this is sure as hell as big series for Harden. He has no excuses. His team is healthy and playing well. GS lost Cousins, Steph/Klay hurt, turmoil as far as FA coming, not defending anyone, not getting any calls )thats for you santa).
If Harden shits the bed thsi year, he deserves all the criticism.
these 2 series today i am looking forward to the most Â
Plain and simple. After exposing Embiid last year he’s out here limiting Giannis. I friggin love this guy. It’s too bad that people look at his typical 13/7/3 type box score and think “he’s ok”. He’s more than ok, he’s the perfect teammate.
Thompson wasn't called for a foul every time Harden fell down after shooting a 3. I consider that a victory because some of those could have been legitimate fouls.
Not that I feel bad about it because I'm certain Curry will be in the receiving end multiple times with nary a whistle, but that was fortunate.
Plain and simple. After exposing Embiid last year he’s out here limiting Giannis. I friggin love this guy. It’s too bad that people look at his typical 13/7/3 type box score and think “he’s ok”. He’s more than ok, he’s the perfect teammate.
That block sequence on Giannis was a statement.
Average Al as idiots call him. He's a helluva player.
Dissaponting loss. Harden needs to get his shot going, like dep said this is “another” legacy defining series for him. Right now he’s a playoff underachiever.
Warriors still got away with a handful of dirty closeouts on 3. The refs are
playin a dangerous game not calling those. It’s a dirty play and the main reason they’ve emphasized the rule is because of the dirty play of the Warriors and Zaza. Smh. Hopefully the refs call it right these next games after the league office shows them this tape.
Still should’ve fun this. Durant is just too damn good in the mid range.
Both the Rockets and Bucks. The two MVP candidates really came up small today.
Hopefully Philly shows something more because otherwise Toronto will eliminate them fairly easily. There was a time less than 2 years ago where some people thought Butler was almost Kawhis equal. Well that looks like a joke now. Butler really needs to step up because this is a big series for his career. Embiid too, Marc Gasol owned him Game 1.
managed to finish with only two fewer FT attempts than the Rockets, but I sure as shit don't count on that happening again.
I definitely think they could have been called for fouls on a few of those 3 point attempts, but on the other hand, the Warriors defender seldom just charged at a Rocket that was going straight up and down. Harden was generally moving/jumping forward. I'm still shocked he didn't get the call, but I'm not going to sympathize.
There were at least 3 that should’ve been fouls, on a couple the Rockets were trying to draw the foul. Either way the Rockets still had plenty of chances to win. Oh well on to the next one.
I would be shocked if the Rockets don't go to the line 30+ times on Tuesday, and if at least two starting Warriors aren't in foul trouble by the 2nd quarter.
If he gives them 85% of what Kawhi gives the Raptors, the Sixers are probably the more talented team. It’s just that Kawhi looks monstrous right now.
Bigtime ugly win by the Sixers. Almost better this way than winning when everything is going right for you.
Embiid really needs to show up though. After Giannis/Kawhi, Embiid has as good of a case as any as the 3rd best player in the East. He needs to play like it.
If he gives them 85% of what Kawhi gives the Raptors, the Sixers are probably the more talented team. It’s just that Kawhi looks monstrous right now.
Bigtime ugly win by the Sixers. Almost better this way than winning when everything is going right for you.
Embiid really needs to show up though. After Giannis/Kawhi, Embiid has as good of a case as any as the 3rd best player in the East. He needs to play like it.
100% correct though to be fair Embiid is sick. I’m in a house with two kids with strep. I’m sympathetic!
As amazing as Giannis is, Middleton is still their best “give him the ball to score” threat in the half court.
Unless Giannis is really is Shaq remixed where overpowering is legitimately the only option necessary, he’ll need a jumper. And even Shaq had great perimeter scorers when he won.
I think he's the MVP. But he was underwhelming on Sunday & really hasn't done a ton tonight, that one dunk aside. I'm just expecting more from the Freak. Hopefully he delivers in the second half.
But Kyle Lowry is insufferable. He BITCHES every freaking possession. One of the more unlikable players in the league, a poor man's Chris Paul if you will.
Of these teams are beyond unlikable. But give me the Raptors.
Embiid and Simmons have somehow made me start to appreciate Jimmy Butler. I find them both annoying on a personal level. Kyle Lowry is a massive whiner and is annoying to watch play given his histrionics, but he doesn’t seem anywhere near as insufferable off the court.
Plus Kawhi is a gangster.
It is crazy how raptors are the 2 seed this year Â
Not sure if a lottery team if Kawhi leaves, which I totally expect. Siakim will become The Man & he's damn good already & will only get better. They obviously won't be a 2 seed, but they'll probably be a 6, 7 seed.
Not sure if a lottery team if Kawhi leaves, which I totally expect. Siakim will become The Man & he's damn good already & will only get better. They obviously won't be a 2 seed, but they'll probably be a 6, 7 seed.
