2021-22 NBA Season Discussion

[Texas Chuck]

How about my frontrunners Chuck??

I deserve that.

And I don't like them. I don't like them at all actually.

[Thelonewarrior]

How about my frontrunners Chuck??

I deserve that.

And I don't like them. I don't like them at all actually.

Luka very presences pisses me off but I love it. Luka is a monster to bad the mavericks are going to get sweeped. Also if I may ask how does he score,he moves both slow and fast.

[The-Power]

Outside of the Warrior's big 3 I don't think any of the Warriors have much playoff experience.

Looney. And of course Iguodala if you believe in the off-court impact of veterans.

Warriors did their homework. This is a boost to morale, and it also hurts Dallas because the game was theirs to take after that hot shooting in the first half. But this series is far from over. Luka and the Dallas shooters remain a threat on offense, and the Warriors will not always be able to overcome poor offensive execution for extended stretches – which they will continue to have.

[The-Power]

I love the Warriors and I root for them once the Bulls are inevitably eliminated every year but I still think they're kinda front runners. Mainly Steph. It's not necessarily a bad thing. They're the best in the world at running away with games but I trust them less than most other great teams in close games especially if they're trailing.

Just out of curiosity: is this just your subjective feeling, or is there any data to back it up? Both at the team level and concerning Steph (who has been incredible in 4th quarters in these playoffs and in some previous ones, too).

[Lou Fan]

I love the Warriors and I root for them once the Bulls are inevitably eliminated every year but I still think they're kinda front runners. Mainly Steph. It's not necessarily a bad thing. They're the best in the world at running away with games but I trust them less than most other great teams in close games especially if they're trailing.

Just out of curiosity: is this just your subjective feeling, or is there any data to back it up? Both at the team level and concerning Steph (who has been incredible in 4th quarters in these playoffs and in some previous ones, too).

I will admit I don't have data backing this and it is my subjective feeling but as someone who I'm assuming watches a lot of Warriors games I kinda surprised you don't feel this as well. When it's flowing and they have their opponents on the ropes they deliver the knockout punch almost every time but they're not as good at slowing it down and they don't have an elite go get a bucket guy (Curry is obviously very good but not best of the best). I think there's a reason this narrative exists and it has some truth to it. Now unlike most people I don't think being a front runner is bad; in fact it might be more valuable to have a guy who's great at putting away games you're winning then a guy who's great when you're losing. Also, being a front runner doesn't preclude you from being great in the 4th quarter or even from being clutch. To use another athlete for comparison, Rafael Nadal is probably the best front runner in sports. Not sure if you know much about tennis but he's pretty good.

[Jaivl]

I love the Warriors and I root for them once the Bulls are inevitably eliminated every year but I still think they're kinda front runners. Mainly Steph. It's not necessarily a bad thing. They're the best in the world at running away with games but I trust them less than most other great teams in close games especially if they're trailing.

Just out of curiosity: is this just your subjective feeling, or is there any data to back it up? Both at the team level and concerning Steph (who has been incredible in 4th quarters in these playoffs and in some previous ones, too).

I will admit I don't have data backing this and it is my subjective feeling but as someone who I'm assuming watches a lot of Warriors games I kinda surprised you don't feel this as well. When it's flowing and they have their opponents on the ropes they deliver the knockout punch almost every time but they're not as good at slowing it down and they don't have an elite go get a bucket guy (Curry is obviously very good but not best of the best). I think there's a reason this narrative exists and it has some truth to it. Now unlike most people I don't think being a front runner is bad; in fact it might be more valuable to have a guy who's great at putting away games you're winning then a guy who's great when you're losing. Also, being a front runner doesn't preclude you from being great in the 4th quarter or even from being clutch. To use another athlete for comparison, Rafael Nadal is probably the best front runner in sports. Not sure if you know much about tennis but he's pretty good.

Nadal is the best frontrunner AND the best at winning lost games, not sure he's the best comparison.

