2025 Wests crazy finish: Entire playoff ranks up for swap, 4-8 SAME RECORD!

[ArbitraryWater]

As usual, the competitive West with a photo-shoot finish.

https://i.gyazo.com/71dfd5544d3e75d46dd90ae56ef9e582.png


Complicated by the play-in.

With the Rockets win in Denver last night, they cleared themseves at 2, sadly.


What do we make of it?


All I know is I do not want Lakers vs. GSW or Nuggets for R1.

Id prefer those 3 teams and OKC to meet R2. Those are the blockbusters.


Im hoping for:

OKC - Clippers/Kings
Rockets - GSW/Minnesota
Lakers - Grizzlies
Nuggets - GSW/Minnesota

[tpols]

It almost seems better to get the 7 or 8 seed than the 5 or 6. Would rather play Rockets or Thunder over Lakers or Nuggets.

[Xiao Yao You]

Iowa wolves hanging despite their big man

[hold this L]

This is disgusting man, none of these teams are losing.

[ArbitraryWater]

It almost seems better to get the 7 or 8 seed than the 5 or 6. Would rather play Rockets or Thunder over Lakers or Nuggets.

There is no guarantee who will be 4th though, and I think most teams woud rather play Lakers than OKC.

[L.Kizzle]

This is where the play-in tournament should disappear. You have four teams that could all end up winning 50 games, yet a team bellow .500 can come in and steal a slot.

It's even worse in the East. Your 7-10 will all likely finish under .500.

[sdot_thadon]

Gonna see some maneuvering in these ast few games. And if you tank to get a matchup you run risk of falling into the play in. Crazy stretch run.

[tpols]

This is where the play-in tournament should disappear. You have four teams that could all end up winning 50 games, yet a team bellow .500 can come in and steal a slot.

It's even worse in the East. Your 7-10 will all likely finish under .500.

Yup.

I have a feeling the Kings or mavs are gonna steal the 8 seed from much better team. Only need to get hot from 3 for 1 game.

[ArbitraryWater]

The deciding 3 games coming up.

Hoping for:

3) Lakers
4) Nuggets
5) GSW/Wolves
6) Grizzlies
7) Wolves/GSW
8) Clippers / Kings

[ArbitraryWater]

https://i.gyazo.com/1081b92f0761226a0a46f9fdf0496169.png

[ArbitraryWater]

So, I want:

Lakers wins, Nuggets wins, Clips losing, GSW winning (will stay behind Denver but move ahead of Clips perfectly into that 5 spot), Grizz win (will be 6th with a Clips loss), Timberwolves win or lose, would come down to that play-in game with the Clippers in this scenario.

[tpols]

The deciding 3 games coming up.

Hoping for:

3) Lakers
4) Nuggets
5) GSW/Wolves
6) Grizzlies
7) Wolves/GSW
8) Clippers / Kings

Why do you want the Grizzlies so bad bro? Is it that you think they're weak or just scared of curry / jokic?

[ArbitraryWater]

Why do you want the Grizzlies so bad bro? Is it that you think they're weak or just scared of curry / jokic?

From a neutral perspective, I always want the better match-ups to happen in the appropriate rounds.

Everything else is tilted.

[ImKobe]

The deciding 3 games coming up.

Hoping for:

3) Lakers
4) Nuggets
5) GSW/Wolves
6) Grizzlies
7) Wolves/GSW
8) Clippers / Kings

Either Grizzlies or Nuggets. I think Murray is finished which is why they fired GM and HC so you're going up against a 1-man team where Russ is going to get major minutes and we've seen Jokic in the Playoffs when Murray isn't there he's going to put up numbers but they're going to get slaughtered on defense and won't have enough offense outside of him to make up for it. With KCP gone (he was their leader on defense) and with Russ playing major minutes it's the easiest match-up. Doesn't matter how much Jokic scores. They have no real 3PT threats outside of MPJ and no one to kill Reaves/Bron/Luka off the dribble.

[tontoz]

Wizards have the Memphis pick in this draft however it is top 14 protected. If Memphis gets knocked out of the play in then they keep their pick so Wiz fans are a little nervous now.