But Kyle Lowry is insufferable. He BITCHES every freaking possession. One of the more unlikable players in the league, a poor man's Chris Paul if you will.
Not to mention Lowry could realistically be called for a foul every single time he guards someone.
This is a huge series for both franchises. If Toronto is bounced here, the chances of Kawhi sticking around go from like 5% to 0. If Philadelphia loses, I can't see them giving max deals to both Harris & Butler.
I mean they may win this series. But the extension to Lowry was dumb. Trading for Gasoline was even dumber. They ruined Ibaka this year, who was playing pretty well. Gasol is terrible.
I get the trade for Leonard but I am sure he is leaving.
He was never predicted to become such a well-rounded offensive force. I feel like his ceiling was considered to be a Shawn Mrion type. Just can't think of many players who were predicted to become very good on one side of the ball and decent on the other, only to become 99th percentile on both.
Klay Thompson is another example in that his defensive ability was never predicted, but I think Kawhi represents the most exceptional case.
I saw it was close in the 3rd then was doing other shit. Next time I look up, 3OT w/ 1min left. Den goes up 4 w/ 30s left. CJ & DLill get two super quick layups, a 'new age' overturned call where it was deflected by CJ but in SloMo you see it's still on Murray's fingers b4 going out. Then a miss by Murray
Glad I at least caught the last bit...4OT here we go
Definitely seems like the Rockets would be better served by playing Harden off the ball in these end of game situations. He’s not getting the same whistles he does in the regular season and it kills all of the offensive flow.
Extremely fortunate that bomb three went in. He would have gotten killed otherwise. Rockets went on a run as soon as they stopped the Harden iso-ball and then he went back to it on multiple possessions. He needed that one to go in.
I wonder if Houston is gonna gripe about the noncall on what should have been an offensive foul inning harden.
2. Steph Curry has been an absolute dog this series. Complete no show.
after finding success with it, GSW refuses to double / trap Harden early near half court. Plus if you do go 1-on-1, how do you force him right? That step back needs to be guarded the other way so when you do step up to him, you're on the ball side. Andre is a top defender but that makes little sense
Then Steph misses a layup & dunk late. A non-called charge on Harden. And no late foul w/ 20 or so left, just give up?
Well no skin off my back. Made it a close game, makes it a closer series
35% from the field and 25% from downtown with 5 fouls per game. I’ve ripped Harden for his poor performances so there’s nothing wrong with saying Curry has been terrible this series.
The irony of Hardens eye injury is that he is shooting much better since it. Weird.
Mainly because Currys 3pt shooting is probably the biggest cheat code this league has ever seen.
All the advanced play-by-play metrics point to Curry being undeniably more important to the Warriors than Durant. They barely miss a beat when Durant is hurt/Curry plays yet they’re barely over .500 when Curry’s hurt/KD plays.
And even if you ignore those results/metrics, when you watch teams defend the Warriors they generally make Steph priority #1 leaving Durant with easier opportunities.
I still believe all that to be true, but it’s pretty clear that Durant is the more complete 2-way player and harder to stop offensive force. Even if Curry has a higher team ceiling to his outbursts, he’s just not as consistent or complete as Durant and that matters more in the playoffs.
With LeBron not in the mix right now, the Crown is up for grabs. 2016 Curry wore it for a bit after he hit that 40ft buzzer beater over Durant and OKC. This was his league at that moment until LeBron took it back in the Finals. But with the Crown up for grabs again right now, KD and Kawhi seem to be the two who are really making a statement that it should be theirs while Curry is nowhere to be seen.
18-7-4 on 5-12 shooting... I mean, it's not exactly up to his usual level but it's not some complete no show like your average 2018 Eli Manning game.
Wow. You’ve reached a new low. I know you tried to zing me there but your undeniable obsession of taking shots at me on a personal level is sad.
I hope you reverse course, but you get joy out of following me and making these posts all the time. Time to get some help.
I don't mind making what I consider to be harmless little jabs here and there, but I admit to forgetting that as far as you're concerned, jabs against Eli aren't harmless and for that, I apologize.
Brook Lopez has become a really good role player. Love how the Bucks use him on both ends. I think he’s leading the Bucks in +/- again tonight.
One of the most overlooked storylines of this year has been Lopez.
He’s opened up the game for Giannis and it could be argued that the Lakers opting for McGee instead of him was a playoff costing move considering how much spacing he would’ve added to a team without shooting like the Lakers.
Just a weirdly good career for Brook who adapted his game to a degree most wouldn’t be capable of.
Ha. I'm thinking the same thing. Celtics get smoked in five, a few players pop off to the media about chemistry, Kyrie bolts. I don't even care if he comes to NY, I just want chaos for the Celtics. They don't have any more gift-wrapped top five picks courtesy of Brooklyn.
