2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[keevsnick]

Embiid-less Sixers up 3 on the Bucks in Milwaukee.

By the way, did people see the reporting that Embiid is targeting to get back at least one week before the playoffs? Hard to imagine him actually risking it and playing coming back that late. No way he'll be in shape, and they're just not going to be in position to win anything this year. Would be a big gamble coming off major knee surgery.

Ya if its that close I'd just pack it in for the seaosn if I'm the 76ers. Guy isn't going to be in shape (not his fault, lower body injuries have that effect), and they are going to have maybe get out of a play in AND win three rounds on the road? Nope, at some point its not your year.

Let him rest, get healthy this summer, and use that cap space to get him some help and make a real run next year. The last thing you need is for him to come back, look bad in a 5 game series against Boston, and have THAT be the talking point for another year.

[Kernewek]

What do we make of this, then?

Scoring is way down in the NBA. A big reason? Referees have subtly swallowed their whistle on just about everything. Shooting fouls, non-shooting fouls, techs, Def 3 seconds,  ... all down significantly.

https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/1768336445142372436?s=46&t=hdMYR5VNI3D4hupTVErxeg

[Goldstar88]

What do we make of this, then?

Scoring is way down in the NBA. A big reason? Referees have subtly swallowed their whistle on just about everything. Shooting fouls, non-shooting fouls, techs, Def 3 seconds,  ... all down significantly.

https://twitter.com/tomhaberstroh/status/1768336445142372436?s=46&t=hdMYR5VNI3D4hupTVErxeg

Liam finally got to them! 

[SparzWizard]

Adam Silver sent out a memo to league officials to start focusing on offensive players hunting out foul calls

[Phantom255x]

Adam Silver sent out a memo to league officials to start focusing on offensive players hunting out foul calls

Oh sure, Foster/Zarba/Davis/Brothers are definitely gonna be fair about it going forward! 

[Who]

I don't think Milwaukee are any better than Orlando, New York, Miami or Indiana.

I am very impressed by Orlando. Top notch defensive team. Good teamwork. Good depth. Two star forwards. Good size. Similar type of team as New York. Knicks have a star guard in Brunson. Both tough hard nosed teams. Unlike Milwaukee who are old, bad defensively and lack fighting spirit.

Miami and Indy are different. Indy a dangerous offensive ball club. I think Miami are still finding their identity with Rozier there. They are not the same ball club as last year but they are still trying to play the same way which doesn't work with that small backcourt. They need to be a bit more offensive minded like Indy rather than defensive orientated like Orlando or New York. Miami might be most variable of these teams. They could be a contender or they could be the weakest of the bunch. It depends on whether they find a groove / comfortable identity prior to the start of the playoffs.

Milwaukee to me are either the worst or the second worst of this group of teams. That is not even including Philly (with Embiid) or Cleveland. Both of whom are better than Milwaukee.

[SparzWizard]

I don't think Milwaukee are any better than Orlando, New York, Miami or Indiana.

I am very impressed by Orlando. Top notch defensive team. Good teamwork. Good depth. Two star forwards. Good size. Similar type of team as New York. Knicks have a star guard in Brunson. Both tough hard nosed teams. Unlike Milwaukee who are old, bad defensively and lack fighting spirit.

Miami and Indy are different. Indy a dangerous offensive ball club. I think Miami are still finding their identity with Rozier there. They are not the same ball club as last year but they are still trying to play the same way which doesn't work with that small backcourt. They need to be a bit more offensive minded like Indy rather than defensive orientated like Orlando or New York. Miami might be most variable of these teams. They could be a contender or they could be the weakest of the bunch. It depends on whether they find a groove / comfortable identity prior to the start of the playoffs.

Milwaukee to me are either the worst or the second worst of this group of teams. That is not even including Philly (with Embiid) or Cleveland. Both of whom are better than Milwaukee.

No more Miami for the Celtics. Already sick of seeing them in the playoffs since 2020. And also had a few dates with them back during the Big 3 days.

[cman88]

Milwaukee has a pretty brutal schedule coming up. they lucked out by clippers deciding to rest half their team, and facing the G-league without embiid sixers.

although seems like they may hold onto 2-3 unless they hit some losing streak. but they scream 1st or 2nd round upset by a lower seed to me.

[scaryjerry]

Embiid-less Sixers up 3 on the Bucks in Milwaukee.

By the way, did people see the reporting that Embiid is targeting to get back at least one week before the playoffs? Hard to imagine him actually risking it and playing coming back that late. No way he'll be in shape, and they're just not going to be in position to win anything this year. Would be a big gamble coming off major knee surgery.

That’s why I have an asterisk on Philly in discussions because a lot depends on Embiid. When fully healthy that team probably is the true #2 in the East. Without him though they are zero threat

It’s just hard to tell though. I think he will come back but idk if he’ll be able to play heavy minutes or not

A healthy Embiid vs Boston in round 1 is going the limit.

Goes 6 or 7 even without Embiid…until they show me they can be consistently dominant in the playoffs I’m assuming all their series are going 6 or 7, don’t care how much better there regular season record is, all that does in the playoffs is add more pressure.

This guy again. You are a miserable fan. Nothing the Cs do brings you any happiness. All doom and gloom and the Cs just aren't good enough.

Here is what will happen in the playoffs. When the Celtics win series in 5 or 6 games, it won't be good enough for you. Even if they sweep teams, you will find something to complain about.


And you never criticize any other team. Just Boston.  Excuses for every other team. If the regular season does not matter to you, stop watching. Stop posting. Sit the last few weeks out.

