The Official NBA Playoff Thread—-20/21 Edition

[packman80]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Well the Hawks got destroyed in game 2. But it’s just one game. Still 1-1. Stole a game and that’s all that matters. Hope they come back strong in game 3.

Nah best thing is MKE carries this hot streak to ATL wins both games breaks ATL spirit and they return to MKE defeated and MKE finishes them off in game 5.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by MOONBASE1

Will be interesting to see the TV ratings for this years final regardless of the 2 teams in it.

They will be terrible, just like the rest of the playoffs. Round 2 was down 16% compared to 2019. Didn’t see the NBA trotting out those numbers the way they did for round 1.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.spo...234632539/amp/

[oshmeehan]

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Well the Hawks got destroyed in game 2. But it’s just one game. Still 1-1. Stole a game and that’s all that matters. Hope they come back strong in game 3.

I don't believe this is just "one game." I think this is what most NBA fans were expecting from this series. (Not necessarily a 30+ point blowout, but easy Bucks wins.) The Bucks played half-ass defense game 1 thinking they could walk through this series and got diced up by Trae. Last night's effort is the type of swarming defense the Bucks can play, as we saw with the Nets. I honestly don't know what the Hawks can do from here, scheme-wise. A couple of notes:

Middleton had another low-average performance and he walked off the court up 40.

The Hawks clearly have no answer for Holiday.

The Bucks seemed to have found an answer for Trae and their high pick-and-rolls.

The Hawks don't have other players who can carry them offensively - for a game, maybe, but consistently - no.

Everything the Hawks do goes through Trae. If you disrupt his rhythm, you throw off their entire offense.

I'm not saying the Bucks are going to take this series 4-1, but I can't see how the Hawks can make enough adjustments to combat Giannis, Holiday, and Middleton for an entire series while they rely on virtually one guy to carry their team.

[dkcardman]

Its one game. Bucks were down 50 in game 2 vs the nets. Everything went good for the bucks last night and nothing went good for the hawks. And they stopped playing with any effort before halftime. Its a move on game. We will learn a lot more in game 3. Too often to we take one game and say "they figured it out" only to end up the next game the other team figured out how to un or out figure what the other team figured they figured they would figure.

[TSonn]

If there's one thing we've learned from these playoffs it's that the Hawks never believe they are out of a game or a series.

[2010GBPackers]

^^To the above posters, I'm not discounting that the Hawks can't come back, but other than saying, "it's only one game," what are the Hawks' options from here? I'm open to a discussion, but I'm unsure what they can pivot to if the Bucks are able to contain Trae. After the Bucks' game 1 loss, there was a clear game plan the Bucks had to go to. They did that (disrupt the high pick-and-rolls and prevent easy floaters in the lane or open 3-point shots for Trae) and they won easily. What are the adjustments the Hawks have to make? Just relying on Trae to get hot isn't going to cut it.

[k13]

They are +5 underdogs at home. Very bad sign.
Zero respect.

[YeahBuddy]

you can say its the Bucks defense, or you can say Trae had an off night ... he had some nice looks for 3, and missed many. So one could say "its one game" if he comes back having a much better FGP...

too early to tell imo. off night, or , Bucks will continue to destroy.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

^^To the above posters, I'm not discounting that the Hawks can't come back, but other than saying, "it's only one game," what are the Hawks' options from here? I'm open to a discussion, but I'm unsure what they can pivot to if the Bucks are able to contain Trae. After the Bucks' game 1 loss, there was a clear game plan the Bucks had to go to. They did that (disrupt the high pick-and-rolls and prevent easy floaters in the lane or open 3-point shots for Trae) and they won easily. What are the adjustments the Hawks have to make? Just relying on Trae to get hot isn't going to cut it.

Same question came up in the Sixers series. Put another play maker on the floor. Not necessarily start but insert as needed to take the pressure off.

But since this has come up before, even before the playoffs, the question then becomes…why didn’t the Bucks do this in the first game? Or were they overly confident it wouldn’t happen to them?

