NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD

[Pauleta14]

he has led a team to the nba finals. clearly he's a positive.

Have you watched his first 2 finas games?

It's the weakest offseason I've seen in a while

Mavs beat injured Clippers, inexperienced Okc and idiotic Wolves who kept switching and help Luka's game

[BatManu20]

Porzingis' injury at the end of Game 2 looked significant. He could barely run and had to be pulled from the game. I know he said he's going to try to play through it, but if he's hobbled out there moving forward, this is a completely different series tbh. He's the difference in Boston winning or losing this series imo, especially with Tatum playing like dog- offensively. If he cant go, I think Dallas wins the next two at home to tie the series and then the momentum swings back in their favor.

[DAF86]

Have you watched his first 2 finas games?

It's the weakest offseason I've seen in a while

Mavs beat injured Clippers, inexperienced Okc and idiotic Wolves who kept switching and help Luka's game

That's a lot of excuses you are putting to defend your take, tbh.

The truth is that Doncic is 25 and has already won everything in Europe, and has already made the WCF twice and is currently on the NBA finals. He clearly influences his teams in a positive way.

[Obstructed_View]

he has led a team to the nba finals. clearly he's a positive.

And his defense against Minnesota was stunningly good at times. Luka is the best player in the world. If he stood on the sidelines on defense he might be a positive.

[Pauleta14]

That's a lot of excuses you are putting to defend your take, tbh.

The truth is that Doncic is 25 and has already won everything in Europe, and has already made the WCF twice and is currently on the NBA finals. He clearly influences his teams in a positive way.

Not denying his talent. I'm talking about his style/type of game

How can any Spurs fan imagine him playing for Pop as many have been dreaming is just weird.

[Pauleta14]

So much of Luka's counting stats are wrapped up in his high usage rate that I legit don't know how "good" he is.

For every one of those game winners he makes over Gobert he misses 9 others...they just don't get talked about.

His inability to remotely guard anything other than a post up attempt kills the mavs on defense.

And Harden was the laziest off ball player I ever seen...but Luka has him beat by a mile...when he doesn't have the ball dude is more disinterested in what is going on than I am listening to my wife talk about what happened at her job. The basketball version of "oh wow honey that's crazy."

Hard no to this dude ever joining the Spurs. Dude is a cancer. Brunson got away from him and became a fringe mvp player. Kristaps got away from him and he two games from a ring. Carlisle got away from him and in two years got his team to the conference finals. even Dennis Smith Jr is having a mini resurgence. Watch Hardaway Jr go somewhere else next year, contribute, and people be like "how come he couldn't do this in Dallas?"

You can't find a more "i got my numbers so I did my job" player in sports anywhere than Luka.

THANK YOU

(I started highlighting a few points on bold but then realised your whole post was perfect! )

[TD 21]

And his defense against Minnesota was stunningly good at times. Luka is the best player in the world. If he stood on the sidelines on defense he might be a positive.

Jokic inarguably is.

[DAF86]

Not denying his talent. I'm talking about his style/type of game

How can any Spurs fan imagine him playing for Pop as many have been dreaming is just weird.

Yeah, I also don't like players that hog the ball to that extent, but I'm objective enough to admit the results are there, so to say he doesn't impact his team positively is just a lie.

Pop would welcome Doncic with open arms. I mean he put up with mid trash like DeRozan and Aldridge without batting an eyelid.

[Pauleta14]

Yeah, I also don't like players that hog the ball to that extent, but I'm objective enough to admit the results are there, so to say he doesn't impact his team positively is just a lie.

Pop would welcome Doncic with open arms. I mean he put up with mid trash like DeRozan and Aldridge without batting an eyelid.

I don't think its a reliable style of play long term but Mavs trapped themselves with him, first by showcasing him as a rookie and making him a little prince that ended up being too comfortable and taking too many bad/lazy habbits. Then (now) by needing him to extend and accepting whatever the little prince wants.

Results the guy gets chubbiers and more static every season and forces is teammates to wait in the corner or for their turn to play.

He's uber talented individualy but cynical af like many athletes who grew up watching the likes of Lebron and Harden. He's too focused on his indiv stats and refuses all the (defensives) sacrifes (all he does on D is gamble a steal here and there)

As for Pop, you're pobably right, the issue would actually be the other way around. I can't imagine Luka wanting to be part of Spurs type of basketball tbh

[ambchang]

same guys trashing doncic are the ones who wanted Trae. WTF?

[Obstructed_View]

Jokic inarguably is.

And back to my ignore list you go.

