NBA Playoff Thread

[Lipoli390]

I thought it was past time to start a thread devoted solely to this year's NBA playoffs. So here are my top-10 take-always from the playoffs so far:

1. I love that the Lakers have been eliminated in the first round. I get double satisfaction because I've never liked the Lakers or LeBron.

2. The Suns are heroic in my eyes as the one who knocked the arrogant Laker organization and their Hollywood fans out in the first round. The Suns are a great story, having gone from terrible to great in two years. I'm a big Booker fan.

3. The Jazz took care of business as the top-seeded team in the West, in spite of a shaky start in the first game of the series. That loss in the opener, by the way, underscores the importance of Donovan Mitchell to that team and serves as a reminder that he's a great player.

4. Denver's an impressive story. They beat a tough Portland team without their star PG, Murray. But there aren't enough superlatives to describe Jokic. He's developed into a superstar this season and he carried his team to a series win over the Blazers. But I think it's worth noting that the Nuggets have a lot of under-appreciated talent. Morris is a heck of a PG. He's a backup on the Nuggets, but he'd be a starter for a lot of teams. Porter is an all-star caliber player.

5. The Sixers took care of business against an inferior, but hot and talented Washington team. The question is whether the Sixers can advance any further without their best player and superstar, Joel Embiid. As good as Beal and Westbrook are, this series illustrated fact that two great players won't get it done. You need another all-star or near all-star caliber player and you need talent coming off the bench.

6. The Bucks look like they could win it all this year. Giannis is a force of nature, though his poor perimeter and free-throw shooting can be highly problematic in a playoff series against an equally talented opponent. Nevertheless, the Bucks are really talented with Kris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday. The addition of Holiday was a brilliant move by the Bucks front office. There are other impressive players on Milwaukee's roster, including Jeff Teague, Bobby Portis and PJ Tucker.

7. The Knicks were fun to watch in their series against Atlanta. But ultimately, talent won out. Give Thibs credit for getting his team to overachieve. But truth is, they weren't good enough to win a first round series against the Hawks. They'll have to take and make more threes if they ever want to be a serious contender. And of course, they'll need to add some more talent. Nevertheless, they have some really talented young players in Quickley, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Obi Toppin. They also have a great vet in Derrick Rose and the League's most improved player in Julius Randle.

8. The Hawks were the better team so it's not surprise they ousted the Knicks in 5. I think the Hawks have a terrific head coach and are talented enough to knock off the Sixers if Embiid doesn't get back on the floor. Trae Young showed a lot of moxie in this series. And he really performed at a high level. He's no Luka, but the trade isn't looking as bad for Atlanta as it did a year ago. I'd say that both teams did well in that deal.

9. The Clippers are once again disappointing their fans. They definitely miss Lou Williams. But the biggest reason the Clippers are trailing the Mavs in this first series is Luka. He's a star in the mold of Larry Bird.

10. One lesson for Wolves fans from this year's playoffs is how fast a struggling team can transform itself in the course of a year. The Suns and Knicks are two great examples. The Wolves are bound to take a significant step forward based solely on the likely improvement of Edwards and McDaniels. We saw that they're both immensely talented and we know that most talented players improve markedly between their first and second seasons. We've seen what Donovan Mitchell can do and Edwards is the same type of player, only more talented. Naz Reid will keep getting better, Vanderbilt showed a lot of promise and the KAT/DLO duo was starting to gel. Finally, the Wolves substantially upgraded at the head coaching position.

[Monster]

Lip Atlanta's playoff run isn't over yet but I'm looking at John Collins stats and while he was perfectly efficient they certainly aren't numbers that make me want to pay a guy Max money. What is your take on his playoff performance so far?

Also what did you think of Toppin in his limited minutes?

[kekgeek]

Lip Atlanta's playoff run isn't over yet but I'm looking at John Collins stats and while he was perfectly efficient they certainly aren't numbers that make me want to pay a guy Max money. What is your take on his playoff performance so far?

Also what did you think of Toppin in his limited minutes?

I have been meaning to post about Collins for a couple of days but I've been lazy. His D has been good but he is just an after thought offensively so far in the playoffs. He is legit good but he seems like he is the "best player not a part of a big 3 type guy", not sure i would love paying him the max even though he would help the wolves

[kekgeek]

My predictions the rest of the way.

Wcf: Jazz vs Nuggets
ECF: Hawks vs Nets
Finals: Nuggets vs Nets, Nets in 5

*I'm rooting for the bucks to win it all though

[Monster]

Lip Atlanta's playoff run isn't over yet but I'm looking at John Collins stats and while he was perfectly efficient they certainly aren't numbers that make me want to pay a guy Max money. What is your take on his playoff performance so far?

Also what did you think of Toppin in his limited minutes?

I have been meaning to post about Collins for a couple of days but I've been lazy. His D has been good but he is just an after thought offensively so far in the playoffs. He is legit good but he seems like he is the "best player not a part of a big 3 type guy", not sure i would love paying him the max even though he would help the wolves

We can't be paying pretty good players the Max especially if we also have to give up assets to acquire him.

