Hollinger on what’s gone wrong with MEM. Hollinger was a MEM exec and I think this kind of analysis is his real wheelhouse (sorry PER). Very interesting article for team-building and cap fans. Lots of detail but the bottom line is that he and some NBA execs think you can’t build a team around Ja Morant.
[[
By far, Morant was the biggest lightning rod for execs explaining why Memphis hadn’t taken another step forward. In their view, Morant’s lack of dependability — for health, for shooting, for defense, for leadership, for avoiding entirely avoidable suspensions — makes it impossible to build a team around him.
Pulling the starters halfway through the 3rd quarter has been bugging me. Has anyone ever seen this happen in a playoff game? I’m not even sure I’ve seen it in a regular season game, except perhaps by a seriously tanking squad. Sure the Dubs were down by (checks box) 479 points, and the starters were literally rolling out air mattresses and sleeping bags on the court and taking naps during possessions (or maybe practicing their Shavasana Yoga position).
But nasty little jokes aside, did anyone else find the starter pull surprising? What did Kerr know that I didn’t as a fan horrified by the score at that point?
Given the level of health and ruggedness of the series, is it really that big a surprise?
One more injury to Steph or Butler, and the Dubs probably don't make it to the next round. Why take that risk in a game that was out of reach (and where the starters just didn't have it) when you have two more shots at it?
Plus, it's not all bad to sit them. Do you think our bench is better off for having played a really significant amount of time in a game? I do.
Kerr likes to find minutes for bench guys who have sat a lot, just to keep them engaged and ready. The situation seemed tailor-made for a long bench run, and they did well with it.
I mean we did the same thing against the Mavs back in 2022, and Kuminga/Moody led a huge comeback forcing the Mavs to play their starters while ours rested. Worked out then pretty well for us.
Rockets were getting a home court whistle, at one point I think they had like 12fta to our 0 fta in the first few minutes of play time. Besides that our starters looked sluggish fromq the get go. Only 1 day rest catching up to them. Nagging Injuries they are dealing with. We need the extra rest and he gave it to them. We’re banking on a game 6 win, hope it works out for us.
In a different scenario where Braxton Key hits that lay up to cut it to 11 pts with minutes to go in the 4th, I think we would've seen our closers/OGs for a bit.
"Entering the playoffs, more money had been wagered on the Los Angeles Lakers to win the Finals than on any other team"
Not really sure what to say except that betting is dumb(except for small amounts you can easily afford to lose for fun). It's especially dumb if you thought betting on the Lakers to win it all was a good bet. And more people thought that than any other team so it wasn't just a few crazy people. It was a LOT of crazy people.
This is why Vegas always gives terrible odds for LA and NY teams. There's a ton of dumb homers who will bet their team regardless of the payout. Lakers odds were set as, what, the 4th or 5th biggest favorite to win it all IIRC?
Every game of the Clips/Nuggs series the Nuggets have looked strangely sluggish and uninspired.I guess three finals in a row is a big ask for anyone emotionally but the Warriors, of course.
Not sure what is supposed to faze them. They look formidable.
But I guess the Celtics and the Cavaliers have both had great years as well. The Warriors honestly look too chipped up to me. But with Steph and Jimmy, who knows?
Rondo has done it, I've seen Westbrook do it and I think a few others. Ben Simmons, too. I think a gentle bounce off of someone's back so as to get it back is totally fair. I was just curious how hard it has to be before a ref raises an eyebrow.
What if the inbounder jumps inbounds at that instant? And further, what if the ball bounces back on the inbounder's face, is that a double tech? What if it just keeps bouncing back and forth?
It depends on whether the opponent is still attached to his thumb when you throw it. If so, probably a T and a flagrant 1 unless the victim is Steph, in which case they won't call it.
If the thumb is not still attached, it's a flagrant 2 and handcuffs. Probably should avoid that.
Sure, if he's on the local team, fans root for his success, I suppose.
But is there anyone not in his family who watches him play and goes "YEAH!!! That's my GUY!!??" Same question about Kawhi, actually. I can admire some things they do but I can't imagine caring. I can easily imagine rooting that way for half the other guys playing tonight: Jokic, Murray, Zubac, Aaron Gordon, MPJ. But Harden??
