2020 NBA Playoffs

[brian]

Mizzou didn’t miss a game though. I get why what they did was important but I’m saying soon if changes don’t get made a Final Four is going to be threatened because 30 or so kids are going to realize the leverage they have over a multi-billion dollar operation.

[degenerasian]

[Steve of phpBB]

Ok, but what does that mean? Are they boycotting on their own? Or is the story two teams voted to boycott and the rest didn’t so there’s no boycott?

[DaveInSeattle]

[brian]

Would be nice to be able organize a national strike in solidarity for Friday.

[Rex]

A general strike gets the message across better than what the players appear to be doing. The players run the risk of making it about themselves (and making it seem like a labor dispute, which it's not) unless they're really willing to give up their jobs long term and possibly forever. I think if they shut down the bubble and then resume as normal in the winter, it will seem like they were just tired of the Disney buffet.

[govmentchedda]

Not sure we can expect the entire association of players to come to an agreement so quickly. Not sure we can expect a critical mass of players to agree to not play, thereby making a season impossible, so quickly. Glad to see the Lakers and Clippers leading the way.

[Joe K]

Not sure we can expect the entire association of players to come to an agreement so quickly. Not sure we can expect a critical mass of players to agree to not play, thereby making a season impossible, so quickly. Glad to see the Lakers and Clippers leading the way.

By all accounts this developed very quickly. There were reports going back to early in the week that players on the Raptors and Celtics were discussing a joint walkout for their game (scheduled for today). Then in the hours leading up to yesterday’s game George Hill raised the possibility to his Bucks teammates and they were on board with him. Hill’s thinking, and the rest of the Bucks’, was that their team’s proximity to Kenosha necessitated a stand. The other teams scheduled to play yesterday then followed suit as a show of solidarity. So while this now will likely be league-wide action, one way or another, that was not part of the planning.

The Lakers and Clippers being the hardliners is significant. LeBron is by far the most powerful player in the league and would be even if he weren’t on a strong title contender. And any attempt to resume has little competitive legitimacy without buy-in from the Lakers and Clippers since they, along with the Bucks, have been the presumed title favorites all year.

[Rex]

Whatever they do, it’s all gonna get wiped out when the NFL proceeds next month as if nothing ever happened.

[EdRomero]

I think a strike this weekend by all sport would be powerful.

I can't see an extended strike, especially with football soon distracting from it. However, if LeBron and some other great marquee players sit out in protest while the occur, that could get a lot of attention. Imagine the Celtics and Bucks playing in the semifinals but Giannis and Jaylen Brown refuse to play: that may get more attention because it keeps the league in the spotlight. I don't know.

Edit: there's also the solidarity aspect. Yesterday, Kershaw said his team wouldn't be playing if Mookie Betts wasn't playing, so I can see it being pretty tough for a teammate to play while his friend is sitting out for a cause they care about too.

[A_B]

[sancarlos]

I think a strike this weekend by all sport would be powerful.

Sad to say, but by and large, the NHL doesn't give a shit.

[EdRomero]

I think a strike this weekend by all sport would be powerful.

Sad to say, but by and large, the NHL doesn't give a shit.

I was thinking about some of the cross sport solidarity athletes have in cities. I could see someone like Bergeron supporting the Celtics, but, yeah, you're right. Damn Canadians.

[brian]

I think a strike this weekend by all sport would be powerful.

Sad to say, but by and large, the NHL doesn't give a shit.

I was thinking about some of the cross sport solidarity athletes have in cities. I could see someone like Bergeron supporting the Celtics, but, yeah, you're right. Damn Canadians.

The Canadians are less an issue than the Europeans in my opinion.

[psunate77]

3 games postponed tonight, but looks like games will resume Friday... Yawn

[Ryan]

Fuck the message. Fuck the news. Do what you feel is right.

Right on, brother Clinton!

