NBA 2020-2021 - v. 2021 Finals: Milwaukee and Giannis rule the basketball world

[jammindude]

I’ve never seen a sports thread this dead during the playoffs.

This is the most fun I’ve had watching the playoffs in a long time. I will restate what I said the other day. There’s been one or two phantom calls, but for the most part I feel like they really are just letting them play. Lots of no calls that I agree with on both sides of the ball.

[jammindude]

And I’m not advocating for the permanent loss of the crowd, but I definitely feel like not having the crowd makes it a better game on the court. It’s always neutral ground, and the officiating has no outside pressure.

[jingle.boy]

I’ve never seen a sports thread this dead during the playoffs.

It's just such a different vibe watching in an empty gymnasium.  Same with the NHL.

[jammindude]

I’ve never seen a sports thread this dead during the playoffs.

It's just such a different vibe watching in an empty gymnasium.  Same with the NHL.

It is different, but I really like it.

EDIT - and I might add, at least the NHL thread is active. People are commenting on the games. I don’t see any of that here.

[jingle.boy]

Well, the first round doesn't typically doesn't produce competitive games.  Plus, with so many of them in the afternoon - I missed both Raptors games already.  And Game 3 tomorrow is a 1pm start.   

[T-ski]

I feel better about things.....for now.

[jingle.boy]

I feel better about things.....for now.

That game 1 was an anomaly. He Bucka will roll over the Magic for the next 3 games.

[King Postwhore]

C's looked dominant.  It's Toronto and Bucks when we see if they can hang. 

[jingle.boy]

C's looked dominant.  It's Toronto and Bucks when we see if they can hang.

That's cute that you think the Cs might be playing the Bucks.   

This first round in the East is going to be meaningless.  Just warmup for the Heat/Bucks and Raps/Cs in round 2.  76rs losing Simmons was a death blow.  The West seems to be a little more competitive.

[King Postwhore]

I'm just saying those are the 2 teams I worry about in the east.

[jingle.boy]

Holy fuck the Raptors bitch-slapped the Nets.  Granted, it's the Nets, but 100 point from the bench!?!?!  Hopefully Lowry's injury isn't serious... though, I do think FVV can carry the team, and their depth is off the charts.  This ought to be a fantastic series.

[hunnus2000]

GO MAVERICKS!!

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Luka is a generational talent. The league is in great hands with him as their big young star. I can't wait to see what comes next!

[jammindude]

You know, after winning game one, I honestly believed that the Blazers would make a better series of it. But spotting them 15 before scoring your first bucket, and then giving up 80 in the first half is just embarrassing.

We may or may not have what it takes to go toe to toe with the Lakers, but we are certainly a better team than this.

[dparrott]

Yea that Raps sweep was no surprise, but the Nets will get KD and KI next season!

Heat sweep Indy!  I'm scared of the Bucks though.

Hornets hint at getting a new look next season, maybe more pinstripes.

[jingle.boy]

The Nets have a bright future, that’s for sure.

My hope is Lowry comes back for game 3.

[T-ski]

Bucks not taking the court in protest of the shooting in Kenosha, WI.

Update: Bucks forfeit game in protest.

[jingle.boy]

Bucks not taking the court in protest of the shooting in Kenosha, WI.

Update: Bucks forfeit game in protest.

Strong chance both Cs and Raps are going to as well.

I commend them... the issue is bigger than basketball; bigger than pro sports.  And being the team based in WI, hopefully that organization can pressure some lawmakers to doing something.

[Cool Chris]

A few athletes not playing their sportsball game won't pressure anyone in to doing anything. City hall responds to one thing. Dollars. Just like the rest of us.

If social activism is their new bag and they quit their professional careers to do that, I'd admire them more than boycotting a game and wearing a slogan on their uniform. Cancel the season, cancel the Association. Life will go on fine without it.

[jingle.boy]

I most certainly think that the NBA, ESPN/TNT, and all of the sports' sponsors have the clout to make something happen.  I commend the players for this... all the lip service in interviews, jersey lettering, floor space, and banners hanging in the gymnasium clearly isn't doing enough.  Adam Silver and the NBA were the tipping point for the WORLD to start taking drastic actions against the spread of COVID.  Maybe they can be the same for BLM.

