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Post by SamH on Apr 11, 2024 16:31:50 GMT
So we're into the last few days of the regular season and loads still to play for, at least in the West! What a race it is for the top seed. Mile High your Nuggets did us a favour by beating the T'wolves last night, as we hold the tie-break over you but not them. We have a tough match with the Bucks coming up but Giannis is out so hopefully that'll be a W, then the final game is at home to Dallas, who are in good form so that could go either way. I suspect you're going to say the regular season can go swivel, its all about the playoffs - but as a fan of a team that hasn't been relevant for a few years, it sure is nice to be back up at or near the top! Gotta love how Sam Presti continues to build winning programmes relatively quickly in OKC. He's widely considered the best GM in the business, but hasn't got a championship yet to underpin that with!
I like the play in concept, but in the West it would kinda be more exciting just to have the top 8 again this season, as only 2 games separate the Suns, Kings, Lakers and Warriors. As it is all 4 of them will get their shot via the play in, whereas a race to 8 would be more interesting. However, those play in games should be superb viewing.
The East isn't so interesting but last week Orlando was 1 win out of the 2 spot, then they lose 2 games and just like that are down to 5th place. So there's a bit of a bun fight in the middle there. Teams don't want to be drawing the 76ers now Embiid is back, looks like they could finish 6th or 7th.
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Post by SamH on Apr 12, 2024 15:23:38 GMT
Just seen Denver's last 2 games are against the Grizzlies and Spurs, so barring any silly slip ups they've wrapped up the top spot. Hoping to snag 2nd to get home court advantage in round 2, but it doesn't matter too much. Every round 1 series is going to be tough, so there's no guarantees who gets through that anyway.
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Post by milehigh on Apr 12, 2024 16:11:34 GMT
Nuggets have performed when needed, are the "best in the West" and have the second best record overall, despite playing in the strongest division and conference. They have also developed the younger players and managed to cope with several significant injuries through the season.
although the media won't like it, Denver have to be considered the favourutes to win the finals again.
Every home game was a sell out, I think the only club in the NBA to do that this season.
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Post by SamH on Apr 12, 2024 16:33:29 GMT
I think it would be a very interesting series against the Celtics, if both get to the finals. Boston would have home court advantage, but Denver has the experience and know-how of getting over the line to win the big one. I don't see anyone in the East challenging Boston, but not sure if it'll be a certainty for the Nugs - they potentially get the Warriors or Suns in round 1, then OKC or Minnesota, then probably the other one of those 2. As I say, there are no easy series in the West so it doesn't really matter - whether its Dallas, Suns, Warriors, Pelicans. All tough draws.
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Post by milehigh on Apr 12, 2024 17:56:25 GMT
The two regular season games between Boston and Debver were very high quality, and had finals levels of intensity.
I may be biased, but I can't honestly see anyone beating a, full strength, denver team over a 7 game series. Obviously it requires the officials to do their jb fairly and without bias, sadly not always the case.
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Post by hayesboy on Apr 12, 2024 21:31:46 GMT
What evidence is there of refs being bias against any NBA team…let alone the Nugs? Sorry but that’s just nonsense.
Agree though the Nuggets are the team to beat. Jokic is the best player in the NBA at the moment and has a good team, well constructed around him.
OKC play some great basketball. Most like a Euroleague team that I’ve seen in the NBA.
Lots of people tipping the Wolves but for me they are all highlights and no substance.
L
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Post by SamH on Apr 12, 2024 23:30:38 GMT
On a different note, this made me chuckle! www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39929979/sixers-unveil-allen-iverson-crossover-statue-practice-facility Of all the places for his statue to go  But it's great to remember Iverson, he was such a cool player and I don't think there's been anyone his size since that's been as dominant. Nowadays every player has tattoos, several have cornrows and some still wear headbands. No one bats an eyelid, yet when he did all that David Stern and the media were constantly on his case for it. While I was in the US recently I saw loads of people wearing Iverson jerseys - he's still very popular. And they featured THAT crossover on MJ on the 27th anniversary of it, think it was on NBA Tip Off, recently. Remember, dude was a rookie at the time! Come on now. Have you ever seen no.23 embarrassed like that at any other time? I can only think of the Orlando playoff series after he came back from baseball. |
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Post by SamH on Apr 13, 2024 17:08:14 GMT
Wow, Nugs lay an egg losing by 1 to the Spurs, so that changes everything!
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Post by SamH on Apr 15, 2024 10:46:21 GMT
Well there we have it - what a wild final day of the season! OKC grab the top spot thanks to the Suns beating Minnesota and Dallas resting their starters, making that an easy win. I guess the Mavs had no desire to try and grab home court advantage from the Clippers for their series then. The Suns winning and Pelicans losing also means they flip flop and the Pels are now in the play-in.
Meanwhile in the East, the Bucks lose the 2 spot they've held all season and the Knicks grab it with a 50 win season. Who'd have thunk it, the Knicks actually looking competitive!
The Western play in games are tomorrow evening - they should be good. In the East you expect the 76ers and Heat to come through but in the West it could be any 2 of the 4 teams.
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Post by SamH on Apr 17, 2024 12:56:02 GMT
So its Denver v Lakers in a re-match from last season's western conference final (although the Lakers were also 7th seed then too!) Any concerns about the matchup, MH?
I'm really pleased as the 2 teams I wanted to avoid were the Lakers and Warriors, just because of their postseason experience. No chance of that now - don't mind if its the Pels or the Kings in terms of the match up, but I would like to see the Kings make it as feel they deserve it more. Pelicans have been terrible lately and don't seem to always put much effort in.
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Post by milehigh on Apr 17, 2024 13:48:40 GMT
To be honest, no, we have the strongest team, and the best coach. Lakers haven't won a game in the last 16 or so attampts v Denver.
Provided there are no major injuries it should develop into a Denver v Boston final.
It seems that GSW have reached the end of the road with their current squad and need a significant rebuild.
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Post by milehigh on Apr 17, 2024 18:41:38 GMT
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Post by SamH on Jun 20, 2024 18:35:15 GMT
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But it's great to remember Iverson, he was such a cool player and I don't think there's been anyone his size since that's been as dominant. Nowadays every player has tattoos, several have cornrows and some still wear headbands. No one bats an eyelid, yet when he did all that David Stern and the media were constantly on his case for it.