I will never ever be a Lakers fan. I'm only advocating for their win to extend their series to the maximum length allowable so that their energy consumption is expended to the limit. I do this with extreme prejudice.
Completely random thought but I am so intrigued by the Jimmy-Buddy dynamic. Somehow it seems like Jimmy is using humor to make real critiques of Buddy's game, but at the same time, it puts Buddy in the spotlight in a very positive way? I feel like Buddy has always been viewed as a kind of problematic player, not well celebrated, but it feels good to be recognized, right? I don't see manipulative about what Jimmy is doing, just think that he is creating an environment where Buddy's name gets out there, he gets a bit of shine, and Jimmy is also creating the conditions to critique Buddy honestly? Meh I dunno this is all rough in my head, but psychologically it's super interesting!! Proof may be in the pudding anyway, with Buddy playing D like that...
I think it's just a more positive critique style that probably works better with Buddy. You can also see it a bit in Kerr's introduction of humor to the "Hey, Buddy... pass it to Steph". Couple that with Draymond's comments early in the season about how Buddy always goes to the ball, and you've got to work with that... and you've got a team that's embracing him for who he is and what he does, and letting him know where he stands. It's great to see. The next series may not be a Buddy series. Or, maybe Playoff Buddy is a different beast?
I really like Zach Lowe on anyone's show but not the hugest Simmons fan stylistically. Didn't care for how often he interrupted Lowe. This was a really good listen though, overall
I think someone else also mentioned it, but I can't remember if a link was included because I was trying to read and catch up with all the posts. I highly enjoyed it; thanks to all who came across it and I appreciate the link, Eric.
Before the series I figure they (like many) would've thought the clippers would be the harder opponent, but maybe not anymore.
But maybe they still would rather play the nuggets with a shorter rotation that'll be more tired? But... that's signing up for wanting to play Jokic (and putting Shai's MVP case on the line haha)
OKC would rather face the Clips, they match up better with them imo. The Nugs look like they have figured the Clips out and look like the better team right now. Harden has looked pretty bad at times in this series and Kawhi has only gone off in one game. OKC has a way better defense than Denver and would make the Clips ballhandlers and playmakers even more uncomfortable.
Don't want to face Jokic. Kawhi for all his efficiency does not elevate his team like the Joker. And the last time James Harden played well for an entire series was probably 2019? (Maybe Nets first year).
I still don’t think Cleveland/OKC make it to the finals. If Denver takes this series, then I think OKC might be eliminated a lot sooner than I expected. I don’t see Cleveland beating Boston
I want to believe too... I fear that OKC is actually that dominant, and that Cleveland is actually just that bad of a matchup for us. I don't *think* either of those are truly true, but they are readily possible. Will be good to find out in the end that OKC couldn't handle Denver (who could have slipped to the play in on the last day of the season if Houston tried to win!), and Boston rolls up their sleeves and dispatches Cleveland.
Yea you’re probably right. Would be incredible tho. Not to sound like good ol uncle Bill Simmons, but Steph getting 5 would be like Brady beating the Seahawks
New thread up.
I think we need to disqualify Jimmy from Warrior Wonder too
Been saying that for a while now. Two of us!
Toward the end of his contract we may have to nominate him for "I wonder if he's a Warrior?"
So I guess we are lakers fans now? Want the series to be extended. This is going to be very hard.
I will never ever be a Lakers fan. I'm only advocating for their win to extend their series to the maximum length allowable so that their energy consumption is expended to the limit. I do this with extreme prejudice.
Clippers fan in my Boston sports blog posted the following…
Typical Clipps post season
Game 1 - moral victory
Game 2 - tough playoff win to look "real"
Game 3 - blow out, looking real great. Hope flying in the air
Game 4 - invent a new way to lose
Game 5 - mail it in/quit/someone gets hurt <--- we are here
Game 6 - continue the quitting/someone gets hurt
😂
Nice! I went to bed before the game was over.
Hopefully in a couple of days Ballmer will have a nice new shiny arena and no games to host in it.
Omg poor Milwaukee. And Giannis instantly goes to #1 on the trade machine.
Completely random thought but I am so intrigued by the Jimmy-Buddy dynamic. Somehow it seems like Jimmy is using humor to make real critiques of Buddy's game, but at the same time, it puts Buddy in the spotlight in a very positive way? I feel like Buddy has always been viewed as a kind of problematic player, not well celebrated, but it feels good to be recognized, right? I don't see manipulative about what Jimmy is doing, just think that he is creating an environment where Buddy's name gets out there, he gets a bit of shine, and Jimmy is also creating the conditions to critique Buddy honestly? Meh I dunno this is all rough in my head, but psychologically it's super interesting!! Proof may be in the pudding anyway, with Buddy playing D like that...