[T-ski]

A few athletes not playing their sportsball game won't pressure anyone in to doing anything. City hall responds to one thing. Dollars. Just like the rest of us.

If social activism is their new bag and they quit their professional careers to do that, I'd admire them more than boycotting a game and wearing a slogan on their uniform. Cancel the season, cancel the Association. Life will go on fine without it.

Problem is, life isn’t fine for a lot of people as it stands today.

[gmillerdrake]

I most certainly think that the NBA, ESPN/TNT, and all of the sports' sponsors have the clout to make something happen.  I commend the players for this... all the lip service in interviews, jersey lettering, floor space, and banners hanging in the gymnasium clearly isn't doing enough.  Adam Silver and the NBA were the tipping point for the WORLD to start taking drastic actions against the spread of COVID.  Maybe they can be the same for BLM.

I don't know......TV viewership is down 40% for the NBA's bubble. I totally get the need to make something happen but to not show up for a game and just forfeit can't be a 'good' thing for the NBA. They've taken a stance as a whole and as a whole that stance has hurt them financially. Money is what it's all about in pro sports and it won't take the owners and league long to change their tune if they're consistently losing money.

[Ben_Jamin]

I most certainly think that the NBA, ESPN/TNT, and all of the sports' sponsors have the clout to make something happen.  I commend the players for this... all the lip service in interviews, jersey lettering, floor space, and banners hanging in the gymnasium clearly isn't doing enough.  Adam Silver and the NBA were the tipping point for the WORLD to start taking drastic actions against the spread of COVID.  Maybe they can be the same for BLM.

I don't know......TV viewership is down 40% for the NBA's bubble. I totally get the need to make something happen but to not show up for a game and just forfeit can't be a 'good' thing for the NBA. They've taken a stance as a whole and as a whole that stance has hurt them financially. Money is what it's all about in pro sports and it won't take the owners and league long to change their tune if they're consistently losing money.

If they continue to do this. I see many viewers dropping out and tuning out of NBA completely, if they already aren't.

[jingle.boy]

Again... maybe this is just the start of something bigger.  I mean, what are the players supposed to do?  Just shrug their shoulders and play on?  They've chosen this hill to die on, and they seem committed to it.  Again, I commend their effort to be 'all-in', and their support for the cause to be more than just lip service, jersey letters, and banners.

Good for them.

Guess I'm the only one that sees it that way.

[TAC]

Again... maybe this is just the start of something bigger.  I mean, what are the players supposed to do?  Just shrug their shoulders and play on?  They've chosen this hill to die on, and they seem committed to it.  Again, I commend their effort to be 'all-in', and their support for the cause to be more than just lip service, jersey letters, and banners.

Good for them.

Guess I'm the only one that sees it that way.

No, you're not. You have to respect it.

I don't know......TV viewership is down 40% for the NBA's bubble. I totally get the need to make something happen but to not show up for a game and just forfeit can't be a 'good' thing for the NBA. They've taken a stance as a whole and as a whole that stance has hurt them financially. Money is what it's all about in pro sports and it won't take the owners and league long to change their tune if they're consistently losing money.

I think this year is already a write off. No owner or league will change their tune anytime soon. They have no choice but to support the players right now.

Do you really attribute their "stance" to their ratings? Is that what people are citing as the reason?

[Nekov]

A few athletes not playing their sportsball game won't pressure anyone in to doing anything. City hall responds to one thing. Dollars. Just like the rest of us.

Well, the NBA, MLB, NFL are all big revenue generators. If all the leagues take a stance, which seems to be the case, then lawmakers will start doing something. Businesses and sponsors will start putting pressure on them, not to mention that if these leagues don't make money states lose lots of tax income. So yeah, I'm pretty sure cancelling games will have an effect.

