The Official NBA Playoff Thread—-20/21 Edition

[BRob1]

As a blazer fan i’ve been saying Philly wouldn’t do Ben for CJ… now i’m not so sure. I’d do it in a heartbeat if i’m portland to bring a stud perimeter defender in. Even if i have to throw something else in.


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[The Accountant]

Originally Posted by BRob1

As a blazer fan i’ve been saying Philly wouldn’t do Ben for CJ… now i’m not so sure. I’d do it in a heartbeat if i’m portland to bring a stud perimeter defender in. Even if i have to throw something else in.


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He can certainly be a good fit for a team like that

[nman84]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

But did it lead to one of his 13 assists???

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by MavsRChamps

I've though a bit about how many people are surprised Atlanta is doing so well. I think it starts honestly with underestimating their frontcourt. The tandem of Collins/Capela is as legit as they come in my opinion. Both are terrific rebounders for their positions, and elite pick & roll guys too ... And they're working with a great pick & roll passer in Trae Young. Just those couple things really sets them apart from some other teams in my opinions. They they have shooters outside of those guys which make them tough to cover. In a way, Hawks are the sort of team that you could argue is greater than the sum of their parts.

Nice way to put it.

Collins really stepped up this series. Previously one of his knocks is that he was soft as baby wipes on the interior. We saw him punch, kick, and headlock his way around Philly all 7 games. It often wasn't pretty...but pretty isn't what they wanted to see out of him. Offensively he's taken a step back, but if he continues becoming more of an enforcer to back Cap against superior bigs...it's exactly what the doctor ordered.

Originally Posted by ballhawkdawk

Right. Been there, done that, so now what? Hire another one? Maybe being on a team without such high expectations and an elite player like Embiid to funnel the offense to, he'd start to let it fly due to necessity and a lack of pressure. I'm not sure what happened to the rookie version of Ben Simmons that was willing to attack without it needing to be set up by a fast break or an open lane. That dude was a blast to watch.

I really can't think of any other available options at this point. Ball is in Simmons' court, pun intended. He wants to get to that next level...he's going to have to chase his demons and just get it done. He can shoot as well as he'd like in the regular season, but it means nothing if it doesn't translate in the summer when it counts.

At this point I think the media's magnification of his deficiencies has cannibalized his soul. Especially playing in Philly, who's been under scrutiny for years now because of the Trust the Process narrative. But that's also part of being a star, and you have to be mentally tough enough to endure and rise above.

Get him alone in a gym with a buncha his homeboys and a couple fine chicks watching on and he'll launch 3's with a smile on his face til the sun don't shine. He fears the repercussions when things actually count.

Don't think we've such such a glaring paradox like this in awhile, if ever. A top 3 defensive talent with elite court vision that becomes one of the opponents' primary assets in the 4th quarter. It's 4 on 5 ball.

The unenviable task of being the head coach of a Simmons squad in the postseason. Having to not only gameplan extensively for your opponents, but formulate a very complex and dedicated plan for your pg to mitigate his ineptitude for the final 12 minutes. Really throws a wrench in things unless you're absolutely blowing the doors off your opponent and leading by 26.


Oh wait.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by BRob1

As a blazer fan i’ve been saying Philly wouldn’t do Ben for CJ… now i’m not so sure. I’d do it in a heartbeat if i’m portland to bring a stud perimeter defender in. Even if i have to throw something else in.


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If that were to happen, Dame should ask to be traded.

[BRob1]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

If that were to happen, Dame should ask to be traded.

nah… cj is borderline untradeable. blazers need to break dame and cj up and there aren’t any compelling offers out there for CJ. ben fills a need.


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[ninjacookies]

Blazers need a dominant 2 way center (writing was on the wall for Nurkic) or wing. Not another/different backcourt mate.

Simmons is going to need to go to a team with a very specialized plan for him, along with a capable backup that can shoulder the load as his substitute in late game playoff situations.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Blazers need a dominant 2 way center (writing was on the wall for Nurkic) or wing. Not another/different backcourt mate.

Simmons is going to need to go to a team with a very specialized plan for him, along with a capable backup that can shoulder the load as his substitute in late game playoff situations.

Honestly... I want to see him in Cleveland.

Pair him with Garland. We'll trade Kevin Love and Sexton.

Garland
Simmons
Okoro
Allen
+ Draft pick


Fun experiment anyways

[BRob1]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Blazers need a dominant 2 way center (writing was on the wall for Nurkic) or wing. Not another/different backcourt mate.

Simmons is going to need to go to a team with a very specialized plan for him, along with a capable backup that can shoulder the load in late game playoff situations.

exactly how many dominant 2 way centers are on the planet lol? Once you get that list how many are available?

simmons is a wing on defense, which is where they need help. Simmons doesn’t need a coach with a plan on how to hide him, he needs someone to get him out of his head and back to being a guy who can take 12 shots a game and knock them down at a 55% clip, which are his career averages.

Not sure exactly what you think CJ is worth in trade but it’s not been much over the last few years.