[ArbitraryWater]

Either Grizzlies or Nuggets. I think Murray is finished which is why they fired GM and HC so you're going up against a 1-man team where Russ is going to get major minutes and we've seen Jokic in the Playoffs when Murray isn't there he's going to put up numbers but they're going to get slaughtered on defense and won't have enough offense outside of him to make up for it. With KCP gone (he was their leader on defense) and with Russ playing major minutes it's the easiest match-up. Doesn't matter how much Jokic scores. They have no real 3PT threats outside of MPJ and no one to kill Reaves/Bron/Luka off the dribble.

Yeah I actually dont consider the Nuggets a threat anymore.

Could be kind of catharsic to beat them actually.

So yeah, Nuggets at 6 would be alright too.

Then WCF against OKC or GSW and beat Celtics for the chip.


It is written!

[ArbitraryWater]

Well well well...


Warriors lose at home to Spurs.

[ArbitraryWater]

It would actually be poetic af if the Lakers beat the Nuggets in R1

[ImKobe]

Lakers have tiebreakers over everyone I think so 1 more win gets them the 3rd seed.

[Axe]

If the dubs end up again in the play-ins, jimmy butler would be lifting them from losing rt.

[tpols]

Well well well...


Warriors lose at home to Spurs.

It doesn't really matter because Golden State plays the trailblazers next, and then the clippers in the final game. That clipper warrior game is basically a play in game in and of itself.

I'm feeling a Warriors Lakers first round 3v6. Hopefully.

[ArbitraryWater]

It doesn't really matter because Golden State plays the trailblazers next, and then the clippers in the final game. That clipper warrior game is basically a play in game in and of itself.

I'm feeling a Warriors Lakers first round 3v6. Hopefully.


Clips have tiebreaker they wont pass them, but Memphis plays Grizz and Nugs, so GSW can def finish over one of them as 6th, yes.

[ralph_i_el]

Right now every team that could fall in, or get out of the West play-in in these last few games has at least one game against another team in that situation.

4/10: Minny @ Memphis
4/11: Memphis @ Denver
4/13: LAC @ GSW

These games could go crazy.

[ArbitraryWater]

Right now every team that could fall in, or get out of the West play-in in these last few games has at least one game against another team in that situation.

4/10: Minny @ Memphis
4/11: Memphis @ Denver
4/13: LAC @ GSW

These games could go crazy.

Clips at Kings too which should be important for Sac too if Mavs beat the Raps hours before

[ralph_i_el]

Clips at Kings too which should be important for Sac too if Mavs beat the Raps hours before

True True. Gonna be a great week of hoops...and then we get the playoffs! I'm hyped.

[L.Kizzle]

Sacramento will be a spoiler for sure.
I can see them upsetting a team in the play-in tournament.

[Xiao Yao You]

Alan Horton: “Tonight has just become the biggest game for us. Our confidence isn’t gonna waiver. We’re gonna come out ready to go.” -Mike Conley after shootaround this morning on facing Grizzlies tonight. Wolves control their own destiny — win final 3 games & they’re at least the 6 seed. – via Twitter

[ArbitraryWater]

Alan Horton: “Tonight has just become the biggest game for us. Our confidence isn’t gonna waiver. We’re gonna come out ready to go.” -Mike Conley after shootaround this morning on facing Grizzlies tonight. Wolves control their own destiny — win final 3 games & they’re at least the 6 seed. – via Twitter

Grizz lead at HT… Close one

[Xiao Yao You]

Huge 3rd

[Xiao Yao You]

Hipefully they have enough left for tomorrows scheduled loss.

[John8204]

Why do you want the Grizzlies so bad bro? Is it that you think they're weak or just scared of curry / jokic?

I agree I think Rd 1 should be

Thunder/Wolves
Rockets/Warriors
Lakers/Grizzlies
Clippers/Nuggets

I would even rather see Warriors fall to 8 because I think they have the best chance at beating the Thunder and I like seeing an 8 seed win a title. It would be fairly incredible to see Curry get his 5 and Butler his 1 going through OKC, Den, LA and Boston.

[Xiao Yao You]

Wolves and nuggets win. Memphis lose. Scheduled win for wolves sunday. Tough times for the trolls

[3ba11]

The reason that everyone has the same record is because it's just a 3-point contest, so everyone plays about the same in the end.

All these teams having the same record is a reflection of the lack of diversity between teams - every team jacks threes... This is why ratings have cratered and the NBA will soon by like boxing... This will happen because the NBA beginner format doesn't produce the best players, so Americans will eventually tune out once more and more international players take over our league.