As I said above, I’m still somewhat of a fan of Kawhi because he’s an Aztec. I’m guessing he still has fans in San Antonio and Toronto for the rings he delivered.
Got LeBron on my brain today. Maybe he'll retire, maybe not. But what a ridiculous career.
Let's say for argument's sake that Ant is the next great who will some day make a case for GOAT. All he would need to *tie* LeBron would be: four league MVPS, four championships, 4 Finals MVPS, 13 all-NBA first team, 19 more all-NBA (he has one), 6 all-defensive team, and for the next 17 years, increase his scoring average from 24 to 27, rebounds from 5 to 7, assists from 4 to 7. Yeesh.
Only counts if he makes Space Jam III and one of his *checks notes*... 4 alleged children with 4 different women (Quadruple double?) gets drafted and plays on the same team.
I’m frankly surprised that the Clippers’ weaknesses are this big. Some talking head - Timpf? - pointed out that the stars don’t pull together/lift the team like the Nuggets’ stars do.
I love timpf. In no way do I agree with all his takes, but who else is attempting to deep dive the whole league. He gonna have a lot of bad takes. In my opinion, he's at his best when he's at reacting to played games.
Also, I kinda just ignore him when the Lakers are involved. If he wasn't a psycho when LeBron is involved he would not be who he is but boo
Denver is likely to beat the Clips in Game 7, but I think the Clips have a better chance against OKC. Denver with a higher floor, Clips with a higher ceiling
New thread up.
Hollinger on what’s gone wrong with MEM. Hollinger was a MEM exec and I think this kind of analysis is his real wheelhouse (sorry PER). Very interesting article for team-building and cap fans. Lots of detail but the bottom line is that he and some NBA execs think you can’t build a team around Ja Morant.
[[
By far, Morant was the biggest lightning rod for execs explaining why Memphis hadn’t taken another step forward. In their view, Morant’s lack of dependability — for health, for shooting, for defense, for leadership, for avoiding entirely avoidable suspensions — makes it impossible to build a team around him.
]]
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6325032/2025/05/02/memphis-grizzlies-nba-offseason-ja-morant-jaren-jackson/
Pulling the starters halfway through the 3rd quarter has been bugging me. Has anyone ever seen this happen in a playoff game? I’m not even sure I’ve seen it in a regular season game, except perhaps by a seriously tanking squad. Sure the Dubs were down by (checks box) 479 points, and the starters were literally rolling out air mattresses and sleeping bags on the court and taking naps during possessions (or maybe practicing their Shavasana Yoga position).
But nasty little jokes aside, did anyone else find the starter pull surprising? What did Kerr know that I didn’t as a fan horrified by the score at that point?
Given the level of health and ruggedness of the series, is it really that big a surprise?
One more injury to Steph or Butler, and the Dubs probably don't make it to the next round. Why take that risk in a game that was out of reach (and where the starters just didn't have it) when you have two more shots at it?
Plus, it's not all bad to sit them. Do you think our bench is better off for having played a really significant amount of time in a game? I do.
Kerr likes to find minutes for bench guys who have sat a lot, just to keep them engaged and ready. The situation seemed tailor-made for a long bench run, and they did well with it.
I like the positive take.
Literally?
“Little jokes aside”
I mean we did the same thing against the Mavs back in 2022, and Kuminga/Moody led a huge comeback forcing the Mavs to play their starters while ours rested. Worked out then pretty well for us.
Rockets were getting a home court whistle, at one point I think they had like 12fta to our 0 fta in the first few minutes of play time. Besides that our starters looked sluggish fromq the get go. Only 1 day rest catching up to them. Nagging Injuries they are dealing with. We need the extra rest and he gave it to them. We’re banking on a game 6 win, hope it works out for us.
In a different scenario where Braxton Key hits that lay up to cut it to 11 pts with minutes to go in the 4th, I think we would've seen our closers/OGs for a bit.
Dr. Pandya on Steph’s injury. I asked a follow up of whether it could heal over the summer, still to be answered.
https://bsky.app/profile/drniravpandya.bsky.social/post/3lo5ub7vdec2w
could explain why it’s been so easy to strip the ball from steph lately.
That’s what Alc has been saying.
