West Round 1


1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks



East Round 1

1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors


have at it

if espn can fix the damn technical issues lol

people talk about how much more talented Memphis is but

Kat 1st overall
DLo 2nd overall
Ant 1st overall....

with that in mind, it was kind of embarrassing how much they celebrated that play in win lol

>people talk about how much more talented Memphis is but
>
>Kat 1st overall
>DLo 2nd overall
>Ant 1st overall....
>
>with that in mind, it was kind of embarrassing how much they
>celebrated that play in win lol

Minnesota’s problem is most of their talent doesn’t play good defense, lol. But the pure talent Minnesota has is *wild.*

top to bottom

Brooks, Bane, Jackson, Clark, Melton ...bucket getters and defensive stoppers,
but they play with a guy who gets in their way.

That’s the difference. Beverly doesn’t get in their way he adds the toughness that
they were missing. He does PG SHIT on both sides of the ball.

And Memphis is going to lose this series because of it.

Memphis is just so well constructed a team.

Minnesota is riding high on the talent level of its best players.

Entertaining basketball.

never thought I'd ever type those words, ever. but we live in strange times.

Ja comes back in and they get behind by 10.

Ja is a defensive lability and he just looks to score and do
highlight shit.

Jones is a better PG

Ja -11
Jones +7

Ky shoots more, scores less, misses more, and passes less than Ja.

#facts

What happened today?

Brooks was ok but not particularly impactful, Bane was blah, JJJ had some blocks and did little else, Adams was MIA. Where were all these bucket getters and defensive stoppers you keep talking about?

They don’t need him to score 32 and make it all about him.

They need him to do PG shit and not have
a -16 on the floor.

>
>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

goddamn!


didn't know the play-in game was on the 2 year anniversary of his mother's death from COVID, I'd imagine that must've had something to do with his performance in that game.

>
>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

>

idk if they have the firepower and playmakers to deal w/ minnesota
it'll come down to playoff experience

-16 on the floor, gambling on defense.

His father screaming in the camera.

Everyone scared to say it. Memphis is a better team without
that dude.

Minnesota will win this series

philly is going to take this series, embiid is way too much too handle

Memphis is a "no joke" team. Ant and 'em got something over there. Good coaching, good execution (absent that stretch from Soundblaster Russell)

Every once and again he climbs that unreal ladder for a sportscenter clip, but most of the time, he just rolls in like a ninja in the fog and next thing you know, he's scored 7 straight on you.

Riding on the subway next to you with the brass knuckles folded into his copy of the Times that he is reading.

Perfect counterpoint to Pat Bev and Kat, you can tell he has complete belief in his skillset, and when he makes a mistake, he generally doesn't repeat it. Just 20 years old. A baby face T-Rex.

every shot of his looks off before he even lets it go

0 turnovers.

Harden doing PG shit. ..getting everyone in all.

My mind tells me "they absolutely cant be a better team without him" but the record this year without him and their performance this game when he sat says otherwise. But i know its not true, right?

ball movement has Joker moving his feet on defense

its working

Turns out Draymond is ... pretty important too I guess.

I’ll be surprised if Denver wins a game

(No way Porter and and Murray return this year)



>
>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

even with the injuries and slumps...they still had the 2nd best home record in the league.

then they go and blow winnable games on the road.

things could def be different with all their main cast active now. but i wouldnt be surprised if they shit the bed in denver a game or two.

if Steph is gonna play 22 minutes, not actually be THAT awful despite the first half (essentially a 50% shooting night) and the game looks like THIS?


Suddenly the series is on, who? Will Barton? Jokic was Jokic.



Be happy to get fucked up but this looks like a 4-1 at best all the way.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

i say that as a warriors fan who has watched almost every game all season.

id love a sweep or gentlemans sweep.

but the warriors arent the type of disciplined and psychologically steady team that puts cats away like that.

youre gonna get some non chalant, sloppy, jekyll/hyde, ice cold, wtf shit in there too...particularly on the road. even against weaker competition.

as good as they are at their highest...they just arent that team that packs a lunch pail and goes out and consistently handles business.

this series is going 6 or 7 imo.

id be happy to be wrong but i cant ignore what my eyes have seen.

The Steph/Klay/Poole/Wiggins/Dray lineup had an ORTG of 181.8 and a DRTG of 54.5.

Granted, they only played together 5 minutes and as we know one game +/- stats are somewhat useless.

But if somehow Kerr and everyone can unlock *that* lineup... It might be the best find in the NBA since the original Death Lineup back in '15.

