The Official NBA Playoff Thread—-20/21 Edition

[pingbling23]

Rick Carlisle to Indiana.

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

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

I've seen enough of your takes on here to be ok with that

[BlueXtreme]

Not sure why people keep ignoring it's Cam AND Hunter missing. Those are 2 good perimeter defenders. Cam is young. He'll be fine.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

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

lol why the 'guarantee' ? It's obvious 95% of the experts here haven't bothered to watch the Hawks the last several years, this is why y'all keep getting embarrassed...

he may not get it, because it's voted on, and it's clear the media also doesn't watch the Hawks - remember only 1 televised game this year, no all-stars, no all-nba etc - - but he certainly has the tools to do it.

remember the 1st game of '21 where Hunter/Cam held KD+Kyrie to 4-18 shooting from 3? They beat Bkln by 18 in Bkln, after only losing by 4 a couple nights earlier. Kept KD under 30 pts [on 21 shots] and Kyrie only had 18 on 6-21 shooting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KBjO_kYCM

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by daeve

lol why the 'guarantee' ? It's obvious 95% of the experts here haven't bothered to watch the Hawks the last several years, this is why y'all keep getting embarrassed...

he may not get it, because it's voted on, and it's clear the media also doesn't watch the Hawks - remember only 1 televised game this year, no all-stars, no all-nba etc - - but he certainly has the tools to do it.

remember the 1st game of '21 where Hunter/Cam held KD+Kyrie to 4-18 shooting from 3? They beat Bkln by 18 in Bkln, after only losing by 4 a couple nights earlier. Kept KD under 30 pts [on 21 shots] and Kyrie only had 18 on 6-21 shooting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2KBjO_kYCM

What fun is it here if we don’t go all in? No hedging

I’ve seen enough of him dating back to Duke. His name has carried him forward. One game isn’t going to change my mind.

Sure, he could prove me wrong though. He’s going to have a hard time staying on the floor if he continues to regress on offense like he did this year.

[Dame]

You guys keep talking about the Hawks injuries, what about the Bucks? They're missing Donte Divicenzo.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by Dame

You guys keep talking about the Hawks injuries, what about the Bucks? They're missing Donte Divicenzo.

I have been waiting to see a post from you to say I'll eat my crow on my thoughts of the Hawks from the fall.

I didn't forsee this coming.

[sebreg]

None of my fav teams/players are left in these playoffs, but this has been one of the greatest playoffs I've seen (in recent memory). Really remarkable. Trae last night was insane, and the backboard oop was globetrotters-level disrespectful (ie, I loved it).

[Dame]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I have been waiting to see a post from you to say I'll eat my crow on my thoughts of the Hawks from the fall.

I didn't forsee this coming.

Good man.

The Hawks have exceeded beyond everyone’s expectations, even mine. I thought their ceiling was maybe a 2nd round team.


No one saw an ECF for this team.

[Zedlaw]

Pointing out one good game isn’t changing anyone’s mind. I could put together a golf highlight reel where I look amazing. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m a 15 handicap.

Call me wrong but Hunter being a Virginia boy, I’m sure Khal has watched quite a bit of the Hawks and The ACC

There are legit reasons Cam might turn into a good player, I just don’t think lack of viewership or rouge data points are high up that list.

Defensive specialists are being exposed right and left in these playoffs. Young isn’t a good defender and he’s still not a good defender. The narrative was his poor defense is undermining his offensive play and holding the Hawks back. He didn’t make the all star game because the Hawks were 16-20. How important is one bad defender to wins and losses. Tough to say. But being a great offensive player has shown to be very important to winning in these playoffs and Young is a great offensive player. And now that the world has seen it, and seen it be successful, I don’t think his lack of defense will hold him back in future all nba and all star voting. This really is a prove it league. Same thing with Booker, if you want accolades, prove it, go win games. Otherwise fans and writers are just going to make up stories, and false stories are always true up until they’re not

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by 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.

Team chemistry aside, I think you nailed it as to how they are performing so well. They’re fearless and simply refuse to go down. 26 point deficit? So what. Game 7 in Philly (Philly lost like one home game the last time home games were a real thing) and you would’ve thought the Hawks were the home team at the end of that game based on their demeanor. Danilo pumping his chest and the 76ers all with that thousand yard stare even as the game was close. As much as that’s an indictment of my 76ers, it’s even more of a credit to the Hawks and the guy leading that team.

Trae Young is a superstar in the making, and whatever qualifiers people want to throw at it to dismiss that really mean nothing as he continues to shine the brightest when the stakes are highest. We can call out his shooting in game 7 against Philly, but he was still unkillable and instills a confidence in those around him that’s infectious. Nothing fazes this dude, and I’m glad I can get back to enjoying watching him play after spending 7 games hating him for not just going away like he was supposed to.

[chris buk]

I've watched every minute of hawks games this year. I even bet them to win the title. Hunter out, and Bogey a non factor offensively VS being the hottest shooter in the league. So amped to see where they end up.

An exciting brand of ball down in the A for sure.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Zedlaw

Pointing out one good game isn’t changing anyone’s mind. I could put together a golf highlight reel where I look amazing. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m a 15 handicap.

Call me wrong but Hunter being a Virginia boy, I’m sure Khal has watched quite a bit of the Hawks and The ACC

There are legit reasons Cam might turn into a good player, I just don’t think lack of viewership or rouge data points are high up that list.

Defensive specialists are being exposed right and left in these playoffs. Young isn’t a good defender and he’s still not a good defender. The narrative was his poor defense is undermining his offensive play and holding the Hawks back. He didn’t make the all star game because the Hawks were 16-20. How important is one bad defender to wins and losses. Tough to say. But being a great offensive player has shown to be very important to winning in these playoffs and Young is a great offensive player. And now that the world has seen it, and seen it be successful, I don’t think his lack of defense will hold him back in future all nba and all star voting. This really is a prove it league. Same thing with Booker, if you want accolades, prove it, go win games. Otherwise fans and writers are just going to make up stories, and false stories are always true up until they’re not

I endorse this post.

