NBA Playoffs 2023

[slamtheking]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.   

[Goldstar88]

Just think if both JT and JB had that "I'm going to murder you and your next of kin" mentality like Butler.

JB is closer, I think.  I wish Tatum had spent more time with Kobe in terms of the psychological part of the game.

Agree on JB, he's got more of that demeanor.

What about the Nets/Celtics series last year. Tatum looked like a killer to me..

[Neurotic Guy]

Tatum seems a decent person and all, so I don't want to disparage his character.

But when it comes to competitiveness, he isn't in Butler's league.
And that has been one of the major impediments to this Celtic group's efforts to win a title.
Now, we add Joe Mazzulla and winning #18 becomes even more difficult.

Though he does a lot of good things, I do not believe Brad Stevens has the guts to make the changes we need to get us there either.
Very frustrating time to be a Celtics fan.

that's what's so frustrating about this. His skill set is better than butler's, but he doesn't have the same mental edge as jimmy.

Just think if both JT and JB had that "I'm going to murder you and your next of kin" mentality like Butler.

Given the positives and negatives would you (or anyone here) trade JT for Giannis straight up?  JT for Luka?

More "murder mentality" in Giannis.  I've seen sparks of it in Luka.  Teaming with Brown, who makes the most sense of Giannis, Luka, and JT?   I doubt Dallas or Milwaukee would make the deal.

[kraidstar]

That bucks game last night might be the worst basketball choke I've ever seen.  Miami didn't even play that well.

In the 4th quarter and the first 3 minutes of overtime, the bucks scored exactly 3 baskets.  One of those baskets was a 3-pointer by holiday that was a blatant travel.  The other points mostly came from dumb fouls by Miami or questionable calls by the refs.

 I will give Miami some credit for playing strong defense for the most part. But Middleton looks like he's toast.  No way should old man Lowry beat him to that ball at the end of regulation.

And Giannis has no real offense aside from throwing himself into defenders and hoping for calls.  That's not to say he isn't an excellent slasher. He is. But his finishing ability is questionable due to his limited skill set,  and it's exacerbated by his fear of getting fouled because of his poor free throw shooting. Where are the floaters and the pull up jumpers?  If he had a floater like Derrick White he would be a vastly better player in these clutch situations.

 When the game tightened up the bucks stopped moving the ball around. Despite Middleton's and Giannis's shortcomings,  they still could have won if they functioned like a real offense.

 But they looked unsure of themselves at both ends. Just a disastrous result that should end up in some shake-ups within the organization.

[Goldstar88]

That bucks game last night might be the worst basketball choke I've ever seen.  Miami didn't even play that well.

In the 4th quarter and the first 3 minutes of overtime, the bucks scored exactly 3 baskets.  One of those baskets was a 3-pointer by holiday that was a blatant travel.  The other points mostly came from dumb fouls by Miami or questionable calls by the refs.

 I will give Miami some credit for playing strong defense for the most part. But Middleton looks like he's toast.  No way should old man Lowry beat him to that ball at the end of regulation.

And Giannis has no real offense aside from throwing himself into defenders and hoping for calls.  That's not to say he isn't an excellent slasher. He is. But his finishing ability is questionable due to his limited skill set,  and it's exacerbated by his fear of getting fouled because of his poor free throw shooting. Where are the floaters and the pull up jumpers?  If he had a floater like Derrick White he would be a vastly better player in these clutch situations.

 When the game tightened up the bucks stopped moving the ball around. Despite Middleton's and Giannis's shortcomings,  they still could have won if they functioned like a real offense.

 But they looked unsure of themselves at both ends. Just a disastrous result that should end up in some shake-ups within the organization.

This is exactly why Ive been saying for a few years now that I would prefer having Tatum over Giannis. Watching him “hot potato” the ball towards the end of the game last night, so that he wouldn’t have to go to the line… No thanks.

[Birdman]

Giannis miss 13 FTs

[Phantom255x]

The Bucks and Celtics both choked massive leads on Monday and Tuesday. Bucks did it again last night. Now I REALLY hope the C's don't get a big lead and blow it again tonight. If so that'd be so depressing.

[heyvik]

When the Celtics get by the Hawks, I can see them flaming out against the Sixers in 6 games, who seemed to be a bit more focused this year. It seems like Doc has them peaking at the right time.

[angryguy77]

When the Celtics get by the Hawks, I can see them flaming out against the Sixers in 6 games, who seemed to be a bit more focused this year. It seems like Doc has them peaking at the right time.

