NBA Games Discussion Thread - Part 3

[nate33]

Good grief. Atlanta has been resting starters for the past several games but decided to play everybody tonight.

They obliterated a hot Brooklyn team 131-99.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Good grief. Atlanta has been resting starters for the past several games but decided to play everybody tonight.

They obliterated a hot Brooklyn team 131-99.

Yeah, I don't want anything to do with them. On the other hand, if Indiana with George sneaks in, it could be the reverse of last year - Pacers could give them all they're worth.

[queridiculo]

Wizards one game behind Toronto, or rather two games effectively now for the fourth seed..

Could it be?

[FAH1223]

The Warriors haven't beaten the Spurs in SA in the regular season since 1997 Before Duncan was drafted. 32 straight losses. They did win there in the 2013 playoffs once.

Spurs have had a double digit lead in 20 straight games and have won 17 of them.

Kawhi Leonard is the 2nd coming of Scottie Pippen at the rate this kid is developing.

Paul George got back and he had 13 points in 15 minutes. Still is not landing on the leg he broke and doesn't jump off it much

[LyricalRico]

Wizards one game behind Toronto, or rather two games effectively now for the fourth seed..

Could it be?

Especially since we're winning while resting guys like Pierce and Nene. Three of the final five games are very winnable (against Philly and then Atlanta/Cleveland teams that will likely be resting), and the other two are against Brooklyn and Indy who aren't exactly powerhouses. If we can go 4-1 over the last 5 I think we can pull it out.

Go Wiz!

[closg00]

Wizards one game behind Toronto, or rather two games effectively now for the fourth seed..

Could it be?

Especially since we're winning while resting guys like Pierce and Nene. Three of the final five games are very winnable (against Philly and then Atlanta/Cleveland teams that will likely be resting), and the other two are against Brooklyn and Indy who aren't exactly powerhouses. If we can go 4-1 over the last 5 I think we can pull it out.

Go Wiz!

Wiz seem to be on the up-tick, I don't think we'll get swept out of the first round.

Paul George is back and so is Rose, the playoffs are going to entertaining.

[queridiculo]

The optimist in me says the Wizards can win out despite a road heavy schedule, the Wizards fan in me expects back to back losses against the 76ers and Nets.

[Kanyewest]

The optimist in me says the Wizards can win out despite a road heavy schedule, the Wizards fan in me expects back to back losses against the 76ers and Nets.

The Nets are 8-2 over their last 10 and playing for a playoff spot. The Nets are 2-8 and playing for ping pong balls. Both winnable games but could be a loss against the Nets.

[nate33]

I just looked at the box score of the Spurs/Warriors game that took place on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard had 26 points on 11-17 shooting, 5 boards, 3 assists and 7 steals. That's a pretty nice stat line. Then I noted that he did that in 24 minutes! 7 steals in 24 minutes?!?

That Spurs box score is a testament to team basketball. They were playing against the best defense in the league yet they managed to have 12 different players score and 8 players accumulate 2 or more assists. 12 of their 13 players managed to take at least 3 shots. Only one player, Danny Green, logged more than 24 minutes.

[queridiculo]

I always wonder how much of the Warriors effectiveness on defense has to do with execution on that end, and how much of it is a result of the style of basketball they play on offense.

I almost get the sense that their opponents play with a certain sense of desperation on offense, forcing bad shots, and perhaps shooting too many threes in an attempt to either stay in touch, or break open the game to build a cushion for the eventual scoring barrage the Warriors are known for.

You see this happen a lot in football when offensive coordinators abandon the run and start calling a one dimensional game allowing the opponents defense to key on the pass, when perhaps a more measured patient approach would have been wiser.

[LyricalRico]

I always wonder how much of the Warriors effectiveness on defense has to do with execution on that end, and how much of it is a result of the style of basketball they play on offense.

I almost get the sense that their opponents play with a certain sense of desperation on offense, forcing bad shots, and perhaps shooting too many threes in an attempt to either stay in touch, or break open the game to build a cushion for the eventual scoring barrage the Warriors are known for.

You see this happen a lot in football when offensive coordinators abandon the run and start calling a one dimensional game allowing the opponents defense to key on the pass, when perhaps a more measured patient approach would have been wiser.

The football analogy is an interesting one. GSW does have a few good individual defenders, though. And Draymond Green replacing David Lee allows them to do a lot more things with their defense.

Without pondering too deeply, my initial thought would be that coaxing opponents into abandoning what they usually do is more of a regular season advantage, when most teams only see them a couple times a year. But when playing against the same conference opponent over and over again in a 7-game series where they are specifically game-planning for you, it seems like pace would offer less of an advantage IMO.

