PACERS THREAD FROM A LOCAL

And if it ever makes it to the lead on Espn, it should come along with a picture of Popovic in drag with Tina turner's hair. (All sponsored by Subway and/or Blimpie?)

LMAO...Surely someone in here can photoshop that...

Appreciate the kind words Scal.  I'm surprised nobody has written in depth about that topic before, but I sure haven't found anything like it.

Great read on the subs Alan.  OH system still going strong.  It's the only play I've been using these last few weeks.  I was fortunate enough to be too busy to wager on the night or 2 it didn't hit.  Anyway, are u playing any futures for the upcoming playoffs?  Awhile back we had a brief talk about your style and I'm very interested to hear of any that have caught your eye this close to the start of playoffs  

Looks like the lines are still coming out, but one of them is to be against the Clippers to win the West.  Right now I can take the field -700.  That's the only one I see now to take.

Not sure what Vogel is going to do tonight with lineups and rotations, so I'm going to stay off the game tonight including the 1h under train.  Plus, it's been a crazy profitable regular season (thanks to the OH system), and the last regular season wager I placed on the Pacers cashed and I'm happy to end the regular season on a winning note.

I'm going to have a little fun and post some regular season "awards" a little later.  Some complimentary...some not so much. 

Also, Formula 1 picks will be posted later toinght for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Great regular season and the thread maintained a level of balance all year

2013-2014 Awards:

MVP Not Named Lebron or Durant:
Joakim Noah
I've never seen a guy in the NBA who is based 98% on hustle, and has the shooting form of a toddler have such an impact on a team, but this guy is favorite of mine.  Every game he goes out there, and I heard a quote of his that made me a fan for life.  When asked why he plays so hard he said he doesn't play for the suites, or the rich people.  When he drives to the stadium and passes the guys selling Bulls tickets on the corner...that's who he plays for.  If they can stand out there selling tickets on the street, I can at least play at 100% every night.  This attitude was infectious this year, and propelled the Bulls beyond expectations after the Rose injury, and Deng trade.

Coach of the Year:  Greg Popovich.  Hornacek, Rivers and Carlisle are in consideration, but the way Pop managed the minutes and still got the best record in the league is amazing.

Player with the most talent wasting away in NBA purgatory:  Demarcus Cousins
I hate seeing elite talent wasted.  Imagine if this guy was with a good coach and organization.

Defensive Player of the Year: 
Anthony Davis
This guys rebounding and blocking ability is one of a kind right now.  If you like watching defense, this is the one guy I'd recommend.

All Non-Defensive team:  This was a tough one as there are many guys in the NBA who play bad defense, but these guys take the cake.  I took into account lack of size, hustle, awareness, spacing, and recognition of all things defense.  I only included recognizable names, and "stars".

Guards:  Damian Lillard, Steph Curry
Forwards:  Nick Young, Kevin Love
C-David Lee

Guy with the most talent in the league nobody talks about: 
Al Jefferson
I heard an interview with Cousins, and they asked him who's the hardest to guard.  He didn't even hesitate.  Said Al Jefferson.  He said no matter what I do, I can't stop him.  Jefferson's game this year was stellar, and nobody noticed.

Worse Coach of a Relevant Team: 
Scott Brooks. 
I watch the Thunder play, and I can't believe how good this offense could be.  He utilizes Durant and Westbrook obviously, but he hasn't done anything with Jeremy Lamb except tell him to stand in the corner and shoot 3's every once in a while, Kendrick Perkins shouldn't be playing half the minutes he is, and why do you have your talented PF/C taking 3's?  And the next time someone sets a legal/fundamental screen on that team will be the first.  Sorry…it just drives me insane watching him coach.

Most Improved:  This award is based on my personal opinion on how overrated this guy has been, and how far he's come this year: 
Blake Griffin
I thought he was all show and no substance the last couple years, but this year he's really stepped up his game (thanks to Doc Rivers), and deservedly so is in the the MVP discussion.  I was shocked he developed his mid-range jumper, and that and how he's improved his defense has made him a real force.

Most Surprising Team: 
Toronto Raptors. 
I look at their roster, and I still can't believe their record.  Fantastic job by that coaching staff and players to put together a solid team despite not having the most talent on paper.

Disappointing team of the year: 
Cleveland Cavaliers 
Obviously, there are lots of teams in the running for this award, but I go back to them drafting Bennett number 1, and from there on out it's been a year of disappointment and not meeting expectations.  They have Kyrie, Dion Waiter, and Jarrett Jack and they are 22nd in assists.  They even had a slight chance at attracting Lebron if they had their act together and showed signs of life, but they blew that as well this year.

"They're called Free": 
Deandre Jordan and Andre Drummond 
Both guys shoot over 65% from the field…and both guys shoot under 45% from the free throw line.  Unbelievable.

