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Post by doakley8 on May 28, 2021 11:45:51 GMT -5
ehh..we/they/everybody says it every year to break up Dame/CJ..yea maybe they do..will they? probably not. But it's time for a new face..Stotts has to go, barring a run to conference finals..I'd get somebody else in there. They have a good starting lineup..if Nurkic can ever stay healthy..and well CJ too. Collins will be back healthy next year..so maybe the run it back 1 more time, then decide on Stotts. I'm not sure what else they can add, they have a pretty complete roster. Maybe a back up PG
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Post by varsity on May 28, 2021 11:50:58 GMT -5
Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo has suffered a serious tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the playoffs, sources tell @theathletic @stadium.
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Post by eddieeddie on May 28, 2021 13:01:47 GMT -5
ehh..we/they/everybody says it every year to break up Dame/CJ..yea maybe they do..will they? probably not. But it's time for a new face..Stotts has to go, barring a run to conference finals..I'd get somebody else in there. They have a good starting lineup..if Nurkic can ever stay healthy..and well CJ too. Collins will be back healthy next year..so maybe the run it back 1 more time, then decide on Stotts. I'm not sure what else they can add, they have a pretty complete roster. Maybe a back up PG
Their SL is talented but woefully undersized and Nurkic isn't the athletic rim-protecting type to cover up mistakes. I don't know that breaking up the Dame/CJ backcourt is necessarily the answer but the duo has been together since 2013. Stotts has been there since 2012. With potentially 5 1st round exits the last 7 years, maybe just change for the sake of change might be beneficial.
What the team needs is a defensive-minded backup C (i.e. not Kanter), a legit PF (i.e. not converted SFs like Covington or aging tweener Melo or hoping for Collins to stay healthy given he's played 11 games the last two seasons) and a solid backcourt defender off the bench (both Simons/Powell are subpar defenders). In other words, defense defense defense.
Not the most exciting moves but with only the #52 pick and MLE to use - and little in the way of trade assets - they can only do so much. So if it really came down to it, just seeing what they could get for CJ to upgrade the frontcourt and re-signing Powell to slide in that starting SG spot might be their most logical route to a more balanced unit.
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Post by eddieeddie on May 28, 2021 13:05:00 GMT -5
Milwaukee Bucks guard Donte DiVincenzo has suffered a serious tendon injury in his left foot and will miss the remainder of the playoffs, sources tell @theathletic @stadium.
He's been terrible thus far this series. Only 3 games and it's a blow but they could move on fairly easily sliding Forbes into the starting SG spot and giving more playing time to Teague in the 2nd unit with Connaughton, Tucker, Portis
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Post by eddieeddie on May 29, 2021 22:31:55 GMT -5
Heat swept. Bam was great but Butler was just 4 for 15. Hero, Nunn, Ariza, Dragic chipped in offensively but the issues were defense. Their undersized lineup got crushed. Expect sweeping changes, namely finding a pure scorer. Also have to think Duncan's poor performance hurts his free agent value on some level. He was horrible the last 3 games.
Wizards will get swept. Just not enough firepower to keep up with the Sixers. We all know Simmons is an awful shooter but he is 0-9 on free throws. That's inexplicable. You'd think he'd at least bank one in. Drummond is a historically terrible free throw shooter and he's at least 3 for 5.
Glad to see Blazers win to make that series interesting. Dame was awful shooting wise but Powell came up huge.
While the Clippers didn't start Batum/Rondo like I suggested, they were the first off the bench and played sizable minutes and were +7 and +22. Meanwhile PatBev was benched and only play 6 minutes. Looks like they made solid adjustments. Pandemic P having a great game and Morris not sucking helped obviously.
Tatum with 50-6-7 line. Amazing. Of course even with that the Morons didn't run away with it and now Kemba is hurt so I think this series is over soon enough.
Randle has not been good offensively thus far. 23.6fg% and 3.3 topg. Barrett is at 32.6fg% himself. Knicks obviously need them to up if they are to win. Can't continue to rely on Rose playing 38-39mpg and going ham on offense.
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Post by wareagle on Jun 1, 2021 17:36:47 GMT -5
How are my Rockets doing?
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 1, 2021 20:10:01 GMT -5
How are my Rockets doing?
You guys won the Oladipo trade! Not that a 30 year old putting up 19ppg 8.4rpg 4.1apg 1.4spg 54.5fg% 39.2 3fg% for the worst team in the league meant anything other than helping people in fantasy and helping Olynyk make a few extra bucks entering free agency but for a trade that was universally mocked on their end, that's something.