[RRR3]

WAHHHHHH BABY WANT HIS BOTTLE!!!! :cry:
Meltdown

[Im Still Ballin]

It's looking like LAL finishes third and DEN in 4th. LAC, MIN, and GSW 5 through 7 in some particular order.

I'd like to see these matchups:

HOU vs. GSW
LAL vs. LAC
DEN vs. MIN

[RRR3]

It's looking like LAL finishes third and DEN in 4th. LAC, MIN, and GSW 5 through 7 in some particular order...
Minnesota isn't losing again with their schedule, it'll be GSW 7th.

[Im Still Ballin]

Minnesota isn't losing again with their schedule, it'll be GSW 7th.

Yeah, so HOU vs. GSW, LAL vs. LAC, and DEN vs. MIN?

[Xiao Yao You]

The reason that everyone has the same record is because it's just a 3-point contest, so everyone plays about the same in the end.

All these teams having the same record is a reflection of the lack of diversity between teams - every team jacks threes... This is why ratings have cratered and the NBA will soon by like boxing... This will happen because the NBA beginner format doesn't produce the best players, so Americans will eventually tune out once more and more international players take over our league.



Except wolves have no spacing :rolleyes:

[Axe]

Morant the moronic loses yet another game lmao.

[ArbitraryWater]

Lakers beating Nuggets in R1 or R2 and GSW in the WCF would have been perfect but it looks like that can no longer play out. We could still get that WCF but it seems unlikely for GSW to finish 5th.

[ArbitraryWater]

Lakers beating Nuggets in R1 or R2 and GSW in the WCF would have been perfect but it looks like that can no longer play out. We could still get that WCF but it seems unlikely for GSW to finish 5th.

This would only be possible If GSW win, Denver loses, Minnesota loses.

Very, very unlikely. :D

Actually even then Den would prob be ahead of the Clips, since GSW winning requires Clips to lose. No idea how the multi tiebreaker works though.

[ArbitraryWater]

I guess for the Lakers Minny is a nicer opponent than GSW but its not much between them.

[Xiao Yao You]

Chris Hine: Anthony Edwards just picked up a technical foul. He will be suspended for Sunday’s game, assuming it’s not rescinded. – via Bluesky

Jazz beat them last time he was suspended

[Real Men Wear Green]

I guess for the Lakers Minny is a nicer opponent than GSW but its not much between them. Since the Butler trade the Warriors have been playing far better and the Warriors are far more experienced and intelligent. Minnie would get swept. Warriors could go either way.

[Xiao Yao You]

Since the Butler trade the Warriors have been playing far better and the Warriors are far more experienced and intelligent. Minnie would get swept. Warriors could go either way.

Swept? Wolves playing well themselves. Size warriors cant match

[Real Men Wear Green]

Swept? Wolves playing well themselves. Size warriors cant match
Yes, Gobert is tall. Didn't save him from being killed on the switch with Doncic. All Minnie is going to do is give Ant the ball on ISO, put three players on spots on the three point line where they will stand around and shoot if a double leaves then open, and then Gobert is planted in the dunker spot. In last year's Mavs series Doncic got to take breaks in defense standing five feet from the man he otherwise had to do nothing to guard. Part of beating the Lakers or any team with Doncic is making him work hard on defense. If you don't and he gets to be fresh at the end of the game he's guaranteed to kill you. Minnie is a dumb team that just rides a superstar talent as far as he can take them. Lakers have a smart coach and two smart superstars. Stupid team like Minnie doesn't have a chance

The Warriors on the other hand are just as smart as the Lakers. Draymond Green doesn't block shots but he's the best in the league when it comes to defensive communication. He and Butler are a good match for Doncic and James. And then of course you have Curry powering the offense, who is still the most dangerous shooter in the league. I'm not guaranteeing they beat Lakers but they're a much bigger challenge.

[Xiao Yao You]

A gobert team has been swept once and that was the best utah team he was on while he was hurt and much of the team was as well. The dumb wolves beat smart jokic last year. They play d. Have at least two future hofers. Unlikely they get swept by anyone

[Real Men Wear Green]

A gobert team has been swept once and that was the best utah team he was on while he was hurt and much of the team was as well. The dumb wolves beat smart jokic last year. They play d. Have at least two future hofers. Unlikely they get swept by anyone Lakers and Nuggets are two entirely different challenges, Good personnel for James and Doncic vs Jokic is completely different. How many times a top 15 center has or has not been swept is irrelevant to a conversation about strategy.

