NBA discussion thread

[Welkin]

Yeah, the west has always been a bloodbath, up until now really. There’s a level of uncertainty and it would have been way more entertaining. But, I’d still pick the Warriors as the favorites for the next 2-3 years at the time. Prime trio of Steph, Klay and Draymond were demons. They also had a deep lineup, prime Warriors could and should have honestly gotten a 3-peat. It’s incredible to think about that given their competition in the west and ofc prime Lebron in the finals. What could have been, ffs.

Not sure if them three peating is possible without a superstar 2nd option

Only 2 teams in the last few decades have 3 peated and both teams had monstrous first and second options (Only Curry was on that level from 2015- for the Warriors, Klay and Draymond don't make the cut)

The Bulls had 2 guys that were top 5-10 in MVP voting nearly every season as their first and second options (Jordan and Pippen) and added a 2x DPOY winner for their second run (Rodman)

While the Lakers had the most dominant force in the league (Shaq) and an elite Robin that went on to win an MVP and multiple chips individually (Kobe)

The Warriors had a great team overall so I could see them repeating but threepeating is out of reach for almost any team

People underestimate how hard it is to win multiple championships let alone repeat. There hasn't been a single back to back finals winner since the Steph/KD Warriors

And there hasn't been a single team that's won more than once this decade. It's pretty crazy

 

[park_min young]

Not sure if them three peating is possible without a superstar 2nd option

Only 2 teams in the last few decades have 3 peated and both teams had monstrous first and second options (Only Curry was on that level from 2015- for the Warriors, Klay and Draymond don't make the cut)

The Bulls had 2 guys that were top 5-10 in MVP voting nearly every season as their first and second options (Jordan and Pippen) and added a 2x DPOY winner for their second run (Rodman)

While the Lakers had the most dominant force in the league (Shaq) and an elite Robin that went on to win an MVP and multiple chips individually (Kobe)

The Warriors had a great team overall so I could see them repeating but threepeating is out of reach for almost any team

People underestimate how hard it is to win multiple championships let alone repeat. There hasn't been a single back to back finals winner since the Steph/KD Warriors

And there hasn't been a single team that's won more than once this decade. It's pretty crazy

This era is tougher for a 3peat, late 80s-90s was somewhat of an expansion era (3peats across major sports have been documented during expansion eras) and the Bulls didn’t have that great of a competition.
So yes, I agree… but the Warriors did have a case.

They blew the 3-1 but that series should have been theirs (especially if Dray didn’t get suspended). Let’s assume that they won that year, they would have been easy favorites for the next year too. Hungry for a 3-peat after just beating Jordan’s regular season record, the only ever unanimous mvp was still in his prime alongside the streakiest shooter in prime Klay. Easy favorites for a 3peat even without KD had they not choke, that’s how dominant they were. They had a 73-9 record after all.

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

nobody on the Knicks fucking care rn omfg...

Post automatically merged: May 2, 2025

OMG BRUNSON AT LEAST YOU CARE

 

[Welkin]

This era is tougher for a 3peat, late 80s-90s was somewhat of an expansion era (3peats across major sports have been documented during expansion eras) and the Bulls didn’t have that great of a competition.
So yes, I agree… but the Warriors did have a case.

They blew the 3-1 but that series should have been theirs (especially if Dray didn’t get suspended). Let’s assume that they won that year, they would have been easy favorites for the next year too. Hungry for a 3-peat after just beating Jordan’s regular season record, the only ever unanimous mvp was still in his prime alongside the streakiest shooter in prime Klay. Easy favorites for a 3peat even without KD had they not choke, that’s how dominant they were. They had a 73-9 record after all.

The thing is even if they win in 2016 I’m not 100% sure they make it back in 2017 without KD. Assuming KD is still on the Thunder that’s a legitimately competitive series with him and Russ vs the Warriors (the series went to 7 and KD/Russ choked away the win by shooting 30% in the last few games)

For 2016 if you mention Draymond was suspended for 1 game that still leaves 3 other games that the Cavs won legitimately which they easily could’ve done again the following year (before Kyrie left)

2018 is rough for the Warriors too. Harden took the stacked KD/Steph Warriors to 7 with CP3 only playing 5 out of the 7 games that series. No KD (who took over in multiple games) means they get bounced in the conference finals

The Warriors without KD were stacked but they weren’t unbeatable. I mean you said it yourself, Klay is the definition of a streaky shooter. One game he looks like he’s gonna break the all time scoring record, the next game you’re praying he hits at least 1 three

Steph and Draymond were really the only super reliable guys on the team imo. Draymond strictly on the defensive end tho his offense is kinda iffy sometimes

 

[park_min young]

The thing is even if they win in 2016 I’m not 100% sure they make it back in 2017 without KD. Assuming KD is still on the Thunder that’s a legitimately competitive series with him and Russ vs the Warriors (the series went to 7 and KD/Russ choked away the win by shooting 30% in the last few games)

