I watched the postgame press conference after Game 5, and I couldn't believe that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook was so down, heads bowed down, and I felt as if they already lost the series. I am not an expert in reading people but it seemed to me they were hiding the true things that made them sulk like that. I have no idea... maybe the coaching? Blaming themselves? I was watching them looking at the box score on the table trying to look for positives. "I had three steals", said Westbrook when a reported tried to put him down him even more. I felt sorry for them.
Charles Xavier: Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.
Get up and fight! I have seen them after a loss before, even on blowouts, and I have seen them react positively as if they can't wait for the next game for some payback. I didn't see that after Game 5. Their demeanour can still change between now and Game 6, but for now, that is my major reason for counting them off and making me feel comfortable with picking a Thunder, even a filler. My Saturday pick goes to Steven Adams.
Adams played relatively great in their do-or-die games in the last round, and I hope that happens again. I previously said I'd pick Caron Butler or Derek Fisher on an elimination game because they are soon-to-be free agents, but that was before I looked at their Game 6 and 7 last round. I didn't like what I saw.
[UPDATE] I had time to review this pick and pondered why Boris Diaw sits at 2nd hottest owned. Coach Brooks may switch Ibaka on Duncan so as not to let Bonner and Diaw lure Ibaka away from the paint on defense. That puts Perkins, Adams and Thunder's other bigs on the Spurs' stretch bigs. This scenario may nullify Diaw's exploitation of the Thunder D a bit, but I now think it affects Adams even more now. Also, I saw how last year's Spurs-Heat series showed that the Heat has good perimeter D on Diaw. That means Diaw can never be more effective in the Finals than now in the Conference Finals being used as an X-Factor and important chess piece. And so, I am changing my pick to Diaw. Let it rain.
Charles Xavier: Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever.
Get up and fight! I have seen them after a loss before, even on blowouts, and I have seen them react positively as if they can't wait for the next game for some payback. I didn't see that after Game 5. Their demeanour can still change between now and Game 6, but for now, that is my major reason for counting them off and making me feel comfortable with picking a Thunder, even a filler. My Saturday pick goes to Steven Adams.
Adams played relatively great in their do-or-die games in the last round, and I hope that happens again. I previously said I'd pick Caron Butler or Derek Fisher on an elimination game because they are soon-to-be free agents, but that was before I looked at their Game 6 and 7 last round. I didn't like what I saw.
[UPDATE] I had time to review this pick and pondered why Boris Diaw sits at 2nd hottest owned. Coach Brooks may switch Ibaka on Duncan so as not to let Bonner and Diaw lure Ibaka away from the paint on defense. That puts Perkins, Adams and Thunder's other bigs on the Spurs' stretch bigs. This scenario may nullify Diaw's exploitation of the Thunder D a bit, but I now think it affects Adams even more now. Also, I saw how last year's Spurs-Heat series showed that the Heat has good perimeter D on Diaw. That means Diaw can never be more effective in the Finals than now in the Conference Finals being used as an X-Factor and important chess piece. And so, I am changing my pick to Diaw. Let it rain.
Good luck with your picks!
I'm probably going to go with chalmers tonight cuz there really is no one else imo...I used all the starters in Indiana and wade in the heat. Allen I want to save for the finals since he plays a lot more minutes and he thrives in clutch situations imo
ReplyDeleteI think both can hit big shots. Chalmers baseline 3 in 2011 finals still haunts me
DeleteI agree that that was not a good sign from them... BUT
ReplyDelete...
When they go in the the PEAK for that game and get the feel of the HOME crowd, and excitement that adrenaline will kick in and all will be forgot....
.................(is my bias blinding me?)
....
.... If it is lust lie to me and say no.... :)
..
Thunder UP
no. Those two are pro
DeleteA quote from Charles Xavier. Nice touch!
ReplyDeleteFor me the decision is an easy one. Serge Ibaka. For most people picking their top Thunder player makes a lot of sense. I think this goes 7, but after yesterday I have to believe the Spurs are going to take it (but I don't count the Thunder out yet). Danny Green in Game 7, if necessary. Serge in Game 6.