Dame
Powell
Simmons
RoCo
Nurk


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[Jopeal]

He needs a therapist.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

Blazers need a dominant 2 way center (writing was on the wall for Nurkic) or wing. Not another/different backcourt mate.

Simmons is going to need to go to a team with a very specialized plan for him, along with a capable backup that can shoulder the load as his substitute in late game playoff situations.

only other guy I can think of that's gonna get run out of town and is on a similar contract is Porzinger...

Dinwiddie[?] - Curry - Harris - KP - Embiid .... ? might work.

Luka - Derozan/Conley - Finneysmith - Benjammin - Kleber .... ? might work

[daeve]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Honestly... I want to see him in Cleveland.

Pair him with Garland. We'll trade Kevin Love and Sexton.

Garland
Simmons
Okoro
Allen
+ Draft pick


Fun experiment anyways

I thought of that but Okoro and Jallen not big shooters either

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by daeve

I thought of that but Okoro and Jallen not big shooters either

I mean, its not a team thats going to go anywhere....

but maybe some time out of the limelight and out of big situations could help Ben.

He and Garland could be a good combo... they both distribute well, and excel everywhere else where the other lacks.

One of the issues with the 76ers is they aren't a great passing team outside of Ben. This would at least get another distributor next to him.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Honestly... I want to see him in Cleveland.

Pair him with Garland. We'll trade Kevin Love and Sexton.

Garland
Simmons
Okoro
Allen
+ Draft pick


Fun experiment anyways

An organization/atmosphere like Cleveland would probably be the best thing Ben could ask for. Less media focus and he can hopefully begin to loosen up and learn to play within himself again.

Originally Posted by BRob1

exactly how many dominant 2 way centers are on the planet lol? Once you get that list how many are available?

simmons is a wing on defense, which is where they need help. Simmons doesn’t need a coach with a plan on how to hide him, he needs someone to get him out of his head and back to being a guy who can take 12 shots a game and knock them down at a 55% clip, which are his career averages.

Not sure exactly what you think CJ is worth in trade but it’s not been much over the last few years.


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Yeah, I don't think it's possible...at least not this offseason.

Perhaps being a bit more realistic would be someone like Jarrett Allen. At least something to help anchor the middle and give dame a pnr mate. They have zero physicality down low. And Nurk got absolutely worked by Jokic. Plus he's made of paper machet. The Bowie curse alive and well.

As amazing as Simmons is on defense and facilitating, I'd rather take a chance at a guy like Oubre or even John Collins. Doubt they have a shot at Kawhi. Simmons may not exactly be a great fit in Portland because Dame is still a ball dominant alpha guard. And while Simmons' is an excellent facilitator, Dame's at his best when he's in rhythm and initiating the O. Portland has tried experimenting with sets playing Dame off-ball, but it never really works out.

I'm sure CJ will still carry value, despite his bad showing this postseason. He's a 23ppg 2 that showed he can run the offense like a discount Beal when Dame missed time. He's not a world beater, but he could definitely be a valuable 3rd wheel on a contender.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by daeve

only other guy I can think of that's gonna get run out of town and is on a similar contract is Porzinger...

*gets on knees*

Lord pls no.

Benjamin would be intriguing in Dallas, but really only if he comes off the bench or spends majority of his time with the 2nd unit. Else, you're going to have him playing second fiddle to Doncic (who should be handling the rock) and basically be relegated to being a full time defensive stopper with little else a la Andre Roberson. It'd be a shame for his court vision to go to waste. But I could definitely see it if they stagger his minutes...IF he's willing to dumb his ego down enough to want to fill that role.

[BRob1]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I'm sure CJ will still carry value, despite his bad showing this postseason. He's a 23ppg 2 that showed he can run the offense like a discount Beal when Dame missed time. He's not a world beater, but he could definitely be a valuable 3rd wheel on a contender.

he really doesn’t have a ton of value, largely due to the contract. he’s been rumored in trades off and on for a year. The names thrown around have been vic oladipo, buddy hield, tj warren…

The blazers best path forward at this point is to resign norman powell then trade CJ. they can’t realistically play 3 6’3-6’4 guards who aren’t great (good) defenders. If philly was interested in ben for cj i don’t think they could do better. there isn’t a clear path forward where the blazers are title contenders, but this at least improves the squad.

Dame
Powell
Ben
RoCo
Nurk


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[daeve]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

*gets on knees*

Lord pls no.

Benjamin would be intriguing in Dallas, but really only if he comes off the bench or spends majority of his time with the 2nd unit. Else, you're going to have him playing second fiddle to Doncic (who should be handling the rock) and basically be relegated to being a full time defensive stopper with little else a la Andre Roberson. It'd be a shame for his court vision to go to waste. But I could definitely see it if they stagger his minutes...IF he's willing to dumb his ego down enough to want to fill that role.

nah I think they'd use him in a Draymond type role.

If you have Luka and say Derozan as backcourt and primary scorers, then you have Finneysmith and Benjammin as your 3-4, but who take on the toughest assignments 1-4... that could work. Plus Kleber is a more mobile/smaller 5 who likes to spot up from 3, that really works with Benjammin as a 4.

