NBA Thread 2019-20

[JWags85]

Celtics grind out a Game 7 win. Man, for a great coach, Nick Nurse was pretty awful that series. I'm not sure if he has always given Powell the unconditional green light, but man was he reckless. Down 2, minute to go, Powell with the 1 v 2 rim attack is the last thing you want. And then he misses the blockout and gets dominated by Tatum on the rebound. I have all those thoughts cause I'm utter speechless about their last possession. ISO for FVV to casually face up a much larger defender and heave? Yeesh.

It's personal preference but I hate Brad Stevens Celtics playoff basketball. Tons of offensive talent but they seem to default to grinding out 92-90 games with stretches of ineptitude on both sides. It's just unpleasant. This Miami series is gonna be a rock fight. We may get some O/U lines at like 195. We don't need playground 125-120 games but 2 teams struggling to score is meh, and I feel like that's coming

[Skatastrophy]

ISO for FVV to casually face up a much larger defender and heave? Yeesh.

That was like watching Wojo's offense with markus. Brutal

https://streamable.com/c2x1rp

[shoothoops]

At 22 years old, Tatum's 29, 10, 5,...2nd youngest to do that in a game 7. (Bryant). In 3 game 7's, 25, 8, 4 average for him.

[jesmu84]

At 22 years old, Tatum's 29, 10, 5,...2nd youngest to do that in a game 7. (Bryant). In 3 game 7's, 25, 8, 4 average for him.

I hate stats like this in basketball. It's so oddly specific just to make player comparisons.

Why not make the threshold 30/10/5?

[shoothoops]

I hate stats like this in basketball. It's so oddly specific just to make player comparisons.

Why not make the threshold 30/10/5?

The actual threshold is 25, 10, 5, but Tatum put up 29.

Or, more simply put, he's pretty good, especially in game 7's at the age of 22 or less.

[MU82]

Bam with one of the best big-moment blocked shots in recent history.

And of course, Jimmy wins it with a bucket for the Heat.

Should be an enjoyable series. Already is!

[Skatastrophy]

Bam with one of the best big-moment blocked shots in recent history.

And of course, Jimmy wins it with a bucket for the Heat.

Should be an enjoyable series. Already is!

Great game. I'm concerned for the cardiovascular health of Celtics fans with so many games coming down to the wire in a row.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I would love nothing more than a Nuggets/Heat final. Not so much because those are the two most enjoyable teams to watch, but more so that the NBA had a chance to have a Lakers Celtics finals and it blew up in their face.

[JWags85]

I'm a fan of him as a coach, and an even bigger fan of him as a person...but it may be time for Doc to move on from the Clippers.  Last night was just a shameful performance to close out a shameful back half of the series.  2 games in a row that the Clippers just didn't show up in the second half.  Yes plenty is on the players, but you need to figure out how to get something, anything, out of your guys.

Speaking of players, I used to defend him more than many others, but Paul George is a fraud.  Dude is better suited to be the star on a 5-8 seed, than a pivotal piece of a championship contending team. He just vanishes in key moments time and time again.

I would love nothing more than a Nuggets/Heat final. Not so much because those are the two most enjoyable teams to watch, but more so that the NBA had a chance to have a Lakers Celtics finals and it blew up in their face.

Unfortunately, I think you are gonna see a ref show and a half in the West.  The NBA lost out on their Battle for LA marquee WCF.  But the consolation prize is a clear path for Lebron into the finals against an inferior opponent for another title.  Gross.

[BM1090]

Unfortunately, I think you are gonna see a ref show and a half in the West.  The NBA lost out on their Battle for LA marquee WCF.  But the consolation prize is a clear path for Lebron into the finals against an inferior opponent for another title.  Gross.

Agreed on the ref show if necessary, but I'm not sure it will be. As well as Denver matched up with LAC, I think they match up that poorly against LAL.

I have no feel for the other series. I think Boston is more talented and actually bet them to win the series but the Heat keep proving me wrong. Their style of play is absolutely exhausting to defend.

[MU82]

Speaking of players, I used to defend him more than many others, but Paul George is a fraud.  Dude is better suited to be the star on a 5-8 seed, than a pivotal piece of a championship contending team. He just vanishes in key moments time and time again.

Hey ... show some respect ... you're talkin' 'bout ...

PLAYOFF P

[The Sultan]

JFB is possessed.

[Lennys Tap]

JFB.

[Skatastrophy]

Miami Heat are 10-1 in the playoffs. Their only loss was to the Bucks. What a great run so far!

