HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
It's a great matchup. Man I forgot you were allowed to have close, exciting games in the finals!
The NBA Thread
- Thread starter Newcastle Forever
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I'm trying to remember the last very exciting G1 for the Finals. Probably that Cavs and Warriors game where it went to OT and JR Smith thought they were ahead and ran away with the ball to force it to OT lol.
No one even expected the Cavs to come that close to winning a game but well, the rest of the series went as expected.
Also I have a hunch that the challenge on Siakam being out of bounds was a deliberate stop by Carlisle (who is excellent in general in TO/clock management), they regrouped and stalled OKC's momentum to get the stop on Shai.
No one even expected the Cavs to come that close to winning a game but well, the rest of the series went as expected.
Also I have a hunch that the challenge on Siakam being out of bounds was a deliberate stop by Carlisle (who is excellent in general in TO/clock management), they regrouped and stalled OKC's momentum to get the stop on Shai.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Yep an outside chance at the loose ball foul, but a 100% chance at a breather and a chat with his troops. Fantastic coaching.
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Celticman98
Timana Tahu
This series will go to 7 games, I'll say that much.
Thunder may need to go to a shorter rotation sooner rather then later, with the lack of contribution from the bench. Am aware away benches can struggle in these sorts of situations and hostility. Pacers bringing the heat back at home which is good to see. Really pushing the pace and making the Thunder play their own way. Need to be better finishing but early days.
Really good game.
Really good game.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
I feel like the Thunder kind of fake having a long rotation a lot of the time anyway. When the rubber meets the road it's a 7 man rotation and their bench is just Caruso and whoever out of Hartenstein and Wallace didn't start. We're only seeing significant Joe/Kenrich/Wiggins minutes because it's 1-1 and they're looking to make sure the main 7 have gas in the tank for the long haul.
Funnily enough I legit reckon Toppin, Sheppard and Mathurin wouldn't actually get minutes for the Thunder and the Pacers depth is worse (TJ would probably get a run for OKC because a legit backup PG is maybe the sole weakness on their roster, JDub would be better in the SGA bench minutes if he had someone putting him in his spots). Carlisle is just a better & more creative coach offensively. It really shows up with these second unit guys.
Funnily enough I legit reckon Toppin, Sheppard and Mathurin wouldn't actually get minutes for the Thunder and the Pacers depth is worse (TJ would probably get a run for OKC because a legit backup PG is maybe the sole weakness on their roster, JDub would be better in the SGA bench minutes if he had someone putting him in his spots). Carlisle is just a better & more creative coach offensively. It really shows up with these second unit guys.
The Orlando trade for Bane is an interesting one cause if I’m the Suns surely I’m thinking about blowing it up and getting a Kings Ransom for Booker. Then whatever you can for Durant and just live with the untradeable Beal and hope he gets better. Maybe hope that Giannis decides to stay at the Bucks which may increase the demand for other trade targets (Durant) etc
It’s interesting for Memphis because it makes you wonder whether they are retooling and seeing what they can get for other guys like Jaren Jackson and Morant. Bane was more the odd one out so makes sense to see what you can get. West won’t get any easier.
It is a bit of a haul (one of the picks isn’t theirs) but it’s also a good fit for Orlando who need a third guy who can shoot and average over 20ppg when Paolo and/or Franz is on the bench and he doesn’t get in their way.
The picks essentially offset getting guys like KCP/Cole off the books. Plus they already have a long enough bench so Bane essentially takes their minutes plus you’re giving more developmental minutes to Da Silva/Houstan which I’m okay with.
If they are up on the trajectory and build on a first round exit those picks will be mid 20s so you live with it.
There’s probably not a clear winner at the momentum but looking ahead it’s a win now move for the Magic and they will likely be the ones who benefit from it going forward.
It’s interesting for Memphis because it makes you wonder whether they are retooling and seeing what they can get for other guys like Jaren Jackson and Morant. Bane was more the odd one out so makes sense to see what you can get. West won’t get any easier.
