West Conference playoff thread

[KG4Ever]

After Suns got beat in 6 by Denver, I am realizing how terrible their trade for Durant is. MIkal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and three firsts and a swap for a 34 year old Durant. I hate the Gobert trade but the Durant trade may rival it as one of the all-time worst trades. I think Bridges will surpass Durant in a year or two. Bridges is on the verge of becoming a top 20 or top 25 player in my opinion. Keep in mind that Durant has been injury plagued while Bridges is an iron man and as Durant enters his late 30s, I'd imagine he's going to miss a lot of games. CP is old too and Suns may be a lottery team in a few years after CP retires and Durant fades.

[Q-is-here]

Lakers vs. Denver.

Well, I guess we can chalk up the moral victory of having the two teams we lost to in the playoffs going up against each other in the WCF.

DLO didn't really play any differently than he did with Minnesota throughout his up and down tenure, yet here he is as the starting PG for a legit contending team and the #1 defense throughout the playoffs so far.

It just goes to show, you can have flawed players on the roster - in this case the starting PG! - and still get pretty damn deep into the playoffs.

Assuming we run it back and re-sign Gobert, I do think we should lean into a defensive identity. Hard to see us becoming this smooth operating offensive machine with a total lack of chemistry between Ant and Gobert. But the Lakers and Miami have shown that you can win with defense and "good enough" offense in the playoffs.

[Monster]

Lakers vs. Denver.

Well, I guess we can chalk up the moral victory of having the two teams we lost to in the playoffs going up against each other in the WCF.

DLO didn't really play any differently than he did with Minnesota throughout his up and down tenure, yet here he is as the starting PG for a legit contending team and the #1 defense throughout the playoffs so far.

It just goes to show, you can have flawed players on the roster - in this case the starting PG! - and still get pretty damn deep into the playoffs.

Assuming we run it back and re-sign Gobert, I do think we should lean into a defensive identity. Hard to see us becoming this smooth operating offensive machine with a total lack of chemistry between Ant and Gobert. But the Lakers and Miami have shown that you can win with defense and "good enough" offense in the playoffs.

And undrafted guards in your starting lineup.

Reaves continues to be impressive and I haven’t watched games but AD looks like he is just a beast from the stats he is putting up. Russell overall has shot the ball well enough but Vanderbilt’s role wasn’t too big in the GS series but that might change some against Denver idk. Beasley had hardly played.

I’m gonna start watching some playoff games now I’m intrigued with this WC finals.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm not surprised by it, but the free throw discrepancy for the Lakers is disgusting. It really gives these playoffs a pro wrestling type of feel. We know this type of thing has happened before, but I was hoping with Silver in charge it might be a thing of the past. Guess not.

[Coolbreeze44]

Lakers vs. Denver.

Well, I guess we can chalk up the moral victory of having the two teams we lost to in the playoffs going up against each other in the WCF.

DLO didn't really play any differently than he did with Minnesota throughout his up and down tenure, yet here he is as the starting PG for a legit contending team and the #1 defense throughout the playoffs so far.

It just goes to show, you can have flawed players on the roster - in this case the starting PG! - and still get pretty damn deep into the playoffs.

Assuming we run it back and re-sign Gobert, I do think we should lean into a defensive identity. Hard to see us becoming this smooth operating offensive machine with a total lack of chemistry between Ant and Gobert. But the Lakers and Miami have shown that you can win with defense and "good enough" offense in the playoffs.

He's a starting point guard for a team who is being ushered through the playoffs. Nothing to be proud of Rusty. Let's hope Denver doesn't get screwed and gets to the championship round.

[Lipoli390]

I’m hoping for a Celtics-Nuggets finals. They are two really good teams that serve as terrific examples of how to build a winning in the NBA.

[Q-is-here]

I’m hoping for a Celtics-Nuggets finals. They are two really good teams that serve as terrific examples of how to build a winning in the NBA.

I think three out of the four teams did it the "right" way. I'm adding Miami to your Celtics/Denver group. They definitely have a unique culture that has permeated that entire franchise regardless of who is on the roster.

