NBA 2024-2025

[Jim Beam]

Don’t look like it’s mattered!

True!

I shit on Harden a lot in recent years and playoffs still has to begin, but props on this game and actually the whole season. Been great in this, new facilitator role for the Clippers. With healthy Kawhi, it should be a cracking 1st round series against the Nuggets.

 

[Jim Beam]

How fecking mental is it that Jokic is basically going to average a 30-point triple double this season….and isn’t nailed on to be the MVP

Nothing against SGA, but I still think it's crazy Jokić (most likely) won't get recognition for what was basically best regular season performance in don't know how many years.

 

[charlton66]

Hopefully Memphis win that one so we don't have to see the Warriors.

Clippers vs Nuggets and Wolves vs Lakers first round match ups.

I obviously didn't want to lose today, but IF we can beat the Grizzlies, even though you guys beat us in our last match up, we've usually done fairly well against you recently, so I fancy our chances better against your lot than I would against the Lakers.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Wolves will be a tough series especially if Gobert plays well. Very important to win the first two home games.

 

[Real Name]

Strong, strong finish by the Clippers. They're really in the groove. And a season of a lifetime by Zubac, he really should be a in a all NBA 3rd team at least and maybe even a DPOY. Clippers defensively with him in the team are a completely different beast than without and offensively he has a nice chemistry with Harden and recently with Bogdanović.

Kawhi in a hot form too, Harden has been pulling along the whole season and of course Powell has been good too.

 

[JPRouve]

Wolves will be a tough series especially if Gobert plays well. Very important to win the first two home games.

You have Doncic, you already won that matchup.

 

[Kasper]

Some good first round matchups:
Nice:
Lakers - Wolves
Knicks - Pistons

Solid:
Nuggets- Clippers
Houston - Warriors (likely)
OKC - Grizzlies (likely)

Meh:
Bucks - Pacers
Boston - Orlando (likely)
Cavs - Hawks (likely)

Basically, West is going to be sick, East trash.

 

[Real Name]

What a competition in the West, 5 spots were difference in a win or a defeat or 2.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Some good first round matchups:
Nice:
Lakers - Wolves
Knicks - Pistons

Solid:
Nuggets- Clippers
Houston - Warriors (likely)
OKC - Grizzlies (likely)

Meh:
Bucks - Pacers
Boston - Orlando (likely)
Cavs - Hawks (likely)

Basically, West is going to be sick, East trash.

Bucks pacers should be fun. Could go either way.

 

[WeePat]

I obviously didn't want to lose today, but IF we can beat the Grizzlies, even though you guys beat us in our last match up, we've usually done fairly well against you recently, so I fancy our chances better against your lot than I would against the Lakers.

Warriors would be the favourites against us, and if the 7th seed can be considered the favourite against the 2nd seed, then the seedings didn't really matter all that much in terms of playoff chances. Lakers/Wolves and Clippers/Nuggets are too close to call too imo. Almost any other combination of matchups in the west would be really close too.

Personally I'd rather take my chances with the Grizzlies than you guys, but I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to exorcise our demons and for once beat the Warriors in a playoff series.

 

[JPRouve]

Yesterday while watching the game I was baffled by the Wolves shot selection. It took me half a day to remember that Edwards needed 7 made threes to end the regular season at the top of the leader board. This mofo attempted 18 threes, in the end his efficiency was good but the first half was hard to watch.

 

[leeroyTX]

Warriors would be the favourites against us, and if the 7th seed can be considered the favourite against the 2nd seed, then the seedings didn't really matter all that much in terms of playoff chances. Lakers/Wolves and Clippers/Nuggets are too close to call too imo. Almost any other combination of matchups in the west would be really close too.

Personally I'd rather take my chances with the Grizzlies than you guys, but I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to exorcise our demons and for once beat the Warriors in a playoff series.

Rockets fan?

Warrors will not be the favorites against us. I'm sure there will be plenty of prognostiactors that will pick them because Curry...but if they don't thing Amen Thompson can do to him what he did a couple weeks ago (1-10, 3 points) over a 7 game series, they haven't been watching.