It is a bit of a haul (one of the picks isn’t theirs) but it’s also a good fit for Orlando who need a third guy who can shoot and average over 20ppg when Paolo and/or Franz is on the bench and he doesn’t get in their way.
The picks essentially offset getting guys like KCP/Cole off the books. Plus they already have a long enough bench so Bane essentially takes their minutes plus you’re giving more developmental minutes to Da Silva/Houstan which I’m okay with.
If they are up on the trajectory and build on a first round exit those picks will be mid 20s so you live with it.
There’s probably not a clear winner at the momentum but looking ahead it’s a win now move for the Magic and they will likely be the ones who benefit from it going forward.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Bane deal is definitely a black eye for people who thought that maybe the market might have been reset by the Luka deal + the last four NBA champs including this year’s one being teams that built patiently and made a number of smaller, shrewder moves rather than one big all-in trade. Nope turns out four picks is still the going rate for a guy on the level below all star if they’re on a reasonable contract.
For the Grizzlies going forward: Either they’re just backing their scouting department (which, to be fair, is clearly one of the best in the NBA, they have a great hit rate in the draft) to put a deeper, better team around Ja and JJJ. Or this is the prelude to another move. Either waving the white flag and blowing it up, or… it’s notable that they now have 7 tradeable first round picks. Fanspo tells me Ja + those picks for Giannis works. I know Giannis has decided not to ask for a trade, but this is the first good offer I’ve been able to come up with which is actually good value for the Bucks without gutting the team trading with Milwaukee. Subbing Giannis in for Ja as the primary offensive initiator, with JJJ the exact type of centre you want with Giannis, and all the wings and guards the Grizz have who provide a bit of spacing… they kind of have the team you want to put around Giannis right there.
Giannis - Aldama - JJJ - Wells - Pippen Jr
2nd unit: GG Jackson - Edey - KCP - Cole Anthony etc etc. Throw in Edey if necessary to get the deal done.
I dunnno that’s kind of interesting? May legit be the best team Giannis has had around him since 2021.
Either way that’s a great haul for Bane, you say yes every time.
For the Magic: I hate it. I know they really really need spacing but I think Bane is the most overrated player in the NBA. Maybe 50% of the playoff games I’ve seen him in he’s been awful & I think the idea he’s a good defender is one of the NBA’s great myths. I reckon they could have gotten Derrick White for a smaller package. Provides the spacing, better playmaking, immeasurably better defender. Leaves you with the assets to make another move later.
I guess they see how weak the East is and think now is the right time to strike, but that’s putting the cart before the horse. You make this sort of move when Paolo hits his prime and you haven’t gotten over the hump yet, not when he’s barely old enough to drink. I don’t buy this team as one that can take the Knicks or Pacers to 6 games still. And then once the Paolo/Franz extensions kick in surely they hit the second apron and have to move one of those two or Suggs/Bane anyway… so what’s the point?
For my money the worst mistake you can make is tailoring your timeline to what’s happening elsewhere. You tailor it to your best guy in my opinion. Paolo is a very good player now but may be a top 5 player between the ages of 25-31. THAT is when you go for it in my opinion.
For the Grizzlies going forward: Either they’re just backing their scouting department (which, to be fair, is clearly one of the best in the NBA, they have a great hit rate in the draft) to put a deeper, better team around Ja and JJJ. Or this is the prelude to another move. Either waving the white flag and blowing it up, or… it’s notable that they now have 7 tradeable first round picks. Fanspo tells me Ja + those picks for Giannis works. I know Giannis has decided not to ask for a trade, but this is the first good offer I’ve been able to come up with which is actually good value for the Bucks without gutting the team trading with Milwaukee. Subbing Giannis in for Ja as the primary offensive initiator, with JJJ the exact type of centre you want with Giannis, and all the wings and guards the Grizz have who provide a bit of spacing… they kind of have the team you want to put around Giannis right there.