I think it's just a more positive critique style that probably works better with Buddy. You can also see it a bit in Kerr's introduction of humor to the "Hey, Buddy... pass it to Steph". Couple that with Draymond's comments early in the season about how Buddy always goes to the ball, and you've got to work with that... and you've got a team that's embracing him for who he is and what he does, and letting him know where he stands. It's great to see. The next series may not be a Buddy series. Or, maybe Playoff Buddy is a different beast?
Listening to a fun Zach Lowe - Bill Simmons in-depth discussion of Draymond Green’s career. https://youtu.be/T5CUk3Kp-wo?si=W8PXBgDnCkKJ_FD2
I really like Zach Lowe on anyone's show but not the hugest Simmons fan stylistically. Didn't care for how often he interrupted Lowe. This was a really good listen though, overall
I think someone else also mentioned it, but I can't remember if a link was included because I was trying to read and catch up with all the posts. I highly enjoyed it; thanks to all who came across it and I appreciate the link, Eric.
Yep, I linked it below, which I only say not because of my own ego but because there are good member comments there too.
Really. Not my own ego.
Okay a bit my own ego.
Which team does OKC wanna face more?
Before the series I figure they (like many) would've thought the clippers would be the harder opponent, but maybe not anymore.
But maybe they still would rather play the nuggets with a shorter rotation that'll be more tired? But... that's signing up for wanting to play Jokic (and putting Shai's MVP case on the line haha)
OKC would rather face the Clips, they match up better with them imo. The Nugs look like they have figured the Clips out and look like the better team right now. Harden has looked pretty bad at times in this series and Kawhi has only gone off in one game. OKC has a way better defense than Denver and would make the Clips ballhandlers and playmakers even more uncomfortable.
"Which team does OKC wanna face more?"
Not the Warriors I bet.
Don't want to face Jokic. Kawhi for all his efficiency does not elevate his team like the Joker. And the last time James Harden played well for an entire series was probably 2019? (Maybe Nets first year).
I’d rather not face Jokic, and Murray’s a beast too.
Kawhi is amazing, but it ain’t 2019 And Harden…
I think the Clippers would be the harder opponent and also would not count them out in this series
Im starting to think the dubs low-key mailed it in against the clippers
Nah, that was an A++ game from both teams. Clippers tonight were tired and at elevation.
Low-key crime that QP didn't get even a single third place vote for ROY.
I don't think he qualified with enough games played.
The 65-game rule doesn't apply. If there's a minimum number of games, I'm not aware of it. He played in 42.
I guess I'm confused. Why doesn't it apply?
From the article I just read, it only applies to certain awards like MVP and DPOY.
"What NBA awards have a 65-game rule?
The 65-game rule applies to MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, the All-NBA teams and the All-Defensive teams.
Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and the All-Rookie teams are not impacted."
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nba/nba-65-game-rule-awards-explainer/562235/
Nuggets win 131-116 and go up 3-2 in the series. Game 6 is on Thursday.
17-4 Clips run
Zubac's bricks FT that would have made it 18-4
13-0 Nuggets run
Playoff hoops is crazy.
Defense indeed wins...the first round of the playoffs Coach Lue.
Good thing LAC randomly bricked 10 FTs, or that 4-17 mini-collapse could have been pretty serious.
Kawhi and Harden 8-15 from the stripe in a hugely consequential game. Jimmy better.
Nuggets looking might dangerous now
Good. Show those youngsters what it really takes in the next round.
I still don’t think Cleveland/OKC make it to the finals. If Denver takes this series, then I think OKC might be eliminated a lot sooner than I expected. I don’t see Cleveland beating Boston
I want to believe too... I fear that OKC is actually that dominant, and that Cleveland is actually just that bad of a matchup for us. I don't *think* either of those are truly true, but they are readily possible. Will be good to find out in the end that OKC couldn't handle Denver (who could have slipped to the play in on the last day of the season if Houston tried to win!), and Boston rolls up their sleeves and dispatches Cleveland.
Yea you’re probably right. Would be incredible tho. Not to sound like good ol uncle Bill Simmons, but Steph getting 5 would be like Brady beating the Seahawks
Jokic gets a triple-double. Nuggets call timeout to empty their bench.