My concern is that Donkey Green is going to get away with his usual b.s. and attempt to take out Amen. I don't think there's a game played where he shouldn't be kicked out. It'll be interesting to see how he and Dillon Brooks handle themselves.

 

[Beans]

Rockets fan?

Warrors will not be the favorites against us. I'm sure there will be plenty of prognostiactors that will pick them because Curry...but if they don't thing Amen Thompson can do to him what he did a couple weeks ago (1-10, 3 points) over a 7 game series, they haven't been watching.

My concern is that Donkey Green is going to get away with his usual b.s. and attempt to take out Amen. I don't think there's a game played where he shouldn't be kicked out. It'll be interesting to see how he and Dillon Brooks handle themselves.

With all the love for Curry I can see most of the media picking them.

Should be as great series. It would be a real shame if the Rockets go out in the first round after shocking the world to take the 2 seed above some very good teams.

How did Udoka do it?

 

[leeroyTX]

With all the love for Curry I can see most of the media picking them.

Should be as great series. It would be a real shame if the Rockets go out in the first round after shocking the world to take the 2 seed above some very good teams.

How did Udoka do it?

Discipline and defense. Unrelenting defense. If they can just be somewhat consistent on offense, they'll be very dangerous. Amen Thompson is a jumpshot away from being one of the best players in the league. The additions last season of vets Brooks, FVV, Steven Adams, and Jeff Greene have been quietly huge for the youth.

Most of us here would've been ecstatic with making the play-in this season...or even like a 6 seed. This was supposed to just be the 2nd phase of the rebuild...learning to win. They definitely exceeded that. Only team to beat OKC twice this season.

 

[charlton66]

Discipline and defense. Unrelenting defense. If they can just be somewhat consistent on offense, they'll be very dangerous. Amen Thompson is a jumpshot away from being one of the best players in the league. The additions last season of vets Brooks, FVV, Steven Adams, and Jeff Greene have been quietly huge for the youth.

Most of us here would've been ecstatic with making the play-in this season...or even like a 6 seed. This was supposed to just be the 2nd phase of the rebuild...learning to win. They definitely exceeded that. Only team to beat OKC twice this season.

I think the Warriors also beat OKC twice. In fact I think we won the season series.

 

[Sarni]

Wolves will be a tough series especially if Gobert plays well. Very important to win the first two home games.

Odds of Gobert being played off the floor by small ball Lakers: very high.

 

[WeePat]

Rockets fan?

Warrors will not be the favorites against us. I'm sure there will be plenty of prognostiactors that will pick them because Curry...but if they don't thing Amen Thompson can do to him what he did a couple weeks ago (1-10, 3 points) over a 7 game series, they haven't been watching.

My concern is that Donkey Green is going to get away with his usual b.s. and attempt to take out Amen. I don't think there's a game played where he shouldn't be kicked out. It'll be interesting to see how he and Dillon Brooks handle themselves.

I just think it's the playoffs, having a reliable go-to option is crucial. We've gotten this far by doing it by committee. We have a like 7 players averaging double figures, but nobody averaging above 22ppg. We've gone through 4th quarter scoring droughts too many times to count this season. We also lack playoff experience.

I think we can eliminate any team in the west. I'd feel confident going into a series against any team. But I also feel we have pretty obvious shortcomings that most teams could exploit. I think in a matchup with the Warriors, it comes down to our defence, youth and athleticism vs their experience, Curry's scoring, Draymond, Butler's defence. I personally couldn't call it but I know plenty of people would pick Warrior's experience and Curry's scoring over our youth and defence.

 

[charlton66]

I just think it's the playoffs, having a reliable go-to option is crucial. We've gotten this far by doing it by committee. We have a like 7 players averaging double figures, but nobody averaging above 22ppg. We've gone through 4th quarter scoring droughts too many times to count this season. We also lack playoff experience.

I think we can eliminate any team in the west. I'd feel confident going into a series against any team. But I also feel we have pretty obvious shortcomings that most teams could exploit. I think in a matchup with the Warriors, it comes down to our defence, youth and athleticism vs their experience, Curry's scoring, Draymond, Butler's defence. I personally couldn't call it but I know plenty of people would pick Warrior's experience and Curry's scoring over our youth and defence.

