Official OKC vs. heat thread!

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

Miami killed Chicago last year and Chicago did not get any better, they actually stayed the same or got worse (Deng slid back a notch and Rip Hamilton is too old to do anything ; These two offset Rose and Noah becoming a year older and wiser)

Miami would've steamrolled through Chicago, especially if the Heat had played up to their potential as they did since game 6 against Boston. Miami will dominate the East for the next 3-5 years. After that, the torch will be passed to Chicago in the East and they will dominate for 3-5 years. That's just the way things have been going in the East.

They killed Chicago last year because Rose couldn't do much against LeBron guarding him. They had 0 other options because Keith Bogans was a starter, and Boozer never showed up. Rip is like a 10 million times upgrade of Keith Bogans. Boozer is still a bum, but he at least had another year to get into the offense. The team was MUCH better this year than last year. You think the Heat or Thunder would have been at a 2 seed if LeBron or Durant missed 27 games like Rose did? No chance. They both got 2 seeds with their best players playing the entire season.

Next year is up in the air for Chicago anyways. Depends when Rose comes back, if they trade Deng this week, who they get in the draft. They have 3 players as unrestricted free agents. They have the chance to get a lot better or a lot worse.

I think OKC is legit, and here to stay. Don't expect LeBron to be KD's rival though. Look to Rose and Durant to develop that.

 

[antonio1988]

I can see LeBron and KD being rivals seeing as they are such close friends. That is usually what creates a great rivalry, just like in the case of Bird vs Magic.

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

I can see LeBron and KD being rivals seeing as they are such close friends. That is usually what creates a great rivalry, just like in the case of Bird vs Magic.

Bird and Magic can into the league at the same time, their rivalry started in college. It'll be hard to find another rivalry like that. LeBron isn't the type to develop rivalries, he'd rather team up with his friends than play them. Rose and Durant have the same mentality, all ball, no BS. Both are approaching their prime at the same time. I expect LeBron to fade off considerably after next season.

 

[RyanGT2007]

Bird and Magic can into the league at the same time, their rivalry started in college. It'll be hard to find another rivalry like that. LeBron isn't the type to develop rivalries, he'd rather team up with his friends than play them. Rose and Durant have the same mentality, all ball, no BS. Both are approaching their prime at the same time. I expect LeBron to fade off considerably after next season.

I think lebron has matured a lot! Reality slapped him in the face! You could tell with him being on the bench at the end of the game! His players were acting like fools "due to excitement" and lebron settled them down and told them to be classy! I have learned to respect the man! Used to I hated him! Honestly I'm glad we lost to a guy like him!

 

[antonio1988]

Bird and Magic can into the league at the same time, their rivalry started in college. It'll be hard to find another rivalry like that. LeBron isn't the type to develop rivalries, he'd rather team up with his friends than play them. Rose and Durant have the same mentality, all ball, no BS. Both are approaching their prime at the same time. I expect LeBron to fade off considerably after next season.

You must've forgotten the fact that he's only 27...

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

You must've forgotten the fact that he's only 27...

8th season. It's more about games played than age.

 

[bigwilly43729]

Bird and Magic can into the league at the same time, their rivalry started in college. It'll be hard to find another rivalry like that. LeBron isn't the type to develop rivalries, he'd rather team up with his friends than play them. Rose and Durant have the same mentality, all ball, no BS. Both are approaching their prime at the same time. I expect LeBron to fade off considerably after next season.

I always love the criticism about him "joining friends". You know why Bird and Magic didn't want to team up? Because they had Hall-of-Fame players around them to pass the ball to. Not Larry Hughes and Anderson Varajao.

LeBron actually tried to get Bosh to go to Cleveland. He declined. Notice that even with LeBron there, FA's still don't want to play there. Location matters. It's why OKC is going to be in trouble in a year or so. They can't keep all of these guys that they drafted and will get hurt in free agency in coming seasons.

The fact of the matter is that there have been a small handful of teams in the past 20-25 years that have won a title without at least two elite talents on the team. Dallas (who had no business winning it all last year) and Detroit in 2004 are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Just remember, if you are going to criticize LeBron for going to Miami, make sure you criticize any other high-profile FA that joins any other team with an established superstar. His 'fading off' sounds like wishful thinking. The road to the Finals is pretty much already paved for them this upcoming season with the complications of every other contender in the East.

 

[RyanGT2007]

I always love the criticism about him "joining friends". You know why Bird and Magic didn't want to team up? Because they had Hall-of-Fame players around them to pass the ball to. Not Larry Hughes and Anderson Varajao.

