***Official 2022-2023 NBA Thread***

[dirk digler]

Can't believe the regular season starts tonight. Just seemed like the Finals ended a couple weeks ago.



Philly vs Celtics: 6:30PM CST TNT

GSW vs Lakers: 9:00PM CST TNT

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

Yes, but the Lakers negated a lot of that by shooting 23 more free throws. The free throw discrepancy won't even out as much as the 3 point shooting will but that's how they made the difference up in game 1.

Hope so. I went to bed at half time and the Lakers had like a 20-1 FT ratio or something stupid. I also knew the way AD was playing it was going to be tough to beat them. He is a huge difference maker and will be the reason why they make a run.

Glad it is a 7-game series though

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

Yes, but the Lakers negated a lot of that by shooting 23 more free throws. The free throw discrepancy won't even out as much as the 3 point shooting will but that's how they made the difference up in game 1.

It’s almost like a team built small who relies on volume 3 point shooting doesn’t get fouled as often as the more physical team that drives to the basket. The Warriors are easily beaten by size and physicality if teams decide to play actual basketball instead of panicking early and getting caught up in a 3 point shooting contest. The Warriors have no answer for AD and Lebron’s physicality. I think they’re smart enough to not get pulled into playing the Warriors game. This is definitely looking like it will be a gentleman sweep at best for the Warriors. They don’t match up well at all with this Lakers team.

[tyecopeland]

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

It’s almost like a team built small who relies on volume 3 point shooting doesn’t get fouled as often as the more physical team that drives to the basket. The Warriors are easily beaten by size and physicality if teams decide to play actual basketball instead of panicking early and getting caught up in a 3 point shooting contest. The Warriors have no answer for AD and Lebron’s physicality. I think they’re smart enough to not get pulled into playing the Warriors game. This is definitely looking like it will be a gentleman sweep at best for the Warriors. They don’t match up well at all with this Lakers team.

Oh. I'm not saying it wasn't deserved by any means. Just that's how all the extra 3s were made up for. The Warriors have fouled all year and have been fouled less all year. It's going to be the same this series.

I wouldn't put them out in 5 games at this juncture though. I do think the grizzlies would have been a much friendlier opponent for them though.

Besides, KCC will tell you that someone on the Lakers is bound to get hurt and gift Curry a championship.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

Yes, but the Lakers negated a lot of that by shooting 23 more free throws. The free throw discrepancy won't even out as much as the 3 point shooting will but that's how they made the difference up in game 1.

You should that many more free throws on the road and there's no amount of complaining about the officials that can explain it away.

That's a massive stylistic distinction and it should hold. I think the Lakers led the league in FTs attempted and I wouldn't be surprised of GSW were at/near the bottom.

Yeah, the gap CAN stay that wide, especially in LA.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

It has to be intermittent. He's nearly 40 years old and being asked to play 40 minutes a game every two days in the NBA playoffs. Everything is about conserving energy at this point in his career, it's the only way they can possibly make this run.

On that point, I half expect both LeBron and AD to go through the motions in a few days after the major effort they gave today to get home advantage back. They were incredibly gassed at the end of the 4th there.

I didn't argue otherwise. I specifically noted that it was probably wise. He doesn't have a choice. But you don't get extra credit on the scoreboard for being old. There is no curve. He did what he could do and that required he take many possessions off defensively. He was no sort of anchor out there.

Now as the the next point - it's a tough call. Yeah, they did what they needed to do and locked in the split, but I STILL hate the idea of needing to win two in LA to maintain your edge. Just look at how close they were to throwing it away in game 4.

I mean there's just so much benefit to getting that 2-0 road lead. I don't know what the numbers are, but they have to be staggeringly in favor of teams that start 2-0 on the road.

Sure, they can take a game off and head back to LA having broken serve. Or they can keep the pedal down and go back to LA having put their foot on GSWs throat.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

Oh. I'm not saying it wasn't deserved by any means. Just that's how all the extra 3s were made up for. The Warriors have fouled all year and have been fouled less all year. It's going to be the same this series.

I wouldn't put them out in 5 games at this juncture though. I do think the grizzlies would have been a much friendlier opponent for them though.

Besides, KCC will tell you that someone on the Lakers is bound to get hurt and gift Curry a championship.

The Grizzlies matched up better against this Lakers team without 2 of our centers. There is no way the Warriors stand a chance in this series. They tried putting Kevon Looney on AD because they literally have no one else. Kevon Looney.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by POND_OF_RED

The Grizzlies matched up better against this Lakers team without 2 of our centers. There is no way the Warriors stand a chance in this series. They tried putting Kevon Looney on AD because they literally have no one else. Kevon Looney.

Think they wish they had Wiseman back right about now?

I just can't imagine LA was on their radar at all when they made that deal. They had to know that if they played LA in the post-season, Davis was going to be a real problem for them.

But Wiseman, if nothing else, is 6 fouls to give and a big body that can lean/bang on Davis to maybe get him off his game. Because again, Davis is just kinda fragile between the ears.

[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Think they wish they had Wiseman back right about now?

I just can't imagine LA was on their radar at all when they made that deal. They had to know that if they played LA in the post-season, Davis was going to be a real problem for them.

But Wiseman, if nothing else, is 6 fouls to give and a big body that can lean/bang on Davis to maybe get him off his game. Because again, Davis is just kinda fragile between the ears.

I think fatigue is the only thing that can be a factor in this series. When AD is playing in the post the Warriors have no chance. When he gets tired and starts hanging at the 3 point line more they struggle. It will all be about load management this series. I’m sure there will be a game where Steph and Klay somehow can’t miss and they’ll steal a game, but if the Lakers stay healthy and fresh they should have no problem with this Warriors team. I think they’ll be pretty motivated to get the sweep too and save as much energy as they can for the West Coast finals when a team finally has a big that can stand up to AD. AD just has to keep his focus and remember there is no one in this series that can stop him in the paint. If he can be dominant against the DPOTY I think he can continue being dominant against Kevon ****ing Looney.

[dirk digler]

This should be fun. My 4 favorite players.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will be joining Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for a 2v2 golf match on June 29th in Las Vegas. TNT will carry “The Match” starting at 6:30pm EST. pic.twitter.com/vTYrme3ao5

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 3, 2023

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

This should be fun. My 4 favorite players.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will be joining Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for a 2v2 golf match on June 29th in Las Vegas. TNT will carry “The Match” starting at 6:30pm EST. pic.twitter.com/vTYrme3ao5

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 3, 2023

Might have to get tickets to this shit. I should be there at on June 29th

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

This should be fun. My 4 favorite players.

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce will be joining Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for a 2v2 golf match on June 29th in Las Vegas. TNT will carry “The Match” starting at 6:30pm EST. pic.twitter.com/vTYrme3ao5

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 3, 2023

Curry is a much better golfer than anybody there. Not a fair fight.

[Iconic]

BREAKING: The Warriors are trying a new starting five tonight for Game 2 vs. the Lakers:

Stephen Curry
Klay Thompson
Andrew Wiggins
JaMychal Green
Draymond Green pic.twitter.com/0ZU9MZeuch

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 5, 2023

[dirk digler]

Poole blows

[dirk digler]

This might be a quick series for the Lakers. They are playing really good basketball

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

This might be a quick series for the Lakers. They are playing really good basketball