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NBA
Apr 18, 2024 13:54:03 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 18, 2024 13:54:03 GMT
I might be crazy, but I turned down a free ticket to Saturday's Wolves-Suns playoff game. A friend has tickets and offered it.
But the past few years--maybe since the late '10s or so (but definitely pre-pandemic, if that's what you are otherwise thinking)--I'm just less and less interested in attending big events. Anything requiring the hassle of getting somewhere, parking, navigating crowds, and sitting among crowds just seems to outweigh any benefits of being at the event itself. And sitting in an NBA arena isn't exactly my idea of a good time either, crammed in with 19,000 other people, sound system blaring...I just like basketball. If I could attend the game in an almost empty arena, that would be one thing. Otherwise at this point in my life, I'd honestly prefer to watch the games on TV.
Maybe if I'd never seen playoff games in person, I'd have a different mindset, but I was lucky enough to cover the Wolves' first-ever playoff series back in 1997 (as a college student, but working a sports journalism gig) and then again in 2002 against the Mavs when my boss gave me tickets. So I know what it's like.
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Post by B.E. on Apr 18, 2024 13:59:20 GMT
Kapitan, I can confirm, you might be crazy.
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NBA
Apr 20, 2024 17:38:26 GMT
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 20, 2024 17:38:26 GMT
I'm getting pretty excited for the Wolves playoff game, which begins in about two hours. (But no, I don't regret turning down the ticket. I'm happy to be watching from home.) But considering our season against the Suns, I'm also pretty nervous.
What specifically I'm going to be looking at includes: - Can our bigger lineup defend the Suns' smaller one? We basically start two centers in KAT and Gobert, and while Gobert is an elite defender, KAT is an abysmal one ... and he'd most naturally defend Kevin Durant. That ain't gonna happen, they'll put McDaniels on him. That means KAT has to defend Brad Beal, Devin Booker, or Grayson Allen. So, Grayson Allen. Not ideal.
- Can KAT live up to his talent? His history in the playoffs is hugely sketchy. A lot of missed shots, a lot of foul trouble. Monumental choker, frankly. Now that he's clearly not the No. 1 option, can he calm down and play well?
- Speaking of the No. 1 option, will Ant get into hero ball (which the Suns will definitely try to goad him into), or can he really play both hard and smart? If he defers intelligently early in the game and series, he will see easier shots later.
- What about everyone else? McDaniels is going to be asked to carry a huge defensive load, but can he score enough to contribute? Mike Conley, can he hit some 3s? Kyle Anderson and Naz Reid off the bench? We're going to need guys to hit shots to take the pressure off Ant, to give him room. But everyone also has to defend, considering the Suns' talent.
I don't love this matchup at all. But I'm looking forward to it, anyway. Even if nervously.
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NBA
Apr 20, 2024 19:06:35 GMT
Post by B.E. on Apr 20, 2024 19:06:35 GMT
I'm very much looking forward to the Knicks-Sixers. I heard today that it's their first playoff match-up since 1989?!
Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch the game live but I'm hoping to start watching by around 7:30 (I'm recording it).
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NBA
Apr 21, 2024 11:58:14 GMT
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 21, 2024 11:58:14 GMT
I was absolutely shocked--and thrilled--with how well the Wolves played. Obviously it's a series, not a single game, but it was a great start. And to answer my pregame questions:
- Can our bigger lineup defend the Suns' smaller one? Answer: more or less. Durant was really good, which is to be expected: 31 pts on 11-17 FG. But the team did a nice job on the guards and wings. Devin Booker was just 5-16. Grayson Allen was 0-3 when he went out. Eric Gordon was 0-5 off the bench. Beal was pretty good (6-10 for 5, 6 ast), but in a secondary role.
- Can KAT live up to his talent? Answer: No ... but he played pretty well. If he weren't on a supermax contract, it would be all smiles with a super efficient 19 points (5-9 FG, 8-8 FT), 7 reb, 4 ast. His talent suggests he should be a 30+ ppg guy, 12-15 rebounds, etc. He has never led the team to wins doing that, though. As the second or third option, when he accepts it and still plays hard, he is very good. He was good yesterday.