[Xiao Yao You]

At least you acknowledge top 15 status. Who ya got? Russell, wilt, kareem, malone, duncan, hakeem, robinson, jokic...

[Real Men Wear Green]

At least you acknowledge top 15 status. Who ya got? Russell, wilt, kareem, malone, duncan, hakeem, robinson, jokic...I wasn't talking about all-time. Best just let it be.

[RRR3]

I wasn't talking about all-time. Best just let it be.
He didn't mention Shaq, he thinks TOODY is better than Shaq :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Xiao Yao You]

Cant quit me!

[sdot_thadon]

At least you acknowledge top 15 status. Who ya got? Russell, wilt, kareem, malone, duncan, hakeem, robinson, jokic...

1st was like :oldlol:, then was like:biggums:

[L.Kizzle]

Best these five teams wish they didn't rest their players throughout the season now, for no reason at all.

Now they're all playing the last game of the season like it's a game 7.

[tpols]

Pretty crazy info graphic based on probable outcomes of the games tommorow.

https://i.postimg.cc/kgj4fCc5/Screenshot-20250412-173710-Chrome.jpg

It looks like the 4 seed will be Nuggets, 5 seed will be Clippers, 6 seed will be warriors, 7 seed will be Twolves, and 8 seed will be Memphis,

[Xiao Yao You]

Best these five teams wish they didn't rest their players throughout the season now, for no reason at all.

Now they're all playing the last game of the season like it's a game 7.

Wolves losing to the worst team in league because ant technicals was big

[L.Kizzle]

Pretty crazy info graphic based on probable outcomes of the games tommorow.

https://i.postimg.cc/kgj4fCc5/Screenshot-20250412-173710-Chrome.jpg

It looks like the 4 seed will be Nuggets, 5 seed will be Clippers, 6 seed will be warriors, 7 seed will be Twolves, and 8 seed will be Memphis,
Or the Kings/Mavs can end up in the 8th slot.

[Neal Romer]

Pretty crazy info graphic based on probable outcomes of the games tommorow.

https://i.postimg.cc/kgj4fCc5/Screenshot-20250412-173710-Chrome.jpg

It looks like the 4 seed will be Nuggets, 5 seed will be Clippers, 6 seed will be warriors, 7 seed will be Twolves, and 8 seed will be Memphis,


:biggums:


The Nuggets and Clippers chances dont add up to 100% and the Grizzlies have already been eliminated from the seven seed.


:biggums:

[Neal Romer]

As best I can tell, it's basically like this:

Minny and Denver are virtually guaranteed wins tomorrow against Utah and the Rockets B-team respectively. That will lock Denver into the 4 seed.

The rest all comes down to Warriors-Clippers. If the Clippers win, they lock up the 5 seed and Minnesota takes the 6 seed due to head-to-head tiebreaker with GS, who would be the play-in bound 7 seed.

If the Warriors win it becomes a three way tie, wherein Minnesota has the best conference record and get the 5 seed, Warriors next best get the six seed, and LAC drops to the play-in.

So, again, assuming Denver and Minny win, which is highly probable, these are the two scenarios:

LAC win:
5 Clippers (vs Denver)
6 Minny (vs Lakers)
7 Dubs (vs Memphis)

GS win:
5 Minny (vs Denver)
6 Warriors (vs Lakers)
7 Clipps (vs Memphis)

Personally I'm rooting for the first scenario since we've already seen plenty of Lakers-Warriors, Nuggets-Twolves in the playoffs lately. If we're gonna see these repeats I'd rather it be after both teams have earned their way to a later round already. I want fresh playoff matchups to start out with.

[L.Kizzle]

:biggums:


The Nuggets and Clippers chances dont add up to 100% and the Grizzlies have already been eliminated from the seven seed.


:biggums:
Grizzles can actually get 7 if everyone loses tomorrow.

[Neal Romer]

Grizzles can actually get 7 if everyone loses tomorrow.


