NBA Playoffs Thread

[ZaytovenCat]

I know I’m late but how many more teams are going to blow up their title contending team to trade for Durant because they think he’s a missing piece? Phoenix was likely going to go to multiple Finals a few years ago but they blew up that team to get Durant in a knee jerk reaction to losing in the finals. Now it’s happened to Houston.

Back to current events, this OKC VS SAS game and series is crazy. This can easily be an alltime great WCF.

 

[Laparkafan]

I know I’m late but how many more teams are going to blow up their title contending team to trade for Durant because they think he’s a missing piece? Phoenix was likely going to go to multiple Finals a few years ago but they blew up that team to get Durant in a knee jerk reaction to losing in the finals. Now it’s happened to Houston.

Back to current events, this OKC VS SAS game and series is crazy. This can easily be an alltime great WCF.

Spurs/lakers had a good one
Lakers/kings
Lakers/blazers

 

[Runt#1969]

Watching the Thundercats in game 2, up 122 - 113, a tightly contested game and the Spurs finally succumb. And that's how it finishes.... 122 - 113. Cant wait to see game 3 take place in San Antonio !

Harper left hurt, they play the whole game without Fox, turn it over what 28 times ? and are STILL in the game up until the end. It's amazing they somehow didn't get blown out by 30 .... and they turned it over 22 times in game 1 to win on the road ? Without Fox, no less ?

Both teams have played A+ games so far. This was not an A+ game from the Spurs but considering everything, I was amazed they still look so damn good it doesn't seem like the turnovers would really matter, they have outplayed the Thunder at times, and this series is just gonna go back and forth, closely contested ... ten point leads will be rare.

What a pleasure watching these games. This series, and the Knicks too, are off the chain good basketball to be watching.

Personally, I'm sticking with the Thunder, but the Spurs are gonna get theirs too. If it isn't this year, it will be soon. They will win a title in the next few years, you can bet on that.

I also love the fact the Knicks are playing so well and getting a lot of positive mojo, same with the Cavs .... I'm 50/50 eastern conference fan of both the Cavs and Knicks. I think whoever comes out of the East will give a great title series showdown... ( In the West, I've been a longtime Laker fan ... and also OKC / Minnesota. Damn the Spurs could become my Fav team to watch though. With Fox and 6th Man Johnson reppin' and the alien WEMBY out there and put Harper with the rest ? I love the looks of that team and they play damn great when they got it going..

We got both these conference finals to go, and it's been a nice ride.

When you finally see these guys putting forth 100% effort .... heart and guts, that's what it comes down to. Great hoops action.

OKC - Spurs series 1-1. In a game that, frankly, the Thunder absolutely had to have. Without Fox over the first two games, and turning it over over 20 times ... and now ... whart about Harper ? Geez. I just want to see them ALL be healthy and play at 100%.

At any rate, onward to game 2 in the East tomorrow... hopefully another great game to watch !

 

[MidseasonTweak]

OKC got a great whistle. Hartenstein should have had 10+ fouls called.

 

[J-Nunn]

OKC got a great whistle. Hartenstein should have had 10+ fouls called.

I missed most of the game but saw a video of Hartenstein pulling Castle by his dreads and theres an official looking directly at it. He doesn't call anything, just lets it slide.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

That Spurs OKC was a heck of a game 1 and the Knicks caught fire and destroyed Harden to a win they never should have had.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I missed most of the game but saw a video of Hartenstein pulling Castle by his dreads and theres an official looking directly at it. He doesn't call anything, just lets it slide.

I don’t know if he pulled them or his hand just got caught in them. You really can’t tell. Although I can’t blame him if he did pull them after what Castle did to him earlier.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

I think the Thunder series will come down to whoever is most healthy. Spurs were without their second best player both games in Fox, plus Harper went out last. Thunder lost their second best player again last night in Williams. I want to say they have another guard who is hurt but I can’t think of the name.

This Spurs team is about as loaded at the guard positions as you’ll ever see. They have 5 guys at guard who fall anywhere from past mvp contender to borderline Allstar. Fox was in contention for mvp just a few years ago, Vassell has been an Allstar, Keldon has been a 20ppg scorer and borderline Allstar, and Castle/Harper are basically multiple time Allstar locks going forward. If they just had another decent big to put with Wemby they’d be damn near unstoppable. If they end up getting Yaxel in the draft that might do it.