At least we’re not the only series left!
Relieved the Clips won — was kinda worried that if the NBA didn’t have a Game 7 this weekend they might try to manufacture one.
Didn’t think of that. Now they got their big weekend game. Denver takes game 7
Saw this on ESPN:
"Entering the playoffs, more money had been wagered on the Los Angeles Lakers to win the Finals than on any other team"
Not really sure what to say except that betting is dumb(except for small amounts you can easily afford to lose for fun). It's especially dumb if you thought betting on the Lakers to win it all was a good bet. And more people thought that than any other team so it wasn't just a few crazy people. It was a LOT of crazy people.
This is why Vegas always gives terrible odds for LA and NY teams. There's a ton of dumb homers who will bet their team regardless of the payout. Lakers odds were set as, what, the 4th or 5th biggest favorite to win it all IIRC?
Irrational Homerism + Betting = Profit.
I think the best way is to bet AGAINST your team. That way it's a Win:Win situation either way!
Or a Lose:Lose
Imagine betting against the dubs in 2015-19
Yes, but it's like 'how much would you PAY for your team to win?'
"Entering the playoffs, more money had been wagered on the Los Angeles Lakers to win the Finals than on any other team"
These people don't watch basketball. Ever.
Or look at stats.
Every game of the Clips/Nuggs series the Nuggets have looked strangely sluggish and uninspired.I guess three finals in a row is a big ask for anyone emotionally but the Warriors, of course.
well, there long-time coach and GM were just fired. So something is going on behind ghe scenes.
Nuggets weren't in the Finals last year - they lost to the Wolves in the WC Semis
Zing, need to get back into the doc for “draw a clock”.
Person, woman, man, camera, TV
Clippers beat the Nuggets 111-105 and tie the series 3-3.
Heck of a series.
OKC not fazed in the slightest is my guess.
Not sure what is supposed to faze them. They look formidable.
But I guess the Celtics and the Cavaliers have both had great years as well. The Warriors honestly look too chipped up to me. But with Steph and Jimmy, who knows?
If an inbounder throws the ball directly at the guarding opponent's face with full force in order to grab the ball off the bounce, is that a foul?
I could swear I’ve seen someone do this, but they bounced it off a defender’s ass. Who was that??
Edit: It was Rondo! Here’s the clip (albeit from a pretty bootleg recording): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdCEvV5Nojc
Rondo has done it, I've seen Westbrook do it and I think a few others. Ben Simmons, too. I think a gentle bounce off of someone's back so as to get it back is totally fair. I was just curious how hard it has to be before a ref raises an eyebrow.
Turnover. Never establishes himself inbounds before the carom hits the inbounder.
Was going to make a joke at the expense of Pod's nose, but it's late...
Don't stand. Don't stand so. Don't stand so close to me.
What if the inbounder jumps inbounds at that instant? And further, what if the ball bounces back on the inbounder's face, is that a double tech? What if it just keeps bouncing back and forth?
like a certain cat in a box, but with basketballs
Probably considered unsportsmanlike conduct, so a technical? I could also see them assessing a flagrant if the intent was to injure.
Yes
Well... it depends on how you throw it
How about a two-handed Jerry West chest pass to the eyeballs?
Flagrant 2, turnover, suspension, and fine. Other than that, no problem!
if he throws the ball into his opponent's groin in order to throw it into his groin does that get him on the Rockets?
I think that's called a "Draymond."
Or the opponent's thumb
It's probably a tech if you throw the opponent's thumb is my guess, I don't know.
It depends on whether the opponent is still attached to his thumb when you throw it. If so, probably a T and a flagrant 1 unless the victim is Steph, in which case they won't call it.
If the thumb is not still attached, it's a flagrant 2 and handcuffs. Probably should avoid that.
I'm suffering enough rooting for clippers so it goes to 7, don't make it for nothing you clowns.
going to 7
Be careful what you wish for now you have to watch game 7
or just follow the text feed, easier that way.
Westbrick with another crucial missed open layup. Rate your surprise from zero to one
are fractions acceptable, .5?
Hard to believe that they are trusting him at crunch time.
Live by the Westbrook, die by the Westbrick
Clippers up 90-79 after 3 quarters
Are there any Harden fans?
