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Friday, May 21, 2021

NBA 2021 Playoffs+ thread

I estimate there are maybe 10-12 Primates left on this site, and they all post in the NBA thread.

Moses Taylor loves a good maim Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:07 PM | 4930 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: clutch, narratives, nba, off topic, redemption

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1. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:15 PM (#6020073)

poke.

2. jmurph Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:59 PM (#6020090)

(reposting from other thread for easier access to self-mockery)

Alright let's do it:

East
Sixers 4-0 over Wiz
Nets 4-0 over Celtics
Bucks 4-2 over Heat
Knicks 4-2 over Hawks (with the utmost respect to their respective fans here, I can't believe one of these times is going to the second round!)

Sixers 4-0 over Knicks
Nets 4-3 over Bucks (someone on the Nets gets hurt this round)

Sixers 4-2 over Injured Nets (if it happens, Healthy Nets 4-2 over Sixers)

West
Jazz 4-1 over whoever
Lakers 4-1 over Suns
Nuggets 4-2 over Blazers
Clippers 4-1 over Mavs

Clippers 4-2 over Jazz
Lakers 4-3 over Nuggets

Clippers 4-2 over Lakers

Finals
Clippers 4-2 over Sixers

Turns out as I did this I don't feel confident about any of this, which actually seems fun. I think the Sixers have such an easy path to the conference finals that, though I think they're the 3rd best team in the conference (in terms of being built for the playoffs) I'm still taking them. If the Nets miraculously stay 100% then I expect them to get there instead.

I actually don't think much of the Clippers but I just don't think the Lakers will be able to limp their way through it. Otherwise the West seems totally wide open, which again is fun.

3. TFTIO was writing C programs in the '90s Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:59 PM (#6020091)

prod

4. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 02:06 PM (#6020092)

Missed the cutoff, reposting:

East
Sixers 4-0 over Wiz
Nets 4-1 over Celtics
Bucks 4-3 over Heat
Hawks 4-2 over Knicks (the East is a joke)

Sixers 4-0 over Hawks
Bucks 4-3 over Nets

Sixers 4-2 over Bucks

West
Jazz 4-2 over Warriors
Lakers 4-2 over Suns
Nuggets 4-1 over Blazers
Mavs 4-3 over Clippers

Jazz 4-2 over Mavs
Lakers 4-3 over Nuggets

Lakers 4-2 over Jazz

Finals
Sixers 4-2 over Lakers

I tried (as always) to pick a few implausible upsets because that is more fun. I don't think the Mavs are better than the Clippers, but it's feasible that they *might* win. I think Philly is the best team in the East and has by far the easiest path.

5. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: May 21, 2021 at 02:58 PM (#6020098)

Clippers 4-1 over Mavs

Clippers 4-2 over Jazz

If this happens, it'll be the first time the franchise has won two playoff series in the same year since...ever. (It's never happened in the Braves/Clippers 52-year history.)

6. smileyy Posted: May 21, 2021 at 03:32 PM (#6020107)

There's a decent change LeBron takes over the all-time playoff triple-double title this year. He has 28 to Magic's 30. Too bad the play-in game stats just disappear into the void. Do they even count as career stats?

7. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 03:33 PM (#6020108)

East
Sixers 4-1 over Wiz
Nets 4-0 over Celtics
Bucks 4-1 over Heat
Knicks 4-3 over Hawks

Sixers 4-0 over Knicks
Nets 4-2 over Bucks

Nets 4-3 over Sixers

West
Jazz 4-2 over Warriors
Lakers 4-2 over Suns
Nuggets 4-3 over Blazers
Clippers 4-2 over Mavericks

Clippers 4-2 over Jazz
Lakers 4-3 over Nuggets*

Clippers 4-2 over Lakers

Finals
Nets 4-2 over Clippers

Comments
In the WC, I'm deeply concerned with health for both Lebron and AD. If they were both healthy coming into the playoffs, I think the Lakers are the team to beat, but that's not the case. On the other hand, the Clippers ARE healthy, and Paul George is too good a player to be terrible in clutch postseason situations forever. One caveat: I asterisk'd the Laker-Nuggets series, because if the Lakers can win it in a short series and Lebron/AD have a chance to rest and heal, then the Lakers-Clippers is a 50/50 proposition.

