2018-19 NBA Thread

A shot from 37 feet is probably 2x-3x as hard to make as a shot from 30. He’s got great range but hadn’t hit a shot (nor I think attempted one) from that far all series.

 

Would another coach make a difference? They're just a poor shooting team (22nd in eFG%, 25th in TS%) and I don't know if another coach would be able to un-Russ Russ.

 

I don't know how much of a difference a new coach would make, but I know Billy Donovan isn't a good NBA coach.

 

Meant from 30 feet and out. Last night was obviously extreme.

 

A couple of close moments, but getting the 76ers to win the series in 5 at +330 after their game 1 loss was a nice little payoff last night.

 

In defense of George - I think he defended the play correctly. Everyone else was cleared out to the sidelines, seemed like Lillard was going for a juke and drive until the clock got down to three seconds.

 

With Lillard's shot, I just assume the Blazers were comfortable with him taking it because of the time left. That far out, its not like the Thunder can easily double him and get the ball out of his hands. The worst case scenario is probably a missed shot as time expires, since I think he's less likely to turn the ball over on a deep ISO like that, vs. trying to drive or drive-and-dish. If the game goes to overtime, I think that's still an advantage for the Blazers, with the kind of night Lillard was having.

As far as Lillard's ranking among the league's guards - Man, its tough to make first-team All-NBA. I think he's right-there though, with Harden and Curry at this point. All three can be completely unguardable at times. I'd rate the other two slightly ahead of him because of the longer track record, but I think you can argue "who's the best guard in this playoffs?" and make a credible case for all three.

 

Harden is a freak, I do think the Warriors would be as good, if not better with Lillard because he's generally healthier than Curry. The other thing about Lillard - the Blazers really haven't had any locker room issues since he joined the team (which is saying something for the Blazers).

 

He's Kyrie without the bullshit.

 

Underrated aspect of Curry (v Lilliard), he's bigger so not as big a liability on D when the Ws go to the all switch D and he rebounds and passes better. Lilliard gets more of his shots in iso, more of Currys shots come in motion.

Harden is a freak, those step back 3s with guys draped over him, hard to believe. The thing I appreciate (finally recognize) about him is he's almost flatlining out there, the opposite of Westbrook, "not saying look at me", very professional.