To me, the offense looked lazy and rushed. But it is a young team that doesn’t have the experience some of these other teams get year after year

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

Same question came up in the Sixers series. Put another play maker on the floor. Not necessarily start but insert as needed to take the pressure off.

But since this has come up before, even before the playoffs, the question then becomes…why didn’t the Bucks do this in the first game? Or were they overly confident it wouldn’t happen to them?

To me, the offense looked lazy and rushed. But it is a young team that doesn’t have the experience some of these other teams get year after year

The problem with the bucks in the first game was the fact they shot 8-36 from 3. Nothing more, nothing less. They scored a ridiculous 70 points in the paint and got whatever shot they wanted, they just didn’t fall. Something like 31 of 36 of those shot attempts were “open” or “wide open”.

Their (Bucks) adjustments on D in game 2 certainly worked. Not much needed to cover here. They keep up the intensity, it’s going to be really hard for Atlanta to win one more game, let alone 3.

So the question still comes back to, what does Atlanta do to try to adjust? Or can they just not make/not capable of the necessary adjustments to counter the Bucks on O? That’s where I’m currently leaning myself…

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I don't believe this is just "one game." I think this is what most NBA fans were expecting from this series. (Not necessarily a 30+ point blowout, but easy Bucks wins.) The Bucks played half-ass defense game 1 thinking they could walk through this series and got diced up by Trae. Last night's effort is the type of swarming defense the Bucks can play, as we saw with the Nets. I honestly don't know what the Hawks can do from here, scheme-wise. A couple of notes:

Middleton had another low-average performance and he walked off the court up 40.

The Hawks clearly have no answer for Holiday.

The Bucks seemed to have found an answer for Trae and their high pick-and-rolls.

The Hawks don't have other players who can carry them offensively - for a game, maybe, but consistently - no.

Everything the Hawks do goes through Trae. If you disrupt his rhythm, you throw off their entire offense.

I'm not saying the Bucks are going to take this series 4-1, but I can't see how the Hawks can make enough adjustments to combat Giannis, Holiday, and Middleton for an entire series while they rely on virtually one guy to carry their team.

Originally Posted by dkcardman

Its one game. Bucks were down 50 in game 2 vs the nets. Everything went good for the bucks last night and nothing went good for the hawks. And they stopped playing with any effort before halftime. Its a move on game. We will learn a lot more in game 3. Too often to we take one game and say "they figured it out" only to end up the next game the other team figured out how to un or out figure what the other team figured they figured they would figure.

Originally Posted by TSonn

If there's one thing we've learned from these playoffs it's that the Hawks never believe they are out of a game or a series.

I'll say this with the caveat I'll include as well...

The Bucks seem to be a better team. They have more 2 way talent in their overall starting lineup (if you assume Middleton can't play this poorly all series especially).

But Atlanta plays very well in crunch time, and because of that still has the potential to pull this series out if things go right.

From a plus/minus perspective my guess is that Atlanta starter will get blown out in this series the same way they did in Philly... but they found a way to win. If my money were on the line, I'd still pick the Bucks, but I've seen enough to know that Atlanta is very much alive if they can pull a few out like they did in Game 1.

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

^^To the above posters, I'm not discounting that the Hawks can't come back, but other than saying, "it's only one game," what are the Hawks' options from here? I'm open to a discussion, but I'm unsure what they can pivot to if the Bucks are able to contain Trae. After the Bucks' game 1 loss, there was a clear game plan the Bucks had to go to. They did that (disrupt the high pick-and-rolls and prevent easy floaters in the lane or open 3-point shots for Trae) and they won easily. What are the adjustments the Hawks have to make? Just relying on Trae to get hot isn't going to cut it.

limit turnovers and long rebounds - giannis kills on the fast break,
when giannis gets the ball foul him and have the fans go loud as sheeit when he is at the freethrow line.

hope that the wrong middleton and jrue come out and that bud doesnt play lopez

[bkcardcollector]

to further that it is good cam reddish is going - maybe he can pick up some cheaps on giannis. pretty unstopable when he is making freethrows and smart decisions.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by bkcardcollector

limit turnovers and long rebounds - giannis kills on the fast break,
when giannis gets the ball foul him and have the fans go loud as sheeit when he is at the freethrow line.

hope that the wrong middleton and jrue come out and that bud doesnt play lopez

I don' think its that easy..
-I'm not sure it was Trae's intention to turn it over 9 times in the first place.