[nate33]

I always wonder how much of the Warriors effectiveness on defense has to do with execution on that end, and how much of it is a result of the style of basketball they play on offense.

I almost get the sense that their opponents play with a certain sense of desperation on offense, forcing bad shots, and perhaps shooting too many threes in an attempt to either stay in touch, or break open the game to build a cushion for the eventual scoring barrage the Warriors are known for.

You see this happen a lot in football when offensive coordinators abandon the run and start calling a one dimensional game allowing the opponents defense to key on the pass, when perhaps a more measured patient approach would have been wiser.

The football analogy is an interesting one. GSW does have a few good individual defenders, though. And Draymond Green replacing David Lee allows them to do a lot more things with their defense.

Without pondering too deeply, my initial thought would be that coaxing opponents into abandoning what they usually do is more of a regular season advantage, when most teams only see them a couple times a year. But when playing against the same conference opponent over and over again in a 7-game series where they are specifically game-planning for you, it seems like pace would offer less of an advantage IMO.

I think Golden State's defense is legit. Bogut is a top 5 defender at the most important defensive position in the game. Draymond Green is a top 5 defender at the 2nd most important defensive position in the game. Iggy and Klay are good perimeter defenders. Curry is a much improved defender.

[FAH1223]

I think Golden State's defense is legit. Bogut is a top 5 defender at the most important defensive position in the game. Draymond Green is a top 5 defender at the 2nd most important defensive position in the game. Iggy and Klay are good perimeter defenders. Curry is a much improved defender.

Yeah, I think its legit too.

I think the Spurs are just their kryptonite though. They can mix and match with GSW like no other team in the West can do.

Green and Leonard are the best wing perimeter duo in basketball IMO and one or both have shown they can slow down Curry and Thompson.

If they matchup it'd be an exciting series and GSW having home court is a plus but it doesn't really matter to the Spurs, they beat them in Oracle once already.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I just looked at the box score of the Spurs/Warriors game that took place on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard had 26 points on 11-17 shooting, 5 boards, 3 assists and 7 steals. That's a pretty nice stat line. Then I noted that he did that in 24 minutes! 7 steals in 24 minutes?!?

That Spurs box score is a testament to team basketball. They were playing against the best defense in the league yet they managed to have 12 different players score and 8 players accumulate 2 or more assists. 12 of their 13 players managed to take at least 3 shots. Only one player, Danny Green, logged more than 24 minutes.

Leonard has breakaway speed, judging from what I saw on a steal that he converted into a breakaway dunk.

Wouldn't shock me if he's virtually as fast as John Wall in a sprint. Kawhi Leonard is super fast for a man his size. Probably even faster than Pippen was back in the day.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Good grief. Atlanta has been resting starters for the past several games but decided to play everybody tonight.

They obliterated a hot Brooklyn team 131-99.

Yeah, I don't want anything to do with them. On the other hand, if Indiana with George sneaks in, it could be the reverse of last year - Pacers could give them all they're worth.

And tonight, with Mike Muscala at C, Horford sliding to PF in place of injured Paul Millsap, and the rest of the team the destroyed Phoenix 96-69.

Millsap's injury could end up making them even tougher by the time he gets back for the playoffs.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

New Orleans might beat out OKC for the eighth playoff spot in the west.

[bondom34]

New Orleans might beat out OKC for the eighth playoff spot in the west.

They have it. OKC is shot, they just look done w/o Ibaka.

[FAH1223]

I just looked at the box score of the Spurs/Warriors game that took place on Sunday.

Kawhi Leonard had 26 points on 11-17 shooting, 5 boards, 3 assists and 7 steals. That's a pretty nice stat line. Then I noted that he did that in 24 minutes! 7 steals in 24 minutes?!?

That Spurs box score is a testament to team basketball. They were playing against the best defense in the league yet they managed to have 12 different players score and 8 players accumulate 2 or more assists. 12 of their 13 players managed to take at least 3 shots. Only one player, Danny Green, logged more than 24 minutes.

Leonard has breakaway speed, judging from what I saw on a steal that he converted into a breakaway dunk.

Wouldn't shock me if he's virtually as fast as John Wall in a sprint. Kawhi Leonard is super fast for a man his size. Probably even faster than Pippen was back in the day.

Leonard had 23 in the first half vs. OKC. He's everywhere.

[pancakes3]

The Spurs, man. They're like grizzly bears coming out of hibernation every spring. They're going into the playoffs on a mission. Boris Diaw was +26 in 26 mins of play.

[hands11]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/boxscore/NBA_20150410_CHA@ATL

M. Muscala

17 pts 6 rebounds