[Pruitt]

From the WaPo:

Kushner pointed out that James had opened “a phenomenal charter school, which is making a big difference in Cleveland,” in an interview with Politico. James’s I Promise School is not a charter school but part of the public school system in the Los Angeles Lakers star’s hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Kushner went on to say that James is “backing people who want to close down charter schools.

[A_B]

Michael Jordan being the "intermediary" between owners and players smacks of "We have a black friend!"

And yet, it makes sense too.

[mister d]

White nationalists buy sneakers too.

[Joe K]

This is the most comprehensive rundown of the past 2 days that I’ve seen. Chris Haynes is definitely the most plugged-in and trusted reporter with NBA players (Woj and Shams get their info from agents and team execs).

[Joe K]

I’m looking forward to the Raptors-Celtics series kicking off today. Two of the better coaches in the league facing off with pretty even rosters talent-wise. (I’d rank Nurse as the league’s #1 tactician right now and Stevens maybe #5.) I think Toronto’s defense is good enough to keep Walker/Brown/Tatum at least somewhat in check and force the rest of the roster to beat them. I’ll say Raptors in 6.

[Joe K]

Also, I’m a Laker hater but this video is funny:


Who could have predicted that a team with two of the most talented and efficient players of all time would cruise past a sub-.500 8th seed?

[HaulCitgo]

I’m looking forward to the Raptors-Celtics series kicking off today. Two of the better coaches in the league facing off with pretty even rosters talent-wise. (I’d rank Nurse as the league’s #1 tactician right now and Stevens maybe #5.) I think Toronto’s defense is good enough to keep Walker/Brown/Tatum at least somewhat in check and force the rest of the roster to beat them. I’ll say Raptors in 6.

I hope it devolves basketball to the stone age. C's can get stagnant without Hayward but raptors do that anyway.

[Pruitt]

On the bright side, I had a nice nap through the second half of the Raptors game.

[tennbengal]

So, Jamal Murray is good. Really good. Like, REALLY good.

Also, this:

[HaulCitgo]

Better one.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.wbur.o ... ng-lessons

[Giff]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

[A_B]

Those "Bam is a Giannis Stopper" clamors aren't going to subside after tonight.

[Joe K]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

Not sure this matters but it seems like the pressure is way higher on Houston than on OKC for Game 7. Harden and Westbrook will get all kinds of shit and D’Antoni will leave for the Pacers if they lose tomorrow.

[Giff]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

Not sure this matters but it seems like the pressure is way higher on Houston than on OKC for Game 7. Harden and Westbrook will get all kinds of shit and D’Antoni will leave for the Pacers if they lose tomorrow.

The way they've been playing under pressure this series leads me to believe they are going to lose tomorrow. This could've very easily been a sweep.

[mister d]

Is "Harden hides from clutch shots" a real thing or a twitter thing?

[Giff]

Is "Harden hides from clutch shots" a real thing or a twitter thing?

Are the two separate?

It sounds like they were trying to run a play to get him the ball, but Russ through it away (or Covington stopped running).

[mister d]

They would be separate if he doesn't hide from the ball but twitter yells that he does every time he doesn't take the final shot?

[Giff]

Threw it away, jesus.

[Joe K]

Is "Harden hides from clutch shots" a real thing or a twitter thing?

Are the two separate?

It sounds like they were trying to run a play to get him the ball, but Russ through it away (or Covington stopped running).

Considering that one of the biggest advantages of iso-ball is that it minimizes the risk of turnovers, it’s crazy to even let Russ throw the ball away instead of just letting Harden isolate at the top of the key. If OKC wins tomorrow this series will be Exhibit A for “clutchness” mattering. CP3 has been awesome in close-and-late situations all season (and really for his whole career), while Westbrook often seems to go off the rails at the end of games.

[HaulCitgo]

"Cluchness matters. Ask MJ."

- Robert Horry

[Giff]

Is "Harden hides from clutch shots" a real thing or a twitter thing?

Are the two separate?

It sounds like they were trying to run a play to get him the ball, but Russ through it away (or Covington stopped running).

