With the playoffs approaching, it’s only right to assess our chances against the competition.
I feel good about our matchups against the Lakers, Rockers, and Grizzlies. Draymond can handle LeBron, Butler can take Luka, and Moody and Kuminga can provide solid spot minutes. The Lakers have no real answer for Curry, which gives me confidence in our offense. The Rockets, despite their depth and effort, don’t concern me—playoff basketball is about star power, and they simply don’t have enough of it. The Grizzlies should also be a winnable series. Their chemistry is shaky, we’ve historically defended Bane well thanks to Curry and Hield in practice, and I trust Draymond to neutralize JJJ. Ja will get his, but I’d bet on Curry outplaying him.
The Clippers and Wolves are much tougher to call. The Clippers have a strong mix of scoring and defense, with Harden, Kawhi, and Powell leading their offense and a defensive core of Dunn, Leonard, Zubac, Jones, and Simmons making life difficult. It could go either way. The Wolves present an entirely different problem—Gobert shutting down the paint hurts us badly, their perimeter defense makes things even harder for Curry, and Naz Reid has historically torched us. Add in Edwards’ explosiveness, and it’s a bad matchup.
Then there are the teams I just don’t see us beating unless something major changes. The Thunder and Nuggets. Enough said.
I think the Thunder are the top dog in our conference by a healthy margin. Despite the success we’ve had against them this season, I’d still prefer to avoid them until the WCF if possible.
To me, the Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, Clippers are all basically interchangeable in terms of the challenge they present. Though I do have the Nuggets rated slightly higher among that grouping. They would be a really tough 1st round opponent. But there aren’t really any “easy” ones among our potential matchups.
With all that said, I would actually prefer the 6 seed over the 5 seed if we can get it. Let some other teams take a crack at OKC first. If they lose, the West becomes wide open.
All the same, avoiding the play in should still be the top priority. So, if we end up with the 5 seed, you certainly won’t see me complaining about it haha.
Tomorrow's basically a playoff game in importance, I think Kerr needs to coach it accordingly. Need to get the edge on the Grizzlies or they are probably going to the play-in imo.
What’s the problem? He’s playing textbook basic defense against a power based player.
Let me break it down. When guarding a physical player like LeBron, if you let him initiate contact first, you’re playing into his hands. He controls the pace, absorbs the contact on his terms, and once he creates even a sliver of space, he’ll finish over you with ease.
The key is to meet his contact with your own—absorbing and styming his momentum rather than letting him dictate the exchange. Timing is everything. You have to engage the moment he initiates contact to disrupt his rhythm. If you engage too early, he bounces off, and you get whistled for a foul. Too late, and he’s already created separation. It’s all about precisely timing his contact with your own.
I’m just saying that you can’t let him take control! If you wait for him to make the first move, he sets the rhythm, grinds into position, and finishes however he wants. The trick? Meet him head-on—match his thrust and don’t let him dictate the pace. But timing is everything. Go in too late, and he slips past and puts the ball in the hole!
Rockets and Lakers with the toughest and second toughest remaining schedules, for what it's worth.
I feel like the season will end with 7 teams within 2-3 wins of each other. And we will rue GP2 not calling a timeout and letting a Jokic-less, Murray-less, and Braun-less team dominate us as the moments preventing us from getting the #2 seed, while we end up in the play in, having losing a tiebreaker to the Clippers.
Not sure I wanted the Lakers to win, but having Dillon Brooks commit a backbreaking turnover, miss a crucial FT and brick a 3 all in the last minute was pretty satisfying.
There are more details now (or I just missed them the first time). It's really a deal for this year, with a team option for next year. So, just adding a playoff experienced player for the playoff run, with the carrot of another year if he does well.
Wouldn't think they'd need another vet just to be a vet ... they've got KAT, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, OG Anunoby. All of those guys have at least 7 years in the league.
But, Thibs likes his vets, so maybe you're right. I wonder if Tucker played for Thibs somewhere along the way.
The West seemed kinda like a continuum to start the season, (except I think everyone knew Utah and Portland would be bad) but has separated into four clear tiers…
The west is very competitive yet very flawed, tho i don’t think it’ll be a cakewalk for OKC. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them eliminated earlier than expected.
DDV and Naz Reid suspended for the Nugget game.
Wish it was for a different opponent, eg Boston.
With the playoffs approaching, it’s only right to assess our chances against the competition.
I feel good about our matchups against the Lakers, Rockers, and Grizzlies. Draymond can handle LeBron, Butler can take Luka, and Moody and Kuminga can provide solid spot minutes. The Lakers have no real answer for Curry, which gives me confidence in our offense. The Rockets, despite their depth and effort, don’t concern me—playoff basketball is about star power, and they simply don’t have enough of it. The Grizzlies should also be a winnable series. Their chemistry is shaky, we’ve historically defended Bane well thanks to Curry and Hield in practice, and I trust Draymond to neutralize JJJ. Ja will get his, but I’d bet on Curry outplaying him.
The Clippers and Wolves are much tougher to call. The Clippers have a strong mix of scoring and defense, with Harden, Kawhi, and Powell leading their offense and a defensive core of Dunn, Leonard, Zubac, Jones, and Simmons making life difficult. It could go either way. The Wolves present an entirely different problem—Gobert shutting down the paint hurts us badly, their perimeter defense makes things even harder for Curry, and Naz Reid has historically torched us. Add in Edwards’ explosiveness, and it’s a bad matchup.
Then there are the teams I just don’t see us beating unless something major changes. The Thunder and Nuggets. Enough said.
Finally thought of a name for the Pistons-Wolves brawl. The “Melee at Tar-jay”
that's good. I had nuttin.
A reasonable but optimistic projection is that we will end the season as the fifth seed and play Denver. How do you view such a fate?
