2024-25 NBA Thread

[Billy Hoyle]

The Timbies took a massive dump, and then rolled it in a turd.

That first half, especially, was the worst I've seen a team play in a long time ... and I coach middle-schoolers.

Finch called out Ant for that performance last night. Good for him, Ant deserved it.

[MU82]

It wasn't a foul-up-3 situation, but the end of the Pacers-Cavs game showed why some coaches don't like automatically using that strategy.

Halliburton missed his second FT but ended up with the basketball after a scramble for the rebound went off the hands of several players from both teams. He then backed out to the 3-point line and hit the winning shot.

Had that been a foul-up-3 situation, the team that had been ahead by 3 would have just found the only way it could instantly lose - which was always Rick Majerus' argument against the strategy.

Meanwhile, the OKC-Denver game showed the folly of fouling up 3 with too much time left on the clock. For one thing, the coach who employs the strategy assumes his own players will make their own FTs ... which Chet Holmgren didn't.

Over the years, NBA coaches have been less likely to foul up 3 than college coaches are. One reason: NBA players are more clever in making it look like they were shooting while fouled, and NBA refs are more likely to make continuation calls than their college counterparts are.

Few studies have been conducted regarding the foul-up-3 strategy, but those that have show no appreciable difference between using or not using the strategy.

I think I'd usually not foul up 3 - I'd trust my defense to get a stop while also noting that even the best shooters in history don't make 50% of their 3s. But I definitely can see using it in select situations, moreso in college hoops than in the NBA. Regardless, I always find it to be an interesting discussion.

[MuggsyB]

Terrible that Curry is injured.  Fk. 

[Uncle Rico]

Terrible that Curry is injured.  Fk. 

I'm glad he's hurt.  Sticks it to Steve Kerr

[MuggsyB]

I'm glad he's hurt.  Sticks it to Steve Kerr

Very upsetting.  Definitely a fluke injury. 

[MuggsyB]

That was a terrible no call on Brunson's 3. 

[MuggsyB]

Incredible!!

[GB Warrior]

Makes me happy that the Bucks aren't this year's biggest bedwetters.

[The Sultan]

I will say that Al Horford is looking really old and slow out there. I know they trust him in crunch time but he's not doing much on either end.

[MuggsyB]

I will say that Al Horford is looking really old and slow out there. I know they trust him in crunch time but he's not doing much on either end.

For some reason Mazzulla didn't put Porzingas back in.  He had a good 3Q. 

[MuggsyB]

The Celtics are 25/100 from distance after two games.   

[wadesworld]

I will say that Al Horford is looking really old and slow out there. I know they trust him in crunch time but he's not doing much on either end.

Great offensive line play from him on his screens. But that's it.

Tatum is woof bad in the Playoffs. Getting exposed at a nearly Harden level. Difference is he has teammates that can carry him in the Playoffs.

[MuggsyB]

Great offensive line play from him on his screens. But that's it.

Tatum is woof bad in the Playoffs. Getting exposed at a nearly Harden level. Difference is he has teammates that can carry him in the Playoffs.

Did you see the shooting %'s for the C's this game?  I wonder what they were in the 4th Q.

[Billy Hoyle]

https://x.com/NateSilver538/status/1920293537993699717?t=rn56j6ehDlmLTF4z5EY-Pw&s=19

[MuggsyB]

Tatum has had two abysmal games.  And Brown hasn't exactly been great either.  You still have to give the Knicks credit.  Bridges really stepped up in the 4Q. 

[Shaka Shart]

Tatum has had two abysmal games.  And Brown hasn't exactly been great either.  You still have to give the Knicks credit.  Bridges really stepped up in the 4Q. 

Jayson Simmons

[MuggsyB]

Jokic may have had a few porterhouses before the game?  He looks sluggish. 

[MuggsyB]

87 pts at the half isn't too shabby. 

[MU82]

Man, did I enjoy that Knicks-Celtics game!

[MuggsyB]

Mitchell Robinson has been the unsung hero for the Knicks through the first two games of this series.  He has outstanding feet for a big man and covers a lot of ground. He's also excellent on the offensive glass. 

[cheebs09]

https://x.com/NateSilver538/status/1920293537993699717?t=rn56j6ehDlmLTF4z5EY-Pw&s=19

Makes me feel better about the NC State loss seeing top pro teams having similar issues.

[MU82]

In a recent poll of NBA players by The Athletic, Tyrese Halliburton was chosen as the league's most overrated player.

He is 10-for-11 on shots to tie or take the lead in the final two minutes this season - including 3-for-3 in the playoffs.

Pretty good player.

[Uncle Rico]

In a recent poll of NBA players by The Athletic, Tyrese Halliburton was chosen as the league's most overrated player.

He is 10-for-11 on shots to tie or take the lead in the final two minutes this season - including 3-for-3 in the playoffs.

Pretty good player.

Heckuva player Wojo shulda gitted, aina?

[GB Warrior]

The Celtics are 25/100 from distance after two games.   

Celtics aren't going to stop putting up 3s. They'll keep shooting til they're averaging 1/6

[MuggsyB]

The craziest thing about the Knicks/Celtics series is that it's not like NY has been on fire.  Tatum has had a number of huge playoff performances.  I remember one on the road in Milwaukee.  He's certainly capable.  But that said, this idea that the C's bricking is the only variable in this series is debatable. What happens if the Knicks shoot a decent percentage?  Brunson is 15-42.