2021 NBA playoffs thread

100 percent agree with this. Particularly in Game 4 he looked like he was on the verge of getting technicals several times. A guy making his first playoff run, though, so he has time to learn and adjust.

 

Giannis was just fantastic. Not only the 50 points, but the absolutely dominating defensive performance. All those blocks. It took Booker completely out of his game.
I thought Chris Paul came up so small in this series, and last night. He was 11-19 but the Bucks were letting him shoot, giving their defensive priorities to other Suns players. Paul had zero defensive responsibilities, guarding PJ Tucker, who literally does not shoot.

 

Seems like teams with ball-busting role players who wear the 17 jersey win a lot of titles. Mario Elie, Rick Fox, P.J. Tucker and a few more in the last 30 years I'm forgetting.

 

The lingering memory I have from this series is Chris Paul, standing in the corner, deferring to Cam Payne to run the offense, when the Suns needed him the most down the stretch in Game 4. Chris Paul is a big reason the Suns made it this far, but he's also a huge reason why they lost the series.

 

These things turn on such small margins. KD’s foot on the line would have completely changed the narrative and led to Bud being fired. If Booker doesn’t get stripped and hits the shot at the end of game 5, it becomes that you can’t give the ball to Giannis down the stretch because he can’t hit a clutch FT.

 

As delighted as most were to see Chris Paul eat shit, I think we were all bumming hard for Monty Williams.

 

Most?

 

Nice touch for him to congratulate the Bucks in their locker room.

Agreed. Finding a long-term solution at PG will be key (just look at the Bucks in finally finding the right fit with Holiday), but the Suns likely aren't going away. Ayton's rookie deal ends after next season, right?

I would've been pulling for the Suns in the Finals if not for the Bucks. Have always had a soft spot for them since the early 90s.

I can't believe I just experienced a Bucks championship celebration. And a 50-spot on top of it. Unreal.

 

thinking of @Cosmo and Guy Fieri

 

Agreed; plus as time passes no one remembers who was hurt, they only remember who won.

BTW Giannis LOOKED like a FT shooter, hope it’s sticks.

 

Bucs won the Super Bowl.

Bucks won the NBA title.

How bout the Buccos going on a 34-game win streak, making the playoffs, winning the World Series?

 

I kind of wanted Chris Paul to win, just because my least favorite sports narrative in any sport is "this great player just can't win the big game." Like, these are all team games. Even in cases where you can kind of squint and see it - like Chris Webber with the Kings - well, there's still four other guys on the court. I think it was Bill James who noted that when teams fail, it's easier to blame the superstar for not doing more, as opposed to someone else for just being average.