Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies is back with Gerald as they discuss BOS-TOR and LAC-DEN.
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Good podcast from Gerald and Rafael. I was visiting some friends for a socially distanced dinner so missed the Toronto-Boston game and only was able to listen to the Clippers-Nuggets game on Sirius XM on my way home. Man, the Nuggets blew a golden opportunity to steal this game from the Clippers. Very disappointing game from Murray. Couldn’t tell from listening to the Denver radio broadcast on Sirius whether it was Jamal just missing shots or the Clippers shutting him down. That allowed LA to double Joker, though, which turned the game around.
Good analysis from both Gerald and Rafael about Toronto’s and Siakam’s issues. Different series of Pascal played well but I also thought the 0.5 second miracle shot had changed the trajectory of that series. Now, I’m not sure. As Rafael pointed out, Gasol has been a big disappointment. Thankfully for the Raptors, Nick Nurse is not afraid to change his starting lineup unlike Vogel.
As Gerald commented, I’m now back on the Playoff Rondo train, partly because of his outstanding performance in Game 2 and partly because of looking closer at his numbers in the playoffs versus the regular season. I really think there is something to the theory that certain players can elevate their games in the playoffs and actually become better. Usually it’s a savvy veteran who’s kind of a coach on the floor who does this and that profile fits Rajon Rondo to the T. He may have a bad game here or there but I’m convinced the Legend of Playoff Rondo is a real thing.
I’ve been accused on Twitter of wanting to bench McGee because I was a Kuzma groupie, which is partially true. My issue has always been the Lakers should be playing a more modern offense with five players who can stretch the defense. I don’t like the overreliance on analytics that Morey and D’Antoni push but whether it’s the Warriors, Heat, Rockets, Celtics, or Raptors, it’s easy to see the advantages of s stretch five center. So give me Kuzma, Rondo, Morris, or even Caruso instead of McGee.
Cool chat fellers, have to agree with both of you guys that the underdog needs to be able to lock in and complete the KO when the chance arises. Denver reminds me of the Kobe-led squads prior to acquiring Gasol- decent talent, they have that star who gets you into the playoffs but then guys who are streaky need to be counted on and sometimes they show up…sometimes they’re Smush Parker. Jamal Murray is facing a quandary
Denver with Joker and Jamal aren’t going to be enough against the Clippers. LAC have enough defensive guys and bucket-getters that they can absorb average to likely even an above-average game from the Denver stars. Somebody else needs to be able to get easy baskets to relieve some pressure on those guys. Still don’t think that Denver has enough to move on but here’s hoping they push it to 7.
Toronto and Boston is going to be back and forth, the defense of both teams is solid but the issue with Boston is that they’re like a scoring hydra: too many weapons. Toronto needs to get their wings going and Boston is excellent at guarding wings. Interesting push and pull series. Also odd that Toronto hasn’t seen a lot out of Gasol and I know he’s capable of delivering more. Put him in the post, let him try and do some damage.
@gerald-glassford – totally agree on Marc Gasol point, lol.
Milwaukee is just a matter of time before they disgracefully exit the playoff Bubble. That will be a huge off-season topic of debate. Obviously they’ll put feelers out in regards to a Bledsoe trade but I don’t see anyone biting. Just hasn’t shown he’ll ever live up to that deal and it’s a down season for the cap. They’re stuck with him, Milwaukee is hoping the Basketball Gods grant another amnesty provision in the off-season. Going to be curious to see how they navigate the looming cap issues.
Here’s hoping the Lakers can take tonight’s game and start putting the pressure on Houston!!!
In regards to Toronto and the Gasol quandary: I say start him but put him on the block/pinch post area and get some motion going around him. He’s such a good passer they kind of waste him as a Brook Lopez-lite and he’s not as good of a shooter as Brook is. If he can get some bunny shots to fall, maybe even an easy dunk at the rim and get his confidence up then start moving him further out and open up the lane. However they need to do it they need to get Marc going.
@rafael – The athlete ego is 100% different, you see it all the time. Save them from themselves. GA should sit.
Thanks for the shout out Gerald!