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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 6, 2020 12:14:03 GMT -5
Via Brian Mahoney: "Long way until tomorrow but Giannis didn’t look particularly comfortable moving on his ankle as he just walked toward Bucks team room."
The belief is he'll play, whether 100% or not, because I highly doubt he wants to sit, watch his team get swept and absorb the blame for not manning up.
That said, Red Sox heroics from another sport and ages ago aside, the Bucks are not winning this series. It may piss off Giannis and the fans but to risk his long-term health if he has any level of injury would just be stupid and short-signed.
Watching the Bucks/Heat series, I kept thinking you know who'd be good right about now.
Malcolm Brogdon
The former Buck who averaged 21.5ppg 4.3rpg 10.0apg 37.5 3fg% in the playoffs this year - granted that was en route to being swept by Miami too.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 8, 2020 11:49:40 GMT -5
These playoff games have been great for the most part. Can easily see the Nuggets/Clippers going a full 7 I think, with Ibaka's injury and their dominant game 5, Boston finishes off Toronto in Game 6.
Rockets maybe win one more game, they did keep it close in Game 2 but then went ice cold.
Hopefully Heat put the Bucks out of their misery and finish them off tonight. Middleton is good but can't carry the team that much longer. Nuggets hopefully don't ruin our hopes of a Clippers/Lakers matchup.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 8, 2020 12:51:26 GMT -5
I didn't feel like looking it up but where I said the Rockets would take Javale & Howard out of the series with small ball. I thought they would..but not to the extent where D12 doesn't play and Javale plays just the first half of the 1st & 4th quarters.
and Tucker is a 1 trick pony..he NEVER leaves the corner, you know he's there, stay on him.
Rondo played a good game
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 8, 2020 13:18:43 GMT -5
Gotta hand it to Rondo that at age 34, in his 14th season and after all his injuries, he still plays with the energy and effort of a rookie drafted in the 2nd round trying to make the team.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 9, 2020 20:43:09 GMT -5
That's up there with one of the best back and forth games I've watched. Refs tried to screw it up. But what a game.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 10, 2020 10:04:01 GMT -5
This series HAD to go 7. Deserved nothing less.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 10, 2020 20:06:58 GMT -5
Playoff Rondo is looking good. Big plus off the bench.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 11, 2020 9:42:52 GMT -5
DNP for both Howard & Javale, Rondo came up big with 11-10-8 in 30 minutes
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 10:25:16 GMT -5
Playoff Rondo is coming to play. I felt based on their first three matchups the Lakers should continue to use Howard/McGee on some level but McGee is banged up and the team now has Markieff Morris. If AD is going to dominate like he has, then a frontcourt rotation of AD, Morris, Kuz is ample to crush the Rockets. If I'm D'Antoni/Morey, I have to be thinking to myself "What was I thinking with this small ball approach?" every time AD touches the ball on offense. Granted no House last two games - idiot - and a banged up Covington this game certainly didn't help their cause as they are two of their "bigger" players
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Post by varsity on Sept 11, 2020 12:48:27 GMT -5
If I'm D'Antoni/Morey, I have to be thinking to myself "What was I thinking with this small ball approach?" every time AD touches the ball on offense. Granted no House last two games - idiot - and a banged up Covington this game certainly didn't help their cause as they are two of their "bigger" players
If I'm D'Antoni, I'm probably thinking what summer plans my wife and kids have lined up for me. If I'm Morey, I'm probably already looking for a coach. The Rockets trading Capella was huge then and it's even bigger now. And it's not even from a defensive standpoint but they are now completely one-dimensional on offense. For what it's worth, Westbrook is the only one that seems to be interested in doing other things besides shooting 3s but he's just not a good shooter. But at least he will backdoor cut, slash without the ball, back down his opponent and try to find other ways to score. All the Lakers have done is run the Rockets off the 3pt line and instead of adjusting, they are just trying to find ways to get back out to the 3 point line.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 11, 2020 13:32:13 GMT -5
I wonder if they would look to go after Billups, and see what style of play he would want with Harden/Westbrook
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 13:38:27 GMT -5
If I'm D'Antoni/Morey, I have to be thinking to myself "What was I thinking with this small ball approach?" every time AD touches the ball on offense. Granted no House last two games - idiot - and a banged up Covington this game certainly didn't help their cause as they are two of their "bigger" players
All the Lakers have done is run the Rockets off the 3pt line and instead of adjusting, they are just trying to find ways to get back out to the 3 point line.
