Around the NBA - Blazing into the Conference Finals

[Clyde_Style]

I was rooting for MIL just to create more potential drama with the FA scene if Kawhi left, but I'm secretly glad that Giannis got exposed. For a lot of people that picked apart his game and got shouted down because he was still dominating, this is that Dennis Green moment. HE IS WHO WE THOUGHT HE WAS.

And on top of that he was as flat-out scared - and actually affected by it - as any star player I can remember in a long time.

If Giannis is not able to raise the ball up in the air like a tribute to the basketball gods and get his armpit past you he doesn't take that big first step and freezes at the top of the key and dumps it off. That's about it from what I saw. When he does try to force it and take that first step into double coverage he usually gets stopped or fumbles it and flips up a terrible shot.

[HEZI]

that's true in the aggregate.

But let's not lie that the Bucks gameplan was to live and die by 3s because "analytics."

And the resting of Giannis in increments was stupid too.

Bud should be blasted for this.

Giannis too.

Neither should walk freely in public

That's what got them this far so they just stayed to their identity. Nothing was saving them other than their guys stepping up and they failed to do say. Raps strategy was the same, pack the paint and cut off Giannis drives, force the other guys to make plays. Problem wasn't Bud, problem was Toronto just had too much size, length, athleticism and Kawhi

So it's ok to not make any adjustments? None?

Honestly I don't know what adjustments he could have made. Maybe put Giannis at Center and play Niko more? Maybe, but still I don't think they win that way either.

[PeteW]

i think kawhi is emotional

You have detection equipment that sensitive?

i thought his voice was quivering a little

Looked like public speaking nerves to me. Its Kawhi we're talking about here.

[GEOLINK]

Coach Bud aint as good as people swear he is. Don't even want to discuss it.

Dude looks like a cross between Larry Bird and Billy Crystal

He's too f*cking ugly to be my coach, they can have him.

[Phish Tank]

no one's asking Bud any tough questions smh

[Thugger HBC]

Masai definitely is a risk taker.

[whocares1]

I think Kawhi's decision comes to who he's playing for... I think he loves Nurse.

He looks at Vogel or Fizdale, he said "nah".

Fizdale may end up being the thing that sinks the Knicks recruitment efforts. He came off this season as such a flim-flam man.

Yea definitely. Fizdale will for sure be the reason why free agents don’t come to NY.

[dakomish23]

Who knew defense and shooting mattered in the NBA?

[Clyde_Style]

true, but being up 15 in the 3rd and letting it all go has something to do with Bud in my eyes.

I care less about sportsmanship, eff that. This was a Bucks choke more than a Raps win tonight.

It's a game of runs though and it was even discussed earlier in the game that Bucks just didn't look like they were gonna get it done even with their lead. You could feel it all game long, their hot shooting wasn't gonna last all game. Raptors turned it up and closed out harder on the shooters and Raps just didn't have the playmakers to get it done. They've been riding Giannis all season and Raps figured out a way to cut the head off the snake, Bucks just can't get it done without him against this Raps team who is deep.

it's ironic because heading into this series, the Raps depth was in question.

My problem is pride. I could care less about runs. If I'm an obsessive fan and see my team up 15, they better win the game and close it out.

That's why I just can't give Toronto much credit. Then having Milwaukee blow defensive rebounds too smh

You make it sound like the Bucks floundering was a unilateral event and had nothing to do with the team they faced. You're being too stingy in giving TO credit.

[BLACKFEET 2010]

No one knows what KD or Kyrie is thinking.
But no one and I mean no one can get a read on what Kawhi’s thinking.

Other than the hats and tee shirts and celebrating going on around him you wouldn’t even know if he won or lost the game.

Boy cold on the dance floor tho.
Congrats to KL, Uriji, Lowry (had no idea he was that old) and the Raps.

Give the Dubbs hell. But please don’t hurt Kevin.

[SelbyCobra]

Wow, check this video out - right at the end Kawhi walks by visibly laboring, with a clear limp. The dude must be held together with maple syrup and scotch tape at this point.

Read on Twitter

[Clyde_Style]

Coach Bud aint as good as people swear he is. Don't even want to discuss it.

Dude looks like a cross between Larry Bird and Billy Crystal

He's too f*cking ugly to be my coach, they can have him.

So I guess winning ugly is not your thing

[HEZI]

true, but being up 15 in the 3rd and letting it all go has something to do with Bud in my eyes.

I care less about sportsmanship, eff that. This was a Bucks choke more than a Raps win tonight.

