2020 NBA Playoffs Thread - Haters arguing that it took Lebron 10 Finals to win 4 titles

[flranger 764]

As amazing as Butler was in game 3, he consistently deferred and was passive in the fourth last night.  It's almost like he was looking not to take a shot and was scared.  Heat needed more from him last night but he was looking for Herro and Robinson to take the shot.  Disappointing finish.

[trader jake 1,385]

9 hours ago, SoBeDad said:

Dragic could've made a difference tonight. He made a huge contribution in the bubble. The hope is he'll sign for one more year in Miami. 

No doubt.  Dragic pick n' rolls (especially with Bam) consistently produce good looks.  It also forces the defense to pay attention to that motion and allows the 3pt shooters an opportunity to pop open on off-ball actions.

57 minutes ago, flranger said:

As amazing as Butler was in game 3, he consistently deferred and was passive in the fourth last night.  It's almost like he was looking not to take a shot and was scared.  Heat needed more from him last night but he was looking for Herro and Robinson to take the shot.  Disappointing finish.

At this stage of his career Butler has proven he definitely isn't scared of anything.  I do agree he deferred quite a bit and looked to kick out in too many situations last night.  Gotta give LA some credit there, they did a much better job keeping a big on Butler in game 4, mainly AD.

[Synthesizer 491]

2 hours ago, flranger said:

As amazing as Butler was in game 3, he consistently deferred and was passive in the fourth last night.  It's almost like he was looking not to take a shot and was scared.  Heat needed more from him last night but he was looking for Herro and Robinson to take the shot.  Disappointing finish.

The Lakers waited until the 4th quarter to surprise the Heat with that huge adjustment.  Put a 7’6” wingspan on Butler and sag off him.  That stops him from getting in the lane where he wants to be.  Dare him to shoot a 3.   He shot 24% on 3’s this year so of course he isn’t going to want to take that shot.

[jvdesigns2002 3,138]

2 hours ago, flranger said:

As amazing as Butler was in game 3, he consistently deferred and was passive in the fourth last night.  It's almost like he was looking not to take a shot and was scared.  Heat needed more from him last night but he was looking for Herro and Robinson to take the shot.  Disappointing finish.

Butler is not a typical NBA superstar. He’s not a guy that you can give the ball too and tell him to get a decent shot up for himself. He’s not going to over power or outquick guys like Lebron or AD. He doesn’t have insane handles  or a super quick shot release like steph, klay, cp3, or  dame.  He doesn’t have insane height or length to shoot over guys like KD or Anthony Davis are able to do. The way he’s been successful with Miami is by leadership and creating a culture where there is accountability and trust amongst teammates.  I don’t think he was “deferring”- he was doing what he has preached with Miami all year- team basketball and trust. Him trying to create a shot for himself vs Bron or AD is probably going to result in a lower percentage shot than Herro putting one up against Kcp or rondo. Etc.

I feel like both teams played scrappy last night. The Lakers supporting cast stepped up- kcp, Caruso, green and rondo all had moments where their contributions gave the Lakers a solid lift. In a game where both teams play decent and tough- the talent gap ended up being a deciding factor imo. 

[Frostillicus 14,056]

20 hours ago, Craig_MiamiFL said:

 

His old home had been on the market since Feb (after signing his EXTENSION here).

He's already bought a new home here.

Go enjoy KAT's stat padding on a 20 win team, D-Lo's no defense, and whatever bust you take at #1.

Be excellent to each other.

Have a good (off)season

-C

My feelings are hurt.

Edited October 7, 2020 by Frostillicus

[Juxtatarot 11,209]

46 minutes ago, Frostillicus said:

My feelings are hurt.

If the Wolves keep their pick, do you think they will go with Edwards, Ball or someone else?

[SWC 15,315]

19 hours ago, Frostillicus said:

On 10/6/2020 at 9:57 PM, Craig_MiamiFL said:

 

His old home had been on the market since Feb (after signing his EXTENSION here).

He's already bought a new home here.