Even my wife was wondering why the Rockets so often drive to the basket just to kick out to a three point shooter.
I don't know that I've ever seen so much overpassing.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 11, 2020 13:40:24 GMT -5
I felt like Harden was doing it last night out of spite. He couldn't throw it in the ocean, but I know off hand 2 layups he could have had but right when he got to the rim he kicked out for 3.
a Few more minutes in that game..and a miss by Caruso and it would have gotten tight
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 14:03:15 GMT -5
Also these are their 3pt percentages from the regular season for their top 8 three point takers in the playoffs:
House - 36.3%
Tucker - 35.8% Rivers - 35.6%
Harden - 35.5% Green - 35.4% Gordon - 31.7% Covington - 31.5% Westbrook - 25.8%
I realize their percentages are dragged down on some level due to the sheer quantity but you'd think for a team that is basically saying "We are going to beat you with the three" that they'd actually sport better three point shooters. Not saying they need 6 Kyle Korvers but they don't even have 1.
In the playoffs, it's their "big men" in Covington, Green, Tucker, House who are shooting best in the post season combined 42.3% on threes.
The four true perimeter guys in Harden/Gordon/Westbrook/Rivers are at a putrid 31.7%
BUT hey, keep chucking it. Good for the Lakers.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 11, 2020 14:06:02 GMT -5
Rivers is a pretty good defender. He's not the best defender in the league like he says he is. But he held his own on LBJ and the pressure they put on at the end causes problems. But they are missing House and a healthy Covington, and an insane couple monster games from Harden..that was their only shot at the series.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 16:02:43 GMT -5
Rivers will never live up to his early hype as the kid of Doc, coming from Duke, being the #10 pick and then a key component of the Chris Paul trade. That said, he has carved out a good career as a quality rotational combo guard.
New Orleans at one time had Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Ryan Anderson, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 11, 2020 21:48:18 GMT -5
What the hell happened with Kanter? Sure he sucks on D but hes a great offensive rebounder and provides 2nd chance points. Id play him And I'd never break up Tatum/Brown Might would try and move Hayward for front court depth.
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Post by varsity on Sept 11, 2020 22:33:17 GMT -5
I felt like Harden was doing it last night out of spite. He couldn't throw it in the ocean, but I know off hand 2 layups he could have had but right when he got to the rim he kicked out for 3. a Few more minutes in that game..and a miss by Caruso and it would have gotten tight The guy is a phenomenal player so I won't say the moment is too big for him. But he seems like he checks out intentionally when it's not going his way in the big game. Just a complete lack of aggression even offensively.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 23:10:14 GMT -5
What the hell happened with Kanter? Sure he sucks on D but hes a great offensive rebounder and provides 2nd chance points. Id play him And I'd never break up Tatum/Brown Might would try and move Hayward for front court depth.
Smart + Tatum + Brown is a fantastic young trio to build around and Kemba is a solid floor leader.
Hayward should opt it in given its a guaranteed 34M but if his agent gets wind some desperate team like Charlotte/New York/Detroit is willing to splurge this summer on a long term deal, he could opt out for the security. That said, if he opts in then definitely the Morons should trade him for multiple pieces. That bench is fairly raw when they turn to guys like Brad Wanamaker, Grant Williams, Semi Ojeleye, Robert Williams for chunk minutes in the playoffs. Heck, send him to NY for like Portis, Gibson and Ellington.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 11, 2020 23:21:16 GMT -5
What a disappointing way to see Toronto go out and it was clear how badly they missed a clutch go-to star in Kawhi. Siakam shrunk badly under the pressure the whole series but was especially bad this game with bad misses and turnovers. You could see in his face the lack of confidence. Lowry played hard as always but shot poorly for like the 5th time in 7 games. That key offensive play in the clutch where VanVleet just held and held until he took a miserable shot was just putrid execution and his shot selection is often questionable. Gasol was useless all series. Hard to truly come down on them given they overachieved for the season and pushed Boston to 7 but they were clearly outmatched and were a couple breaks away from losing 4-1 or even being swept.