True. I was thinking they were locked into the play-in, which is true, but I brain farted on which seeds are play-in.

[Proctor]

Getting PTSD watching Kawhi playing in Golden State during a 3:30 EST ABC game.

Same court design today too. Damn.

[Xiao Yao You]

Garza and reid yet to show up. Good thing for gobert

[Xiao Yao You]

Kessler schooled earlier in the year. Filipowski turn today. Wondering who all these centers that are supposedly better than the old stiff?

[Nowoco]

GS are up for this game.

[Mask the Embiid]

Uh oh it’s that time of the year….https://i.postimg.cc/L60Nnd1Z/IMG-5005.gif



https://i.postimg.cc/vBQN5rH1/IMG-4998.gif

[RRR3]

Kawhi and Butler cooking, Steph and Harden MIA must be a big game

[Proctor]

What a game. Will Kerr send in Looney or another goon to step under Kawhi in the 2nd half?

[RRR3]

What a game. Will Kerr send in Looney or another goon to step under Kawhi in the 2nd half?
Wait....are you CHEERING for Harden?


Is it snowing in Hell rn?

[Proctor]

Wait....are you CHEERING for Harden?


Is it snowing in Hell rn?
Depends on the matchup but I want LAC in this particular game.

https://i.postimg.cc/L60Nnd1Z/IMG-5005.gif

[RRR3]

Depends on the matchup but I want LAC in this particular game.

https://i.postimg.cc/L60Nnd1Z/IMG-5005.gif
This is like if warriorfan started saying crack was bad :lol

[Proctor]

This is like if warriorfan started saying crack was bad :lol
https://media3.giphy.com/media/6L015gMEW3pFC/200w.gif

[RRR3]

https://media3.giphy.com/media/6L015gMEW3pFC/200w.gif
:roll:

[L.Kizzle]

Memphis, Wolves and Nuggets have double-digit leads heading into the 4th quarter.
So looks like Warriors will be either 6th or 7th.
Clippers will be 5th with a win or 7th with a loss.

[tpols]

Most of the games today were terrible but this clipper warrior game is a slugfest.

[L.Kizzle]

Most of the games today were terrible but this clipper warrior game is a slugfest.
As it should, winner makes the playoffs. Loser goes to the play-in.

[Xiao Yao You]

Someone finally showed up to help gobert. Where have reid and garza been?

[Meticode]

It's very telling that a player that is as athletic and talented as Kuminga is sitting on a bench in the last game of the season that could determine if the Warriors are in the playoffs or if they are in the play-in. He has zero logged minutes in this game.

[Meticode]

Clippers to me are kind of the darkhorse of the West if Leonard is indeed 100% healthy which we haven't been able to say that since when? Toronto maybe? Powell stepped on this season, Zubac is one of the best offensive interior big-men in the league, but Harden needs to shake his playoff woes though.

[hold this L]

Steph has been complete garbage. If he is solid tonight, the Warriors are probably up by 10 or so points. What's infuriating is that the guy is so lethargic, it's pissing me off. You're 37 years old and winning tonight means you get to rest for a whole week, which you desperately need. Wake the **** up FFS :facepalm

[L.Kizzle]

Wait. How do Warriors get 6th if they win?
They'd have the same record and Clippers hold the tiebreaker.

[Proctor]

Kawhi is incredible.

Elite, gets injured, comes back elite, gets injured, comes back elite, gets injured. Elite again. Rinse and repeat.

[hold this L]

And the retard coach is back to playing 4 guard lineups. :applause:

[hold this L]

Wait. How do Warriors get 6th if they win?
They'd have the same record and Clippers hold the tiebreaker.
Clippers would finish 5th and play Denver if Warriors win.

[L.Kizzle]

Clippers would finish 5th and play Denver if Warriors win.
You're right. I'm thinking they'd be over Clippers if they beat the Clippers tonight. Gotcha.

[Nowoco]

Great defense by Green on Kawhi for that final play.

[Proctor]

Warriors got this. Refs will flood Butler and Curry with whistles in OT.

[Proctor]

One of the best games of the year and by far more entertaining than ANYTHING the play-in tournament will produce.

[Akeem34TheDream]

It really is a great game.

[Meticode]

While I do dislike the play-in for the most part...one positive of it is multiple teams are either trying to get into the play-in or keep themselves out of it the last game of the season. So it makes the games more meaningful versus playing your 3rd players off the bench like the Celtics, Cavs and OKC did the last two or three games.

