NBA thread 2018-2019 v. Raptors are Champs

[T-ski]

I'm hoping the operative word there is "done". 

 

[Samsara]

Hahahahaha.

Personally, I'm hoping the Wolves sign Middleton to play SF, and then shift Wiggins to his more natural PG position. Middleton would be the second option on offense, and Wiggins then becomes expendable, or just a third banana.

[Lonk]

Well, that was not entertaining.

[TAC]

That dunk over Shaq was awesome. Loved the airplane one too.



And Tatum hitting from half court!

[Lonk]

The Shaq and J. Cole were cool for sure but everything else wasn’t. The airplane dunk was weak.

[Nekov]

The Shaq and J. Cole were cool for sure but everything else wasn’t. The airplane dunk was week.

Yep. The dunk contest has been having some serious high and low over the last few years. My guess is that the Gordon vs Lavine contest is still fresh in peoples memories and no one wants to be compared to that.

[Samsara]

The Giannis dunk (you know the one) was incredible, but for me you know which one I loved -- that Karl-Anthony screaming through the lane monster slam. That's my guy right there. But seriously, I'm just glad no one got hurt in the game. LOL.

p.s. dunk contest needs an overhaul. Every time a player misses a dunk, they should automatically deduct 5 points from every judge's score for that dunk. I think all the All Star events need an overhaul, to be honest. I didn't really find them all that exciting.

[Lonk]

As the "official" second half of the season is about to begin, here are some of my predictions.

Lakers make the playoff as 7-8 seed. We all know LeBron's best years are behind him in terms of basketball, but we also know he is still one of the best in the league. I expect him and the Lakers to play better.

Harden wins MVP. As much as I dislike his game, he is probably winning the MVP. Unless Giannis has an incredible final stretch that outshines Harden.

The Pacers drop from the top 4 in the east and Philly makes it in. The race for the top 4 spots in the east will be interesting. I expect Toronto to finish at the 1 seed, Mil 2nd, Boston 3rd and Philly 4th.

Miami Heat make the playoff as the 8th seed.

Finals Match-up: GSW Vs. Raptor.

[Samsara]

I'll play:

Agreed on the Lakers. I see them making the playoffs as the 8 seed, as I don't expect the Clippers to hold on.

That said, I think both the Kings and Timberwolves will both push the Lakers HARD, and I wouldn't be surprised if either of those two teams, particularly my Wolves, edges them out. I think its unlikely, based on the difficulty of the Kings and Wolves' schedules, however. My guess is Lakers - 8, Wolves - 9, Kings - 10.

Back East, I think its going to be:

1. Milwaukee
2. Toronto
3. Boston
4. Philadelphia
5. Indiana
6. Brooklyn
7. Charlotte
8. Detroit

>>>Predictions - Brooklyn takes Boston to 6 or 7. There is something about the Nets that I think is just gritty and determined, and if healthy, they are going to push the Cs hard.

Ultimately, again, if healthy, I see Philly or Milwaukee coming out of the East.

NBA Finals - Warriors vs. Sixers -- and it'll go seven.

[TAC]

Sam, Philly is NOT coming out of the east.  That’s a fraud team.

[Samsara]

Sam, Philly is NOT coming out of the east.  That’s a fraud team.

If they are healthy and show the same kind of chemistry they did before the All Star break, they absolutely are. Boston has problems. They have a leader and closer that no one on the team likes or trusts. Technically, I think Boston SHOULD come out of the East. But if the team doesn't play like a team, that won't happen. Philly played more like a team those last handful of games with Tobias Harris than the C's have played all year.

I'm not saying Boston can't meld with 25-ish games left. Of course they could. And they might. But right now, at this very moment, I don't see it. If they go into Milwaukee tonight and take it to the Bucks, well then, that's saying something. But if they roll over, that says a lot too.

[jingle.boy]

Philly and Boston have the capability to get thru the east, but there are too many cultural/intangible issues that will prevent them from playing to the best of their ability.

