Western Conference | Round 1 | (1) Phoenix Suns VS. (8) New Orleans Pelicans (PHX 3-2)

[Naero]

I didn't even watch this at all last night; I turned in early because I penciled in another Suns rout. And here's my morning surprise.

Props to Ingram. The playoffs are all he has left to prove about his stardom, and he answered those bells in an upsetting effort last night. You'll be hard-pressed to keep branding him as an empty-stats warrior if he keeps playing around this level for the rest of the series, regardless of its outcome.

Shame to hear about Booker's injury. You can't help but ruminate what he was on-pace for considering his efficient 31 points in his limited 24 minutes. I really hope he recovers timelily, even if I consider the Suns one of the Bucks' biggest threats.

I'm sure the Suns will still win this series regardless of Booker's health, but the Pelicans—who wouldn't have even been close to making the playoffs if it weren't for the play-in—have already been giving them a hastier run for their money than most expected.

[Whole Truth]

Chuck touched on it & IMO it's going to play a factor. With Booker dominating the first half of this game, Paul clearly had fatigue despite the fact Booker carried half the game, what will happen if Booker is out & he has to carry an entire series ?.. Unfortunately pushing fatigue is where injuries generally happen & I hope it doesn't come to that.

I was questioning Hayes fit in the starting rotation because of a lack of spacing playing 4/5 in the half court but Green/Hayes ran the Suns off the court in transition 3rd Q... go go go

NO's got a coach.

[skones]

Warriors might literally catch all the breaks (like they did for the first championship) to a championship.

Warriors fans must be elated right now. After they sweep this Nuggets series, they’ll likely have with no injuries and very little wear and tear. They couldn’t have asked for better circumstances right now

Warriors lost two star players to an ACL and Achillies in the NBA Finals. (Worst injury sequence in NBA history). Then lose two star players to season ending injuries the next 2 seasons.

They have been one of the most unluckiest teams in NBA history in terms of injuries. Please stop.

They literally rode a Curry ankle scare which turned into a well below market rate contract coupled with an enormous cap spike to two championships. Injuries don't undo that. Describing the Warriors as "unlucky" is really really off base.

[MindState]

Warriors fans must be elated right now. After they sweep this Nuggets series, they’ll likely have with no injuries and very little wear and tear. They couldn’t have asked for better circumstances right now

Warriors lost two star players to an ACL and Achillies in the NBA Finals. (Worst injury sequence in NBA history). Then lose two star players to season ending injuries the next 2 seasons.

They have been one of the most unluckiest teams in NBA history in terms of injuries. Please stop.

They literally rode a Curry ankle scare which turned into a well below market rate contract coupled with an enormous cap spike two two championships. Injuries don't undo that. Describing the Warriors as "unlucky" is really really off base.

Do you actually know what unlucky means? If the Bucks make it to the finals this year and suffer two season ending injuries to their two best players, will you consider them unlucky?

[Whole Truth]

Overreactions after 1 playoff game is the norm every single year. Celtics are going to be NBA favorites or out in 5-6 by the end of the night for example.

it's overreaction until you pay attention and see the Suns have been slipping since the all star break. check the drtg especially

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That's my concern. As I've said in other threads, I wanted no part of Pelicans in first round. Their record does not match their team as it is today. And on top of that the Suns have looked like trash for a month or so

NO's (32 & 28) with BI not injured, including the slow start.

Though small sample size, 50 win pace with both CJ & BI playing.

[spanishninja]

Chuck touched on it & IMO it's going to play a factor. With Booker dominating the first half of this game, Paul clearly had fatigue despite the fact Booker carried half the game, what will happen if Booker is out & he has to carry an entire series ?.. Unfortunately pushing fatigue is where injuries generally happen & I hope it doesn't come to that.

I was questioning Hayes fit in the starting rotation because of a lack of spacing playing 4/5 in the half court but Green/Hayes ran the Suns off the court in transition 3rd Q... go go go

NO's got a coach.

all the advanced star nerds say Booker isnt impactful, but CP3 is a clutch god when he can save his energy for the fourth quarter. i dunno how this will play out now.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[skones]

Warriors lost two star players to an ACL and Achillies in the NBA Finals. (Worst injury sequence in NBA history). Then lose two star players to season ending injuries the next 2 seasons.

They have been one of the most unluckiest teams in NBA history in terms of injuries. Please stop.

They literally rode a Curry ankle scare which turned into a well below market rate contract coupled with an enormous cap spike two two championships. Injuries don't undo that. Describing the Warriors as "unlucky" is really really off base.

Do you actually know what unlucky means? If the Bucks make it to the finals this year and suffer two season ending injuries to their two best players, will you consider them unlucky?

I'd consider that an unlucky situation. I wouldn't consider a franchise who managed to take a perennial MVP candidate and potential top 10 player of all time with the 15th overall pick and actually won a championship less than a year ago as "one of the most unluckiest (which isn't a phrase btw) teams in NBA history."