It’s almost unfathomable that after this year. All the Cs are going to have to show for the Nets heist is a projectable, but overrated asset in Tatum and role player Jaylen Brown.
was basically him admitting he doesnt want to be the lead dog, media ran with it thinking he was going to the lakers, but i think it was him just saying the lead dog is overrated
It’s almost unfathomable that after this year. All the Cs are going to have to show for the Nets heist is a projectable, but overrated asset in Tatum and role player Jaylen Brown.
Yep, they didn't cash that in the way everyone assumed. People jumped the gun on that Celtics dynasty.
was basically him admitting he doesnt want to be the lead dog, media ran with it thinking he was going to the lakers, but i think it was him just saying the lead dog is overrated
Nothing Kyrie says means anything. Dude has proven that he is truly a weird person.
Total baller but you can’t try to read his moves off the court or else he’ll just cross you up like he does on the court.
For a while I thought he was better than Lillard. He probably is in terms of skillset and offensive repertoire, but it’s not a contest in terms of ability to carry a franchise.
Is Budenholzer. Goes from a crappy situation to probably a top 3 job. Here’s a guy who was awesome in atlanta... and gets to go to a young team with a top 3 player in the NBA.
was basically him admitting he doesnt want to be the lead dog, media ran with it thinking he was going to the lakers, but i think it was him just saying the lead dog is overrated
I think it was complaining about young guys. Young guys still want to establish themselves while vets are more willing to do the dirty work as a Kyrie or LeBron just does whatever they want on offense. Kyrie was apologizing for being like (Tatum, Brown, Rozier?) those guys with LeBron.
Before he put on weight and developed monstrous strength while sacrificing agility, the only thing remotely close to it is what Giannis is right now. Those young Wilt highlights always reminded me of The Predator just deciding to play basketball. Giannis is reminiscent of that in 2019 against elite athletes who train 24/7 at the highest levels. Special player.
Their defense was awful tonight and they chucked up too Â
PJ tucker is the most physical player out there lay far and has less fouls than klay, curry, and green.
Houston will probably win this game and have the edge in the series unless Curry does something. His defense is f’n atrocious and he still can’t make a3.
Show me a dirty play by him. He’s just a wrecking ball. Pushing Durant around before he gets the ball is the only way to defend him, he’s gangly kinda weak and has a super high center of gravity. Tucker is just getting in his space line you have to. He hasn’t done any dirty shit like Draymond.
Refs keeping GS alive with those soft calls to put them in the bonus with 7 mins left. Just have to hang on here, far from over.
are the refs going to let Curry get fouled before they actually call it?
The refs may have missed some fouls on Harden's threes in game 1, but on the whole they've been absolutely atrocious in the Rockets favor in this series.
Curry definitely doesn’t get the fouls he deserves Â
are the refs going to let Curry get fouled before they actually call it?
The refs may have missed some fouls on Harden's threes in game 1, but on the whole they've been absolutely atrocious in the Rockets favor in this series.
Harden gets away with more offensive fouls than anyone in history. But unless Klay andncurry start making 3s, I don’t like GS chances.
the Warriors beat their asses in Oakland. I have zero interest in watching another game played by the Rockets. Most unlikable team in a long long time in my opinion.
Has been so key. For an ex-players son, he plays with a real chip on his shoulder. Morey adding him and Shumpert during the year has really added some much needed perimeter toughness beyond Paul/Tucker, which is necessary vs. GS.
I won’t lie. When Kyrie airballed that open three, for a half second, I considered the possibility that he really doesn’t give a fuck and wants this over. It’s not the case, but what an indictment that we can even consider it, even in jest.
but this series has exposed a few issues for the Celtics. Budenholzer is coaching the pants off Stevens, max contract Hayward is getting outplayed by JAGs like Ilyasova and Connaughton (he suffered a brutal injury, so I'm not blaming him, but still..), and the Nets heist didn't provide the embarrassment of riches many had expected. I'm here for all of it.
Hayward. I don't think anyone expected much from him this year but a lot of people can't help but point at his lack of star production and his contract. If he's still not right next year then it's time to worry about him. But the guy may never be what he was before, which was just a fringe all-star.
I wonder if ainge still goes after Davis with Kyrie leaving for sure.
Hayward. I don't think anyone expected much from him this year but a lot of people can't help but point at his lack of star production and his contract. If he's still not right next year then it's time to worry about him. But the guy may never be what he was before, which was just a fringe all-star.
I wonder if ainge still goes after Davis with Kyrie leaving for sure.
That leaves his stepback open, aside from giving him the lane on his strong side. So far I've only seen KD do this right, tho he has an advantage w/ his length regardless
They also might consider trapping him more tho I'd use that more late clock & late game. Give anyone else more shots, atm only Tucker is providing any 2ndary scoring
you gotta expect he'll be less than 100% even if he does come back soon. Unless it's really minor, you'd think that doesn't heal until the offseason. But we'll see
Realized they were mortal and started playing like they were worried about dying for once. Ugh. Barring something crazy looks like they just made a massive statement
But the lower body injuries scare the hell out of me. Dude has to improve his dieting & conditioning. I hope Philly wins tonight & Rockets win tomorrow. Give us 2 Game 7s on Sunday.
