NBA Games Discussion Thread - Part 4

[Dat2U]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

[Kanyewest]

Sucks for KD. Looks like he popped his Achilles in the super zoom up on the internet. I agree it changes the landscape of the NBA. He could re-sign with the Warriors.

Playing hurt can lead to more injuries and unfortunately the injury that KD suffered may have been the worst possible one. He played 12 of the first 14 minutes in the game and was asked to bring up the ball up in the 2nd quarter which didn't help either.

I think back to the Spurs holding out Tim Duncan in the 2000 playoffs when they lost 3-1 to the Suns back when series were best of 5 in the 1st round, and when the Spurs held out Kawhi Leonard in 2017. The Warriors also didn't retain their top medical doctor who went to the Hawks.

But it looks like sometimes injuries like this just happen. If enough guys play injured (Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant) chances are that one of them are going to suffer an even worse injury.

Hope he can recover like Dominique Wilkins.

[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

[tontoz]

Really sucks for KD. You have to wonder what was going on behind the scenes the last few weeks.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

That's sounds like a really significant comment, but I don't think it was meant to be. I think Kerr was just leaving all of the Kevin Durant health questions to a prepared statement that was to come from Bob Myers, while he fielded questions about the game itself.

[nate33]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

It really does. I haven't even begun to wrap my head around the ripple effects.

First of all, KD could just opt to stay in Golden State one more year if nobody offers a full max deal. I doubt that will happen because I think there are teams who will still offer a max for a guy who won't play next year, but it's a possibility. Certainly, KD will take the full max offer if he gets it.

Second, a team like New York who extends the full max offer to Durant will have much more difficulty attracting a second elite free agent since Durant won't actually play next year and New York is still going to stink. I suppose New York could max Durant and then just extend a bunch of 1-year deals to mediocre vets and stay in a holding pattern until 2020. They can tank for another high pick and develop Knox and Barrett in the process. Next year, they add a high 2020 pick and a max free agent to a team with Durant, Knox and Barrett. Does New York have the patience for this?

Third, does a team like the Lakers, Clippers or Brooklyn now have a leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? Both teams could offer Durant a max contract and then make the playoffs without playing him in the regular season. Durant could come back by the playoffs and put them in title contention.

[I_Like_Dirt]

Sucks for KD. Looks like he popped his Achilles in the super zoom up on the internet. I agree it changes the landscape of the NBA. He could re-sign with the Warriors.

Playing hurt can lead to more injuries and unfortunately the injury that KD suffered may have been the worst possible one. He played 12 of the first 14 minutes in the game and was asked to bring up the ball up in the 2nd quarter which didn't help either.

I think back to the Spurs holding out Tim Duncan in the 2000 playoffs when they lost 3-1 to the Suns back when series were best of 5 in the 1st round, and when the Spurs held out Kawhi Leonard in 2017. The Warriors also didn't retain their top medical doctor who went to the Hawks.

But it looks like sometimes injuries like this just happen. If enough guys play injured (Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevon Looney, DeMarcus Cousins, Kevin Durant) chances are that one of them are going to suffer an even worse injury.

Hope he can recover like Dominique Wilkins.

I definitely hope he recovers. And injuries aren't predictable but I think the Warriors come across as a bit problematic here. The Spurs held Duncan out and the Kawhi held himself out and fell out when they didn't trust him. I don't know what Durant was saying but it was so clear that they were aware there were huge risks in him playing so soon. It's easy to get caught up in the championship or bust mentality but it's important to remember that these guys are human beings and their health is simply more important than that. And Looney looked like he was hurt worse last night, too. Playing hurt can be a part of the game but there is absolutely a need to be smart about it and I get the impression that the Warriors weren't particularly smart about it here.

[Mojo Amok]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

I feel terrible for Durant, but that presser from Meyers looked like the emotions were entirely forced and exaggerated to me.

Watch on YouTube

Spoiler:

I suspect we're about to go into full "what did the POBO know and when did he know it?" mode.

[payitforward]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

It's awful, really awful. You just have to hope he can come back.

But, even if the worst were to happen & his career were to end, nothing would keep him out of the HOF. But, lets hope that's not how it goes down.

[payitforward]

I don't think there's any point in looking for someone to blame. I hope to Hell that's not what comes next.

To move off of KD for a moment... what an incredible game that was. & what an extraordinary last minute victory.

This is a strange series. Each team has won twice on the other guy's court. Each team, had it held service at home, would be the NBA champ right now.

GS played 12 guys last night. Not sure I've ever seen that in a close playoff game. Obviously 1 more guy than usual would have played anyway once KD went down, but still... Jordan Bell got 4 minutes, made his one shot (which he was forced to take) -- w/o that....

Thursday should be quite a game.

[Dat2U]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

It really does. I haven't even begun to wrap my head around the ripple effects.

First of all, KD could just opt to stay in Golden State one more year if nobody offers a full max deal. I doubt that will happen because I think there are teams who will still offer a max for a guy who won't play next year, but it's a possibility. Certainly, KD will take the full max offer if he gets it.

Second, a team like New York who extends the full max offer to Durant will have much more difficulty attracting a second elite free agent since Durant won't actually play next year and New York is still going to stink. I suppose New York could max Durant and then just extend a bunch of 1-year deals to mediocre vets and stay in a holding pattern until 2020. They can tank for another high pick and develop Knox and Barrett in the process. Next year, they add a high 2020 pick and a max free agent to a team with Durant, Knox and Barrett. Does New York have the patience for this?

