The 2025 NBA Finals Thread

[Cheesebeef]

This is ridiculous…

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[GatorAZ]

Haliburton was averaging 17/10 on 50/40/85 in his second season post Sacramento trade. That would’ve been the version of him on our 64-win team. The next season he was a star and we could’ve traded CP3 earlier for a better return. The KD thing probably never comes to fruition if we don’t flame out vs Dallas.

 

[Phrazbit]

Haliburton was averaging 17/10 on 50/40/85 in his second season post Sacramento trade. That would’ve been the version of him on our 64-win team. The next season he was a star and we could’ve traded CP3 earlier for a better return. The KD thing probably never comes to fruition if we don’t flame out vs Dallas.

Insane that the Kings traded him because they preferred Fox... and now they have neither player.

 

[clyde2tw]

message of POs 2025 so far: empower the proper role players plus defense, that's what's wins you games in POs. Pacers and Knicks prevailed with less super star powers against their respective opponents last round. Brunson, Towns, Haliburton are much lesser names than Celts and Cavs'. But they have really great "role players" on each team.
For comparison, big-3 of the Suns are bigger names but no role players of remotely comparable impact than theirs. I thought Okogie had the potential to become a Hart, Nesmith type guy two years ago, but Vogel rarely played him, nor did Buds. Nobody else comes close.

 

[Adrian]

Pacers-Knicks: Tyrese Haliburton channels Reggie Miller's choke sign celebration before Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 win

With Reggie Miller in the building, Tyrese Haliburton knew what to do.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

Timberwolves-Thunder: Anthony Edwards fined $50K for dropping f-bomb after Game 1 loss, raising season tally past $400K

Another day, another fine for Anthony Edwards.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Adrian]

SEE IT: NYC back pages react to Knicks' Game 1 collapse, OT loss to Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals

The Knicks blew a 17-point fourth quarter advantage in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and as expected, the NYC back pages had a field day.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Mulli]

Hey Thibs, maybe rest starters when up 30 in the 4th quarter.

Dumbdumb

 

[Russ Smith]

Insane that the Kings traded him because they preferred Fox... and now they have neither player.

A friend of mine who's a big Spurs fan says SA doesn't even really love FOX it's entirely possible he could be traded at some point as they prefer Castle

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I keep wondering where you get the Suns being 30-26 after going to the Finals and winning 64 games the following season.

You seem to have conveniently forgotten the season after their incredible implosion in the second round pre-KD trade.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You and me both. Honestly, I don't think there has ever been someone associated with the Suns front office to this point in time (outside of Sarver, of course) that I've disliked more.

There have been coaches that I thought were awful, but once they were gone the damage was done. But a GM’s legacy lives for years. From eschewing young players and not scouting the draft and being part of regime that got rid of a g league team to the Haliburton fiasco to letting crowder sit for a year. Just can’t stand him (on his role as suns gm - may be a great man outside of that, so keep my “hate” in the right context).

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

message of POs 2025 so far: empower the proper role players plus defense, that's what's wins you games in POs. Pacers and Knicks prevailed with less super star powers against their respective opponents last round. Brunson, Towns, Haliburton are much lesser names than Celts and Cavs'. But they have really great "role players" on each team.
For comparison, big-3 of the Suns are bigger names but no role players of remotely comparable impact than theirs. I thought Okogie had the potential to become a Hart, Nesmith type guy two years ago, but Vogel rarely played him, nor did Buds. Nobody else comes close.

Eh that’s just marketing separating the “big names” from those guys. Lookst their numbers and they’re the same.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

message of POs 2025 so far: empower the proper role players plus defense, that's what's wins you games in POs. Pacers and Knicks prevailed with less super star powers against their respective opponents last round. Brunson, Towns, Haliburton are much lesser names than Celts and Cavs'. But they have really great "role players" on each team.
For comparison, big-3 of the Suns are bigger names but no role players of remotely comparable impact than theirs. I thought Okogie had the potential to become a Hart, Nesmith type guy two years ago, but Vogel rarely played him, nor did Buds. Nobody else comes close.

Also: no on okogie.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

defense and 3 pointers should be decreasing the reasoning behind max contracts - those should be reserved for more than top scorers - max players should be top teir defensive players as well and have a 3 ball

but that middle menu is where titles will be won in this new "tough and run" era

i like that... "tough and run" - might have to keep it because the refs ain't calling jack anymore and it's turning into a track meet out there

role players - that fit what your doing - that's the ticket

 

[Brian in Mesa]

This is ridiculous…

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It's actually crazier than that:

The only thing more impressive than erasing a 14-point deficit with 2:50 remaining is overcoming a nine-point deficit with under a minute left to play. The Pacers managed to do both.

Since 1998, NBA teams that trailed by nine or more points in the final minute of regulation or overtime in a postseason game are 1-1,414. Indiana now has the only win.

 

[Adrian]

Charles Barkley caught dropping f-bomb on hot mic during 'NBA on TNT' broadcast

Charles Barkley relaxed a bit too much when he thought his mic was turned off.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[95pro]

defense and 3 pointers should be decreasing the reasoning behind max contracts - those should be reserved for more than top scorers - max players should be top teir defensive players as well and have a 3 ball

but that middle menu is where titles will be won in this new "tough and run" era

i like that... "tough and run" - might have to keep it because the refs ain't calling jack anymore and it's turning into a track meet out there

role players - that fit what your doing - that's the ticket

that's why they're called "role" players

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

is ant gonna go off tonight or let okc take a 2 game lead?

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

that's why they're called "role" players

thx man

 

[Mulli]

is ant gonna go off tonight or let okc take a 2 game lead?

I don’t know

 

[95pro]

is ant gonna go off tonight or let okc take a 2 game lead?

he picked up his 4th foul in the 3rd, completely took him out of his game, and the game. If the foul calling foolishness stops, then Nuggets...I mean Wolves have a chance.

 

[AzStevenCal]

is ant gonna go off tonight or let okc take a 2 game lead?

Yes.

 

[Raindog]

There have been coaches that I thought were awful, but once they were gone the damage was done. But a GM’s legacy lives for years. From eschewing young players and not scouting the draft and being part of regime that got rid of a g league team to the Haliburton fiasco to letting crowder sit for a year. Just can’t stand him (on his role as suns gm - may be a great man outside of that, so keep my “hate” in the right context).

Certainly. It's all about context. I obviously don't know him personally, or whatever his character may be, so it's not a judgment of the person, just a bit of hyperbole. It's the same thing when I say I "hate" a player or a team or whatever.

But I can definitely assert that he was bad at his job, as he in fact was. Unfortunately, that part significantly impacts my long term support of the team.

 

[Phrazbit]

Yes.

I agree. I think Ant is going to try and force it and the Thunder are going to roll again.

IMO, this is a 5 game series that will feature some big blow outs.

 

[clyde2tw]

two years ago, we had Okogie and Camara on the team who can defend with the best of them, like Dort, Caruso, Nesmith, Mikal, Hart... on the remaining 4 teams. right they could not shoot back then