firstrounder

Everyone always talks about it, I just don't get it...someone help me out.

All of these guys have played basketball all their lives, on high school teams that no doubt won championships, colleges that played in March Madness tourneys, European League playoffs, etc.

These guys shouldn't need to relearn the game in the playoffs, and they shouldnt be buckling under all the increased "pressure".

Its not like they are you and me with no experience. These guys have played in "big games" all their lives, and they suceeded, otherwise they wouldnt be in the NBA today. They've been surrounded by pressure their entire career!

So why do we always use the lack of playoff experience excuse?

Sure this team lacks NBA playoff experience, but it has a wealth of playoff and big game experience at other high levels of play. That should translate over shouldn't it?

If they couldnt handle the pressure of the big game, how could they handle playing in front of scouts etc before they were drafted?

I dont get it. Someone help me out.

chocolove

Well, I guess everyone gets nervous when its the first time of something, even though they have a wealth of big game experience its the first time in the playoffs for a lot of them. Thats the only argument i can think of but what you said makes a lot of sense.

firstrounder

thx

nets1

there is a big difference and only experience can help. In the playoffs the great players really step up their games. The intensity of the game almost doubles. EVERY POSSESSION COUNTS!!! The flow of the games are controlled by the coaches much more.

During the regular season a team may play another 2 times in a row only once during the season. Like the nets did against washington near the end of the season. During the playoffs you see the same team up to 7 times in a row. You get to know the team real well then, and the coaches have to shine. Nothing like regular season.

During the regular season if you have a bad game you got 81 more games to make it up. In the playoffs you can't afford a bad game, you can't afford a bad quarter, and you can't afford a major injury. Intensity is stepped way up, and players like Jason Kidd understand that and will exploit that as much as they can. Also, a young team like the raps have to learn how to get the killer instinct and learn how to put a team away. Thats not as easy as it sounds since the other team doesn't want to go home for the summer.

I hope this helps...

Oh yeah, go nets!!!!!

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go nets!!!

firstrounder

so in March Madness the great players don't step up their games?

In the European Championships, every possession doesnt count?

Coaches aren't as important in March Madness and Euroleague playoffs as in NBA?

I find this hard to believe.

I understand what you are saying, that the NBA playoffs are tougher than regular seaosn, but you fail to explain how the NBA playoffs are any more intense/pressure filled than March Madness or European playoffs.

You missed the point of the thread. Its not trying to compare regular season to playoffs. I'm saying that all of these players have played in similar pressure situations before at in a playoff environment at other stages in their career. (Euroleague, March madness)

Therefore, they shouldnt crack under NBA playoff pressure.

jerkstore

NBA Speed in itself is different than Collage or Euro. Playoffs are another curveball.

firstrounder

Anthony Parker hasnt seemed to have had to make much of an adjustment then has he?

NeoSamurai

the NBA is the culmination of a lifetime's work...this is the biggest stage for them and they are on the verge of history...for some, they are able to perform and overcome the pressure and nerves one might have like Jordan, Reggie Miller, Bird, and Magic - thats why theyre legends in this sport...

others not quite so...i guess it all matters upon the individual and their maturity level...

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Diversity, Our Strength...Lets Go Raptors

narrator

Just like every other basketball game in the history of the world. "Playoff experience" is overrated. The only thing that changes things in the playoffs is that you (a) see the same team up to 7 times in a row; and (b) have to deal with glory hog refs.

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firstrounder

When Parker was in the Euroleague finals, would you not say that at that point of his life it was the culmination of a lifetimes work?

When guys like Dixon etc won a National championship, would you not think that was a similar pressure environment?

nets1

look at the players from duke, always in championship games but never do that well in the nba. America watches march madness, the world watches nba finals. Big difference.

The raps have faced the nets many times now in regular season. They have faced Jason Kidd and RJ and VC many times. But they have never faced them in the playoffs, and do you see how they play differently? The raps so far are playing like its a very important regular season game, while the nets are playing like its a playoff game. The tempo is different, more dilerbrate, better passing, and much more intense defense.

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go nets!!!

firstrounder

I disagree about the big difference in pressure from March Madness to NBA.

March Madness is SINGLE GAME ELIMINATION. One bad game and you are out.

Those kids are playing for their NBA draft position...the tournament makes or breaks some guys chances to make the NBA. You talk about pressure THATS pressure. In contrast the NBA playoffs are best of 7 - there is not the pressure of 1 game as there is in March Madness.

Plus, the final 4 of the March Madness is probably more watched than most of the NBA playoffs series, so its not like they are nervous being on national TV.

nets1

I remember watching a playoff game about 6 years ago that proves my point. It was Jason Williams rookie year and the Kings were playing in the playoffs. Don't hold me to the exact facts here but i believe it was like against the Jazz when they had malone and stockton. The Jazz were the favorites and the kings were just starting to be good. Jason Williams was playing out his *** until they reached game 5 and the pressure was really on. The kings had a chance to upset a major favorite , then the pressure of game 5 Williams faded away. He just disappeared. Wasn't great defense of the Jazz, or stockston, he just lost his confidence, or choked or whatever. Thats the difference.

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go nets!!!

firstrounder

How is that proof? You said yourself he was kicking butt for the 1st 4 games, how could he do that without "experience"

Maybe he was just due for a bad game...bottom line is Williams playing good in 4 of 5 playoff games in his rookie year does not prove your point.

Please, answer me how an NBA best of 7 playoff game is more pressure than a March Madness single elimination game where your draft stock is on the line.

nets1