[NBA] East Finals

Who ya got?


  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .

kingsboi

Hall of Famer
I'm actually kind of surprised that any Kings fans are rooting for the Heat, if only because I'd expect a lot of y'all to be lowkey jealous of them. Fans of small market teams spend an inordinate amount of time bemoaning their inability to acquire high-level free agents and have lengthy discussions on platforms like this about how they "need" to tank in order to get good through the draft, or how they "need" to go all-in on big name free agents via trade, and all of the inherent disadvantages they have by being in a small market. And meanwhile here are the Miami Heat, of all teams, making a dollar out of fifteen cents: one guy with Top 10 talent, but a reputation for wearing out his welcome everywhere he goes, one guy with Top 30 talent, and a bunch of guys who could have been had for a turkey sandwich. And they're a game away from The Finals; I honestly can't believe that that isn't burning Kings fans up inside. Like, how come the dudes we pick up off the street never turn into good player?

Without looking it up, can anyone tell me, with Oladipo and Love injured, who the highest-drafted player on the Heat's active roster is? Because if you don't know, you're going to make the Wee-Bey face when I tell you.
the Heat are a unique situation you simply don't see in basketball. The closest comparison I can think of is a team in the NFL getting hot prior to the postseason and carrying all that momentum to the Superbowl and winning it, kind of like the Joe Flacco Ravens. I know you don't watch the sport but that's what this reminds of. At the same time, they were in the Finals in 2020, albeit it was a bubble Finals appearance but they had Jimmy, Bam, Herro, Duncan, Gabe on that roster. Their core group of players have been together for multiple seasons, it's the continuity and experience that can't go unsaid here. Not your typical 8th seed, East was competitive this season.
 

hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
I'm actually kind of surprised that any Kings fans are rooting for the Heat, if only because I'd expect a lot of y'all to be lowkey jealous of them. Fans of small market teams spend an inordinate amount of time bemoaning their inability to acquire high-level free agents and have lengthy discussions on platforms like this about how they "need" to tank in order to get good through the draft, or how they "need" to go all-in on big name free agents via trade, and all of the inherent disadvantages they have by being in a small market. And meanwhile here are the Miami Heat, of all teams, making a dollar out of fifteen cents: one guy with Top 10 talent, but a reputation for wearing out his welcome everywhere he goes, one guy with Top 30 talent, and a bunch of guys who could have been had for a turkey sandwich. And they're a game away from The Finals; I honestly can't believe that that isn't burning Kings fans up inside. Like, how come the dudes we pick up off the street never turn into good player?

Without looking it up, can anyone tell me, with Oladipo and Love injured, who the highest-drafted player on the Heat's active roster is? Because if you don't know, you're going to make the Wee-Bey face when I tell you.
I'm pretty sure we all know why the Kings have been terrible for so long -- there's no real mystery there. I have a lot of respect for the way this Miami front office has runs their franchise after the big three era ended. They have a system and they know how to find players who fit into it. It's the same model that has made the Spurs so successful. And it speaks to the importance of stability at the head coaching position.
 
the Heat are a unique situation you simply don't see in basketball. The closest comparison I can think of is a team in the NFL getting hot prior to the postseason and carrying all that momentum to the Superbowl and winning it, kind of like the Joe Flacco Ravens. I know you don't watch the sport but that's what this reminds of. At the same time, they were in the Finals in 2020, albeit it was a bubble Finals appearance but they had Jimmy, Bam, Herro, Duncan, Gabe on that roster. Their core group of players have been together for multiple seasons, it's the continuity and experience that can't go unsaid here. Not your typical 8th seed, East was competitive this season.
That's what I was going to say, this is a team that did make the finals once not so long ago. Then the ECF last year. They are kind of at a peak and we'll see how long they go from here with Lowry nearing his 40's. That said, if this team went out in the first round or even 2nd I'm sure Riley was ready to start doing some moving and shaking. In fact, he might anyway if rumors about the willingness to let go of Herro persist.
 
The Celtics for whatever reason seem to struggle with smaller, more capable shooting teams. The Dubs last year, the Heat this year. On paper they have the tools to combat it, but for whatever reason they still struggle.

Yeah, and if Denver wins that's a pretty good thing for a similar team like Sac. Now, obviously, Domas isn't within sniffing distance of Jokic as a scorer, but there's a roster building path for a team like the Kings.
This year's playoffs is proving you don't need rim protection (even GSW proved it), Jokic/Bam (surprisingly but he's a elite defender otherwise)/Looney/Green don't block shots or even protect the rim much (which is great news trying to build around Sabonis/Fox/Murray none of who are shotblockers).
 
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This year's playoffs is proving you don't need rim protection (even GSW proved it), Jokic/Bam (surprisingly but he's a elite defender otherwise)/Looney/Green don't block shots or even protect the rim much (which is great news trying to build around Sabonis/Fox/Murray none of who are shotblockers).
For sure, switchability is it if you're going to ride on defense.