Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

[DubsHuskyTV]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

Let's win the draft lottery!

lol the league wants no part of Wemby in Toronto at all, marketing death

[MrDubya]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I think I ask this every year...but how were feeling about the play in now 4 years in?

Seemed gimmicky at first. But I have been enjoying it every year and look forward to the games

I didn’t like it at first, but some of the games were entertaining and enjoyable. The concept kinda grew on me, but it seems pointless that someone kills themselves just for the opportunity to lose to the #1 seed most likely.

[jeebs9]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

Truth!!!!

Meme that girl!

Highlight reel

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1646334501218586625?t=dAjC09eFeF6BO9HWL03fmw&s=19

[MrDubya]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

Highlight reel
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/s...9HWL03fmw&s=19

Funniest thing was someone saying she did more than Ben Simmons this season. 🤣

[jeebs9]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

Funniest thing was someone saying she did more than Ben Simmons this season. [emoji1787]

HaHAHAHA that's ****ed up

[phenom1990]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I didn’t like it at first, but some of the games were entertaining and enjoyable. The concept kinda grew on me, but it seems pointless that someone kills themselves just for the opportunity to lose to the #1 seed most likely.

New Orleans gave Phoenix a good series last year. It seemed like the momentum of that helped change the outlook on that organization.

Unfortunately, Zion got hurt again this season when they were tied or within a game of Memphis for the 2 seed in January and they spiraled from there.

It’s hard to quantify how much it helped Memphis 2 years ago when they were the 9 seed. They seemed to be getting better each season so maybe they’re in the same spot.

[jeebs9]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

New Orleans gave Phoenix a good series last year. It seemed like the momentum of that helped change the outlook on that organization.

Unfortunately, Zion got hurt again this season when they were tied or within a game of Memphis for the 2 seed in January and they spiraled from there.

It’s hard to quantify how much it helped Memphis 2 years ago when they were the 9 seed. They seemed to be getting better each season so maybe they’re in the same spot.

That's kind of why I like the play in. It's obvious the teams that make it aren't going to win the finals. What they are playing for is playoff experience and next year. I think about the Suns from the bubble. They went 8-0 there. It was a sign of things to come.


Sidenote: Alex defense was amazing last night.

https://youtu.be/BJryGEYI3XA

[King_B_Mack]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

Last 2M report says that Alex Caruso should have been assessed a non-shooting foul on the play against Siakam that resulted in 3 free throws for the Raptors.

Uhh no **** there guys.

Caruso (CHI) jumps toward Siakam (TOR) as he gathers the ball and initiates contact to his body prior to the start of his upward shooting motion. A non-shooting foul should have been assessed.

[TMagic]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I still hate it. It adds more wear and tear to the players, while "rewarding" the 9th/10th seed a (undeserved) chance to make the playoffs.

Don't get me wrong, there have been some exciting moments, games and upsets but I'd rather just get to the actual playoffs.

Official HQ of Bills Backer/Spurs Nation

Oh they still suck and I still wish they get rid of it but that’s not happening.

I only think it's needed if teams are tied (like 8 and 9 seed tied).

I get the principal of it for sure

For me, just speaking as a fan, I enjoy having more basketball and the environment/energy of these games with them being essentially do-or-die bring a lot of excitement to kick start to the playoffs. Gives that feeling of a Cinderella in the NBA

And in the past, the 7/8 teams get mollywhopped in the first round 99% of the time anyway (shout out to the Mavs). So I'm not AS concerned with one of these teams that "earned" their spot not getting in anyway.

Our feelings about this is based on precedent for the most part. 8 teams is kind of arbitrary (I don't know their reasoning for this personally). That's historically what it's been. But it could have just as easily been 6 in each conference. MLB has 6 each conference. The NFL JUST increased it from 6 to 7.

So only guaranteeing playoff spots for the top 6 in each conference doesn't feel all that bad to me personally.

Plus I think it could actually lead to better ball. If a team started out well and finished the season on a weak note, they might be taking a spot from a team that is playing better ball when the playoffs roll around; a team that could have had some poor injury luck to start the year, or made some trades, or coaching improvements that led to strong play to close out the year.

So I don't mind letting the boys battle it out to earn those last two spots. Gives those teams a little momentum and "experience" in a playoff atmosphere heading into the first round. And it gives me more basketball to watch lol

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

[dubcity]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

If getting rid of the play-in isn't an option, I would at least make all the games do or die. Have the 7 play the 10 and the 8 play the 9. Because who even cares lol.

[MrDubya]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

New Orleans gave Phoenix a good series last year. It seemed like the momentum of that helped change the outlook on that organization.

Unfortunately, Zion got hurt again this season when they were tied or within a game of Memphis for the 2 seed in January and they spiraled from there.

