AROUND the NBA:

[Chicagojk]

[Vardon] The Cavaliers plan to retain coach Kenny Atkinson even after the team was swept Monday night by the New York Knicks, two league sources told The Athletic.

I have no idea what they do.  Keeping the coach is probably the correct move.  The whole analytic comments though were disastrous down 0-3.  

I thought the team was awesome two years ago, only to not be healthy and then lose in the first round of the playoffs.   This year was a roller coaster during the regular season.  None of the good feelings of last years regular season.   They got to the conference finals this year with two game 7 wins only to get swept in the ECF.    It feels like they have tried different maturations of teams.   Most moves I have liked.  It hasn't worked out and they seem destined to be a good, not great team.    It is also hard to take seriously a James Harden led team.   

Mitchell says he wants to stay in Clev.  Actions speak louder than words.   Having Mobley become the player some thought he could be, would certainly help.

[cow]

I have no idea what they do.  Keeping the coach is probably the correct move.  The whole analytic comments though were disastrous down 0-3.  

I thought the team was awesome two years ago, only to not be healthy and then lose in the first round of the playoffs.   This year was a roller coaster during the regular season.  None of the good feelings of last years regular season.   They got to the conference finals this year with two game 7 wins only to get swept in the ECF.    It feels like they have tried different maturations of teams.   Most moves I have liked.  It hasn't worked out and they seem destined to be a good, not great team.    It is also hard to take seriously a James Harden led team.   

Mitchell says he wants to stay in Clev.  Actions speak louder than words.   Having Mobley become the player some thought he could be, would certainly help.

The comments while terrible were probably trying to find a silver lining on an impossible situation.  I'm not sure keeping him is the right answer.  There is seems to be something very wrong with the team and probably several somethings.  Kind of weird to say it about a team that reached the ECF, but they should be better even if there is no shame in losing to that Knicks squad.

[dirkfansince1998]

The comments while terrible were probably trying to find a silver lining on an impossible situation.  I'm not sure keeping him is the right answer.  There is seems to be something very wrong with the team and probably several somethings.  Kind of weird to say it about a team that reached the ECF, but they should be better even if there is no shame in losing to that Knicks squad.

He highlighted the need to focus on transition defense in the pre game interview only to watch his team give up 26 fastbreak points in the first half. Not just throwing the towel on the series. Doing it in a way that almost feels like they quit on the coach.

[dirkfansince1998]

Missed the call. Denied the challenge. Gifts FTs on the other end. Calls the coach for a technical. Make up call on a clean block. Tony Brothers is having his main character moment.

[Chicagojk]

I did not watch much of the game last night but from what I saw it was a very uncharacteristic game for Wemby.   He needs to be better.   

Also, a rough few games for Harper, who suddenly looks his age.   He was viewed as a nice little addition, but if Fox struggles they really need Harper.   If neither play well, things really hurt.    

OKC does it again.  They dust of Kenrich Williams who comes in and hits 3-3 on his shots.   Amazing.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://thespun.com/nba/former-nba-playe...kc-thunder


A former NBA player accuses the refs of rigging the playoffs for the Thunder.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NYKnicks/commen...n_sam_and/


Knicks president Leon Rose breaks down in tears after the Knicks reach the Finals.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/hammon-st...ba-finals/


WNBA coach Becky Hammon says if your best player is small
you're not winning a title.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/marcjspears.bsk...sq4gh2qc2s

The Bulls have received permission to interview Cleveland associate head coach
Johnnie Bryant for the head coach position.

[numnuts23]

https://thespun.com/nba/former-nba-playe...kc-thunder


A former NBA player accuses the refs of rigging the playoffs for the Thunder.

So dumb 

I hate them both....but each team is playing very physical and each team can be accused of flopping.  

SA so far is shooting more FTs that OKC 
Wemby got majority of his points at the line last night, just like SGA did 

The centers of OKC should probably be fouled out by half each game 
The guards of SA should probably be fouled out by half each game 

Wemby has learned to throw his head and arms around for the standing flop
SGA has learned to fall down after almost every shot for the falling flop 
Castle has starting just charging head first into defenders with no actual change to make a play at the basket for the physical flop
Castle is playing "defense" by tugging, holding and pulling 90% of the time 
Dort is Dort and does this all the time as well  


They are both guilty of playing sloppy/ugly basketball...looking for calls.  But one team is making shots and the other hasn't consistently. 
When it comes down to it - OKC is in the head of SA.   
That's probably going to be the difference in this series.

[michaeltex]

https://www.reddit.com/r/NYKnicks/commen...n_sam_and/


Knicks president Leon Rose breaks down in tears after the Knicks reach the Finals.

He's probably thinking about what it's going to cost to keep this together beyond this summer.

Sitting at $205M for 26/27 season with only 9 contracts. Currently sitting at $213M for 27/28 with only 7 contracts.

OUCH

[Knutsen]

https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/hammon-st...ba-finals/


WNBA coach Becky Hammon says if your best player is small
you're not winning a title.

And that’s the reason Steph Curry never won a championship.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

And that’s the reason Steph Curry never won a championship.

 So, at 6'3 is Steph considered a small guard?  Brunson is listed at 6'2, but he might be just 6'0. We know the NBA embellishes players' real height. Chuck Barkley was always listed at 6'6, when he actually was a smidge under 6'4.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7311460...a/?source=


Jamahl Mosely and the Pelicans must evolve to make it work.

[mvossman]

 So, at 6'3 is Steph considered a small guard?  Brunson is listed at 6'2, but he might be just 6'0. We know the NBA embellishes players' real height.  Chuck Barkley was always listed at 6'6, when he actually was a smidge under 6'4.

Steph was 6' 2" without shoes at 180 lbs and 6' 3.5" wingspan.  I think that leans toward small.  Flemings is a little bigger than that and getting dinged for his measurements.