Playoff Observations

cowens/oldschool wrote:And good news in social media Lebron and Devin Booker hugged after the game!!! Whew!!

Lebron was probably trying to sign him up too. Team stacker.

worcester wrote:Yes, Jaylen's response was perfect.

Re Danny, yes he made some mistakes, especially with Kemba, but overall he has been a great GM. I have always loved him as a player and then as the GM, and I wish him the very best. He had one heart attack in 2009 when KG got hurt and then another in 2019. I am happy for him that he is backing away. Heart disease is the number one killer in America, and I do not want to lose Danny.

\Re Brad, if he keeps Zarren, the Celts will be ok. Brad has a good eye for talent and has impeccable integrity. He will be respected and able to deal effectively with other GM's for trades and with college coaches to get assessments of talent for drafting. Brad was not my favorite coach, but I do think he'll be better as a GM. Big question is whom does he pick as the new Celtics coach? Someone suggested Lloyd Pierce, and immediately I confused that with Lloyd Price who sang Personality and Stagger Lee, one of my r&b, sax-supported favorite songs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCPutYaGFlE

Stagger Lee as our new head coach sounds good to me. He’s got a pretty accurate shot. A cant miss.

LeBron James Gave Up On Lakers Again: Didn't Want To Back On Defense, Didn't Want To Play Offense With Teammates

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/lebron-james-gave-up-on-lakers-again-didn-t-want-to-back-on-defense-didn-t-want-to-play-offense-with-teammates/ar-AAKHYis?ocid=msedgdhp

LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers failed to extend their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, getting eliminated in six games. The visitors picked things right where they left them in Game 5, dominating the Lakers from the beginning to the end of the match, sealing the deal behind a big performance by Devin Booker.

The Lakers missed Anthony Davis, who only played a couple of minutes before being ruled out for the rest of the game. This situation put more pressure on LeBron's shoulders, but the King made it clear he was built for these moments.

The Suns took a big lead during the 2nd quarter, and Bron looked disappointed and uninterested in playing defense or offense. While his teammates hustled, tried to recover the ball, and score, the 4x NBA champion stayed in the backcourt.

This happened at least twice more in the 4th quarter. Instead of going back to defend, James just walked down the court, waiting to see what happened on the other end of the floor.

The last three games of this series were very frustrating for LeBron. The Suns stole Game 4 in L.A., then dominated the Lakers in Arizona before repeating the dose at Staples Center again.

LeBron gave up on his team in Game 4 and Game 5, too, looking disappointed and demoralized after Phoenix took care of business.

With this defeat, James lost a first-round playoffs series for the first time in his career. People believe the Lakers could have done a better job if their key players didn't miss time due to injuries. We'll never know what would have happened, but the purple and gold will have some questions to answer this offseason.

James will be 37 next December. The team needs to build the right team to enhance his level and Anthony Davis'.

The Suns did a terrific job and will face the Denver Nuggets in the West semis, trying to continue their good season.


My comment: We've seen him quit before, so this is nothing new. Heading back to the locker room before the game is over is a thing now as well.

History making series between the Clippers and Mavs.

Doncic and the Mavs have a shot to win on the road for the 4th time.  KL showed why he is an elite talent.

Also very impressed with the Hawks.  That young team showed a lot of poise closing out the Knicks in their own Gym.

If you are Dame, do you stay or leave?  I would leave.

Knowing ahead of time that the Celtics would not make it out of the first round has actually made it easier and enjoyable to watch other teams play.

The big Bucks/Nets matchup should be funs. I am rooting for the Bucks.

gyso wrote:LeBron James Gave Up On Lakers Again: Didn't Want To Back On Defense, Didn't Want To Play Offense With Teammates

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/lebron-james-gave-up-on-lakers-again-didn-t-want-to-back-on-defense-didn-t-want-to-play-offense-with-teammates/ar-AAKHYis?ocid=msedgdhp

LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers failed to extend their first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, getting eliminated in six games. The visitors picked things right where they left them in Game 5, dominating the Lakers from the beginning to the end of the match, sealing the deal behind a big performance by Devin Booker.

