Playoffs!?

[Negrodamus]

Not quite 50 (there's still time!) but appears to be a bloodbath.

[76ciology]

I'm actually wondering what it is that is truly holding Minnesota back? Anthony Edwards is supremely talented, Rudy Gobert is a solid center, KAT is one of the premier scoring bigs in the game, they have solid role players in Conley, Anderson, Prince, Reid, and McDaniels. It's just baffling how they are only an 8th seed. Is it lack of good coaching? Management? Injuries? Or a combination of the three? They just aren't that good as a team, yet they are loaded with talent and upside...Especially Ant.

Maybe in the Regular Season, but in the playoffs he is not, 10.5 PPG on 36.5% TS so far aganst Nuggets, and it's not like Nuggets are a defensive powerhouse lol

Because teams starts switching a lot more in the playoffs and he does not have a good 1v1 game. He’s basically like Al Horford on offense.

Two teams Wolves should look at is the Celts or the Cavs.

[elchengue20]

Gobert and KAT its a terrible fit.

[76ciology]

We’ve talked about it here before but the biggest challenge with Biid was his lack of consistency. And that’s why there’s more need in talent to build around him than other consistent MVP caliber guys like Giannis.

But seems to me we’re showing great promise in dealing with this that Harden, Maxey and Tobi can all chip in. Part of it is development from these 3, part of it is our scheme with better spacing and I think what’s also not mentioned is part of it is our depth. Which gives stability around these 3.

I noticed it when I tried to check the G5-G6 games against the Heat last season, where we had to rely on guys like Korkmaz and Thybulle who are wildly inconsistent and plays one sided. Having Melton over Milton is also very big. Danny Green at the SF also gave us size issues.

For now, I’d like to see some improvements with McDaniels. And I dont know if I can see it this playoffs. I thought Nets were leaving him in G3 which can be a problem with our spacing in the next round. I also find that his defense is mostly aesthetics and intimidation that he does not generate much deflections not is good in contesting shots.

Closing the game with McDaniels in G2, and having a scheme to counter his lack of 3pt shooting ability shows signs that in the short term we can play him in Embiid minutes if his shots aren’t falling.

[mjkvol]

For now, I’d like to see some improvements with McDaniels. And I dont know if I can see it this playoffs. I thought Nets were leaving him in G3 which can be a problem with our spacing in the next round. I also find that his defense is mostly aesthetics and intimidation that he does not generate much deflections not is good in contesting shots.

Closing the game with McDaniels in G2, and having a scheme to counter his lack of 3pt shooting ability shows signs that in the short term we can play him in Embiid minutes if his shots aren’t falling.

I was really hoping McDaniels would help with spacing, but he at least has to not be a net negative offensively beyond this series. The Nets have clearly decided he can be left open, and if he isn't knocking down that corner three more consistently than Thybulle we're right back in the same boat, choosing our poison between him and Niang.

[76ciology]

For now, I’d like to see some improvements with McDaniels. And I dont know if I can see it this playoffs. I thought Nets were leaving him in G3 which can be a problem with our spacing in the next round. I also find that his defense is mostly aesthetics and intimidation that he does not generate much deflections not is good in contesting shots.

Closing the game with McDaniels in G2, and having a scheme to counter his lack of 3pt shooting ability shows signs that in the short term we can play him in Embiid minutes if his shots aren’t falling.

I was really hoping McDaniels would help with spacing, but he at least has to not be a net negative offensively beyond this series. The Nets have clearly decided he can be left open, and if he isn't knocking down that corner three more consistently than Thybulle we're right back in the same boat, choosing our poison between him and Niang.

What’s making him playable is the team has been playing best defense when he’s on the court at 87 DRtg, limiting to almost 20pts per 100 possessions compared when off the court.

Maybe its because Nets is MID, but Melton-McDaniels-Reed has been elite on defense.

[mjkvol]

For now, I’d like to see some improvements with McDaniels. And I dont know if I can see it this playoffs. I thought Nets were leaving him in G3 which can be a problem with our spacing in the next round. I also find that his defense is mostly aesthetics and intimidation that he does not generate much deflections not is good in contesting shots.

Closing the game with McDaniels in G2, and having a scheme to counter his lack of 3pt shooting ability shows signs that in the short term we can play him in Embiid minutes if his shots aren’t falling.

I was really hoping McDaniels would help with spacing, but he at least has to not be a net negative offensively beyond this series. The Nets have clearly decided he can be left open, and if he isn't knocking down that corner three more consistently than Thybulle we're right back in the same boat, choosing our poison between him and Niang.

What’s making him playable is the team has been playing best defense when he’s on the court at 87 DRtg, limiting to almost 20pts per 100 possessions compared when off the court.

Maybe its because Nets is MID, but Melton-McDaniels-Reed has been elite on defense.

I get that, but all the numbers in the world won't help against BOS and MIL if we're playing 4 on 5 offensively. He just needs to hit enough of them so they can't ignore him, and the same goes for Tucker.

