NBA thread 2018-2019 v. Raptors are Champs

[bosk1]

Wow, so the Rockets not only failed spectacularly at getting the #2 seed, but they fell all the way to #4.    Couldn't have happened to a more deserving batch of clowns.

and people want to give Harden the MVP over Giannis. 

Well, I still think there's a strong argument to be made for Harden.  The Rockets wouldn't even be seeded this high (or make the playoffs at all) without him.  And he consistently has these crazy, off the charts performances. 

So...predictions, anyone?  This is hard for me.  I haven't followed the east much.  And there are a few west matchups that I can't quite figure out.

In the west, I think the Warriors easily beat the Clippers, and the Rockets handle the Jazz.  The other matchups are harder to call.  Do the favorite Nuggets beat the Spurs?  I think so.  But I'm not sure I'd bet on it.  What about Blazers/Thunder?  I think I'm going with the Thunder on that one, but could easily see it going the other way.  I guess if I have to, I'm calling Thunder.  But then same issue in round 2:  If the Nuggets make it, they are favored and should win, but the Thunder could easily steal that series too.  Well...I guess I have to make a decision, so...

Round 1:
Warriors vs. Clippers
Nuggets vs. Spurs
Trail Blazers vs. Thunder
Rockets vs. Jazz

Round 2:
Warriors vs. Rockets
Nuggets vs. Thunder

Round 3: 
Warriors vs. Thunder


East:

Round 1:
Bucks vs. Pistons
Raptors vs. Magic
76ers vs. Nets
Celtics vs. Pacers

Round 2:
Bucks vs. Pacers
Raptors vs. 76ers

Round 3:
Bucks vs. Raptors

Warriors over Raptors for the championship 3-peat.

[Lonk]

I'm not going to predict anything because I have the same thoughts as Bosk, except that I think the Rockets go down to Utah.

[bosk1]

I would love to see the Rockets exit in the first round, but I don't see that as the most reasonable thing to predict.

[Samsara]

I would love to see the Rockets exit in the first round, but I don't see that as the most reasonable thing to predict.

It is unlikely, but given how well coached the Jazz are, and how good of a defensive team they can be, it would not surprise me if they did beat the Rockets in 7. The Rockets are also an older team, and Harden has had to play a TON this year because of injuries. Again, wouldn't be a shock to me if the Jazz took them out. Unlikely, but wouldn't be shocking.

p.s. The Kings are the Cleveland Browns of the NBA. What morons dumping Dave Joerger.

[Azyiu]

Yeah, was going to comment on Divac's plan to fire Dave Joerger... what dumb move... or yet another dumb move by him... didn't he know they were projected for only 25.5 wins?

[Nekov]

Yeah, was going to comment on Divac's plan to fire Dave Joerger... what dumb move... or yet another dumb move by him... didn't he know they were projected for only 25.5 wins?

You should be happy that a good coach is available to replace Walton....

[Azyiu]

With Joerger available, yet the Lakers are eyeing Lue and Monty Williams?! Geez, they might as well name Mark Madsen or Miles Simon to be the new HC... the free fall continues... 

[jammindude]

I can't understand why people keep underselling the Blazers.   But...I have to admit that it's easier to discount them with Nurkic out.   I honestly believe that if he had stayed healthy, they could have given the Warriors a scare.   They don't have any one thing that makes them stand out, but they are (were) balanced and deep.    But we needed to have every single piece of the puzzle to make it work, and now we're missing one.   

I still say the Blazers take the Thunder, and possibly even go past the the 2nd round against (most likely) The Rockets.   But then we would be swept by the Warriors in the Western final.   

[Lonk]

I’m in philly today for the DT show and  didn’t realize Phi was playing today.

[Azyiu]

The Clippers actually played well enough in the first half (after Zubac got yanked), but the Warriors are just better... man, that Harrell guy is pretty good down in the post, but geez, the Clippers need to stop whinning... 

[T-ski]

I’m in philly today for the DT show and  didn’t realize Phi was playing today.

neither did Philly.

[jammindude]

Earlier I said the Blazers would most likely face the Rockets. I meant to say Nuggets, but now I’m not so sure. What’s up with all the top seeded teams crapping out yesterday?

[Azyiu]

Earlier I said the Blazers would most likely face the Rockets. I meant to say Nuggets, but now I�m not so sure. What�s up with all the top seeded teams crapping out yesterday?

The Nuggets just choked at the end, simple as that. That being said, I think they will bounce back nicely in Game 2. The same can be said about the Raptors, Leonard will carry them in the next game, but the rest of the series won't be easy; after all the season series tied at 2-2. The Magic ain't all that bad, though I expect the Raptors to beat them eventually. But man, Lowry's playoffs problems continues... if he continue to suck like that or be so inconsistent like he was in the past 2-3 playoffs? I think Leonard will definitely be gone this summer.

As for the Sixers, in my opinion, they have the most troubles among those 3 teams mentioned that lost yesterday. They simply do not know which Embiid will show up, or if his knee's problem is more serious than first thought. Still, there is no reasons for Redick, Simmons to struggle like that. The Sixers simply got out hustled in game 1, and D-Russell played like he is a superstar.

