NBA 2019 Playoffs Thread

[PhoSita]

Karma is a ****.

Kawhi and San Antonio should have been champions a couple years ago by knocking off Golden State but Zaza went dirty and the Warriors rolled to the Finals.

Now Kawhi is back and ready to shut down the Warriors. Good. After they purposely injured Kawhi, I will be glad to see Kawhi put an end to the Dubs run.

Shouldn't karma have something to say about Kawhi quitting on the spurs and forcing his way off the team?

[gouki88]

Karma is a ****.

Kawhi and San Antonio should have been champions a couple years ago by knocking off Golden State but Zaza went dirty and the Warriors rolled to the Finals.

Now Kawhi is back and ready to shut down the Warriors. Good. After they purposely injured Kawhi, I will be glad to see Kawhi put an end to the Dubs run.

Shouldn't karma have something to say about Kawhi quitting on the spurs and forcing his way off the team?

Considering he was trying to seek a second medical opinion because he didn't feel right and both coaches and players alike turned on him, no.

When Pop didn't reign Tony Parker in for trying to invalidate Kawhi's injury it was over for them, and they deserved it. It was only going to cost Kawhi money if his injury had been more severe, and San Antonio wouldn't have cared

[nickagneta]

Karma is a ****.

Kawhi and San Antonio should have been champions a couple years ago by knocking off Golden State but Zaza went dirty and the Warriors rolled to the Finals.

Now Kawhi is back and ready to shut down the Warriors. Good. After they purposely injured Kawhi, I will be glad to see Kawhi put an end to the Dubs run.

Shouldn't karma have something to say about Kawhi quitting on the spurs and forcing his way off the team?

Considering he was trying to seek a second medical opinion because he didn't feel right and both coaches and players alike turned on him, no.

When Pop didn't reign Tony Parker in for trying to invalidate Kawhi's injury it was over for them, and they deserved it. It was only going to cost Kawhi money if his injury had been more severe, and San Antonio wouldn't have cared

I have always seen things in this light. The guy was injured and wanted second opinions and didn't want to play until he felt healthy. He did what was in his best interest, seeking more opinions and different treatments because what was happening wasn't helping him.

If IT had done the same thing mid 2017-18, maybe he doesn't ruin himself and cost him and his family tens of millions, possibly a hundred million dollars.

Kawhi was injured and Tony Parker did him dirty and then the rest of the organization turned on him....because he didn't heal in their timeframe. Kawhi did what was best for Kawhi. I have zero problem with that. I actually respect it.

[Briantir]

The Warriors just took Toronto into overtime in Toronto without three starters and with Klay Thompson missing three wide open 3s late in the game.

I know Toronto is winning games right now, but I'm not sure they are as good as many think they are.

I'm not especially concerned about Kyle Lowry, especially with his inconsistency.

I don't think Leonard is quite as good as people make him seem. Late in this game, he really didn't do much to help his team get buckets when they needed it. Durant kinda' shut up down.

Ibaka and Siakim cannot create for themselves at all.

Danny Green is a big shot maker, but he has two moves: 1) Shoot the three, or 2) drive and look to pass.

I honestly think they are as good now as they will be in the playoffs.

I agree.  They'll probably get the #1 seed but I don't think they have another level.  I think it would be more about us and if we can take it to another level.

Agreed too. Toronto should finish the #1 seed but I'd rank them 4th in the East behind Boston, Philly and Milwaukee. I cannot see them making the Finals. They are built for the regular season more than the playoffs. Too limited and predictable on offense. Better teams will be able to get at them defensively in a playoff series.

I don't really understand how you could think this when Toronto has the best player by far in every series except maybe the Bucks? But the Bucks have never even made it past the first round in fact Toronto beat them with DeRozan.

Do you honestly believe if the Celtics played the Raptors last year in the second round they would have won? Celtics don't have a SUPERSTAR talent LeBron was kryptonite to that team and now he's gone he's the one who's been elimating them every year lol you make it sound like it's the Celtics or the Bucks or philly.

Toronto was always the better team they just never had a closer and now they got one of the best closers in the game Kawhi they are absolutely right now the best team in the East and should make the finals.

The way the Celtics are right now it's a first round 7 games then most likely 2nd round exit assuming they make the playoffs because 20+ games and .500 is not a championship team this ain't Cleveland last year we don't have LeBron the situation is bad.

Respect to Masai building an amazing team

All the way back in November I said it... KAWHI IS THE BEST PLAYER,THANK YOU TORONTO RAPTORS PLEASE WIN ONE MORE GAME AND GIVE ME MY 5000 DOLLARS!

[NKY fan]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

[Somebody]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

^this. It killed David Robinson too, in the sense that he's now rated as "miles off of" Hakeem in all time rankings in the eyes of many casual NBA fans (the coaching that was Pop influenced from the mid to late 90s was garbage for DRob, it cost him quite some playoff wins). If Pop actually tried to accommodate his superstars a bit more, he might've had even more success than he had in his stellar coaching career.

[SparzWizard]

leonard is way better than current lebron. The cavs had a second all star in love (can't say he is worse than lowry) and a bunch of traditionally excellent role players that balled out in this years playoffs (hill and hood come to mind), plus thompson etc. Man, tough series for lebron fan boys. I believe people were still arguing a 35 year old lebron was still better than leonard a month ago. Woof.