[The-Power]

I love the Warriors and I root for them once the Bulls are inevitably eliminated every year but I still think they're kinda front runners. Mainly Steph. It's not necessarily a bad thing. They're the best in the world at running away with games but I trust them less than most other great teams in close games especially if they're trailing.

Just out of curiosity: is this just your subjective feeling, or is there any data to back it up? Both at the team level and concerning Steph (who has been incredible in 4th quarters in these playoffs and in some previous ones, too).

I will admit I don't have data backing this and it is my subjective feeling but as someone who I'm assuming watches a lot of Warriors games I kinda surprised you don't feel this as well. When it's flowing and they have their opponents on the ropes they deliver the knockout punch almost every time but they're not as good at slowing it down and they don't have an elite go get a bucket guy (Curry is obviously very good but not best of the best). I think there's a reason this narrative exists and it has some truth to it.

There are many narratives out there, and they often even contradict each other. There's also a narrative that as long as GSW is within striking distance, you have to be careful because they erase deficits like no other team and no lead is safe. Just now on the GB, there is a thread asking whether GSW is the greatest comeback team in history (also subjective in nature). Honestly, the front runner narrative is something I haven't really heard about until I read this thread recently (but maybe it's a prominent narrative on other platforms).

Perhaps I need someone to explain to me what exactly ‘front runner’ means. I first thought it was just about cockiness when they are up versus different behavior when they are down. Now it seems to be about something else, but apparently one can be clutch and still be a front runner – which is honestly quite counterintuitive to me, at least when it is about on-court performance.

Fact is that the Warriors in the playoffs (Kerr-era) have a history of elite clutch performance, and they consistently play better in second halves than first halves. That can be empirically demonstrated. And just in these playoffs (which we are focused on here), the Warriors have a -3.7 net rating in the first half, and a +15.9 net rating in the second half – clearly erasing deficits.

At this point, I think the onus is on those who claim that the Warriors do not step up when they are down and/or the game is close. Because my subjective feeling differs from yours (if they can keep the game close, I'm quite confident in their ability to win) and I have yet to see data suggesting that I'm completely wrong (but I'm happy to be proven wrong).

[frica]

Wouldn't it be funny if GSW wins it all, and Curry finally gets his finals MVP?

[70sFan]

It was winnable game, but Dallas focused way too much in the 3rd quarter to attack Curry's 4th foul, instead of playing normal basketball.

I think Luka already solved the Warriors defense, but Mavs can't defend Warriors at all.

[jalengreen]

Wouldn't it be funny if GSW wins it all, and Curry finally gets his finals MVP?

wouldn't it be even funnier if they win it all and he doesn't get his FMVP?

[jalengreen]

i certainly think the warriors are front runners in terms of trash talk / cockiness aside from dray (so namely steph and klay).

but in terms of gameplay? it is just so, so hard to ever count them out. they have that brady patriots aura of "they will inevitably find a way to win this game."

[parsnips33]

The chess match has been very fun to watch this series. Two very high level coaches/staffs going at it

[frica]

Wouldn't it be funny if GSW wins it all, and Curry finally gets his finals MVP?

wouldn't it be even funnier if they win it all and he doesn't get his FMVP?

Definitely.

[Texas Chuck]

The chess match has been very fun to watch this series. Two very high level coaches/staffs going at it

I've been really impressed with Sean Sweeney who runs the Mavs defense. I wonder if he will get some interviews this summer? And we already saw Mike Brown get a head coaching gig. So yeah it goes beyond the head guys.

And Kerr is such a hard guy for me. I think he's a master at managing people. Clearly he's got a great grasp on basketball strategy. Without getting into his politics, as I know people have differing views, I like that like Pop he's willing to use his platform to speak up on issues that matter to him and to his players. He's clearly one of the 5 best coaches in the league as a total package.

But I also just don't like him lol. It's like Spo. I think Spo is probably the best coach in the league all things considered, but I just don't like him either.