Also, some Warriors fans owe Poole an apology. Two-thirds of them were ready to throw Poole in the Bay after his rookie year. Now, he's probably half-earned himself a max contract somewhere. #PatienceIsAvirtue

It's not Jokic's fault, there's only so much he can do-- it's probably one of the three worst matchups in the NBA for him, maybe the worst.

jp looking like he ready to get his joe namath on.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQg-WcRXMAInzFp?format=jpg&name=medium

looking close to a 10 man rotation over there. Gabe Vincent is killing it. Duncan Robinson killing it.

Then you got dudes like Strus and the guy I called a major annoyance when he was on the Hornets (Caleb Martin -- Hornets went and nabbed his brother afterward LOL).

19 point lead at the half.

They make most everyone who puts on the jersey better. Golden State's this way, Milwaukee's been this way of late, Miami is this way. Some teams just build dudes for success.

hard to imagine a more simpatico pairing btwn GM and player than Riley and Butler

A variety of things, wave after wave, non-stop pressure, non-stop bodies, without fouls? A really remarkable effort.

they let a lot of obvious physical contact go.

but then call a bunch of ticky tack or questionable shit.

this Celtics crowd is something else. I gotta catch a game in the Garden...


unfortunately that involves going to Boston yuck nevermind

if nash plays kd/kyrie those long minutes during this series under these conditions and they dont wear down...hats off to em.

so he should be somewhat rested compared to someone that started 60-70 games in the regular season.

It'll also help that these games in the first round are reasonably spaced out as well if I'm not mistaken. The NBA/ESPN/Turner wants to milk these playoff ratings for all their worth by spacing these games out.

.

He is singling him out every time he gets the ball.

.

nets are when trailing by 10+ going into the 4th.

thats crazy considering some of those kd/kyrie scoring displays.

doesn't matter if kyrie/kd put up 30 in the 4th if nets D can't stop the other team from keeping the lead or getting good looks in the last moments

>doesn't matter if kyrie/kd put up 30 in the 4th if nets D
>can't stop the other team from keeping the lead or getting
>good looks in the last moments

.

Kleenex hangin out his nose like he fought Errol Spence last night

>
>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

.

start the spin before he made the catch, then face the basket and finish. Special.

Wtf

Shutting down Kyrie AND KD; then Brown, Smart and Tatum all make amazing individual plays to win the game. Absolutely fantastic.

Pretty bad look to give up that quick Jalen Brown bucket with about 38 seconds left on the clock. That allowed for the two for one situation that helped the Celts pull through.

Have to think this game bodes well for the Nets since I doubt Durant will play as poorly as he did today. Just need above average contribution from one of the lesser players on the team. Goran Dragic looked very sharp in the first half for Brooklyn.

>Pretty bad look to give up that quick Jalen Brown bucket with
>about 38 seconds left on the clock. That allowed for the two
>for one situation that helped the Celts pull through.

>Have to think this game bodes well for the Nets since I doubt
>Durant will play as poorly as he did today. Just need above
>average contribution from one of the lesser players on the
>team. Goran Dragic looked very sharp in the first half for
>Brooklyn.

I do agree though. 1 point loss with a subpar KD game... let's see what happens in Game 2.

...

It took KD playing like utter ass for that to happen. I guess we’ll see but…this could go 7.

the game wouldnt have been as close if they didnt blow a bunch of easy layups down the stretch.

plus how often is kyrie gonna have a performance like that? and how often is it gonna happen when kd plays well too?

but kyrie has dropped 30+ 15x in the playoffs. him and durant just combined for 59 pts on 31 shots against cleveland. I mean that is what they do.

On pretty efficient numbers too. They're both exceptional offensive wizards. Now and then, one of them will be slightly less efficient... but it's unlikely you get a dud from both imo.

I also don't expect Seth Curry to go 1-4 from 3 most nights-- nor do I expect Marcus Smart to go 4-9 from 3 most nights (though Smart's PG play has been really superb in the later parts of this season).

And I think bench will be a concern for Boston without Robert Williams, as they're only playing, what, 7 guys? I know the perception is Brooklyn doesn't have a bench... but they at least have playable bodies, nothing that will blow teams away, but dudes that can spell players for a few minutes here and there. They could even still bust out a few Aldridge/Griffin minutes in lineups where Theis isn't out there. Whereas I don't think Boston can even wheel out Payton Pritchard in this series.

