NBA Playoff Megathread

[Tequilla]

When did Oladipo get that good?

They've got a tremendous young foundation in Oladipo, Turner, and Sabonis. They've got a good chance of picking up a solid player in the draft (wouldn't be shocked if they were to get a buy like Jalen Brunson who would fit what they do quite well), a bit of cap space, and the opportunity for a ton of cap space coming in 2019 as they have a lot of expiring deals going into next year that they can either ride out or leverage for a trade.

They are a non factor. Boston and Philly have way better foundations.

I agree with that ...

The odds that Indiana gets out of the East is probably quite limited ... they could have a similar run in them comparable to what Milwaukee had in the early to mid 80s. They are far from a finished product at this point though. Their challenge will be how do they manage their cap space heading into 2019 when they should have a bunch available. Can they get a really good piece that complements that foundation and/or get something in the draft that complements them. They'll need some help for sure to get past Boston and Philly but I could definitely see a trip or two to at worst the Eastern Finals in their future.

 

[Tequilla]

I’m genuinely excited to watch the NBA Finals matchup this year between the Rockets and the Warriors.

Should be a tremendous series ... the Warriors are going to need a relatively healthy Curry to pull it out.

My expectation is that it'd be a series that goes 7 and the Warriors pull it out on the road. But I definitely think that the Rockets will likely jump out early in the series and the Warriors will likely have to win Games 6 and 7 to win the series.

As much as people give CP3 shit for being a loser I thinks it’s clear this year that he was playing with a bunch of losers in LAC. He’s a great PG and deserves a championship.

I’m not a big Harden guy but his story is cool. Known as the 3rd wheel in OKC and got laughed at when he wanted big dick money and now is one of the best players in the NBA and has built a great team around him. Pretty much the opposite of what Durant did.

OKC was fucking stupid to get rid of Harden ... they made a really stupid decision trying to outsmart themselves.

That being said, I don't think Harden is at this level if he stayed at OKC.

 

[CuntWaffle]

Pacers have always played Lebron well for some reason. Can never beat him but can put him on the brink. The Raptors however have a Lebron problem and it shouldn’t get past 6. I see the 76ers facing them in the ECF but Lebron will take advantage of the inexperience of the young team and win in 6 again.

Sadly he will lose in 5 against the Rockets or the Warriors.

 

[Kaepsknee]

I’m genuinely excited to watch the NBA Finals matchup this year between the Rockets and the Warriors.

Should be a tremendous series ... the Warriors are going to need a relatively healthy Curry to pull it out.

My expectation is that it'd be a series that goes 7 and the Warriors pull it out on the road. But I definitely think that the Rockets will likely jump out early in the series and the Warriors will likely have to win Games 6 and 7 to win the series.

I don't think the Dubs would even need Curry to take down Houston in 6. They can put Durant/Iggy/Thompson on Harden/CP3 and hold them in check enough to win 4 outta 6. Capela won't hurt GS much either with McGee and Green protecting the rim. When GS is focused, they're as good of a defensive team as we've seen since the Spurs.

 

[allpurpleallgold]

I’m genuinely excited to watch the NBA Finals matchup this year between the Rockets and the Warriors.

Should be a tremendous series ... the Warriors are going to need a relatively healthy Curry to pull it out.

My expectation is that it'd be a series that goes 7 and the Warriors pull it out on the road. But I definitely think that the Rockets will likely jump out early in the series and the Warriors will likely have to win Games 6 and 7 to win the series.

I don't think the Dubs would even need Curry to take down Houston in 6. They can put Durant/Iggy/Thompson on Harden/CP3 and hold them in check enough to win 4 outta 6. Capela won't hurt GS much either with McGee and Green protecting the rim. When GS is focused, they're as good of a defensive team as we've seen since the Spurs.

The fact that you think you can just stick Durant on Harden or Paul shows you don’t understand how Houston’s offense works at all.

 

[Kaepsknee]

I’m genuinely excited to watch the NBA Finals matchup this year between the Rockets and the Warriors.

Should be a tremendous series ... the Warriors are going to need a relatively healthy Curry to pull it out.

