2023-24 NBA Season Discussion

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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3581 » by Special_Puppy » Tue May 28, 2024 1:34 pm

Would the Celtics still be favored if Porzingis doesn't play?
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3582 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 1:50 pm

I was hoping for a Denver repeat, but I think I'd like to watch Dallas win, since that isn't on the table. I've been enjoying watching their play this postseason. I hope Lively's able to safely play in the Finals.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3583 » by RCM88x » Tue May 28, 2024 3:04 pm

Special_Puppy wrote:
RCM88x wrote:
TheGOATRises007 wrote:The Celtics are obviously loaded, but it'll be interesting to see how they do vs a much better team in the finals.

Probably the easiest run to a finals in the East since the Cavs in 2017.


Cavs actually had a better raw ORTG entering those Finals than these Celtics do. Those 2017 playoffs were petty wild and not necessarily in highly competitive way.


Which team had the highest net rating ever entering the finals?


That's a good question, I'm not exactly sure. My guy would tell me the 01 Lakers but I'm not confident in that guess.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3584 » by bigboi » Tue May 28, 2024 3:52 pm

I better not hear about Luka’s knees when he starts bricking against Boston and doesn’t look how he looks against the wolves
tlee324 wrote:
Lebron made it to the finals with that cleveland team.

Bird would have won 4 rings with that team, in this weak ass era of basketball.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3585 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 5:45 pm

bigboi wrote:I better not hear about Luka’s knees when he starts bricking against Boston and doesn’t look how he looks against the wolves


No, he has looked much better against Minny. We'll see what Doncic looks like against Boston and in particular who they put on him. OKC seemed to have some success with Dort, but the Celtics don't have anyone with quite that build. Brown is the closest; Tatum's a bit too skinny, more like McDaniels from Minny. We'll see if they give Brown a shot and what that does to Jaylen's offense in the series, expending all that energy against Luka.

IF he has a difficult series against Boston, then the particulars of how that unfolds will be very interesting indeed.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3586 » by dygaction » Tue May 28, 2024 5:52 pm

migya wrote:
ardee wrote:
70sFan wrote:I really hoped that Minny will win it all, I don't really love the idea of Mavs vs Celtics finals. Luka and Kyrie has been amazing though and they destroy a lot of silly narratives created in recent years, so good for them.


Why don't you like the idea of Mavs/Celtics?

Like I've said before, it echoes the 2016 Finals, which is frankly the best Finals series any of us have probably ever witnessed live.

An elite big 2 with one of them being a mega-star supported by a competent cast vs a historic regular season team with a handful of All-Star caliber guys, it's gonna be cinematic stuff.



Unlikely now, but imagine if the TWolves won it all, the talk of potential dynasty and over blown reactions.

If the Celts lose this season the criticism will be among the most toward any team in the last twenty years.


You never know what the narratives they can pull out of their end. Didn't Perk just say if Celtics win, people would seriously look at why Porzingis can win with Tatum but could not do it with Luka? :lol: :banghead:
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3587 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 5:53 pm

dygaction wrote:You never know what the narratives they can pull out of their end. Didn't Perk just say if Celtics win, people would seriously look at why Porzingis can win with Tatum but could not do it with Luka? :lol: :banghead:


But it's worth remembering that Perkins isn't allowed to wear laces because they are too complex for him. What comes out of his mouth should be ignored, pretty much always.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3588 » by bigboi » Tue May 28, 2024 6:45 pm

tsherkin wrote:
bigboi wrote:I better not hear about Luka’s knees when he starts bricking against Boston and doesn’t look how he looks against the wolves


No, he has looked much better against Minny. We'll see what Doncic looks like against Boston and in particular who they put on him. OKC seemed to have some success with Dort, but the Celtics don't have anyone with quite that build. Brown is the closest; Tatum's a bit too skinny, more like McDaniels from Minny. We'll see if they give Brown a shot and what that does to Jaylen's offense in the series, expending all that energy against Luka.

IF he has a difficult series against Boston, then the particulars of how that unfolds will be very interesting indeed.


Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players. Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs
tlee324 wrote:
Lebron made it to the finals with that cleveland team.

Bird would have won 4 rings with that team, in this weak ass era of basketball.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3589 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 6:50 pm

bigboi wrote:Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players.


Not worrying about them is a mistake.

Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs


And? Boston has defeated Indiana by 5, 16, 3 and 3 points. They haven't exactly been dominating either. And Indy is a considerably worse defense than Minnesota.

Dallas has won so far by 3, 1 and 9, but they've also been posting what would be the best offense in the entire playoffs in doing so.

It's not going to be the same as going after an incomplete Brooklyn team with a Durant who didn't know how to make quick reads to beat the defense with his passing. This is going to be a very different beast.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3590 » by Texas Chuck » Tue May 28, 2024 6:53 pm

Not surprised that some posters here still believe series are played on spreadsheets. We keep getting sold such strong narratives based on spreadsheets and they keep getting proven wrong and yet nothing gets learned. We just repeat it for the next series.

