Cannot believe the Heat reversed swept the Bucks. Himmy Buckets is real.
Everyone making fun of Grayson Allen, but Giannis ran away from the situation. He was so scared of getting fouled that he passed that ball up like a hot potato.
Butler literally pushed Cannuaghton back to get that tying layup. That said, it’s understandable they’d swallow the whistle there. But what is Giannis doing guarding the inbounder? You have Lopez for that. Bud terrible game management again.
(04-26-2023, 11:52 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Cannot believe the Heat reversed swept the Bucks. Himmy Buckets is real.
The series is likely different (7 game series?) without the Giannis injury, but the Heat played great and deserve to go to the next round.
Is it blasphemous that I don't hate the Heat anymore?
What an absolute disaster of a playoff series from Jrue Holiday. Rightfully was praised for his defense and leadership in the last few seasons but the last few games were a good reminder why he shouldn´t be the first or second option on offense.
That loss was on Giannis, easily. I know that he's not a good FT shooter but I didn't think he could be THAT bad. Could've shot 13-23 and they win.
Nice to be reminded again of losing to an 8th seed though..
Chuck just pronounced Hachimura as "Hoochie-mara"
(04-26-2023, 07:39 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]Mobley and Allen both lacking 3-point range has been killing the Cavs. If Robinson is allowed to camp in the paint he is an absolute monster around the rim.
Couldn’t watch the games last night, but saw Kevin Love had 15 and 12 last night. He is close to the end but Cleveland waiving him and him signing with a competitor made no sense for the Cavs. It wasn’t like he had a long contract left. Just a strange move even if you considered him done.
Cleveland had a great season, but they obviously have more moves to make. They need a scoring wing to take pressure off their guards from scoring all the points. Also Mobley and Allen need to hit the weight room. Really disappointed in Allen though. He got manhandled by Robinson.
I am shocked by the Bucks loss. Different situations and different stakes, but sort of reminds me about the "06 Dallas finals meltdown. Yes, the refs were terrible in that finals, but that Dallas team was shot when the stakes were at the highest in the 4th. Felt similar to the Bucks last night.
The Bucks are better positioned than Dallas, but they really need to improve around the edges as well. They need a 5th starter and really need youth and talent off the bench. Besides Portis and maybe Connaughton there is not much there against the really good teams imo. It is also a big offseason for Middleton. He has been hurt and not great the last two years. He was considered the perfect sidekick for Giannis. Now you need to worry if that has passed and is a guy who is not worth the contract he will be looking for.
Just a few weeks ago, I was wondering what the Heat's future was. I always state that they find a way to get a star, so you can never count them out. I still think they are not in the greatest of places moving forward. But they have a way of peaking at the right time and are really tough in the playoffs. Obviously Butler gets a lot of credit and it is warranted. I also think coach Spo constantly proves he is one of the best in the league.
Bucks make a coaching change? I wonder who they look at if they do?
(04-27-2023, 05:58 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]Cleveland
I think Cleveland is a perfect example of what a difference there is between regular season and playoffs. They could get by in the regular season playing good defense, but their offensive liabilities got exposed big time in playoffs. Basically playing 3 non shooters is a killer. I assume they will keep the core and look for a shooting wing
(04-27-2023, 05:21 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Couldn’t watch the games last night, but saw Kevin Love had 15 and 12 last night. He is close to the end but Cleveland waiving him and him signing with a competitor made no sense for the Cavs. It wasn’t like he had a long contract left. Just a strange move even if you considered him done.
Absolutely strange move, unless there was something else going on behind the scenes.
(04-27-2023, 08:10 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]The Bucks are better positioned than Dallas, but they really need to improve around the edges as well.
I am not sure they are better positioned. Their main "sidekicks" (Middleton, JRue and Lopez) are aging and they have basically no assets left to improve. They have one distant FRP and 2 SRP to trade. I don't think they can do much more but try again until inevitable comes.
