NBA Playoffs

L.O.D.

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Feb 4, 2024
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Most exciting nba playoffs I remember seeing in a very long time. Definitely Utley most fun 2nd rd I ever saw. And I been watching since Bird was a rookie.
 

ukcatz12

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
5,199
12,325
0
As a certified hater of all things Boston, these last two games have been absolutely hilarious. Crazy how much they mirrored each other.
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,310
59,935
113
Knicks! Happy to see them taking it to Boston.

Proof that a lot of these acquisitions just take time. LeBron with the Heatles. KAT and Mikal on the Knicks, etc etc.
 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,107
41,368
113
I don’t get the whole Halliburton is “overrated” thing from NBA players. Where is he rated? lol

He’s a point guard and he’s the best point in the league at 9+ assists and 1.5 TO’s a game. There isn’t another player that is even close on these numbers. And it’s not like the Pacers have a superstar that he dishes off to for guaranteed buckets each time down the floor.

He also gives you 18 pts a game on almost 50% shooting and a respectable 38% from 3. 85% on FTs rock solid.

Top 20 in league in steals

I just don’t get the hate.
Is he overpaid? Maybe.
But overrated? Laughable.

Go Pacers
More than fair points. As for being overpaid--I mean you aren't wrong the entire NBA is overpaid at this time--at least 99% of it.

A cynical person would say that Game 2 was as much an example of why he's not respected as much as why he should be-seeing Cavs were missing 3 starters in Garland, Mobley and Hunter and it took an epic choke job for the Pacers to win that game. I give credit for the win and guys making plays--even if I'm not a fan so he gets credit for making the shots/plays.

All you have to do to silence this talk is win. It'll change the narrative and then critics change tune. Inconsistent performances in the Postseason is what casual viewers see but your take is more than fair and as a guy who has ignored Pacers/Bucks and Cavs/Heat and is ignoring Pacers/Cavs--hope you continue to see your team win.
 

anon1751545683

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Dec 14, 2020
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I don’t see where they are overpaid.

It’s a free market. And revenues are split 50/50 with the owners overpaid too?
 

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,310
59,935
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I think they might be overpaid, but in the sense that the NBA might not be worth these types of salaries when the next TV deals are structured. I keep hearing that the NBA grows globally, but in the US ratings are dipping.


A few takeaways there.
1. Ratings on ABC have fallen into the 1's back in 2019, after being in the 2's/3's for the 2010's and as high as 5's in the 90's.
2. The NBA hasn't had a single game in the top10 of viewership since 2016. With the entirity of this top10 falling between 2010 and 2016.

Now it seems this hasn;t been kept as up to date as it could. But I think it's safe to say viewership in the US is trending down, and thats what makes the money. If Silver can't fix some of the problems in the league, such as the 130pt games, load management, etc.. their next TV deal could feasibly go backwards.
 
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UK90

Heisman
Dec 30, 2007
31,460
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I think they might be overpaid, but in the sense that the NBA might not be worth these types of salaries when the next TV deals are structured. I keep hearing that the NBA grows globally, but in the US ratings are dipping.


A few takeaways there.
1. Ratings on ABC have fallen into the 1's back in 2019, after being in the 2's/3's for the 2010's and as high as 5's in the 90's.
2. The NBA hasn't had a single game in the top10 of viewership since 2016. With the entirity of this top10 falling between 2010 and 2016.

Now it seems this hasn;t been kept as up to date as it could. But I think it's safe to say viewership in the US is trending down, and thats what makes the money. If Silver can't fix some of the problems in the league, such as the 130pt games, load management, etc.. their next TV deal could feasibly go backwards.
They’re not gonna have to worry about “their next TV deal” for a long *** time. They just signed a new huge long term package that runs through 2036.

And the folks who think them overpaid ain’t seeing nothing yet. Salaries will be skyrocketing even higher with that deal’s $76 billion soon coming the league’s way.
 

SemperFiCat

Heisman
Mar 2, 2009
14,566
30,005
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Atkinson is going to remind the world that he had a .360 win percentage as a head coach before somehow getting this Cavs gig. The playoffs aren't the regular season.
 

Runt#1969

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Dec 13, 2010
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Pacers are just staying mentally tough and playing within themselves and it's making plays down the stretch that is a winning formula. I like them over the Cavs. I like the Thunder and Minnesota to advance, Golden State looks distressed without Curry out there.

And I sure hope the Knicks stay clutch against the Celtics. The eastern playoffs has been as engaging and interesting to watch as any series I've seen in a long time.

For all the marbles, I have to admit I am somehow really wanting the Knicks to win it this year. Fun stuff to follow for me, and I'm not an NBA junkie! The series have been hard fought and the players are putting forth playoff caliber performances, as it should be.
 
