2023-24 NBA Thread

[PGsHeroes32]

OKC on line 1

OKC is good and could beat the Wolves in a series absolutely

But match up wise vs the Nuggets its 100% the wolves that match them better.

[MuggsyB]

Historically, NBA teams have had to "wait their turn" to be legit title contenders. The Timberwolves' best players are young and untested in the playoffs, and they've never even experienced a playoff-series victory, let alone sniffed a conference final.

Compare that to a team like Denver and their stars Jokic and Murray - got to R2 in 2019; conf final in 2020; R2 in 2021; experienced a major (and motivating) step back in 2022; won the title in 2023. Minnesota (and OKC, for that matter) have nothing like that.

And that's the way it's largely played out in the NBA for decades. Heck, as good as they've been, Boston still hasn't been able to break through. Neither has Philly.

Obviously, that doesn't mean this can't be the year Minnesota wins it all, just that history suggests it won't be.

Lakers in 7? 

I think Minnesota could give Denver major probs but I get your point.  Truthfully Denver hasn't shot the ball well at all during this series with LA.  I do know the Wolves have a much better bench than Denver and are really solid defensively.  The question is can they score enough and is a 22 yr old ready to take over?  I definitely would give Denver the edge but only slightly and mostly because of experience

[rocket surgeon]

you get a little more consistency out of Jaden mcdaniel and towns, the wolves could be pretty dominating

[lawdog77]

OKC is good and could beat the Wolves in a series absolutely

But match up wise vs the Nuggets its 100% the wolves that match them better.

I just hope OKC loses because of the stupid AT&T commercial.

[PGsHeroes32]

I just hope OKC loses because of the stupid AT&T commercial.

Haha it is getting very over played. Think its almost every commerical break on ESPN. And always on my damn hulu

[MuggsyB]

Intense finish to the Knicks/Sixers game.

[MuggsyB]

I have no idea what Philly is even trying to do offensively to win this game.  Both teams have pretty much sucked down the stretch.  Embiid a total non-factor. 

[MU82]

So impressed with the Knicks’ defense - both Thibs’ defensive game plan and the players’ effort/execution. Rebounding, too.

But yes, the Sixers’ offense is at a standstill.

[MuggsyB]

So impressed with the Knicks’ defense - both Thibs’ defensive game plan and the players’ effort/execution. Rebounding, too.

But yes, the Sixers’ offense is at a standstill.

The Knicks don't have their starting center, their 2nd string center has been out the entire 4th Q with foul trouble, and Philly can't get quality shots.  Embiid is totally gassed and hasn't sat the entire 2nd H.  I disagree with Richard Jefferson that Embiid shouldn't have sat.  He's.been atrocious on both ends of the floor and can't get a reb. 

[MU82]

The Knicks don't have their starting center, their 2nd string center has been out the entire 4th Q with foul trouble, and Philly can't get quality shots.  Embiid is totally gassed and hasn't sat the entire 2nd H.  I disagree with Richard Jefferson that Embiid shouldn't have sat.  He's.been atrocious on both ends of the floor and can't get a reb.

That’s fair. I’ve only watched the fourth quarter, and I have no trouble saying that Nurse has been outcoached. And I like Nurse.

[MuggsyB]

That’s fair. I’ve only watched the fourth quarter, and I have no trouble saying that Nurse has been outcoached. And I like Nurse.

Embiid has literally stood in the corner for about a quarter and a half and has maybe 2 rebounds.  He's been an unmitigated disaster, playing against a guy who never plays.  And Nurse has crapped the bed as well. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I think the Sixers are poorly constructed. I mean, Kyle Lowery should not be a rotation player on an NBA contender these days. But I don't think Nurse has added much of anything.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

You know, I was never a big Jeff Van Gundy and Marc Jackson fan, but there is something to be said for an announcing team that has experience and knows how to play off one another. I like Burke and Redick is OK, but Breen seems lost.

[MuggsyB]

You know, I was never a big Jeff Van Gundy and Marc Jackson fan, but there is something to be said for an announcing team that has experience and knows how to play off one another. I like Burke and Redick is OK, but Breen seems lost.

Maybe he is lost?  TNT should have all of the games.  Ian Eagle and Harlan are excellent and of course the studio quartet at TNT is 1000  times better than ESPN. 

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I like Breen a lot. TNT's coverage is better no doubt, but Breen IMO great.

[MuggsyB]

I like Breen a lot. TNT's coverage is better no doubt, but Breen IMO great.

He's fine but perhaps needs a break.  He inexplicably lost his broadcast team. 

[MU82]

TNT should have all of the games.

Except ...

1. ESPN paid big money to have lots of games.

2. TNT probably doesn't want all of the games, or at least doesn't want to pay for the right to have all of the games.

The NBA can live just fine with ESPN being one of its "broadcast partners" when the billions keep rolling in.

[PGsHeroes32]

Mavs with a nice run to end the half and keep hope alive after the Clippers blacked out for a half

[rocket surgeon]

don't get me wrong as doncic' is a rare talent but how does he keep that dad bod in shape playing a game that's gotta burn Uber calories.  he doesn't look like he'd make it up/down the floor 4 times without seizing up

[PGsHeroes32]

WOW

[JWags85]

We might need to have a conversation about Ty Lue being a “great” coach as many like to claim

[cheebs09]

We might need to have a conversation about Ty Lue being a “great” coach as many like to claim

Between Nurse and Lue, the hot names in the Bucks search haven't fared well.

[rocket surgeon]

We might need to have a conversation about Ty Lue being a “great” coach as many like to claim

  that always had me scratching my head too

harden's got these refs figured out-play soccer injury to get the calls

[PGsHeroes32]

Clips pull it out

woulda been an unmitigated disaster as Muggs would say

[MU82]

I get why Kidd put P.J. Washington on Harden - nobody else was containing him, and Washington has size and decent speed. What I don't get is why Kidd was having Washington pressure Harden 40 feet away from the basket. Every time, Harden would just drive past Washington, get into the lane and create all kinds of havoc.