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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 | 4354 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: narratives, nba, off-topic, playoffs

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201. An Athletic in Powderhorn, Silly Posted: April 19, 2022 at 10:52 PM (#6072639)

I'm not looking past Memphis. They seem to relish going toe-to-toe with the Warriors. And in general they've gotten the better of them. That series is going to give me several heart attacks.

202. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 19, 2022 at 10:59 PM (#6072641)

Memphis made the obvious adjustment of dropping Adams, which Minnesota seemed unready for. Hard to say what the Minnesota adjustment will be, so could be a long series or a five gamer.

203. SteveF Posted: April 19, 2022 at 11:23 PM (#6072644)

They are going to get killed on the boards if the regular season means anything, which means they can't afford to also get killed in turnover differential. Memphis had 18 more shooting possessions. Minnesota missed a lot of shots, but even if they hadn't they were losing this game by 15.

204. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 19, 2022 at 11:46 PM (#6072645)

I feel like Memphis still has so much fat that they need to trim. They're still splitting minutes between two different bigs who can't stay on the court against Golden State even after benching Adams.

They're moving so fast, but they still need to find that other level of cutting out the guys who have glaring weaknesses to take the next step.

Ja needs to commit defensively, JJJ needs to give up his body, and they are like one wing short from their final form.

205. SteveF Posted: April 19, 2022 at 11:53 PM (#6072646)

I'm not overly confident in Jenkins, either. Needing even 3 minutes and 2 fouls on Adams before you made a switch that was obvious to anyone with 2 brains cells to rub together BEFORE game 1 doesn't portend well for his playoff adjustments.

206. SteveF Posted: April 19, 2022 at 11:55 PM (#6072647)

At least in Finch's case there's a legitimate worry that your defense will go to #### if you play Towns without Vanderbilt. Which...

207. Cagerfan Posted: April 20, 2022 at 12:33 AM (#6072649)

Heck of a game by Ingram. One assist shy of a triple double with very efficient shooting.

208. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 08:59 AM (#6072665)

I don't have an issue starting Adams in Game 1 at all and even in Game 2, with a quick hook. Adams was a huge part of their team success (both in providing additional playmaking they need, and in rebounding), is a good player (in the right matchups). I think the clearly superior #2 seed, generally shouldn't feel like they need to adjust to the #7, but make the #7 adjust to them. This is different if you're playing a team like Brooklyn. But I don't think there are many NBA coaches that would have a quicker hook on Adams than 3 minutes into Game 2.

Memphis is, yeah, a little short on talent. They have reason to expect growth internally, and I do, but I think a consolidation trade this offseason would be good for them, depending on who is available.

209. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:08 AM (#6072666)

@Statmuse Chris Paul has lost 14 straight playoff games officiated by Scott Foster.

210. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:15 AM (#6072667)

New Orleans could be pretty good in a year or two if they get a real PG to share time with Alvarado and if Zion or whatever they trade Zion for plays like an all-star.

211. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:54 AM (#6072668)

Someone like Lonzo Ball would be a good fit, you would think.

212. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:10 AM (#6072672)

I think something like 25 franchises think Scott Foster is out to get them.

213. Mellow Mouse, Benevolent Space Tyrant Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:26 AM (#6072680)

I think something like 25 franchises think Scott Foster is out to get them.

He is kind of terrible.

214. An Athletic in Powderhorn, Silly Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:59 AM (#6072683)

I'm catching up with last night's Suns-Pels game. I hope Booker's all right. It sounds like his hamstring will get evaluated today.

I'm enjoying getting lost in the data of BB-Ref's Playoff Series Outcome toy. Keeping it heliocentric, I note that the higher seed who splits the first two games has won 97 of 156 series (.634).

215. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 11:01 AM (#6072684)

I'm enjoying getting lost in the data of BB-Ref's Playoff Series Outcome toy. Keeping it heliocentric, I note that the higher seed who splits the first two games has won 97 of 156 series (.634).

2-0 HH/AAHAH 195-16

this series is over.

216. asinwreck Posted: April 20, 2022 at 11:34 AM (#6072689)

Someone like Lonzo Ball would be a good fit, you would think.

Ball, maybe Jrue Holiday...

217. PJ Martinez Posted: April 20, 2022 at 01:38 PM (#6072715)

Woj now saying that Game 4 is a "realistic target" for Simmons's Brooklyn debut, based on the progress he's making in practices.

218. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 20, 2022 at 02:09 PM (#6072723)

Imagine how funny it would be if he comes back for game 4 with BKN down 3-0? I mean, as an avowed C's hater, I'm not hoping for that, but that'd be a helluva scene. Maybe even funnier if they're up 2-1 and then they lose 3 in a row.

219. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 02:31 PM (#6072728)

Woj - Booker is getting an evaluation, but is unlikely to play in Games 3 and 4.

Go earn your max, Ayton!

220. epoc Posted: April 20, 2022 at 02:36 PM (#6072733)

Maybe even funnier if they're up 2-1 and then they lose 3 in a row.

By far the funniest scenario, and the one I'm rooting for, is that they are up 2-1, drop game four at home with Simmons looking like the same zero-confidence liability we saw last time he was on the court, and they decide to DNP-Coach's Decision him for the rest of the playoffs.

221. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: April 20, 2022 at 03:14 PM (#6072746)

https://twitter.com/AravantinosDA/status/1516555038457577472
"Dante Exum with four ridiculous poster dunks in the past 20 days

Well I think I've just found the obvious solution to all of the Jazz' problems.

222. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 20, 2022 at 03:17 PM (#6072747)

The Suns should still be a comfortable favorite even with Booker out.

New Orleans won, but did so largely by going 17/31 from 3.

I would still expect them to lose in 5

223. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 05:11 PM (#6072770)

https://twitter.com/AravantinosDA/status/1516555038457577472
"Dante Exum with four ridiculous poster dunks in the past 20 days

Well I think I've just found the obvious solution to all of the Jazz' problems.

it seems that he was just 4 years away from being 4 years away.

224. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 20, 2022 at 05:15 PM (#6072774)

The Suns should still be a comfortable favorite even with Booker out.

Absolutely. The Suns might be more vulnerable to an upset in the next round (say, to a healthy Mavs team with a hot Luka) without Booker (or with him at less than 100%).

225. If on a winter's night a father of a newborn baby Posted: April 20, 2022 at 05:51 PM (#6072784)

The disparities in the tone, specificity, and volume of reports on the respective potential returns of Simmons and Williams are a funny little subplot to the Nets-Celtics series, given how similar their progressions seem to be. Woj quote tweets an ESPN report that Simmons has done some 4-on-4 practice in a piece headlined Sources: Game 4 realistic target for Ben Simmons to make debut for Brooklyn Nets; the Celtics team twitter account posts that 'Coach Udoka says Rob Williams has progressed to playing 3-on-3 at practice: “He’s doing more every day … We’re still planning on playing without him, but happy with his progress.”'.

Me, I just hope neither one comes back too soon: the league is just flat-out more fun when it has athletes as electric as those two are when healthy.

226. Athletic Supporter's restaurant with Ted Danson Posted: April 20, 2022 at 08:12 PM (#6072813)

Villanova, man.

And on cue, per Shams, Jay Wright is retiring.

Relative to the pedigree of his incoming prospects, I can't think of another coach in the same ballpark in terms of getting results and minting NBA players. I think there's a real case to be made he's the greatest coach in the college game over the last couple decades.

227. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 08:56 PM (#6072824)

This series is so god damn fun, even when the play isn't good like tonight.

228. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:09 PM (#6072828)

And on cue, per Shams, Jay Wright is retiring.

Relative to the pedigree of his incoming prospects, I can't think of another coach in the same ballpark in terms of getting results and minting NBA players. I think there's a real case to be made he's the greatest coach in the college game over the last couple decades.

i can't say that i expected this to happen, but a few weeks back, i did happen to notice the suit jay wright wore at the final 4 was not up to his usual standards. that's a small thing, but it may have been a sign that he wasn't enjoying his time as much as he used to.

whenever jay wright's legacy comes up as a topic, i like to point out that he was at the forefront of the "small ball" revolution. the 2005 team built around randy foye, kyle lowry, allen ray and mike nardi played a style of basketball that was a decade ahead of its time.

229. asinwreck Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:22 PM (#6072832)

Ime Udoka knows these Nets very well. Very effective defense on Durant.

230. sardonic Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:26 PM (#6072833)

This game is like the entertaining version of 2000s iso ball... without the hand checking and with more 3s.

231. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:30 PM (#6072834)

Horford has committed like 11 fouls tonight.

232. spivey Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:39 PM (#6072836)

Durant's played like the worst game since his rookie season tonight.

233. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 09:46 PM (#6072837)

The shooting in this game really flipped from first to second half.

234. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:22 PM (#6072841)

Clean block! Clean block! (#### Harden.)

235. PJ Martinez Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:24 PM (#6072842)

Yeah, that was very close — seemed like they called it so they could review it (though who knows), and then, having called it, it was too close to overturn.

236. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:27 PM (#6072843)

I actually think it was a goaltend, but #### Harden.

237. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:29 PM (#6072844)

Never seen Harden foul out before.

238. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:30 PM (#6072845)

It's rare for him to contest 6 shots in a single game.

239. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:30 PM (#6072846)

tie game, 30 seconds left, sixers have the ball.

regardless of how this ends, the refs from this game need to be demoted to the ####### CAA. this is some drexel/st bonaventure ####.

240. PJ Martinez Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:32 PM (#6072847)

A full shot clock to work with and you end up with a step-back three for Embiid?

241. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:33 PM (#6072848)

I want the ball in Maxey's hands driving to the rim in that situation.

242. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:36 PM (#6072849)

A full shot clock to work with and you end up with a step-back three for Embiid?

it could always be worse.

243. Brian C Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:40 PM (#6072850)

regardless of how this ends, the refs from this game need to be demoted to the ####### CAA. this is some drexel/st bonaventure ####.

NOT TO BE PEDANTIC but St. Bonaventure is in the A10.

Milwaukee looks vaguely drunk in this game so far. And after shooting like Harry Dunn in Game 1, the Bulls are lights out so far. Honestly, I'm really surprised that the Bulls have played Milwaukee so close in these two games, especially on the road. But also, the Bucks do look sorta drunk.

244. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:41 PM (#6072851)

NOT TO BE PEDANTIC but St. Bonaventure is in the A10.

that's exactly how ugly this is. it's not even a ####### conference game.

(for anyone who isn't picking up on the "subtlety" here; there have been 14 charges called in this ####### game. it's embarrassing.)

245. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:42 PM (#6072852)

These two half court offenses are teh suck. Maybe Harden is a better offensive player than I thought.

246. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:44 PM (#6072853)

Someone anyone make a good offensive play and end this game.

247. PJ Martinez Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:45 PM (#6072854)

Speaking of clean blocks...

Edit: You were right when you said it could be worse!

248. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:45 PM (#6072855)

Someone anyone make a good offensive play and end this game.

what, is a 43' fade away sky hook with .9 seconds on the shot clock not good enough for you?

249. SteveF Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:47 PM (#6072856)

Tip from a Celtics fan: defend OG.

250. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:49 PM (#6072858)

Holy hell what a shot from Embiid.

251. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 10:58 PM (#6072860)

Holy hell what a shot from Embiid.

not to take anything away from MY MVP, but anunoby and van vleet have made 10 identical shots to that one so far this series. there has been some very high degree of difficulty shot making going back and forth.

252. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 20, 2022 at 11:09 PM (#6072863)

What is up with the Bucks? Do they like making #### hard on themselves?

253. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 20, 2022 at 11:51 PM (#6072867)

Sure seems that way.

254. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 20, 2022 at 11:57 PM (#6072868)

What is up with the Bucks? Do they like making #### hard on themselves?

it's a white donte diff.

255. Brian C Posted: April 21, 2022 at 12:32 AM (#6072869)

United Center is going to be wild on Friday night. Still think the most likely outcome here is Bucks in 5, but really surprised by how competitive the Bulls have been through 2 games after spending the last month of the regular season looking cooked.

256. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 21, 2022 at 01:33 AM (#6072871)

A lot of impressive pieces to the Celtics clamping down on the Nets in the second half to claw back that game, but one impressive one is that KD had two 3PA and Kyrie one for the entire game.

257. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 07:22 AM (#6072873)

The Bulls made 3s! The Bulls made 3s!

OK, whatever else happens this postseason is gravy.

258. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: April 21, 2022 at 07:38 AM (#6072874)

And on cue, per Shams, Jay Wright is retiring.

Relative to the pedigree of his incoming prospects, I can't think of another coach in the same ballpark in terms of getting results and minting NBA players. I think there's a real case to be made he's the greatest coach in the college game over the last couple decades.

Damn that makes me feel old, I was at Nova prior to Wright taking over.