It’s hard to quantify how much it helped Memphis 2 years ago when they were the 9 seed. They seemed to be getting better each season so maybe they’re in the same spot.

That’s a valid point. I see where you’re coming from there.

Last 2M report says that Alex Caruso should have been assessed a non-shooting foul on the play against Siakam that resulted in 3 free throws for the Raptors.

Uhh no **** there guys.

Yeah, I was watching that live, screaming out loud, “How’s that a foul on AC?”

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I get the principal of it for sure

For me, just speaking as a fan, I enjoy having more basketball and the environment/energy of these games with them being essentially do-or-die bring a lot of excitement to kick start to the playoffs. Gives that feeling of a Cinderella in the NBA

And in the past, the 7/8 teams get mollywhopped in the first round 99% of the time anyway (shout out to the Mavs). So I'm not AS concerned with one of these teams that "earned" their spot not getting in anyway.

Our feelings about this is based on precedent for the most part. 8 teams is kind of arbitrary (I don't know their reasoning for this personally). That's historically what it's been. But it could have just as easily been 6 in each conference. MLB has 6 each conference. The NFL JUST increased it from 6 to 7.

So only guaranteeing playoff spots for the top 6 in each conference doesn't feel all that bad to me personally.

Plus I think it could actually lead to better ball. If a team started out well and finished the season on a weak note, they might be taking a spot from a team that is playing better ball when the playoffs roll around; a team that could have had some poor injury luck to start the year, or made some trades, or coaching improvements that led to strong play to close out the year.

So I don't mind letting the boys battle it out to earn those last two spots. Gives those teams a little momentum and "experience" in a playoff atmosphere heading into the first round. And it gives me more basketball to watch lol

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

I respect this.

For me, I’d rather not see this league get into the business of rewarding losing. Like no 10th place team should be competing for anything lol. If they were just do this for the 8th spot, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. They could even make it a best of 3 scenario but 9th/10th place? Nah, go enjoy your offseason early and try again/do better next year.

I take it you’re going to be a fan of this Midseason Tournament thing when that starts up next season?

[phenom1990]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

The current format at most changes 1 playoff team per conference and at most switches around 7 or 8 seed.

This is the 1st time the 7 seed actually changed. I’m not going to get irritated over 1 team getting replaced per conference.

I enjoyed Golden State and the other teams having to play until the last day to avoid the play in. I can remember the Eastern conference of the late 00s where once a team clinched a playoff spot they didn’t care if they were 6,7 or 8 seed.

[The 24th Letter]

Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I think sometimes we just fight back against the idea of ANYTHING new, but when you think about it:

The mid season tournament is only going add one game at the most if I understand it correctly?

Unless you’re overly fond of games 30-40 of regular season, I don’t really see it mattering. They’re basically rebranding that section of games to make it sound more interesting. If it adds some umph to that section of games then it’s a win for basketball fans. I can’t really find a downside.

The play in reluctance I get if your a fan of the 7th/8th seed, and are now in danger of losing your spot.

If you’re just a fan of basketball though, it’s 6 now games of meaningful play. I’d say 80% of the play in games have been competitive and entertaining so far IMO. So it’s been working out.

Even with the loss of spot situation, I look at it as the cream rising to the top, giving us the best 1 vs 8 matchup possible.

Dunno man, just all for more ball, doesn’t bother me.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Eastern Conference 1st Round Games Discussion Thread

I think sometimes we just fight back against the idea of ANYTHING new, but when you think about it:

The mid season tournament is only going add one game at the most if I understand it correctly?

Unless you’re overly fond of games 30-40 of regular season, I don’t really see it mattering. They’re basically rebranding that section of games to make it sound more interesting. If it adds some umph to that section of games then it’s a win for basketball fans. I can’t really find a downside.

I don’t think it’s a downside but I do think we’re overstating/overrating that interest in games during this time of the year is going to jump significantly.

Knowing what’s at stake for players is just extra half a mil and a meaningless banner that fans will not care about at all and neither will players…I just don’t see how THIS is going to get eyeballs/make guys(main guys at least, end of the bench players will love it)go harder when they know there’s a bigger prize to go for.

Let’s be real, the only reason why this is a thing is because Silver saw how folks get excited/amped up for European Soccer and he wants to replicate that same excitement when we all know that won’t be happening at any point. NBA Teams will always value winning an NBA Championship over a midseason tournament whereas in Europe, some clubs/fans there will value being the best team in Europe over winning their own league.

He’s chasing something that he’s never going to get especially when you consider he’s also trying to peel eyes off from the NFL, now that they’ve taken over December. And I’m aware, the NBA is a business and they can’t just not do anything just because of the NFL, I just think he overplayed this hand with this one. Folks will watch don’t get me wrong, because it’s new but after a few years, I don’t see that interest maintaining very long.