2022 NBA Playoffs Thread

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Pots n' kettles.

Oh how perspectives shift...

That guy derailed decades of work in one play... Franchise still recovering

But in the playoffs you have these type players/plays that changes the trajectory of whole series. Those guys are always ready and waiting. Which is why Kerr used the word "code"

[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

That guy derailed decades of work in one play... Franchise still recovering

But in the playoffs you have these type players/plays that changes the trajectory of whole series. Those guys are always ready and waiting. Which is why Kerr used the word "code"

I knew I disliked that GSW team. Screw Kawhi/Spurs, then skate through the next playoffs after CP3's hammy. And their fans have the gall to bring up Bogut's injury in '16? Screw 'em right back.

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by BRob1

people arguing every other tangent here but not acknowledging how they hunted him and scored the entire second half.

GS could do the same thing to Ja, will see if they have the discipline to do it.


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Luka could probably put in more effort on the defense side at times (though it will most likely come at the expense of his offensive production) but also he wouldn't get hunted if he had, say, Ayton or Gobert protecting the paint instead of Powell and Kleber.

If Luka expends more energy on defense at the expense of his offense (which happens to all players, not just Luka) then Dallas would need someone to be able to take some of that offensive loss and they currently don't have it with Brunson and Dinwiddie reverting back to the worst versions of themselves.

Luka probably wouldn't have any troubles going 100% on defense every possession if he could take offensive possessions off.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by TSonn

Luka could probably put in more effort on the defense side at times (though it will most likely come at the expense of his offensive production) but also he wouldn't get hunted if he had, say, Ayton or Gobert protecting the paint instead of Powell and Kleber.

If Luka expends more energy on defense at the expense of his offense (which happens to all players, not just Luka) then Dallas would need someone to be able to take some of that offensive loss and they currently don't have it with Brunson and Dinwiddie reverting back to the worst versions of themselves.

Luka probably wouldn't have any troubles going 100% on defense every possession if he could take offensive possessions off.

But do we think this is a coincidence that this is happening?

Brunson went down from 32 a game without Luka to 18 with.
Dinwiddie from 20 a game to 10.

Obviously these guys won't score as much with Luka in taking up the usage, but Luka/Kidd need to find ways to get these guys playing well again. Like it or not, that's what it is going to take to get to the next level.

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by tjforce

But do we think this is a coincidence that this is happening?

Brunson went down from 32 a game without Luka to 18 with.
Dinwiddie from 20 a game to 10.

Obviously these guys won't score as much with Luka in taking up the usage, but Luka/Kidd need to find ways to get these guys playing well again. Like it or not, that's what it is going to take to get to the next level.

Brunson in 3 games vs UTA without Luka: 32 points per game.
Brunson in 3 games vs UTA with Luka: 24 points per game.
Brunson in 2 games vs PHX with Luka: 11 points per game.

Dinwiddie has been terrible in both series - shooting 37% from the field vs UTA and 34% vs PHX. Whatever mirage that he played well in round 1 was just a higher usage thing.

Luka's usage has an impact, no doubt about that, I just think it happens to have way less of an impact than the opponent for Brunson and the stage for Dinwiddie (shot 50% from the field since joining Dallas, down to 36% in the playoffs)..

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

But do we think this is a coincidence that this is happening?

Brunson went down from 32 a game without Luka to 18 with.
Dinwiddie from 20 a game to 10.

Obviously these guys won't score as much with Luka in taking up the usage, but Luka/Kidd need to find ways to get these guys playing well again. Like it or not, that's what it is going to take to get to the next level.

You’re such a troll. Either that, or you have no idea how to interpret what you’re watching. Lumping together the Jazz and Suns games w/ Luka to make it appear that Brunson is that much worse with Luka is just lazy and manipulative.

Points per 36:

Brunson regular season: 18.3
Brunson vs Jazz w/o Luka: 29.2
Brunson vs Jazz w/ Luka: 23.3
Brunson vs Suns w/ Luka: 13.6

So tell me what that problem is here. Could it be that the Jazz have small guards who don’t play defense, and Brunson feasted on that? While the Suns have big guards who play incredible defense, and Brunson struggles against that (just like last year)?

[WalterAZ31]

who the hell made this schedule?

suns/mavs game 1 was monday, game 2 was wednesday, game 3 is tonight, every other day

memphis/gs game 1 was sunday, game 2 is tuesday, and game 3 is Saturday????

lol

[TSonn]

Originally Posted by WalterAZ31

who the hell made this schedule?

suns/mavs game 1 was monday, game 2 was wednesday, game 3 is tonight, every other day

memphis/gs game 1 was sunday, game 2 is tuesday, and game 3 is Saturday????

lol

I noted that yesterday when I realized there were no games. Super weird that one night of games gets 3 days rest between games 2 and 3 while the other gets 1 day of rest.

