OT: 2019 NBA Playoffs

[the Q]

Rudy has career earnings of $127,000,000. He should 100% title chase once his current contract ends.

Considering that over 50% of NBA players go broke within 5 years of their careers ending and Rudy’s brand doesn’t seem to be national, he would be totally justified in pulling a Trevor ariza (getting overpaid by a terrible team) rather than ring chasing.

The ideal scenario is the JJ Reddick situation in philly.

 

[Walker11]

Does Akok play like Pascal?

That's what I was asking. Never seen Akok outside of highlights. They have the same body. Pascal just learned how to shoot while Akok comes into college with a reputation as a shooter (although his stats reflect a streakier shooter than most recruiting experts depict).

 

[Rocktheworld]

Man Horford and to a lesser extent Baynes make things tough on opposing bigs no matter who they play but damn, Giannis is really having a tough time.

 

[husky429]

That's what I was asking. Never seen Akok outside of highlights. They have the same body. Pascal just learned how to shoot while Akok comes into college with a reputation as a shooter (although his stats reflect a streakier shooter than most recruiting experts depict).

Yeah, I think the athleticism/length/build is similar. Akok is a better shot blocker and has that reputation as a shooter (though it's streaky). The part he could learn from is Pascal's driving/finishing ability. He's pretty crafty.

 

[Yardigan]

Am I the only one that thinks that Hubie Brown does a great job for someone that's a hundred years old, looks like about 120?

 

[Walker11]

Man Horford and to a lesser extent Baynes make things tough on opposing bigs no matter who they play but damn, Giannis is really having a tough time.

Horford may be the best individual defensive matchup in the league for Giannis. He needs to be more of a playmaker if he is guarded like this. Giannis is so hard to officiate. He is fouled every single drive, he always initiates the contact and he also looks like he is traveling even when he doesn't.

 

[Chin Diesel]

So glad refs are swallowing whistle when Harden runs out of control to the rim flailing around looking for fouls.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Refs have shafted the Rockets on multiple 3 pt fouls

 

[ASweet3781]

Refs have shafted the Rockets on multiple 3 pt fouls

No idea why I even watch this stuff. It's like WWE scripted.

 

[superjohn]

Refs have shafted the Rockets on multiple 3 pt fouls

Come on, Harden shoved the defender on every one to create space.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Come on, Harden shoved the defender on every one to create space.

I’m not even a Rockets fan or anything. I’m calling it as I see it. Harden and CP3 got fouled on multiple 3 pt attempts. They have been called all year and they weren’t today.

 

[superjohn]

I’m not even a Rockets fan or anything. I’m calling it as I see it. Harden and CP3 got fouled on multiple 3 pt attempts. They have been called all year and they weren’t today.

Do you not have a problem with the Harden shoves?

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Do you not have a problem with the Harden shoves?

I saw him get away with like 1 or 2 questionable offensive fouls, so nah not really.

 

[the Q]

I’m not even a Rockets fan or anything. I’m calling it as I see it. Harden and CP3 got fouled on multiple 3 pt attempts. They have been called all year and they weren’t today.

The last one was a good no call. He could’ve landed, he stuck his legs out to create the contact. Or it was at least close enough that it’s a reasonable determination. Refs are not supposed to give you that lockout, despite the ending to tenn/Purdue in the tourney this year.

 

[the Q]

I saw him get away with like 1 or 2 questionable offensive fouls, so nah not really.

Was One of them was on that last 3?

 

[superjohn]

Was One of them was on that last 3?

Last three was a clear push off and the one in the lane was blatant.

 

[the Q]

Last three was a clear push off and the one in the lane was blatant.

That’s just something that needs to be called more consistently at all levels. Too many times the defender has to flop just to get such an obvious call because otherwise they get nothing.

 

[gtcam]

Kawhi is the best player in the NBA at this point
Offensively he does it all - from deep, the medium game and taking it to the hoop - passes as well as anyone
And guess what - likes to play D
I don't care if he has an attitude issue
I have also gained a huge amount of respect for a guy I really didn't like - Lowry
I hope my Celtics get the chance to meet them in the next round - I don't see Philly winning the series

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Kawhi is the best player in the NBA at this point
Offensively he does it all - from deep, the medium game and taking it to the hoop - passes as well as anyone
And guess what - likes to play D
I don't care if he has an attitude issue
I have also gained a huge amount of respect for a guy I really didn't like - Lowry
I hope my Celtics get the chance to meet them in the next round - I don't see Philly winning the series

Nope.

 

[Lefty2one]

This is one of those head-scratching situations where the NBA shoots itself in the foot. They've been calling the "landing spot" fouls for a while now--really on it since Kawhi's injury--and today they just stop? I despise the Rockets as much as the next fan but they got screwed today. How can you call that stuff all season long then decide to essentially change the rulebook on a whim?

 

[traitor71]

The only thing that can be said for the officiating in that Houston/Golden State game is that at least they were consistent. They completely blew it on the fouls on the three point shots, but that crew just wasn't going to call them, and it would have been even worse if they suddenly reversed course and called it on the last Houston attempt. I'll be curious to see how those plays are called moving forward.

 

[Walker11]

This is one of those head-scratching situations where the NBA shoots itself in the foot. They've been calling the "landing spot" fouls for a while now--really on it since Kawhi's injury--and today they just stop? I despise the Rockets as much as the next fan but they got screwed today. How can you call that stuff all season long then decide to essentially change the rulebook on a whim?