Have to wonder if the Heat were thinking to themselves, as Oladipo continued to be useless for them and being all-around inept on offense versus Milwaukee, "Man, kind of wish we had Kelly right now". You know things are dire if that crosses your mind but a 6'11" player with some actual skill would have been useful versus trotting out a bunch of undersized lineups with 6'6" to 6'8" guys parading as PFs who couldn't score enough to make up for it.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 2, 2021 6:37:27 GMT -5
WTF was that? lol. They'll clearly have to get a better 3rd guy next year and I don't care if he's getting treatment early..or what..but he knows all eyes are on him..and he needs to see his ass on the bench until the buzzer goes off..or maybe he wanted more of the story line on his shoulders.
CP3 will have surgery as soon as they are eliminated..I've been dealing with same shoulder issue he has for 20 years now..I had surgery..and it still pops out. Won't Matthew's fault..his shoulder is loose and doesn't take much for it to slip out. But Lakers are making Payne look like a rising star as a back up, when he was out of the league and labeled a bust.
Glassman AD needs to play game 6, since CP3 is probably iffy. Then go back to game 7
Blazers shouldn't be losing..or lose the series to the Nuggets. They have more individual talent, Dame is elite..but they are a jump shooting team, and can't defend..that's on Stotts..1 and done..his time should be up.
and I doubt Ainge can pull it off...but try to move Kemba
* update :Boston Morons president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is seriously considering his future with the franchise and could make a decision to step down, sources tell ESPN.
maybe he thinks so too
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 2, 2021 9:27:04 GMT -5
Danny Ainge plans to resign from his role as Morons President, sources said.
Brad Stevens is moving from his head coaching role to leading the Morons basketball operations -- and Stevens will lead the search for the Morons‘ new head coach, sources said
holy hell..did not see all that coming.
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Post by varsity on Jun 2, 2021 9:35:37 GMT -5
Danny Ainge plans to resign from his role as Morons President, sources said. Brad Stevens is moving from his head coaching role to leading the Morons basketball operations -- and Stevens will lead the search for the Morons‘ new head coach, sources said holy hell..did not see all that coming. Didn't see that either.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 2, 2021 9:38:39 GMT -5
I'd like B-Shaw to get another shot, had his best playing season as a Celtic..lol. But he can relate well to their "Big 3" D'Antoni would be itching..you know J-Kidd will be brought up...long list.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 2, 2021 10:14:37 GMT -5
If I'm Dame, I'm looking at my teammates and wondering why the hell I should ever pass to any of them. Really only Covington stepped up. CJ was especially disappointing. The problem with this team has and will always be defense and as I said in a post before, they get bounced here and they really need to break up that core and get more size/defense. For as great as Dame/CJ are on offense, they are simply undersized and bad on defense.
That game was amazing though. Dame is bananas. Closest thing to Kobe in terms of the ability to torque their body around a defender for clutch threes.
Schroder and Harrell were supposed to give the Lakers more scoring power outside of AD/LBJ - so in case one got hurt, they still had firepower. They did average 18.9ppg and 18.6ppg respectively last season after all. Then Drummond was tossed in, who had averaged 17+ PPG the 3 seasons prior joining the Lakers (if you count his time with CLE this season). On paper you'd think this team still had enough without AD. Welp. Schroder choked bad when the team needed him most as he went 0 for 9 for 0 points in 26 minutes. Harrell has been reduced to garbage time. Drummond is further exposing himself as being useless on offense aside from just being big and athletic.
Honestly, the saviors might really be a Caruso and THT backcourt. I'd start those two over Schroder - who might really be better off as a 6th man - and the hobbled, under-producing KCP. At the least Caruso/THT will bring defensive intensity, passing and the ability to generate their own offense. If AD remains out, the best lineup might really be Schroder, Caruso, THT, Lebron and whatever big is playing best that game among Drummond/Harrell/Gasol.
Speaking of saviors, we live in a world where Austin Rivers is one. Given the Nuggets' injuries, he's proven wildly invaluable to them this series.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 2, 2021 10:35:53 GMT -5
Danny Ainge plans to resign from his role as Morons President, sources said. Brad Stevens is moving from his head coaching role to leading the Morons basketball operations -- and Stevens will lead the search for the Morons‘ new head coach, sources said holy hell..did not see all that coming.