- Speaking of the No. 1 option, will Ant get into hero ball (which the Suns will definitely try to goad him into), or can he really play both hard and smart? Answer: Ant was phenomenal, though he was sketchy early. He finished with 6 TO, and I believe 4 of those were in the first half. But he had 33 points on 14-24 FG, 4-8 3pt. Nine rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals. His third quarter really made the team look confident that this was going to be a win.
- What about everyone else? Answer: They were hit and miss, but with enough hits to win the game. Gobert was phenomenal, an old-school center providing 14 pts and 16 reb. Jaden McDaniels wasn't an offensive threat (9 pts on 3-7), but he had 6 reb and defended very well. Mike Conley shot horribly (2-12) but had 7 ast and just 1 TO. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was great off the bench, both defending stellar perimeter players and scoring 18 pts on 7-12 FG (4-9 3pt).
The series is far from over, but this had to be a confidence boost. Hopefully it won't be too big a confidence boost to the point that they relax (as they are prone to do), because Phoenix has some talented, proud vets who aren't going to roll over.
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Post by B.E. on Apr 21, 2024 13:12:56 GMT
The Knicks-Sixers game was a rollercoaster. The Sixers looked awesome at the start. Embiid looked fantastic. Physically, he just looked so much better than he did in the play-in game. The Sixers dominated the 1st and 3rd quarters. The Knicks dominated the 2nd and 4th. If I were to point to one stat to explain the final result: Knicks outrebounded the Sixers 55-33, including 23 offensive rebounds! It really was fitting that Hart chased down that final offensive rebound which ended the game. Speaking of the end of the game, I don't understand why the Sixers didn't foul. It was a 5pt game with 30 seconds left. I understand initially trying to force a turnover but once that didn't happen there simply wasn't time to let the Knicks take the time all the way down. Outside of that, both sides made play-after-play at the end of the game. I was not feeling too confident, considering how poorly Brunson played, but Hart made two huge threes and OG hit one as well. Mitchel Robinson hit both of his free throws after being purposefully fouled. In the last game of the regular season, he went 4-6 at the end of the game when the Bulls went to hack-a-Robinson. Obviously, the big story is Embiid. That dunk was incredible, but when he went down after what looked like a fairly clean landing, I thought he was done for the season. I must have watched the replay 20 times. I really felt bad for him and the Sixers fans. And I was really looking forward to the Embiid/Robinson matchup. Robinson has gotten so much stronger since he entered the league. I think he can really go toe-to-toe with Embiid in the post. Of course, I was shocked to see him start the 3rd quarter. He didn't look very good in the 2nd half but his team certainly played better with him out there. In both halfs, I was just waiting for him to rest so we could win those bench minutes. I'm still surprised by McBride. How did he get so good, so quick?! Bogdanovic also played well. Maxey was awesome and is unstoppable. He is just too quick. No one can stay in front on him. And Lowry is so annoying. He just keeps making plays.
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NBA
Apr 23, 2024 15:55:52 GMT
via mobile
Post by B.E. on Apr 23, 2024 15:55:52 GMT
I’m still processing the Knicks-Sixers game last night. I thought the game was over and the series tied up. That wild finish will certainly go down as an all-time playoff highlight for the Knicks franchise.
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NBA
Apr 23, 2024 15:56:38 GMT
Post by B.E. on Apr 23, 2024 15:56:38 GMT
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NBA
Apr 23, 2024 23:35:15 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 23, 2024 23:35:15 GMT
- It's been a very entertaining two games. I've enjoyed them.
- I think the 76ers have the two best players on the floor, but the Knicks' bench has performed significantly better than the 76ers, which is a little surprising. The 76ers' starters and key players missed a decent amount of regular season games, and I thought the bench got some valuable minutes and experience that would come in handy during the playoffs. That has not been the case.
- The Knicks appear to be more aggressive, scrappier, and intense - maybe that's a reflection of their coach. I'm a Thibs fan, and I'm glad to see he's having some success in New York.
- The 76ers have done a good job defensively against Jalen Brunson, but his teammates have picked him up. Every time it appeared the 76ers might pull away, somebody from New York drilled a 3.
