NBA

[Sheriff John Stone]

R.I.P. Chet Walker who passed away at the age of 84. Drafted out of Bradley University, Chet "The Jet" was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers' 1966-67 NBA championship team. That team, which consisted of Walker, Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Lucious Jackson, Wali Jones, and Matt Goukas started the season with a 45-4 record, finishing the season at 68-13, at that time the best record in NBA history. Chet played seven seasons for the 76ers, and was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 1969 where he played for six seasons. With the Bulls he never averaged less than 19.2 points per game.

Chet was known for his clutch shooting, durability, and consistency. He played in the NBA playoffs every year of his career. His overall career averages were 18.2 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Chet made the NBA All-Star team seven times and was inducted to the Hall Of Fame in 2012 at the age of 72. Chet retired in 1975 after Chicago denied his request for a $200,000 annual salary. After his demands to be traded or released were also denied, Chet sued the Bulls and the NBA over antitrust violations. Chet received a settlement and opted to retire, but he felt he was blacklisted from the Hall Of Fame because of his lawsuit and leadership role in the players union.

[B.E.]

45-4!

[Kapitan]

Despite a fabulous 32-11-11 (and 4 steals, though 8 TOs) triple-double by Luka, we're sitting at 2-0 Celtics. What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

Heading back to Dallas, I do expect the Mavs to win at least one game. But I don't think they're good enough to win four of five (much less four in a row).

[B.E.]

Jun 10, 2024 12:51:56 GMT Kapitan said:

 What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

I’ll let you know after game 3. 

In all seriousness, I haven’t watched enough of the series to comment other than I do think a 2-2 series is a toss up. I think if it ends up coming down to the stars in clutch time, I have more trust in Luka and Kyrie. Of course, it might not get to that point. The Celtics are the better team. 

[Kapitan]

Jun 10, 2024 16:18:49 GMT B.E. said:

Jun 10, 2024 12:51:56 GMT Kapitan said:

 What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

I’ll let you know after game 3. 

In all seriousness, I haven’t watched enough of the series to comment other than I do think a 2-2 series is a toss up. I think if it ends up coming down to the stars in clutch time, I have more trust in Luka and Kyrie. Of course, it might not get to that point. The Celtics are the better team. 

Irving has been pretty atrocious in these first two games (I'm pleased to see). He has shot 13-37 FG, 0-8 3pt, only gotten to the line for two FT attempts, 2.5 rpg, and 4 apg (to 2.5 TO/g).

[Sheriff John Stone]

Jun 10, 2024 12:51:56 GMT Kapitan said:

Despite a fabulous 32-11-11 (and 4 steals, though 8 TOs) triple-double by Luka, we're sitting at 2-0 Celtics. What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

Heading back to Dallas, I do expect the Mavs to win at least one game. But I don't think they're good enough to win four of five (much less four in a row).

I was surprised at Boston's defense. They were tenacious. I felt that was what won the game for them. Conversely, Kyrie and Luka couldn't stop anybody. Boston drove right past them. Jrue Holiday was spectacular at both ends of the court.

This is now Boston's series to lose. As you said, I can't see Dallas winning four of five. I don't know if they'll hold up physically. I think the only way Boston can lose is if they go cold from the outside - especially 3-point land - and stubbornly keep shooting and missing, instead of going inside. They've been known to do that.

[Kapitan]

Jun 10, 2024 19:21:49 GMT Sheriff John Stone said:

Jun 10, 2024 12:51:56 GMT Kapitan said:

Despite a fabulous 32-11-11 (and 4 steals, though 8 TOs) triple-double by Luka, we're sitting at 2-0 Celtics. What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

Heading back to Dallas, I do expect the Mavs to win at least one game. But I don't think they're good enough to win four of five (much less four in a row).

I was surprised at Boston's defense. They were tenacious. I felt that was what won the game for them. Conversely, Kyrie and Luka couldn't stop anybody. Boston drove right past them. Jrue Holiday was spectacular at both ends of the court.

This is now Boston's series to lose. As you said, I can't see Dallas winning four of five. I don't know if they'll hold up physically. I think the only way Boston can lose is if they go cold from the outside - especially 3-point land - and stubbornly keep shooting and missing, instead of going inside. They've been known to do that.

I agree, especially about Jrue Holiday. He's been fantastic: he's like a two-way, less crazy version of Marcus Smart. Brings great toughness, leadership, intelligence, and fantastic defense. Watching him pester Kyrie has been a joy!

