The 2022 NBA Play-In Tournament + Playoffs Thread

[Finito]

If Steve Nash is fired from the Nets job I hope he makes his way back to a smaller market team.

He seemed out of place playing for the Lakers and coaching the Nets.

Nash was in trouble before the season even started when Harden said they didn’t even need a coach

 

[Finito]

So I have to wait till this blow out is over

 

[Finito]

ATL got some serious questions this offseason

 

[Chaplin]

ATL got some serious questions this offseason

How did this team get so far last season? SMH

 

[Finito]

How did this team get so far last season? SMH

Pure dumb luck?

As good as Trae looked last year that’s how bad he’s been this year in the playoffs.

 

[Azjose86]

I have a feeling, this is the game Crowder comes alive with the 3s

 

[Chaplin]

I have a feeling, this is the game Crowder comes alive with the 3s

Not yet. Still ugly as all hell.

 

[Russ Smith]

Don’t want to get into a potential series with the Warriors yet but Ayton will need to be magnificent for us to beat them. CP3 is so smart I think he can mess with their backcourt a bit.

I know Luka is limited but if they can’t get thru Utah some questions might start being asked.

I’m rooting for Memphis because I think Ja will get it together and they could give Golden St a series with the home court factor. I think Golden St would sweep the Timberwolves and Draymond would break KAT’s brain.

Assuming GSW takes out the Nuggets eventually Denver has at least given the rest of the league a blueprint on what to do against the new Death lineup. they were talking about it on local tv in the postgame and drawing up what Denver was doing. Essentially against Man Denver would run a screen to make the Warriors switch so that Wiggins is NOT on Gordon. they would immediately then flash Joker to the high post and then Gordon would duck in low against Klay/Steph/Poole on the switch and either get the entry pass or if they fronted the lob over the top.

The Warriors went zone to stop that and they would then get the ball to Joker in the middle of the zone where he'd either make some insanely difficult midrange shot look easy, or he'd kick it out for an open 3.

On the other end Denver sold out to stop the 3's and dare Wiggins and Draymond to beat them. Draymond did his job delivering the problem was Wiggins either settled for 3's and missed, or didn't attack enough. He a great post up against a guard and then missed the bunny, had a nice drive at Joker for 2 but for the most part he didn't attack. They were saying that the Warriors coaches and players have been telling him you're the key to this lineup it's all setup you either have a big you can blow by or a guard you can bully ball, he hasn't done it the last 2 games.

The other thing they're doing is they decided to guard Poole the way everyone guards Steph he's getting knocked around and it showed last night he was far less effective after taking a few shots

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Assuming GSW takes out the Nuggets eventually Denver has at least given the rest of the league a blueprint on what to do against the new Death lineup. they were talking about it on local tv in the postgame and drawing up what Denver was doing. Essentially against Man Denver would run a screen to make the Warriors switch so that Wiggins is NOT on Gordon. they would immediately then flash Joker to the high post and then Gordon would duck in low against Klay/Steph/Poole on the switch and either get the entry pass or if they fronted the lob over the top.

The Warriors went zone to stop that and they would then get the ball to Joker in the middle of the zone where he'd either make some insanely difficult midrange shot look easy, or he'd kick it out for an open 3.

On the other end Denver sold out to stop the 3's and dare Wiggins and Draymond to beat them. Draymond did his job delivering the problem was Wiggins either settled for 3's and missed, or didn't attack enough. He a great post up against a guard and then missed the bunny, had a nice drive at Joker for 2 but for the most part he didn't attack. They were saying that the Warriors coaches and players have been telling him you're the key to this lineup it's all setup you either have a big you can blow by or a guard you can bully ball, he hasn't done it the last 2 games.

The other thing they're doing is they decided to guard Poole the way everyone guards Steph he's getting knocked around and it showed last night he was far less effective after taking a few shots

These are exactly the strategies I expounded a week ago.

 

[Russ Smith]

These are exactly the strategies I expounded a week ago.

Yeah but most teams don't have the personnel to do it. Denver has made enough 3's the last 2 games that the Warriors can't just sell out to stop Joker and Gordon they have to honor the 3 shooters around them and that's led to the post ups. The zone actually worked 4-5 times in a row but then Joker counters and hits guys for corner 3's that they bottomed.

What Denver is showing is you may not be able to guard it, but you can score against it. The key is Joker though he's such a good passer the Warriors have no counter if they get up on him he gets it to Gordon, if they help on Gordon then there's a wide open corner 3 and Joker gets it to them.

