NBA Playoffs Thread

[eyeatoma]

I don’t actually put an asterisk next to this title (or any others) but I will absolutely use it to aggravate Celtics fans.

Lakers 2020 is a massive asterisk. Playing in front of a Zoom call instead of away fans and getting half a calendar year to recover from the regular season.

Played under the same scenario as every other team but only 1 actually won.

Regardless of which team that won it's an asterisk.

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[Jailblazers7]

Oh yeah the only reason the Lakers won is because they’re the only ones who “cared” to win a pandemic title. I’m sure if other teams “cared” they would’ve totally won it.

It’s a title & the only reason there is an asterisk next to it for some people is because Lebron/LAL won. That’s fine, I get it. People hate both Lebron & the Lakers but that’s the only reason we’re having this conversation.

[eyeatoma]

Oh yeah the only reason the Lakers won is because they’re the only ones who “cared” to win a pandemic title. I’m sure if other teams “cared” they would’ve totally won it.

It’s a title & the only reason there is an asterisk next to it for some people is because Lebron/LAL won. That’s fine, I get it. People hate both Lebron & the Lakers but that’s the only reason we’re having this conversation.

I don't hate LeBron. I gave you my logic for the asterisk and it has nothing to do with him.

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[Iverson Armband]

The bubble was super competitive. Some of the best NBA playoff games of recent memory IMO. Only team that obviously didn’t want to be there was the Clippers.

[Kobblehead]

The Bubble Tournament exists off to the side as its own thing. That wasn't a real playoff that yielded a real champion.

[the_process]

The Bubble Tournament exists off to the side as its own thing. That wasn't a real playoff that yielded a real champion.

Exactly. It counts in the record books, but don't expect fans to prop that one up as legit.

[GoSixersBro]

Oh yeah the only reason the Lakers won is because they’re the only ones who “cared” to win a pandemic title. I’m sure if other teams “cared” they would’ve totally won it.

It’s a title & the only reason there is an asterisk next to it for some people is because Lebron/LAL won. That’s fine, I get it. People hate both Lebron & the Lakers but that’s the only reason we’re having this conversation.

Not true. No matter who would have won it there's an asterisk next to it. When you compare it to every other title in NBA history it's not the same. Playing in front of fans is a massive challenge, especially in a playoff atmosphere and it's probably why you saw guys like TJ Warren go bonkers and then struggle to stay in the league since. Factor in travel and everything else NBA champions have had to go through that bubble champs didn't, it can't be held in the same light.

Also you conveniently left out the recovery point I brought up. Mid-March to July 30 for recovery. When was the last time an NBA champion got 4.5 months to recover before the Playoffs and not have to travel?

[elchengue20]

Basketball it's basketball, no asterisk. Also a lot of players sayed it was one of the most difficult champíonships to win.

Plus Lakers were the 1st seed and didn't have HCA, the empty arena discussion it's not a great argument to discredit them lol.

Lakers, Nuggets, Miami, Boston all had deep runs in the next few years, there was not a fluke team, it was legit.

We all know why some people want to give it an asterisk tho, LBJ hate is mind blowing.

[FireMorey]

The Bubble Tournament exists off to the side as its own thing. That wasn't a real playoff that yielded a real champion.

Correct. Travel and HCA are a big part of basketball. Take it away and it isn't the same. Not to mention the layoff. This is the majority opinion btw. I don't even call it a fake championship, I don't even acknowledge a championship at all. In conversations about basketball I basically just don't even acknowledge the existence of 2020. It doesn't exist.

It would be like playing half court games and Rucker Park and calling it a championship. Or playing with a volleyball instead of a basketball. When you change the variables and norms of the sport it's no longer the same thing.

The in season tournament counts more tbh.

[GoSixersBro]

Basketball it's basketball, no asterisk. Also a lot of players sayed it was one of the most difficult champíonships to win.

Plus Lakers were the 1st seed and didn't have HCA, the empty arena discussion it's not a great argument to discredit them lol.

Lakers, Nuggets, Miami, Boston all had deep runs in the next few years, there was not a fluke team, it was legit.

We all know why some people want to give it an asterisk tho, LBJ hate is mind blowing.

Which players? The Lakers? Lol.

You're just not getting it. Doesn't matter which team won. Putting them next to any title team who won an NBA title on the traditional path merits the asterisk.

People can moan "LeBron hate" all you want. Project whatever assumption you want on to an opposing opinion. I can do the same and claim you're a closet Laker fan and thus claiming no asterisk.