That said, Brooklyn's lack of defensive discipline may cancel out most of their potential advantages, lol. So I've no clue. Should be an awesome series.

can we acknowledge that maybe kd underperformed at least in part to the level of (perimeter) defense he was playing?

and then can we acknowledge that kd and kyrie combining for big games might be a little harder against that defense than it was against the majority of teams they did it against in the regular season (and play-in). i mean...we already have exhibit a entered into evidence.

Cleveland is a great defensive team tho.

By the team numbers, the nets offense played comparably in both games

against cle
115 pts
53% shooting on 84 fga
9-28 for 3
14 turnovers

against bos
114 pts
53% shooting on 78 fga
11-24 from 3
16 turnovers

~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

https://www.instagram.com/p/CceDA-vJhTg/

Part of that definitely comes down to their stars (although Kyrie was working his ass off on defense in the second half, somewhat surprisingly), but most of it is definitely on Nash imo. Not just in preparation, but also in personnel choices. Like, he had Dragic out there waaaay too often late in the game when Dragic is completely cooked defensively at this point in his career (or at least has seemed that way lately).

Maybe it's because of the system that Nash came from when he was a player, lmao. But yeah, they just don't seem like they discuss team defensive scheme at all, really. It's all about individual effort.

they will be in trouble in close games because Nash might get outcoached.

They lost at the buzzer yesterday with:

KD socring 23 and 3 assists (avgs 30 and 6)
Bruce brown scoring 5 with 2 assists (avgs 15 and 4 since All star break)
Claxton shooting 0-3 free throws in 4th qtr


Yeah nash sucks but Nets don't need 70-80 from kd/kyrie to win

>They lost at the buzzer yesterday with:
>
>KD socring 23 and 3 assists (avgs 30 and 6)
>Bruce brown scoring 5 with 2 assists (avgs 15 and 4 since All
>star break)
>Claxton shooting 0-3 free throws in 4th qtr
>
>
>Yeah nash sucks but Nets don't need 70-80 from kd/kyrie to
>win

if you're counting on Bruce Bowen and Claxton in the playoffs like I said you're in trouble lol

Brooklyn has the biggest stars but Boston's role players are more reliable

but like i said, kyrie/kd needing 70+ for a W is a huge oversimplication.

>but like i said, kyrie/kd needing 70+ for a W is a huge
>oversimplication.

he forgot how to hit floaters this season (he was great at them in pick and roll with harden last year) and his 3P shooting is an abberation and untenable

re your point on claxton above, he is one of the worst FT shooters in the league. he can't be counted on at the line (or at the rim unless no one is around him)

the nets need consistent production from curry (still hurt) and some combo of dragic, cam thomas, mills, and kessler edwards. thomas likely won't see the floor unless someone gets hurt. edwards is out there for his wingspan and shouldn't be relied upon for points. mills used up all his 3P shooting luck and his legs at the beginning of the season covering for kyrie. dragic seems shaky. 7 points in 23 minutes isn't great but he should get more looks with teams auto-doubling kd and kyrie

it really is 100% on kd, kyrie, and curry. if they don't put up 85-90 total points each game the nets are doomed

>(although
>Kyrie was working his ass off on defense in the second half,
>somewhat surprisingly)

because based on past experience, Kyrie is a pretty below average defender on the wing.

Also, I have vague memories of Durant being an above average one-on-one and team defensive player on those front loaded Warriors teams. I wonder if that was because of Draymond's influence or because of Mike Brown helping him out in the film room. The Nets could sure use that kind of defensive presence from KD for sure.

He showed in his Cleveland days with Bron, when the game was on the line, he proved to be a decent team defender and a pretty good on-ball-in-iso defender. Showed this in the Olympics too. And in the fourth quarter against the C's, he was working hard, generating steals and deflections, maintaining verticality when bigger guys were driving on him, etc. It was pretty cool to see what he's capable of on that end when he's locked in.

Problem is, of course, there are soooooo many games where he just doesn't give a shit about the defensive side of the ball, lol. Even in playoff games-- I'd even say in much of the first half of the Celtics game, haha. He's just looking to grab the ball and get out in transition, so if it's not a passing lane he can leap into, he's inclined to play matador defense or not execute his rotation.

We'll see if Kyrie can maintain defensive effort with any consistency this series. History points to "no", generally, lol, but they'll likely need it to beat the Celtics.

of the Boston crowd will motivate him to play better than his normally subpar one-on-one defense.

That is unless Ime Udoka switches things up so that it's harder for Kyrie to succeed on the defensive end. I think he ended up with 4-5 steals. That's pretty damn wild. If I remember correctly, he had at least two alone in that fourth quarter run. I could be wrong about that though.

