Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1860346 times)

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20100 on:** May 14, 2018, 02:52:16 AM »

Too early to go into panic mode and say the Celts are absolutely going to win, but if you wanted a picture perfect postcard of why they have a legit chance to take the series, that would be it.

You can't say it enough. Brad Stevens and what he has done with that team has to be the envy of the league. I can't really ever recall a team doing what they have done all season and all playoffs just losing people left and right and they never miss a beat. It feels like some college basketball stuff.

seagrams hotsauce · « **Reply #20101 on:** May 14, 2018, 03:05:14 AM »

Stevens is great. One nice thing about being a Cs fan this year is seeing 2/3rds of the payroll go down in flames and still seeing the system work with a bunch of very tenacious CAPs. It seems like players on their bench actually give a shit about the team more than average

etiolate · « **Reply #20102 on:** May 14, 2018, 06:17:56 PM »

#truth

agrajag · « **Reply #20103 on:** May 14, 2018, 09:05:10 PM »

Leeeeeets go Rockets

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20104 on:** May 14, 2018, 11:09:32 PM »

Has to be pretty disappointing for rockets. Harden is going off but the warriors have been in constant control of this game.

I think this is what most of us feared.

agrajag · « **Reply #20105 on:** May 14, 2018, 11:11:04 PM »

It's hard to win against GSW when you are relying on one star playing iso ball. Reminds me of when Heat lost to Spurs in the finals.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20106 on:** May 14, 2018, 11:35:57 PM »

Rockets just fell into the buzzsaw that is the Warriors. I mean its nearly impossible to attack anybody for losing to this team. It's just cold hard facts that they have assembled the starting roster they have.

Warriors offense is so just so easy that its never hard for them to generate easy buckets. And they are quick, and long, and athletic on D. That is an impossible problem to solve.

We'll see if Rockets can salvage the split at home.

Akala · « **Reply #20107 on:** May 15, 2018, 12:32:04 AM »

I can see a sweep. $:-\$

benjipwns · « **Reply #20108 on:** May 15, 2018, 01:27:20 AM »

Quote

Mike D'Antoni on James Harden: "I'm just gonna go tell him that he needs to get 55 next time."

Nola · « **Reply #20109 on:** May 15, 2018, 01:39:13 AM »

I can't decide whether I want the Warriors to sweep because it will make what the Pelicans did look kind of impressive, or I want to irrationally hope the Rockets will bounce back and pull it off so Lebron will feel much less comfortable considering the Rockets as a destination if the optics become him leaving Cleveland to cheat code onto a ready made championship team.

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Honestly, probably Warriors in 5.

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agrajag · « **Reply #20110 on:** May 15, 2018, 02:15:27 AM »

Lebron to Rockets is the only way to end GSW's reign of terror. It must be done.

Nola · « **Reply #20111 on:** May 15, 2018, 02:51:21 AM »

Quote from: agrajag on May 15, 2018, 02:15:27 AM

Lebron to Rockets is the only way to end GSW's reign of terror. It must be done.

At what cost though. At what cost!!

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It's weird. If you contacted 2015 or 2016 me I was praising GS and the way they built their empire, but at this point I'm almost wanting to sign onto the devils bargain that would break the league just to see those cocky smiles wiped away.

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Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20112 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:11:10 AM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on May 09, 2018, 12:51:28 AM

Durant fundamentally changed that team into arguably the greatest team in history by a pretty good margin.

Like I said, I always go back to this. I just don't think people really processed this when it happened to the real end result because all the discussion was just venom being tossed at Durant. Pre-durant you had a really good historical team, but one that was still beatable if you executed at the highest level. Adding one of the top two players in the league to that mix removed that small margin you had.

Note that isn't a diss at the Warriors or the Durant. They both took the smartest path open to them.

agrajag · « **Reply #20113 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:17:58 AM »

I think it's fucked up how much shit Bron took for Miami, when GS is way more stacked than Heat was.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20114 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:19:24 AM »

I never diss the players for making their free agent decisions. Especially when the media and fandom use not winning championships as a weapon to denigrate players.

agrajag · « **Reply #20115 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:23:14 AM »

This is why LeBron has to go to Houston. Fight fire with fire.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20116 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:24:13 AM »

Quote from: Exodust on May 15, 2018, 03:21:08 AM

a 73-9 team getting another top 3 player in free agency is insanely bullshit though.

