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Post by NJtoTX on Jun 11, 2023 0:27:05 GMT
Conor McGregor hospitalizes the Heat mascot after punching him twice. He's such a fuckwad. Guy's just trying to make a living entertaining in a hot costume. Probably couldn't even see the hit from in there.
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Post by NJtoTX on Jun 11, 2023 11:37:52 GMT
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 11, 2023 12:45:13 GMT
He's betting on himself; hard to fault him for that given he was asked to choose between himself and Jokic. I'll take Jokic but it's not a crazy suggestion. I think people forget how good defensively Howard was in his prime (particularly that 09 Finals run in which the Magic beat the defending champion Celtics and then LeBron en route) - and even a few years ago he gave Jokic tough minutes in the bubble.
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jun 11, 2023 13:48:23 GMT
He's betting on himself; hard to fault him for that given he was asked to choose between himself and Jokic. I'll take Jokic but it's not a crazy suggestion. I think people forget how good defensively Howard was in his prime (particularly that 09 Finals run in which the Magic beat the defending champion Celtics and then LeBron en route) - and even a few years ago he gave Jokic tough minutes in the bubble. They beat the Celtics without Garnett, and even then, it took them seven games. Big Baby of all people kept Howard under control, it was the supporting cast that gave the C's fits. Rashard Lewis was easily their best player in that series, the stats surely back that up-- and that's who KG would've been defending. It's the threes by Turkuglu and Pietrus that stick out to me the most. The healthy C's would get their revenge the following season, eliminating the Magic in six games in the ECF.
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 11, 2023 14:05:37 GMT
He's betting on himself; hard to fault him for that given he was asked to choose between himself and Jokic. I'll take Jokic but it's not a crazy suggestion. I think people forget how good defensively Howard was in his prime (particularly that 09 Finals run in which the Magic beat the defending champion Celtics and then LeBron en route) - and even a few years ago he gave Jokic tough minutes in the bubble. They beat the Celtics without Garnett, and even then, it took them seven games. Big Baby of all people kept Howard under control, it was the supporting cast that gave the C's fits. Rashard Lewis was easily their best player in that series, the stats surely back that up-- and that's who KG would've been defending. It's the threes by Turkuglu and Pietrus that stick out to me the most. The healthy C's would get their revenge the following season, eliminating the Magic in six games in the ECF. Under control as in limited his offense? I'm taking the great offensive player (Jokic) over the great defensive player in general (although Howard also looked dominant offensively in the ECF that year) but I don't think it's a ridiculous take by Howard. That year was his first of three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards - any player of that ilk would back themselves when prompted by this type of question. In fact, I don't think any professional athlete would take the other player if directly asked to pick.
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jun 11, 2023 14:17:24 GMT
They beat the Celtics without Garnett, and even then, it took them seven games. Big Baby of all people kept Howard under control, it was the supporting cast that gave the C's fits. Rashard Lewis was easily their best player in that series, the stats surely back that up-- and that's who KG would've been defending. It's the threes by Turkuglu and Pietrus that stick out to me the most. The healthy C's would get their revenge the following season, eliminating the Magic in six games in the ECF. Under control as in limited his offense? I'm taking the great offensive player (Jokic) over the great defensive player in general (although Howard also looked dominant offensively in the ECF that year) but I don't think it's a ridiculous take by Howard. That year was his first of three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards - any player of that ilk would back themselves when prompted by this type of question. In fact, I don't think any professional athlete would take the other player if directly asked to pick. I don't have a problem with a guy betting on himself. It would be weird to hear an elite athlete say, "That guy would kick my ass." I was just giving context to your commentary. It's not like that series against the Celtics was some tour de force, he wasn't even the best player for his team in that series. He isn't a top 75 player. Ben Wallace was DPOY four times in six years, and led the NBA in rebounding two of those years. Is he in the same stratosphere as Jokic? Ask me if I'd rather face a team with Jokic or a team with Howard, and I'll choose Howard every time.
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Surly
Sophomore
@surly
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Post by Surly on Jun 11, 2023 14:23:51 GMT
Nah! I mean he asserts that he was effective against Joker the one he faced him - in the Bubble Western Conference Finals. Both he and Anthony Davis took turns guarding him. But the stats don’t back that up. Maybe in his prime he may have had some success against the Joker. But even then I don’t think he’s shutting the Joker down. Not this year’s version. Not buying it.
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Surly
Sophomore
@surly
Posts: 913
Likes: 784
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Post by Surly on Jun 11, 2023 14:27:31 GMT
Conor McGregor hospitalizes the Heat mascot after punching him twice. He's such a fuckwad. Guy's just trying to make a living entertaining in a hot costume. Probably couldn't even see the hit from in there. Seriously?!? McGregor didn’t pull his punches on a mascot? Between the two of them McGregor is the one who looks like a clown!
