Re: Playoff Observations

by **dboss** Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:46 pm

Ktron wrote:
dboss wrote:Both series have been entertaining.

Hope young and the freak can get back.

Wow Boston is hotta than atl. Fun to be home. A ride to Ipswich today?

Bring me back one of dem Foot-long Dogs from Simcos on the Bridge!

Yep will make a footlong run!

by **dboss** Wed Jun 30, 2021 4:48 pm

Bud is proving to be a great regular season coach.

by **cowens/oldschool** Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:02 am

Congratulations to Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns, getting to the Finals. Chris Paul showing true HoF character/ability, getting up for it; having the game of his life in the clinching game. Doing it in his 16th season WOW!!! This is what it’s all about, proving yourself in the playoffs in the biggest stage.

by **dbrown4** Thu Jul 01, 2021 6:42 am

Yep. May be forced to reconsider who the Finals winner will be if MIL folds up shop here in the next couple of days. Clips finally learned the hard way once again what the limit was of f(x) as x goes from 1 to 4 rounds and f(x) is equal to starting every series in the hole 0-2. It was 2 Rounds.

Now the question. Is the Kawhi/George Experiment over? Will they be the best in the West next year? Is it time to look beyond those two now or later when it may be too late? I think they still have a pretty good chance but as we all know, the window closes much quicker than we ever expect. A highly motivated Lakers team, GSW, Jazz, Denver, Portland,etc., will all have a say as to how crowded it will be at the top and who won't have a chair when the music stops.

Here's where greed faces up with common sense. And with all the gazillions of dollars flowing through the NBA, greed usually wins. The problem is every organization thinks they have and deserve a shot at the title right up until the first jump ball of the season. The other problem is each organization won't know whether all the decisions they made at the court level before the season started will have paid off until it is too late and you can't go back to fix it.

Congratulations to Chris Paul and the Suns. Maybe it is their year. I did like the jawing between Paul and Beverly. Pretty disappointed in Bev there at the end. Unfortunately, that move will now take over as defining his stellar career. "You're not going to cheap shot me and push me in the back when I'm not looking, are you?" should be enough of a comment from the opposing players before every tip off to send him spiraling. Idiot. And I'm going to have to say his defense is all around better than MS. I'm going to guess he didn't go to the presser after the game to answer any questions. We'll see. Should/will probably miss the first 15-20 games of next season for that move. I'd be surprised if it is anything less than that.
Could have seriously injured Paul with that cheap shot. He's going to have to overcome a lot to re-establish himself as a legit defensive threat. Looks like he might already have some medical/mental health issues. Worcester, you see anything from this or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

db

by **dboss** Thu Jul 01, 2021 9:07 am

Injuries have played a significant role in the playoff outcomes.

by **worcester** Thu Jul 01, 2021 9:20 am

Bev took a few cheap shots against Paul. Maybe not sick. Maybe just a real jerk.

by **cowens/oldschool** Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:39 pm

dbrown4 wrote:Yep. May be forced to reconsider who the Finals winner will be if MIL folds up shop here in the next couple of days. Clips finally learned the hard way once again what the limit was of f(x) as x goes from 1 to 4 rounds and f(x) is equal to starting every series in the hole 0-2. It was 2 Rounds.

Now the question. Is the Kawhi/George Experiment over? Will they be the best in the West next year? Is it time to look beyond those two now or later when it may be too late? I think they still have a pretty good chance but as we all know, the window closes much quicker than we ever expect. A highly motivated Lakers team, GSW, Jazz, Denver, Portland,etc., will all have a say as to how crowded it will be at the top and who won't have a chair when the music stops.

Here's where greed faces up with common sense. And with all the gazillions of dollars flowing through the NBA, greed usually wins. The problem is every organization thinks they have and deserve a shot at the title right up until the first jump ball of the season. The other problem is each organization won't know whether all the decisions they made at the court level before the season started will have paid off until it is too late and you can't go back to fix it.