"Cha Ching":  Can you name how many people made over $22 Million in the NBA?  I'll give you the best name on the list. 
Gilbert Arenas. 
Didn't play a minute in the league…and why would he.  The Magic are paying him till 2016.  Just to show what bizarre GM's are in the NBA here's the top 7 money makers in the NBA in 2014.

1.  Kobe
2.  Dirk
3.  Gilbert
4.  Amare
5.  Carmelo
6.  Joe Johnson
7.  Dwight

How many of the names on this list are worth it in your opinion?  My opinion…1 guy.  


My Favorite Part of the Year Awards

Surprising Stats of 2013-14:

-Jimmy Butler is tied for 2nd in minutes per game played.
-Lebron and Durant both have more turnovers per game than Rudy happy, and  Monta Ellis.
-Thaddeus Young shot a better percentage from 3 point range than Josh Smith, Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler, and DeMar DeRozan
-Rajon Rondo in only 30 games played had as many triple doubles as Lebron, Blake, and Harden each did (1).
-Danny Green led all guards in blocks per game with .9.  Can you name the 2nd place guard in blocks per game?  Pronounce this name: Giannis Antetokounmpo
-Lebron is not in the top 8 in the league in total assists this year.  Brandon Jennings is.
-Dion Waiters…a shooting guard…who likes to shoot…shot 68% from the free throw line.  Marcin Gortat was better.

Let me know which surprising stat was the most surprising.  Mine was the Rondo stat.

Also, let me know what you think of the "Awards", and if you have some other ones of your own.

Thank you sir!  I just put the F1 thread up there for this weeks race.

I expect the Pacers to take care of business tonight, but I'm not so confident that I'll put money on it.  Still need to see them prove themselves, but Atlanta is one team that I have had terrible results trying to predict, and they have this amazing track record of falling apart in big games, playoffs, nationally televised games, etc.  So I'll just stick to the 1h under and hopefully keep cashing these in throughout the playoffs.  

Good luck Alan for the playoffs and hope your pacers do well.  Unless I am wagering against the 

BOL

I think the books didn't adjust the total properly for this matchup.  The Pacers defense isn't what it used to be, and the Hawks aren't great at defense either, and I think the Pacers may go to a little bit smaller which I think is going to create some more points.  The line is at 186.5, so I'm going to play the over here as I think both teams will score points tonight.  The Pacers have been struggling a lot against perimeter teams, and Atlanta seems to have their number on offense.  I can see both teams getting near 100 tonight.

I like the Over. I think lines alerts setting totals based on Indy's overall season, not on last 20 games or so.
Indy's best offense was their D, and that's fallen off by almost 8 ppg.
Atl+7.5
Over 186.5
BOL, Alan

You won't need the 7.5 points tonight. Indiana is in ruins and will lose their 2nd straight home game.

GL to you as well!

I can't believe that game ended at 186.  Brutal if you had 186.5 on the over.

Heard a story that Vogel may be "coaching for his job" this series.  If this is true I have several thoughts.

1.  It's pretty amazing that a coach can go through everything that he's gone through the last couple seasons...the highs and lows...the ups and downs...the mistakes and the triumphs...and then management says, "Well, whatever happens in the next couple games will determine our decision".  I hope Bird is a much bigger picture thinking guy than leaving his decision down to a couple games, but it definitely is the sports world we live in.  Like I wrote earlier this year about the butterfly effect...if Ray Allen misses the 3 last year in the finals, or a Spurs player grabs the rebound, and the Heat lose in the finals...amazing how much different the narrative would be.

2.  Vogel is only starting his journey as a coach.  He has a lot to learn, and he's made some great decisions...and he's made some bad ones.  Like everyone.  I would really hope that Bird would want to work with a guy who's only started his NBA coaching career as opposed to cutting him loose after a bad stretch.

3.  If you're going to fire a coach, here's the part nobody thinks about.  Who are you going to replace him with.

4.  We are learning that "bad Lance" has started to come out.  Fighting with teammates, not playing good, and he's a free agent.  Not sure if you blame Vogel, or if you blame the veteran players for letting him get out of control.

5.  Great NBA coaches are really hard to find.  The elite coaches know how to handle egos, motivate millionaire 20 year olds, get their team to embrace certain styles of play, and draw up x's and o's for set plays during timeouts and end of the game situations.  If you're a head coach, and can't do all of these things, you need an assistant coaching staff that can fill in the cracks.  If Vogel can't handle certain things, his entire staff isn't filling the void either.  Instead of getting rid of the head coach, maybe look at bringing in assistant coaches that compliment him.

6.  Blaming the coach for this whole slump the Pacers went in is a joke.  Players, GM...everyone gets some blame.  If Vogel loses his job over this I totally get it...but blaming him and only him is as shallow as it gets.