Giannis - Aldama - JJJ - Wells - Pippen Jr
2nd unit: GG Jackson - Edey - KCP - Cole Anthony etc etc. Throw in Edey if necessary to get the deal done.
I dunnno that’s kind of interesting? May legit be the best team Giannis has had around him since 2021.
Either way that’s a great haul for Bane, you say yes every time.
For the Magic: I hate it. I know they really really need spacing but I think Bane is the most overrated player in the NBA. Maybe 50% of the playoff games I’ve seen him in he’s been awful & I think the idea he’s a good defender is one of the NBA’s great myths. I reckon they could have gotten Derrick White for a smaller package. Provides the spacing, better playmaking, immeasurably better defender. Leaves you with the assets to make another move later.
I guess they see how weak the East is and think now is the right time to strike, but that’s putting the cart before the horse. You make this sort of move when Paolo hits his prime and you haven’t gotten over the hump yet, not when he’s barely old enough to drink. I don’t buy this team as one that can take the Knicks or Pacers to 6 games still. And then once the Paolo/Franz extensions kick in surely they hit the second apron and have to move one of those two or Suggs/Bane anyway… so what’s the point?
For my money the worst mistake you can make is tailoring your timeline to what’s happening elsewhere. You tailor it to your best guy in my opinion. Paolo is a very good player now but may be a top 5 player between the ages of 25-31. THAT is when you go for it in my opinion.
I will say I don't or never thought that Bane was the guy or a guy worth giving up that much for. BUT it is a good fit around the other guys undoubtedly and maybe potentially room for more growth compared to perhaps a more crowded Memphis team without as many standouts.
But a few things
One is that their President of Basketball Operations Weltman has one year deft on his deal and there was some criticism that they didn't do something last year when they had more flexibility and during the trade deadline (and possibly the one before), but it's been considered normal not to go too big and make moves, see how the current guys develop which as you said being young theres no point earlier of going for the big move. Potentially bringing in Paul George and enquiring about him as a FA I get. Other then that keep your cards close.
So from that he probably felt now was the off-season to do something in regards to the situation and the team being on the cusp of pushing for a second round playoff, potentially further. The picks if they are a top four team won't really be worth that much to them anyway, they still have a strong bench with who they have plus the expendable Gary Harris. Plus they held onto Denver's first from the AG trade and I think one of the picks is someone elses.
I would prefer White as well, even someone like Sheppard from the Rockets (less likely they would part ways with him). Something like Wagner/Howard plus picks or Black plus Denver's first, but White is much older and even if he ages well during that time and doesn't have any injuries he may be in that 'getting on' age range where you can still hope for some production but is a ticking time bomb with injuries. Probably one of the things that scares me, or if they fall off a cliff like Beal, Lillards injury.
Teams in a championship window or feel that they are close to it having been there or been very close (Suns/Bucks) will take those risks and that's okay.
Going to Memphis have heard some whispers about Booker. If you are going to stockpile picks, always a good idea to not hamstring yourself to one team all the time, have that flexbility with picks from multiple teams.
But a few things
One is that their President of Basketball Operations Weltman has one year deft on his deal and there was some criticism that they didn't do something last year when they had more flexibility and during the trade deadline (and possibly the one before), but it's been considered normal not to go too big and make moves, see how the current guys develop which as you said being young theres no point earlier of going for the big move. Potentially bringing in Paul George and enquiring about him as a FA I get. Other then that keep your cards close.
So from that he probably felt now was the off-season to do something in regards to the situation and the team being on the cusp of pushing for a second round playoff, potentially further. The picks if they are a top four team won't really be worth that much to them anyway, they still have a strong bench with who they have plus the expendable Gary Harris. Plus they held onto Denver's first from the AG trade and I think one of the picks is someone elses.
I would prefer White as well, even someone like Sheppard from the Rockets (less likely they would part ways with him). Something like Wagner/Howard plus picks or Black plus Denver's first, but White is much older and even if he ages well during that time and doesn't have any injuries he may be in that 'getting on' age range where you can still hope for some production but is a ticking time bomb with injuries. Probably one of the things that scares me, or if they fall off a cliff like Beal, Lillards injury.