I think Toronto are in the same position they are now if you replace Leonard with James. And I've agreed with those who said Leonard has clearly been the best player in the post-season.

LeBron last Playoffs was a behemoth. His regular season play suggested not much drop off. The Lakers are just a bottom 5 organization in basketball.

I bet Lebron is kicking himself in the head for not staying in Cleveland. He could have been on his way to a fourth ring right now with a super max contract secured

Wuuut? LeBron and the Cavs don't beat Toronto or Milwaukee this playoffs. Might not beat Philly or us either.

They'd beaten the Bucks and 76ers, but LeBron has met his match against Kawhi Leonard in the past.

Although it's usually funny when LeBron is in the East the Raptors always get swept or beat. Sadly, so do the Celtics. 

[SparzWizard]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

^this. It killed David Robinson too, in the sense that he's now rated as "miles off of" Hakeem in all time rankings in the eyes of many casual NBA fans (the coaching that was Pop influenced from the mid to late 90s was garbage for DRob, it cost him quite some playoff wins). If Pop actually tried to accommodate his superstars a bit more, he might've had even more success than he had in his stellar coaching career.

The old man is probably regretting it now. Pop is too stubborn with his coaching philosophy. Spurs fanbase are in a tough position rooting for either GSW or Kawhi Leonard, both who're responsible in derailing their franchise.

[footey]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

^this. It killed David Robinson too, in the sense that he's now rated as "miles off of" Hakeem in all time rankings in the eyes of many casual NBA fans (the coaching that was Pop influenced from the mid to late 90s was garbage for DRob, it cost him quite some playoff wins). If Pop actually tried to accommodate his superstars a bit more, he might've had even more success than he had in his stellar coaching career.

The old man is probably regretting it now. Pop is too stubborn with his coaching philosophy. Spurs fanbase are in a tough position rooting for either GSW or Kawhi Leonard, both who're responsible in derailing their franchise.

I think Pop has few such regrets. 5 championships will do that.

[SparzWizard]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

^this. It killed David Robinson too, in the sense that he's now rated as "miles off of" Hakeem in all time rankings in the eyes of many casual NBA fans (the coaching that was Pop influenced from the mid to late 90s was garbage for DRob, it cost him quite some playoff wins). If Pop actually tried to accommodate his superstars a bit more, he might've had even more success than he had in his stellar coaching career.

The old man is probably regretting it now. Pop is too stubborn with his coaching philosophy. Spurs fanbase are in a tough position rooting for either GSW or Kawhi Leonard, both who're responsible in derailing their franchise.

I think Pop has few such regrets. 5 championships will do that.

But had the potential to win MORE with Kawhi Leonard

[SparzWizard]

Nick Nurse's box-and-one defense getting some praises. Old-school type of defense but seems like it's been working well in this series. Outcoaching Steve Kerr in the Finals.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I think Kawhi wanted out San Antonio for a few reasons. One thing that hasn’t been mentioned is that Popovich and the organization like to put employees (players) in a box. They have had success doing that with lesser talent - putting them in a position to succeed....but when it comes to mvp type of players this gets a lot more complicated.
In other words they put Kawhi in a box because they didn’t see him a leader ( something that Popovich said himself) but rather as the versatile MVP of the team surrounded by others that have seniority and provide leadership. Most people that start working in a big company in a big team probably feel being put in a box in one way or another. Like being told that your communication isn’t good enough because you are not outgoing...
 I bet there were instances that ticked Kawhi off on top of the medical controversy and wanting to go to California.

^this. It killed David Robinson too, in the sense that he's now rated as "miles off of" Hakeem in all time rankings in the eyes of many casual NBA fans (the coaching that was Pop influenced from the mid to late 90s was garbage for DRob, it cost him quite some playoff wins). If Pop actually tried to accommodate his superstars a bit more, he might've had even more success than he had in his stellar coaching career.

The old man is probably regretting it now. Pop is too stubborn with his coaching philosophy. Spurs fanbase are in a tough position rooting for either GSW or Kawhi Leonard, both who're responsible in derailing their franchise.

I think Pop has few such regrets. 5 championships will do that.

But had the potential to win MORE with Kawhi Leonard

Yeah, and I can't see them winning another for a long time. Aldridge certainly isn't gonna lead them to the promised land, and the West is stacked.

[nickagneta]

Nick Nurse's box-and-one defense getting some praises. Old-school type of defense but seems like it's been working well in this series. Outcoaching Steve Kerr in the Finals.

Are you really out coaching the Dubs if you are beating them when Durant has missed the whole series and Cousins, Thompson and Looney have missed other games? Meanwhile the Raps have been healthy. I am not so sure

[Tr1boy]

are these folks insane??

wait two whole days in line, just to watch a game on a big screen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHH5I0w-MdA

[celts10]

Are you really out coaching the Dubs if you are beating them when Durant has missed the whole series and Cousins, Thompson and Looney have missed other games? Meanwhile the Raps have been healthy. I am not so sure

Good point, Nick. I just can't see the Raptors overcoming a healthy Warriors squad firing on all cylinders. Also, do the Raptors manage to get to the Finals if they still had Dwayne Casey as head coach? Is Nick Nurse really that much of an improvement, or could Casey have led the Raptors as Eastern Conference champions?