OT: NBA Playoffs
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I can't say that we've watched really great basketball during these playoffs. But we have certainly, certainly watched some absolutely incredible basketball players. After today's game, count Devin Booker on this list.
My sentiments exactly.
The lasting image I have from this great game is Durant and Tucker embracing for several seconds after the game. They both played their hearts out, and Tucker’s defense made KD work for everything he got. I have to think that had something to do with his misses at the end of ot. Imagine playing great defense and your guy still goes for 48!
The next steps of the process should be trading Simmons and finding a good coach.
Trae Young was 5-23 and Philly still lost game 7 at home. Woooofff.
Trae Young was 5-23 and Philly still lost game 7 at home. Woooofff.
Doc is still coasting off one ring with the original big three. I thought all series they should have just hard doubled or hedged on 1-4 screens with Trae.
Embiid battled his ass off, but at the end of the day he needs a dynamic guard. He’s made JJ Reddick a boat load of money and is about to Make Seth even more money.
Simmons man just kills me. I’ll keep it PG-13, he just makes me so mad, HE PASSED UP A DUNK to pass the ball to a cutter who got his head taken off. Trade him to the Kings and let him stat stuff his way to a freaking first round exit.
Problem is that he doesn't even try.
Game 7, Trae shot 5-23 total and 2-11 from 3.....while All Star Ben is giving up open dunks....smh
I gotta thank Ben though, cause seeing his disaster play out has helped me to understand my own real life shortcoming regarding not taking opportunities or even making attempts.
Well yeah, he’s definitely selling KD more than just a little short. And then comparing him to Lebron to try to prove the point is not really making any point.
Ben Simmons is a 24 year old, 3 time all star, and might actually be a salary dump candidate.
Simmons had the worst playoff performance of any max contract player in NBA history, by far. He missed more playoff FT attempts in the Hawks series than Steve Nash missed in his playoff entire career. He took 3 shots in the 4Q in a 7 game playoff series. Just astonishing cowardice. It is WILD that he has been so arrogant for the last 5 years about refusing to learn how to shoot and then be such a coward in crunch time. I never want to see him in a Sixers uniform again.
People love to hate on the Process but when it comes down to it, what those people are saying is that Philly should have just drafted LeBron James or Trae Young instead of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Simmons had the worst playoff performance of any max contract player in NBA history, by far. He missed more playoff FT attempts in the Hawks series than Steve Nash missed in his playoff entire career. He took 3 shots in the 4Q in a 7 game playoff series. Just astonishing cowardice. It is WILD that he has been so arrogant for the last 5 years about refusing to learn how to shoot and then be such a coward in crunch time. I never want to see him in a Sixers uniform again.
People love to hate on the Process but when it comes down to it, what those people are saying is that Philly should have just drafted LeBron James or Trae Young instead of Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz.
Harden was NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2012 and All-NBA Third Team in 2013. He averaged 30+ minutes per night in the playoffs every year he played in OKC. I don't think that counting him as a star in Durant's column is unfair.
I did forget Kevin Love. He'd be last, by far, of those star players that I mentioned.
I agree about Simmons but he got 30mil a year. Guaranteed. He has little incentive other than personal pride which may speak to who he is. Some guys are driven no matter how much money is thrown at them. Others just collect a check.
He's only signed through his age 28 year so if he continues to act like a roleplayer that's what he'll be on his next contract. That could mean the loss of 9 figures of salary.
I don't know what Morey will do but my gut reaction is that Simmons will be traded somewhere this Summer. The Kings are eternally mismanaged so they're a contender. OKC will take any contract for picks so they're another. Maybe Portland?
Very fair point. We’re all just speculating but it’s possible he doesn’t care that much. He’ll certainly have enough to live an extraordinary life if he doesn’t squander it away.
My own read on it is that he's a gifted young person and they're hard to reach because they think they're infallible. Then he had early success and some of these bad habits and bad approaches got locked in (if it ain't broke why fix it?).
He's also part of a generation that seems especially averse to receiving tough love or accepting personal responsibility. He works hard in a lot of areas but not the area that he needs to, because doing that is uncomfortable and he refuses to be uncomfortable. He's not a bad guy, he's just a competitive coward and he's clearly been dodging fixing his shooting to the point where it's probably going to cost him his job.
Simmons was fine on a team going from 15 wins to 42 wins because he can clean up in the regular season against bad opponents. But his absolute fear of the basket at this point is unfixable for a team that's trying to take the next step. Maybe Ben turns it around in OKC or Sacramento, but I think he's played his last game as a Sixer.
KD is one of the two or three best players in the NBA and one of the greatest shooters ever. Not selling him short at all. He just can’t carry a team solo.
I think next season will determine the best player in world as to whether the torch had been passed from Lebron to KD. Should be fun. But, there's a debate after how well he played in that series as to who's the best in the world.
