Around the NBA (Part Two)

[winforlose]

We need to pray GS wins game 7. Preferably in OT.

I am good with OT, but I have no problem with how we match up with Houston. They are offensively challenged and we are a much better defense than GSW with much better size and rebounding. Meanwhile we will likely shoot much better this series after a bad shooting series last time. I think we are good either way.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Let's see what game 7 give us. GSW is totally dependent on Stef and Butler when Houston is much more balanced team. Will be a tough battle anyway.

[minimus]

Either against HOU or GSW, our point-of-attack defense will be crucial in the next series.

Unlike the methodical, semi–post-up hybrid pick-and-roll + ISO style of Luka, both Curry+Butler (GSW) and FVV+Green (HOU) run offenses built around quickness, movement, and screens — including lots of guard-to-guard screens (Podz screening for Curry, Butler screening for Curry, etc.).

I fully expect McDaniels, NAW, and Clark to get big minutes.
We’ll need all of them to navigate screens, communicate, switch, and stay disciplined without fouling.

[life_saver]

Wolves will be favorites regardless of whom they are facing...both the teams have lot more flaws than Wolves and this is a very good opportunity for Wolves to reach B2B WCFs. Would be disappointed if Wolves lose in next round.

[life_saver]

The little bit I’ve watched, I feel GS doesn’t have enough offense for the wolves outside of curry and butler.

Houston might be the tougher matchup simply because of their youth. Honestly, the wolves should be able to beat both teams.

Watching the first half of the Rockets-Warriors game 6 and I'm not feeling particularly worried about either team. Houston has almost no half court offense outside of Van Vleet catching fire. For the Warriors, I don't know that they have the size or athleticism to compete for 48 minutes. If I had to pick an opponent, the best case is probably the Warriors in Minneapolis on 1 day rest (HOU-GS goes 7 games).

Yes, I do worry about HOU's fast breaks. We may see 88-79 scoring against HOU.

One good thing about current version of Wolves is that they don't turn the ball over much like how Warriors do....they have finally cut down lot of dumb turnovers they used to commit before.

[jpatrick]

Definitely would prefer GSW over Houston. Houston is too creative on D and have both athletic wing defenders with length and rim protection behind them, too much 2024 Mavs on D for me. Warriors feel like a version of the 2025 Lakers. Aging stars that lack rim protection.

Against the rockets, we need to defensive rebound. Need to. And they’ll force everyone not named Edwards to hits threes. I still favor us but it’s going to be a tough, long, physical series. First team to 100 wins.

[KGdaBom]

How are we watching the GSW vs HOU game today? Rooting for Brooks to punch out Green? Adams smack Butler in the head? Both teams slap each other silly like the three stooges?

I worry about Thompson and Smith more than Curry and Butler.

The little bit I’ve watched, I feel GS doesn’t have enough offense for the wolves outside of curry and butler.

Houston might be the tougher matchup simply because of their youth. Honestly, the wolves should be able to beat both teams.

I very much prefer meeting the Warriors in the Semis to Houston. I want the HCA and the Warriors are going to be worn down after a 7 game series while Houston will be on a super high from coming back from down 3-1.

[winforlose]

How are we watching the GSW vs HOU game today? Rooting for Brooks to punch out Green? Adams smack Butler in the head? Both teams slap each other silly like the three stooges?

I worry about Thompson and Smith more than Curry and Butler.

The little bit I’ve watched, I feel GS doesn’t have enough offense for the wolves outside of curry and butler.

Houston might be the tougher matchup simply because of their youth. Honestly, the wolves should be able to beat both teams.

I very much prefer meeting the Warriors in the Semis to Houston. I want the HCA and the Warriors are going to be worn down after a 7 game series while Houston will be on a super high from coming back from down 3-1.

The likelihood is GSW wins game 7. There is a reason the team that goes up 3-1 wins it so often. GSW missed a ton of open shots in games 5 and 6. I don’t think that also happens in game 7. Meanwhile FVV has been red hot the last 2 games. Is he likely to be in game 7, and is it likely that GSW doesn’t find an adjustment to take him away? Again Houston could win, but the more likely outcome is GSW.

[KGdaBom]

The little bit I’ve watched, I feel GS doesn’t have enough offense for the wolves outside of curry and butler.

Houston might be the tougher matchup simply because of their youth. Honestly, the wolves should be able to beat both teams.

I very much prefer meeting the Warriors in the Semis to Houston. I want the HCA and the Warriors are going to be worn down after a 7 game series while Houston will be on a super high from coming back from down 3-1.

The likelihood is GSW wins game 7. There is a reason the team that goes up 3-1 wins it so often. GSW missed a ton of open shots in games 5 and 6. I don’t think that also happens in game 7. Meanwhile FVV has been red hot the last 2 games. Is he likely to be in game 7, and is it likely that GSW doesn’t find an adjustment to take him away? Again Houston could win, but the more likely outcome is GSW.