Edit: If you all are interested in who Duncan Robinson is, and how a 2nd-year player is the best 3 point shooter in the NBA this article is a must-read. https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/9/17/21439778/duncan-robinson-miami-heat-boston-celtics-playoffs

[JWags85]

Miami Heat are 10-1 in the playoffs. Their only loss was to the Bucks. What a great run so far!

Edit: If you all are interested in who Duncan Robinson is, and how a 2nd-year player is the best 3 point shooter in the NBA this article is a must-read. https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/9/17/21439778/duncan-robinson-miami-heat-boston-celtics-playoffs

He's a great story, but let's not get out of pocket. He's a not the top 3Pt shooter in anything but pure volume. Klay and Steph are still in the league. Steph's brother Seth shot a higher percentage than Robinson with a more all around offensive game, same with JJ Reddick.  He's been a non factor for most of the playoffs and a lot of the bubble.

But he and the Heat are remarkable. The Cs just don't have any clue what to do with them when the rubber meets the road. This could be a gentlemen's sweep

[PGsHeroes32]

He's a great story, but let's not get out of pocket. He's a not the top 3Pt shooter in anything but pure volume. Klay and Steph are still in the league. Steph's brother Seth shot a higher percentage than Robinson with a more all around offensive game, same with JJ Reddick.  He's been a non factor for most of the playoffs and a lot of the bubble.

But he and the Heat are remarkable. The Cs just don't have any clue what to do with them when the rubber meets the road. This could be a gentlemen's sweep

Robinson did have the best % on 500+ catch and shoot 3s for a single season or some sh it.

Hes not ever gonna be a well rounded player. But the guy is an insane shooter.

This year he took 8.3 3s per game. And anyone who took similar volume/higher volume per game were well off his 44.6%. Bertans at 42.4% on 8.7 was really the only one close.

Aside from Robinson and Bertans. The other 8 guys in the Top 10 took between 3 and 6.6 3s per game.

So yeah, Robinson does beat most in "pure volume" but he also beats all but 3 in percentage(with much higher volume)

[The Sultan]

A slightly more athletic Steve Novak.

[lawdog77]

A slightly more athletic Steve Novak.

Who also has a coach that gave him the greenlight and confidence to fire at will. Wish Novak would have had that type of coach in the NBA.

[shoothoops]

The Heat led the league playing Zone D during regular season 11.6% of the time. They went away from that in the playoffs until the Boston series. They have played it 26% of the time v Boston thus far.

[shoothoops]

NBA MVP is.....

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1306967778163789825?s=19

[JWags85]

Robinson did have the best % on 500+ catch and shoot 3s for a single season or some sh it.

Hes not ever gonna be a well rounded player. But the guy is an insane shooter.

This year he took 8.3 3s per game. And anyone who took similar volume/higher volume per game were well off his 44.6%. Bertans at 42.4% on 8.7 was really the only one close.

Aside from Robinson and Bertans. The other 8 guys in the Top 10 took between 3 and 6.6 3s per game.

So yeah, Robinson does beat most in "pure volume" but he also beats all but 3 in percentage(with much higher volume)

Id argue its easier to shoot a higher percentage doing what he does versus the other guys shooting 4,5,6 3s a game.  We've see the videos, most of the "good" shooters in the league could bury 45 out of 50 3s with regularity.  But shooting off the dribble, tightly guarded, in a varied offensive flow, changes those percentages.  He largely sits on the perimeter and catches and shoots.  Spoelstra has done a great job implementing him and that ability into his offense, but it still is what it is.  Robinson shoots a higher percentage from 3 in the NBA than he did in college.  But in college he didn't just float on the perimeter and fire off the dish.

TLDR, I think Robinson is a heck of a shooter and had a great season in a perfect fit of an offense for him, but I wouldn't put him in my top 5 shooters or 3 pt shooters, in the NBA FWIW.

[Skatastrophy]

A slightly more athletic Steve Novak.

Duncan plays pretty respectable defense. I think it's easier to keep him on the court for long stretches.

[tower912]

Congrats to Giannis for winning MVP.   Lots of time to enjoy it.

[Skatastrophy]

Congrats to Giannis for winning MVP.   Lots of time to enjoy it.

Jimmy got votes. Happy for him!

[wadesworld]

But LBJ is pissed off that he only got 16 first place votes for MVP. Honestly that's too many. There's not a single case for LBJ over Giannis for MVP.

Of course if you want to change the criteria and include the Playoffs then sure you could argue LBJ's team is having more success. But that's not the MVP award.