Because they play in the East. I firmly believe any of the four teams you listed win at least 42 - probably 45 - with an East schedule. Hell, I'm not sure if the Pacers are appreciably better than the Rockets.
They aren't. But, after the Heat fell asleep in game 3, the Pacers were the blueprint for success around here. lol
This has seemed to be the theme for the past 5 years or so. A team out in the cold, in the WC (like the 9th or 10th seed) could easily be the 5th or 6th seed in the EC. The balance of power, so to speak, is top heavy in the East, while playoff teams in the west are very evenly matched, even though we've seen more sweeps in the WC this year.
Paul George spending all of his energy guarding Wade must have him tired offensively. It seems like he hasn't hit an open shot all series. If Paul George can wake up offensively the Pacers have a chance. Unfortunately I don't see him doing it.
Hurt feelings don't really count. Nothing that transpired before Haslem and Pittman's fouls showed malicious intent. If you make a hard foul while playing the ball, fine. But deliberately trying to injure people isn't 'standing up'. It's pretty much the opposite.
The Heat are not a championship contender without Chris Bosh. But they're good enough to hang with a very mediocre bunch in the East. There are plenty of mediocre teams that have made it to the second round or further, given unique matchups... which this year's East (especially post-Rose and Howard) is full of.
I think both arguments are correct. Achieving playoff success means you do it with 2-3 superstars (Miami, OKC) or have a ridiculous balanced team (SAS, Boston). Although, SacTown, I don't think you should criticize people for saying the Indiana model is better for the Rockets; it is easier to go this route, of having a deeper team, than getting 2-3 superstars and going for it all. You're talking about LeBron and Wade here - two of the top five talents in the league. Assuming the Rockets follow this 2-3 superstar model, we'd get, what? Deron Williams and Pau Gasol? Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol? I don't think those duos are going to win us the Finals. Go far in the playoffs, no doubt. But win the Finals? Not so sure.
collarbone, not cheekbone Alex Kennedy @AlexKennedyNBA Doctors are evaluating Lance Stephenson. He's getting x-rays and a concussion test. He may have a broken collarbone, says Danny Granger.
I'm still not sure why people are just throwing that word around. Just because teams like Philly and Indy can't find an offensive flow to their game doesn't make them mediocre. If you want mediocre, look at the bottom halves of each conference. Indy and Philly didn't get into the playoffs by accident. It's not over until it's over, but if there was a team to lose to, for the Pacers, it would be the Heat. Hopefully they'll learn from this, and be better next year. It'd be nice if the EC didn't just consist of three teams.
I would say you are right here and I agree with you, but why is it that so many people around here act like Lebron and Wade "can't coexist" together and say such stupid things like that? Is it just because they are jealous of them or do they really think this way? Last year and this year, Vegas had the Heat as favorites to win it all - and if not for a Dallas miracle they would have last year, but if you read the posts around here, the Heat are trash and they have no chance. Why do you think that is? This is the one thing that bothers me and sets me into troll mode.
Bro, that Hansboro attack on Wade early in this game was pretty malicious. He raked him across the face. That started it all.
I love getting on here an reading the little fights all of you have with each other. As if by correcting the other or proving them wrong in some regard you show your abundance of basketball knowledge and everyone will then look up to you. Half of you sound like complete douchebags. But please keep it up some of it is hilarious.
I mean, look at the poll here in this very thread. The majority of the people who voted picked the Pacers in 6. Do people really feel this way or are they just doing that because they dislike the Heat? Which one is it? Do we have this many misinformed basketball fans around here? The Indiana Pacers, really guys? Come on.
