NBA Thread 2020-21

[forgetful]

Yep. They did it by default tonight when Ayton got into foul trouble and dominated those minutes.

Sidebar: I'm going to eat my words later in the series, but Pat Connaughton, Chris Paul on ball defender...I don't hate it?

The lead stayed even when Ayton came out. It was when Paul went to the bench that the doors fell of for the Suns.

Paul is has a bigger impact on their team than any single player in the NBA has on their own team.

[The Sultan]

Yeah Paul went out of the game with about 2:30 to go in the 3rd quarter with the Suns down 9.  He came back in with 48 seconds to go and they were down 17 - soon to grow to 22.  Without Paul on the floor, the offense just fell apart with iso moves and lack of ball movement.

The problem for Phoenix is they had no rim protection with Ayton out of the game.  And while Jae does a decent job on Giannis at times, he didn't last night.  He was having a field day in that quarter.

[MU82]

Yeah Paul went out of the game with about 2:30 to go in the 3rd quarter with the Suns down 9.  He came back in with 48 seconds to go and they were down 17 - soon to grow to 22.  Without Paul on the floor, the offense just fell apart with iso moves and lack of ball movement.

The problem for Phoenix is they had no rim protection with Ayton out of the game.  And while Jae does a decent job on Giannis at times, he didn't last night.  He was having a field day in that quarter.

There were a couple times Jae crowded Giannis, who then easily went past Jae for layups.

Not sure why Jae would crowd a guy who has trouble hitting shots from beyond 10 feet. But hey ... our guy's name is Crowder, after all!

And yes, Paul is the most important Sun. Has been all season and definitely has been all postseason. With two full days off before G3 and two more full days off before G4, it will mean the Suns will have played only one game in a 5-day span. I think the Bucks can expect a rested and ready Chris Paul for G4.

[The Sultan]

There were a couple times Jae crowded Giannis, who then easily went past Jae for layups.

Not sure why Jae would crowd a guy who has trouble hitting shots from beyond 10 feet. But hey ... our guy's name is Crowder, after all!

And yes, Paul is the most important Sun. Has been all season and definitely has been all postseason. With two full days off before G3 and two more full days off before G4, it will mean the Suns will have played only one game in a 5-day span. I think the Bucks can expect a rested and ready Chris Paul for G4.

The reason Crowder pick him up early is because he doesn't have the size to give space like Ayton does.  If Giannis gets too far inside on Jae, it's over.

And the Bucks are getting the same benefit of rest.  Was wondering if the Suns were located closer, say in Texas, whether or not they would have flown home last night. 

[MU82]

The reason Crowder pick him up early is because he doesn't have the size to give space like Ayton does.  If Giannis gets too far inside on Jae, it's over.

And the Bucks are getting the same benefit of rest.  Was wondering if the Suns were located closer, say in Texas, whether or not they would have flown home last night.

Size for what? To put a hand in Giannis' face and contest the 17-foot jumper the Suns actually want Giannis to take?

Yep, the Bucks are getting the same benefit of rest ... and it no doubt will especially help Giannis, who has to be sore even though he hasn't played like a guy coming off an ugly-looking injury. But Paul also has been beaten up, and he's 10 years older than Giannis.

[The Sultan]

Crowder isn't coming THAT far out.  He's meeting him further out than Ayton would.

[cheebs09]

Not sure if it's a major reason for Crowder playing Giannis so tight, but Crowder has drawn offensive fouls from Giannis by playing physical and Giannis lowering a shoulder.

Booker sitting so much was interesting. He can get hot in a hurry, so I'm not sure if his legs are that tired that he needed more time to rest. Especially with the 2 days between games in this stretch.

[The Sultan]

I think Booker just played like sh*t when Paul was out the game, and Williams just decided his head wasn't right and left him out.  I can't believe he would be physically tired when compared to everyone else.

[4everwarriors]

The key to the Bucks success was they pushed the tempo and the Suns were caught flat-footed, hey?