I figured the Warriors had no shot in this game and would have to close out at home. I knew that at least two of Curry, Green and Thompson would be in foul trouble, but I never could have predicted Livingston and Bell would actually contribute.
because I thought he was as close to a prototypical point guard on both ends of the floor. I loved his game and overlooked his dirty tendencies. I hated the college nut-punch. But I thought he was maligned for being on bad teams in the NBA.
But as he's gotten older and perhaps a half step slower, his antics have gotten worse and worse. He's such a dirty player. Every game he deploys such cheap tactics to try and trick the refs and pretend like he was knocked out or hit the head. On top of that, he seems like such an asshole.
When you combine that with Harden's tactics, and I just have such a hard time rooting for Houston. And I'm a huge Morey fan.
I can appreciate Harden's skill. He has mastered footwork, timing, and reading his defender better than perhaps anyone in the history of the game. But the way he uses it to draw contact, flop, and kick out his legs makes it so frustrating to appreciate how brilliant a technician he is.
Aesthetically, I just love his form. It's so textbook. It reminds me of Ray Allen. Quick release, same thing every team. His catch-and-shoot is beautiful to watch.
this is a franchise killing loss, but I'm convinced Durant is leaving and if he goes to the Eastern Conference it opens up the entire NBA. So they'll have a decent shot next year if Durant goes East to get to the finals.
for how incredibly hard he works, and how technically brilliant he is.
He is the evolution of using steps to create space. Ginobili popularized the Eurostep which changed the game. Harden's maneuvering has had the same effect.
His timing, body control, and his awareness of how his defenders move and executing his own movement to draw legitimate fouls are all the result of myriad hours in the gym practicing as if he were a professional dancer. His ability to deceive the refs to make bad calls in his favor is also the result of incredibly hard work. But I just don't support what he's doing. I think it's cheap and degrades the League.
I'm not a Harden fan by any stretch, but not even close to the most unlikable player in sports.
And I'm not sure why anyone would care that he didn't shake hands with anyone. I actually kind of like it. Fuck all of these guys acting like best friends and laughing after a brutal loss.
Loved their defense down the stretch of that game. They recognized the refs were largely going to swallow their whistle so they got more physical and it carried them home.
That jumper from CJ looked like Jordan vs. the Jazz.
Never would have thought they’d get here after seeing that Nurkic injury happen. Saw it live as they were playing the Nets, and had some trouble sleeping after. One of the most gruesome injuries I’ve ever seen. Can’t imagine what it does to a team.
Kudos to the Blazers. Will be rooting hard for them from here, even if it feels hopeless.
The scene with embiid and gasol after the game is what sports is about. You may not be into the whole congratulate your opponent but gasol ran right up to him and consoled him and love or hate embiid.... that emotion he showed out a new respect I have for him.
The shooting was poor.... but those 5 76ers and about 6 raptors left everything on the floor. Loved every second of that game.
Embiid needs to cut the shit with the flagrant fouls (and the flailing). He’s going to hurt someone, potentially seriously at some point. He doesn’t need to do it, he’s great without it.
Still, I agree. Always love to see an athlete who cares that much. Definitely earned some good will.
Showing his full game. Epic performance- his evolution is one of the most remarkable things - how he adapted his game and never said a bad thing about anyone along the way
My main man Malcolm Brogdon with 12-3-3 on 4-5 shooting in the first half.....nice
Brogs is great. I know he's an RFA, but unless he has some red flag like injury, I would have loved NYK chasing after him. You'd think if they are paying all their guys, someone has to shake loose. He'd be a fantastic starting PG, but also would be great value to chase down a different max than Kyrie. I know KI is a pkg deal, just fantasizing
Giannis is just a frighteningly versatile and complete basketball player. I'm pretty pessimistic about the Warriors' chances against the Bucks, but then, the rest of these playoffs are just gravy to me after the way they beat the Rockets anyway.
I was calling for that early rounds, but both series are using it well. It helps to have good players & defenders who are executing it really well, nor is it just 'easy' to do but I feel like it's rarely even attempted in today's NBA
Clearly outplaying Lillard. Dray and Klay coming alive. These Warriors look dangerous again.
The Bucks are so good. They win without Brogdon who had a 50/40/90 season + defense and ball-handling. Giannis + depth + coaching = great squad. With Durant I’d go Warriors in the Finals, same against the Raptors. I’m not ready to count Toronto out.
You see why this team plays so much better eith him on the court, just the way he talks about the game and the way he thinks and it goes back to high school
Siakim missed a couple FTs late regulation allowing Middleton to tie it up
Giannis has been held in check scoringwise, but Bucks have gotten help from elsewhere, esp Brogdon & Hill. But he also has 23 boards, 7 assists
Kawhi has been hurt since the 1st qtr, clearly is struggling but has 28 and continues to play. Lots of foul trouble. But Siakim & Powell have chipped in
The Bucks have to hope Brogdon's conditioning is improving enough that he can start taking some of Bledsoe's minutes because he has frequently looked terrible in the playoffs.
