New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[jadis]

Game 7 will have different circumstances:

The Nuggets no longer have nothing to lose and the momentum on their side.
I hope that puts some pressure on the Nuggets and they lose some of their ease

Good point re the nothing to lose mentality of the Nuggets the last 2 games and the last 2 quarters of Game 6. That is the wounded tiger mentality, bite them all, or in this case, shoot at will, specially the 3s to claw back into the game. That those long bombs of Jokic incredibly found the net for the last 2 games, it would be an even more unbelievable scenario if he does the same in Game 7, with all the pressure that you mentioned. Although I expect Murray, and to some extent, Harris and Porter Jr to hit some long shots. Having Jokic stand way outside near the top arc creates a lot of problems for the Clippers' defense, because the big guy is a fantastic and powerful passer, can dart a pass to a cutting teammate. His standing there actually renders the power of a Harrell or Zubac minimum as these 2 thrive on the low post. Let's see, the urgency is now there for the Clippers. Big stakes for the dynamic duo. The cast should come up big for them to win. PG said he believes they can win it. Me too.

 

[JackD201]

Same here
But the end of last year was even worse with all the insuries for the Warriors

The good news is that the dubs have the 2nd pick. i just wish they still had thee Logo to do the picking!

 

[jadis]

I just got a call from my brother who, in an excited voice, told me that it might be LeBron's Lakers' vs the Celtics in the Finals. He had to mention the name of LeBron that took me off my charts. He is a closet Lakers fan, though not a rabid one; really was a disgruntled Sixers fan who felt bad the Celtics ousted them in the ECF in the early 80s, then switched to the Lakers to spite the Celtics. I told me let's see about tomorrow and about Denver matching the Lakers first, before we talk about the illegal recruitment activities of LeBum, yeah, I have to borrow Christoph's term.

 

[WLVCA]

Yes, it is up to the Clippers now. Time will tell.

Thanks for all of your encouraging comments.

 

[Steve Williams]

Bottom line to me is this series should have been over 2 games ago but it isn't.

To me Kawhi looks edgy and off his game. He seems to give the impression that he has to take matters unto his own hands and is missing many shots that he normally makes. Plus he isn't someone who has a lot to say to even his teammates

The Clipps bench also has gone a bit cold and not a good time in the season for this to happen
But for me the advantage yesterday came for the Nuggs when Beverly fouled out.There was no one to be in the faces of the Nuggs and harassing them

As for the finals I'm feeling better with a Lakers Clippers series as the Lakers seem to be peaking whereas the Clips are in cruise control.

I still feel the Clipps will win it all but they still have to win game 7 first

Jack said something last week that Vogel was excellent planning for the next game but couldn't make in game changes to adapt to the play

I would hasten add that from my perspective the exact same thing has been happening with the Clipps as Doc talks to them in the time outs with zero passion and has not figured out any way yet to stop Jokic. However the Clipps when hitting on all cylinders are unbeatable. That's the way they looked in the first period. They seemed invincible and then when they get their big leads they assume the game is over and they begin to coast

Say what you will about LeBron and the Lakers but you know I am far from a fan of his however I have Lakers blood in my veins and watching LeBron, AD and the rest of the Lakers they too looked unbeatable even though they have a way of giving up big leads

 

[Steve Williams]

I would have to say that for me the best scenario is a Lakers Celtics final as it has been many years since the Magic-Bird era

Having said that, to me the Heat are truly the unknown factor as they believe and have also proved that they can beat any team in the east so the Celtics Heat series should be terrific

And finally the Lakers know that this year is their ONLY chance as LeBron's beard is getting greyer and there are just too many great young teams

 

[JackD201]

What I see is the Clipps relying a lot on passing lane disruption. Understandable given the wing length they have. However, I would also like to see them mix it up with more ball denial on Skinny Jokic like the Lakers did to Gordon and the Raptors did to Kemba. Disruption takes a lot of focus and energy and perhaps that is okay to rely on against the field but against the elite teams and shortened rosters, you need to take a break. I think the Clipps need to use Jackson more and allow Kawhi, PG or Lou Wil to set up on opposite wings at the start of half court positions. This would force the Nuggs to play one on on and open up the pick and rolls for Harrel, Zubac and Green. Got to make Jokic, Milsapp and Porter work hard. As it stands, great as Kawhi is against a 1-2-2 zone he is better of picks in the midrange versus on Isos.

Still, I think the Clipps will take game 7 just because I do think Doc sees what we all see and will adjust accordingly. I also don't think the Nuggets can continue the hot streak of extremely tough shots.

As for Vogel, I think Rondo is the wildcard here. He appears to be peaking at the right time and he may be all they need to orchestrate any in game adjustments.

 

[Steve Williams]

What I see is the Clipps relying a lot on passing lane disruption. Understandable given the wing length they have. However, I would also like to see them mix it up with more ball denial on Skinny Jokic like the Lakers did to Gordon and the Raptors did to Kemba. Disruption takes a lot of focus and energy and perhaps that is okay to rely on against the field but against the elite teams and shortened rosters, you need to take a break. I think the Clipps need to use Jackson more and allow Kawhi, PG or Lou Wil to set up on opposite wings at the start of half court positions. This would force the Nuggs to play one on on and open up the pick and rolls for Harrel, Zubac and Green. Got to make Jokic, Milsapp and Porter work hard. As it stands, great as Kawhi is against a 1-2-2 zone he is better of picks in the midrange versus on Isos.