IF the Dubs make it to the 7th seed, and to me that is no sure thing, then the series against the Rockets, like you, I think is too close to call.

The bookmakers on the other hand have the Warriors as the 5th overall favorite to win the title at anywhere from 14s to 22-1. Outrageously, they have the Rockets at 75s to 80-1. Don't see it myself.

 

[giorno]

Wow. Refs absolutely trying to screw over the dubs

 

[Beans]

Wow, 5 seconds with the game on the line

 

[charlton66]

Phew.....

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

Thought the Warriors were the dumbest team alive only for memphis to have that 5 second penalty.

 

[Jim Beam]

Play-in Jimmy

 

[WeePat]

IF the Dubs make it to the 7th seed, and to me that is no sure thing, then the series against the Rockets, like you, I think is too close to call.

The bookmakers on the other hand have the Warriors as the 5th overall favorite to win the title at anywhere from 14s to 22-1. Outrageously, they have the Rockets at 75s to 80-1. Don't see it myself.

Rockets vs Warriors it is.

It's pretty crazy that we had those Steph, Draymond, Kerr vs Harden & co series for so many years. Rockets then went into a rebuild, come back after a few years with an entirely different team of young talent and it's same old Warriors standing in our way

 

[RobinLFC]

IF the Dubs make it to the 7th seed, and to me that is no sure thing, then the series against the Rockets, like you, I think is too close to call.

The bookmakers on the other hand have the Warriors as the 5th overall favorite to win the title at anywhere from 14s to 22-1. Outrageously, they have the Rockets at 75s to 80-1. Don't see it myself.

If I were to bet on it, it's a lot more likely imo that Curry and Butler go on a generational run rather than the Rockets beating (if seeding plays out) Steph/Jimmy, then Luka/LeBron, then Shai and the Thunder and then the defending champs or a simply better than them Cavs team. Sure they can win against any of those teams in a one-off series if everything clicks for seven games max but I don't see them beating all of them in consecutive series at all. I fear that they'll lack a scorer / go-to guy who can take over the game when it matters most.

They weren't supposed to be in this position though, so it'd be great for them to get the experience and hopefully even win a series (or two).

 

[HTG]

I keep wondering when the Hawks will finally give up on the idea of Young leading them to success.

 

[charlton66]

If I were to bet on it, it's a lot more likely imo that Curry and Butler go on a generational run rather than the Rockets beating (if seeding plays out) Steph/Jimmy, then Luka/LeBron, then Shai and the Thunder and then the defending champs or a simply better than them Cavs team. Sure they can win against any of those teams in a one-off series if everything clicks for seven games max but I don't see them beating all of them in consecutive series at all. I fear that they'll lack a scorer / go-to guy who can take over the game when it matters most.

They weren't supposed to be in this position though, so it'd be great for them to get the experience and hopefully even win a series (or two).

That's fair enough regarding the Rockets. I would be very surprised if they won it all. What I find difficult to fathom is the difference in the respective odds between the two teams. If somebody told me that one of those two teams was going to win the title, I would pick the Dubs, but 14-1 vs 75-1 to me seems utterly ridiculous

 

[leeroyTX]

I just think it's the playoffs, having a reliable go-to option is crucial. We've gotten this far by doing it by committee. We have a like 7 players averaging double figures, but nobody averaging above 22ppg. We've gone through 4th quarter scoring droughts too many times to count this season. We also lack playoff experience.

I think we can eliminate any team in the west. I'd feel confident going into a series against any team. But I also feel we have pretty obvious shortcomings that most teams could exploit. I think in a matchup with the Warriors, it comes down to our defence, youth and athleticism vs their experience, Curry's scoring, Draymond, Butler's defence. I personally couldn't call it but I know plenty of people would pick Warrior's experience and Curry's scoring over our youth and defence.

I think we do have a go-to...but it changes from game to game. Some nights, it's Alpi. Other nights, it's Jalen. Amen can take over games, though not by shooting 3s. Even Dillon Brooks is capable of putting up 30. It's both a blessing and a curse. A curse because you never know who is going to go off and it could be no one. A blessing because you can't plan for it. They could plan to shut down Jalen but then FVV goes nuts.