NBA players from Villanova during Wright's time there. A lot more NBA talent recently, we'll see if the school can maintain that with a new coach.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Saddiq Bey
Eric Paschall
Mikal Bridges
Jalen Brunson
Donte DiVincenzo
Omari Spellman
Ryan Arcidiacono
Josh Hart
Daniel Ochefu
Darrun Hilliard
Maalik Wayns
Dante Cunningham
Randy Foye
Allan Ray
Kyle Lowry

259. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 08:19 AM (#6072880)

Damn that makes me feel old, I was at Nova prior to Wright taking over.

As someone who has to stop myself from thinking that Rollie Massimino is still coaching there, I say get off my lawn.

260. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 21, 2022 at 08:21 AM (#6072881)

I honestly didn't think DeRozan could have that type of game in the playoffs. But he did, in the hardest way possible:

Jamal Collier @JamalCollier ·7h

From @ESPNStatsInfo: DeMar DeRozan went 8 for 9 with 16 points with Giannis as his primary defender. I’ve never seen anyone do anything like that

Add that to 3pt variance, and there's the win for the Bulls. So there's really no reason to expect both of those to happen at that rate again this series (not to mention Vuc and LaVine also shooting over 50% overall). OTOH, the Bucks shouldn't expect as favorable of a whistle (more than twice as many FTA) and they are likely going to be without Middleton and maybe also Portis, both guys are really tough matchups for the Bulls. The Bulls haven't played this well defensively in a long time, and they did it both games - but the Bucks still were incredibly sloppy and had maybe 7/8 completely unforced turnovers. Jrue was pretty bad last night, but Giannis was great; the Bucks are getting nothing from their non-Lopez non-stars while Caruso is playing arguably the best defensively he has all year.

tl;dr Bucks still should win in 5.

---

That 4th quarter by the C's was unreal last night. A lot of that is how physical they're being allowed to be, especially with Durant, but the defense has really held up. One of the Nets 20 coaches needs to figure out how to give Durant a little more time or space otherwise it's gonna be a sweep. But also, Durant just has to be better:

ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo ·10h

Kevin Durant in the 2nd half of Game 2:

0-10 FG
4 turnovers

It's the most FGA without a single make in any half of his entire career (regular & postseason).

---

what, is a 43' fade away sky hook with .9 seconds on the shot clock not good enough for you?

This was really funny to read considering the shot Embiid later made. Unreal stuff for him. If Harden can be better, the Sixers are really scary.

261. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:40 AM (#6072892)

Bos/Brk:

Series is probably over. KD with some tone deaf comments about how Boston is doubling him off the ball. Yeah, Kevin, it's the playoffs. Two potential things on that:
1. Officiating environment could change in Brooklyn. Boston has been physical with Durant so far without being penalized. This could stay the same or Durant could get a soft whistle and is hard to predict.
2. Nash could make an adjustment. Durant receiving so much attention is not a novel thing, but Brooklyn seems unprepared for it. Kevin has to be more of a play finisher and not an initiator. I have relatively low confidence in Nash, but some people like him as a coach. Theoretically, Simmons may help here, but impossible to say.

262. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:57 AM (#6072893)

I hope Middleton and Booker are okay. It happens every year, but still is a bummer when top teams lose players mid-playoffs.

Kyrie only took 13 shots last night. He'll probably be back on the attack in the next game.

263. PJ Martinez Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:08 AM (#6072895)

Kyrie only took 13 shots last night.

And just three in the fourth quarter, by my count. (He missed two long jumpers and had a layup blocked by Grant Williams.) And he only got to the line once in the fourth. It was a little weird that they didn't really involve him at all in that quarter — I don't even remember him being part of many actions with Durant, though my memory may be imperfect there.

264. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:22 AM (#6072897)

“Boston has been physical with Durant without being penalized”. Durant shot 20 FTs and Horford fouled out yesterday.

265. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:23 AM (#6072898)

“Boston has been physical with Durant without being penalized”. Durant shot 20 FTs and Horford fouled out yesterday.

266. PJ Martinez Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:27 AM (#6072900)

Apparently Durant's 0-10 in the second half yesterday were the most shots he'd ever taken in a half without making any. This short video has all ten, with some analysis sprinkled in.

Main takeaways: 1) there are three or four shots in there that he often hits, though fatigue seemed (to me) to be a factor in at least a couple of the misses; 2) his teammates, including Irving, do not position themselves in optimal ways to maximize his scoring options; 3) the Celtics were, unsurprisingly, totally keyed in on him, and most of the shots are very tough, even for him.

