2020-2021 Season Discussion

[Andrew]

Harden injured in the first minute of Game 1. Injuries just keep piling up.

[Andrew]

Chris Paul is out of the second round! Seems the midrange game is still effective. Go figure.

[Jeffx]

Nets are done if either Kyrie Irving or Harden can't play. Durant's not beating Milwaukee by himself.

Great game by CP3 last night, but Jokic got hosed by that bs call...should have been a flagrant 1, not 2. Nuggets gave all they had, but they were hampered without their #2 star.

[Andrew]

Clippers seemed to take their foot off the pedal leading to a final score that was way closer than it should've been, but they came out firing and evened up the series. Also, this was awesome.

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This, however, was not.

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Incidentally, I've seen people on Twitter argue that Joel Embiid is better than Hakeem Olajuwon. Not very convincingly, but the assertion has been put out there.

[Jeffx]

Incidentally, I've seen people on Twitter argue that Joel Embiid is better than Hakeem Olajuwon. Not very convincingly, but the assertion has been put out there.

Sounds like young fans with 'recency bias'....you see and hear this stuff on social media all the time regarding old school players. Some of these clowns actually think Magic & Bird couldn't play in today's NBA (as if today's league is all that).

Let Embiid win something first before we start comparing him to the Dream.

[Andrew]

Completely agreed. Though, I have seen similar sentiments expressed by older fans that have fallen in love with analytics and the like.

[Jeffx]

WTF happened tonight? Both road teams won the crucial Game 5? Sixers should be ashamed of themselves, giving up 40 points in the 4th quarter??? And Paul George was Playoff P. But I do think both series are going 7, as well as the Nets/Bucks. That was an insane, Hall of Fame performance by Durant. Even though Harden obviously wasn't himself, having him do most of the ball handling was a big help.

If the Bucks lose this series, Coach Bud will be out the door. How do you not put Giannis on KD?

Chris Paul is in COVID health and safety protocol...damn, every time that dude gets close, something happens.

Stan Van Gundy O-U-T as Pelicans coach...what a shock.

[Andrew]

You were spot on about the Nets and Bucks. Seventh game awaits.

Yet another injury with Kawhi out, but a great game from George to get the win. The 76ers' meltdown is embarrassing. I like Ben Simmons; he's an Aussie, and he actually lived in my hometown for years, playing for the Hunters in the Waratah League. With that being said, he hasn't worked on his jumpshot or free throw shooting, and it's made him a liability. All the credit to the Hawks for their guts, grit, and heart, but Philadelphia choked.

[Jeffx]

If the Clippers can get another Playoff P performance, there's a good chance for a Game 7.

Despite a great first half by Young, Philly's only down four. I think they get to a Game 7 too.

Shocked to hear Carlisle's stepping down as Mavs coach. Didn't know there was tension between he & Luka......wonder if he goes to Boston?

https://www.totalprosports.com/2021/06/ ... g-tension/

[Patr1ck]

If the Clippers can get another Playoff P performance, there's a good chance for a Game 7.

So Playoff P is supposed to be him choking?

[Jeffx]

If the Clippers can get another Playoff P performance, there's a good chance for a Game 7.

So Playoff P is supposed to be him choking?

I meant 'Pandemic P'.

[Andrew]

Many people are going to be making "Terance is the Mann" puns for the next 24 hours or so. After that performance, I'd say it's allowed. Also, is Donovan Mitchell still the best player in Jazz history? Just putting it out there for Stephen A. Smith.

There's a ton of intrigue in the Playoffs right now with teams that haven't won championships in decades (or indeed, ever) still standing, a couple of Games 7s, and great performances by rising stars. If only the league marketed itself across the board the way that it used to. As it stands, they've shot themselves in the foot by conditioning fans not to care if LeBron isn't involved, thereby downplaying the talent elsewhere. Even at the height of the Bulls' reign and with MJ in his prime, all of the great players were promoted as must-see stars. Then again, there are still box scores, and people love looking at numbers these days, so there is that.

[Jeffx]

It's over for Brooklyn. Durant gave everything he had, but injuries killed the Nets season. The dude who should wear goat horns is Joe Harris. He was a waste of space for seven games.

