Talk About Tennis 2.0

Murray was the difference, sure, but AD and Lebron also had sub-par games.
Hashimura and Reaves are looking at very good paydays after this season is over. They are delivering.

ponchi101 wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 7:01 pm Murray was the difference, sure, but AD and Lebron also had sub-par games.
Hashimura and Reaves are looking at very good paydays after this season is over. They are delivering.

Especially Reaves. Transition defense is hurting the Lakers in this series.

NBA fans were all over social media whining about flopping by players trying to get fouls called on whoever is defending them. I mean come on. Lebron and Harden are prime examples of this schtick and have been for years. Why is it an issue now?

Re Robert Horry: If I was in the playoffs I would want him on my team.

I always liked Horry. He came up with some big shots on several occasions, and the nickname was fun, but he was a good BB player that was in a lot of right places at the right time.
He is the prime example that rings do not mean you are the greatest. He has more rings that MJ (and therefore all the ones below him) yet obviously is not as great.

No jinx

Surprisingly uncompetitive conference finals this year. Both could be sweeps...

I am specially surprised about Boston. I thought they were the heavy favorites for the title (said so above) and they have been blown off by Miami. I don't know if they can salvage the 4th game, just for a little pride.
But Miami has been on fire. The Bucks firing of Budenholzer seems now even more rushed. Miami is obviously NOT your regular #8 seed. The team can play. And, given how they have handled the #1 and #2 seeds, I gather they can also beat the Nuggets.
ASSUMING the Nuggets and Miami win. I know no teams have ever come back from 0-3 holes, but by now I truly say I know nothing about basketball.

NBA-focused social media was on fire last night. The best analysis, as usual, came from the TNT lineup. I don't care how much Stephen A screams when you want good analysis it always comes from Shaq, Ernie, Kenny and Sir Charles.

Shaq vs Charles seems to have been the best action of the night. Even Ernie got in a good one.

That must have been the strangest series in NBA history.
The home teams won only 2 games. Up 3-0, it reached 7.
I keep saying that the Bucks have to call Budenholzer and admit they rushed that decision. Miami took care of the 1, 2 and 5 seeds. It wasn't the coaching.

From the article:

Considering the stark difference in popularity between ESPN and TNT’s NBA coverage, any semblance of Barkley, O’Neal and Smith during the Finals is a big deal. ESPN will boast Mike Greenberg as its studio host during the NBA Finals, alongside analysts Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon and insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

ESPN’s offering might provide adequate basketball analysis, but they lack the entertainment value brought by Barkley, O’Neal and Smith. And considering the rate of which Barkley and O’Neal go viral for their hijinks, casual sports fans seem to prioritize entertainment value over analysis.

Exhibit A as to why NBA cognoscenti prefer TNT analysts:

Gian
@HiiiGian
At this point what does being the “better” team or “superior” team even mean?

It used to mean the team that wins, or the team that beats you.

I understand the blind loyalty from fans. But a lot of “media” and “experts” sure are losing credibility.

Very evident Miami is the best team in the Eastern Conference.

I think Silver just threw Stephen A et al under the proverbial bus...

Just telling the truth. The EPSN show is also good, but the TNT crew has a chemistry that is hard to replicate.