Playoffs!?

[76ciology]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Agree with this. Both guys, Jimmy and Smart, are the type of NBA players that values NBA championship more than the other guys.

Think about it.. u mentioned Smart here and not Tatum. Because deep inside you know without Smart, this would have been a sweep already.

Same thing with our team, Tucker got into Biid’s ear in G4 when Biid was cracking and was already hallucinating dead people. And it’s Tucker who stepped up in G7.

But the difference is, Tatum and Brown has more drive than Embiid and Harden. Tatum has to win it to be in the same conversation with Biid, Giannis and Jokic. Brown has to win it to show the franchise he’s a supermax guy.

Biid can retire right now and he has enough money to buy some castle in france with his MVP trophy hanging in his living room cabinet overlooking the french riviera. And if you look far enough, you’ll see James Harden in his french vineyard chilling with lil’ baby where they’ll hang out at Moulin Rouge not knowing that it’s a lot more wholesome than where they usually hangout with in Houston.

[Jhawk03]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Agree with this. Both guys, Jimmy and Smart, are the type of NBA players that values NBA championship more than the other guys.

Think about it.. u mentioned Smart here and not Tatum. Because deep inside you know without Smart, this would have been a sweep already.

Same thing with our team, Tucker got into Biid’s ear in G4 when Biid was cracking and was already hallucinating dead people. And it’s Tucker who stepped up in G7.

But the difference is, Tatum and Brown has more drive than Embiid and Harden. Tatum has to win it to be in the same conversation with Biid, Giannis and Jokic. Brown has to win it to show the franchise he’s a supermax guy.

Biid can retire right now and he has enough money to buy some castle in france with his MVP trophy hanging in his living room cabinet overlooking the french riviera. And if you look far enough, you’ll see James Harden in his french vineyard chilling with lil’ baby where they’ll hang out at Moulin Rouge not knowing that it’s a lot more wholesome than where they usually hangout with in Houston.

Tatum is better than Smart, that's a fact, and all 30 teams would pick Tatum over Smart.

Yo this is getting dangerous, if we have to PRIORITZE "dog" or "drive" or "grit" or "will" or "motivation" or "mental" or you name it... for the sake of winning a championship because OBVIOUSLY that's what matters most... then fans are in serious trouble. Believing this way will transform the future of sports (for the worse?). In other words, winning in the future rests on scouting the difference between Marcus Smart and Ben Simmons??

[ProcessDoctor]

Maybe our team was actually good?

[youngcrev]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Jimmy doesn't really drink the beer though. He smashes 2 together and pours them on his face while giving Dave Silver the finger. Most of it just spills on to the hardwood.

[mjkvol]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Agree with this. Both guys, Jimmy and Smart, are the type of NBA players that values NBA championship more than the other guys.

Think about it.. u mentioned Smart here and not Tatum. Because deep inside you know without Smart, this would have been a sweep already.

Same thing with our team, Tucker got into Biid’s ear in G4 when Biid was cracking and was already hallucinating dead people. And it’s Tucker who stepped up in G7.

But the difference is, Tatum and Brown has more drive than Embiid and Harden. Tatum has to win it to be in the same conversation with Biid, Giannis and Jokic. Brown has to win it to show the franchise he’s a supermax guy.

Biid can retire right now and he has enough money to buy some castle in france with his MVP trophy hanging in his living room cabinet overlooking the french riviera. And if you look far enough, you’ll see James Harden in his french vineyard chilling with lil’ baby where they’ll hang out at Moulin Rouge not knowing that it’s a lot more wholesome than where they usually hangout with in Houston.

Uh, I don't want to speak for Negrodamus, but I seriously doubt this is what he was going for.

Is some kind of colored font really necessary when sarcasm is that obvious?

[mjkvol]

Possibly trying to trump Smart's doggedness?

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/jimmy-butler-guarantees-heat-victory-over-celtics-we-can-and-we-will-win-this-series/

The battle to be top dog is the series within the series.

[Negrodamus]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Agree with this. Both guys, Jimmy and Smart, are the type of NBA players that values NBA championship more than the other guys.

Think about it.. u mentioned Smart here and not Tatum. Because deep inside you know without Smart, this would have been a sweep already.

Bro, dog recognizes dog. Of course deep down in my canine soul I know Smart is the Balto of this Celtics dog sledding team.

