OT: 2018-19 NBA Thread.

[Jaybee]

What an impressive performance from the Raps. Not sure what Milwaukee is doing by loading so hard on an obviously 75% Kawhi, but this is mostly about the Raps playing great.

[Jaybee]

Savage.

[bobswire]

Think of the Warriors as the female angler fish and all those teams are like the male angler fish, wanting a piece of the Warriors.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by bobswire

Think of the Warriors as the female angler fish and all those teams are like the male angler fish, wanting a piece of the Warriors.

Dude. That angler fish story is effed up.

[Climb01742]

Man, there were moments last night when Kawhi looked on his last leg. Depending on what the injury is, now that it's 2-2, is there something to be said for resting Kawhi game 5? Yes, it's a huge risk but could 4 days help in ways 48 hours just can't? Watching him last night, as gutsy as it was, couldn't help but feel he was one awkward landing from good night, Irene.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

What an impressive performance from the Raps. Not sure what Milwaukee is doing by loading so hard on an obviously 75% Kawhi, but this is mostly about the Raps playing great.

I think the Bucks are playing to the odds we've seen in the playoffs that Gasol, Lowry and Green are unlikely to deliver consistently for the Raptors as an offensive Plan B.

[Jaybee]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

Man, there were moments last night when Kawhi looked on his last leg. Depending on what the injury is, now that it's 2-2, is there something to be said for resting Kawhi game 5? Yes, it's a huge risk but could 4 days help in ways 48 hours just can't? Watching him last night, as gutsy as it was, couldn't help but feel he was one awkward landing from good night, Irene.

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

I think the Bucks are playing to the odds we've seen in the playoffs that Gasol, Lowry and Green are unlikely to deliver consistently for the Raptors as an offensive Plan B.

Kawhi and the team took a lot of static during the year for their "load management", but it's starting to become clear that it was necessary.

I think a lot of what we saw last night was Kawhi deciding that he couldn't do it all and making an effort to find his teammates earlier. The Raps have traditionally been playoff underperformers, but it's not like they have zero pedigree on that team.

Game 5 is the fulcrum of a 7 game series. I think he has to play. You can't spot your opponent a game in a best of 3 situation.

[Climb01742]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Kawhi and the team took a lot of static during the year for their "load management", but it's starting to become clear that it was necessary.

I think a lot of what we saw last night was Kawhi deciding that he couldn't do it all and making an effort to find his teammates earlier. The Raps have traditionally been playoff underperformers, but it's not like they have zero pedigree on that team.

Game 5 is the fulcrum of a 7 game series. I think he has to play. You can't spot your opponent a game in a best of 3 situation.

I agree it would be a risky strategy. But I think the Raptors will drop game 5 regardless. So if it comes down to two games, how much healthier could Kawhi get with added rest? Hey, I’m just playing out ideas here but based on last night, Kawhi’s health is a big worry. Sometimes going against the odds improves the odds...with some luck.

[jtakeda]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Kawhi and the team took a lot of static during the year for their "load management", but it's starting to become clear that it was necessary.

I think a lot of what we saw last night was Kawhi deciding that he couldn't do it all and making an effort to find his teammates earlier. The Raps have traditionally been playoff underperformers, but it's not like they have zero pedigree on that team.

Game 5 is the fulcrum of a 7 game series. I think he has to play. You can't spot your opponent a game in a best of 3 situation.

^^^this.

It’s a best of 3 series. If the health of the team is of priority you need to make sure you close the series out in 2 games.

Kawhi plays game 5 to optimize your chance of winning and then close in game 6.

Then you’ll get 5 days of rest

[Climb01742]

Originally Posted by jtakeda

^^^this.

It’s a best of 3 series. If the health of the team is of priority you need to make sure you close the series out in 2 games.

Kawhi plays game 5 to optimize your chance of winning and then close in game 6.

Then you’ll get 5 days of rest

You have the considerable weight of logic on your side. No argument there. But when has that ever stopped anyone here?

Just playing devil's advocate...Kawhi looked much worse last night than at the end of game 3. His health curve looks downward. The world doesn't end of the Raptors lose game 5. But it does end of Kawhi gets hurt worse and can't play in 6 or 7 if there is one. In my scenario (unconventional as it may be...or ok, just dumb) I expect Bucks to win game 5 at home, Raps come back with Kawhi to win 6 at home, then roll all the dice on game 7. I rest my wacky case.

[retrofit]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

I agree it would be a risky strategy. But I think the Raptors will drop game 5 regardless. So if it comes down to two games, how much healthier could Kawhi get with added rest? Hey, I’m just playing out ideas here but based on last night, Kawhi’s health is a big worry. Sometimes going against the odds improves the odds...with some luck.

Charles Barkley, is that you?

[Climb01742]

Originally Posted by retrofit

Charles Barkley, is that you?

I'm in good company!

[jtakeda]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

You have the considerable weight of logic on your side. No argument there. But when has that ever stopped anyone here?

Just playing devil's advocate...Kawhi looked much worse last night than at the end of game 3. His health curve looks downward. The world doesn't end of the Raptors lose game 5. But it does end of Kawhi gets hurt worse and can't play in 6 or 7 if there is one. In my scenario (unconventional as it may be...or ok, just dumb) I expect Bucks to win game 5 at home, Raps come back with Kawhi to win 6 at home, then roll all the dice on game 7. I rest my wacky case.

I get what you’re saying and honestly I think it’s the best strategy to get out of the series. But it’s also the worst strategy to win the finals.

I’d rather squeak by the conference finals and have a rested Kawhi then roll the dice to get to the finals and have a gassed Kawhi playing an extremely hot Golden State team.

It’s all or nothing NOW. Remember. Toronto doesn’t have Kawhi under contract this year. If they lose he’s likely going to another team. If they win and get to the finals..... who knows

[Climb01742]

I realize my thinking is probably colored by watching Isaiah Thomas play injured for the Celtics and play his career into the ground. He did it for the team. He’s never been the same. I wondered back then if rest could have spared him the worst of it. I hope Kawhi isn’t chasing a victory that could cost him more. Playing hurt makes ‘sense’ until it doesn’t. As bummed as I was for IT, Kawhi would be a much bigger loss. Wasn’t it his quad last year too? Fingers cross.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by Climb01742

He did it for the team. He’s never been the same.

Good point. I followed IT because he played for my alma mater. It was painful to watch him play the hero, knowing he was also sacrificing his own earning power.