NBA Games Discussion Thread - Part 6

[Northwest Roddy]

Teams trailing a playoff game by 14+ with 2:45 left in the 4Q: 1-994

[closg00]

…and we no-longer have Deni
https://www.si.com/nba/wizards/news/washington-wizards-guard-tyrese-haliburton-draft-forward-deni-avdija-gene-wojciechowski

[AFM]

Yeah. I think Haliburton was PIF's guy.

He might be a top 5 player tbh

[DukeLecker]

We almost drafted Tyrese!? Hey how bout that! And I almost invested in bitcoin in 2013!

[tontoz]

Indy should give us hope. No star collusion or lottery luck. Just smart management and coaching.

Kat is the fatal flaw on the Knicks. When you have a defensive liability at C the opponent can take advantage of it and the Pacers are doing that relentlessly. Kat was -20.

We need two way players.

[closg00]

Indy should give us hope. No star collusion or lottery luck. Just smart management and coaching.

Kat is the fatal flaw on the Knicks. When you have a defensive liability at C the opponent can take advantage of it and the Pacers are doing that relentlessly. Kat was -20.

We need two way players.

Exactly, 100% hard work by their FO through drafting, FA targeting (Pascal), and an horrific trade by the Kings with Halliburton.

[Kanyewest]

I wonder if Thibs loses his job after this series. Game 1 might have been bad luck and game 2 was close by the box score but I wonder if the Knicks pull the trigger on someone like Mike Malone or someone else since the Knicks have a window.

Knicks are not completely dead though given that they are 5-1 on the road in this playoffs. They need to win at least 2 of the next 3 in Indiana.

[Kanyewest]

Indy should give us hope. No star collusion or lottery luck. Just smart management and coaching.

Kat is the fatal flaw on the Knicks. When you have a defensive liability at C the opponent can take advantage of it and the Pacers are doing that relentlessly. Kat was -20.

We need two way players.

I didn't see Nesmith outplaying OG through 2 games either. Pacers finally also got rid of some of the Thomas Bryant minutes which helped them in the 2nd half.

[dobrojim]

When I watch these playoff games I realize how
much better we need to become. It's a gaping divide.

[payitforward]

Yeah. I think Haliburton was PIF's guy.

He might be a top 5 player tbh

He's one of the best players in the game without a doubt -- but... he was NOT my guy. Not once Deni fell to us.

Haliburton was most definitely Dat's pick, however -- no doubt about that!

A few others among us too, but above all Dat's guy!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Too bad you, "Can't win in the playoffs with a defensive liability like Julius Randle."

Today:

Minnesota 143-Oklahoma City 101

Julius Randle +38

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Derik Queen could help.

[TheBlackCzar]

Too bad you, "Can't win in the playoffs with a defensive liability like Julius Randle."

Today:

Minnesota 143-Oklahoma City 101

Julius Randle +38

You think Julius was the reason they won today, OR was it the increased intensity of defense and less lazy passing which didn't lead to fastbreak points for OKC.... Julius definitely played better, but Minny go the way Ant pulls them, and he was much more aggressive today, which set the tone.... He has to out play Shai or this series is hopeless...... Hopefully this game woke Minny up to how they need to carry it the rest of the series.....

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Too bad you, "Can't win in the playoffs with a defensive liability like Julius Randle."

Today:

Minnesota 143-Oklahoma City 101

Julius Randle +38

You think Julius was the reason they won today, OR was it the increased intensity of defense and less lazy passing which didn't lead to fastbreak points for OKC.... Julius definitely played better, but Minny go the way Ant pulls them, and he was much more aggressive today, which set the tone.... He has to out play Shai or this series is hopeless...... Hopefully this game woke Minny up to how they need to carry it the rest of the series.....

My point is with the ancillary pieces a player like Julius can be a viable contributor on a winning team.

Of course, Ant leads them. Rudy anchors them.

Derik Queen wouldn't be the anchor who sinks the Wizards.