I have never seen him that energetic on defense lol , he took that personally, so I expect a standout defensive performance* this series

(*to his capability, hes not a defender)

>He showed in his Cleveland days with Bron, when the game was
>on the line, he proved to be a decent team defender and a
>pretty good on-ball-in-iso defender. Showed this in the
>Olympics too. And in the fourth quarter against the C's, he
>was working hard, generating steals and deflections,
>maintaining verticality when bigger guys were driving on him,
>etc. It was pretty cool to see what he's capable of on that
>end when he's locked in.
>
>Problem is, of course, there are soooooo many games where he
>just doesn't give a shit about the defensive side of the ball,
>lol. Even in playoff games-- I'd even say in much of the first
>half of the Celtics game, haha. He's just looking to grab the
>ball and get out in transition, so if it's not a passing lane
>he can leap into, he's inclined to play matador defense or not
>execute his rotation.
>
>We'll see if Kyrie can maintain defensive effort with any
>consistency this series. History points to "no", generally,
>lol, but they'll likely need it to beat the Celtics.

if they go down 0-2 it's prolly a wrap.

sucks for luka/mavs. woulda been cool to see what he was capable of this year with this team.

But I don't think we've got any clarity on the injury itself, right? That didn't look good and would probably hold him out like 10 regular season games minimum so...I don't like his chances in returning. That said, they hung tough in game 1. They COULD be ok if he's back in game 3 but...yeesh.

the Jazz are a pretty terrible team on the defensive end. For that reason alone, it wouldn't surprise me if Dallas wins at least one game even if Luka doesn't return. It will be a challenge for Kidd to muster four quarters of solid offense without Luka no doubt, but bad defense is bad defense.

maybe Dallas can try that route although it will be tough without Luka who was probably a top 5 MVP guy himself

Instead of dogging it the first month of the year.

was peak Kyrie.

its kinda awkard for him because he still isnt used to being as slow as he is and he be looking confused/surprised when he goes downhill and cant get his shoulders past his defender. dude just be getting stuck chest to chest with niggas lol.

.

gotta admit i was wrong on j kidd this year.

hes had these dudes playing hard with or without luka.

delusional Knicks fans screaming to sign him...now its going to get louder.

SMH.

https://twitter.com/gswchris/status/1516265987317796867?s=21

and watch how these game threads get reallllly quiet

Poole. Thompson. Steph and draymond

Phoenix aint got the bodies for this

they been night and day home/away through much of the season.

they look good as hell right now tho.

>

https://youtu.be/5bHAc-BU8oE

,

/

you guys all seem really happy about our new death lineup btw

lmao

That reminds me of someone.

Someone I used to call Studio Thug on these message boards some years ago.

I'm surprised folks haven't called out Jokic for this, especially since he literally injured a smaller player as result.

I guess he's not as much of a loudmouth as Studio Thug was when he played, so that's one difference.

https://twitter.com/HaterMuse/status/1516273422929641475

when jokic of course plays the most minutes and the team is getting their asses kicked

Jokic out here getting jumped rn.

They’ve found their way to warrior Reddit threads too ha.

I responded to him with a factual statement. Luka is a great player but Embiid deserves to win the MVP.

Embiid gets so much hate it’s silly.

>Jokic out here getting jumped rn.


like Memphis giving 100 million to Chandler Parsons

Your L would like to talk to you.

>Your L would like to talk to you.


they don't really get free agents and his trade value comes with question marks bc of his back issues. I don't know what they could have done

Giannis money.

He also knows I acknowledged Porter's injury concerns when I praised Denver for taking a shot at keeping their core unit together.

He just doesn't care.

But I get it. When you're the MVP, if you don't win, even against a better team, you get fried by the masses. That's fair.

Just pointing out the above in case there are people watching the playoffs and thinking "this shouldn't be the MVP!" when playoff performance has absolutely zero impact on the MVP race, lol.

.

lol

Off the damn bench. Showing what leadership looks like

We’re also getting a little peak into what it will look like as he ages. And it’s gorgeous

Fake tough guy after getting swatted by GP2 and ejected from a playoff game…again…
LOL

Known to swat a big men and even win a jump ball or two.

6’3 plays like a 7 footer

People forget that they were neck and neck with phx while working klay back until the injuries hit in Feb.

