Harden giving Halliburton an absolute veteran lesson tonight. Clippers travel a couple time zones East and are smoking the Pacers by 30. Team is a train right now.
Agreed MIN's defense is no joke and they are really jelling now that Rudy seems 100% healthy and they've had a year under their belt. Saw this article on MIN's defense, which includes these stats and more:If Minnesota stays healthy, they are going to be a really tough out for whomever plays them. They held the Heat to 42 points in the second half and had a *comfortable* close win in Miami tonight. When they want to clamp down on other teams, good luck.
Dubious clear path foul drains the game of any remaining drama. Congrats on the “banner,” Lakers.Knicks were up by 10 @LAL a few minutes ago, Lebron goes nuts and cuts it to 4. Been back-and-forth the last few minutes, with the predictable pro-Laker whistle, but real fun either way.
Quickley may not be a starter for the Knicks, but he is apparently a finisher.
And...they lost to the Bulls.Man Philly has had a cupcake of a schedule. Since losing to the C's, Wizards, Hawks, Wizards, Pistons, Pistons, Hornets and now the Bulls. No wonder they're putting up 130 a night.
You've just got to go all out with the IST banner when you vanquish the vaunted Pelicans and Pacers over long one-game playoff series.
Coby White is quietly making his case for EC Player of the Month which I did not have on my Santa list.About the Bulls. Zack Lavine has not played since November 28 against Boston. In this span, Chicago has gone 6-3, with wins against Milwaukee, New Orleans, San Antonio, Charlotte, at Miami (!), and last night at Philly.
And the three losses? At Milwaukee (133-129), at Miami (118-116), and home to Denver (114-106).
EDIT:
pre-Lavine injury: -7.1 NetRtg
post-Lavine injury: 3.4 NetRtg
That's the point, where someone should point out his contract:About the Bulls. Zack Lavine has not played since November 28 against Boston. In this span, Chicago has gone 6-3, with wins against Milwaukee, New Orleans, San Antonio, Charlotte, at Miami (!), and last night at Philly.
And the three losses? At Milwaukee (133-129), at Miami (118-116), and home to Denver (114-106).
EDIT:
pre-Lavine injury: -7.1 NetRtg
post-Lavine injury: 3.4 NetRtg
He is on a crazy December heaterCoby White is quietly making his case for EC Player of the Month which I did not have on my Santa list.
I don't like them winning it either, but it's something worth winning because everyone decided it was something worth winning (and acted accordingly). Not getting the hate here, I wish we'd won it.You've just got to go all out with the IST banner when you vanquish the vaunted Pelicans and Pacers over long one-game playoff series.
Coby White is quietly making his case for EC Player of the Month which I did not have on my Santa list.
Coby White has been fantastic but Embiid has a near lock on player of the month for December.He is on a crazy December heater
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whiteco01/gamelog/2024#290-297-sum:pgl_basic
That backcourt with Caruso and Coby White is crazy fun. The ball seems to move so much smoother. And it has opened up big minutes for Dosunmu.Coby White is quietly making his case for EC Player of the Month which I did not have on my Santa list.
Since that first game where they beat Milwaukee, the Bulls have become a league pass favorite of mine. And I've been wondering the same thing. This has to sink his trade value significantly. To his credit, Lavine is doing an excellent job in the M.L. Carr role.That's the point, where someone should point out his contract:
This season: 40 million
24/25: 43 million
25/26: 46 million
26/27: 49 million (player option)
I'm really interested, if he has real value when a trade will get done.
Can't see much (picks, young prospects) going back to Chicago unless they take back another "bad" contract.
40ppg Wilt Chamberlin-likeCoby White has been fantastic but Embiid has a near lock on player of the month for December.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01/gamelog/2024#411-417-sum:pgl_basic
I like the idea of Caruso staying put in Chicago & not heading to a contender. The guy is Jrue-lite & every bit as good as Smart now.That backcourt with Caruso and Coby White is crazy fun. The ball seems to move so much smoother. And it has opened up big minutes for Dosunmu.
Harden's been shooting .482 / .440 / .869 since he joined LAC.Harden giving Halliburton an absolute veteran lesson tonight. Clippers travel a couple time zones East and are smoking the Pacers by 30. Team is a train right now.
It was 101-91 with 5:47 left to play. In those last minutes there were 4 fouls called on the Lakers, and 1 on the Knicks (a clear foul on a reaves 3 point attempt).Knicks were up by 10 @LAL a few minutes ago, Lebron goes nuts and cuts it to 4. Been back-and-forth the last few minutes, with the predictable pro-Laker whistle, but real fun either way.
PNR's have been lethal. Similar to us with our three there are so many mismatches to exploit bc teams rarely can matchup w all of them. Defensively they have been very good bc he isn't having to give it all on every possession on the offensive end.Harden's been shooting .482 / .440 / .869 since he joined LAC.
In the last 12 games (including the win at DAL), he's been shooting basically 50% / 50% / 90% (.496 / .500 / .903).
