Official NBA General Discussion 2024-25 V2.0

[WaltFrazier]

Could definately see Scottie being the Aaron Gordon for this Raptors team.

Just need to find the next Jokic then. No problem

[Los_29]

That didn't age well

No worries, I thought the same at that point. What an incredible comeback. What a game. Gordon with the second game winner. He fits so well in that team. And Westbrook who was unplayable on so many teams is a key contributor.

Not too concerned it took Jokic to have one of his best playoff games, And alot of screw ups late for a game winning 3.....They made it more difficult than they needed but i think Thunder still take the series....Too good defensivly and Joker won't have historic games every game this series....It took a historic game for him and only win by 2 at the Buzzer.

Caruso practically tripped his szn avgs in game 1 / can't expect that every game either

Denver had 18 turnovers as well. OKC is a great defensive team but they won’t get that every game.

If OKC loses it’s going to be because they rely so heavily on SGA. Where would they be without that trade? lol.

[bballsparkin]

You gotta look at the context.. it was for a disgruntled injured star, and for a 1 year rental (there was absolutely no chance Kawhi was gonna sign here). Despite all, Demar was still an all-star player, Poeltl was a lottery pick, and ya a late 1st whatever.

Face it, we got lucky it worked out and I’m glad it did.

But when u go back to the time of the trade, not knowing we would win the chip.. idk man, I can’t say it was cheap. I had gsw winning it again regardless of Kawhi or not. Who knows if KD didn’t get injured

That's basically the point I meant. Sure, in the context of the situation it was not cheap. Because Kawhi was always LA bound. You don't get superstars in their prime for DD, Jakob, and a very late FRP otherwise. So, in the context of the situation knowing that Kawhi was a mercenary rental I agree it was not cheap in that sense.

Even if KD doesn't get injured (I still think we had a chance as Kawhi was the best player and the Raptors were stacked), to me, it would have been worth it. If Kawhi gets injured and isn't ready for the playoffs history would be written very differently. I respect DeMar but his defence is lacking very much so. Especially for a player without any three point shot. It was time to try something new. Kudos to Masai for bouncing at the opportunity.

[bballsparkin]

I don't hate norm. I was demonstrating the hypocrisy. Went back and checked. 73 posts bashing fred after game 1. Yet you can't take a single one bashing norm.

The double standard is astounding. We both know that the fred hate is the toxic element on this board. Not norm hate.

Some people just don't like Fred. I don't know why it bothers you so much. He has a grumpy man's face and made it clear he learned from Lowry it's all about the money. Plus he was the lead guard under NN's ugly offence. Fred is good but his offence can be hard to watch at times. He's a multi mega millionaire and has a championship ring that he was a pivotal part of helping the team win. He'll be fine. Reading the back and forth on Fred is almost as monotonous as reading the tanking vs not tanking debate.

[PushDaRock]

It's really hard to see a 68 win team lose to a 50 win team. I don't see it happening. JDub kept hijacking the offense to try and get a rhythm.

Stranger things have happened. They get another Gordon buzzer beater dunk and Westbrook game tying 3 in this series and who knows.

The margin between these 2 teams is probably closer to like a 5 point differential, not the 13 points OKC was beating everyone by in the regular season.

[Son Goku 25]

Westbrook was gonna have a shaqtin a fool moment running away from the ball during a crucial rebound.

I was also yelling him to pass the ball and not take the last shot even though he has been good tonight.

Only casual basketball fans hate on Russell Westbrook.

The whole 'derrrrr ball goes in derrrrr ball goes out' thing.

He does so many little things that casuals don't see.

Oh for sure

[tsherkin]

Westbrook was gonna have a shaqtin a fool moment running away from the ball during a crucial rebound.

I was also yelling him to pass the ball and not take the last shot even though he has been good tonight.

Only casual basketball fans hate on Russell Westbrook.

The whole 'derrrrr ball goes in derrrrr ball goes out' thing.

He does so many little things that casuals don't see.

Eh... that's hyperbole.

Westbrook has lots of flaws, so of course he catches criticism for them. He's been doing pretty well on balance for Denver, but he has some "what are you doing, Russ" moments basically every game. He showed that in the first round, as well. Driving into triple coverage, forced shots, that sort of thing. He has only one speed, which is not always appropriate.

Fortunately, he is being used well. This bench role he's got is working out nicely, especially since he's been hitting corner 3s all year. And even at his age, particularly in those minutes, he's still an insane athlete. He provides them a spark they lack when he's off the floor.

[WaltFrazier]

I was also yelling him to pass the ball and not take the last shot even though he has been good tonight.

Only casual basketball fans hate on Russell Westbrook.

The whole 'derrrrr ball goes in derrrrr ball goes out' thing.

He does so many little things that casuals don't see.

Eh... that's hyperbole.

Westbrook has lots of flaws, so of course he catches criticism for them. He's been doing pretty well on balance for Denver, but he has some "what are you doing, Russ" moments basically every game. He showed that in the first round, as well. Driving into triple coverage, forced shots, that sort of thing. He has only one speed, which is not always appropriate.

Fortunately, he is being used well. This bench role he's got is working out nicely, especially since he's been hitting corner 3s all year. And even at his age, particularly in those minutes, he's still an insane athlete. He provides them a spark they lack when he's off the floor.

When Adelman first took over, and won his first game I believe, I saw an article about how he had cut Russ's minutes to about 8 in that game, saying this was their way forward. And how Russ was the only player Malone didn't hold accountable. I don't know how long that lasted but it's obviously sorted now

[HiJiNX]

Pacers not giving Siakam enough touches. Nembhard is selling.

[WaltFrazier]

I turned on the Cavs Pacers game just now in the first and discovered Mobley and Hunter are out along with Garland still. How quickly the best record can become meaningless.

But they're up 12 for now, it'll be hard to hang on

[tsherkin]

When Adelman first took over, and won his first game I believe, I saw an article about how he had cut Russ's minutes to about 8 in that game, saying this was their way forward. And how Russ was the only player Malone didn't hold accountable. I don't know how long that lasted but it's obviously sorted now

He's been generally playing pretty well for them. Everyone, even Denver's announcers, is always waiting for him to make a Westbrick move, but he's played better more than he's played poorly. That's been pretty awesome. And yeah, the corner 3pt shooting has been a big deal, too.

[Son Goku 25]

I turned on the Cavs Pacers game just now in the first and discovered Mobley and Hunter are out along with Garland still. How quickly the best record can become meaningless.

But they're up 12 for now, it'll be hard to hang on

Walt, you see your Knicks going to the finals?

[Tripod]

Siakam with 6FGA with 2:30 to go is criminal

[Clutch0z24]

Mitchell is literally unguardable when he gets in the paint right now.....Can't do it himself all series tho....We will see if his guys get healthy for game 3 but what a game carrying his injured team to a much needed Win.

[Basketball_Jones]

No Mobley or Hunter means Indiana has a good chance to win this series. They’ll be at home next two games.

[Blazing_royale]

Siakiam still anti-clutch during curial moments

[Clutch0z24]

No Mobley or Hunter means Indiana has a good chance to win this series. They’ll be at home next two games.

I am sure they will play next game or at least try too

[MainEvent]

Wow Hali

[WuTang_CMB]

OMGGGG

[Raptors Realtor]

Wow... So clutch by Hali