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Post by SamH on Apr 27, 2023 17:17:49 GMT
But isn't that the point about Denver, you have to earn respect and they haven't yet earned it in the playoffs? A win over Phoenix will certainly go a long way. They should win as they have years of playing together, the Suns are still finding their identity with KD and got a handy, if not predictable, wildcard in round 1 with PG out and Leonard going down after 2 games. I'm looking forward to seeing how they cope with a real challenge now.
Meanwhile Heat v Knicks, who'd have thunk it?! I remember fondly those intense battles back in the day when the Knicks were last respectable. They always won but I think this time Miami wins.
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Post by SamH on May 3, 2023 0:00:56 GMT
So Jokic finishes 2nd for MVP behind Embiid this time. Thoughts MH? Do you think if he'd averaged the triple double (came in 0.2 apg shy) it would have helped him get there? Or do you think they just wanted to give it to someone else this time and it felt like Embiid's "turn" kinda like when Kobe won it instead of CP3 or Malone instead of Jordan, etc.
I actually thought it should have went to Giannis - best player on the best team and all that. I was delighted to see SGA finishing 5th in the voting, he got a bunch of 5th place votes. Just to see him in the conversation...OKC is going to be coming after your lot MH over the next few years! What a roster they have in place now for the next 5 years or so!
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Post by milehigh on May 3, 2023 17:22:39 GMT
You have a guy playing for an East Coast side, actively campaigning to become MVP, or someone from a "flyover state" with less media support, and isn't interested in personal glory, so harly a surprise Embid got most votes. Add in the toxic nature of some of the commentents this season, the result isn't a surprise, however I know which player contributes more to his side, in all aspects of the game. To average, almost, a triple double over a season is a tremendous achievement.
Hopefully this is the season the Nuggets win their, first, title and, hopefully, continue to improve and have more success going forwards, the core of the team is still fairly young and the bench strength is an interesting mix of exciting young players, and very savvy vets.
Whil;e Nuggets style may not be to everyones taste, it's a great style of team focussed basketball.
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Post by SamH on May 3, 2023 18:29:13 GMT
Well you say that but it was Jokic winning the last 2 over Embiid despite his yapping about it in both those seasons! I don't think he should have got it but it wasn't a surprise. What I am liking is that the last few seasons have been all about the bigs, and they're all non-Americans.
Like what the Nugs have done so far Vs Suns. Fancy a 4-1 series now. They should be able to handle warriors or Lakers after that to go to the finals. How bizarre, 6 v 7 seeds in the 2nd round and 5 v 8 in the east!
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Post by SamH on May 13, 2023 10:28:16 GMT
Nuggets-Lakers then MH! Fair play to LA, the way they started the season I didn't think they'd even make the play-in, now here they are in the last 4. You worried at all? Joker v AD will be a great matchup. The key seems to be keeping AD quiet, they usually lose if he has a poor outing. Plus don't forget the league will want the Lakers in the final. Which may not mean anything, or maybe it will (*cough...2002...cough!*)
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Post by milehigh on May 13, 2023 19:25:38 GMT
Hopefully it will be a great series, between two really good sides.
Of course the media will favour the Lakers, they are the NBA's leading franchise, in the biggest media market, and a Lakers v Celtics final would probably get the highest viewing figures.
However Nuggets are a very strong side, that are not reliant on just a single star player. Having watched all their games against Phoenix, it was good to see that all of the 8 players in the main rotation had at least one big game, going from multiple triple doubles for Jokic, to Murray having 40point games, Brown getting 25 off the bench in game 6 and Braun playing a key defensive role against Booker and Durrant.
It would be good for the NBA to have a new champion team, and this year Denver look like they have a ability and spirit to achieve that. The best thing about this Denver side is their team first style of play and the way the ball and scoring is shared around the team.