Ainge has been with Boston in the Morons FO since 2003, doesn't surprise me he'd look for a change of scenery. His recent inability, despite considerable effort, to make that BIG trade he had been desperately seeking has to weigh on him. He's made some big moves but they haven't quite panned out. Hayward. Kemba. Kyrie. The Morons no longer have that treasure trove of draft picks and their cap space situation is tied up the next 2 years with a decision on Smart soon that could extend that. There is also luxury tax concerns that limit flexibility. So he probably isn't as excited about the opportunities to shake things up. Word is the Morons may shop Kemba this offseason. I'm sure the market for a 31 year old injury prone PGs with 2 years 73.7M left on their contract is going to be huge! Really their best bet is to shop Smart, attach whatever needs to be attached to him and see what frontcourt upgrades can be had.
The shock to me is Stevens moving from HC to the FO. I figured if he ever stepped down, it'd be to go back to coaching college hoops.
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Post by varsity on Jun 2, 2021 13:02:23 GMT -5
Schroder and Harrell were supposed to give the Lakers more scoring power outside of AD/LBJ - so in case one got hurt, they still had firepower. They did average 18.9ppg and 18.6ppg respectively last season after all. Then Drummond was tossed in, who had averaged 17+ PPG the 3 seasons prior joining the Lakers (if you count his time with CLE this season). On paper you'd think this team still had enough without AD. Welp. Schroder choked bad when the team needed him most as he went 0 for 9 for 0 points in 26 minutes. Harrell has been reduced to garbage time. Drummond is further exposing himself as being useless on offense aside from just being big and athletic. I think this is the biggest shock to me of it all. Harrell played well all season with AD being out and now he doesn't even move off the bench? I don't understand it at all. Outside of the physical skills he brings, he gets easy buckets for the Lakers which they seem to have a hard time doing. You gotta wonder how this affects his decision to opt-in or out this season if come playoffs he's not going to be used. Dennis Schroder just played himself into free agency in my opinion. Gotta wonder if Rob Lowe, errr... I mean Pelinka, is kicking himself for not making a Lowry move. 0 points between him and KCP is unacceptable.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 2, 2021 13:55:23 GMT -5
If I'm Harrell, I 100% opt out. He took less to join the reigning champs. That paycut looks a lot less tolerable with a meager role on a team on the verge of getting bounced in the 1st round. If he can't sign a good deal with an under the cap team, he can sign for the MLE with a new team for a negligible paycut from his player option but offers a better role. Perhaps Boston, Charlotte, New York if they just want a younger Taj Gibson, Portland.....
Schroder has to be kicking himself for not accepting the 4 year 84M extension offer from the Lakers back in March. NO WAY he sniffs that contract from another team and have to figure the Lakers would be reluctant to offer that this offseason as well. That said, Lakers aren't exactly in position to just let talent walk away given their cap situation and an aging Lebron, so curious how they approach his free agency.
Will be an interesting offseason when you consider 9 of the 15 guys on the playoff roster could be free agents.
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Post by varsity on Jun 2, 2021 14:16:23 GMT -5
I can see the Lakers offering a 2 year deal with an opt-out for Schroder potentially allowing him to test free agency again. But it wouldn't shock me if the focus turns to keeping Caruso and THT. As you said, I don't see him commanding nearly that previous offer from another team but a short deal could help the Lakers keep some talent and also use him as a trade chip near the deadline as well.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 2, 2021 16:49:08 GMT -5
I can see Caruso getting deals akin to DJ Augustin, Tyus Jones (3 years 21M/26M) / Seth Curry, De'Anthony Melton (4 years 32M/35M)
THT is a wild-card and all it takes is one team with cap space. While not a "big fish signing" by any stretch of the imagination, I think a lineup with Barrett, THT, Randle would actually be quite fun.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 2, 2021 18:02:05 GMT -5
Honestly, I'm not overly excited about the idea of the Lakers pretty much running this team back except maybe replacing Drummond and/or Harrell and then filling out the edges with potentially different players (i.e. Morris, Matthews, Dudley, McLemore etc). Aside from better health and maybe some benefit of continuity, only real upside would be an increased role for THT and them actually having and hopefully keeping their 1st rd pick. If they get bounced in the 1st round I'd look for a bigger shakeup.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 3, 2021 11:15:22 GMT -5
Awful turnovers in the clutch by Paul George
Awful final shot by Kawhi along with bricking open looks a bit earlier
Awful miss by Batum down low
Among other awful things
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Post by varsity on Jun 3, 2021 14:17:07 GMT -5
It's embarrassing that Luka only has 11 career playoff games under his belt and they are all against the Clippers and he's averaging 32/9/9 on nearly 50 from the field and 40 from 3 pointer. This series would be over if had anyone else providing help. He's singlehandedly destroying LAC and Kawhi and PG13 can't do anything about it. Granted he's a great player but they should be embarrassed at how bad they are playing against essentially a 1-man team.
