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Post by nuraman00 on Apr 22, 2024 18:19:34 GMT -8
remember when Hartenstein hadn't yet assimilated himself into Thibodeau's vision when first arrived? Now he's coming up huge late and the toast of The Big Apple. Exciting finish...Sixers really blew a golden opportunity. Hartenstein must have gotten training from Master Splinter, to turn into Raphael, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
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Post by nuraman00 on Apr 22, 2024 19:38:56 GMT -8
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Denver won’t lose the series, but they will make it interesting. Denver in 6. Los Angeles Lakers Denver Denver Los Angeles Lakers Denver Denver
Game 2 isn't over, but I am likely 0-2 through the first two games of this series.
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Post by nuraman00 on Apr 23, 2024 17:56:58 GMT -8
Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Minnesota is too big. While both teams have older players, Kevin Durant is among one of several players who have struggled lately (Luka Doncic, De’Arron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton are a few others). Nurkic has never been able to be better than an average center. Minnesota in 5. Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves Phoenix Suns Minnesota Timberwolves Game 3 of this prediction will be the one to see if it happens.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 3, 2024 16:32:10 GMT -8
]The West was a bit weaker last year, but that'd still probably qualify as a good year for the East. Plus Denver was the best team in the league pretty clearly even if they didn't go all out in the regular season. As for the Suns, I continue to think they're better than what they've shown. I could be wrong on this one. They're still too talented for me to completely write them off in any series. And if they were in the East I'd have them ahead of everyone but Boston. Fair enough, thanks. For the sake of discussion, where would you put a healthy Philadelphia and Phoenix? Is one better than the other, or are they about the same? I am generally down on Philadelphia dating back a few years. However, this year, I think Tyreke Maxey helps them a lot, especially when compared to the struggles they've had in the past. However, if I look at last year's series against Boston, a slightly worse Maxey still averaged 20 ppg, and they still lost 3 games by at least 9 points. So, maybe they need more than this year's improved Maxey. I've also never liked how they keep trying to put low rebounding bigs in their frontcourt. You also may be right that Denver doesn't go all out in the regular season. If that's what they're doing, I don't think they've earned that. I think only older teams can do that. And Denver isn't an old team, yet, given the age of their starters. I am assuming Denver is trying, but maybe you are right in that they are not.
Now that Phoenix has lost in the playoffs, does that lower what you think of the West?
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Post by nuraman00 on May 3, 2024 16:34:08 GMT -8
You seem to have a lot of faith in OKC. I think they are this year's 2023 Memphis - a nice regular season team but incredibly weak playoff team. Memphis didn't have their starting center for the 2023 playoffs.
They were weak due to unexpected injury.
Thoughts?
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Post by hitnrun24 on May 3, 2024 17:40:00 GMT -8
Fair enough, thanks. For the sake of discussion, where would you put a healthy Philadelphia and Phoenix? Is one better than the other, or are they about the same? I am generally down on Philadelphia dating back a few years. However, this year, I think Tyreke Maxey helps them a lot, especially when compared to the struggles they've had in the past. However, if I look at last year's series against Boston, a slightly worse Maxey still averaged 20 ppg, and they still lost 3 games by at least 9 points. So, maybe they need more than this year's improved Maxey. I've also never liked how they keep trying to put low rebounding bigs in their frontcourt. You also may be right that Denver doesn't go all out in the regular season. If that's what they're doing, I don't think they've earned that. I think only older teams can do that. And Denver isn't an old team, yet, given the age of their starters. I am assuming Denver is trying, but maybe you are right in that they are not.
Now that Phoenix has lost in the playoffs, does that lower what you think of the West?
It doesn't. I think if you put Phx in place of Indiana they'd make it to the ECF. Lakers too.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 3, 2024 18:08:18 GMT -8
Now that Phoenix has lost in the playoffs, does that lower what you think of the West?
It doesn't. I think if you put Phx in place of Indiana they'd make it to the ECF. Lakers too. Fair enough.
Disagree, but that's why we have this platform.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 3, 2024 18:13:32 GMT -8
Now that Phoenix has lost in the playoffs, does that lower what you think of the West?
It doesn't. I think if you put Phx in place of Indiana they'd make it to the ECF. Lakers too. Speaking of the Lakers, kudos to LeBron for another great season and playoffs.
His FG% is amazing, especially for his age.
Back in 2018, I wanted him to go to Utah, because I thought it would be a cool narrative if he could get ANOTHER team that has never won a title, in Utah, their first. They seemingly had an easy going superstar in Mitchell, and a big man who was a 70% finisher and defensive player in Gobert.
