2021 NBA playoffs thread

I think the chances of Atlanta getting out of the East are close to nil. At the very least, you'll have a superstar in the finals, so that should help. Also, I'd think Milwaukee-Utah would be the nightmare Finals scenario for the league moreso than Atlanta.

Glad the Suns are off until Monday. Hopefully the time off will help CP heal. Should be a fun series against the Nuggets.

 

I don't think there's any way Atlanta gets to the finals... but they can absolutely get past the Sixers now that Embiid's hurt.

Right now my money would be Bucks over the Jazz in the finals.

 

I think all of the Eastern Conference teams are equally compelling, or at least, you can build a compelling narrative around them. Sixers would have Process talk and two legitimate all-stars to focus on; Brooklyn has three stars with, let's say, very interesting mindsets; Milwaukee or Atlanta, you focus on the clear alpha dog of the team, Giannis or Trey.

I think the Suns are the clear "best" option out of the West for the league. Between the two young stars, the "old guy's still got it!" narrative for Paul, and his personal odyssey when it comes to playoff success, plus the fact that they dispatched the 2020 champs - there is a lot to sink your teeth into. But the Clippers and Mavericks have obvious stars you can build the coverage around too. The Nuggets and Jazz, I think you'd have to emphasize the team play, passing and defense.

 

I got called out (rightfully, I admit) for my asterisks upthread but your "if" is pretty dang noticeable as well, don't you think, given the age of LeBron and the frailty of Street Clothes?

 

Forget the geography, Sports has gone past this. Did the Super Bowl suffer because it was Tampa Bay? WS because it was Tampa Bay (again!), well LA was there? Its about the matchups, Borg v. McEnroe, Nicklaus v. Watson, Tiger v. Phil, Steph/KD v. LeBron. No one cared it was Golden State (yikes, its Baron/Dunleavy/who?) v. Cleveland (!).

Jazz v. Nets would be most fascinating IMHO, team of integrated parts v. Big (Huge)3; very similar to Bucks v. Nets now.

Sixers looked pretty basic without Embiid; Hawks could take them out if he doesn't play.

Nuggets are fun, I just don't think they will do it on D and while Porter is so talented, he tends to do boneheaded things on both ends (Gordon is nice but does he have any real elite talent besides jumping?)

Suns are a great story but woefully thin up front (Kaminsky? that's it behind Ayton and next big is Crowder?) I give CP huge credit, he looked almost normal last night except for the range from 3 and he rimmed out the last couple.

Mavs? Luka would be great but he's not enough.

Clips? They look like Tin Men but I won't forget how Cavs went 7 in Rd. 1 against Pacers one year (?) then made it to the Finals.

 

Yeah, I mean, the "if" is there for a reason. Obviously it's a risk. Davis got hurt so they lost.

I think people are overdoing the suggestion that LeBron was slowed by his age. LeBron was slowed by Solomon Hill diving into his ankle. He really doesn't get the wear and tear injuries that any normal 30+ player gets.

 

BTW, congrats to Suns fans here. They beat the ever living shit out of the Lakers.

 

Did anyone catch the funniest TV screen shot to date for 2021 Playoffs, after Kawhi airballed the last 3 in Gm. 5, he walks back and Rondo is in his grill apparently voicing some displeasure. I decided to look at what Rondo's stats were for Gm. 5, 0-6, 0-3 from 3, zero points. I could only imagine what Kawhi was thinking at that point (potential air bubble "WTF? Why are you even saying anything??") Most of the time I wonder why Mavs even guard Rondo, I think they should treat him like Ws did Tony Allen in 2015.

 

LeBron is the de facto GM. The "bag of corpses" were all there because LeBron wanted them there, as is the coach. Injuries or not he owns this. But since he's LeBron he's above criticism and the fanbois will find fault with everyone but him.

 

Who gets more mentions? Tiger Woods in a major he’s not playing or LeBron in a playoff game he’s not playing?

 

You mean the 2 biggest stars of their generation in their respective sports? Shocking.

 

Imagine him without the rings and you'll get an idea of what it must be like to play with Marcus Smart at times