NBA Season 2021-22

[Phantom255x]

LaVine may put up numbers but I just don't get the hype with him. Time and time again he comes up short in big moments and makes just as many boneheaded plays during games.

[Goldstar88]

For all the hate he generates, Grayson Allen is legit NBA player.

Hot take.

I’ve always liked Grayson Allen, since watching him at Duke and I was hoping that the C’s would draft him. Has he acted immature in the past, yes. Dude competes, though. He plays hard.

[colincb]

MIA vs BOS-MIL winner for ECF?

ESPN: MRI confirms thumb ligament tear for Joel Embiid; Philadelphia 76ers star to have surgery after season, sources say.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33799437/mri-confirms-thumb-ligament-tear-joel-embiid-philadelphia-76ers-star-surgery-season-sources-say

[Celtics2021]

MIA vs BOS-MIL winner for ECF?

ESPN: MRI confirms thumb ligament tear for Joel Embiid; Philadelphia 76ers star to have surgery after season, sources say.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33799437/mri-confirms-thumb-ligament-tear-joel-embiid-philadelphia-76ers-star-surgery-season-sources-say

So 1 vs. 2 or 3?  Doesn’t sound like a monumental prediction.

[footey]

Despite Luka's numbers and the Mavs record they really aren't much better with Luka on the floor because he is so ball dominant.  On the year his on/off per 100 possessions was just 0.2. That is pretty low for a great player with great stats.  That is why despite his injury I picked them to win the West and I still think that holds.  They have a pretty deep team and in the key moments against most teams will have the best player on the floor.  That stuff matters.

you think they are winning the west? That’s pretty wild. If you really believe this and aren’t just being contrarian you can bet 200 dollars on them to win 7000. There’s not a lot of people seeing what you are seeing.

it is in the prediction thread I started a couple of weeks ago.  Mavs were the 2nd best team in 2022 behind only the Suns (they had 1 more win than the C's).  They were absolutely on fire and Luka has been a monster in basically every playoff game he has played in.  He shows up

They would be underdogs against memphis, golden state and Phoenix (especially without homecourt). As good as Brunson and doncic are, they have a thoroughly mediocre frontcourt. Is powell, bertans and kleber the worst frontcourt in playoffs? Seems worse than a lot of lottery teams even.

The Mavs went 3-1 against GS this year (all in 2022).  3-1 against Memphis (2-0 in 2022).  0-3 against Phoenix (0-1 in 2022). 

I picked them before the playoffs, so I obviously thought they'd beat Phoenix in the 2nd round, but I really like their chances now that is appears Booker isn't going to play for at least the first couple of games if not more. 

After their game on December 29th, the Mavs were 16-18. They closed the year at 36-12.  They were just on fire and I see no reason they won't continue to be on fire now that Luka is back. 

I do expect them to lose to the Eastern representative in the Finals.  I predicted it would be Milwaukee before the playoffs started, though if Middleton is out, I do like Boston's chances assuming they win 1 of the next 4 against the Nets.  In all honestly I expect that 2nd round series to decide the championship.

That is a bold take. Take a look once more at DAL's front court - I think I would honestly take Daniel Theis over all of their Centers and Forwards. Luka is an incredible player and Brunson/Dinwiddie are reliable, but I have no idea how they even come close to beating a healthy GSW team...or a semi-healthy PHX team for that matter.

As a Cs fan who [of course] has us going all the way to the Finals, I would be jumping through the roof if DAL was the West representative.

Isn’t Dallas the only team we didn’t get a win against?  Not sure why you’d like that matchup.

[Rondo9]

For all the hate he generates, Grayson Allen is legit NBA player.

Hot take.

I’ve always liked Grayson Allen, since watching him at Duke and I was hoping that the C’s would draft him. Has he acted immature in the past, yes. Dude competes, though. He plays hard.

The guy injured Alex Caruso earlier in the season. That guy plays very dirty don’t understand Celticsblogs infatuation with him.

[Moranis]

Despite Luka's numbers and the Mavs record they really aren't much better with Luka on the floor because he is so ball dominant.  On the year his on/off per 100 possessions was just 0.2. That is pretty low for a great player with great stats.  That is why despite his injury I picked them to win the West and I still think that holds.  They have a pretty deep team and in the key moments against most teams will have the best player on the floor.  That stuff matters.

you think they are winning the west? That’s pretty wild. If you really believe this and aren’t just being contrarian you can bet 200 dollars on them to win 7000. There’s not a lot of people seeing what you are seeing.

it is in the prediction thread I started a couple of weeks ago.  Mavs were the 2nd best team in 2022 behind only the Suns (they had 1 more win than the C's).  They were absolutely on fire and Luka has been a monster in basically every playoff game he has played in.  He shows up

They would be underdogs against memphis, golden state and Phoenix (especially without homecourt). As good as Brunson and doncic are, they have a thoroughly mediocre frontcourt. Is powell, bertans and kleber the worst frontcourt in playoffs? Seems worse than a lot of lottery teams even.