The Lakers missed Anthony Davis, who only played a couple of minutes before being ruled out for the rest of the game. This situation put more pressure on LeBron's shoulders, but the King made it clear he was built for these moments.

The Suns took a big lead during the 2nd quarter, and Bron looked disappointed and uninterested in playing defense or offense. While his teammates hustled, tried to recover the ball, and score, the 4x NBA champion stayed in the backcourt.

This happened at least twice more in the 4th quarter. Instead of going back to defend, James just walked down the court, waiting to see what happened on the other end of the floor.

The last three games of this series were very frustrating for LeBron. The Suns stole Game 4 in L.A., then dominated the Lakers in Arizona before repeating the dose at Staples Center again.

LeBron gave up on his team in Game 4 and Game 5, too, looking disappointed and demoralized after Phoenix took care of business.

With this defeat, James lost a first-round playoffs series for the first time in his career. People believe the Lakers could have done a better job if their key players didn't miss time due to injuries. We'll never know what would have happened, but the purple and gold will have some questions to answer this offseason.

James will be 37 next December. The team needs to build the right team to enhance his level and Anthony Davis'.

The Suns did a terrific job and will face the Denver Nuggets in the West semis, trying to continue their good season.


My comment:  We've seen him quit before, so this is nothing new.  Heading back to the locker room before the game is over is a thing now as well.

I love when they lose more than I love when we win. I need help.

dboss wrote:History making series between the Clippers and Mavs.

Doncic and the Mavs have a shot to win on the road for the 4th time.  KL showed why he is an elite talent.

Also very impressed with the Hawks.  That young team showed a lot of poise closing out the Knicks in their own Gym.

If you are Dame, do you stay or leave?  I would leave.

Knowing ahead of time that the Celtics would not make it out of the first round has actually made it easier and enjoyable to watch other teams play.

The big Bucks/Nets matchup should be funs.  I am rooting for the Bucks.

I love Leonard. He was elite last night.
Doncic is great but somewhat of a crybaby
Hawks exposed just how not good the Knicks were but they too have gone as far as they’re gonna go. Nice try.
Dame should stay imho
I do enjoy the playoffs now that I don’t have to worry about us. I especially enjoy the Lakers losing. Is there anyway that the league can let them play another round and lose again?
Go Bucks!

Harden left Game 1 vs Milwaukee because of his hamstring bothered him. He ended up leaving the arena to go get an MRI, so it sounds like more than just a tweak. More news when available.


Bob


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Bucks game board snippet

Cannot force myself to watch this series. This keeps up and Giannis is going to be wondering about Milwaukee. Can only hope the Nets get caught in next game.

Mav’s/Clippers series is a real playoff game. Back and forth all night. Back to LA, afraid Kwahi will take over again next game and they take it. I would not have minded seeing Mavs win. Underdogs are fun to watch, maybe Luca goes nuts next game. Seems to me that Porzingas may be a trade piece for this team

Nets pulled their starters with 1:26 left and the Nets up 15.  Without Harden and with the Bucks healthy.

Kinda makes you feel better about our Battered Bastards' effort, doesn't it? We did no worse and we were down 3 starters and they were healthy except for Jeff Green, and Jeff Green is no James Harden.



Bob


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Kinda

bobheckler wrote:Nets pulled their starters with 1:26 left and the Nets up 15.  Without Harden and with the Bucks healthy.

Kinda makes you feel better about our Battered Bastards' effort, doesn't it?  We did no worse and we were down 3 starters and they were healthy except for Jeff Green, and Jeff Green is no James Harden.