He has his own stage right now in Toronto, like a mancave on stage with his crew I assume outside Raps' arena and a crowd watching him watch the game. So fn weird
I don't see either of these teams beating GS likely even w/o Durant Â
The Bucks length might be a slight curveball. But they go cold for ages regardless of the defense. Raps outside of Kawhi are outmatched at every spot basically
Certainly either could get hot out of nowhere, but on a bad day GSW will outscore these guys and still has solid D to help on the other end
The Bucks blew it but they had a great season. Giannis can be even better.
Great series. Lowry and the Raps depth showed up when it mattered. Durant’s health matters, hope he can play. Kawhi is so great he can guard Giannis and Curry. Can’t have him chase Curry around but certain situations he can lock him up too.
Giannis is a legit MVP candidate, but if I were him I'd be in the gym starting tonight / tomorrow working on my FTs & Js. It's not easy & would take time, but it's simple
He already pretty much unstoppable, but if he had even an avg or just below J, Bucks likely don't lose this series (not solely his fault but just as the star that's the expectation)
Giannis is a legit MVP candidate, but if I were him I'd be in the gym starting tonight / tomorrow working on my FTs & Js. It's not easy & would take time, but it's simple
He already pretty much unstoppable, but if he had even an avg or just below J, Bucks likely don't lose this series (not solely his fault but just as the star that's the expectation)
its been a rollercoaster 24 years of being a raptors fan so ecstatic that they’ve reached this stage. Leonard is indeed the no drama superstar
Houston in 6.
If Harden shits the bed thsi year, he deserves all the criticism.
I think the bucks steamroll the celtics, i hope stevens puts hayward or tatum on giannis...
Giannis no show so far.
That block sequence on Giannis was a statement.
Not that I feel bad about it because I'm certain Curry will be in the receiving end multiple times with nary a whistle, but that was fortunate.
That block sequence on Giannis was a statement.
Average Al as idiots call him. He's a helluva player.
Good game Harden. 9-28. Paul with no typical no show. 3 more like this please.
Refs and players think that too
Warriors still got away with a handful of dirty closeouts on 3. The refs are
playin a dangerous game not calling those. It’s a dirty play and the main reason they’ve emphasized the rule is because of the dirty play of the Warriors and Zaza. Smh. Hopefully the refs call it right these next games after the league office shows them this tape.
Still should’ve fun this. Durant is just too damn good in the mid range.
CP3 as overrated as Melo? Lmao ok
Hopefully Philly shows something more because otherwise Toronto will eliminate them fairly easily. There was a time less than 2 years ago where some people thought Butler was almost Kawhis equal. Well that looks like a joke now. Butler really needs to step up because this is a big series for his career. Embiid too, Marc Gasol owned him Game 1.
I definitely think they could have been called for fouls on a few of those 3 point attempts, but on the other hand, the Warriors defender seldom just charged at a Rocket that was going straight up and down. Harden was generally moving/jumping forward. I'm still shocked he didn't get the call, but I'm not going to sympathize.
I wouldn’t say is overrated like Melo, he’s 100x the player. He iljust shines over everything!!!!
I wouldn’t say is overrated like Melo, he’s 100x the player. He iljust shines over everything!!!!
Tell me something. What has this guy ever won
On a sidenote, the Chinese diving judge gave Harden a 5.8 on his jackknife on his final shot.
Well they did. At the officials!
They have to start calling that as an offensive foul. You can’t kick your legs forward.
Their defense has been great.
Big win for 'em.
Bigtime ugly win by the Sixers. Almost better this way than winning when everything is going right for you.
Embiid really needs to show up though. After Giannis/Kawhi, Embiid has as good of a case as any as the 3rd best player in the East. He needs to play like it.
Bigtime ugly win by the Sixers. Almost better this way than winning when everything is going right for you.
Embiid really needs to show up though. After Giannis/Kawhi, Embiid has as good of a case as any as the 3rd best player in the East. He needs to play like it.
100% correct though to be fair Embiid is sick. I’m in a house with two kids with strep. I’m sympathetic!
over/under for Harden's free throw attempts is 19.5
Oh shit, thats right. But he is usually the NBA go to when a team needs a win in the playoffs.
Loathed him as a player, love him as a coach..
Unless Giannis is really is Shaq remixed where overpowering is legitimately the only option necessary, he’ll need a jumper. And even Shaq had great perimeter scorers when he won.
Friday night, Game 3. Looking forward to it.
Harden called for early charge.
Harden called for early charge.
just coming to post this...
Malloy plays to the crowd, if thebhome team gets going you can bet a couple of momentum calls to come...
