Who are you rooting for in the Play In Games?
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Weird that someone would rather potentially play PHI rather than MIA as I think PHI is heads and shoulders better than MIA but I guess trauma is not so easily addressed in life.
Rooting for CHI over ATL as CHI might be able to beat MIA (and CHI would have no shot versus BOS); NOP over LAL because that's what I'd rather see; and GSW over SAC as hoping for whoever to come out of the West to have to play as grueling a schedule as possible (other than LAL).
Rooting for CHI over ATL as CHI might be able to beat MIA (and CHI would have no shot versus BOS); NOP over LAL because that's what I'd rather see; and GSW over SAC as hoping for whoever to come out of the West to have to play as grueling a schedule as possible (other than LAL).
I assume at least part of the calculus for anyone that chose Miami over Philly is the possibility of the Sixers losing in a true win or go home situation and being done for the year. It's the same reason why even though the Lakers would 100% rather face OKC instead of Denver, but there's just no way they can risk not throwing everything they have at winning the first play in game.
I guess - though it seems to me that the odds of PHI losing the final play-in game to CHI or ATL - even if for some reason Embiid didn't play - would be rather tiny. But people can root for anything!
Thibs is only coaching one team.
This poll, and considering my own answers to it, is making me realize that I just don't have strong feelings about the results of the Eastern Conference play-in games. I'm basically equally torn between "avoid Heat for vibes / history / injury-causing reasons" and "avoid having to deal with Embiid for a series, even if he's in rough shape", and I think we roll either one, so whatever - I'll root for chaos and enjoy the ride. Maybe Atlanta can rediscover whatever it was that lit a fire under Murray's ass and had him torch us a month ago.
In the Western Conference, I have only a mild preference for Kings over Warriors (just to get the Dubs bounced, really, but I think both of them get owned shortly thereafter). It's only Lakers-Pelicans where I'll have a strong rooting interest, firstly because FTL but also because I think New Orleans matches up against Denver about as well as any WC team can (Denver just doesn't have anyone you can reasonably squint and call a Zion Stopper - KCP isn't strong enough, Gordon isn't quick enough, so I think they could steal a game or two).
This'll be a fun week. I wonder if the Cs will get together on a (large) couch somewhere, eating popcorn and enjoying themselves. I would pay decent money to watch them watch these games.
In the Western Conference, I have only a mild preference for Kings over Warriors (just to get the Dubs bounced, really, but I think both of them get owned shortly thereafter). It's only Lakers-Pelicans where I'll have a strong rooting interest, firstly because FTL but also because I think New Orleans matches up against Denver about as well as any WC team can (Denver just doesn't have anyone you can reasonably squint and call a Zion Stopper - KCP isn't strong enough, Gordon isn't quick enough, so I think they could steal a game or two).
This'll be a fun week. I wonder if the Cs will get together on a (large) couch somewhere, eating popcorn and enjoying themselves. I would pay decent money to watch them watch these games.
If Philly loses to Miami and he's too hurt to play against the winner of Chicago/Atlanta, that game would be a total tossup (even in Philly). The Sixers have been riding a high since Embiid returned, but if he were unable to play at all in the most important (and potential final) game of the year, Philly will return to their previous non-Embiid state (they were 11-19 between when he hurt his knee against GS and when he returned).
I'm rooting for Philly mostly because Knicks/Sixers would be a really good series, and I'd like the Heat out of the playoffs altogether. I'm not worried about facing Miami, I just want them to suffer the embarrassment of not even getting to participate in the real season. It's unlikely they lose both games, but Atlanta did beat them in the play in last year and they were famously close to losing to Chicago in the 2nd play in (Chicago was up by 3 with 3 minutes left).
I'm rooting for Philly mostly because Knicks/Sixers would be a really good series, and I'd like the Heat out of the playoffs altogether. I'm not worried about facing Miami, I just want them to suffer the embarrassment of not even getting to participate in the real season. It's unlikely they lose both games, but Atlanta did beat them in the play in last year and they were famously close to losing to Chicago in the 2nd play in (Chicago was up by 3 with 3 minutes left).
Always against the Lakers, don’t feel strongly on the other games except Sixers over Heat. Don’t want to risk the chance of a full strength and motivated Sixers team in the 1-8 matchup. The Heat are no bargain but I’d rather face them anyways.
Years ago I tried to appease LondonSox by saying something to the effect of, oh this latest iteration of the C's/Sixers rivalry is going to last awhile and be hard fought and each team is going to beat the other in the playoffs at some point. In the spirit of that lie, I'd sort of like the Boston Tatums to end the Philadelphia Embiids season once again. I also can't stand even watching Miami. That being said I will just take it as it comes and hope the Celtics play their game for 48 minutes every night.