[Ferg1945]

Originally Posted by tjforce

George hill played 21 mins tonight.

3 pts. 1 rebound. 0 assists. Minus 15.

Ben in 36 min.

5 pts. 8 rebs. 13 assists. Plus 1.


Did ben do enough? Hell no. But comments like these are ignorant.

Bad take.

[greg8731]

Really hoping for a Hawks v Suns Final. Would be a really fun series imo. They split the season series with the Hawks taking the last one.

[daeve]

Beenjammin needs to go on a spiritual quest this offseason - forget about the Kardash girls and call up Carmen Electra.... invite her out for a getaway -> there's some lovely psilocybin retreats in Jamaica that can help alter the wiring in his brain...

then show up to his new team with neon green cheetah print hair and really embrace "rebounding". Would make for a great 2nd act

[hairyangryfella]

My question is:
Will we see gomiamigo again these playoffs? Or will he be the coward I suspect he is and no-show?

[Zedlaw]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

*gets on knees*

Lord pls no.

Benjamin would be intriguing in Dallas, but really only if he comes off the bench or spends majority of his time with the 2nd unit. Else, you're going to have him playing second fiddle to Doncic (who should be handling the rock) and basically be relegated to being a full time defensive stopper with little else a la Andre Roberson. It'd be a shame for his court vision to go to waste. But I could definitely see it if they stagger his minutes...IF he's willing to dumb his ego down enough to want to fill that role.

Ben Simmons is bigger than Bill Walton and 10lbs lighter than Ayton. Are we sure he isn’t a 5. In my mind, he either starts shooting or starts banging bodies in the paint. I’m still very intrigued by Simmons, but Boris Diaw is probably my favorite player, so maybe weird is my thing. A two man game with Luka would be nuts. An oversized slow point with an undersized fast center. Weird at its finest

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by BRob1

he really doesn’t have a ton of value, largely due to the contract. he’s been rumored in trades off and on for a year. The names thrown around have been vic oladipo, buddy hield, tj warren…

The blazers best path forward at this point is to resign norman powell then trade CJ. they can’t realistically play 3 6’3-6’4 guards who aren’t great (good) defenders. If philly was interested in ben for cj i don’t think they could do better. there isn’t a clear path forward where the blazers are title contenders, but this at least improves the squad.

Dame
Powell
Ben
RoCo
Nurk


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Hield would be my pick from that list...he can shoot the lights out on occasion.

I'm still saddened by the fact they gave up GTJ in favor of Powell.

A young, plus defender that showed improvement basically every year and became an almost 40% shooter behind the arc. And he showed flashes of having that it factor in crunch time. Portland gonna Portland.

The issue with that lineup you posted is that it's basically in the lowest quarter tier of the league in terms of point production. You cannot expect to compete for championships in this era with a Roco offensive clone fulling both your wing spots, regardless how good they are defensively.

I'm not sure how Portland cures their woes based on the FA list this summer...they have a lot of work to do if they want to get out of that 'perennial just good enough to get into the playoffs and not get a high draft pick' category.

Originally Posted by daeve

nah I think they'd use him in a Draymond type role.

If you have Luka and say Derozan as backcourt and primary scorers, then you have Finneysmith and Benjammin as your 3-4, but who take on the toughest assignments 1-4... that could work. Plus Kleber is a more mobile/smaller 5 who likes to spot up from 3, that really works with Benjammin as a 4.

I see where you're getting at. I think Dray works in Oakland because Curry's never really been a traditional pass first type point though. He excels when he's off-ball running laps around screens and causing defensive chaos.

Luka, on the other hand, has one of the highest usage rates because he conducts all facets of the offense. It may work, but it's tough for me to envision it right now.

TJ's hypothetical kinda makes sense when you think about it. Teams like Dallas and Portland still have high postseason expectations. Going to a small market, rebuilding squad like Cleveland gives Ben a clean slate much like the one he had when he began his career in Philly. He may need a year or two in that kind of environment to build himself back up again without being the butt of every single r/nba joke.

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by Zedlaw

Ben Simmons is bigger than Bill Walton and 10lbs lighter than Ayton. Are we sure he isn’t a 5. In my mind, he either starts shooting or starts banging bodies in the paint. I’m still very intrigued by Simmons, but Boris Diaw is probably my favorite player, so maybe weird is my thing. A two man game with Luka would be nuts. An oversized slow point with an undersized fast center. Weird at its finest

It is crazy. He's basically the true size of most every listed 7'0" center in the league right now (whose heights are exaggerated to the heavens). He theoretically should be the Zion of pg's right now because his height and length present such a tilted advantage in 95% of his nightly matchups. We've seen rare, occasional flashes...but for some reason he just refuses to use his God given attributes except when he's playing defense.

[daeve]

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/st...05491553079298

The Hawks have made the Conference Finals despite not having a player named an All-Star this season on the team.

They're the 2nd team under the current playoff format to make the Conference Finals without an All-Star on the roster (since 1984), joining the Pacers in 1994.

'94 Pacers energy