# The 2015 NBA Playoffs! **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 16, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863 "2015-04-16T20:47:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/21 "2015-04-22T20:10:06Z")
Brooks has always seemed like a really good off-the-court coach and a really bad on-the-court coach. I have to think that they’re looking for someone that can actually design and run an offense more complicated than “give the ball to Durant one possession, then Westbrook the next, then repeat”. Or figure out how rotations work in both the regular season and the playoffs. I don’t know who else is out there for them to get, though; as much as I love Thibs, the two problems I just described are kind of what he stinks at too, and I don’t see any other established guys being available. The argument in favor of a college coach is that Brad Stevens has turned out to be really, really good at the on-court stuff, so you’re probably looking at that as your best-case scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/22 "2015-04-22T20:17:01Z")
Just to ask, am I correct in recalling a point during the regular season in which pundits were writing the Cavaliers’ death warrant as far as even making the playoffs went — it was statistically unlikely for some reason? I also seem to recall that those same pundits were wondering if David Blatt would last; I’m assuming he saved his job. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/23 "2015-04-22T20:29:42Z")
I remember the Cleveland’s dead rumors and the Blatt is fired rumors. I think people were more bullish on Blatt though (or less, I forgot which means which), because we knew that eventually Lebron was going to figure out the team with or without Blatt. I still don’t see him as a great coach, he’s like Spoelstra and Mike Brown before him: any warm body on Lebron’s team is going to look good. He may be a great coach in the American NBA, but we cannot see that with Lebron overshadowing everything. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/24 "2015-04-22T20:55:04Z")
Cleveland wasn’t doing so great during the first quarter-to-third-to-half of the season, and all the sportswriters were declaring the sky was falling. But it was not unexpected; they’re the 6th youngest team in the league, and what’s keeping them from being higher (lower?) on the list are Shawn Marion and a bunch of guys who don’t play very much (Brendan Haywood, James Jones, Mike Miller, Kendrick Perkins). It just took them a while to figure out how to play together. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/25 "2015-04-22T21:22:19Z")
The fork sticking out of Dirk’s back is growing longer by the minute. It’s funny seeing the Raptors get demolished after their fans were so hyped all year. I’ve seen that movie before. Pierce is styling on these kids with that old man game. Even during his prime, every time he drove in for a layup he was at risk of a three second violation. Harden has never shot above 40% FG in the playoffs as a Rocket. It’s only been two games but he’s at 9-28 FG…and 28/30 free throws. _This guy_… I was hoping Rondo could go back to his old self when he was tearing it up in the playoffs and making unnecessary behind the back passes. Now he’s out indefinitely with a back injury. I just hope Carlisle remembered to take the knife out. > [@Leaper](#): > > Just to ask, am I correct in recalling a point during the regular season in which pundits were writing the Cavaliers’ death warrant as far as even making the playoffs went — it was statistically unlikely for some reason? No, but they were looking straight up mediocre, especially their interior D. Then they traded for Mozgov, Shumpert, and a revitalized JR Smith. LeBron maintaining that stacked deck. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/26 "2015-04-22T21:32:24Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Didn’t Batum have an injured wrist on his shooting hand? Yes. But he came back after the break and shot the lights out in the next game, so apparently it’s better. If it still bothers him and he can’t use his shooting hand, I can’t understand why Stotts is still playing him. Afflalo (Matthews’ replacement) is out for probably another game or two, but I haven’t been all that impressed with his numbers so far. McCollum seems to be able to outplay him in every regard. Hell, even Meyers Leonard is a better outside shooter, which is saying something for a 7-footer. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/27 "2015-04-23T03:24:15Z")
I’m going to go out on not much of a limb after tonight’s Blazers game and say that it will be over in five, if not a sweep. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/28 "2015-04-23T15:48:30Z")
Chris Paul is gonna remember that game for the rest of his life if he loses this series ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/29 "2015-04-23T16:00:30Z")
It will never happen, but would it be so bad if we just took 4 teams from each conference to the playoffs? Or maybe go back to best of 5 in round one?. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/30 "2015-04-23T16:10:41Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Cleveland wasn’t doing so great during the first quarter-to-third-to-half of the season, and all the sportswriters were declaring the sky was falling. But it was not unexpected; they’re the 6th youngest team in the league, and what’s keeping them from being higher (lower?) on the list are Shawn Marion and a bunch of guys who don’t play very much (Brendan Haywood, James Jones, Mike Miller, Kendrick Perkins). It just took them a while to figure out how to play together. Let’s not forget that the Cavaliers also acquired Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, and Timofey Mozgov during the season. While I think they were going to turn it around regardless, those guys made it a lot easier. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2015, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/31 "2015-04-23T17:25:36Z")
I know everyone was raving about the Cavs’ midseason moves, but Shump and Smith weren’t doing much for the Knicks. And Mozgov was very inconsistent in Denver. I thought he’d be no better than Verejao. But, sometimes a change of scenery is all you need. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/32 "2015-04-24T03:14:31Z")
Just got home from Celtics-Cavs game 3. They lost, but that was more fun that I’ve ever had at a live game, even the year they won - there is just something about this year’s team. Defense fell apart and they couldn’t run the offense late, but it was still a great night. Looks like Davis is intent on winning a game here… ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/33 "2015-04-24T14:11:50Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Don’t get me started on the Nuggs firing Karl after the 12-13 season. Everyone knew it was a terrible move and sure enough, they go out and hire the complete opposite. Brian Shaw got rid of everything Denver was good at and emphasized their weaknesses. Still pissed about all that. > > So, round one has been all chalk so far. What is the deal with Rajon Rondo? I thought he was a great upgrade at PG for Dallas and he has stunk it up. I hear people blame his shooting, but isn’t that what Monta Ellis and Dirk are for? Jameer Nelson couldn’t shoot. JJ Barea isn’t a shooter. That’s not the problem with Rondo. I think it’s in his head - bad attitude. The problem isn’t Rondo, the problem is Dallas has four guards all of which need the ball in their hands to be effective. Building a team around your plan C players might work during the regular season, but in the playoffs you get exposed. Rondo + Ellis was never going to work. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/34 "2015-04-24T15:54:23Z")
Wow, 20 point comeback in the 4th quarter! Warriors are amazing. Had a lot of luck obviously, if those offensive rebounds didn’t bounce their way, they would have lost, but its a credit to them that they worked to try to get each one. Cleveland’s definitely looking like they are the team that everyone thought they were going to be, but Rose’s recovery isn’t doing too bad. I still don’t know how much of a shot I’d give them against the Cavs though ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/35 "2015-04-24T19:05:12Z")
Kawhi Leonard has been a finals MVP and now a defensive player of the year and still hasn’t been an all star. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/36 "2015-04-24T19:50:02Z")
Interesting how much trouble Brooklyn is giving Atlanta. I would have thought it would be a walk. But then I thought Portland would give Memphis a lot more problems. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/37 "2015-04-25T03:15:47Z")
Raptors. Fork. Done. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/38 "2015-04-25T14:27:29Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Raptors. Fork. Done. Ditto Mavericks. They’re not coming back from 3-0. Mr. Flopper had 42 points. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/39 "2015-04-26T06:31:51Z")
Clippers, Rockets, Warriors, Cavaliers would be an intensely difficult path to another Spurs championship. But if San Antonio’s going to win it all again, I think that’s the path it’ll take. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863/40 "2015-04-26T21:09:35Z")
So Cavs are going to face the Bulls without Love or JR Smith, that makes it a much more interesting matchup all of the sudden. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2015-nba-playoffs/717863.md?page=3)