Sports with the #lads

Coping
#63

Agreed.

Oh man, I have so many mixed feelings here. I started watching the league in '15-'16 and I think Harden’s deserved every MVP from '16-'17 through '19-'20, but at the same time I was a hater because of his flopping.
I normally hate “playoff choker” narratives because they’re usually just overreactions to small sample sizes and unfortunate circumstances, but Harden is one of the few who actually do tend to underperform in the playoffs. But then again, an underperforming Harden is still a great player and he’s retooled his game on the Sixers.
Overall, I’m gonna say that Harden’s good enough to be a #2 on a championship team. When the Sixers lose, I’m sure everyone’s gonna shit on Embiid and Harden since they’re #1 and #2, but I’m sure the real problem is gonna be #3-10 and the coach.

I too am a big Jalen Brunson appreciater. Idk if he is/will be an all-star but he’s at least in that next tier (borderline all-stars, all-star snubs, whatever you wanna call em). A great guy that any contender should want in their starting 5.

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#64

I read your essay. iirc correctly, you were saying that Tatum and Harden play too much “analytics ball” (3s and layups). I don’t watch enough Tatum, but Harden’s midrange game has been alive and well from what I’ve seen this year. Also, go ahead and write what you want that’s what this thread is for

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#65

I don’t like the “analytics ball” either. Playoff time you need that “guy” who can create a shot and score under intense defensive pressure. The three ball just has so much variance.

The Warriors have managed to win a couple titles without that prototypical superstar who scores from all 3 levels so it’s possible but most of modern NBA history is dominated by guys like Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Giannis, KD, etc. I saw it first hand when Kawhi was on the Raptors. It’s something special when you have a guy like that on your team. The midrange cannot be stopped.

And I recognize that Giannis and Lebron are not great shooters by any means but they have those next level physical tools/athleticism to just dominate.

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#66

I’d say Steph and Klay are both 3-level scorers. They’re good finishers (Steph especially) and mid-range shooters too, it just gets overshadowed by their great 3pt shooting.

#67

Ya but Klay can’t really create his own shot. His dribbling is suspect. Curry can definitely cook from the mid range he just doesn’t do it that often. Plus he doesn’t have the size to just dominate and get a look whenever he wants.

#68

Lakers got the best roster in the NBA. Two top ten players and a deep roster with role players. So many guys who can get 15-20 points on their team. Lebron and ad don’t even have to dominate for them to win. Bucks vs Lakers finals would be legendary.

#69

klay developed a decent post game but they always had a midrange

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#70

I really hate changing my picks after the game starts but Clippers in 6. I spent some time today really looking into it and Suns roster isn’t really all that. Bench is so weak. Clippers can definitely win this. Kawhi in playoff mode. Clippers got enough guys who can pick up the slack for PG.

Suns are overhyped.

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#71

man that might be a great sleeper call

i havent watched regular season enough to make it, i was just going off the clipper’s losing PG. sticking with Suns W still

although i really hope the clippers take the series

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#72

Westbrick what a disaster lol

#73

Big win. Let’s go Clippers. Kawhi Leonard, what a monster. This is why I always say he is the second greatest playoff performer of this era behind only lebron.

#74

AD in the bubble championship run was masterful

he’d close games out in the 3rd quarter alone every single time

i thought he shouldve gotten the fmvp

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#76

AD disrespected by casual fans for sure. Idk if he shouldve won finals MVP because LeBron was so killer too but he arguably would’ve deserved WCF MVP if it was a thing back then.

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#77

AD is a monster and is legitimately an all-time great playoff performer as well. He was so dominant in the bubble. I think this year we will see a Lakers-Clippers WCF. AD has quietly had an amazing season. He averaged 26 points on 56% FG and led the league in rebounding with 12.5 a night.

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#78

Warriors are in trouble. Kings just look better. Dynasty is over.

Kings are shooting 7/34 from three and still rolling. This is bad news for the warriors.

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#80

Ya 7 games looks likely. Home team wins every game. And ya Draymond better get suspended for that lol. I know Sabonis grabbed his leg first but the stomp was outrageous. Draymond been doing this garbage for years.

The kings clutch time dominance this year has been nuts. Fox is such a big time killer in clutch spots. These guys have been playing and winning close games all year.

Jordan Poole probably got PTSD looking at that stomp :joy::joy::joy:

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#81

No kawhi tonight…wow

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#82

Welp, Embiid got injured which i figured would happen sooner or later. What i did NOT expect, was that the Sixers would secure the first sweep of the playoffs. We stand no chance in the second round w/o Embiid though :confused:

Agreed. I usually hate “dirty player” narratives for similar reasons that i hate usually hate “playoff choker” narratives, but with Draymond it’s true. Too many guys kicked and eyes gouged throughout the years. He’s not doing dirty shit every game obviously, but his track record is far longer than most others’.

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#83

Malik Monk a killer…wow

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#84

Lakers are making the finals. No doubt in my mind. I think they could win the championship this year. The roster is so deep and they have two superstars. Nobody in the west is beating them.

Suns really aren’t that great. Their role players are horrible and if the clippers had kawhi they definitely would win that series. Suns didn’t look special at all.

But despite them not looking great I am still certain that the suns will beat the Nuggets in 6 games. Kd and Booker will expose Jokic’s defense and will get whatever they want from the mid range all series long. Jokic is going to get cooked.

I really hope we can see a suns/lakers WCF.