2024 NBA Season Thread aka The Zion High Deductible Healthcare Plan

[Rifleman]

That was some funny stuff!

Loved that finals because:
1) Lakers were huge favorites and got crushed
2) Larry Brown outcoached Phil Jackson
3) Ben Wallace was so incredibly strong he was actually able to move Shaq and block entry passes and play him without help (though Shaq was still amazing but it made the difference)
4) Chauncy Billups MVP
5) They showed how much Kobe could be affected by traps and basically Jordan Rules, effectively ending the Air Apparent nonsense
6) Rasheed celebrating at the Palace in uniform for about 6 weeks after the game

 

[n_huffhines]

Haha, I saw BEP's in concert performing that song that fall (I was there for N.E.R.D.). Bringing back some memories

 

[n_huffhines]

That was some funny stuff!

Loved that finals because:
1) Lakers were huge favorites and got crushed
2) Larry Brown outcoached Phil Jackson
3) Ben Wallace was so incredibly strong he was actually able to move Shaq and block entry passes and play him without help (though Shaq was still amazing but it made the difference)
4) Chauncy Billups MVP
5) They showed how much Kobe could be affected by traps and basically Jordan Rules, effectively ending the Air Apparent nonsense
6) Rasheed celebrating at the Palace in uniform for about 6 weeks after the game

To me, that series was all about 4 things:

Pistons D
Kobe's ball-hogging
Malone's injury
Gary Payton ruining team culture more than the Kobe/Shaq feud did

 

[n_huffhines]

Bill Simmons said this was his first live playoff game in the Jrue era. He said being there to see everything up close made him realize Jrue is the leader of this team.

He was also the best player on the floor last night because of non-scoring reasons.

This is why he's the first call by team USA. He may be the most under-appreciated PG of all time.

Simmons asked Doc about the Jrue absence. He diplomatically said something about they didn't want to reverse the trade but that they missed Jrue because he was their leader and he left a void.

 

[n_huffhines]

 

[Rifleman]

View attachment 648464

That was sad. Rasheed Wallace would have killed that man.

 

[Rifleman]

Porzingis wasn't the piece that put the Celtics over the top after all. It was probably Jrue Holiday, who the 76ers once traded (he was already and All Star) for the ability to draft Nerlens Noel.

Or, maybe Derrick White who is 135-46 as a Celtic in the regular season, 39-21 in the playoffs. Celtics were 25-25 back in 2022 just before they traded for him.

 

[n_huffhines]

Porzingis wasn't the piece that put the Celtics over the top after all. It was probably Jrue Holiday, who the 76ers once traded (he was already and All Star) for the ability to draft Nerlens Noel.

Or, maybe Derrick White who is 135-46 as a Celtic in the regular season, 39-21 in the playoffs. Celtics were 25-25 back in 2022 just before they traded for him.

Who knows what happens in this series if KP wasn't there to put them up 2-0? They got lucky with the east and then had him at the right time.

Fun fact, Haralabob wanted to trade for Jrue, but other Mavs were not into it. Bucks ended up getting him, and then Luka ran off Haralabob.

 

[n_huffhines]

 

[n_huffhines]

Tatum shooting under 40% was my favorite thing about this series.

 

[n_huffhines]

Oh yeah, where are all the people who were saying they should've fired Mazzoula after last year? LOL. MFer went 80-21 this year

 

[knoxvol52]

Great run by Dallas this postseason, just ran into a better all around team.

Me say that is something I hate Boston as a lifelong Lakers fan.

 

[n_huffhines]

 

[Lawrence Wright]

So happy for this guy.

 

[n_huffhines]

So happy for this guy.

Horford is my favorite Gator all time by a million miles

 

[n_huffhines]

Now, a rightful owner of this dishonor

 

[95 Vol Alum]

That is a title befitting of James Harden. Dame might challenge.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

That is a title befitting of James Harden. Dame might challenge.

Dame ain't catching him. Dude cares too much about getting his than winning a playoff series...

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Dame is 23-42 in playoff games so far. Does anyone think Dame cares enough about winning to get another 18 playoff series in his career?

 

[n_huffhines]

Is there a specific reason you Grizz fans hate Dame so much? I'm out on him because of my basketball philosophy, but there seems like genuine disdain from you guys. He never beat you in the playoffs, right? Is it that he won awards over Conley?

 

[knoxvol52]

With Darvin Ham back on staff in Milwaukee, defense should get better.

 

[95 Vol Alum]

Dame ain't catching him. Dude cares too much about getting his than winning a playoff series...

This is a fair point.

 

[knoxvol52]

Next season odds are out to win Championship

1. Boston +270
2. Denver +480 I think
3.Minnesota +700
4. Dallas, OKC and Milwaukee all tied .+1000

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Is there a specific reason you Grizz fans hate Dame so much? I'm out on him because of my basketball philosophy, but there seems like genuine disdain from you guys. He never beat you in the playoffs, right? Is it that he won awards over Conley?

I think Memphis sees itself as a blue collar lunch pail type of city that values effort over flash. Results over hype type of city...

It's why Trae Young is despised here as well

 

[95 Vol Alum]

Is there a specific reason you Grizz fans hate Dame so much? I'm out on him because of my basketball philosophy, but there seems like genuine disdain from you guys. He never beat you in the playoffs, right? Is it that he won awards over Conley?

4-0 ASG selections vs Memphis Mike Conley. 7-1 full career.

I’d take Conley in a playoff series 10-10 times.