Bob


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Kinda

Happy to see the performance brought you a little comfort regarding our team. Bucks haven’t played in a week. They’ll look better on Monday. Nothing here closely resembling our series.  Nice try though. :-)

Bob.....AGREE

Evan Fournier @EvanFourmizz
yesterday
The problem with the Nets is that they force you to play 1vs1 with their switching, and its really hard to beat them at that game with their elite iso player.


Bob


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bobheckler wrote:Evan Fournier @EvanFourmizz
yesterday
The problem with the Nets is that they force you to play 1vs1 with their switching, and its really hard to beat them at that game with their elite iso player.


Bob


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The problem is you can’t defend and look like a turnstile on elite players and vs Nets we couldn’t hide you....

Silly Philly game snippets

Hawks leading Philly, in Philly, 74-54 at halftime.  Up 20, on the road.

Hawks punching Philly in the mouth right out of the gate with a 42 points first quarter.

Trae Young with a 25 point and 7 assist half.

Embiid and Simmons both playing 18 minutes in the first half.  Embiid with 17 and 5, Simmons with 7 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists. So "injuries" are not a factor, nor a viable excuse.

The Hawks shot 63% in the 1st half, 57% from 3.  13-23 from 3 out of a total of 26-41.  More than half their fgas are 3s and half their fgm are 3s.  Remarkable shooting.  Young is 4-7 from 3, Bogie 3-3.  There's 7 of their 13 3pt fgm.


Bob

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Just finished watching the Hawks take out Philly in game one. The Sixers came back strong but still came up short. Let's Go Hawks!

I knew the Hawks would be a much improved team and I predicted they would make the playoffs but they have far exceeded expectations.

Wyc and Brad would pull the coup of this century if they could sign Nate McMillan as our new head coach.

I read where they are going to offer him the job so I won’t hold out too much hope there. I like him, but who knows.

Why was McMillan fired from the Pacers? Anyone know.

No, it was crazy, he was doing an okay job, i think they thought they should have been better?

Well, the Bucks organization as we now know it is down to one game tonight.  They should beat BKN given they have had time to prepare and with one of the idiots gone and level this series at 1-1.  

If they choose the other option and go down 0-2, it really is over.  Back up the truck and keep it on idle because with the ensuing fire sale even Giannis will be on the table.

I believe that when the road team chooses to win either G1 or G2 is subtle but important.  You don't want to wake the sleeping bear too early.  Case in point, ATL vs. PHI.  ATL just woke the bear.  PHI will now proceed to gentelmanly sweep these over achieving young whipper snappers out the door.  

BKN, in its team of loaded prima donnas, mentally believe they have this series now by winning G1.  This could not be further from the truth.  If MIL had won the first game, that would have awoken BKN and they would have put the petal to the metal and swept MIL out of the arena.  Having the visiting team win the second game is not as brazen but the more effective route I'm guessing without doing the research.  I don't know how (or who) has the stats for this where there is a split in the first two games and who goes on to subsequently win the series and whether it is of any statistical significance, but I'd like to see.  

Anyway, just a mental diversion but if BKN wins G2, forget it.  Within two weeks, it will be Armageddon in MIL.  I'd trade JB, Kemba and maybe MS for Giannis.  There would be our big.  Problem solved.  This would throw Brad from the frying pan into the fire. Giannis and JT would mirror AD and LeBron sans all the dang injuries.  Minimum of one title, probably wind up looking a lot like GSW's mid 20 teens run.  

db

bobc33 wrote:Why was McMillan fired from the Pacers?  Anyone know.

He took them as far as he could. Even really good coaches will lose their ability to get their players to play a certain way over time. Nate's playoff coaching record reveals problems making it out of the first round. 7 straight years Indy got bounced in round 1.

He appears to be the right coach for the Hawks. He has a lot of tools to work with especially a dynamic pace setter in Trae Young. I think he would also be a good fit in Boston but would be surprised if he landed here.

Regarding the Bucks/Nets series. For the record I am no fan of either team but I am pulling for the Bucks.

They lost game one because they did not shoot the 3 ball with any degree of efficiency (6-30)