[Ferry Avenue]

If Jimmy were a real dog, he wouldn't be drinking beer or wine during the playoffs. He's only allowed to drink water and eat the exact carbohydrate amount for optimal performance in the playoffs. Poisoning his body with wine during the playoffs is a real Harden (decidedly not dog) move.

Perhaps he's been influenced recently by fraud MVP and good friend Joel Embiid (also decidedly not dog). If Jimmy was a real dog, he would have guaranteed a win during one of these press conferences. Instead, Marcus Smart (final boss dog) proudly proclaimed "don't let us get one" which showed off alpha dog mentality; thus trumping any recent Jimmy Butler dogness. I can explain it to you guys, but I can't make you understand it.

Agree with this. Both guys, Jimmy and Smart, are the type of NBA players that values NBA championship more than the other guys.

Think about it.. u mentioned Smart here and not Tatum. Because deep inside you know without Smart, this would have been a sweep already.

Same thing with our team, Tucker got into Biid’s ear in G4 when Biid was cracking and was already hallucinating dead people. And it’s Tucker who stepped up in G7.

But the difference is, Tatum and Brown has more drive than Embiid and Harden. Tatum has to win it to be in the same conversation with Biid, Giannis and Jokic. Brown has to win it to show the franchise he’s a supermax guy.

Biid can retire right now and he has enough money to buy some castle in france with his MVP trophy hanging in his living room cabinet overlooking the french riviera. And if you look far enough, you’ll see James Harden in his french vineyard chilling with lil’ baby where they’ll hang out at Moulin Rouge not knowing that it’s a lot more wholesome than where they usually hangout with in Houston.

Tatum is better than Smart, that's a fact, and all 30 teams would pick Tatum over Smart.

Yo this is getting dangerous, if we have to PRIORITZE "dog" or "drive" or "grit" or "will" or "motivation" or "mental" or you name it... for the sake of winning a championship because OBVIOUSLY that's what matters most... then fans are in serious trouble. Believing this way will transform the future of sports (for the worse?). In other words, winning in the future rests on scouting the difference between Marcus Smart and Ben Simmons??

Why wouldn't it? Personnel selection in any realm of business for example involves an appraisal of the character of the applicants for positions.

Here's a relevant article:

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/ben-simmons-nba-draft-scouting-report-2016-predicted-issues-nets-76ers/khu1h96y4oertqzkfuby2w5g

[Kobblehead]

I love how draft prospects are now participating in the dog meme. Scoot Henderson most recently. I can't wait for the day a prospect brings Purina to the combine.

[Ferry Avenue]

Tatum is better than Smart, that's a fact, and all 30 teams would pick Tatum over Smart.

Tatum is most definitely better than Smart, but Tatum is the kind of player who makes you competitive against the best teams in the league in the conference finals, where physical talent among teams is roughly equal, whereas Smart is the kind of player who makes you better than them.

Again, necessary but not sufficient. Mental/emotional variables are necessary but not sufficient for winning. If you don't have them, you're very likely getting beaten by the teams that do, a la the Sixers every year.

The Celtics and Heat are a great matchup precisely because both teams, unlike the Sixers, have both physical talent and the necessary mental/emotional factors. This is why the Celtics dispatched of the Sixers despite that the teams were roughly equal in physical talent and Sixers had them on the ropes. The Celtics' superior mental/emotional factors prevailed.

[Mik317]

so if Melton hit one or two wide open 3s in game 6

we would have been more mentally tough than the Celtics then?

[Ferry Avenue]

so if Melton hit one or two wide open 3s in game 6

we would have been more mentally tough than the Celtics then?

Why didn't the Sixers simply drub the Celtics into the ground in game 6 and make those shots immaterial? They were that close to advancing beyond the second round for once. Where was their drive to win convincingly and make such random variation immaterial?

Conversely, why didn't the Celtics just come out and lay down and make those same shots immaterial in that way? They were in hostile territory down 3-2. They could've just given up and gotten beaten convincingly.

[Ferry Avenue]

Not sure why this topic is so contentious so often when Joel Embiid himself for example asked the team to go get PJ Tucker this offseason, presumably thinking it would make a critical difference. The players know the value of these kinds of factors. Embiid certainly wasn't asking the team to get Tucker because of Tucker's physical productivity. Nobody is stupid enough to believe that.

[Mik317]

again no one is saying it doesn't matter at all.

you constantly act like its the end all be all tho. AND whenever something happens that might disprove it, you simply claim that the other team actually had more dog afterall.

