2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[MuggsyB]

Crazy/Ugly G5 in Miami.  Heat 5-33 from distance.

[MuggsyB]

7 for 45??   Whatever happened to a diversified offense?   That was an abysmal performance by Miami. 

Who ya got?  Dubs or Celtics?

[MU82]

7 for 45??   Whatever happened to a diversified offense?   That was an abysmal performance by Miami. 

Who ya got?  Dubs or Celtics?

I’ll wait until Boston actually wins this series to make a prediction for the next round. The Heat have already shown they can win in Boston.

But yes, Miami was a disaster tonight, especially in the second half.

[JWags85]

That was one of the worst basketball games I’ve watched in awhile.

[MuggsyB]

I’ll wait until Boston actually wins this series to make a prediction for the next round. The Heat have already shown they can win in Boston.

But yes, Miami was a disaster tonight, especially in the second half.

The Miami backcourt starters were 0-15 and 0-11 from three.  That will never happen again in NBA history.  In general the Conf Finals have been duddish and I didn't expect that.

[Uncle Rico]

The Miami backcourt starters were 0-15 and 0-11 from three.  That will never happen again in NBA history.  In general the Conf Finals have been duddish and I didn't expect that.

I did.  Dallas is an ok team.  Golden State is much better. The Heat and Celtics are boring and ugly

[MuggsyB]

Is there something Stan Van Gundy adds to the broadcast that I'm missing?

[tower912]

Apparently.

[MuggsyB]

When I look at the NBA today I'm honestly wondering if Duncan, Shaq, maybe Kareem, could play their game?  Obviously, no one playing now could guard them but they wouldn't be able to guard the perimeter.  Here's the thing though:  when  most teams are bricking threes they really don't have option B.  Even the Bucks with Giannis can't win vs elite teams without draining 10+ triples.

[MuggsyB]

Apparently.

Maybe a mustache quota?

[forgetful]

Old School Klay showed up to close out the series.

[MuggsyB]

Old School Klay showed up to close out the series.

Big probs for Boston or Miami if Klay is old Klay. 

[tower912]

GS gets healthy, replaces KD with Wiggins, goes back to the finals.

[lawdog77]

GS gets healthy, replaces KD with Wiggins, goes back to the finals.

It's scary when Steph is the 5th leading scorer, and they still win by double digits. Wiggins showing why he was a top pick. A much better player than his dad, Mitchell.

[tower912]

When I look at the NBA today I'm honestly wondering if Duncan, Shaq, maybe Kareem, could play their game?  Obviously, no one playing now could guard them but they wouldn't be able to guard the perimeter.  Here's the thing though:  when  most teams are bricking threes they really don't have option B.  Even the Bucks with Giannis can't win vs elite teams without draining 10+ triples.

That has been discussed with regularity.    Today's game does not lend itself to post ups or physical post defense.    They would have to adapt their games, and their teammates would have to adapt, too.   IMO, they are all talented enough that if they had been raised in the culture that has lead to today's game, i.e. bigs having to be multi-dimensional and handle the ball, they would have been fine.     

The ones that I question are the Elgin Baylor's, the Oscar Robertson's.   I don't know if the original power guards could dominate in today's NBA.    6'5 and 220 is not big for a guard anymore.       I think they would be successful, but today everybody is doing what they did.

I also wonder about the bruisers.    The Oakley's, Mason's, Mahorn's, Rambis's, Wallace's.    Could they find a place? 

Conversely, what does Ralph Sampson with good knees look like in today's NBA?

Or a player that was maligned at the time, Brad Sellers? 

[forgetful]

I think the Celtics need to close out their series tonight.

Every extra day of rest that the Warriors get will make it more difficult for the Celtics to win.

[JWags85]

GS gets healthy, replaces KD with Wiggins, goes back to the finals.

But also drafted Jordan Poole.  Those together made up the difference, as opposed to a one for one swap.  Also remarkable that all this is being done with a #2 pick who hasn't really played since he was drafted.

While we knew they were never gonna win (and it only went to 5 so GS could have another home game), what a credit to Luka that they even got there.  That Mavs roster is so pedestrian.  Who is their second best player, Brunson?  He's a nice piece, but he's not a second star on a championship team good.  Neither is Dinwiddie post injuries.  They have some work to do in the offseason

[MuggsyB]

But also drafted Jordan Poole.  Those together made up the difference, as opposed to a one for one swap.  Also remarkable that all this is being done with a #2 pick who hasn't really played since he was drafted.

While we knew they were never gonna win (and it only went to 5 so GS could have another home game), what a credit to Luka that they even got there.  That Mavs roster is so pedestrian.  Who is their second best player, Brunson?  He's a nice piece, but he's not a second star on a championship team good.  Neither is Dinwiddie post injuries.  They have some work to do in the offseason

Ya......it's not just Wiggins replacing Durant.  Poole has been enormous and Looney is a much, much, better player.  Their  other bench players are also better than those they had had with Durant.  Heck, Juan can't even get on the floor and he's pretty damn good as a  11/12th guy.  They seemingly have 8 guys who can drain triples with Green/Looney.

[MuggsyB]

It's too bad Middleton got hurt because I really think Bucks/Warriors would be a compelling Finals. Giannis would be an absolute match-up nightmare for them but as we saw vs Boston the Bucks don't defend the triple well.

[tower912]

Report out of Miami says that 4 starters and Herro would all be sitting if it were the regular season.

[MuggsyB]

Report out of Miami says that 4 starters and Herro would all be sitting if it were the regular season.

Weird.  Whatever happened to durability?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Weird.  Whatever happened to durability?

???  Injuries have always been part of the league.

[tower912]

Weird.  Whatever happened to durability?

They're playing.

[Jockey]

Weird.  Whatever happened to durability?

3 seasons in 20 months. Bodies need recovery time especially in a sport as taxing as hoops.

[cheebs09]

???  Injuries have always been part of the league.

Also, I don’t think the bar to sit out a Regular Season game is all that high anymore. Not saying in a bad way, just that’s not really much of a barometer at this point.