2021 NBA playoffs thread

Cool.

Kuzma is averaging 5 points in 22 minutes a game in the postseason.

You can't really argue that a guy is a scorer who needs to shoot more when he's shooting 24% from the field.

 

And as a Celtics fan, let me add that LeBron has been making Crowder look like shit for years. The only move Crowder has it to start shit and hope LeBron takes the bait.

 

There's an argument to be made that Kuzma is a guy that just needs to be given the ball and let go on a second unit. His PER has fallen from around 14.5 his first two years, to 12ish the last two years, now that he's more of an off-ball guy that gets scraps. However, that's the kind of guy you sign as a free agent to a one or a two-year "prove it" deal, not anyone you surrender a real asset for.

 

The Mavs look done like dinner. Luka is banged-up, KP is playing like shit and the Clips are running a conga line to the rack.

 

I'm not sure there's a player I hate watching more than Porzingis. Dude is 7'3" and never sets foot inside the 3 point line on offense.

 

Simmons is shooting a ravishing 18% from the free throw line in this series.

 

Even with Embiid out it took a really strong effort for the Wiz to win that game last night. If I'm Philly, I sit him in Game 5 and hope the others can carry me to a home win to close out the series. Rest him up for the next series. Sounds presumptuous, but that Washington team isn't capable of beating Philly three times even if Embiid is out.

 

Crazy that he's such an effective player without being able to consistently shoot past 15 feet. His early career has been like a rich man's Rajon Rondo.

 

Did someone wish him Happy Mothers Day?

 

With the Lakers having an off season and the Mavs, Blazers and Grizzlies being more than respectable, this has got to be one of the strongest 1st rounds I can recall, which is great to watch.

The East has been very entertaining as well, though Bucks swept, it was interesting with the Heat rematch and all. Unfortunately, the Celts are hamstrung without Brown (and now Kemba).

Jeez, the Sixers looked like just another NBA team without Embiid last night. Whenever Mike Scott is getting real time on the court (and jacking up 3s), its never a good thing.

 

I know there's "Playoff Kawhi" but damn the Mavs put their "best" defender on him, Kleber, and Kawhi doesn't even hunt for a switch, he goes right through Kleber like he's a practice coach holding pads. The Mavs have no answer for him and Porzingis is the smallest playing 7 footer ever; how was he even thought of as a "unicorn"? Yeah he can make long 3s but so can Brunson and Brunson finishes at the basket better. Mavs need to find Luka someone else to help carry the load (Hardaway is not the answer.)

 

It's odd that they were traded for each other, but - I kind of think the Hawks and the Mavs have the same problem, in that their superstar offensive player doesn't play that hard on defense. Like right now, Luka's DRTG is worse than the much maligned James Harden, and his ORTG is lower too. I think Doncic needs to take it on himself to try shutting down a guy like Leonard if he's going to be the best player on a championship team.