Europeans in NBA playoffs 2020

[Shawshank]

Its very surprising that in most awaited west battle was no real fight in first 2 games.Alot of fans ,experts predicted that Thunder can even win the serries.

Rockets as always is looking nice ,but at some point shooting 50 games for three each game gonna come and hunt them.They learned alot from their warriors past battles when entire serries was switching everything in defence by both teams.

Lakers- Rockets possible second round matchup can be fascinating to watch the biggest team overall againts the smallest one in length.

Until Mavs wont take the lead in the serries I doubt Kawhi gonna be put on Doncic as main defender.

Last year putting Kawhi on Gianni's was serries turning point.

[Katastroika]

Looking at how Houston played in this bubble I am sure they picked the 4 spot intentially. Neither OKC nor Lakers can harm them in a way like almost every team from the other side of the bracket could. Houston always lost when Denver won (and when Denver lost they lost, too out of precaution ). Maybe Portland, but I still think that Portland will be eliminated against LAL without major problems.

[Katastroika]

Nets - Ratpors 92-117

Gasol 22min, 3/5/6, FG 1/7, 3P 1/4, OTO, +16
Ibaka 23min, 20/13/2/1, FG 8/12, 3P 3/3, 2TO, +12
Luwawu-Cabarot 35min, 10/3/3, FG 3/18, 3P 2/11, 0TO, -12
Musa 13min, 2/2/2, FG 0/4, 3P 0/3, 0TO, -6
Kurucs, 9min, 6/2/1, FG 3/4, 3P 0/1, 0TO, -11

Routine win again. Nothing to add.

Jazz - Nuggets 124-87

Jokic 31min, 15/5/6, FG 6/13, 3P 2/6, 2TO, -21
Gobert, 31min, 24/14/0/1, FG 11/15, 1TO, +21

Denver looks lost. Jokic was eaten and spit out by Gobert yesterday with PO career high of Rudy who dunked over Jokic multiple times. Accidentially he's not even their biggest problem. After fiasko of double-teaming Mitchell last game Malone decided to guard Utah's guards with conventional 1 on 1. Epilogue was literally in EVERY set the same. Utah's guard broke his defender with 1 or two steps, Jokic/Millsap/Grant on helpside came to help and were punished in this 1 on 2 situation with a total free shot or lob to Gobert. If Denver doesn't want to be mini-swept 0-4 after leading 1-0 they have to find a solution for their defensive rotations. I'm pretty sure Jazz will take it. They look really like an Euroleague favourite playing a team from BCL (that misses two key players). Utah is very dangerous. With Bogdanovic they would be a VERY dangerous team this year. Gary Harris and Barton are badly missed for Nuggets. It seems that every basket they make and it's not from Jokic or Murray should be celebrated like a goal in football. It's again visible that Denver lacks a shooting guard like water in the desert. And if the only two guards beside Murray that can take shots are injured - it's getting very very difficult.

76ers - Celtics 94-102

Theis 26min, 8/5/1, FG 3/8, 3P 0/3, 2TO, +7
Kanter 14min, 6/6/0, FG 3/6, 1TO, +1
Korkmaz 13min, 0/4/0, FG 0/4, 3P 0/3, 0TO, +11

After boring and in some situations unbelievably bad game by Denver a true play off fight until the end. Phily without any bench help (just 9 points) played on the shoulders of Embiid and it's veterans and gave them Celts a dance. Game was decided in last 150 seconds by missed low post actions from Embiid, total stupid clear path foul on Tatum and Kemba's magic. Tatum had early foul trouble, Sixers will be swept now. Big disappointment for me. Their whole season, not just playoffs. Yes, they miss Simmons, but their team is strong enough to be better. The process will be processed again next season.

Mavericks - Clippers 122-130

Zubac 29min, 15/6/0, FG 6/8, 0TO, +13
Porzingis 38min, 34/13/1, FG 11/18, 3P 5/9, 1TO, -2
Kleber 35min, 5/4/0, FG 1/5, 3P 0/4, 1TO, -9
Doncic 29min 13/10/10/1/1, FG 4/14, 3P 1/6, 2TO, -14
Marjanovic 10min, 3/2/1, FG 1/3, 0TO, -6

Good game. Ankle sprain of Luka - let's hope that it's not anything serious. Good role of Zubac in closing the paint for drives. Fantastic Porzingis, Kawhi on niveau, George again struggling. I think this could be a factor in this playoffs. Morris provoked constantly, he didn't managed to bring the unicorn out of rhythm, but he managed to disturb Luka's concentration. Clippers have everything mentally to fight against everyone. This Dallas team as talented as it is lacks a little bad boy attitude. But it's visible that they at least try to respond to this experienced Clippers team in that direction.