Third, does a team like the Lakers, Clippers or Brooklyn now have a leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? Both teams could offer Durant a max contract and then make the playoffs without playing him in the regular season. Durant could come back by the playoffs and put them in title contention.

Durant had committed to NY. They are the team screwed most by this. I don't know what happens with that commitment now.

[Ruzious]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

I feel terrible for Durant, but that presser from Meyers looked like the emotions were entirely forced and exaggerated to me.

Watch on YouTube

Spoiler:

I suspect we're about to go into full "what did the POBO know and when did he know it?" mode.

I don't know - I was convinced and had to scratch an itch around my eye. That was such drama last night - such a hard moment for Durant - I have tremendous respect for his effort and empathy for what he went through. And then the emotions of hearing fans horribly cheer his injury and then actually be kind to him - the whole time when he was in physical and mental and emotional agony... that's a lot to happen to a person in such a short period of time.

[Ruzious]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

It really does. I haven't even begun to wrap my head around the ripple effects.

First of all, KD could just opt to stay in Golden State one more year if nobody offers a full max deal. I doubt that will happen because I think there are teams who will still offer a max for a guy who won't play next year, but it's a possibility. Certainly, KD will take the full max offer if he gets it.

Second, a team like New York who extends the full max offer to Durant will have much more difficulty attracting a second elite free agent since Durant won't actually play next year and New York is still going to stink. I suppose New York could max Durant and then just extend a bunch of 1-year deals to mediocre vets and stay in a holding pattern until 2020. They can tank for another high pick and develop Knox and Barrett in the process. Next year, they add a high 2020 pick and a max free agent to a team with Durant, Knox and Barrett. Does New York have the patience for this?

Third, does a team like the Lakers, Clippers or Brooklyn now have a leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? Both teams could offer Durant a max contract and then make the playoffs without playing him in the regular season. Durant could come back by the playoffs and put them in title contention.

Durant had committed to NY. They are the team screwed most by this. I don't know what happens with that commitment now.

But... is it the Knicks, or is it the Nets? Before the injury, I was thinking the Nets had the upper hand, and the Knicks were going to end up settling for Middleton - overpaying him with the max. Whatever happens, my feeling has always been that Dolan will find a way to screw it up.

[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%.

[Dat2U]

It really does. I haven't even begun to wrap my head around the ripple effects.

First of all, KD could just opt to stay in Golden State one more year if nobody offers a full max deal. I doubt that will happen because I think there are teams who will still offer a max for a guy who won't play next year, but it's a possibility. Certainly, KD will take the full max offer if he gets it.

Second, a team like New York who extends the full max offer to Durant will have much more difficulty attracting a second elite free agent since Durant won't actually play next year and New York is still going to stink. I suppose New York could max Durant and then just extend a bunch of 1-year deals to mediocre vets and stay in a holding pattern until 2020. They can tank for another high pick and develop Knox and Barrett in the process. Next year, they add a high 2020 pick and a max free agent to a team with Durant, Knox and Barrett. Does New York have the patience for this?

Third, does a team like the Lakers, Clippers or Brooklyn now have a leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? Both teams could offer Durant a max contract and then make the playoffs without playing him in the regular season. Durant could come back by the playoffs and put them in title contention.

Durant had committed to NY. They are the team screwed most by this. I don't know what happens with that commitment now.

But... is it the Knicks, or is it the Nets? Before the injury, I was thinking the Nets had the upper hand, and the Knicks were going to end up settling for Middleton - overpaying him with the max. Whatever happens, my feeling has always been that Dolan will find a way to screw it up.

According to the original source who has Warrior contacts... it's always been the Knicks and only the Knicks.

The only question was whether Kyrie would join him.

Now, who knows, but I have to think Golden State has a chance to keep him that they didnt have before.

[Dat2U]

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.

[Dat2U]

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.

[80sballboy]

What a compelling game last night. I just don't see the Warriors taking the next two unless two things happen: 1)Boogie gives them 12-14 pts, 6-7 rebs and doesn't kill them defensively. 2)Draymond looks to score instead of passing up 10 open jumpers per game.

Also, the small lineup works to an extent on offense but they get crushed on the boards. Ibaka just takes advantage of whomever is trying to box him out. Apparently, Looney is going to try again for Game 6.

[80sballboy]

Man watching that Myers press conference choked me up! I feel so bad for KD.

This completely changes the NBA landscape going forward.

It really does. I haven't even begun to wrap my head around the ripple effects.

First of all, KD could just opt to stay in Golden State one more year if nobody offers a full max deal. I doubt that will happen because I think there are teams who will still offer a max for a guy who won't play next year, but it's a possibility. Certainly, KD will take the full max offer if he gets it.

Second, a team like New York who extends the full max offer to Durant will have much more difficulty attracting a second elite free agent since Durant won't actually play next year and New York is still going to stink. I suppose New York could max Durant and then just extend a bunch of 1-year deals to mediocre vets and stay in a holding pattern until 2020. They can tank for another high pick and develop Knox and Barrett in the process. Next year, they add a high 2020 pick and a max free agent to a team with Durant, Knox and Barrett. Does New York have the patience for this?

Third, does a team like the Lakers, Clippers or Brooklyn now have a leg up in the Durant sweepstakes? Both teams could offer Durant a max contract and then make the playoffs without playing him in the regular season. Durant could come back by the playoffs and put them in title contention.

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...

[DCZards]

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.