NBA Games Discussion Thread - Part 4

[nate33]

KD stays for one more year and takes the PO. He'll be 31 but he'll still get a supermax because he doesn't rely on speed. He just can sit out on the wing and pop jumpers all day. What he did last night before the serious injury was incredible. I thought he would at least have some rust and maybe he did on the other end of the floor, because he really couldn't move. But if there was any doubt who the best player in the game was...

But what if New York, Brooklyn or the Clippers offer a full max deal? If there's a full max deal on the table, why turn it down and take the risk that there's a reinjury, or that he never gets back to max-level ability?

[Ruzious]

i'm going to vegas on thursday and i'm def putting money on GSW winning game 6.

If GSW does win, you could knock me over with a feather. I think they lose by 20. They're just too exhausted, and they got no depth. I think they would need 80 points combined from Curry and Thompson just to have a chance. Iguodola couldn't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and Green has to be wide open to hit his shots. They're relying on Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie - not to mention Cousins. Cousins' defense is right up there with Bobby Portis'. And Bell is a disaster on offense and doesn't seem to get their switching defense. Honestly, I thought Bell would be a good rotation player by now, but he isn't - he's got a very low BBIQ. Poor Looney is bearing the pain, but it's hard to watch - what a Warrior, so to speak. Curry looks exhausted. Thompson might be the most competitive person in the stadium, but he can't be 100%.

Warriors had no business winning last night. When Kawhi put them up 6 I honestly thought it was over... but the Warriors kept fighting. They kept taking punches and would punch right back. The defense in spite of Cousins at the end was championship quality.

The Raps are clearly more talented at this point. They are built like a champion too. I think in nearly any year, the Raps are good enough to win... but for some reason I see this Warrior team as a team of destiny.

I would not be surprised to see Klay have another monster outburst in game 6 and the Raps role players collectively **** the bed in game 7.

And honestly, the officials seemed to be favoring Toronto. The no-call when Kawhi slid his pivot foot about 18 inches, and the no-call when Lowry smacked Thompson's forearm on a 3 point attempt were eggregiously obvious, and I thought the offensive goal-tend on Cousins was a bad call and normally not called in that situation. GS had to overcome Toronto and the officials. The game was very entertaining.

[FAH1223]

i'm going to vegas on thursday and i'm def putting money on GSW winning game 6.

If GSW does win, you could knock me over with a feather. I think they lose by 20. They're just too exhausted, and they got no depth. I think they would need 80 points combined from Curry and Thompson just to have a chance. Iguodola couldn't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and Green has to be wide open to hit his shots. They're relying on Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie - not to mention Cousins. Cousins' defense is right up there with Bobby Portis'. And Bell is a disaster on offense and doesn't seem to get their switching defense. Honestly, I thought Bell would be a good rotation player by now, but he isn't - he's got a very low BBIQ. Poor Looney is bearing the pain, but it's hard to watch - what a Warrior, so to speak. Curry looks exhausted. Thompson might be the most competitive person in the stadium, but he can't be 100%.

Warriors had no business winning last night. When Kawhi put them up 6 I honestly thought it was over... but the Warriors kept fighting. They kept taking punches and would punch right back. The defense in spite of Cousins at the end was championship quality.

The Raps are clearly more talented at this point. They are built like a champion too. I think in nearly any year, the Raps are good enough to win... but for some reason I see this Warrior team as a team of destiny.

I would not be surprised to see Klay have another monster outburst in game 6 and the Raps role players collectively **** the bed in game 7.

The Raptors miss the most wide open 3s of any team I've ever seen at this point in the season and its been happening all postseason.

Issue for the Warriors is where are they going to get points beyond Steph and Klay? And the Raptors will always be in striking defense because they guard and rebound.

[Ruzious]

i'm going to vegas on thursday and i'm def putting money on GSW winning game 6.

If GSW does win, you could knock me over with a feather. I think they lose by 20. They're just too exhausted, and they got no depth. I think they would need 80 points combined from Curry and Thompson just to have a chance. Iguodola couldn't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and Green has to be wide open to hit his shots. They're relying on Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie - not to mention Cousins. Cousins' defense is right up there with Bobby Portis'. And Bell is a disaster on offense and doesn't seem to get their switching defense. Honestly, I thought Bell would be a good rotation player by now, but he isn't - he's got a very low BBIQ.

So I signed up last night to Fanduel Sportsbook planning to put my last $100 to burn on Warriors winning the series with Curry as MVP... only to find out I can only place the wager in NJ state lines!

Now by the time I get my funds back into my account, it will be too late.

It's the evils of gambling, man. I guess sports gambling is or will be legal in MD and VA soon? It's awfully tempting, but so far I haven't done any. But I gotta stop going to casinos.

[Kanyewest]

Final shot was blocked. ESPN/ABC did a poor job showing that last night.