I haven't been able to watch any LAC games but it seems to me that Harden is really enjoying that teams' best wing defenders guard PG and KL and not him.
Kawhi's last 10 games: 29.1 ppg on .630/.551/.902. Stay healthy, man.Harden's been shooting .482 / .440 / .869 since he joined LAC.
In the last 12 games (including the win at DAL), he's been shooting basically 50% / 50% / 90% (.496 / .500 / .903).
I haven't been able to watch any LAC games but it seems to me that Harden is really enjoying that teams' best wing defenders guard PG and KL and not him.
With regards to the bolded, I can't even think of a team that has at least 3 stud wing defenders on the roster . . . . I know it'll come to me at some point today.PNR's have been lethal. Similar to us with our three there are so many mismatches to exploit bc teams rarely can matchup w all of them. Defensively they have been very good bc he isn't having to give it all on every possession on the offensive end.
Might get to see this week.With regards to the bolded, I can't even think of a team that has at least 3 stud wing defenders on the roster . . . . I know it'll come to me at some point today.
This is why switchable defenders are so valuable in todays NBA. I rate many role players higher than most due to their ability to switch in a defensive halfcourt set. There is a ton of value in a player when you have this ability.With regards to the bolded, I can't even think of a team that has at least 3 stud wing defenders on the roster . . . . I know it'll come to me at some point today.
I mean, I watched the game. I saw Randle driving to the hoop, getting mugged with no whistle, misses, rebound, Lebron drive and layup. I saw several Things Not Called, one of which even the announcers remarked on. Foul counts don't tell the story.It was 101-91 with 5:47 left to play. In those last minutes there were 4 fouls called on the Lakers, and 1 on the Knicks (a clear foul on a reaves 3 point attempt).
I agree it is a cool tournament and good for them, it was specifically the banner which feels Colts-ian. The trophy and cash seem like a fine reward on their own. Like what's going to happen if theoretically the Lakers win the championship this year, those 2 banners will hang side-by-side forever in the same manner? It feels more like a jersey patch to signify the IST win that you'd wear the remainder of the season, but no need to hang it from the rafters is just my opinion.I don't like them winning it either, but it's something worth winning because everyone decided it was something worth winning (and acted accordingly). Not getting the hate here, I wish we'd won it.
They played 7 games to win the thing and won them all. Do you mock the winners of the NCAA tournament, too?
The Lakers raising a banner for winning something feels like the Colts raising a banner for not-winning something? Wow man, don't pull anything reaching for that comparison.I agree it is a cool tournament and good for them, it was specifically the banner which feels Colts-ian. The trophy and cash seem like a fine reward on their own. Like what's going to happen if theoretically the Lakers win the championship this year, those 2 banners will hang side-by-side forever in the same manner? It feels more like a jersey patch to signify the IST win that you'd wear the remainder of the season, but no need to hang it from the rafters is just my opinion.
Yep, Randle literally got four stitches in his lip at halftime after being hit in the face on a non-call, of which there were a bunch.I mean, I watched the game. I saw Randle driving to the hoop, getting mugged with no whistle, misses, rebound, Lebron drive and layup. I saw several Things Not Called, one of which even the announcers remarked on. Foul counts don't tell the story.
With you on this. He's a very fun player to watch.Ja wins it at the buzzer. Hope he stays on the straight and narrow, league is more fun with him in it.
And much of it with Gobert guarding him. He is on fire. A performance Wilt would be proud of.Um Embiid has 44 on 22 shots against Minnesota
Now 46 on 23
48 on 24
51 on 25!!
And his night is done. Yowza.
I feel that way, but I'm pretty biased. More than just about any active player, his regular season performances are fools gold because he (not just his team, he specifically) plays so much worse in the playoffs.His performances are super impressive but i know he isnt doing shit in the playoffs so it's like a "meh" response.
It really sucks and it's unfair but i do wonder how many people feel that way (particularly mvp voters).
That's an impressive performance against the best D in the league. I've been dissing Philly and Embiid for feasting on the dregs of the league, not true tonight.Um Embiid has 44 on 22 shots against Minnesota
Now 46 on 23
48 on 24
51 on 25!!
And his night is done. Yowza.
Redick was adamant on his pod that the "Embiid is crap in the playoffs" is 100% nonsense bc he was there with him and knows how injured he's been in the postseason. I have no idea but worth mentioning coming from an ex-teammate.His performances are super impressive but i know he isnt doing shit in the playoffs so it's like a "meh" response.
It really sucks and it's unfair but i do wonder how many people feel that way (particularly mvp voters).
I didnt mean it in a talk radio way. I meant it's always something with Embiid as to why his team doesn't advance. An injury, harden sucking, something. Just like the clipps, cowboys, etc. until i see it, I'm not getting excited.Redick was adamant on his pod that the "Embiid is crap in the playoffs" is 100% nonsense bc he was there with him and knows how injured he's been in the postseason. I have no idea but worth mentioning coming from an ex-teammate.