Go enjoy KAT's stat padding on a 20 win team, D-Lo's no defense, and whatever bust you take at #1.

Be excellent to each other.

Have a good (off)season

-C

My feelings are hurt.

i agree there is nothing wrong with not liking minnesota i personally think they should bulldoze the whole thing into a giant bass fishin hole but there is no need to be mean about it like that so i salute you frosterlicius and got your back take that to the bank bromigo 

[jvdesigns2002 3,138]

Strange timing. I notice that the T-wolves were recently mentioned in this thread.  I just read an interesting article about their former center Nikola Pekovic.  Sounds like he's moved onto being affiliated with the Mob and the drug trafficking game since retiring from the NBA.    

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/after-his-nba-career-nikola-pekovic-has-apparently-found-success-as-a-mobster-and-drug-lord/

[Juxtatarot 11,209]

14 minutes ago, jvdesigns2002 said:

Strange timing. I notice that the T-wolves were recently mentioned in this thread.  I just read an interesting article about their former center Nikola Pekovic.  Sounds like he's moved onto being affiliated with the Mob and the drug trafficking game since retiring from the NBA.    

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/after-his-nba-career-nikola-pekovic-has-apparently-found-success-as-a-mobster-and-drug-lord/

For some reason, I'm not totally surprised.

[SayWhat? 4,090]

On 10/7/2020 at 6:47 PM, Juxtatarot said:

If the Wolves keep their pick, do you think they will go with Edwards, Ball or someone else?

Not sure what anyone else thinks, but I do.  

[flranger 764]

Shams Charania

@ShamsCharania

NBA’s 2019-20 Executive of the Year: Clippers president Lawrence Frank.

 

😂🤣😅🤣😂

Honestly it should go to Sam Presti for the voodoo magic he pulled off

[sports_fan 2,698]

Los Angeles Lakers advance to NBA Finals, beating Denver Nuggets 117-107 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

https://twitter.com/AP/status/1310068369815633926?s=20

[Long Ball Larry 14,294]

Very confused about this Davis injury

[Long Ball Larry 14,294]

First looked really bad

then I thought maybe just a cramp

but then it looked like it was in a very weird place for that

but now he seems to be moving better

[ILUVBEER99 1,369]

8 minutes ago, Long Ball Larry said:

First looked really bad

then I thought maybe just a cramp

but then it looked like it was in a very weird place for that

but now he seems to be moving better

so weird.  he looked like he was dying.  2 minutes later he's fine.

[trader jake 1,385]

19 minutes ago, ILUVBEER99 said:

so weird.  he looked like he was dying.  2 minutes later he's fine.

It happens with AD... Every.  Single.  Game.

[SoBeDad 2,252]

Butler. Again. 

[Alex P Keaton 3,940]

1 minute ago, SoBeDad said:

Butler. Again. 

Is Butler the MVP yet?

[jvdesigns2002 3,138]

Amazing game to watch. Seeing Lebron and Butler go back and forth was a thing of beauty. I know AD was hobbled but I was shocked to see he had 28 points  and 12 boards tonight. I love the dudes game but that may have been the least impactful 28-12 game that I can remember.  For the Lakers to win- his stamp needs to be on the game somewhere- regardless of if he’s hobbled.

[Ghost Rider 6,219]

1 minute ago, jvdesigns2002 said:

Amazing game to watch. Seeing Lebron and Butler go back and forth was a thing of beauty. I know AD was hobbled but I was shocked to see he had 28 points  and 12 boards tonight. I love the dudes game but that may have been the least impactful 28-12 game that I can remember.  For the Lakers to win- his stamp needs to be on the game somewhere- regardless of if he’s hobbled.

Eh, if Danny Green hits a wide open 3 that I could hit at 47, the Lakers likely win the game. 

Mad props to the Heat who fought like hell to win that game. 

[SoBeDad 2,252]

18 minutes ago, Alex P Keaton said:

Is Butler the MVP yet?