[The Sultan]

The key to the Bucks success was they pushed the tempo and the Suns were caught flat-footed, hey?

Because their defense stepped up in the second quarter.  The only way they can push tempo is if the Suns are turning it over or missing shots - and they did a lot of both in that quarter.

[4everwarriors]

Knot bad four a dude hoo don't no chit 'bout ball, aina?

[forgetful]

The key to the Bucks success was they pushed the tempo and the Suns were caught flat-footed, hey?

The key to the bucks success was that they finally knocked down open 3's, and quit missing 2-footers, and the Suns hot streak of hitting everything they shot from 3-pt land didn't go in, regression to the mean.

[cheebs09]

The key to the bucks success was that they finally knocked down open 3's, and quit missing 2-footers, and the Suns hot streak of hitting everything they shot from 3-pt land didn't go in, regression to the mean.

It also helped the Bucks were better at rebounding. Game 1 and 2 felt like the Bucks got a big stop to turn the corner, but couldn't secure the rebound. Then the Suns hit a 3.

They did a better job at getting to 50/50 balls. Hopefully they can keep that up as they looked a half step slower in Phoenix.

[BM1090]

The key to the bucks success was that they finally knocked down open 3's, and quit missing 2-footers, and the Suns hot streak of hitting everything they shot from 3-pt land didn't go in, regression to the mean.

Then Suns EFG% for the first two games was exactly at their season average. It wasn't regression. They are just an excellent shooting team.

The bucks actually outshot the Suns by a lot in game one.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Then Suns EFG% for the first two games was exactly at their season average.

Together for sure. Game 1 was a poor shooting night by Sun's standards. They were en fuego Game 2. Average of both games gets them to their season average.

Game 1 was mostly poor play by the Bucks
Game 2 was mostly incredible play by the Suns
Game 3 was both incredible play by the Bucks and poor play by the Suns

[BM1090]

Together for sure. Game 1 was a poor shooting night by Sun's standards. They were en fuego Game 2. Average of both games gets them to their season average.

Game 1 was mostly poor play by the Bucks
Game 2 was mostly incredible play by the Suns
Game 3 was both incredible play by the Bucks and poor play by the Suns

I agree with this analysis.

[JWags85]

It's always fun to watch international basketball cause you see some guys who were just good consistent NBA guys play as the star for their respective countries.  One of those, I always forget, is Patty Mills.  He's a reliable NBA PG, but internationally he's the engine that drives a solid Aussie team and he's ELECTRIC.

Also, Pop's offense with this team still F-ing sucks.  It's completely "make the extra pass" instead of just scoring

[Dish]

Team USA was -16 tonight vs Australia.

They lost by 8.

[JWags85]

Team USA was -16 tonight vs Australia.

They lost by 8.

Scored 1 point the last 3 minutes.  Pathetic tentative confused offense.  But I'm sure Pop was "happy" with this result or some nonsense.

[MuggsyB]

Uh-Oh.  What happened?  Did koalas take the floor and perplex the USA players?

[MU82]

Team USA was -16 tonight vs Australia.

They lost by 8.

Looks like the easiest money in the world can be made just by betting against the U.S. team.

[HutchwasClutch]

This is unbelievable what's happening. We're not even playing close to the world's best. It's not to late to save this, replace Popovich now.  Today.  No one should be losing to teams like this with NBA players. There is no excusing this away. 

But Popovich did say they were better last night, so everyone can take a measure of comfort in that. 

[HutchwasClutch]

Team USA was -16 tonight vs Australia.

They lost by 8.

Australia has never even medaled in the Olympics.  The most men's basketball competition appearances without a medal. 

[The Sultan]

This is unbelievable what's happening. We're not even playing close to the world's best. It's not to late to save this, replace Popovich now.  Today.  No one should be losing to teams like this with NBA players. There is no excusing this away. 

But Popovich did say they were better last night, so everyone can take a measure of comfort in that. 

How is Pop the problem?

[Uncle Rico]

How is Pop the problem?

He's woke