NBA and WNBA thread

Exactly Connors - just don't be a complete dickhead and I wont say anything. Most people round here seem to manage that fine!

The Warriors Rockets series got really interesting with KDs injury.
Warriors are saying calf strain and positive outlook on a return for next series should they progress......but Houston must take this gilt edged opportunity now!
In theory the Warriors could be OK because Curry has been well below par until KD went out. If he gets back to his regular season form it could compensate enough.
I do think that the Warriors need to get it done next game though and not let it go 7.

So having so spectacularly got the Bucks series wrong I am going to stick with my predictions that Raps, Warriors and Blazers will prevail.

Oh come on Sam, put the can of bitter down. Rockets were certainly the favourite at home, what's left of the GSW core is knackered, but they blew it big time.
Rockets may as well smash up their roster, they will never beat Currey, Thompson, Green and co.

I think it’s very simple. Rockets style of basketball was trumped by the Warriors coaching team. Individually most of the Rockets big players had really good games. However GSW consistently punished their smaller line ups with offensive rebounds, layups and lobs whilst riding impressive first and second halves by two of the best shooters the NBA has ever seen.
This is the benefit and confidence brought by winning multiple championships.

Agree with most of the thoughts above.

It's no secret I'm a huge Harden fan, but even I can admit he can go missing in the big games. A bit like Lowry of the Raptors.

However this year I think Harden stepped up. I'm still trying to work out if we blew Game 6 or not. We didn't necessarily play badly I suppose. However I said at the start of the series if we really wanted to be in with a genuine chance then we had to win one of the first two games away to GSW. As soon as they went 2-0 up then I couldn't see us coming back from that.

I also said to be in with a chance of winning the series we had to have Harden, CP and Eric Gordon all playing brilliantly at the same time. Reflecting though I don't even think that is enough. The Rockets owner is convinced we will win a championship with this group of players, I wish I had his optimism.

How about that Raptors / Philli series! My partner is the die hard Toronoto fan and I even I got total chills watching that game. Not sure they will be able to withstand the Bucks mind you. Would love the Raptors to take on GSW for the championship, but ultimately I think the Bucks would have a greater chance of upsetting them.

Ahh I love the NBA

OK so I got the last round of predictions 75% right (lets not look at the scores I predicted!).

So I think

Warriors to beat Blazers 4-1 (If Durant fit) or 4-3 (if hes not)
Raptors to beat Bucks 4-3

I keep waiting for the wheels to fall off Giannis' teammates. I also think, despite the height disparity, if anyone can slow Antetokounmpo down it might be a combination of Leonard backed up by two excellent defensive big men Gasol and Ibaka. Gasol looked a strange signing late in the season but it is proving to be very astute now. He's

Looking at Blazers I don't think they have an answer for KD. I think he will torch them if fit. One concern for the Warriors will be Curry in foul trouble. He's been woefully undisciplined so far and against two elite scoring guards there will be plenty of opportunity for him to commit more fouls. I'm expecting some interesting interaction between Green and Collins/Canter as well :-). I'm expecting a lot of small ball line ups again from both teams

Is the arrival of Zion enough to keep AD at NOP? Can they play together?

So GSW win G1 fairly comfortably without KD.
Blazers appeared very flat. Almost felt like a regular season game at times. They mentioned in commentary perhaps the let down after their previous series.
At times the score suggested they were closer to getting back into the game than they really were. Warriors always looked like they had another gear.
Still we know both Lillard and McCollum can play much better than that....and they will need to.
Would appear KD is further away from playing than I had read. Maybe you are right Sam - they might not need him for this series anyhow.

I keep betting against the Bucks because I'm clearly an idiot :-)

As for the Pelicans didn't AD allude to the fact that he wanted to be on a better team? If Zion is as good as he looks that problem is solved isn't it?
LEts see if that is what he really meant :-)

What a great game 2 in the WCF! Loved that one. I think the Blazers can really take some positives back home but the shooting from Splash Bros was amazing second half and allied to Greens defence and some all around brilliant team play it was a helluva comeback.

Raptors are looking in a hole.....looks like another loss for me versus the Greek Freak....

Draymond Green was absolutely brilliant in G3. Its almost like rope a dope the way GSW seemingly “allow” Portland to shoot their load and then just demoralise them!
Mark Jackson said it looked like the Blazers collectively had no fight left in them. Harsh on CJ but Lillard has been terrible! I’d often thought he’d been stiffed in ASG selections at times but looking at this you can see the difference between Curry and Lillard.

Another thing Jackson said was if Green was on Blazers they’d be winning and I think he might be right!

I think based on his play this season that is fair enough.
I don't have a major issue with the selections but Kevin Durant for me has demonstrated he is currently the best player in basketball and I would switch him and George. Still PG was having a great season until injury derailed him after ASG.

I would also say one of the problems with these announcements coming deep into playoffs is the above. My view of KD is certainly influenced by his dominant performances versus the Clippers and Rockets before his injury. I am also a little off with Lillard after he whiffed versus the Warriors.