Scott Foster is as crooked as they come lucky stern put the kabosh on an investigation intk his officials
And someone tell Kerr than Jonas Jerebko belongs on the floor as much as I do. Kerr probably making game close for ratings. He is awful.
Should be a fun second half.
Houston is really hanging around. I like their chances.
I sure hope the Giants Fan Experience becomes like the Warriors Fan Experience some day.
ESPN drags it out until 8:15 or so.
Simmons just elbowed Lowry in the June on purpose.
But Kyle Lowry is insufferable. He BITCHES every freaking possession. One of the more unlikable players in the league, a poor man's Chris Paul if you will.
Embiid and Simmons have somehow made me start to appreciate Jimmy Butler. I find them both annoying on a personal level. Kyle Lowry is a massive whiner and is annoying to watch play given his histrionics, but he doesn’t seem anywhere near as insufferable off the court.
Plus Kawhi is a gangster.
Not sure if a lottery team if Kawhi leaves, which I totally expect. Siakim will become The Man & he's damn good already & will only get better. They obviously won't be a 2 seed, but they'll probably be a 6, 7 seed.
Hoping he grows up and stays healthy. Because you’re right, it’s a great story.
Quote:
and by next year be blown up and a lottery team
Not sure if a lottery team if Kawhi leaves, which I totally expect. Siakim will become The Man & he's damn good already & will only get better. They obviously won't be a 2 seed, but they'll probably be a 6, 7 seed.
i would assume it is blown up..
Lowry traded, gasol walks, green walks...
Build around siakim
But Kyle Lowry is insufferable. He BITCHES every freaking possession. One of the more unlikable players in the league, a poor man's Chris Paul if you will.
Not to mention Lowry could realistically be called for a foul every single time he guards someone.
This is a huge series for both franchises. If Toronto is bounced here, the chances of Kawhi sticking around go from like 5% to 0. If Philadelphia loses, I can't see them giving max deals to both Harris & Butler.
He. Is. So. Damn. Good.
But I almost cannot believe anyone can be better than him right now.
I had Raps in 6. I might want to rethink this.
I get the trade for Leonard but I am sure he is leaving.
Playoff Lowry in full effect again.
Klay Thompson is another example in that his defensive ability was never predicted, but I think Kawhi represents the most exceptional case.
Glad I at least caught the last bit...4OT here we go
Jokic w/ a big miss at the line w/ 5.6s, goes 1 of 2
Blazers W, up 2-1
Paul still looks scared to shoot.
Warriors randomly decide not to foul. Effectively give up. Weird game.
2. Steph Curry has been an absolute dog this series. Complete no show.
Then Steph misses a layup & dunk late. A non-called charge on Harden. And no late foul w/ 20 or so left, just give up?
Well no skin off my back. Made it a close game, makes it a closer series
Thought it was a great game. Level of effort on defense was tremendous and still a high score.
Glad Houston kept it interesting. Hard to see them winning 3 more, including one in Oaktown.
Lol never change.
The irony of Hardens eye injury is that he is shooting much better since it. Weird.
But they need him to better.
All the advanced play-by-play metrics point to Curry being undeniably more important to the Warriors than Durant. They barely miss a beat when Durant is hurt/Curry plays yet they’re barely over .500 when Curry’s hurt/KD plays.
And even if you ignore those results/metrics, when you watch teams defend the Warriors they generally make Steph priority #1 leaving Durant with easier opportunities.
I still believe all that to be true, but it’s pretty clear that Durant is the more complete 2-way player and harder to stop offensive force. Even if Curry has a higher team ceiling to his outbursts, he’s just not as consistent or complete as Durant and that matters more in the playoffs.
With LeBron not in the mix right now, the Crown is up for grabs. 2016 Curry wore it for a bit after he hit that 40ft buzzer beater over Durant and OKC. This was his league at that moment until LeBron took it back in the Finals. But with the Crown up for grabs again right now, KD and Kawhi seem to be the two who are really making a statement that it should be theirs while Curry is nowhere to be seen.
Wow. You’ve reached a new low. I know you tried to zing me there but your undeniable obsession of taking shots at me on a personal level is sad.
I hope you reverse course, but you get joy out of following me and making these posts all the time. Time to get some help.
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18-7-4 on 5-12 shooting... I mean, it's not exactly up to his usual level but it's not some complete no show like your average 2018 Eli Manning game.
Wow. You’ve reached a new low. I know you tried to zing me there but your undeniable obsession of taking shots at me on a personal level is sad.
I hope you reverse course, but you get joy out of following me and making these posts all the time. Time to get some help.
I don't mind making what I consider to be harmless little jabs here and there, but I admit to forgetting that as far as you're concerned, jabs against Eli aren't harmless and for that, I apologize.
As I've said before, a poor man's Chris Paul.
Guy is unreal.
He killed them this game. Embiid also no showed but all those Harris misses were rough.
Harden needs to be the best player on the court and CP3 needs a throwback game, only way I can see them win. Really not feeling confident tonight.