Teams in a championship window or feel that they are close to it having been there or been very close (Suns/Bucks) will take those risks and that's okay.
Going to Memphis have heard some whispers about Booker. If you are going to stockpile picks, always a good idea to not hamstring yourself to one team all the time, have that flexbility with picks from multiple teams.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
This has already aged poorly. Grizz are trying to sort out an S&T for Aldama this off-season to generate cap space for a JJJ extension. They're re-tooling on the fly. Probably a mini tank.
Would love Santi on Skip Bayless voice my Spurs! Exactly what they should be looking for.
Just relentless from the Thunder even with the shady calls going their way. Too many turnovers from the Pacers and showed some life when they cut down on them and pressed the Thunder. Then the lead went back out when they commited a few in a row.
Got to the point where they had to put Caruso on TJ because he was going off too much lol.
Just amazing they can rely on any given guy to hit a 3 when needed outside of just Shai. Jaylin, Caruso, Dort, even freaking Chet or one of the other Williams...and even go there with a guy like Wiggins lol, you name it.
Big home game for the Pacers who need a big game from Hali to get it to seven, hope it does go to seven. You get G2 and 3 out of Haliburton and it's game on, get a bit more out of the bench.
And need Pascal to keep doing what he's doing, attack attack attack the rim, find the mismatch/smaller guy. Front runner to Finals MVP if they pull it off.
Even with all of the above it really should have been more of a blowout for the Thunder, 11 points isn't really too ridiculous. Get it done at home Indiana.
We'll see.
Got to the point where they had to put Caruso on TJ because he was going off too much lol.
Just amazing they can rely on any given guy to hit a 3 when needed outside of just Shai. Jaylin, Caruso, Dort, even freaking Chet or one of the other Williams...and even go there with a guy like Wiggins lol, you name it.
Big home game for the Pacers who need a big game from Hali to get it to seven, hope it does go to seven. You get G2 and 3 out of Haliburton and it's game on, get a bit more out of the bench.
And need Pascal to keep doing what he's doing, attack attack attack the rim, find the mismatch/smaller guy. Front runner to Finals MVP if they pull it off.
Even with all of the above it really should have been more of a blowout for the Thunder, 11 points isn't really too ridiculous. Get it done at home Indiana.
We'll see.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Been a great series either way. Presti has played a worldie hasn't he? They can keep this roster together for two more years at least - they'll be forced into the second apron in 2026-27, then they'll have to start shedding salaries beyond that like IHartz, Caruso, Wiggins, etc to avoid the repeater tax. Dort seems like a non-negotiable keeper, but Wallace may be too expensive.
Then keeping this thing going depends on how well they use the approximately 28 million draft picks they still have available beyond that. But I think Shai, JDub and Chet is a trio worth following the "big three + cheap role players" model with. I don't think big threes are dead, but the mistake teams make I think is trying to force them rather than leaning into them if that's the best option available.
Best positioned team for a threepeat since the 2016-17 Warriors though. They've used Chet & JDub's rookie salaries like a weapon. Shai's over/under for career championships and FMVP's has to be set at about 3.5. This is the best job a franchise has done of positioning things for their superstar that I can remember, honestly. Much better than the Warriors who honestly fell ***-backwards into something you can't plan in advance for and replicate, and they made horrible decisions when given great opportunities to keep it going. Whereas it feels like from the moment opportunity knocked for the Thunder in the form of the Paul George trade, that haul of picks plus SGA who showed genuine superstar upside as a rookie, Presti has been thinking in terms of a long term year plan that he never wavered from. They've avoided the sorts of landmines Denver, Milwaukee and Dallas have stomped on in building teams around their own MVP candidates. Nobody gets everything right, but crucially they've avoided huge mistakes they can't back out of if they don't pan out.
Hope the Spurs show similar intelligence. Don't over-extend, stay patient. Get back into the playoffs knowing that you tend to need to get there and lose a couple times before you can win.