Why would I criticize teams I don’t watch/care about there bud?

I expect the Celtics to either a) win it all or b) lose to Denver.
Omg I’m so critical!
Weeeeee Celtics are going to sweep the entire playoffs! Weeeee. Green goggles yay. Is that what you want homer?
If the Celtics sweep or win series in 5 or 6 I’ll be more than content buddy boy. I’m expecting most series to be extended more than they should. Just like 08 Celtics who won the title.

Incredible pressure heading into this postseason I’m glad you’re confident they won’t have any slip up’s.

[Neurotic Guy]

Embiid-less Sixers up 3 on the Bucks in Milwaukee.

By the way, did people see the reporting that Embiid is targeting to get back at least one week before the playoffs? Hard to imagine him actually risking it and playing coming back that late. No way he'll be in shape, and they're just not going to be in position to win anything this year. Would be a big gamble coming off major knee surgery.

That’s why I have an asterisk on Philly in discussions because a lot depends on Embiid. When fully healthy that team probably is the true #2 in the East. Without him though they are zero threat

It’s just hard to tell though. I think he will come back but idk if he’ll be able to play heavy minutes or not

A healthy Embiid vs Boston in round 1 is going the limit.

Goes 6 or 7 even without Embiid…until they show me they can be consistently dominant in the playoffs I’m assuming all their series are going 6 or 7, don’t care how much better there regular season record is, all that does in the playoffs is add more pressure.

This guy again. You are a miserable fan. Nothing the Cs do brings you any happiness. All doom and gloom and the Cs just aren't good enough.

Here is what will happen in the playoffs. When the Celtics win series in 5 or 6 games, it won't be good enough for you. Even if they sweep teams, you will find something to complain about.


And you never criticize any other team. Just Boston.  Excuses for every other team. If the regular season does not matter to you, stop watching. Stop posting. Sit the last few weeks out.

Why would I criticize teams I don’t watch/care about there bud?

I expect the Celtics to either a) win it all or b) lose to Denver.
Omg I’m so critical!
Weeeeee Celtics are going to sweep the entire playoffs! Weeeee. Green goggles yay. Is that what you want homer?
If the Celtics sweep or win series in 5 or 6 I’ll be more than content buddy boy. I’m expecting most series to be extended more than they should. Just like 08 Celtics who won the title.

Incredible pressure heading into this postseason I’m glad you’re confident they won’t have any slip up’s.

What’s ridiculous is that just about every fan knows that v. ‘the field’ the Cs are less than 50% likely to win the championship.  So, it’s really gratuitous pessimism you bring to the table. I don’t expect the Cs to win the championship - I just see them as likely as anyone and hope they win.  For a poster who sees it no differently (you say Celtics or Denver) you sure do post a lot of negativity. Posting worries and concerns is something most of us do from time to time. But I can usually tell a Scaryjerry post without looking at the poster name.  It’s a little much, but a great hedge when it comes down to the end - you either rejoice in a Cs victory (you told us it would be Celts or Denver) or you sulk amidst “I said all along this was going to happen” posts. Doesn’t make up for losing, but it’s something.  You generally don’t say anything that the rest of us don’t contemplate in our own worries/doubts but choose to avoid dwelling on.

You are a great poster but I wish you’d  balance it out a bit more on the positive side given the Cs are 52-14 and have a 5-game lead on the league. Especially in game threads when no one needs to hear that we’re just like last year when clearly we’re not.

[Phantom255x]

Guys, everyone has their own opinions/thoughts, some stronger than others. Just "virtually shake hands" and move on.

Anyways, the Heat and Sixers are now the 7 and 8 seeds in the East. That is NOT good for us...

[Celtics2021]

Guys, everyone has their own opinions/thoughts, some stronger than others. Just "virtually shake hands" and move on.

Anyways, the Heat and Sixers are now the 7 and 8 seeds in the East. That is NOT good for us...

The way those two are playing, I expect the loser to fall to the Bulls or Hawks and miss the playoffs altogether.

And the Sixers are just not scary.  You need to stop worrying about them — Embiid is not going to come back and be effective.  He’ll get worn down in the play-in games.

[hpantazo]

I would to start the first round with the Heat! Exorcise those demons right off the bat. This Celtics team is ready for it.

[Phantom255x]

Guys, everyone has their own opinions/thoughts, some stronger than others. Just "virtually shake hands" and move on.

Anyways, the Heat and Sixers are now the 7 and 8 seeds in the East. That is NOT good for us...

The way those two are playing, I expect the loser to fall to the Bulls or Hawks and miss the playoffs altogether.

And the Sixers are just not scary.  You need to stop worrying about them — Embiid is not going to come back and be effective.  He’ll get worn down in the play-in games.

Yeah if Embiid doesn't come back, C's can sweep them. It sounds like he will though. We'll see.

[Celtics2021]

Guys, everyone has their own opinions/thoughts, some stronger than others. Just "virtually shake hands" and move on.

Anyways, the Heat and Sixers are now the 7 and 8 seeds in the East. That is NOT good for us...

The way those two are playing, I expect the loser to fall to the Bulls or Hawks and miss the playoffs altogether.

And the Sixers are just not scary.  You need to stop worrying about them — Embiid is not going to come back and be effective.  He’ll get worn down in the play-in games.

Yeah if Embiid doesn't come back, C's can sweep them. It sounds like he will though. We'll see.

Coming back and being effective are not the same thing, at all.  He’s not going to be the Joel Embiid of the first four months of the season.  If it weren’t the playoffs, he wouldn’t even try to play.