Top two.

Bullshit isn't the word I use but insanely overpowered. Yep. The cap explosion was huge for them.

benjipwns · « **Reply #20117 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:42:43 AM »

i always thought it was interesting how unmentioned it went in all the diatribes against them that the Heat Trio all took paycuts so they could get together too, not to the extent that say Karl Malone did to join the Lakers, but much less than they could have gotten from resigning with their teams or signing anywhere else (the sign-and-trades were mainly to make it work under the salary cap not to boost any of their salaries)

this was the offseason where the Knicks gave Amare a $100 million uninsured for example

Durant took a paycut to get to Golden State, but only because he was changing teams and they already dropped their franchise tag on Curry, he's been signing the 1+1 deals and will opt out after this season so he can sign a bigger deal.

That also helped OKC because they didn't have to choose, they could put the tag on Westbrook...and now they have George apparently leaning towards resigning, and they're stuck with Melo, so maybe some actual continuity will help with some of Westbrook's trust issues that seem like they date back to when he and Durant both took turns while the other was injured being the alpha and Brooks had to implement an actual offense out of necessity.

Also, for Akala, I'll mention Durant's tattoos again for no reason other than to take a petty shot at Durant. At least LeBron had to cover his up because he was playing for a Catholic high school when he was 17 years old.

benjipwns · « **Reply #20118 on:** May 15, 2018, 03:44:29 AM »

Quote from: agrajag on May 15, 2018, 03:23:14 AM

This is why LeBron has to go to Houston. Fight fire with fire.

And Kawhi has to sign with Boston, to keep the East non-competitive.

etiolate · « **Reply #20119 on:** May 15, 2018, 08:12:36 PM »

Naming that Grizzlie kid Courtney Love is child abuse.

etiolate · « **Reply #20120 on:** May 15, 2018, 08:27:19 PM »

De"Aaron Fox clutch in the draft, too.

Phoenix #1 is interesting since Ayton played at Arizona and their coach is familiar with Luka.

agrajag · « **Reply #20121 on:** May 15, 2018, 08:40:16 PM »

So Steve Kerr is Thanos, GS is the Infinity Gauntlet, LeBron is Tony Stark and Brad Stevens is Dr. Strange

etiolate · « **Reply #20122 on:** May 15, 2018, 09:01:09 PM »

so kings subreddit has someone post a Prophecy theory that the Kings jump to 2 and take Luka Doncic

it's been the only topic on that board for like a month

the sub right now:

agrajag · « **Reply #20123 on:** May 15, 2018, 09:43:23 PM »

I think LeBron sprained his own neck. He twitched his head the opposite way from where it bounced from the impact!

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20124 on:** May 15, 2018, 11:04:36 PM »

And that is a real bad sign loss for the Cavs because they got good games from Lebron and Love and still lost by a lot.

Nola · « **Reply #20125 on:** May 16, 2018, 02:56:22 AM »

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20126 on:** May 16, 2018, 05:57:56 AM »

Quote from: Jack Remington on May 16, 2018, 05:26:35 AM

Amazing game from the Celtics.

Eat shit, Stoney, you dick-gargling waste of life.

Who are you?

Seriously like I have no clue who you are you dude.

Are you some poster I shit down the throat of in the past?

Huff · « **Reply #20127 on:** May 16, 2018, 06:21:41 AM »

Kobe stan lives in Cali, hates lebron. Multiple past alts. Come on Stoney lets put it together

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20128 on:** May 16, 2018, 06:28:10 AM »

Quote from: Huff on May 16, 2018, 06:21:41 AM

Kobe from, lives in Cali, hates lebron. Multiple past alts. Come on Stoney lets put it together

That's fine. That's all I needed to know. It was just random. Like Agrajag from Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. Makes sense now.

Once people start swapping around usernames for the most part, I have no idea who they were in the past. I generally don't care enough to check it out until somebody starts randomly hollering at me.

Let's Cyber · « **Reply #20129 on:** May 16, 2018, 04:57:40 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on May 15, 2018, 11:04:36 PM

And that is a real bad sign loss for the Cavs because they got good games from Lebron and Love and still lost by a lot.

For sure. If you showed me that stat line before hand, I would have said the Cavs would have won by 10+.

