Around the NBA: Playoff Edition #2

MGB8 · Post #441 » by **MGB8** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 2:54 pm

To me, the playoffs are looking like Houston is headed for a showdown with OKC (unless Gobert comes back strong to Utah and allows them to bounce back to what they were doing at the end of the season - which would, IMO make it a three team race).

I don't think San Antonio has a chance due to weakness at the guard spots (Parker's too old, Mills isn't good enough, Danny Green is too limited, Simmons is a rotation guy... maybe Murray could give them a shot in the arm). Memphis is too old and too lacking in overall talent, generally. OKC just doesn't have the talent, while Portland has talent but are just too young, and have some fit issues without Nurkic in.

In the East, while I love the Bulls and the surprise we're giving Boston, I think it will boil down to the Cavs and Wizards... although I don't quite know what to make of the Bucks.... And we'll see what the Bulls can do - not quite a believer that we can get to the ECF yet against a team that is more talented and balanced than Boston (all of the remaining playoff teams)... but stranger things have happened.

Post #442 » by **Ice Man** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:01 pm

MGB8 wrote:To me, the playoffs are looking like Houston is headed for a showdown with OKC

You wrote OKC, meant GSW. Yes, that might be.

drosestruts · Post #443 » by **drosestruts** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:01 pm

Proven_Winner wrote:
GimmeDat wrote:Yeah Maker has been awesome, exceeded my expectations for his first year.

He's a legit rim protector that is also exceptional at staying with guards on defense.

On offense he's an athletic finisher and has range out to the 3 point line. 46% FG / 38% 3PT, pretty efficient for a rookie.

With time and more involvement in the offense I think he'll be an awesome player, whether his age is right or not. The only thing I'm worried about is his rebounding - hopefully that improves once he puts on more muscle.

The most important thing with his development is he's got a great work ethic, a great attitude, and is really intelligent/well spoken. He's going places.

Milwaukee has been killing the draft. They draft safe hard working guys every year. Dating back to 2012 all of their 1st rounders have been really good contributors. Not sure about rashad Vaughn and how he's been though.

I think that's so far from the truth - there was nothing "safe" about drafting Giannis or Thon or Inglis or Ledo, if anything I think their strategy has been "swing for the fences" type draft picks. These were all pretty risky picks, Giannis has paid off big time, Thon's shown some skills, Inglis and Ledo are out of the league.

Jimako10 · Post #444 » by **Jimako10** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:21 pm

Ice Man wrote:
Jimako10 wrote:Since Jabari went down, Milwaukee has had the 3rd best record in the NBA behind GS and SAS, at 20-11. They are definitely coming into the playoffs with a lot of confidence.

Jabari looks good to me. But Middleton coming back seems to have more than compensated for Jabari going down. That guy can shoot.

Jabari looked really good to me too, at least on the offensive side of the ball. I'm guessing the problem was that him + John Henson couldn't guard the paint effectively enough. With Maker+Giannis now, they can shut down the paint AND close out on shooters, while KM/Brogdon/Snell are all rotating effectively enough with their length and athleticism. Toronto just had no answer at all on offense, every shot in the game seemed contested, whether it was in the paint or a jump shot.

Proven_Winner · Post #445 » by **Proven_Winner** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:37 pm

drosestruts wrote:
Proven_Winner wrote:
GimmeDat wrote:Yeah Maker has been awesome, exceeded my expectations for his first year.

He's a legit rim protector that is also exceptional at staying with guards on defense.

On offense he's an athletic finisher and has range out to the 3 point line. 46% FG / 38% 3PT, pretty efficient for a rookie.

With time and more involvement in the offense I think he'll be an awesome player, whether his age is right or not. The only thing I'm worried about is his rebounding - hopefully that improves once he puts on more muscle.

The most important thing with his development is he's got a great work ethic, a great attitude, and is really intelligent/well spoken. He's going places.

Milwaukee has been killing the draft. They draft safe hard working guys every year. Dating back to 2012 all of their 1st rounders have been really good contributors. Not sure about rashad Vaughn and how he's been though.

I think that's so far from the truth - there was nothing "safe" about drafting Giannis or Thon or Inglis or Ledo, if anything I think their strategy has been "swing for the fences" type draft picks. These were all pretty risky picks, Giannis has paid off big time, Thon's shown some skills, Inglis and Ledo are out of the league.

Even if they weren't safe they are hard working and everyone knows it. They're young and giving a more veteran a run for their money. Maybe giannis and thon were more gambles but a lot of those guys were safe picks where people knew they could eventually contribute ( again I'm talking about the 1st rounders starting from 2012). But they've also had some swing for the fences type picks like ledo. Overall though Milwaukee has done good at drafting over the years.

drosestruts · Post #446 » by **drosestruts** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 4:09 pm

Proven_Winner wrote:
drosestruts wrote:
Proven_Winner wrote:
Milwaukee has been killing the draft. They draft safe hard working guys every year. Dating back to 2012 all of their 1st rounders have been really good contributors. Not sure about rashad Vaughn and how he's been though.

I think that's so far from the truth - there was nothing "safe" about drafting Giannis or Thon or Inglis or Ledo, if anything I think their strategy has been "swing for the fences" type draft picks. These were all pretty risky picks, Giannis has paid off big time, Thon's shown some skills, Inglis and Ledo are out of the league.

