The Official NBA Playoff Thread—-20/21 Edition

[RichardGasner]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

Trae and Collins BINs getting hit left and right. Love it! And the “what’s your lowest?” On cards that are red hot… if I could have put money on this scenario happening after their first win I would have.

Thank god I did.

7 more wins!

[bigjbasketball]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Bucks have no depth, and two of their top three players are inconsistent except they consistently come up short in big moments. Only reason the Bucks are in this position is injuries to the Nets. They didn’t deserve a spot in the ECF.

Ding ding ding. Bucks would have never beaten a healthy Nets team. It took injuries to two star players and KD’s foot on the line to win that series. I will say though, I never thought the Hawks would make it this far, no matter who they were playing. This is super exciting to watch and I’d love to see them play the Suns in the Finals.

[dkcardman]

Hawks have brought a genuine next level of excitement back to the NBA. Reminds me of the first year that Golden State emerged. They have fun, have scorers, play hard, have moxy, and highlight reel plays. Just so fun to watch.

[Zedlaw]

Suns looking good up 2-0 but we know the rule. A series doesn’t start until you win on the road. This Atlanta series tipped off three days later and the Hawks already land the first big punch of these conference finals. I’m expecting the threes to starting falling for LA in LA and would not be surprised to see the Suns series tied at 2 and the Hawks up 2-0 come Saturday night. Lots of turns left here.

On a side note, is it crazy to play these games at a football stadium. How many people were watching this Bucks game outside? Get those people inside and make some real noise. What is the rule here. Are you obligated to play at the same arena every game. Yeah, I’m probably crazy, bigger isn’t always better

[Kobefan]

Originally Posted by daeve

Huerter and Collins played great, but you're right they were cold from 3. [2-11 combined]... and Bogi is clearly hobbling around about as bad as Harden was. Nate doesn't have much choice though with Reddish+Hunter also out.

I find it hard to believe that the Hawks can't find someone to replace Bogdan, especially since his stats aren't that great. Might as well rest him and hope that the team makes it to the finals and maybe then he'll be rested enough to play like he did during the regular season.

[hairyangryfella]

Didn't get to see the game as I was at work, but of course the most important question is:

What was Trae's +/-?

[jswest18]

Originally Posted by Kobefan

I find it hard to believe that the Hawks can't find someone to replace Bogdan, especially since his stats aren't that great. Might as well rest him and hope that the team makes it to the finals and maybe then he'll be rested enough to play like he did during the regular season.

He’s not shot well since about game 3 of the Philly series but he’s still a threat that has to be respected. If you replace him with Hill, Snell, or Reddish (which are the only options really) then you have zero offensive threat. As long as Bogi can get up and down the court then he’s likely going to be starting.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by hairyangryfella

Didn't get to see the game as I was at work, but of course the most important question is:

What was Trae's +/-?

Rumor has it that the 76ers starters had a better +/- than the Hawks starters in this game

[oplum29]

Originally Posted by pingbling23

Gonna be Phoenix/ATL finals, and it’s going to be a good one. These playoffs have been awesome.

i'll only agree on "these playoffs have been awesome", but i still think the Bucks are winning out in the East.

no way you take out New Jersey like that in 7 games, with game 7 on the road, only to lose to Atlanta. that's just my opinion though.

i still think it's Bucks vs Suns, Giannis vs Booker. Should be fun either way!

[deemsterz33]

Originally Posted by h00perstar34

What’s scary is holiday and giannis played almost as well as they could, and while Trae was amazing as well, the atl shooters didn’t really get going. If Huerter, Bogy, and gallinari get going this series could end up being short, like people predicted, just with the opposite team winning.

It does remind me of the last series for the Bucks, when Durant had arguably the greatest game of his career just to win by a few points, only to have the Bucks pull it out. Can Trae show up every night like this, and Middleton have a dud every night like tonight? Bucks will bounce back, but the most important thing now is how the Hawks take advantage of their home-court advantage.

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by Dnic

That's the thing he isn't a legitimate #2, if they lose this series to the Hawks I'm sure Giannis will be second thinking not joining Luka....

This is Trae Young we’re talking about. They’ll need to join AD and Lebron to stand a chance.

[Dame]

That Trae shimmy was the ultimate disrespect, he's playing that villain role perfectly lol and it's hard to hate the guy since he's now playing at a historical level. Hard not to root for the heavy underdogs since day 1.


Like I said during the 76ers series, Hawks again playing with house money and they're out there like they have nothing to lose. So resilient, with little fear. Props to Nate who is technically serving as an interim coach lol.


Amazing playoff run so far despite of all the injuries, tired of seeing the same faces in the Finals; such a refreshing experience as a fan.


Need to savor this, I don't think we'll see a run like this again as things go back to normal next season. The big boys will all be loading up on PED's this summer lol.

[blackbears86]

Originally Posted by bsnsports0605

I’d take Luka over Trae any day sorry

LOL. I was being sarcastic.




But every series, Trae making the doubters eat their words.