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anon1751545683

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Pacers are just staying mentally tough and playing within themselves and it's making plays down the stretch that is a winning formula. I like them over the Cavs. I like the Thunder and Minnesota to advance, Golden State looks distressed without Curry out there.

And I sure hope the Knicks stay clutch against the Celtics. The eastern playoffs has been as engaging and interesting to watch as any series I've seen in a long time.

For all the marbles, I have to admit I am somehow really wanting the Knicks to win it this year. Fun stuff to follow for me, and I'm not an NBA junkie! The series have been hard fought and the players are putting forth playoff caliber performances, as it should be.
The warriors are done without Curry. I don't know about Indiana. They are playing better than expected. And I don't know Cleveland's injury status. They are probably not beating Indiana at Indiana if those guys are still out. Be tough with them. I don't have a dog in that fight so either one winning is OK. I never thought the Knicks could beat the Celtics but I do now. Especially if Boston just keeps chucking 3's and hoping they go in.

Denver/OKC is tough. I like both of them. Both have Ky guys. Murray already has a title so I'm going with OKC. These have been good playoffs. I wish Curry wasn't hurt. Minnesota has a bye now.
 
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UKWildcats1987

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Sep 9, 2021
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The warriors are done without Curry. I don't know about Indiana. They are playing better than expected. And I don't know Cleveland's injury status. They are probably not beating Indiana at Indiana if those guys are still out. Be tough with them. I don't have a dog in that fight so either one winning is OK. I never thought the Knicks could beat the Celtics but I do now. Especially if Boston just keeps chucking 3's and hoping they go in.

Denver/OKC is tough. I like both of them. Both have Ky guys. Murray already has a title so I'm going with OKC. These have been good playoffs. I wish Curry wasn't hurt. Minnesota has a bye now.

Would be cool to see either okc or Minnesota win it all.
 

catsfanbgky

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Oct 18, 2006
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I think game 3 is more "must win" for the Knicks than the Celtics. Can't let them off the mat. They can easily run off 4 in a row, they are the defending champs for a reason. Knicks HAVE TO get at LEAST 1 between games 3/4 at home, no need waiting till game 4. Go for the kill.
 

catsfanbgky

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Oct 18, 2006
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Draymond is by a wide margin, my most hated player in the NBA, and that is saying something. Everybody is out to get poor ole misunderstood Dray.
 

UKWildcats1987

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Sep 9, 2021
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I think game 3 is more "must win" for the Knicks than the Celtics. Can't let them off the mat. They can easily run off 4 in a row, they are the defending champs for a reason. Knicks HAVE TO get at LEAST 1 between games 3/4 at home, no need waiting till game 4. Go for the kill.

100% agree. I will believe Celtics are done when they lost 4th game n series
 
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anon1751545683

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I think game 3 is more "must win" for the Knicks than the Celtics. Can't let them off the mat. They can easily run off 4 in a row, they are the defending champs for a reason. Knicks HAVE TO get at LEAST 1 between games 3/4 at home, no need waiting till game 4. Go for the kill.
I agree. I don’t think anyone would be surprised, including the players, if the Celtics won 2 game in NY.

Then it’s a whole new story.

But if the Knicks can win 1 I think they got it. 🏀
 
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Runt#1969

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Cleveland is a really good team. Very talented. Just too soft.
Rick Carlisle is PO'd at the officials, as is the crowd tonight, but the Cavs have been hitting shots this game. Much tougher, too, and it's resulted in the big lead tonight. It's a must win for Cleveland, I'd have to say. They look ready though.
 

UKWildcats1987

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Surprised no one has posted about that great okc vs Denver game last night. Huge win for Denver despite Joker going 0 for 10 from 3.
 

anon1751545683

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Surprised no one has posted about that great okc vs Denver game last night. Huge win for Denver despite Joker going 0 for 10 from 3.
I had to go to bed at halftime.

Caught the highlights this morning.

Looks like I missed a good second half. Then all Denver in the overtime.
 

catsfanbgky

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Cleveland is a really good team. Very talented. Just too soft.
I wouldn't go that far to call them "soft". Mobley is defensive player of the year, Jarrett Aleen is a defensive force. As a team they are ranked 5th in total defense rating. #2 in defensive rebounding %, #1 in total rebounding %. The weak spots for Cavs defense is at PG and SF. But the problem is, the Pacers are #3 in offensive rating, #1 in assist %, #1 in assist ratio, #1 in effective FG%, and #3 in pace. So it is more of how good the Pacers offense is, they are very hard to stop, they just run, run, run, and have so many weapons /shooter. When they are on, good luck.

Game 3, Cleveland finally got to them, they ran zone a bunch with the long Mobley out top. The Pacers didn't have an answer. Playoff are well known for game to game adjustments, we will see plenty for game 4.