LeBron actually tried to get Bosh to go to Cleveland. He declined. Notice that even with LeBron there, FA's still don't want to play there. Location matters. It's why OKC is going to be in trouble in a year or so. They can't keep all of these guys that they drafted and will get hurt in free agency in coming seasons.

The fact of the matter is that there have been a small handful of teams in the past 20-25 years that have won a title without at least two elite talents on the team. Dallas (who had no business winning it all last year) and Detroit in 2004 are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Just remember, if you are going to criticize LeBron for going to Miami, make sure you criticize any other high-profile FA that joins any other team with an established superstar. His 'fading off' sounds like wishful thinking. The road to the Finals is pretty much already paved for them this upcoming season with the complications of every other contender in the East.

I think OKC will shock some people! I'm not being biased! I mean it! OKC may not have the clubs and the big city everyone likes, but the players love it here!

KD took a pay cut just to sign westbrooke fiveore years! They play here cause the want to! Money isn't what they are after!

Time will tell that's just what I see!

 

[NastyStang113]

Money isn't what they are after!

 

[Doug M]

lets see a full season first guys, lockout??

 

[antonio1988]

8th season. It's more about games played than age.

Tell that to Kobe... 17 seasons in and only 34

 

[antonio1988]

I always love the criticism about him "joining friends". You know why Bird and Magic didn't want to team up? Because they had Hall-of-Fame players around them to pass the ball to. Not Larry Hughes and Anderson Varajao.

LeBron actually tried to get Bosh to go to Cleveland. He declined. Notice that even with LeBron there, FA's still don't want to play there. Location matters. It's why OKC is going to be in trouble in a year or so. They can't keep all of these guys that they drafted and will get hurt in free agency in coming seasons.

The fact of the matter is that there have been a small handful of teams in the past 20-25 years that have won a title without at least two elite talents on the team. Dallas (who had no business winning it all last year) and Detroit in 2004 are the only ones I can think of off the top of my head.

Just remember, if you are going to criticize LeBron for going to Miami, make sure you criticize any other high-profile FA that joins any other team with an established superstar. His 'fading off' sounds like wishful thinking. The road to the Finals is pretty much already paved for them this upcoming season with the complications of every other contender in the East.

Great response

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

Tell that to Kobe... 17 seasons in and only 34

Getting baby plasma injected into his knees in Germany lol.

 

[bigwilly43729]

I think OKC will shock some people! I'm not being biased! I mean it! OKC may not have the clubs and the big city everyone likes, but the players love it here!

KD took a pay cut just to sign westbrooke fiveore years! They play here cause the want to! Money isn't what they are after!

Time will tell that's just what I see!

They will still be relevant, but we've got to be honest here. Free Agency is a HUGE key to winning a title, especially in basketball where one player can make such a major impact on a team.

KD may not be after money because he knows he can make up whatever he leaves on the table off the court. Guys like Harden and Ibaka won't be leaving cash on the table, especially Harden who will be able to get starter money somewhere else. Someone will overpay to have a guy like that and markets matter to these guys.

lets see a full season first guys, lockout??

I'm not trying to bust your balls here, but I'm really not understanding what difference this makes. The season pretty much played out the way the consensus thought it would. The best teams were there in the end, save for Chicago and their injury problems late in the season. There have already been studies that show that there weren't any more injuries this season than there normally are. Guys not coming to camp in shape is their problem, not a result of the lockout.

 

[RyanGT2007]

Can't let this thread slip away! Lol

Y'all ready for the draft?

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

Some interesting picks, but nothing really all that surprising.

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

Some big NBA moves going on today. ATL is having a fire sale. Joe Johnson to Brooklyn for a bunch of expiring contracts and a 1st rounder. ATL also traded Marvin Williams to Utah for Devin Harris. They are working HARD to clear out cap space. Looks at if they will chase a Chris Paul / Dwight Howard combo in free agency next season.

Bulls are supposed to be in talks with Derek Fisher ans Brandon Roy as well.

Houston offers Omer Asik a $25m contract, which I don't think the Bulls can match.

Toronto offers Steve Nash a 3yr/$35m contact.

If D-Will signs with the Nets, they are going to be decent next season. Id bet on a #7 or #8 seed.

Kinda interested to see what the next 2 weeks will bring.

 

[antonio1988]

Let's start an official NBA thread, this one is way off topic already lol

 

[Sprayin Blue 3V]

Lol true! Ill use this in the mean time though.

Steve Nash is a Laker. Sign and trade to PHX for 2 future 1st rounders and 2 future 2nd rounders.

 

[NastyStang113]

Getting baby plasma injected into his knees in Germany lol.

Can't tell if this is a joke. Kobe had Orthokine done it uses your own blood...