Just beautiful, beautiful basketball.

peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

SMH. Handling the rock like its a beignet.

https://twitter.com/AmicoHoops/status/1516450979973062658

Not because of the lack of some of the bigger markets, but just simply that linear TV ratings are down across the board. In reading the article - sounds like that's just on ABC/TNT/ESPN which means it's really only counting where those are carried - so even YoutubeTV, Hulu Live, etc.

But still...that's crazy.

everyone thinks they’re team has a legitimate shot

The talent level across the board is really great. The casual fan can catch a really good game or series. Fans will watch their team in the playoffs no matter what but when your team goes out the product is still great.

Ridiculous. Prepare for the hot ass whistles tonight

its a consistent theme at this point.

It was clean as a whistle too. Shot well from three, played under control and talked big shit the whole game.

>
>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

ZERO excuse for DLO and KAT, its been 7 years now in the league for both of them. enough already.


KAT disappears in the play in - DLO and ANT show up

DLO disappears in game 1 - KAT and ANT show up

tonight they all fucked up.

Ant gets a pass..its his 2nd year.

this was a golden opportunity for them to head home with a ton of confidence smh

They got game 1 and home court advantage. They overachieved.
Memphis wasn’t going to lose game 2 and Minnesota wasn’t going to win it.

It’s chess, not checkers

Conserve energy and go protect home court.

Now they need to take care of business at home.

>Now they need to take care of business at home.

Where's my goddamn money?

you’re straight Babel Fish?...FOH.

>you’re straight Babel Fish?...FOH.

Not remotely. Because if I was, I would be able to understand whatever the fuck it is you think that nonsense you just said means.

It means you weren’t here when Minnesota pushed Memphis’s wig back.

You seeing how I’m here?

You weren’t.

But a guy's gotta live by a code, you know?

and you should worry more about your boy World B. Flat not showing up than about where I am.

..going toe to toe with Phoenix, trying to steal a game on the road.


*skatin' the rings of saturn*


..and miles to go before i sleep...

They are sharing the ball, and they defend almost as well as Phoenix. And Ingram is gonna need a nickname....Geechee Don the Conqueror or something, cuz he bout to be the toast of NOLA.

its considered a good thing

N.O. will make it easy for them. Especially if Booker’s injury is serious.

N.O. will make it easy for them. Especially if Booker’s injury is serious.

result than willie's knowledge of phx.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<---- 5....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlgiritpmfo

=======================================

Love all the baby Lakers but BI was very clearly gonna be special.

I want to give him all the nicknames that KD was too lame to accept

That name is cold as fuck

I'd love it for BI, but fuck KD's leftovers
He needs something fresh

He wanted The Servant. And nobody calls him that dumb shit.

plug it enough

a 57% win percentage can get you a chip in the playoffs

Yep

The kid is here. They won't win this series.

But CJ is a legit running mate. I expect BI's ascension to hit next season.

I said it before, too many times to count, that he was on that PG/Butler trajectory.

This playoffs is the first step on that next level, where he doesn't just put up numbers, but he becomes a force that's felt, and teams will have to seriously worry about him.

Next year, he's going to be a bad, bad man. He got his taste and he's going to come back.

He got his running mate. If they're smart, they'll ship Zion, maybe flip some picks or whatever for a third guy.

But he's about to take that next leap, and NO would be wise to just let Zion go. Even if he extends, I doubt he wants to be here, and he's going to want to leave a year or two in to go elsewhere. Either that, or injuries are going to get him.

Either way, they need to get off him stat, and not wait for the inevitable. Be proactive before their hand is forced.

They also have a young star who doesn't want to be there, as well as a cache of picks, genius.

How hard it is or isn't to do doesn't invalidate the need, which is something you agree with, genius.

.

hopefully the suns can still pull this series out.

They weren’t gonna win the title. Hope he can come back - but if he’s gonna get injured in the playoffs this is sorta best case scenario.

mfs got the good run of injuries last year w/ AD, Murray and Kawhi. let them mfs survive now and see what they made of.

At least in the way I did the Nash Suns or the entitled ass Clippers.

But I can’t help but have zero sympathy for their injury luck, either.

that's a rough injury to have in the sense that could flare up again at any moment.

Hope he can come back in the second rounds, assuming the Suns beat the Pelicans of course.

Just give it to Greenie, Wilbon, Jalen and Stephen A.

I’ll take Shaq, Candace, and Wade over NBA today any day of the week
and I’m not that fond of them.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1516830553160527889

in this first quarter. Boston having a hard time getting clear and open space to operate in the paint.