267. jacksone (AKA It's OK...) Posted: April 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM (#6072909)

KD with some tone deaf comments about how Boston is doubling him off the ball. Yeah, Kevin, it's the playoffs.

"It's on me to just finish it and figure it out," he said. "I'm not expecting my teammates or the defense to give me anything. I just got to go out there and play."

"They're playing two, three guys off me sometimes on me when I'm off the ball," Durant said. "They're mucking up actions when I run off stuff -- I see [Al] Horford leaving his man to come over and hit me sometimes. Two or three guys hit me wherever I go. And that's just the nature of the beast in the playoffs. I feel like I got a couple good shots there in the fourth that just didn't go down, but I see a few of their guys around me every time I get the ball, and so I got to be more patient, but also play fast sometimes, too."

How are Durant's comments tone deaf?

268. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 11:26 AM (#6072912)

I dunno, when I saw the clip, it came across as whining or passive aggressive when talking about Horford helping on him. Obviously very eye of the beholder stuff.

Part of my annoyance with Durant is extra-textual for sure. People looked at the series against the Bucks last year or at his time with Golden State and marveled at how fantastic Durant was. He was definitely great! But Durant more than any other star gets the "let him beat us" treatment. He didn't face a single double seemingly for four years in the playoffs and now he's experiencing the normal NBA reality for superstars.

269. . . . . . . Posted: April 21, 2022 at 11:29 AM (#6072913)

Jay Wright is retiring.

Relative to the pedigree of his incoming prospects, I can't think of another coach in the same ballpark in terms of getting results and minting NBA players. I think there's a real case to be made he's the greatest coach in the college game over the last couple decades.

I think the Michigan guys - Beilein and Izzo - would have something to say about that.

270. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 11:29 AM (#6072914)

Second game in a row Tatum has outplayed Durant. His defense on Durant has been a revelation. Boston likely has the best player in this series.

271. An Athletic in Powderhorn, Silly Posted: April 21, 2022 at 11:45 AM (#6072916)

In addition to all the close contests, I'm really struck by how the C's are attacking the ball. 18.8% turnover rate for Durant, with more turnovers than assists. He and whoever shares the floor with him need to be better prepared to move the ball when he gets swarmed.

272. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 21, 2022 at 12:13 PM (#6072919)

I've been thinking about how, for all that the Cs ended up drawing Brooklyn when they, Milwaukee, and Philly were all to some degree trying to avoid them, it's a matchup that doesn't spotlight the lack of Robert Williams as much as most would have. Brooklyn kills you with KD and Kyrie shotmaking, not with attacking the rim, so the downgrade from Timelord to Theis is less noticeable than it could be.

My biggest takeaway from Durant's postgame comments is that he sees the issue as one to fix via better individual play/shotmaking. That's no surprise give who he is and how the Nets have operated (one wonders what kind of a scheme Steve Nash even would cook up using Durant as a decoy; we'll never know), but I think does play into Boston's hands a bit. I imagine they could adjust from how much they're selling out to stop KD and Kyrie, but it doesn't seem like Brooklyn has the inclination to make them try. KD is going to keep banging his head against their wall instead. He's good enough that it could well work, but it seems pretty predictable. (I'm less worried about the whistle in the series because Brooklyn was as physical as Boston last night, and I think needs to continue to be to hold up defensively, but could of course be wrong.)

273. PJ Martinez Posted: April 21, 2022 at 12:39 PM (#6072923)

Shams is now furthering Woj's reports about Simmons, saying that Simmons plans to play in Game 4. In case this series needed more drama.

He could definitely help their defense. Would they put the ball in his hands to set up the offense? Because that could (maybe?) help, too, though I don't know what to expect.

I've heard multiple people (including Zach Lowe, IIRC) say that Simmons could take Bruce Brown's role in the offense, as if Bruce Brown didn't shoot 3-4 from three last night, and 40 percent for the year on 2 attempts every 36 minutes.

274. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 21, 2022 at 12:48 PM (#6072926)

I think the Michigan guys - Beilein and Izzo - would have something to say about that.

i think izzo's recruiting was a full step or two above jay wright's, so he's not really in this conversation.

beilein does good work, no doubt, but the pool of notable players he put into the NBA is a lot more shallow, mostly because the burke/stauskas/hardaway/robinson/mcgary core kind of completely flopped at the NBA level. and while he does also have duncan robinson and jordan poole on his resume, neither of them played like stars when they were at michigan.

guys like buzz williams, chris beard, jamie dixon, mark few, tom crean (and others, i'm sure) are around this conversation, too. ...except, how many of them will end their careers with four final 4s and two national titles?