I hope you're right, but I would bet on Houston. They have all the mo and playing at home. Golden State has a reputation, but they aren't the same team they used to be. I'd rather play them with us getting HCA.

[winforlose]

I very much prefer meeting the Warriors in the Semis to Houston. I want the HCA and the Warriors are going to be worn down after a 7 game series while Houston will be on a super high from coming back from down 3-1.

The likelihood is GSW wins game 7. There is a reason the team that goes up 3-1 wins it so often. GSW missed a ton of open shots in games 5 and 6. I don’t think that also happens in game 7. Meanwhile FVV has been red hot the last 2 games. Is he likely to be in game 7, and is it likely that GSW doesn’t find an adjustment to take him away? Again Houston could win, but the more likely outcome is GSW.

I hope you're right, but I would bet on Houston. They have all the mo and playing at home. Golden State has a reputation, but they aren't the same team they used to be. I'd rather play them with us getting HCA.

Mo is important. But I don’t see FVV maintaining 67% from deep over the last 3 games. I don’t see GSW shooting another sub 32% from deep (14 of 49 yesterday, 15 of 44 in game 5, both sub 35%.) I also would not count out the refs who love to blow tight whistles in favor of Curry and the General. My gut says Houston fights are hard and falls short. That said, while I understand your fear of Houston, I just see their flaws as being too in line with our strengths. They may be more of a challenge than GSW, but we will be much better on the glass, better at defending FVV and Senguin, and better at breaking down their defense than GSW. I mean at this point they are daring anyone not named Butler or Curry to shoot. Jaden, Naz, DDV, NAW, Mike, and even Rudy can all make them pay for that. Plus Steven Adams won’t be nearly as good against size and strength.

Edited to correct I had written OKC when I meant GSW.

[KGdaBom]

The likelihood is GSW wins game 7. There is a reason the team that goes up 3-1 wins it so often. GSW missed a ton of open shots in games 5 and 6. I don’t think that also happens in game 7. Meanwhile FVV has been red hot the last 2 games. Is he likely to be in game 7, and is it likely that GSW doesn’t find an adjustment to take him away? Again Houston could win, but the more likely outcome is GSW.

I hope you're right, but I would bet on Houston. They have all the mo and playing at home. Golden State has a reputation, but they aren't the same team they used to be. I'd rather play them with us getting HCA.

Mo is important. But I don’t see FVV maintaining 67% from deep over the last 3 games. I don’t see GSW shooting another sub 32% from deep (14 of 49 yesterday, 15 of 44 in game 5, both sub 35%.) I also would not count out the refs who love to blow tight whistles in favor of Curry and the General. My gut says Houston fights are hard and falls short. That said, while I understand your fear of Houston, I just see their flaws as being too in line with our strengths. They may be more of a challenge than OKC, but we will be much better on the glass, better at defending FVV and Senguin, and better at breaking down their defense than GSW. I mean at this point they are daring anyone not named Butler or Curry to shoot. Jaden, Naz, DDV, NAW, Mike, and even Rudy can all make them pay for that. Plus Steven Adams won’t be nearly as good against size and strength.

Thanks for that deep dive. I still prefer facing GSW to Houston. Time will tell.

[shrink]

I truly want the Nuggets to win, but I can’t force myself to cheer for Jamal “heat pack” Murray.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Can either team beat okc though? Probably not, but I'd lean Denver having a better shot

[Neeva]

Wow a Harden lazy foul baiting choke job master class today. Clippers will be really desperate this summer, but they don’t have any picks. The Clippers looked really washed today after looking surprisingly spry earlier this series.

[Neeva]

Why are the Nuggets starters still in

[TimberKat]

It's at least good for Adelman. He may get to keep the head coach job next year

[KGdaBom]

Looking at the lineups I have no clue how the Clippers took it to 7. They seem totally outclassed.

[Klomp]

It's at least good for Adelman. He may get to keep the head coach job next year

Which is good for us, because I was worried about losing Nori

[younggunsmn]

Denver shouldn't have let the Clippers take them to 7.
That team is not the team it was 2 years ago.

HOU/GS game 7 is a toss up to me.
Houston is the deeper and better defensive team and Udoka has outcoached Kerr the past 2 games.

But I don't expect FVV to shoot so well and outplay Steph a 3rd game in a row.

Those zone looks they have been stifling the Warriors with should give the Wolves coaches some concerns, especially with the way we shot from deep in games 4 and 5.

[winforlose]

I expect GSW to win tomorrow and the Rockets to score no more than 105, probably sub 100. I expect Denver to lose to OKC in 6 and for us to beat GSW in 5. From there it gets tricky. I won’t predict farther until I know the injury situation for both teams. That said, OKC is the only team in the west as deep as us, and the only team that truly worries me in a 7 game series.