2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[WiggyRuss]

I think we match up with Chicago really well....especially when healthy

nice game by Winslow tonight...filled up that box score nicely

 

[gordontrue]

Caught the last few minutes of that Bulls Heat game. Wade still doing wade things.

 

[ChrisGar15]

Yeah, overall he's done a good job, imo. He wasn't supposed to be coaching a contender in year 1. He was supposed to get a chance to learn and grow as an NBA coach right along with all of those youngsters. Suddenly, he's handed a championship contender and all of the pressure and scrutiny that comes with that.

Unfortunately, that inexperience may be part of what prevents the Cavs from getting a title and if that's the case, Blatt will likely catch a lot of the blame and he shouldn't.

I generally like Blatt and I think he would be a very good coach on a different type of team.

One thing that has bugged me is that players have said that they didn't think he was decisive during late-game situations or during time outs. There is no real comparison -- but when I coached AAU kids I also acted decisive in these situations ... thinking that getting their commitment & belief in the approach was probably more important than the Xs & Os that we were teaching.

Someone like Lebron would sense indecisiveness and that would open the door for him to assert himself on what the team was doing.

FYI -- I don't think Lebron or his people directly called for Blatt to be fired ... Griffin made the decision. But I'm pretty sure Griffin made his decision based on observations like Blatt's indecisiveness and lack of player buy-in. I think it will help Lue as coach to know that he has to go the other way -- calling out Lebron more than he probably would have otherwise -- to ensure he gets the respect from other players. I'm also guessing Lebron will be OK with that.

 

[ChrisGar15]

A couple of typos in previous post ... wish there was an edit button.

 

[trojanfan12]

I generally like Blatt and I think he would be a very good coach on a different type of team.

Or with a couple of years as an assistant just to learn the NBA game.

One thing that has bugged me is that players have said that they didn't think he was decisive during late-game situations or during time outs. There is no real comparison -- but when I coached AAU kids I also acted decisive in these situations ... thinking that getting their commitment & belief in the approach was probably more important than the Xs & Os that we were teaching.

Someone like Lebron would sense indecisiveness and that would open the door for him to assert himself on what the team was doing.

Yeah, that's what I alluded to in a later post. Blatt needed to learn the NBA and had Lebron stayed in Miami, that's exactly what would be happening. But when Lebron came back, you now had a coach who wasn't prepared for that kind of pressure and a superstar who doesn't have enough years left to wait for him to learn.

FYI -- I don't think Lebron or his people directly called for Blatt to be fired ... Griffin made the decision. But I'm pretty sure Griffin made his decision based on observations like Blatt's indecisiveness and lack of player buy-in. I think it will help Lue as coach to know that he has to go the other way -- calling out Lebron more than he probably would have otherwise -- to ensure he gets the respect from other players. I'm also guessing Lebron will be OK with that.

All of the insider reports are saying that Lebron's "group" has been calling for Blatt to be replaced since last season. Now, do I think that Lebron walked into Griffin's office and said "Fire Blatt or I'm gone after the season"? No. But I think Lebron's representatives have been making his wishes known to both Griffin and Gilbert since last season and they just got louder after the GSW game.

 

[trojanfan12]

A couple of typos in previous post ... wish there was an edit button.

You should have the ability to edit posts for 5 minutes after each post. It shows as a pencil in the lower left hand corner under your avy. If it's not there, you may not have enough posts yet.

 

[Bolts]

That's one way to score the ball.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[bksballer89]

Heat win in Brooklyn to go 2-2 on this 5 game roadtrip. we finish our stretch of 12 games in 12 different cities on Friday in Milwaukee with Dragic likely back and Hassan should be back by at the latest Sunday against Atlanta.

As bad as the Heat played during that stretch with all their injuries, they're tied for 5th out East and only 1 game behind Chicago for 4th.

 

[trojanfan12]

That's one way to score the ball.

Just like Spo drew it up.

 

[trojanfan12]

Anyone else been watching OKC/Knicks?