Personally, I am OK with that.
If DEN is 4th, I think I'd prefer 6th by a stretch. I think the worst possible path is DEN first round, OKC second round, then something like LAL WCF.
@ 6th, they'd play LAL or HOU first round, then the other in the 2nd, before OKC in WCF. Easier path to deeper in the playoffs by far.
I think the Thunder are the top dog in our conference by a healthy margin. Despite the success we’ve had against them this season, I’d still prefer to avoid them until the WCF if possible.
To me, the Lakers, Nuggets, Rockets, Clippers are all basically interchangeable in terms of the challenge they present. Though I do have the Nuggets rated slightly higher among that grouping. They would be a really tough 1st round opponent. But there aren’t really any “easy” ones among our potential matchups.
With all that said, I would actually prefer the 6 seed over the 5 seed if we can get it. Let some other teams take a crack at OKC first. If they lose, the West becomes wide open.
All the same, avoiding the play in should still be the top priority. So, if we end up with the 5 seed, you certainly won’t see me complaining about it haha.
I would rather not play Denver.
Much rather aim for Utah 😊
Portland!
Tomorrow's basically a playoff game in importance, I think Kerr needs to coach it accordingly. Need to get the edge on the Grizzlies or they are probably going to the play-in imo.
The odds appear to be:
- win tomorrow: 67% chance of avoiding the play-ins
- lose tomorrow: 33% chance of avoiding the play-ins
Never tell me the odds!
What's Brooks doing in this clip?
https://old.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1jonjz8/highlight_dillon_brooks_uses_defensive_backshots/
What’s the problem? He’s playing textbook basic defense against a power based player.
Let me break it down. When guarding a physical player like LeBron, if you let him initiate contact first, you’re playing into his hands. He controls the pace, absorbs the contact on his terms, and once he creates even a sliver of space, he’ll finish over you with ease.
The key is to meet his contact with your own—absorbing and styming his momentum rather than letting him dictate the exchange. Timing is everything. You have to engage the moment he initiates contact to disrupt his rhythm. If you engage too early, he bounces off, and you get whistled for a foul. Too late, and he’s already created separation. It’s all about precisely timing his contact with your own.
So much double entendre…
What do you mean?
I’m just saying that you can’t let him take control! If you wait for him to make the first move, he sets the rhythm, grinds into position, and finishes however he wants. The trick? Meet him head-on—match his thrust and don’t let him dictate the pace. But timing is everything. Go in too late, and he slips past and puts the ball in the hole!
Well played!
It's actually interesting if it's legal. Kind of the defensive equivalent of a guy just backing a player down.
Did LeBron consent to that?
He was asking for it, tbh
😊 whatever it is, it seemed to work
Welp, maybe I'll try to catch the Rockets instead. My feet are so tired from all this chasing.
Rockets and Lakers with the toughest and second toughest remaining schedules, for what it's worth.
I feel like the season will end with 7 teams within 2-3 wins of each other. And we will rue GP2 not calling a timeout and letting a Jokic-less, Murray-less, and Braun-less team dominate us as the moments preventing us from getting the #2 seed, while we end up in the play in, having losing a tiebreaker to the Clippers.
Lakers beat the Rockets 104-98
I’m disappointed. Lakers losses are hard to beat.
I'm good with the outcome. I wish I had gotten that triple OT.
I’m hoping both Nuggs and Lakers catch Houston.
Not sure I wanted the Lakers to win, but having Dillon Brooks commit a backbreaking turnover, miss a crucial FT and brick a 3 all in the last minute was pretty satisfying.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy
Stupid Villon Brooks…
Lakers three point shooting is the reason why they are winning tonight. DFS and Vincent each hit 6 threes for the Lakers tonight.
A bad last-minute turnover and a missed FT by Houston didn't help.
I'm struggling to understand the Knicks signing PJ Tucker to a 2-year contract ... he's 39 years old.
Last season, in 28 games, he averaged 3.9 pts (on .497 TS%) and 6 rbs per 36.
Do they think he found the fountain of youth by sitting out most of this season?
Contract for trade this summer
Maybe.
There are more details now (or I just missed them the first time). It's really a deal for this year, with a team option for next year. So, just adding a playoff experienced player for the playoff run, with the carrot of another year if he does well.
Vet locker room presence I suppose.
Wouldn't think they'd need another vet just to be a vet ... they've got KAT, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, OG Anunoby. All of those guys have at least 7 years in the league.
But, Thibs likes his vets, so maybe you're right. I wonder if Tucker played for Thibs somewhere along the way.
Luka is even more annoying as a Laker...
LA is Whine Country
The West seemed kinda like a continuum to start the season, (except I think everyone knew Utah and Portland would be bad) but has separated into four clear tiers…
Tier 1: OKC
(14 game drop-off)
Tier 2: GSW, LAL, LAC, DEN, HOU, MEM, MIN
(7 game drop-off)
Tier 3: DAL, SAC, PHO, POR, SA
(10 game drop-off)
Tier 4: NOP, UTA
14 games separating OKC and the next best team is wild, 2014-2015 Warrior-esque
The west is very competitive yet very flawed, tho i don’t think it’ll be a cakewalk for OKC. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them eliminated earlier than expected.
Feels like the Mid-00s
Where's that vaunted Houston defense when you really need it?
They are playing defense, but their offense is lacking production due to FVV and Jalen Green missing a lot of their shots tonight.
Dillon Brooks taking and missing lots of contested jumpers in the fourth quarter and turning the ball over isn't helping either
Rockets had something big to play for tonight. Clinching a playoff spot.
Is anyone else feeling regular season fatigue?
I feel like I can't handle anymore what seed will the dubs get drama. I'm just gonna nap till the playoffs 😂