- Tyrese Maxey has become one of my favorite players...in the league. I love his attitude and his 100% effort. And he'll get even better.
- I like how the referees are starting to "let the players play more" lately, but I do think the refs missed some crucial calls last night that went against the 76ers.
- I think the Knicks are close to being a very good (great?) team. With a healthy Julius Randle and maybe a top free agent or draft prick, they have a bright future.
- Obviously, Game 3 is critical. I think the 76ers have to win to stay alive in the series.
- I don't think Joel Embiid will ever win an NBA championship with the 76ers or any other team. I don't think he has the body or durability to not only "hold up", but to lead his team through an 82-game schedule and then through the grueling playoff series. His team depends so much on him, and if he isn't consistently great (and he hasn't been, not in the playoffs anyway) they will continue to come up short. Maybe some day Embiid will end up in a Big Three situation like LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh in Miami and get a ring.
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NBA
Apr 24, 2024 15:02:05 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 24, 2024 15:02:05 GMT
I am very pleasantly surprised that the Wolves will head to Phoenix up 2-0 in the series after going 0-3 in the regular season series.
Game One was because of Anthony Edwards' individual brilliance. Game Two was because the supporting cast stepped up. Defender extraordinaire Jaden McDaniels still defended like crazy, but scored 25 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3pt, 3-4 FT), grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished 3 assists. He was +24 on the night. Mike Conley stepped up after a poor Game One, going for 18, 4, and 4. Rudy Gobert went for 18 (6-8 FG), 9, 2, and 3 steals.
Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for just 27 points on 6-19 shooting, and the Wolves won anyway. That's bad news for the Suns.
All that said, despite a local columnist suggesting the series could be a sweep--and of course it's possible--I would not count out the Suns just yet.
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NBA
Apr 29, 2024 11:30:51 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 29, 2024 11:30:51 GMT
A Wolves sweep of Phoenix, and Minnesota is in the second round for the first time in forever. 20 years?
Unfortunately, we lost one man to a torn patellar tendon. Oddly enough, though, it was head coach Chris Finch. Thankfully a coach can still do his job with limited mobility.
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NBA
Apr 29, 2024 23:51:04 GMT
Post by B.E. on Apr 29, 2024 23:51:04 GMT
A Wolves sweep of Phoenix, and Minnesota is in the second round for the first time in forever. 20 years? Congratulations to the Wolves and their fans! Who would have predicted a sweep? There’s already been so much in this first round that I wouldn’t have predicted. That’s why they play the games! Just think of how Brunson struggled in games 1 and 2 (at home) vs the historic performances in games 3 and 4 (on the road). Wild. And that’s why I don’t bet…
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NBA
May 1, 2024 11:28:00 GMT
Post by Kapitan on May 1, 2024 11:28:00 GMT
What a series NYK v PHI is turning into. And what a performance by Tyrese Maxey last night. (Jalen Brunson was no slouch either.)
Thibs is back to his old ways--and driving me crazy--by pushing his starters with a crazy-short bench. An overtime game, and he only uses seven guys? (Though Nick Nurse wasn't much better, with just eight guys, one of whom played just 4 minutes.)
Benches always shorten in the playoffs, but to me, this is excessive.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on May 1, 2024 11:41:44 GMT
What a series NYK v PHI is turning into. And what a performance by Tyrese Maxey last night. (Jalen Brunson was no slouch either.) Thibs is back to his old ways--and driving me crazy--by pushing his starters with a crazy-short bench. An overtime game, and he only uses seven guys? (Though Nick Nurse wasn't much better, with just eight guys, one of whom played just 4 minutes.) Benches always shorten in the playoffs, but to me, this is excessive. I love Tyrese Maxey! He's my kind of player and not just because of his skill(s). He gives 100% at all times. He just wants to play basketball and win. No baggage. That's refreshing these days.
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NBA
May 1, 2024 11:45:28 GMT
Post by Kapitan on May 1, 2024 11:45:28 GMT
I love watching him, too. My only fear: he's always on the floor, like pre-injuries Derrick Rose. As much as I love guys who are willing to go hard at the hoop, I hate to see careers threatened.
But what a fantastic player he has become. Four years in the league, improved every season. Still only 23 years old.
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