 

[bksballer89]

Anyone else been watching OKC/Knicks?

Yeah that was good action. Knicks gave them a heck of a game without Melo. OKC really struggles vs the East for whatever reason. I believe they're now 11-9 vs the East this season

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah that was good action. Knicks gave them a heck of a game without Melo. OKC really struggles vs the East for whatever reason. I believe they're now 11-9 vs the East this season

I almost didn't watch because of Melo being out. Glad I did.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Anyone else been watching OKC/Knicks?

My hand is raised, once Heat game ended.
Then on to Bucks/Magic....

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Heat win in Brooklyn to go 2-2 on this 5 game roadtrip. we finish our stretch of 12 games in 12 different cities on Friday in Milwaukee with Dragic likely back and Hassan should be back by at the latest Sunday against Atlanta.

As bad as the Heat played during that stretch with all their injuries, they're tied for 5th out East and only 1 game behind Chicago for 4th.

Then, home for 1 against tough Hawks and back out for 3 more tough road games.

I heard an interview with Eric Reid ( tv guy), and he said in his 28 years he's never been through anything like it.
He said 24 out of 29 nights in different cities/hotels.
He said the travel is bad enough under normal conditions but the weather has added some long delays.

We're hanging in there though.

If we get and stay healthy we'll ascend after the all star break.

 

[bksballer89]

This is very cool. Here is a text that D-Wade son sent him prior to the game tonight.

"Hey man, you won't get this message until after your game but i wanna say sum. These last few away games I have been watching to see if I can help you with anything. In the game you struggled you of course shot bad from the (field). The games you played good you got to the bucket. Last night vs. the Bulls was I (think) your best game of the season. When you are attacking the rim that causes (the) defense to suck in and opens up and ones for you, wide open treys for your teammates or etc... all I'm saying is stay on attack mode big dog. When you attack they will play you with a lil extra room so that's when u use that killa instinct and shoot your midrange. And stop being so hard on yourself, most important play for a passion. It seems your playing like someone is making you. No go out there and play like it's your last game of the season and give it all and trust your teammates."

What Zaire Wade sent his Dad after Dwyane's 27-point game | Heat Check

 

[mr.hockey4242]

This is very cool. Here is a text that D-Wade son sent him prior to the game tonight.

"Hey man, you won't get this message until after your game but i wanna say sum. These last few away games I have been watching to see if I can help you with anything. In the game you struggled you of course shot bad from the (field). The games you played good you got to the bucket. Last night vs. the Bulls was I (think) your best game of the season. When you are attacking the rim that causes (the) defense to suck in and opens up and ones for you, wide open treys for your teammates or etc... all I'm saying is stay on attack mode big dog. When you attack they will play you with a lil extra room so that's when u use that killa instinct and shoot your midrange. And stop being so hard on yourself, most important play for a passion. It seems your playing like someone is making you. No go out there and play like it's your last game of the season and give it all and trust your teammates."

What Zaire Wade sent his Dad after Dwyane's 27-point game | Heat Check

Hopefully he makes the correct college decision

 

[WiggyRuss]

Hopefully he makes the correct college decision

Didnt they change the name of the Congo into Zaire? Now isn't it back to being the Congo again? or the DR Congo? my geography is a little rusty.

 

[trojanfan12]

Hopefully he makes the correct college decision and picks USC

I agree 100%.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

According to Ian Begley of ESPN.com, the New York Knicks have expressed interest in acquiring the 27-year-old point guard.

This comes on the heels of Yahoo Sports' Chris Mannix and Adrian Wojnarowski's reporting Wednesday morning that the Hawks were willing to listen to offers.

Per Begley, trading for Teague likely won't be easy from New York's perspective since it doesn't have much of value that it can realistically offer the Hawks.

Acquiring Teague could also prevent the Knicks from being players in free agency this coming offseason due to his $8 million cap number, according to Begley.

Latest News and Speculation on Jeff Teague