The NBA

[twoods]

All the players for every series have to be feeling the fatigue with this every other game format. I guess the last team standing will be the ones with the most endurance and youth?

[baldryanr]

9 hours ago, twoods said:

All the players for every series have to be feeling the fatigue with this every other game format. I guess the last team standing will be the ones with the most endurance and youth?

This isn't exactly a new thing - unless you're so good you can just rampage through the playoffs (see the 2017 Warriors) you need endurance and some luck.  You're likely screwed if you depend on someone who can't last through all of that (i.e. CP3, Kawhi).

[twoods]

It just seems that there are more injuries than usual in these playoffs, especially to the star players. I guess when the stars are getting older, that’s going to happen. And I always thought that some  series had a two day break, but maybe it coincided with two series going 7 games which is why there is not much of a break.

[Carey]

Is there a secret that I'm unaware of where you get $10,000 for each timeout a team has that doesn't get taken?  Or is it 100 Grand?

Fair enough question IMO since you can't use them in Game 5

[voiceover]

13 hours ago, baldryanr said:

You're likely screwed if you depend on someone who can't last through all of that (i.e. CP3, Kawhi).

I dunno.  The Suns are faster without him.  I mean: future HoFer & all, but who was talking about Landry Shamet before tonight??

ps: still lovin’ you Chris!!!!!

[twoods]

It’s not sustainable for Booker and Durant to score 30+ points a night, so I think they need Paul for the leadership. It has been nice to see others step up in his place. Jokic had a ridiculous night, but it wasn’t enough. And what is up with the Suns douche owner? Way to flop and embarrass yourself, fool.

[grommit2]

There certainly seems to be a lot of "bully ball", where the really large guy just plows down the lane, knocking opponents aside.🥵
Also, whatever happened to "traveling"? 
You know...too many steps between dribbles.
Too often the game mimics football. 
Oh well.

[Carey]

Good job, good effort.  From the Lakers at home.  Even though it's their last one in LA until autumn, they actually haven't lost at home in a month and a half.  That's great.  Warriors in seven.  There you go; that's the sentence!

[Marley]

As much as I am rooting for the Warriors I think it’s over for them this year.

Good for Lonnie Walker too.

[twoods]

Happy for Lonnie because they would have surely lost without him. Lebron definitely looked his age in the fourth. I’m not celebrating until they actually win this series because the Warriors can definitely still win this. 

[Magog]

Just now, Carey said:

Good job, good effort.  From the Lakers at home.  Even though it's their last one in LA until autumn, they actually haven't lost at home in a month and a half.  That's great.  Warriors in seven.  There you go; that's the sentence!

 😉 Good job, good effort Warriors. Steph was being Steph as usual trying as hell to will those Warriors to the victory. Thankfully, he & those Warriors fail. Hopefully, they have one more failure in them. Lord knows that I've been burned by those Warriors one too many times in these type of situations.

The only bad thing about this is that its the Lakers. 😒

BTW if anybody is wondering, Bronny is going to USC to do his one & done season before heading to the NBA next year. This year's NBA Draft Lottery is next week.

As for the wretched Knicks, all I have say about those clowns is, 1-2-3 Cancun. 

[mojoween]

Magog you seem like an absolutely lovely person but DAMN. IT. those stinky Warriors need to get their shit together and ruin your day.

[baldryanr]

I'd expect the Warriors to win game 5 pretty easily - if they get off to a good start AD and Lebron will probably shut it down early and save their energy for game 6.

[Magog]

42 minutes ago, baldryanr said:

I'd expect the Warriors to win game 5 pretty easily - if they get off to a good start AD and Lebron will probably shut it down early and save their energy for game 6.

I think LeBron will make sure that they can finish them off right then & there. I know that those Warriors will not lay down & play dead in Game 5. But, LeBron will make sure his teammates will be ready to go & take care of business. Despite me not even remotely rooting for the Lakers (except for LeBron), I want to see some long overdue sadness from those Warriors. 

50 minutes ago, mojoween said:

Magog you seem like an absolutely lovely person but DAMN. IT. those stinky Warriors need to get their shit together and ruin your day.

I am a lovely person, except when it comes to the Kardashians, those Warriors, my mortal enemy Steph, & the Cowboys winning big football games.