Even if they weren't safe they are hard working and everyone knows it. They're young and giving a more veteran a run for their money. Maybe giannis and thon were more gambles but a lot of those guys were safe picks where people knew they could eventually contribute ( again I'm talking about the 1st rounders starting from 2012). But they've also had some swing for the fences type picks like ledo. Overall though Milwaukee has done good at drafting over the years.

Are people drafting players who aren't hard workers? Just doesn't seem like something unique to Mailwaukee's selections.

Giannis' emergence is really unique, he could have easily been a Bruno Cabacolo up on Toronto (Note: Bruno still has time to become something). Giannis' rise has been incredible, perfect situation for him in Milwuakee, he was given the playing time (unlike someone like Bruno) and Kidd has put no limitations on his game. How many coaches would honestly have Giannis play point guard? I feel like even some good coaches out there could have hampered his development, or a city with more pressure and spotlight.

Either way, Milwaukee has done a good job, I think it helps that they've been consistent in their selections of these boom or bust type guys, it's not something you can do one year, then go safe the next year, and flip flop back and forth. They're taking the risks, some don't work, some have, one has worked better than anyone's wildest imagination.

Bulls03 · Post #447 » by **Bulls03** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:40 pm

Mbrahv0528 wrote:
Bulls03 wrote:
Rerisen wrote:
Just tuned in saw Shumpert on PG.

Unless LBJ is in foul trouble just don't get why he can't take the other's team's best wing anymore. In 2013 he would have.

I'm not sure why either. Surely if they get past us in the ECF he'll guard Durant in the finals.

LeBron isn't guarding Durant in the finals.

Sent from my 2PS64 using RealGM mobile app

Who's he guarding then?

Mbrahv0528 · Post #448 » by **Mbrahv0528** » Fri Apr 21, 2017 9:13 pm

Why is he not guarding George this series? There's your answer.

Sent from my 2PS64 using RealGM mobile app

Pillendreher · Post #449 » by **Pillendreher** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 4:23 am

Donovan finally removed the shackles from Gibson. I see what you guys see in him. Great, great player.

Mech Engineer · Post #450 » by **Mech Engineer** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 4:26 am

Pillendreher wrote:Donovan finally removed the shackles from Gibson. I see what you guys see in him. Great, great player.

Taj was great...stopped Harden 1 on 1 a few times. That said, Harden is one hell of an offensive player. It is going to be tough for OKC to stop Harden.

RakimAbdulJabar · Post #451 » by **RakimAbdulJabar** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 5:11 am

Watching that Thunder game was tough, still can't get over the Bulls having to give up a 2nd round pick and Gibson for the trash they got in return from OKC.

Then OKC bring Cole over from China who is better than Payne. Also seeing Williams out there who was obtained for almost nothing

I don't understand why the Bulls couldn't have got Lou Williams & kept Taj. That team probably finishes 6th and is playing Toronto

I'd honestly rather anyone on that Thunder roster ahead of Payne, they should have asked for Grant instead

Anyway Taj was great, no idea why Donovan took him out at the end, lucky for him Adams had the tip in, also brave (or stupid) having McDermott inbound the ball

Post #452 » by **Ice Man** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:58 pm

RakimAbdulJabar wrote:Watching that Thunder game was tough, still can't get over the Bulls having to give up a 2nd round pick and Gibson for the trash they got in return from OKC.

The Thunder unloaded three players they had given up on, got two of our guys back, and had the temerity to ask for a draft pick, too. :banghead:

RakimAbdulJabar · Post #453 » by **RakimAbdulJabar** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 1:51 pm

Ice Man wrote:
RakimAbdulJabar wrote:Watching that Thunder game was tough, still can't get over the Bulls having to give up a 2nd round pick and Gibson for the trash they got in return from OKC.

The Thunder unloaded three players they had given up on, got two of our guys back, and had the temerity to ask for a draft pick, too.

I can just picture that phone call, one of the Thunder staff in the background high off his face, giggling like a little girl looks over and says "ask them for a draft pick too", and the Bulls were stupid enough to say yes.

My only hope is that there was some sort of agreement for future compensation that couldn't be revealed otherwise it's truly a terrible deal.

They could have sent Taj and Doug home, kept their pick and had pretty much the same outcome

Jcool0 · Post #454 » by **Jcool0** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:41 pm

Read on Twitter

Repeat 3-peat · Post #455 » by **Repeat 3-peat** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:46 pm

That guy always seems to be hurt during the postseason.

Post #456 » by **Rerisen** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:48 pm

That Clippers build just isn't meant to be.

Time for CP3 and Blake to go separate ways.

Hangtime84 · Post #457 » by **Hangtime84** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:51 pm

Clippers just cannot do playoff basketball

jc23 · Post #458 » by **jc23** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 2:59 pm

Pillendreher wrote:Donovan finally removed the shackles from Gibson. I see what you guys see in him. Great, great player.

Taj is a good player not a great one, but on the right team that has enough space for him to work he can be effective.

jc23 · Post #459 » by **jc23** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:01 pm

the blake news sucks, i dislike the clips but i want to see teams healthy in the playoffs. Looks like things are coming up warriors again. Rather see Utah advance now, hopefully stiffle tower will be back by then.

Post #460 » by **Payt10** » Sat Apr 22, 2017 3:12 pm

Another 1st or 2nd round exit for Doc Rivers. Overrated!