Around the League

[Cowology]

This is hilarious to me. The Knicks would rather play the Celts than the Pistons. We gave them a harder time. I'm dying.

[Rip32]

Knick vs Celtics proves 3 point shooting is overrated. You have to be able to get easy baskets. All the Pistons should be able to provide a post game.
If everybody worked on their overall game then you're not just a specialist. You can bring more to the table especially when your three or shot isn't falling. When smaller guys are guarding you, post them. I find it hilarious when a 3 point specialist have difficulty making a shot close to the basket. I see the shet all the time. So, to Ausar and Ron Holland, work on every aspect of your game. Don't limit yourself.

[pistonsbball]

Crazy how Thibs was likely gone if we showed more composure and now they're 2-0 on the road against the defending champs.

[BadMofoPimp]

Pistons physicality rubbed off on the Knicks.

[bstein14]

Pistons physicality rubbed off on the Knicks.

Celtics had a bit of a cakewalk in the first round and the Knicks really did go to war for six close games with Detroit and it certainly had them ready to go against the Celtics.

[Phenomenonsense]

I mean, Tatum playing this poorly against the Knicks defense can only speak to how good he has been lately.

[MotownMadness]

When do they announce All NBA?

[MortSahlfan]

https://thef5.substack.com/p/draymond-greens-magic-trick?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=47430&post_id=162960661&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=10980&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

[Cowology]

[MotownMadness]

OKC is so stacked

[Canadafan]

Haha when I saw this pic last night I immediately put a bet on them to win

[bstein14]

I knew when Jokic got jobbed on this MVP after having one of the best seasons in league history that Denver would have a little extra motivation in this series. Actually crazy they got a game 3 win when Jokic had one of the worst games he's had at year. It'll be interesting to see who wins this series they might be my favorite to win it all.

[BadMofoPimp]

Randle goes beast mode in the 4th. He is a competitor. I wonder if he is an option.

[Canadafan]

Randle goes beast mode in the 4th. He is a competitor. I wonder if he is an option.

Some of us mentioned wanting him before. Lots did not like that idea lol.

[BadMofoPimp]

Randle goes beast mode in the 4th. He is a competitor. I wonder if he is an option.

Some of us mentioned wanting him before. Lots did not like that idea lol.

He could be another Harris, THJ, Schroder type player who has been maligned and unwanted who joins the Detroit vs Everybody mantra and proves em wrong.

[Canadafan]

Randle goes beast mode in the 4th. He is a competitor. I wonder if he is an option.

Some of us mentioned wanting him before. Lots did not like that idea lol.

He could be another Harris, THJ, Schroder type player who has been maligned and unwanted who joins the Detroit vs Everybody mantra and proves em wrong.

I would luv him. I think Knicks were better off having him and Donte as well. Could they not have kept Hartenstein?

[BadMofoPimp]

Some of us mentioned wanting him before. Lots did not like that idea lol.

He could be another Harris, THJ, Schroder type player who has been maligned and unwanted who joins the Detroit vs Everybody mantra and proves em wrong.

I would luv him. I think Knicks were better off having him and Donte as well. Could they not have kept Hartenstein?

Possibly. But, I reckon they really wanted Towns.

[MortSahlfan]

Both teams start 0-14 from 3... but they'll keep taking them..
"Oh the (lack of) humanity!"

[Cowology]

Random thought, but I'm struck by how young both coaches in the Den/OKC match are. More so in relation to my childhood when it seemed like every coach had been around for decades already. It feels like we've seen a significant infusion of young talent over the past 10 years or so from guys like Brad Stevens to 2nd generation talent like we have in Bickerstaff or Silas. A few guys have actually come through BOS if you think about Udoka & Mazulla too. Pop might have been the last of the old guard.

I just think it's interesting that the average age of the HC has dropped significantly. Players these days do NOT want to hear from the old heads. Those same messages just don't resonate. Now we got guys like Kerr & Carlise as sort of elder statesman as opposed to Don Nelson & Jerry Sloan, but these young cats are making an impact.

/stream of consciousness

[tmorgan]

A lot of teams seem to be under the impression that you have to force the three (high volume, solid accuracy) in order to be a good team in today’s NBA.

That’s just not true. You need to be able to DEFEND the three, but any mostly efficient bucket will do on offense. Middies are just fine as long as the player can shoot 50+% on them. Obviously paint buckets are great, because the league conversion rate is up over 60%.

Our offense will be fine, even without elite spacing, as long as we have SOME guys that can shoot it, as we did this year. Honestly, in the playoffs, what we try and do is likely even more effective by comparison. We just have to get better at it. Need more strong finishers (Duren and Ron were great there), less turnovers, and even better team defense.

Defense first. If you can’t guard someone, you don’t play. Ivey has to improve, THJ has to move on, Duren needs to get better at help D. These are the keys for 50 wins next year.