Boston should be a favorite against the little Mavs. Much better record, strong 2-way players throughout the starting lineup, an MVP candidate, another all-NBA player, several more all-star caliber players, multiple all-defense caliber defenders, veteran team, tons of playoff experience, etc....

But any team that defends as well as this Maverick team with 2 offensive players as good as Luka and Kyrie should never be ruled out of any series. As we are seeing now after they were given 0% chance by many here against the declared champion Minnesota Timberwolves.

I'd be absolutely stunned if Boston just wiped the court with Dallas in a non-competitive sweep.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3591 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 7:01 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:Boston should be a favorite against the little Mavs. Much better record, strong 2-way players throughout the starting lineup, an MVP candidate, another all-NBA player, several more all-star caliber players, multiple all-defense caliber defenders, veteran team, tons of playoff experience, etc....


Yup. A favorite; not a guarantee, but a strong likelihood based on what we know from a 20,000-foot view.

But any team that defends as well as this Maverick team with 2 offensive players as good as Luka and Kyrie should never be ruled out of any series. As we are seeing now after they were given 0% chance by many here against the declared champion Minnesota Timberwolves.


And there is a considerable difference in how Dallas has played in the postseason, as of course you of all people well know. That changes the deal some in terms of expectations. And what we just saw with Indiana opens some interesting tactical doors for the Mavs, I'm sure.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3592 » by Texas Chuck » Tue May 28, 2024 7:06 pm

tsherkin wrote:And there is a considerable difference in how Dallas has played in the postseason, as of course you of all people well know. That changes the deal some in terms of expectations. And what we just saw with Indiana opens some interesting tactical doors for the Mavs, I'm sure.


I mean for anyone looking, Dallas played way different once they made the additions of Gafford/Washington and put Jones back in the starting lineup. I know w/l records can be iffy with Dallas trying to win against some teams in tank mode, but it was how Dallas was playing that was night and day. They've been defending at best in the league level for 2 1/2 months now.

And Kyrie and Luka were always there.

I think its totally fair for Dallas to have been an underdog in literally every series. They were after all the lower seed. But nobody should have ever thought they were a cakewalk, not only for the reasons I provided about what makes Dallas a tough opponent, but each of their 3 opponents had clear question marks--we just chose to ignore the Wolves's issues in the euphoria of them knocking off the defending champs.

Boston is really good. They aren't the dynastic Warriors though by any means. I'll eat all the crow anyone wants if they get curbstomped. But they aren't getting run over. I just don't believe it.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3593 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 7:13 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:I mean for anyone looking, Dallas played way different once they made the additions of Gafford/Washington and put Jones back in the starting lineup.


Of course.

I think its totally fair for Dallas to have been an underdog in literally every series. They were after all the lower seed. But nobody should have ever thought they were a cakewalk, not only for the reasons I provided about what makes Dallas a tough opponent, but each of their 3 opponents had clear question marks--we just chose to ignore the Wolves's issues in the euphoria of them knocking off the defending champs.


Agreed.

Boston is really good. They aren't the dynastic Warriors though by any means. I'll eat all the crow anyone wants if they get curbstomped. But they aren't getting run over. I just don't believe it.


Yeah, we have seen a fair number of low/mid 60s wins teams over the years who aren't quite as good as maybe their SRS and such have suggested as they moved deeper into the playoffs. For various reasons, sometimes as simple as matchups or a star player needing to learn how to handle a new coverage or somesuch.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3594 » by bigboi » Tue May 28, 2024 7:14 pm

tsherkin wrote:
bigboi wrote:Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players.


Not worrying about them is a mistake.

Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs


And? Boston has defeated Indiana by 5, 16, 3 and 3 points. They haven't exactly been dominating either. And Indy is a considerably worse defense than Minnesota.

Dallas has won so far by 3, 1 and 9, but they've also been posting what would be the best offense in the entire playoffs in doing so.

It's not going to be the same as going after an incomplete Brooklyn team with a Durant who didn't know how to make quick reads to beat the defense with his passing. This is going to be a very different beast.


Lmao. just watch, you don’t understand basketball. You understand stats at a surface level but not actual basketball. I’like revisit these posts in a few weeks
tlee324 wrote:
Lebron made it to the finals with that cleveland team.

Bird would have won 4 rings with that team, in this weak ass era of basketball.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3595 » by tsherkin » Tue May 28, 2024 7:19 pm

bigboi wrote:Lmao. just watch, you don’t understand basketball. You understand stats at a surface level but not actual basketball. I’like revisit these posts in a few weeks


Perhaps instead of making pejorative remarks, you could discuss why you think this is the case, yes?