Side note, our own Cason Wallace is #1 in defensive rating and #1 in net rating. Also, #1 in pace.
 

anon1751545683

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I wouldn't go that far to call them "soft". Mobley is defensive player of the year, Jarrett Aleen is a defensive force. As a team they are ranked 5th in total defense rating. #2 in defensive rebounding %, #1 in total rebounding %. The weak spots for Cavs defense is at PG and SF. But the problem is, the Pacers are #3 in offensive rating, #1 in assist %, #1 in assist ratio, #1 in effective FG%, and #3 in pace. So it is more of how good the Pacers offense is, they are very hard to stop, they just run, run, run, and have so many weapons /shooter. When they are on, good luck.

Game 3, Cleveland finally got to them, they ran zone a bunch with the long Mobley out top. The Pacers didn't have an answer. Playoff are well known for game to game adjustments, we will see plenty for game 4.

Side note, our own Cason Wallace is #1 in defensive rating and #1 in net rating. Also, #1 in pace.
I mean playoff soft.

They let Indiana just run their offense.
 

catsfanbgky

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I had to go to bed at halftime.

Caught the highlights this morning.

Looks like I missed a good second half. Then all Denver in the overtime.
Yeah, SGA hasn't looked very good. He is taking way too many guarded 3's. He is NOT a 3 point shooter, he gets his in the lane, pull ups, attacking the rim, and getting fouled. Not to be that guy, but the are letting Denver absolutely bump and push SGA where he can't get to his spots or create separation. He did the other things, (13 boards and 7 assist), but the 7/22 and 1/6 from 3 is a product of taking bad shots. Hell, he was only 3/5 from the FT line. He is off in the playoffs, the 1st round against Memphis he didn't shoot well.

For the playoffs, he is just 13/51 (25%) from 3. The alarming stat is the over 6 per attempts from 3 per game. Way too many. Also is 75/177 overall, 42%. he has to get into rhythm and play HIS game. He is letting Murray and Westbrook dictate his shot selection. Jokic is suffering the same type issues. Not to mention he is fouling a lot more than normal. MAYBE, Jokic is getting tired at the end of the grueling year. His high usage and minutes may be catching up to him. SGA is younger, better shape, being tired should not be his excuse.
 

catsfanbgky

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I mean playoff soft.

They let Indiana just run their offense.
Kind of hard to STOP Indiana. The zone was very effective is doing that. Have a 6-11 center who is deadly from 3 is tough to stop, they control the inside with Mobley and Allen, the outside is what is hurting Cleveland. Garland is nearly unplayable. Teams don't "stop" Indiana, they just try to contain them and limit what they can get. With a tall PG like Haliburton who is the #1 assist guy, it is hard.

On the year, Myles Turner is 156/394 (39%) from 3. That is high shot attempts and %'s, hard to stop a offense when you have a center who can do that.

In the playoffs from 3 :
Nesmith 25/45 (53%) - That is crazy good.
Nembhard 18/36 (50%) - same.
Turner 13/34 (38%)
Siakam 11/27 (41%) low volume, but still, a PF taking their man out from under the basket.

Toppin / Mathurin / McConnell can also stoke it. Mathurin has struggled in the playoffs a bit, 9/31 (29%), but during the regular season he was 35%.
 

anon1751545683

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Kind of hard to STOP Indiana. The zone was very effective is doing that. Have a 6-11 center who is deadly from 3 is tough to stop, they control the inside with Mobley and Allen, the outside is what is hurting Cleveland. Garland is nearly unplayable. Teams don't "stop" Indiana, they just try to contain them and limit what they can get. With a tall PG like Haliburton who is the #1 assist guy, it is hard.

On the year, Myles Turner is 156/394 (39%) from 3. That is high shot attempts and %'s, hard to stop a offense when you have a center who can do that.

In the playoffs from 3 :
Nesmith 25/45 (53%) - That is crazy good.
Nembhard 18/36 (50%) - same.
Turner 13/34 (38%)
Siakam 11/27 (41%) low volume, but still, a PF taking their man out from under the basket.

Toppin / Mathurin / McConnell can also stoke it. Mathurin has struggled in the playoffs a bit, 9/31 (29%), but during the regular season he was 35%.
Hard to explain in this format. But they need a Green/Brooks type to make Indiana “feel” them.

They aren’t making Indiana uncomfortable.

The way NY has made Boston uncomfortable. They talk about the open 3’s. But as Legler said, they are rushed 3’s because they are trying to beat the defense.

Just been taken out of rhythm by NY.
 
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UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
18,768
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Randle with an exceptional overall game. Wolves win as expected, albeit in unimpressive fashion considering no steph Curry for warriors.