56 on 19 of 31 shooting to beat the Warriors. Yeah, LeBron’s still got it.

Bron dicksucker. **** the Lakers until he is gone. So you finally win a ****ing game on nat TV. Whoopty ****ing do.

Another brainwashed zombie. If you hear something enough, you start believing it. Can only win when he can stack a team. Mental midget. OVERRATED. You can't be top 2 with a LOSING ****ING FINALS RECORD.

5-2 > 4-6

The irony is palpable.

I don’t really watch the Lakers or Lebron. I’m a Timberwolves fan. Want to talk about Kevin Garnett and his place among all-time great PFs?

If not, I’d prefer to keep our discussion to people who are still alive. Kobe doesn’t qualify.

Hey it looks like they're gonna make the playoffs this year. But 2/3 of the damn league make the playoffs now. They really need to end that 17 year playoff series win drought. Tied for league worst with the Hornets and Kings.

I still feel "Because Chiefs" energy when it comes to the Timberwolves.

Ex: The very year the Timberwolves are a top 8 Western Conference team in March is the first year of the NBA making it possible for them to get bumped from going to the playoffs by some ass**** play-in team. God forbid the NBA introduce it in a year when they're a scrappy 20-30 bunch of losers who can run the court but do little else well.

The 17 year playoff series drought it bad, yes. What's worse though is I believe within the past year they became (temporarily, I think?) the team with the single worst franchise winning percentage of all four major leagues. They might still have that distinction even with their improved record this particular season.

Let's see Kobe ever come up with anything this genius. Well, actually, let's not, since Kobe is dead.

KG > Kobe

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kevin Garnett told Carmelo Anthony his wife LaLa &quot;taste like Honey Nut Cheerios” <a href="http://t.co/vzK0FyY2">http://t.co/vzK0FyY2</a> <a href="http://t.co/Sm4820HB">pic.twitter.com/Sm4820HB</a></p>&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/288813919693328384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The DLo trade still pisses me off. Yeah, he's figuring out how to play and pass a bit, but Wiggins + Kuminga would have made this team much better. Still don't understand what Rosas was trying to do.

Oh boy this 76er's - Nets game is going to be good. Already lots of physical play. Love it

Damn Nets looking unstoppable. 76ers better tank a few games to avoid them in the 1st round

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James is the first player in NBA history with multiple 50-point games after turning 35. <a href="https://t.co/Yg2JDW4MYr">pic.twitter.com/Yg2JDW4MYr</a></p>&mdash; StatMuse (@statmuse) <a href="https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1502523046321557505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There&#39;s no stopping LeBron right now.<br><br>In the Lakers&#39; win, James posted his 14th career 50-point game, tying Rick Barry for 6th in NBA history.<br><br>LeBron is also the 6th ever with 50+ Pts in consecutive home games, and the only one to do it after turning 30. <a href="https://t.co/03RXfi15sl">pic.twitter.com/03RXfi15sl</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1502525692885573632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">LeBron James over the last 6 Games:<br><br>50 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST<br>23 PTS, 14 REB, 12 AST<br>56 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST<br>26 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST<br>26 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST<br>32 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST<br><br>Unreal. �� <a href="https://t.co/Be2PwjR83e">pic.twitter.com/Be2PwjR83e</a></p>&mdash; Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1502524733866184705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The GOAT.

Behind Jordan...:D (Sorry, I had to do it)

LMAO KCC still hasn't reached the acceptance step in the grieving process yet. No matter what MJ will always be 1 according to the masses and any respectable list.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">23 players in NBA history have played a 19th season.<br><br>LeBron might win a scoring title.<br><br>Only 6 others averaged double figures.<br><br>Via <a href="https://twitter.com/Stathead?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stathead</a> <a href="https://t.co/LE6Ty1J3Ob">pic.twitter.com/LE6Ty1J3Ob</a></p>&mdash; Micah Adams (@MicahAdams13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MicahAdams13/status/1502687664700641287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Winning a scoring title in a 19th season. The true GOAT.

Unreal? It would be unreal if Lebron scored 6 straight 50 point games

Maybe you missed the part where the guy is 37 years old in his 19th year and leading the league in scoring. Nobody has ever played anywhere near this level this late in their career. It is absurd stuff.

