NBA playoffs: greatest show on Earth

[Melancer46]

As much as I hate Houston, as I have said before, I think they are the best team in the league this year. I would be totally shocked if they get beat.

Eh, I think Golden State is better and is also just built very well to stop Houston. I could see Golden State winning the series in 5 or 6 games. I hope Houston can pull it off though.

I just don't think Houston's iso ball will be able to outscore GSW if GSW is fully healthy. Will be interesting to see if Kerr comes out with the Hampton 5 lineup right out of the gate with Capela starting for Houston.

If GSW starts the Hampton 5, Houston has to put Harden on Draymond when GSW is on offense, right?

I would imagine Houston's matchups will be:

CP3 - Steph
Ariza - Klay
Harden - Iguodala
Tucker - Durant
Capela - Draymond

And then whenever they play CP3, Gordon, and Harden together, they'd just slide Ariza over to Durant and have Gordon try to stick with Klay.

 

[Knicks411]

I was Warriors in 5 all year, made a bet with my friend to that effect, but in the picks pool I'm in I picked Warriors in 6 for some reason.

if the over/under on Warriors losses the rest of the playoffs is 1.5, which way do you go? (Also, another interesting gambling thing; Houston is a 2 point favorite in game 1, but the Warriors are -190 to win the series. Seems odd, no?)

I just don't think Houston's iso ball will be able to outscore GSW if GSW is fully healthy. Will be interesting to see if Kerr comes out with the Hampton 5 lineup right out of the gate with Capela starting for Houston.

If GSW starts the Hampton 5, Houston has to put Harden on Draymond when GSW is on offense, right?

and Capela on Iggy? I htink they'd like to hide Harden on Iggy.

 

[OrangeDW]

As much as I hate Houston, as I have said before, I think they are the best team in the league this year. I would be totally shocked if they get beat.

I think GS has another level when they care(which obviously come playoff time they do) and are healthy. Also they’ve been together and already won a title together.

I do think Houston has the team to push GS. Should be a fun series. I’d go GS in 6 or maybe 7.

 

[Knicks411]

I just don't think anyone can beat Golden State when the chips are down. I do think Houston has the best chance though

 

[MikeSU02]

I was Warriors in 5 all year, made a bet with my friend to that effect, but in the picks pool I'm in I picked Warriors in 6 for some reason.

if the over/under on Warriors losses the rest of the playoffs is 1.5, which way do you go? (Also, another interesting gambling thing; Houston is a 2 point favorite in game 1, but the Warriors are -190 to win the series. Seems odd, no?)



and Capela on Iggy? I htink they'd like to hide Harden on Iggy.

I don't think Harden can be on Iggy with Capela on Draymond. I mean, Capela HAS to be a rim protector and get the offensive players funneled to him. Draymond can stand past the three point line. If they do that, Iggy is going to tear up Harden, not to mention KD on Tucker. I mean, KD can literally take shooting practice over him.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Interested to see how this series is officiated. Kind of sick of the Warriors, but can't root for Harden and his game of bowling ball to try and draw fouls.

 

[Knicks411]

I don't think Harden can be on Iggy with Capela on Draymond. I mean, Capela HAS to be a rim protector and get the offensive players funneled to him. Draymond can stand past the three point line. If they do that, Iggy is going to tear up Harden, not to mention KD on Tucker. I mean, KD can literally take shooting practice over him.

I hear you on Capela. But if I'm Houston, I'm thrilled if the Warriors decide to let Iggy go at Harden. That's a win I think

 

[MikeSU02]

I hear you on Capela. But if I'm Houston, I'm thrilled if the Warriors decide to let Iggy go at Harden. That's a win I think

Ah... you know what, I got my lineups mixed up. You and Melancer46 are right.

I'm still worried if Capela is guarding Draymond and they turn him into the de facto PG, especially if they are running a lot.

 

[Knicks411]

Ah... you know what, I got my lineups mixed up. You and Melancer46 are right.

I'm still worried if Capela is guarding Draymond and they turn him into the de facto PG, especially if they are running a lot.

Btw this entire conversation is basically why I don't think anyone can beat the Warriors.

 

[MikeSU02]

Btw this entire conversation is basically why I don't think anyone can beat the Warriors.

Agreed.

The only way I think they can be beat is if Steph gets injured. They play Cleveland and LeBron averages like 40, 15, 15 and KLove is at like 30/15.

 

[NineOneSeven]

When Warriors are healthy and clicking, they are one of the greatest ever.

This is all you really need to see:

Steph- top _ shooter of all-time and underrated play maker
Klay- top _ shooter of all-time, legitimately, and great defender
Iguodala- one of the most versatile defenders that has played, definitely past his prime athletically but still a very high bball iq
Durant- top _ scorer of all-time
Green- quintessential do it all guy, great defender

We might never see a lineup like that again, and I am serious.

 

[Melancer46]

I don't think Harden can be on Iggy with Capela on Draymond. I mean, Capela HAS to be a rim protector and get the offensive players funneled to him. Draymond can stand past the three point line. If they do that, Iggy is going to tear up Harden, not to mention KD on Tucker. I mean, KD can literally take shooting practice over him.

Putting Capela on Draymond is the best way to keep him near the rim IMO. Golden State floats around with all 5 beyond the 3 point line but you can generally survive borderline ignoring Draymond out there. I don’t think there’s a better option out there.

Where it can get teams in trouble though (and Golden State does this but not enough IMO) is that when teams ignore Draymond out there, he can set a screen and essentially free any of the shooters up completely because in this case, Capela is under the rim instead of being there to help hedge the screens.