Congratulations to Chris Paul and the Suns. Maybe it is their year. I did like the jawing between Paul and Beverly. Pretty disappointed in Bev there at the end. Unfortunately, that move will now take over as defining his stellar career. "You're not going to cheap shot me and push me in the back when I'm not looking, are you?" should be enough of a comment from the opposing players before every tip off to send him spiraling. Idiot. And I'm going to have to say his defense is all around better than MS. I'm going to guess he didn't go to the presser after the game to answer any questions. We'll see. Should/will probably miss the first 15-20 games of next season for that move. I'd be surprised if it is anything less than that.
Could have seriously injured Paul with that cheap shot. He's going to have to overcome a lot to re-establish himself as a legit defensive threat. Looks like he might already have some medical/mental health issues. Worcester, you see anything from this or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

db

Agreeed his defense is better than MS, but credit Chris Paul for being unstoppable in the biggest game of his career.

by **cowens/oldschool** Thu Jul 01, 2021 12:39 pm

dboss wrote:Injuries have played a significant role in the playoff outcomes.

Good call

by **Ktron** Thu Jul 01, 2021 5:19 pm

I wouldn’t say Beverly’s defense is better than Marcus Smart. I think its the other way around. That’s what my eye test tells me.

by **dbrown4** Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:22 am

Ktron,

I'll backtrack a little to say that MS defends equal to PB but less flamboyantly/aggressively, MS not getting himself in foul trouble doing it like PB tends to do. MS is like "Surprise! Here I am at the right spot at the right time and that's charging vs. PB's "I'm just going to be right up in your grill the whole time I'm out here!" approach which tends to get fouls called on you no matter how good you are defensively.

On to tonight's G6. It really depends upon who will be starting off the injured list. It looks like per ESPN, Giannis is doubtful, meaning he's out and Young is questionable, which means he's in. So G6 to the Hawks and G7 will be on Tuesday. I almost want to say it doesn't matter whether Trey plays since this game is in ATL and the way the Hawks play, homecourt is what they need to win the biggest game of the franchise's history. I'll put my stock in Nate regardless and say it's going 7. Book it, Danno.

db

by **dbrown4** Sat Jul 03, 2021 1:48 pm

Also MIL has a chance to further assault K-2 and put doubts behind them by winning G6. If they do like we did for most of the playoffs in 2008, we relied on home court for most, if not all our victories.

While MIL has been all over the place winning and losing games this playoff run, they wind up winning more games than losing and that's all you need to be successful in the playoffs. A victory tonight and they can put another notch in their trophy of accomplishments this season. I really would like to see a PHX vs. MIL Finals. That would be worth it. ATL? Not too much. There's a reason why there has only been one team in history from below the 4th seed to win a championship. (I'm thinking Houston in the 90's for some reason.) ATL would fall short vs. PHX, probably the traditional 4-2, and that's maybe giving them a game or two. MIL vs. PHX would easily be a 7-gamer.

db

by **RosalieTCeltics** Sat Jul 03, 2021 8:30 pm

With Young playing and Giannis not, I would put my money on the Hawks tonight. Even a gimpy Young is better than nothing. They still have to respect him, he can hit from the moon if necessary and they have to be aware of that. The only thing that will go the Bucs way is if they all come out and perform like they did the other night. Lopez was like a kid out there, and Holiday made them look like geniuses by signing him. If Middleton continues to shoot well, they could take this game.

My money is on Atlanta

by **dboss** Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:54 am

OK so who do you have

SUNS OR BUCKS

I guess I will go with the Suns

by **dbrown4** Sun Jul 04, 2021 9:01 am

Pay no attention to that idiot behind the curtain!! That's why I'm not in the handicapping business!!

You could tell from the very start of this game that the Little Engine That Could just ran out of gas and couldn't get over the last hill. Valiant effort no doubt. ATL definitely needs to lock down Nate for at least 7 years @ a BAM of $10Mil per season. Probably $12Mil to send a message. He was brilliant. Made the Pacers look like complete idiots and buffoons. Will deserve everything that is coming his way. Hope the Hawks don't jack it all up entering uncharted territory like just about every other franchise that has gotten to this point. That would be a shame.

Now it's time for the last prediction of the season! Bucks vs. Suns. This is a really, really tough one to predict. I'm going to say it will go 7 right off the bat. These are two really deserving teams, each with different reasons for being here and each having a rightful claim to the title. But as we know, two go in, one comes out.