If the Heat wins the series, which is still unlikely, it'll be because of his will, the ultimate chip on his shoulder, great 2-way play, and clutch shots. And the Heat's ability to develop and select young players like Robinson and Nunn who were undrafted, and Herro and Adebayo. Nobody expected Butler to rise to this level, but with Dragic out, and Adebayo nursing a neck injury, he's brought his game up to LeBron level in the Heat wins. Who needs the Freak when you have Buckets.

[Judge Smails 3,625]

Mad mad respect for Butler. I’ve never viewed him as this type of dominant force at any point in his career. He is playing out of his mind. And Robinson clutched up huge tonight. Hitting 3’s at will with guys in his face. They earned it. And they believe. Which for a Laker fan like me is scary. The bench has to step up. LeBron was a freakin warrior tonight. That effort wins 99% of games. Lakers are going to have to earn it against this team 

[Insein 10,562]

I want Jimmy Butler to somehow pull off this miracle upset and then we can staple the Heat championship headline to Joshua Harris and Elton Brands face.

[The Kansas Comet 744]

17 hours ago, Judge Smails said:

Mad mad respect for Butler. I’ve never viewed him as this type of dominant force at any point in his career. He is playing out of his mind. And Robinson clutched up huge tonight. Hitting 3’s at will with guys in his face. They earned it. And they believe. Which for a Laker fan like me is scary. The bench has to step up. LeBron was a freakin warrior tonight. That effort wins 99% of games. Lakers are going to have to earn it against this team 

Green, KCP, Kuzma, Rondo, Morris, and Caruso were 6-24 from 3 last night, with a majority of those being open catch and shoot.  That group needs to have a decent-ish (33% from 3) shooting game in one of these next two to get a W.  Along with that, they need to not ball watch while Robinson runs to open spots on the floor.  The defense on him last night was poor.  Props to him for continuing to move and hitting shots, but he got a number of those because his defender decided to stare at Butler with the ball and forget what his own task was.  

[Craig_MiamiFL 2,502]

Playoff Rondo

Championship Rondo

[trader jake 1,385]

Lakers defense has been awesome in game 6 so far, and Rondo looks committed tonight.  That's a bad combo for the Heat.

[Jayrod 4,355]

The Lakers are so whiny.  Up 20 with 2:00 left to close out the championship and LBJ gets a T for slapping the backboard then spends the entire next possession barking at the ref.  Then Rondo whines about a no call and then half the team complaining about a call on KCP trying to run through a screen.

I hate this Laker team so much.

 

[trader jake 1,385]

Congratulations to all the Lakers fans.  Great season and a bubble title.

Now quit counting the championships the team won in Minnesota.  It's non-sensical.

[Capella 29,703]

Lebron   

[Ghost Rider 6,219]

The Lakers winning is always gross, but all hail the King.  Unreal.

[cockroach 2,591]

14 minutes ago, Jayrod said:

The Lakers are so whiny.  Up 20 with 2:00 left to close out the championship and LBJ gets a T for slapping the backboard then spends the entire next possession barking at the ref.  Then Rondo whines about a no call and then half the team complaining about a call on KCP trying to run through a screen.

I hate this Laker team so much.

 

 

Hate away.  But you better RESPECT. 

[timschochet 33,375]

In a way I’ve been waiting my whole life for this. The only thing Boston had on the Lakers was the 17 rings. Now that’s over. Lakers are heads up the greatest franchise in NBA history. They’re the Yankees of basketball. 

[timschochet 33,375]

And Wilt was better than Russell too. 

[Capella 29,703]

Oh God are we in the politics forum again? 

[The Z Machine 4,825]

Laaaaaaaaaakeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrs!

[The Z Machine 4,825]

6 minutes ago, timschochet said:

They’re the Yankees of basketball. 

Nah, they're a better franchise. 

[Ghost Rider 6,219]

It's a testament to the greatness of LeBron James that he got that franchise another title.  Let's face it, the franchise had become awful for years prior to his arrival, even in Kobe's last few years, but LeBron comes to town and two years later, championship. Just another page on his GOAT resume.