In the East, the Nets look healthy. They don't play defense, but their offense is their defense, and it's overwhelming. I also think that, given the stakes, these guys will actually want to play some defense, and they only need to play some to win.

8. KronicFatigue Posted: May 21, 2021 at 03:50 PM (#6020115)

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31484408/adam-silver-wants-nba-play-tournament-continue-season

Was it "known" that the goal was to keep this format, or just presumed? And what do you real fans think of it? As a casual, I like it, and whenever playoffs get expanded, I always prefer that expansion to punish the lower and/or added teams.

The article mentions one player's concerns about a season where the 7th seed has many more wins than the 8th. 1) I doubt that happens often and 2) TS, finish 6th then.

I also like how this format slightly minimizes the jockeying (aka mini tanking) of the higher seeds, as you don't really know who you will face.

Instead of 7-10 being play-in, I'd be tempted to consider 6-9. I doubt the players OR owners would go for that, but 6th seed should be punished as much as 7 and 8 IMO

9. spivey 2 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 04:04 PM (#6020119)

I truly think the West is as open as it's been since that year Spurs lost to Memphis as the 1 seed. I remembered that being a few years of the West being wide open, but the Lakers were really good just before it, and then the Spurs and OKC became really good shortly thereafter. The league moves quick.

Anyways, I think anyone besides the Warriors and Blazers can come out of the West.

10. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 04:13 PM (#6020122)

Anyways, I think anyone besides the Warriors and Blazers can come out of the West.

am i hallucinating, because i don't remember GSW already beating MEM.

11. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 04:16 PM (#6020124)

Memphis is a nice team, but if they make it, they get swept.

12. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 04:29 PM (#6020128)

Memphis is a nice team, but if they make it, they get swept.

by who? utah?

MEM getting swept by UTA is as likely as UTA losing in 7 to MEM.

13. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 21, 2021 at 05:35 PM (#6020137)

3336. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:05 PM (#6020069)
We're all cool with that, as long as you're hear to take it back when they choke.
3337. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:06 PM (#6020070)
I probably should start a new thread so all the playoff talk goes in there. This thread probably self-destructs any day now.
3338. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:09 PM (#6020071)
We're all cool with that, as long as you're hear to take it back when they choke.
i think you mean to say "your hear"

your welcome.
3339. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: May 21, 2021 at 01:11 PM (#6020072)
No, I expect you to listen to us read the posts out loud to you.

NEW THREAD

NOW it's playoff time.

14. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 21, 2021 at 05:36 PM (#6020138)

I like a guy who never uses capital letters tagging somebody else on here/hear.

15. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 05:52 PM (#6020140)

I like a guy who never uses capital letters tagging somebody else on here/hear.

i'll have you know that i only ever correct someone else's grammar when i think the mistake is intentional.

16. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 06:08 PM (#6020141)

"your hear" is a joke because Stiggles is incorrectly correcting Moses's usage of "you're/your" while leaving his incorrect usage of "hear/here."

Edit: now that I explained the joke, I expect everyone to laugh.

17. Walt Davis Posted: May 21, 2021 at 06:34 PM (#6020145)

I estimate there are maybe 10-12 Primates left on this site, and they all post in the NBA thread.

I don't.

18. It's Spelled With a CFBF, But Not Where You Think Posted: May 21, 2021 at 07:11 PM (#6020155)

Jimmy Butler's agent has some words for Sham Charania:

Bernard Lee
@BernieoLee
Shut the f*ck up you click bait, ambulance chasing, dirt bag piece of sh*t. No one has told you this because this is not reality. Go find someone’s assistant to text abt an MRI or some other human calamity you want to be 1st on. We are good over here.