[80sballboy]

KD stays for one more year and takes the PO. He'll be 31 but he'll still get a supermax because he doesn't rely on speed. He just can sit out on the wing and pop jumpers all day. What he did last night before the serious injury was incredible. I thought he would at least have some rust and maybe he did on the other end of the floor, because he really couldn't move. But if there was any doubt who the best player in the game was...

But what if New York, Brooklyn or the Clippers offer a full max deal? If there's a full max deal on the table, why turn it down and take the risk that there's a reinjury, or that he never gets back to max-level ability?

He probably won't be able to play next season, not until late, so his worth will still be the same. He's still a super-max player. But playing my own devil's advocate, he might blame the Myers and the Warriors training staff. Maybe he just takes the PO and sits out the entire year or signs a supermax and just says eff it. He might harbour bad feeling towards the organization.

[80sballboy]

If GSW does win, you could knock me over with a feather. I think they lose by 20. They're just too exhausted, and they got no depth. I think they would need 80 points combined from Curry and Thompson just to have a chance. Iguodola couldn't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and Green has to be wide open to hit his shots. They're relying on Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie - not to mention Cousins. Cousins' defense is right up there with Bobby Portis'. And Bell is a disaster on offense and doesn't seem to get their switching defense. Honestly, I thought Bell would be a good rotation player by now, but he isn't - he's got a very low BBIQ. Poor Looney is bearing the pain, but it's hard to watch - what a Warrior, so to speak. Curry looks exhausted. Thompson might be the most competitive person in the stadium, but he can't be 100%.

Warriors had no business winning last night. When Kawhi put them up 6 I honestly thought it was over... but the Warriors kept fighting. They kept taking punches and would punch right back. The defense in spite of Cousins at the end was championship quality.

The Raps are clearly more talented at this point. They are built like a champion too. I think in nearly any year, the Raps are good enough to win... but for some reason I see this Warrior team as a team of destiny.

I would not be surprised to see Klay have another monster outburst in game 6 and the Raps role players collectively **** the bed in game 7.

The Raptors miss the most wide open 3s of any team I've ever seen at this point in the season and its been happening all postseason.

Issue for the Warriors is where are they going to get points beyond Steph and Klay? And the Raptors will always be in striking defense because they guard and rebound.

Huh? Did you watch Game 4 when Lowry and Green were hitting everything and were wide open because everybody was collapsing on Kawhi? Or how about the open looks all the Warriors role players have missed? There's a reason Siakam is open along with Draymond. Nobody is trying to leave Klay and Steph open. The best 3pt shooter on Toronto right now might be Vanvleet.

[payitforward]

If GSW does win, you could knock me over with a feather. I think they lose by 20. They're just too exhausted, and they got no depth. I think they would need 80 points combined from Curry and Thompson just to have a chance. Iguodola couldn't hit the broad side of a barn right now, and Green has to be wide open to hit his shots. They're relying on Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie - not to mention Cousins. Cousins' defense is right up there with Bobby Portis'. And Bell is a disaster on offense and doesn't seem to get their switching defense. Honestly, I thought Bell would be a good rotation player by now, but he isn't - he's got a very low BBIQ. Poor Looney is bearing the pain, but it's hard to watch - what a Warrior, so to speak. Curry looks exhausted. Thompson might be the most competitive person in the stadium, but he can't be 100%.

I’ve become a big fan of Klay during these playoffs. I love his demeanor both on and off the court. I’ve seen maybe 5-6 interviews of Klay during this playoff season and the guy comes across as grounded, unassuming, and extremely comfortable with who he is as a person and player.

And, you’re right, Klay is very competitive, which isn't always obvious because he’s so low-key and chill most of the time.

I was so impressed by the way that Klay and Steph didn't blink or buckle in the last couple of minutes of last night's game despite the fact that they were down by 6, Kawhi was playing out of his mind and the Toronto fans were loud and rabid.

Agreed -- Thompson is playing his butt off. Steph too -- all of them, in a way: that comeback in the last 2 minutes was some of the most intense & entertaining basketball I've ever seen.

At the same time, I also agree with Ruz that GS will have a hard time winning the series.

I'm not sure I've ever seen anything quite like this series. Only 1 home win in the first 5 games. I can't come up with a precedent. If someone had told me that GS would win games 2 & 5 in Toronto, I'd have assumed they were a lock. Ditto the opposite scenario: Toronto wins both games 3 & 4 in Oakland? I'd think "series over."

Hats off to every single player who's been on the floor for either team. Just a tremendous level of intensity. What a great game basketball is!

[pancakes3]

i wonder if kerr's got the stones to go drastically different with his game plan going forward. raps clearly have scouted the warriors out fully and know what to do defensively.

as an armchair analyst, it's easy for me to say "cook's got the potential to play well and should get minutes, and jerebko's been underused in the playoffs" but to actually play those guys minutes to throw tor for a loop is another matter.

[Ruzious]

i wonder if kerr's got the stones to go drastically different with his game plan going forward. raps clearly have scouted the warriors out fully and know what to do defensively.

as an armchair analyst, it's easy for me to say "cook's got the potential to play well and should get minutes, and jerebko's been underused in the playoffs" but to actually play those guys minutes to throw tor for a loop is another matter.