I could see Boston having some trouble if Porzingis's leg limits him. He does so much for them, both protecting the rim and being a serious mismatch on the other end. They really lack depth with their bigs, too, and Horford is no spring chicken anymore. (38 years old!) But Porzingis says he's going to be good to go after seeming to tweak the leg that had kept him out the past couple rounds. I hope so. 

[Kapitan]

Jun 10, 2024 19:34:23 GMT @captain said:

I could see Boston having some trouble if Porzingis's leg limits him. He does so much for them, both protecting the rim and being a serious mismatch on the other end. They really lack depth with their bigs, too, and Horford is no spring chicken anymore. (38 years old!) But Porzingis says he's going to be good to go after seeming to tweak the leg that had kept him out the past couple rounds. I hope so. 

Unbelievable luck for this man... His whole career, injury-wise, he just can't catch a break. (Personally I have always wondered whether "unicorn" types are especially injury prone, especially to their backs and leg joints. From Ralph Sampson onwards, most athletic/mobile guys who are over 7 feet seem to miss more time than typical players, and you have to wonder if it is unusual stress on those joints.)

"Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis suffered what the team called a "rare injury" to his left leg and is considered day-to-day for Boston's upcoming games in the NBA Finals.

"The Celtics announced Tuesday that Porzingis has a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg."

www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40328074/kristaps-porzingis-rare-leg-injury-nba-finals-status-uncertain

[Kapitan]

Jun 10, 2024 16:18:49 GMT B.E. said:

Jun 10, 2024 12:51:56 GMT Kapitan said:

 What do you guys think: does Dallas have any chance, or is this thing all but over?

I’ll let you know after game 3. 

In all seriousness, I haven’t watched enough of the series to comment other than I do think a 2-2 series is a toss up. I think if it ends up coming down to the stars in clutch time, I have more trust in Luka and Kyrie. Of course, it might not get to that point. The Celtics are the better team. 

So, about that... 

[Kapitan]

Sheriff John Stone, did you see that Joel Embiid is still planning to play in the Olympics this summer despite having been injured during the NBA playoffs? If I were the 76ers or a 76ers fan, I would not be thrilled at that. I'm a casual fan of Embiid, and even I hold my breath every time I watch him play because of how often he's hobbled.

It's interesting, too, because with him playing for the USA, it isn't even a situation of an international guy who came up through his country's national team system, feels a particular dedication or pride, etc. Not to say he's not proud to have gotten his American citizenship, I am not doubting it ... but it's a little different than guys we've seen in the past who REALLY wanted to play for their home countries.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Yeah, Embiid dropped hints throughout last season that he was considering the Olympics. It made the talk shows for a couple of days, then the focus went back to the season at hand. But, you're right. Nobody was thrilled about the prospect.

I can see how this will play out. First, Embiid could get hurt (surprise, surprise) and then he'll get hammered for playing. Or, he can get through the Olympics uninjured, but when he gets injured next NBA season, many will say, "See, he shouldn't have played. He should have rested/trained during the off-season."

[Kapitan]

Jun 16, 2024 12:53:27 GMT Sheriff John Stone said:

Yeah, Embiid dropped hints throughout last season that he was considering the Olympics. It made the talk shows for a couple of days, then the focus went back to the season at hand. But, you're right. Nobody was thrilled about the prospect.

Yes, I'd followed the saga about his path to the Olympic team, that was pretty big news. He was being heavily recruited by both France and the USA, two countries he could reasonably get citizenship to play for. And I followed when he chose Team USA. So that part wasn't the surprise. It's more that he's still intending to do it considering his injuries this season; that's the frustrating part if you're a 76ers staffer or fan.

[Kapitan]

I'm glad to see this really good Celtics team get a title.

And now, countdown to the draft.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I'm glad that:

A) Jrue Holiday won another championship.

B) Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic didn't.

C) the Celtics passed the Lakers for total championships.

[Kapitan]

I'll admit, anything keeping Kyrie from getting more accolades makes me happy. 

And Luka ... I've been infatuated with his game since a few years before he was draft-eligible. (I follow international ball when I can.) But even though I'm thrilled with how good he's been in the NBA--it wasn't obvious he'd be able to be a number one option much less a superstar, but maybe just more a very talented "connector" as a point-forward type--his unwillingness to get and stay in good shape and his incessant whining are a major turnoff. I keep hoping he'll turn it around on both fronts.