Sentimentally, you have to give it to PHX. The whole CP3 story, Monty Williams, Devin Booker, Ayton...they are the Cinderella story, as Bill Murray would say. To have this all collapse and fall apart at the Finals just doesn't seem right but it happens all the time. Just ask ATL.

MIL, however, has made the necessary adjustments over the last post season, picking up Dru Holiday, PJ Tucker, leaving everything out on the table. It's truly is Championship or Bust. And by bust I mean bust it all up, top to bottom. If it doesn't work now for the Bucks, it never will. This will be it for them. The East next season will be far tougher and the Bucks, well, their the Bucks. They have to win it this year. The poster child for One and Done.

For some reason, the Bucks remind me of a sloppier version of us in 2008. While we essentially took care of business at home because we had home court throughout those playoffs, I believe we went 16-10, the worst record entered by any franchise for the playoffs. But we won. No one is going to remember 16-10, just the 16.

Unfortunately for MIL, the home court just ran out meaning they have to win at least one game on the road. PHX just doesn't make mistakes. And they don't care where they play. They can beat you at home or on the road. Doesn't matter. CP3 does not turn the ball over. MIL swings from looking like a G-League team to looking like one of the greatest teams from one possession to the next. But that has worked for them.

I honestly believe these are the two best teams in the league and we will get our money's worth in these Finals. Each team has a Big 3. It will really depend on Giannis and if he's ready to go or even play. I'm sure with MIL's all-in attitude, Giannis will play until he can't. Now whether he will come back looking like old Giannis or start for 1 play like Harden and fold up like a cheap suit is yet to be determined. But the Bucks can't win 4 games without Giannis. PHX would sweep it.

But, we will see Tuesday. It's time for the Big Dance. I'm going with PHX in 7.

db

by **bobheckler** Sun Jul 04, 2021 10:02 am

Congratulations to the Milwaukee Bucks for advancing to the Finals and to the Atlanta Hawks for going far beyond what anybody expected from them.

Bob

.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Sun Jul 04, 2021 12:21 pm

Without a full service Young, there was no way they had a shot last night. Huerter folded in the last few games after that stellar performance where he scored and scored and scored. That kid
Reddic (sp) was phenomenal. He almost single handedly took over the game for them. I was unempressed with Collins and see now why he may be on the block.

Milwaukee seemed at times to just be going through the motions. If they had lost this game they would not be looking at the same coach next season. This game may have saved his job. Lopez proved why he is so valuable yet after that great game 6, they did not go back and do the same thing over and over The Hawks had no defense for him,

Phoenix is certainly the cinderella story of the year, but a healthy Giannis may end that run they have. With Middleton and Holiday, and a healthy Giannis, I do not see them winning. But they have proved everyone wrong all year I have no favorites, so let them duke it out and let the best man win

AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT JEFF TEAGUE???? He has to be feeling pretty good about himself right now. After dnp in games he came on and kept the ball hopping while he was in Good for him.

by **Ktron** Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:13 pm

dboss wrote:OK so who do you have

SUNS OR BUCKS

I guess I will go with the Suns

The Suns will Son the Bucks. *ain't nobody fear a deer.

by **Ktron** Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:23 pm

dbrown4 wrote:Pay no attention to that idiot behind the curtain!! That's why I'm not in the handicapping business!!

You could tell from the very start of this game that the Little Engine That Could just ran out of gas and couldn't get over the last hill. Valiant effort no doubt. ATL definitely needs to lock down Nate for at least 7 years @ a BAM of $10Mil per season. Probably $12Mil to send a message. He was brilliant. Made the Pacers look like complete idiots and buffoons. Will deserve everything that is coming his way. Hope the Hawks don't jack it all up entering uncharted territory like just about every other franchise that has gotten to this point. That would be a shame.

Now it's time for the last prediction of the season! Bucks vs. Suns. This is a really, really tough one to predict. I'm going to say it will go 7 right off the bat. These are two really deserving teams, each with different reasons for being here and each having a rightful claim to the title. But as we know, two go in, one comes out.

