if the "Heat-Streak" continues.. OKC Thunder NBA Champions 2013

[Ratzz]

i have been saying this all along..
this streak is way too late in the season for it to not to hurt them.

finally someone covering sports actually comes out and says it..

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/03/21/heat-have-to-be-careful-chasing-history/

this streak will only be historic for the Heat if they win it all.
…just ask Tom Brady


but given the effort required to maintain this..
i do not think that this is a likelihood.
if i were Spoelstra or Lebron i would bungle a game and lose as soon as possible...
and rest up with some nice-tasty 'L' s in the loss column..

looks more and more like the Thunder are going to be NBA Champs this year..

the Heat can beat the Thunder, ONLY if they are focused and rested.
NOBODY can beat the Thunder is they are physically and mentally exhausted.

people can barely beat them period.

[Sport_Fish]

If OKC makes it to the final, you can crown Miami the champions before even playing any games - no chance in hell they're losing.

Spurs are the only team that have a reasonable shot at beating Miami IMO.

As for the win streak - that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. You get a once in a lifetime opportunity to make history that will last DECADES and what do u do, lose on purpose? Just cuz ur superstitious and think u need to do this in order to win a ring.

Please...these are all experienced pros, and the best athletes at what they do - sure they may have a dry period for a bit after the streak ends, but when playoff time comes, u can be sure it won't take them long to get back in full gear. And the East is so easy they could even stroll through some rounds and still make it - they only need to be 100% ready in the finals which they will be after 3 rounds.

[Seto]

Thunder will probably not come out of the West IMO.

[Ratzz]

Please...these are all experienced pros, and the best athletes at what they do - sure they may have a dry period for a bit after the streak ends, but when playoff time comes, u can be sure it won't take them long to get back in full gear. And the East is so easy they could even stroll through some rounds and still make it - they only need to be 100% ready in the finals which they will be after 3 rounds.

i must disagree, it's just not possible.. if you stay out partying until 9AM, you are going to require more than your normal hours of sleep before you can go out again.. and do the same.

this streak has consumed a huge amount of energy. Very late in the season i might add. It's useless.
Tom Brady waited until the Superbowl vs. the Giants to poop out..

poop out during the regular season.. The Ravens lost 4-of-5 going into the playoffs.
losing is necessary.

The Spurs went into last years plaoffs on an 10 game win streak.. and 21-of-23..

when they lost a SINGLE game... they lost the next three..

it's too exhausting.. same will happen to HEAT, if they don't lose soon

[Seto]

i must disagree, it's just not possible.. if you stay out partying until 9AM, you are going to require more than your normal hours of sleep before you can go out again.. and do the same.

this streak has consumed a huge amount of energy. Very late in the season i might add. It's useless.
Tom Brady waited until the Superbowl vs. the Giants to poop out..

poop out during the regular season.. The Ravens lost 4-of-5 going into the playoffs.
losing is necessary.

The Spurs went into last years plaoffs on an 10 game win streak.. and 21-of-23..

when they lost a SINGLE game... they lost the next three..

it's too exhausting.. same will happen to HEAT, if they don't lose soon

Spurs had matchup problems with OKC though. They couldn't run with them and they were under-par defensively (gotten better this year as Pop pointed out recently). Miami doesn't have either of those problems.

[Ratzz]

Thunder will probably not come out of the West IMO.

who are you thinking?

[Seto]

who are you thinking?

No one in particular, just not sold on this OKC team without Harden. They will probably win in the first round, but I could see them struggle against Memphis, LAC, San Antonio... Or even the Lakers

[Ratzz]

No one in particular, just not sold on this OKC team without Harden. They will probably win in the first round, but I could see them struggle against Memphis, LAC, San Antonio... Or even the Lakers

lol... i think that subconciously.. it may be that last love that is making this determination

good luck.

[Seto]

lol... i think that subconciously.. it may be that last love that is making this determination

good luck.

Lol dude I've told you before I'm not a Laker fan. I'm just not convinced they're done yet. We'll see. I have nothing, zero tied up on Laker futures FYI.

If I had to pick one team I'd pick the Spurs (provided I don't like the Thunder to win it I'm not exaclty going out on a limb but hey, that's my pick)

[Ratzz]

Lol dude I've told you before I'm not a Laker fan. I'm just not convinced they're done yet. We'll see. I have nothing, zero tied up on Laker futures FYI.

If I had to pick one team I'd pick the Spurs (provided I don't like the Thunder to win it I'm not exaclty going out on a limb but hey, that's my pick)

lol, Spurs is a solid pick... Clippers likely not.. but i would certainly have them ahead of the Lakers..
i just can't see the Lakers making out of the 1st.. (maybe it's that subconcious thang again) in me

that said, Laker road game is just not solid enough, struggle too frequently with poor teams.