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Post by SamH on May 14, 2023 22:02:12 GMT
Boston easily handling the 76ers in game 7, what a rout. Harden a no show as usual when it's a big game, nothing changes there. As long as Embiid continues to be in Philly, I hope they never win a chip - because I was disgusted by their tanking ploy that they did for about 4 years, to try and build up through high draft picks. Of all the picks they got doing this, Embiid was the only good one who has lasted - the whole Trust the Process thing goes back to that and I vowed years ago I never wanted to see that strategy work or pay off.
I think it's going to be a Nuggets-Celtics final - should be a good one!
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Post by SamH on May 17, 2023 12:17:16 GMT
I had a strong feeling for weeks that the Spurs were going to win the Wembanyama draft, and they did. I'm absolutely delighted they did too - what a team, coach and environment for maximising his potential. I don't know how long Pop wants to go on for but I'm sure he'll be staying for a couple more years at least now. Imagine what this kid will achieve learning from the master.
The spurs are class from top to bottom and having done it with Duncan, now they can go again with Wembanyama. Not to mention the French connection with Tony Parkers history there.
Obviously I was holding a glimmer of hope for OKCs 1.8% chance to win but realistically it was the Spurs I wanted to win. Although Charlotte coming 2nd, I'd have been happy to see MJ get him too. Just didn't want to see Houston or Detroit win, don't think they deserve it!
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Post by milehigh on May 21, 2023 5:40:23 GMT
Looking likely to be a Denver v Miami NBA final, Nuggets won game 3 overnight to take a 3-0 lead is the Western conference final.
In the East, Miami won the first two games of the series in Boston and will be looking to sweep the Celtics in their two home games.
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Post by SamH on May 21, 2023 13:33:09 GMT
Well no one has ever overturned a 3-0 deficit so you must be pretty excited about now, MH!
Poor NBA not getting their money maker Lakers-Celtics final 😂
I don't think Boston goes quietly but fancy Heat in 6 now. Amazing that we have a 7 and 8 seed in the conference finals.
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Post by milehigh on May 21, 2023 19:16:56 GMT
Not counting the chickens yet, but pleased for the players and coaches that they are close to achieving their goal for the season. the Nuggets have been great to watch this season, especially seeing how they have grown and developed as a team, and they genuinely are a team where all of the squad contribute not just one or two stars that you see at other teams.
If things go well Stan Kronkie and his KSE group will be able to add an NBA title to the NHL and NFL titles his teams have won in the last few years, that will be a first for any owner. His EPL side let him down this season though!
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Post by SamH on May 26, 2023 15:49:44 GMT
Well, 3-2 in the East. If ever a team was going to do the impossible, this is the chance. Its all on game 6 for me. If Boston wins that, they win game 7 too. To come back from 0-3, its like Wilts 100 point game, you might only see it once in all of history.
That said, look for Jimmy Buckets to go mental in game 6!
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Post by spacejammer on May 28, 2023 8:21:04 GMT
Wow Celtics after being 3-0 down against the Heat have managed to tie the series against the Heat and won 104-103 last night.
Looks like we could be on the brink of seeing the first NBA team to come back from 3-0 down to win a series.😮
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Post by SamH on May 28, 2023 9:53:08 GMT
Amazing drama! Feel bad for Miami but we might be about to witness a piece of history. 150 teams down 3-0 have failed to win the series and only 3 have even forced game 7. Now its 4 and the Celtics are at home and started the series as the better team on paper, so they have to be favourites now .
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Post by massiveridersfan on May 30, 2023 8:50:29 GMT
Amazing drama! Feel bad for Miami but we might be about to witness a piece of history. 150 teams down 3-0 have failed to win the series and only 3 have even forced game 7. Now its 4 and the Celtics are at home and started the series as the better team on paper, so they have to be favourites now . The injury to Tatum was a massive blow from which Boston never really recovered. Weirdly, Butler seemed reticent to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, even though he played well overall. Expected him to be more aggressive in the paint. Others stepped up big time though and now I can't wait for this best of 7 series playoff final to begin. |
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