Not true on the minutes statement, and in 2013 he was third team, but not playing with Durant. Regardless, we seem to be drifting away from the point, which is whether Kevin Durant could lead a team to a finals without a top 10 player. It all depends on the playoff matchups. Other's beside LeBron have done it. Heck, the year Cleveland did it they were the #2 seed, not exactly shocking. IMO, results would have been the same if you replaced LBJ with Durant.
You're 1/3 right on the minutes. Harden only averaged 20 MPG in the playoffs as a rookie, then 30+ the next two years when he was a budding superstar.
| 2010-11 | 21 | OKC | NBA | SG | 17 | 0 | 31.6 | 3.9 | 8.2 | .475 | 1.4 | 4.5 | .303 | 2.5 | 3.7 | .683 | .558 | 3.9 | 4.7 | .825 | 0.6 | 4.8 | 5.4 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 13.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 | 22 | OKC | NBA | SG | 20 | 0 | 31.5 | 4.7 | 10.7 | .435 | 1.6 | 3.9 | .410 | 3.1 | 6.8 | .449 | .509 | 5.4 | 6.3 | .857 | 0.7 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 16.3 |
You're right that he was 3rd team in HOU, not OKC. In any event, Westbrook averaged 23/6/5 in the playoffs in 2011 and 2012 so I think my point that Durant had a lot of help in OKC was fair.
I'm out on Durant elevating a team to the Finals by himself. If he was going to do it, this was the year. Bucks were beatable and he couldn't get it done.
This is a silly debate. No one can carry a team solo. Period.
And this reply isn't directed at you....it's directed at everyone debating Lebron vs KD vs whoever
I'm 1/3 right? Which part of what I said was 2/3 wrong?
As far as elevating, it's more about who you have to beat, Dwight Howard's Orlando run in 2008? was more impressive, they beat teams that had a pulse as opposed to the walkovers Cleveland beat in 07.
Said it then and my opinion hasn't changed, but can't draft either of those guys #1 when neither could even get their teams to the NCAAT.
No problem with an instinct to draft "winners" generally but there are a few good exceptions...Damian Lillard, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Chris Bosh never went to an NCAA tournament. And Simmons was at LSU where Pete Maravich never made one either (and I think where Shaq never made it past a second round game.)
Simmons easily could have been a great two way NBA player but somehow his brain/confidence got broken. Pretty weird situation of downright regression at a young age, generally looked like a very good pick.
Fair points, but none of those guys were one and done, #1 overall picks like Simmons and Fultz.
Is there anyone in the current or even more than just recent NBA that can carry a team solo? I’m a big Lebron fan but even he really couldn’t do it, at least not all the way to the ultimate goal. He even knew that was the case.
Like Lebron, KD is a major difference maker. Cavs would have beaten the Warriors 2 straight years for the championship without the addition of KD.
There are a lot of stars in the NBA, but you can probably count on one hand the ones that are the real difference makers.
I absolutely love this Ben Simmons story. I’ve never liked him as a player. I don’t care how good you played defense and assist the ball, if you can’t shoot you’re a liability in the NBA. The drama surrounding him is hilarious. He doesn’t seem to give a damn about anything. Tidbits are starting to come about the situation and this is a gem from Stephen A Smith
Depending on your meaning of more than recent, Rick Barry carried the Warriors in 75 to a championship, but at that time there were only 3 series including finals.
Clippers vs Suns - Going down to the wire.
Incredible Ending!
Incredible Ending!
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Clippers could've stole that game, but "playoff" P strikes again with 2 missed FTs in the final seconds.
Clippers are done with CP3 coming back.
I just don't see any of the remaining teams winning a series against the Suns at this point.
I just don't see any of the remaining teams winning a series against the Suns at this point.
Giving yourself a nickname is a dangerous game. Reminds me Ruben Patterson calling himself "the Kobe Stopper" before a series against the Lakers. Charles Barkley commented on "playoff P" by saying "I don't call myself Championship Chuck!"
I think Bucks-Suns could be a really good series from a basketball perspective even if the TV ratings will be down.
Someone else posted it in this thread but I kinda agree with Cowherd. Outside of LeBron and Curry I'm not sure anyone will be driving ratings. Personally, I am really pulling for the Bucks. i want to see them rewarded for keeping Giannis.
I'd like to see any of these teams win the Championship. Interesting that the Bucks are the only team left ever to have won and NBA championship in their current city.
I'm rooting for anyone except the Clippers. Don't like Kawhi and especially don't like Los Angeles and their advantage in pulling stars in.
I feel a certain kinship with Milwaukee as a rust belt town that can't grab top free agents. But I'm also fine with anyone but the Clippers.
I get not rooting for LA as I root hard against the Lakers, but the Clippers endured so many awful seasons under a top 3 all-time worst owner in all of sports. I'd actually like to see the franchise win one.
