Did that really happen last night? A Game 7 buzzer beater to make it to the ECF to get dominated by the Bucks.
What a crazy night it was.
Did that really happen last night? A Game 7 buzzer beater to make it to the ECF to get dominated by the Bucks.
What a crazy night it was.
Kawhi v Giannis. Yes, please.
I love a good cinderella..Originally Posted by Randolph
..but personally I don't think these guys stand a chance against the Warriors.
I think that’s overblown in terms of a closing shot or lasting memory in a negative capacity. To be clear, I don’t really care about Philly and haven’t lived there but his reaction(s) suggest to me that they would be received well from the local market. It shows he cares and wanted to win. It meant something to him, and I imagine that’s what the fan base wants to see there. I imagine they just wrap their arms around him more after this. That said, my guy needs to build some stamina and durability.
oh i loved it, and so did the sixers sub on reddit. seeing that kind of emotion goes over well here. but it's just easy cannon fodder for non-sixer nba fans to jump on.
I mean he did play 45 minutes. He is 7'2. How many 7'2 guys can have the stamina to play a full game? He probably isn't in the best shape possible, was coming off a sickness, and had a knee injury.
The last shot hurts but the game was lost by giving up all those offensive rebounds and giving Toronto like 25 more possessions. How it was tied with 4 seconds left when one team has that many more possessions is crazy. Also, the 3 straight possessions without hitting the rim while Toronto scored 5 points didn't help.
exactly. local fans love the emotion but it's easy material for the twitter trolls. I'm sure if Sixer fans saw Kyrie Irving cry or Leonard cry in this coming round, they'd do the same thing.
Just in a loose or general sense, I’d say the difference is Embiid is much more likable or personable compared to the people you mentioned. I haven’t seen a lot in terms of trolling about that specific moment.
First point sounds like still an issue with him but then more tied to coaching and GMing. But more could have been done during the season to get him in a better state. Should have done more to have a reliable backup behind him and a better plan of attack for his conditioning over the course of the season to get ready for the grind of the playoffs.
Second point does play into his fatigue, along with general lack of determination by the rest of the team.
Their drafting under the previous administration was dreadful. Hence the reason why they don't have a legit backup center or point guard. Their first 3 off the bench last night weren't on the team half way into the season. This is going to be a big offseason for them. Not only are Tobias Harris, Butler, and Redick free agents but it's deciding on if Brown is the coach of the future. I would definitely give him another crack especially if they decide to bring the starters back, minus JJ and improve their bench. I wouldn't even be opposed with JJ coming off the bench to play 20 minutes a game rather than the 30-35 minutes he played as a starter.
The Fultz pick, taking Korkmaz and TLC late in the first round, thinking TJ was a capable backup playoff PG and resigning Amir Johnson to backup Embiid were all recent mistakes.
It seems like you need to have a strong-minded coach and a very sharp front office if you're going to keep Embiid, Butler, Simmons, AND Harris. You're just not going to have enough money to credibly fill out the pieces with surefire talent. I'm not that impressed with Brown but I don't have an alternative. Harris seems a bit superfluous in some ways but he also underperformed. I think they gave up a little too much to get him, too.
They gave up a role player, very late first , and the heat pick. It’s not that much.
But are you really going to Max Harris?
i wouldnt doubt it. not every max contract is gonna be the first option on their team. he's young and has improved every year. if we dont, somebody else will, and half a season with a second round exit probably isnt going to sway him to take less.
But if you give him a max is there any room for you guys to get...I dunno just spitballing here...but a real backup centre?
likely not, but that hasnt seemed to be a priority. of course, this postseason and embiid's health during it should change that, but who knows.
that was one of the best shots of all time
It was probably a role player that was lacking over the final part of the season and the playoffs, and two firsts for probably your third or fourth option is a little steep. The Miami pick is always intriguing because Miami is unknown on how good they could be and that's the first season where the one-and-done rule is pretty much done. There's also a scenario where this trade was done and Harris isn't staying. It's not highly likely but still in the realm of possibilities so that would make it that much more problematic if he left.
I get it, they had to make the move as it was presented to them. It's clearly reactionary now with all of the information presented but it was a go-big move and he didn't really pan out in terms of consistency.
looks like they're not gonna waste time with industry rumors. woj reporting brett brown is sticking around. im happy about that.