With VanVleet, Ibaka, Gasol, RHJ, Boucher free agents this summer and Lowry, Anunoby, McCaw, T. Davis and potentially Powell free agents in 2021, this team has a lot of decisions on their plate for the direction of the team.
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Post by wareagle on Sept 12, 2020 23:15:39 GMT -5
Ok, bring on the rebuild!!
Meanwhile, I’m a Clippers & Heat fan for the rest of the playoffs!’
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 14, 2020 0:10:25 GMT -5
Wow.
Clippers.
Just wow.
And obviously I mean wow in a bad way.
For as much as I have said I've badly wanted a Clippers/Lakers conference finals, I honestly don't think the Clippers deserve it.
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 14, 2020 10:49:13 GMT -5
Apparently a huge reason for the Clippers blowing leads is....... Harrell. He is a defensive liability.
Surprised they haven't dusted off Joakim Noah.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 14, 2020 11:02:27 GMT -5
I watched all of the last 2 games. and it was obvious with Harrell. and Doc realized it too and as soon as Harrell didn't close out on Jokic he jumped up and signaled Zubac in.
Playoff P pretty much plays like a B player he is. Stands on the wing or waits his turn to go 1 on 1
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 14, 2020 11:51:14 GMT -5
The Clippers suck on rotating to defend the three - especially when it comes to Jokic. You can tell how uncomfortable Zubac and Harrell are on those screens that far away from the basket.
Kawhi and PG are doing what they do but the former tends to play a little too much hero ball leading to some shots that make me shake my head and the latter needs to take better care of the ball. They badly need that 3rd scorer. Lou Williams has sucked. 10.5ppg on 37.1% overall and 15% on threes in this series. Morris can score but is inconsistent and really shouldn't be the 3rd scorer. Zubac isn't an offensive threat and Harrell's hustle has not amounted to much offensively. Beverley has been utterly useless on offense - and due to not being 100%, isn't making up for it on defense.
Honestly, the Clippers need to just use more Morris/Green up front and they really should consider dusting off Noah or Patterson for even a few minutes just to provide a different look. Noah could provide more defense on the perimeter with his length and mobility and actual defensive IQ and Patterson with his 3pt shooting to spread the floor for PG/Kawhi/Lou. Zubac spends more time getting frustrated at Jokic to be of any use and Harrell spends more time running around aimlessly.
If anything, if the Clippers win Anthony Davis has to be licking his chops at the idea of Zubac/Harrell guarding him.
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 15, 2020 20:28:29 GMT -5
Bam!
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 15, 2020 22:33:45 GMT -5
I take back anything positive I've ever said about PG13. His performance in this game - especially in the 4th quarter with his bricks, turnovers and crap defense - goes beyond the term "epic fail". Kawhi has been bad himself but hard to rail too much on the reigning Finals MVP with ample clutch performances in his past. Watching this Clippers' collapse was painful to the eyes. That was some awful basketball. It was like OKC in the last 2 minutes of Game 7 versus Houston but extrapolated to the whole 4th quarter. This is going to be a tough ride home for the Clippers given they didn't just blow a 3-1 series lead but they blew it by losing leads with putrid 2nd half performances the last 3 games. Devastating.
Kawhi has to be thinking "I passed up the Lakers for this? I chose PG as my 1B and the Clippers gave up SGA, Gallo and a boatload of 1st rd picks for him? Damnit"
Honestly the Lakers would have been better off facing the Clippers. The Nuggets look far and away the scarier team with Murray, Jokic and company.
