General NBA thread

[Bobby5280]

But cherry picking my own stats, Jokic is the FIRST player in history to be in the top 3 in the league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

If we're cherry picking, SGA was the leader of a team that won 68 regular season games and has one of the best defenses in NBA history. I couldn't believe some of the brutal steals they committed against the Timberwolves last night.

[JayhawkCO]

But cherry picking my own stats, Jokic is the FIRST player in history to be in the top 3 in the league in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

If we're cherry picking, SGA was the leader of a team that won 68 regular season games and has one of the best defenses in NBA history. I couldn't believe some of the brutal steals they committed against the Timberwolves last night.

But if you take him off that team (or just put him on the bench), is it a drastically different defense? No. Having Caruso, Williams, Hartenstein, Holmgren, and Dortz is a very good defensive line up.

I'm not saying SGA isn't deserving. He's clearly either 1a or 1b, but I think all too often these awards go to the best player on the best team, and that isn't, to me, what defines most valuable.

[jgb191]

The Knicks are 6-1 on the road in the playoffs.  Because of that, I refuse to count out the Knick until it's official.  My best guess is that MSG is too tough and demanding place for this young Knicks team to perform; they seem to play way better when they're away from the pressures and bright lights of MSG.  Sometimes home-court can be a disadvantage as we're seeing.

[Henry]

The Knicks are 6-1 on the road in the playoffs.  Because of that, I refuse to count out the Knick until it's official.  My best guess is that MSG is too tough and demanding place for this young Knicks team to perform; they seem to play way better when they're away from the pressures and bright lights of MSG.  Sometimes home-court can be a disadvantage as we're seeing.

Well, they're now 6-2 with a loss to the Pacers in Indy. And unless a miracle happens in Game 5, it'll be lights out in New York.

[Bobby5280]

The Knicks aren't going to quit in front of the home crowd at MSG. I think they at least have a good shot at forcing a Game 6. However, if they're able to make the series go back to Indy it may take a miracle for them to force game 7.

[JayhawkCO]

The Knicks aren't going to quit in front of the home crowd at MSG. I think they at least have a good shot at forcing a Game 6. However, if they're able to make the series go back to Indy it may take a miracle for them to force game 7.

I would argue if there's a team in the playoffs that could come back from 3-1, it's the Knicks just given their 20-point comebacks they've already completed.

[NWI_Irish96]

It's highly likely that the NBA champion will be from a city that contains its state's name.

[JayhawkCO]

It's highly likely that the NBA champion will be from a city that contains its state's name.

Or, similarly, it's highly likely that the NBA champion will be from a state that's in the team's name.

[Henry]

It's highly likely that the NBA champion will be from a city that contains its state's name.

Or, similarly, it's highly likely that the NBA champion will be from a state that's in the team's name.

It won't be the Timberwolves, as the Thunder are in the Finals for the first time in 13 years.

[Stephane Dumas]

If the Pacers win against the Knicks, we will have a final between 2 teams in search of their first championship.
If the Knicks win against the Pacers, New York will try to get its first NBA championship since the last one in 1973.

[SEWIGuy]

If the Pacers win against the Knicks, we will have a final between 2 teams in search of their first championship.
If the Knicks win against the Pacers, New York will try to get its first NBA championship since the last one in 1973.

For the time being, the Sonics' 1979 trophy is held by the Thunder. They only will give it up when a new team comes to Seattle.

[Stephane Dumas]

The Knicks force a game 6, will they be able to push for a game 7 as well?

[jgb191]

The Knicks force a game 6, will they be able to push for a game 7 as well?

I predict Game 6 and (if necessary) Game 7 will be very close and go either way (one of which might even need OT to decide); I don't see a heavy favorite.  I believe coaching will be a key factor; both teams are very talented, whichever coach gets better use of his players and/or manage the game better could swing the series.

[Bobby5280]

The Knicks made some good adjustments in Game 5. I think the Pacers are favored for Game 6.

On the TNT broadcast after the game Charles Barkley said Game 6 is a must win situation for the Pacers. They don't want to come back to Madison Square Garden for Game 7 because they might get their butts stomped like they just did in Game 5.

[SEWIGuy]

The Pacers beat the Knicks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semis last year. This is pretty much a toss up series.

[TheCatalyst31]

If the Pacers win against the Knicks, we will have a final between 2 teams in search of their first championship.
If the Knicks win against the Pacers, New York will try to get its first NBA championship since the last one in 1973.

Coincidentally, the Pacers are also trying for their first championship since 1973. They won the ABA title that year.

[Stephane Dumas]

It's official now, we get a final between the Thunder and the Pacers.

[tdindy88]

I was at Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night and it was an amazing night! I'm so happy for the Pacers right now! But I am a realist and know that we are heavily an underdog going in and rightfully so. It's 2000 all over again even down to the heavily favored Western Conference opponent.

And since this is a roadgeek forum, St. Louis finds itself at the crossroads of the NBA Finals. One interstate from St. Louis will take you east to the Eastern Conference Champs and one interstate will take you southwest to the Western Conference Champs.

[NWI_Irish96]

I was at Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals last night and it was an amazing night! I'm so happy for the Pacers right now! But I am a realist and know that we are heavily an underdog going in and rightfully so. It's 2000 all over again even down to the heavily favored Western Conference opponent.

And since this is a roadgeek forum, St. Louis finds itself at the crossroads of the NBA Finals. One interstate from St. Louis will take you east to the Eastern Conference Champs and one interstate will take you southwest to the Western Conference Champs.

You could say the same thing about Kansas City or Nashville, though the route through St. Louis is far shorter. Eventually, you'll also be able to add Memphis to the list.

[Max Rockatansky]

At least this will be one finals where the typical rhetoric about the NBA rigging things for big markets won't probably be heard/seen much.  I guess if you don't count the Sonics title in 1979 this will be a first time NBA champion no matter what.

[NWI_Irish96]

At least this will be one finals where the typical rhetoric about the NBA rigging things for big markets won't probably be heard/seen much.  I guess if you don't count the Sonics title in 1979 this will be a first time NBA champion no matter what.

This is what makes the NFL unique. Packers-Chiefs pulls ratings equal to and possibly better than Rams-Jets.

Oklahoma hoping for its first ever major pro sports championship. Indiana for its second if you don't count the ABA titles.

[mgk920]

Again, which will be awarded first this year, the Larry O'Brien trophy or the Stanley Cup?

 

Mike