Cavs should bounce back, their poor bench is much more likely to show up at home. Milwaukee handled the Celtics at home in game 3 after going down 0-2 and they've have been inconsistent on the road in general these playoffs.

Part of me really interested to see this potential Celtics vs. Warriors matchup tho. They don't have enough firepower to beat them outright (well, no one does) but their defense they might win them a game or two in Boston.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20130 on:** May 16, 2018, 05:03:39 PM »

Yeah me and my brother were talking yesterday and I basically conceded that Boston by far would make the far more interesting finals match-up. They are defensively the only team that could make Golden State break a sweat. They wouldn't have enough offense without Kyrie and Hayward but if I was a gambling man, I would roll my dice with them over Cleveland who has zero defense to match-up.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20131 on:** May 16, 2018, 10:02:44 PM »

edit wrong thread

agrajag · « **Reply #20132 on:** May 16, 2018, 10:39:56 PM »

Quote from: Stoney Mason on May 15, 2018, 11:04:36 PM

And that is a real bad sign loss for the Cavs because they got good games from Lebron and Love and still lost by a lot.

Yep, Lebron and Love together made for 64 points (without counting assists). Plus Korver scored in double digits. Considering it was a pretty defensive game, this were optimal conditions for Cavs to win, so this doesn't bode well for them. To make uo the difference they either need even more production from Love (ain't happening) or more production from the bench, which is rather shallow.

I'm glad Houston woke up at least.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20133 on:** May 16, 2018, 11:07:39 PM »

Impressive showing for the Rockets tonight. Immediately giving up home court advantage wasn't ideal but you couldn't ask for a better bounce back game.

agrajag · « **Reply #20134 on:** May 16, 2018, 11:09:02 PM »

Rockets are playing very solid D tonight. GS look lost out there, which is a rare sight.

agrajag · « **Reply #20135 on:** May 16, 2018, 11:28:59 PM »

Yeeeeessssss! Technical then a flagrant. GSW are shook.

Edit: common foul. Should have been a flagrant.

eleuin · « **Reply #20136 on:** May 17, 2018, 01:26:00 AM »

Quote from: Huff on May 16, 2018, 06:21:41 AM

Kobe stan lives in Cali, hates lebron. Multiple past alts. Come on Stoney lets put it together

oh he's snuffles(?) was that the name

literally the most persistent lebron hater I've ever seen

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #20137 on:** May 17, 2018, 11:22:13 AM »

go rockets

Let's Cyber · « **Reply #20138 on:** May 17, 2018, 12:19:00 PM »

Quote from: TakingBackSunday on May 17, 2018, 11:22:13 AM

go rockets

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/996933436802822144

bluemax · « **Reply #20139 on:** May 19, 2018, 12:53:43 AM »

So many days of zzzz.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20140 on:** May 19, 2018, 09:40:14 PM »

Best half of the playoffs for the Cavs

Let's Cyber · « **Reply #20141 on:** May 20, 2018, 07:26:19 AM »

C's on the road looking like the shook version of the Raptors.

Also go Rockets.

agrajag · « **Reply #20142 on:** May 20, 2018, 09:11:34 AM »

LeBron is GOAT

God, I hope Rockets win tonight.

agrajag · « **Reply #20143 on:** May 20, 2018, 08:13:40 PM »

Houston playing some fuckball in the first quarter

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20144 on:** May 20, 2018, 08:38:44 PM »

Rockets of Game 1 are back

jakefromstatefarm · « **Reply #20145 on:** May 20, 2018, 10:31:16 PM »

Houston got their backs blown out. Game 4s gonna determine whether this goes 5 games or 7. They have serious defensive issues with golden state and couldn’t generate consistent offense tonight either. PJ had his super bowl already in game 2, if Gordon and Paul play pedestrian than who else do they go to? Their options are legit Green, ryno and iso joe :dame

agrajag · « **Reply #20146 on:** May 20, 2018, 10:38:31 PM »

Looked just like game one. Paul and Harden looking to play iso ball every possession and taking very low percentage shots.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20147 on:** May 21, 2018, 01:19:13 AM »

I mean it was always a hard delusion to buy into that the Rockets could pull out the series but that game was the deathknell for it. Just an utter beatdown and prime example of what the Warriors are capable of when they care.