My expectation is that it'd be a series that goes 7 and the Warriors pull it out on the road. But I definitely think that the Rockets will likely jump out early in the series and the Warriors will likely have to win Games 6 and 7 to win the series.

I don't think the Dubs would even need Curry to take down Houston in 6. They can put Durant/Iggy/Thompson on Harden/CP3 and hold them in check enough to win 4 outta 6. Capela won't hurt GS much either with McGee and Green protecting the rim. When GS is focused, they're as good of a defensive team as we've seen since the Spurs.

The fact that you think you can just stick Durant on Harden or Paul shows you don’t understand how Houston’s offense works at all.

Kreist. Watch and see in a couple weeks. Then you can disappear again.

 

[RaceBannon]

Perennial all star Tristan Thompson played great

 

[Tequilla]

It’s easier said than done to slow down Harden and CP3 ... the Warriors are better positioned than most to do so

 

[Gladstone]

 

[allpurpleallgold]

Nate Silver has done it again!

 

[allpurpleallgold]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

 

[RaceBannon]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

Low bar

This is breaking nicely for the Cavs. They own the Raptors and Celtics

 

[Kaepsknee]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

Low bar

This is breaking nicely for the Cavs. They own the Raptors and Celtics

I think Bron runs outta gas the next round. Hard to see anybody doing what He’s done for another 3 weeks to get to the Finals. I still think the Sixers get their shit together and take out the C’s despite tonight.

 

[Gladstone]

I long ago thought LeBron would slow down. At this point nothing would surprise me. He openly admitted he was extremely exhausted and hadn't even thought about Toronto yet. I'll predict the Cavs get annihilated by like 40 in game 1 but split the road openers and ultimately win in 6/7.

 

[CuntWaffle]

People always freak the fuck out over game 1. I agree that Brad Stevens is a god and the Celtics are the team of the future. I will wait to see how game 2 plays out before declaring Philly dead. Celtics could seriously win the East though and that would be fucking crazy. They have done so well at building that franchise back up after the big 3 era.

 

[Fire_Marshall_Bill]

Where's @Fire_Marshall_Bill for the pickem?

For the NBA? Jesus Christ no...fucking ball hogs, AAU fags with little fundamentals, and lazy fucks who camp out at the 3 point line. I wouldn't waste the time and effort. Unrelated: Whenever I tune in a game it's the Celtics 90% of the time..it's weird.

If the Sonics still existed and were good, I might give it a passing thought.

 

[dnc]

Where's @Fire_Marshall_Bill for the pickem?

For the NBA? Jesus Christ no...fucking ball hogs, AAU fags with little fundamentals, and lazy fucks[/b] who camp out at the 3 point line. I wouldn't waste the time and effort. Unrelated: Whenever I tune in a game it's the Celtics 90% of the time..it's weird.

If the Sonics still existed and were good, I might give it a passing thought.

Ironic since this analysis is lazy

 

[dnc]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

I'd go Irvin, Heyward, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Rozier but it's highly debatable for sure.

At this poont with Pop on the down side of his career Brad Stevens is the best coach in the NBA.

 

[Kaepsknee]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

I'd go Irvin, Heyward, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Rozier but it's highly debatable for sure.

At this poont with Pop on the down side of his career Brad Stevens is the best coach in the NBA.

if the GSW are able to do what they should do this Season, which is win an NBA Championship, it's Steve Kerr. Getting a bunch of try hards out of the 1st round in a "loaded East" isn't enough for me.

 

[PurpleThrobber]

The Celtics are about to win a second round playoff game without there first, second and fourth best players. That’s assuming you have Brown rated higher than Tatum (which I do) and Irving rated higher Rozier (questionable). Brad Stevens is a god.

I'd go Irvin, Heyward, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Rozier but it's highly debatable for sure.

At this poont with Pop on the down side of his career Brad Stevens is the best coach in the NBA.

if the GSW are able to do what they should do this Season, which is win an NBA Championship, it's Steve Kerr. Getting a bunch of try hards out of the 1st round in a "loaded East" isn't enough for me.

How many rings does Brad Stevens have?