The Mavs went 3-1 against GS this year (all in 2022).  3-1 against Memphis (2-0 in 2022).  0-3 against Phoenix (0-1 in 2022). 

I picked them before the playoffs, so I obviously thought they'd beat Phoenix in the 2nd round, but I really like their chances now that is appears Booker isn't going to play for at least the first couple of games if not more. 

After their game on December 29th, the Mavs were 16-18. They closed the year at 36-12.  They were just on fire and I see no reason they won't continue to be on fire now that Luka is back. 

I do expect them to lose to the Eastern representative in the Finals.  I predicted it would be Milwaukee before the playoffs started, though if Middleton is out, I do like Boston's chances assuming they win 1 of the next 4 against the Nets.  In all honestly I expect that 2nd round series to decide the championship.

That is a bold take. Take a look once more at DAL's front court - I think I would honestly take Daniel Theis over all of their Centers and Forwards. Luka is an incredible player and Brunson/Dinwiddie are reliable, but I have no idea how they even come close to beating a healthy GSW team...or a semi-healthy PHX team for that matter.

As a Cs fan who [of course] has us going all the way to the Finals, I would be jumping through the roof if DAL was the West representative.

They've had this frontcourt all season (well at least since the trade deadline).  It hasn't mattered.  And here's the thing, in every single playoff series they will have either clearly or arguably the best player on the floor (except against Giannis - yes I think it is arguable between him and Curry and no one else he'll play is close to him).  That matters.  Luka is a monster.  He has done things in the playoffs that no one in history has done (and that isn't hyperbole).  For example, the most points in a playoff debut ever.  Prior to last night in 13 playoff games he averaged 34-9-10 on 50/40 splits and was being guarded the vast majority of the time by either Paul George or Kawhi Leonard.  He is a beast.  I absolutely and firmly believe this is his coming out moment in much the same way 2007 was Lebron's.  I just think the path is wide open for Luka and the Mavs. Once they made the trade of KP, they firmly set up the team to surround Luka with players that fit perfectly with him and there isn't a team that is set up well to defend him that can also stop Brunson and Dinwiddie.  The path couldn't have set up better for them.  The do have to beat Utah though, who I actually think is a bad matchup for them. 

[gouki88]

For all the hate he generates, Grayson Allen is legit NBA player.

Hot take.

I’ve always liked Grayson Allen, since watching him at Duke and I was hoping that the C’s would draft him. Has he acted immature in the past, yes. Dude competes, though. He plays hard.

The guy injured Alex Caruso earlier in the season. That guy plays very dirty don’t understand Celticsblogs infatuation with him.

Yeah, he's not "immature". That is an absolutely infantilising way to gloss over his horrible nature.

Nobody has questioned his ability to play basketball. He's just a garbage person

[Phantom255x]

Nuggets up 23-17… and Jokic has 18 of their points LOL

Nuggets without Jokic may be the worst team in the league

[Goldstar88]

Nuggets up 23-17… and Jokic has 18 of their points LOL

Nuggets without Jokic may be the worst team in the league

Not if they have Jamaal Murray and Porter Jr. Jokic needs to be the MVP for what he has been able to do without the 2nd and 3rd best players on their team. It’s unbelievable.

[hpantazo]

Nuggets are up 17 now. I hope the Celtics are watching this and learning not to underestimate their opponent when up 3-0.

[gouki88]

Bones Hyland putting Jamal Murray on the trade block

[gouki88]

Zach Zarba is such a loser

[tazzmaniac]

That T on Cousins was ridiculous.  The modern NBA is so soft. 

[Goldstar88]

For all the hate he generates, Grayson Allen is legit NBA player.

Hot take.

I’ve always liked Grayson Allen, since watching him at Duke and I was hoping that the C’s would draft him. Has he acted immature in the past, yes. Dude competes, though. He plays hard.

The guy injured Alex Caruso earlier in the season. That guy plays very dirty don’t understand Celticsblogs infatuation with him.

Yeah, he's not "immature". That is an absolutely infantilising way to gloss over his horrible nature.

Nobody has questioned his ability to play basketball. He's just a garbage person

Well, his teammates would disagree with you. Giannis went on and on about Grayson during his postgame interview earlier today.

“He’s humble, he’s hungry, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Plays hard every single night defensively and offensively. No matter how the game goes, he keeps us accountable. He knows that we need him and he’s a great player. He wants the ball. Wants to be the guy that makes shots and make plays. He’s not scared to make plays. He fits in really well with us.”