NBA thread

[duluoz]

Eastern Conference playoffs have been mostly a waste of time.

What JJ Redick did in game 4 was mind-boggling by any standards. I've read that most people around the Lakes are pretty happy with his coaching. Can't argue with the results. But playing 5 total players in the second half -- that's right, five players played 24 minutes in the second half for the Lakers -- I mean wtf? Let's consider some factors:

1. His best player is 40 and has the most minutes played in NBA history by a lot. He had already played 22 minutes in the first half.
2. His second best player is fat and out of shape, and also had a stomach virus about 36 hours before.
3. The iron five included no center, which meant that they had to defend the extremely physical Julius Randle and the Wolves' big men with a PF and 2 SFs -- Lebron, Finney-Smith and Rui Hachimura. Obviously Lebron is capable of banging, but it's tiring and makes those 46 minutes seem even longer.

If only JJ Redick had any experience with playing a lot of minutes, and then getting some fatigue, and then not playing very well in key moments, and then getting bounced early on in a tournament his team was favored to win . . .

East hasn't been “mostly a waste of time” IMO, but not nearly as good as the West. The Pistons/Knicks series has been a LOT of fun, with the last three games decided by a total of 9 points, and Detroit a no-call away from tying the series 2-2. That last game was one of the best of the playoffs, which is very high praise. Super fun game.

Boston/Orlando has been very chippy, if not very pretty. Bucks started to show life, but Lillard is a crushing blow all around. Feel terrible for him.

Regarding Redick, shocker — the guy’s still a prick. His smug disdain for everyone is palpable (except Luka, lebron, Austin, and of course bronny), including his bench, and especially the media. It was partly a stunt, and based on the 3rd Q before they apparently ran out of gas, it almost worked. But it was also partly a message to his bench, to the media, and to the front office that he doesn’t have enough to win, and hey everyone look at what drastic measures he has to resort to, waaaah.

 

[superrific]

East hasn't been “mostly a waste of time” IMO, but not nearly as good as the West. The Pistons/Knicks series has been a LOT of fun, with the last three games decided by a total of 9 points, and Detroit a no-call away from tying the series 2-2. That last game was one of the best of the playoffs, which is very high praise. Super fun game.

Boston/Orlando has been very chippy, if not very pretty. Bucks started to show life, but Lillard is a crushing blow all around. Feel terrible for him.

Regarding Redick, shocker — the guy’s still a prick. His smug disdain for everyone is palpable (except Luka, lebron, Austin, and of course bronny), including his bench, and especially the media. It was partly a stunt, and based on the 3rd Q before they apparently ran out of gas, it almost worked. But it was also partly a message to his bench, to the media, and to the front office that he doesn’t have enough to win, and hey everyone look at what drastic measures he has to resort to, waaaah.

1. I forgot about Det-NYK. Have only been watching sporadically and that series hasn't been on. You're right.
2. Boston-Orlando isn't a real series. Orl won one game lucky, and they won't win again. It's hard for me to care about any games in a series that was over before it started.
3. You're reading A LOT into bench management in a single half of a single game.

 

[duluoz]

3. You're reading A LOT into bench management in a single half of a single game.

Maybe. It’s possible it was just a miscalculated gamble that didn’t pay off.

But as calculated as Redick is, I see more to it than that. I see it as a gamble with a safety net — if it works, it’s “brilliant” and historic. If it doesn’t, he claims his hands were tied and he had no better alternative… and it highlights the roster needs.

But either way, it’s a clear sign of disrespect for the bench. It can’t do much for locker room chemistry. You think those guys want to go to war for you after you just humiliated them in historic fashion?

 

[Heelsandeers]

Keeping up with results and catching a few games here and there

But still haven't been watching this season for whatever reason

I am looking forward to the 2nd round matchups

 

[duluoz]

Maybe. It’s possible it was just a miscalculated gamble that didn’t pay off.

But as calculated as Redick is, I see more to it than that. I see it as a gamble with a safety net — if it works, it’s “brilliant” and historic. If it doesn’t, he claims his hands were tied and he had no better alternative… and it highlights the roster needs.

But either way, it’s a clear sign of disrespect for the bench. It can’t do much for locker room chemistry. You think those guys want to go to war for you after you just humiliated them in historic fashion?