 

[Laparkafan]

I know I’m late but how many more teams are going to blow up their title contending team to trade for Durant because they think he’s a missing piece? Phoenix was likely going to go to multiple Finals a few years ago but they blew up that team to get Durant in a knee jerk reaction to losing in the finals. Now it’s happened to Houston.

Back to current events, this OKC VS SAS game and series is crazy. This can easily be an alltime great WCF.

Serious question what’s his legacy without going to GSW he seems to thrive only on a loaded roster and when he’s the primary guy it’s not a winning formula. Just a bucket getter? Agree the teams that mortgage their future on him are insane and paid dearly for it.

 

[GoneFishin916]

Serious question what’s his legacy without going to GSW he seems to thrive only on a loaded roster and when he’s the primary guy it’s not a winning formula. Just a bucket getter? Agree the teams that mortgage their future on him are insane and paid dearly for it.

Steph carried that team; Durant is great when he can play second fiddle. He's a #1 talent with a #2 mentality.

 

[Dward13]

OKC got a great whistle. Hartenstein should have had 10+ fouls called.

Both teams got a great whistle. Both teams are being allowed to defend the other teams star just about however they want.

I don’t understand it. You’ve got a matchup beteeen arguably the two best, most skilled players in the world and you’re basically limiting them by letting the two teams grab, hold, push, and more or less foul them with impunity in attempt to slow them down. And the reasoning is “playawf basketball bro”. It’s not entertaining. I’d rather see both of these guys full skills on display and they can’t do that if you’re gonna let the two teams foul the **** out of each other because that’s the only way either guy can be stopped.

 

[Catlogic1552]

Why is it every time they show the Knicks coach, all I see is Chin Coleman.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

This Knicks team.. impressing me more and more. They are on a mission. If you had to rank the highest energy players of the four remaining teams... knicks have to have like, 3 in the top5 right? Hart, Bridges, Brunson?

 

[Runt#1969]

9 Straight wins for the red hot Knicks. Cavs are looking hapless out there. If it reaches ten straight, the Knicks would have an absolute strangelhold on the series, and it becomes just a matter of time before they get to the finals. They're on a mission.

Meanwhile, game 3 of the Spurs - Thunder is tonight, I agree with Zaytoven, I believe this is going to come down to attrition.... and the Thunder have to continue hitting everything from the perimeter or they look to be in serious trouble, especially if they go down 2 - 1 and make game 4 another must win....

This is a really good series. It might be best to see the Spurs go up 2 games to one, making OKC have to put everything on the table and then some - to even it up in game 4.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

What do you think the Knicks home ticket prices go for if they reach the finals? I have to imagine $1k/seat at minimum.

 

[Runt#1969]

It's already nearly that, 740$ and many, MANY people paying 1k,2k, 5k, 12k, 16k for just 2 seats. The prime seats went for astronomical numbers already... I think the average price will be 1500$ and we will hear of the best tickets going for 50K+.

New York and the Knicks is basketball starved for to finally get back to the finals and not only that, but win a title... it would be what, the first since 73'?

Yeah, that's starved for as many cool Knicks fans as there are, die hard and loyal. And honestly... I have enjoyed seeing many Knicks teams, and I guess I figured they'd just win titles, which they didn't, in the end.

It'll end, eventually for the franchise, I hope they get there this year actually.

 

[Runt#1969]

Looking to the West and it's multicolored FIESTA partying San Antonio Spurs with the home game, and game 3 is ON.

going back and forth 39 -39 second qtr. Good stuff ...

SGA for two - 41 - 39 OKC... and back and forth we go

 

[LineSkiCat14]

It's already nearly that, 740$ and many, MANY people paying 1k,2k, 5k, 12k, 16k for just 2 seats. The prime seats went for astronomical numbers already... I think the average price will be 1500$ and we will hear of the best tickets going for 50K+.

New York and the Knicks is basketball starved for to finally get back to the finals and not only that, but win a title... it would be what, the first since 73'?

Yeah, that's starved for as many cool Knicks fans as there are, die hard and loyal. And honestly... I have enjoyed seeing many Knicks teams, and I guess I figured they'd just win titles, which they didn't, in the end.

It'll end, eventually for the franchise, I hope they get there this year actually.

Bill Simmons said that the Knicks might be the most starved fanbase for a title. In the sense that their fans are bursting at the seams to finally break through. I agree.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I never realized there was a Wemby/Chet rivalry, but I saw a post about how this goes back like 6 years in their Fiba/aau days. Wemby cant STAND Chet.

