Carey

It's been radio silence at least in the places I've been reading what's his status. But Game 1 is Sunday. No way he plays, and if he actually does, he probably won't be effective. It's pretty much a 1.5 day turnaround which hurts (or helps) both teams. I imagine Game 2 is slated for Tuesday & Game 3 on Friday. It'll be a total toss in terms of who benefits this series

Karl Malone and John Stockton -- most disappointing duo of NBA legends? Both on and off the court

Oh I found it! Guess which Atlanta Team Won

I meant to post this before the Sixers/Hawks game, but I think a bet on Atlanta to win it all would've been a great one since the "predicted" winner has changed drastically and rapidly with so many injuries and whatever else. Went from Utah to Brooklyn, and from Milwaukee to LAC to Phoenix and then back to the Nets. Too bad a Hawks bet to win out isn't worth anything anymore!

Things are pretty similar to how businesses operate. Things are opening up and rules are becoming less strict. However, several businesses are still respecting the times we are in and are following the rules that were in place for the past year. Several places have updated things to where masking and social distancing isn't required, but it's not something that occurred right away

I personally hope that he isn't out, period. Not something I'm betting on, but if his follow up testing goes well, he will be cleared to play sooner rather than later. BTW, I'm not doubting on what Rose said about CP3 behind a computer let alone to him. Sometimes the best source is the source, but the Suns and Jalen said what they said and I'm believing it before I don't. However, I'm more aware of what Covid and the vaccine is all about than at least several. That's based on what I do. Helps that I hear everything out (and do research) as opposed to believing on side and/or the other. The sad thing is that I was expecting something to happen to CP3. Wasn't sure what (maybe the return of a previous injury), but I was expecting something

The Sun's said that CP3 was vaxxed in February. Sports reporter close to the Sun's FO said so. Okay thanks. I think that it's messed up that there's nothing Chris Paul or anyone can do. This isn't comparable to Jon Rahm. It sucks if they're testing everyone, but if that's their policy, I have to respect them for following their own policy even if it means CP3 is out

You can still catch it, but chances are it would have a negative effect on oneself or someone else that's in the clear. OTOH you have to follow typical practices around getting the vaccine or else it won't be effective. Maybe I haven't been paying attention, but I don't recall CP3 saying he received the vaccine himself. Jalen saying it but Paul saying nothing does nothing. If Chris did get it but chose to keep it quiet from the league, then I would think he would be subject to the same stuff that someone that hasn't been vaccinated

Well, I guess the NBA is still testing people despite being vaccinated. No way this happens to LeBron or someone almost as epic

Of course, it didn't take too long to see a couple headlines saying that all parties "mutually parted ways"

What the hell is going on in the NBA this morning?!

And it was both

That sound you heard was people deleting their Twitter posts saying Brooklyn is done

Still another half, but if this first half was rust shedding, this game might not be over. Milwaukee should still win, but depending on the second half, it's not a lock the Bucks will win Game 6 either. I'd bet Irving will not be returning in this series, but that's it

Oh get that, and that fine. Coaches getting kicked out in the NBA is the norm. FWIW, while it's more common in professional basketball than in the NHL, it's worse in the NHL since they fire people would've actually won and are legends (and the ones that haven't won much end up going in 5 other places and get tossed in 4 of them). It's probably going to happen, but that is the problem. It does nothing to help the team more often than not. Giannis will never be MJ, but one of the things have helped Chicago in the late 80s and 90s was Phil saying that MJ will still be the star while adding more threats to the rest of the league. That's what needs to happen & bigtime since I don't think Antetokounmpo's shooting will improve significantly enough to make a difference

Apparently not -- it's Finals or bust for Budenholzer. Lots of chatter that he;s wasting away Giannis's prime years with early playoff exits. Also the perception that Giannis is the type of player you have to "win now" with because his skill set won't age well. Unlike the sharp shooters he relies so much on his athleticism. It depends on how the finals play out. I think Budenholzer's done if the Bucks get swept (or look ugly in a 5-game series loss). Anything less? Short of Giannis getting hurt it's over for Mike

Same here, but in a limited role. Win or lose, they're probably going to need him down the road. Well, they're definitely going to need him in this series