I mean FFS you said that the team had actually overcame their demons in game 5 and now was the man now dawg. But when they flopped you switch up to see I knew they never had the dawg in them. Its the I know everything and is never wrong aura your posts exude constantly that is the push back most have man.

The Heat didn't lose last night because they cared less. They are a skeleton crew that were shooting above their means and lost another guy and the Celtics are the better team so it evened out. If the Heat win the series it won't be because Tatum didn't care anymore it will be because the Celtics now have a lower margin for error and play a style of game that relies on a high variance shot; If the Celtics do win, it won't be because Jimmy lost the dawg in him..it will be because the talent difference finally showed up and the aforementioned undrafted dudes came back to earth at the worst possible time.

Having firey players is needed. Jo too often gets in his feelings and needs to be better. No one will deny that. I just think you place everything on that when there are other factors at play that matter more IMO.

[Ferry Avenue]

again no one is saying it doesn't matter at all.

you constantly act like its the end all be all tho. AND whenever something happens that might disprove it, you simply claim that the other team actually had more dog afterall.

I mean FFS you said that the team had actually overcame their demons in game 5 and now was the man now dawg. But when they flopped you switch up to see I knew they never had the dawg in them. Its the I know everything and is never wrong aura your posts exude constantly that is the push back most have man.

The Heat didn't lose last night because they cared less. They are a skeleton crew that were shooting above their means and lost another guy and the Celtics are the better team so it evened out. If the Heat win the series it won't be because Tatum didn't care anymore it will be because the Celtics now have a lower margin for error and play a style of game that relies on a high variance shot; If the Celtics do win, it won't be because Jimmy lost the dawg in him..it will be because the talent difference finally showed up and the aforementioned undrafted dudes came back to earth at the worst possible time.

Having firey players is needed. Jo too often gets in his feelings and needs to be better. No one will deny that. I just think you place everything on that when there are other factors at play that matter more IMO.

The bolded portion fits entirely with what I'm saying here. Mental/emotional factors are necessary but not sufficient for winning. If both teams have adequate mental/emotional factors, then both teams have what's necessary but not sufficient for winning at this level, and other factors will be responsible for the outcome between them. The Celtics and Heat are roughly equal in terms of mental/emotional factors, and so other factors will determine the outcome. I do think the Celtics are highly driven to return to the title series, however, and so in that sense they may have a bit more of that than the Heat.

The Sixers by contrast don't have the necessary mental/emotional factors, and so they on the other hand get beaten by teams that are no better physically but who outdo them in that area.

I didn't say the Sixers had established anything definitive or permanent after game 5 -- I said they exhibited a mettle in that game they don't typically exhibit, and if that continued they would win the series. Unfortunately it was a one-off and the central players on the team reverted to their usual in that area from then on.

[Negrodamus]

The idea that high effort, good leaders with a decent level of talent is important on championship level rosters isn't a hot take and is something everyone on here likely agrees with. Having star players who show leadership and elevate their games in the playoffs is also obviously important.

The way you are imparting this perspective to us is what we take exception to. But we've said that in so many ways, so you know this.

[agiaco]

Why would Boston have more "mental/emotional" factors just because they were just in the finals last year? Miami lost in the finals in 2020. The 76ers like any other contender should have that same mindset regardless of a recent finals appearance or not. Boston is simply a more talented team and things are evening out.

If I could legally bet I would have had money on Boston to come back from the 3-0. With that said, I truly hope they lose tomorrow, but it would be fun to cheer for Denver instead of not really caring about the finals.

[Ferry Avenue]

Why would Boston have more "mental/emotional" factors just because they were just in the finals last year? Miami lost in the finals in 2020. The 76ers like any other contender should have that same mindset regardless of a recent finals appearance or not. Boston is simply a more talented team and things are evening out.

If I could legally bet I would have had money on Boston to come back from the 3-0. With that said, I truly hope they lose tomorrow, but it would be fun to cheer for Denver instead of not really caring about the finals.

Boston may in fact not be more driven than the Heat -- I don't know. But I do think it's plausible that their having watched the opposing team celebrate a win over them in last year's title series, coupled with personnel improvements in the interim, likely has them foaming at the mouth to get back there. And if they beat Miami four times in a row I certainly don't think physical variables will be responsible for it, primarily. They aren't four consecutive wins better than the Heat, physically.

[Stanford]

I'm rooting for Boston hard right now

[76ciology]

Honestly, im just playing with you guys with my replies.

Im ready for next season. Woof woof!