with more experience in the playoffs, he can continue to improve.

    Still, his FG% needs to improve. He's in the low 40% range in his career and he's slightly worse in the playoffs. He's got a little room to grow still.
     
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