Disappointed that the Clips weren't able to put up more of a fight with the Suns. But at least Denver ended their series in 5 as well, so the teams will have an equal amount of rest. Here's hoping they play 7 very competitive, physical games.
I would be very curious to see that alternate universe, but I'd also be (justifiably?) nervous that in that realm would exist, James Harden, NBA champion.
Ty Lue, legend in the minds of broadcasters everywhere for his ability to "connect" with players: where would you put him on a scale from putrid to Popovich?
I remember thinking during the Cavs finals that he was competent. He's managed to keep the Clippers playing hard and reasonably well without their 2 stars for most of the last 3 years. 3 straight Finals, the latter 2 with pretty bad rosters, but how much credit goes to LeBron?
Coaching is really hard to evaluate even if you watch every game, so some of it is just going to be based on what insiders and players say, and he is pretty highly regarded.
I mean he has two of the most injury prone stars in the league, what else could Lue have done? I don't think prime Popovich or Phil Jackson would have won that series.
In the middle somewhere? Only 30-ish head coaches have won a championship, and maybe he's about on par with the other guys who have won 1. I think he clearly hasn't shown anything to be ranked above the coaches with multiple championships. Coaching is such a hard one to gauge anyway though.
I'm glad Nuggets / Suns are entering their series healthy. I had this random premonition that Jokic was going to get hurt this round, and another series turned trivial. First round matchups have been kind of boring (I guess as expected) -- Kings/Warriors and Bucks/Heat as the main areas of interest. I would include Knicks/Cavs, except that I don't think anyone (outside of fandom) cares about those teams. Their players really have no national intrigue.
So, now that Westbrook is out of the playoffs, what do folks think is going to happen with him? Is some team really going to watch his play this postseason and think he's the answer to what ails their back court and sign him to a $10M/year contract?
I really have no idea. I mean, to be fair to him -- he played the most minutes on a team that kept things surprisingly close each game when down their best 2 players vs a top team that just added KD. The challenge with him, is he has been paid $40m+/year for some time, and he doesn't seem worth that. But what is he worth?? I think $10m is probably the floor, but I don't know. Of course also given his career earnings (lots) and career rings (zero), I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign for a title contender who can only offer a min anyway. Who, I don't know. Maybe the Bucks? Giannis is kind of like a giant-sized Westbrook, so maybe having both on one team unlocks some sort of equilibrium.
4-1, and KD still doing it....KD is insurance for any serious contender...just clear out, preferably 4 corners, and stand and watch him go to his spots, one-on-one against anyone, practically unstoppable. If you double him, he gets the pass to the open man. That is why he is one of , if not, THE, greatest scorer...
KD plays tons of minutes all the time... he's not Steph. When he doesn't have the ball on offense, he stands in the corner until the play breaks down, then he saunters to his spot near the elbow or at the top of the key for a late clock isolation. On defense, he's usually just somewhere off in weak side help position conserving energy.
Yeah... it was hot and off target, but if you're an NBA player worthy of playing in playoff crunch time, you absolutely catch that ball. Mann didn't quite look like he was actually ready to catch it... for some gawdawful reason.
Why don't we do it on the road?
Why don't we do it on the road?
Why don't we do it on the road!
Why don't we do it on the road?
(Everyone) will be watching us
Why don't we do it on the road?
Disappointed that the Clips weren't able to put up more of a fight with the Suns. But at least Denver ended their series in 5 as well, so the teams will have an equal amount of rest. Here's hoping they play 7 very competitive, physical games.
There’s still of me that pines for the alternative universe where the Warriors homegrown lineup of Steph Klay HB Dray and Loon goes on a dynastic run.
I would be very curious to see that alternate universe, but I'd also be (justifiably?) nervous that in that realm would exist, James Harden, NBA champion.
And/or LeBron might have six rings.
The Warriors universe we’re in is pretty awesome, imo.
Ty Lue, legend in the minds of broadcasters everywhere for his ability to "connect" with players: where would you put him on a scale from putrid to Popovich?
The media overrates him but he's still top-10, maybe even higher. Spo, Pop, Kerr are the only 3 I would definitely rank higher.
Why? What would you point to?
I remember thinking during the Cavs finals that he was competent. He's managed to keep the Clippers playing hard and reasonably well without their 2 stars for most of the last 3 years. 3 straight Finals, the latter 2 with pretty bad rosters, but how much credit goes to LeBron?
Coaching is really hard to evaluate even if you watch every game, so some of it is just going to be based on what insiders and players say, and he is pretty highly regarded.
Spo: Miami up 3-1 on bucks
Pop & Kerr - rings, rings, rings
Top 5 coach in the league
Why? What do you point to?