I'm a believer that continuity is important, and the organization supporting the coach is important in sports.  The teams that win championships don't go through coaches every couple years.  I'm not sure if Vogel is championship material, but I would be surprised if you can find someone leaps and bounds better than him. 

I heard the same on WIBC radio this afternoon. Vogel's job on the line even if they do oust the Hawks. Perhaps Larry didn't like Vogel's commercial ad appearance which aired during last night's game?

 Agree with what you're saying and that butterfly effect. Frank had them pretty well focused before the trades occurred. I believe Larry was the one who changed the chemistry. Who can ever question the Legend? Remember, Granger was a major driving force for Vogel to land the job. Perhaps Frank has been just as devastated as the team by the move? He'll be a tough act to follow IMO. Let's hope this is enough for them to all come together with a sense of urgency. Nothing motivates better when things fall apart.

the came on for the pacers.  and just like that, they should start to dominate this series.  

Gonna take another stab at the over in this game.  Atlanta missed open shots last game otherwise it would've blown past the over.  I also see the Pacers playing smaller more minutes to create a faster tempo.

Are you still playing unders on 1st halves?

I have laid off since playoffs started.  Pacers and Hawks are playing small ball...both 1h have gone over I believe.

Can't believe you are not capping a side on this game with what is really a spread of little consequence (a SU win covers for all intents and purposes). This is the biggest game of the pacers season.

Interesting post Scal...I appreciate it.

It definitely can be tough separating yourself from the fan from the bettor, and I have no problem with you calling me out on not playing the Hawks because I'm a Pacers fan.  However, I like to think of myself as a fan with information.  Meaning I don't make plays based on my "fandom", but as a guy that follows the team so close that I feel like I have a slight advantage over the books and the average bettors.  I hope that my recent post about how the Pacers and Vogel have misused the bench this year represents how I can be critical of the Pacers.

I have no problem posting against the Pacers.  My biggest play of the year was the Thunder against them earlier this year.  I have actually liked a lot of teams against the Pacers this year.  However, I will openly admit that I have an awful record of predicting games involving the Hawks.  No idea why I can't get a hold of them, but when I used to cap all NBA teams instead of just one team (Pacers obviously), the Hawks would be my kryptonite.  Even with just doing the totals this series I've been off so I can admit when I don't have an accurate read on a matchup, and my opinion on the Pacers when they were in their slump was to lay off and wait til the playoffs when I thought they would rebound and play like a contender.  Obviously, that hasn't been accurate so far.  I'm still not ready to declare Atlanta the winner of the series because I don't panic when my opinions don't work out, and I don't think a 38 win team will beat a number 1 seed...but if Atlanta does beat Indiana...maybe I'll be lucky enough to be interviewed in the 30 for 30 that will be done about this team.

I will also say that I haven't been here clamoring for everyone to back the Pacers every game, and saying that they will win the East...mostly because I'm a cautious bettor, and I haven't been sold on their performances.  I also believe that history can be a great source of info on the future.  I haven't supported the Pacers in this series in futures, ML's, and spreads so I feel good that I've contained the fan in me, and played it safe on the betting side.  I'll probably lay off this series til it's over, but based on history, and talent I still think the number 1 seed will prevail.

For what its worth, here are some random thoughts I've had about this post-season.

The Heat making the finals 4 straight times is such long shot based on history, even if the Pacers get eliminated I will still say someone else will represent the East besides the team that has been in the finals 3 straight times.

A 1 seed being eliminated in the first round is so rare, I find it hard to bet against the 1 seed.

There are two teams that are 100% healthy at the right time that can throw a kink into the playoffs, and those teams are the Grizzles and the Wizards.  Both teams are better than their seeds, and they are proving it.  Wizards probably have the best backcourt in the East with Wall and Beal...Memphis probably has the best front court in the West with Zach and Gasol.

Scott Brooks and Kevin McHale are terrible coaches.  Awful.  It's a shame and a pleasure that Popovich and Carlisle are coaching against each other in the first round.  Those two guys are amazing to watch, and they could teach a lot of coaches a thing or two.

If you're a future's bettor...I think the best value in the East is Brooklyn.  Best value in the West right now is to grab the Thunder after their loss tonight.

Thanks for posting Scal...I always enjoy our interactions. 

Any insights for today's game, alan?

I can't trust in Indiana by the way they are playing. Under 187 seems tempting. 

Man, I wish I was strong enough to pull the trigger on a couple of plays tonight...but I just haven't been on point this series.  It's amazing that for years I've had problems handicapping the Hawks...even thought the coaches and players change.  My leans are to take the Hawks +7, and the over, but based on my history with this series, and this Atlanta team I'm going to lay off.

I like the way Paul George has been playing, and I think other players will start to feed off of his production, and Lance's energy...I just don't feel this team is ready to blow anybody out.  Especially a team with as many matchup advantages as the Hawks.