Van Gundy aside, I can believe they're in the finals. Their trajectory of improvement in the playoffs is ideal. In fact, very similar to the C's last year - squeaking by in 7 the first 2 rounds then playing quite convincingly in semi's, winning in 6. We'll see if the pattern holds.
I've heard folks that don't like how they play, but I've grown to respect it. Spreading the floor is a prerequisite to winning today. The teams that win are the ones that do it best (very much a generalization, but I think it's serviceable). And the 3 is practically necessary to do that. Too often it's downplayed that it's worth a point more...and almost treat is as selfish and greedy to shoot.
People like to deride Orlando's offense as non-fundemental and not reliable because of the 3's. They may want to look again. I wonder if it's what a lot of the future will look like...
If I had to guess I would probably say Tim speaks ill of Van Gundy less for his on-court strategies and more for some of the things he says and has said in the press. Sometimes a rough read/listen.
What about LeBron walking off after the game? Can I get an "Isiah"?
They're in the finals because Cleveland doubled down on Howard every time he got the ball and they shot 47% on 3's from game 6 of the Celtics series through the EC finals. 47%!!!!!! If they can keep that up they'll be very tough to beat. Lamar Odom is the key. If he can take Rashard Lewis down to the block they can take advantage of Orlando's lack of size. Also, he needs to fly out on those shooters. Very athletic guy when he tries.
Oh, and I like that Lebron walked off like that. He cares. At least his teamates covered for him in the press room......first time they helped him all series.
I really don't like the 2-3-2 format. I think it puts more pressure on the team with home court advantage. If the visiting team sneaks one of the first two, your back is against the wall. Give me 2-2-1-1-1 any day. I wonder if the players prefer it. It is much less travel for them.
I agree entirely. The team with home court advantage should be able to lose in one of the first 2 games without the prospect of never seeing their home court again. I think the first time they did 2-3-2 was in 1985 and the Celtics dropped game 2, if my memory of the history is correct, and then faced 3 games in LA. I hated it then and I hate it now. Not b/c of the result of that series obviously - this year it's LA on the somewhat disadvantaged side of the format and I still wish it was 2-2-1-1-1. It just doesn't seem fair.
Comments
I sense disdain
Van Gundy aside, I can believe they're in the finals. Their trajectory of improvement in the playoffs is ideal. In fact, very similar to the C's last year - squeaking by in 7 the first 2 rounds then playing quite convincingly in semi's, winning in 6. We'll see if the pattern holds.
I've heard folks that don't like how they play, but I've grown to respect it. Spreading the floor is a prerequisite to winning today. The teams that win are the ones that do it best (very much a generalization, but I think it's serviceable). And the 3 is practically necessary to do that. Too often it's downplayed that it's worth a point more...and almost treat is as selfish and greedy to shoot.
People like to deride Orlando's offense as non-fundemental and not reliable because of the 3's. They may want to look again. I wonder if it's what a lot of the future will look like...
my guess
If I had to guess I would probably say Tim speaks ill of Van Gundy less for his on-court strategies and more for some of the things he says and has said in the press. Sometimes a rough read/listen.
What about LeBron walking off after the game? Can I get an "Isiah"?
I can see that
RE: Van Gundy
Regarding LeBron, this says it pretty well :
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Am.kxIkBYbKnQWEo1lHi4SC8vLYF?slug=...
The shooting has been Other-Worldly
They're in the finals because Cleveland doubled down on Howard every time he got the ball and they shot 47% on 3's from game 6 of the Celtics series through the EC finals. 47%!!!!!! If they can keep that up they'll be very tough to beat. Lamar Odom is the key. If he can take Rashard Lewis down to the block they can take advantage of Orlando's lack of size. Also, he needs to fly out on those shooters. Very athletic guy when he tries.
Oh, and I like that Lebron walked off like that. He cares. At least his teamates covered for him in the press room......first time they helped him all series.
I think
Bill Simmons is stealing your material...
Damn him!
Sports guy, my ass!
he's on sandmachine.com a lot...
...in fact, I think one of the Anonymous poems was him...
2-3-2
I really don't like the 2-3-2 format. I think it puts more pressure on the team with home court advantage. If the visiting team sneaks one of the first two, your back is against the wall. Give me 2-2-1-1-1 any day. I wonder if the players prefer it. It is much less travel for them.
indeed
I agree entirely. The team with home court advantage should be able to lose in one of the first 2 games without the prospect of never seeing their home court again. I think the first time they did 2-3-2 was in 1985 and the Celtics dropped game 2, if my memory of the history is correct, and then faced 3 games in LA. I hated it then and I hate it now. Not b/c of the result of that series obviously - this year it's LA on the somewhat disadvantaged side of the format and I still wish it was 2-2-1-1-1. It just doesn't seem fair.
America Agrees
Todays ESPN poll asks that very question. As of now 13,500 people have responded and 73% like the 2-2-1-1-1. I am in agreement.
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