East final is gonna be Raps/Bucks, and it ought to go 7.  I'm not sure the Raptors depth chart is gonna get them all the way thru - after giving up 3 players (and then essentially dumping 2 more) to get Gasol, they have a lot of 'gel-ing' to do in the last 20 games.  Losing Fred Van Fleet to injury sure didn't help.  Lowry (and his wonky back) is gonna be logging a lot of minutes.  Hopefully he can hold up.

[TAC]

Sam, Philly is NOT coming out of the east.  That’s a fraud team.

If they are healthy and show the same kind of chemistry they did before the All Star break, they absolutely are. Boston has problems. They have a leader and closer that no one on the team likes or trusts. Technically, I think Boston SHOULD come out of the East. But if the team doesn't play like a team, that won't happen. Philly played more like a team those last handful of games with Tobias Harris than the C's have played all year.

I'm not saying Boston can't meld with 25-ish games left. Of course they could. And they might. But right now, at this very moment, I don't see it. If they go into Milwaukee tonight and take it to the Bucks, well then, that's saying something. But if they roll over, that says a lot too.

My comment about Philly doesn't have anything to do with Boston because for once, J Boy is right on this:

East final is gonna be Raps/Bucks,

Don't take the cheese on Philly, Sam. They're frauds.

[Samsara]

Sam, Philly is NOT coming out of the east.  That’s a fraud team.

If they are healthy and show the same kind of chemistry they did before the All Star break, they absolutely are. Boston has problems. They have a leader and closer that no one on the team likes or trusts. Technically, I think Boston SHOULD come out of the East. But if the team doesn't play like a team, that won't happen. Philly played more like a team those last handful of games with Tobias Harris than the C's have played all year.

I'm not saying Boston can't meld with 25-ish games left. Of course they could. And they might. But right now, at this very moment, I don't see it. If they go into Milwaukee tonight and take it to the Bucks, well then, that's saying something. But if they roll over, that says a lot too.

My comment about Philly doesn't have anything to do with Boston because for once, J Boy is right on this:

East final is gonna be Raps/Bucks,

Don't take the cheese on Philly, Sam. They're frauds.

I hate Jimmy Butler with a passion after the shit he pulled, so no tears from me if they don't make it. I just like what I see with that starting five and the depth they got at the deadline.

[bosk1]

It's a bit early to tell, but what I see of that lineup looks legit.  They could be a serious threat. 

[dparrott]

The Suns snap their 17 GAME LOSING STREAK by beating the Heat in Miami.  Wow.   

[Samsara]

Suns could do the Wolves a favor and beat up on all the lower teams battling for the playoffs. It is going to be a dogfight.

42 is the magic number for that 8 seed, I think. Which means after last night's huge win against the Kings (and us being down TWO starters), we stand at 29-31 (after a 4-9 start to the season and being without three of our starters for most of the year). We're going to have to go 13-10 the rest of the way. Looking at the schedule, I think the Wolves realistically are looking at 10-13. So we need to pick off a few games we're not supposed to win. The last four or five games of the Wolves' schedule are BRUTAL though. So we'll see. If the team finally is at full strength (for the first time since December) next week (if we get Teague and Rob Covington back), and they are ready to be themselves, we could pull it off. Going to be tough though.

But the Wolves, Kings, and Lakers are all going to fight for that last spot.

[T-ski]

I don’t see Boston as much of a threat at the moment. They look flummoxed.

[King Postwhore]

I don’t see Boston as much of a threat at the moment. They look flummoxed.

I've never seen a team so selfish.  So much talent yet so much ego's getting in the way.  So self centered.  All of them.

[KevShmev]

Kyrie Irving is the cancer on that team.  As good as player as he is, he is an ISO player, and doesn't fit well with a bunch of players who did so well last year as a team without a star. 

[King Postwhore]

Yup.  It's also the younger players as well how think they should be getting more minutes and are not.  It's the whole damn team that are putting themselves first over team play.  This team should be rolling through the East.

I've not been watching because they are so unlikable.

