NBA Playoffs 2023

[SparzWizard]

I wonder how they approach it with Giannis in the coming games. I also wonder if Giannis is going to have to adjust. I mean, if he wants to keep driving/attacking recklessly like he does, he can go ahead, but I think he really risks reinjuring his back or getting hurt in another area doing so. And make no mistake, Miami will play physical with these guys, and so will Cleveland next round with their size

Or the Knicks. They're up 1-0 over the Cavs so far

[Moranis]

LeBron finished 2nd in the NBA this season in transition scoring. He is 38 years old. 2nd in transition scoring! That is incredible.

Jaylen was 4th. Bane and Morant were 6th and 7th respectively.

It really is amazing how good he still is.  Obviously gets tired more easily and certainly can't defend at a high level all game long like he used to be able to, but still physically good enough and one of the smartest players the league has ever had. 

[Vermont Green]

As the fan of a team we hope makes the Finals, I think we need to be pulling for PHX in a tough 7-game series. If the Clippers are able to cruise through PHX in 4 or 5 - and then get PG back - they are going to be really difficult to eventually face.

Also be interesting to see if PG13's return disrupts their chemistry. They have a volatile player there in Westbrook who looks very comfortable in his increased role while PG13 has been out injured. It'll be interesting to see if Westbrook can adjust well to PG13's demand for shots & time on the ball without hurting his own (Westbrook) game.

Westbrook was 3-19 shooting in the win vs. PHO yesterday.  Maybe he needs to adjust some.  No need for him to be taking 19 shots.  My guess though would be that Batum would go to the bench when Paul George is back ready to start or maybe Eric Gordon.  Either way it doesn't have to affect Westbrook at all.

What it would do for LAC is give them even more depth to wear down PHO.  In game 1, Durant 45 min, Booker 43 min, and Chris Paul 39 min.  Don't see how they can keep that up.  If I was LAC, I would press them some.  Make them work to bring the ball up every time.  Wear the big guns down.  Let Westbrook hound the ball.

[Who]

Jokic is top 10 all time in points per minute in the playoffs (per NBA University Twitter page).

Career playoff averages:

26.4ppg
60.7% TS%
11.5rpg
6.4apg

Those are some pretty incredible career playoff numbers.

[Goldstar88]

As the fan of a team we hope makes the Finals, I think we need to be pulling for PHX in a tough 7-game series. If the Clippers are able to cruise through PHX in 4 or 5 - and then get PG back - they are going to be really difficult to eventually face.

Also be interesting to see if PG13's return disrupts their chemistry. They have a volatile player there in Westbrook who looks very comfortable in his increased role while PG13 has been out injured. It'll be interesting to see if Westbrook can adjust well to PG13's demand for shots & time on the ball without hurting his own (Westbrook) game.

Westbrook was 3-19 shooting in the win vs. PHO yesterday.  Maybe he needs to adjust some.  No need for him to be taking 19 shots.  My guess though would be that Batum would go to the bench when Paul George is back ready to start or maybe Eric Gordon.  Either way it doesn't have to affect Westbrook at all.

What it would do for LAC is give them even more depth to wear down PHO.  In game 1, Durant 45 min, Booker 43 min, and Chris Paul 39 min.  Don't see how they can keep that up.  If I was LAC, I would press them some.  Make them work to bring the ball up every time.  Wear the big guns down.  Let Westbrook hound the ball.

Westbrook must have a similar effect on Clippers fans that Smart does with Celtics fans. He took some really bad shots last night, but then made incredible plays down the stretch that allowed them to win the game. Westbrook needs to shoot less for the Clippers to take the series.

[Who]

With how well JJJ has played in recent weeks / months, I believe has has (unofficially) surpassed Morant as MEM's best player / most important player.

As well as cementing himself (JJJ) as a top 20 player in the league.

[Moranis]

As the fan of a team we hope makes the Finals, I think we need to be pulling for PHX in a tough 7-game series. If the Clippers are able to cruise through PHX in 4 or 5 - and then get PG back - they are going to be really difficult to eventually face.

Also be interesting to see if PG13's return disrupts their chemistry. They have a volatile player there in Westbrook who looks very comfortable in his increased role while PG13 has been out injured. It'll be interesting to see if Westbrook can adjust well to PG13's demand for shots & time on the ball without hurting his own (Westbrook) game.

Westbrook was 3-19 shooting in the win vs. PHO yesterday.  Maybe he needs to adjust some.  No need for him to be taking 19 shots.  My guess though would be that Batum would go to the bench when Paul George is back ready to start or maybe Eric Gordon.  Either way it doesn't have to affect Westbrook at all.

What it would do for LAC is give them even more depth to wear down PHO.  In game 1, Durant 45 min, Booker 43 min, and Chris Paul 39 min.  Don't see how they can keep that up.  If I was LAC, I would press them some.  Make them work to bring the ball up every time.  Wear the big guns down.  Let Westbrook hound the ball.

Westbrook must have a similar effect on Clippers fans that Smart does with Celtics fans. He took some really bad shots last night, but then made incredible plays down the stretch that allowed them to win the game. Westbrook needs to shoot less for the Clippers to take the series.

He needs to shoot better, not necessarily less. 

[Moranis]

With how well JJJ has played in recent weeks / months, I believe has has (unofficially) surpassed Morant as MEM's best player / most important player.

As well as cementing himself (JJJ) as a top 20 player in the league.

Best and most important aren't the same thing.  He may be their most important player, but Morant is pretty clearly their best player.

[Who]

With how well JJJ has played in recent weeks / months, I believe has has (unofficially) surpassed Morant as MEM's best player / most important player.