[Shawshank]

When i see Luka and Kristaps going to word wars against clippers "dogs" Morris,Harell,Beverley Mavs are going nowhere.Clippers "dogs" are really good at shit talking and getting under your skin.

In meantime clipper silent killer Kawhi is doing his job in silence.

Mavs stars are too young to handle that pressure in their first nba playoofs.

[journorias]

Why Is It Important For A Guard To Shoot 3pts?

CAN MAKE THE OTHER TEAM PLAY "HONEST DEFENSE"

The ability to make a 3 point shot gives you three abilities in the offense. You get an ample space where the bigger player in your team can play under the basket. Your playmaking guards get the seam they need to drive the ball to the basket. But most importantly, the other team needs to play honest defense because the 3 point acts as a punishment to them for giving too much space to the shooter.
The strength of the team comes from having a multi-skilled guard who can shoot 3 and drive the ball as well. This way, they can post the feed and penetrate at the same time to make the score.

[Katastroika]

CAN MAKE THE OTHER TEAM PLAY "HONEST DEFENSE"

The ability to make a 3 point shot gives you three abilities in the offense. You get an ample space where the bigger player in your team can play under the basket. Your playmaking guards get the seam they need to drive the ball to the basket. But most importantly, the other team needs to play honest defense because the 3 point acts as a punishment to them for giving too much space to the shooter.
The strength of the team comes from having a multi-skilled guard who can shoot 3 and drive the ball as well. This way, they can post the feed and penetrate at the same time to make the score.

In other words this is Zeljko Obradovic's offense with Fener - multiple fake screens, spanish pick and rolls and ability to screen, backscreen and re-screen in both ballside and weakside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL4lcdC41BI

Of course, in NBA it's because of quality of players another dimension.

In fact you can defend this against real strong teams with incredible offensive quality just if you try to force them to go to their weaker side and you need permanent helping and helping for the helper. If the defense collaps once you are already beaten. Almost all good guards, also in Europe, can split defenders in double-teams. Double-team is the most old school but most INEFFICENT way to defend this. Everyone who played on the street against a good shooter & driver knows the only receipe is to make him feel uncomfortable. Second possibilty is letting bad shooters open - but this is going to be punished almost always if you are not playing against teams with really bad guards & wings.

[Katastroika]

Magic - Bucks 107-121

Vucevic 35min, 20/5/2/2, FG 8/19 3P 2/8 3TO, -20
Fournier 31min 13/2/0, FG 4/10, 3P 2/6, 3TO, -28
Antetokounmpo 31min, 35/11/7/2, FG 12/14, 3P 2/3, 2TO, +20
Ilyasova 3min 0/2/0, FG 0/0, 0TO, -9

MVP-esque game of Giannis finally. He was focused from the very beginning and took over in the first quarter. Game was decided mid 2nd quarter.


Heat - Pacers 124-115

Dragic 35min, 24/2/6/3, FG 8/17, 3P 5/10, 3TO, +3

Again fantastic game of Dragic on both ends. Player of the series so far.

Thunder - Rockets 119-107 (OT)

Gallinari 38min, 20/7/1/1, FG 4/12, 3P 4/11, 2TO, +10
Schröder 39min, 29/5/5/2, FG 10/23, 3P 2/10 3TO, +10

Finally the Schröder we want to see!

Trailblazers - Rockets 108-116

Nurkic 35min, 10/7/3, FG 4/10, 3P 0/1, 3TO, +2
Hezonja 5min, 2/2/0, FG 1/5, 3P 0/2, 0TO, -6

Nurkic got destroyed by Davies in this games. Very good game of LeBron, too. If both ready for action Lakers look fantastic.

[Toruko]

It is the last game of Brett Brown. The process died. There are several mistakes were made by the Sixers.

First Ben Simmons. He got injured severely three times at different places on his body and he refuses to shoot which fucks up the spacing. In addition to that he stays always near the paint and blocks his teammates to operate there. You can build around him but not with these pieces that Sixers have.

Joel Embiid is surely the best of "old school" bigs but not the type to compete for a title. He sleeps every fourth attack, he laughs when he fails an important 3 pointer and is too often unmotivated. He isnt a good piece for a contender and especially not with Simmons. Sixers must let go of one of them and i am sure it will be Embiid.

Next big mistake was Markell Fultz who was on the paper a good solution but Sixers tried too long and too hard to implement that kid. Because of the problems of these main pieces there was also no preparation of the role pieces and their roles. Having lost Tatum for Fultz is mindblowing.

Next problem was Al Horford with his horrible contract. Nobody expected him to be that bad but his knee problems were known.

What needs to be done now?

-trying to get rid of Al Horford
- Trade Embiid with the most possible value
- try to develop prospects to solid role players


Furk looks awful. He is very introverted and never belonged to this team. Surely he had his solid games but with being so emotional he should go somewhere where he feels "safe" and trusted. Still too inconsistent and fragile. Playoff basketball was too much for him. He surely showed that he can help a non-playoff team but for him and for the Turkish NT the best solution would be to play Euroleague with Efes for a couple years.