[Ferry Avenue]

There are some seeds of difference being sown with this team so far in the playoffs this year. If they can sprout, this team has a far better chance of advancing beyond the second round.

Those seeds are primarily 1) Tyrese Maxey's emergence as a consistent offensive weapon, 2) Joel Embiid's persistence in playing at an emotionally high level despite being largely stymied, and 3) PJ Tucker's impact as an all-purpose player and leader.

The first of those is merely a strategic and physical difference, whereas the second two change the entire culture of the team on the court because they fundamentally improve the player leadership and emotional tenor of the team.

Last night was the third game in a row in which Embiid was swarmed by the Nets' defense, leading again to his being largely stymied. In years past three such games in a row would've almost certainly resulted in a sullen, lethargic Embiid. Not so this year. The critical block late in the 4th quarter last night was evidence aplenty that Embiid was in it to win it, even at the end.

These differences are major, and if they continue they can provide the fuel for getting by a team like Boston in the second round.

[Mik317]

naw I think we def got Quaalude Embiid last night.

he is getting frustrated at the defensive coverage and now they are allowed to beat him up with no recourse. That block was great but he was bad last night IMO. Maxey was on a heater and yet Biid still took one of the last shots. Speaking of which, him abandoning his jumper is also not great. I think he has progressively handled the doubles worse as the series has gone on as well. And he just looks tired. He can tap in when needed as seen on the block but he needs to still figure out how to at least not look like he doesn't want to be here when he is conserving energy.

Also he HAS to stop grabbing at his back, knee, ankle every time...even if it does hurt...it just is a drain on the teams mojo..

The Nets got to him last night...he can;'t get caught up in getting his lick back...just go out there and make the right plays and let the clowns be clowns

[youngcrev]

Read on Twitter

[Ferry Avenue]

naw I think we def got Quaalude Embiid last night.

he is getting frustrated at the defensive coverage and now they are allowed to beat him up with no recourse. That block was great but he was bad last night IMO. Maxey was on a heater and yet Biid still took one of the last shots. Speaking of which, him abandoning his jumper is also not great. I think he has progressively handled the doubles worse as the series has gone on as well. And he just looks tired. He can tap in when needed as seen on the block but he needs to still figure out how to at least not look like he doesn't want to be here when he is conserving energy.

Also he HAS to stop grabbing at his back, knee, ankle every time...even if it does hurt...it just is a drain on the teams mojo..

The Nets got to him last night...he can;'t get caught up in getting his lick back...just go out there and make the right plays and let the clowns be clowns

I agree Embiid has been affected emotionally by the Nets, but in my opinion that's taken the form of frustration, which is subtly but very importantly different from lethargy. Lethargy carries with it a tone of indifference and resignation, whereas frustration can inspire anger and resolve and greater effort. That's a huge difference in Embiid's game in the playoffs so far this year. The block at the end of the game last night was critical in revealing that. A lethargic, sullen, resigned Embiid does not make that block.

The last thing a team needs is for its leader to be lethargic and resigned. A leader who is stymied and frustrated but nonetheless responds with resolve and effort can still lead and inspire.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

In regards to Embiid, the clutching of his knee and back, the limping, I'm not sure WTF is going on with him when he acts like that. We don't know IF he's in genuine pain or if it's his way of coping with having a bad game. Seems to me that every time he gets flushed on, he acts like that. Isn't there a story about him getting dunked on in college and wanting to quit after it happened? He gets dunked on a lot, but so did Patrick Ewing or any center for that matter that tries on defense. Getting dunked on, crossed over, your ankles broken, giving up a contested three...Those things can mess with you when you play the game. I'm sure it bothers him every time Nic Claxton yams it in his face. John Collins was doing it to him too. Do that to Embiid and you can get into his head and that's been the common theme with him. He gets embarrassed and all of a sudden he's holding his knee or his back to compensate. What's even more importantly pressing is that sometimes he forgets how to play after those thing happen. He's tentative on offense, it becomes a massive mind warp for him. I just wish he'd move on from that. It's basketball, you're going to get schooled, everyone gets shat on once in a while.

[Murray_17]

It's almost pathetic how much better the Hawks play without Trae on the floor. The guy is actively diminishing his trading value

[Sixteen]

Not a sixers fan in that Celtics/hawks thread. Yet we're still brought up lol.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Kendrick Perkins giving more brain dead, wooden analysis on the Hawks/Celtics first half. This is seriously the best ESPN could do?

[youngcrev]

And... Embiid is hurt and missing tomorrow anyway. Hooray

[youngcrev]

Claxton was all about going after Embiid, but is ready to get into the mud?

[Sixteen]

Would be amazing if Hawks can get a game and Sixers sweep. I don't see how people think Nets are worse than Hawks. At least the nets can play defense.

[Mik317]

we are going to lay the fattest egg tomorrow


can't have nice things

[Sixteen]

we are going to lay the fattest egg tomorrow


can't have nice things

Maxey time brother. Believe