2007-08 general league thread (non-Pistons)

so we need to win in 6 GRIN

I was worried about a Game 7 at Miami too, but that turned out fine. I know HCA is supposed to be an advantage, hence the A, but this team just does not play well with advantages.

Who says the series even goes 7 games? Besides the 05 ECF the last 3 or 4 have only gone up to 6 games, with the #2 seed winning.

Buddah can answer that.

If you go with the historical percentages, Flip has lost game 6 of the conference finals in 04, 06 and 07, so whomever we play in the ECF whether it's the Cavs, Celtics or Magic, the Pistons need a sweep or win it 4-1...bottomline no game 6 or 7 this time...

I was just about to bring that up too. I think Flip works so hard to get HCA that preperation for the playoffs is second on the list behind HCA.

In 20/20 hindsight you can analyze everything and make "conclusions". This topic has been discussed ad nauseaum, he just didn't had bench capable handling PO responsibilities. Think of this: some of even from the best staritng 5 failed, so what you can expect from far less capable benchplayer? And developing is not a deadline work: all you can do is practice every day and hope that it gives results, most of draftees do not fill expectations and that means that there isn't such thing as "development recipies" or even ways of "hurried development". And extremely few and extremely talented players are able to learn "on the fly" so please do not bring here cliche like "with PT he would learn faster" Only result would be confusion, you surely have noticed, that to most rookies and even 2nd year players is NBA level just overwhelming.

I totally undersand fan's desire to discuss various "what if's" but sometimes like in Iraq, there isn't a good solution.

Bring more reasonable claims than "coach didn't care of PO-s"

You bring up some valid points.

It does seem to me though that rookies and young players (years 1 - 4) get better with more experience.

They learn their opponents strengths and weaknesses.
They learn the refs and the refs learn them.
They gain more confidence.
They learn the team's system better
They gain even more confidence
Their teammates gain more confidence in them.
They give rest to their teammates.
They contribute more to the team winning, if they are good.

It is then up to the coach to decide if these young guys are good enough to get serious playoff minutes or not. But as all of the above items happen only through getting more PT then the coach will be more likely to use them in the playoffs only if they get more playing time during the regular year.

Regarding solution: There is always a solution for every problem. It is just that the solutions for some problems haven't been figured out yet, or they have been figured out by one or few and the rest won't listen for whatever reason, other than that that solution won't work in their opinion. This make sense because if they couldn't think of the solution most likely they will think that no one else can.

Problem is that for most rookies is NBA not one step forward in their career but totally new beginning 'cuz NBA environment is so different from FIBA. And to make thing even tougher, most rooks are not even aware of their own capabilities, learning what they can and can't is surely painful. Making long paragraph short: most newcomers do not know even their own "things" so opponents and teammates are even tougher "language".

True what you say but its seems to me that the only way for them to learn is to play; practice, chalkboards and video alone ain't going to be enough.

Agreed

Kobe >>>Should he get the surgery or not?? With his pinky out of joint can he risk sitting out six weeks and see the Lakers slip out of the playoffs? With the media saying they are the team to beat in the west he decides to skip it...


Kobe has torn ligament in right pinkie finger - NBA - MSNBC.com



Sign Up (LA Times take)

He should get it amputated like that one rugby player did. That is tough.

But would it be cheating if he had it replaced with a miniturized Pistorius blade?

I'd say it's his choice. He obviously thinks the Lakers have good chances in the playoffs and doesn't want to miss the opportunity. If it were me, I'd wait until Bynum came back and do it then if there's still time.

Wade thought the Heat had a good chance last year and he delayed surgery. Live and learn.

The question is do you want a fixed Kobe in the playoffs or one that is still playing with pain or just a bad shooting hand?

Doesn't matter. He's getting run over by the Diesel in the playoffs this year.

Phoenix isn't going to do anything.

The diesel will have to get through the fire wall first to get to Kobe.

This I believe is from 2006-07 when Drew was not as strong as he is now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-FLEDTfao