As far as Kidd, I just like that he's largely held his own against 3 good head coaches and frankly he outcoached Snyder in round 1 imo.

[tsherkin]

But I also just don't like him lol. It's like Spo. I think Spo is probably the best coach in the league all things considered, but I just don't like him either.

Nothing wrong with not liking a person while simultaneously respecting their occupational value.

As far as Kidd, I just like that he's largely held his own against 3 good head coaches and frankly he outcoached Snyder in round 1 imo.

Watching Kidd develop as a coach has been fun, to be honest. Coaching is a rocky road and when you see a guy gaining traction (and meriting it), it's really fun. I'm always on the lookout for the next coach I'll want to follow for a long time. One day, Pops is gonna retire and I'm going to be very, very sad, so I'm constantly looking for others who can stick around and deliver.

[Clyde Frazier]

So Wiggins makes $33 mil next year. Assuming GSW doesn't want to make any big moves, it's almost beneficial to them to not have to make a decision for another year.

Wild to think about considering he was a quasi salary dump coming to the warriors. Amazing how much knowing/accepting your role makes a difference.

[Clyde Frazier]

I wasn't familiar with this term frontrunners from a team perspective. Even at their peak the warriors were feast or famine. Their lethal offense is also loosey goosey and we know Steph himself is flat out careless with the ball at times.

The intent on playing at such a high level offensively is also more risky on average. They're going to have to limit those mistakes if they ultimately win the title, but I'd say that's their identity. They'll bury you with a run or blow a game with that lack of focus at times.

[Outside]

So Wiggins makes $33 mil next year. Assuming GSW doesn't want to make any big moves, it's almost beneficial to them to not have to make a decision for another year.

Wild to think about considering he was a quasi salary dump coming to the warriors. Amazing how much knowing/accepting your role makes a difference.

In addition to knowing and accepting his role, it's playing on a team where he has a great fit with a role that suits him really well (which may be a corollary to your comments but is worth stating explicitly).

In Minnesota, I thought he had some sort of personality disorder because he had a blank expression that never changed. But this season, he's so happy and comfortable in his role and with this team that he smiles and makes jokes. It's been so fun to see.

[tsherkin]

So Wiggins makes $33 mil next year. Assuming GSW doesn't want to make any big moves, it's almost beneficial to them to not have to make a decision for another year.

Wild to think about considering he was a quasi salary dump coming to the warriors. Amazing how much knowing/accepting your role makes a difference.

Wiggins right now is showcasing a lot of things which circle back to "not everyone is a superstar but you need more than just superstars, so it's good."

He isn't really stunning the world with his production, but what he brings has been valuable. A lot of the time, he drove and failed, he still shifted the defense and opened up a secondary action which turned into a Warriors bucket. His catch-and-shoot action from 3 fits in nicely and his defense has been helpful. He's fit in very well.

[falcolombardi]

Just out of curiosity: is this just your subjective feeling, or is there any data to back it up? Both at the team level and concerning Steph (who has been incredible in 4th quarters in these playoffs and in some previous ones, too).

I will admit I don't have data backing this and it is my subjective feeling but as someone who I'm assuming watches a lot of Warriors games I kinda surprised you don't feel this as well. When it's flowing and they have their opponents on the ropes they deliver the knockout punch almost every time but they're not as good at slowing it down and they don't have an elite go get a bucket guy (Curry is obviously very good but not best of the best). I think there's a reason this narrative exists and it has some truth to it. Now unlike most people I don't think being a front runner is bad; in fact it might be more valuable to have a guy who's great at putting away games you're winning then a guy who's great when you're losing. Also, being a front runner doesn't preclude you from being great in the 4th quarter or even from being clutch. To use another athlete for comparison, Rafael Nadal is probably the best front runner in sports. Not sure if you know much about tennis but he's pretty good.

Nadal is the best frontrunner AND the best at winning lost games, not sure he's the best comparison.

i thought djocovid was the most famous at making comebacks?