2022-2023 NBA Season Thread - Page 36

Antonin · 06-05-2023, 04:26 PM

It was quite nice to see our friend Kevin Love playing significant minutes and making an important contribution to the Heat victory. It was amusing to hear the broadcasters gushing about his looong passes. That's something he did all the time in Cleveland.

thehef · 06-05-2023, 05:38 PM

Not sure what to make of the Heat's chances... They keep needing to be at the top of their game - they have been - and have their significantly more-talented opponents play poorly. So far, Milwaukee & Boston have cooperated, as did the Nuggets in game two... Can that continue? We'll see...

If so, Miami would probably be the least-talented (but among the most-committed & focused) titlists ever.

Syd Thrift · 06-05-2023, 07:19 PM

Miami is low key suuuuper well set up for the playoffs though. Jimmy Buckets is obviously a 16 game guy but on top of that the Heat were mediocre this year because they coupled a league worst scoring offense with the #2 scoring defense in the NBA. At that, Butler missed 18 games and the team was significantly better on offense, especially rebounding, when he was in. Kyle Lowry too missed a bunch of time in the regular season and he’s been in all the time. And I mean, Tyler Herro is on his way back.

I don’t really like the way people look at defense, especially in the playoffs, as a thing that is caused by like desire and hustle. Everyone wants to play hard on the playoffs. What also happens is that players with weaknesses you can exploited get exploited absolutely ruthlessly. Joel Embiid for example works hard on D and it’s not really his fault he’s a big guy who doesn’t get out to long range easily (also Philly likes him to stay inside and run zone concepts). The Celtics were absolutely brutal with him; Al Horford was jacking them up but really Boston as a team just made that extra pass when someone rotated over to him and destroyed Philadelphia for doing that.

Miami is a team without a lot of exploitable weaknesses on defense. That matters in the playoffs.

Cobra Mgr · 06-06-2023, 04:12 PM

Man, Austin Reaves life sure did a flip the last few months.

Cobra Mgr · 06-07-2023, 05:42 PM

Suns are waiving CP3.

rudel.dietrich · 06-07-2023, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Suns are waiving CP3.

That means they could not even find a team willing to match salaries and send a 2nd round pick for him.

They are eating about $81 million of his contract.

Cobra Mgr · 06-07-2023, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

That means they could not even find a team willing to match salaries and send a 2nd round pick for him.

They are eating about $81 million of his contract.

I'm imagining him in Boston.

thehef · 06-07-2023, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

I'm imagining him in Boston.

Wouldn't rule that out but I don't know that he's a fit personality-wise. And - despite it's faults - the Celtics offense very much relies on multiple guys handling...

Surely Paul is going to want to go to a contender, in a starting role. He might find a taker but there aren't really any openings among this past season's top-tier teams. His best bet might be to take a significant bench role on an up-and-coming team, such as Cleveland, New York, Memphis... That's if his ego would allow it.

Cobra Mgr · 06-07-2023, 10:52 PM

W/the exception of the Jazz, this is why out of all the NBA's fans, I dislike the Heat's the most. 15 pt game 3:00 to go and fans are cutting out early. I know a comeback is unlikely. But this is the Finals and stuff happens. They are there for the scene & the party. Not for the team.

rudel.dietrich · 06-07-2023, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

That means they could not even find a team willing to match salaries and send a 2nd round pick for him.

They are eating about $81 million of his contract.

I got this a bit wrong.

First off, he has not been waived.
The Suns have until June 28th to decide if they want to waive him or if they can trade him.

If they do waive him, then the contract hit is $15.8 million.
His contract is not fully guaranteed.

dsvitak · 06-10-2023, 10:38 AM

So...what are the chances that Jokic goes nuts on Monday, and THOROUGHLY dominates game five?

Cobra Mgr · 06-10-2023, 10:50 AM

The problem for the Heat is Jokic is the most dominant player & yet the Nuggets don't need him to be. He & Murray were outscored by the Gordon/Brown combo 48-38. Jokic sprained an ankle & had to sit out w/5 and Denver still won by double digits. Butler & Bam have to get close to 60 for the Heat to even have a chance. And then the "others" have to find 50 or more someplace.

dsvitak · 06-11-2023, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

The problem for the Heat is Jokic is the most dominant player & yet the Nuggets don't need him to be. He & Murray were outscored by the Gordon/Brown combo 48-38. Jokic sprained an ankle & had to sit out w/5 and Denver still won by double digits. Butler & Bam have to get close to 60 for the Heat to even have a chance. And then the "others" have to find 50 or more someplace.

I have never seen a more unselfish big man. Feed the ball inside, and he kicks it back out for an open three. How can you defend that?

Cobra Mgr · 06-11-2023, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvitak

I have never seen a more unselfish big man. Feed the ball inside, and he kicks it back out for an open three. How can you defend that?

He's undefendable. He hits 3's. He is mobile enough to dribble into the paint for closer baskets. Where he is larger than anyone so his shot doesn't get affected. Then his size allows him to see beyond help defenders and get the ball to wide open teammates. And while everyone points to his passing for a big man, they ignore the fact he has post moves. A lost art among pivots. So he has the old school game as well. You can't stop him on the offensive end of the floor. Remember, people think the Heat did their best job on Jokic this series when they "held" him to 41 points.

thehef · 06-11-2023, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsvitak

I have never seen a more unselfish big man. Feed the ball inside, and he kicks it back out for an open three. How can you defend that?

Nothing against Embiid, who is a supremely talented big man, but referencing those media debates a month or so ago about which one - Embiid or Jokic - deserved the MVP, in my mind there's no question that The Joker is on a different level. There really shouldn't even be a debate. Embiid is a significantly better shot-blocker, and although both excel at the line, Joel shoots a slightly higher FT %. Other than than, Jokic is better in every phase of the game, including the ability and desire to run his team and dictate the flow of the game.