19. smileyy Posted: May 21, 2021 at 07:39 PM (#6020163)

I expect that fewer than 10-12 primates are interested in the sniping going on. Let's get back to bad playoff predictions!

East
Sixers 4-1 over Wiz
Nets 4-1 over Celtics
Bucks 4-2 over Heat
Knicks 4-2 over Hawks

Sixers 4-0 over Knicks
Nets 4-3 over Bucks

Nets 4-3 over Sixers

West
Play-in: Warriors

Warriors 4-3 over Jazz
Suns 4-3 over Lakers
Nuggets 4-1 over Blazers
Clippers 4-1 over Mavericks

Clippers 4-2 over Warriors
Nuggets 4-2 over Suns

Nuggets 4-3 over Clippers

Finals
Nuggets 4-3 over Nets

Ugh, I just can't in good conscience pick the Nets to win it all. I hate that the team was constructed by two guys forcing themselves out via trades, and irrationally dislike Kyrie. Maybe because he didn't want to play with LeBron? That's like a rich man's Starbury situation...except Kyrie landed in a better situation than Starbury.

20. SteveF Posted: May 21, 2021 at 08:05 PM (#6020166)

I'm rooting for Durant to be suspended for comments made on his burner account, Harden to lose time to an esophagus injury incurred while binge eating, and Kyrie to be out with asthmatic spasms brought on by excessive sage inhalation.

21. Joyful Calculus Instructor Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:10 PM (#6020189)

I think people are underestimating the Utah Jazz. I get it, the lack of star power, but they had a point differential of +9.2 per game this year. Second best was the Clippers at +6.2. Since going to the 16-team playoff, number 1 seeds have won 24 titles, 2-seeds have won 8 titles, 3-seeds have won 4 titles and a 6-seed won the other title. I wouldn't call the Jazz favorites to win the West, but I don't think they should be dismissed either.

22. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:41 PM (#6020195)

I expect that fewer than 10-12 primates are interested in the sniping going on.

yancy gates has killed fools for less.

I think people are underestimating the Utah Jazz. I get it, the lack of star power, but they had a point differential of +9.2 per game this year. Second best was the Clippers at +6.2. Since going to the 16-team playoff, number 1 seeds have won 24 titles, 2-seeds have won 8 titles, 3-seeds have won 4 titles and a 6-seed won the other title. I wouldn't call the Jazz favorites to win the West, but I don't think they should be dismissed either.

win a round, then we'll talk.

23. Crosseyed and Painless Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:42 PM (#6020196)

Grizzlies not challenging the 3 point foul that was probably a leg kick on Jordan Poole was bananas.

24. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:47 PM (#6020198)

Meanwhile, this actual play-in game is a barn burner.

25. aberg Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:56 PM (#6020199)

It seemed like GS was building some momentum into the overtime, but Allen really cut the legs out from any of them.

26. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:57 PM (#6020200)

kyle anderson likes his oatmeal lumpy.

27. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:58 PM (#6020201)

Great game by Morant, plus some hot shooting shows why you should try to avoid the play in game.

Not a well-officiated game.

28. mike f Posted: May 21, 2021 at 11:59 PM (#6020202)

That was great.

29. aberg Posted: May 22, 2021 at 12:07 AM (#6020203)

Valanciunas has his drawbacks, but he also creates real problems for teams who don't play a true 5. I'm happy for Memphis.

30. smileyy Posted: May 22, 2021 at 12:30 AM (#6020206)

Well, my predictions are bad already!

31. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 22, 2021 at 12:49 AM (#6020209)

Play-in game: It is debatable whether Memphis would better off in the lottery than they are being in this next series, but winning this game is a nice moment.
Play-in Tournament: Like anything else--plusses and minuses. Memphis/Utah will not be a clicks/eyeballs series, and take it out, then James and Curry are both in and more rested. And I have never been an OMG TANKING guy anyway.
Utah: They do have those basic metrics, but Milwaukee has had those as well. I notice nobody predicting yet has picked them.
East: I hadn't really thought about how easy the 76ers's path to the ECF is. I would pick either Milwaukee or Brooklyn to beat them, though.

