# The Never-ending NBA Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 16, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295 "2009-04-16T15:45:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/221 "2009-05-27T20:53:13Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Those videos are great. > > Orlando? More like BORELANDO Oh burn!!! (Cleveland? More like LEAVEland!) ---
**Author:** ![HeavyDuty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@HeavyDuty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeavyDuty)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/222 "2009-05-27T21:33:25Z")
Howard’s technical has been [overturned](http://www.nba.com/2009/playoffs2009/05/27/howard.technical.ap/index.html?cid=playoff1)by the NBA today. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/223 "2009-05-27T21:52:39Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Basketball-related, but not playoffs-related: a good friend of mine and I were golfing this weekend and we were talking about current players. He said he’d rather have Amare Stoudemire on his team than Dwight Howard. I disagreed with that. > > His reasons pretty much boiled down to free throw shooting percentage. Mine boiled down to knee surgery and because Amare depends on a point guard getting him the ball more. If it gets more traction, I’ll move it to its own thread, but I figured I’d start it here. Phil Jackson said he would pick Dwight to build a team around over Lebron, wether that was just shit talking or he was serious i can’t tell you but its a more valid question than Dwight/Amare which honestly is no contest. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/224 "2009-05-27T23:13:39Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Orlando - Disney + snow = Salt Lake City Cleveland - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame = Akron Anyway, Orlando + snow = not Orlando. That’s like saying “Fargo - cold”. > [@DigitalC](#): > > Phil Jackson said he would pick Dwight to build a team around over Lebron, wether that was just shit talking or he was serious i can’t tell you but its a more valid question than Dwight/Amare which honestly is no contest. I had that argument with a friend a few weeks ago - LeBron or Dwight to build a team tomorrow. I look at it this way: LeBron is unquestionably the better player, but I’d take Dwight. There are a bunch of guys who can do 85% of what LeBron can, but I don’t believe there’s a single player in the league who can give you 80% of what Howard offers. That’s not a slam against LeBron; it’s just that there are always more good small forwards around than centers. It’s the same reason I’d take either of them over Dwayne Wade or Chris Paul or Kobe, even if they were all the same age- centers are more valuable than forwards, but forwards are more valuable than guards. Dwight v. Amar’e isn’t even a contest. Maybe if Amare was 23, and didn’t have the injury history he does… but he’s not, and he does. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/225 "2009-05-28T14:51:04Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Cleveland - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame = Akron > > Anyway, Orlando + snow = not Orlando. That’s like saying “Fargo - cold”. > > I had that argument with a friend a few weeks ago - LeBron or Dwight to build a team tomorrow. I look at it this way: LeBron is unquestionably the better player, but I’d take Dwight. There are a bunch of guys who can do 85% of what LeBron can, but I don’t believe there’s a single player in the league who can give you 80% of what Howard offers. That’s not a slam against LeBron; it’s just that there are always more good small forwards around than centers. It’s the same reason I’d take either of them over Dwayne Wade or Chris Paul or Kobe, even if they were all the same age- centers are more valuable than forwards, but forwards are more valuable than guards. > > Dwight v. Amar’e isn’t even a contest. Maybe if Amare was 23, and didn’t have the injury history he does… but he’s not, and he does. Being a Howard fan i would have agreed with this before watching this series, but after seeing the things Lebron has done i have to go with him. The guy is not human, hes a robot sent from the future whos only mission is scoring buckets. The important part of the equation is the “build a team around” part, cleveland so far has failed to do that. Their current team looks good because Lebron makes them look good but most of them wouldn’t be seeing any playtime at all on the other top teams. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/226 "2009-05-28T15:20:01Z")
Somebody on the Nuggets said after the game last night that the Lakers “bought” their win for $50,000. The player made the statement not for attribution, and shame on the reporter who ran it, but I hope the NBA finds out which one of them made the comment and fines him out the ass. I hate that kind of whiny bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/227 "2009-05-28T15:22:58Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > I’d agree with you absolutely. Amare seems a little petulant and seems to give a crap when it’s convenient. Offensively, Amare is way more gifted but Dwight alters every drive to the cup, crashes the boards, and is an absolute nightmare, matchup-wise. > > Plus, the offensive game is easier to learn. Dwight just needs a couple reliable post moves and a better eight foot jumper. I think that’s doable. To play Devil’s Advocate, how much of it is freakish ability and how much of it is the rest of the team standing at the 3-point line, pulling their defenders away from the rim? (Yes, I know, long shot, long rebound.) ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/228 "2009-05-28T15:27:59Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Somebody on the Nuggets said after the game last night that the Lakers “bought” their win for $50,000. The player made the statement not for attribution, and shame on the reporter who ran it, but I hope the NBA finds out which one of them made the comment and fines him out the ass. I hate that kind of whiny bullshit. Sounds like something Kenyon Martin would say. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/229 "2009-05-28T15:32:09Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > To play Devil’s Advocate, how much of it is freakish ability and how much of it is the rest of the team standing at the 3-point line, pulling their defenders away from the rim? > > (Yes, I know, long shot, long rebound.) Dwight has led the league in rebounds for three years now. He was doing the same stuff before we got Rashard Lewis and before Hedo decided he was going to be an All-Star (last year). Certainly before JJ Redick started playing meaningful minutes or Jameer Nelson learned how to shoot. > [@](#): > > Sounds like something Kenyon Martin would say. That’s because it _was_ Kenyon Martin. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/230 "2009-05-28T17:14:58Z")
