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brokenshoelace

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Mazzulla absolutely tried to be too smart for his own good and it ended up being one of the most baffling coaching decisions in recent memory. I have no idea why he thought that starting lineup was a good idea and for 3 starters to end up with zero points to boot...it couldn't have worked out any worse. Just a complete disaster. Happy for Embiid.
 

Federberg

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I hope Mazzulla learns from this. It's the play offs. Don't fk around. Even playing the right way it would have been darn tough. Looking forward to the next series. The exchanges between Embiid and KAT are hilarious. I know who I trust in that match up. Quite apart from the fact that Embiid is just a better player, KAT is so mentally weak I expect him to resort to his usual stupid fouls. There's a difference between acting tough and playing tough. He's never really got it, which is why Draymond has always been able to get under his skin
 

PhiEaglesfan712

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absolutely! But I think everyone learned from 2018 and KD. I couldn't believe Halliburton was allowed to risk it, but in a funny way it allowed them to tank this season.
I don't mind that Haliburton was allowed to risk it. The Pacers were one win away from their first NBA Championship. At that point, you got to throw everything out the window and do whatever it takes to win that one game. Getting back there again is never guaranteed.
 
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Federberg

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I don't mind that Haliburton was allowed to risk it. The Pacers were one win away from their first NBA Championship. At that point, you got to throw everything out the window and do whatever it takes to win that one game. Getting back there again is never guaranteed.
that's fair.
 

DarthFed

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And right on cue with us discussing star players being rushed back too early in the playoffs…Ant apparently will be back for game 1 tonight. Crazy
 

the AntiPusher

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And right on cue with us discussing star players being rushed back too early in the playoffs…Ant apparently will be back for game 1 tonight. Crazy
Nah.. Antman is the NBA Wolverine.. he will be ok.. He passed all his post injury performance indicators;; He typically absolutely destroys the Spurs
 
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kskate2

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ofc they're tired. They just gave everything they got to win on Sat, barely 48 hrs before, plus travel time.
 

kskate2

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Typical NBC put the Spurs game behind their paywall. I'm not paying another penny to watch this stuff.
 

the AntiPusher

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Typical NBC put the Spurs game behind their paywall. I'm not paying another penny to watch this stuff.
Too bad.this is a master class in defense..it’s about 12 block shots.VIctor has about 8 and it’s still in the third quarter
 

the AntiPusher

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What a great game on defense..15 blocks , 7 or 8 steals and Antman was outstanding..Now you see why he played..
 

brokenshoelace

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The Sixers got absolutely shafted by the scheduling. Hopefully they bounce back.

Great game by the Timberwolves. I still think the Spurs win the series but this was the first sign of inexperience we see out of them. Wemby looked a bit raw on offense especially since his three ball wasn't falling. I expect him to bounce back. The Spurs were on to something late in the game by running that dribble hand off/downhill pick for him since he's pretty much unstoppable with a head of steam. Ant still struggling to pass out of the double which has been his weakness for a couple of years now, but that was a courageous performance by him all in all, although that last pass was so awful and almost cost them the game. Conley was way better than he had any right to be especially since he was completely unplayable last year. Not sure if it's sustainable. I'm glad we got ourselves a series though. Finch is insufferable with his constant complaints about refs but he's proving to be a hell of a playoff coach every year.
 
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DarthFed

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The Sixers got absolutely shafted by the scheduling. Hopefully they bounce back.

Great game by the Timberwolves. I still think the Spurs win the series but this was the first sign of inexperience we see out of them. Wemby looked a bit raw on offense especially since his three ball wasn't falling. I expect him to bounce back. The Spurs were on to something late in the game by running that dribble hand off/downhill pick for him since he's pretty much unstoppable with a head of steam. Ant still struggling to pass out of the double which has been his weakness for a couple of years now, but that was a courageous performance by him all in all, although that last pass was so awful and almost cost them the game. Conley was way better than he had any right to be especially since he was completely unplayable last year. Not sure if it's sustainable. I'm glad we got ourselves a series though. Finch is insufferable with his constant complaints about refs but he's proving to be a hell of a playoff coach every year.
I’m fine with teams only getting one day off after a game 7. You want more time off…you know what you have to do. Also, the teams that do get a longer break sometimes are clearly rusty that first game.

Towns is one of those guys that gets a bad rep due to being a bit soft. While even a limited Embiid is the better player, it’s easy to see how Towns could give Embiid problems since he can score at all 3 levels and Embiid of course is probably not close to 100%. But ultimately if Philly is to win this series they will need consistency from Maxey and PG and hope Brunson doesn’t drop 40+ a bunch of games.
 