Still, I think the Clipps will take game 7 just because I do think Doc sees what we all see and will adjust accordingly. I also don't think the Nuggets can continue the hot streak of extremely tough shots.

As for Vogel, I think Rondo is the wildcard here. He appears to be peaking at the right time and he may be all they need to orchestrate any in game adjustments.

Totally agree about game 7 but the reality is this series should have been over at game 5 .....until........

 

[christoph]

Still, I think the Clipps will take game 7 just because I do think Doc sees what we all see and will adjust accordingly. I also don't think the Nuggets can continue the hot streak of extremely tough shots.

I hope you are right on this one

 

[Steve Williams]

So Jack


are you ready for run and gun offense in Indianapolis this year under our favorite coach D'Antoni

 

[JackD201]

Oh God Nooooooooooo! LOL

Besides, have you seen Turner and Sabonis try to sprint? Not pretty!

 

[WLVCA]

I'm usually the guy that roots for the underdog. If I weren't a Clipper fan I'd be thrilled for the Denver Nuggets and would be cheering them along.

We'll see what happens tomorrow but to me the momentum has shifted to Denver.

 

[jadis]

Doc has a good explanation of the debacle on Game 6. It's the foul troubles of PG.

https://tv5.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...ivers-says-no-secret-team-collapses-games-5-6

"Rivers says it's imperative that George and his guards stay out of foul trouble.
George has committed no less than four fouls in the three previous games with five fouls apiece in Games 4 and 5. Patrick Beverley also fouled out in 18 minutes in Game 6, putting a strain on Rivers' defensive rotation.
"PG can't get in foul trouble," Rivers said of needing his star guard in Game 7. "I think he's been in foul trouble at least two, maybe three of the games, and at times he's not even guarding one of your key guys. We've just got to keep him on the floor.
"The foul trouble by our guards, they have been very hurtful in this series, and not just the last two games. We've got to keep our guards on the floor, because if we don't, we've got to go to lineups defensively that are not desirable."

 

[JackD201]

See, he sees it Disruption D leads to instinctive reach ins when gambles fail! Just hound Jokic guys and please don't try to front him!

I'm excited for the Celtic- Heat series. I think the guy that isn't getting talked about much but should be is Goran.

 

[jadis]

See, he sees it Disruption D leads to instinctive reach ins when gambles fail! Just hound Jokic guys and please don't try to front him!

I'm excited for the Celtic- Heat series. I think the guy that isn't getting talked about much but should be is Goran.

Oh, Dragic is a force, Jack. I've always liked him, very crafty and a lefty, like me, in being a lefty, that is. The one that I fear most in the Heat is Bam. It used to be Whiteside in his first year with the Heat that I was in awe with, but now this Bam is a great middle man, can be 4 or 5 and he's got a good touch too. I'm expecting Crowder an Kelly to play well, ex players always do well against their former teams. But this series for Boston will be how Tatum becomes the real deal in the NBA, and of course, I'm hoping Kemba will get his normal self going. It should be a nice series of basketball.

 

[christoph]

Doc has a good explanation of the debacle on Game 6. It's the foul troubles of PG.

https://tv5.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...ivers-says-no-secret-team-collapses-games-5-6

"Rivers says it's imperative that George and his guards stay out of foul trouble.
George has committed no less than four fouls in the three previous games with five fouls apiece in Games 4 and 5. Patrick Beverley also fouled out in 18 minutes in Game 6, putting a strain on Rivers' defensive rotation.
"PG can't get in foul trouble," Rivers said of needing his star guard in Game 7. "I think he's been in foul trouble at least two, maybe three of the games, and at times he's not even guarding one of your key guys. We've just got to keep him on the floor.
"The foul trouble by our guards, they have been very hurtful in this series, and not just the last two games. We've got to keep our guards on the floor, because if we don't, we've got to go to lineups defensively that are not desirable."

Isn't PG ab bit of a disappointment in this series?
The only thing about PG that I read here is that he got into foul trouble and NOT that he is the big points contributer he should be
Or is this perception of mine unjust?

 

[jadis]

Isn't PG ab bit of a disappointment in this series?
The only thing about PG that I read here is that he got into foul trouble and NOT that he is the big points contributer he should be
Or is this perception of mine unjust?

I think he did come out of the dark and scored 33 points the last game. But what I have not seen him is a MONEY Man clutch shooter. When points are needed he seemed to pass.

 

[christoph]

I think he did come out of the dark and scored 33 points the last game. But what I have not seen him is a MONEY Man clutch shooter. When points are needed he seemed to pass.

So my perception is not completely unjust, then?

 

[JackD201]

I feel the same way Cristoph. smooth he is but smooth doens't work deep in the post season when all screws are tightend. To me his leg might have healed completely but there is something in his head that hasn't. He often looks tentative when it comes to elevating in traffic even though he surely has his hops

 

[jadis]

Zack Lowe picks Celtics in 7 over Heat. He had the same prediction against the Raptors. I'm not saying anything till the fat lady sings but I'm happy.