For 2016 if you mention Draymond was suspended for 1 game that still leaves 3 other games that the Cavs won legitimately which they easily could’ve done again the following year (before Kyrie left)

2018 is rough for the Warriors too. Harden took the stacked KD/Steph Warriors to 7 with CP3 only playing 5 out of the 7 games that series. No KD (who took over in multiple games) means they get bounced in the conference finals

The Warriors without KD were stacked but they weren’t unbeatable. I mean you said it yourself, Klay is the definition of a streaky shooter. One game he looks like he’s gonna break the all time scoring record, the next game you’re praying he hits at least 1 three

Steph and Draymond were really the only super reliable guys on the team imo. Draymond strictly on the defensive end tho his offense is kinda iffy sometimes

Not a guarantee that they make it back but very high chance, again riding off the high from a 73-9 win and a potential 3-peat in sight. They really didn’t need KD to run all the way back to a Finals appearance for the next 1-2 years. Steph already beat and owned the Rockets and Thunders in 2016. They were all in their primes too so injuries won’t be an issue I think. Klay got injured in 2019 after 5 straight finals appearances, so that’s a lot more compared to just 3 in 2017.

Regarding 2018, I can say that the Rockets took them by surprise because they were so complacent and bored with KD, they just needed to lock in. There was no competition whatsoever with KD on their roster, the greatest team ever assembled in history lol. Steph was great in that series, and look how they destroyed Lebron in the finals.

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

Knicks all i ask u is to keep it close against Boston and try, especially you Mikal...

 

[ShinmenTakezo]

KD was only riding the bus

 

[Welkin]

Not a guarantee that they make it back but very high chance, again riding off the high from a 73-9 win and a potential 3-peat in sight. They really didn’t need KD to run all the way back to a Finals appearance for the next 1-2 years. Steph already beat and owned the Rockets and Thunders in 2016. They were all in their primes too so injuries won’t be an issue I think. Klay got injured in 2019 after 5 straight finals appearances, so that’s a lot more compared to just 3 in 2017.

Regarding 2018, I can say that the Rockets took them by surprise because they were so complacent and bored with KD, they just needed to lock in. There was no competition whatsoever with KD on their roster, the greatest team ever assembled in history lol. Steph was great in that series, and look how they destroyed Lebron in the finals.

I’ll give you this. They have a chance to threepeat it’s just not a guarantee imo

After Lebron and Wade choked away the win to Dirk’s Mavericks I realized anything could happen in the playoffs

From 2017-2018 yeah they pretty much coasted to the Finals shit was nuts. I damn near stopped watching because of how easy they made it look every season

I’m glad Draymond ending up forcing KD out cause now anyone can win lol

 

[Udell]

Knicks all i ask u is to keep it close against Boston and try, especially you Mikal...

The way they struggled to beat Pistons I don't know if they can do that.

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

The way they struggled to beat Pistons I don't know if they can do that.

i know, that's why I said all I ask is the team to not give in early

 

[Welkin]

i know, that's why I said all I ask is the team to not give in early

Tell Brunson and KAT to lock in

Mikal needs to step up too if they don’t wanna get swept

 

[Levi]

LeCancun on 3
1,2.3

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

fuck DraymonPokemonDigimon

Post automatically merged: May 3, 2025

Rockets force a Game 7 in spite of the stinky and musky Jalen Green I can't believe my eyes

@Noyman

Post automatically merged: May 3, 2025

https://x.com/MdMercury86587/status/1918524684934758405

 

[JoNdule]

Clippers are a joke

 

[RayanOO]

Clippers are a joke

Their first two defeats were totally on them
They should have won the two games but each time let their guard down
Clippers really a doomed franchise lol

 

[Juanpiz]

Their first two defeats were totally on them
They should have won the two games but each time let their guards down
Clippers really a doomed franchise lol

Forever no 2 in their city

 

[Welkin]

Not their fault Westbrook decided to revert to his prime

Game 7 Harden struck again too

Gonna be a interesting offseason for them

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

Clippers are a joke

Cavs too 😂

y'all thought the Pacers were gonna be easy

 

[JoNdule]

Cavs too 😂

y'all thought the Pacers were gonna be easy

Cavs will surely beat pacers

If they lose the series, I'll be hella impressed with Hali & co

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2025

Their first two defeats were totally on them
They should have won the two games but each time let their guard down
Clippers really a doomed franchise lol

They came out tired and chilled
As if they thought that the game will be easy

Washed Harden is just not good anymore as a starter in a game u

 

[RobertoTheOharaSurvivor]

Cavs will surely beat pacers

If they lose the series, I'll be hella impressed with Hali & co

Post automatically merged: May 5, 2025

They came out tired and chilled
As if they thought that the game will be easy

Washed Harden is just not good anymore as a starter in a game u

Cavs had a great season but Pacers since last season has only been beaten by teams that can keep up with their scoring (so far only the Celtics). Very exhausting pace for most teams in the NBA to deal with, Cavs are going to have a hard time without Garland, and that's assuming Garland shoots very well if/when he comes back