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Friday, April 15, 2022

2022 NBA Playoffs thread

I estimate the NBA thread only had 10-12 years of content so we’re in reruns already.

Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 15, 2022 at 11:59 AM | 3312 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: narratives, nba, off-topic, playoffs

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1601. a 57i66135 with a grenade still has a grenade Posted: May 18, 2022 at 11:45 PM (#6077444)

Who else can't believe that Animal Kingdom is ending?

global warming is coming for us all.

1602. sardonic Posted: May 18, 2022 at 11:51 PM (#6077446)

The Ws rest advantage probably played a role as well -- they clearly had some change up defenses schemed up with a 2-3 zone, a box and one. Dallas has just one day off to figure out any adjustments. Series doesn't start until a home team loses though, we'll see if the Ws can hold serve on Friday.

1603. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:10 AM (#6077460)

I had a really nice Oscar de la Renta site from Salvation Army that was a good fit and was comfortable enough for events in Georgia. Then I had it dry cleaned, and it somehow came back with what looked like a cigarette burn on the shoulder, I was really bummed.

My favorite NBA playoff tradition is turning on the TV in the morning and catching "Charmed" re-runs.

1604. gef the talking mongoose, peppery hostile Posted: May 19, 2022 at 12:31 PM (#6077472)

it somehow came back with what looked like a cigarette burn on the shoulder, I was really bummed.

Obvious solution -- walk around with a parrot or similar bird perched on the shoulder in question. Or perhaps a small monkey.

Maybe even a mongoose (though not me).

1605. PJ Martinez Posted: May 19, 2022 at 02:43 PM (#6077493)

Smart and Horford are both now listed as available for tonight's game (thank goodness).

1606. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 03:05 PM (#6077498)

White isn’t, however. His wife is having a baby.

1607. Crosseyed and Painless Posted: May 19, 2022 at 03:41 PM (#6077506)

Were they swabbing Horford's nose and throat every five minutes or so?

1608. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 19, 2022 at 04:09 PM (#6077510)

The Covid rules aren't public, I guess, but apparently he needed two negative tests 24 hours apart. I assume them upgrading him to questionable meant he tested negative yesterday, so that when he tested negative today they were able to clear him. Given the quick turnaround (and the fact that he was vaxxed) presumably he was asymptomatic and will be more or less back to normal, but who knows.

1609. tshipman

Posted: May 19, 2022 at 04:52 PM (#6077525)

I think what makes the most sense with Horford is that he got the single shot J&J shot, but was not boosted and he had a close contact test positive.

I don't think any other result adds up with the league's Covid policy.

1610. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 05:10 PM (#6077532)

After the Milwaukee series, he probably needed the rest anyways.

1611. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 05:11 PM (#6077533)

I doubt the vaccine source had anything to do with him testing positive. I’ve had 3 Pfizer zer shots and I was mildly symptomatic a couple of weeks ago, though I was antigen-negative on the home test.

1612. SteveF Posted: May 19, 2022 at 05:56 PM (#6077537)

My understanding is Horford tested negative on two separate PCR tests (sent to two different labs?) on the same day (today) and that that's a newish way you can get out of the Covid protocols. So when he tested negative on the first test, he was upgraded to questionable (he was listed as doubtful yesterday). Then when the second test also came back negative, he was upgraded to available. That all happened in the span of ~90 minutes.

1613. tshipman

Posted: May 19, 2022 at 06:57 PM (#6077541)

My understanding is that players are only tested if they are symptomatic if they are boosted.

If Horford was symptomatic and tested positive, my understanding is that it would be exceptionally unlikely that he would test negative twice this quickly.

Horford described himself as "fully vaccinated", but didn't appear in Toronto, which required boosters. Further, he has appeared in protocols three times this year.

It is theoretically possible that Horford would have symptomatic Covid three times in nine months, but it's incredibly unlikely.

I think it seems most likely that Horford didn't get boosted and had a close contact test positive, which landed him in protocols, but allowed him to relatively quickly test out of them.

1614. SteveF Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:06 PM (#6077556)

Celtics better clean up their issues on the defensive boards or this is going to go very, very badly for them even if they happen to have a 2 point lead.