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Post by YoungThundercat on Sept 16, 2020 4:42:18 GMT -5
I take back anything positive I've ever said about PG13. His performance in this game - especially in the 4th quarter with his bricks, turnovers and crap defense - goes beyond the term "epic fail". Kawhi has been bad himself but hard to rail too much on the reigning Finals MVP with ample clutch performances in his past. Watching this Clippers' collapse was painful to the eyes. That was some awful basketball. It was like OKC in the last 2 minutes of Game 7 versus Houston but extrapolated to the whole 4th quarter. This is going to be a tough ride home for the Clippers given they didn't just blow a 3-1 series lead but they blew it by losing leads with putrid 2nd half performances the last 3 games. Devastating.
Kawhi has to be thinking "I passed up the Lakers for this? I chose PG as my 1B and the Clippers gave up SGA, Gallo and a boatload of 1st rd picks for him? Damnit"
Honestly the Lakers would have been better off facing the Clippers. The Nuggets look far and away the scarier team with Murray, Jokic and company. I wanted to sleep after watching the game so I could gather my thoughts on the Clippers' season and downfall and have a well thought out post like EE usually has. So after a night to think about it my response is this: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Fuck PG13 for using our name to get out of Indiana and then choosing Westbrook over us. Fuck Kawhi and Uncle Dennis for trying to sabotage us by making us hold cap space while all the good FAs signed elsewhere and left us with the 'meme team'. Fuck Pat Bev and Marcus Morris for being a fake ass tough guys and intentionally trying to injure guys. Fuck Doc Rivers' Irish Green ass. And fuck Steve Ballmer for trying to walk into LA, splash his money and buy a reputation (as well as buying up The Forum). Enjoy printing out and hanging 16 new player banners + your Taylor Swift banner to cover what is soon to be our SEVENTEEN CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS. Asshats!
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Post by doakley8 on Sept 16, 2020 7:13:43 GMT -5
First of all you need to put some respect on that man's name. It's playoff P
and the longggg debate on PG13 back on the old scout where I always said he was a B player..not a 1A or 1B. He's great..but he's a sidekick, and with his knuckleball or side rotation jumper, he's always going to be inconsistent.
I didn't stay up to watch the game but rolled over about 3am and saw Denver won..was shocked and disappointed.
I think Lakers will win in 5..maybe 6. But they have to defend the pick/roll with Murray & Jokic.
I'm more disappointed/surprised this morning.
But thrilled at my boy Jimmy Buckets
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Post by eddieeddie on Sept 16, 2020 10:42:13 GMT -5
It's funny how my fellow Laker fan friends are talking about how, with the Clippers/Bucks gone, the Lakers have an easy path to the title.
Yeah the Nuggets went down 1-3 to Utah and the Clippers and were nearly eliminated BUT when that team is on their game, they can compete with anyone. Stud tandem in Murray/Jokic, quality two way players in Harris/Grant, tough veteran in Millsap, defender in Craig, pop off the bench with MPJ/Morris and even a smooth passing backup C in Plumlee. About as strong and balanced a 9 man rotation as you'll see and all but Craig/Plumlee are good 3pt shooters. Like I said, from a competitive standpoint, I'd actually rather face the Clippers than Nuggets if I'm the Lakers. AD would have feasted on the Clippers and the Clippers' crappy postseason shooting would have led to their demise. With the Nuggets, who are playing with house money because no one believes they'll beat the Lakers, I think this series goes 6 at least and the Lakers are pushed because the depth, athleticism, youth, shooting, size, motivation of the Nuggets will be a tough challenge.
Also, yeah the top 2 seeds in the East are out and going in I would have argued MIL/TOR as the biggest threats to the Lakers in the finals. That said, Miami has been Big time Closer in Butler. Stud big in Bam. Dragic is slyly averaging 22-4-4 in the postseason. Crowder is basically just Robert Covington all over again. Tough veteran in Iguodala. Then last, certainly not least, the shooting of Herro, Duncan Robinson and even Olynyk. They are so deep that Kendrick Nunn - a full time starter averaging 15.3ppg in the regular season - is a non factor and Derrick Jones Jr - a regular rotation player a 23.3mpg in the regular season - is just a defensive specialist for length. Boston is good too and the idea of a Lakers vs Cel tics matchup is intriguing from a historical standpoint but I think the Lakers crush the Morons personally. The Heat would pose a notably tougher opponent.
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