I thought about this last night and I'd say yes. In the history of the NBA, I think you have to say: 1. Riley: 8 championships (1 as a player, 5 as a coach, 2 as an exec) 2. West: 9 championships (1 as a player, 8 as an exec) 3. Auerbach: 16 championships (6 as a coach, 9 as an exec)
the heat have a team of destiny feel to them. how in the world was this team a 4th seed? butler is shooting 50% on 3's in the playoffs which is so far above anything he's ever done (and he's getting 8 ft's for every 10 shot attempts). seemingly every deflection he makes ends up in a dunk and never an out of bounds. every role player is playing out of their mind, even a guy like crowder who was washed 5 years ago. adebayo is growing by the day and is making all-time game-saving blocks. the other team almost never makes a big play when they could use one. the play that sealed it for me was dragic's step back 3 near the end. every other year of his career, that's a brick. but when you're on a team of destiny, that stuff goes in. it would be crazy if they really keep up this level of outperformance for 16 games. game 6 of the 1980 nba finals came on during the shutdown. a lot of people would probably think riley was the coach of the lakers, but he was actually just an assistant that year. except it's even crazier. he wasn't even an assistant at the beginning of the year. he only became an assistant after the head coach got hurt in a bike accident. what was he doing before? he was a lakers broadcaster. one of the most successful coaches and team builders ever was a broadcaster and then just jumped to championship-winning coach like 2 year later. granted, winning with the lakers' roster wasn't that difficult, but everything after proves he knows what he's doing.
There is a big difference between individual's such as donaghy being corrupt and the NBA as a league/organization being fixed & rigged. With the games and outcomes decided/mandated by the top, which many here seem to claim. How often do we see posts claiming, such an such games are due to the nba wanting clippers vs lakers, lebron vs etc etc. For those who want to believe their teams losses are due to the NBA rigged and fixed, have at it. Look in every forum and every fan base and you'll inevitably find the same complaints, the refs, the nba, the league is against us.
The whole team played like ass in the 2nd half. Smart needs to calm tf down and whoever tried to place the blame on him needs to look in the mirror as well. This team needs either a Udonis Haslem-like vet on the team to check them or a stronger personality as coach if they are to get to the Finals.
Brad Stevens is getting outcoached big time. Erik Spoelstra switched to the zone in the second half and the Celtics proceeded to turn the ball over 12 turns.
Watching this series makes you realize even more how “meh” the Rockets others are. these teams usually have 5 guys on the floor that are all competent, and fill a role really well or more. Celtics out there with Kemba, Tatum, Brown, Smart, Haywood.
Part of that is scheme, though. Duncan Robinson is an undrafted rookie who shoots only 3's - but he doesn't just stand in one place until someone passes him the ball. They constantly run him all over the court through an endless series of screens until he's open (similar to Curry, Klay Thompson, Reggie Miller, etc). That wears out the defense and creates mistakes and open shots. Rockets players might look a lot better if they did things like that too.
Tyler Herro playing so damn well. Cant believe he is a rookie. Equally surprising is Heyward, the guy hasnt played in how many months? He's the difference on offense and defense for the Celtics right now.
It's obvious that we need to get our own Tyler Herros, but this dude had some pedigree. He was voted by his collegiate peers as the best shooter of the draft.
seems like Jimmy Butler has been putting up quiet or very pedestrian numbers for like 60% or more of these playoffs if Miami did the impossible and won the title this year, it would be the ultimate team title...moreso than even the 04 Pistons
I just watched a 2 minute promo of Marcus Smart dancing before games. That's a thing that just happened. I'm so glad I pay for league pass in pesos
With 45 seconds left, Marcus Smart takes the ball through the Heat’s zone defense, gets fouled, and wisely throws the ball up so he can get the free throws, which he sinks. Mark Jackson rebukes him for putting up a shot with time left on the clock. Every game, Jackson impresses me with his idiocy.
I think it’s strange Butler and Adebayo (and Herro and Robinson) seem to be getting most of the attention, but Goran Dragic is the one “quietly” averaging 22 points a game for the playoffs.
a lot of that is that tatum and brown are still on their rookie deals and don't cost anything right now.
I mean it’s not just them. Miami. Lakers are clearly way better. The Nuggets have a sick roster and style. The Raptors have some aging players but also a solid young core. The Mavs are up and coming. there are some really solid teams out there. rockets need Westbrook to play like a superstar to have a legit chance. But it’s be nice to upgrade more.