The Lakers did it the "wrong" way I guess, but I must admit I find it fascinating how they have made it to the WCF with two legit stars and a bunch of almost randomly thrown-together piece parts.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I’m hoping for a Celtics-Nuggets finals. They are two really good teams that serve as terrific examples of how to build a winning in the NBA.

Yes.

I'm glad 1/2 of my Philly vs. LAL prediction has failed.

[Lipoli390]

I’m hoping for a Celtics-Nuggets finals. They are two really good teams that serve as terrific examples of how to build a winning in the NBA.

I think three out of the four teams did it the "right" way. I'm adding Miami to your Celtics/Denver group. They definitely have a unique culture that has permeated that entire franchise regardless of who is on the roster.

The Lakers did it the "wrong" way I guess, but I must admit I find it fascinating how they have made it to the WCF with two legit stars and a bunch of almost randomly thrown-together piece parts.

Fair point about Miami, Q. I’d characterize what the Heat did as the Miami Heat way. I think they have the best head coach in the NBA and I don’t think it’s even close. And let’s not forget Pat Riley. He has a great eye for tough-minded, winning players. I don’t think the Miami way is replicable. Similarly, I’d say the Lakers did it the LA Lakers way. The Hollywood allure landed the 2nd best player in NBA history and they knew they had the Hollywood/Southern California thing as a safety net when they decided to mortgage the future for a superstar player whose only limitation has been his ability to stay healthy. Again, the LA Laker way can work, but it’s not replicable for the vast majority of franchises. For me the right way is a replicable model for the vast majority of teams that don’t have allure of Hollywood and Southern California sunshine or the allure of Southbeach and south Florida sunshine. Like Golden State previously, the Nuggets and Celtics of today are the model for building a championship team without the special attractions that only a few franchises have to offer. Apparently, TC decided to try something different from what worked so well for him in Denver. There must be something in the water at 600 N. 1st Avenue that interferes with the synapses in the brain of front office executives.

[Q-is-here]

I’m hoping for a Celtics-Nuggets finals. They are two really good teams that serve as terrific examples of how to build a winning in the NBA.

I think three out of the four teams did it the "right" way. I'm adding Miami to your Celtics/Denver group. They definitely have a unique culture that has permeated that entire franchise regardless of who is on the roster.

The Lakers did it the "wrong" way I guess, but I must admit I find it fascinating how they have made it to the WCF with two legit stars and a bunch of almost randomly thrown-together piece parts.

Fair point about Miami, Q. I’d characterize what the Heat did as the Miami Heat way. I think they have the best head coach in the NBA and I don’t think it’s even close. And let’s not forget Pat Riley. He has a great eye for tough-minded, winning players. I don’t think the Miami way is replicable. Similarly, I’d say the Lakers did it the LA Lakers way. The Hollywood allure landed the 2nd best player in NBA history and they knew they had the Hollywood/Southern California thing as a safety net when they decided to mortgage the future for a superstar player whose only limitation has been his ability to stay healthy. Again, the LA Laker way can work, but it’s not replicable for the vast majority of franchises. For me the right way is a replicable model for the vast majority of teams that don’t have allure of Hollywood and Southern California sunshine or the allure of Southbeach and south Florida sunshine. Like Golden State previously, the Nuggets and Celtics of today are the model for building a championship team without the special attractions that only a few franchises have to offer. Apparently, TC decided to try something different from what worked so well for him in Denver. There must be something in the water at 600 N. 1st Avenue that interferes with the synapses in the brain of front office executives.

Ha, definitely.

On the Lakers, they definitely don't get LeBron without the benefit of their brand and location. And that alone is probably enough to make most of us root against them.

However....it's been a struggle session for them since they won a title during the bubble season of '19-20. Since that year, it's been three straight very disappointing regular seasons, much to our delight. They didn't even make the playoffs last year! But they kind of pulled a rabbit out of their hat at the end of the regular season through a combination of trades and decent health. And now here they are in the WCF!