2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[MuggsyB]

Do we think the narrative becomes "injuries are a main reason the Warriors won the title" if it's the Warriors who win it this year, like it did with the Bucks last year?

The Nets injuries helped the Bucks last year no doubt.  But that's the risk of eating your way out of a franchise.  Sometimes your hammy doesn't hold up like it should if you're in peak professional athlete shape.  Then the narrative was "the Bucks were luck to play the Hawks in the ECF" - well, the Hawks beat the fully healthy 1 seed 6ers on their home court in game 7.  And then it was "the Lakers and Clippers weren't healthy."  Turns out the Suns were probably simply the best team in the West, and Paul George, Anthony Davis, and Kawhi Leonard are simply susceptible to injures.

Injuries are part of the sport as you stated.  If they weren't Dwyane would have been a top 15 player ever and at least another two rings. 

[GB Warrior]

Honest question: are we supposed to feel empathetic for Ben Simmons?

[MuggsyB]

Honest question: are we supposed to feel sympathetic for Ben Simmons?

Because of possible mental health issues? 

[MuggsyB]

Lost in some of the playoff stories Is that Trae Young has been awful. 

[GB Warrior]

Because of possible mental health issues?

I take him at his word, but (spoken as someone who is not a professional athlete, an unprofessional athlete,  or an athlete) is it possible he just doesn't have the moxie to play on the biggest stage?

[MuggsyB]

I take him at his word, but (spoken as someone who is not a professional athlete, an unprofessional athlete,  or an athlete) is it possible he just doesn't have the moxie to play on the biggest stage?

It's very possible.

[The Sultan]

Man that Ja dunk was something. 

[wadesworld]

This series/game is awesome.

I really want to like KAT because he's clearly not been "the problem" in MN, but the wining to refs and trying to trash talk...he's just not that guy.

I REALLY like Clark.

[MuggsyB]

This series/game is awesome.

I really want to like KAT because he's clearly not been "the problem" in MN, but the wining to refs and trying to trash talk...he's just not that guy.

I REALLY like Clark.

This was a serious choke job by Minnesota. 

[MuggsyB]

This was a serious choke job by Minnesota.

Unless they win in overtime. 

[wadesworld]

Unless they win in overtime. 

Or regulation.

[MuggsyB]

Wow.

[MuggsyB]

Think about 2 of the 3 games Minny lost in this series?  OUCH.

[MU82]

What a finish.

This is an example of why TV sports rights bring so much $$$. This kind of live drama and entertainment can't be found in any other kind of setting.

And the viewer has to sit through commercials.

[PGsHeroes32]

Every little call went Memphis way

But Wolves cant complain. Completely gagged another.

Awful rebounding fighting each other for boards. Clarke owened them.

Ant ISO ball was a joke

Russell showed why 3 teams didnt want him. Most disgustingly selfish shot ive ever seen.

And Ant with the dumbest defensive play the game has ever seen.

[MuggsyB]

Every little call went Memphis way

But Wolves cant complain. Completely gagged another.

Awful rebounding fighting each other for boards. Clarke owened them.

I agree and thought they hagged and played with 0.0 discipline.  Good point on Russell at the end.

Ant ISO ball was a joke

Russell showed why 3 teams didnt want him. Most disgustingly selfish shot ive ever seen.

And Ant with the dumbest defensive play the game has ever seen.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Man that Ja dunk was something.

That dunk was the best I've seen in a long time

[forgetful]

Kyrie has already won a title. And KD was (by a decent margin) the best player on the GSW teams.

Disagree, Steph was the best player on those teams.

[MU82]

KD was (by a decent margin) the best player on the GSW teams.

Disagree, Steph was the best player on those teams.

KD wasn't even on GS's first title team (2015), or on the team that won 73 regular-season games but lost to LeBron in the Finals (2016) -- so Steph obviously was the best on those teams.

In his first GS season (2016-17), KD finished a close second to Steph in regular-season scoring and just ahead of Steph in postseason scoring; in KD's second season (2017-18), they tied for the team scoring lead, though KD had the advantage in the playoffs.

So I'm not sure I'd say that either was much better than the other -- though there probably are advanced stats that would make a case for one or the other. All's I know is that they both were effen great.

[JWags85]

Disagree, Steph was the best player on those teams.

Steph is my favorite non-MU player since MJ, but KD was the best player on those teams.  It was Steph's team and he was probably the most important cog in the offense, but KD was pretty close to untouchable during the run.

Unrelated, Ja Morant is the new AI.  Might not be the best player in the league, or his position even (I give the nod to Luka for the new class), he's not a complete player...but he will be the constantly emulated player in driveways and have an outsized effect on social media and culture.  He's simply must watch by this point cause he's the definition of electric.

[forgetful]

KD wasn't even on GS's first title team (2015), or on the team that won 73 regular-season games but lost to LeBron in the Finals (2016) -- so Steph obviously was the best on those teams.

In his first GS season (2016-17), KD finished a close second to Steph in regular-season scoring and just ahead of Steph in postseason scoring; in KD's second season (2017-18), they tied for the team scoring lead, though KD had the advantage in the playoffs.

So I'm not sure I'd say that either was much better than the other -- though there probably are advanced stats that would make a case for one or the other. All's I know is that they both were effen great.

I agree that they are both effen great. Big fans of them both. But KD had to come to GS to ride Curry and Co to a title. If Steph doesn't sprain his knee in round 1 of 2016, they win that championship. He missed 2 full weeks in the playoffs and wasn't the same when he returned.

I guess my main criticism to Wades post was "by a decent margin."

[tower912]

re: Ja's dunk.     Somewhere, Joey Hauser feels a little better.   

[4everwarriors]

Luv watchin' Ja play. Da dude has HOF ritten all over his own self, hey?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

re: Ja's dunk.     Somewhere, Joey Hauser feels a little better.

Or did he just shudder and have idea why?

[MU82]

Ja Morant is the new AI.  Might not be the best player in the league, or his position even (I give the nod to Luka for the new class), he's not a complete player...but he will be the constantly emulated player in driveways and have an outsized effect on social media and culture.  He's simply must watch by this point cause he's the definition of electric.

Morant really went off after the trash-talking Beverley said Ja couldn't guard him with about 4 1/2 minutes left. Ja immediately scored 13 straight points and fouled Beverley out of the game. Who couldn't guard whom?

Ja's definitely a blast to watch. I like the AI comparison, though I hope he becomes a more well-rounded (IOW, actually cares about defense) player.