Basketball, hockey playoffs

[sine]

Well, that was something else. Canes move on to round two.

[j44ke]

San Antonio looked really good last night. Seemed like maybe Denver was waiting to pull it out in the end and then they never got there. Three point shooting went cold right when they needed it. One of the presenters said SA slowly drowns people in 2 point shots. 57% FG.

The way Nikola Jokic plays, it looks like someone in the front row wandered onto the court and got passed the ball. But then you look at the box score and he has 43 points. Deceptive is the only way I can describe it. And some of his moves around the basket are hypnotic and quick.

[SteveP]

They shouldn't let furriners play... next thing you know they will own the game.

At some point there will be non Canadians playing hockey even maybe.

[SteveP]

Celtics firing on all cylinders... crush Bucks in game 1.

[j44ke]

Danny Ainge had a "mild heart attack" last night. Post season is tough, and I don't mean that sarcastically.

[s_curran]

Bruins will be very lucky to make it through this round I think. CBJ seems to be outplaying them 75% of the time. That said, that goal last night CBJ scored hit the netting, cant believe that was reviewed.

[j44ke]

NBA conference finals are gravitating towards Milwaukee v. Toronto and Houston v. Denver.

Yay.

[deano]

Have been staying up entirely too late to watch some of these ... I love watching James Harden. Nobody has that kind of authority on the court. Dude has ice in his veins. It has been interesting to see a team designed to take on the Warriors actually able to handle the Warriors. If the great experiment works, will other teams figure their game out, too, and the Warriors will have to go back to the drawing board? Either way, Golden State has shaken up the game for the past few years, which has been awesome.

Feel bad for KD, though.

[j44ke]

Harden does not play a beautiful game. I understand why he has developed his talent for drawing foul calls (which is different than drawing actual fouls) - it is easier than getting separation on shots. But he can gain separation on almost any shot he wants with a few more steps, but I guess those steps add up over the course of the season so his game is equal parts skill and energy management (which is also a skill) over a season. But it isn't a beautiful game.

But I think he enjoys being that sort of player, and he definitely seems to enjoy the game. And he is slightly off-center which I think he also enjoys. Merry prankster. Genius chucker. Looks like he is just heaving the ball at the backboard most of the time and then it goes in - all net.

[SteveP]

Celtics go home with tail between legs... Beat badly by Giannis and his crew.
Sell your stock in Kyrie Irving... His shares will hit the floor if they already haven't.
He was truly terrible in the playoffs and was a bad actor all season.

I like watching Harden.. " I can't believe he's throwing that up from there.... goes to swish..."

Bruins look strong though.... Beat up the Canes in games 1.

[Corso]

TUUUUUUUKAHHHHHHHH

Great to have a hot goalie.

ESPN didn't have good things to say about the Pats last season either. Such experts...

" ESPN ranking Rask dead last in their “Heat Index” of the 16 starting goalies in this year’s playoffs. The poll weighs recent performance with how goalies’ seasons went as a whole, and how likely their recent performance is to stand up given their career performance."

[j44ke]

Great game. Houston just couldn't drive the stake home, and Curry finally got his rhythm in the fourth quarter for 21 points.

[bironi]

Draymond Green.

[j44ke]

Draymond Green.

Without Draymond Green, there is no outside shot for Curry. There is no opportunity for Durant to have a bad game (or in this case, be injured.) Great player. Part the Warriors' confidence even when down by double digits into the 4th quarter.

[SteveP]

Good game Toronto vs Milwaukee last night.
Double ot, Kawai got it done.

Hope Kyrie watched as he has no more basketball related activities to attend to other than complaining about his ( former) teammates.

[j44ke]

Good game Toronto vs Milwaukee last night.
Double ot, Kawai got it done.

Hope Kyrie watched as he has no more basketball related activities to attend to other than complaining about his ( former) teammates.

Really pulling for Kawai. I sure hope Siakam has gotten his mojo back. He was great earlier and then disappeared. The game yesterday was a plus but he's still playing like he is afraid of missing the shot. In fact, a lot of players throughout the playoffs have seemed afraid of shooting & afraid of driving to the basket. They all want to stand out in the seats and throw up 3 pointers. Just bizarre.

Speaking of gossip, Magic Johnson announced he quit because the GM was trying to bypass him and Jeannie Buss didn't have control of the board room. Sounds great. I am sure LeBron is looking forward to wasting next year too.

[bironi]

23, 30, 11

[j44ke]

Great win by Toronto. Everyone on that team found a way to contribute something, even if it was just a body in front of Giannis ANTKPO.

Kawhi Leonard is a great player. Whatever happened at San Antonio, I can't guess. But in this series, he was the hardest working man in show business. Just get him to the 4th quarter within shooting range and let him work his plan. And he definitely had a plan, every game. Solid.

Love Lowry and his unrestrained glee at winning the series. He's had a good career but plenty of struggles and a reputation for underperforming. But he was a catalyst throughout.

Can't really say that I get all the accolades around Giannis. Yet. Yes, it takes him two steps to get to the basket from anywhere on the court, but I can't tell whether he needs different supporting players or he needs a more varied game. Both probably. He definitely needs to play closer to the basket more often. Teams are waiting for him to drive down the center and finish with his right hand. And just like Joel Embiid, he holds the ball too low too often.

I hope the next series is good. 4-0 would be really disappointing. If Toronto can't win the series (and right now, as hardworking as they are, I don't see them winning) then I hope they get at least two wins and their losses are close.

[abbeyQ]

I've been a fair weather hockey fan since the last strike. But I grew up in Missouri playing hockey as a kid. Which of course makes me a lifelong Blues fan. It's never hard to root against Boston since they apparently have the worst fans in sport. But I really really want STL to bring home a CUP!!!!

[monadnocky]

I've been a fair weather hockey fan since the last strike. But I grew up in Missouri playing hockey as a kid. Which of course makes me a lifelong Blues fan. It's never hard to root against Boston since they apparently have the worst fans in sport. But I really really want STL to bring home a CUP!!!!

Second worst. Have you ever been to Philadelphia?