2018 Playoffs Thread

[Ronin]

Marc J. Spears‏Verified account@MarcJSpearsESPN 7m7 minutes ago
Spurs say Ettore Messina will serve as head coach for tomorrow’s Spurs-Warriors Game 4.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

But the East suuuuuucks.

And if Curry’s a gimp? They certainly can’t beat GS, but they can win a game or two there, IMO. Prob just one, but that’s better than anyone else in the East at this point.

I don’t think think they’re too young to take east, maybe too young, but definitely too young to challenge warriors with or without curry. Next year I could see it with fultz’s continued development.

 

[elindholm]

ESPN‏Verified account@espn 6m6 minutes ago

Being down 2-1 in the first round is unfamiliar territory for LeBron.

Minus James, the Cavaliers shot 6-25 from three-point range last night. I still don't like James, but I'm gaining a lot more respect for him. He keeps his team in games -- or series -- that they have no business being in.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don’t think think they’re too young to take east, maybe too young, but definitely too young to challenge warriors with or without curry. Next year I could see it with fultz’s continued development.

Plus LeBron...

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Plus LeBron...

Man it would be so depressing to see him piggyback a team like Durant. The Heat thing was disappointing, the Durant thing just made me lose respect for the top players, lebron chasing titles by going to philly would just be downright depressing as hell.

 

[GatorAZ]

Man it would be so depressing to see him piggyback a team like Durant. The Heat thing was disappointing, the Durant thing just made me lose respect for the top players, lebron chasing titles by going to philly would just be downright depressing as hell.

Agreed but given the emphasis these days of titles on a player’s legacy won’t surprise me when it happens again.

 

[Ronin]

Jason Lloyd (@JasonLloydNBA) tweeted at 0:07 PM on Sat, Apr 21, 2018:
George Hill is having an MRI today on his sore back. He's questionable for tomorrow.

 

[Ronin]

Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) tweeted at 0:37 PM on Sat, Apr 21, 2018:
Re-watching Cavs 2nd half offense last night. Recurring thing: when LBJ gave up the ball, he just took himself out of plays too often. Stood around. Partly on him, partly on CLE's lack of system, ultra-slow pace leaving limited time for secondary stuff.

 

[Ronin]

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[Ronin]

Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) tweeted at 1:41 PM on Sat, Apr 21, 2018:
Miami's Josh Richardson is hopeful to return to Game 4 today, league source tells ESPN. "He's OK," source says.

 

[Ronin]

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[Hoop Head]

Portland is trailing the Pelicans right now in a win or go home situation, 126-121 New Orleans, with 1:26 left. I have the feeling Portland will make some big changes if they're swept.

 

[Mainstreet]

Portland is trailing the Pelicans right now in a win or go home situation, 126-121 New Orleans, with 1:26 left. I have the feeling Portland will make some big changes if they're swept.

Maybe Stotts becomes a candidate for the Suns head coach position.

Or the Trail Blazers have a big sale.

 

[Hoop Head]

And that's it for Portland, they get swept by the Pelicans.

 

[Hoop Head]

Maybe Stotts becomes a candidate for the Suns head coach position.

Or the Trail Blazers have a big sale.

I think both are realistic possibilities. They're at the Luxury Tax line before resigning any of their free agents and Nurkic is a RFA for them. So they're going to need to do something to avoid the LT.

I think Stotts will be fired. Getting swept cost him his job. Had they won a couple he might be safe but getting swept by the Pelicans without their 2nd best player, Cousins? That will do it for them. Holiday and Rondo have stepped up big for the Pelicans in the postseason but they'll have Golden State next round and I think they'll go out in 5 if Curry is back.

 

[elindholm]

I have the feeling Portland will make some big changes if they're swept.

I'd be interested in Lillard for the right price, but my guess is that Portland will try to move out some of their overpriced role players instead. Which probably won't work.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'd be interested in Lillard for the right price, but my guess is that Portland will try to move out some of their overpriced role players instead. Which probably won't work.

I think they'll move McCollum before Lillard. Lillard is a star while CJ is just a good 2nd or 3rd option. Lillard has also said all of the right things about being committed to Portland in this era of super teams, which I'm sure the owners and front office folk in Portland have heard and made note of. They can trade McCollum to get out from under a contract or two or they could trade him for a big that might help balance their team more.

The issue I have with the Suns adding Lillard, other than the cost of acquiring him, is they would not be much better than Portland is right now. They're not more than 1st round playoff fodder with their unbalanced team. They have a great backcourt and a good Center. The suns would have a great backcourt and a young wing. Adding Ayton would change that but we couldn't get Lillard without parting with either Ayton, Jackson, or Booker. That is too steep.

 

[Mainstreet]

I don't see how the Trail Blazers can pay Nurkic. Maybe a chance for a sign and trade for the Suns.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think both are realistic possibilities. They're at the Luxury Tax line before resigning any of their free agents and Nurkic is a RFA for them. So they're going to need to do something to avoid the LT.

I think Stotts will be fired. Getting swept cost him his job. Had they won a couple he might be safe but getting swept by the Pelicans without their 2nd best player, Cousins? That will do it for them. Holiday and Rondo have stepped up big for the Pelicans in the postseason but they'll have Golden State next round and I think they'll go out in 5 if Curry is back.

Stotts would be a good get if the Trail Blazers decide to change coaches.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Not interested in Portland coaches or players.

No one is saying anything about Gentry running a two pg system. Any comments BC?

There is something about Mirotic. His numbers are never really spectacular, but whenever he plays, his team does well.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I find Stotts to be a very uninspiring choice.

 

[elindholm]

I think they'll move McCollum before Lillard. Lillard is a star while CJ is just a good 2nd or 3rd option.

And yet their salaries are almost the same. McCollum is owed $83 million over the next three years. His contract is going to be very hard to move.

 

[Mainstreet]

Stotts is 1 game under .500 for his career.

 

[Hoop Head]

And yet their salaries are almost the same. McCollum is owed $83 million over the next three years. His contract is going to be very hard to move.

That's one of the knocks on max salaries. True stars make the same as 2nd tier guys. No one would say that McCollum is better than Lillard or as important as Lillard is. True stars are underpaid while the 2nd options get about what they're worth. Look at Golden State, Green makes less than Durant, Curry, and Klay but no one judges their impact on the Warriors by their salaries.

 

[GatorAZ]

Still can’t believe the Evan Turner signing. They really need to tear it down.