I have been trying to tell people this but people keep posting it
Good game we got going on here between Bucks & Celts.
Don't mean to be Cpt. Obvious, but this is a must win for Cs.
JFC.
JFC.
Is he a free agent? would be a great back up point
One of the most overlooked storylines of this year has been Lopez.
He’s opened up the game for Giannis and it could be argued that the Lakers opting for McGee instead of him was a playoff costing move considering how much spacing he would’ve added to a team without shooting like the Lakers.
Just a weirdly good career for Brook who adapted his game to a degree most wouldn’t be capable of.
Ha. I'm thinking the same thing. Celtics get smoked in five, a few players pop off to the media about chemistry, Kyrie bolts. I don't even care if he comes to NY, I just want chaos for the Celtics. They don't have any more gift-wrapped top five picks courtesy of Brooklyn.
Yep, they didn't cash that in the way everyone assumed. People jumped the gun on that Celtics dynasty.
Nothing Kyrie says means anything. Dude has proven that he is truly a weird person.
Total baller but you can’t try to read his moves off the court or else he’ll just cross you up like he does on the court.
For a while I thought he was better than Lillard. He probably is in terms of skillset and offensive repertoire, but it’s not a contest in terms of ability to carry a franchise.
I think it was complaining about young guys. Young guys still want to establish themselves while vets are more willing to do the dirty work as a Kyrie or LeBron just does whatever they want on offense. Kyrie was apologizing for being like (Tatum, Brown, Rozier?) those guys with LeBron.
If he gets a jumper he can be goat
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If he doesn't win at least 3 MVPs & multiple titles, I'll be floored. He's going to end up as an all time great.
If he gets a jumper he can be goat
Amazing story too.
Gordon has been good the whole series.
Feels like the Rockets totally outplayed them but the Warriors are right there. 3rd quarter Warriors are scary, you know KD will come out hot.
Harden has to finish this game strong. This is nerve wracking.
Houston will probably win this game and have the edge in the series unless Curry does something. His defense is f’n atrocious and he still can’t make a3.
Rockets up 17.
Impossible to root for this Rockets team. They're insufferable.
Refs keeping GS alive with those soft calls to put them in the bonus with 7 mins left. Just have to hang on here, far from over.
The refs may have missed some fouls on Harden's threes in game 1, but on the whole they've been absolutely atrocious in the Rockets favor in this series.
The refs may have missed some fouls on Harden's threes in game 1, but on the whole they've been absolutely atrocious in the Rockets favor in this series.
Harden gets away with more offensive fouls than anyone in history. But unless Klay andncurry start making 3s, I don’t like GS chances.
The ironic thing is since the eye injury, Harden has perhaps shot better.
Will be rooting for whoever plays either one of these teams. They’re both annoying as hell.
So proud of this performance by the Rockets. Can’t believe they tied this back up.
Fuck yea
Tonight probably his worst game offensively, but his team winning by 28.
Kawhi - Best Postseason Player Last 10 Years - ( New Window )
I wonder if ainge still goes after Davis with Kyrie leaving for sure.
I wonder if ainge still goes after Davis with Kyrie leaving for sure.
It is not haywards fault, it is stevens
Draymond’s last two fouls were BS including the block which wS a clear charge.
They also might consider trapping him more tho I'd use that more late clock & late game. Give anyone else more shots, atm only Tucker is providing any 2ndary scoring
But I like Draymond. I couldn't tell you why. He's just a winner.
Yeah, I was thinking the same. But at least he knows it's not an ACL.
Atleast now I know who Taylor Rooks is. Good god what a dime.
hoping Klay stays next year
Embiid for Anthony Davis.
Embiid for Anthony Davis.
the pelicans as embid has no knees
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Forget picks cause you can figure it out later.... but who says no?
Embiid for Anthony Davis.
the pelicans as embid has no knees
They risk the chance of getting nothing in return tho. They won’t get a better player. Throw in some picks as well.
-Jimmy Buckets.
Butler had one helluva first half.
-Jimmy Buckets.
Butler had one helluva first half.
Never said he wasn’t good. He’s great. Team killer though.
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Like me now?"
-Jimmy Buckets.
Butler had one helluva first half.
Never said he wasn’t good. He’s great. Team killer though.
LOL. I know. Just ribbing ya. This series is going 7.
Tiresome listening to folks defend this guy line he’s not a repeat offender. He’s dirty.
Houston will still love game 7 in Oracle.
It's absurd. TNT games start at the scheduled time. ESPN games start at like 925 or so.
I hate that they call phantom shit on him but... he IS way too reckless.
I hate that they call phantom shit on him but... he IS way too reckless.
what phantom shit? both fouls were legit fouls...nothing phantom about them
Just embarrassing.
No they aren’t.
But as he's gotten older and perhaps a half step slower, his antics have gotten worse and worse. He's such a dirty player. Every game he deploys such cheap tactics to try and trick the refs and pretend like he was knocked out or hit the head. On top of that, he seems like such an asshole.
