2022-23 NBA Thread

[MuggsyB]

He's so likeable.

I am rooting for the Lakers in this series, easy choice IMO. Tough to watch Jokic's game

Wait....what?  Why is it tough to watch Nikola Jokic?

[pbiflyer]

TNT should have every game starting in tbe conf SF.  And obviously their studio team is 1000 times better than ESPN.

Totally disagree. They didn't mention once how the Heat overcame the Boston weather to win. ESPN crew had those deep insights on weather being the main reason the Knicks lost at Miami.

[forgetful]

Bad officiating gifting the Lakers a lot of FTs. Not calling it the same on both sides.

[MU82]

Y'all crack me up.

[forgetful]

Y'all crack me up.

Always happy to give a person a good laugh...even if it is at my expense. Not enough smiles and laughter in the world.

[forgetful]

The NBA should start assessing F1 for obvious flops in reviewing games. 3 F1s in a series and you sit out a game.

Something to stop the absurdity. It gets ridiculous and hard to watch.

Or maybe 2 extra reviews per game, per team. If it is decided to be a flop, F1 on the flopper.

Get that crap out of the game.

[MuggsyB]

The Lakers need to stop launching threes.  Crazy game as the long distance shooting has been a disaster along with Anthony Davis.

[PGsHeroes32]

Thats all on Lebron.

He forced 3 awful 3s in a handful of possessions(2 in back to back) when the Nuggets werent scoring. Now they are scorching.

[MuggsyB]

What a boneheaded play by Porter, hopefully they hold on. 

[forgetful]

Lebron needs to get a more rigid brace for the left ankle. His most recent injuries seem to have left it really susceptible to rolling. Once you've sprained it badly, it is hard not to keep re-injuring it. A rigid brace would help a lot, and might help him maintain his unreal longevity.

[MU82]

That's 2 wins in this series for Denver despite getting no 4th quarter scoring from Jokic.

[MuggsyB]

That's 2 wins in this series for Denver despite getting no 4th quarter scoring from Jokic.

Murray had it going.  Not a good performance by Davis or James. 

[Skatastrophy]

Lakers getting jobbed by the refs in the waning minutes, but Denver hit their throws.

Jokic can't keep up with the geriatric Lakers footraces. Literal traffic cone

[MuggsyB]

Lakers getting jobbed by the refs in the waning minutes, but Denver hit their throws.

Jokic can't keep up with the geriatric Lakers footraces. Literal traffic cone

I don't think the game was well officiated at all.  I'm not sure it determined the outcome tonight but the league needs to do better.

[forgetful]

Lakers getting jobbed by the refs in the waning minutes, but Denver hit their throws.

Jokic can't keep up with the geriatric Lakers footraces. Literal traffic cone

There was one no-call down the stretch that was questionable.

Overall, though, I don't think they get a more favorable whistle in the series (Lakers shot 26 FTs to only 10 by Denver until garbage time). Bad officiating overall, but they were winning the favorable whistle category.

Muggsy is right though. The league has to do better. Bad officiating in so many of the playoff games.

In the end, I don't think it affected this game. Uncharacteristic missed layups. Forcing 3-pt shots by the wrong shooters (Davis and Lebron), and TOs down the stretch are what decided this one...and amazing shooting by Murray.

[PGsHeroes32]

Two road losses doesnt mean series over.

But I do have a feeling Lakers might really regret letting this one get away.

[wadesworld]

Lakers getting jobbed by the refs in the waning minutes, but Denver hit their throws.

Jokic can't keep up with the geriatric Lakers footraces. Literal traffic cone

If AD can only go 4/15 against a literal traffic cone...oof.

[Hards Alumni]

Murray had it going.  Not a good performance by Davis or James.

I think it is hilarious that when Lebron is one rebound short of a triple double it can be classified as a 'not a good performance'.

Speaks volumes about his career.

[JWags85]

I think it is hilarious that when Lebron is one rebound short of a triple double it can be classified as a 'not a good performance'.

Speaks volumes about his career.

I mean, he had a good game statistically but had some head scratching moments in the 4th, same with AD who had 18-14-4, which is a very good game statistically too.

I'm not trying to pile on Lebron or say he stinks, and hes forgot more about basketball than I'll never know, but I agree with the Lakers fans on social media who get frustrated as hell when Lebron thinks he's Steph.  Over the last 5 games, he's 7 for 29 from 3.  And he shot 32% from deep this season, so its not just a slump.  Yet to hit one in this series.  There is 0 reason for him to be taking 6 a game right now.  He missed 3 in a 3 min stretch to start the 4th when the Nuggets surged into the lead.

[MuggsyB]

I think it is hilarious that when Lebron is one rebound short of a triple double it can be classified as a 'not a good performance'.

Speaks volumes about his career.

True to a degree but for him it wasn't a good performance.  You have to look beyond the pure stats. He made extremely poor decisions when it mattered and butchered three wide open lay-ups.

The Lakers are not done.  They will have every chance to defend home court. and bring it back to Denver 2-2. 

[MuggsyB]

Reaves has impressed me..  I would think he'll sign a pretty big contract at some point. He'd be great on the Bucks. 

[The Sultan]

Tough to watch Jokic's game

This opinion absolutely boggles my mind.

[rocket surgeon]

There was one no-call down the stretch that was questionable.

Overall, though, I don't think they get a more favorable whistle in the series (Lakers shot 26 FTs to only 10 by Denver until garbage time). Bad officiating overall, but they were winning the favorable whistle category.

Muggsy is right though. The league has to do better. Bad officiating in so many of the playoff games.

In the end, I don't think it affected this game. Uncharacteristic missed layups. Forcing 3-pt shots by the wrong shooters (Davis and Lebron), and TOs down the stretch are what decided this one...and amazing shooting by Murray.

  not so sure about "affecting the game"   many times, all it takes is a few made shots that can turn the momentum.  the NBA has lost all references to what constitutes a "foul"  getting wacked across the head going up for a layup?  i'd venture to say foul...i mean what else are any of the 3 refs watching?  the guy with the ball, the guy goes up to the basket, the guy gets hit in the head, the guys head recoils from said hit, ball fails to go thru the hoop...what are they watching for?  3 seconds?

i'm all for a let them play, but i think i've seen more blood over the past few weeks watching NBA playoffs than an average college or pro football game 

[The Sultan]

  not so sure about "affecting the game"   many times, all it takes is a few made shots that can turn the momentum.  the NBA has lost all references to what constitutes a "foul"  getting wacked across the head going up for a layup?  i'd venture to say foul...i mean what else are any of the 3 refs watching?  the guy with the ball, the guy goes up to the basket, the guy gets hit in the head, the guys head recoils from said hit, ball fails to go thru the hoop...what are they watching for?  3 seconds?

i'm all for a let them play, but i think i've seen more blood over the past few weeks watching NBA playoffs than an average college or pro football game 

Did you watch the NBA at all in the 90s and early 2000s?  It was way more brutal then.

Anyway, I think NBA referees are by and large just fine.  First, it is a hard game to referee in real time, so of course there are going to be missed calls - like there are in every sport. Do we honestly expect 100% perfection? Second, I've learned long ago that message board guys really don't have a great understanding of how the game should be called anyway.

[MU82]

Reaves has impressed me..  I would think he'll sign a pretty big contract at some point. He'd be great on the Bucks.

Speculation has been in the 4-year, $50M range.

Undrafted, worked hard, improved, made himself into a valuable player on a team with LeBron and AD. Good for him. I love those kinds of stories.