And Porzingis looks horrible. He's definitely not Robin to Luka's Batman. He's like Aquaman at this point. They need to improve that roster in the offseason.
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Post by varsity on Jun 3, 2021 14:31:08 GMT -5
Chris Paul is likely to decline his 44 million dollar option with the hopes of securing a long-term deal according to ESPN.
------
He'll be 36. While I imagine it's nothing to pay him 20 million/year for the next 2 years instead of 44 million for one. He reportedly wants in the upwards of 100 million.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 3, 2021 15:28:34 GMT -5
Chris Paul is likely to decline his 44 million dollar option with the hopes of securing a long-term deal according to ESPN. ------ He'll be 36. While I imagine it's nothing to pay him 20 million/year for the next 2 years instead of 44 million for one. He reportedly wants in the upwards of 100 million.
Paul managed to finagle a 4 year MAX contract in 2018 at age 33. Which I realize isn't 36 but he was coming off back to back injury plagued seasons and still got paid, which granted HOU immediately regretted. While he still gets banged up here and there, he did play the vast majority of regular season games the last two years en route to two All-Star selections and has garnered significant credit for elevating two young teams in OKC/PHX. So while on the surface the idea of him getting a sizable multi year deal at his age and injury history sounds unfathomable, it's not out of the realm of possible that some team overvalues his leadership, his experience, his ability to make those around him better, his star power as a future HOFer and sees his recent production as having gas left in the tank and ultimately forks over say a 3 year 100M deal.
If Miami strikes out on Lowry, do they look this way? Would the Knicks and their abundant cap space see him as the logical leader for their young talent? Would Phoenix pony up to keep him around? Would Boston/PHX consider a Kemba/Paul swap? Does Chicago get aggressive? With Rivers gone, can the Clippers/Paul reunite?
Although for the record, any team willing to give him 3 years 100M is crazy. I don't care what he's done the last 2 years.
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Post by varsity on Jun 3, 2021 20:13:36 GMT -5
If Miami strikes out on Lowry, do they look this way? Would the Knicks and their abundant cap space see him as the logical leader for their young talent? Would Phoenix pony up to keep him around? Would Boston/PHX consider a Kemba/Paul swap? Does Chicago get aggressive? With Rivers gone, can the Clippers/Paul reunite?
Although for the record, any team willing to give him 3 years 100M is crazy. I don't care what he's done the last 2 years.
Paul is probably at that point where it's Phoenix or nothing. Being traded twice in the last 3 seasons, it looks like he found a home in Phoenix with Monty Williams again and is competitive. I don't think at this point in his career he's going to find a better situation. I think it would take a significant gap in contract negotiations for him to leave. My guess is his representatives have probably already communicated of his intent, prior to the news leaking, and have an idea what Paul is looking for. He probably doesn't officially opt-out without knowing what the Suns are doing because the market for Paul, despite his solid season, just isn't there anymore. 3 years/100 million with a partial guarantee in year 3 isn't that bad. Obviously I'd be more worried about paying close to 35 million at the age of 39 but if the Suns can lower their cap number next year and walk away in year 3 if isn't working, I can see it. If Paul opts in and plays similar to this year, you were probably looking at 20-25 million for the following year anyway. In this case, you can give Paul some security and for Phoenix, you can make a decision to move his expiring, non-guaranteed deal in year 3, give it one more shot or walk away. I don't see the Clippers having the assets to make a deal and I think it's still some bad blood there. Plus I wonder would Kawhi and PG13 be open to playing with a guy like Paul. We've heard rumors of how those two kinda play by their own rules there and a no-nonsense guy like Paul may disrupt that . Miami is intriguing though. But if you are Miami, do you grossly overpay for a 36 year old and re-sign Butler to an extension? Same with the Knicks. You got a young movement there so does a 36 year old Paul get you over the hump or do you make a play for Lonzo Ball, whose younger and keeps the same progression track.
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Post by wareagle on Jun 4, 2021 0:19:44 GMT -5
Happy Lakers Lose Day!!
We missed last year due to a glitch in the system - but hopefully that won’t happen again for another decade - or until the next 100-year pandemic!!
