NBA Playoffs 2019-2020

[Atzar]

The OKC-Houston game was a very clear example of the difference between regular season basketball and playoff basketball.

Teams pick out matchups and exploit them over... and over... and over again on both sides of the court.  On defense, Houston completely disrespected Dort, ignoring him entirely in favor of playing 5-on-4 on the other OKC players. That worked... Dort kept chucking up shots that he can't hit.  And on the other end, Harden continually exploited SGA.  That also worked.  Harden shot 11-15 from the field, much of it at SGA's expense. 

OKC will have to come up with some counters if they want to force a game 7. 

[Jvalin]

10-15 threes for the Blazers (66.7%).

6-17 threes for the Fakers (31.3%).

Chances are that this ain't sustainable for the Blazers.

CJ is ballin tonight. Imo, he's a very talented player. It's just super unfortunate on his part that he's playing in the shadow of Lillard.

How about this trade idea?

Blazers in: Middleton
Bucks in: McCollum

Feel free to add pick(s) either way if you deem it necessary.

They are both the same age, plus they've both signed a big contract till 2024. If the Bucks fail to reach the Finals this season, it's possible that they'd be interested to shake things up.

[Atzar]

How about this trade idea?

Blazers in: Middleton
Bucks in: McCollum

Feel free to add pick(s) either way if you deem it necessary.

They are both the same age, plus they've both signed a big contract till 2024. If the Bucks fail to reach the Finals this season, it's possible that they'd be interested to shake things up.

Wouldn't touch that deal if I'm the Bucks.  McCollum and Middleton are a wash offensively, I think.  Middleton is the more efficient scorer but McCollum is better at creating offense.  But Middleton is a very capable defensive player whereas McCollum is food.  He just doesn't have the length to effectively guard his position.

[Jvalin]

How about this trade idea?

Blazers in: Middleton
Bucks in: McCollum

Feel free to add pick(s) either way if you deem it necessary.

They are both the same age, plus they've both signed a big contract till 2024. If the Bucks fail to reach the Finals this season, it's possible that they'd be interested to shake things up.

Wouldn't touch that deal if I'm the Bucks.  McCollum and Middleton are a wash offensively, I think.  Middleton is the more efficient scorer but McCollum is better at creating offense. But Middleton is a very capable defensive player whereas McCollum is food.  He just doesn't have the length to effectively guard his position.

True that. What if the Blazers throw in #16 though?

I mean, the Bucks need a closer. Giannis is a below average shooter and Middleton is an average shot creator. Time and again, he has failed to deliver in the clutch. McCollum is one of the most clutch players around the league. Imo, he'd be a terrific second option next to Giannis.

[SparzWizard]

Here we come...this could be the final 12 minutes of Carmelo Anthony's career!

[Atzar]

Here we come...this could be the final 12 minutes of Carmelo Anthony's career!

I don't know.  Maybe he's just ready to hang it up, but I feel like he's generally shown enough in his stint with the Blazers that he'll be able to get a job somewhere.  He's in shape and he's putting in the effort.   

He's a below average starter at this point in his career, but below average starters are still useful NBA players. 

[SparzWizard]

The Lakers advanced to the West Semis for the first time since 2011-2012 season. Wow

[BringToughnessBack]

The Lakers advanced to the West Semis for the first time since 2011-2012 season. Wow

Amazing..a decade! I want nothing less than Lakers in Finals vs Celtics..perhaps our last chance to best Lebron in something meaningful....

[gouki88]

Here we come...this could be the final 12 minutes of Carmelo Anthony's career!

No way he retires. Got enough to offer a team next year.

I see Houston upsetting LAL if Westbrook is fully operational

[Birdman]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

[gouki88]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

So? Who on LA is going to defend the best scorer in the NBA post-2000? Not to mention Westbrook as well

[Jvalin]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

So? Who on LA is going to defend the best scorer in the NBA post-2000? Not to mention Westbrook as well

Did the Rockets trade for Kevin Durant? I thought he was out for the season.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

Play styles will collide. The Lakers will try to pound the Rockets inside for second chance points. The Rockets will pound them from three.

I don't think we've ever seen two styles so diametrically opposed go against one another. It's hard to make assumptions. Old school thought would say the Lakers will dominate. Money ball thought says the Rockets have the numbers advantage.

[Somebody]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

So? Who on LA is going to defend the best scorer in the NBA post-2000? Not to mention Westbrook as well

Did the Rockets trade for Kevin Durant? I thought he was out for the season.

You mean LeBron James

[gouki88]

Davis will dominate the Rockets unfortunately

So? Who on LA is going to defend the best scorer in the NBA post-2000? Not to mention Westbrook as well

Did the Rockets trade for Kevin Durant? I thought he was out for the season.

You mean LeBron James

Harden > LeBron as a scorer for sure in my book, and KD isn’t an active NBA player at the moment.

LeBron & Doncic are the only comparable offensive forces at this point, but none seem to manipulate the game as expertly as Harden