2022-2023 Toronto Raptors/NBA season thread

[Paulie Walnuts]

Kawhi was almost a fluke the ball rolled in what felt like 10 hours.

This is down 0-3 to force game 7 and a unbelievable play to keep hope alive.

I'd say it's close and this is probably better.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Kawhi was almost a fluke the ball rolled in what felt like 10 hours.

This is down 0-3 to force game 7 and a unbelievable play to keep hope alive.

I'd say it's close and this is probably better.

Sure, but this was only possible because the original shot came off the basketball perfectly for White's angle. Bounces in even a slightly different direction and Miami is going to the finals.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Kawhi was almost a fluke the ball rolled in what felt like 10 hours.

This is down 0-3 to force game 7 and a unbelievable play to keep hope alive.

I'd say it's close and this is probably better.

Ya please go try getting a fade away 3 over someone 7ft1 onto the rim off a double team. The shot is historic, no one remembers this if they lose game 7.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Of course it was a great play, it is still no where close in difficulty and won’t be remembered if they do not close it out. No one boxed him out and fell perfectly to him. Great hustle play but not close in my opinion. Fantastic game, i do not care who wins. Both getting beat by Denver

Not sure I agree it's no where close in difficulty. Even uncontested it's pretty remarkable to get that shot off in time on a rebound from a play where there was 3 seconds left on the clock at the time of the inbound and you get the rebound around 0.5 seconds left.

Saying it fell "perfectly to him" is like saying Kahwi just made a "contested jump shot"

And as far as the moment...I'd argue down 1 with 0.5 seconds left while being down 3-2 in the series in game 6 of the conference finals, while trying to comeback from down 3-0 is actually a bigger moment than tied in the game, while being in a series tied 3-3 in game 7 of the conference semi-finals.

Kawhi doesn't get the bounce and it goes to OT. That play tonight doesn't happen and the Heat are off to the finals.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Ya please go try getting a fade away 3 over someone 7ft1 onto the rim off a double team. The shot is historic, no one remembers this if they lose game 7.

Sure.

But it's like saying nobody remembers Kahwi's shot if they don't win the next two series after that.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Sure.

But it's like saying nobody remembers Kahwi's shot if they don't win the next two series after that.

It’s probably not as memorable in the grand scheme of things. That’s how it works in sports.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Not sure I agree it's no where close in difficulty. Even uncontested it's pretty remarkable to get that shot off in time on a rebound from a play where there was 3 seconds left on the clock at the time of the inbound and you get the rebound around 0.5 seconds left.

Saying it fell "perfectly to him" is like saying Kahwi just made a "contested jump shot"

And as far as the moment...I'd argue down 1 with 0.5 seconds left while being down 3-2 in the series in game 6 of the conference finals, while trying to comeback from down 3-0 is actually a bigger moment than tied in the game, while being in a series tied 3-3 in game 7 of the conference semi-finals.

Kawhi doesn't get the bounce and it goes to OT. That play tonight doesn't happen and the Heat are off to the finals.

I’m not saying it was not a great play, it is just no where near the same difficulty. The dexterity and lift/backspin Kawhi needed to pull that off makes it in a league of its own. I’ll leave it at that.

[SuperMatt18]

Just saw a tweet that this is only the second buzzer beater in NBA history to stave off elimination, while the team was also trailing in the game. (Jordan in 89 vs the Cavs).

6th buzzer beater in any type of elimination game (Kawhi was the last before this), but 4 of those games were tied at the time of the shot.

Remarkable.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Beninho

I’m not saying it was not a great play, it is just no where near the same difficulty. The dexterity and lift/backspin Kawhi needed to pull that off makes it in a league of its own. I’ll leave it at that.

I guess. Kawhi also gets the ball with 4.2 seconds left and put himself into that spot and got to the spot he wanted.

Amazing to adjust to get the shot off over the 7 foot Embiid who comes on the double (Simmonds kind of leaves him for Embiid and doesn't attempt to contest the shot), but that's the spot Kawhi wanted.

And let's be honest both have a huge degree of luck involved, Kawhi with the bounces to go in and White with how the rebound comes off to him perfectly.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I guess. Kawhi also gets the ball with 4.2 seconds left and put himself into that spot and got to the spot he wanted.

Amazing to adjust to get the shot off over the 7 foot Embiid who comes on the double (Simmonds kind of leaves him for Embiid and doesn't attempt to contest the shot), but that's the spot Kawhi wanted.

And let's be honest both have a huge degree of luck involved, Kawhi with the bounces to go in and White with how the rebound comes off to him perfectly.

Ya both had great degrees of luck to them. I’m not taking anything away from White, it’s a fantastic hustle play.

[Strange Brew]

Nuggets want no part of a team that completes a first of its kind comeback.

[octothorp]

Either team getting just two days off and then starting a series in Denver... Whoever wins this series is going to be absolutely gassed, never mind the emotions of a series like this. Like if you're Boston, how do you turn around from accomplishing something that's never been accomplished before in NBA history, and get locked in on guarding the most unguardable team and player in the league?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Even if Boston wins they won't have the size advantage likes they do against Miami shooting over tiny guards.

Plus Jokic is a different animal and Murray is playing at a elite level.

I'm rooting for Denver they don't get the respect and plus it would be awesome to see another Canadian win a ring.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Either team getting just two days off and then starting a series in Denver... Whoever wins this series is going to be absolutely gassed, never mind the emotions of a series like this. Like if you're Boston, how do you turn around from accomplishing something that's never been accomplished before in NBA history, and get locked in on guarding the most unguardable team and player in the league?

The series starts in Boston if the Celtics win as they have the better record.

The Kings and Red Sox both came back from down 3-0 and went on to win everything.

There will be a massive difference in betting odds depending on whether it's the Celts or Heat against the Nuggets.

[octothorp]

Ah, my bad, you're right about starting in Boston. That does change it a lot.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I don't think it does in terms of the series Boston has been a poor home court team the last 2 years in the playoffs.

Neither of these teams play with any offensive confidence. Miami is just so ugly to watch trying to create and Boston's stars look dead at crucial times.

Butler is a great competitor but when he is your go to guy especially on offence I just don't see them winning especially watching Tatum abuse him in the first half easily.

If it's Miami I think Denver sweeps them rather easily. Boston will push it to 6 at best.

Jokic should be a 3x MVP and the pieces around him have finally blossomed plus the size with Gordon and Porter make a huge difference.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

I don't think it does in terms of the series Boston has been a poor home court team the last 2 years in the playoffs.

Neither of these teams play with any offensive confidence. Miami is just so ugly to watch trying to create and Boston's stars look dead at crucial times.

Butler is a great competitor but when he is your go to guy especially on offence I just don't see them winning especially watching Tatum abuse him in the first half easily.

If it's Miami I think Denver sweeps them rather easily. Boston will push it to 6 at best.

Jokic should be a 3x MVP and the pieces around him have finally blossomed plus the size with Gordon and Porter make a huge difference.

If we are going to look at last two years, well the Nuggies won one game in 2022.

Celtics are a very good team IMO and would be a very hard out for a Denver team that has never won anything.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If we are going to look at last two years, well the Nuggies won one game in 2022.

Celtics are a very good team IMO and would be a very hard out for a Denver team that has never won anything.

They had a crippled Porter and missing Murray really not a fair comparison and got beat out by the Warriors a top offensive team.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Nick Nurse to the Sixers

[mile]

lol

https://twitter.com/user/status/1605350644075925505


Jokes aside I hate that he went to Philly, that's a good hire. I don't wanna hate him. I think he will do really well there.