AROUND the NBA:

[dirkfansince1998]

I really dislike LeBron.  For me he is the poster child for self entitled athletes.  But has any 40+ year old player ever put up playoff numbers like he has in these 3 games?  Abdul-Jabbar?

Nope. At the same age Kareem averaged 11ppg in the playoffs. Don't have to like him but in the end you have to acknowledge greatness. He is doing things that someone in his early 40s shouldn't be able to do. Regular season was mediocre by his standards but it seems like he still has an extra gear for the playoffs. First time in what feels like years that he is actually trying on defense.

The Bronny/LBJ sequence in the second quarter was wild. First Bronny hits the pull up three after his dad set a screen for him. And on the next trip down the floor he finishes a lob pass from his dad.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

I really dislike LeBron.  For me he is the poster child for self entitled athletes.  But has any 40+ year old player ever put up playoff numbers like he has in these 3 games?  Abdul-Jabbar?

Self entitled or not, he's putting up numbers and playing better than anyone ever at his age, in any sport. Especially as physical a game as Pro Basketball is.

[Mavs2021]

Self entitled or not, he's putting up numbers and playing better than anyone ever at his age, in any sport. Especially as physical a game as Pro Basketball is.

Well the guy lives for basketball and has access to the best PEDs in the world.

[Chicagojk]

So KD wasn’t with the team? I saw a Bill simmons quote mentioning this. Was he even in the arena? Getting treatment? I am sorry…game three in a must win he needs to be on the bench as the best player on the team. Hurt or not for him not to be on the bench is just a terrible look.


I did not see the game so maybe this wrong. If not…wow.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Breaking news: KD is a team killer.

[Mavs03]

Would anyone be interested in signing Ayo Dosunmu in the offseason? What a performance by him particularly with Edwards and Divincenzo having to leave today's playoff game early.

Last 2 games: Averaging 34 points on 72% from the field, 63% from 3, 94% from the FT line

In the previous game, he had 9 assists.

Minnesota would love to keep him but are well over the salary cap.

Would you offer him a full MLE contract?

[DanSchwartzgan]

Would anyone be interested in signing Ayo Dosunmu in the offseason?  What a performance by him particularly with Edwards and Divincenzo having to leave today's playoff game early.

Last 2 games: Averaging 34 points on 72% from the field, 63% from 3, 94% from the FT line

In the previous game, he had 9 assists.

Minnesota would love to keep him but are well over the salary cap.

Would you offer him a full MLE contract?

I wanted him at the TDL.  He won't come for the full MLE and I'm not sure what Minnesota would require if he would agree to starting at $21mm.  I thought one of the benefits of Connelly might be insight into their plans/limits regarding Dosunmu, but if they keep winning, that plan becomes less likely.

[cow]

Divincenzo with an Achilles tear. Sucks. It really feels like we've seen a huge uptick in this injury of late, but at least it's less of a career ender than in the past.

[F Gump]

I wanted him at the TDL.  He won't come for the full MLE and I'm not sure what Minnesota would require if he would agree to starting at $21mm.  I thought one of the benefits of Connelly might be insight into their plans/limits regarding Dosunmu, but if they keep winning, that plan becomes less likely.

Dosumnu was one of the guys I had on my list of potential FA targets, but that was subject to the quest for a PG (he's a SG) being satisfied some other way besides free agency, and also the cost. 

Obviously the price has gone up, both salary and also the cost to get him. 
a. I would guess he would cost Christie and a pick. 
b. While D appears to be the better player (at least for now), is he worth that much more (C is at 8M for now,, which would fit nicely in MIN cap)?
c. And is D as good as he looks at the moment, or is this a s-s-s fallacy? On offense he is off the charts in the playoffs. (On defense, MIN is playing great D in the playoffs, but he's their worst defender per B-R D rating.)

MINN would have a hard time financially (but not impossible) keeping him in the 20M range. That lands them right around "just below A2" after they also pay FRP and fill the roster with minimums. I would expect that their stomach for that payroll (tax would be ~42M) would be driven to a large degree by what they do in the playoffs.