Then keeping this thing going depends on how well they use the approximately 28 million draft picks they still have available beyond that. But I think Shai, JDub and Chet is a trio worth following the "big three + cheap role players" model with. I don't think big threes are dead, but the mistake teams make I think is trying to force them rather than leaning into them if that's the best option available.
Best positioned team for a threepeat since the 2016-17 Warriors though. They've used Chet & JDub's rookie salaries like a weapon. Shai's over/under for career championships and FMVP's has to be set at about 3.5. This is the best job a franchise has done of positioning things for their superstar that I can remember, honestly. Much better than the Warriors who honestly fell ***-backwards into something you can't plan in advance for and replicate, and they made horrible decisions when given great opportunities to keep it going. Whereas it feels like from the moment opportunity knocked for the Thunder in the form of the Paul George trade, that haul of picks plus SGA who showed genuine superstar upside as a rookie, Presti has been thinking in terms of a long term year plan that he never wavered from. They've avoided the sorts of landmines Denver, Milwaukee and Dallas have stomped on in building teams around their own MVP candidates. Nobody gets everything right, but crucially they've avoided huge mistakes they can't back out of if they don't pan out.
Hope the Spurs show similar intelligence. Don't over-extend, stay patient. Get back into the playoffs knowing that you tend to need to get there and lose a couple times before you can win.
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Of course, it was what was hoping it would be, Pacers even handled the Thunders fact pace best they could. Not as much at times today.
It still goes to show you how hard it is to be in such a precious position. When you're the hunter and you win you become the hunted. Previous years winners know it all too well. Takes an injury, poor playoff performance from a key guy or two and a bit of luck being hot and healthy at the right time.
I think the advantage now is that teams are set and well aware of what the current CBA is and how long it is for so they can make their plans compared to when it expired and was renegotiated a few years ago. That works in the favour of any teams winning and contending now such as the Thunder. They've definitely done a lot right leading up to it and being patient as you said, just gotta get the job done now.
I think the Warriors just drafted poorly and it's caught up with them, no longer being able to rely on ageing guys like Steph, Draymond and Klay. Maybe if they were able to hold onto KD for a bit longer but he would have missed the following season anyway.
They have picked up some okay role players and guys who can make a wee bit more of a contribution but really just more misses then hits.
Then the big miss dropping the ball on not capitalising on having the 2nd overall pick with James Wiseman, where they pigeon holed themselves into taking Wiseman (it seems to me) there were still several solid contributors in that draft even without the All Star power.
Then there was the whole Jordan Poole thing with Draymond that got him traded, yikes. Then Durant left because of, you guessed it, Draymond. As much as no one would publicly admit it lol.
It actually feels like Poole was the last decent solid contributor they drafted. I know his numbers dropped off towards the end but he still helped you win the redemption chip *shrug*
I think there's something there in Pod to develop but I'm totally not convinced on Post
At this moment they'll just ride it out to however long Steph/Kerr want to continue things. Still another two seasons there with Butler under contract so we'll see.
I also for that matter don't blame the Clippers for being in win now mode. When Kawhi wants to play for you coming off a championship year you take that 10 times out of 10. He says he wants PG there, you give him PG. And that first year, to be honest, definitely went begging. Just some unbelievably bad coaching from Doc, story of his career. Again don't blame them. Fast forward and you wonder if it's worth it but that's in hindsight. Kawhi coming back healthy with Harden you've got an interesting mix of a team that is well spread out throughout the top 8 guys in skillsets. Good coach in Lue too. Difference in that Nuggets series is Jokic.
It still goes to show you how hard it is to be in such a precious position. When you're the hunter and you win you become the hunted. Previous years winners know it all too well. Takes an injury, poor playoff performance from a key guy or two and a bit of luck being hot and healthy at the right time.
I think the advantage now is that teams are set and well aware of what the current CBA is and how long it is for so they can make their plans compared to when it expired and was renegotiated a few years ago. That works in the favour of any teams winning and contending now such as the Thunder. They've definitely done a lot right leading up to it and being patient as you said, just gotta get the job done now.