1615. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:12 PM (#6077558)

On the other hand, if they make every three for the rest of the game I like their chances.

1616. SteveF Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:14 PM (#6077561)

Celtics: 10 assists on 12 makes.
Heat: 4 assists on 9 makes.

1617. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:18 PM (#6077562)

Getting infected serves as a natural boost, so if Horford got vaccinated once, then got infected three times, that’s even better than getting boosted three times.

1618. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:50 PM (#6077573)

I’d like to see Hauser get some burn. He can really shoot and isn’t the bull-in-a-China shop Nesmith is.

1619. asinwreck Posted: May 19, 2022 at 09:54 PM (#6077575)

Well, Miami has more points at halftime than Phoenix had at the half in Game 7. So they have that going for them.

1620. Cagerfan Posted: May 19, 2022 at 10:01 PM (#6077579)

I think evidence of immunity (eg, serum antibody test) should also be accepted as equivalent to vaccination.

1621. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 19, 2022 at 10:29 PM (#6077581)

Duncan Robinson sighting! Probably only because Tucker is out with a bruised knee, but he lives anyway.

1622. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:13 AM (#6077624)

PJ Tucker having an MRI on his knee this morning.

1623. If on a winter's night a traveling violation Posted: May 20, 2022 at 01:00 PM (#6077644)

Fingers crossed Tucker's knee is okay.

Last night was tremendously validating on a bunch of irrational levels in addition to the reasonable ones. #### the Heat, Celtics in 5.

Out West, I am very curious to see how the Mavericks adjust over the next two games: I expect Luka to figure out better approaches against a few of those matchups (I'll take a moment to give Looney some credit before that happens), but I'm more curious to see if and how Kidd can get their defense unflummoxed against the Warriors' motion actions and weakside decoys.

1624. SteveF Posted: May 20, 2022 at 01:37 PM (#6077650)

Butler has been very good, but one of the issues with him is that there are more options to defend him in PnR than there normally are against elite wings. You can play drop/go under screens against him and he can't really make teams pay to the degree that other elite guys can. Maybe that doesn't impact his personal point totals as much as it limits his ability to compromise a defense/force two to the ball and generate easy looks for his teammates.

1625. sardonic Posted: May 20, 2022 at 02:14 PM (#6077653)

Out West, I am very curious to see how the Mavericks adjust over the next two games: I expect Luka to figure out better approaches against a few of those matchups (I'll take a moment to give Looney some credit before that happens), but I'm more curious to see if and how Kidd can get their defense unflummoxed against the Warriors' motion actions and weakside decoys.

I definitely expect the Mavs to play better on offense between better shooting and actual adjustments. I'm more skeptical about what defensive adjustments they could realistically make -- I don't really think that they can keep Powell on the floor very long, which means that the vast majority of the game they have almost no rim protection and about 2.5 good defenders on the perimeter. I just don't see them being able to keep GS away from the rim this game.

1626. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 02:40 PM (#6077657)

Finalists for the Lakers' coaching job allegedly Kenny Atkinson, Milwaukee Assistant Darvin Ham, and Terry Stotts.

Probably slight preference for Atkinson of that group? No Mark Jackson automatically means I'm on board, though.

***

Mavs and adjustments:
Two paths to take, either you just make the "play better" adjustment and say we're going to reduce turnovers and make more shots, win on offense, hope the midrange shooting cools off (last game was 13/20).
Or, you say, the Warriors got 30% of their shots in the paint and we need more rim protection if we keep playing this scheme. And then you either change personnel to not go 5 out as much, or you change your scheme to not be so aggressive and give up penetration as badly.

1627. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: May 20, 2022 at 02:45 PM (#6077658)

Maybe that doesn't impact his personal point totals as much as it limits his ability to compromise a defense/force two to the ball and generate easy looks for his teammates

Butler also tends to do his damage from 2-point range (only takes roughly 1/4 of his shots from 3), so even though his FG% is very good, he's not getting the point boost from the 3-point shot.

1628. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 02:51 PM (#6077660)

I think in the grand scheme of things, the Celtics going 12/19 in the first half from 3 was a bigger issue than Jimmy Butler not spacing the floor as much.

