It won't, they're as easy a 1st round opponent as you can get. No matter how it ends, nothing changes the fact that this year was their most successful since Vin Baker was still playing.I know the podcasters and social media love the kings but god damn they can't guard their own shadows.
How is this going to work in the playoffs
They're playing defense like Vin was still playing.It won't, they're as easy a 1st round opponent as you can get. No matter how it ends, nothing changes the fact that this year was their most successful since Vin Baker was still playing.
Nothing is locked in this early, of course, but there is exactly one first round series I would at least pencil in and that is a 4-5 between Knicks-Cavs, which sounds like it would be fun.Knicks 4-0 in the Josh Hart era, coming back from 19 down against a fired up Wizards team behind a career high-tying 46 from Randle.
Brunson had maybe his worst game for NY but put them ahead for good with this ultimate Brunson-y move:
View: https://twitter.com/nba_newyork/status/1629304843738271747?s=46&t=0GHHaPVUX26Io0V2HIcS0g
Suns are getting open looks all over the Bucks D in the second half. Looking good.More early basketball, Suns/Bucks. It'd be really nice if someone (anyone) could beat the Bucks, especially without Giannis, to give the Celtics some breathing room.
He couldn't shake Joe Ingles. Without Durant, this version of the Suns is soft as baby shit.Suns appear intent on pissing this one away. CP3 missing shots he makes in his sleep.
It's remarkable to me that he's under 20 ppg, good for 46th in the league (between Vanvleet and Wagner). It seems like he's popping off ever other game, and unlike past years far fewer of their shots are going to Middleton.I'm not sure there's a more clutch player than Jrue in the NBA.
EDIT: Bad turnover, though.
Yeah?Is Durant really going to transform this squad into the West's best?
He changes the entire dynamic of their team.Is Durant really going to transform this squad into the West's best?
Serious meltdown. You'd have thought this was a playoff game, with the all shots CP3 missed.What a total shitshow by Phoenix in the last 4 minutes
Phoenix is 22-13 when Booker plays (assuming the bucks close this out), and assuming Durant is healthy he's still a top 5 guy. No doubt his addition makes them a top 4 team, alongside the Celtics/Bucks/Nuggets.Is Durant really going to transform this squad into the West's best?
Suddenly not so fun anymore. This is not good.There is a ton of entertainment value in watching the Lakers soil themselves on national television.
This is a glass half full situation. If the Lakers finish this game, I'll think of this as the time that Kyrie's team blew a huge lead on national television and I'll smile.Suddenly not so fun anymore. This is not good.
This made me laugh.Serious meltdown. You'd have thought this was a playoff game, with the all shots CP3 missed.
Yea. The Lakers adding high-energy Vanderbilt was a nice pickup. Danny WTF?This is a glass half full situation. If the Lakers finish this game, I'll think of this as the time that Kyrie's team blew a huge lead on national television and I'll smile.
They were a lousy defensive team before Kyrie, obviously worse now. Putting aside everything else, he's a bad running mate for Luka - adding a defensive liability to your backcourt when your best player is already below average on that end (at best) is a terrible idea.The Mavs offense, with Luka and Kyrie, down the stretch was insanely bad, culminating in the inability to even inbound the ball.
I have a hard time seeing them mesh. Not that having Kyrie isn't an upgrade and certainly helps to always have one of them on the court at all times. But as a duo 2 great players with somewhat analogous skill sets is better, but even better is putting your assets into more complementary skill sets -- i.e, the Mavs are so weak in their front court, upgrading there would have been a better use of resources. And, per defense, I was going to write what I see Euclis just wrote as I typed this out. So, yeah, ditto on that.The Mavs offense, with Luka and Kyrie, down the stretch was insanely bad, culminating in the inability to even inbound the ball.
This seems promising for a team that features heart-on-sleeve Doncic and Kyrie Irving.Jason Kidd had this line at the press conference today, unclear if he was wearing a hot dog suit
View: https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1629987293401432064
Kind of a weird comment. Maybe just out of context? But sure sounds like an odd comment to a Kyrie-Luka (Kyrie a vet and Luka at just 23 still has a good amount of experience) led team with a fair number of vets around them. Definitely not the usual coachspeak, and given the Kyrie-Luka personalities I don't imagine a scolding tone will go very far. I'll add I can't stand Jason Kidd, but have to say he's been a good assistant coach with the Lakers and a good head coach with the Mavs. But he has his own well documented issues with maturity, so hopefully this is that side of him leaking out.
Is there an eating popcorn emoji handy?
The Nets are the perfect Luka team. Loaded with 3&D wings.They were a lousy defensive team before Kyrie, obviously worse now. Putting aside everything else, he's a bad running mate for Luka - adding a defensive liability to your backcourt when your best player is already below average on that end (at best) is a terrible idea.
I do not like Reaves Green beef.Reaves Green beef
Do you really think Kyrie is a defensive downgrade from Dinwiddie? I rate Kyrie’s defensive better than most (I gave him league average at his position) and while I’ve always been a Dinwiddie guy it’s been for what he creates offensively and certainly not defensively. The Mavs problems go much deeper than this…..they were before the trade too as they are devoid of quality talent throughout their rotation.They were a lousy defensive team before Kyrie, obviously worse now. Putting aside everything else, he's a bad running mate for Luka - adding a defensive liability to your backcourt when your best player is already below average on that end (at best) is a terrible idea.
Willie McGee?Vanderbilt turned that game around. Danny, what have you done?