[Podaar]

I most certainly think that the NBA, ESPN/TNT, and all of the sports' sponsors have the clout to make something happen.  I commend the players for this... all the lip service in interviews, jersey lettering, floor space, and banners hanging in the gymnasium clearly isn't doing enough.  Adam Silver and the NBA were the tipping point for the WORLD to start taking drastic actions against the spread of COVID.  Maybe they can be the same for BLM.

I don't know......TV viewership is down 40% for the NBA's bubble. I totally get the need to make something happen but to not show up for a game and just forfeit can't be a 'good' thing for the NBA. They've taken a stance as a whole and as a whole that stance has hurt them financially. Money is what it's all about in pro sports and it won't take the owners and league long to change their tune if they're consistently losing money.

If they continue to do this. I see many viewers dropping out and tuning out of NBA completely, if they already aren't.

I quit watching the NBA years ago because of the attitude of players and the lack of team in a team sport. This, right here, will actually start making me watch and support the NBA again. But, then I'm just one person.

[jingle.boy]

A few athletes not playing their sportsball game won't pressure anyone in to doing anything. City hall responds to one thing. Dollars. Just like the rest of us.

Well, the NBA, MLB, NFL are all big revenue generators. If all the leagues take a stance, which seems to be the case, then lawmakers will start doing something. Businesses and sponsors will start putting pressure on them, not to mention that if these leagues don't make money states lose lots of tax income. So yeah, I'm pretty sure cancelling games will have an effect.

Agreed.  The point is also that this move isn't to solve things by next Tuesday.  This will take years if not decade's worth of effort.  I think the NBA players are just trying to see if *this* can be the spark in the powder keg to start initiate real actions for real change.  It's not about what happens to the NBA ratings today, tomorrow, or for the rest of the playoffs.  It's about getting the league, and owners, and sponsors, and advertisers, and anyone/thing connected to the league to take more action.  As Fred VanVleet said "I know it's not that simple. But, at the end of the day if we're gonna sit here and talk about making change, then at some point we're gonna have to put our nuts on the line and actually put something up to lose, rather than just money or visibility."

[dparrott]

Butler drops 40 as the Heat beat the Bucks!   

[jingle.boy]

These two east games are gonna be tight. I predict bob will go 7

[Samsara]

Love that we have two game 7s already - Utah v. Denver and now OKC v. Houston. The OKC game last night was brutal, but Chris Paul came up huge down the stretch. Utah and Denver. Man, the Spider-Murray show has been spectacular.

[King Postwhore]

Tonight will tell me how far the C's will go.  Even if they lose I expect a great game from Toronto tonight and I want the C's to respond to that playoff pressure.

[jingle.boy]

Tonight will tell me how far the C's will go.  Even if they lose I expect a great game from Toronto tonight and I want the C's to respond to that playoff pressure.

The Raps will bounce back.  They difference in Game 1 was 3-point shooting.  Boston was 17/39 (44%); Toronto was 10/40 (25%).  Celtics are normally a 36% 3P shooting team; Raps 37%.  If they both shoot closer to their average, Cs lose up to 9 points, and the Raps gain as much as 15.  Much closer than the 112-94 final score would suggest.  Raps were getting good/open looks, so it's not like it was the D that was holding them to 25% 3P shooting - The Raps simply did not have confidence from beyond the arc, and that can/will change.

[T-ski]

The Bucks game looked just like the last 3 against the Raptors last playoff. Not happy to see them not learning from their past.

[pg1067]

I have a question, and keep in mind that I am not really a fan of the NBA.

Last night, my kid was watching the Houston v. Oklahoma City game.  At the very end, the OK player sunk 2 free throws to give OK a 4 point lead with 3.x seconds left.  At that point, even I knew that the ball was going to James Harden and that he would shoot a 3-pointer and attempt to get fouled in the process.  The OK defender was playing very closed, and I was more than a little surprised that a foul didn't get called.  Of course, he missed the shot, so it wouldn't have mattered much, but here's my question:

Why weren't the OK defenders all standing in the back court or in the front court along the half-court line?  At most, the five OK players should have been standing flat-footed at the 3-point line with their arms straight up and not moving at all.  In other words, why were they doing things that could have resulted in a foul being called if Harden had made the shot?