-If you foul Giannis whenever he gets the ball all your starters will foul out.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by packerfan4200

The problem with the bucks in the first game was the fact they shot 8-36 from 3. Nothing more, nothing less. They scored a ridiculous 70 points in the paint and got whatever shot they wanted, they just didn’t fall. Something like 31 of 36 of those shot attempts were “open” or “wide open”.

Their (Bucks) adjustments on D in game 2 certainly worked. Not much needed to cover here. They keep up the intensity, it’s going to be really hard for Atlanta to win one more game, let alone 3.

So the question still comes back to, what does Atlanta do to try to adjust? Or can they just not make/not capable of the necessary adjustments to counter the Bucks on O? That’s where I’m currently leaning myself…

No my question was how did they let Trae loose for 48 and 11 knowing how to stop him. How poorly they shot is irrelevant. Especially being up with minutes left despite. Before game preparations or in-game adjustments on D should have been made. Philly did so by halftime of game 1. Buck have been here plenty times to know how to approach the situation. They lost game 1 knowing what had to be done with Trae and did not execute. It may not be the self reflective answer we want to hear but it’s closer to the truth.

Again I’ve said the Hawks need a 2nd play maker on the floor when they acknowledge the struggle. My answer hasn’t changed since the Philly series. It loosened up Philly and could work here. The Hawks are learning what the Bucks learned by getting bounced. Which is why Jrue is there and has been effective

[Spacemanspif]

Originally Posted by packerfan4200

The problem with the bucks in the first game was the fact they shot 8-36 from 3. Nothing more, nothing less. They scored a ridiculous 70 points in the paint and got whatever shot they wanted, they just didn’t fall. Something like 31 of 36 of those shot attempts were “open” or “wide open”.

Their (Bucks) adjustments on D in game 2 certainly worked. Not much needed to cover here. They keep up the intensity, it’s going to be really hard for Atlanta to win one more game, let alone 3.

So the question still comes back to, what does Atlanta do to try to adjust? Or can they just not make/not capable of the necessary adjustments to counter the Bucks on O? That’s where I’m currently leaning myself…

I’ve been saying that every Bucks loss (the 3s just need to fall), but the sub par outside shooting happens quite frequently, so the other things are going to have to hold up. Bucks shot 11% better, had 4 less TOs (I think the gap was wider before 4th quarter), and outrebounded Atlanta by 13. If you can win the turnover and rebound battles like that and get 14 extra possessions, you will almost always win unless the other team outshoots you by some ungodly amount.

Some noticeable adjustments I saw were PJ and Connaughton crashing the boards from the corners after 3s (to punish Atl for hiding Trae on them), guys picking up full court, and Jrue taking off after Trae shoots or turns it over. As for how does Atlanta handle it… well, there’s almost no way Trae goes ohfor on 3s again, or turns it over 8 times in a half. His weaknesses are definitely going to get exposed though, I’m surprised it’s taken anyone this long to do it.

[Grizzkid12]

So did we just like recycle some of those delusional Philly fans with Bucks fans now who think the series is over after one game where they played their best and Atlanta played their worst after Atlanta already did what they needed to do on the road and stole game 1 for the third series in a row?

I get that most of you homers only follow your one team, but scroll back in this thread some pages for when Philly blew out the Hawks in game 2 (and then won game 3 in ATL) and multiple people were saying they couldn't find a reason the Hawks would win another game in that series or something of the like.

Stop living in the moment after watching one game and actually watch other teams than your hometown boys so you can give unbiased feedback plz and thanks.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I don't believe this is just "one game." I think this is what most NBA fans were expecting from this series. (Not necessarily a 30+ point blowout, but easy Bucks wins.) The Bucks played half-ass defense game 1 thinking they could walk through this series and got diced up by Trae. Last night's effort is the type of swarming defense the Bucks can play, as we saw with the Nets. I honestly don't know what the Hawks can do from here, scheme-wise. A couple of notes:

Middleton had another low-average performance and he walked off the court up 40.