Hopefully it gooses his trade value.

Guy still built a dogshit basketball player.

I think you mean team?

And the Lakers aren't going to trade LeBron unless he asks out. No sign that's going to happen.

Indeed.

And no, they’ll never trade him against his will.

But with any luck he’ll get those wandering eyes again. Credit to LeBron - he’s always had a good feel for getting away from a team just as he’s wrecked it.

I'd love to see it myself but I think he's at the point in his career where he'd rather just stay in LA until some NBA team wastes a pick on his son.

So a bit dated but...

As of Dec. 2020, prior to the start of the 2020-21 season, there have been 76 instances of an NBA player scoring at least 60 points.

Stephen Curry was the last NBA player to score at least 60 points when he erupted for a career-high 62 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 3, 2021 (ET).

The late Wilt Chamberlain owns a majority of these, having scored 60 or more 32 times in his career. The player with the next-best tally is Kobe Bryant with six.

Caruso returned to the lineup last night and the Bulls hold a team to under 100 points since, well, the last time Caruso was in the lineup.

I still feel they're pretenders against top of conference teams.

Also this gem from the post game.

NSFW - Language (unable to embed tweet within the NSFW tags)

Kyrie Irving had 41 points tonight…in the first half

https://cdn-nba-com.cdn.ampproject.o...PM-768x410.jpg

Going to be an entertaining postseason. Let’s go Grizz!

The West sucks and Hong Kong LeBron still couldn't make it.

Westbrook might go down as the worst Laker of all time. It’s crazy to have a player average over 30 a game shooting over 50% from the field and not have him in the playoffs because his supporting cast was just trash. Lebron’s age is starting to show in his injuries over the past couple seasons, but when he’s playing he’s obviously still a top 5 player in the league without question.

Lol Milwaukee really dipped out of the 2 seed just to avoid the Nets.

And six months later, that was pretty predictable. Westbrook was atrocious (as expected), AD got hurt (again), and the rest of the roster was arguably one of the worst ever assembled. No idea where the Lakers go from here.

I'd rather play the Bulls too tbh

Although I think the Nets won't beat the Celtics anyway, they don't guard and Simmons seems to be faking a back injury now to win his salary grievance case against Philly.

The Matisse Thybulle heel turn has been amazing too.

I just read he got one dose of the vaccine but now refuses to get another dose and now can't get into Canada for the road playoff games vs. the Raptors?

I don't know why these countries still have vaccine entry requirements at this point (and the US is included in that) but it's hard to grasp any kind of rationale on that one from his perspective.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Frank Vogel on reports of him being fired:<br><br>“I haven’t been told shit. I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game… we’ll deal with tomorrow tomorrow.&quot;</p>&mdash; Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) <a href="https://twitter.com/DStarkand/status/1513379081420607493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Lakers drama never ends.

Bucks are 16-1 against the Bulls since 2018. Bulls are 2-20 against the top 8 NBA teams this season.

They feast on sub .500 teams that they can outscore while playing zero defense.

Yeah the bottom end of the west playoffs looks rough. Amazing the Lakers can't beat that.

I know they'll do the trade every time because championship but it's amazing that NO, the ****fest they've been since Chris Paul, beat out the Lakers for the 10 seed.

LeBron's phone probably ran out of battery or something.

Vogel is a fine coach. Not a great one, but he's adequate. Most of the complaints centered around his rotations, etc... are the same thing you hear tossed out there for EVERY coach that is losing game and have little novelty or basis in reality.

Bottom line is that LeBron insisted on a squad that simply was not going to win games regardless of who coached it. He cut Vogel's throat.

But whatever - he's pretty fungible. They'll find someone mediocre or better to replace him. I won't cry over spilt re-treads.

But this team is in a world of hurt for the next several years.

It still blows my mind that anyone thought Russell Westbrook was a good idea. This is why you don't let players be the GM - they're kinda stupid.

[trades almost entire championship team away for a nursing home, and goes 33-49]

“You’re a bad coach”

Bad timing for Luka to get that calf injury. I’m psyched the playoffs are finally here.

If Curry comes back healthy the Warriors are winning it all.

I don't think anyone outside of the lakers building thought that was a good idea.