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I think with Ant being back in that’s a 50-50 series and now probably more like 60-40 for Minnesota after stealing game 1. Winning this game and only getting 25 minutes from Ant is a huge statement. They have shown the consistent ability to elevate their play this time of year and this is all new to the Spurs.

I still subscribe to the thought that young teams end up paying their dues in the playoffs their first 1-2 times regardless of how talented they are, seen it happen over and over again throughout the years. The other big factor in this series is that we have to accept that as unlikable as Gobert is, he is still a menace on defense.
 

brokenshoelace

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I’m fine with teams only getting one day off after a game 7. You want more time off…you know what you have to do. Also, the teams that do get a longer break sometimes are clearly rusty that first game.

Towns is one of those guys that gets a bad rep due to being a bit soft. While even a limited Embiid is the better player, it’s easy to see how Towns could give Embiid problems since he can score at all 3 levels and Embiid of course is probably not close to 100%. But ultimately if Philly is to win this series they will need consistency from Maxey and PG and hope Brunson doesn’t drop 40+ a bunch of games.

KAT has become underrated. Yeah he's easy to make fun of but he's very good. The Knicks have unlocked something these playoffs by utilizing his playmaking.
 

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I think with Ant being back in that’s a 50-50 series and now probably more like 60-40 for Minnesota after stealing game 1. Winning this game and only getting 25 minutes from Ant is a huge statement. They have shown the consistent ability to elevate their play this time of year and this is all new to the Spurs.

I still subscribe to the thought that young teams end up paying their dues in the playoffs their first 1-2 times regardless of how talented they are, seen it happen over and over again throughout the years. The other big factor in this series is that we have to accept that as unlikable as Gobert is, he is still a menace on defense.
I tried to wake up for it, but couldn't manage it. Just looking at the box score, it looks like McDaniels is becoming a Klay Thompson level contributor, and Shannon Jr did his thing again. I wonder what Shannon will look like once the Spurs work on the scouting report. I've never really entertained the possibility of the Wolves winning it all, of course it's not really a possibility, but... if it happened I wouldn't be made at it at all. And maybe my thinking it's impossible is me not giving Ant Man his due respect. It got me thinking though, what would my preference be for this play offs.. in order of preference first to last...

Wolves/76ers/Knicks/Spurs/Detroit/Cavs/OKC/Lakers...

obviously I don't really want any of the last 3 winning... under any circumstances :face-with-tears-of-joy:
 

the AntiPusher

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I tried to wake up for it, but couldn't manage it. Just looking at the box score, it looks like McDaniels is becoming a Klay Thompson level contributor, and Shannon Jr did his thing again. I wonder what Shannon will look like once the Spurs work on the scouting report. I've never really entertained the possibility of the Wolves winning it all, of course it's not really a possibility, but... if it happened I wouldn't be made at it at all. And maybe my thinking it's impossible is me not giving Ant Man his due respect. It got me thinking though, what would my preference be for this play offs.. in order of preference first to last...

Wolves/76ers/Knicks/Spurs/Detroit/Cavs/OKC/Lakers...

obviously I don't really want any of the last 3 winning... under any circumstances :face-with-tears-of-joy:
IMO I think Jayden Mc is more like earlier vs of Scottie Pippen with his lengthy arms and tenacity of defense. Klay was a good defender but not like a shutdown defender. I’m waiting for Jaden to say that most all the Spurs are some “bad mfrers defenders..” The Spurs on defense are a nightmare for any offense. Antman makes this to be potentially a great series. @Federberg you should watch the replay on peacock..it’s worth it instead of those other games Played on yesterday and Sunday.
 

Federberg

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IMO I think Jayden Mc is more like earlier vs of Scottie Pippen with his lengthy arms and tenacity of defense. Klay was a good defender but not like a shutdown defender. I’m waiting for Jaden to say that most all the Spurs are some “bad mfrers defenders..” The Spurs on defense are a nightmare for any offense. Antman makes this to be potentially a great series. @Federberg you should watch the replay on peacock..it’s worth it instead of those other games Played on yesterday and Sunday.
yes agreed re: Scottie is a better fit overall. I was just thinking about his offensive production. Pippen is more accurate
 
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the AntiPusher

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yes agreed re: Scottie is a better fit overall. I was just thinking about his offensive production. Pippen is more accurate
You and darth was mentioning the 90s..last night game reminds me of that era with all the physically.. again watch the replay it’s a great game..best one of the playoffs so far.