I'd agree with you on Jerebko, but Cook... I think he's a disaster waiting to happen. He's such a limited player to be playing in the biggest games of the season.

[Ruzious]

Final shot was blocked. ESPN/ABC did a poor job showing that last night.

Yeah, watching on tv, I didn't even realize Green blocked the shot until the replay - which was from a bad angle. It was a GREAT play by Green.

[nate33]

KD stays for one more year and takes the PO. He'll be 31 but he'll still get a supermax because he doesn't rely on speed. He just can sit out on the wing and pop jumpers all day. What he did last night before the serious injury was incredible. I thought he would at least have some rust and maybe he did on the other end of the floor, because he really couldn't move. But if there was any doubt who the best player in the game was...

But what if New York, Brooklyn or the Clippers offer a full max deal? If there's a full max deal on the table, why turn it down and take the risk that there's a reinjury, or that he never gets back to max-level ability?

He probably won't be able to play next season, not until late, so his worth will still be the same. He's still a super-max player. But playing my own devil's advocate, he might blame the Myers and the Warriors training staff. Maybe he just takes the PO and sits out the entire year or signs a supermax and just says eff it. He might harbour bad feeling towards the organization.

If Durant gets a max contract now, he should take it. There is no scenario where it would make sense to opt in for the player otpion at Golden State if a max contract is on the table elsewhere. If he sits out a year and there are rumors that rehab aren't going well, it's possible that a max offer will not be forthcoming in 2020. He should take the big contract now. It's a no-brainer.

[nate33]

i wonder if kerr's got the stones to go drastically different with his game plan going forward. raps clearly have scouted the warriors out fully and know what to do defensively.

as an armchair analyst, it's easy for me to say "cook's got the potential to play well and should get minutes, and jerebko's been underused in the playoffs" but to actually play those guys minutes to throw tor for a loop is another matter.

The only drastically different game plan I can think of that has any chance of working is to try and run more post action through Cousins. I'm not sure it will work since Gasol is one of the best post defenders in the league. Also, Cousins has been a train wreck on defense.

It would also be nice if they could fly Iggy and Livingston to Germany so they can get some "treatment" and be reinvigorated for Game 6.

[Ruzious]

i wonder if kerr's got the stones to go drastically different with his game plan going forward. raps clearly have scouted the warriors out fully and know what to do defensively.

as an armchair analyst, it's easy for me to say "cook's got the potential to play well and should get minutes, and jerebko's been underused in the playoffs" but to actually play those guys minutes to throw tor for a loop is another matter.

The only drastically different game plan I can think of that has any chance of working is to try and run more post action through Cousins. I'm not sure it will work since Gasol is one of the best post defenders in the league. Also, Cousins has been a train wreck on defense.

It would also be nice if they could fly Iggy and Livingston to Germany so they can get some "treatment" and be reinvigorated for Game 6.

And while they're at it, if there's a pill they can take to make 3's, give it to them. Right now, whenever Curry or Thompson are out of the game, GS is not stretching Toronto's defense. And with Toronto's front-court length, it's awfully hard to score against them without doing that.

[closg00]

Congratulations to the Raptor's, GSW almost made it go to a game 7, what a battle

[LyricalRico]

Congratulations to the Raptor's, GSW almost made it go to a game 7, what a battle

Meh, feels anti-climactic because of the GSW injuries. If Klay doesn’t land awkwardly we’re probably headed for Game 7. Just feels like there’s still some unfinished business, you know?

[FAH1223]

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[nate33]

Congratulations to the Raptor's, GSW almost made it go to a game 7, what a battle

Meh, feels anti-climactic because of the GSW injuries. If Klay doesn’t land awkwardly we’re probably headed for Game 7. Just feels like there’s still some unfinished business, you know?

Agreed.

It's such a damn shame about Klay. The Warriors would have won that game if he didn't get hurt. And that would have set up an epic Game 7. It would have been an incredible story if the Warriors somehow came back and won the series after being down 3-1, all without Durant.

[FAH1223]

Congratulations to the Raptor's, GSW almost made it go to a game 7, what a battle

Meh, feels anti-climactic because of the GSW injuries. If Klay doesn’t land awkwardly we’re probably headed for Game 7. Just feels like there’s still some unfinished business, you know?

Agreed.

It's such a damn shame about Klay. The Warriors would have won that game if he didn't get hurt. And that would have set up an epic Game 7. It would have been an incredible story if the Warriors somehow came back and won the series after being down 3-1, all without Durant.

Bad hamstring equals more work for your ACL.. Your ACL ain't designed to take all that work in keeping the knee stable.

[Dat2U]

Losing Klay was too much too overcome. I'm confident the Warriors would have won game 6 and game 7 if he didn't get hurt. The fact that Curry still had a shot to win the game with those horrible 4 quarter lineups at the end tells you how hard it was to kill a real champion!