[Samsara]

So...about those Celtics. 

Big back-to-back for the Pups in Atlanta, and then Indiana. Obviously, they can't lose to the Hawks, and they really need the game in Indy. On my schedule, I have those two games as a split, but they really could use both. Fingers crossed. Covington is on a rehab assignment to the G league for a couple games, so hopefully he will be back next week. We need the whole team healthy to make a push.

[TAC]

So...about those Celtics. 

 
So bad. I don't even know where to begin...

Oh, I know. Kyrie GTFO! That's where.

[jingle.boy]

Seriously... how does any team give up an 18-0 run, and not get a bucket for over 5 minutes?  That's just embarrassing.  I love being a homer, but nobody's defense is *that* good.

[Samsara]

So...about those Celtics. 

 
So bad. I don't even know where to begin...

Oh, I know. Kyrie GTFO! That's where.

Talking to another buddy of mine this morning who is a huge C's fan. I told him Ainge and the C's have a decision to make. you either stay young, and let Kyrie walk, or you just go full-on, and trade Tatum, Brown, etc., for vets and try and sign Durant and trade for AD. Imagine that? AD, Durant, Kyrie?

Personally, I think that's hard NOT to do, if you can do it. But I'd rather see them stay young. Let Kyrie walk. Focus on Tatum and Brown. Maybe kick the tires on IT and see if he'd be willing to come back in a 6th man role to mentor the youngins. Ditch Morris (not sure of his contract), and keep Horford as your vet. Those guys had WAY more chemistry without Irving and Hayward last year. And I don't think Hayward is the problem. It's Kyrie, and Morris trying to play hero ball. Those two need to go.

[King Postwhore]

Without a superstar like Kyrie you don't win championships.  Plus you need multiple superstars to win.  That being said, he couldn't lead girl scouts to girl scout cookies.

[Lonk]

The knicks with an incredible 2-game winning streak...

The Celtics better figure something out and soon. Maybe trade Kyrie to the Lakers and rejoin him with LeBron 

[Samsara]

The knicks with an incredible 2-game winning streak...

The Celtics better figure something out and soon. Maybe trade Kyrie to the Lakers and rejoin him with LeBron 

I wouldn't bet against this being the Lakers starting five next year:

Anthony Davis
Lebron James
*insert 3&D wing*
Klay Thompson
Kyrie Irving

Seriously. Reading the tea leaves, I totally see (if the Lakers implode, which they are) Kyrie ditching Boston and hitching his wagon to Lebron again, Klay leaving the Warriors, and then that trade for AD. Not saying it WILL happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did. That ensures a future for the Lakers after Lebron is done (even after losing a ton of their young pieces and draft picks, because Thompson and Davis are still relatively young), and calls to mind the Showtime Lakers...except Lebron is in the place of Kareem.

[TAC]

Honestly, I have no issue if Kyrie wants to go to NY and play wherever he wants. But if he goes and plays with LeBron, that just proves he's a douche pussy. I mean, the evidence is already strong.

[Samsara]

Honestly, I have no issue if Kyrie wants to go to NY and play wherever he wants. But if he goes and plays with LeBron, that just proves he's a douche pussy. I mean, the evidence is already strong.

That phone call sealed the deal. He called to apologize and get advice my ass. He called saying he's bailing on the Celtics and to keep a seat warm. I have no respect for Lebron or Kyrie. Both are in similar situations. Big time players in the league with young rosters, and both guys have alienated all those young players. They deserve each other. 

[Lonk]

Luckiest shot of his career? D wade with back-to-back 3s to win the game

And the Celtics lose again

[Samsara]

Timberwolves...


*sigh*

[dparrott]

Luckiest shot of his career? D wade with back-to-back 3s to win the game

I wrote that game off before it started.  This team loses to the Suns but beats the W?  Crazy.

Still love those Heat Vice uniforms to death.  Best branding ever IMO.

[Samsara]

FML

Thank God baseball season is here.

[T-ski]

Bucks win again, first to clinch a playoff birth.