That Jokic did not win MVP can only be chalked up to the occasional "whose turn is it?" mentality of the voters. Otherwise, there was clearly no basis for the MVP voting results, IMO. Joker is proving that now.

dsvitak · 06-12-2023, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Man, Austin Reaves life sure did a flip the last few months.

Well...he IS a baller.

dsvitak · 06-12-2023, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehef

Nothing against Embiid, who is a supremely talented big man, but referencing those media debates a month or so ago about which one - Embiid or Jokic - deserved the MVP, in my mind there's no question that The Joker is on a different level. There really shouldn't even be a debate. Embiid is a significantly better shot-blocker, and although both excel at the line, Joel shoots a slightly higher FT %. Other than than, Jokic is better in every phase of the game, including the ability and desire to run his team and dictate the flow of the game.

That Jokic did not win MVP can only be chalked up to the occasional "whose turn is it?" mentality of the voters. Otherwise, there was clearly no basis for the MVP voting results, IMO. Joker is proving that now.

Perfectly stated. I actually got my wife to watch part of game four. She has seen me play, over the years, to appreciate the grace and athleticism needed to play basketball. NO..NOT BRAGGING ABOUT MY GAME. Heh heh.

Hell..on our very first date, I was in the base gym, hooping (they didn't call it that, back in 1976), and she walked in to come get me after work. She was also active duty USAF.

She motioned for the ball as she walked onto the court, and I bounced it to her, and she hit a very nice set shot from about 20 feet. I was ... impressed. This was 47 years ago. She told me years later that she HAD to hit the shot!

Anyway, she is a big Jokic fan now.

Cobra Mgr · 06-12-2023, 11:10 PM

Anybody know how tall Joker's wife is?

thehef · 06-12-2023, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Anybody know how tall Joker's wife is?

Internet search says she's 5'8". I guess she played some volleyball. Here's more info on her:
https://people.com/sports/who-is-nat...la-jokic-wife/

thehef · 06-12-2023, 11:33 PM

That replay review of Jimmy Butler's three-pointer with a little over three minutes to go: If replay review isn't going to get obvious calls right, why have it? Just mind-numbing.

Was it no coincidence that the TV crew didn't go to Steve Javie in the replay center for his take on it afterwards? Wouldn't be surprised if they tried, and Steve ignored them!

06-05-2023, 04:26 PM	#701
Antonin Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,553	It was quite nice to see our friend Kevin Love playing significant minutes and making an important contribution to the Heat victory. It was amusing to hear the broadcasters gushing about his looong passes. That's something he did all the time in Cleveland. __________________ "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" - Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols), San Francisco, 14 January 1978

06-06-2023, 04:12 PM	#704
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 9,124	Man, Austin Reaves life sure did a flip the last few months. __________________ If a man is guilty 4 what goes on inside of his mind, then let me get the electric chair 4 all my future crimes. - Prince Batdance June 7, 1958 - Apr 21, 2016 Don't fall for the spin

06-07-2023, 05:42 PM	#705
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 9,124	Suns are waiving CP3. __________________ If a man is guilty 4 what goes on inside of his mind, then let me get the electric chair 4 all my future crimes. - Prince Batdance June 7, 1958 - Apr 21, 2016 Don't fall for the spin

06-07-2023, 10:52 PM	#709
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 9,124	W/the exception of the Jazz, this is why out of all the NBA's fans, I dislike the Heat's the most. 15 pt game 3:00 to go and fans are cutting out early. I know a comeback is unlikely. But this is the Finals and stuff happens. They are there for the scene & the party. Not for the team. __________________ If a man is guilty 4 what goes on inside of his mind, then let me get the electric chair 4 all my future crimes. - Prince Batdance June 7, 1958 - Apr 21, 2016 Don't fall for the spin

06-10-2023, 10:50 AM	#712
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 9,124	The problem for the Heat is Jokic is the most dominant player & yet the Nuggets don't need him to be. He & Murray were outscored by the Gordon/Brown combo 48-38. Jokic sprained an ankle & had to sit out w/5 and Denver still won by double digits. Butler & Bam have to get close to 60 for the Heat to even have a chance. And then the "others" have to find 50 or more someplace. __________________ If a man is guilty 4 what goes on inside of his mind, then let me get the electric chair 4 all my future crimes. - Prince Batdance June 7, 1958 - Apr 21, 2016 Don't fall for the spin

06-05-2023, 05:38 PM	#702
thehef Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,380	Not sure what to make of the Heat's chances... They keep needing to be at the top of their game - they have been - and have their significantly more-talented opponents play poorly. So far, Milwaukee & Boston have cooperated, as did the Nuggets in game two... Can that continue? We'll see... If so, Miami would probably be the least-talented (but among the most-committed & focused) titlists ever.

06-10-2023, 10:38 AM	#711
dsvitak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,399	So...what are the chances that Jokic goes nuts on Monday, and THOROUGHLY dominates game five?

06-12-2023, 11:10 PM	#718
Cobra Mgr Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Parts unknown Posts: 9,124	Anybody know how tall Joker's wife is? __________________ If a man is guilty 4 what goes on inside of his mind, then let me get the electric chair 4 all my future crimes. - Prince Batdance June 7, 1958 - Apr 21, 2016 Don't fall for the spin

06-12-2023, 11:33 PM	#720
thehef Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,380	That replay review of Jimmy Butler's three-pointer with a little over three minutes to go: If replay review isn't going to get obvious calls right, why have it? Just mind-numbing. Was it no coincidence that the TV crew didn't go to Steve Javie in the replay center for his take on it afterwards? Wouldn't be surprised if they tried, and Steve ignored them!