2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

70sFan · Post #4881 » by **70sFan** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 10:02 am

Giannis had truly three peat Shaq-esque game tonight, he was marvelous. Such a shame that Middleton was so terrible at the same time. Jrue was bad as well, but at least he was outstanding defensively (seriously, it's one of the best defensive performances by guards I've ever seen) but Khris gave Bucks nothing tonight.

The series is not over yet, but game three is a must win for Milwaukee.

No-more-rings · Post #4882 » by **No-more-rings** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 1:20 pm

I hate to overreact to just 2 games but i don't see how Milwaukee wins this series at this point. They'll win at least one, probably 2 at home but i don't see them winning one in Phoenix which is required. Middleton and Holiday need to stop playing like ass for one thing, and the team needs to do better at securing rebounds, lose possessions and things like that. I feel bad for Giannis, because this doesn't seem to be shaping out to be one of those "growing pains" thing for him. This dude is ready to win now, and his team isn't offering enough support.

Dr Positivity · Post #4883 » by **Dr Positivity** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 2:57 pm

Milwaukee is a starter short, if you switched Tucker and Crowder they may win.

Post #4884 » by **Outside** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 3:42 pm

Loss of Saric is a low-medium deal. Loss of Craig would be a bigger deal. Loss of two bigs combined would be concerning. We'll see what Craig's status is. Without those guys, will Monty go with an eight-man rotation? Kaminsky played 52 seconds last night, Nader 49.

Game 2 was the first relatively poor game I've seen from Ayton. One of the most remarkable things I've seen from him in this PS run is how good his hands are, but for whatever reason, he fumbled lots of passes and rebounds in this game. Some of that credit may go to Lopez, who I thought did a good job anticipating Ayton's rim running rather than reacting to it. We'll see if Ayton bounces back.

I was glad to see the Bucks fight through screens at the top of the key. The Suns were still able to get mismatches, but at least the Bucks didn't just give up and hand mismatches to them.

Booker was really good. I'm impressed with his defensive effort as well. It seems that at some point the Bucks would attempt to get mismatches on him as a defender and make him work harder on that end, try to get him in foul trouble, but that may not be in their nature. Why do that when you've got Giannis getting whatever he wants in the restricted area?

Bucks got the free throws they wanted, but it didn't matter because Giannis was only 11 for 18. Bucks had 23 FTs vs 14 for the Suns, but Milwaukee wasted that advantage, converting only 15 while Phoenix made 12. The ability to convert FTs is a HUGE advantage for Phoenix over Milwaukee.

Other than FTs, Giannis was so so good. Glad to see him perform well on the big stage. I hope his knee holds up.

Suns were hot from three early, which wasn't sustainable -- though it kinda sorta was, considering they ended up 20-40 on threes, yowza -- but they also missed a lot of makeable twos. Suns should have at least one game when they're just off, and Milwaukee better hope that it's more than one.

Chris Paul with six turnovers, some of them head-scratchers. What was up with that? I don't think he had a good game overall.

With five minutes to go, the Bucks were within six, 103-97, so they were right there. The sequence at that point was the Bucks playing good D and Phoenix missing two shots but getting two offensive rebounds and then making a three; Ayton blocking Middleton's shot and Phoenix getting the rebound; then Bridges making a shot. The result was an 11-point lead with 3:35 to go. Rebounds, rebounds, rebounds.

parsnips33 · Post #4885 » by **parsnips33** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 4:27 pm

I'm not counting Milwaukee out yet. Phoenix looks great, but Bucks have been staying in things. Just need somebody (Middleton) to turn it up

Seems like the Divencenzo loss was a pretty big deal for Milwaukee, imagine where they'd be with another defensive wing

ShotCreator · Post #4886 » by **ShotCreator** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 4:43 pm

Jae Crowder is such a good help defender. So many drives and opening get closed off by him immediately.

He’s a visible step ahead of everyone on the court mentally and physically as far as rotating and helping.

70sFan · Post #4887 » by **70sFan** » Fri Jul 9, 2021 5:42 pm

ShotCreator wrote:Jae Crowder is such a good help defender. So many drives and opening get closed off by him immediately.

He’s a visible step ahead of everyone on the court mentally and physically as far as rotating and helping.

I think that Jrue is in that tier as well, he did so many good defensive plays last night.

Colbinii · Post #4888 » by **Colbinii** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 6:30 pm

Has there ever been a team in the post-season face 3 different teams all missing either their best or clear-cut 2nd best player?

Bergmaniac · Post #4889 » by **Bergmaniac** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:05 pm

Colbinii wrote:Has there ever been a team in the post-season face 3 different teams all missing either their best or clear-cut 2nd best player?