[jammindude]

Westbrock for THREE.........

....airball. 

[Lonk]

BRK and Orlando wins were surprising, all the other ones were expected.

[jingle.boy]

The Magic played the Raps hard in all four regular season matchups.  Seems they have something figured out - but I have no doubt the Raps will take it in 5 or 6.

[Azyiu]

The Magic played the Raps hard in all four regular season matchups.  Seems they have something figured out - but I have no doubt the Raps will take it in 5 or 6.

...only if Lowry shows up 

[Samsara]

I’m in philly today for the DT show and  didn’t realize Phi was playing today.

neither did Philly.

So much so they were checking their phones for Amazon deliveries. 

So happy that the Nets beat them. I know it is a long shot that they beat them in the series, but I am rooting for it big time.

[jingle.boy]

The Magic played the Raps hard in all four regular season matchups.  Seems they have something figured out - but I have no doubt the Raps will take it in 5 or 6.

...only if Lowry shows up 

He'll be better.  That need not be questioned.

[Azyiu]

He'll be better.  That need not be questioned.

After 3 straight years of getting eliminated by LeBron, I thought so too... but I see no real improvement in his mental toughness over the past 3+ seasons, and based on his performances in Game 1? I highly doubt it... but I do hope I am wrong. 

[TAC]

Lowry is a psycho.

[jingle.boy]

Lowry is a psycho.

He can be an extraordinary whiner sometimes, but he ain't  psycho.

[Azyiu]

Geez, I thought the Clippers @ Warriors game 2 was over with, when the Dubs were up by 31pts. What the hell were the Warriors doing? Based on how the Clippers been playing, I wouldn't be surprised if the series is tied 2-2 when it returns to Oakland for game 5.

Also, it is potentially a major blow to the Warriors, if the Cousins' injury is really serious. Early word is it is a "pretty serious" quad injury.

[Samsara]

 

LOVE it that the Warriors got beat. I mean, it won't mean a thing after today, because the Warriors are winning the title again. But man, for one day, to shove it in the smug face of Green, I absolutely love it.

re: Nets vs. Sixers -- someone needs to punch Joel Embid in the mouth. I used to like this dude, and he's just a dirty as F player, and needs to be chopped down a peg or two.

[KevShmev]

Also, it is potentially a major blow to the Warriors, if the Cousins' injury is really serious. Early word is it is a "pretty serious" quad injury.

Eh, that is not a major blow. They (mostly) coasted to two championships without him in '17 and '18, and despite last night's hiccup, they will coast to another this year without him.  It's not even a minor blow.

[Samsara]

Tatum showing why he is the future of the Celtics. Frankly, I think as much as Irving is a great player, Danny Ainge shouldn't shed one tear if he bolts this summer. Tatum is the guy. He's proven it over two years.

My basketball excitement (aside from rooting for the Nets) is hoping my Timberwolves hire the right person for the President of Basketball Operations job. Man, this is a critical hire. They've screwed up so bad throughout their history, and they need to get this right, with Towns now approaching his prime years. Gotta give the team a chance to win.

[jingle.boy]

Kev, to the thread title.

[KevShmev]

Kev, to the thread title.

Well, it was the biggest blown lead in NBA playoff history, so it was fitting. The title will be ever-changing throughout the playoffs.  I will try to change it at least once a week.

[Samsara]

Did you guys see that ridiculous double tech on Durant and Green (the Clippers' Green) last night? Unreal. I am all for refs setting a tone early, but when two guys are bantering in a friendly, competitive manner with each other, you need to recognize that and just walk away. I have no love for the Warriors at all, but that's just ridiculous. I give NFL refs some leeway, because they aren't full time. But NBA refs get a huge salary and do their jobs for a living full time. You have to better than that. Reffing is a really tough gig, but you're supposed to be the best in the world. Start showing it. Wow.

Nets got beat, which I expected, unfortunately. They need game 4, otherwise they might as well just book the vacations now...

And meanwhile, I still wait for the Wolves to make a POBO hire...

[T-ski]

Are you ready Boston?

[jingle.boy]

Shocked to see the Pacers got swept.

[Nekov]

Shocked to see the Pacers got swept.

What surely isn't shocking for you is that Casey got swept

[jingle.boy]

Shocked to see the Pacers got swept.

What surely isn't shocking for you is that Casey got swept

[King Postwhore]

Are you ready Boston?

Yes but I expect not to win.  This team has been dysfunctional all year.

[Samsara]

Shocked to see the Pacers got swept.

I'm not. Solid team without their leader. They didn't have enough firepower. Matthews is no Oladipo. What I was really impressed with is that the Pacers fought to the end. HARD. They earned a boatload of respect. And when they re-tool a bit and get Oladipo back, they will be a force in the east.

Bucks vs. Celtics is going to be one for the ages. A seven-gamer for sure, probably with a couple of OT games at least.