I think they can. That would probably mean redick isn’t back. They could always draft one as well.
Amir Johnson is a capable backup. Boban too. The problem at Center is Embiid's seeming inability to stay healthy.
I think you can point to the Simmons/Embiid core as the issue here. They will either develop or they wont. They have only really had 2 years together and much of that time was spent protecting one or both of them, or injury issues preventing them from really developing together.
Butler and Harris carried the team as best they could down the stretch and in the playoffs. No reason that team cant win a title as assembled if the young studs take the next step.
Is there any reason to assume that they "take the next step"? Embiid maybe, but Simmons has no real chance- especially in Philly. He is a basketball player who won't shoot. I don't think you "grow into" that skill in your mid 20s. You might get better at shooting; but you don't go from ZERO shots to league average.No reason that team cant win a title as assembled if the young studs take the next step.
I know it's practice but watch his practice videos. He can shoot, maybe not that well or with great form but he can make a 12 foot jumper all day. he just doesn't want to. He doesn't need to shoot 3s but if he can shoot that 12 footer then we are talking.
also, boban is not a capable backup in the playoffs. he was -18 in 5 minutes.
Just because a guy can do something in practice doesn't mean they can translate it to the court that easily. There's some kind of mental block he has that won't allow him the comfort or confidence to allow him to do that in the game setting.
That's what I said. I am arguing against those that say "he can't shoot" or he needs to "learn to shoot." He can but doesn't. If he can overcome that going into next year then it changes everything.
Giannis turned the corner from age 22-23. That is where Ben is at right now. We'll see if the same thing happens.
That's fine and well and good, but I'm still wondering what the plan is here. If he taps into that potential, he's going to become a more significant part of the offense (or he should), and that's likely chipping away at Harris (who will be costing you a lot of money if retained) and then to smaller degrees Butler and Embiid. Everything has to be copacetic in order for that not to blow up, and that's under ideal conditions. The idea of drafting a big man in hopes of making him a backup doesn't seem to jive with the timeline either. Those guys take a long time to develop and I don't necessarily see the reason to trust that they'll actually use the regular season as that proving ground for that newly-minted NBA player to adapt and do so with efficiency when the playoffs come around. It's a pretty tough situation. It's a good situation, don't get me wrong, but it's a high wire act.
They should trade simmons to the Lakers for Lonzo. Not kidding. Would be perfect for both teams.
They would have to get something else from LA. I doubt they would give up Simmons for ONLY Lonzo. Possibly Lonzo + 1st Rd. Pick.
I'm glad the East has someone here representing all the teams that were in the eastern conference semis. We've got nothing out west. Bring back TRO (or whatever his name was)
Yeah, however it needs to work. Lonzo and 1st rounder sounds right.
Lonzo is much better at basketball than Simmons and it isnt close. Simmons is an overrated dickhead. Also he has no position. He should be a 3 size wise but he has no skillset to match. I dont even understand his skillset. He should gain weight and play PF.
He is a 6’10 PG who can spread the court while basically being unguardable with his reach.
Both him and Ball are elite level passers. The only difference is the size. Right?
Pelicans get #1 pick Zion
was worried it would be the Lakers for a minute there
I know people are saying this means you keep AD. But doesn't this give more incentive to trade him since he's on his final year?
Sounds like he still wants out anyway.
Yeah I don't think he re-signs with them even if he plays this year so you've got to trade him.
Trade him and start young and fresh
Even if you eventually trade Davis, I don't think the Pelicans should be in a rush to trade him. See how the first few months of the season go and maybe the Pels are a fiesty fun team and they can convince Davis to sign an extension before the trade deadline.
Who knows what happens next year, it's entirely possible the Knicks and Lakers (presumably his preferred destinations) are still dumpster fires, the Warriors and Rockets will almost certainly be trending downward because of age/salary cap issues and Durants probable exit. Maybe the Pelicans will look like the next big thing and Davis changes his mind.
Worst case scenario you can always trade him at the trade deadline if he still is determined to leave. Boston/Philly/Lakers may all be looking to go all in for next year, especially if the Warriors are vulnerable and there's no clear title favorite. All those teams have cheap young assets that will still be on the table to acquire whether it's done in July or February.