I don't know who to root for on Miami vs Philly.
I'd much rather play Miami. I also agree with a couple of you that Philly has a chance of losing two in a row especially wtih Embiid hurt (of course---we have no idea what his status really is or will be).
But rooting for Miami against anyone but the Lakers is TOUGH to get my head around
I'd much rather play Miami. I also agree with a couple of you that Philly has a chance of losing two in a row especially wtih Embiid hurt (of course---we have no idea what his status really is or will be).
But rooting for Miami against anyone but the Lakers is TOUGH to get my head around
I miss that guy, and hope his changes worked out for him. Gone from SoSH for 5 years, but not forgotten - perhaps that would bring him a smile if he knew.
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Thanks for posting. It's a worthwhile watch, but doesn't really get into predicting if anything has been solved. The video does a good job breaking down both why he's struggled (because he's always hurt and teams will game plan and send different looks) and how he's improved from season to season, but given that he's absolutely injured right now and teams will absolutely continue to game plan and send different coverages, I don't know how much more I really know right now.
Always against the Lakers is an easy enough call. I voted Warriors as I just want to enjoy Curry for as long as we can and I don't think they're making it out of the west anyway.
The east is a bit more about rooting for the easiest matchup for the Celtics. Not that I have concerns about any of the opponents, but would prefer as many quick series as possible to maximize rest.
The east is a bit more about rooting for the easiest matchup for the Celtics. Not that I have concerns about any of the opponents, but would prefer as many quick series as possible to maximize rest.
People want to risk that Embiid is healthy enough to give the C's a really tough first round? No thanks, go Sixers on Wednesday and let the Knicks handle that.
I think Cody was saying that a healthy Embiid + Maxey + Nurse makes them better than past seasons.
BUT when is Embiid ever healthy?
At this point, I'd rather have the Celtics face Miami in R1 instead of Philly
I want Lakers to lose only because I want to see a Steph/Lebron battle
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Miami is really no match for the Celtics this year, Spo or not - the only reason I wouldn't love playing them is they're dirty af, starting with Bam and ending with their propensity to get up under shooters.
If not for that, I would really enjoy sending those scrubs home early.
If not for that, I would really enjoy sending those scrubs home early.
I rather deal with Philly in the first round with some miles on Embiid from playoff week. Miami is a team that can get you injured.
A couple of people have mentioned Miami being the team that can get you injured (and they are), but everyone needs to remember that Kyle Lowry has been starting (and averaging 29 minutes) for Philly since March 1. Lowry has a real shot at being the dirtiest player in the league, outside of Draymond.
No Lowry, no Tucker, no Morris. Bam has a bit of a reputation, but every time I see a highlight reel of his dirty plays, it's just a guy who is always right into the opponent (either someone steps on his feet or he's stepping on theirs) or setting a really hard screen (of questionable legality, but not really with any intent to injure). They're dirty in that they grab, push and hold beyond what should be allowed, but I'm not really worried about injury playing the Heat. Hell last time we played, it was Heat players (Rozier and Richardson) that got hurt.
And Jaylen sent Robinson a pretty strong message too, one that everyone here would have thought was the dirtiest thing ever had it been done by a Miami player.
I get that everyone needs a villain, and I'd love to stomp the Heat, but the dirty stuff really isn't applicable to their current iteration. If we're going to talk about screens and getting handsy with fouls, that's just a totally different thing.
I don't want to sidetrack the thread re-litigating this, so let me clarify my point, and then be done:
- Jaylen did not injure Robinson in the slightest
- Everyone here would have said it was insanely dirty had Robinson done it to Jaylen
Yes.. you’ve stated that opinion several times as I recall.
edit part of the reason one may think it’s ‘insanely dirty’ is because Robinson acted as though his arm had been torn off… but was miraculously injury free seconds later.
also.. you’re bringing it up as though it’s a both sides thing I suppose? Robinson was not innocently just standing there.. he was trying to get JB to react so that JB would get tossed since DR has zero chance of being able to guard him even with the extremely wide berth he’s given regarding being allowed to hand check the crap out of whomever he’s ‘defending’.
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Yes, I'm bringing it up as "both sides" thing, in the specific sense that neither time has done much dirty to the other in awhile (particularly if you take out Lowry), while fans on both sides act like the other is the devil incarnate.