I don’t think I was too far off with this assessment of how Redick managed the bench in that series. That historic second half was followed by using Maxi Kleber, who hadn’t played in months due to injury. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t effective.

That’s another move that could be questioned as inexperienced, a total reach, etc. And don’t get me wrong, Redick has shown plenty immaturity. But these moves were because things were slipping away and he wanted to send a clear message to the front office that he doesn’t have the pieces he thinks he needs. Even if he couldn’t come right out and say it. But he lost that locker room in the process, and there are big questions to contend with in the offseason.

In either case, bahahahaha lakers and lebron and Luka and Redick, and I hope Cancun has a jet ski with training wheels waiting for bronny

 

[duluoz]

I love that the Warriors gutted out a long tough series with their backs squarely against the wall, and what an effort by Steph and Jimmy in that second half to bring it home after lousy first halves by both. I don’t love that it required a total anomaly of a game by Buddy (he was out of his mind — 33/3/3 on 12-15, 9-11 from 3, no turnovers and fantastic D on FVV)… And I don’t love that Steph seems pretty worn down already and has a monstrous looking shooting thumb, that the dirty f’ing rockets took aim at all series long. Scumbags.

But I still like their chances to get by the Wolves. It’ll be tough, they’re very confident right now. And more rested.

 

[Rock]

Playoffs have been phenomenal this year.

 

[BlueSteel]

Just thought I'd drop in to congratulate any Knicks fans in here on winning their NBA Championship last night—you know, by actually taking one game vs the Celtics. Cheers on a legendary season.

 

[4thgenheel]

Playoffs have been phenomenal this year.

yep. very enjoyable. seemingly every game is tight and dramatic.

 

[duluoz]

More insane playoff basketball. Pacers miraculous comeback and finish, to steal both games in Cleveland

Steph just pulled a hammy after scoring 13 in 13 mins. Decent lead at the half but this is big big trouble of course.

He’ll miss at least a game or two. Maybe more. Turns this game into a must-win.

 

[dcf2]

The road teams are 5-0 in round 2.

 

[4thgenheel]

The road teams are 5-0 in round 2.

 

[Heelsandeers]

Even in one of the best years in franchise history, Cleveland still gonna Cleveland

Didn't realize Garland has been out though. Really puts a damper on that series and Cavs season

 

[Healing]

Even in one of the best years in franchise history, Cleveland still gonna Cleveland

Didn't realize Garland has been out though. Really puts a damper on that series and Cavs season

They were without Mobley (DPOY candidate) and Hunter (6th man), too.

 

[Heelsandeers]

They were without Mobley (DPOY candidate) and Hunter (6th man), too.

Damn, didn't catch that. Makes it an even more painful L

Props to Indy though. Really like what they've done with this young core

Will be pulling for them hard vs BOS/NYK

 

[superrific]

They were without Mobley (DPOY candidate) and Hunter (6th man), too.

Yeah, the bigger surprise is that they almost won with three of their top 6 out, and arguably the most important player. BTW Mobley won DPOY this year. He had a $45M kicker in his contract. I wouldn't ever do that for a young player. I understand the idea to motivate him, but you might be setting him up with the wrong type of motivation. He might not put in the same effort.

 

[Delta74]

Damn, didn't catch that. Makes it an even more painful L

Props to Indy though. Really like what they've done with this young core

Will be pulling for them hard vs BOS/NYK

The Pacers are good and at full strength. Cavs gotta have those 3 players back to come back and win that series.

 

[duluoz]

Even in one of the best years in franchise history, Cleveland still gonna Cleveland

Didn't realize Garland has been out though. Really puts a damper on that series and Cavs season

Garland, Mobley, Hunter all out last game. I’m unsure of their status but Cavs are in trouble right now.

Pacers are still a team I have trouble believing in though, so I don’t think it’s over.

 

[Peppers49]

Celtics choke again as Tatum turns it over and can’t even get off a shot on the final possession down 1. Just hate to see it! Couldn’t happen to a better franchise and player.

 

[Zoo_View]

Celtics choke again as Tatum turns it over and can’t even get off a shot on the final possession down 1. Just hate to see it! Couldn’t happen to a better franchise and player.

Tatum, to me, is as likeable of a d00kie as there is.

Glad he whiffed on the last play and the Celtics lost…….hate d00k and dislike the Celtics.