2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

[Colbinii]

For those who were questioning Kawhi's ability to lead a team:

Read on Twitter

This was like LeBron's Game 6 against the Celtics in 2012. Kawhi's whole legacy was on the line tonight and he dominated like a two-time FMVP should.

LeBron put up 45/15/5 against a 98.2 Drtg (-6.4 Defense, which is in the class of "all-time great regular season defenses").

Dallas is at 113 Drtg (+0.7, which, since you probably don't know, means they are slightly below average).

[MartinToVaught]

I'm not comparing the specifics of their performances - of course LeBron's was more impressive. I'm comparing the context, in terms of how many haters were ready to throw dirt on their respective legacies going into these games.

[Colbinii]

I'm not comparing the specifics of their performances - of course LeBron's was more impressive. I'm comparing the context, in terms of how many haters were ready to throw dirt on their respective legacies going into these games.

We already know Kawhi is capable of performing on the biggest stages though. He has nothing to prove and didn't do anything where we doubted him. The Clippers aren't losing because of Kawhi not living up to his potential like LeBron in 2011.

[PaulieWal]

I'm not comparing the specifics of their performances - of course LeBron's was more impressive. I'm comparing the context, in terms of how many haters were ready to throw dirt on their respective legacies going into these games.

Still...not really close. Yes, Clippers/Kawhi would have been memed to hell and back but his place in the history of the game is more or less secure. With LeBron in 2011 and specifically before that game 6 against Boston it was a special kind of frenzy. I am not trying to be an ass but more or less no one really cares about the Clippers, definitely not in the same way people cared about those Heatles and LeBron. Completely different levels and magnitudes of pressures, my man.

[parsnips33]

You guys are splitting hairs, that was easily the highest pressure game of Kawhi's career (yes he's won championships, yes it's only the 1st round) and he would've been torn limb from limb if they dropped that one. Not illegal to give the guy some credit after a huge performance lol

[HeartBreakKid]

I'm not comparing the specifics of their performances - of course LeBron's was more impressive. I'm comparing the context, in terms of how many haters were ready to throw dirt on their respective legacies going into these games.

Still...not really close. Yes, Clippers/Kawhi would have been memed to hell and back but his place in the history of the game is more or less secure. With LeBron in 2011 and specifically before that game 6 against Boston it was a special kind of frenzy. I am not trying to be an ass but more or less no one really cares about the Clippers, definitely not in the same way people cared about those Heatles and LeBron. Completely different levels and magnitudes of pressures, my man.

I think what you're really talking about is tension. From the perspective of everyone watching (fans, media, players, etc) there was a lot more tension in regards if James was going to get eliminated by the Celtics.

But from the perspective of Kawhi Leonard this was probably pretty do or die. I mean his legacy is not actually cemented, it could be better - and if he loses in round 1 especially in such an embarrassing fashion then it would put a huge ca on the ceiling of his legacy.

[Rapcity_11]

You guys are splitting hairs, that was easily the highest pressure game of Kawhi's career (yes he's won championships, yes it's only the 1st round) and he would've been torn limb from limb if they dropped that one. Not illegal to give the guy some credit after a huge performance lol

That's ridiculous. Game 7 vs Philly in 2019 and Game 5 vs. the Bucks in 2019 were clearly way higher pressure game (as was game 4 vs. Philly).

[KTM_2813]

For those who were questioning Kawhi's ability to lead a team:

Read on Twitter

This was like LeBron's Game 6 against the Celtics in 2012. Kawhi's whole legacy was on the line tonight and he dominated like a two-time FMVP should.

I'm not a huge fan of how the media tries to turn everything into armchair psychology. Every loss is a sign of bad leadership or poor mental fortitude.

[parsnips33]

You guys are splitting hairs, that was easily the highest pressure game of Kawhi's career (yes he's won championships, yes it's only the 1st round) and he would've been torn limb from limb if they dropped that one. Not illegal to give the guy some credit after a huge performance lol

That's ridiculous. Game 7 vs Philly in 2019 and Game 5 vs. the Bucks in 2019 were clearly way higher pressure game (as was game 4 vs. Philly).

Very true lol perils of posting too early in the morning

[70sFan]

Again, I'm not impressed by Giannis defensive performance. He shouldn't defend Butler, he's too slow off-ball because of his size. He made some very nice help plays, that's how he should be used.

Edit: despite lack of scoring, he's playing quite well offensively. He doesn't force as much as usual.

[falcolombardi]

Again, I'm not impressed by Giannis defensive performance. He shouldn't defend Butler, he's too slow off-ball because of his size. He made some very nice help plays, that's how he should be used.

Edit: despite lack of scoring, he's playing quite well offensively. He doesn't force as much as usual.

bucks played giannis exclusively as a help defender and their defense got shredded last year

for the Miami matchup i kinda like giannis on butler, atleats when López is playing

seven footer giannis from behind with 7 footer brook lopez waiting in front of the rim is a nice anti butler drive formula. and without those miami offense stagnates

Jimmy is a bad shooter so giannis can help off him off ball and giving him 3's or 2's to take is not the worst thingh in the world

[Homer38]

The Bucks defense have been very good in this series and Butler has been bad,so I think that their gameplan has been fine!

[70sFan]

Again, I'm not impressed by Giannis defensive performance. He shouldn't defend Butler, he's too slow off-ball because of his size. He made some very nice help plays, that's how he should be used.

Edit: despite lack of scoring, he's playing quite well offensively. He doesn't force as much as usual.

bucks played giannis exclusively as a help defender and their defense got shredded last year

for the Miami matchup i kinda like giannis on butler, atleats when López is playing

seven footer giannis from behind with 7 footer brook lopez waiting in front of the rim is a nice anti butler drive formula. and without those miami offense stagnates

Jimmy is a bad shooter so giannis can help off him off ball and giving him 3's or 2's to take is not the worst thingh in the world

Let's not act like Miami played even close to what they did last year. It's not the same team anymore.

[Homer38]

Read on Twitter

One of the worst series for a all-star caliber player since a long time

[MartinToVaught]

Jimmy saying he was "stupidly locked in" and "just get me to the playoffs" and then laying a turd like that is at least as bad as, if not worse than, what PG gets clowned for.

[Dupp]

That was a serious revenge series for the bucks. What a spanking. CraY turnaround.

[MartinToVaught]

Read on Twitter

[therealbig3]

That's a pretty damaging showing for Butler, no way around it. Worst series by a player of his caliber that I can remember. Probably worse than George against the Nuggets.

[LukaTheGOAT]

Read on Twitter

One of the worst series for a all-star caliber player since a long time

Somehow Julius Randle might be playing worse right now.

[Texas Chuck]

You guys are splitting hairs, that was easily the highest pressure game of Kawhi's career (yes he's won championships, yes it's only the 1st round) and he would've been torn limb from limb if they dropped that one. Not illegal to give the guy some credit after a huge performance lol

That's ridiculous. Game 7 vs Philly in 2019 and Game 5 vs. the Bucks in 2019 were clearly way higher pressure game (as was game 4 vs. Philly).

Very true lol perils of posting too early in the morning

Your main point held--that was definitely a very important game for both Kawhi and the Clippers. Doesn't have to be the highest pressure game for it to have been absolutely crucial and stepped up and was nearly perfect offensively. Give the man his due. If we are going to hold him accountable for lack of leadership and how it impacted the first two games despite him playing well individually we need to give him credit by leading on the court and noting that his teammates played much better as well.