I mean he has two of the most injury prone stars in the league, what else could Lue have done? I don't think prime Popovich or Phil Jackson would have won that series.
In the middle somewhere? Only 30-ish head coaches have won a championship, and maybe he's about on par with the other guys who have won 1. I think he clearly hasn't shown anything to be ranked above the coaches with multiple championships. Coaching is such a hard one to gauge anyway though.
I'm glad Nuggets / Suns are entering their series healthy. I had this random premonition that Jokic was going to get hurt this round, and another series turned trivial. First round matchups have been kind of boring (I guess as expected) -- Kings/Warriors and Bucks/Heat as the main areas of interest. I would include Knicks/Cavs, except that I don't think anyone (outside of fandom) cares about those teams. Their players really have no national intrigue.
Trae Young has entered the chat
So, now that Westbrook is out of the playoffs, what do folks think is going to happen with him? Is some team really going to watch his play this postseason and think he's the answer to what ails their back court and sign him to a $10M/year contract?
I very much doubt he gets 10 mill. Minimum contract sure
I really have no idea. I mean, to be fair to him -- he played the most minutes on a team that kept things surprisingly close each game when down their best 2 players vs a top team that just added KD. The challenge with him, is he has been paid $40m+/year for some time, and he doesn't seem worth that. But what is he worth?? I think $10m is probably the floor, but I don't know. Of course also given his career earnings (lots) and career rings (zero), I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign for a title contender who can only offer a min anyway. Who, I don't know. Maybe the Bucks? Giannis is kind of like a giant-sized Westbrook, so maybe having both on one team unlocks some sort of equilibrium.
Given his shooting struggles, I'd suggest someone offer him 3/18 or 3/19 :)
That's clever.
KD playing 44 minutes in the first round against a team led by Norman Powell and russel westbrook is fucking insanity, wtf is Monty doing
Monty is another one of those genius coaches that the rest of us plebes don't understand.
He got fucking cooked by Jason Kidd in the playoffs last season
I say, keep it up Monty?!
45 minutes in game 1
44 minutes in game 2
41 minutes in game 3
45 minutes in game 4
44 minutes in game 5
That's 219 minutes in five games against the Clippers, which is an average of 43.8 minutes/game.
4-1, and KD still doing it....KD is insurance for any serious contender...just clear out, preferably 4 corners, and stand and watch him go to his spots, one-on-one against anyone, practically unstoppable. If you double him, he gets the pass to the open man. That is why he is one of , if not, THE, greatest scorer...
KD plays tons of minutes all the time... he's not Steph. When he doesn't have the ball on offense, he stands in the corner until the play breaks down, then he saunters to his spot near the elbow or at the top of the key for a late clock isolation. On defense, he's usually just somewhere off in weak side help position conserving energy.
EDIT:
Check his career playoff series MPG:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html#all_playoffs-series
We shall see, he's older now and been through some tough injuries
Yeah I think if he's playing big minutes and you play him physically defensively, you can wear him down like the Celtics did
Suns beat the Clippers 136-130 and move onto the next round of the series.
Westbrook with a 3/18 night and 5 turnovers. But that's better than the 3/19 game he had earlier, so I guess there's some progress...
Could've been a great series if the Clippers had their stars.
Yep, it's like playing the Dubs without Steph and Klay, or, the Suns without KD and BOOKER....
🤮🤮🤮
Westbrook has been horrible tonight.
That last pass to Mann was hot and off-target
Looked very catchable though
Yeah... it was hot and off target, but if you're an NBA player worthy of playing in playoff crunch time, you absolutely catch that ball. Mann didn't quite look like he was actually ready to catch it... for some gawdawful reason.
More catchable than the Monk play last night, so yeah lol
Wow! 3-18 and 5 TOs
Sucks for the Clippers. I like it better when they just choke a series rather than lose multiple bodies
Clippers keeping it close. Down by 4 with 3 minutes left
Clippers on a run. They're not going down without a fight.
Did y'all know that Loondawg had the highest ORtg in the league this season at 147.4? I did not.
It's the offensive rebounds and kick outs for three, assuming you got this Ortg off of bball ref
11.4 higher than Capela who came in no.2
There's something in their ORtg algorithm that rates some bigs really high...
Also GP2
He’s a little big man, so yeah… he’s included
Who you got Suns or Nugs?
I think Nugs
Nuggets and pretty easily. Don't mark my words please.
Suns if they keep playing the way they have.
Anybody but the Suns (and Lakers)
Too close to call....Pick em.
Suns up 111-94 thanks to a 50-24 3rd quarter.
Complete Clips meltdown here — 33-7 Suns run.
Nuggets v. Suns, here we come...
Clippers winning this game was a long shot anyway.
The space Booker has to work with is ridiculous.
That was such a soft F1 against Westbrook...