I didn't even think the Warriors actually played that well in the first half. The Rockets just played that poorly.

Not that the rockets can't steal individual games. But when a game matters, you know both teams really know what is going to happen.

Nola · « **Reply #20148 on:** May 21, 2018, 01:44:34 AM »

I guess in my mind the only way the Rockets still or ever did have a chance was by catching the Warriors flat footed and/or Curry not being healthy enough to be Curry, and except for one game that hasn't really happened.

On paper the Warriors are stronger, deeper, and more versatile. Hard to find a way past that in the NBA during a 7 game series.

I definitely think they can play a tighter game than they did tonight, but IDK, how many wins that can translate to seems low.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20149 on:** May 21, 2018, 02:06:29 AM »

I don't like to critique the Rockets in a normal manner because generally speaking, I think all criticism of the Warriors opponents, should be framed in the context that they are playing an unmovable force. So its kind of silly to nitpick other teams because its silly to pretend that with one or two tweaks you can beat the Warriors. It's a pointless exercise.

I will say that if this series continues on its current trajectory, ultimately I think the model they have for beating them is no more likely to succeed than some other potential models. It puts so much pressure on James Harden that he has to essentially play perfectly in what is ultimately a pretty predictable offense. I just don't like that the ball doesn't move around. If the Warriors can just setup every time and you are forced to iso and try to break down a wall of a defense, I don't like that. That can absolutely be part of the offense. A large part. But it can't be the only thing. It just feels shortsighted. And yeah they were able to blitz through the regular season with it, pounding on most of the league, but its not ideal against the one team you actually have to beat.

Once again though, I think context is always important. In any other context, what the Rockets are doing even though I think it has real flaws, might be enough in a normally balanced league. It's just probably not in a world where the Warriors as constructed exist.

Also the Rockets played pretty shitty tonight no matter what system they use so there's that.

Nola · « **Reply #20150 on:** May 21, 2018, 02:43:18 AM »

Yeah the Warriors, especially now with Durant, really seem like they are about the closest thing to a perfect team built as close to perfectly for this era that you can get. Playing at an advanced level within a system of basketball that is about as perfect a match as you can have.

You're right, you have to kind of step back and remember that when you are analyzing teams losing to them in the playoffs.

I'm basically just retreading ground, but the only world where I see a healthy Warriors team not make the finals for the next few years is one where Lebron coordinates going to Houston, they resign Capella, and ideally buy cap space on someone's roster to take Anderson and fill out the bench with 3 and D ring chasers. Essentially creating another all-time great roster. If you are the Wolves, Pelicans, Thunder, or Blazers, you would definitely be wise not to make major organizational moves because you can't beat GS. Lebron to Houston and Lebron and friends to the Lakers is probably your only real chance...Basically, if your already close to contending team can't land Lebron, I wouldn't sweat losing to a healthy Warriors.

team filler · « **Reply #20151 on:** May 21, 2018, 08:12:06 PM »

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20152 on:** May 21, 2018, 09:12:01 PM »

Another good Cavs first quarter. Tristan Thompson really making a difference here on the d side.

TakingBackSunday · « **Reply #20153 on:** May 21, 2018, 09:38:06 PM »

Kyle Korver is so damn good

agrajag · « **Reply #20154 on:** May 21, 2018, 09:45:07 PM »

Thompson is having a great game.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20155 on:** May 21, 2018, 09:49:35 PM »

Quote from: agrajag on May 21, 2018, 09:45:07 PM

Thompson is having a great game.

He's been legit essential the last two series.

After having a pretty dog shit season.

agrajag · « **Reply #20156 on:** May 21, 2018, 09:52:51 PM »

They only dust him off for the playoffs it seems

Highest half of the season for Cavs, lowest half of the season for Celtics. Yeah, they're not coming back.

Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20157 on:** May 21, 2018, 10:01:22 PM »

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I don't watch any of these talking head shows sports or non-sports.

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Stoney Mason · « **Reply #20158 on:** May 21, 2018, 10:53:46 PM »

Love has been awful tonight

bluemax · « **Reply #20159 on:** May 21, 2018, 11:04:40 PM »

It's crazy that we're down to the 4 best teams and none of the games have been close.

News:

Author Topic: The NBA thread (Read 1860346 times)