275. PJ Martinez Posted: April 21, 2022 at 01:28 PM (#6072938)

A Wisconsin TV reporter named Dario Melendez, on Twitter: "Being told Middleton is OUT 3-4 weeks."

Edit: And Woj says Booker "could miss 2-to-3 weeks with a Grade 1 hamstring strain."

276. epoc Posted: April 21, 2022 at 01:51 PM (#6072941)

I've heard multiple people (including Zach Lowe, IIRC) say that Simmons could take Bruce Brown's role in the offense, as if Bruce Brown didn't shoot 3-4 from three last night, and 40 percent for the year on 2 attempts every 36 minutes.

Honestly that is a great role for Simmons offensively. The question is whether Nash will lean more heavily on the pnr/cutter element of it and use Simmons as a short-roll/inside-out playmaker/scorer or whether he's also planning on having Simmons do the part where he stands in the corner futilely attempting to space the floor while the other team doubles Durant.

277. Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: April 21, 2022 at 02:20 PM (#6072946)

i think izzo's recruiting was a full step or two above jay wright's, so he's not really in this conversation.

In same ways hasn't Izzo skated by on his reputation for a few years now? Also, not many Mich St guys in the pros now. IOW, Izzo has gotten more higher recruits, but Wright has more NBA players/better NBA talent.

guys like buzz williams, chris beard, jamie dixon, mark few, tom crean (and others, i'm sure) are around this conversation, too. ...except, how many of them will end their careers with four final 4s and two national titles?

Yeah, those guys are all with Beilein, but clearly below Izzo and Wright (and probably Few, except for the no title part).

And now I'm done thinking about college ball.

---

A Wisconsin TV reporter named Dario Melendez, on Twitter: "Being told Middleton is OUT 3-4 weeks."

No one else confirmed this yet, as far as I've seen. That would end the Bucks chance of repeating, and would leave the door open 10% for a Bulls upset. He hasn't been that good so far this series, but they'd need him to get by any of the good teams they'd see in later rounds.

278. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 02:32 PM (#6072948)

I think Simmons supplements Bruce Brown, not replacing him.

Simmons is tricky in the half court because when you set a pick with him, he escorts the defense to the double team.

279. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 21, 2022 at 02:50 PM (#6072957)

In same ways hasn't Izzo skated by on his reputation for a few years now? Also, not many Mich St guys in the pros now. IOW, Izzo has gotten more higher recruits, but Wright has more NBA players/better NBA talent.

i think this was more of a "thing" a decade ago.

the years between izzo's 2001 jason richardson/zach randolph class and draymond green getting drafted in 2012 were extremely barren**. sharron brown was the only michigan state draftee who played more than 1000 NBA minutes. since then, he's started to ramp it up again, putting guys like JJJ, miles bridges, (denzel valentine), xavier tillman and gary harris into the NBA.

**it may not be appropriate to call a decade where michigan state spiked 3 final four appearances "extremely barren".

280. SteveF Posted: April 21, 2022 at 03:08 PM (#6072960)

The Nets shot distribution last night was absolutely brutal even by the Nets midrangy standards. Tossing Simmons into that mix probably isn't going to help.

281. Harlond Posted: April 21, 2022 at 03:40 PM (#6072977)

guys like buzz williams, chris beard, jamie dixon, mark few, tom crean (and others, i'm sure) are around this conversation, too. ...except, how many of them will end their careers with four final 4s and two national titles?

Yeah, those guys are all with Beilein, but clearly below Izzo and Wright (and probably Few, except for the no title part).

Tony Bennett doesn't have the pros some other programs have, but Brogdon, Harris, and Hunter are respectable entries (none of them 5 star prospects), and he does have a championship, and he also has a .720 winning percentage at UVA while playing against Coach K, Roy Williams, and Jim Boeheim (who says flat out that Bennett is the best coach in the country and specifically notes Bennett's ability to win with lower-ranked prospects than his competitors are getting), and I think Bennett has a higher ACC winning percentage since he arrived at UVA than any of the other three. If we're mentioning Tom Crean, Buzz Williams, Chris Beard, Jamie Dixon, and Jim Beilein, Bennett certainly belongs in the conversation.

