[SystemShock]

It's that time of year again! :yesnod:

I'm currently watching Game 2 of the 76ers-Nets series (Philly vs Brooklyn), and it is EXCELLENT. Great contrast of styles.
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[Akirasho]

Do we have to asterisk a series without King James?

 

[SystemShock]

Do we have to asterisk a series without King James?

A Finals series? No. It's valid whether or not LeBron's there.

He may not even be the best basketball player on Earth anymore. Giannis and Harden have both had absolutely insane seasons this year.
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[Akirasho]

He may not even be the best basketball player on Earth anymore.
.

_____

 

[SystemShock]

_____

Yup, you're definitely from Ohio.
.

 

[SystemShock]

Warriors... EPIC collapse vs the Clippers in Game 2. Had a 31-point lead (!!!) in the 3rd quarter and still lost.

How do you even DO that? Mind blown.
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[xxl]

Video of the Clippers last night, just as the fourth quarter gets underway:

 

[SystemShock]

Video of the Clippers last night, just as the fourth quarter gets underway:

LOL, yep.

But, we all know what happened to that guy at the end of the movie.
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[xxl]

LOL, yep.

But, we all know what happened to that guy at the end of the movie.
.

Which is why my money's not on the Clippers.

 

[SystemShock]

Which is why my money's not on the Clippers.

Smart man, given Games 3 and 4.
.

 

[SystemShock]

Most of the eight first-round playoff series are pretty much decided at this point... one team is up either 3-0 or 3-1, or has won it outright already (Boston). Only series in real doubt is San Antonio vs Denver.

So, barring some incredible comeback(s), the second round looks like this:

Milwaukee vs Boston
Toronto vs Philly
Houston vs Golden State
Portland vs SA or Denver

These should all be good/competitive series, esp. Houston vs GS.
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[SystemShock]

Most of the eight first-round playoff series are pretty much decided at this point... one team is up either 3-0 or 3-1, or has won it outright already (Boston). Only series in real doubt is San Antonio vs Denver.

So, barring some incredible comeback(s), the second round looks like this:

Milwaukee vs Boston
Toronto vs Philly
Houston vs Golden State
Portland vs SA or Denver

These should all be good/competitive series, esp. Houston vs GS.
.

Sidenote: Some smartass sportscaster said the other day that the second-round series of Houston vs Golden State would be the NBA Championship.

I think that's a bit overstated, now that the East finally has some very good non-LeBron teams. Any of the top four East teams (Bucks, Raptors, Sixers, and Celtics) playing at their best will be far from pushovers in the Finals. Though okay, maybe I'd still bet on the Rockets or Warriors (cautiously).

Thoughts?
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[hfc]

I think we’ll be in for a great finals; likely Warriors-Bucks. I’d like to see Houston break through but Warriors look to have clicked the past couple of games and Harden has shown some vulnerability - horrible shooting game 2 games ago and the end of the the last game, he did not look sharp. I’ve been working a lot though and haven’t been able to follow real closely.

 

[SystemShock]

Good lawd... Damian Lillard beats Oklahoma City (and ends the series!) with a 37-foot buzzer-beater!! All while dropping 50 points on trash-talking Russell Westbrick's head.

Portland is fo' REAL, man.


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[xxl]

Good lawd... Damian Lillard beats Oklahoma City (and ends the series!) with a 37-foot buzzer-beater!! All while dropping 50 points on trash-talking Russell Westbrick's head.

Portland is fo' REAL, man.


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LOVE the shot as a fan, but as a coach, I'd be wondering about having twelve seconds to set up, and THAT'S the shot you take?!?

All good when they go in, though. :thumbsup:

 

[QuiQuaeQuod]

LOVE the shot as a fan, but as a coach, I'd be wondering about having twelve seconds to set up, and THAT'S the shot you take?!?

He hasn't taken a lot, but he has some insanely high % on 30+' shots this season. At least I think I saw that on the highlights this morning, when I wasn't paying much attention.

Still, I doubt that was the play any coach would call, or hope for, in that situation.

 

[SystemShock]

LOVE the shot as a fan, but as a coach, I'd be wondering about having twelve seconds to set up, and THAT'S the shot you take?!?

All good when they go in, though. :thumbsup:

It's a bad shot for everyone except him and Steph Curry, pretty much.
.

 

[SystemShock]

Warriors FINALLY close out the Clips in six. Whew. :thumbsup:

But a tip of the hat to Doc Rivers and his crew....LA has a tough, hungry team that plays hard, and their name ain't the Lakers.
.

 

[SystemShock]

Second round is on. And the Celtics SHOCK the #1 seed bucks, blowing them out in their own building.

#al-horford-is-so-very-underrated
.

 

[SystemShock]

Guess I'm the only one who cares 'bout the NBA playoffs. Ah well.
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