It wasn't

The finger pointing this summer should be entertaining. How long until Lebron and Klutch try to throw management under the bus and distance themselves from getting Westbrook in the first place?

https://theathletic.com/3243084/2022...shared_article

Nurse, who led the Raptors to a championship in 2019, signed a multiyear contract extension in 2020 and has two years left on his deal. It’s unclear whether he will be attainable or whether he would have interest, but the Lakers are hoping the former Coach of the Year is an option with the allure of coaching James and Davis and the appeal of the Los Angeles market. To acquire Nurse, the Lakers would need to receive permission from the Raptors and likely engage them on a prospective trade. Over the next several weeks, expect several other candidates to emerge, including University of Michigan coach Juwan Howard, who interviewed for the opening in 2019.

If the Lakers were smart they would trade AD and Lebron and start over.

Nurse is a Klutch sports client, so this is clearly being put out by LeBron and Rich Paul.

Some problems, though: #1. Why would any respective coach go to the Lakers right now given their situation? They have one of the worst rosters in the league (and no obvious way to improve) and LeBron's history with coaches speaks for itself. Vogel is just the latest of a series of guys who have been thrown under the bus repeatedly/turfed unceremoniously. Money is a reason but MLSE (the Raptors' owner) is certainly not short of that. So would it just be the Lakers' history and mystique? That probably won't be enough given that any coach knows they are going to be trashed in the media by anonymous sources within weeks if it starts going south (and with that roster, it will).

#2. Prospective trade? The Lakers literally have traded all of their 1st round picks for the next five years. What the hell are they going to trade for any coach and why would they even do that from a roster building/franchise management anyway given how LeBron throws coaches away just as quickly as getting them?

What a hilarious mess. Coaching isn't the problem, it's the league-worst roster they've built around two aging, injury prone superstars. Again, LeBron would be best served getting out of it rather than sticking around to fix the unfixable.

The Lakers won a title during the bubble. That's already a big accomplishment. They were never winning more with aging Lebron and brokedick Davis. Especially in a tougher Western Conference.

Plus, unlike other bottom-feeders, they'll be fine. Because they're in Los Angeles, free agents will be drawn to that organization. Heck, even the Clippers are drawing free agents and that was always considered Siberia despite being in Los Angeles. Other markets aren't so lucky.

Hield made so much sense for that team. I still don't get it.

What Nurse (UNI Alum) is doing THIS year in Toronto is amazing. "Wait, most of our good players are power forwards?!? Seriously, in this day and age? Ok, we'll make it work."

Wolves, somehow again, get hosed when they actually make the playoffs. ****ing 7 seed.

One game separating Wolves from the 6 seed.

Like ****ing 10 games or something separating them from the 8 seed.

8 teams was already too much. The NBA is seriously cool with like a 25-win team getting lucky and going to the playoffs?

The play in is ****ing stupid

Hong Kong LeBron should go play in China.

Eh. Isn't it something like only 10 times a 7 or 8 even advanced past the first round since they expanded? It's kind of amusing to watch these bumpkin teams fight for the right to get their shit pushed in by the top seeds.

It's already started. I listened to the Bill Simmons Podcast that was released on Sunday, and Simmons said (I think it was) Klutch put out a statement that said Westbrook misled (LMAO) LeBron about the way he would play.

Of course Simmons and Russillo roasted LeBron - like Westbrook is EVER going to change anything about the way he plays.

But yeah. About 10 minutes after the last game.

It is crazy to think about how long he’s been in the league now. Especially when you realize he played his first NBA game the same year the Raiders won their last playoff game. Are you blaming him for the Raiders complete ineptitude or something?

I blame everyone and everything. :evil:

It isn't even about the way Westbrook plays (although that doesn't help). Westbrook was absolutely terrible last year and was showing signs of steep decline in his game when they traded for him.

It was a ridiculous trade.

LMAO Didn’t realize it had already started.

Even if he was in his prime, it was still a terrible trade, just by the way he played. They needed about 8 3 and D guys to go with LeBron and whatever the **** happened to Davis.

What they got was a guy teams were daring to shoot 3's and is every bit as ball dominant as Hardin.

And all that is before he's been in massive decline since what - 2017?

That might be in the discussion for worst trade of all time.

If they let a news vacuum develop, a narrative might form. And we can't have that.