Edited May 9, 2023 by Magog

[grommit2]

Uh oh...is there a Boston Syndrome here?
First the record-setting Bruins get knocked out in the first round.
Now the Celtics are struggling to put away the 76ers.
Hmmm...
 

[Marley]

I will be so happy if Boston gets eliminated and I’m not a Philly fan. I just dislike all Boston sports teams lol.

[Carey]

Uh oh!!  Magog?!  Don't Look!
 

 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Carey
Edited to replace a current version with one predicted earlier in the series

[Carey]

How bout them Celtics!

Anyway, Philadelphia just needs to win every home game that occurs over the next couple of months.  I feel like TLOZ old man when saying, "Master these next six weeks of NBA action, and that Larry O'Brien trophy?  You can have it."

Of course, I'm neither a Boston fan nor a Philly fan.  However, Embiid getting to the conference title game (or series) is good for the NBA.  Boston was just there last year.  Based on how they're playing, the eventual West winner might actually beat them 4 times before the West champion loses its 4th game

[Fukui San]

After a hellacious start to the season, the Celtics have been only slightly above average in the second half, getting passed by the Bucks for the 1st seed. Needing six games to beat the Hawks was a bad sign. And now it seems they just don't have that extra gear. I like the players on the team a lot, but I'm fearful that the ultimate judgment on this iteration of the team is that they never had that psychotic desire to be the very best. That whatever it is that Jimmy Butler taps into every playoffs.

I hope they prove me wrong, but they're running out of chances.

[Magog]

21 hours ago, Carey said:

Uh oh!!  Magog?!  Don't Look!

I already looked at it several times. Unlike those Warriors (except for Draymond), I find it very heartwarming.

Its just too bad that its going to be over tonight, despite a bunch of people (especially on ESPN) actively hoping that LeBron & the Lakers will lay down & play dead tonight & tried to finish them off on Friday Night. Me, I rather LeBron & them not mess around & finish off those Warriors once & for all tonight. I really need to see Steph taking that long overdue walk of shame at the end of the game.

[Salacious Kitty]

I expect the Dubs to hold serve at home in a close game, but go down in LA on Friday. I predicted no more than 6 for the Lake Show after Game 1. 

[Carey]

To be fair, it wouldn't be an upset at all if Los Angeles lost each of the next three games they have to play.  I think it's doubtful since Ham would rather not lose his job before the summer.  It would be pretty unprecedented in a way for someone but it would be a surprise if people got hurt well before the series ended.

That's probably why you'd want to see James and Davis bolt as soon as possible, but that might be too late.  FWIW, since a Warrior won the first ever conference MVP, it would be more fitting to end things tonight (or Sunday) than avenging 3-1 from 7 years ago.

Finally if you pull Anthony and LeBron too soon, it could get to the point where Steph and company exit early to where they can get some rest prior to a Game Six.  BTW, I don't know how much of a big deal it is if the Lakers clinched a day before or the day after Denver (should they win the series)

[Salacious Kitty]

I don't think that Denver will have that much resistance in closing out Phoenix tomorrow. CP3 is still out, and someone else, I want to say Ayton, is listed as questionable. 

[Carey]

I guess it may be time to bolt back to LA with an arrival prior to 9 PM Pacific.  Or after that time, just as long as it's in one piece

[twoods]

As expected, the Warriors started making their shots. Hope they aren’t this hot in game 6 or it will be a tough game 7 for old man and old knees to win. 

[LexieLily]

AD got clocked in the head and left in a wheelchair, and LeBron did something to his ankle.

[twoods]

Just now, LexieLily said:

AD got clocked in the head and left in a wheelchair, and LeBron did something to his ankle.

I stopped watching after the third. Shoot, figures this series was too good to be true. If the Lakers lose, I will still think this was a good year after expecting them to miss the playoffs. Whatever happens will happen.

[Magog]

Those Warriors 121 - Lakers 106 and there will not be any walk of shame from Steph & those Warriors. Yay. 😒

That dog on the twitter video has been correct so far in all 5 games. I was hoping that it'll end tonight, but sadly its not the case. Hopefully, he will be wrong in Game 6.

Quote

AD got clocked in the head and left in a wheelchair, and LeBron did something to his ankle.

That is nothing to worry about & they'll both be OK for Game 6 (especially LeBron).