Sloppy dribbling bad passes on both sides

im not sure eating during the game is gonna help much. that shit takes time to digest.

.

.

KD missing over 1/4 of the season, Kyrie missing about half…

This series effectively proves that even “super teams” still have to, ya know, TEAM.

You’ve been bullied two games in a row despite having two of the ten best players on earth. Wtf?

Nets literally don’t do anything well outside of their two stars. And if one of THOSE guys is off as Durant’s been then forget about it.

Ben Simmons will play in game 3. This game guarantees that.

Celtics with that 1980 style defense.

Good for him.

That's what happens when you hire a coach instead of a baby sitter



>


>
>West Round 1
>
>
>1 Phoenix Suns vs 8 New Orleans Pelicans
>2 Memphis Grizzlies vs 7 Minnesota Timberwolves
>3 Golden State Warriors vs 6 Denver Nuggets
>4 Utah Jazz vs 5 Dallas Mavericks
>
>
>
>East Round 1
>
>1 Miami Heat vs 8 Atlanta Hawks
>2 Boston Celtics vs 7 New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
>3 Milwaukee Bucks vs 6 Chicago Bulls
>4 Philadelphia 76ers vs 5 Toronto Raptors
>
>
>have at it
>
>

zero legit rings. 4th best SF of his time behind Bron, Giannis and Kawhi you hate to see it.

He’s definitely soft and thinking TOO much about his legacy but also dude redefined what it looks like to come back from an Achilles.

He’s borderline top 10 right today and can only go up. He’s fine.

He's been playing the 4 when Lopez is on and the 5 when Lopez is off a hell of a lot. And the vast majority of his work is done inside.

I'm leaving the Kawhi vs. KD debate for another day, lol.

https://twitter.com/HaterMuse/status/1516956292618805248

complete disappearing act.

He clamped him.

We’re seeing a passing whether or not KD knows

.

Like, who does what he does on both ends? What number of dudes?

Terrific defender. Elite shotmaker. This year he's turned into one of the best playmaking wings in the league too.

Who brings his balanced play, his offense creation, his overall skill to the floor? How many guys?

Cuz there aren't more than ten, I'll tell you that. There almost certainly aren't ten, period.

https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1516963752863625217

In that OKC Memphis series when Allen put the clamps on KD. He turned into a mental midget back then, as I suspect what’s going to happen now.

What Tatum is doing is obviously more impressive because of the load he’s expected to carry on the other end.

I’m fully on board with the idea of him passing KD this year

.

https://i.imgur.com/rxq7Dxq.jpg

The Sixers didn’t play that well, including Embiid in the first half, but that’s the MVP right there.

both players picked up an injury.

Middleton has some type of knee issue and Portis
has an eye abrasion.

If Middleton’s knee issue is serious, the Bucks will be screwed.

He couldn’t stop Giannis, but he was banging.

If Middleton is out for the series, we can win it. Giannis would
have to kill himself to pull his team through.

The North remembers.

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1517001294107525121

Because even if they get past the Bulls without Middleton-- and the Bulls could make it interesting if DeRozan keeps playing like this-- they won't get past the Celtics without Middleton.

Isn’t that the average amount of time needed to heal from that
type of injury?

https://twitter.com/DrNiravPandya/status/1517010179836891142

https://twitter.com/Dario_Melendez/status/1517180954313379842

I do think the Bucks can beat the Bulls without him - but Boston or Brooklyn is a whole other story.

They're still a deep team and Giannis is Giannis but...tough break

cuts and shit.

2nd half reverted to Durant and Ky hero ball

4th qtr was abysmal.

Durant/ky 1-9 in the 4th

Woulda been real nice to have some x and o's down the stretch.

and people arent really going at kyrie (even tho he was more of a non factor for the whole game).

maybe its due to some sensitivity around him fasting during ramadan and dealing with energy issues.

but im surprised there hasnt been more criticism of kyrie from the media just based off all the game 1 antics and the media just generally not liking him.

barely cracked double digits in points (kd put up 27).

actually had just as bad a +/- as kd (-19 and -20).

i mean...kyrie easily had a worse game in game 2 than kd had in game 1.

just weird how the criticism is overwhelmingly for kd.

blame so far goes in this order:

Durant
Durant
Nash
Durant
Nash
Durant
Nash
Durant
Nash
Kyrie
Durant
Durant
Nash

even while they criticized kyries interactions with the fans and post game comments...i think a lot of the media still had a ton of respect for the way he brought it in game 1.

but this is 2 straight underperformances for kd.