[Bill Simmons](http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090528&sportCat=nba) has an article relevant to the discussion of fouls and officiating. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/231 "2009-05-28T18:33:48Z")
I was looking at the Cav’s online [playoff stats](http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/stats/) and was amazed that Delonte West is averaging 13 pts, shooting 46% from the floor, and 32% from 3-point, with 2 turnovers and 1 steal per game… he seems invisible most of the time. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/232 "2009-05-28T19:50:50Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > [Bill Simmons](http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090528&sportCat=nba) has an article relevant to the discussion of fouls and officiating. I got murdered for suggesting officiating is a problem. The Dopers jumped all over me ,but I believe it is a huge problem. I have seen the Pistons get officiated right out of the playoffs. I barely watch anymore because the officials will make calls that are pro money. The league directs the officials to get the matchups they want. They make series last as long as they wish. It turned me off to basketball. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/233 "2009-05-28T20:34:04Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I got murdered for suggesting officiating is a problem. The Dopers jumped all over me ,but I believe it is a huge problem. I have seen the Pistons get officiated right out of the playoffs. I barely watch anymore because the officials will make calls that are pro money. The league directs the officials to get the matchups they want. They make series last as long as they wish. It turned me off to basketball. Really? In this thread? Who murdered you? I can’t find that. All I can recall is that most fans, casual or diehard, are pretty upset about the officiating. It’s wildly inconsistent and, as usual, favors superduperstars. There was a little spat over whether the Cavs or the Magic were getting the short end of the stick—though again, I think it’s certainly the Magic, which makes their 3-1 lead double flabbergasting. ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/234 "2009-05-28T22:54:11Z")
The officiating is horrid. Most of the flagrant/technical fouls they call are usually rescinded by the league, and vice versa, the personal fouls they call (or not call at all) are usually upgraded. Something is seriously wrong. The NBA is very quick to penalize players and coaches bad play, but nothing seems to be getting done about bad officiating. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/235 "2009-05-29T01:53:37Z")
How the hell can the Magic be only down 1 at the half while missing 11 free throws and only making 27% of threes? It has to take a lot of you to lose a 22 point lead that fast. Anyone else annoyed by the stupid top down camera? ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/236 "2009-05-29T02:01:10Z")
The Cavs need a tracheotomy. And the topdown camera is lame. Anything other than the tried and true angle saddens and confuses me. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/237 "2009-05-29T02:07:43Z")
I don’t understand why Lebron doesn’t drive to the basket every single time, apparently its ALWAYS a foul. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/238 "2009-05-29T02:12:03Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I don’t understand why Lebron doesn’t drive to the basket every single time, apparently its ALWAYS a foul. I actually agree with this. I think if they literally had LeBron take the ball up top, drive the lane, and take a shot on every single possession, they would have more offensive success than they’re having. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/239 "2009-05-29T02:15:39Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > Really? In this thread? Who murdered you? I can’t find that. All I can recall is that most fans, casual or diehard, are pretty upset about the officiating. It’s wildly inconsistent and, as usual, favors superduperstars. > > There was a little spat over whether the Cavs or the Magic were getting the short end of the stick—though again, I think it’s certainly the Magic, which makes their 3-1 lead double flabbergasting. Last season.When Donahue went down for fixing and I suggested there were others. Plus the whole concept of Jordan rules is wrong. Officiating should be fair to everybody, equal treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295/240 "2009-05-29T02:21:15Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Last season.When Donahue went down for fixing and I suggested there were others. Plus the whole concept of Jordan rules is wrong. Officiating should be fair to everybody, equal treatment. Agreed re: superstar calls (I hesitate to call them “The Jordan Rules” since that was the defense the Pistons ran on Jordan: basically thugging him up every single time he touched it. Semantic, I know). And the Donagie shit was a terrible, terrible black eye. I won’t go so far to call the NBA out for large scale fixing, but the fact I wouldn’t be surprised by it shows you something. Wait…clear path on that shit?! No way! Speaking of superstar calls… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-never-ending-nba-playoffs/493295.md?page=13)