NBA Season 2024-25

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I don't know who I want to win between NY and Indy.

Why do folks want NY to lose?

I find Indy more likeable as players.   I like Hali, Nesmith, and Siakam.   Don't like the knicks players as much.

Definitely this. I think both OG and Bridges are likable players, and even KAT to a degree. But I can't deal with the flopping from Brunson and Hart, as well as all the NY hype they get. Also, the Pacers have a good underdog story.

Plus - I also live in Indy. They love their basketball around here. Would be fun to have this team go all the way if not the Celtics. Really, I just want neither OKC nor NY to win it all.

I kind of like OG as well.  He doesn't bug me.  Brunson, Hart, Kat... they all kind of bug me.   Kat has the talent to be a LOT better than he is.

[Who]

Interesting how Aaron Wiggins has moved ahead of Isaiah Joe in the rotation in this series. They must like Wiggins' length on defense against this Nuggets team.

I Joe is the more accomplished shooter off the bench.

[jpotter33]

What the heck happened to the Cavs?   Were they just regular season contenders?  Was Indy a LOT better than everyone thought?
Bad matchup for Cleveland?  All of the above?

Injured

Did they have more than Garland injured?  I wasn't keeping track of their team very well.  Too worried about the C's.

* Donovan Mitchell was playing through an ankle injury last 2 games. He struggled more with his shooting since he re-aggravated that injury. It was an injury he had late in regular season that saw him sit out some games.

* Evan Mobley was playing through an ankle injury but he was playing at a high level. So not sure that hurt him that much.

* DeAndre Hunter played through an injury to his shooting hand and he had a disappointing series.

* Then you have Darius Garland who was clearly hobbled and struggling. Tried his best. Just not healthy. Toe injury.

So 4 of your top 5 players. Jarrett Allen was the only one who was healthy.

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I wouldn't over-react if I were Cleveland.

I'd run it back next year and go again. This wasn't a true reflection of their squad / talent. They were too banged up.

Yep, especially with the Tatum news.

I think injuries really killed both Cleveland and the C's. Our main guys are just as banged up - Tatum's wrist/Achilles, JB's knee, KP's mystery illness, Jrue's hamstring, Hauser's ankle, etc.

Hell, even with a healthy KP I think we get through this NY series without losing more than a game. Just too many things to overcome.

[Who]

Denver should be happy. Staved off that strong start from OKC. Got back into the game. Took a small lead. All going well for Denver.

OKC haven't looked great since Denver answered their early run.

[jpotter33]

Man, Denver is missing a ton of opportunities here. Between the missed bunnies/open shots and the turnovers, they should be up a lot more right now. They honestly look like the better team. OKC's defense is elite, but they're really showing their immaturity/lack of options offensively with Shai being mediocre.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What the heck happened to the Cavs?   Were they just regular season contenders?  Was Indy a LOT better than everyone thought?
Bad matchup for Cleveland?  All of the above?

Injured

Did they have more than Garland injured?  I wasn't keeping track of their team very well.  Too worried about the C's.

* Donovan Mitchell was playing through an ankle injury last 2 games. He struggled more with his shooting since he re-aggravated that injury. It was an injury he had late in regular season that saw him sit out some games.

* Evan Mobley was playing through an ankle injury but he was playing at a high level. So not sure that hurt him that much.

* DeAndre Hunter played through an injury to his shooting hand and he had a disappointing series.

* Then you have Darius Garland who was clearly hobbled and struggling. Tried his best. Just not healthy. Toe injury.

So 4 of your top 5 players. Jarrett Allen was the only one who was healthy.

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I wouldn't over-react if I were Cleveland.

I'd run it back next year and go again. This wasn't a true reflection of their squad / talent. They were too banged up.

I get the thinking here, but Garland, Mobley, Hunter, and Allen have all had injury problems in their career.

I doubt they make any changes, but I also think its possible they are the new mid 2010s Hawks. Maybe they are a good regular season team, but don't have the endurance or gameplan to win in the playoffs.

[Who]

Westbrook covers an amazing amount of ground on his gather step when he drives.

[Who]

SGA has been horrible. 2-9 FGA. 4 turnovers.

He needs to step up. This isn't a league MVP performer. His team needs the MVP.

[jpotter33]

Unsurprisingly, OKC is looking their age in this second round. They look like they're feeling the moment and not sure how to stop Jokic now.

[Who]

Jaylin Williams has given OKC good minutes in this series. They should play that guy more. He didn't get much PT during the season with OKC choosing to go small more instead.

He has developed his offensive game well. A useful three point threat. A good passer. He plays physical defense. Clever. He has turned himself into one of the better backup big men in the league.

He could be a good replacement for Al Horford as our backup big. He would fit our offensive system well.

[jpotter33]

Westbrook is like the most "Marcus Smart-esque" player that is not named Marcus Smart. He makes just as many boneheaded plays as winning plays.

[Who]

Aaron Gordon is playing great basketball.

He has become a true All-Star caliber player with the improvement of his shooting.

[Who]

I'd love to see a shot chart on Hartenstein's floaters. He missed a bunch of them along the baseline in the last game and missed another just there.

Anomaly? Or is he a much better shooter straight on rather than along the baseline?

[Who]

What a beautiful finish by Jamal Murray with the reserve layup.

[Who]

I love Chet Holmgren.

I wish they would go to him more often. He has no fear. But he isn't aggressive enough looking for his own offense. The team need to make more of an effort to get him involved and make sure he is shooting enough shots.

He is too talented a player to become a peripheral piece.