282. If on a winter's night a father of a newborn baby Posted: April 21, 2022 at 04:17 PM (#6072985)

Second game in a row Tatum has outplayed Durant. His defense on Durant has been a revelation. Boston likely has the best player in this series.

I would slow your roll a little: Tatum has played brilliantly, like an easy top-10/possible top-5 guy, but fatigue is another major factor in Durant's struggles, and the defense and team context each operates in is a huge part of that. The Celtics as a team are creating significantly easier looks (to be fair, Tatum is one of the primary drivers of that improvement), which makes the comparison a touch unfair to Durant as an individual player. Of course, it's not an individual sport.

Another significant part of it IMO is just that the Nets' thin and top-heavy roster is coming back to bite them. In March, Durant averaged more minutes per game at a higher usage with fewer assisted 3s than Tatum; none of the numbers were dramatically higher, but those marginal differences add up, especially given that he's 9.5 years older. Now he's having to slog through three 6'6"+ bodies all game long, while Tatum has easier matchups to hunt and more dangerous team passing if the Nets try to load up on him off-ball; by both circumstance and design, at the end of games the Celtics just have more juice in their legs.

283. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 04:47 PM (#6072989)

I mean, Tatum was 5/16. He had a great game on defense, to be clear.

284. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 05:03 PM (#6072991)

With 10 assists. Let’s not forget the 10 assists by Tatum. And regarding fatigue: the Nets have been double-teaming Tatum too. He is 10 years younger than Durant and has more stamina. That’s one of the reasons why he is better now. He is also quicker and stronger). One player is approaching his prime, the other moving away from it. That’s how the maturation/aging process works. Not slowing the roll. If anything, it should be sped up.

285. i don't vibrate on the frequency of the 57i66135 Posted: April 21, 2022 at 05:56 PM (#6073000)

Tony Bennett doesn't have the pros some other programs have, but Brogdon, Harris, and Hunter are respectable entries (none of them 5 star prospects), and he does have a championship, and he also has a .720 winning percentage at UVA while playing against Coach K, Roy Williams, and Jim Boeheim (who says flat out that Bennett is the best coach in the country and specifically notes Bennett's ability to win with lower-ranked prospects than his competitors are getting), and I think Bennett has a higher ACC winning percentage since he arrived at UVA than any of the other three. If we're mentioning Tom Crean, Buzz Williams, Chris Beard, Jamie Dixon, and Jim Beilein, Bennett certainly belongs in the conversation.

yeah, bennett is a good shout.

286. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 07:49 PM (#6073008)

Edwards has been curiously absent on the offensive end so far.

287. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 08:03 PM (#6073011)

The Wolves are running the Grizzlies off the floor.

288. SteveF Posted: April 21, 2022 at 08:06 PM (#6073013)

Grizzlies played 10 guys in the first quarter.

289. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:38 PM (#6073022)

It's like this game is scripted. Even quarters to Memphis, climbing out of the massive holes the Wolves put them in in odd quarters.

290. SteveF Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:40 PM (#6073023)

21-0 runs happen all the time.

291. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:43 PM (#6073024)

Memphis has erased two separate 20 point deficits. What a schizophrenic game.

292. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:44 PM (#6073025)

If the Wolves somehow lose this game ... Holy cow

293. SteveF Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:47 PM (#6073027)

Towns has 3 shots and D-Lo 20. Perfectly logical.

294. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:47 PM (#6073028)

The Wolves got their first basket of the 4th quarter with 5:42 left.

295. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:50 PM (#6073029)

Barkley called the Wolves "dumb as rocks" at halftime. I look forward to the postgame show.

296. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: April 21, 2022 at 09:59 PM (#6073030)

Well obviously you need to feed Jarred Vanderbilt over Towns

297. asinwreck Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:00 PM (#6073031)

Even for the Wolves, this is a gutting turn of events.

298. SteveF Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:03 PM (#6073032)

Memphis is letting the whole state of Minnesota know what's up. Dear god do they chirp.

299. Cagerfan Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:04 PM (#6073033)

Yeah, the post-game show is going to be epic. Barkley: “That was turrble. That’s crehzy. Those Timberwolves, they’re a bunch of knuckleheads.”

300. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: April 21, 2022 at 10:04 PM (#6073034)

What a wild game. 37-12 in the 4th quarter.

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