Another angle that I don't think has been mentioned...Trae Young is a good PG he can pass. I would assume Collins has gotten some looks based on Young's abilities. The Wolves don't have a long term passing PG like that...although I do think Russell actually still has more potential in that area but still to Trae young level. Towns could pass to him but I also don't feel like it's a given Towns passing is going to make his team significantly better. It's an asset but if doesn't feel like it's super impactful yet. There is real potential there but he hasn't realized it and him doing that isn't certain. I think a coach and a system could make a difference in guys like Towns and Russell making plays for others.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I'm just amazed at the virtuosity of so many guys - Jokic, Lillard, Doncic, and the list goes on. I mean we are just witnessing incredible performances from multiple guys. The skill level is off the charts.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm just amazed at the virtuosity of so many guys - Jokic, Lillard, Doncic, and the list goes on. I mean we are just witnessing incredible performances from multiple guys. The skill level is off the charts.

There are problems with today's NBA... as there is in any generation of the NBA... but the skill level of these guys is indeed off the charts.

Imagine even the 2004 Wolves made the WCF with guys like Ervin Johnson and Trenton Hassell starting. You won't see anything like that in today's NBA.

And then the superstars are taking shots that would make any NBA fan of yore grimace and wince... and making them regularly. What comes next? How does the game change... and how much better will the players be 10 or 15 years from now?



[Note: Sadly... as a lifelong 6' "traditional" PG devotee/wannabe, I think it's a dying breed in today's game. Size does matter. And versatile bigs at the top level will filter down... and the best kids (big or small) will start handling the ball more and more at young ages. And I worry that we'll start seeing even fewer Tyus Jones, Montee Morris, even Ish Smith types...]

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yes, just like the traditional Center has receded in importance, except for elite ones like Embiid and Jokic, the traditional PG role and size may recede in importance as well.

If player X and player Y can both handle, shoot, and pass at similar levels you will ALWAYS go with the bigger of player X and Y. Size is the tie-breaker.

[Monster]

I'm just amazed at the virtuosity of so many guys - Jokic, Lillard, Doncic, and the list goes on. I mean we are just witnessing incredible performances from multiple guys. The skill level is off the charts.

There are problems with today's NBA... as there is in any generation of the NBA... but the skill level of these guys is indeed off the charts.

Imagine even the 2004 Wolves made the WCF with guys like Ervin Johnson and Trenton Hassell starting. You won't see anything like that in today's NBA.

And then the superstars are taking shots that would make any NBA fan of yore grimace and wince... and making them regularly. What comes next? How does the game change... and how much better will the players be 10 or 15 years from now?



[Note: Sadly... as a lifelong 6' "traditional" PG devotee/wannabe, I think it's a dying breed in today's game. Size does matter. And versatile bigs at the top level will filter down... and the best kids (big or small) will start handling the ball more and more at young ages. And I worry that we'll start seeing even fewer Tyus Jones, Montee Morris, even Ish Smith types...]

Isn't Trae Young sort of the modern version of the small PG? He scores and passes right? He hasn't actually become a really good 3 point shooter yet via percentage but if that happens damn and teams are going to try and double him etc and I think (haven't seen him play a ton) that his passing is going to open things up for other guys.

I think those Jones and ish Smith types are going to still be around but their draft slots are going to trend down kinda like we have seen with certain types of bigs. Teams will still have those guys on their roster it they won't be starters as much as they once were. There will always be some outliers.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I'm just amazed at the virtuosity of so many guys - Jokic, Lillard, Doncic, and the list goes on. I mean we are just witnessing incredible performances from multiple guys. The skill level is off the charts.

There are problems with today's NBA... as there is in any generation of the NBA... but the skill level of these guys is indeed off the charts.

Imagine even the 2004 Wolves made the WCF with guys like Ervin Johnson and Trenton Hassell starting. You won't see anything like that in today's NBA.

And then the superstars are taking shots that would make any NBA fan of yore grimace and wince... and making them regularly. What comes next? How does the game change... and how much better will the players be 10 or 15 years from now?



[Note: Sadly... as a lifelong 6' "traditional" PG devotee/wannabe, I think it's a dying breed in today's game. Size does matter. And versatile bigs at the top level will filter down... and the best kids (big or small) will start handling the ball more and more at young ages. And I worry that we'll start seeing even fewer Tyus Jones, Montee Morris, even Ish Smith types...]

Isn't Trae Young sort of the modern version of the small PG? He scores and passes right? He hasn't actually become a really good 3 point shooter yet via percentage but if that happens damn and teams are going to try and double him etc and I think (haven't seen him play a ton) that his passing is going to open things up for other guys.

I think those Jones and ish Smith types are going to still be around but their draft slots are going to trend down kinda like we have seen with certain types of bigs. Teams will still have those guys on their roster it they won't be starters as much as they once were. There will always be some outliers.

Sure. But we're going to see him picked on relentlessly in these playoffs. So imagine him vs. a good PG who has him by 6 inches.

The next round or two could tell us a lot.