Yep 35% picking Thunder Big3. Gotta do it
Deleteactually i might pick ray allen since it seems like he is doing better in this series, thoughts on allen or chalmers?
ReplyDeleteI've got Allen.
Delete1. Because I go with great shooters in Home games
2. Chalmers will turn it on in the Finals
Allen. He looks zoned in out there
DeleteTaong, I can't believe that the Thunder feel so down, it's like they feel they aren't going to win G7 so they don't care about winning G6 anymore like advance elimination. Even before hearing this I was going to pick Durant because of their X-3 deficit but now he may have a disappointing sub average game. I hope to pick Ibaka in G7 (and the Spurs win) but now I'm not so sure they'll be a G7. One thing is for sure, while Ibaka is a good role player, there is no comparing him and Durant so if I were to lose one of them, it will be Ibaka (who I'd be re-losing) as I will not make the mistake again of assuming a G7 after what happened with Blake Griffin and the Clippers last round.
ReplyDeleteYes, gotta be KD. They still owe it to the home crowd
DeleteGod I love Manu what a Legend !!!
ReplyDeleteAnyway Thunder looked demoralized and know that Spurs are the better team. There was a stage where they showed both Westbrook/Durant, their faces explained everything you needed to know. How the hell are we going to beat this lot when you and me have to score over 60pts a game while playing close to the whole game with also carrying a bunch of dead weights that can't make their own shots or even score.
They're probably are thinking Brooks needs to get sacked aswell, he hasn't helped them at all. He should have rested them in the home blow out win and their loss was because of them being tired and Spurs starters getting a rest and also knowing they needed the win. Think Spurs will close this out now at OKC, I know they haven't won there but records are there to be broken.
My pick for today is Chalmers, because I've used everyone else that's possible apart from the big 3 from this series. Easy decision for me....
Spot on
DeleteI'm taking Chalmers too, I used LeBron James and I want Wade and Bosh for the Finals.
DeleteLebron for me today.... LGI!!!!!
ReplyDelete9% owned. 40 PRA to make it a worthwhile pick. Good luck
DeleteGoing with Lance Stephenson tonight, my final Pacer, in the Pacers last game of the year. His best playoff game thus far was 38 PRA, and while I would love to see him duplicate that, I would be happy with 25+ PRA from him tonight. Hopefully Lance stays out of foul trouble and doesn't get ejected, two things that do scare me since he has flapping his gums all series. Time to put up or shut up.
ReplyDeleteLooks like going to be another blowout
ReplyDeleteIt´s whining time before I go to bed (3:13 AM over here).
ReplyDeleteAs usual, if I pick a player from a group of 3 (here: Parker from the Group Tim, Tony, Manu), I get the least productive. Works like a charm, especially with the Spurs. I don´t think that´s bad luck anymore or even bad timing, but has a lot to do with me not knowing much about the game and the details of matchups, and not watching a single second of the playoffs after some minutes in round 1. Ginobili: good pick. Duncan: great pick. Parker: bad pick.
The good news: Looks like the Spurs stand a chance to go back to big stage. Even if the Thunder force a game 7 I now believe again in the Spurs. They beat the Mavs decisively in the first round, they won be an average of 26.7 points at home in the conference finals, they have a little bit of experience whereas the Thunder have only KD and RW and not much else.
I might get funny and pick Ibaka for game 6 and reserving Durant for game 7, especially considering my campaign died a few weeks ago, but, well, no. It´s Kevin Durant for me. Should get at least 25 PRA for me.
If Heat does meet the Spurs, I think it's gonna be Spurs in 7. But for DTTF purposes, I'd like a sweep please for any team.
DeleteOkay... I NEED some junk pra's from HIbbert in the 4th... PLEASE lol
ReplyDeleteEven with this bad game with Hibbert(4%), at this rate, I have the chance to do better than.
Delete...
18% Ray Allen
15% Mario Chalmers
11% Luis Scola
08% C.J. Watson
..............................52% of the field :)
I'll take it
and tie Rashard Lewis 4%
DeleteOverall an ugly game for DTTF. Top 3 picks Chalmers, Allen, Scola got low PRAs. But it's mostly due to the blowout game. Many sat early.