I think the Warriors just drafted poorly and it's caught up with them, no longer being able to rely on ageing guys like Steph, Draymond and Klay. Maybe if they were able to hold onto KD for a bit longer but he would have missed the following season anyway.
They have picked up some okay role players and guys who can make a wee bit more of a contribution but really just more misses then hits.
Then the big miss dropping the ball on not capitalising on having the 2nd overall pick with James Wiseman, where they pigeon holed themselves into taking Wiseman (it seems to me) there were still several solid contributors in that draft even without the All Star power.
Then there was the whole Jordan Poole thing with Draymond that got him traded, yikes. Then Durant left because of, you guessed it, Draymond. As much as no one would publicly admit it lol.
It actually feels like Poole was the last decent solid contributor they drafted. I know his numbers dropped off towards the end but he still helped you win the redemption chip *shrug*
I think there's something there in Pod to develop but I'm totally not convinced on Post
At this moment they'll just ride it out to however long Steph/Kerr want to continue things. Still another two seasons there with Butler under contract so we'll see.
I also for that matter don't blame the Clippers for being in win now mode. When Kawhi wants to play for you coming off a championship year you take that 10 times out of 10. He says he wants PG there, you give him PG. And that first year, to be honest, definitely went begging. Just some unbelievably bad coaching from Doc, story of his career. Again don't blame them. Fast forward and you wonder if it's worth it but that's in hindsight. Kawhi coming back healthy with Harden you've got an interesting mix of a team that is well spread out throughout the top 8 guys in skillsets. Good coach in Lue too. Difference in that Nuggets series is Jokic.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Yeah the Clippers thing is the worst imaginable outcome of that trade. I think SGA becoming a top 20 player was foreseeable after his rookie year, but an MVP? You'd have to have a crystal ball. Clippers definitely had a lot of bad luck.
And yeah the Warriors drafting poorly was what I meant. They thought they were geniuses because they drafted their big three. But it was luck. Their talent eval is really bad. Apparently Draymond actually has a huge say in who they draft which is just nuts.
2020 was a hard drafting year because of COVID but Wiseman was just this really athletic guy where the knock was he wasn't actually good at playing basketball, which... yeah. It's amazing to me that guys can have that question mark and go in the first round at all let alone 2nd. They just convinced themselves they needed a centre & drafted for fit. If they were drafting for fit it should have been the kind of player which has historically played well beside Curry. Very easily avoidable whiff if you ask me.
And yeah the Warriors drafting poorly was what I meant. They thought they were geniuses because they drafted their big three. But it was luck. Their talent eval is really bad. Apparently Draymond actually has a huge say in who they draft which is just nuts.
2020 was a hard drafting year because of COVID but Wiseman was just this really athletic guy where the knock was he wasn't actually good at playing basketball, which... yeah. It's amazing to me that guys can have that question mark and go in the first round at all let alone 2nd. They just convinced themselves they needed a centre & drafted for fit. If they were drafting for fit it should have been the kind of player which has historically played well beside Curry. Very easily avoidable whiff if you ask me.
Yeah for sure. Just the timelines weren't aligned. West actually did a good job selling off the assets. Got decent hauls trading Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Then getting Harris in that haul for Blake shipped him off too. And he was there for getting Shai to the team. I think if the opportunity to get Kawhi/PG doesn't eventuate I think he has no problems holding onto Shai as a centrepiece of the rebuild. But with the Clippers lack of success in the past I don't blame them for not wanting to go back into NBA purgatory of always missing the playoffs. Without the gift of hindsight.
In regards to the Warriors, I feel like looking back the most underrated player of that dynasty was Iguodala. Guy could do it all and most importantly he was an unselfish role player. He could have gone to being a star player and the main guy like he was in Philly somewhere but he really did so much for that Warriors team including veteran leadership. Ask him to shoot threes, score, rebound, put him on a guy all game, you name it. Went to the Heat and they made the finals. Read his bio, smart guy.
