The Swamp

Resisting the urge to talk myself into a Rockets upset but they look like a team that was understandably scared shitless of the disaster scenario of losing to OKC but has now loosened up. LeBron is going to have to take on tougher defensive assignments because the Rockets guards had their way last night. It’s one thing to give up points to the ex-MVPs but when Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers also light you up it’s a problem.

Joe K wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:13 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:07 pm I didn’t watch but was checking score regularly. Wow.

I’m now fully convinced that Giannis had already decided he’s leaving Milwaukee as soon as possible and his teammates all know it. The parallels with the 2010 Cavs are off the charts, The three teams that have been rumored the most are Miami, Toronto and Golden State.

Giannis, Siakam, and Van Vleet would be a very strong trio to build around and Ujiri and Nurse have shown the ability to get/develop players around the edges to complement the big names.

DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:33 pm

Joe K wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:13 pm

A_B wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:07 pm I didn’t watch but was checking score regularly. Wow.

I’m now fully convinced that Giannis had already decided he’s leaving Milwaukee as soon as possible and his teammates all know it. The parallels with the 2010 Cavs are off the charts, The three teams that have been rumored the most are Miami, Toronto and Golden State.

Giannis, Siakam, and Van Vleet would be a very strong trio to build around and Ujiri and Nurse have shown the ability to get/develop players around the edges to complement the big names.

Story goes that Ujiri helped Giannis' family move to Greece. Huge greek community here in Toronto as well.

I'm all goose bumpy even thinking of him in a Raptor uniform.

Well I wonder what kind of haul they will get for a one year rental.

Why is the NBA continuing to press forward with this ridiculously off kilter schedule? If it weren’t for some luck, both Eastern series would be over right now. The Western series might take another two weeks.

Rex wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:42 pm Why is the NBA continuing to press forward with this ridiculously off kilter schedule? If it weren’t for some luck, both Eastern series would be over right now. The Western series might take another two weeks.

I was surprised they didn’t give at least one extra day off for eastern teams but I think they really want two games a day if at all possible.

LeBron is still amazing at age 36. The Lakers-Houston series has 3 former MVPs plus a perennial 1st-Team All-NBA and All-Defense player, and there’s still no question that LeBron’s the best player on the floor. If the Lakers win the title this year, which is a real possibility, I’d have to say he’s the best basketball player ever and probably the best athlete I’ve seen in any sport.

He was absolutely phenomenal last night.

That was the first time the Lakers really looked like a championship caliber team to me. Having Rondo back makes a big difference.

I mean, Rondo probably won't do that again. And the Rockets missed House big time last night.

Giff wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:49 am I mean, Rondo probably won't do that again. And the Rockets missed House big time last night.

Obviously the three point shooting probably isn't replicable, but running the offense is, and I think that's the main asset of Rondo. To take some of the ballhandling away from Lebron. I didn't watch it closely, but Rondo seemed to make good decisions.

He has for about 20 yrs now so no need to watch closely.

Raptors celtics game six has been fire.

I need a cigarette. What a great fucking game that was.

tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:54 pm I need a cigarette. What a great fucking game that was.

Incredible rally/finish by the Raps in 2OT. They looked completely exhausted to me and all of a sudden started hitting everything. Kyle Lowry has the heart of a lion.

Fun second OT.

Lowry a hall of famer , right? He’s somewhat quietly had an amazing career.

One of my all-time favorite Rockets.

Giff wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 8:40 am One of my all-time favorite Rockets.

Greatest Raptor of all time. They should be building the statue as we speak. What a performance last noght.

We were laughing at the "Playoff Powell" nickname - based on a couple of good games Norman Powell had a few years ago.

Man, the guy was money in OT. What a game.

Giff wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:49 am I mean, Rondo probably won't do that again. And the Rockets missed House big time last night.

Gotta give him points for ingenuity. That’s one way to deal with the bubble’s “no outside guests” rules.

It's some bullshit if the reason House isn't playing is because he hooked up with a COVID tester in the bubble.

Stan van gundy is so much better than Reggie Miller. But I will concede Chris Webber has gotten better in the past few seasons.

It’s too bad it won’t happen at Staples Center but Lakers-Clippers is still going to be epic. I think the Clippers have the most complete roster in the league, but I’ve been really impressed with Frank Vogel’s coaching and LeBron and Davis are both always capable of destroying anyone. The LeBron v. Kawhi matchup alone makes it a must-see.

Half time and my nerves are shredded.

Siakam has to start scoring.

I am barely breeeathing

Pruitt wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:29 pm Half time and my nerves are shredded.

Siakam has to start scoring.

It's pretty crazy that with a minute left in the series they had the ball with a chance to tie or win. They had played maybe 6 good quarters all series, yet they had a chance for one of the great thefts in playoff history. I don't even know how much credit you can really give Boston for how bad they were most of the series, it was mostly down to poor execution and poor shooting.

As for Siakam, obviously very disappointing, he didn't even need to be appreciably better than the crap he was and they win it. I don't think they should have benched him because even with him being crap offensively he was still a very good defender. But they maybe should have given Boucher a few minutes to see if he could give them any kind of spark offensively. Feel for Lowry because even though he didn't have it last night, he still put it all out there. I think even he knows that's probably it for this window to win.

Fun offseason ahead. It's basically back to the DeMar years with a great team that is lacking the superstar. Another puzzle to solve for Masai and Co.

Rex wrote: ↑Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:26 am That was the first time the Lakers really looked like a championship caliber team to me. Having Rondo back makes a big difference.

Seeing the Clippers give away that game last night and more importantly, their supporting cast continue to underwhelm, made me for the first time think “oh shit, the Lakers really are going to win the title this year.” I’ve been skeptical of basically every recent organizational move they’ve made besides adding Davis but, as Dan Gilbert can attest, having LeBron really is the antidote to organizational mismanagement. His true value to an NBA team has to be like $100 million per year.

The Nuggets have gotta be the most fun team in the NBA.
This is the third time this postseason they’ve come back from 15+ down in the second half while facing elimination. Also their fourth straight playoff series over the last 2 games to go 7 games.

Holy shit, that Adebayo block was incredible!

ETA: Heat up 2 with about 5 seconds left when THIS happened:

I’m still processing it.

Bam! Man when calipari says his goal is to get them to the nba he means it. Only for the grace of AD did we have one who couldn’t be beat I guess.

The Nuggets aren't down by enough to win this game.

Are we sure Doc Rivers’ job is safe? Because this is now two stunning 3-1 collapses since 2015 for him. How long he can he keep banking on the 2008 and 2010 postseason runs with Boston?

Joe K wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:12 pm Are we sure Doc Rivers’ job is safe? Because this is now two stunning 3-1 collapses since 2015 for him. How long he can he keep banking on the 2008 and 2010 postseason runs with Boston?

Probably another 'normal' year with this duo, although Paul George has been sub-par.

This is weird.

Joe K wrote: ↑ My 2019-20 season predictions:

...

Teams that will be worse than expected: Celtics, Nuggets, Lakers

This take aged significantly worse than AB’s correct pick that LeBron would lead the league in assists!

Harrell is the Clippers leading scorer, tells you everything.

So...paul George, NOT a championship type player...

tennbengal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2020 6:24 am So...paul George, NOT a championship type player...

I almost feel bad for him, then I remember that he impregnated a stripper while dating Doc Rivers’ daughter and go back to laughing.