[Sport_Fish]

i must disagree, it's just not possible.. if you stay out partying until 9AM, you are going to require more than your normal hours of sleep before you can go out again.. and do the same.

this streak has consumed a huge amount of energy. Very late in the season i might add. It's useless.
Tom Brady waited until the Superbowl vs. the Giants to poop out..

poop out during the regular season.. The Ravens lost 4-of-5 going into the playoffs.
losing is necessary.

The Spurs went into last years plaoffs on an 10 game win streak.. and 21-of-23..

when they lost a SINGLE game... they lost the next three..

it's too exhausting.. same will happen to HEAT, if they don't lose soon

Well once they break the 33-game record...i think theyll def. slow down and likely lose a few before the playoffs.

Also, NBA is much different from NFL. You only have 1 game in football - whereas in NBA, even if we buy into ur theory that they need to lose a few and such in order to regain their composure, they have a SEVEN game series to do so. And since they'll have homecourt, they could be pushed to a 6-7 game series a couple of times and still come out ahead. So there will be alot of time within the playoffs for them to find their groove again, which I don't think will be a problem.

We already saw them do it last year. Granted Bosh was out and that was a significant part of their struggles - but it showed how important a SERIES is compared to 1 game. The Miami Heat seemed to find all the right answers at some point in every series, even though they trailed in all of them (except 1st round). Now they have that experience, are a better, deeper team playing with more confidence...so don't see any issue there really.

[Seto]

lol, Spurs is a solid pick... Clippers likely not.. but i would certainly have them ahead of the Lakers..
i just can't see the Lakers making out of the 1st.. (maybe it's that subconcious thang again) in me

that said, Laker road game is just not solid enough, struggle too frequently with poor teams.

I took Spurs +400 to win the West halfway through last season, it reached like +100 before the playoffs then -600 at 2-0 in the OKC series and still lost... unreal.

Made up for it and some more and then even more by pounding Miami in the finals though.

[abzflabz]

Stopping hating on lebron. He will win season and finals mvp plus ring number 2 so suck on that rat

[Ratzz]

Well once they break the 33-game record...i think theyll def. slow down and likely lose a few before the playoffs.
*even if we buy into ur theory that they need to lose a few and such in order to regain their composure, they have a SEVEN game series to do so. And since they'll have homecourt, they could be pushed to a 6-7 game series a couple of times and still come out ahead. So there will be alot of time within the playoffs for them to find their groove again, which I don't think will be a problem.

The Miami Heat seemed to find all the right answers at some point in every series, even though they trailed in all of them (except 1st round). Now they have that experience, are a better, deeper team playing with more confidence...so don't see any issue there really.

good points, *Fish, i just think that the recovery period for 24-0, is going 3-7, or 4-6 over the next 10 games.. and is they get close to 33-game goal... that 10 games may extend into the playoffs. and they won't be able to bounce back.. against say 'Indiana'.. with a grueling home defense.

I took Spurs +400 to win the West halfway through last season, it reached like +100 before the playoffs then -600 at 2-0 in the OKC series and still lost... unreal.

Made up for it and some more and then even more by pounding Miami in the finals though.

nice pickin' the Finals.. Seto,

last year.. i was undecided, i left it alone, in general i am a reg. season capper and avoid playoffs..
so hard sometimes.. you think a team is down.. and they come outta nowhere and win a game, or a series..
with the Spurs last year, i stand by by argument, that they were better than OKC, but were 'won-out'

•• they went into the playoffs- 21-of-23 games. then swept both 1st and 2nd Rounds... and won the first two games against*
OKC... so now.. it was a whopping 31-of-33 games, going into Game 3.

they lost that, and the wheels came off. However good you may be, balance is necessary, i don't care how big or strong a guy is,
they gotta sleep. or they'll pass out.

that's my basic position, don't blow load in the reg. season
save those 27 pt. comebacks for the playoffs,

coz you ain't gonna be able to do it twice.*

[Ratzz]

Stopping hating on lebron. He will win season and finals mvp plus ring number 2 so suck on that rat

not hating on Lebron at all, i like him.. i would prefer he wins Championship, than All-Time Win Streak..
10 yrs. from now, people count Championships and Finals MVPs, that's why i am saying this..

this is "having cake and eating it too"*

[RawBillyIce]

This is what I think. Miami is building an image of Lord That is exactly why they are not going to win the title this year.

This is who is going to win the 2013 World Championship

[R.P. McMurphy]

Heat can do whatever they want and when they want. Streak will not matter 1 bit Ratzz this is a veteran squad and the most talented team in the NBA end of story! They OWN the Thunder and I'm starting to think Denver may have their # as well. OKC is far from a lock to get outta the West this year let alone beat the Heat if they do. Nugs, Spurs, Grizz, Dippers all gonna have something to say about it trust me!