[Proctor]

Not a foul/and1.. GTFOH

[Meticode]

That's crazy, Butler get's the and one and I don't think he even got touched. And the whistle was super late as if the ref was waiting to see if the ball would fall through the hoop. :oldlol:

[Proctor]

That's crazy, Butler get's the and one and I don't think he even got touched. And the whistle was super late as if the ref was waiting to see if the ball would fall through the hoop. :oldlol:
Yep, thought the same thing. Totally ridiculous.

Surprised and pleased the refs reversed that garbage call.

[Meticode]

Right call. They've let physical play go all game, would be stupid to call something like that.

[Meticode]

Leonard gets stuffed, but Butler comes up hobbling on his knee. Draymond blows the wide open gimme

[1987_Lakers]

Draymond missed an easy lay up. lol

[Meticode]

Bob Myers smoking crack. Says Leonard is 250 maybe 260 pounds. No wonder that muhf*cka been injured all this time. He's secretly been 260 pounds.

[Meticode]

Draymond missed an easy lay up. lol

It almost looked like he jumped heavily to his right trying to initiate contact for a foul too.

[Proctor]

That's your play? A cold, retarded Hield?

He is awful. God, god awful.

[Mask the Embiid]

Helluva game. Kawhi looks like he's in terminator mode. Hopefully, he knocks out Jokic before harden sinks him

[Wardell Curry]

lol @ Draymond being more worried about trying to create contact with a point blank layup to the point that he moved his body so unnaturally that he couldn't even make the wide open point blank layup.

This is right after Jimmy Butler successfully baited the officials into wasting a Clippers timeout and challenge even though the foul ultimately got overturned. Butler then immediately proceeds to take a knee to the thigh.

Man I love cheater's justice. I hate dishonest players so much.

[Proctor]

lol @ Draymond being more worried about trying to create contact with a point blank layup to the point that he moved his body so unnaturally that he couldn't even make the wide open point blank layup.

Man I love cheater's justice. I hate dishonest players so much.
Not to mention a nice little knee to knee "forget me not" for Butler.

[Meticode]

Bad game for Warriors. They lose at home, have to play in the play-in and at the end of the game in OT Butler got clocked in the thigh and was hobbling the rest of the game. Also Curry is beat up too and played an OT game and now has to do the play-in. Warriors could've used that rest.

[Wardell Curry]

Not to mention a nice little knee to knee "forget me not" for Butler.

Yep. I edited my post after. Instant karma. LOL.

[Xiao Yao You]

Wolves lakers. Certain sweep! :facepalm

[Neal Romer]

Wolves lakers. Certain sweep! :facepalm


Lakers have an absolute nobody at center. NO excuses for Toody. If the Wolves dont advance it's 100% on him.

[Wardell Curry]

Here's the Draymond clip.

https://streamable.com/l2uxhw


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Damn you. Damn you for making me in any way happy that a James Harden team won.

If I was the coach I would have his ass for that shit.

[tpols]

Kawhi and Butler cooking, Steph and Harden MIA must be a big game


This post ended up being an all time fail.

Harden and Curry balled out right after you talked shit. :lol

#konexcurse

[L.Kizzle]

Bad game for Warriors. They lose at home, have to play in the play-in and at the end of the game in OT Butler got clocked in the thigh and was hobbling the rest of the game. Also Curry is beat up too and played an OT game and now has to do the play-in. Warriors could've used that rest.

These random games of resting players with come back to haunted teams. They're number 8 see right?

[Proctor]

Here's the Draymond clip.

https://streamable.com/l2uxhw


HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Damn you. Damn you for making me in any way happy that a James Harden team won.
:roll:

https://i.postimg.cc/L60Nnd1Z/IMG-5005.gif

It's even funnier when you consider he is no knock-down FT shooter either. Just stupid all around not to go up with purpose.

[tpols]

Lakers have an absolute nobody at center. NO excuses for Toody. If the Wolves dont advance it's 100% on him.

The wolves will be more of a problem for the Lakers than the Warriors imo. Especially after Jimmy took that knee, he might be hurt now.

The wolves are big. Can't just drive on them. Warriors are midgets, they make Zubac look like Jokic.