They should trade Davis to the Lakers to team with Ben Simmons, Lebron and Cousins.
The problem with holding on to him is he is injury prone. He gets hurt, you lose all your leverage. Trade him this summer while you are able.
They should trade Davis and the Zion pick to the Lakers for Lebron.
Possible trades for AD:
Boston: Tatum and the 14 pick
New York: 3 Pick + draft capital + Knox or Ntilikina
LA: Ball + 4 Pick
It would be interesting to see Barrett and Zion in NO together. If that were to happen, NO would have to deal with New York.
Why would Boston do that trade if Irving leaves?
Because Anthony Davis is a top-5 player in the league when fully healthy, and Tatum is not. On any given day, Anthony Davis will bring a title to Boston before Tatum would, especially on their own.
But Tatum would still be in Boston in 12 months. Davis will not.
Right, I don't see Boston being in the mix for AD if Kyrie leaves (and I fully expect Kyrie to leave). But for the sake of discussion, they could also offer the Grizzlies pick next year (top 6 protected, if it doesn't convey it becomes unprotected in 2021). That's I believe the last valuable draft chip they have left.
As you can see by his tenure in NO, he can't bring a title on his own. Not even close, really.
yeah boston can't win with their current team minus Kyrie but at least they aren't giving away assets for a rental.
$$$$$$$..
lol
Using New Orleans’ roster versus Boston’s does feel like a flawed argument. Let’s just look at that hypothetical move of Tatum and 14. I’m feeling fairly confident in saying that even without Kyrie, the remaining amount of talent around AD in Boston would be better than retained talent he’s had in New Orleans, cumulatively, over the last season or two. Then you add the coaching, the front office and etc.
Flawed how? They had a good roster last year. Didn't they sweep the Blazers?
and that is for a one year rental which you are not even referencing
If that’s what you want to go off of, the roster Boston had that we’re relatively working with didn’t have Hayward but had Tatum and they went to Game 7 of the East finals.
It’s clearly a gamble but I think teams are going to hope there’s one solid example of the rental working in their favor (George) and hoping another one does work (Leonard).
But they are losing Tatum in your proposed trade? Are you saying Hayward is better? Because I don't think Hayward is.
I am not saying that. All I’m working off is the proposed idea that was listed above with Boston, so losing Tatum and 14. Kyrie is likely gone in that scenario. If he not, there’s no argument. I’m saying the core of Boston (Hayward, Brown, and pick your third) with AD feels healthier than what New Orleans has had with AD, and I trust Boston’s coach and front office more to improve off that so that makes it more promising. Again, I understand the idea of it being a rental but I’ve also address that as well. Boston does seem like a team that would be willing to take that risk.
i think Jrue Holiday is better than any of those Boston players you mentioned so that's where we disagree. Are you assuming Rozier and Horford stay?
I would be willing to see your side of the Holiday scenario but both Hayward and Brown have a chance to improve because one clearly wasn’t right this year from a mental and physical standpoint, and the other showed a lot of promise and could work off that with more room to grow with a more open or balanced roster. There’s more upside with Boston, which is what I keep circling around. Considering I said pick your third, my stance is fairly indifferent on if Rozier and/or Horford stay. People just want to play in Boston more than they do In New Orleans. It feels like New Orleans rushed through their development, dishing out like three firsts and I think only having one player left to show for it. Their training staff is also terrible, and they have ownership questions.
fuck the celtics.
As much as I have been a Bulls fan, they kind of deserved to be outside of the top 5 here. They won't do much until the higher ups change. I'm looking at you Pax.
my favorite thing surrounding the lottery was this quote from rob pelinka:
your 11 year old kid didnt fucking say that, rob."I had asked my son, who is 11... what should I bring to the draft lottery for good luck," Pelinka added. "He said, Dad, just bring some optimism. He said the world needs more optimism."
And that kid's name? Albert Einstein.
dad, i know youre talking sportsball, but if i can be serious for a moment, we really need to do something about this global warming.
Can anyone think of two WORST players for the NYC media spotlight than Kyrie and KD? One will say anything and the other pouts about everything. They don't seem like a great fit for the 24/7 focus that sports in NYC gets.