ESPN is very happy that their Warriors are playing Game 6 on Friday Night. They was rooting for them tonight & they'll definitely be rooting for them again on Friday.

As for the Knicks, all I can say about those clowns winning tonight is this.

😒

 

 

Edited May 11, 2023 by Magog

[Salacious Kitty]

AD was poked in the eye. Per the Lakers, he's doing better now, so no worries for Friday. 

Edited May 11, 2023 by Salacious Kitty

[LexieLily]

1 hour ago, Magog said:

That dog on the twitter video has been correct so far in all 5 games. I was hoping that it'll end tonight, but sadly its not the case. Hopefully, he will be wrong in Game 6.

The Twitter dog already shot his shot for Game 6? 

[baldryanr]

9 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I don't think that Denver will have that much resistance in closing out Phoenix tomorrow. CP3 is still out, and someone else, I want to say Ayton, is listed as questionable. 

You mean the CP3 who didn't play during their game 3 and 4 victories?  The Christ Paul of a few years ago might be a difference maker, but creaky old man Chris is not.  The Suns win if KD and Booker go nuts again.

[Carey]

6 hours ago, LexieLily said:

The Twitter dog already shot his shot for Game 6? 

He shot it for the entire series.  That dog sucks, by the way.  I'd have had more respect if it shot 2 for Golden State in its first 4, and then whatever else after that is fair enough

[DanaDane707]

My little brother passed away at Game 5 of the series in 2016 when the Cavs came back from being down 3-1, with the final nail being on Fathers Day. More than anything else, I want the Dubs to overcome this deficit in honor of my brother. Beat LA on their turf Friday and then bring it back to the Bay on Mother's Day. Full circle for my family.

 

[Salacious Kitty]

1 hour ago, DanaDane707 said:

My little brother passed away at Game 5 of the series in 2016 when the Cavs came back from being down 3-1, with the final nail being on Fathers Day. More than anything else, I want the Dubs to overcome this deficit in honor of my brother. Beat LA on their turf Friday and then bring it back to the Bay on Mother's Day. Full circle for my family.

 

I hope you get your wish! 

That Father's Day loss was especially painful because it was my birthday. Worst one ever. 

[Magog]

2 hours ago, DanaDane707 said:

My little brother passed away at Game 5 of the series in 2016 when the Cavs came back from being down 3-1, with the final nail being on Fathers Day.

I'm very sorry for your loss. 

1 hour ago, Salacious Kitty said:

That Father's Day loss was especially painful because it was my birthday. Worst one ever. 

It was the greatest night of my sporting life. The Braves winning the 1995 World Series a long time ago was great for me. But, that 3-1 comeback & never having to hear anymore about ESPN being gleeful about Cleveland not winning a championship since 1964 was even better. it was worth staying up till 4 in the morning afterwards. I know that some people on there (mainly Stephen A Smith) is still very salty about it till this day.

Also seeing Steph taking that walk of shame on that night really brought a smile to my face. He & Klay Thompson sure wasn't smiling that night. It felt like a kid on Christmas Day. Hopefully, we will see another dose of that walk of shame on Friday Night. It's long overdue.

[Carey]

 

53 minutes ago, Magog said:

3 hours ago, DanaDane707 said:

My little brother passed away at Game 5 of the series in 2016 when the Cavs came back from being down 3-1, with the final nail being on Fathers Day.

I'm very sorry for your loss. 

2 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

That Father's Day loss was especially painful because it was my birthday. Worst one ever. 

It was the greatest night of my sporting life. The Braves winning the 1995 World Series a long time ago was great for me. But, that 3-1 comeback & never having to hear anymore about ESPN being gleeful about Cleveland not winning a championship since 1964 was even better. it was worth staying up till 4 in the morning afterwards. I know that some people on there (mainly Stephen A Smith) is still very salty about it till this day.

Also seeing Steph taking that walk of shame on that night really brought a smile to my face. He & Klay Thompson sure wasn't smiling that night. It felt like a kid on Christmas Day. Hopefully, we will see another dose of that walk of shame on Friday Night. It's long overdue.

I don't hate the Warriors, and I'm not a lover of CLEVELAND.  That being said, I have to admit that was a great night.  A Golden State contingent stopped at nothing to pimp how tremendous the Warriors were; sure Curry changed the game, but they had more of a benefit of past seasons as opposed to a franchise from Illinois.

