2016 NBA Playoffs WESTERN Conference Discussion

I want to see Westbrook vs Curry.

 

Are you serious right now? Westbrook had a phenomenal, phenomenal game and you're still gonna nit pick? Yes he had turnovers so what? The dude still put up 35 points, was a monster on the boards and dished out 9 assists. What more do you want from one guy? The same criticism this guy gets is the same Kobe used to get. He drops 40, single handily leads his team to victory and or at least puts them in position yet all people talk about is that he didn't trust his teammates. He dished the ball early in the game and late and still put up a huge offensive game. He was the number one reason OKC managed to pull this one out.

 

What happened Timmy? You got nuthin to say about this series? AT ALL???

 

time to hang it up Tim

 

I remember that game like it was yesterday!

 

Get your s*** together SA... i want Russ to join us next year, thay have to fail for that to happen

 

I don't think being eliminated in the WCF instead of the 2nd round will weigh much in KD and Russ free agency decisions

 

SAS couldn't hit a shot in the 1st quarter and shouldn't have been down big if it wasn't for Russ and KD TOs

 

And if San Antonio were to win a title this year (which after yesterday, seems unlikely), they'd use this title to say Duncan is better than Kobe. In terms of accomplishments (awards), Duncan may be even ahead of Kobe (it's pretty close), but I've seen both players for 20 years (as many here), and I honestly think Kobe has been by far the better player.

I think Duncan was a fantastic player, but as good as he was, I think the most important people in San Antonio have been Popovich and Buford. I'm not envious about the Spurs having Duncan for many years. We had Kobe, and even if we didn't, I think it's perfectly possible to compensate Duncan's talent. That said, I do honestly envy the Spurs front office, I envy the fact that Pop's been there since 1998, how the team always manages to get great talent, compensated team and how Popovich has been an outstanding coach who has been able to adapt to how the NBA has changed.

 

Like I said, Westbrook is the fire in this team. Last time I saw the Spurs look this way was after the Ray Allen 3 pointer in game 6. Duncan looks spent, and if he is then, that is no knock against them. Still a lot of life in the series, but the Thunder have the momentum.

For all those people that laud Duncan, how many do to knock Kobe? If Duncan didn't have the structure around him he would be KG with the T wolves, with maybe less all star appearances due to the fickleness of fan votes. Duncan is an all time great, but how many people would seriously chose Duncan over Kobe as your franchise player for the sheer fun, AND basketball reasons. The Spurs getting six rings is a franchise achievement at this rate with the shape Duncan is in. That shot where he was blocked was telling.

 

People take Tim's five rings as is but they dissect Kobe's so much to knock him down to 2 or maybe 1.5 (some people still claim Gasol deserved finals mvp in 2010).

 

agree with wc that even last night in win, kd and russ had some head-scratching turnovers down the stretch. they could totally cough up game 6 at home and then get smashed in a game 7. in any case, I don't give either much of a chance against gs, but I never did.

also, I believe someone in this thread said not to overreact to game 1's thrashing...

finally, whomever said adams has become very serviceable was (I think intentionally) understating. how many centers are better than him? really highlights how bad okc's non-Durant/westbrook perimeter players are that they're not a better team than this.

 

Sometimes turnovers are an issue and sometimes they aren't. Magic (whom I consider the GOAT) used to lead the league in turnovers. In Westbrook's case, I don't see them as a problem. What makes him unique, and a giant headache for opposing teams, is the Tasmanian Devil-like whirlwind of energy and unpredictability he exhibits every second he's on the floor. The turnovers are a natural byproduct of that. I'll take it.

 

What's crazy is that this was their best year EVER!! That is hard to believe, but it went practically unnoticed because of Golden State's season.

67 wins right? Playoffs are where stars shine, and right now, OKC's studs are outdueling the Spurs teamwork execution approach.

Reminds me when we had Shaq, Kobe, and misc. No way we should have beat some of those teams we beat, but ***Stars***

 

-Kobe's terrible last three seasons ( while Duncan won a ring and remains a contender) is the main reason why non Lakers fans say Duncan is far better .

-Duncan was willing to take a step back whereas Kobe wasn't .

-I'd say Duncan had the most consistent career but Kobe at his best was more dominant and for a longer time .

-Duncan never repeated and lost SIX (!) playoffs series with HCA , Kobe only 2 .. Both things do matter to me .

-Duncan isn't the Spurs best player since 08.

You can have arguments for both players but saying it's not close ( as a lot of "heads" are saying in favor of TD) is laughable to me

 

Kobe was a top 5 player form 1999 - 2012, with many of those seasons as the best in basketball. Duncan was top 5 from 1998 - 2007, an nice run but not as long or as dominant as Kobe. I also think if KG was in the same position as Duncan they win just as many championships.

I don't think it's a comparison honestly. Duncan was great but Kobe is a top 10 player in history. He's one of the best of the best.

 

But then I add extra points for Timmy's sense of fashion...... and he just might be the best ever.

Spoiler: Fashion Examples

But this is the best ever lol