The Playoffs

[AbeVigodaLive]

Houston took 64 free throws last night. I tried to watch it on DVR... and the second half was STILL taking so long even with me fast forwarding through all the trips to the line that I gave up and went to bed.

Blake Griffin is one helluva player though. I think the Clippers might make it out of the West... that might depend if they can limit minutes for A. Rivers and G. Davis. I do not like much about either player.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Meh. I think a healthy Memphis team could contend for a title. They control possessions better than any team in the playoffs, imo, in terms of getting good looks on offense while locking up on defense.

Side note: I wonder if they'd be interested in a Budinger this off-season.

Well, this is their 5th trip to the playoffs in as many years, along with multiple 50-some win seasons. I guess anyone with that track record has a chance. But they have never gotten out of the Western Conference. I doubt they win a title this season, although anything is possible.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Q, just think... The Wolves could have easily had pretty much any of the Golden State key players at some point...

Steph Curry... picked Johnny Flynn instead
Klay Thompson - Took Derrick Williams instead
David Lee - Courted him in FA to play WITH Love (wtf?)
Andre Iguodala - We all (including our FO) talked about whether he was the right fit when the 76ers were shopping him for 10 years, but determined he wasn't a fit

I could go on, but I don't really need to.

Side note...look at this year's playoffs... Steph Curry MVP, James Harden 1st runner up MVP, Blake Griffin looking MVP-like in the playoffs... If only we had two top 6 picks in the draft that those guys were all drafted in...

Heh, yeah. Our franchise is a case study in blown drafts and assets frittered away. Don't even get me started on all of the 2nd round and middle 1st round misses we've had. That's another handful of all-stars/borderline all-stars. So we're good at screwing up the draft at every conceivable angle.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Memphis is nice to root for, but their offense simply isn't good enough to win an NBA title in all likelihood. They were ranked 13th in offensive rating this past season. The last time an NBA team went on to win an NBA title that didn't have at least a top 11 offense was......forever may be?

03-04 Detroit Pistons was 18th in Ortg, 93-94 Houston ranked 15th and 89-90 Detroit ranked 11th in 27 team league. So it is possible although not probable to win NBA championship without that good offense. It just requires very good defense and good playoff run.

OK, so a couple of exceptions over the past 20 years....

[AbeVigodaLive]

Memphis is nice to root for, but their offense simply isn't good enough to win an NBA title in all likelihood. They were ranked 13th in offensive rating this past season. The last time an NBA team went on to win an NBA title that didn't have at least a top 11 offense was......forever may be?

03-04 Detroit Pistons was 18th in Ortg, 93-94 Houston ranked 15th and 89-90 Detroit ranked 11th in 27 team league. So it is possible although not probable to win NBA championship without that good offense. It just requires very good defense and good playoff run.

OK, so a couple of exceptions over the past 20 years....

Coincidentally, each of those teams finished the season #2 in defensive rating. Where does Memphis rank this season...?

... #3.

[TheFuture]

These playoffs have given D'Angelo Russell a better case for us, in my opinion. Perimeter guys that good are so hard to find. Need perimeter scoring to be worth a shit in this league.

There are two things you need to contend. Dominant Rim protector and outside scoring.

There are options for both at the top of this draft, we just better hit on the right one.

Even though I'm a huge rubio fan I cannot deny that you will never contend with a pg who cant score well. Look at all the teams left and you'll find that is a constant. They also happen to have good-great rim protectors as well.

Towns, Russell, hezonja, porzingis, WCS, mudiay (can't shoot, but can get to the rim at will AND finish), winslow. All are potential pieces to that puzzle. For once in the last 10 years I want to see the twolves make the right damn pick. Can't stand seeing us pass up all-star after all-star for role players.

And yes, I left out Okafor.

[KiwiMatt]

I've been watching the Clippers / Rockets series. Great matchup.

I wonder if this series comes down to who shoots FT's better between Dwight and DeAndre.

[TheFuture]

I've been watching the Clippers / Rockets series. Great matchup.

I wonder if this series comes down to who shoots FT's better between Dwight and DeAndre.

This series is the least intriguing for me. Partly because of all the free throws, but mostly because I can't stand watching harden and Howard play. Alert me when its over.

[Coolbreeze44]

I can't stand Matt Barnes and Doc Rivers.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

MEMPHIS <3 <3 <3