[Chicagojk]

what a terrible performance by Denver.  To do that in a game that big says a lot.   That team, if they don't figure things out soon, needs to make some changes.  Not as bad as the post title Giannis run, but it is sort of heading that way.  In a much harder conference too.

Great win by Minny, but an awful night for them.  Donte with a torn Achilles (another #0 tearing his achilles).   We will await Ant's diagnosis.  Even if he avoids a serious injury, I really would be surprised if we see him again this playoffs.   It could be much worse too.  Another playoff run with major injuries.   Ugh.

[Chicagojk]

I wanted him at the TDL.  He won't come for the full MLE and I'm not sure what Minnesota would require if he would agree to starting at $21mm.  I thought one of the benefits of Connelly might be insight into their plans/limits regarding Dosunmu, but if they keep winning, that plan becomes less likely.

He has been awesome.   

It just makes you wonder what Houston was thinking.   Dosunmu may have been a bit pricey but they have the assets.    Coby White, Sexton, CJ Mccollum was a wide range of availble guys.  Some better than others.  To not make a move or a guard is a real puzzling situation.

[Mavs2021]

He has been awesome.   

It just makes you wonder what Houston was thinking.   Dosunmu may have been a bit pricey but they have the assets.    Coby White, Sexton, CJ Mccollum was a wide range of availble guys.  Some better than others.  To not make a move or a guard is a real puzzling situation.

Could make the same argument for us. Could have gotten a head start for next season. But yeah really strange.

[Chicagojk]

Granted, I know very little about Adelman but it appears he may be over his head. This answer below and his response to McDaniels the past game about their defense when he replied an out their ranking on d in the playoffs is just so bad.

As Sam says, who cares about scoring at the end. To talk about this when down 3-1 is just missing it completely.

https://x.com/sam_vecenie/status/2048262...69091?s=61

[dirkfansince1998]

Cavs/Raptors is a must watch. One of the ugliest games in recent history. 54-46 with four minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Airballs on wide open 3s. Players struggling on the freethrow line. Brick hands around the rim. Just an alltime brick festival.

[SwisherPrice]

Pistons and Nuggets are in trouble. Cavs will still be ok with home court advantage.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Cavs/Raptors is a must watch. One of the ugliest games in recent history. 54-46 with four minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Airballs on wide open 3s. Players struggling on the freethrow line. Brick hands around the rim. Just an alltime brick festival.

It was ugly, but Toronto found a way to tie the series, 93-89 inspite of ugly offense.BI can't get his offense going shooting just 6-23.  Rookie Collin-Murray- Bowles is a relentless defender and rebounder at just 6'7. And Scottie Barnes has always been underrated in my eyes. He does a little of everything. I still expect Cleveland to win the series, but Toronto plays hard.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Pistons and Nuggets are in trouble. Cavs will still be ok with home court advantage.

If Detroit loses tomorrow, I'll agree. They've done a good job taking away Duren. Magic have more scorers. Detroit didn't do nothing major at the TDL, they need another consistent scorer to help Cade. As far as Denver goes, Wolves have their number. Jokic and Murray look wore down, Gordan is playing hurt, Watson is out. Joker is missing shots he usually makes, but Gobert has been defending him well.

[Chicagojk]

That Clev team will probably win their series against the Raptors.  They also play in the wide open East.   Although, I feel pretty confident that team is not going to win anything.    What looked like a team that was positioned really well even with some playoff flameouts, now looks like they will have some very difficult decisions coming up.  An older Harden and now a potential contract uncertainty with Mitchell.   Things change quick.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/2048575...27833?s=20

This guy is a "Lil Killer." He's king of the buzzer beaters.

[Chicagojk]

Feels like SA and OKC are on a collision course.   Hopefully in round two their two opponents can put up a good fight.

In the East, Boston looks the best positioned by far.   We will see how Tatum responds to the long playoff run, but the top of the East outside of Boston looks very shaky.