2023 Around The League NBA Playoffs Thread

[Calinks]

What a horrendous loss! That is soul crushing. Sixers didn't have their best player and still won. Those fans have to be going rabid.

[m2002brian]

Refs screwing Phx early.
Booker getting mobbed, no calls,
Nutty getting bumped, called every time.

[TimberKat]

All the night clubs must be closed on Sundays in BOS. Harden played like he was 29 years old.

[TimberKat]

1. I think you overly marginalized the Eiffel Stilt. If we put Greg Monroe or Andre Drummond on the same Jazz team, they both would had won multiple defensive player of the year awards? (I don't think so) GMs, in general, aren’t stupid (with a few Wolves’ exceptions), they would never pay him so much if that is the case.

1. Hardly, Drummond and Monroe are ancient washed up relics. If you added in Bam, Brook Lopez, Turner, Carter Jr in his place they would have played just as well.
His contract had nothing to do with his worth. They just didn't want to lose him for nothing. So they overpaid, just like DLos last contract.

Others already commented on several points, so I will only add this:
Bam is a two time all-star in his 6th season so maybe. Lopez to win Defensive Player of the year? Whom a coke machine could get more rebounds Lopez? Maybe count both Lopezes together as one? I still put my money on Drummond. I didn’t know Jimmy Carter Jr played in the NBA, I only know him for winner the Nobel Peace Prize and he was never high on defense. I take Will Turner over Myles. His rebound rate is worse than Lopez but does have other skills to make up for it. Either way, you proved my point.

[Calinks]

I was told by several people that the Suns would destroy the Nuggets. Suns right now are in the same spot the wolves were after two games. LMAO!

[Calinks]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

[Note30]

1. I think you overly marginalized the Eiffel Stilt. If we put Greg Monroe or Andre Drummond on the same Jazz team, they both would had won multiple defensive player of the year awards? (I don't think so) GMs, in general, aren’t stupid (with a few Wolves’ exceptions), they would never pay him so much if that is the case.

1. Hardly, Drummond and Monroe are ancient washed up relics. If you added in Bam, Brook Lopez, Turner, Carter Jr in his place they would have played just as well.
His contract had nothing to do with his worth. They just didn't want to lose him for nothing. So they overpaid, just like DLos last contract.

Others already commented on several points, so I will only add this:
Bam is a two time all-star in his 6th season so maybe. Lopez to win Defensive Player of the year? Whom a coke machine could get more rebounds Lopez? Maybe count both Lopezes together as one? I still put my money on Drummond. I didn’t know Jimmy Carter Jr played in the NBA, I only know him for winner the Nobel Peace Prize and he was never high on defense. I take Will Turner over Myles. His rebound rate is worse than Lopez but does have other skills to make up for it. Either way, you proved my point.

Bam no question could. Absolutely and unequivocally the most underrated big man in the game.

Lopez was already a candidate for DPOY this year, no idea what you're on about. https://www.nba.com/news/defensive-player-ladder-april-2023-edition

Wendell Carter Jr is one of the better young paint protectors in the league. Better than all but 1 center in terms of on/off defensive numbers. He can also catch the ball and shoot the 3. He may not be much yet, but with a system built around him like Rudy had he could definitely make that leap.

Since when did rebounds equal defense? By that logic KLove was the best defender we ever had. It's not that the two aren't related but they by no means are an indication of pure defense they just mean the possession has ended.

You have a very limited view of the game. Do better.

[Note30]

No one is looking at the Wolves next year and expecting anything better.

Except me!!

LOL, I really hope you're right man. I'm rooting for you.

[Neeva]

I was told by several people that the Suns would destroy the Nuggets. Suns right now are in the same spot the wolves were after two games. LMAO!

Yeah those people must not have been watching the suns struggle with a Kawhi and PG less clippers team. IMO suns are lucky they got the injured clips or they would be one and done.

[life_saver]

Jokic is the most impactful player in the league...he also is surprisingly very durable.

[Calinks]

Jokic is the most impactful player in the league...he also is surprisingly very durable.

He's like the offensive version of KG. Meaning he just has a ridiculous impact all over his team. He isn't as good as KG defensively but he's a lot better on offense. Overall he's a better player and an all-time great. He also reminds me of Tim Duncan in just the fact that he is absolutely integral to his team.

[Klomp]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

[Note30]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

If they win a title. Huge if. Otherwise he just overpaid Gordon, MPJ, and let a bunch of talent walk for nothing.

[Klomp]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

If they win a title. Huge if. Otherwise he just overpaid Gordon, MPJ, and let a bunch of talent walk for nothing.

I think Giannis would like a word with you. Winning or losing an NBA championship should not determine whether this group is a success or "nothing," especially when you are talking about mid-sized or smaller markets.

Here's one thing to define this group. When Tim Connelly took over the Nuggets, they advanced past the first round just twice in 25 seasons. This current group has won at least one series in four of the last five seasons.

[TimberKat]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

Connelly also go lucked into Murray too. Both Dunn and Hield were gone. I supposed he could had taken Thon Maker, Sabonis, or Taurean Prince instead. Still, I think he deserves a lot of credit for building the team. He could had traded Jokic instead of Nurkic or replace both of them with Darko. The guy is obsessed with centers like Khan with PGs

[TimberKat]

Bam no question could. Absolutely and unequivocally the most underrated big man in the game.