When you combine that with Harden's tactics, and I just have such a hard time rooting for Houston. And I'm a huge Morey fan.
I can appreciate Harden's skill. He has mastered footwork, timing, and reading his defender better than perhaps anyone in the history of the game. But the way he uses it to draw contact, flop, and kick out his legs makes it so frustrating to appreciate how brilliant a technician he is.
Great job by Iggy and Green too. So unselfish.
He is the evolution of using steps to create space. Ginobili popularized the Eurostep which changed the game. Harden's maneuvering has had the same effect.
His timing, body control, and his awareness of how his defenders move and executing his own movement to draw legitimate fouls are all the result of myriad hours in the gym practicing as if he were a professional dancer. His ability to deceive the refs to make bad calls in his favor is also the result of incredibly hard work. But I just don't support what he's doing. I think it's cheap and degrades the League.
I'm not a Harden fan by any stretch, but not even close to the most unlikable player in sports.
And I'm not sure why anyone would care that he didn't shake hands with anyone. I actually kind of like it. Fuck all of these guys acting like best friends and laughing after a brutal loss.
No reason to take contact, he's not getting any more free throws
I'll see your Harden and raise you...
Vontaze Burfict. For starters.
Legacy defining.
Loved their defense down the stretch of that game. They recognized the refs were largely going to swallow their whistle so they got more physical and it carried them home.
That jumper from CJ looked like Jordan vs. the Jazz.
Here's to 76ers Raps is just as good a game.
Never would have thought they’d get here after seeing that Nurkic injury happen. Saw it live as they were playing the Nets, and had some trouble sleeping after. One of the most gruesome injuries I’ve ever seen. Can’t imagine what it does to a team.
Kudos to the Blazers. Will be rooting hard for them from here, even if it feels hopeless.
Give me Bucks in 5 and Warriors in 5.
The shooting was poor.... but those 5 76ers and about 6 raptors left everything on the floor. Loved every second of that game.
Still, I agree. Always love to see an athlete who cares that much. Definitely earned some good will.
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Playoff Lowry.
Wrong. Lowry played hard all game on both ends and his steal/assist with a minute left was crucial
Lowry had a positive impact on this outcome.
Nothing crazy about that. The Bucks are tremendous.
Sucks to be a Nets fan, huh?
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the knicks are going to sign the 2 max free agents whose teams play better when they are not playing.
Sucks to be a Nets fan, huh?
sucks to have no sense of humor
great to be a nets fan actually- for better and for worse
Brogs is great. I know he's an RFA, but unless he has some red flag like injury, I would have loved NYK chasing after him. You'd think if they are paying all their guys, someone has to shake loose. He'd be a fantastic starting PG, but also would be great value to chase down a different max than Kyrie. I know KI is a pkg deal, just fantasizing
They have an excellent coach too. I wanted him over Fiz. But Fiz may have been brought in partly to get the big guns here in FA.
The Bucks are so good. They win without Brogdon who had a 50/40/90 season + defense and ball-handling. Giannis + depth + coaching = great squad. With Durant I’d go Warriors in the Finals, same against the Raptors. I’m not ready to count Toronto out.
With Durant out there though, I doubt game 2 or 3 are even close at the half
Giannis has been held in check scoringwise, but Bucks have gotten help from elsewhere, esp Brogdon & Hill. But he also has 23 boards, 7 assists
Kawhi has been hurt since the 1st qtr, clearly is struggling but has 28 and continues to play. Lots of foul trouble. But Siakim & Powell have chipped in
Lopez, Bledsoe, Middleton and Giannis were absolutely atrocious
Kawhi just being Kawhi and taking his sheep with him to the finals.
He has his own stage right now in Toronto, like a mancave on stage with his crew I assume outside Raps' arena and a crowd watching him watch the game. So fn weird
Certainly either could get hot out of nowhere, but on a bad day GSW will outscore these guys and still has solid D to help on the other end
Those are 5 game max series.
Kobe level or even better. He surpassed Pippen as the best person to pair with MJ tonight.
I think Bucks in G6 will be the most heavily betted road playoff CF post-Game 4 in a long time. I’d be truly surprised if they lost.
Still got Toronto overall
Brogdon was much better than Middleton last night. Cmon.
The type of meltdown that gets a coach fired.
They were up 15 with like 4 minutes to go in the 3rd, now they're getting smoked.
Two games in a row with huge leads and blowing both of them
That was a great block tho
Great series. Lowry and the Raps depth showed up when it mattered. Durant’s health matters, hope he can play. Kawhi is so great he can guard Giannis and Curry. Can’t have him chase Curry around but certain situations he can lock him up too.
He already pretty much unstoppable, but if he had even an avg or just below J, Bucks likely don't lose this series (not solely his fault but just as the star that's the expectation)
He already pretty much unstoppable, but if he had even an avg or just below J, Bucks likely don't lose this series (not solely his fault but just as the star that's the expectation)