AD is going to have to be the best player in the series for the Lakers to stand much of a chance (although he is more than capable of that). The days of LeBron carrying teams in the playoffs has almost certainly come to an end. He was exhausted at the end of that game tonight.

He should look into some load management next season.

Truth

Ok Lebron here is your chance as I will be rooting for you. Doesn't happen often so please take care of this clown.

Gawd damn look at this idiot.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“I wouldn’t mind playing LeBron in a 7-game series…The legacy is there. First time back in the playoffs, knock him out right away in the first round. It’ll test us good. They got good pieces, good players, and that’ll be a good 1st round matchup for us.”<br><br>- Dillon Brooks <br><br>(Via… <a href="https://t.co/ycxXTXgVw0">pic.twitter.com/ycxXTXgVw0</a></p>&mdash; NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1645880698937434113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He did. Apparently he hacked up his shoulder or something.

He had a bad look, but MN was shooting insane from 3, so it's not like his production created a void.

It's probably the outcome that happens in a series.

From my uneducated, uninformed opinion, the refs sticking it in Towns sideways was more impactful than Edwards shitting the bed. He was playing well, especially on defense, and they had no answer for Davis inside.

Looks like Steph and Klay had a kid together. :LOL:

Definitely would have much rather faced the Warriors right away instead that is for sure. The Lakers create a bit of a mismatch with AD and our 2 centers out for the season. Would have much rather faced Draymond and his soft little brigade of HORSE players. Sucks that we probably won’t get the chance either with them getting matched up against the Kings right away.

Wasn't a foul. At all.

He wasn't within a foot of the shooter when that ball was released. Davis was clearly late closing out and almost certainly by design. Just an awful whistle.

Wolves fans have kept their heads down because they know better. They were lucky to make it to OT.

Your LeBron glasses have broken your brain. 'Should've been a flagrant' - are you ****ing kidding me?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FtfkyLSW...pg&name=medium

A flagrant foul in KCC land.

Irrelevant. If you don’t give the shooter a place to land, it’s supposed to be called a flagrant foul in the NBA these days and has been called as such for a couple of years now. The Lakers were incredibly lucky to even get to overtime after that silly play.

Your pathological obsession with shitting on all thinks Laker to build up LeBron is just so bizarre.

But again, you quit on this team 2 months ago so I'm not sure why anyone still puts any stock in anything you have to say. You truly have no idea what you're watching or you just can't admit what it is you see.

This is a talented, deep Lakers squad that has as good a chance as anyone to win the conference. And yes, LeBron will be a HUGE part of that. As will Davis. But never forget that LeBron was ready to shut it down for the year and it was Davis, D-Lo, Reaves and the rest of those shitty teammates you've done nothing that dump on who convinced him to actually put his sneakers on.

No amount of deflection from you will ever change that. If the Lakers manage to make a run out of this, it'll be the 2nd time that LeBron was ready to quit on a season only to see his teammates keep the season alive for them.

You don’t watch anywhere near enough NBA if you aren’t aware that exact play has repeatedly been called a flagrant foul in recent years.

I reiterate - look at the picture. There's plenty of room to land.

You're seeing what you want to see - again. Davis planted that foot and got his entire body turned before making contact Conley. And you're telling me there was no room for him to land? Nonsense.

Just as FOS as ever...

https://videorulebook.nba.com/archiv...borne-shooter/

“This is an example of a Flagrant Foul, Penalty 1. The defensive player, Julius Randle, challenges the jump shot, and he extends his right foot into the landing area of the shooter, James Harden, causing him to fall to the floor. Defenders must give airborne shooters the opportunity to land safely. Whether intentional or not, this is a dangerous play, and there is potential for injury. A Flagrant Foul, Penalty 1 is defined as contact that is unnecessary. The penalty for a Flagrant 1 is two free throws for the offended player, and his team would also retain possession of the ball. Note also that any called foul that could potentially be ruled flagrant, will be reviewed via Instant Replay, to determine if it is a Flagrant 1, a Flagrant 2, a Technical Foul, or a common foul.”

Do some reading and watch this play.

Yeah - you've just been bang-on in your analysis thus far.

How bout you watch the play in question?

Randle's foot is under the shooter; Harden comes straight down on his foot. Now look where Davis's is. It's a full foot away from Conley's landing point.

It's not even a close question. Even money says you simply never saw the angle I've given you and now you're just doubling down on stupid.

It wasn't a foul. It damn sure wasn't a flagrant.

Irrelevant. Conley landed on AD’s foot which came up under him. This exact play was literally made a flagrant foul a few years ago (in the aftermath of Zaza taking Kawhi out for 2 years) and has been consistently called as such (except oddly when the Lakers’ playoff hopes were on the line).

What the hell difference does it make where AD is when Conley shoots the ball? LMAO

It matters where his foot is when Conley comes down. Read the rule.

Davis came to a stop well before the 3-point line. That's absolutely giving the shooter 'an opportunity to land safely'

Conley jumped forward on a stand-up 3-point attempt with the express intention of drawing contact and a cheap foul. That was contact created by Conley and a bullshit foul to have called in that situation.

