2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

[The 24th Letter]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I want to see how PJ Tucker does....because LeBron seems to straight up disregard Carroll whenever he's guarded by him, lol

[redsox4evur]

2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I like the Lebrons in 6. Don't know why but I feel like the Lebrons will struggle with the Raptors but still come away with a win. And C's in 6.


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[King_B_Mack]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

I want to see how PJ Tucker does....because LeBron seems to straight up disregard Carroll whenever he's guarded by him, lol

It'll be the same. Playoff LeBron has completey evolved into unguardable since that mess he was in 2011 where DeShawn Stevenson could affect him. The way to beat LeBron is to shut down everybody else around him. If LeBron can actually put up 80-90 points himself in a playoff game to beat you, then so be it.


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[cima]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

It'll be the same. Playoff LeBron has completey evolved into unguardable since that mess he was in 2011 where DeShawn Stevenson could affect him. The way to beat LeBron is to shut down everybody else around him. If LeBron can actually put up 80-90 points himself in a playoff game to beat you, then so be it.


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The best chance at beating Cleveland is shutting down both LeBron and Kyrie, which is nearly impossible and no one has done it 4x yet. Golden State basically did that in Games 1 and 2 last year, which not coincidentally were blowouts.

[BluFu]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Lol it won't be the "same". I mean yeah, Tucker won't hold James to 40% shooting or anything but he definitely requires less help than Carroll which is a big part of defense.

You could see the difference in the first round vs the Bucks. Giannis shot the same percentage against both Carroll & PJ but the difference was that he ate up more clock trying to get past PJ and the Raptors defense collapsed less often onto him when PJ was guarding him. That meant less 3 point opportunities for the Bucks and less ball movement in general.

The effect won't be as dramatic against a great team like the Cavs, but the difference between the two defenders guarding James will still be noticeable enough.

[cima]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

All the nonsense about LeBron playing too many minutes should be put to bed as well; he's only played 4 games in the last 3 weeks.

[SPTO]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Lol it won't be the "same". I mean yeah, Tucker won't hold James to 40% shooting or anything but he definitely requires less help than Carroll which is a big part of defense.

You could see the difference in the first round vs the Bucks. Giannis shot the same percentage against both Carroll & PJ but the difference was that he ate up more clock trying to get past PJ and the Raptors defense collapsed less often onto him when PJ was guarding him. That meant less 3 point opportunities for the Bucks and less ball movement in general.

The effect won't be as dramatic against a great team like the Cavs, but the difference between the two defenders guarding James will still be noticeable enough.

Just to add to this but when the Raptors were clicking defensively against the Bucks they played total team D and had multiple guys ready to grab a rebound. I know it was an ugly looking game but Game 4 was one of the better efforts I saw from the Raptors defensively. They kept Giannis from driving to the bucket as much and played very strong perimeter defense. They will need more of that kind of effort against Cleveland.

As I said a while back, there won't be any blowouts in this series. This is NOT the same Raptors team as last year and I think in an unintended way, that blowout loss to Milwaukee gave them fuel to play their best. The near choke job in Game 6 will also have a similar kind of effect IMO. I bet the coaching staff and players had almost as much of a heated film session over that as they did after Game 3.

[Majingir]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Changes since last ECF:
Cavs IN- D.Williams, Korver
Cavs OUT-M.Williams, Mozgov, Dellavedova

Raptors IN- Ibaka, Tucker, Poeltl, VanVleet
Raptors OUT- Biyombo, J.Johnson, Ross, Scola, J.Thompson



Just hope this series isn't a blowout(despite me picking Cavs in 4 lol)

[cima]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Changes since last ECF:
Cavs IN- D.Williams, Korver
Cavs OUT-M.Williams, Mozgov, Dellavedova

Raptors IN- Ibaka, Tucker, Poeltl, VanVleet
Raptors OUT- Biyombo, J.Johnson, Ross, Scola, J.Thompson



Just hope this series isn't a blowout(despite me picking Cavs in 4 lol)

Bigger change: Tristan Thompson has reportedly broken up with that damn Kardashian girl. Cavs sweep confirmed.

[cima]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

This game was over as soon as that disrespectful alley oop went down


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[jeebs9]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Attacking every mismatch Cavs. Raptors had a hard time with those traps. They kind of figured it out there.

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[jeebs9]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

JR Smith smh lol

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[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Just get your Rockets-lite on and out score them. That's probably their best defense as this point.


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[jeebs9]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

Someone stop the bleeding

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[SPTO]

Re: 2017 Eastern Conference Playoffs - 2nd Round Discussion Thread

For cryin' out loud! The Raptors made me look like a monkey's uncle.

For a team that's supposed to be a veteran lineup with guys who've been through the wars they STILL get rattled and play uptight in the opponent's building and missing great looks.

I will grasp at one positive though, I think there's something to using the smaller more athletic lineup as the Raps got some success with that in the 1st half. Here's hoping the Raps can get a split but the damn shame of it all is that this is still a team that gets shook way too easily. I don't want to say it but I have to, this team is mentally and physically soft in big time situations way more often than an elite team has any right to be.

They need a tough minded coach but one who speaks the language of today's game. I'd go on my knees and sing praises if Raptors management is smart enough to replace Casey with Stackhouse before he's plucked away from the organization.