32. The Honorable Ardo Posted: May 22, 2021 at 01:37 AM (#6020211)

Xavier Tillman showing some Spartan pride! I always liked his game, but a three-pointer in OT to help his team win? Wow.

33. Joyful Calculus Instructor Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:16 AM (#6020223)

I’m cool with the play-in. The biggest drawback in my mind is that some 32-50 team could pull out a 10-seed, beat an injury riddled 9-seed and have a somewhat fluky win to make the tournament. But even if they do, they’d be first round fodder anyway and I don’t shed a tear for a team that finishes 7th or 8th blowing the play-in. And it’s a fun intro into the playoffs. Those games should count toward playoff statistics, though.

34. KronicFatigue Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:23 AM (#6020224)

It seemed like GS was building some momentum into the overtime, but Allen really cut the legs out from any of them.

Those two 3's were tough, but I thought GS recovered well until Tilman's corner 3 with 1:27 left. GS was up by two, and were playing solid defense. I thought Morant was going to have to force a tough shot underneath, and worst case scenario is that it goes in and the game is tied. But he somehow was able to swing it to Tilman in the corner for the 3.

I sound like an old anti-stat guy, but I "feel" like GS's next possession had more pressure b/c they were down 1 instead of tied. And then Wiggins took a bad shot and the rest is history.

Morant's last 3 plays were amazing, but that pass is going to be overlooked by the following two floaters.

Grizzlies not challenging the 3 point foul that was probably a leg kick on Jordan Poole was bananas.

That decision was so bad that either A) we're missing something or B) my opinion of that staff has plummeted and cannot recover. Possible reasonings: There might be a more important play to challenge in the next 90 seconds, they might need TWO timeouts in the next 90 seconds, and/or they didn't want to take a timeout b/c Curry would get to rest. None of those are worth the HUGE swing an offensive foul instead of 3 free throws would do to the game state. And the call was pretty obvious in the first replay. AWFUL.

Almost as bad was Kerr deciding not to foul with 28 seconds left and down 3. Memphis blew a 10 point lead to lead to OT, so it's possible they'd be feeling the pressure on the line. Plus, you have Curry, so you can theoretically trade 3's for 2's.

Morant of course made the shot, but I think eventually someone is going to eventually try a different way to end the game in that situation. With some practice, I bet a player could get really reliable at throwing the ball high up in the air and hitting the rim. If you can release the ball with say 1 second on the shot clock and kill time while it's in the air, and hit the rim, it almost doesn't matter if it goes in. A lot of things could have gone wrong while Morant was spinning into the paint, and that's negated with the conservative loopy football type throw at exact end of the clock.

Likewise, the last inbound play was needlessly complicated. Put 4 of your players in a small area and gently roll the ball near their feet. It's impossible for GS to cleanly pick up that ball, not get tied up, bend back up, toss it down court, and get a shot off. A "real" pass has the potential to go out of bounds and stop the clock.

35. Athletic Supporter's aunt's sorry like Aziz Posted: May 22, 2021 at 12:27 PM (#6020236)

Wide-open year where almost no outcome would surprise me. The hardest series for me to think about is Phoenix-Lakers, I just don't know what's going to happen.

With little conviction:

PHI 4-1 WAS
BOS 4-2 BKN -- I just have this feeling something will go wrong for the Nets
MIL 4-1 MIA
NYK 4-3 ATL

PHI 4-1 NYK
MIL 4-0 BOS

MIL 4-2 PHI

UTA 4-1 MEM
PHX 4-3 LAL
DEN 4-1 POR
DAL 4-2 LAC

UTA 4-1 DAL
DEN 4-2 PHX

DEN 4-3 UTA (battle of the mile highs)

MIL 4-1 DEN

36. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:02 PM (#6020249)

Sixers 4-0 over Wiz
Sixers 4-0 over Knicks

Sixers 4-0 over Wiz
Sixers 4-0 over Hawks

Sixers 4-1 over Wiz
Sixers 4-0 over Knicks

PHI 4-1 WAS
PHI 4-1 NYK

37. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:28 PM (#6020251)

I think that might be more a reflection on what everyone thinks of the Wizards and Knicks than anything else.

38. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:35 PM (#6020252)

I guess Bud is comfortable with Duncan Robinson and the various Heat guards taking a ton of 3s off of screens and double screens while Brook Lopez hangs in the paint. I wouldn't be.

39. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:40 PM (#6020253)

Forbes takes Iguodala off the drop to the bucket! Father time is undefeated.

40. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:46 PM (#6020254)

Milwaukee's defense looks really good when Lopez isn't out there. Miami's guards aren't good dribblers, and don't look comfortable dribbling against Milwaukee's perimeter defenders. A few good matchup options on Butler. I don't like the Lopez drop because I don't think Miami's got a lot of great options for generating good offense if you don't just give that.

41. smileyy Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:48 PM (#6020255)

What exactly are the Heat wearing, and why?

Omg I'm so old.

42. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:50 PM (#6020256)

Portis gets buckets. He can't defend, really, but he gets you buckets.

43. asinwreck Posted: May 22, 2021 at 02:52 PM (#6020257)

I keep thinking the Bucks are playing Utah or the Lakers thanks to those yellow uniforms.

44. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:03 PM (#6020258)

No 35-footers with 20 seconds left on the clock, please.

45. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:13 PM (#6020261)

Milwaukee is playing defense like Miami. Which is what you have to do. You can't just let them out tough you.

46. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:14 PM (#6020262)

Jrue Holiday has made some awful passing decisions. Really poor half from him, imo.

47. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:37 PM (#6020264)

Jeez. Robinson is the only reason Miami isn't down by 15 right now.

48. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:39 PM (#6020265)

If Milwaukee could make their open 3s, they'd be winning by 15 regardless.

Duncan Robinson is an incredible shooter, though.

49. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 03:54 PM (#6020267)

Jrue is dealing right now. Just need some better ####### 3 point variance.

GOD ####### DAMN YOU 3 POINT VARIANCE THIS SHOULD BE A BLOWOUT.

50. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:10 PM (#6020270)

I don't understand this game at all. Some of these Bucks possessions are miserable. Milwaukee should be up by a ton.

51. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:11 PM (#6020271)

Who is asking for these little wired for sound segments with 6 minutes left of a tie playoff game!?

52. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:23 PM (#6020273)

Milwaukee just doesn't play smart basketball, and I think that goes back to Bud. I legit don't feel like this team has real plays they can run to create action, other than just generic PnR or iso type stuff.

53. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:31 PM (#6020275)

####### Christ stop trying lobs with Adebayo in the game, Milwaukee

54. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:34 PM (#6020276)

that ref can get ######.

55. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:35 PM (#6020277)

Bucks are just spreading the floor and hoping Giannis gets free underneath, and if he doesn't someone heaves it up. They're not moving. That's no way to live!

I haven't watched a lot of Bucks basketball this season, but this is bad.

56. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:38 PM (#6020278)

none of these refs should work another postseason game.

57. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:38 PM (#6020279)

Last 2 minute report should be interesting here. There is no way that's a jump ball (obviously Giannis traveled on the last possession).

58. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:40 PM (#6020280)

Giannis straight up is not a top 5 playoff NBA player. Hell, I'm not sure he's top 10. His free throw shooting is just ####### abysmal.

59. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:41 PM (#6020281)

Here's a difference between Bud and Spo. Spo will probably go for 3 here, and they'll get a decent look.

Milwaukee would just dribble around the perimeter and then spaz out, maybe getting a 2 point shot off (MAYBE!).

60. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:42 PM (#6020283)

james ####### butler

61. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:42 PM (#6020284)

I don't understand this game at all.

62. spivey 2 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:43 PM (#6020285)

I hate this team and what it does to my heart.

63. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:46 PM (#6020286)

that's a flagrant.

i'm not even sure that shouldn't be a flagrant 2.