DeleteYeah, but you ROCKED it with Bosh :)
DeleteWell I got disappointed in Mario Chalmers, I'm not going to say much more but if I knew the Chris Anderson was playing, how often do I say that about someone who played 19 fewer minutes? Despite that he put up 9 more PAR than MC. Good news is that MC's 10 still beat all the Pacers subs and it even beat Norris Cole (4) and Ray Allen (6) so all wasn't lost. By doing this I still have DW and CB so that is key.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty happy with Mario Chalmers. My goal was 10+, and it was reached (barely). But Chalmers was a great sacrificial lamb. Bosh and Birdman were the best picks, and I didn't consider either one for tonight (Bosh a little bit but I liked others better). Mario Chalmers saved me from a 6 from Allen and a 35 from LeBron. A 10 seems like a stinker, but it's just what I needed. Hopefully I get lucky enough to catch Bosh at a later time with a 25+. Hopefully. And I like having that LeBron card still in play.
ReplyDeleteRashard Lewis was a nice tip , thanks ;) .
ReplyDeleteAh yeah! Glad to be of help.
DeleteOh, I'm not sure if you're happy with Lewis' 2nd best outing in the playoffs (he may never start again), or sarcastic with getting just 15 PRA.
Delete:)
Maybe, you're..
Delete29 Savior_mm R. Lewis (15) 1,177
Sticking to my guns?
ReplyDelete:
I only have ONE SA player left and that is Ginobili....
...
So I am going to wait and use him back in SA at home
(YES OKC will win tonight, we all know this)
...
So tonight I"m going to burn an OKC player at home...
...
I"m thinking of going with Steve Adams then Ginobili
...
That will leave me with the Miami big 4(though I can't play the ref) so I'm left with the big 3 *smirk*
and
Ibaka, Westbrook and Jackson for the finals :)
...
Thunder UP !!
Not sure how you can't pick Westbrook here. Crazy, don't risk losing Westbrook for nothing, no reason his big game won't be tonight. Adams is good only if the top 4 options have been taken.....
Deletewhy would you pick adams when you have ibaka westbrook and jackson? even if your an okc fan you have to be realistic or otherwise you'll be done for in the finals with no spurs left while leaving westbrook ibaka and jackson unused
DeleteWestbrook now, Adams in Finals. Just switch em up, you'll get the same effect in the end
DeleteI'm thinking....
DeleteToo late, picking closed
DeleteI ended up taking Jackson :)
DeleteYour going to regret it ..Okc is gonna lose and your going to end up missing out on Westbrook at home ..it's the same thing whether you use Westbrook now or later anyways so why would you risk losing him ?
DeleteWell, yawn, another blowout. So what else is new? Was there any game even interesting in the final quarter in the conference finals except for game 4 of the Miami-series when LeBron had foul trouble? One blowout after the other. You can´t pick anybody because the stars are sitting in the fourth, and the scrubs are more luck-prone than anything.
ReplyDeleteAgain I picked Chalmers, he had the most playing time of any of the Miami starters, and he got nothing. Birdman on the other hand, playing for 13 minutes, 19 PR(A).
Wade hat a lot of good games in a row until I picked him. Bosh, on the other hand, did nothing until he had back-to-back 32 PRA outings. So what does he do next? 33 PRA. That´s why I didn´t pick him. Wanted to save someone for the Finals. Brilliant idea, I know.
I hope for a long series in the Finals, at least 6 games. I have to reach 1,000 points somehow. Tonight, 50+ from Durant, a win for the Spurs, that would be a good start.
Durant will start off distributing, getting others hot. Then lights it ip himself at the 2nd half
DeleteChanged pick from Adams to Diaw. Details in updated post, above. Wrong move?
ReplyDeleteright move in my opinion not sure why you would go with Adams anyway Spurs have plenty options use them they're all better then OKC apart from the big 3
DeleteOuch, as per TBT NBA, " Popovich submitted Splitter’s name so he’s going back to his 'normal' starters."
DeleteSo Chalmers went up $hit creek and got his norm, I should have used Bosh really like you Taong. Not sure why I didn't really because I have plenty Spurs so I could have used etc a Spliter or Diaw in the finals instead of Bosh. Not a smart move by me....