I love this. This is what the NBA needs.

 

[Runt#1969]

58 - 51 OKC at half.

Yes, you're absolutely right, I was made aware of it only recently myself, and it really is a breath of fresh air to see some of the sub plots and storylines play out.

I always thought the late 80's and nineties were the best era of NBA I've seen play. Now, it seems like it's coming back around. Provided the dynamic of SGA and Wemby makes an impact on so many teams that were simply chucking 100 three's per game. That trend needs to stop for the league to stay in a positive direction.

Knicks fans should be feeling really good and have a great story this year, too.

The more I am watching the Spurs, I find myself jumping up when seeing Fox and 6th man Johnson perform... nice UK tie ins that gets my blood pumpin' to see them shine.

I've been watching a lot of the Thunder naturally, this year, and still enjoyed the seasons the Timberwolves - and still in it !... Cavs !!... had ... (but my Lakers... oh my... out !)

And the incredible development of this Spurs team. Harper is an absolute ace for that team coming off the bench. He won't be for long. And he's already starting when Fox is out.... who woulda seen that coming into the year ?

Yeah, there's a lot to follow and the see the players raising thier level of play, it's great basketball action.

Unfortunately, the Cavs laid an EGG at the garden the last game, if they don't win game 3 tomorrow, get the brooms out. I want to see them come out on fire and get back in that series.

Second half to go - another tight game... each game in this series is big

 

[Runt#1969]

Emphatic win for OKC, 123 -108.

they took command and didn't let it go. It was an emotional gut punch to see Fox come up lame with a minute to go in the third, and from that point, once the Thunder took a double digit lead into the 4th, it was OKC's to lose.

McCain with 24 tonight for OKC and the bench scoring comes thru ... again.

2-1 advantage Thunder ... Spurs have got to get game 4. They simply cannot allow the Thunder to take 2 in San Antonio, and go back down 3-1. Spurs need another 40 / 20 night from Wemby ! He could do it !

the plot thickens ! Game 4 - Sunday night.

 

[BookofMormon]

Emphatic win for OKC, 123 -108.

they took command and didn't let it go. It was an emotional gut punch to see Fox come up lame with a minute to go in the third, and from that point, once the Thunder took a double digit lead into the 4th, it was OKC's to lose.

McCain with 24 tonight for OKC and the bench scoring comes thru ... again.

2-1 advantage Thunder ... Spurs have got to get game 4. They simply cannot allow the Thunder to take 2 in San Antonio, and go back down 3-1. Spurs need another 40 / 20 night from Wemby ! He could do it !

the plot thickens ! Game 4 - Sunday night.

I think this one may have a fork put in it. OKC has figured out how to neutralize Wemby and has unlimited depth that is wearing young SA out and in their heads. Mitch isn't a good enough coach to figure out how to counter.

Give it to the OKC GM, bench scored more than starters tonight. SA may have 4 of top 7 players, but then OKC has next 6.

This one feels done. OKC going B2B.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Huge win for okc down a key player.

Spurs have to win game 4

 

[Kingslayer07]

Spurs fans were really thumping their chest after game 1 online lol.

 

[Shaudylo]

Emphatic win for OKC, 123 -108.

they took command and didn't let it go. It was an emotional gut punch to see Fox come up lame with a minute to go in the third, and from that point, once the Thunder took a double digit lead into the 4th, it was OKC's to lose.

McCain with 24 tonight for OKC and the bench scoring comes thru ... again.

2-1 advantage Thunder ... Spurs have got to get game 4. They simply cannot allow the Thunder to take 2 in San Antonio, and go back down 3-1. Spurs need another 40 / 20 night from Wemby ! He could do it !

the plot thickens ! Game 4 - Sunday night.

Philly trading McCain was mind boggling at the time and it’s looking even worse now .

 

[mjj_2K]

Philly trading McCain was mind boggling at the time and it’s looking even worse now .

It's at the point where if OKC enquires about trading for a player, the team that has that player should ask themselves what they're doing wrong with that player.

Dynastic NBA teams have generally followed a similar formula. 2 or 3 HOF players, a solid core around them, and decent depth, often veteran players happy to be on a great team. OKC is breaking that mold, and part of it is that they've accumulated guys who fit a certain athletic profile. SGA, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Cason Wallace- all guys who have the ability to play relentless pressure defense. No matter who is in or out of the game, OKC's defense never lets up. And only Wallace was a top 10 pick.