[Andrew]

Disappointing end to the season for the Nets after making all those big moves. Nothing out of their bench in Game 7.

[Jeffx]

Disappointing end to the season for the Nets after making all those big moves. Nothing out of their bench in Game 7.

That's something they have to address during the off-season.

Shaq always talks about "the others" having to step up and make plays when it's their turn in big playoff games. Those "others" stepped up for the Clippers, but not the Nets.

[Andrew]

At the same time, Nash basically had the starters play the entire game like the substitution logic out of an old NBA video game, so not a lot of opportunities for the bench to do anything. Joe Harris played 46 minutes despite not playing particularly well, so it comes down to Nash's rotations too. It's also worth noting that Kyrie is out and Harden isn't at 100% so it's not like the Bucks took down the Nets at full strength, but hey, injuries are a part of the game and the Nets were still able to hang with the Bucks despite being shorthanded. It was still a winnable game for them, and it doesn't excuse the mistakes they made.

[Jeffx]

If I'm Doc Rivers, I sit Ben Simmons ass down and tell him, "young man, either you get in the gym and work on your mid-range 'J' & free throws, or we'll have to trade you. Last night was ridiculous....dude has ZERO confidence on offense.

[Andrew]

The problem is that trading him is easier said than done with his contract and following that performance.

[Jeffx]

I would not give up on Ben Simmons....like Reggie Miller said, lock his ass in a gym and have him work on his game. He may also need a sports psychiatrist, because his confidence is shot. The dude is still young, I think he's fixable.

[Andrew]

I agree. I've learned not to write players off after Zach Randolph. I had him pegged as one of those guys who'd never mature and would always be a risk and not worth the headaches, but apart from a few outbursts and knuckleheaded moments, he turned out to be a fine player and steady veteran presence for the Grizzlies for many years. As you said, Simmons is young. He probably will need a sports psychologist and absolutely must part in the hard work, but we're not talking about someone who's completely devoid of talent and at the end of their career.

In the short term though, I'm not sure they trade him even if they want to, because that will be tough with such a big contract and following such a disappointing series.

[Jeffx]

Crushing loss for the Clippers...they had a chance to make a statement if Paul George wasn't 'pandemic' from the free throw line. With CP3 coming back, I think Phoenix can get a game in LA. Suns are my favorite to win the championship. It's Paul's best chance to get a ring....no Big 3 on the Nets to deal with, and IMO, Phoenix is a better team than Milwaukee or Atlanta.

I saw this quote from Kendrick Perkins regarding Cameron Payne, who's playing lights out basketball. I didn't see that coming from him;

"Cameron Payne is the perfect example on why it’s a must for young players to be with the RIGHT Organizations because CULTURE and GUIDANCE means everything!"

Perk's quote made me think of Ben Simmons. Did he get the right guidance early on.

[Andrew]

As soon as PG missed those three throws, you could feel a dramatic finish coming. Tremendous play after the initial one came up short. Of course, the drama and excitement of the finish was undermined somewhat by how long it took to play out the final seconds of the game. They need to be a lot quicker on replays.

How about the Hawks? The run continues.

I don't always agree with Perk's takes, but he's spot on there. Some players will be great and some players will be busts regardless, but landing in the right situation can be the difference between a player washing out and succeeding in the NBA.

[Jeffx]

Ben Simmons future in Philly, Rick Carlisle to coach Indiana;

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/317 ... ources-say

[Andrew]

Despite the friction with Doncic, it sounds like Carlisle's departure from the Mavericks is fairly amicable. Solid hiring by the Pacers.

Meanwhile, Chris Paul has been cleared to play in Game 3 of the WCF. You certainly don't want to hold him out longer than you have to, but Cameron Payne has been holding down the fort more than admirably. Bodes well for the Suns with a 2-0 lead already.

[Patr1ck]

Honestly, the Suns didn't play very well. I hope the Clippers don't get a big head about it. If Booker or Paul went 50% from the field it's a different ball game. Anyone expect that monster game from Zubac?