And for the record I regard LeBron highly as a player. His 2016 title was probably the greatest feat in basketball history and his postseason play from 2015-2018 is the greatest individual level of talent ever seen IMO. But 2020 is 2020*

[Jailblazers7]

Oh yeah the only reason the Lakers won is because they’re the only ones who “cared” to win a pandemic title. I’m sure if other teams “cared” they would’ve totally won it.

It’s a title & the only reason there is an asterisk next to it for some people is because Lebron/LAL won. That’s fine, I get it. People hate both Lebron & the Lakers but that’s the only reason we’re having this conversation.

Not true. No matter who would have won it there's an asterisk next to it. When you compare it to every other title in NBA history it's not the same. Playing in front of fans is a massive challenge, especially in a playoff atmosphere and it's probably why you saw guys like TJ Warren go bonkers and then struggle to stay in the league since. Factor in travel and everything else NBA champions have had to go through that bubble champs didn't, it can't be held in the same light.

Also you conveniently left out the recovery point I brought up. Mid-March to July 30 for recovery. When was the last time an NBA champion got 4.5 months to recover before the Playoffs and not have to travel?

You conveniently left out that TJ Warren had multiple foot surgeries after the bubble - that’s why he fell out of the league.

I don’t care about rest because every one of their opponents also had 4.5 months rest. They played under the same conditions as everyone else & they came away with the trophy. Just like every other champions has done in the past.

[eyeatoma]

Oh yeah the only reason the Lakers won is because they’re the only ones who “cared” to win a pandemic title. I’m sure if other teams “cared” they would’ve totally won it.

It’s a title & the only reason there is an asterisk next to it for some people is because Lebron/LAL won. That’s fine, I get it. People hate both Lebron & the Lakers but that’s the only reason we’re having this conversation.

Not true. No matter who would have won it there's an asterisk next to it. When you compare it to every other title in NBA history it's not the same. Playing in front of fans is a massive challenge, especially in a playoff atmosphere and it's probably why you saw guys like TJ Warren go bonkers and then struggle to stay in the league since. Factor in travel and everything else NBA champions have had to go through that bubble champs didn't, it can't be held in the same light.

Also you conveniently left out the recovery point I brought up. Mid-March to July 30 for recovery. When was the last time an NBA champion got 4.5 months to recover before the Playoffs and not have to travel?

You conveniently left out that TJ Warren had multiple foot surgeries after the bubble - that’s why he fell out of the league.

I don’t care about rest because every one of their opponents also had 4.5 months rest. They played under the same conditions as everyone else & they came away with the trophy. Just like every other champions has done in the past.

So they won a trophy in a mickey mouse tournament. Just because everyone had to deal with the same stuff doesn't mean it's more valuable. The regular playoffs are far more arduous than this was, that's the whole point.

[Jailblazers7]

I don’t count it as more valuable or less valuable. It’s a ring just like any other. Some mean more than others like 2011 Mavs & 2016 Cavs because of the opponents they beat but I don’t count the bubble ring as any different than other unremarkable rings that teams have won.

[eyeatoma]

I don’t count it as more valuable or less valuable. It’s a ring just like any other. Some mean more than others like 2011 Mavs & 2016 Cavs because of the opponents they beat but I don’t count the bubble ring as any different than other unremarkable rings that teams have won.

To each their own. Most seem to think it had less value though, and I agree with that sentiment. When you get all the time in the world to rest up, and heal yourself, it's going to make the whole thing easier. AD was basically starting fresh, so was LeBron and anyone who was nursing injuries. Hell, it was Jo's best injury free run, even though we got swept in the 1st round. No travel, no fatigue, no homecourt, no hype. Just a completely different product.

[GoSixersBro]

Right. Joel’s only injury free playoff series in 7 seasons. It was almost like he got to completely recover before the Playoffs. But nah, that doesn’t help.

[elchengue20]

Right. Joel’s only injury free playoff series in 7 seasons. It was almost like he got to completely recover before the Playoffs. But nah, that doesn’t help.

So you actually like when injurys play a major part in deciding a champion.

You dont like teams playing to their full potential, that makes the ring less valuable to you lol.

2020 has an asterisk but GS 2015 against Cleveland without Love and Irving is completely fine.

Everybody played under the same conditions. A championship is a championship, its weak to give asterisks, just live with it.

[Jailblazers7]

I’m genuinely surprised KP is playing with no minutes restriction.

[Negrodamus]

Should have been expected. Even with the wet paper amount of resistance to the Finals, the Celtics have easily the best team in the NBA.

[mjkvol]

Tatum having his typical big game in a blowout win, and walks away with the MVP.

[Sixteen]

good..I'm ready for NBA draft and off-season. I'm excited for our team going forward, as I think Maxey will make the Superstar jump next season.