I don't think anyone reasonable expected the Bulls to play this tough. I still think the Bucks have another level that they can hit. I'm hoping the Bulls can step it up and keep fighting like this.

Sucks about Middleton, I never like seeing players going down in a series.

i wouldnt be surprised if the bulls actually outscored the bucks for the majority of quarters.

wouldn’t be as prolific in the 80s or 90s.

The NBA has allowed for more physical play and it’s a treat to watch, and you
can see how uncomfortable KD is.

So imagine him going up against Pippen or Rodman and being smothered
and being given chest to chest defense.

We saw Hardens game last season even before the injury decline somewhat.
He wasn’t allowed to draw hook fouls or push off, and he has been unable to
get separation.

kd look like shit, its the bball i grew up on.

I normally only check for a couple playoff games in the first round, but i've found myself trying to watch every single game this year.

He’s dominate on both sides of the floor.

Sixers 3-0, looked great the first two games and not as great last night but still got the W.

Luka
Booker
Middleton
Capela
Timelord
Scottie Barnes

Plus all the players who've been out - Simmons, MPJ, Murray, Zion, Lonzo...

War of attrition.

Which is my way of saying that I'm blaming COVID and the shortened time in-between seasons since COVID hit.

I hope it's better next season, when there's a "proper" off-season.

Of course, add more games (that stupid in-season tournament) won't help.

Not sure if it's really attributed to the shorter offseasons or just plain bad luck. But it's a real shame. Would be great to have these teams at full strength.

There's so much more rim running, fighting for/through screens, suddenly popping or closing on five+ feet of space and so many more aggressive drives to the hoops and missed long range jumpers that rebounds are more chaotic.

It's similar to the way a pitcher injury in baseball isn't a question of if but when in the modern velocity arms race.


~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

nobody in Japan wanted that stupid shit eitehr in the midst of a global pandemic.

world class athletes sleeping on cardboard beds and eating airplane food...shit was embarassing

>Which is my way of saying that I'm blaming COVID and the
>shortened time in-between seasons since COVID hit.
>
>I hope it's better next season, when there's a "proper"
>off-season.
>
>Of course, add more games (that stupid in-season tournament)
>won't help.

Running down the roster and seeing players who went to Japan and spent a significant amount of time injured this season: KD, Lillard, Draymond, Jerami Grant, and to some extent Bam and Lavine.

i don't expect them to win the series even without kris. BUT this commitment to defense that just now came out of nowhere has me thinking we can compete and not get embarrassed as we did in the second half of the regular season. Plus Zach is past due for a big game. It's coming.

I just wanted ONE competitive game.
Got two, and a tie series heading to the UC.
I'm not gonna complain at all.

I might even go to one of those watch parties where the kids be at.