 

[Knicks411]

When Warriors are healthy and clicking, they are one of the greatest ever.

This is all you really need to see:

Steph- top _ shooter of all-time and underrated play maker
Klay- top _ shooter of all-time, legitimately, and great defender
Iguodala- one of the most versatile defenders that has played, definitely past his prime athletically but still a very high bball iq
Durant- top _ scorer of all-time
Green- quintessential do it all guy, great defender

We might never see a lineup like that again, and I am serious.

yes I think the Warriors have a pretty reasonable case as the best team ever. They won 73 games. And then added Kevin Durant.

 

[MikeSU02]

When Warriors are healthy and clicking, they are one of the greatest ever.

This is all you really need to see:

Steph- top _ shooter of all-time and underrated play maker
Klay- top _ shooter of all-time, legitimately, and great defender
Iguodala- one of the most versatile defenders that has played, definitely past his prime athletically but still a very high bball iq
Durant- top _ scorer of all-time
Green- quintessential do it all guy, great defender

We might never see a lineup like that again, and I am serious.

JMHO:

Steph- top 1 shooter of all-time and underrated play maker
Klay- top 5 shooter of all-time, legitimately, and great defender
Iguodala- one of the most versatile defenders that has played, definitely past his prime athletically but still a very high bball iq + Finals MVP
Durant- top 1 scorer of all-time (I know this is arguable)
Green- quintessential do it all guy, great defender + DPOY​

 

[NineOneSeven]

JMHO:

Steph- top 1 shooter of all-time and underrated play maker
Klay- top 5 shooter of all-time, legitimately, and great defender
Iguodala- one of the most versatile defenders that has played, definitely past his prime athletically but still a very high bball iq + Finals MVP
Durant- top 1 scorer of all-time (I know this is arguable)
Green- quintessential do it all guy, great defender + DPOY​

Hard to argue. Klay can sometimes get overlooked because he plays with Steph but look at his numbers from 3 each year in league

1.7, 41%
2.6, 40%
2.8, 42%
3.1, 44%
3.5, 42.5%
3.4, 41%
3.1, 44%

Historically great.

 

[MikeSU02]

Hard to argue. Klay can sometimes get overlooked because he plays with Steph but look at his numbers from 3 each year in league

1.7, 41%
2.6, 40%
2.8, 42%
3.1, 44%
3.5, 42.5%
3.4, 41%
3.1, 44%

Historically great.

Unless Philly knows Bron is definitely coming, they should start laying the groundwork to get Klay after next season. He'd be perfect with those guys if he's looking to switch teams. Those numbers are legit.

 

[Knicks411]

Hard to argue. Klay can sometimes get overlooked because he plays with Steph but look at his numbers from 3 each year in league

1.7, 41%
2.6, 40%
2.8, 42%
3.1, 44%
3.5, 42.5%
3.4, 41%
3.1, 44%

Historically great.

The volume is insane, there are 17 nba player seasons in history where a guy has made 3 or more 3 pointers per game at over 40%. 4 of them are Klay. 5 of them are Steph.

 

[Melancer46]

Unless Philly knows Bron is definitely coming, they should start laying the groundwork to get Klay after next season. He'd be perfect with those guys if he's looking to switch teams. Those numbers are legit.

It feels like he or Draymond HAVE to leave right? The luxury tax would be absolutely insane otherwise wouldn't it? I feel like Klay is the most dispensible of the guys they have and agree that Philly should be targeting him. Honestly I'd probably prioritize him over LeBron from a team-building perspective.

Edit: After looking at it in more detail, it seems like they actually might be able to keep the foursome together if they're willing to sacrifice depth and also pay a crazy luxury tax.

 

[NineOneSeven]

The volume is insane, there are 17 nba player seasons in history where a guy has made 3 or more 3 pointers per game at over 40%. 4 of them are Klay. 5 of them are Steph.

It's unbelievable. I still don't think the majority of people quite understand.

 

[Knicks411]

It feels like he or Draymond HAVE to leave right? The luxury tax would be absolutely insane otherwise wouldn't it? I feel like Klay is the most dispensible of the guys they have and agree that Philly should be targeting him. Honestly I'd probably prioritize him over LeBron from a team-building perspective.

Edit: After looking at it in more detail, it seems like they actually might be able to keep the foursome together if they're willing to sacrifice depth and also pay a crazy luxury tax.

There have been a bunch of articles written about it, I think the main takeaway is that it is theoretically possible to keep the 4 together, but the payroll is going to be out of this world. Klay is a FA after next year, so they could be sitting on 3 titles in a row and 4 out of 5; do you pay $400 million or whatever it is to keep the team together, or move on from one of the guys?

 

[orangehomer]

has any team been allowed to be as physical as boston has been with embiid? I understand that he creates some of it but man its like a wrestling match

 

[SoBeCuse]

Great game here. This Saric is terrific.

 

[OrangeDW]

Embiid got murdered. That’s gotta be a foul.

 

[billsin01]

Embiid got murdered. That’s gotta be a foul.

Never understand why it’s a foul all game but not in the last couple minutes. Should have been a charge on saric a possessionor two earlier too. Makes no sense.

Edit: and a foul on McConnell on the Tatum catch under the basket before he hit that big layup.

 

[Melancer46]

With Simmons on the floor, Philly was outscored by 12.6 points per game. 3 of the other 5 guys that started in this series were in the POSITIVES. It's almost unfathomable how much he hurt Philly in this series and Brown just continued to play him.