Sentimentally, you have to give it to PHX. The whole CP3 story, Monty Williams, Devin Booker, Ayton...they are the Cinderella story, as Bill Murray would say. To have this all collapse and fall apart at the Finals just doesn't seem right but it happens all the time. Just ask ATL.

MIL, however, has made the necessary adjustments over the last post season, picking up Dru Holiday, PJ Tucker, leaving everything out on the table. It's truly is Championship or Bust. And by bust I mean bust it all up, top to bottom. If it doesn't work now for the Bucks, it never will. This will be it for them. The East next season will be far tougher and the Bucks, well, their the Bucks. They have to win it this year. The poster child for One and Done.

For some reason, the Bucks remind me of a sloppier version of us in 2008. While we essentially took care of business at home because we had home court throughout those playoffs, I believe we went 16-10, the worst record entered by any franchise for the playoffs. But we won. No one is going to remember 16-10, just the 16.

Unfortunately for MIL, the home court just ran out meaning they have to win at least one game on the road. PHX just doesn't make mistakes. And they don't care where they play. They can beat you at home or on the road. Doesn't matter. CP3 does not turn the ball over. MIL swings from looking like a G-League team to looking like one of the greatest teams from one possession to the next. But that has worked for them.

I honestly believe these are the two best teams in the league and we will get our money's worth in these Finals. Each team has a Big 3. It will really depend on Giannis and if he's ready to go or even play. I'm sure with MIL's all-in attitude, Giannis will play until he can't. Now whether he will come back looking like old Giannis or start for 1 play like Harden and fold up like a cheap suit is yet to be determined. But the Bucks can't win 4 games without Giannis. PHX would sweep it.

But, we will see Tuesday. It's time for the Big Dance. I'm going with PHX in 7.

db

Lets not be a prisoner of the moment. Giving Nate a 7yr deal at 10mil is financial illiteracy. Nates a very good coach but 5mill for 7 (which he probably wont last that long) is as far as I’d go.
Blowing up the Bucks if they don’t win the finals isn’t a smart move imo. They’ve gotten to the finals and thats an improvement over yesteryears. They’ll be one of the top 2 or 3 in the conference next season so why would you blow it up and start over? Winning ain’t that easy.

by **dboss** Sun Jul 04, 2021 5:38 pm

First trip for them since 1974

by **prakash** Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:49 pm

Quite a game by CP3. Could we use Kyle Lowry?

by **dboss** Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:12 am

prakash wrote:Quite a game by CP3. Could we use Kyle Lowry?

Yes but due to his age/price tag I do not see that happening

by **prakash** Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:22 am

dboss wrote:
prakash wrote:Quite a game by CP3. Could we use Kyle Lowry?
Yes but due to his age/price tag I do not see that happening

Lowry is 35, CP3 is 36. Yes, if the price tag is any where near CP3's $44M, there is no chance.

I suspect that Lowry is not ready to play for a non-contender. Is Toronto a contender? They are the only one that can satisfy his contract expectations. Playing for any other contender will require a sign & trade.

by **dboss** Wed Jul 07, 2021 1:34 am

Cp3 is opting out.

We would have to do a sign and trade as well..not going to happen. Easy pickings would be to keep EF. But I would not do that. If I am going to spend a lot of money it would probably be on a PG and that may mean moving MS or TT.

Watching CP3 just makes me realize what we are missing.

by **prakash** Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:33 am

dboss wrote:Cp3 is opting out.

We would have to do a sign and trade as well..not going to happen. Easy pickings would be to keep EF. But I would not do that. If I am going to spend a lot of money it would probably be on a PG and that may mean moving MS or TT.

Watching CP3 just makes me realize what we are missing.

On this we are in thunderous agreement.

Given his injury history, I hope that CP3 holds up.

I believe that TT is gone. Otherwise RWill is gone. Can't have all three of AH, RWill and TT.

by **dbrown4** Wed Jul 07, 2021 6:15 am

Nice to see Giannis back on the court so quickly and able to contribute. They'll wake up and win G2. So far, CP3 is The Man!! The way the league is going, it looks like he is a vanishing breed or worse an anomaly. Hope every GM and coach wakes up and smells the coffee.

db

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