this newfound effort has my attention and i think i care again.

~~~~~~~~~
"This is the streets, and I am the trap." � Jay Bilas
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/archive/contributor/517
Hip Hop Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ll4kzz

I need him to be a bit more cerebral and not so …dramatic / impulsive

the constant flailing, complaining, bitch ass body language, pouty face, dumb ass fouls, etc.

21-0 run by Memphis

Most obnoxiously Millenial team I’ve seen in some time. Dramatic, whiny, fragile, etc.

so he can bounce to a funner city.

that shit has been par for the course in the modern nba but you need to have a certain amount of playoff clout to make it happen without looking like a complete bitch. towns ain't got any clout. but you know his ass is gonna try. hopefully he gets roasted when/if it happens.

Their “Big 3” never click at the same time

you can see it in their face.

I don't even know who coaches the T-Wolves, but they gotta hold that L too.

>I don't even know who coaches the T-Wolves, but they gotta
>hold that L too.

Chris Finch, he was hired last year from Toronto’s staff mid season, something that NEVER happens

And I will take the L if he wins MIP or gets an AS patch next year.

Dude is consistently balling and adjusting to playoff basketball in spectacular fashion.

It helps him somewhat in that the Jazz perimeter defense is absolute trash, but he is balling quite hard.

I'll be impressed if Cuban manages to hold onto him in the off-season.

They're out here fighting tho.

A revolutionary, game-changing presence.

And yeah, that last play was just hardcore clutch defense.

Shoulda been one of the Kawhi years, and this year if his health was even marginally better - he wins in a landslide.

rewatching it a few times .. https://streamable.com/4qljef


he waits till joker grabs his hip, and prepares to turn/fade away. As soon as he feels that contact, he knows he can step up into jokers space, and he most likely also knows exactly where joker dribbles the ball when he's backing down in the post.

Greatest thing about Dray is that his advantage is as much physical as it is mental.

That was cold to seal the game.

An amazing performance.

But you can’t beat a terrific team like the Warriors by yourself with Will Barton and Monte Morris. Just isn’t going to happen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<---- 5....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlgiritpmfo

=======================================

That Golden State small lineup is no joke, and they can hit
you with Kuminga, Porter, Payton, iggy , Lee off the bench.

They coming outta of the west, and now with Milwaukee up shit
creek, I can’t see anyone being able to compete with them.
Giannis is the best player in the league, but that will not be
enough without Middleton. Giannis is about to see all kinds of
triple teams.

Says a LOT about how a person is watching hoops

You either see it. Or you don’t.

I go to 3-5 Wizards games a year, in good seats (not to humblebrag)

I can tell you that I think it was a Tuesday night in February. That isn’t usually some prime period for high level competition. But on that night I witnessed the Warriors in person up close and it was like Moses seeing the Burning Bush

If you ever see Durant UP CLOSE it’s actually confusing to the eye. He’s 7 foot with no meat on his bones handling like AI and splashing like Ray Allen. It’s hard to compute.

At one point during a TV timeout, Steph chucked one up from just behind half court near the scorer’s table and swished. The crowd exploded, albeit for a shot that didn’t count and wasn’t even televised. We just couldn’t believe the magic.

But tucked inside all of this basketball surrealism was Draymond Green. Again, I’ve been to many NBA games and seen everyone when they come through DC - Kobe, Duncan, AI, MJ when he was here obviously, Durant… In all my time I’d never seen one player play such ferocious defense during a meaningless regular season game. I am not exaggerating - from the opening tip Draymond was checking guys like it was Game 7 of the Finals. Handfighting under the rim. Constantly , forcefully, adjusting his position for a rebound. It reminded me of Rodman.

Watching the Warriors that night was like watching The Allman Brothers or Outkast in their primes, a seemingly bizarre collection of vastly different personalities and skills that nonetheless was wildly effective.

Of every superhuman thing Durant did , as effortless as Klay seemed, as breathtaking as Steph’s shot making was, the guy I came away from most impressed by was Draymond Green. Think about it - surrounded by these alpha talents, he was affecting the game most consistently of any of his teammates. Not on athleticism…on attitude and effort. That spirit is why you can never rule this team out if everyone is healthy. They’re elite at shooting , but don’t get it twisted they will rip your fucking heart out if given the opportunity.

I love Draymond Green man. Love him.

Enjoyed reading your account. It was easy to get a sense of your experience.

when every game he was putting that game seven level effort in.

These days he doesn't put in the same level of defensive effort into every regular season game as he used to. Its understandable as he's gotten a little older and even smarter.


I'm prepared to put him ahead of Kawhi as the best defender in the nba since 2015ish

games.

but yeah, they built different.

and the role players that stick are built in their image. JTA, GP2, D Lee. and now imagine kuminga learning them lessons. (like jp learned from steph and klay)


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

...had three HOFers out there. Lots of MFers are still in denial.

And people will scream about the PPG, and it won't matter. Otherworldly defensive presences make the Hall. That's Draymond.

https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1517365140634714120

>https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1517365140634714120

>

first round has been highly entertaining...whether you are here for the basketball or for the agendas.

talking about going home drinking wine and decompressing lol

https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1517335046721581057

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1517374705052921856?s=20&t=P7QyTyMTfD-eXQF4G7WHpQ

this team is a mess..A-Rod somewhere fuming

fire up the trade rumors to Knicks this summer bc Randle is done here as well

The stories change QUICK in the NBA

>The stories change QUICK in the NBA

They need a steady hand. Pat might be a vet but he too emotional to steady the ship. And Finch let them drown last night

classic

i dont even know the point of keeping someone like that around at that price tag.

They could get a great haul to build around Edwards and Russell.

but according to basketball-reference.com, KAT has two years left on his contact

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01.html#all_all_salaries

Not max level, but damn near max level at two years left isn't the friendliest contact to have to maneuver IMO. For better or for worse, I don't think the Timberwolves are going to try and trade Towns.

and dude still manages to disappear in multiple games despite the fact folks are launching threes more than ever these days.

Hopefully he'll find a way to turn things around since he's capable of being a threat on the offensive end of the floor. Time will tell since it appears each game tends to swing wildly from the prior game's activities.

This has been a pretty first round series given the disparity in the rankings.