(04-27-2023, 08:10 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Just a few weeks ago, I was wondering what the Heat's future was.
I think they are decently positioned. They handed out a couple of bad contracts (Robinson, Lowry), but they can trade two picks on draft night (2023, 2028) and additional 2030 in the summer. They owe just a 2025 pick to OKC (lottery protected, converts to unprotected 2026 pick if not settled). They are decently positioned for a "flawed star" move as they are always an attractive destination.
(04-27-2023, 09:10 AM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]I think Cleveland is a perfect example of what a difference there is between regular season and playoffs. They could get by in the regular season playing good defense, but their offensive liabilities got exposed big time in playoffs. Basically playing 3 non shooters is a killer. I assume they will keep the core and look for a shooting wing
That's what I basically said in a prior post. They are devoid of a scoring wing that can get his own and defend simultaneously. Mobley is just 21 or 22. He has time to grow and fill out his frame. I thought Allen could have been more aggressive in dealing with Robinson but he was totally outplayed. Miami vs NY should be an attractive series as the Butler and Thibs storyline is clearly there, and the Knicks have found their groove as well providing Randle can play.
(04-27-2023, 08:10 AM)Chicagojk Wrote: [ -> ]Bucks make a coaching change? I wonder who they look at if they do?
Nick Nurse got fired at just about the right time.
(04-27-2023, 10:07 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]That's what I basically said in a prior post. They are devoid of a scoring wing that can get his own and defend simultaneously. Mobley is just 21 or 22. He has time to grow and fill out his frame. I thought Allen could have been more aggressive in dealing with Robinson but he was totally outplayed. Miami vs NY should be an attractive series as the Butler and Thibs storyline is clearly there, and the Knicks have found their groove as well providing Randle can play.
I didn't watch much of the series...it was too painful for me.
It looks like Levert had solid stats in the playoffs, but I think Hardaway could have been a nice fit there in his place. Even though Levert shot the 3 pretty well this year.
Having non shooters on the court in the playoffs really sticks out like sore thumb. Okoro is something I want to keep my eye on. I would bet they would want to keep him but if they can find a guy who fits better, they might consider it. He is still only 22 and is build like a truck. Being able to hit open shots will really impact what type of next contract he gets. Don't think there is a match for Dallas. Reggie Bullock? Okoro and Rubio for THJ? Probably no on both, but if they lose Lavert and are out a lot of their picks they really need to hit on some under the radar guys.
(04-27-2023, 10:07 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]That's what I basically said in a prior post. They are devoid of a scoring wing that can get his own and defend simultaneously. Mobley is just 21 or 22. He has time to grow and fill out his frame. I thought Allen could have been more aggressive in dealing with Robinson but he was totally outplayed. Miami vs NY should be an attractive series as the Butler and Thibs storyline is clearly there, and the Knicks have found their groove as well providing Randle can play.
Cleveland's success in the regular season was an interesting counter-culture move. The Clippers, hailed as the new formula for championships, were built around switchable mid-sized wings who could score. And many other NBA teams seem to have embraced that formula. Paint-bound post-up centers? Dinosaurs! Smallish point guards? Huntable!
But Cleveland went the other way - multiple bigs who could defend the paint. A couple of smallish guards who's defensive deficiencies could be masked by good defense around the rim. Lots of pick and roll action.
So, is their failure in the playoffs a validation of the switchable, wing-centric era? Or still an experiment in process?
Does Minnesota's failure to advance render the same verdict?
Will future NBA rule changes reestablish the value of the plodding big?
Inquiring minds want to know...
(04-27-2023, 10:59 AM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Nick Nurse got fired at just about the right time.
Yeah he did. I will be very interested to see if he gets a job this offseason? Or if he will need to rehab his image on TV. I have always viewed him really high, but this year was really rough for them. Plus, how he was dumped at the end of the year is not very common for a former Championship coach. Something seems off. I thought he would be first in line for Houston.
It’s possible Nurse just didn’t want Houston. He seems to like vets. Houston is all youth.