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

You’re such a troll.

Wait, did you just call somebody else a troll?

At least TJ can admit when he's wrong and isn't literally the most biased person on these boards.

He doesn't say everything imaginable about how the player/players he is invested in is great and does everything right and how the coaching, management and other players around him are all the issue when things go poorly. That's all you.

If he's a troll, you're a cancer.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by TSonn

I noted that yesterday when I realized there were no games. Super weird that one night of games gets 3 days rest between games 2 and 3 while the other gets 1 day of rest.

It’s the NBA. Playoff schedule never makes any sense.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Grizzkid12

Wait, did you just call somebody else a troll?

At least TJ can admit when he's wrong and isn't literally the most biased person on these boards.

He doesn't say everything imaginable about how the player/players he is invested in is great and does everything right and how the coaching, management and other players around him are all the issue when things go poorly. That's all you.

If he's a troll, you're a cancer.

I'm called a troll for proclaiming that that although Luka is a top 5 guy in the league (which a lot of people here wouldn't agree with), he still has elements to his game that he can improve.

I'm called a pumper for talking about cards that I like, believe in, and put my money where my mouth by buying and owning.

There are some people that just can't take constructive arguments if they don't distinctly match their own view, and have to resort to personal attacks instead. Here, seemly, anything less than "Luka is the perfect player by the age of 23 and everything that doesn't go right around him is everyone else's fault" is what it takes to not be a troll.

To the folks that want to talk basketball constructively, I'm here for lively debate. To those who just want to take personal shots at me for my views on basketball, collecting, etc.... Those viewpoints have done very well for me and I'm just not interested in critiques of my personality or motives.

[KhalDrogo]

No rebuttal from TJ re: his made up Brunson/Luka narrative. No surprise there.

[Zedlaw]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

That guy derailed decades of work in one play... Franchise still recovering

But in the playoffs you have these type players/plays that changes the trajectory of whole series. Those guys are always ready and waiting. Which is why Kerr used the word "code"

Spurs already sold their soul to Bruce Bowen and got a few titles out of deal, I don’t feel bad for them.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

No rebuttal from TJ re: his made up Brunson/Luka narrative. No surprise there.

Lol. If I must.

Let's start with Dinwiddie:
Looking at just the Jazz series,
3 games without Luka he averaged 20 per game and was +14. Contributed 7 assists per game. He was a plus player

In the last 3 with Luka that dropped to 11 a game, with only 2 assists. He was -1. Immediate drop in production.

Against the Suns, a team with an almost identical points per game given up as the Jazz, Dinwiddie has continued his underperformance we saw from the last 3, getting under 10 a game with 3 assists.

Similar story with Brunson. This is a guy who dropped 41 on 60% shooting when he was the primary guy. He followed that up with 31 on 55%. Since then, shooting percentages are down as is scoring.

It's obvious that the Mavericks are a much better team with Luka. It's foolish to say otherwise. But the next step for the guy to really take over as a top 3 player in the NBA is for he and Kidd to find ways to make the guys around him better players. If calling him a top 5 guy with the opportunity to become top 3 without having to improve his shooting, defense, athleticism, etc isn't enough praise for a guy who has gotten out of 1 playoff series so far, then I just can't help. But I do hope it happens. Luka and the Mavs vs either Ja or Steph next round would be great theater and fantastic for the hobby and it's participants like us.

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by tjforce

But do we think this is a coincidence that this is happening?

Brunson went down from 32 a game without Luka to 18 with.
Dinwiddie from 20 a game to 10.

Obviously these guys won't score as much with Luka in taking up the usage, but Luka/Kidd need to find ways to get these guys playing well again. Like it or not, that's what it is going to take to get to the next level.

Brunson is 9 for 28 in the series. He's averaging 11 points on 14 FGA a game shooting 30%. That's not good no matter how you slice it. It is close to his career PPG average though.

I hope he does step up again or else he can probably kiss that big payday goodbye. It will still be big compared to us normal people just not as big as it would have been if he had not played another game after the UT series. I don't know if he's capable of it though vs taller more athletic defenders. It's very similar to how the Clippers shut him down.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Brunson is 9 for 28 in the series. He's averaging 11 points on 14 FGA a game shooting 30%. That's not good no matter how you slice it. It is close to his career PPG average though.

I hope he does step up again or else he can probably kiss that big payday goodbye. It will still be big compared to us normal people just not as big as it would have been if he had not played another game after the UT series. I don't know if he's capable of it though vs taller more athletic defenders. It's very similar to how the Clippers shut him down.