[TheBlackCzar]

Too bad you, "Can't win in the playoffs with a defensive liability like Julius Randle."

Today:

Minnesota 143-Oklahoma City 101

Julius Randle +38

You think Julius was the reason they won today, OR was it the increased intensity of defense and less lazy passing which didn't lead to fastbreak points for OKC.... Julius definitely played better, but Minny go the way Ant pulls them, and he was much more aggressive today, which set the tone.... He has to out play Shai or this series is hopeless...... Hopefully this game woke Minny up to how they need to carry it the rest of the series.....

My point is with the ancillary pieces a player like Julius can be a viable contributor on a winning team.

Of course, Ant leads them. Rudy anchors them.

Derik Queen wouldn't be the anchor who sinks the Wizards.

I agree I actually think if he came on our team, he'd get in shape because Bub would probably be in his ear about it, and the types of players were drafting if he wants to keep up, he'd definitely have to put in the work.... I think he wants it though, but I'm not sure if his in shape game type will be like Julius.... I think he's going to be more like Sengun, which might be perfect provided he busts his ass on D.... Myles Turner isn't that agile and he's halfway decent on defense so Queen has a hope, but he gotta display it.... I'm sure they are going to work him out and be honest with him what'd be expected if we drafted him..... Honestly if we get Fears with 6, I'm going to be glad as we need a lead guard who can pressure the lane, but having a guy like Queen to play pick and roll with might be a nasty combination.... Bilal work on that damn shot and handle, Alex keep developing, AJ, Ky and Bub same as Alex.... We wouldn't necessarily be adding immediate shooting improvements, but I think Fears can have the Wall effect of getting guys open with his penetration, and Sarr and Queen could work the pick and roll or pick and pop which I think could give us a vision for how were going moving forward..... Then next year draft a SG or a big wing and we have a mob.........Maybe even use our 2nd 26' frp to grab a big 7 footer for board and defensive versatility.....

[nate33]

Too bad you, "Can't win in the playoffs with a defensive liability like Julius Randle."

Today:

Minnesota 143-Oklahoma City 101

Julius Randle +38

You think Julius was the reason they won today, OR was it the increased intensity of defense and less lazy passing which didn't lead to fastbreak points for OKC.... Julius definitely played better, but Minny go the way Ant pulls them, and he was much more aggressive today, which set the tone.... He has to out play Shai or this series is hopeless...... Hopefully this game woke Minny up to how they need to carry it the rest of the series.....

My point is with the ancillary pieces a player like Julius can be a viable contributor on a winning team.

Of course, Ant leads them. Rudy anchors them.

Derik Queen wouldn't be the anchor who sinks the Wizards.

Sorry, but we need to pump the brakes on this Queen = Randle idea. Randle has played well in the playoffs because he has proven to be a solid defender at the PF position, even guarding Lebron in isolation with success. Randle was able to do this because he is actually a very good athlete and was always a very good athlete, even as a draft prospect. Queen is nowhere near the athlete that Randle was, it's not even close. Here are Randle's combine numbers compared to Queen's. Note that they are the same weight.



Randle is a full second faster in lane agility and jumps 7.5 inches higher!

Queen absolutely cannot play PF. He will get destroyed on defense. Guys will blow past him like he is standing still. He has to play center, and then we are talking about a 6'-9" center with a mediocre wingspan who can't jump. He would be a much shorter and probably slower Jokic on defense. (Jokic is 6'-11 with a 7'-3" wingspan.)

[Zonkerbl]

Haliburton. Damn.

[AFM]

This is the best series. Two teams so evenly matched.

[closg00]

Having a big man who can stretch the floor is essential these days, KAT hitting big shots

[9 and 20]

Josh Hart is such a good player. Van Gundy incredulous about the soft foul call - brings back Bill Walton vibes. This whole series actually gives off that 90's vibe. Rik Smits, the Davis brothers, and Reggie Miller up against Ewing, Starks, Grandmama. Need someone to start shouting Cheryl at Halliburton.