[poopbox]

Still, that shows you that it isn't about senselessly giving out first round pick, you have to be smart about it and jump at the right options. For example, giving back all the Atlanta picks for a guy that will get relentesly hunted on any playoffs series that matters isn't smart business.

True...but you also have to entertain giving up a mostly unprotected future 1st for a player like Derrick White, who might be viewed as the Celtics 3rd , 4th, or 5th best player. He really only starts now cause they trades Smart.

The Spurs have never shown themselves to be that kind of team.

[gilmor2002]

Porzingis' injury at the end of Game 2 looked significant. He could barely run and had to be pulled from the game. I know he said he's going to try to play through it, but if he's hobbled out there moving forward, this is a completely different series tbh. He's the difference in Boston winning or losing this series imo, especially with Tatum playing like dog- offensively. If he cant go, I think Dallas wins the next two at home to tie the series and then the momentum swings back in their favor.

You haven't been watching enough how celtics play; they blocked out Irving and Docic drives; with or without Porzingis.

[spursgu]

Porzingis' injury at the end of Game 2 looked significant. He could barely run and had to be pulled from the game. I know he said he's going to try to play through it, but if he's hobbled out there moving forward, this is a completely different series tbh. He's the difference in Boston winning or losing this series imo, especially with Tatum playing like dog- offensively. If he cant go, I think Dallas wins the next two at home to tie the series and then the momentum swings back in their favor.

Terrible take and I don’t know where to begin. Everyone has overrated the Mavericks because they beat a Kawhi less clippers team, one inexperienced team and one team they matched up well with. Boston doesn’t have these problems. Porzingis is not Kawhi. Quit being such a beta cuck.

[BatManu20]

Terrible take and I don’t know where to begin. Everyone has overrated the Mavericks because they beat a Kawhi less clippers team, one inexperienced team and one team they matched up well with. Boston doesn’t have these problems. Porzingis is not Kawhi. Quit being such a beta cuck.

Lol says the got who just wrote out an entire paragraph response to me . It’s just basketball dumbass, don’t take it so seriously and let harmless posts like this trigger you so badly. And keep me out ya mentions from now on. in’ grays…

[BatManu20]

You haven't been watching enough how celtics play; they blocked out Irving and Docic drives; with or without Porzingis.

No doubt they’ve had success so far. But the series doesn’t start til someone loses at home. Mavs haven’t played great ball (especially Kyrie) either and were in the last game til the end. Assuming they’ll play better at home, it’s not at all far fetched to see them winning both games if Porzingis can’t go. That’s all I’m sayin’. Time will tell. I still got Boston winning the series. But Dallas should definitely play better at home and can make this a series.

[pookenstein]

No doubt they’ve had success so far. But the series doesn’t start til someone loses at home. Mavs haven’t played great ball (especially Kyrie) either and were in the last game til the end. Assuming they’ll play better at home, it’s not at all far fetched to see them winning both games if Porzingis can’t go. That’s all I’m sayin’. Time will tell. I still got Boston winning the series. But Dallas should definitely play better at home and can make this a series.

I know what you mean with this, but I always thought this is a liitle off. By that logic, the series doesn't start at all, if both teams win their home games. Or when does that logic end? After game four when both have won at home? Or if it's a win or go home game?

[JPB]

The Celtics have, on paper, the perfect roster build for today's NBA: two big guards, two interchangeable forwards, two mobile, skilled bigs. All above average defenders, all capable shooters, all can put the ball in the floor, all can pass. Not a single liabiity on any side of the floor. It really can't get much better than that. That's why they have a chance to ring without a true #1 guy, tbh.

This is what the Spurs should aim at, although it is way harder to accomplish than it seems.

Spurs do have a true #1 guy they should build around. Their model should and is gonna be different. and as mentioned above by other posters, Celts mostly lucked into Jrue and Porzingis, the later one "thanks" to his injury history. You can't really plan on getting potential superstar but injury prone players on the cheap or other teams making bad trades in your favor like with Jrue.

And you have to pay everyone at some point, so that's not really sustainable. Spurs plan should be to build a perennial contender around Wemby, with the supporting cast eventually changing over the years.

[timtonymanu]

Porzingis' injury at the end of Game 2 looked significant. He could barely run and had to be pulled from the game. I know he said he's going to try to play through it, but if he's hobbled out there moving forward, this is a completely different series tbh. He's the difference in Boston winning or losing this series imo, especially with Tatum playing like dog- offensively. If he cant go, I think Dallas wins the next two at home to tie the series and then the momentum swings back in their favor.