[Ratzz]

*This is who is going to win the 2013 World Championship

hmm.. Denver losing record on the road.. can't go deep without winning-road-record. (must have)*

playing great now.. but same applies to them.. don't use up your best ammo in the reg. season

[Ratzz]

Heat can do whatever they want and when they want. Streak will not matter 1 bit Ratzz this is a veteran squad and the most talented team in the NBA end of story! They OWN the Thunder and I'm starting to think Denver may have their # as well. OKC is far from a lock to get outta the West this year let alone beat the Heat if they do. Nugs, Spurs, Grizz, Dippers all gonna have something to say about it trust me!

i know it looks like that now, RP...
which is exactly how it looks for the Spurs last year.

but too much winning and too much drinking has the same affect on people. They pass out.
i beleive this applies to everyone.

That said, i would love to be wrong here. Would love to see Lebron repeat Finals MVP Award...
that is yet another special distinction that few have achieved.*

[Seto]

nice pickin' the Finals.. Seto,

last year.. i was undecided, i left it alone, in general i am a reg. season capper and avoid playoffs..
so hard sometimes.. you think a team is down.. and they come outta nowhere and win a game, or a series..
with the Spurs last year, i stand by by argument, that they were better than OKC, but were 'won-out'

•• they went into the playoffs- 21-of-23 games. then swept both 1st and 2nd Rounds... and won the first two games against*
OKC... so now.. it was a whopping 31-of-33 games, going into Game 3.

they lost that, and the wheels came off. However good you may be, balance is necessary, i don't care how big or strong a guy is,
they gotta sleep. or they'll pass out.

that's my basic position, don't blow load in the reg. season
save those 27 pt. comebacks for the playoffs,

coz you ain't gonna be able to do it twice.*

I love playoff betting. Favorite time of the year betting-wise for me.

We'll see. Miami still has time to go through the motions as was said earlier in this thread.

[R.P. McMurphy]

I just think the Heat understand the task and are up to it. They are enjoying this streak I'm sure but they will not let it effect the big picture which is a b2b to really help their legacy. As I stated last night in a thread OKC struggles to win vs. tough competition on the road which does not fare to well come playoff time. Martin is a nice player but does not provide the explosion Harden had. Time will tell but I think a b2b is imminent. And you really cannot compare Miami to S.A. the Spurs are great and deep but their stars have too many miles on them and like everyone else they do not have LBJ!

[Ratzz]

Martin is a nice player but does not provide the explosion Harden had.

And you really cannot compare Miami to S.A. the Spurs are great and deep but their stars have too many miles on them and like everyone else they do not have LBJ!

true that__ both of the above statements. good call...

guess we'll see

[R.P. McMurphy]

Just go back thru time Ratzz the NBA loves their stars and their stars are the ones who get the rings. There is not much parity in the league and only a handful of teams have won nearly all the titles since 1980. In the 80's it was Magic and Bird, 90's Michael, last decade was Kobe show and now it's Bron's turn. Maybe KG is next in line?

[Ratzz]

Just go back thru time Ratzz the NBA loves their stars and their stars are the ones who get the rings. There is not much parity in the league and only a handful of teams have won nearly all the titles since 1980. In the 80's it was Magic and Bird, 90's Michael, last decade was Kobe show and now it's Bron's turn. Maybe KG is next in line?

lol... i think that you are right about the 'getting in line'.. RP

did u mean KD next? if so, i agree, with Kylie/Cleveland after Durant

[R.P. McMurphy]

Yep get in line lol! And if ur not a name brand team and close to knocking off a big boy then Stern will have you taken out. Ask the Sac Queens bout 10 years ago what happened when they were on the verge of taking Kobe/Shaq out. "The evil one" (Stern) made sure that fly got swatted in one of the greatest playoff heists in sports history!

[Ratzz]

Yep get in line lol! And if ur not a name brand team and close to knocking off a big boy then Stern will have you taken out. Ask the Sac Queens bout 10 years ago what happened when they were on the verge of taking Kobe/Shaq out. "The evil one" (Stern) made sure that fly got swatted in one of the greatest playoff heists in sports history!

what happened..? i don't really know about that.. i wasn't really following basketball back then

[Ratzz]

what happened..? i don't really know about that.. i wasn't really following basketball back then

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3436401i think i just found ittake away one of those rings

[Ratzz]

oh my God.. this is terrible..

this is why i hate the Lakers... crap like this..

it's hard enough when you have HALF the money..

then you have the refs!?!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjRcTiwVEwo

[R.P. McMurphy]

Damn you must be real young or just started watching hoops Ratzz? Yeah it was ridiculous! Kings were a real fun and very talented team for a couple years back then. That series was theirs and they got Sterned!

