NBA Game Action : Play-in Tournament Thread First Round

I don’t hate LeBron in a vacuum. I was happy the Cavs won in 2016. But I’ve pretty much hated every generation of Lakers over the last 30 years. Once LeBron put on the purple and gold it was over. I would root against Harden on the Lakers too.

 

well they definitely aren't calling this game like they want the lakers to get the 7th seed. it's been decently one-sided for the warriors on 50/50 calls. and at this point, i don't think they can save the lakers for this game even if they want to. warriors role players are hitting face up 3's and the lakers big 3 are 4/28. this is a wrap.

 

their offense hasn't been great for 2 years. but when lebron is in peak form, he can get it over the hump and their D takes you out of it. when lebron looks 45 years old either because he's old or injured, you're relying solely on AD to create or just random role players. despite the claims of AD being the 2nd best player in the game in a pre-season poll, he isn't. and their offense struggles against good defenses. their playoff opponents last year peaked at a 52-30 denver team (for 82 games) so they were able to pull through. they are going to need lebron to be fully healthy to win. injuries suck but lebron's gotten as good a hand in his career as anyone with not being injured so he's seeing how it is when you have to play through one in the "playoffs".

 

This is the answer. Also my hatred for the warriors and Steph in particular has softened a lot this year. Donkey is still a b****.

 

also, why is it when we have a small but energetic defense that forces outside shots, rondo shoots like 97% on 3's against us, but when other people do it AD/schroder suddenly have no idea how to shoot any more (schroder literally missed the rim on an uncontested layup at one point)?

 

that's why he got clowned so much for the first 6 games last year and first 5 this year where the warriors looked horrible and he was just going through the motions scoring 25 ppg. he can just walk down the court and shoot a 40 footer and it's a good shot and it's like he just thought he was too good to do it. now he's actually playing like he wants to score a lot.

 

The Jazz will also be facing continuity/health issues with Mitchell having not played in awhile and Conley only having a few games back.

Plus the Jazz style is closer to the Lakers because of Gobert than the Suns. Sure, the Clips in round 2 are tough, but Lakers would probably have to face them anyways.

 

I'm surprised Gasol has not played in the game but Drummond is getting so much court time.

 

Lakers in the penalty already and haven't been whistled for a foul themselves.

Silver got the call at halftime

 

Why is AD just standing on the perimeter on offense?

 

18-7 FT disparity

 

AD gets really passive at times. I also question his situational awareness at times. Part of why he could never really elevate Hornets.

 

Go Warriors

screw LeBron
@J.R.

 

wiggins and draymond doing work defensively.. imagine if they had a healthy oubre another long switchable 3 and d defender

if draymond gets ejected the warriors are done

 

That's why Kyrie's Lebron's most effective number 2 against the Warriors. When you're struggling offensively against a dynamic offense like the Warriors' you don't need a passive beta like AD, you need an aggressive daredevil who can make impossible BS shots like Kyrie.

 

Their biggest issue, aside from the injuries, was signing Drummond (coupled with losing Rondo, Dwight, and Javale). Drummond kills their "spacing" because he only operates from the paint on offense; he's no perimeter/3-point threat at all. Defenses collapse the paint on drives to the basket.

And with the injuries to Bron/Schroeder, their PG depth was tested. Rondo, at least, is a floor general and would get their guys to the right spot.

With Dwight and Javale, they had athleticism at the 5 on defense. Drummond is slow and isn't able to cover a Jokic-type player who can operate at the top of the key and occasionally at the three-point line

 

Pope doing what he can on Curry. Curry's handle a bit shakey, despite still scoring.