48-7-11 with a +10 is a damn good stat line

[brothertona]

The Hawks right now are playing with extreme confidence. If they get eliminated they come back to Atlanta and we celebrate them like champions. They've got nothing to prove in the A. They are forcing you to play for 48 minutes and the second you make a mistake they jump on you. They've won by just waiting out their opponents and like you've seen in the Philly series, and last night eventually you'll mess up and they'll take a small lead. They're all good free throw shooters so if it's close in a late game scenario they likely aren't missing those shots.

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by deemsterz33

It does remind me of the last series for the Bucks, when Durant had arguably the greatest game of his career just to win by a few points, only to have the Bucks pull it out. Can Trae show up every night like this, and Middleton have a dud every night like tonight? Bucks will bounce back, but the most important thing now is how the Hawks take advantage of their home-court advantage.

Huerter is going to have a 20+ game
Lou is going to have a 15+ game
Trae won't have to do it all every night... but most nights haha
Jrue isn't going to play at that level for a whole series. Hope that levels out on the games Middleton plays well

70-75 is the magic number for me - keep Giannis, Middleton and Jrue in that range combined and we should be good

Will say it again... the league is on notice. Hawks are down 2 guys and Bogi is basically a double agent he's so bad/injured

[oshmeehan]

Bucks are slow starters in Game 1's, so I have faith that they will make adjustments and bring the proper intensity in the remaining games of the series.

While the Hawks have proven they can win on the road in these playoffs, they also have shown they can just as easily lose at home as well.

Boxout and get defensive boards and attack their weak defenders in Trae, Bogi, Gallo, and Huerter and the Bucks should be able to win this series.

[BlueXtreme]

Hawks are fun to watch. It’s unreal what they’re doing. And without 2 of their better perimeter defenders in Hunter and Cam.
As this team grows together, it’s going to be exciting to see what they can accomplish. Especially if they’re able to retain Collins for a decent price.

[yiguiri2002]

Nate McMillan being an interim coach is like Top Shot being in beta. It's technically right but we all know that's not true.

Also, Cam is not a good player right now. You can't count him as "missing". Regardless, the Hawks are missing more than the Bucks and still beat them. Impressive.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by oshmeehan

Bucks are slow starters in Game 1's, so I have faith that they will make adjustments and bring the proper intensity in the remaining games of the series.

While the Hawks have proven they can win on the road in these playoffs, they also have shown they can just as easily lose at home as well.

Boxout and get defensive boards and attack their weak defenders in Trae, Bogi, Gallo, and Huerter and the Bucks should be able to win this series.

what? Huerter's been taking the toughest assignments 1-3, and had the same DefRaptor as Middleton and Tucker this year. He's far from a weak link defensively.

[h00perstar34]

Originally Posted by oshmeehan

Bucks are slow starters in Game 1's, so I have faith that they will make adjustments and bring the proper intensity in the remaining games of the series.

While the Hawks have proven they can win on the road in these playoffs, they also have shown they can just as easily lose at home as well.

Boxout and get defensive boards and attack their weak defenders in Trae, Bogi, Gallo, and Huerter and the Bucks should be able to win this series.

Huerter definitely not a weak defender....see Middleton stats

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by oshmeehan

Bucks are slow starters in Game 1's, so I have faith that they will make adjustments and bring the proper intensity in the remaining games of the series.

While the Hawks have proven they can win on the road in these playoffs, they also have shown they can just as easily lose at home as well.

Boxout and get defensive boards and attack their weak defenders in Trae, Bogi, Gallo, and Huerter and the Bucks should be able to win this series.

See below.
Bogi is quite good too when he's not hurt

Trae is just going to keep standing next to PJ in the corner haha

Originally Posted by daeve

what? Huerter's been taking the toughest assignments 1-3, and had the same DefRaptor as Middleton and Tucker this year. He's far from a weak link defensively.

Originally Posted by h00perstar34

Huerter definitely not a weak defender....see Middleton stats

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Nate McMillan being an interim coach is like Top Shot being in beta. It's technically right but we all know that's not true.

Also, Cam is not a good player right now. You can't count him as "missing". Regardless, the Hawks are missing more than the Bucks and still beat them. Impressive.

Cam is a high level defender and athlete. He'll be All-NBA defense within the next few seasons if he stays healthy

He would absolutely have minutes against Holliday and Middleton in this series, Simmons and Harris last

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by atoaz12

Cam is a high level defender and athlete. He'll be All-NBA defense within the next few seasons if he stays healthy

He would absolutely have minutes against Holliday and Middleton in this series, Simmons and Harris last

And whatever he'll give you on D, he will take it back on offense.

Cam is not a good player right now. If Bogi keep being that bad, best thing for the Hawks would be to go 7 deep or play Snell.

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

And whatever he'll give you on D, he will take it back on offense.

Cam is not a good player right now. If Bogi keep being that bad, best thing for the Hawks would be to go 7 deep or play Snell.

You realize Solomon Hill is getting run right now, right?
Solomon. Hill. In crunch time...

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by atoaz12

Cam is a high level defender and athlete. He'll be All-NBA defense within the next few seasons if he stays healthy

Regardless of health, I guarantee you that isn’t happening.