NBA Thread 2020-21

[MuggsyB]

They can't do it without Giannis.

No.  I would agree with that.  Certainly not the Finals if they get there.

[MuggsyB]

I will say this:  I'm impressed with Huerter.  Really good player with underrated overall skills.  Much quicker and better off the bounce than I imagined.  And he's a legitimate 6'7. 

[CreightonWarrior]

A complete and utter disaster for the bucks. Absolute choke job.

[MuggsyB]

The TNT crew just absolutely shredded Budenholzer and the Bucks.  "Not ready to play."  Hard to disagree with their assessment. 

[Mutaman]

For the Hawks this is following the exact same pattern as the Sixers series.

[MuggsyB]

For the Hawks this is following the exact same pattern as the Sixers series.

I thought what Barkley said was pretty spot-on tonight.  He said the Bucks basically slepwalked in the first half and tried to turn it on in the 3rd Q.  You simply cannot play that way in Game 4 of the ECF.

[Mutaman]

After what happened the last two years and in the Nets' series you would think they would realize that you have to go pedal to the metal all the time if you want a championship. Just don't understand these guys.

[MuggsyB]

After what happened the last two years and in the Nets' series you would think they would realize that you have to go pedal to the metal all the time if you want a championship. Just don't understand these guys.

True Dat. I was puzzled by the obvious lethargy.  Now the Hawks did play well....but still.

[Jockey]

Of course, Jock. Red and Pop and Daly needed talent, too. Only a fool would argue otherwise.

Jackson never won a title without a roster that included either Jordan or Bryant. Of course, neither Jordan nor Bryant ever won a title without Jackson.

We've had this discussion before. I think we are about 90% in agreement and a ways apart on the other 10%

[JWags85]

I will say this:  I'm impressed with Huerter.  Really good player with underrated overall skills.  Much quicker and better off the bounce than I imagined.  And he's a legitimate 6'7.

There were tons of memes and internet jokes about Huerter after the clincher in the Sixers series, which was incredibly stupid. He was Mr Basketball in NY, a top 60 recruit, and played for USA basketball, plus he was a top 20 pick.  Just cause he's a ginger doesn't mean he's some journeyman bum.  Dude has been a baller his entire career.

As for the Bucks, I can't fathom how they continue to start so slow.  Bud bears a lot of responsibility there.  Even still, before Giannis' injury, the tide was turning.  They got it to 5, Atlanta answered, but the Bucks started to get a rhythm.  After the injury, they just looked shell shocked and checked out.  Again, can't help but look at coaching there.

But man this sucks.  I haven't felt this sick about an injury since Dominic James broke his foot.

[MUfan12]

Of course they were shell shocked. What's tough for me to understand is why Bud didn't see that and call a timeout until the lead got to 20.

[cheebs09]

Of course they were shell shocked. What's tough for me to understand is why Bud didn't see that and call a timeout until the lead got to 20.

I was listening on the radio at that point and could not understand how it went that long without a timeout.

I'm still hopeful they can beat Atlanta. Maybe we finally get some urgency out of this team and Middleton and Holiday can carry them through.

[MU82]

We've had this discussion before. I think we are about 90% in agreement and a ways apart on the other 10%

You're allowed to be 10% wrong. That's a pretty good percentage, Jock!

[The Sultan]

It's not just on Bud.  The lack of consistency by Middleton and Holiday is frustrating as well.  They are letting Jrue shoot and he just can't do it consistently.

[cheebs09]

It's not just on Bud.  The lack of consistency by Middleton and Holiday is frustrating as well.  They are letting Jrue shoot and he just can't do it consistently.

Lost in Middleton's hot 4th quarter, was the Bucks kind of sleepwalking through most of Game 3. It seems like they thought with Young out they could coast and flip the switch late again.

I don't think this Bucks team is too mentally strong. Even with Kidd they'd go stretches of seeming like they are going through the motions. I don't think Giannis and Middleton are guys that value each possession. Which regular season is fine, but really hurts in the playoffs.

[The Sultan]

Lost in Middleton's hot 4th quarter, was the Bucks kind of sleepwalking through most of Game 3. It seems like they thought with Young out they could coast and flip the switch late again.

I don't think this Bucks team is too mentally strong. Even with Kidd they'd go stretches of seeming like they are going through the motions. I don't think Giannis and Middleton are guys that value each possession. Which regular season is fine, but really hurts in the playoffs.

Barkley at halftime:  "This Bucks team doesn't have a killer."

I have been saying this for a couple years now. 

[cheebs09]

Barkley at halftime:  "This Bucks team doesn't have a killer."

I have been saying this for a couple years now.

Yup. When Giannis tries to be that, he puts his head down and tries to drive through guys. It's what made the Toronto Wall Defense so effective.

[MuggsyB]

It's not just on Bud.  The lack of consistency by Middleton and Holiday is frustrating as well.  They are letting Jrue shoot and he just can't do it consistently.

Their offense is all iso.  Not a lot of ball movement FBM.

[JWags85]

"Bucks fear Giannis suffered severe ACL injury"....FAKKKK

If thats the case, I honestly hope they lose this series.  They aren't beating the Suns without Giannis and I dont need a few more years of Bud.

[cheebs09]

"Bucks fear Giannis suffered severe ACL injury"....FAKKKK

If thats the case, I honestly hope they lose this series.  They aren't beating the Suns without Giannis and I dont need a few more years of Bud.

To be fair, I think that is based off a Clippers Bleacher Report writer tweeting that last night. Now, it could be because he failed the manual test and are waiting in imaging.

My hope is that it goes without saying that people are scared it's an ACL based on how he was injured, so there's not really any information behind the tweet. I'm prepared for the worst though.

[Jockey]

It's not just on Bud.  The lack of consistency by Middleton and Holiday is frustrating as well.  They are letting Jrue shoot and he just can't do it consistently.

I disagree, FBM. Khris is more consistent than most. That's why his off shooting games are more obvious.  You don't shoot with 50-40-90 unless you are a very steady player.

[wadesworld]

First report I've seen says Giannis is out for the Playoffs but the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage. They are going to do more tests though. Could it be too swollen at the moment to get a clear picture?

[cheebs09]

First report I've seen says Giannis is out for the Playoffs but the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage. They are going to do more tests though. Could it be too swollen at the moment to get a clear picture?

Is that guy legit? Reddit seemed to think he's not someone who just throws stuff out there.

[wadesworld]

Is that guy legit? Reddit seemed to think he's not someone who just throws stuff out there.

Gotcha.  I just had a coworker text that to me, so I really have no idea.

[cheebs09]

Gotcha.  I just had a coworker text that to me, so I really have no idea.

https://twitter.com/jajareetz/status/1410289378136674309?s=20

This is the tweet I've seen going around.