As well as cementing himself (JJJ) as a top 20 player in the league.

Best and most important aren't the same thing.  He may be their most important player, but Morant is pretty clearly their best player.

I am saying JJJ is both their best player & their most important player.

[slamtheking]

have to admit, I'm really torn on who I want to 'win' the series between the Clips and Suns.  On one hand, I'd like to see the Clips knock off Durant and Paul because I just cannot stand either one at this point.  On the other hand, I'd like to see the Suns knock off the Clips so we won't be barraged by Greenly trade threads insisting we have to get Kawhi (or at least as many as usual) 

You might see more of those if the Clips lose and Kawhi plays well, because then the Clips might realize they need to start over and recoup the draft capital and assets they gave up to get Kawhi and PG.

don't give him any more reasons to post in that trade thread   

[Moranis]

With how well JJJ has played in recent weeks / months, I believe has has (unofficially) surpassed Morant as MEM's best player / most important player.

As well as cementing himself (JJJ) as a top 20 player in the league.

Best and most important aren't the same thing.  He may be their most important player, but Morant is pretty clearly their best player.

I am saying JJJ is both their best player & their most important player.

I know, I just don't think that is true.

[Atzar]

With how well JJJ has played in recent weeks / months, I believe has has (unofficially) surpassed Morant as MEM's best player / most important player.

As well as cementing himself (JJJ) as a top 20 player in the league.

I agree with you.  JJJ is transformative for their defense. 

Admittedly I'm not the biggest Morant guy though... even setting aside the off-court nonsense.  He struggles in half-court offense because his jumpshot is still spotty.  In the fourth quarter when the game slows down and his transition opportunities dry up, Ja plays much worse (37/18/67 shooting splits in the fourth quarter this year).  His gameplan against a set defense often appears to be "drive into a crowd and try to jump over everybody."  Big reason why I'm bearish on the Grizzlies as a major playoff threat.  It's really hard to just out-athlete playoff-caliber defense. 

[Goldstar88]

As the fan of a team we hope makes the Finals, I think we need to be pulling for PHX in a tough 7-game series. If the Clippers are able to cruise through PHX in 4 or 5 - and then get PG back - they are going to be really difficult to eventually face.

Also be interesting to see if PG13's return disrupts their chemistry. They have a volatile player there in Westbrook who looks very comfortable in his increased role while PG13 has been out injured. It'll be interesting to see if Westbrook can adjust well to PG13's demand for shots & time on the ball without hurting his own (Westbrook) game.

Westbrook was 3-19 shooting in the win vs. PHO yesterday.  Maybe he needs to adjust some.  No need for him to be taking 19 shots.  My guess though would be that Batum would go to the bench when Paul George is back ready to start or maybe Eric Gordon.  Either way it doesn't have to affect Westbrook at all.

What it would do for LAC is give them even more depth to wear down PHO.  In game 1, Durant 45 min, Booker 43 min, and Chris Paul 39 min.  Don't see how they can keep that up.  If I was LAC, I would press them some.  Make them work to bring the ball up every time.  Wear the big guns down.  Let Westbrook hound the ball.

Westbrook must have a similar effect on Clippers fans that Smart does with Celtics fans. He took some really bad shots last night, but then made incredible plays down the stretch that allowed them to win the game. Westbrook needs to shoot less for the Clippers to take the series.

He needs to shoot better, not necessarily less.

Have you watched a lot of Russell Westbrook? He’s not a good shooter. Never has been. Expecting him to just “shoot better” seems like an unrealistic ask.

[Who]

Another interesting MEM question I have been pondering is between Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. I rate Bane as a top 10 SG in the league. The question I am wondering about is how much difference is there between the two of these players.

Ja Morant is more dynamic but he is also a high error player which subtracts from his positive contributions. So his lousy defense, poor outside shooting and questionable shot selection leading to mediocre scoring efficiency subtracts from his more positive contributions of ball-handling, driving, playmaking, scoring at the basket.

Desmond Bane on the other hand is a low mistake player. He doesn't make as many positive plays but he makes hardly any negative plays so his net (positive plays minus negative plays) is pretty strong. He scores 21.5ppg on 48% FG% 41% 3PT% on 7 threes attempted per night 88% FT% for a TS% of 60.6%. He is probably a top 5 shooter in the league. Unlimited range. Scares the living hell out of opponent teams and is tracked over every inch of the court because he will pull up 5-8 feet behind the three point line and hit them. Bane is also a positive defensive player who helps you on that end of the floor. He also gives you solid secondary ball-handling and playmaking from the SG position. So a guy who adds to your team in several ways along with being one of the best shooters in league and is a low error player.

When I think about how much each player adds defensively, it is clearly advanage Bane.

When I think of how much each player adds offensively, I am not sure the gap is that big. Morant adds a lot with his quickness, handles, driving, playmaking and finishing going to the basket. Bane with his elite shooting, efficiency, secondary handles & passing, productive scoring (21ppg).

Now if Morant improves any of his limitations in outside shooting, scoring efficiency or defense ... he will clearly topple Bane. Morant has more talent / more room for improvement.

But in the here and now, is Morant really better than Bane? If so, is the gap that large?

[cman88]

It's hilarious to me that all over Twitter today I see "ban the charge" as if it's Kevin loves fault that Gianni's whole game is predicated on barreling into people in the lane.

When he gets foul calls on would be charges we just hear about "weight room!" And how athletic he is. But since he got injured now we should ban it?

It's bad enough that he initiates the contact 90% of the time and it gets called a block.