SImilar to Green, who he credits as much and I have all the respect for Green's Basketball IQ, but the dude definitely left a ring on the table for the Warriors with some of his antics and behaviour no doubt.
I actually do wonder whether there is an alternate universe where Memphis successfully acquire Green as a Free Agent and they build on that 2022 team. Ja doesn't go off the rails etc.
In regards to the Warriors, I feel like looking back the most underrated player of that dynasty was Iguodala. Guy could do it all and most importantly he was an unselfish role player. He could have gone to being a star player and the main guy like he was in Philly somewhere but he really did so much for that Warriors team including veteran leadership. Ask him to shoot threes, score, rebound, put him on a guy all game, you name it. Went to the Heat and they made the finals. Read his bio, smart guy.
SImilar to Green, who he credits as much and I have all the respect for Green's Basketball IQ, but the dude definitely left a ring on the table for the Warriors with some of his antics and behaviour no doubt.
I actually do wonder whether there is an alternate universe where Memphis successfully acquire Green as a Free Agent and they build on that 2022 team. Ja doesn't go off the rails etc.
Just really excellent basketball all round. Indiana start moving the ball around and find open guys and make their shots. Cutting down big time on the TOs. Thunder opposite, put it down to a road game?. Which has at times been very ordinary these playoffs. Not much out of their bench either.
But gotta give credit to the Pacers perimeter defence. Chet just cant find ways around guys whether its Turner/Pascal/Turner/Nemhbard/NeSmith. McConnell on fire again, Wallace/Wiggins/Kenrich just can't keep up. Siakam doing a better job on Williams. Good to see Halburton looking healthy, doesn't need to overplay it, just excellent awareness and vision distributing the ball. Helps that he can make his shots.
Think Daigenault has been a bit slow to call his timeouts, bit better in the second half. Compare that to Rick who calls them right away early on when the Thunder had momentum.
Then they just kept repeatedly threw bodies at Shai. He's done a good job at times finding open driivng lanes but needs Hart to screen for him more. Chet just unable to free space. Dort just completely ineffective at the 3. Thunder tried throwing some more zone in the 2H but damage had been done. Just a matter of deciding when to pull starters and focus on G7.
The evolution of Siakam has also been something else. Had poor man's Giannis vibes early on but the plan was to always evolve his offensive game in Toronto after just focussing on his defensive abilities for a few seasons and build his offence piece by piece. Big piece in Toronto's championship winning team, front runner for Finals MVP if Indiana win it all.
Hopefully we get part of a competitive G7 if the Thunder hit the ground running, similar to the Denver G7. Maybe Indiana do the same thing here, just throw bodies at Shai early hope they go cold for a bit. Thunder have struggled in zone defences at times in the playoffs in general. Playing Haliburton is spurts here has worked out well, wonder if they'll do the same and adjust depending on flow of the game. Can't wait!
But gotta give credit to the Pacers perimeter defence. Chet just cant find ways around guys whether its Turner/Pascal/Turner/Nemhbard/NeSmith. McConnell on fire again, Wallace/Wiggins/Kenrich just can't keep up. Siakam doing a better job on Williams. Good to see Halburton looking healthy, doesn't need to overplay it, just excellent awareness and vision distributing the ball. Helps that he can make his shots.
Think Daigenault has been a bit slow to call his timeouts, bit better in the second half. Compare that to Rick who calls them right away early on when the Thunder had momentum.
Then they just kept repeatedly threw bodies at Shai. He's done a good job at times finding open driivng lanes but needs Hart to screen for him more. Chet just unable to free space. Dort just completely ineffective at the 3. Thunder tried throwing some more zone in the 2H but damage had been done. Just a matter of deciding when to pull starters and focus on G7.
The evolution of Siakam has also been something else. Had poor man's Giannis vibes early on but the plan was to always evolve his offensive game in Toronto after just focussing on his defensive abilities for a few seasons and build his offence piece by piece. Big piece in Toronto's championship winning team, front runner for Finals MVP if Indiana win it all.