The Knicks will still suck even if they get both Kyrie and KD
If KD just wants to be in NY so bad he should sign with the Nets.
As for Kyrie, he may as well crawl back to Lebron and go play in LA.
I would be happy to see KD and Kyrie in NY. It's nice when a franchise that's been awful for 20 years gets good again, especially in this case with a premium francise/city/arena. Maybe I'll regret saying this if they actually reach the Finals and block my team from getting there but at the moment this is like rooting for the Browns to get good. And yea those two personalities together in NYC would definitely be entertaining.
Cheering for NY should be a sin unless you are a NY fan. Come on Fro! I don't care how bad they've sucked all these years.
I really want to see Klay resign with the Warriors.
It would be cool to see the 76’ers deal Simmons to another team and sign Butler and Kyrie to form a big-3 in Philly.
The Knicks should flip a player + the 3 pick and some draft capital to the Pelicans for Davis. Sign KD and you have a solid 1-2 punch with Durant and Davis.
With the 3 pick, NO could pick Barrett and keep Zion and Barrett together, forming a solid core to rebuild around with those 2 and Holiday.
The only wildcard to me is LA Lakers. What do they add to supplement LeBron? If Davis, Durant, Klay and Kyrie are gone, and you don’t have a top-3 pick, what’s left? Kawhi? Would he sign in LA with King James?
I feel hithit is going to be banned in 6 games time...
Bucks have shot like shit and are winning. That's not a good sign.
Also what the hell. Lopez is dominating this game. He kept the Bucks in it and is being a pest on both ends. That rainbow three is crazy.
I’ll take that ban if that means we’re going to the finals!
Somehow the Raps ended up shooting worse than you guys. Considering the way the game started that's crazy. Even crazier is how Lowry had probably his best playoff game all for nothing.
Fatigue was probably a big factor for the collapse in the fourth. Bigger concern is how there's no depth for the Raps and this fatigue is going to continue to be the case.
Giannis didn't get the points, but there's a reason why Brook was able to take so many threes. Every time Giannis would drive, 4 Raps would collapse in. Nurse needs to find a better way to defend because while Lopez won't always hit, the other guys won't always miss. This could easily be a sweep.
Kemba Walker might be the best option for the Lakers if all those other guys are gone. I am thinking Kawhi wants his own team so he goes to the Clippers. Not sure who joins him.
On one hand you can say Lopez won't have that type of game again so the Raptors can have that to hang their hat on. On the other hand, it seems really unlikely Lowry will go off like that again and their bench still can't score. Danny green is still struggling.
Bucks in 5. Warriors in 5.
Hard to disagree with that.
Lopez has been pretty good all year. I won’t say I disagree with you, but he could very easily do that again, multiple times.
Wasn't he averaging like 12 points a game in the regular season? 29 was his season high right? Also his last 3 games he didn't score over 7 points.
Yes he did, but he also has had some real good games this year. And he was in a bit of a shooting funk last round, but he will just keep firing, hence why I said he could very easily do it again.
I feel like the last 3 games for the Warriors are completely building back up Curry's reputation as an all time great, while simultaneously diminishing Durant's legacy.
It's probably hyperbole, but I doubt we see Durant until the finals because the Warriors don't totally need him, they certainly wouldn't have been as dominant, but did the Warriors ever need him? They certainly could have built up the bench the last few years if they weren't paying Durant..
Let's let them win this series, hell this game first before getting too excited.
So yes as we were saying.
I think this does hurt Durant's legacy. As good as he has been, people aren't going to see him as being the reason those titles were won.
Well they won and while the Blazers are a good team, they're not great. Barring a Steph/Klay injury, I don't think there's anyway the Blazers take 4 of the next 5.
These playoffs have been so much better than I thought they would be.
If they destroyed the Bucks in the finals (if it is the Bucks) without Durant, then I can definitely see Curry's legacy going skyhigh. Even if Durant comes back, I think it is pretty safe to say that Curry is one of the alltime greats. I have been a big fan of his since his Davidson days, although I will be rooting for the East winner this year.
