2019 NBA Playoffs Thread

[LeeBuckeye]

The Warriors have regressed defensively because they’ve also relied on KD’s defense and desperately miss his length in passing lanes. It was jarring to see how awful Harden was when KD had him locked up on the perimeter. It’s also easy to see why Houston’s owner is cleaning house after they bottled KD being out in part of game 5 and game 6 lol.

I’m completely baffled by basketball fans using the results of this series so far as an indictment against LeBron. Raptors are a BETTER team from top to bottom because unlike the overrated Griffin, Masai Ujiri emphasizes size, defense and basketball IQ.

Warrior won 73 games then added KD because they were no longer confident they could beat LeBron (+Kyrie). They were no longer confident Curry and Klays motion offense could produce late against tough competition. This series is NOT an indictment against LeBron and in fact supports how the Warriors felt internally about their team prior to acquiring KD. Sure they’ve sacrificed the depth and shooting that made Curry impossible to guard but what enabled them to do that was the 12 million he was making due to his injury history.

 

[Phil Mixtape]

Kahwi's post-game interview illustrated perfectly the difference between being truly humble, and the humble brag.

Well said, the kids say "old head" now. Even though Kawhi is relatively young, his demeanor is very throwback nowadays. Guy just goes about his business and balls. One more game guys, get that shit done.

 

[inliner311]

Raptors are a BETTER team from top to bottom because unlike the overrated Griffin, Masai Ujiri emphasizes size, defense and basketball IQ.

They definitely are a better team from top to bottom. Vanvleet is very instrumental in their success. They have depth that are two way players that are versatile. They are built from 6 ft PGs to 7 ft centers with the proper size to defend everything in between.

Griff didn't get another PG after Delly left. He also relied on JR and Shump too much for defense. We needed larger wings/forward types. We had too many specialist and not enough two way players.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

They definitely are a better team from top to bottom. Vanvleet is very instrumental in their success. They have depth that are two way players that are versatile. They are built from 6 ft PGs to 7 ft centers with the proper size to defend everything in between.

Griff didn't get another PG after Delly left. He also relied on JR and Shump too much for defense. We needed larger wings/forward types. We had too many specialist and not enough two way players.

Which is another argument for why getting two way players in the draft is so important.

 

[CLEistheCITY]

The Warriors have regressed defensively because they’ve also relied on KD’s defense and desperately miss his length in passing lanes. It was jarring to see how awful Harden was when KD had him locked up on the perimeter. It’s also easy to see why Houston’s owner is cleaning house after they bottled KD being out in part of game 5 and game 6 lol.

I’m completely baffled by basketball fans using the results of this series so far as an indictment against LeBron. Raptors are a BETTER team from top to bottom because unlike the overrated Griffin, Masai Ujiri emphasizes size, defense and basketball IQ.

Warrior won 73 games then added KD because they were no longer confident they could beat LeBron (+Kyrie). They were no longer confident Curry and Klays motion offense could produce late against tough competition. This series is NOT an indictment against LeBron and in fact supports how the Warriors felt internally about their team prior to acquiring KD. Sure they’ve sacrificed the depth and shooting that made Curry impossible to guard but what enabled them to do that was the 12 million he was making due to his injury history.

THIS x10000000000000000

If BBB Durant doesn't come back and the Warriors lose, all this will prove is that Steph*/Klay*/Draymond* have ZERO titles against a healthy roster or without BBB Durant saving them.

Edit: Actually if BBB Durant comes back to save them, it still proves this point.

*BBB Durant = Baby Back Bitch Durant

 

[David.]

Honestky if the team that comes out on top of all of this is the raps, rather than Boston LA gs etc, I love it

 

[LeeBuckeye]

Philly lost to the *healthiest version of Kawhi so if I’m the Sixers and Butler I’m encouraged and hoping to run it back.

Butler stays in Philly
Kawhi returns to Toronto on a 2 + 1 PO
Kyrie to Brooklyn (Don’t get why from Nets)
KD to NY Knicks

I can also picture a scenario in which moody KD is secretly throwing away a title in order to feel note appreciated. Warrior lose and almost no one with a few brain cells will argue that the Warriors are better without KD because of some record. Toronto played better without Kawhi on the floor. In fact Spurs played better in a ton of metrics when Kawhi was on the bench. KD re-signs with the Warriors and he won’t have to deal with scrubs like Draymond yelling at him that they “won” without him. I can honestly see this because KD is that insecure (he’s brought it up unprovoked). The high fives in the hallway is an insincere sentiment but doubles as a reminder of who they’re missing. KD is playing chess

 

[Man Called X]

Who's the guy who has to pour hot poutine in his ass in the next few days? I know someone saved it in their sig. We need to make sure he holds true to his word.

 

[Joe Charboneau]

Bucketz and DOTL saved it as his sig.

 

[MGMT]

Pelicans gotta be loving this; now they know they can demand a king’s ransom for AD

 

[mhi]

All I want is Curry to never win a FMVP. Is that too much to ask? I want that shit to plague his mind and burn his soul.

 

[kookoo]

They definitely are a better team from top to bottom. Vanvleet is very instrumental in their success. They have depth that are two way players that are versatile. They are built from 6 ft PGs to 7 ft centers with the proper size to defend everything in between.

Griff didn't get another PG after Delly left. He also relied on JR and Shump too much for defense. We needed larger wings/forward types. We had too many specialist and not enough two way players.

In my opinion, the biggest difference is they are MUCH more hungry than we ever were after winning our championship. JR, Shump, Tristan... Those role guys got fat and lazy (metaphorically) and we never upgraded the team to the level of beating a squad that added Durant. LeBron also regressed defensively and we put 0 effort into building good defensive habits. 2016 defense was amazing. 2017 onwards, we looked like Phoenix and our offensive talent from LeBron and Kyrie (along with 3 point shooters) is what got us to the finals.

I wonder who Draymond is going to call if they get beat by Toronto... Everyone in Toronto is still hesitant... That's why they're celebrating every win like a championship. Because they never know if it's the last one of the series...

 

[6.19.2016]

Toronto about to blow a 3-1 lead.

This feels a lot different from either OKC-GS 2016, or GS-CLE 2016.

Arguably 8-9 times out of 10, GS-CLE would've entered game 5 tied 2-2; I also maintain we would've won G5 even if Dray played.

OKC that year...KD, well, you know. Speaking of that, if the KD trick is somehow still up GS's sleeve, which seems exceedingly unlikely, he will almost certainly be a net negative in his state.

 

[BigZ94]

They definitely are a better team from top to bottom. Vanvleet is very instrumental in their success. They have depth that are two way players that are versatile. They are built from 6 ft PGs to 7 ft centers with the proper size to defend everything in between.

Griff didn't get another PG after Delly left. He also relied on JR and Shump too much for defense. We needed larger wings/forward types. We had too many specialist and not enough two way players.

Yeah he went out and got deron Williams

 

[inliner311]

Yeah he went out and got deron Williams

Waiting all season for Deron Williams might have been the biggest mistake Griff did as a GM. It put more wear and tear on the whole team trying to pick up the slack and Deron Williams was out of shape when he got here. He made so little impact in the playoffs too that it wasn't worth waiting for him.