[Shawshank]

4th querter and overtime watching 2 future legends Doncic vs Kawhi going againts each other was one of the most fun i had watching basketball in long time.

Epic performance by Luka.

[Toruko]

Luka fucked my bet but what a piss poor performance by George. This is really not acceptable. Kawhi carrying his team again like last season.

For me the case is clear:

Best two way player of all time: Kawhi Leonard/Michael Jordan
Best scorer: Kevin Durant
Best European ever: Luka Doncic
Best 3 point shooter: Petrovic/Curry
Most skilled big man: Sabonis (the father)
Best big man : Hakeem Olajuwon
GOAT Michael Jordan.

[Katastroika]

76ers - Celtics 106-110

Theis 26min, 15/4/2, FG 6/12, 3P 2/5, 1TO, +1
Kanter 16min, 6/5/1, FG 3/6, 0TO, +10
Korkmaz 4min, 0/0/0, FG 0/0, 0TO, +7

Trust the process!
Embiid can't be traded. His value is way too high with this max contract and he has 3 more year of contract. Simmons is running out of contract with today and it will be interesting to see how Philadelphia will proceed with his future.


Mavericks - Clippers 135-133 (OT)

Zubac 21min, 15/4/1, FG 5/9, 0TO, +9
Doncic, 45min 43/17/13/2/1, FG 18/31, 3P 4/10, 7TO, +11
Kleber 37min 7/9/2/0/2, FG 2/8, 3P 0/5, 0TO, -9
Marjanovic 15min 10/7/0, FG 5/9, 0TO, +11

L U K A ! ! !
Paul George...


Nets - Raptors 122-150

Gasol 20min, 9/4/5, FG 3/4, 3P 1/2, 2TO, +9
Ibaka 19min, 27/15/2/0/2, FG 12/14, 3P 2/2, 0TO, +14
Luwawu-Cabarot 27min, 11/3/1/2, FG 2/12, 3P 2/9, 4TO, -18
Musa 22min, 12/1/1, FG 2/7, 3P 0/3, 3TO, -18
Kurucs 17min, 8/3/0/1/1, FG 4/7, 3P 0/2, 0TO, -12

Great game of Ibaka again.


Jazz - Nuggets 129-127

Jokic 39min, 29/7/6, FG 12/24, 3P 3/10, 2TO, -1
Gobert 39min, 17/11/1 FG 7/8, 2TO, +2

Mitchell (51), + Conley + Clarkson = 91 points...
Denver again struggling in defending Mitchell's isolations
Very critical situation half a minute before the end where Gobert obviously fouled Murray on the way to the basket. Nuggets had no challenge any more.
Utah is through in this series and Denver in the situation that they have to get a shooter despite nonexisting cap space. Utah gambles on their shooters (so called shooters) while doubling and trippling Jokic and Murray constantly. They scored anyways in good manner but I wouldn't be surprised if one of them fell dead at the floor in the locker room.
Credits to Snyder who proved again that he is a great coach. Utah looks focused as it can be.

[Straight forward]

Best two way player of all time: Kawhi Leonard/Michael Jordan
Best scorer: Kevin Durant
Best European ever: Luka Doncic
Best 3 point shooter: Petrovic/Curry
Most skilled big man: Sabonis (the father)
Best big man : Hakeem Olajuwon
GOAT Michael Jordan.

Agreed. I already see Luka as Euro GOAT, incredible. I only have doubts about best scorer in Durant. Yet prime Lebron (with plus A defence) should be in consideration for first position. I would add best all around defensive player of all time: PIP.

[Straight forward]

Doncic generated around 80pts, added 17 rebound and dropped a game winner against NBA PO favourites and that without Porzingis (Shaq is such a baby with his comments ). Doncic stepped into "is he the best baller in the world now" conversation after we seen this and overall his PO presence, IMO. I wouldn't say he is already best baller in the word, but he's marching towards it with HUGE STEPS.

[Katastroika]

Just now I realized that Ibaka is restricted free agent this summer. His last chance for a contract as big as the last (65 millions in 3 years). I am not sure that Raptors will match huge offers for him so one of the most constant Euros will perhaps switch his club in the summer.

Correction: He's unrestricted...so really interesting where he will land or if Toronto plans to exhaust cap space on another big contract for Serge.

[Shawshank]

eastern conference all first round is a big joke.Not a single interesting serries.All 4 one sided.

Eastern conference real playoofs starts from second round as always.Those remaining 4 best east teams are west level wise.


West side Clippers,Rockets have seriuos problems 2-2 in their serries, Nr. 3 seed Denver is basically beaten and I dont think Lakers will have easy remaining games against Blazers either.