[atoaz12]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7BZsBxwgK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBbc4G0ox1k

Just watch. Skills are there. Every former pro that works with him talks about it. Consistency is the thing (as it is with most athletes)

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by 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.

lets not act like ayton and john collins are the last 2 players i can think of to be busted...

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ballhawkdawk

Team chemistry aside, I think you nailed it as to how they are performing so well. They’re fearless and simply refuse to go down. 26 point deficit? So what. Game 7 in Philly (Philly lost like one home game the last time home games were a real thing) and you would’ve thought the Hawks were the home team at the end of that game based on their demeanor. Danilo pumping his chest and the 76ers all with that thousand yard stare even as the game was close. As much as that’s an indictment of my 76ers, it’s even more of a credit to the Hawks and the guy leading that team.

Trae Young is a superstar in the making, and whatever qualifiers people want to throw at it to dismiss that really mean nothing as he continues to shine the brightest when the stakes are highest. We can call out his shooting in game 7 against Philly, but he was still unkillable and instills a confidence in those around him that’s infectious. Nothing fazes this dude, and I’m glad I can get back to enjoying watching him play after spending 7 games hating him for not just going away like he was supposed to.

Yea... that was the thing...

He shot 5-23 in Game 7. If his teammates don't come through with help, the story is he's a choker instead of a hero. (but they did, so it doesn't matter).

Then in Game 1 he comes out and throws it up 34 times!

I don't think this guy is out there worrying about what we think.


This is going to be a fun series.... Law of averages tells me that:

-There's going to be a game or two where Trae doesn't shoot well
-There's going to be a game or two where Trae blows up again
-There's going to be a game or two where the Bucks light it up from 3
-There's going to be a game or two where Giannis and nobody else does all the efficient scoring

Last night game ending up coming down to 1 story:
Decision making and execution in the last minute.

Moving forward, the thing that the Bucks need to solve for is the PnR with Trae. They started to do a bit better towards the end, but they sacrificed rebounding and it cost them.

For Atlanta, I'm not sure they can stop Giannis from scoring the same way the Bucks can't stop Trae if his outside shot is falling. They have a decision to make.... try to stack the paint vs Giannis and risk the rest of the guys getting open shots, vs having your guys play Giannis 1:1, giving up 30+ a game, but not letting his teammates get open looks.

Should be fun to see adjustments.

[rustywest]

Great to see the Hawks rolling....

But I'll take the Bucks from 0-1 here. Blowouts Buck guy noted they are notoriously slow starters, and that's true.

I took the 76ers too, not in a sweep or anything outrageous like old one eyed mate so I was straight wrong on that but the Bucks have been here, so naturally you'd expect them to advance because that's usually how it works...

The scary thing about the Hawks is the 3 ball, if they get streaky hot they are hard to beat and they were relatively putrid from downtown in the Gm 1 victory.

I like Capela guarding the rim in this series too

Seems like Mr Punchoable face Middleton is key for the Bucks, if he stinks, they are basically toast.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by atoaz12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7BZsBxwgK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBbc4G0ox1k

Just watch. Skills are there. Every former pro that works with him talks about it. Consistency is the thing (as it is with most athletes)

Watch what? Every dog has his day. He regressed in almost every offensive category this season, and frequently looked lost on the court. He’s a terrible shooter and was at Duke too. He benefited from being a big name HS recruit, who played alongside Zion at Duke. He’ll never be more than a fringe contributor in the NBA with a lazy autograph.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by bkcardcollector

lets not act like ayton and john collins are the last 2 players i can think of to be busted...

Well yeah, they messed up by hooking up with amateurs. Bron got finest, undetectable juice in South Beach.

[rustywest]

Originally Posted by Dame

Well yeah, they messed up by hooking up with amateurs. Bron got finest, undetectable juice in South Beach.

Let us know how Steph transformed his body Doc

[MIRRABB]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm not naturally a hater of any player, but this stuff makes me crazy lol.

Trae had one amazing game after a 7 game series where he shot 39/32, and somehow he's playing at a historical level. I don't get it.

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by MIRRABB

I'm not naturally a hater of any player, but this stuff makes me crazy lol.

Trae had one amazing game after a 7 game series where he shot 39/32, and somehow he's playing at a historical level. I don't get it.

Team leader on a team full of relative nobodies that just demoralized the #1 seed and is now taking it to yet another team that was supposed to stomp them out real easy.

Forget the numbers. It’s the Trae show.

[MIRRABB]

Originally Posted by ballhawkdawk

Team leader on a team full of relative nobodies that just demoralized the #1 seed and is now taking it to yet another team that was supposed to stomp them out real easy.

Forget the numbers. It’s the Trae show.

I get it, he's very hype-able and the reality is not as sexy as the idea that he's carrying the team game after game.

The thing is, the "nobodies" are actually a really good and balanced team, and Clint Capela has rated incredibly good this year as far as defensive and rebounding metrics. Which has been massive for a team that was at the bottom of the league in defense and rebounding last year.

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by asujbl

I need a Clippers vs Bucks final for gambling purposes

But holy crap would Bucks vs Suns be fun

Hawks had their nice little run. Time to end.

Can the blowout GOATs just stop humiliating themselves already and accept that this team is for real?

[Grizzkid12]

Originally Posted by Spacemanspif

This reminded me of the Tyler Herro takes last year

Trae and Tyler Herro aren't on the same planet. Bad take