Characterizing a team which won three championships AND managed two of them under the circumstances i've spoken of as "unluckiest?" Still baffling.

But enough of this.

[MindState]

They literally rode a Curry ankle scare which turned into a well below market rate contract coupled with an enormous cap spike two two championships. Injuries don't undo that. Describing the Warriors as "unlucky" is really really off base.

Do you actually know what unlucky means? If the Bucks make it to the finals this year and suffer two season ending injuries to their two best players, will you consider them unlucky?

I'd consider that an unlucky situation. I wouldn't consider a franchise who managed to take a perennial MVP candidate and potential top 10 player of all time with the 15th overall pick and actually won a championship less than a year ago as "one of the most unluckiest (which isn't a phrase btw) teams in NBA history."

Characterizing a team which won three championships AND managed two of them under the circumstances i've spoken of? Still baffling.

But enough of this.

Drafting well and having a good organization isnt luck. You realize the Warriors were the worst org in sports until new ownership bought the team and completely changed the front office and culture right? That took alot of work to do, not luck.

[Whole Truth]

Chuck touched on it & IMO it's going to play a factor. With Booker dominating the first half of this game, Paul clearly had fatigue despite the fact Booker carried half the game, what will happen if Booker is out & he has to carry an entire series ?.. Unfortunately pushing fatigue is where injuries generally happen & I hope it doesn't come to that.

I was questioning Hayes fit in the starting rotation because of a lack of spacing playing 4/5 in the half court but Green/Hayes ran the Suns off the court in transition 3rd Q... go go go

NO's got a coach.

all the advanced star nerds say Booker isnt impactful, but CP3 is a clutch god when he can save his energy for the fourth quarter. i dunno how this will play out now.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

I don't know the status of Booker but I hope he returns for game 3. You have any updates on his injury status ?

[whatisacenter]

Great game by NO and I am really happy for Brandon who is having a great showing playing in his first playoff series. I really hope that Booker’s injury isn’t too serious and he is not out for any significant time.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

Pels could make a Grizzlies-like leap next season with a healthy Zion.

They also have the Lakers pick in the upcoming draft (unprotected).

Gotdang, Pels could be in serious bid'ness with the right pick (or trade).

[skones]

Do you actually know what unlucky means? If the Bucks make it to the finals this year and suffer two season ending injuries to their two best players, will you consider them unlucky?

I'd consider that an unlucky situation. I wouldn't consider a franchise who managed to take a perennial MVP candidate and potential top 10 player of all time with the 15th overall pick and actually won a championship less than a year ago as "one of the most unluckiest (which isn't a phrase btw) teams in NBA history."

Characterizing a team which won three championships AND managed two of them under the circumstances i've spoken of? Still baffling.

But enough of this.

Drafting well and having a good organization isnt luck. You realize the Warriors were the worst org in sports until new ownership bought the team and completely changed the front office and culture right? That took alot of work to do, not luck.

Right, because the Warriors dictated Curry's ankle injuries and the league wide cap spike.

[Que Rico]

it's overreaction until you pay attention and see the Suns have been slipping since the all star break. check the drtg especially

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

That's my concern. As I've said in other threads, I wanted no part of Pelicans in first round. Their record does not match their team as it is today. And on top of that the Suns have looked like trash for a month or so

NO's (32 & 28) with BI not injured, including the slow start.

Though small sample size, 50 win pace with both CJ & BI playing.

Think about adding Zion and a top 8 or 9 pick or possibly top 4

[SunsLyf3]

This PHO team so far in PO

LAL (injured Davis) (injured CP3) - win
DEN (injured Murray) - win
LAC (injured Kawhi) (covid CP3, injured CP3, Broken nose Booker) - win
MIL (healthy) (injured CP3) - defeat
NOLA (injured Zion) and (injured Booker) - now its interesting.

Fixed it for you. Or are you omitting Suns injuries cause they don't fit your narrative?

[timO]

Suns can beat pels in 3 without booker, im gonna say in 4, so 6, 4-2.

But they will need him vs Grizz.

[Alonzo_Morning]

Injuries play a part every year

That's why futures betting is so fraught with danger

You can't model that sh.it

[Funcrusher]

Suns can beat pels in 3 without booker, im gonna say in 4, so 6, 4-2.

But they will need him vs Grizz.

[Shock Defeat]

This PHO team so far in PO

LAL (injured Davis) - win
DEN (injured Murray) - win
LAC (injured Kawhi) - win
MIL (healthy) - defeat
NOLA (injured Zion) and (injured Booker) - now its interesting.

Yikes. Phoenix looking like a regular season team. Remind me of the budenholzer Hawks back in the day. A bunch of quality players but no top dog.

[Bruin]

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[zshawn10]

Oof Booker out for two games at least; CP3 curse might be real if they fall to the Pelicans