Built Ford Tough

2-3-2 puts way too much of an emphasis on the first two games. Using this year as an example. If OKC wins the first two at home, they go to Miami needing to win just 1 of the 3 in order to have 2 closeout games in a row at home. Stupid. If Miami wins the first two on the road, they get 3 games in a row at home. Stupid. If the series is split, Miami has to win 2 in order to avoid having to face two straight closeout games on the road. Stupid. Basically, whoever is the first to 2 wins in this series will win the series under this format. 18 of the last 20 Finals winners were the team that won 2 games first (coincidently, the two times they didn't win both involved Miami and Dallas).

There is quite a bit of talk that there are some teams looking to sell their picks. I can't remember which teams were specifically named (Memphis is the only one I can remember, Indy might've been mentioned as well) so if the Nets are looking to just buy a pick I imagine it would be in that range.

I actually laughed when I saw Paplebon on the mound and picturing your reaction.

Fair enough. I didn't know if you were making yourself eligible or not since you are the one putting up the prize.

Harden plays great defense and then gets called for a foul when he flops trying to draw a charge. Poetic.

I honestly didn't even realize it went in. I actually thought he missed it and had to edit that post of mine. That is how shocked I was, lol.

GREAT defense by Sefolosha on Wade there. He was all over him. Even if he didn't get the steal, he would've forced an 8 second count. And perhaps even more impressive, he actually finished at the rim for once.

Perkins had his forearm in Wade's chest and Durant wasn't in perfect position. Both sides of the argument are valid.

Live I thought that was an awful call on Durant and was certain it was a charge, but seeing the replay it was much, much closer than I thought. It took Durant a long time to get into position (and even then it is debatable that he was there in time) because it looked like he had James dead to rights.

This is basically a spin off on that other thread about the Tyrke Evans extension where Cousins and his upside became a fairly big point of discussion. When he came out of Kentucky there were many people saying that on a pure talent standpoint he was as good as anybody in the draft. Of course there were concerns about his motivation, work ethic and attitude that were huge issues. After seeing him play for two years what would you say the future holds for Cousins?

Hutch's MRI revealed no tear so he isn't going to need surgery. He was placed on the DL and will not be throwing for 2 weeks, though.

With the Magic likely trading Howard and Boston likely entering into a rebuild, I think it is safe to say that the Pacers are a top 3 team in the East (probably top 2 next year with Rose's injury). However, I think it is also safe to say that despite being a top 3 team in the East, the Pacers are clearly a step below the legitimate contenders for a championship. With that said, how do they take that next step, shake off the pretender status and become legitimate contenders?

Not necessarily a specific player (although feel free to name somebody), but more in terms of what type of player should they be after? An athletic wing defender? A true point guard? A floor spacing third option? A young, athletic power forward? What do you think the Lakers should be after if they do decide to trade Gasol?

I'm just shocked Cordero didn't give up a run. You know your offense is in trouble when you can't score on Francisco Cordero of all people.

Well, he is the closer. You can't use the closer in a non-save situation. That is just blasephmy.

If you could only acquire one player this summer, which would you choose, a point guard or a legit center to move Aldridge back to the 4? Felton is a free agent and I'd be shocked if he is back with Portland next year. That leaves Nolan Smith as the only point guard on the roster. On the other hand, they really don't have any option at all at the 5 with Aldridge the only big under contract for next year. So what is the bigger need, a point guard or a legitimate center?

With Favors emerging as possibly the most intriguing talent on this roster and proving that he should be getting major minutes next season and having Kanter on the bench as well, is it time for the Jazz to deal one of their two veteran bigs for some backcourt help? Or should they try and run with that big lineup where Millsap plays the 3, Favors at the 4 and Jefferson at the 5? They got their young guys some valuable playoff experience, but at the same time by making the playoffs and handing over their pick to the T'Wolves (as well as not receiving the Warriors pick like they probably expected) it really does kind of handcuff them in the offseason in terms of being able to fill that hole at the point. One of the only ways they could probably get a real impact player at the point is by dealing some of their big man depth, but the question is, is now the time to do so?

Deron is obviously plan A, but what do they do if they miss out on him? They basically threw this season by not re-signing guys like Chander in order to mantain that cap flexibility to make signing Williams a possibility and their entire future basically depends on being able to lure Deron home. So what do they do if he doesn't sign? There really aren't a lot of free agent options that could be considered a worthy consolation prize for missing out on Williams. The only thing I can think of that would be anywhere close to signing Deron would be bringing Nash back. Would that be their plan B, reunite Dirk and Nash?

I don't know too much about high school, but his jumper was streaky in college. His percentages weren't that good (36.5% on 3's and 47.7% on 2's), in fact they were average at best (with the 2 point % being below average). The thing with Rivers is, like I said, he is streaky. He would have games where he would make 3+ 3's such as the 6-10 @ UNC, 4-8 @ FSU and 5-6 @ Virgina Tech, but he would also have numerous games where he would go 1-5/6 or 2-7 and things like that. He is more of a slahser than shooter (got to the line 5.5 times a game, which is very good for a college swing), but it just so happens that the biggest and most high profile game of his college career (29 points and game winner @ UNC) was the game where his jumper was on. That led to a lot of people who didn't watch him very often use that game as a barometer of his skillset and thus the assumption that he was a good shooter.

Are you planning on entering a mock as well? Even if you aren't eligible for the prize, feel free to still enter a mock like Brandon and I are doing. Fish, good idea. I'll edit the OP with the top 3 posters for the past years.

Here are some draft workout videos of Bradley Beal and Austin Rivers (Rivers is just doing the 7 Drill, Beal does a bit more). I never noticed before, and it may just be because it was the end of the workout and he was gassed, but Rivers seems to have a hitch on his jumper and actually releases the ball while coming down instead of at the peak of his jumper. He also takes a while to get the ball from his shooting pocket to the release. Those are both things that he will need to work out or else I think he will have some troubles getting his shot off in the NBA.

Lmao. Hutchison leaves the game after 9 pitches with what looks to be an elbow problem. Morrow, Drabek and Hutchison all leave due to injury within the last 4 games. Morrow and Hutch both didn't make it out of the 1st inning.

First trade (at least biggish trade) of the offseason. Tampa Bay acquired Andres Lindback, Kyle Wilson and a 7th round pick from Nashville for Sebastian Caron, 2 2012 2nds (Wild and Flyers picks) and a 2013 3rd.

Drabek is going to go see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his arm. It sounds like an MRI revealed a tear and he is going to see Dr. Andrews to confirm that. If it is indeed torn, it means Drabek will need to undergo Tommy John surgery, which would be the second time in his career.