Obviously I was thinking of only basketball reasons.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 4, 2024 14:59:57 GMT -8
Western Conference
Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
I think a team with two All-Stars is going to be better than a team with one.
I think Minnesota wins, but will need the full 7 games. Nevermind, I'll go with 6.
Minnesota in 6.
Minnesota Denver Minnesota Denver Minnesota Minnesota
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Post by hitnrun24 on May 4, 2024 15:22:26 GMT -8
Western Conference Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves I think a team with two All-Stars is going to be better than a team with one. I think Minnesota wins, but will need the full 7 games. Nevermind, I'll go with 6. Minnesota in 6. Minnesota Denver Minnesota Denver Minnesota Minnesota I'm going to nitpick your reasoning. Murray is better than a lot of all stars including the 2nd all star on Minnesota but this team may match up best with Denver than any other team.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 4, 2024 15:29:42 GMT -8
Western Conference Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves I think a team with two All-Stars is going to be better than a team with one. I think Minnesota wins, but will need the full 7 games. Nevermind, I'll go with 6. Minnesota in 6. Minnesota Denver Minnesota Denver Minnesota Minnesota I'm going to nitpick your reasoning. Murray is better than a lot of all stars including the 2nd all star on Minnesota but this team may match up best with Denver than any other team. I've just never liked Murray's consistency. Nor his FG%.
To his credit, his FG% was great in 2023 and 2020, his last two playoffs.
I always think of him as a mid 40s guy though, which is what his regular season career is.
I can agree with Murray being more of a presence than Towns.
Towns might be having his best playoffs so far though, even though it's only been four games.
BTW, once the 2nd round is set, can you give your predictions? Since some of the matchups are now different than your pre-playoffs one.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 4, 2024 15:31:52 GMT -8
I'm making a slight change. I wanted to do something a little bold with the Minnesota-Denver series.
If I'm not going to do a 7 game series, a 6 game series is a little boring.
I'll go with Minnesota in 5, Denver wins game 2. On the other hand, I never predict a road team winning the first two games. Maybe it's time I try that.
Ok, Minnesota in 5, Denver wins game 4.
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Post by hitnrun24 on May 4, 2024 15:54:25 GMT -8
I'm going to nitpick your reasoning. Murray is better than a lot of all stars including the 2nd all star on Minnesota but this team may match up best with Denver than any other team. I've just never liked Murray's consistency. Nor his FG%.
To his credit, his FG% was great in 2023 and 2020, his last two playoffs.
I always think of him as a mid 40s guy though, which is what his regular season career is.
I can agree with Murray being more of a presence than Towns.
Towns might be having his best playoffs so far though, even though it's only been four games.
BTW, once the 2nd round is set, can you give your predictions? Since some of the matchups are now different than your pre-playoffs one.
48% this year. He's just such a good decision maker, clutch, and a great playoff performer. His stats are suppressed a bit because he plays on such a good team.
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Post by nuraman00 on May 6, 2024 15:40:45 GMT -8
Eastern Conference New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Indiana in 6.
Indiana is inconsistent and flawed. But I think Siakam will provide an advantage in some games over the New York frontcourt.
New York will have another Pacer or two to hate, in Haliburton and possibly Siakam.
Indiana
New York
Indiana
New York
Indiana
Indiana
Normally I'd pick a road team in 7, since road teams have done quite well over the past 10 or 11 game 7's. But I don't think Indiana is that good on the road. So I won't have this go 7 games, but 6.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics:
I hope Jarrett Allen is back soon, so we can see what that frontcourt can do when challenged against the best.
This could have a lot of lower scoring games. Feels like a lot of blowout games.
I have not predicted a sweep in these playoffs yet. This one could be a sweep, but I'll say it goes 5 games.
Boston in 5.
Cleveland
Boston
Boston
Boston
Boston
Western Conference Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks
A battle of two teams that struggle with rebounding.
I think this is a 6 game series, but the individual games might not be great. Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey should have some standout games.
Oklahoma City in 6.
Oklahoma City
Dallas
Oklahoma City
Dallas
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
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Post by nuraman00 on May 6, 2024 16:52:04 GMT -8
The best teams got in from the play ins imo, but still sucks the 2 8 seeds with some upset potential will be short handed now. OKC in 7 Denver in 6 Minn in 5 Clippers in 6 Clippers over OKC in 7 Minn over Denver in 6 Clippers over Minn in 6 Boston in 5 Knicks in 5 Bucks in 7 Cle in 6 Boston over Cle in 4 Bucks over Knicks in 6 Boston over Bucks in 7 Clippers over Boston in 7 Can you give your 2nd round predictions with the updated matchups?
Also give your reasonings.
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