I was ok with the last no call because Harden kicked his legs out so far he couldn't even land upright but the 3 Klay no calls were egregious by the rule.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Celtics dominated Milwaukee. They really are the better team at every position Giannis isn't playing, and with a better bench on top of that. They just couldn't figure out how to play together for most of the season. They should get to the finals. Hopefully Philly and the Raptors beat each other up.

 

[Crank]

Haven't watch much NBA this year. Thought I'd take in some of the GS/Houston game. What a disaster. The carrying is completely out of control. They should probably just do away with the rule. Also, get rid of double dribble while you're at it. Travelling already is dead. Maybe just get rid of dribbling. Be more like Australian Rules football. Run for a bit, bounce it. Run for a bit more. Whatever. Saw multiple fouls on Harding, whose game I dislike. Blatant fouls. Not called. What gives? Looked rigged. All season long they give the guy the foul when he gets breathed on. They changed the rule for the playoffs? All of them? Or just this series.
Really awful. Too little entertainment time in my life to watch this rendition of basketball.

 

[the Q]

Haven't watch much NBA this year. Thought I'd take in some of the GS/Houston game. What a disaster. The carrying is completely out of control. They should probably just do away with the rule. Also, get rid of double dribble while you're at it. Travelling already is dead. Maybe just get rid of dribbling. Be more like Australian Rules football. Run for a bit, bounce it. Run for a bit more. Whatever. Saw multiple fouls on Harding, whose game I dislike. Blatant fouls. Not called. What gives? Looked rigged. All season long they give the guy the foul when he gets breathed on. They changed the rule for the playoffs? All of them? Or just this series.
Really awful. Too little entertainment time in my life to watch this rendition of basketball.

The nba has had these problems for years, since at least Allen Iverson with carrying. Dude was a walking violation.

When the nba has its favorites it creates exemptions.

Lebron with his crab dribble and that flopped ginoboli and the travel step...I mean euro step. The nba changes their rule to 2 complete steps not being a travel (and are still the only league on the planet with this rule irrc). They probably should go this route if they want to let the players commit this crap.

But these just show the nba is sports entertainment. Like the nfl. It’s now built for the casual fan and they swing it in a way that helps the league more than being about the game itself.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Kept waiting for Milwaukee to start burying 3s and make it a fight game.

As much better as we looked and given how we cruised past the Pacers (who may be the worst 5 seed in history) I still have very little confidence in the Celtics, but I’m getting more comfortable

 

[Lefty2one]

The nba has had these problems for years, since at least Allen Iverson with carrying. Dude was a walking violation.

It gradually gets worse over time. It's comical what offensive players get away with today.

I remember back in the day people would kill Ewing for his 4-step post moves going from one block to the other. That seems like peanuts compared to today.

• Everyone can travel, and it's not even the extra step that's bad. It's when guys are around the rim and shuffle their feet or change their pivot foot four times.
• Everyone can carry. AI's generation normalized this.
• Players are rewarded for creating contact no matter the situation. You can be driving in a straight line to the hoop and jump two feet sideways into a defender, who's in perfect legal guarding position and entitled to their own space, yet the refs call a foul.
• Push-offs are hardly ever called. Guys like Harden push off several times a game to create space and it's rarely called.
• Illegal screens are a joke. It's not hyperbole to say 90% of screens in the NBA are moving. It's challenging enough to get around a legal screen set by a 6'11 250 lbs human being, now try doing it while they're moving!

It's a minor miracle anyone can defend in today's NBA. If the game was called by the real rules of basketball, Harden would be a walking turnover. An offensive foul or a violation on nearly every possession.

 

[Lefty2one]

Re: BOS/MIL, I'm curious to see what Bud comes up with in terms of adjustments. MIL is sort of a one-trick pony via Giannis and when he can't do what he does well (get going downhill and overpower smaller defenders) then he, and in turn the Bucks, are a mess. Horford frustrated Embiid last year. He's a big, strong, smart defender. At one point yesterday Giannis was 3/15 from the floor. Billups suggested getting Giannis more post touches or touches closer to the rim but he's not going to be able to consistently move Horford off his spot. Bud needs to earn his paycheck and figure out how to get Giannis going.

Boston can play multiple ways. Same with Philly and GSW and TOR. Houston and Milwaukee are the one-trick teams that I think are susceptible to a certain bad matchup.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

It gradually gets worse over time. It's comical what offensive players get away with today.

I remember back in the day people would kill Ewing for his 4-step post moves going from one block to the other. That seems like peanuts compared to today.

• Everyone can travel, and it's not even the extra step that's bad. It's when guys are around the rim and shuffle their feet or change their pivot foot four times.
• Everyone can carry. AI's generation normalized this.
• Players are rewarded for creating contact no matter the situation. You can be driving in a straight line to the hoop and jump two feet sideways into a defender, who's in perfect legal guarding position and entitled to their own space, yet the refs call a foul.
• Push-offs are hardly ever called. Guys like Harden push off several times a game to create space and it's rarely called.
• Illegal screens are a joke. It's not hyperbole to say 90% of screens in the NBA are moving. It's challenging enough to get around a legal screen set by a 6'11 250 lbs human being, now try doing it while they're moving!

It's a minor miracle anyone can defend in today's NBA. If the game was called by the real rules of basketball, Harden would be a walking turnover. An offensive foul or a violation on nearly every possession.

Funny thing is, all those things are over-called in the college game.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

hey! y'all gotta give props to the creator of the modern handle--mr. chris smith, UConn's alltime leader in points. in fact, that cbs/duke guy billy packer even named it 'the smitty shuffle,' which began the era of crossovers with paws. smitty! from Bridgeport! father of the 'I just broke yo ankles dribble!' carry on...