No, I was not happy about that 72-record being broken 2 decades later, so the only way that could be avenged was for the Cavs to win the whole thing.  Of course, Oklahoma City could've avoid a three-game losing streak after winning 3 of the previous four, but that's history.

Single-digit losses for the champs, a first in at least quite awhile, so it was fitting that the perfect mark of teams being up 3 games to one in the NBA Finals would end.

Based on the above, a Warriors series win would be fair enough and nice.  No issues there.  However, a Lakers win is fine.  I do not think they're winning the West.  Game 4 was close, and Game 5 was the latest example of people in charge doing the opposite of what people suggest, because who are those people to tell the stars what to do.  Yet another example of that stubbornness costing those in charge big time!

[twoods]

Yikes, Suns.

[Salacious Kitty]

KD stinking up the joint.

[Carey]

All of a sudden, the postseason is turning into a point where I could consider watching an NFL schedule show in lieu of seeing Golden State, New York, Boston, and Denver act like legit dynasties in route to the 2023 title

Edited May 12, 2023 by Carey

[Fukui San]

The odds that the same team in elimination games at home in consecutive years will have exactly 30 point halftime deficits in both games are infinitesimal..

[twoods]

1 hour ago, Salacious Kitty said:

KD stinking up the joint.

I think Booker is doing much worse, and it’s not helping that the Suns don’t have a decent center in the game. Oh well, maybe this is the Nuggets year.

[baldryanr]

Let's see, Phoenix gets blown out at home in an elimination game and a Doc Rivers team is on the verge of blowing a 3-2 series lead.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

17 minutes ago, shoregirl said:

To be fair it wasn't 3-1. Philly won game 1 Boston won games 2 &3 . Philly won 4 & 5 and Boston won game 6.  Both teams have lost two games at home 

Thanks for the correction.  Doc is now 17-32 in closeout games, so yikes.

Edited May 12, 2023 by baldryanr

[shoregirl]

18 minutes ago, baldryanr said:

Let's see, Phoenix gets blown out at home in an elimination game and a Doc Rivers team is on the verge of blowing a 3-1 series lead.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

To be fair it wasn't 3-1. Philly won game 1 Boston won games 2 &3 . Philly won 4 & 5 and Boston won game 6.  Both teams have lost two games at home 

[Carey]

This is sorta like the Draymond Green scenario as it relates to Doc Rivers.  What I mean is that Dray has a history of unnecessary behavior, and those in charge will not be lenient with him when it comes to ejections & league discipline.  I don't know or think Philadelphia will boot Rivers if they lose on Saturday, but the percentage of that happening is not zero either.

There's a big history of Doc failing to close out his opponents; that's not great for him, and the Sixers might see that or look back at the resume.  Boston is a better team, or was, but there's a team down South that's crushing it.  I'm not sure if that'll continue.  I can see another back and fourth with Miami & Boston, and this time it wouldn't hurt the East winner unless Denver crushes it in the West Finals

[AimingforYoko]

Stat o' the day:

 

[twoods]

Loving this Klay clank fest. That, along with Lebron being a beast. I take back calling him an old man. Sorry I doubted you, Lebron!

Onward to getting thumped by the Nuggets!

[Carey]

4 minutes ago, twoods said:

Loving this Klay clank fest. That, along with Lebron being a beast. I take back calling him an old man. Sorry I doubted you, Lebron!

Onward to getting thumped by the Nuggets!

Not going to look good for LA.  Probably better off allowing Denver to get crushed by Boston to break the tie for the record title over having to stand there and watch it themselves

[twoods]

I don’t know, Jimmy Butler is nuts right now so Miami may beat whomever they face. 
I think the Lakers may make it competitive if AD stays out of foul trouble (and no injuries), because he’s one of the big guys physical enough to cause Jokic trouble.

[LexieLily]

Please beat the crap out of these Lakers, Denver. 

On a happier note, way to go, Miami! First number-eight seed since 1999 to make the Conference Finals :)

[Fukui San]

39 minutes ago, Carey said:

Not going to look good for LA.  Probably better off allowing Denver to get crushed by Boston to break the tie for the record title over having to stand there and watch it themselves

Boston hasn’t even beat the Sixers yet let alone the Heat.