2022-23 NBA Season Thread

[WilyWestbrook0]

Cavs lost to the Knicks AGAIN. Man, Love was right to leave after all. Just no heart on that Cavs squad. I've been a big Jarrett Allen defender, but he was really weak; can't defend his play anymore after that sleepwalker of a game he had. And 71 point season man Donovan Mitchell came up small in this playoff series. Some Cavs fans are starting to wonder if they should've kept Lauri and use him the way Utah did. Or perhaps include Jarrett Allen in the trade package instead of Lauri; the Cavs certainly needed someone who could stretch the floor and hit 3s this series, which Lauri does. Meanwhile the bench has been horrid, something that Love could've helped with, but they thought he was done.

Sucks to be a Cavs fan. I was still rooting for them but I'm disappointed. I also think they need a new coach. There's still potential there, but some roster tweaks and a coaching change need to happen for them to take the next step.

[qman316]

Cavs lost to the Knicks AGAIN. Man, Love was right to leave after all. Just no heart on that Cavs squad. I've been a big Jarrett Allen defender, but he was really weak; can't defend his play anymore after that sleepwalker of a game he had. And 71 point season man Donovan Mitchell came up small in this playoff series. Some Cavs fans are starting to wonder if they should've kept Lauri and use him the way Utah did. Or perhaps include Jarrett Allen in the trade package instead of Lauri; the Cavs certainly needed someone who could stretch the floor and hit 3s this series, which Lauri does. Meanwhile the bench has been horrid, something that Love could've helped with, but they thought he was done.

Sucks to be a Cavs fan. I was still rooting for them but I'm disappointed. I also think they need a new coach. There's still potential there, but some roster tweaks and a coaching change need to happen for them to take the next step.

I’m not real surprised, Donovan Mitchell has always been a good/great regular season player but always comes up small in the playoffs.

[qman316]

Kings blow a great opportunity to go back home up 3-1 instead series tied 2-2 but warriors haven’t been able to win on the road all year so will be interesting to see how this series plays out. I can’t stand Lebron and the lakers but I think they beat either the warriors or the kings unfortunately.

[WilyWestbrook0]

One thing I see time and again in the playoffs is veterans have the advantage. Kings are young and haven't had much playoff experience, so it will still be tough for them to beat the Dubs despite how much the Dubs have dropped off. It's also the reason the Heat are playing the Bucks smarter than the Cavs are playing the Knicks. The Cavs have minimal playoff experience outside Mitchell and parted ways with the last player from their 2016 title team (Love) only to see him succeed so far for the Heat.

Another thing to note is it's kind of cool that only one round was a sweep (Sixers vs. Nets). The league definitely has historic parity this season, so the first rounds seem more competitive than usual; even Minnesota got a win last night. Seems most playoff years have 2-3 sweeps in the 1st round but not this time.

[WilyWestbrook0]

I was going to tune out the Heat and Bucks game when they were down double digits, but I decided to ride it out.

Dang I'm glad I did!

LEGENDARY clutch performance from Jimmy Butler!!!!! One of the most amazing playoff displays I've ever seen! Heat are about to go up 3-1 as the 8th play-in against Giannis and the #1 seed Bucks! Astonishing!

[WilyWestbrook0]

More idiotic behavior/poor anger management from a Timberwolves player:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...lt-game-5-loss

[WilyWestbrook0]

Embarrassing display by the Cavs, who are losing big at home as I type this and are close to being eliminated 4-1. I'm very disappointed. From Mitchell's underperformance, to Garland's careless TOs, and Jarrett Allen's lack of fight for boards -- just inexcusable. They were the higher seed, but the Knicks have made them look like an 8th seed team. I think it's time to can Bickerstaff, find a shooting wing, and probably move Allen in the process. Also, Cedi Osman's NBA career is probably over. That guy isn't a playoff rotation player.

[pwaldo]

Heat are about to go up 3-1 as the 8th play-in against Giannis and the #1 seed Bucks! Astonishing!

In defense of Giannis it isn't like he has been out there playing the Heat this whole time. Things would be different if he wasn't hurt. I honestly can't think of a time when a player on a seed so high in the NBA was just "hurt" before the playoffs like this. League is super soft.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Yep. It's now indisputable. Kevin Love made the right decision. He wanted to play and win immediately this year, and both have happened. 5 threes, 12 rebounds, +13, a key contributor in the Heat's advancing game.

Sorry I doubted ya, Kevin! You were right.

[WilyWestbrook0]

Stephen Curry erupted for 50 in game 7 to drag the seemingly done Dubs to the second round. All first round series are now complete, and the second round has all big market teams (except Denver) with experienced playoff vets on them:

Lakers/Warriors (LeBron/Steph)
Nuggets/Suns (Jokic/Durant)
Knicks/Heat (Brunson/Butler)
Sixers/Celtics (Embiid/Tatum)