ReplyDeleteAnyway today I think Spurs will close, them seeing Miami winning would make them leave everything on the court this game. yes OKC will do the same but this is where in my opinion last yrs finals hurt will push them through in fact Pop should show them the video of the finals loss.
My pick is obviously Durant no need to explain. I do like that he's only 9% I didn't expect that I'm guessing alot chickened out and used him in the Griz series.
What ever happens I'll move big in the rankings after this pick.
And Day One pick too @ 16%
DeleteLance Stephenson was incredibly disappointing in his elimination game lack of effort (16 PRA). He started fine in the first half, but in the second half the only thing he accomplished for the most part was slapping Norris Cole in the face, and then disappearing completely from this game.
ReplyDeleteIndiana got annihilated by the Heat as was totally expected. And the league got their extra game of revenue so everyone was happy. Although had to try real hard to get that extra game, as Indiana really wanted to fold their tent in Game #5, but with LeBron basically kept on the bench by fouls, even Indiana could not screw that up (they tried real hard to do it though), and managed to force the series back to Miami, before being slaughtered.
And the enigma that is the Indiana Pacers are now history, and the Miami Heat move on to the Finals.
Expect serious changes in Indiana. The Pacers have tons of issues to deal with. Far too many for a team that started as well as they did this year before their second half collapse. Miami was just coasting to the playoffs, and the Eastern Conference is dreadful. The Pacers are lucky they don't play in the Western Conference, actually so is Miami, if you really think about it.
I think Stephenson is a goner, but I also think Bird should still try to keep him. He can't get equal value if they sign and trade Stephenson. And there's no good SG in the market that is good on both sides of the ball
DeleteLance Stephenson is a good player, that brings a lot to the table to better a team. He also has a lot of mental issues, that cause a lot of problems for his team, and create chaos. Chaos is not good for any team. So it will be interesting to see how this turns out, and what other changes are made (new coach, different players, etc.)
DeletePaul George will be back for sure. Will Stephenson? Will they keep Hibbert or try to deal him? They also really do need a true point guard, as some of the "experts" were saying (not that I am always on board with the experts). Lots of uncertainty though for sure.
In the Spurs vs. OKC series, the Spurs took care of business in Game #5 and won their home game. This has been a home team series and the games have not even been close. OKC can't win in San Antonio (even though they did so during the season), and the Spurs can't win @OKC.
ReplyDeleteThe Spurs did prove in the last game however, that even with Serge Ibaka playing they can win, and even decimate OKC playing @home in San Antonio. Thus I now have renewed faith that the Spurs can still win this series, and move on to the Finals. Had the Spurs lost Game #5, that would have been lights out for them, as they then would have the daunting task of actually winning a game @OKC to stay alive. Which would not have happened, in all likelihood.
OKC will (or at least should) win tonight @home, and there will be a Game #7 in San Antonio. If the Spurs play like they did in every other home game in this series, they will eventually be victorious, and move on to face the Heat in the Finals.
For tonight, I am picking Russell Westbrook of the Thunder. He has had some outstanding games in this series, including a 55 PRA effort in his last home game. I probably missed the boat on that, but I would be ecstatic with a similar or even better effort. So going with Russell Westbrook tonight, hoping for 55+ PRA, but would be extremely happy with anything 45+ PRA honestly.
Now hopefully once I Russell Westbrook, the Thunder don't come back and win this series. That would be a disaster.
Home teams all the way in these WCFs! Durant tonight because it's possible they get eliminated tonight, then Ibaka in G7 (if it takes place). If this isn't an all home teams series, than I'd prefer Spurs in 6 than Thunder in 7 (just for DTTFs purposes so Thunder fans please don't be upset at me), because I'll have used the 4 most important Thunder.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that Ibaka is the most picked (again) at 22%, making it 63% of DTTF players that took him in either G4 or G6. Between Durant getting 50+ and the Spurs ending it tonight or Durant getting in the 40s and the Thunder forcing a G7 and Ibaka getting 20+ there in a loss, I hope I get whatever is the better benefit. I dropped 2% (from 93 to 91) with Chalmers being his invisible self despite 32 minutes, NINETEEN more than Chris Anderson who got 9 more PAR.
