aka the Warriors coronation begins tomorrow. I dont see too many upsets in the first round, maybe the Pacers over the Raptors, because the 3, 4, 5, 6 and seeds are all very even.
News to note. I have been mentioning for months now that the ideal person to coach the TWolves is Thibs because he has the pieces of a great defensive team with Rubio/Towns/Dieng. If he could mold Lavine and Wiggins, its just the ideal spot, and rumors are he is their number 1 choice. It almost makes too much sense. If they can win a top 2 selection in the lottery and somehow get Simmons or Ingram..... watch out. I think that will be a good match for both parties involved.
Of course my memory may be foggy: I was so distraught by the reality that the Warriors won't sweep the Houston Rockets. Darkest period in Warriors history? I say yes.
See here's my problem with the play. Harden sticking his forearm out, prevents Iggy from getting to him. In that situation, its impossbile for him to get physical or even contest a shot. I still think there was enough contact to garner even more separation.
But the fact of the matter that you are allowed to lead with your forearm sticking out is absurd. You arent allowed to box out that way. You arent allowed to screen someone like that. You cant out your forearm on a guy dribbling. I jsut dont see it as a basketball play.
I can live with that. Let me put it this way: If I later reflect on that play as among the five worst non calls the Warriors faced in these playoffs I think they'll have been lucky.
Hell, one Spurs game alone will eclipse that.
Holy shit. I guess on the one hand I'm not super invested in the call because it just delayed the inevitable Warriors series victory, but I wanted to sweep those fools!
Harden committed offensive foul prior to game winner - ( New Window )
You would have if for whatever reason the refs give Harden the superstar treatment. The criticism for things other than his defense should start to grow.
I'd go Spurs in 6, but wouldn't be shocked @ all if OKC pulled it out.
Maybe the wrong way to put it. But suddenly some drama has been inserted into their run, and I'm damn curious to see what happens on the court. Maybe Barnes responds in a heretofore unBarnesian way and becomes a threatening basketball player. Maybe Draymond puts up triple after triple double. Maybe Klay goes full alpha, or Iggy re-emerges.
Can't wait to find out.
Another franchise that needs to start from scratch.
Hallelujah!
sucks how injuries are once again playing such a big role in these playoffs.
Also, the level of effort on D from KD and RW is extremely disappointing
I keep hearing praise for Charlotte, but I think they have peaked. They're not as young as people would assume; all of their major contributors outside Kemba are vets. Coming into free agency, they have Marvin Williams, Courtney Lee, Nic Batum, and Al Jefferson are UFAs, 3 of which are starters. I can't see them achieving the same sort of success if MKG, Lamb and Hawes have to carry the burden. I think it's pretty likely they lose 2 of those guys, and if that happens, I have a hard time seeing how they get into the playoffs again.
Not sure that they'd be able to afford Howard if they retain Batum, Lee and Marvin. I think early reports suggest that they are going to offer Batum the max which I believe is in the $25-27M range. This is a guess but I think Lee and Williams will each get around $10M a year because of the limited 3 and D options (especially for Williams since he plays the "stretch 4"). Howard is looking for a max and although thats crazy I wouldn't be surprised if there are offers close to it, at least upwards of $20M a year. Charlotte has $45M-ish in available cap so I have a hard time seeing how they come back as strong next year. If I had to predict a landing spot for Howard its Dallas, followed by Boston as a worst case scenario for them.
That's been their philosophy. The one time they have the worst record they fall out of the 1st pick and get stuck with MKG over Anthony Davis. They've given up picks, prospects for a 1 year rental of Batum (3 months rental for Lee). Unless they blow up the roster they're not gonna land top picks, and unless they keep spending money on good role players (and not top FAs) they're gonna miss the playoffs. This is the path Michael has chosen.
Durant is a historic scorer statistically but he needs to erupt against a Spurs team that isn't even using Kawhi against him. And Westbrook can't look lost everytime that Kawhi is guarding him.
Donovan also can't look like a chump vs. Pop as is expected.
Big game, I'm expecting another easy Spurs win because they are truly a historically great team. But the Thunder will always have a punchers chance with their top two at their best. Huge game for the Thunder in this era.
Kawhi is Incredible, it's just mind blowing to me how good he is. He's better than Peak Pippen right now, he's better than Russ or KD right now. He's better than a hobbled Curry. He might even be better than LeBron because of his superior shooting and defense. He's incredible. I probably jinxed him for this game, and I hope I did because I want this series to be a long one.
Pippens ball handling was great and maybe have him more "Lebron-like carry a team" ability than Kawhi has. But Kawhis far superior shooting makes him a better "icing on the cake" player, probably the main reason why MJ is viewed as better than LeBron.
But I also agree that for what Leonard is asked to do... There hasn't been many better period.
But Jordan was a monster from midrange. Even if his athletic ability was gone, he could rely on that and his post play. What does Lebron have? He's inconsistent from midrange, and he's a poor 3 point shooter in a league where that has become that much more important. When his athleticism fades, what's his fallback? Defensively maybe at the 4, but even then, with the stretch 4 becoming the norm, is he consistent enough to be effective there? I guess time will tell, but I wish he had perfected some facet of his offensive game over the course of his career.
In fact, I think playing with someone like KP who can stretch the floor but man the 5 on defense would actually help his legacy.
As great as Westbrook is, he's not the most clutch player and struggles in these type of situations. He needs to show up here.
1-1, best of 5.
Leonard wasn't good late while Aldridge carried them.
Big 3 by Waiters late.
Who do you think Wins in the finals? Cavs or Warriors?