2025 East Semifinals: (1) Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

I feel like this series is kind of exposing him actually. He might be the best "#2 option" in the league, but the true #1 scorers can take over and overcome the other team getting hot.

The Cavs lowkey have the same problem we do--no #1 option on offense. But less hope of solving it because they don't have Amen Thompson

I would like to have any one of Mitchell, Garland, or Mobley on this team--but only if Amen is given every opportunity to develop on offense and become a top 5 player. I don't want to trade for Mitchell and have it become "his team". We'll just be in the same boat the Cavs are in now.

 

You have to build up your reputation first and I think Amen did a great job of that this year.

I agree, actually, Draymond should have won, I hate the dude but can't deny that he carries that team's defense by a lot.

 

I didn't watch it.

But you know a fun fact was that the Pacers were the best offensive team one or two years ago...and the Cavs are it this season.

 

I guess? I still don't understand the big dust up. I've watched the video a few times, and there's no way he had enough power on the "punch" to do anything to the Cavs player. Then the guy doubles over like he was really hit. It just makes no sense unless big time flopping and over-reacting.

Not that I care either way. No dog in this fight, but the footage of that confrontation is super odd.

 

I don't mind the Pacers to win it.

 

Yeah, I don't get it either. It looks more like a push on the mid section. Why do they call it a "punch"? It did look intentional though.

 

The first two months of the season the Pacers were not healthy and not good. Nesmith and Nembhard, their two very best defenders and clutch -players on offense, were both out with injuries, Haliburton was playing but was recovering from injury and didn't play well. Their two backup Centers both went down with season-ending achilles injuries in the first week of the season. Cleveland in contrast started 15-0.

Around Jan 1 Nesmith and Nembhard came back, Hali got healthy, and while he is pretty mediocre, trading for Thomas Bryant at least game them a backup C. Since Jan 1 the Pacers are near the top in record, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency.

Pacers overall since Jan 1, including playoffs: 42-15
Cleveland overall since Jan 1, including playoffs: 40-17
Boston overall since Jan 1, including playoffs: 42-15
Knicks overall since Jan 1, including playoffs: 34-24

 

I have always been able to tell you're not a Rockets' fan, b/c your posts are so informative and b/c you're so level-headed.

Seriously, glad you're having a postseason to enjoy. A great coach makes such a big difference in the playoffs.

 

Now show the bottom 3

 

The Rockets have always been one of my favorite teams to follow in the West, since Hakeem. Maybe part of it was that my Texan wife of 33 years went to Rice for a BS and UH for her master's. While she's not a supersports fan, she was always interested if I had the Rockets or Astros on. As a Texas girl she likes football the most, but she was in Houston for the Oilers, not the Texans.

 

Wow! Okay, that's pretty cool. Did not know about your Rice connection.

 

i've always known you're not a rox fan. i don't know why... just had a feeling, nameen?

 

Well, I hang out here on NBA dish rather than on the Rockets forum, but I do like the Rockets. Can't say I'm a diehard, of course, but when they aren't playing the Pacers I'm likely behind them.

I went to Indiana U. and so I like /follow Eric Gordon. Thus in the 8 years he was a Rocket I paid a lot of attention.

 

How did we end up with skinny Daishen Nix?

 

Yawn.

Whistle fest for the Cavs in the first quarter.

 

Mitchell is awful defensively

 

Cleveland needs to go ahead and name its City Hall after LeBron.. They'll never win a city chip again

 

Cavs look like they're passively throwing the game now. Mitchell especially looks like he doesn't want to be there.

Edit: He quit the game again. He peaced out like my 13 year old cousin getting mollywhopped on 2K.