ReplyDeleteThis week has been a disaster with Hibbert(6) and Chalmers(10). I took Diaw tonight. Hoping for a Spurs win as well.
ReplyDeleteAlright things are looking good at half, Thunder are up by 7 so there should not be much garbage time (if any at all then only a few minutes). Durant is in the lead at 24, Westbrook right behind at 22, Diaw is 3rd at 15. Meanwhile Ibaka the leading % pick at 22% has 11 and Jackson has 13. If the Thunder win, I just hope G7 isn't a shocker (Thunder fans shall be thinking the opposite of this).
ReplyDeleteJackson working hard for me
ReplyDelete...
.............UP
Thunder ..... !!!!!
What on earth happened in the 3rd quarter especially at the end?! Durant had 4 TOs (3 of them Danny Green steals) and a foul at the end compared to just 7 PAR. After being on pace for 48 at half, he probably won't even get 40 which looked like a sure thing. The Thunder appear to be giving up in G6 just like the Clippers did against them in the same G# last round. All of a sudden a 1 point deficit becomes 10 in the blink of an eye and the Thunder were outscored 37-20 in the quarter.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the Spurs are ahead this late in the game, much less by 10. The Thunder have quit and it looks like I'm getting burned again (as Durant will most likely be sub 40).
ReplyDeleteAlright, Durant, Westbrook and the Thunder are showing pride and are trying to win, KD has 47 and it's now a 2 point SA lead with 14 seconds left, lets see if we can get what must not be talked about since it's been M.I.A. since the 1st round.
ReplyDeleteTie game 9 seconds left in regulation.
DeleteWe can say it for the 1st time in 2 rounds OT!
ReplyDeleteWell Durant was shutout on OT which was extremely surprising and it was tough to see the OT actually give the green to Westbrook but this was still Durant's best game with 47!
DeleteThunder up !!!
ReplyDelete...
Oh well.... I stuck to my guns what can I say...
...
On to the finals :)
...
Thunder up !!!
Go SPURS !!!!
DeleteMFFL for Spurs!
Deletebest situation possible.. wb good game, stat wise. only 5% own, and THUNDERS lose.. woot woot
ReplyDelete:P
ReplyDelete......Good luck to you my friend :)
I have Bosh, LeBron, Allen, Duncan, and Manu
ReplyDeleteWell Taong, that was a very shrewd move you just made. Well done, that was a game changer, and a move into the Top 100 for the time being. For the Finals, I've got 8 solid picks left: Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, Danny Green, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James are all must pick, and following closely behind is Ray Allen, and then Game 7 can be a choice between Birdman or Tiago Splitter. I'm thinking:
ReplyDelete1. Lead off with Manu
2. Check out one game to see the usage of Diaw, Green and Splitter against the Heat and pick one for Game 2
3. Pick Chris Bosh and Ray Allen in Game 3 and 4 (in whatever order I feel like)
4. Pick the best available Diaw/Green/Splitter (based on how they've done in the series and who's being used)
5. Pick LeBron James in Game 6
6. Pick Birdman or another Spur (Tiago in all likelihood)
I see an opportunity to move up the rankings in the NBA Finals!
Dodged Adams' 2 PRA and got extra 16 over Diaw's average, but all-in-all just got lucky. Bosh's 33 got me to 100 percentile and Diaw's 32 may put me in top 100. But we all know that's all irrelevant because we still have games left. Say I get 20/15/15/10/10/5/5 , that spells about 92 percentile.
DeleteI guess being an example of what not to be is still a lesson to tell :) Gotta peak in the Finals, not the Conference Finals.
As for the Finals, just some tidbits...
* pick starters in games 1&2
* leave 1 star for an elimination game
* pick Bosh on a Texas floor
* best time to go cold
Details an explanations on the next post.
Why is the blog redirecting me to a poll website immediately on the next post I can't even read or comment on it ?
ReplyDeleteAh sorry, blogger polls currently dont work, had to use poll-maker.
Delete