64. jmurph Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:46 PM (#6020287)

Giannis getting beat on a straight line drive with literally no moves by the guy who was going to clearly take the shot is... not great for their playoff chances.

65. PJ Martinez Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:46 PM (#6020288)

Per Goldsberry: "Giannis missed all 13 of his attempts outside the restricted area in regulation"

66. jmurph Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:49 PM (#6020289)

Per Goldsberry: "Giannis missed all 13 of his attempts outside the restricted area in regulation"

Yeah game 1 and they might go on to win this one but I already regret picking them to advance.

67. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:50 PM (#6020290)

Yeah game 1 and they might go on to win this one but I already regret picking them to advance.

that's not how moses or derk would have done it.

68. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:58 PM (#6020291)

WOOOOOOOOOOO

69. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:58 PM (#6020292)

####.

70. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:59 PM (#6020293)

Wow.

71. PJ Martinez Posted: May 22, 2021 at 04:59 PM (#6020294)

What a shot by Middleton.

72. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 05:01 PM (#6020295)

ex-sixer on ex-sixer crime.

73. PJ Martinez Posted: May 22, 2021 at 05:05 PM (#6020296)

I tuned in in the fourth quarter and what I saw from Milwaukee was frequently uninspiring. That said, they're not always going to shoot 5-31 from three.

74. SteveF Posted: May 22, 2021 at 06:28 PM (#6020299)

I still expect Marvin Bagley III to have a better career than this unathletic Euro.

75. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 22, 2021 at 06:31 PM (#6020301)

I tuned in in the fourth quarter and what I saw from Milwaukee was frequently uninspiring. That said, they're not always going to shoot 5-31 from three.

One of my many annoying fanboy memes: there are no bad playoff wins. If the Lakers win a game on a 40-foot Granny by Drummond, I'll say it was due to their championship pedigree.

76. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 06:36 PM (#6020303)

Are people watching Mavs-Clips? Luka's have a wonderful game.

77. smileyy Posted: May 22, 2021 at 06:43 PM (#6020304)

Luka has spells of being really passive.

Richard Jefferson(?) is right. Brunson is gonna get paid.

78. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 06:48 PM (#6020305)

Jefferson's being very diplomatic while talking about Rondo. A lot of nice ways of saying, "He was bad in Dallas."

79. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 07:20 PM (#6020307)

Luka has spells of being really passive.

I know what you mean by this comment, but it's remarkable to me that this came from a game where Luka had a 30 point triple-double in a game his team won as the underdog by 10 points.

Some guys just get a higher standard placed on them. I hope Luka knows that the reason why people are going to be picking over his game incredibly carefully is because he is on his way to being the best player in the game.

80. smileyy Posted: May 22, 2021 at 07:36 PM (#6020310)

That's a legit response. 30/10/10 is just kind of expected from Doncic in the playoffs, isn't it?

That said, it really felt like he let the Clippers take him out of the game in the 4th Quarter. Whatever he was doing seemed to work for the Mavs though.

81. SteveF Posted: May 22, 2021 at 08:18 PM (#6020315)

Nuggets-Blazers should be an entertaining game, but Brad Stevens should have the towel ready.

82. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 08:34 PM (#6020318)

That said, it really felt like he let the Clippers take him out of the game in the 4th Quarter.

They really did, but the Mavs made the adjustment late. Finney-Smith and Brunson got loose a bunch at the end of the game because the Clips were keyed on Luka.

83. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 22, 2021 at 08:42 PM (#6020319)

Uniforms: I think it is good that they have this thing such that teams can wear dark unis at home, but I get tired of every team seemingly having 5 or 6 different uniforms, with all the different angles and wordmarks and colors and messages etc. I think it would be better to have a dark one, a light one, and one alternate a year that they can wear 10 times or whatever. Most NBA teams do not IMO have the indelible iconic logos/looks that we see with some NFL and MLB franchises (the Packers G, the Cardinals birds on the bat, the Cowboy star, the Tigers Old English D, etc.) and I think uniform churn affects that. I am sure that all the different unis move merch, but I am not sure it is really all that great for branding, and I find it a little annoying.
Doncic: I don't know that he will be the best player in the league, but when he came up, I was skeptical that he could impact a team like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird did back in their time. I was wrong; he is that good, and he can.
Playoffs: As discussed, sometimes there is a collective overreaction to one playoff game. I think today's game was actually a good sign for Milwaukee, and the Clippers are not necessarily in trouble. But I think it does suggest how wide open it is. Looking at the LA teams, I will not be surprised if one of them is the champion, and I will not be surprised if either or both of them is out in RD 1. Other than Washington or Boston (and to a lesser extent Memphis) getting out of RD1, or NY or ATL in the ECF, nothing would surprise me much, especially in the West.

84. SteveF Posted: May 22, 2021 at 09:25 PM (#6020327)

Celtics defense on wide open 3PAs is back!

85. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:19 PM (#6020337)

Really shows why Brad should be fired if he didn't bother to tell them to make opponents miss wide open 3s all year.

86. Hombre Brotani

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:24 PM (#6020338)

There's just way too much offense on one end, and not enough on the other.

87. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:30 PM (#6020339)

Really shows why Brad should be fired if he didn't bother to tell them to make opponents miss wide open 3s all year.

but it's a great adjustment for the playoffs.

There's just way too much offense on one end, and not enough on the other.

evan fournier is a joe ingles looking MFer.

88. asinwreck Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:46 PM (#6020340)

The Nets had a terrible first quarter and were markedly off from 3 most of the night. They still won by 11.

89. PJ Martinez Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:49 PM (#6020341)

Yeah, they're just better. I don't think the series is going to be a huge challenge for them, though they might lose a game (or even two, if something unexpected happens). Or they might not.

Robert Williams was one rebound and one block shy of a triple double in 23 minutes. Pretty good player if he can stay healthy.

90. tshipman (The Viscount of Variance)

Posted: May 22, 2021 at 10:54 PM (#6020342)

Asking a dumb question, but why the hell is Ty Lue guarding Luka with Pat Bev and Zubac? How are those the matchups you start with?

91. SteveF Posted: May 22, 2021 at 11:06 PM (#6020343)

I'm starting to wonder if Durant has lost enough speed you can guard him with an athletic big.

92. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 22, 2021 at 11:26 PM (#6020346)

I'm starting to wonder if Durant has lost enough speed you can guard him with an athletic big.

even if that does slow durant down, you still have to deal with harden and kyrie... except now, you also don't have anyone protecting the paint.

if BRK goes through BOS, MIL/MIA and PHI, they're going to win the title.

93. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 23, 2021 at 12:34 AM (#6020350)

melo is building a ####### warehouse with all these bricks

94. SteveF Posted: May 23, 2021 at 12:36 AM (#6020351)

I thought he was making himself a pair of shoes. Dude ain't moving too good on D.

95. SteveF Posted: May 23, 2021 at 12:51 AM (#6020352)

228. woot.

96. a brief article regarding 57i66135 Posted: May 23, 2021 at 01:04 AM (#6020353)

i'd just like to take a moment to remind everyone that i've been higher than anyone else in this thread about POR's chances in the playoffs.

on a completely unrelated note, i may have forgotten that POR is giving significant minutes to carmelo anthony.

97. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 23, 2021 at 01:23 AM (#6020355)

POR was 19/40 from the arc; DEN was 11/36.

98. Athletic Supporter's aunt's sorry like Aziz Posted: May 23, 2021 at 01:34 AM (#6020356)

Michael Porter Jr. went 1-10 from 3, 11-11 from 2, and no free throws. Weird stat line.

99. Slivers of Maranville descends into chaos (SdeB) Posted: May 23, 2021 at 01:47 AM (#6020357)

Celtics defense on wide open 3PAs is back!

There was a fairly good discussion of this on CelticsBlog.

100. rr: over-entitled starf@ck3r Posted: May 23, 2021 at 02:27 AM (#6020358)

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