Lopez was already a candidate for DPOY this year, no idea what you're on about. https://www.nba.com/news/defensive-player-ladder-april-2023-edition

You have a very limited view of the game. Do better.

I hope you actually watch Bucks games and see how Speedy Gonzales chase down players. You maybe the only person in the previous 14 years to have the foresight that Lopez is remotely in the conversation of DPOY or All-defensive first team. No one would confuse Lopez’s defensive prowess with Gobert’s ability.

Just exactly what do you think Utah did in their system to showcase Gobert’s defensive ability that Lopez would be just as good? How is that system better than having Giannis, Bledsoe or Holiday on your team? Keep in mind you just said rebounding is not equal to defense.

How is Bam underrated when he made 2 all star games? He is overrated for me because he gets destroyed by bigger players. I get all the stuff you can read about his defense on the internet. Just watch the Heat vs Hawks game, I had trouble finding him on my 65” TV.

[younggunsmn]

Jokic needs to be in the GOAT conversation if he wins a couple of titles. Dude never gets shut down. Muray was trash and they still won, if the wolves could have gotten a Murray game that bad I think they could have pulled out a W.

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

Connelly brought in and developed Murray, Jokic, Porter, and Gordon.
He deserves credit for that.
The new GM added KCP, Brown, Braun, and Jeff Green to their shortened playoff rotation.
All 4 have been integral pieces.
But bringing in Mike Malone to coach was probably as important as anything besides maybe drafting Jokic and Murray.

It's interesting how it has worked so well for them basically not having a backup PG and how their shortened bench has been so good in the playoffs after their non-Jokic lineups got shredded so badly in the regular season.

[Worm Guts]

It is interesting to me, a healthy Wolves team doesn’t beat the Nuggets, but a healthy Wolves team could have beat the Lakers in the play in game and made a run to the WCF.
I don’t know if that means anything about bringing this team back, but it definitely would have changed the feeling going into the offseason.

[Note30]

Bam no question could. Absolutely and unequivocally the most underrated big man in the game.

Lopez was already a candidate for DPOY this year, no idea what you're on about. https://www.nba.com/news/defensive-player-ladder-april-2023-edition

You have a very limited view of the game. Do better.

I hope you actually watch Bucks games and see how Speedy Gonzales chase down players. You maybe the only person in the previous 14 years to have the foresight that Lopez is remotely in the conversation of DPOY or All-defensive first team. No one would confuse Lopez’s defensive prowess with Gobert’s ability.

Just exactly what do you think Utah did in their system to showcase Gobert’s defensive ability that Lopez would be just as good? How is that system better than having Giannis, Bledsoe or Holiday on your team? Keep in mind you just said rebounding is not equal to defense.

How is Bam underrated when he made 2 all star games? He is overrated for me because he gets destroyed by bigger players. I get all the stuff you can read about his defense on the internet. Just watch the Heat vs Hawks game, I had trouble finding him on my 65” TV.

I'm not the only one genius. Brook Lopez was the runner-up in the voting for the NBA 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year on Monday. 31 first place votes. I have no idea what you are smoking. There's tons of evidence he's playing above and beyond. He has the right system around him as did Gobert. I actually did watch Bucks games this year and it was apparent why.

Watch on YouTube

Well for one, outside of Gobert the Jazz switched everything. As do the Bucks. In fact the one thing the Jazz couldn't do was adapt to a 5-out offense because they relied way too much on his drop coverage.

Gobert looks amazing in pure drop coverage on anything but a 5-out offense full of shooters. So does Brook, so does Carter Jr. Only problem is the Wolves can't switch everything in drop coverage for Gobert. Thats why he looks lost.

Bam is a completely different style of center, and honestly would have been an amazing fit for this team. I'm not gonna lie, his defense didn't do super amazing this year, but he does the one thing KAT had trouble doing, he could switch 1-5 and play both drop and ice coverage. But yeah, go off on his "inability to guard bigs". Most big men in the NBA average about 2.4 ppg less than average against Bam, but yeah no your 65' TV covers everything. Go off armchair king.

[Note30]

Now let's everyone remember who built and developed/nurtured this franchise's core. Even if you say Connelly "lucked" into Jokic, he still assembled basically the entirety of the rest of the roster.

If they win a title. Huge if. Otherwise he just overpaid Gordon, MPJ, and let a bunch of talent walk for nothing.

I think Giannis would like a word with you. Winning or losing an NBA championship should not determine whether this group is a success or "nothing," especially when you are talking about mid-sized or smaller markets.

Here's one thing to define this group. When Tim Connelly took over the Nuggets, they advanced past the first round just twice in 25 seasons. This current group has won at least one series in four of the last five seasons.

Fair, they are relatively successful, I do think one thing is also clear, they have very little room to improve.

Bar some miraculous rookie, whether through FA or trade, they are limited in the options to improve their roster. Outside of Jokic, nobody holds the value needed to attract a high-profile trade, and Denver doesn't have the cap-space to acquire a shiny new All-Star. So they are kind of dipped.

So yeah, they still overpaid two players who have capped their ability to improve.

Yes they are successful, but at a cost.