The Hawks clearly have no answer for Holiday.

The Bucks seemed to have found an answer for Trae and their high pick-and-rolls.

The Hawks don't have other players who can carry them offensively - for a game, maybe, but consistently - no.

Everything the Hawks do goes through Trae. If you disrupt his rhythm, you throw off their entire offense.

I'm not saying the Bucks are going to take this series 4-1, but I can't see how the Hawks can make enough adjustments to combat Giannis, Holiday, and Middleton for an entire series while they rely on virtually one guy to carry their team.

Do you believe they played two games at once? It was literally one game. I went back and counted just to be sure.

Pretty sure we all know the Bucks are the better team and are supposed to win. But Hawks stole game 1 so they have a chance. If the Hawks lose this series we all say they made it farther than expected and had a great season. If the Bucks lose they choked. The Bucks can come out flat like in game 1 and anything can happen. Who knows, maybe the Hawks do something weird like the Bucks did and make those adjustment things.

Let’s just see how the two games go in Atlanta. One game at a time. Hope game 3 is more enjoyable to watch for all fans.

[k13]

Originally Posted by Grizzkid12

So did we just like recycle some of those delusional Philly fans with Bucks fans now who think the series is over after one game where they played their best and Atlanta played their worst after Atlanta already did what they needed to do on the road and stole game 1 for the third series in a row?

I get that most of you homers only follow your one team, but scroll back in this thread some pages for when Philly blew out the Hawks in game 2 (and then won game 3 in ATL) and multiple people were saying they couldn't find a reason the Hawks would win another game in that series or something of the like.

Stop living in the moment after watching one game and actually watch other teams than your hometown boys so you can give unbiased feedback plz and thanks.

They have less than 20% chance to win the series.
So you have to be realistic in thinking this is some kind of a 50/50 series just because it is 1-1.

[RogerGodahell]

I didn't watch the game, when i checked the box score it was a 30 point blowout at halftime. Decided to watch a movie instead. I did watch a 9 minute highlight video afterwards though.

I saw Giannis on one play do his patented grab a defensive rebound drive the full length of the court in 3 dribbles and put it in. Looked like he had that spin move working good last night.

I wouldn't be surprised if this series goes back and fourth a couple more times. ATL has a really good team. Shooters at every position.

[vincecarder]

Hawks shooters went ice cold, it happened against the 76ers. Hawks got the split, if they can defend home court they will be tough to beat, especially if the 3’s start dropping.

[hairyangryfella]

Originally Posted by oshmeehan

So you can show up to post a meme but have completely avoided responding to your incorrect take about Huerter being a weak defender. That makes you a coward, just like certain others.

Team supporters are so damn pathetic when it comes to playoffs.

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by Grizzkid12

So did we just like recycle some of those delusional Philly fans with Bucks fans now who think the series is over after one game where they played their best and Atlanta played their worst after Atlanta already did what they needed to do on the road and stole game 1 for the third series in a row?

I get that most of you homers only follow your one team, but scroll back in this thread some pages for when Philly blew out the Hawks in game 2 (and then won game 3 in ATL) and multiple people were saying they couldn't find a reason the Hawks would win another game in that series or something of the like.

Stop living in the moment after watching one game and actually watch other teams than your hometown boys so you can give unbiased feedback plz and thanks.

That was me that said that. If you paid attention to the context of the post, that was me just trying to have a discussion because the Hawks had looked helpless in that moment.

And you had no answer. Just waited for the outcome and either disappeared or showed up depending on how it went. Here you are... still saying nothing.

What do you see happening in game 3 and for the remainder of the series? Find your balls.

[2010GBPackers]

Moving on to tonight's game:

What is the narrative for Chris Paul if the Clips win again tonight? Seems like the Suns played much better without him at home. Is it just a home/away difference or are the Suns (sans Paul) still a very, very good team? Either way, if Kawhi never comes back, the Suns probably coast into the Finals, IMO.