OKC looks to be in a really good position for a title. And it seems like that's what fans should be celebrating, a team drafting well and developing players in lieu of just buying it. Presti has done a great job running them. But they are playing against Hali, so obviously they deserve to and will be hated.
NBA: *** 2024 NBA thread ***
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Fun clip especially for any Cyclones who haven't been following past few years.
I missed this during the series as it happened but...wow, next level ref manipulation.
Props to the Bill Simmons Podcast. Spent the entire episode giving the Pacers praise instead of jumping to the finals preview.
Michael Cole wearing a Pacers jersey (why it's not Haliburton I don't know) for losing his bet with Pat. Interesting note that raw tonight is in Tulsa, Ok.
NY Indiana series got me to thinking about that rivalry in 90's. Just watched the 30 for 30 doc Winning Time.
I know I watched it when it first came out but watching it this time I always thought the Reggie "choke" sign was in the 95 series after the the 6 points in 8 seconds, but it was in 94 the series they lost.
I know I watched it when it first came out but watching it this time I always thought the Reggie "choke" sign was in the 95 series after the the 6 points in 8 seconds, but it was in 94 the series they lost.
My rabbit hole of going back to 90's I found the rule of getting 3 free throws on a fouled 3 point attempt only goes back to 95. I know that's 30 years but how was that not a given once the 3 pointer was a thing.
Watching this guy get dragged on Twitter has been great schadenfreude
The arrogance of NYC at it's best. I hope I never see a Knicks championship in my lifetime.
brunson was a next level flopper the entire series. he couldn't beat nesmith legitimately so he decided to be a cheater instead. the league really needs to fine and suspend instances like this that show up in the game film after the game concludes.
I listened to Omaha sports radio do this with the Huskers. They listed the top 10 programs that were "made" by beating them in the 90's and into the 2000's. It was one of the most pathetic things I've ever listened to.
Just imagine how many teams were “ made” by beating the Cubs for 108 years. I think Knicks futility is going to go that long.
There is no butt hurt like NY butt hurt. I'm cool if no NY team in any sport wins anything, ever. F em.
Imo you generally need to actually win something in order to augment someone in 'making' them.
Jordan credited the late 80s Pistons to being a big help in getting his game to another level because he needed to get physically and mentally stronger, but Detroit was winning titles.
Jordan credited the late 80s Pistons to being a big help in getting his game to another level because he needed to get physically and mentally stronger, but Detroit was winning titles.
the league will rig the lottery for them eventually. but it takes a special kind of lottery star to survive in that media market.
as a bulls fan from the 90s i hate the knicks, but also think basketball is better when they are relevant.
I think people who say this don't realize how good the offensive talent in the NBA is. The level of shooting, particularly from bigs / 4s and 5s, is on a crazy level right now.
It's crazy to see how important all the little things are, and how well they do them. In the last series every rebound was a battle. Certain guys all you can do is play good defense and hope they miss. Pick and roll coverages and rotations are so sharp and communicated well. SVG pointed out several times how poor KAT was in pick and roll defense and stuff like that can end up costing you the series at this level.
Free throw shooting has always been radically better, the game has always been 8 minutes longer than college, the shot clock has at times been MUCH shorter and still is.
So you always had those things making it look like defense is bad vs college (that stuff alone is like 20-35 points a game for both teams), but now in past 20ish years you've got 4/5 players who are some of the greatest of all time shooting 3s. Even guards in the 80s/90s weren't shooting the 3 as well as Joker and KAT do now. Joker can shoot 3s into the atmospheric weather system and swish them while closely defended without even moving his arms, just flicking his wrist.
The only player on the entire Indiana team who's not a deadly 3 point shooter is the short backup point guard and even he would be a great 3 point shooter by college standards over course of his career. Every single center and power forward on the team would be among the best 3 point shooters in college hoops.
What are everyone's thoughts on the Finals matchup? I think your comment on shooting is the part that matters. Seems like the Pacers are going to need their rotational guys to shoot above average to have a chance. Feels like its a pretty slim chance for Indiana without some major outlier shooting nights or injuries.
I think that they have a chance. Denver pushed the Thunder. Just gotta keep the tempo up and not get dragged down into a defensive slugfest. Indiana is a deep team, but OKC is pretty good at drawing fouls. Especially SGA with his flops. Indiana absolutely needs to win one of these first two in OKC or it's over.