My guess is that the Warriors will try to limit Apli's influence and make the others beat them. They'll send Draymond at him (complete with elbows to the face and knees to the junk). If the NBA allows this series to be called fairly, the Rockets will have the advantage. If they call the moving screens, limit the dumbassery of Draymond (and Brooks to a lesser extent), don't fall for Curry's falling down if someone is within 10 ft of him, the Rockets will have the clear advantage.

My prediction is Rockets in 6.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

steph

 

[Gazza]

Got a ticket for Warriors-Rockets on the 26th. Not been to a playoff game before. So excited!

 

[Ayush_reddevil]

I think we do have a go-to...but it changes from game to game. Some nights, it's Alpi. Other nights, it's Jalen. Amen can take over games, though not by shooting 3s. Even Dillon Brooks is capable of putting up 30. It's both a blessing and a curse. A curse because you never know who is going to go off and it could be no one. A blessing because you can't plan for it. They could plan to shut down Jalen but then FVV goes nuts.

My guess is that the Warriors will try to limit Apli's influence and make the others beat them. They'll send Draymond at him (complete with elbows to the face and knees to the junk). If the NBA allows this series to be called fairly, the Rockets will have the advantage. If they call the moving screens, limit the dumbassery of Draymond (and Brooks to a lesser extent), don't fall for Curry's falling down if someone is within 10 ft of him, the Rockets will have the clear advantage.

My prediction is Rockets in 6.

Nice prediction. So basically you are already saying that if the warriors win then it's most likely due to the refs because otherwise Rockets are clearly superior

 

[leeroyTX]

Nice prediction. So basically you are already saying that if the warriors win then it's most likely due to the refs because otherwise Rockets are clearly superior

Yep.If it's a fairly called series, Donkey gets ejected multiple times and they actually call moving screens against the Warriors. Without those 2 things, they likely can't win.

 

[leeroyTX]

Got a ticket for Warriors-Rockets on the 26th. Not been to a playoff game before. So excited!

Nice! Was looking at tickets for game 1 but it's a little out of my price range.

 

[charlton66]

Yep.If it's a fairly called series, Donkey gets ejected multiple times and they actually call moving screens against the Warriors. Without those 2 things, they likely can't win.

The Dubs have won 16 out of the last 18 against the Rockets and also won the season series. I think they at least have a chance.

 

[Gazza]

Nice! Was looking at tickets for game 1 but it's a little out of my price range.

Yeah my ticket was $218 after fees and it's up in the gods, that was right at the edge of how much I was willing to go to. Hope you get to make it to one soon too!

 

[leeroyTX]

The Dubs have won 16 out of the last 18 against the Rockets and also won the season series. I think they at least have a chance.

Was actually 2-2 this season. 14 of those games were when the Rockets were deep in the rebuild and barely winning 20 games a season.

Of course they have a chance. They're still the Warriors and Curry is still Curry. I just think the Rockets match up a lot better now.

 

[WeePat]

I think we do have a go-to...but it changes from game to game. Some nights, it's Alpi. Other nights, it's Jalen. Amen can take over games, though not by shooting 3s. Even Dillon Brooks is capable of putting up 30. It's both a blessing and a curse. A curse because you never know who is going to go off and it could be no one. A blessing because you can't plan for it. They could plan to shut down Jalen but then FVV goes nuts.

It's more of a curse than a blessing, if we're being honest. Those 4th quarter droughts are no joke. I've seen too many games this season where, down the stretch, everyone goes cold at the same time and we've ended up turning comfortable wins into nailbiters, sometimes even losses.

 

[charlton66]

Was actually 2-2 this season. 14 of those games were when the Rockets were deep in the rebuild and barely winning 20 games a season.

Of course they have a chance. They're still the Warriors and Curry is still Curry. I just think the Rockets match up a lot better now.

It was 3-2 to the Dubs, but really doesn't mean a lot at the end of the day. Rockets fans could argue that they won 2 of the last 3.

I'm expecting a close series. If pushed, Dubs in 6.