1629. If on a winter's night a traveling violation Posted: May 20, 2022 at 03:20 PM (#6077664)

Has anyone ever put as much effort as Mark Jackson into getting their name into media rumors as a candidate for jobs they won't get?

1630. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 03:22 PM (#6077665)

Has anyone ever put as much effort as Mark Jackson into getting their name into media rumors as a candidate for jobs they won't get?

I think it's an amazing strategy from a team perspective. You leak that Mark Jackson is a candidate, the fans start rending their clothing and weeping, and then you announce someone else and everyone is happy because hey, this guy has to be better than Mark Jackson.

1631. rr would lock Shaq's a$$ up Posted: May 20, 2022 at 03:46 PM (#6077669)

Finalists for the Lakers' coaching job allegedly Kenny Atkinson, Milwaukee Assistant Darvin Ham, and Terry Stotts.

This is from Charania, so it is probably accurate. I am OK with any of them; I think they would all be reasonable hires.

1632. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 03:47 PM (#6077670)

I think in the grand scheme of things, the Celtics going 12/19 in the first half from 3 was a bigger issue than Jimmy Butler not spacing the floor as much.

No doubt, Miami is going to need to stop leaving dudes open and figure out something scheme wise to protect there smalller guards and wings, especially if Tucker is going to miss time.

Miami is also going to need a lot more on offense from Bam who hasn’t played with any force. I wonder if he is healthy.

1633. yo la tengo (the poor man's Ron Darling) Posted: May 20, 2022 at 04:03 PM (#6077672)

Is the pressure of coaching the Lakers such that a first time coach might not be a good idea? I know that Ham is well regarded, it just seems that starting your head coaching career in LA with LeBron might be a bit much to ask

1634. asinwreck Posted: May 20, 2022 at 04:11 PM (#6077676)

I am rooting for Atkinson to be LeBron and AD's coach after the narrative emerged that he was too inflexible to coach superstars. (Sure, when one of those superstars is Kyrie Irving.)

1635. asinwreck Posted: May 20, 2022 at 04:20 PM (#6077677)

John Hollinger interviewed a folding chair about the private predraft workouts pitting prospects against furniture. From the chair:

I’ll see the traffic cones at nearly all my workouts. They’re cool and all, but we don’t really hang out. Between you and me, I do not get that family at all. There’s like a hundred of them, they all look exactly alike, and they’re at every workout every year. They travel in packs, too; there’s never just one of them. But the only one that ever got drafted was Jahlil Okafor.

1636. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 20, 2022 at 05:29 PM (#6077694)

I dunno how much people care about what is knowable about the Horford Covid situation, but he said after last night's game that he asked to be tested because he didn't feel quite right, and that's what put him in the protocol. With it passing as quickly as it did, either they caught it just at the end of the window where he would have tested positive or it was maybe a false positive, because I don't know otherwise how he would have tested positive and then negative so quickly after. Weird all around, but I'm glad it only kept him out of one game if it wasn't a serious case.

1637. Thok Posted: May 20, 2022 at 05:56 PM (#6077698)

Horford could have just had a 24 hour flu or a cold. Not all diseases are COVID, but some people are OK with being a bit cautious.

1638. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 20, 2022 at 07:53 PM (#6077717)

Yeah, more than anything my takeaway is that Al Horford is a responsible guy, which isn't really shocking.

1639. a 57i66135 with a grenade still has a grenade Posted: May 20, 2022 at 08:51 PM (#6077722)

I dunno how much people care about what is knowable about the Horford Covid situation, but he said after last night's game that he asked to be tested because he didn't feel quite right, and that's what put him in the protocol. With it passing as quickly as it did, either they caught it just at the end of the window where he would have tested positive or it was maybe a false positive, because I don't know otherwise how he would have tested positive and then negative so quickly after. Weird all around, but I'm glad it only kept him out of one game if it wasn't a serious case.

but did they test him for monkeypox?

1640. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:20 PM (#6077730)

I’ve got Dallas big in this game, and am very satisfied with this start.

1641. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:26 PM (#6077732)

Not so fast there, Rauseo.

1642. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:27 PM (#6077733)

Well, right after posting that - GSW 13-0 run.