Porzingis got that AtlSpur curse again.

[SpursFan86]

Porzingis' injury at the end of Game 2 looked significant. He could barely run and had to be pulled from the game. I know he said he's going to try to play through it, but if he's hobbled out there moving forward, this is a completely different series tbh. He's the difference in Boston winning or losing this series imo, especially with Tatum playing like dog- offensively. If he cant go, I think Dallas wins the next two at home to tie the series and then the momentum swings back in their favor.

I don’t know man. People here will get up in arms about it but this Boston team might be the closest thing we’ve seen to the 2014 Spurs tbh. I’m not sure they have a single top 10 guy (Tatum probably sneaks in there but still), but they’re just so well-rounded and can win in a mul ude of ways. Breath of fresh air compared to the super top heavy teams we usually see where there is clearly 1-2 guys that carry the load.

Trust me: I hate Boston as a sports city and would love for them to collapse and blow a 2-0 lead. I just really don’t see it happening, KP or not. Luka looks banged up and Kyrie is seriously struggling to score on guys like Jrue/Brown. With players as good as Luka/Kyrie I don’t doubt they can have a nuclear game even against this type of defense…maybe even two. But not 4 nuclear games out of the next 5.

I hope I’m wrong. Would love to see Luka win a chip and watch the Boston fanbase melt down after collapsing yet again

[LeBowen]

I actually don't like the takes that they're similar to 2014 Spurs.
The only similarity is not having a clear first option.

Celtics are a well-oiled machine, they're winning games with a fairly simple playbooks.
Just doing those same few things over and over again.
It's enjoyable to watch them exploit every opponent's weakness, but there's no flair or basketball genius in it.
Just think of all the plays Tony, Manu and Boris were making in 2014. Plays noone sees coming.
Celtics don't do that.

Another thing is that their closeout minutes are always really questionable because they don't have an actual closer.
I don't dislike Tatum because of his low FG% in the finals, I dislike him because he constantly makes the worst possible decisions in the clutch.
If that push on Derrick's block was called, it's a three point game and who knows how it ends.

2014 Spurs were always confident in the clutch and almost always made the right play, with everyone being able to step up.

I don't like revisionist history, but much like Warriors were lucky to face Celtics instead of Bucks in 2022, this year Celtics got lucky to face Mavs that are the easiest.
Best team in the league this season, but I don't think comparisons with all-time great teams are warranted just yet.

[Pero]

LMAO some of the Mavs and Luka negative takes here are just ridiculous.

[timtonymanu]

I don’t know man. People here will get up in arms about it but this Boston team might be the closest thing we’ve seen to the 2014 Spurs tbh. I’m not sure they have a single top 10 guy (Tatum probably sneaks in there but still), but they’re just so well-rounded and can win in a mul ude of ways. Breath of fresh air compared to the super top heavy teams we usually see where there is clearly 1-2 guys that carry the load.

Trust me: I hate Boston as a sports city and would love for them to collapse and blow a 2-0 lead. I just really don’t see it happening, KP or not. Luka looks banged up and Kyrie is seriously struggling to score on guys like Jrue/Brown. With players as good as Luka/Kyrie I don’t doubt they can have a nuclear game even against this type of defense…maybe even two. But not 4 nuclear games out of the next 5.

I hope I’m wrong. Would love to see Luka win a chip and watch the Boston fanbase melt down after collapsing yet again

But what about if they win and Laker fans have to put up with the Celtics winning another le? that's the only reason I'm rooting for Boston, other than D White of course.

[timtonymanu]

2014 Spurs vs 2024 Celtics is an interesting comparison, but I see Spurs in 6.

They would have needed to start KP to guard Duncan/Diaw cause Duncan would have feasted on Horford, Diaw would destroy Tatum in the post. Kawhi/Danny guard Tatum/Brown.

White and Holiday would have been a to handle for our backcourt but Manu, Splitter, Patty >>> their bench outside KP.

[MultiTroll]

2014 Spurs vs 2024 Celtics is an interesting comparison, but I see Spurs in 6.

They would have needed to start KP to guard Duncan/Diaw cause Duncan would have feasted on Horford, Diaw would destroy Tatum in the post. Kawhi/Danny guard Tatum/Brown.

White and Holiday would have been a to handle for our backcourt but Manu, Splitter, Patty >>> their bench outside KP.

4-1 Spurs at least, probably 4-0.

These Celtics have no where near the BBIQ nor selflessness of that Timmy Dunkar lead team.