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 4, 2021 0:49:45 GMT -5
Miami is intriguing though. But if you are Miami, do you grossly overpay for a 36 year old and re-sign Butler to an extension? Same with the Knicks. You got a young movement there so does a 36 year old Paul get you over the hump or do you make a play for Lonzo Ball, whose younger and keeps the same progression track.
I like Butler a lot but giving him a 4 year MAX extension this summer (replacing his 2022-2023 player option) would be utter nonsense. Committing 5 years 217.5M to someone turning 32 in September, who has a ton of mileage on his body, who is consistently banged up and who sucked big time in the first round sweep - at least offensively (29.7fg% 26.7 3fg%). The 2020 finals run was excellent and his regular season was solid, no denying that but doesn't alter the risk of a future investment. I think he is a great #2 at this stage and you don't pay that type $ to a Robin. If I'm Miami I hold firm on him playing out next season and then revisiting the situation but if he insists on an extension, hate to say it but I'd trade him. That extension cripples their future flexibility significantly.
I'd like to see CP3 stay in PHX but with his age, Booker's contract and that Ayton/Bridges are up for extensions, I'd definitely approach it in a way that makes sense for them financially. Perhaps a declining contract that limits future his as bigger contracts hit the books. 42M next season, 32M in 2022-2023 and 26M in 2023-2024 that is guaranteed for 13M but can become fully guaranteed if he meets certain playing time criteria in 2022-2023.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 4, 2021 0:56:01 GMT -5
A lot went wrong with this game, obviously AD's injury, but there was also Kuz being an utter failure when the team needed him most and basically the entire frontcourt being useless. 4 points on 11 shots among 52 minutes for Morris/Gasol/Harrell/ Drummond didn't even play. Have to figure Harrell and Drummond are goners. THT should have played more. He looked like he'd be the exact spark the team needed. Also Lebron really realy really needs to stop whining to the refs. It's f'in annoying and often he is late getting back on defense.
I'll say this, loved Schroder this game. Big time energy and effort on defense. Nice bounceback from him and KCP after a horrific Game 5.
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 4, 2021 5:07:23 GMT -5
Tough loss, tough season.
And yet, as a Lakers fan I'm feeling fine.
It's human nature to want to be mad and blame someone, but honestly there are only 3 people to blame for this: AD (for getting hurt), LBJ (for being 36 and finally looking human for the first time in 20 years) and Booker (for taking the next step into potential superstardom).
Not sure how any reasonable Lakers fan could really be mad. Just wasn't our year. It happens.
I agree with EE. If it were up to me next year's Lakers squad would be LBJ, AD, THT, Caruso, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD, TBD.
Definitely need to go back to the drawing board and look to mold the team to look more like the 2018 Cavs and less like the 2020 Lakers. Quit going all in on defense, you're only rowing against the tide of modern basketball (and the NBA rulebook).
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Post by varsity on Jun 4, 2021 9:26:22 GMT -5
The 2 teams who went to the Finals were both eliminated in the 1st round and I don't think that's a sheer coincidence. At the end of the day, I think the short turnaround took it's toll with AD being the most notable in being affected. But LeBron and Jimmy Butler all struggled this year with injuries as well. And then the Lakers lost a lot of ground with Schroder being out due to COVID protocol.
So in terms of expectations, it's a failure. But if I'm the Lakers and specifically LeBron James, this early exit may be more beneficial for next year especially at age 37.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 4, 2021 9:45:34 GMT -5
I'm more disappointed in my Blazers. They should have beat the Nuggets
and my man Kanter can't get any burn all playoffs, but some garbage time in 2 blowouts.
I suppose I'll pull for the Joker, since I'm not a fan of Luka..would be nice to see how much he can carry Zingis on his back.
Drummond DNP-CD and Harrell's lack of minutes doesn't make much sense at all.
Russell, Ingram, Ball, Hart, Randle, Nance...and the Lakers keep Kyle fashion designer Kuzma
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Post by varsity on Jun 4, 2021 11:16:02 GMT -5
Dame looked exhausted. But his comments post-game were the first time when he seemed mentally exhausted. He basically echoed what everybody has been saying about that team and it's they aren't good enough. So it'll be interesting to see how Portland's management and ownership takes that because as currently constructed, you can pretty much expect the same result.
I'm pulling for Luka and the Mavs in the West. I just hate the fact if he does get it done, he'll be exhausted too and then be forced to play against Brooklyn's 3 or the Bucks (which are my picks for the East). But I doubt they get that far. The Jazz are a better team overall and if Mitchell is healthy, I think they can win the West.
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