[Wardell Curry]

Holy shit the Lakers path just got a whole lot easier especially if Butler being injured gets the Grizzlies a W.

If Butler out gives Memphis a W over GSW, the Lakers will have successfully dodged Golden State and then also Denver, OKC, & Clippers UNTIL they have to play one in the WCF. Wild.

This will be LeBron's last possible gasp before even a slight whiff of a hint of a Finals appearance is over forever.

[Axe]

Since trading for jimmy butler, the warriors tried too hard to avoid ending up in the play-ins. Looks like it didn't go all that well. :ohwell: :roll:

[Neal Romer]

The wolves will be more of a problem for the Lakers than the Warriors imo. Especially after Jimmy took that knee, he might be hurt now.

The wolves are big. Can't just drive on them. Warriors are midgets, they make Zubac look like Jokic.

The Lakers will just outshoot the Wolves. Unless Toody can really go to work and punish LAL inside, the Wolves will just lose the three point shooting contest.

Toody is the key. If hes the stud Xiao claims he is, T Wolves have a chance. If not this will be a pretty straightforward series for the Lakers. 4-1.

[Xiao Yao You]

Lakers have an absolute nobody at center. NO excuses for Toody. If the Wolves dont advance it's 100% on him.

Itvwould be 100% on him regardless. This is ish. Land of the trolls

[Nowoco]

I know this isnt exactly breaking news but the gulf in quality between the conferences is off the scale. The East 1st round matchups are just a snoozefest.

[Xiao Yao You]

On the same page with the troll

Rudy Gobert: Rudy Gobert: “We know that a lot of teams are going to put two on Ant, or they’re going to switch. Regardless, I’ve got to dominate. Me being on the glass, me making the right play, me finishing around the rim at a high level is going to be key for us.” – via Twitter JonKrawczynski

[talkingconch]

The wolves will be more of a problem for the Lakers than the Warriors imo. Especially after Jimmy took that knee, he might be hurt now.

The wolves are big. Can't just drive on them. Warriors are midgets, they make Zubac look like Jokic.

The lakers will beat the wolves with not much difficulty.

Warriors would have been a bigger challenge, and the clippers as well.

[90sgoat]

The lakers will beat the wolves with not much difficulty.

Warriors would have been a bigger challenge, and the clippers as well.

I think so too, Ant hasn't taken the next step, their defense seems worse, KAT is gone.

[Xiao Yao You]

I think so too, Ant hasn't taken the next step, their defense seems worse, KAT is gone.

Hes shooting a lot more 3s at a lot higher rate. Kat being gone isnt necessarily a bad thing. He wont vanish when they need him most anyway. The d was bound to get worse when they had one of the best ds ever.

[Axe]

The playoffs are just about to start. Yet the toody nut-hugger is already on a meltdown. :cry: :roll:

[SouBeachTalents]

The playoffs are just about to start. Yet the toody nut-hugger is already on a meltdown. :cry: :roll:
Makes sense, they haven't gone too well for him, Toody's been embarrassed in the playoffs year after year.

[Xiao Yao You]

3 upsets and counting. Soon to be 4. Over achieving at every turn

[Axe]

https://c.tenor.com/Den_vMGKyksAAAAC/tenor.gif

[tpols]

The lakers will beat the wolves with not much difficulty.

Warriors would have been a bigger challenge, and the clippers as well.

Eh... not so sure about that. Warriors have more star power and names but they're tiny. It would be a legit problem Luka, Lebron, and Reaves hunting Curry and Podz all day with only 6'6 dray behind them but he has to worry about the lob to Hayes.

Minnesota is younger, more athletic and much bigger. Julius Randle has also been balling as of late, him and Rudy make a giant frontcourt. And then you got Ant man at the peak of his game right now, he's gonna abuse that Lakers defense.

Luka isn't playing with an elite defense like last year on Dallas. There's no Lively, Gafford, PJ, DJJ etc. in LA. And last year although the Mavs beat the wolves early the games were super close. Minny is going to have themselves a party in the paint, the only question is will Lakers get hot enough from 3 on the other end to counter that.

[Xiao Yao You]

Lets not bring facts into this

[tpols]

If there ever was a series Rudy has small chance of dominating, this is the one. Dallas frontcourt was loaded last year. Lakers ain't built like that.