It's all stuff like handchecking, illegal screens, etc. I too would like the refs to also officiate the Heat properly, and have stated this opinion many times!
However, the whole "I'm scared to play the Heat because they'll injure us!" thing seems pretty overblown given current rosters.
FWIW, you're correct that it was kinda handwaved away because laundry. That said, absent actual injury most of us tend to only get super livid when someone is a repeat offender and has a pattern of this behavior. Sure, if the tables are turned, we might have blamed Pat Riley or Spoel for turning yet another player into a WWE heel. But in passing, yes. I wouldn't harbor much animosity to a guy like Robinson without a history of doing this stuff. Same benefit of the doubt is due Brown.
I think that most of us have done something somewhat dirty on a basketball court in the heat of the moment that we wish we could take back. When it's your M.O., that's different.
edit: also agreed that matching up with a more physical team like Miami or New York shouldn't make people panic. Just another team.
Yes, I would imagine that Heat fans regard Jaylen as a dirty player after that incident. I don't think less of him at all, though if he'd actually injured Robinson I might. But regardless, there's no need for us to keep trying to hammer our own opinions about it into the shape of facts, and squeeze them into a discussion. We might as well argue about our favorite colors.
But not, like, 80-90%, which is how you're talking about it. There's definitely a recklessness with how the Heat play, particularly if it's close and late, that just isn't present on other teams. Something about how they're coached to make opponents think they might injure them, and thus give pause, make someone hesitate before driving the lane or diving for a loose ball, etc. It's hard to really prove it through evidence, though no doubt the gamethreads for Heat games offer plenty of breadcrumbs in that regard.
And it's categorically different than the Knicks, who I respect because they play good hard team defense, as illustrated by that Exasperated Guy video the other day, but who have not really shown themselves to play recklessly. And they don't try to game the system (more than an average team does), there's no "Jimmy Kick-Out" on their roster grifting soft calls, no Bam following through way harder on shot contests than he needs to (and if he hits a few people in the head and it's not called, hey, nbd, right?). The two have almost nothing in common, other than a top rating in defense and nightclubs. I'm glad to avoid the NYK until the ECF because I think they match up decently with us, but I don't think there's nearly the same potential for extracurriculars.
I will admit that like 20-30% of it for me is them grabbing and holding well beyond the range of what refs need to call, and just betting the refs won't call them all. Which you could argue is a strategy, even if it's an unsportsmanlike one.
But not, like, 80-90%, which is how you're talking about it. There's definitely a recklessness with how the Heat play, particularly if it's close and late, that just isn't present on other teams. Something about how they're coached to make opponents think they might injure them, and thus give pause, make someone hesitate before driving the lane or diving for a loose ball, etc. It's hard to really prove it through evidence, though no doubt the gamethreads for Heat games offer plenty of breadcrumbs in that regard.
And it's categorically different than the Knicks, who I respect because they play good hard team defense, as illustrated by that Exasperated Guy video the other day, but who have not really shown themselves to play recklessly. And they don't try to game the system (more than an average team does), there's no "Jimmy Kick-Out" on their roster grifting soft calls, no Bam following through way harder on shot contests than he needs to (and if he hits a few people in the head and it's not called, hey, nbd, right?). The two have almost nothing in common, other than a top rating in defense and nightclubs. I'm glad to avoid the NYK until the ECF because I think they match up decently with us, but I don't think there's nearly the same potential for extracurriculars.
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That’s probably fair as a general point.. and we’re on the same side with officiating. I suppose I have ptsd from the Wade years. I do think some of the hand checking is still quite dangerous.. especially when players are up in the air.
I'm rooting for the Kings over the Warriors, but really that's only because I expect the Lakers to make quick work of the Pelicans. If today the Lakers lose and the Warriors win, they face off on Friday in what would instantly be the most compelling play in game in history (such as it is). Sign me up for that.
Warriors fans (related to me) are annoying but a Lakers loss is the only acceptable outcome.
Send that clown outfit to Cancun.
Did you get them to at least jump on the Cs bandwagon if/when the Warriors bow out, or are they ride or die with the Dubs?
They will root for Boston but only if the Dubs are out.
Please beat the Lakers. They are an abomination and should be contracted or at least demoted.
There are ride or die fans for the dubs? (I know there must be but can they get tix because of the tidal wave of band wagoners?)
Celts play 1pm Sunday right? That’s a nice scheduling advantage against the play in winner coming off a Friday night game and having to travel.
That's the way it is also showing in my NBA app.
Followed by Mavs@Clips 2.5h later.
Can't wait...!