Considering that one of the biggest advantages of iso-ball is that it minimizes the risk of turnovers, it’s crazy to even let Russ throw the ball away instead of just letting Harden isolate at the top of the key. If OKC wins tomorrow this series will be Exhibit A for “clutchness” mattering. CP3 has been awesome in close-and-late situations all season (and really for his whole career), while Westbrook often seems to go off the rails at the end of games.

Yeah, can't really argue that.

What's really killing them is Gordon not being able to hit a three. His defense is too good to take him out for McLemore, but he's killing us on the offensive end. He is MVP of waving his arms in frustration after not getting a foul call on a drive.

[DSafetyGuy]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

Not sure this matters but it seems like the pressure is way higher on Houston than on OKC for Game 7. Harden and Westbrook will get all kinds of shit and D’Antoni will leave for the Pacers if they lose tomorrow.

I don't understand this part on D'Antoni's side of things. Him being out in Houston after this season has been written on the wall, but I just don't see the match in Indiana.

Sabonis inside/cutting/facilitating with Turner on the outside with Brogdon, Oladipo, and Tucker. Oladipo and Brogdon both struggled this year but don't see any of those four having a lot of gravity when it comes to shooting threes. Warren shot just over 40% from three this season, but made 23 of his 91 threes in eight games inside the bubble (50% from deep there, 37.8% otherwise). Collectively, the Pacers were 29th in threes made and 30th in attempts, last in free throws made and attempted, led league in twos made and third in twos attempted.

I'm just not seeing it.

[Joe K]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

Not sure this matters but it seems like the pressure is way higher on Houston than on OKC for Game 7. Harden and Westbrook will get all kinds of shit and D’Antoni will leave for the Pacers if they lose tomorrow.

I don't understand this part on D'Antoni's side of things. Him being out in Houston after this season has been written on the wall, but I just don't see the match in Indiana.

Sabonis inside/cutting/facilitating with Turner on the outside with Brogdon, Oladipo, and Tucker. Oladipo and Brogdon both struggled this year but don't see any of those four having a lot of gravity when it comes to shooting threes. Warren shot just over 40% from three this season, but made 23 of his 91 threes in eight games inside the bubble (50% from deep there, 37.8% otherwise). Collectively, the Pacers were 29th in threes made and 30th in attempts, last in free throws made and attempted, led league in twos made and third in twos attempted.

I'm just not seeing it.

I’m not sure about the roster fit either but when the Pacers fired Nate McMillan, Woj and others who are plugged in reported that they are going to make a hard push for D’Antoni this offseason.

[DSafetyGuy]

Really looking forward to a potential series against Lebron.

Not sure this matters but it seems like the pressure is way higher on Houston than on OKC for Game 7. Harden and Westbrook will get all kinds of shit and D’Antoni will leave for the Pacers if they lose tomorrow.

I don't understand this part on D'Antoni's side of things. Him being out in Houston after this season has been written on the wall, but I just don't see the match in Indiana.

Sabonis inside/cutting/facilitating with Turner on the outside with Brogdon, Oladipo, and Tucker. Oladipo and Brogdon both struggled this year but don't see any of those four having a lot of gravity when it comes to shooting threes. Warren shot just over 40% from three this season, but made 23 of his 91 threes in eight games inside the bubble (50% from deep there, 37.8% otherwise). Collectively, the Pacers were 29th in threes made and 30th in attempts, last in free throws made and attempted, led league in twos made and third in twos attempted.

I'm just not seeing it.

I’m not sure about the roster fit either but when the Pacers fired Nate McMillan, Woj and others who are plugged in reported that they are going to make a hard push for D’Antoni this offseason.

I've seen that, as well, but it's just never made sense to me. Maybe D'Antoni wants what seems like a lower-pressure job with a number of functional pieces. Kevin Pritchard is their GM, but has never worked with D'Antoni, so there's no obvious front office connection either.