I don't mean here, I mean anywhere.
Sure, if he's on the local team, fans root for his success, I suppose.
But is there anyone not in his family who watches him play and goes "YEAH!!! That's my GUY!!??" Same question about Kawhi, actually. I can admire some things they do but I can't imagine caring. I can easily imagine rooting that way for half the other guys playing tonight: Jokic, Murray, Zubac, Aaron Gordon, MPJ. But Harden??
LOL
What are you doing lolling around like that. We got a game today. LOCK IN!!!
I am locked in.
I am currently looking up the middle names of all the bench players in the dynasty era, JUST IN CASE they are needed at game time.
Did you know that Chris Chiozza's middle name was 'Untall' (from the Irish)?
Everyone knows that. Lock lockier. You’re half assing it like you’re jimmy butler
I would believe you, except that I saw your lips move while you were reading the Wikipedia article.
So you're declining to lock.
I see.
I'll know whom to blame if the unthinkable happens tonight.
Since college pride and loyalty often runs strong, there’s probably a handful of Sun Devils running around that remain Harden fans.
Case in point: I still have a soft spot in my heart for Kawhi for his hand in bringing SDSU’s hoops program out from obscurity.
I don't think so. Do Clipper fans buy the Harden jersey?
Great question. Probably racks and racks of them at Intuit, nobody buying them.
Or maybe there's a bunch of kids going to school in Harden jerseys and Air Hardens? I'd be surprised.
I'm an anti-fan, which means, since opposites exist, there must be a fan somewhere.
Not sure I agree, but the logic is ironclad.
Instaboner from dreamshake would literally say it exactly like that, caps and all.
And I think a lot more people used to like Kawhi before he became known for being a robot and missing games.
As I said above, I’m still somewhat of a fan of Kawhi because he’s an Aztec. I’m guessing he still has fans in San Antonio and Toronto for the rings he delivered.
I don't know who nor what that is, but OK -- about Harden?
Yeah. He was a character. Many of us here used to be at Golden State of Mind, on SB Nation. Dreamshake is the Rockets SBN page.
"Fear the Bread" was the classic, spawning many a Toast retorts.
Got LeBron on my brain today. Maybe he'll retire, maybe not. But what a ridiculous career.
Let's say for argument's sake that Ant is the next great who will some day make a case for GOAT. All he would need to *tie* LeBron would be: four league MVPS, four championships, 4 Finals MVPS, 13 all-NBA first team, 19 more all-NBA (he has one), 6 all-defensive team, and for the next 17 years, increase his scoring average from 24 to 27, rebounds from 5 to 7, assists from 4 to 7. Yeesh.
Only counts if he makes Space Jam III and one of his *checks notes*... 4 alleged children with 4 different women (Quadruple double?) gets drafted and plays on the same team.
And then he still wouldn’t be Steph! Eff Lebron.
What you're telling me, and I accept it, is: "Sir, this is a Wendy's."
Steph has a better chance of matching that record😂
I only say that cause meeting the LeBron standard is the most absurd thing possible and Ant is gonna be fun to watch for the next decade!
He's not gonna retire - he'll just opt in on his player option and hang out another year with Bronny.
Clippers up 58-57 at halftime
sure I'll root for the Clippers just so it goes to 7 games, but after that . . . I THINK i'm less scared of the nuggets, most of the time. You?
I’m frankly surprised that the Clippers’ weaknesses are this big. Some talking head - Timpf? - pointed out that the stars don’t pull together/lift the team like the Nuggets’ stars do.
I love timpf. In no way do I agree with all his takes, but who else is attempting to deep dive the whole league. He gonna have a lot of bad takes. In my opinion, he's at his best when he's at reacting to played games.
Also, I kinda just ignore him when the Lakers are involved. If he wasn't a psycho when LeBron is involved he would not be who he is but boo
His perspective teaches me a lot.
Clipees are scarier, if they are in full throttle. If they get confused and muddled, then Nuggets are scarier.
Denver is likely to beat the Clips in Game 7, but I think the Clips have a better chance against OKC. Denver with a higher floor, Clips with a higher ceiling
It's all equally bad, but not hopeless.
agree not hopeless, not at all IMHO.