Hopefully we get part of a competitive G7 if the Thunder hit the ground running, similar to the Denver G7. Maybe Indiana do the same thing here, just throw bodies at Shai early hope they go cold for a bit. Thunder have struggled in zone defences at times in the playoffs in general. Playing Haliburton is spurts here has worked out well, wonder if they'll do the same and adjust depending on flow of the game. Can't wait!
The pending sale of the Lakers is an interesting one. With the NBA wanting to expand teams, it should be expected to grow in the revenue it, and it's teams make. They'll pour resources into it like they have with the Dodgers, and you look at the Clippers for example of growing their product, building a new stadium etc. Seems like the Buss' weren't as willing to spend money in different departments and even with the strains of the aprons, you can improve the team in different aspects. Big win for Lakers fans, take advantage of having Luka there. Makes the Mavs look like bigger gooses for initiating that trade.
HarVeeGee13
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Great analysis.
They should call this one "The TJ McConnell Game".
OKC are so weird man, every advanced stat says they should be a buzzsaw, when they go on those runs of getting stops they look like one of the best teams ever... but here's another game where their offence was just so stagnant. If it's not SGA or JDub making tough shots they got nothing going. A lot of what they do is built around the defensive role player rotation, and they always say role players are worse on the road, but I don't think it totally explains it. Especially today, that was the worst their offence has looked all postseason. It may not matter and they'll have another game where they force 20+ turnovers in game 7, but gee no matter what happens Carlisle has totally outcoached Daigneault & that's a huge factor in this going to 7.
The Thunder have a fascinating decision to make with Chet coming up, obviously a big talent but if I'm them I'm seriously thinking about cashing in on him for a bunch of picks so there's still cap space to keep Dort/Wallace etc. I think those guys are more important to what they do and Chet... I dunno. He has sneaky poor IQ (takes way too many heavily contested shots, forces drives that aren't open, gets caught ball watching/gives away offensive boards he shouldn't) which gets covered up for by the other guys on the team. He's set to be an RFA after next season so I'm really curious what his contract talks are gonna look like if he continues to be this level of player. Because he doesn't look like a max player to me at all.
Yeah it's crazy how Haliburton playing less minutes (not even taking account sitting in garbage time and the 4Q) has benefitted Tj McConnell and Nembhard playing at the 1. Even saw it a bit in G5 as we mentioned the other day. And even defensively he made guys lives tough, hustling for rebounds, scraping on loose balls, even if it's on their 4th or 5th best guy he didn't make it easy for them.
I thought Shai tried just never really got going into any sort of rhythm, maybe it was Indiana but even at the start when Thunder had the momentum it's more because Indiana started cold. Once they got going, they got going.
Edit: 8 Turnovers from Shai that game, they definitely did something right
In RE: Chet, I just had a look at the rookie max extension he's eligible to sign, sheesh, its rough. It's like having a centre's skillsets and post game without as much of the midrange but offset that by making 3s for a Power Forwards salary. But it's three games this series where he's been far less then spectacular. 2nd year, still maybe a rookie in terms of big game experience. But boy he gets bullied around a lot in this series. 12 months ago you're happy with such a thing coming off a rookie year, now? question marks. One good game in G7 may erase all that...
I thought Shai tried just never really got going into any sort of rhythm, maybe it was Indiana but even at the start when Thunder had the momentum it's more because Indiana started cold. Once they got going, they got going.
Edit: 8 Turnovers from Shai that game, they definitely did something right
In RE: Chet, I just had a look at the rookie max extension he's eligible to sign, sheesh, its rough. It's like having a centre's skillsets and post game without as much of the midrange but offset that by making 3s for a Power Forwards salary. But it's three games this series where he's been far less then spectacular. 2nd year, still maybe a rookie in terms of big game experience. But boy he gets bullied around a lot in this series. 12 months ago you're happy with such a thing coming off a rookie year, now? question marks. One good game in G7 may erase all that...
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