Because where you are when the shot comes out is instrumental to the 'opportunity to land safely'.

When Conley is unnecessarily propelling himself forward to draw contact, it's on the shooter. Davis provided him a landing zone and Conley elected not to utilize it.

No, that is not how the rule reads and it is certainly not how it has been enforced. Conley knowing exactly what he was doing doesn’t change the fact that AD came under his landing area on this play:

https://youtu.be/Htyb6LpD7_w

I could pull so many more examples of plays identical to this being called flagrant over the past couple of years. Do I agree with what the NBA has done with this call? No, because it gives a further avenue for smart players like Conley to foul seek. But they’ve done it in an attempt to prevent injuries.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comment..._landing_area_

A Reddit thread bitching about fouls exactly like this being called a flagrant. This is where the NBA is at this point.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comment...on_jump_shots/

Same thing that Conley did happened here with Middleton. Yet still a flagrant. The Lakers got lucky.

This is textbook selection bias.

You're taking examples of instances where it was called (instances where people were clearly pissed off about it, no less) and presuming that's the way its SUPPOSED to be called. That it's called that way every time on the hundreds of contested jumpers taken every night where there's contact after the shot.

It's just not so. You see contact over and over and over again on jump shots in the NB as guys close out. Sometimes it's called, more frequently it isn't. So to sit there and say that it's just some obvious foul that should've been a flagrant is again an example of you looking to shit on anything not Lebron.

It was a weak call.

I'm not presuming anything. As a NBA season ticket holder and someone who watches hundreds of these games every year, it's the way it is called and has been for several years now. Has nothing to do with it having to do with LeBron or being anti-Lakers or whatever other bullshit you're talking about in that regard.

You can debate all you want about whether that should be a foul (and I would agree, I don't think it should be, particularly in situations where the shooter has clearly jumped forward like Conley did the NBA needs to start walking that back), but the fact that it is a foul in today's NBA isn't up for debate.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comment...flagrant_foul/

Check this one out from a few months ago. You can see Harden visibly throw his leg forward to draw a foul, likely hoping that Horford would come up under his landing point (which is exactly what happened). Horford draws a flagrant on review.

It's bullshit, yes (and it takes away a defender's ability to contest properly) but that's the NBA as it stands.

This is another reason why some people don't like the NBA. They overprotect the 3point shooter. It is now mainly a 3point contest. 80% of these they didnt let the shooter land are even flops by THE SHOOTER.

College bball was calling auto fouls on these flops early in the year on this shit and it was FANTASTIC. Oh it was so good. Then they just quit doint it by January and players went back to their old flopping ways. CBB was effectively solving the problem but Czar Jay Bilas apparently didn't like it (you know a Dukie) so that was the end of it.

Just thought I'd chime in to show everyone these sweet coins you can get now. They ship to Toronto.

https://www.bradfordexchange.com/pro...ion.html?cs=rw

Pretty sure sucky CBB has the same close out rules and believe I saw it called a couple of times in the tournament.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron hasn&#39;t lost a legitimate playoff series since 2014.<br><br>2015 - Kyrie hurt in Game 1<br>2016 - WON TITLE<br>2017 - KD Warriors titles don&#39;t count<br>2018 - KD Warriors titles don&#39;t count<br>2020 - WON TITLE<br>2021 - AD hurt in Game 4</p>&mdash; Barry (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1646231089331961877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Accurate.

Ouch. So by that logic the 2 Lebron got in Miami don't count, I suppose.

The problem isn't the rule - it's the enforcement. Same as roughing the passer.

The rule, as written, says to give the shooter an opportunity to land. Under any reasonable interpretation of that rule, what Davis did (and others) absolutely gave the shooter an opportunity to land.

Officials biting on guys jumping into contact is an enforcement problem, not a rule problem. And again, it's erratically enforced. Sometimes that gets called, sometimes it doesn't. Because there is contact on a dozen jumpers in every game, every night.

The rule was written to punish cheapshot artists like Patrick Beverly. Because it became a cottage industry after awhile. I think it was Jalen Rose that flat out admitted he stuck a leg under Bryant while he was shooting in a playoff game trying to roll his ankle.

They wrote it to eliminate intent hoping to get players to play defense differently and ultimately they have. But offensive players, as is often the case, are using a shield as a sword and are trying to get that foul called by doing that kind of shit where they put a leg out.

Many officials won't call it. Some will.

He gave them almost nothing offensively, but his defense was pretty good. Conley was excellent across the board.

Agreed. Great comparison with the roughing the passer penalty.

Oh, and I hate Slowmo.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This L2M report isn&#39;t going to go down well with the conspiracy theorists<a href="https://t.co/HE4ABwN20S">https://t.co/HE4ABwN20S</a></p>&mdash; John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnhollinger/status/1646240164853989376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

NBA confirms the foul on AD from last night.

Didn't the NFL also confirm the late hit penalty Jones had on Carr?

You’re comparing the same play that’s been called a foul for years in the NBA now to that Chris Jones play which was unlike anything anybody had ever seen called?

So you agreed with the NFL?

Of course not. I don’t agree with the NBA calling all of these as fouls either, but that’s what they are in this NBA and have been for years now.

