OKay, humor me. Who's under the most stress right now to produce? Here's my top 6: 1. Flip Saunders - everyone has picked your team; don't mess it up Flip! 2. LeBron to show he is a winner as well as a freak 3. Dirk to prove he's not just a regular season superstar 4. Lamar O. LA is counting on him to step up; if he doesn't ,he's gone 5. Pat Riley he picked these guys; he paid Shaq a ton; no excuses 6. Nenad Krstic he's the KEY or the X-FACTOR to the Nets advancing Since everyone wants to talk about Kobe, I don't think Kobe is under pressure cause if they go out in the first round, people will say it's cause he had no help. It's a win-win situation for him.
1. Pistons (best record, 4 all-stars, homecourt for entire playoffs...YOU BETTER WIN!!!) 2. Miami ( They've been saying we're gonna play in the playoffs so they better) 3. Kobe (As long as Kobe keeps LA in this series he'll be fine. If they get swept they'll blame him) 4. Dallas (Time to show your toughness and get past San Antonio) 5. LeBron ( Its showtime for the King, will he bring it?)
Man people need to stop creating so many threads. Can we make like one big thread about playoffs and have everything in there? There are like 7 different threads about the playoffs already
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Umair15:</div><div class="quote_post">Man people need to stop creating so many threads. Can we make like one big thread about playoffs and have everything in there? There are like 7 different threads about the playoffs already</div> Yeah, but most of the topics are unique. This is a great topic, because there are a lot of players, coaches, and teams in the pressure cooker this year. 1) Pat Riley & The Miami Heat - Pat Riley came back to coach this team to a title. He revamped the roster with some questionable moves, and gave Shaq a $100Million extension. His butt is on the line and Miami still doesn't look ready. 2) LeBron James - It's his first experience in the playoffs and the expectations are going to be for Cleveland to advance. They have a tough matchup with the Wizards. Gilbert Arenas v. Larry Hughes will be a nice subplot in the series. 3) Flip Saunders - He's been cursed in the post season and will be under the microscope. The Pistons have been the consensus to represent the East since Day 1. It could also get interesting if the Pistons get upset early to see how the Ben Wallace free agency situation plays out. 4) Memphis Grizzlies - They haven't escaped the 1st Round and their chances to advance got 10X more difficult finishing as the 5th seed, instead of the 6th seed. They have a lot of money on their payroll, and could blow the team up if they have a disappointing series against the Mavericks. 5) Kobe Bryant - The vultures will be circuling above the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. Most people don't give the Lakers a chance to win the series, but their are expectations they are competitive and push the series to 6 games. If the Lakers get swept in Round 1, all the finger pointing is going to be directed at Kobe Bryant.
1. LeBron James - He will be one of the G.O.A.T. when all is said and done but he needs to show he can get past the first round, I know its his first playoff series but he is a great talent and should've been here[in the playoffs] two years ago. 2. LeBron James - Like I said above. 3. LeBron James - Read the first part of this post. 4. Kobe Bryant - Kobe needs to prove he can win by himself, he want HIS team and he got it, so now he needs to do something with it.
I don't how Odom or Kristic are under great pressure. As a matter of fact I think of the complete opposite.
1. Lebron James- He is getting all the hype for making his first playoffs and he will need to step up big in his opening series vs. Washington. 2. Detroit Pistons- Best record in the league, a new coach and a lot of hype they are the favorites to win. 3. Pat Riley- He is the one who orchistrated all of the offseason moves and getting Stan Van Gundy fired. He needs to show why he dismantled last years team. 4. Kobe Bryant- Everyone expects huge things out of him so any game under 30 points will be a let down for him. 5. Shaquile O'Neal- Shaq needs to prove that he can be the Heat's number one guy. He left L.A. to win a title else where and he really needs to step up and show he can still be as dominant as he used to be.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, but most of the topics are unique. This is a great topic, because there are a lot of players, coaches, and teams in the pressure cooker this year. 1) Pat Riley & The Miami Heat - Pat Riley came back to coach this team to a title. He revamped the roster with some questionable moves, and gave Shaq a $100Million extension. His butt is on the line and Miami still doesn't look ready. 2) LeBron James - It's his first experience in the playoffs and the expectations are going to be for Cleveland to advance. They have a tough matchup with the Wizards. Gilbert Arenas v. Larry Hughes will be a nice subplot in the series. 3) Flip Saunders - He's been cursed in the post season and will be under the microscope. The Pistons have been the consensus to represent the East since Day 1. It could also get interesting if the Pistons get upset early to see how the Ben Wallace free agency situation plays out. 4) Memphis Grizzlies - They haven't escaped the 1st Round and their chances to advance got 10X more difficult finishing as the 5th seed, instead of the 6th seed. They have a lot of money on their payroll, and could blow the team up if they have a disappointing series against the Mavericks. 5) Kobe Bryant - The vultures will be circuling above the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. Most people don't give the Lakers a chance to win the series, but their are expectations they are competitive and push the series to 6 games. If the Lakers get swept in Round 1, all the finger pointing is going to be directed at Kobe Bryant.</div> Couldn't have said it better myself.
In my opinion the team with the greatest presssure is the Spurs. They are the reighning champs and were the fan favorites early this year with all of their great moves to stack their bench. Their best player isnt 100% and their team chemistry is off. People are even begining to question their abilities against Sac. Im sure they get the least sleep out of all the best teams in the league. Second i would say the Heat. After a big letdown last year and mindboggling trades, If shaq doesnt win this year he will retire. Go Bulls!!!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If shaq doesnt win this year he will retire. </div> He'll let his career average drop below 20 ppg riding the bench before he retires. He's all about the money and he's only in the 1st year of his contract.
Lebron, Kobe, Pat Riley, Flip Saunders and Lebron and Kobe Lebron needs to win a series to prove the critics and Kobe doesnt need a win, but he WANTS a win! just he needs help but he aint gona get much of that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't how Odom or Kristic are under great pressure. As a matter of fact I think of the complete opposite.</div> they're not under pressure? each player has their whole team agreeing that they need to play good for them to have a chance to go deep