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 11, 2023 14:33:38 GMT
Under control as in limited his offense? I'm taking the great offensive player (Jokic) over the great defensive player in general (although Howard also looked dominant offensively in the ECF that year) but I don't think it's a ridiculous take by Howard. That year was his first of three straight Defensive Player of the Year awards - any player of that ilk would back themselves when prompted by this type of question. In fact, I don't think any professional athlete would take the other player if directly asked to pick. I don't have a problem with a guy betting on himself. It would be weird to hear an elite athlete say, "That guy would kick my ass." I was just giving context to your commentary. It's not like that series against the Celtics was some tour de force, he wasn't even the best player for his team in that series. He isn't a top 75 player. Ben Wallace was DPOY four times in six years, and led the NBA in rebounding two of those years. Is he in the same stratosphere as Jokic? Ask me if I'd rather face a team with Jokic or a team with Howard, and I'll choose Howard every time.I'd choose the same. I'm just saying it's not a totally absurd claim on Howard's part on the level of Jordan laughing at Gary Payton. Maybe Fultzy.
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 11, 2023 14:46:20 GMT
Nah! I mean he asserts that he was effective against Joker the one he faced him - in the Bubble Western Conference Finals. Both he and Anthony Davis took turns guarding him. But the stats don’t back that up. Maybe in his prime he may have had some success against the Joker. But even then I don’t think he’s shutting the Joker down. Not this year’s version. Not buying it. Prime Howard could play Jokic hard. I think this story is a little overblown with a typically sensationalist headline. Would he "dominate" Jokic? Definitely not. But his overall suggestion that he'd use his athletic skillset to "make him work" is hardly controversial - particularly when you note that Howard offered the caveat that Jokic has improved significantly since 2020.
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Post by Winston Wolfe on Jun 11, 2023 18:05:59 GMT
Yeah…I really don’t think so.
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Post by NJtoTX on Jun 11, 2023 18:14:26 GMT
Yeah…I really don’t think so. And that was before Steph bulked up.
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Post by NJtoTX on Jun 11, 2023 18:18:31 GMT
Boston still Number 1, Denver 2, Miami 10 and in hockey Boston still Number 1, Vegas 2, Florida 10
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 11, 2023 18:43:16 GMT
Boston still Number 1, Denver 2, Miami 10 and in hockey Boston still Number 1, Vegas 2, Florida 10 Almost as though these rankings are flawed somehow.
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jun 11, 2023 18:54:35 GMT
Boston still Number 1, Denver 2, Miami 10 and in hockey Boston still Number 1, Vegas 2, Florida 10 Almost as though these rankings are flawed somehow. "We're in contention. We have good players. People are talking about us."
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Post by tristramshandy on Jun 12, 2023 5:04:41 GMT
The worst things about NBA:
1) the ridiculous number of time outs you get every half
2) taking two fucking games off between games when you change venue in the finals
3) teams that shoot endless three pointers
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Jun 12, 2023 11:50:45 GMT
The worst things about NBA: 1) the ridiculous number of time outs you get every half 2) taking two fucking games off between games when you change venue in the finals 3) teams that shoot endless three pointersSo, every team, then? The stat nerds ruined basketball, it's only a matter of time before they come after football.
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Post by NJtoTX on Jun 12, 2023 13:18:35 GMT
The worst things about NBA: 1) the ridiculous number of time outs you get every half 2) taking two fucking games off between games when you change venue in the finals 3) teams that shoot endless three pointers I suppose the baseline 3 is pretty and there's not much space between out-of-bounds and toe on the line, but I'm all for moving the line back. Edit: At 22 feet, that's a whole 3 feet at the baseline. Heck, even Bob Lanier could set up there. Move it to 2 1.2. The 2 days off is fine with me. I appreciate the time spent on practice and adjustment. Miami to Dnver is a bit of a trek. We just have to live with all the media-day crap. Time-outs = ad revenue. Maybe replace one with one more challenge if the first is successful.
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 12, 2023 14:09:41 GMT
Championships could be won on home ice/court in consecutive days - starting tonight.
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Post by sdm3 on Jun 12, 2023 16:22:32 GMT
The Athletic asks if this could be the start of a Denver dynasty:
While they've comfortably looked the best team this postseason, I'd almost like to see them get out of some tough situations this time next year. Backs against the wall, facing adversity, down 2-1 or 3-2 before battling back, that type of thing. I get the feeling that history will sneer on their run this year; unimpressive Timberwolves, chemistry-less Suns, old and banged-up Lakers, then an #8 seed in the Finals (granted, not a typical #8 seed). It's the kind of thing that'll count against them during those inevitable "2023 Nuggets vs [insert great team of the past]: who wins?" debates.
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