Him and Donovan Mitchell. Though it looks like Donovan will be okay. We'll see how he performs tonight. If and when Mike returns, it will take some time to get going (Charles Barkley mentioned that as it related to Harden; when you sit out for so long, you're pretty much rusty & it'll take time to get back into game shape since you can't train properly while out of the game). Utah is still pretty deep though. Sucks for the Jazz though, since they were completely healthy and were probably the only team that would've been able to stand up to a previously dominant Nets team (maybe win outright) before all the injuries. Not to sound morbid, but there is a saying that the future is not promised for anybody. Same goes for sports and other competitive activities. Injuries are a part of the game. Shaq said it best when referring to how anyone else can go down. It looks like it's over for Brooklyn, and it looks like the 2021 title is Phoenix's to lose. Injuries can change everything (or in Brooklyn's case, offset their chances if Giannis or Middleton get hurt). BTW, if the Suns beat four teams that had injury issues, I'm not putting an asterisk on their season. Fair to question it, but it's totally not their fault or problem. You play who you play

I still don't see Milwaukee winning the series, as of right now. Not saying Brooklyn will lose just because Kyrie went down, but I think we'll get that competitive series that was speculated before the Nets won big early on. What's Harden's status for the series? That might be the wildcard, but the Bucks still have to put in some effort on the road with or without Irving. They should make it to the finals if they escape the series. Phoenix will be tough for sure, but IMO better the Suns than the Jazz!

He better not! And, LexieLily, you're right: he did sign a huge deal not too long ago. Sure I'm not going to be the guy to tell Antetokounmpo what to do. However, he had the best chance to exit Milwaukee to go to a contender. Imagine if Klay doesn't get injured or Steph is healthy. A move to Golden State would have been scary. Instead, he "chose to stay loyal" and that had consequences. To be fair, similar to LeBron's 2nd Cleveland stint (where no one really saw the Warriors juggernaut coming I don't think), I don't think Antetokounmpo saw the development of Brooklyn in advance. Still, it's way too early to demand a trade. Unless Mike Budenholzer's successor wants his own guy (at that point, it might work)

I think they should’ve gone to 8 and then 12. However, I think I’m okay with them going to 12, given the fact that the 4 team playoff has been underwhelming. It’s Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and whatever else every year. Notre Dame going undefeated wrecks the chances for someone else. Oklahoma gets there and falls, and then the SEC still managed to put in two teams. On one hand, 8 would’ve been perfect (it would allow for the Power 5 championship teams as an AQ + ND + a Group of 5 + an at large (or BAMA or Ohio State in the event they don’t win the SEC or Big 10 combined). OTOH, the committee who find a way to wreck it by still putting in the “best teams” and still saying no thank you to an undefeated Group of Five winner. Hopefully they’ll tweak things for a 12-team postseason, but despite the pros & cons, if and when the time comes for them to play it, I don’t see myself boycotting it

In less crappy news, looks like College Football's Postseason with increase to 12 teams

Man, whatever happens tonight, it's a matter of when, not if in terms of Milwaukee's second round exit. Maybe not in 5, but no way the Bucks win each of their 3 games at home

Hawks X (Nuggets + Clippers) > Bucks That pretty much sums up how the second round of the postseason has played out to this point. The MVP award didn’t surprise me either; as mentioned, the eventual winner was a perfect example of what the award is all about. Denver’s done without Jokic. In the past, you’d see it go to the hot, popular player & from the best team with the best record coupled with very good key players. Cowherd pretty much summed it up best on Tuesday when he said that it wasn’t such a meaningful prize. Not sure I’d agree, and I don’t necessarily think he’s wrong, but he gave such valid points. The regular season and the playoffs are two different parts of a typical year. Not just in the NBA, but in the NFL and the NHL. Nonetheless, it was nice to see Jokic get his. Hopefully the next game will be as exciting and/or competitive as the Jazz & LAC game was, but it is nice to see the best teams battling it out at this point, regardless of whether or not they have the stars that the average viewer can recognize

Agreed. On one hand, you sorta had to laugh since the blowout went to a whole new level. On the other hand, while it couldn't be the second of two games tonight, I sure wished it was. A decisive win for Phoenix, but Denver didn't "give up" tonight