I suspect much of our woes in the series are due to anxieties about Ime, playing time, the offseason, and KD’s burner account. We won 8 straight games before losing and winning our last two and then came to LA and were beaten pretty handily. Our team didn’t change much from that streak to the playoffs. A big thing that did change was KD was out for game one. We tightened up and our team didn’t know what to do. Ime didn’t help much. We also faced the shock of a road playoff game in LA. It’s possible we came in believing the message that the Lakers without their top 2 scorers would be easy pickings. When we found out in game 1 that wasn’t the case we wilted. KD came back and we didn’t improve much. He’s still injured and when we found out he wasn’t going to save us we choked. Reed is obviously nervous he’ll be benched whenever he does pretty much anything. Sengun might be nervous about the offseason and a possible trade. KD could be mad that we never traded for a pg to help with ball handling. Amen may have realized that making him play pg has hurt his play and potentially his contract negotiations. These are guesses but I think at least a few of them are true. I don’t think Reed or Sengun are soft, I think they’re bothered by how our coach treats them. They have a bit of the yips. It’s partially on them and also partially on Ime. We’ve seen many NBA teams where the coach was not liked by the players. Ime is a player’s coach supposedly but I can see his criticizing, yelling, and never taking responsibility for losses wearing on our players. I think all players not named KD are impacted by the burner account. And it’s possible that all players recognize that Ime is a detriment to this team. Maybe they recognize his lack of offense isn’t working but they are afraid to play differently than how they are “coached.” Playing at home is a big confidence boost to this team. We will come out looking better and might build a lead. Then it’s up to us to keep it and not fold in the fourth.
Technically it's lack of experience. These kids got some growing up to do. Kd was here to help the growing pains but whatever happens to this rebuilt team , they will either grow together as a playoff team or drop out together like Sacramento and Memphis did.. Here hoping for the best out the young core three there years of development.. If there still around that is...
The team is just too ****ing stupid. Intelligence is an underrated basketball skill. We need to prioritize it from now on
Of course it is, you have a NEGATIVE NANCY as a coach who berates players all game long, he doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Maybe you could have a coach that has a system players get comfortable in and know their roles that's a start. DD
Jabari went Jabari. That is why they blew the 6-point lead. I still can't believe he did it. Obviously, there is more to it, but that will be my lasting memory from tonight.
It's a young core.... they've been doing young core things all year. Can't blame those turnovers on Ime, even though he's been an issue. They had real expectations this season and didn't rise.
KD's burner account has nothing to do with this. Jabari even improved after the KD files dropped. Rather, the KD files are a result of the offensive ineptitude and lacking player development skills of the coach.