You're making the case that Luka and Kyrie will both end up handcuffed like Durant in the 2022 series, but they are very different players and this Boston team was having some trouble with TJ McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton, both of him are inferior players to Kyrie and Luka. Boston has shown itself vulnerable to size, and continuity dribbles. And then Dallas has reasonable corner threats and lob guys to go with their PnR game. And Kyrie is a hardwood wizard with his handle and shot. Their ability to make good on mid-range action is significant, which is very important compared to a Boston squad which lives and dies with 3pt volume.

So perhaps address the strategy instead of attacking me personally over and over again.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3596 » by Dirk » Tue May 28, 2024 7:34 pm

bigboi wrote:
tsherkin wrote:
bigboi wrote:I better not hear about Luka’s knees when he starts bricking against Boston and doesn’t look how he looks against the wolves


No, he has looked much better against Minny. We'll see what Doncic looks like against Boston and in particular who they put on him. OKC seemed to have some success with Dort, but the Celtics don't have anyone with quite that build. Brown is the closest; Tatum's a bit too skinny, more like McDaniels from Minny. We'll see if they give Brown a shot and what that does to Jaylen's offense in the series, expending all that energy against Luka.

IF he has a difficult series against Boston, then the particulars of how that unfolds will be very interesting indeed.


Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players. Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs


Using your way of thinking:

The Mavs are not that good because they're not blowing out the Wolves with Kat shooting like 30%. That is the Wolves who beat the champs in the previous round.

The Celtics will blow out the Mavs.

The same Celtics who havent blown out the Pacers who were in the ECF thanks to injuries to other teams. The Celtics should have lost game 1 if not for Pacers and ref mistakes. Then they again won game 3 after a non call.
Conclusion:

The Pacers must be better than the Mavs. They werent blown out. They should have won a couple of games even.

The Celtics may indeed go on to blow out the Mavs. Who knows. But your logic makes no sense. Not to mention that the Mavs have no similarity to the Nets.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3597 » by bigboi » Tue May 28, 2024 7:42 pm

Dirk wrote:
bigboi wrote:
tsherkin wrote:
No, he has looked much better against Minny. We'll see what Doncic looks like against Boston and in particular who they put on him. OKC seemed to have some success with Dort, but the Celtics don't have anyone with quite that build. Brown is the closest; Tatum's a bit too skinny, more like McDaniels from Minny. We'll see if they give Brown a shot and what that does to Jaylen's offense in the series, expending all that energy against Luka.

IF he has a difficult series against Boston, then the particulars of how that unfolds will be very interesting indeed.


Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players. Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs


Using your way of thinking:

The Mavs are not that good because they're not blowing out the Wolves with Kat shooting like 30%. That is the Wolves who beat the champs in the previous round.

The Celtics will blow out the Mavs.

The same Celtics who havent blown out the Pacers who were in the ECF thanks to injuries to other teams. The Celtics should have lost game 1 if not for Pacers and ref mistakes. Then they again won game 3 after a non call.
Conclusion:

The Pacers must be better than the Mavs. They werent blown out. They should have won a couple of games even.

The Celtics may indeed go on to blow out the Mavs. Who knows. But your logic makes no sense. Not to mention that the Mavs have no similarity to the Nets.


Yall will be questioning if pacers were better after this smackdown. Yes
tlee324 wrote:
Lebron made it to the finals with that cleveland team.

Bird would have won 4 rings with that team, in this weak ass era of basketball.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3598 » by eminence » Tue May 28, 2024 7:43 pm

I hope the real Mavs are as worried about Boston as their fans seem to be ;)
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3599 » by Clyde Frazier » Tue May 28, 2024 7:46 pm

bigboi wrote:
tsherkin wrote:
bigboi wrote:Celtics vs nets 22 is what this series will look like. I’m worried about NONE of the Mavs players.


Not worrying about them is a mistake.

Mavs games are extremely close despite ant and kat shooting like 30%. Celtics are going to blow out mavs


And? Boston has defeated Indiana by 5, 16, 3 and 3 points. They haven't exactly been dominating either. And Indy is a considerably worse defense than Minnesota.

Dallas has won so far by 3, 1 and 9, but they've also been posting what would be the best offense in the entire playoffs in doing so.

It's not going to be the same as going after an incomplete Brooklyn team with a Durant who didn't know how to make quick reads to beat the defense with his passing. This is going to be a very different beast.


Lmao. just watch, you don’t understand basketball. You understand stats at a surface level but not actual basketball. I’like revisit these posts in a few weeks


You don't seem intent on having real basketball discussion here beyond telling other posters players suck or players are elite. The abrasive tone doesn't help. Expect further warnings if this continues.
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Re: 2023-24 NBA Season Discussion 

Post#3600 » by eminence » Tue May 28, 2024 9:34 pm

So I’ve gotten the impression y’all aren’t Wolves believers ehh?
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