I don’t see how any of this affects their legacies too much. KD and Steph are obviously both first ballot hall of famers. Steph is the greatest shooter of all time. KD is arguably the best player in the league today outside of Lebron.
They both have room to rise. Steph winning a Finals MVP would look nice on his resumè. KD going somewhere else and winning a title would elevate him to the top 5 OAT discussion.
But I think you guys are overestimating what the Blazers series means to either of them, which is ultimately pretty minimal. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s great to see Steph winning playoff games without KD. He’s the man. And yes the Warriors would still be the best team in the NBA without KD which is nuts and has been nuts since he went there.
If KD goes to New York, then the next ring he gets will be from one of those machines you put a quarter in.
If I was KD I’d be very conflicted about whether to leave. Like I said he could leave and give himself a chance to win with HIS team that he built and that would put him in the next stratosphere. But on the other hand.... let’s say he’s just won 3 titles in a row. They’ve got a great chance to win 4 or even 5 in a row (maybe 6 out of 8 total including the one they won without him).
They can make this dynasty equal that of MJ’s or even surpass it. They can put their mark down as the best dynasty ever. And with KD winning both Finals MVP so far, most people acknowledge that while its stephs team, KD is the best player on the floor. That stigma of “not your team” goes away as he keeps dominating.
I hope he leaves for the sake of splitting up the super team, but if he likes it there why not stay and keep stacking up titles?
KD would be dumb if he leaves Golden State for NY. While he could have his own thing, he has a good relationship with his teammates and the fans. Both accepted him with open arms when he first joined and it has been nothing but a good for him, despite the criticism he received.
If he left for a talented team, then that would be one thing. I kind of hope he does leave so we have more parity, but I can't wrap my head around NY. That organization is a circus and not worth going to, even for more money.
Still don’t like that lottery. I won't lie, I was absolutely gutted.
Was convinced we'd finally get something our way. We finally go into tank mode, and end up losing out to a team that almost made the playoffs.
I don't think KD comes back this series unless the Blazers win the next two. What a win for the Warriors. i am actually rooting for them to win again. If the Sixers aren't winning then none of you guys can win either!
Golden State is so much more likable and fun to watch when KD is NOT playing for them. I have enjoyed their past 4 games watching Steph, Klay and Draymond ball more than their past 2 seasons. Great stuff. I hope Klay stays put with Steph and Draymond and the all retire as a Big-3 tandem.
2-0 after tonight Pabs.
And Tyreke Evans is a fucking dumdum
Well that was an exciting game 1. I can't wait for Game 2 to start.
I feel like Toronto just wants to get out of Milwaukee.
I would be shocked if Klay left. He can get more money if he stays and if he stays he will become or is already this generations Scottie Pippen/Kevin McHale/James Worthy(which is the highest compliment for a number 2 guy). Nobody expects or thinks Klay can be an alpha dog on a championship team, but he's perfect in his current role.
For his sake, I hope he doesn't leave because ultimately it would reflect poorly on him being the best guy on a 40-45 win team versus being the 2nd/3rd best guy on a championship caliber team.
By the way this goes double for Draymond Green, why be Joakim Noah when you can be the modern Dennis Rodman.
I feel like Toronto is gonna steal a game at home, but at the same time, how? They had a chance to win game 1 and couldn’t finish it, so how are they gonna steal one at home?
I mean. We finished with the second best record in the NBA. I don’t know why it would be shocking for the Raps to win a game at home. If series were decided when the first blow out happens the Raps would have been eliminated by the Sixers and you’d have been beaten by the Celtics.
Having said that I think you guys will win at least one of these two and finish in Game 5. Your first two off the bench are playing better than half our starters.
Yea, I get that. I was looking at it more based on how they played these two games as opposed to the whole season up to now. I really wouldn’t be shocked if they won today honestly.
Optimist view: We won the game with Lowry unable to play the last 15 minutes
Pessimist view: Took 2 OTs to beat a team that didn't finish with Giannis
Realist view: Having to go to 2 OTs with Kawhi looking like he was limping near the end and Giannis having one of his worst ever games doesn't bode well for the Raptors winning any more.
seeing this went to double OT with a raps win, and then checking the box score to see giannis scored 12 points, was crazier than anything in the GOT finale.
Fuck the Raptors.
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