Suns and Spurs resting players in the Cup semifinals is pretty much all you need to know about how seriously teams take this thing.
OKC has their full roster for the first time in a while and they took the Suns to the woodshed in the 1st half.
Missing Hartenstein big time defensively, screening wise though, I guess he has still 1 week to ramp it up. But yeah, you have to be virtually 'perfect' to actually come close to beating the Thunder right now.
OKC is now 24-1. Ties the NBA record for best start in NBA history with the 2015-2016 Warriors. But… The 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors did not win the NBA title. They famously lost the 2016 Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games, blowing a 3-1 series lead, despite having the best regular season ever (73-9). They did win the championship the previous year, in 2015, against the same Cavaliers team, and then won again in 2017 and 2018 after adding Kevin Durant.
Very true but you forgot the point that Draymond said it took the Warriors a lot of effort to get to 73 Wins ultimately. Look at OKC, they are doing effortlessly and with tons of injuries to start......SGA sitting out 4th Qs, a game here and there. Their Defense reminds me of the earlier Detroit and Bulls suffocating D from the 80s.... There is NO GENERATIONAL Lebron in the East to counter OKC.....who is there? Bane? Mitchell? Brunson? I love Cade but I guess it is too early for him. Denver is the only THREAT but Jokic is 30 going be 31......SGA 27, Dub 24, Chet 23, it is Unjust.
For LeBron to have the ball and put up his quota of shots, it means fewer touches for Reaves and fewer opportunities for him to foul bait. I agree that the Lakers have problems on Defense and it likely will remain that way because it isn't a high priority for Reaves, LeBron and Doncic who are there to put up shots.
I haven't watched much Lakers this year but I heard and read a lot of people saying they have been getting lucky and or/are frauds because they can't defend and - holy hell do they look like fraudsters tonight so far
Lakers are just Luka and Reaves taking turns grifting for fouls broadcast said the Lakers lead the league in free throw attempt discrepancy with their opponent Luka just throws his body into dudes, and Reaves flops around like a sprayed roach
While definitely true, Spurs have also been getting an insane whistle since Wemby down and they're getting more than the Lakers this game.