Dallas looks super shallow right now, which didn’t show up as obviously vs PHX or UTH. It’s like they have 5 guys who can play.

1643. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:29 PM (#6077735)

Is Luca the new Chris Paul? That swipe across the face was unnecessary.

1644. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:30 PM (#6077736)

Luka is going to be out of gas half way through the third if GSW keeps attacking him and no one else on DAL can create a mismatch or get people in motion.

1645. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:34 PM (#6077737)

I think that’s the idea, GS will keep running bodies at him, make him play defense and take his legs away for the 4th quarter.

1646. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:35 PM (#6077738)

Unless I missed something GSW used Porter at center for a bit.

I can’t believe how reluctant, and am really surprised pleasantly how reluctant warriors to play anyone but Wiggins can Luca. I think Klat was matched up once or twice and it went super bad. Now AW is back in.

Dallas seems to be trying to hunt a porter switch. Super interesting.

Luca will be gassed early.

1647. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:47 PM (#6077741)

The referees continue to suck.

1648. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:48 PM (#6077742)

It’s getting chippy out there.

1649. SteveF Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:49 PM (#6077743)

All this with Doncic on the bench.

1650. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:50 PM (#6077745)

Luca isn’t going to be gassed if he can rest for 5 minute a pop and DAL can extend.

GSW is completely losing their composure. It’s like they didn’t understand if they turned the ball over a million times and their opponent hit some shots they’d face resistance.

1651. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:53 PM (#6077746)

The referees continue to suck.

Totally, what’s strange is GSW has gotten hosed by most of the calls, but is so darn fortunate that Drey hasn’t been double T’d - which could have definitely happened.

1652. SteveF Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:56 PM (#6077747)

3 fouls on Curry. 2 were take fouls.

1653. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 09:58 PM (#6077748)

Steph with 3 fouls with 4 minutes in the second. DAL needs to force Steph onto a switch with Luca or Brunson and attack.

1654. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:04 PM (#6077750)

Which it sort of looks like they are going and I think is how Bulock hit that three.

I think.

1655. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:12 PM (#6077751)

Looked like GSW was going to go on a nice run to close the gap before the half, but Luca says get the #### out here and hits a sick ass Curry like 3 to basically end the half.

1656. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:15 PM (#6077752)

I think Dallas is embracing the strategy that teams have been reluctant to get to, but seems like the inevitable end point of the NBA: chuck a shitload of 3pers, and win if they go in.

Dallas isn't this good a shooting team. (I mean, no one is, really.) But if you take 27 3s in a half, you look like a genius if they go in this often.

1657. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:17 PM (#6077753)

All-Defense teams are out:

First:
G: Marcus Smart 198 points
G: Mikal Bridges 193
C: Rudy Gobert 171
F: Giannis 156
F: JJJ 153

Second:
F: Bam Adebayo 152 points
G: Jrue Holiday 89
G: Matisse Thybulle 87
C: Robert Williams III 70
F: Draymond Green 34

It looks like Bam has made three second teams and no first, so coming in one point behind Jackson Jr. must rankle. Otherwise it's a pretty settled list; Draymond is lower than the rest on the second team but well ahead of the next forward, Evan Mobley who had 13 points.

1658. a 57i66135 with a grenade still has a grenade Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:21 PM (#6077755)

ben simmons was robbed.

1659. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:23 PM (#6077757)

Hey, he might still win rookie of the year.

1660. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:26 PM (#6077758)

Tship, I hear you - and it’s super hard to argue but GSW’s turnovers seem massive too. Coupled with a bunch of guys who are hot and cold on defense…. I say that amazed at how great Wiggins has been and how bad Klaybhas been.

I’m not event going to mention dray and stephs decision making.

1661. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:48 PM (#6077764)

The warriors are back in the game with 3:00 left in the third and I’m not sure what is happening. 81-76… to much wine. I need to pay more attention!

1662. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 10:55 PM (#6077765)

Tship, I hear you - and it’s super hard to argue but GSW’s turnovers seem massive too. Coupled with a bunch of guys who are hot and cold on defense…. I say that amazed at how great Wiggins has been and how bad Klaybhas been.