He does often seem to be hurt, but when you're ALWAYS hurt (and nobody is 100% by the time you get to the 2nd round of the playoffs) and you're 29, it's time to stop using that as an excuse. It means something coming from Redick, but it's been 5 years since he last played with Embiid. Doesn't mean too much to me, not more than any random NBA analyst. I like JJ a lot, but he definitely as a soft spot for his old teammates (his interview with Ben Simmons might as well have been scripted by Simmons' PR team).Redick was adamant on his pod that the "Embiid is crap in the playoffs" is 100% nonsense bc he was there with him and knows how injured he's been in the postseason. I have no idea but worth mentioning coming from an ex-teammate.
They do, but when you perform markedly worse in the playoffs and your team never goes deep, it's time to take a closer look. Since 2018 he's averaged 28.2 ppg with a TS% of .615 in the regular season. In the playoffs over that stretch, he's averaging 24.0 ppg with a TS% of .579. That's a real dip, in not a small sample. We've seen this movie long enough, he may win another MVP (and deserve it), but I'll believe it's repeatable in the playoffs against quality opponents when he does it in May, not when he does it in December.narratives about how guys always do x or y in the playoffs usually strike me as sports radio quality takes. narratives change all the time, often without anything important about the player changing besides their teammates.
This is all fair, but I'll say that some of the drama around the team is his fault. We've seen several all-star (and all-NBA) level guys leave the Sixers, and at some point the best player on the team bears some responsibility for that. He (along with Doc) absolutely threw Simmons under the bus after the Atlanta series, and he did it again after losing to the Celtics this past season.I'm a Sixers fan, so I'll say this---get your shots in now, but we'll see what's what if he's healthy come playoff time. He's got a great coach who has him playing his best and being judicious about his minutes, he's happy, and thus far, his teammates aren't providing the sort of drama some others in past years have. So, no excuses. His playoff reputation will be what it is until he proves otherwise.
I'm not disputing he's had some bad playoffs. but "I'll believe it when I see it" strikes me as a total failure of imagination. how many guys have we seen who struggle ... until they don't? I'm mostly reacting to the certainty of these takes.They do, but when you perform markedly worse in the playoffs and your team never goes deep, it's time to take a closer look. Since 2018 he's averaged 28.2 ppg with a TS% of .615 in the regular season. In the playoffs over that stretch, he's averaging 24.0 ppg with a TS% of .579. That's a real dip, in not a small sample. We've seen this movie long enough, he may win another MVP (and deserve it), but I'll believe it's repeatable in the playoffs against quality opponents when he does it in May, not when he does it in December.
An example of a guy who may have been unfairly maligned for never advancing far in the playoffs would be Chris Paul. In his prime (2008-2021), he averaged 18.6 ppg with a TS% of .589. In the playoffs over that stretch, he averaged 20.7 ppg with a TS% of .581. That's a guy that may have taken unfair criticism for never getting his teams over the hump.
This is all fair, but I'll say that some of the drama around the team is his fault. We've seen several all-star (and all-NBA) level guys leave the Sixers, and at some point the best player on the team bears some responsibility for that. He (along with Doc) absolutely threw Simmons under the bus after the Atlanta series, and he did it again after losing to the Celtics this past season.
I don't disagree that it's unimaginative, but I don't know how else to say it. Everyone knows playoff basketball is a different sport from regular season basketball, and Embiid has been solidly worse at the former for his entire career. Improving his play in the regular season doesn't move the needle very much at this point, he's been a top 2-3 player in the regular season for several years now. I'm not certain that it won't translate to playoff success at some point, just that we won't know until the actual playoffs roll around.I'm not disputing he's had some bad playoffs. but "I'll believe it when I see it" strikes me as a total failure of imagination. how many guys have we seen who struggle ... until they don't? I'm mostly reacting to the certainty of these takes.
We need to differentiate team struggles from individual ones. Guys like Jokic played well, but would be let down by supporting cast. (And let's not forget he actually had made a conference finals, even with that.)I'm not disputing he's had some bad playoffs. but "I'll believe it when I see it" strikes me as a total failure of imagination. how many guys have we seen who struggle ... until they don't? I'm mostly reacting to the certainty of these takes.
Kind of a chicken and egg situation because of the way Embiid is built physically. I’ve never bought into the choker/mental block narrative, but it’s undeniable that the guy slows/breaks down as the season progresses.Redick was adamant on his pod that the "Embiid is crap in the playoffs" is 100% nonsense bc he was there with him and knows how injured he's been in the postseason.
Right, the issue with Embiid is that you can watch him wear down even as an individual series progresses. He wasn't the same guy against Boston by game 7 that he was earlier in the series, even with an injury early on.Kind of a chicken and egg situation because of the way Embiid is built physically. I’ve never bought into the choker/mental block narrative, but it’s undeniable that the guy slows/breaks down as the season progresses.