NBA 2018 Playoffs

[The G Man]

It's scary, but KD's elevated his game the last two outings. This last one was off the charts, but game 2 was an indication of a tighter focus, I thought. Last night was KD's fifth 40-pointer of the season, and the first they've won.

Very impressed with Bell's poise on this stage. He's exactly the kind of player they need to add to their rotation.

KD and LeBron had similar stats both when KD played for OKC and GS. KD is 4-17 (playoffs and rs) against LeBron with the Thunder but 10-2 as a Warrior.

[The G Man]

My LeBron prediction- LeBron, PG, and DAJ to the Lakers, to join Ball, Ingram and Kuzma. Deng is either stretched or traded with two #1's to a bad team with cap space.

I haven't heard any rumors about DAJ, except that he'd like to join the Rockets, who would be much better off keeping Capela than signing him.

[The G Man]

LeBron's surest path to a championship next year.

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/6/8/ ... -offseason

I can't see him pairing up with Kyrie again not Kyrie returning to Cleveland, but the Knicks could be the third team in the deal, as mentioned in the article.

[jon abbey]

what if you replace Paul George in that Lakers package with Kevin Durant? now that would be interesting.

[The G Man]

what if you replace Paul George in that Lakers package with Kevin Durant? now that would be interesting.

It would but KD has recently reiterated that he's going to stay with GS.

If Boston doesn't get LeBron, which really is a long-shot, they may just do minor tweaks for two years and then go for Anthony Davis. He would replace Horford, who would be a UFA.

[jon abbey]

yeah, just saw that, oh well.

I don't think LeBron would ever go to Boston, too much bad blood between the fan base and him for too many years now, going back to the Garnett/Pierce days.

[Steve Minkin]

SwaggyP spent the night before the game getting a cupid tattoo on his neck in a famous Cleveland ink parlor. He went 0-for-5 minutes in the game, and I hope the team finds a better use for the $5M next season.

[The G Man]

yeah, just saw that, oh well.

I don't think LeBron would ever go to Boston, too much bad blood between the fan base and him for too many years now, going back to the Garnett/Pierce days.

I just read that he's not considering Boston. He would only go back to Cleveland if his family insisted and then he still might not.

[The G Man]

SwaggyP spent the night before the game getting a cupid tattoo on his neck in a famous Cleveland ink parlor. He went 0-for-5 minutes in the game, and I hope the team finds a better use for the $5M next season.

One named mentioned is Trevor Ariza if he's willing to sign for that amount. He'll be 33 and he's a pure 3 and d guy. Those players aren't very valuable on offense late in the playoffs but he is certainly an asset in switch everything schemes.

[The G Man]

Interesting revelation by LeBron after the game.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/09/18 ... roken-hand

and the hint at a more interesting one from David West.
https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/06/09/da ... es-issues/

[Steve Minkin]

Favorite moment from last night: Draymond getting a standing O for shooting an air ball three.

Used to be I'd be the only one interested in following the Warriors at the dances. Before I could get the internet at the dances, I'd run out to the car to listen between sets, nobody would ask about the score. Now everybody -- everybody -- is into it. (Except my wife, who only wants to know when it's over.)

Not all that surprised about the West article, although I'd certainly be curious to know the details. You see glimpses here and there and it's inconceivable that the interior story isn't messier than the appearances. Everybody still wants to play here, so whatever the conflicts have been, they're still manageable.

Draymond says this was the hardest of the four titles; Kerr agreed, citing the cumulative effect of four long seasons. Kerr mentioned that a key strategy for the series was containing Korver.

[Captain Hate]

Smart move on how they defended Korver because they completely neutralized him. As loaded as the Warriors are with having the ultimate bailout in Durant's unlimited range, I still appreciate having a sound strategy underpinning everything.

[Steve Minkin]

The Kings almost sent a tweet saying "Tbh, it's pretty selfish of y'all to claim the whole state. There's like three other teams here ...," opting instead for the safer, "Our squad is on the come up though!" After a 27 win season, they'd better hope so.

SwaggyP (who claims the name was given to him by God in a dream) wants it known that from now on he is to be called 'Swag Champ.' Got it.

Klay passed Mychal in rings now. Mychal said he was going to tell him, 'You finally passed me, you little brat.' When told of this, Klay responded, 'Well it only took me seven years, it took him 13.'

[The G Man]

BJ Armstrong on LeBron
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/w ... 601d61a4d8

Could LeBron be happy playing within Brett Brown's system in Philly where he'd be the best player (for a couple of more years) but it wouldn't be HIS team?

[Captain Hate]

Klay Thompson is much more talented than his father, who would've never won anything if Magic didn't like him as a role player.

[Steve Minkin]

[The G Man]

I'd like to see the Warriors say goodbye to all their centers except for Jordan Bell and Damian Jones (cheap contract and young) and sign Kyle O'Quinn, Knicks FA. He'd be a good fit.

KO just declined his option and indicated interest in signing with the Warriors. He's a good passer, defender and defensive rebounder. Only problem is he'd take up most are all of the mid-cap and the Warriors need a wing who can shoot threes and defend better than Swaggy P.