They lose if they beat themselves. Nothing Philly can do if Boston shows up 4 games. However, will they is the question.

[Donoghus]

When the Celtics get by the Hawks, I can see them flaming out against the Sixers in 6 games, who seemed to be a bit more focused this year. It seems like Doc has them peaking at the right time.

They lose if they beat themselves. Nothing Philly can do if Boston shows up 4 games. However, will they is the question.

That’s how I see it too.  When engaged, the Celtics are not losing 4 to the Sixers.

I sure as heck hope the Celtics close out tonight.  We don’t need to be coming off a 7 game series to open the Philly series.

[Moranis]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.

you clearly don't understand my argument because the team with the best player loses playoff series all of the time, that has never been my argument.

I say again, if you are going to take unnecessary shots, at least understand the argument, otherwise you are nothing more than an a**hat.  So either learn the argument so we can reasonably talk about it or shut up.

[celticsclay]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.

you clearly don't understand my argument because the team with the best player loses playoff series all of the time, that has never been my argument.

I say again, if you are going to take unnecessary shots, at least understand the argument, otherwise you are nothing more than an a**hat.  So either learn the argument so we can reasonably talk about it or shut up.

Jeez guess we can just talk to each other however we want today. Aggressive!

[Phantom255x]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.

you clearly don't understand my argument because the team with the best player loses playoff series all of the time, that has never been my argument.

I say again, if you are going to take unnecessary shots, at least understand the argument, otherwise you are nothing more than an a**hat.  So either learn the argument so we can reasonably talk about it or shut up.

Jeez guess we can just talk to each other however we want today. Aggressive!

We're all down bad after losing Game 5 

[slamtheking]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.

you clearly don't understand my argument because the team with the best player loses playoff series all of the time, that has never been my argument.

I say again, if you are going to take unnecessary shots, at least understand the argument, otherwise you are nothing more than an a**hat.  So either learn the argument so we can reasonably talk about it or shut up.

Jeez guess we can just talk to each other however we want today. Aggressive!

We're all down bad after losing Game 5 

I remember the days when a poster telling another to "shut up" would get a warning from a mod or an outright 'temporary vacation" from the site -- never mind a mod saying that.  Think I've had enough.

[Phantom255x]

Giannis has perhaps the worst 36/20 game in NBA history.  7 turnovers and more importantly 13 missed free throws.  I think it is time for Giannis to develop an underhand free throw.  His hands are just to big.  Just spend all summer going underhand.  You can't miss 13 free throws in an elimination game on your own floor when you have a 16 point lead in the 4th quarter.  Just an embarrassing loss and that follows a blown 14 point lead in game 4.  Back to back terrible losses.  And Bud not calling a timeout at the end is just crazy.  You call that timeout you complain to the refs about the non-call, you tell them there should be more time on the clock, and then you set up a play that gets Giannis the ball in the post for a last second shot.  They didn't even get a shot off at the end of regulation or overtime.  They may need to move on from Bud, not because he is a bad coach, but they've now gone out two straight years with losing the 4th quarter in the series badly (overall).  The C's out played them down the stretch last year and now the Heat have done it this year.  You can't let that happen when you have the best player in the world on your team.

OR he's not the best player in the world AND that having Middleton back playing for them doesn't make them champions or an automatic winner over any other team.   

your unwavering belief in the Bucks and Giannis as the best team and player and holding them up as team that would have won last year with a healthy Middleton AND your much-professed certainty that the best players always win in the season and especially the playoffs just took a huge hit with how the Bucks just got their butts handed to them by an inferior team that had a really good player who really pushed his team to win. 

talent will typically win but it needs to perform up to its abilities and effort/will can overcome talent.

the best player loses a playoff series all of the time.  If you are going to take shots at me, at least understand my argument, otherwise you just come off like an a**hat.

you've been unwavering in your argument, that's the point.  if the best player loses all the time, that's contrary to what you've stated repeatedly over the years.

you clearly don't understand my argument because the team with the best player loses playoff series all of the time, that has never been my argument.

I say again, if you are going to take unnecessary shots, at least understand the argument, otherwise you are nothing more than an a**hat.  So either learn the argument so we can reasonably talk about it or shut up.

Jeez guess we can just talk to each other however we want today. Aggressive!

We're all down bad after losing Game 5 

I remember the days when a poster telling another to "shut up" would get a warning from a mod or an outright 'temporary vacation" from the site -- never mind a mod saying that.  Think I've had enough.

Nah I completely agree. It was out of line. Not sure where the mods are though about it