1989 Detroit first played the Celtics who were without Bird, then they faced the Bucks and Terry Cummings played only 17 minutes before getting injured and missing the rest of the series. Then in the Finals Magic missed most of the series for the Lakers.

Colbinii · Post #4890 » by **Colbinii** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:09 pm

Bergmaniac wrote:
Colbinii wrote:Has there ever been a team in the post-season face 3 different teams all missing either their best or clear-cut 2nd best player?

1989 Detroit first played the Celtics who were without Bird, then they faced the Bucks and Terry Cummings played only 17 minutes before getting injured and missing the rest of the series. Then in the Finals Magic missed of the series for the Lakers.

Thanks, I didn't go back fat enough in my initial research. This is a good mention.

70sFan · Post #4891 » by **70sFan** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:21 pm

Bergmaniac wrote:
Colbinii wrote:Has there ever been a team in the post-season face 3 different teams all missing either their best or clear-cut 2nd best player?

1989 Detroit first played the Celtics who were without Bird, then they faced the Bucks and Terry Cummings played only 17 minutes before getting injured and missing the rest of the series. Then in the Finals Magic missed most of the series for the Lakers.

1989 Pistons aka the easiest path to the title in NBA history. The reason to call Thomas GOAT point guard and to blame Dantley for everything.

RCM88x · Post #4892 » by **RCM88x** » Sat Jul 10, 2021 10:50 pm

70sFan wrote:
Bergmaniac wrote:
Colbinii wrote:Has there ever been a team in the post-season face 3 different teams all missing either their best or clear-cut 2nd best player?

1989 Detroit first played the Celtics who were without Bird, then they faced the Bucks and Terry Cummings played only 17 minutes before getting injured and missing the rest of the series. Then in the Finals Magic missed most of the series for the Lakers.

1989 Pistons aka the easiest path to the title in NBA history. The reason to call Thomas GOAT point guard and to blame Dantley for everything.

I love how the Bad Boy's 30 for 30 documentary conveniently ignored all of this and crowned them the GOAT team in the toughest era in NBA history.

HeartBreakKid · Post #4893 » by **HeartBreakKid** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 2:17 am

That's 80s media for you. Always laugh at people who say "you weren't around then, so you don't know!". Most people who argue 80s ball couldn't think of a single team in the West other than the Lakers because of how bad coverage was for the NBA back then.

People just lazily remember or look up the Pistons won a title and assume oh man, they were unstoppable! Usually all other context is ignored ( actually more likely that the person doesn't even know anything about the 89 and 90 season than they forgot).

falcolombardi · Post #4894 » by **falcolombardi** » Sun Jul 11, 2021 2:54 am

HeartBreakKid wrote:That's 80s media for you. Always laugh at people who say "you weren't around then, so you don't know!". Most people who argue 80s ball couldn't think of a single team in the West other than the Lakers because of how bad coverage was for the NBA back then.

People just lazily remember or look up the Pistons won a title and assume oh man, they were unstoppable! Usually all other context is ignored ( actually more likely that the person doesn't even know anything about the 89 and 90 season than they forgot).

there is probably nothingh more mythologized than the 80's at this point in time tbh
all the people living them or growing up in them have grown up enough to be nostalgic (not all of course) and think it was the best ever at everythingh

the simple fact it was the highest scoring era in nba history until 2017-2021 and yet is remembered for its toughness and defense as the biggest example of it

falcolombardi · Post #4895 » by **falcolombardi** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:47 am

that no call in cameron Johnson dunk (was probably a charge) may cost milwaukee the game and series

just completely flipped momentum

Post #4896 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 1:58 am

falcolombardi wrote:that no call in cameron Johnson dunk (was probably a charge) may cost milwaukee the game and series

just completely flipped momentum

It wasn't a charge.

MO12msu · Post #4897 » by **MO12msu** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:06 am

So I think everyone can agree that Frank Kaminsky shouldn't play another second in this finals.

Post #4898 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:08 am

MO12msu wrote:So I think everyone can agree that Frank Kaminsky shouldn't play another second in this finals.

For some reason I thought we already had enough evidence to make that determination, but I guess we needed a bit more. :lol:

Post #4899 » by **Outside** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:17 am

It's just one game. Just like game 1 was just one game.

Post #4900 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Mon Jul 12, 2021 2:18 am

Fadeaway_J wrote:
MO12msu wrote:So I think everyone can agree that Frank Kaminsky shouldn't play another second in this finals.

For some reason I thought we already had enough evidence to make that determination, but I guess we needed a bit more.

Aaaaand he's back! :lol: