NBA 2018-2019

Kazi said:
Can someone explain to me why Kawhi moved to Toronto from the Spurs and gave up $40m?
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He wanted to be the face/star of a franchise (preferably LA) and expand his earning potential commercially.
 
altodevil said:
Not sure I follow. Most good players take up the attention of the other team, it's not indicative of good team play. I don't think Steph is a bad team player, but you can't really say he's sacrificing himself to get the W.
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He's literally making everyone else on the team get better looks because opponents have to double him once he cross the half court and he's not making it easy for opponents by just standing still as he's consistently making off ball runs to drag defenders away to help his teammates get even better looks. These are stuff that doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but it's clear on how he's contributing despite what the stats say.
 
Enigma_87 said:
In the defense yes, but in attack I'd argue Steph has been as good and even better.
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Kawhi is averaging 3.5 more points (in 1 more minute) per game, in a higher efficiency from the field (Steph is better from free throws though, and is averaging almost 2 more assists per game).

If you consider their entire contribution in both sides of the field, Kawhi has easily been the best player in this playoffs. KD before the injury was probably right there with him, but in overall playoffs it is Kawhi.

I wonder why there isn't a playoff MVP instead of (or in addition to) Finals MVP.
 
Enigma_87 said:
In the defense yes, but in attack I'd argue Steph has been as good and even better.
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Kawhi has been substantially better.

Jokic? Giannis? They have been on par with Curry these playoffs. Great company, but Curry is supposedly a top-20 all-time player.
 
elmo said:
He's literally making everyone else on the team get better looks because opponents have to double him once he cross the half court and he's not making it easy for opponents by just standing still as he's consistently making off ball runs to drag defenders away to help his teammates get even better looks. These are stuff that doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but it's clear on how he's contributing despite what the stats say.
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Most basketball players make movements off ball in non-iso situations.

To be a top-20 player you need to be dominant in some facet when it matters most. Curry has been a good shooter so far these playoffs, on a stacked team. That's not good enough for me. His defence is fine, but it's not defining.

But he'll likely earn the Finals MVP by default and it will just be used as proof he excelled further down the line.
 
Revan said:
Kawhi is averaging 3.5 more points (in 1 more minute) per game, in a higher efficiency from the field (Steph is better from free throws though, and is averaging almost 2 more assists per game).

If you consider their entire contribution in both sides of the field, Kawhi has easily been the best player in this playoffs. KD before the injury was probably right there with him, but in overall playoffs it is Kawhi.

I wonder why there isn't a playoff MVP instead of (or in addition to) Finals MVP.
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Steph also moves the ball better. With KD naturally Steph numbers will go down a bit as they have 3 genuine scorers on the pitch most of the time which helps the team. He stepped in big time since KD was sidelined.

Of course in both ends Kawhi is easily better as Steph defence isn't comparable due to much lesser frame.

Agree on the last part. Should be Playoffs MVP as well.
 
altodevil said:
Kawhi has been substantially better.

Jokic? Giannis? They have been on par with Curry these playoffs. Great company, but Curry is supposedly a top-20 all-time player.
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Giannis really faded away against Raptors, Jokic was excellent of course but Nuggets failing early would put him out of the equation. Curry was no less dominant against the Blazers - led the scoring charts in all 4 games averaging 36.5 and leading the assist charts in 3 out of 4.
 
Opportunity lost for the Raptors. The beginning of that third quarter was brutal.
 
kouroux said:
No more Looney, Klay doubtful and probably not at 100%, the Raptors have as more chances than anybody to beat them in recent finals history
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Not a chance. KD will be back in game 4, so will Klay probably and they will win that one by 20 or more. Even if Raptors win game 3 (which I doubt but it may happen), they will lose game 4 and no way they will go 2-1 in the last 3 against full Warriors team. Let's not delude ourselves, their chance was blown when they went 0-89 at the start of quarter 3 in game 2.

Imagine if they were 2-0 up on Warriors going into game 3.
 
Sarni said:
Not a chance. KD will be back in game 4, so will Klay probably and they will win that one by 20 or more. Even if Raptors win game 3 (which I doubt but it may happen), they will lose game 4 and no way they will go 2-1 in the last 3 against full Warriors team. Let's not delude ourselves, their chance was blown when they went 0-89 at the start of quarter 3 in game 2.

Imagine if they were 2-0 up on Warriors going into game 3.
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It's not delusion bro, it's hope. You're a black hole.
 
kouroux said:
It's not delusion bro, it's hope. You're a black hole.
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It’s delusion. Game 2 was the game where they could have given themselves a chance of winning the series. They blew it amazingly, and everything from now on is just a question of whether they lose in 5 or 6.
 
Sarni said:
It’s delusion. Game 2 was the game where they could have given themselves a chance of winning the series. They blew it amazingly, and everything from now on is just a question of whether they lose in 5 or 6.
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Shit, dubs are fecked now
 
Durant out of game 3 and based on his activity so far I can't see him playing game 4 either. Raptors should really be winning this series
 
Ayush_reddevil said:
Durant out of game 3 and based on his activity so far I can't see him playing game 4 either. Raptors should really be winning this series
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If their other players are fit (or at least fit enough to play) then the Warriors are probably still the better side (and now only need to win their final 3 home games at the Oracle), especially given Kawhi also seemed to be slightly struggling physically. I'm not sure that Durant is going to be back at all now, I wonder if the Warriors have been downplaying his injury all along, and even if he does he won't be close to 100%. That being said it feels like the Raptors have to win game 3 because Thompson will surely be fit by game 4, he may well play game 3, while Cousins' impact was much greater in game 2 and may well continue to grow as he gets more minutes.
 
RORY65 said:
If their other players are fit (or at least fit enough to play) then the Warriors are probably still the better side (and now only need to win their final 3 home games at the Oracle), especially given Kawhi also seemed to be slightly struggling physically. I'm not sure that Durant is going to be back at all now, I wonder if the Warriors have been downplaying his injury all along, and even if he does he won't be close to 100%. That being said it feels like the Raptors have to win game 3 because Thompson will surely be fit by game 4, he may well play game 3, while Cousins' impact was much greater in game 2 and may well continue to grow as he gets more minutes.
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Seems like klay will play but not sure how effective he will be . Looney is out too so warriors are really struggling massively. Lots of minutes for likes of Mckinnie and jerebko with 2 games in 3 days which really is a golden opportunity for raptors
 
Ayush_reddevil said:
Durant out of game 3 and based on his activity so far I can't see him playing game 4 either. Raptors should really be winning this series
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If Klay and KD don’t play game 3 then Raptors should really be winning that as Warriors will not have enough scoring, but from game 4 onwards Golden State should really be winning all remaining games without any problem.
 
Sarni said:
If Klay and KD don’t play game 3 then Raptors should really be winning that as Warriors will not have enough scoring, but from game 4 onwards Golden State should really be winning all remaining games without any problem.
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It's really not that straight forward. Winning 3 straight with 2 of them on the road will be hard and you can't expect guys to return from injury and just play at their best level.
 
Ayush_reddevil said:
It's really not that straight forward. Winning 3 straight with 2 of them on the road will be hard and you can't expect guys to return from injury and just play at their best level.
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Actually only 1 of them will be on the road. Durant is at that level where he will be a huge factor even if he’s at 60%. They already beat Raptors without him, with Curry shooting below average and Klay out in fourth quarter. If they can get some small extra contributions here and there they will be more than fine.
 
Sarni said:
Actually only 1 of them will be on the road. Durant is at that level where he will be a huge factor even if he’s at 60%. They already beat Raptors without him, with Curry shooting below average and Klay out in fourth quarter. If they can get some small extra contributions here and there they will be more than fine.
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I was talking about last 3 games where 2 are on the road
 
Sarni said:
Actually only 1 of them will be on the road. Durant is at that level where he will be a huge factor even if he’s at 60%. They already beat Raptors without him, with Curry shooting below average and Klay out in fourth quarter. If they can get some small extra contributions here and there they will be more than fine.
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Nah they still need Klay to be 100% if KD is out.

Without both Klay and KD would be very tough, can't see them winning.

Even if Steph has a good day scoring 35-36, Cousins and Green adding 20 each and some contribution here and there they would still need someone to score 25+.

As the series show 110-120 points is what it takes to win the game considering both defences, and without Klay and KD I don't see the Dubs scoring as much.
 
Enigma_87 said:
Nah they still need Klay to be 100% if KD is out.

Without both Klay and KD would be very tough, can't see them winning.

Even if Steph has a good day scoring 35-36, Cousins and Green adding 20 each and some contribution here and there they would still need someone to score 25+.

As the series show 110-120 points is what it takes to win the game considering both defences, and without Klay and KD I don't see the Dubs scoring as much.
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They'll be in game 3 without KD and possibly Klay (that is 50/50 from what I have seen). Yes, I do think Raptors might win game 3.

I think KD will be back in game 4 at worst and Klay should be avaialble for game 4 without any problem.

I can see a very slow paced game 3.
 
Apparently Kyrie prefers Brooklyn and Lakers as his destinations, not Knicks. Lakers are not a surprise to me, always thought there was a good chance he would team up with LeBron again but Brooklyn is a surprise. They are not really ready to compete yet and have only one max slot so he'll be largely playing with their current core, perhaps minus D'Angelo as they do not fit together.

If Kyrie does not go to Knicks, they become less attractive for Durant too unless they are confident they can get Kemba. This puts Clippers firmly in the picture for Durant as they seem to be very keen on pairing Kawhi and KD.

It will be hilarious if Knicks don't get either of KD and Kyrie and move on to second tier targets.

Though I was firm about KD leaving, if they go down 2-1 or 3-1 to Raptors before he returns and end up winning 4-3 or 4-2, I could maybe see him staying as 'the hero that bailed them out'.
 
Whispers that KD will not return in these series... Looking around forums people are saying that he's not even running in practice, only taking basic jumpers without much lift. It's difficult to see him go from this to playing competitive basketball within a week... Interesting. If he doesn't return, Raptors have a chance.
 
Sarni said:
Whispers that KD will not return in these series... Looking around forums people are saying that he's not even running in practice, only taking basic jumpers without much lift. It's difficult to see him go from this to playing competitive basketball within a week... Interesting. If he doesn't return, Raptors have a chance.
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I don’t think KD is even the factor here. The Dubs can comfortably win the series without him (assuming the entire population of Toronto doesn’t drop 20+ points ala game 1).

It’s whether Klay stays healthy. If he isn’t then the raptors have a genuine chance, otherwise I still think it’s GS’s to lose.
 
Kaos said:
I don’t think KD is even the factor here. The Dubs can comfortably win the series without him (assuming the entire population of Toronto doesn’t drop 20+ points ala game 1).

It’s whether Klay stays healthy. If he isn’t then the raptors have a genuine chance, otherwise I still think it’s GS’s to lose.
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That freak third quarter of game 2 aside Raptors have been a better team. I think it’s 60/40 Warriors at worst if KD doesn’t play in the series.
 
Sarni said:
Apparently Kyrie prefers Brooklyn and Lakers as his destinations, not Knicks. Lakers are not a surprise to me, always thought there was a good chance he would team up with LeBron again but Brooklyn is a surprise. They are not really ready to compete yet and have only one max slot so he'll be largely playing with their current core, perhaps minus D'Angelo as they do not fit together.

If Kyrie does not go to Knicks, they become less attractive for Durant too unless they are confident they can get Kemba. This puts Clippers firmly in the picture for Durant as they seem to be very keen on pairing Kawhi and KD.

It will be hilarious if Knicks don't get either of KD and Kyrie and move on to second tier targets.

Though I was firm about KD leaving, if they go down 2-1 or 3-1 to Raptors before he returns and end up winning 4-3 or 4-2, I could maybe see him staying as 'the hero that bailed them out'.
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The Knicks will get noone. I've been telling you all for months. This KD stuff is just stuff Dolan got put out there to deflect criticism from the team's abysmal state. Why go there? Fisdale? He's a decent coach but nothing special. Big markets? Lakers and Clippers are in a big market and in better shape.
 
freeurmind said:
The Knicks will get noone. I've been telling you all for months. This KD stuff is just stuff Dolan got put out there to deflect criticism from the team's abysmal state. Why go there? Fisdale? He's a decent coach but nothing special. Big markets? Lakers and Clippers are in a big market and in better shape.
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I want KD to leave but thinking about it I have wanted Kawhi at Clippers for a while but would actually prefer if KD went there as main star and Kawhi stayed with Raptors. Knicks can keep crying how they deserved all of them and got Julius Randle as their consolation prize.

I don’t actually like Irving at Nets that much. I think they should stick to their young core and add players who won’t disrupt chemistry, which both Kyrie and Butler could well do. He would immediately become their star and would turn them from borderline playoffs to top 4 in the East probably, though.
 
It appears the Dubs staff want Klay to sit tonight but he is lobbying to play. We shall see!
 
freeurmind said:
The Knicks will get noone. I've been telling you all for months. This KD stuff is just stuff Dolan got put out there to deflect criticism from the team's abysmal state. Why go there? Fisdale? He's a decent coach but nothing special. Big markets? Lakers and Clippers are in a big market and in better shape.
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I would disagree. Maybe because they have Lebron you could think that but in terms of management and at that level Knicks are better. So overall I think Knicks are in better shape.
 
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