[timschochet 33,375]

8 minutes ago, Ghost Rider said:

It's a testament to the greatness of LeBron James that he got that franchise another title.  Let's face it, the franchise had become awful for years prior to his arrival, even in Kobe's last few years, but LeBron comes to town and two years later, championship. Just another page on his GOAT resume.

After Jerry West retired they were lousy until Magic arrived. After Magic retired they were lousy until Shaq and Kobe arrived. After Shaq left, even with Kobe, they were lousy until they got Gasol. After Kobe got hurt and then retired they were lousy until this season. 
It’s the same pattern over and over. They have a few bad and mediocre years and then new superstars come along and they’re on top again. There simply is no long stretch of poor performance. It’s amazing. 

[The Kansas Comet 744]

If you had told me before the season that at the end of the year I would love seeing Rondo on the court and feel happy for Dwight Howard, I would have punched you in the face.  What a crazy year.  What a dominating way to end this bizarre, draining season.  I am continually amazed by Lebron, and Davis is such a destructive force on defense.  So much fun to watch them lock in at the defensive end.  

[Judge Smails 3,625]

Best half of team defense I’ve ever seen. Perfect strategy, near perfect execution.  Laker Nation is very happy right now.  There will be arguments, but if I could start a team with any player in history it would be LeBron. Over Michael, over Kareem, over Magic. What he did especially at his age is unreal. 

[jvdesigns2002 3,138]

Lakers brought it tonight.  Lebron was all over the place and very aggressive. AD put his stamp on the game especially on the defensive end.   Rondo, KCP, and Caruso really brought energy and provided a spark tonight.   With that said--Heat fans have a lot to be proud of.   That team is loaded with talent--and a lot of it is very young talent.  Honestly--I think bringing Dragic back tonight backfired on them.   It felt as though his return took some of the momentum and motivation away from Herro, Nunn and even Butler to a certain extent.   I feel like the Heat play better when they are more "hungry".  His return was fools gold for them--he wasn't himself and I think it took some of the hunger away from the entire team.   With that said--I know ratings were down--but I really enjoyed what the NBA was able to do with the bubble.   Will be an interesting off season as well in my opinion.   

[Alex P Keaton 3,940]

2 hours ago, timschochet said:

In a way I’ve been waiting my whole life for this. The only thing Boston had on the Lakers was the 17 rings. Now that’s over. Lakers are heads up the greatest franchise in NBA history. They’re the Yankees of basketball. 

They have 12 in LA.  Congrats on #12.

[Craig_MiamiFL 2,502]

Congrats NBA Champion!!!!

.....DeMarcus Cousins!!!!!!

[timschochet 33,375]

3 hours ago, Alex P Keaton said:

They have 12 in LA.  Congrats on #12.

5 in Minneapolis, 6 in Inglewood, 5 in Los Angeles, 1 in The Bubble. All Lakers. 

[The Z Machine 4,825]

Next up is the Dodgers to get their first since 1988, right @timschochet?

[Alex P Keaton 3,940]

3 hours ago, timschochet said:

5 in Minneapolis, 6 in Inglewood, 5 in Los Angeles, 1 in The Bubble. All Lakers. 

Congrats on the win

Edited October 12, 2020 by Alex P Keaton

[cockroach 2,591]

7 hours ago, jvdesigns2002 said:

Will be an interesting off season as well in my opinion.   

Speaking of off-season, when do they start again?   The next season would be about to start right now.  

[Craig_MiamiFL 2,502]

@Capella

https://twitter.com/ringernba/status/1315474592434020353

 

[timschochet 33,375]

1 hour ago, The Z Machine said:

Next up is the Dodgers to get their first since 1988, right @timschochet?

I’m an Angels fan. I used to love the Dodgers. In fact I was at the Kirk Gibson game! But now I’m indifferent to them, I want to see Mike Trout get a ring, somehow. 

[The Kansas Comet 744]

Nice to see Antetokounmpo* get a ring 

 

 

 

 

*Kostas