The TO's are definitely relevant. It's just less important than taking almost two thirds of your shots as 3s and having half of them go in!

1663. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:08 PM (#6077766)

7:50 left, warriors up - a bucket. They are getting so much more from there marginal players. From play 1 to 8 or 9 just much more effort.

1664. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:10 PM (#6077767)

The TO's are definitely relevant. It's just less important than taking almost two thirds of your shots as 3s and having half of them go in!

I hear you; but quality matters. They had good shooters on open looks. You’re gonna hit a bunch of ‘em.

Which totally feels hollow at this point.

1665. SteveF Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:12 PM (#6077768)

How can a snowball roll downhill in the pouring rain?

1666. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:23 PM (#6077771)

Klay just blew by Luca like he was nailed to the floor on that drive.

1667. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:25 PM (#6077772)

Pretty blah half from the mavs. Seems like the team went into half time feeling large and came out thinking we don’t belong.

I feel like they will get buckets in the last 3 here but have no hearts to get stops.

1668. SteveF Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:33 PM (#6077773)

2 games in and Mavs still don't seem to have a plan to defend GSW. They better figure it out before game 3.

1669. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:36 PM (#6077774)

Demoralizing loss for Dallas.

1670. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:40 PM (#6077775)

They had good shooters on open looks. You’re gonna hit a bunch of ‘em.

In a large sample, basically no one shoots over 50% on open looks.

Jalen Brunson for the season is at 37% on open + wide open shots
DFS is at 39%
Bullock is at 37%
Kleber is at 33%
Luka is at 35%

Warriors were also frankly fortunate to shoot well in this game, and they did clean up the turnovers in the second half. They were also more successful in preventing the 3--Dallas took 27 in the first half and 18 in the second. However, going from making 15/27 to making 6/18 is also just bog standard regression.

1671. Cagerfan Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:42 PM (#6077776)

Dallas was also guilty of assuming Looney couldn’t make wide open layups.

1672. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:42 PM (#6077777)

Also, this is the funniest ####.

1673. MHS Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:46 PM (#6077778)

How long is it until the national narrrative is wait until Luca has a real #2… l

1674. sardonic Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:51 PM (#6077780)

Live by the 3, die by the 3 for the Mavs. There'll be a game where they stay hot and win, but the bigger problem is for the second straight game the Ws got whatever they wanted at the rim. Dallas needs an answer on D I'd they're going to get back in the series.

1675. sardonic Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:57 PM (#6077781)

Dallas is also down to basically a 6 man rotation vs an 8 man rotation for the Ws. Going to be hard to sustain that for the rest of the series.

1676. tshipman

Posted: May 20, 2022 at 11:57 PM (#6077782)

How long is it until the national narrrative is wait until Luca has a real #2… l

Who you pair with Luka is a real team building challenge.

The traditional answers (Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Jrue, Middleton, Klay) are getting a little bit older, and the shooting big route clearly didn't work out. Could you get Desmond Bane? Maybe Franz Wagner with some growth? The Paul George archetype is harder to find young players to target.

1677. sardonic Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:03 AM (#6077783)

I think the answer would be an Anthony Davis or Chris Bosh type. So JJJ or someone like that? KP took a lot of shots and was tall but he couldn't actually protect the rim

1678. Athletic Supporter is USDA certified lean Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:08 AM (#6077784)

I'm not even sure anymore that the Mavs need a true #2. Josh Green and Frank Ntilikina played minutes tonight. Heck, the Mavs don't really have any other above average starters. This is not too hard a team to improve and if Luka is *this*, I'm not even sure they need a second star.

If they had, like, DeAndre Ayton instead of Kleber, I think they win this game. Just get good players where you can.

1679. Harlond Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:19 AM (#6077785)

Warriors had 5 different guys with 5 assists—Wiggins, Draymond, Klay, Steph, and Poole. Otto Porter with 4 assists was their senary distributor. Tough to defend that.

Or maybe that just points to the Mavs lack of rim protection. Hard to beat though.

(I looked it up—primary, secondary, tertiary, quarternary, quinary, senary.)

1680. tshipman

Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:27 AM (#6077786)

If they had, like, DeAndre Ayton instead of Kleber, I think they win this game.