That's exactly my point. Brunson has some skill. He scored 16 a game on 50% shooting is the regular season. They need to figure out a way to get him going because Luka playing 44 minutes and taking 30 shots a game like he did in Game 1 just isn't a sustainable way to win a series (esp still only in the 2nd round).

[RogerGodahell]

How though if he can't make contested shots? He's not getting those clean looks like he did weaving around Bogdanovic and Gobert. They're slow this Phoenix team is not. He's tried and been met with resistance almost every time. It's his height that is his limiting factor. If he was 6'-5'' or 6-6'' he'd be amazing.

He's not really an outside shooter he's a slasher. Maybe the shots will fall for him this next game i hope they do. I like Brunson he's a good player but size can be harsh in the NBA if you aren't known for your outside shot or can't fly to the rim like Morant.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

That's exactly my point. Brunson has some skill. He scored 16 a game on 50% shooting is the regular season. They need to figure out a way to get him going because Luka playing 44 minutes and taking 30 shots a game like he did in Game 1 just isn't a sustainable way to win a series (esp still only in the 2nd round).

Get him going? He’s averaging 1.2 shots more per game than the regular season on 3 minutes less per game. What do you suggest to get him going?

[montej1695]

So many of these BO clowns wearing their clown shoes and funny red noses trying point out this smallest BS about CP3. I do appreciate the laughs…

He’s playing elite basketball… ELITE… and at some of the most important moments of the game.

I dislike a lot players but I appreciate good play and the effect on their teams success.

I also see soooooo many people get butt hurt when someone offers up a difference of opinion… typical


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[GOATcards]

Originally Posted by montej1695

So many of these BO clowns wearing their clown shoes and funny red noses trying point out this smallest BS about CP3. I do appreciate the laughs…

He’s playing elite basketball… ELITE… and at some of the most important moments of the game.

I dislike a lot players but I appreciate good play and the effect on their teams success.

I also see soooooo many people get butt hurt when someone offers up a difference of opinion… typical


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the only downtalk of CP3 that I know of has to do with his health history

[Dame]

Your memory must be short if that’s the only dirt you got on Choke Paul.

The man’s rap sheet as a dirty player is well documented since his Wake Forest days. Habitual flopper, whiner and a shameless nut puncher. A certified #@#@#@#@#@#@#@.


CP0 is due for a bad series. He’s been playing outta his mind since last year, he’s gotta have a disappointing one soon.



Jae Crowder is a bozo too.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Get him going? He’s averaging 1.2 shots more per game than the regular season on 3 minutes less per game. What do you suggest to get him going?

That's up to Luka, Kidd, and Brunson to figure out.

Not all shots are equal. I don't have a shot chart in front of me, but they need to figure out a way to get this guy to produce. He nailed as many 3s in game 2 vs Utah as he has in the 6 games since. He's typically a pretty good 3 point shooter and that hasn't been evident lately.

But again, I'm not paid the big bucks to draw up plays. You can try to make a counterpoint to every point I make, but if the Mavs don't figure out how to get their other guards to produce, this series isn't going to last much longer

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

That's up to Luka, Kidd, and Brunson to figure out.

Not all shots are equal. I don't have a shot chart in front of me, but they need to figure out a way to get this guy to produce. He nailed as many 3s in game 2 vs Utah as he has in the 6 games since. He's typically a pretty good 3 point shooter and that hasn't been evident lately.

But again, I'm not paid the big bucks to draw up plays. You can try to make a counterpoint to every point I make, but if the Mavs don't figure out how to get their other guards to produce, this series isn't going to last much longer

He went 6 for 10 in game 2. That’s the most attempts and most makes all season long. He averages 1.2 makes on 3.2 attempts. He’s a decent three point shooter, but he doesn’t do it in volume. His game is creating mid range jumpers for himself.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

He went 6 for 10 in game 2. That’s the most attempts and most makes all season long. He averages 1.2 makes on 3.2 attempts. He’s a decent three point shooter, but he doesn’t do it in volume. His game is creating mid range jumpers for himself.

Then Dallas needs to figure out a way for him to do that effectively.

I don't know how to better explain that in order for Dallas to win and Luka get to the next level, they need to play like a team.

Maybe look at Chris Paul. The guy is not just about stats, but I think most would agree that he sets his teammates up to perform as good as anyone else in the league. CP3 does not have the height, the size/shiftiness combo, or 3 pt shooting that Luka has, but he's able to do the most with what he's given.

[tjforce]

In other news... Looks like Embiid may be a go!