The game sealing dagger 3 last night by Barton was completely Joker across the middle does the Euro and then Steph tries to drop in to help and bang hits Barton, Steph's man in the corner for the 3 ball game.

Healthy I can see the Suns do it but it would be Booker not Ayton since I don't think Ayton while a good passer can do what Joker is doing in the middle. He'll score in there but Joker the last 2 games has just carved the Warriors up in that lineup.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Nets lookin like they're bout to get swept

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Nets = swept. Guessing Nash and Kyrie will be gone.

 

[Phrazbit]

KD did not look clutch this series.

 

[elindholm]

Nets = swept.

We see the problems now, but at the start of the season, there's no way anyone saw the Nets winning zero playoff games. Heck, even the Suns are going to wind up better than that!

 

[mjb21aztd]

U guys think nash gets 1 more yr as hc? For nets

I hope he does i want nash to succed as hc he is a top 3 suns for me as a fan lol i hired him as my hcoach in my 2k22 ps5 franchise got him a vgame ring least lol

Fun playoffs and nerverackin

 

[Hoop Head]

U guys think nash gets 1 more yr as hc? For nets

I hope he does i want nash to succed as hc he is a top 3 suns for me as a fan lol i hired him as my hcoach in my 2k22 ps5 franchise got him a vgame ring least lol

Fun playoffs and nerverackin

He's likely fired but honestly it's for the best. He'll get another chance somewhere else. He could use a year or two as someone's lead assistant before trying again. Big market coaching jobs are tough to hang onto as they don't have the control they do in smaller markets because they have to appease their star(s) first and win second. The first real adversity is placed on the coach, right or wrong, and they're scapegoated.

Kidd isn't a very good coach but he left Brooklyn for Milwaukee years back and that was before Giannis blossomed into who he is. He did that because large market coaches don't get the same comfort that medium market coaches do.

 

[Finito]

KD did not look clutch this series.

We’re witnessing a changing of the guard. KD looked old

 

[GatorAZ]

The Raptors are so well coached.

 

[Phrazbit]

Mitchell popped his hamstring down by 30 points and only a few minutes to go.

 

[82CardsGrad]

We’re witnessing a changing of the guard. KD looked old

At 33? He should still have 3 very productive years ahead of him…

 

[Cheesebeef]

At 33? He should still have 3 very productive years ahead of him…

Sure, but he’s still been in the league 15 years, has a ton of mileage on those legs with many lengthy playoff runs and Olympic runs. He’s also had numerous leg injuries the last couple years. All that takes a toll after a while.

He’ll still be great for another couple years and maybe he’s next exception to the rule like LeBron and CP3 to an extent, but his prime prime days are likely coming to a close.

 

[Phrazbit]

Sure, but he’s still been in the league 15 years, has a ton of mileage on those legs with many lengthy playoff runs and Olympic runs. He’s also had numerous leg injuries the last couple years. All that takes a toll after a while.

He’ll still be great for another couple years and maybe he’s next exception to the rule like LeBron and CP3 to an extent, but his prime prime days are likely coming to a close.

Tearing the achillies ain't good for the long haul either. Bet that heel starts barkin' at him as the season wears on.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Sure, but he’s still been in the league 15 years, has a ton of mileage on those legs with many lengthy playoff runs and Olympic runs. He’s also had numerous leg injuries the last couple years. All that takes a toll after a while.

He’ll still be great for another couple years and maybe he’s next exception to the rule like LeBron and CP3 to an extent, but his prime prime days are likely coming to a close.

Good points… I always forget about the Olympics. The injuries can also advance the slow-down process.
If body language alone will scan indicator, he sure does look like a dude whose best is now behind him.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Durant play at or close to a MVP level next season…

 

[Cheesebeef]

Good points… I always forget about the Olympics. The injuries can also advance the slow-down process.
If body language alone will scan indicator, he sure does look like a dude whose best is now behind him.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Durant play at or close to a MVP level next season…

I bet he’ll come out of the gates firing next year, but if that team continues to underachieve…. Eh. I don’t know. The Suns have me totally bummed out to even care about any other team.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I bet he’ll come out of the gates firing next year, but if that team continues to underachieve…. Eh. I don’t know. The Suns have me totally bummed out to even care about any other team.

Me too… WTF am I doing weighing in on KD for God’s sake!