Yep. I’m not sure there is really much left if he were to finally change how he plays. To no surprise to anyone his athleticism hid a lot.

It's really hard for me to fathom that any NBA management team that was actually watching basketball over the past few years could have ever thought Westbrook was a good idea for the Lakers. So they either weren't watching basketball at all or they were so bound to LeBron that they couldn't possibly say no to him (or both I guess).

If the Wolves get Memphis in the first round, watch them make it a real series and potentially even win it. At the very least, they'll push it to 6 games minimum. Likely 7. And they've got a real shot at knocking them off outright.

Secondly, it's the principle of the thing. A 30-win team has an even lower win percentage than a 6-10 NFL team (back before the 17th game was added).

I'm of the belief that the regular season has to matter. You have to win your regular season games. It's unfortunate that the NBA has had so many sub-500 teams make the playoffs over the years, and now they want to encourage the even lower dregs on the ladder to suddenly fall ass over tea kettle into the playoffs?

I know they can't adjust on the fly and say, "Not enough teams crossed the win threshold for the playoffs, so we just won't have those seeds competing." But this horseshit they've concocted is bogus and dumb.

If they wanted a play-in round so damn badly, they should have shrunk the playoff field to 6 or 7 teams per conference, added in first round byes, and then had the bottom feeders of the original 8-team playoff bracket fight for the last spots via a play-in.

You just know that a 10th-best record team is going to get into the playoffs one of these years. It might happen this year. And people will celebrate it and go, "Neat! That's so cool!" Not me. I would hate to see a 5 or 6 win NFL team get into the playoffs, and I hate seeing sub-30 win NBA teams get in.

Win your damn games.

And Westbrook took shots at EVERYONE during his exit interview.

He was blaming Vogel for not being supportive (which is bullshit as Vogel was one of the last supporters he had in the organization) and then said something to the effect of that LeBron and Davis were being false in support of him. He was asked about how they said they bought in to taking steps to allow him to play his style of game and responded with "Yeah, they said it, but that wasn't true. Let's be honest..."

I mean this was the single most predictable outcome in NBA history and yet it still happened. It's all just so friggen absurd.

Washington STILL can't believe they moved that contract.

And got some actual value back in the exchange, no less.

Any one of the three guys they got back would've been more valuable than Westbrook and that was obvious before the deal was even made.

Westbrook was essentially a dead-on replacement level player this year. And only got there, amazingly, through his defense. Which was lackluster at best. But that's how ungodly unproductive he was offensively. He actually produced a negative win share offensively.

He was very probably the worst player in the NBA this year. And anyone that was paying attention KNEW it was a possibility. And an outright certainty that he'd be bad - it was just a question of HOW bad.

Again, Lebron just corn-holed this franchise something awful.

Someone will take on Westbrook's contract. Its an expiring deal. Can clear a bunch of a cap space in a hurry.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com...layer-ratings/

538 had him at a -0.6 WAR (good for 228th out of 250 players). Atrocious stuff.

He was already 185th out of 250 in that stat last year (1.0 WAR) so it was clearly trending in that direction.

God the nets are so unlikeable. I feel like they are one move away from signing the pharma bro.

who is starting the playoff thread?

Anthony Edwards is fo real

Towns was completely choking this entire game and then just stupidly fouled out with 7 minutes left (in what was one of the more predictable foul outs ever).

Wolves have been so much better with Towns off the floor here.

WOLVES BABY!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Patrick Beverley just won the NBA Finals 😂 <a href="https://t.co/DiR2prLcm2">pic.twitter.com/DiR2prLcm2</a></p>&mdash; Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/ActionNetworkHQ/status/1514098789312729089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I always appreciate Pat Bevs energy, but it’s time for Ja to remind him why the Grizz didn’t need him. (Although, truthfully, I really wish they kept him this past offseason.) Going to be a fun series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ja had words for Pat Bev after this play <a href="https://t.co/zXudzUach8">pic.twitter.com/zXudzUach8</a></p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1481832551257821184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Go back to Vancouver ya fat ugly dumb bitches!!!!!!!!111

(Sorry, I don't get to do this very often)

Paul George won't play tonight. Covid

Damn Towns just murdered Jackson

SNR has to be dancing. Big win for the T wolves

Bumpkin team indeed.

Gimme a dollar, bitch!