I think Kleber is a better player than DeAndre Ayton >.>

1681. esseff Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:50 AM (#6077787)

Here's a stat: The Warriors have now won 12 playoff games in which they trailed by 15 or more points in the Kerr/Curry/Thompson/Green era.

1682. rr would lock Shaq's a$$ up Posted: May 21, 2022 at 01:23 AM (#6077790)

I could see Ayton ending up in Dallas.

1683. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 08:03 AM (#6077793)

The complaint about Ayton is that his defense and rim protection are lacking and that’s what Dallas needs. How many wide open scores at the rim did the Warriors get last night? Even Klay was dunking on straight drives off half court sets.

1684. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 09:23 AM (#6077794)

JJ Redick showing his frat boy Dookie

1685. asinwreck Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:27 AM (#6077797)

I could see Mitchell Robinson ending up in Dallas.

1686. sardonic Posted: May 21, 2022 at 11:58 AM (#6077806)

This would be super annoying to me but I should point out that Looney himself is a free agent at the end of the season.

Isn't Dwight Powell kind of already Mitchell Robinson?

1687. DCA Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:43 PM (#6077809)

Is Brunson likely to stay in Dallas? If he ends up leaving, the Mavs will have to do very well in the offseason to even tread water, I think. And if he stays I don't see how they can afford to add anybody good.

1688. sardonic Posted: May 21, 2022 at 12:51 PM (#6077810)

Kerr's getting a lot of love for getting 10 rock solid minutes from Moses Moody in the second half, but I can't help having flashbacks to when this was Pat McCaw or Jordan Bell or even Kuminga looking lost in the last series.

1689. PJ Martinez Posted: May 21, 2022 at 01:21 PM (#6077811)

Sounds like Kyle Lowry might play tonight, and Robert Williams might not.

1690. tshipman

Posted: May 21, 2022 at 04:35 PM (#6077829)

I feel very badly for Williams. Obviously he wants to be there for his team, but this is why you don't do the meniscus shave. He may have to deal with this for the rest of his life.

1691. rr would lock Shaq's a$$ up Posted: May 21, 2022 at 04:42 PM (#6077830)

Is the pressure of coaching the Lakers such that a first time coach might not be a good idea? I know that Ham is well regarded, it just seems that starting your head coaching career in LA with LeBron might be a bit much to ask

Ham is supposedly the frontrunner, in large part because he is reportedly James's choice. Ham has ten years as an assistant in the NBA with the Lakers, Hawks and Bucks. If he gets the job, there will be a "Budenholzer coaching tree" starting--Taylor Jenkins also worked under Budenholzer with both the Hawks and the Bucks.

That said, since Riley left in 1990, the Lakers have mostly hired guys with previous NBA HC exp: Dunleavy, Harris, ofc Phil Jackson, Tomjanovich, Brown, D'Antoni, Scott, and Vogel. The guys they have hired who did not have HC exp have not worked out well--Magic Johnson, Randy Pfund, and Luke Walton.

1692. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 07:50 PM (#6077847)

So, then…they’re going to hire Mark Jackson?

1693. tshipman

Posted: May 21, 2022 at 09:38 PM (#6077854)

The games in these conference finals are so swingy, it's crazy.

1694. asinwreck Posted: May 21, 2022 at 09:42 PM (#6077856)

15 is closer than 25. Maybe the third quarter will be competitive.

1695. asinwreck Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:02 PM (#6077859)

Butler won't play the second half. That could make it interesting.

1696. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:03 PM (#6077860)

Man, the injuries. Butler is out for the rest of the game and now I think Smart just dislocated his ankle.

1697. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:13 PM (#6077861)

Smart is one tough ############. I thought for sure that ankle was either broken or dislocated.

1698. asinwreck Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:16 PM (#6077862)

Breen mentioned the word "sprain" in regards to Smart's ankle injury. If the Celtics come back, that 3 he made upon his return will get a lot of attention.

1699. tshipman

Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:16 PM (#6077863)

This FT disparity is something else.

1700. Cagerfan Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:42 PM (#6077864)

The Heat looked like they were outplayed in the 3rd quarter but the score didn’t change from halftime.

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Friday, April 15, 2022

2022 NBA Playoffs thread

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