Around the NBA Playoffs - Round Two

Yeah, just like most corporate funded campaigns the idea is a complete ripoff. Austin claims to have invented the slogan in 2000, yet I've been seeing "keep Portland weird" bumper stickers since I was a small child in the early to mid 90's.

 

What happened in the playoffs CJ?

“A lot of things, I wish we refocused the offense a bit more (to me), and that we didn’t lose Moe.”

Just my prediction

 

Great BBQ and Bread and Butter pickles.

 

Sixers aren’t completely out of it yet IMO. They had no chance in the first game but were actually quite far ahead last night and bottled it. Milwaukee were also in this position after two games and they took it to game 7, if anything Philadelphia are better equipped to take care of Boston in game 7 than Milwaukee were.

Cleveland are going to the finals anyway. I really doubt either Celtics or the Sixers can handle them in the conference finals. Likely Pacers made them work for it more than anyone else in the East will.

 

That would be unlikely, but ok

 

GTFO.... Bron is the people's champ. His foundation funds college scholarships for MANY kids.

Nothing changes that just because folk like you can't find yourself to appreciate him.

LeBron made 20 million off of deciding where he was going to play (every one of us would take that money). 5 of which went to the boys and girls club.

Folks need to stop INVENTING reasons to hate on Bron...

 

I can't believe there are actually Lebron haters in this day and age. The only debate left for him is whether he is GOAT.

 

The problem I am seeing is, unless you enthusiastically agree with those who think LeBron is the GOAT, you get labeled a LeBron hater. To me, calling someone the second greatest player in the 71-year history of the NBA is not a form of hatred.

I 100% believe LeBron is the greatest current player and the greatest of his generation - and he isn't done yet. The fact that he's now legitimately in the debate for the GOAT is a tribute to his continued excellence. I'm still in the Jordan is GOAT camp, but readily acknowledge LeBron is gaining on him with each passing playoff series, and may well eventually pass him.

If he does, and I come around to Camp LeBron, I'll probably get labeled a Jordan hater. Sigh...

BNM

 

There can only be one "The GOAT"

 

Nooooooo there is another... is he a Cav next season?

 

A shout out from me to the most underrated, underappreciated player in the NBA - Al Horford. He's not flashy and doesn't usually put up gaudy stats, but he is the anchor that holds BOS together and keeps them winning in spite of all the injuries. The guy does so many things at both ends of the floor that help his team win. I've called him the perfect chameleon player in the past for his ability to adapt to his role on both ends of the floor. The guy has proven he can play with anyone and win at a high level.

Some will say how can a guy who is a 5-time all star be considered underrated? Well, the players and coaches appreciate and respect him, but he's never been voted in by the fans. Because he doesn't have a flashy game or gaudy stats, I think most casual fans completely overlook this guy. He can play the 4 or the 5 equally well at both ends of the floor. He can score in the low post with a variety of fundamental low post moves, or he can step out and knock down the jumper all the way out to the 3-point line. He can protect the paint, but is also a great pick and roll defender. The guys just really does everything well. Not a flashy player, but a complete one. The game has changed since he came into the league, but he has adapted and remained relevant.

Brad Stevens gets a lot of credit (deservedly) for the way BOS just keeps on winning, in spite of all their injuries. I think Al Horford also deserves some of that credit.

Terry Rozier having a breakout post season is the hot new topic, but it is really Al Horford, his consistent, efficient, all around play at both ends of the floor that is at the core of Boston's continued success. With Horford, BOS won with Isiah Thomas at PG, they won with Kyrie Irving at PG and now they are winning with Terry Rozier at PG.

Experience matters. In the first two games of this series, Horford leads all players with a +39 (+18 in Game 1 and +21 in Game 2). Ben Simmons is at the opposite end of the spectrum at -44 (-21 in Game 1 and -23 in Game 2). Simmons is an amazing talent and will have a long, successful career. He is certainly a flashier player, but in this series, Horford is proving that a solid, fundamental, all around game really comes through in the post season.

I've long been a fan of Horford's game, but watching BOS defeat PHI last night, with Hordord making key plays at both ends of the floor, reminded me how good, and how overlooked by most fans, this guy is.

BNM

 

1) If you're talking about ME, I don't h8 LBJ. In fact, I said so.
2) Basically, ALL of his $$$$ is Discretionary income. So, you're arguing that him giving away 2% or whatever of his discretionary income
makes him some sort of saint?

I DO like LBJ, but not because he gives $$$ away - it's because he realizes that it's not about him. He rather pass for a bucket than make
one himself. He does spend some of his discretionary income on those less fortunate. He IS willing to speak out on issues that matter
more than basketball. He's a pretty good guy.

But.... He wants to win. The sponsors want him to win. The league wants him to win. The f-ing refs want him to win. And yes, that's
a bit much to take as a small market fan whose team has none of those advantages.

 

You beat me to this. I teased several Austin residents (who were extremely welcoming when they found out I was from Portland) about stealing the Keep Austin Weird thing from us. There is no question in their minds that they came up with it first but then, they were in their twenties. The Keep Portland Weird slogan has been around since at least the 80’s and I seem to recall bumperstickers being for sale at Music Millenium in the 70’s. Either way though, I’m not sure why either city feels the need to brag about it. If it kept people from moving here (or to Austin) that would be one thing, but it seems to be an actual magnet for people from elsewhere.......

 

Aformal Apology?

Wait, that’s not how you spell “asshole”.

 

If someone gave him 5th place MVP votes, I wouldn't complain.

 

I always thought Horford and Aldridge would have been a great pairing up front.

 

No, I've also seen it in the 90s.

 

No, Horford and Duncan, not Horford and Duncan V2.

Horford and Duncan would be a nightmare to content with at both ends of the floor, being equally effective inside or out, interchange between PF and C, passing, shooting, posting, directing the offense... They even have similar appearances and mannerisms.