[Ratzz]

Damn you must be real young or just started watching hoops Ratzz? Yeah it was ridiculous! Kings were a real fun and very talented team for a couple years back then. That series was theirs and they got Sterned!

got into it late.. that's messed up.. heartbreaker..
i really don't like it when people are rewarded for doing the wrong thing.
and when people are denied for doing the right thing. Weber and the Kings did the right thing all year long to get there,
did the right thing in that game, and were still denied.

Chris Webber (good, smart guy) deserved a title, the experience that he craved and expected his entire life..
granted he is living a good life, he's not a homeless person, or injured in a war..

but i don't like it when one person has a handful of rings and another has none. especially one who earned it.
that was a Stern/jackson fix.. he was looking out for Phil's legacy as well.

i hate that BS... i really wish Adelman got one too, he was always a great coach. He deserved one. the look on his face says it all.

[El Sol]

not hating on Lebron at all, i like him.. i would prefer he wins Championship, than All-Time Win Streak..
10 yrs. from now, people count Championships and Finals MVPs, that's why i am saying this..

this is "having cake and eating it too"*

Championships are done at season ending, and carry over a little into the next season, but by in large people pretty much forget and move on. Can you remember who won the Championship in 2002 right off the bat? Compared to who is the all time scoring leader. As in a record like this, it will be remembered and brought up again for decades, or for at least until 25 winning streaks become common place. As a player and a competitor, this is a worthy goal and if I was part of the team, I sure as hell would try to beat it and be a part of NBA history, especially since they've already proven to world that they are capable of winning Championships. If they beat the record and win the Championship, that would elevate this team to legend status. I see no problem with going for it. They will always have future seasons to win championships, but streaks like this are far more rare.

[Ratzz]

great points El Sol, i agree and disagree... i just tink that nobody ever mentions these streaks..

Jordan, Kobe, and Lebron

The big story (for LBJ) at the All-Star game was Jordan saying that he would pick Kobe over Lebron..

but one has to observe 'who' is making that statement, and 'what his nature' is..
you see that Jordan is still competing, if he thought that James was better he would still pick Kobe.

Jordan is not a guy that will tell the truth in that position, Jordan will make his choice,
by determining which makes himself look better.

Kobe is Jordan's 'Mini-Me". He based his whole game on Jordan, what else could he do..?
They basically have identical bodies.. any smart athlete would do the same.

.. Jordan will not and cannot choose Lebron, because then the criteria becomes something other than Rings.
In choosing Kobe; he creates more distance and a seemingly insurmountable lead ahead of James..

and people place such value on Rings, that it has become the yardstick for authority and opinion.
Shaq plays that card on Barkley almost every time they disagree on anything "but i got these Rings, see.. so–"

Additionally, i don't think we can count Rings alone, because Jordan won 6 Finals MVPs and Kobe has won 2. So it is really not 6-to-5 Ring differential, it is 6-to-2 Finals MVP differential. I think it is only completely legitimate to really only brag about it, when you were the main ingredient (Finals MVP).

Robert Horry has 7 Rings, and Steve Kerr has 5 Rings.. neither of those two
are in the discussion for being a top 100 player of All-Time, because they weren't.

Streaks and their relevance.

I only just found about about this Laker 33-game win bonanza, so to me,
if it were only mentioned in context of the present streak..
it can't possibly carry the same weight as Rings, Finals MVPs, Season MVPs, or Scoring Titles.. Defensive Player of Year.. etc..

the Houston Rockets had the no.2 all-time win streak until a few days ago,
and that team is ot talked about at all, because they did not win the Championship,
that team faded in the wind the next year.

If Miami goes on to win the Championship (breaking record or not) people will talk about
this team as one of the best ever. If they break the consecutive-win record.
They will likely be forgotten until next year, and 10 yrs. from now it will be
about who won the Finals this year.

Just like Houston in '07-08.

[Sport_Fish]

This streak will sure as hell be remembered, you can bet on that. Now yeah its not gonna be something people talk about everyday or u see on TV all the time - it will be how the Lakers/Houston streak was. Until a few weeks ago, it wasn't mentioned much but now days its all you hear. Why? Because a team has come along after so many years thats dominating the league at the same level those teams used to.

And 10, 15 , + years down the road when the next dynasty in NBA is formed and they do something similiar, everyone will remember the Miami Heat of this era and those teams will be held to this standard when being compared to the 'greatest'.

So yeah I think its a VERY BIG DEAL because if Miami can beat that Lakers streak, they could go down in history for 30+ years without having their record broken. Their rings will come, 2, 3, 4 - not to mention LeBron will get a chance to win more by the time his career is over by going to other team(s)...but no one, not Lebron not Wade not Bosh, not anyone on this roster will EVER get a chance to do what they can do here with this streak.

[PS3]

Another irrelevant post by Ratzz. *

[abzflabz]

Fukn lebron h8r