NBA: ***Official 2017-2018 Regular Season Thread***

[CyJack13]

The real question is can Toronto beat the cavs in a 7 game series? I don't think so. I think Lebron will lead his team to his 8th straight finals and play The Rockets

I don't think so, although what Toronto has done this year is impressive. The biggest reason for the Raptors improvement this year has been their bench, which has been unbelievably good. But in the playoffs the benefits of a great bench are diminished due to shortened rotations and more minutes for starters. If LeBron is playing 44 minutes a game, there's not a lot of time for your bench to take advantage of a true second unit.

Plus bench guys usually have at least one big flaw in their game and those become exposed in playoff series. LeBron and the Warriors are especially ruthless at going after one guy over and over when they find a weakness. DJ Augustin went from being a solid rotation guy in Indy to somebody who could barely get on the floor when LeBron was in Miami because they put him in pick and rolls pretty much every single time down and just ate him up.

 

[jbindm]

I don't think so, although what Toronto has done this year is impressive. The biggest reason for the Raptors improvement this year has been their bench, which has been unbelievably good. But in the playoffs the benefits of a great bench are diminished due to shortened rotations and more minutes for starters. If LeBron is playing 44 minutes a game, there's not a lot of time for your bench to take advantage of a true second unit.

That's what I keep coming back to. There's no team in the East field that has a decent answer for Playoffs Lebron. The Celtics could have with a healthy roster - they could have thrown multiple defenders at him who would have at least made him work for it and they have an elite postseason scorer in Kyrie Irving. It looks to me like Lebron is going to drag a flawed roster to the Finals. Again.

 

[jbindm]

Denver beat Minnesota ina really entertaining game last night. The two teams are now tied for the eighth spot in the West with three to play, half a game back of New Orleans for the seven seed, and just one game back of the Thunder and Spurs for the fifth and sixth seed. The kicker - they play each other again in the last game of the regular season in Minnesota. Jimmy Butler was in uniform but didn't play; he should be good to go by then. The playoffs have started early for a few teams.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Good one on ABC right now between the Rockets and Thunder

 

[awd4cy]

Crazy that Utah is 4th in the West with 2 games to go and still haven’t clinched a playoff spot.

 

[Doc]

Denver beat Minnesota ina really entertaining game last night. The two teams are now tied for the eighth spot in the West with three to play, half a game back of New Orleans for the seven seed, and just one game back of the Thunder and Spurs for the fifth and sixth seed. The kicker - they play each other again in the last game of the regular season in Minnesota. Jimmy Butler was in uniform but didn't play; he should be good to go by then. The playoffs have started early for a few teams.

It's a play-in game tonight for them! I don't have lot of confidence in the Nuggs away from Home, but we'll see. The funny thing is that it's not even a play-in game for the 8 seed because I think the loser of the SA-NO game gets the 8.

 

[Doc]

Also, I don't know if anybody was watching, but a 32-year old career G-Leaguer named Andre Ingram got his first NBA time last night for the Lakers. Made his first 3 and ended up with 19. Pretty cool moment.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Interesting scramble in east for who ends up 6-8. You actually would want the 7th spot because you get the Celtics who at this point probably can't even make past first round with this roster.

 

[Doc]

Interesting scramble in east for who ends up 6-8. You actually would want the 7th spot because you get the Celtics who at this point probably can't even make past first round with this roster.

Yeah, I doubt there's ever been a time when the 7 seed is this much better than the 6 or 5. The reward is to play a red-hot Philly or Lebron.

 

[Playboi Carti]

The west is so close the 3rd seed is only 2 games up on the 9 seed.
http://www.espn.com/nba/standings

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Milwaukee is in quite the quandary. Win secures them 6th seed but it give the 3 seed to Cleve.

 

[stormchaser2014]

The Sixers are making us their *****.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

46 point 1st quarter holy ****

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

The Sixers are making us their *****.

As long as Washing and Miami split Milwaukee can end up at 7 spot which is the best spot to advance as a lower seed.

 

[awd4cy]

Bucks are completely disfunctional. I think even with the Celtics injuries they would find a way to beat the Bucks in a 7 game series. Decent chance though they play Toronto if the Heat and Wizzards hang on. I have no doubt they either get swept or win 1 in that one.

 

[LindenCy]

Looks like Nader got the start tonight and put up 9-8-2 on not great shooting. Played over 38 minutes.

 

[Playboi Carti]

Bucks are completely disfunctional. I think even with the Celtics injuries they would find a way to beat the Bucks in a 7 game series. Decent chance though they play Toronto if the Heat and Wizzards hang on. I have no doubt they either get swept or win 1 in that one.

The bucks are the most disappointing team in the NBA. I had pretty high hopes for them after what they did last year. Only 5 players play 60+ games... that aint good.

 

[awd4cy]

The bucks are the most disappointing team in the NBA. I had pretty high hopes for them after what they did last year. Only 5 players play 70+ games... that aint good

There are so many problems going on behind the scenes it is ugly. Locker room toxic, incompetent owners, incompetent coaches. I don’t have any confidence in this organization to turn it around.

 

[Playboi Carti]

There are so many problems going on behind the scenes it is ugly. Locker room toxic, incompetent owners, incompetent coaches. I don’t have any confidence in this organization to turn it around.

It's a shame because of Giannis is a once in a generation talent. 23 years old and averaging 27 ppg 10 rpg 4.8 apg, just incredible. Hopefully, they do better next year. You would think Bledsoe, Middleton, Brogdon, Giannis, Parker and Henson/Thon is a good core but they all have to stay health.

 

[awd4cy]

A shame the Nuggets won’t be in the playoffs. Enjoy watching them play.