This is sadder than you claiming covid titles

Laughable bad call against Chicago

MLB getting in a full game now within the last 2 minutes of an NBA playoff game

Canada can extra syrup dress the salad they about to toss but I’ve been eating like shit all week so it probably won’t help

What a choke job by the Raptors.

Did the same thing all season and stopped playing for their coach months ago. That’s the team you want me to spend time talking about here? They’re a mess.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Diar DeRozan deserved her own highlight reel tonight 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/nUMNKrGtVQ">pic.twitter.com/nUMNKrGtVQ</a></p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1646334501218586625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Its been infiltrating its way in but its still called waaaay less.

Thunder coming for the Wolves. A team whos fighting with themselves. I like their chances. If they win, activate the secret weapon.

SGA>KAT

THAT was AWESOME! Basketball is back, baby!

What a little ****

Meh, except i'd have been pissed if i was sitting next to her.

Well the Pelicans ain't going no where if their #1 pick has only played 30% of the time since they drafted him... Time to trade Zion...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I completely forgot about this lmaooooooooo <a href="https://t.co/qse8PHHg8x">pic.twitter.com/qse8PHHg8x</a></p>&mdash; Barry (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1646630297922936835?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When you realize all your championships are fake.

Lebron is still great, but that team just isn't very good. I'd be surprised if it's a close series. You never know though.

LMAO It's ****ing hilarious to watch Lebron stans denigrate KD when Lebron has literally done the exact same things.

Trade Zion? To whom? The local funeral home?

Agreed, Memphis probably takes it given the weakness of the overall roster, but there's always a chance with 2 players as good as LeBron and AD.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul on the GOAT debate:<br><br>“You see these guys on TV every day talking about rings. Well if it’s about the rings then it’s Bill Russell… LeBron has been in the finals for half of his career.”<br><br>(h/t <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakContext?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakContext</a>) <a href="https://t.co/lQQ4emqSIS">pic.twitter.com/lQQ4emqSIS</a></p>&mdash; Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1646890388509331456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So he's the GOAT Bridesmaid? 10 trips and 4 rings is pretty ****ing shit when we're talking in the context of best player in history, especially given the context he was on a super team for 4 of those 10 trips.

The Eastern Conference was weak during Lebron's Finals streak. How many legit contenders did the East have besides the teams he played on from 2011-2018?

Well Tom Brady played in SB's for half his career.

Nobody gives a **** about Tom Brady getting carried to SBs by elite defenses.

KCC now: AD will have to be the best player on the team for the Lakers to have a chance at winning the title.

KCC if the Lakers do anything in the playoffs: Look at the shit lebron carried to the _______ round of the playoffs.

You forgot 'KCC if the Lakers lose to Memphis:' What a pile of shit roster LeBron had to try to carry through. He probably should've quit on the season like I suggested in February afterall.

You don't even really need to read the posts.

Sadly, that won't stop him from writing them.

I have no problem if you believe Lebron is the best player ever. Him and Jordan are 1A and 1B in my book. Im just tired of the debate. Which one is actually better is a matter of perspective and not even quantifiable.

Lebrons time is OVER. So lets turn the page and see if someone else can be the next Jordan or LeBron.

These play in games have been fantastic. I know it will never happen but the NBA needs to figure out how to expand this to the playoffs, like a tournament or something.

The page has been turning my friend.....

https://wp.usatodaysports.com/wp-con...5/03/curry.gif

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steph Curry best postseason in every stat:<br><br>28.3 PPG - (LeBron has 7 better)<br><br>6.2 RPG - (LeBron has 15 better)<br><br>8.4 APG - (LeBron has 3 better)<br><br>2.0 SPG - (LeBron has 1 better)<br><br>0.7 BPG - (LeBron has 10 better)<br><br>59.9% eFG - (LeBron has 3 better)<br><br>27.1 PER - (LeBron has 9 better)</p>&mdash; Barry (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1645812269870358529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LOL SUCK MY DICK

What’s that stand for? Shitty Gangrenous Asshole?

I'm afraid you are all gonna have to suck my tremendous throbbing 8th seeded dick.

Except Pitt Gorilla. You have to suck his, too.

Well Lebron has the stats.

Seems Curry has teammates that are better performers. Curry is able to help his teammates perform better is one stat your boy Barry won't argue about. I was just trying to put down that the torch has passed on from Lebron.

What a game by Brunson. Luka could have used him instead of loser Kylie

That was a fun game

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Warriors in 5. Kings can score to keep things interesting for a moment but they play no defense. <br><br>Steph puts up 30+ PPG on 70% TS.<br>Klay &amp; Poole both 22-25+ PPG.<br><br>GS will ramp up defensively in crunch time.<br><br>Only LeBron can stop GS.</p>&mdash; Barry (@BarryOnHere) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarryOnHere/status/1647398547237511172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Unfortunate but accurate.

This is a track meet

Which the Warriors want.

And ABC/NBA. This is fun game. Wiggins is making a huge difference

Warriors haven't even entered 2nd gear yet in this game. No defensive intensity. They are gonna wipe out this inexperienced Kings team when they do.