It's a game of runs though and it was even discussed earlier in the game that Bucks just didn't look like they were gonna get it done even with their lead. You could feel it all game long, their hot shooting wasn't gonna last all game. Raptors turned it up and closed out harder on the shooters and Raps just didn't have the playmakers to get it done. They've been riding Giannis all season and Raps figured out a way to cut the head off the snake, Bucks just can't get it done without him against this Raps team who is deep.

it's ironic because heading into this series, the Raps depth was in question.

My problem is pride. I could care less about runs. If I'm an obsessive fan and see my team up 15, they better win the game and close it out.

That's why I just can't give Toronto much credit. Then having Milwaukee blow defensive rebounds too smh

Pride and hustle are something the players themselves need to have and provide without the coach needing to say or do anything. If you are looking for the coach to help you with your pride and tell you to play with more hustle while being a veteran team and your season on the line and a chance at the NBA Finals, then something is wrong, something is really wrong with your players

[Phish Tank]

It's a game of runs though and it was even discussed earlier in the game that Bucks just didn't look like they were gonna get it done even with their lead. You could feel it all game long, their hot shooting wasn't gonna last all game. Raptors turned it up and closed out harder on the shooters and Raps just didn't have the playmakers to get it done. They've been riding Giannis all season and Raps figured out a way to cut the head off the snake, Bucks just can't get it done without him against this Raps team who is deep.

it's ironic because heading into this series, the Raps depth was in question.

My problem is pride. I could care less about runs. If I'm an obsessive fan and see my team up 15, they better win the game and close it out.

That's why I just can't give Toronto much credit. Then having Milwaukee blow defensive rebounds too smh

You make it sound like the Bucks floundering was a unilateral event and had nothing to do with the team they faced. You're being too stingy in giving TO credit.

it's because I'm not willing to give sportsmanship awards for being in 2nd place .

If I lose, I'm blaming myself until the end. It's about pride.

Here's one example: Giannis should have Bynum's Kawhi when he dunked on him

[GEOLINK]

Dude looks like a cross between Larry Bird and Billy Crystal

He's too f*cking ugly to be my coach, they can have him.

So I guess winning ugly is not your thing

How many rings he got as a head coach? Just as many as the Knicks last 40 years.

[Clyde_Style]

it's ironic because heading into this series, the Raps depth was in question.

My problem is pride. I could care less about runs. If I'm an obsessive fan and see my team up 15, they better win the game and close it out.

That's why I just can't give Toronto much credit. Then having Milwaukee blow defensive rebounds too smh

You make it sound like the Bucks floundering was a unilateral event and had nothing to do with the team they faced. You're being too stingy in giving TO credit.

it's because I'm not willing to give sportsmanship awards for being in 2nd place .

If I lose, I'm blaming myself until the end. It's about pride.

Here's one example: Giannis should have Bynum's Kawhi when he dunked on him

I don't understand your point TBH. Now you're saying the losers should hang their heads in shame as if that fully explains not acknowledging that TO both earned that win and shut down the Bucks. You don't have to hold TO's team in high esteem, but I find what you're saying too imbalanced or maybe I'm misunderstanding you, dunno

[Clyde_Style]

He's too f*cking ugly to be my coach, they can have him.

So I guess winning ugly is not your thing

How many rings he got as a head coach? Just as many as the Knicks last 40 years.

it was a play on words though

[Phish Tank]

You make it sound like the Bucks floundering was a unilateral event and had nothing to do with the team they faced. You're being too stingy in giving TO credit.

it's because I'm not willing to give sportsmanship awards for being in 2nd place .

If I lose, I'm blaming myself until the end. It's about pride.

Here's one example: Giannis should have Bynum's Kawhi when he dunked on him

I don't understand your point TBH. Now you're saying the losers should hang their heads in shame as if that fully explains not acknowledging that TO both earned that win and shut down the Bucks. You don't have to hold TO's team in high esteem, but I find what you're saying too imbalanced or maybe I'm misunderstanding you, dunno

Toronto didn't force the Bucks to make mental mistakes. The Bucks made too many gaffes and Toronto capitalized. Even though Toronto did what they're supposed to do, it doesn't make the Bucks less culpable for choking.

I never hold my opponents in high esteem. Seeing Milwaukee act all giddy with the opponents after the L and seeing Bud give all that credit is shameful.

[Thugger HBC]

Losing four straight has to be something to be held accountable for. That doesn't happen in the playoffs too often.

[Phish Tank]

Losing four straight has to be something to be held accountable for. That doesn't happen in the playoffs too often.

yep.

Losing Game 5 was inexcusable. And being up 15 and losing was even worse.