Shoot... if HB (or Huerter, or Domas...) didn't play like poo the entire series we'd probably have gone to the WCFs and it wouldn't have come down to a buzzer beater attempt!
Not trying to blame HB either, just trying to +1 your point that this team is a lot closer than all the "1st round exit" focused folk think! I don't think the Lakers would have gotten past a rested Warriors team... they had repeat contention buzz until they used up what gas they had getting past the Beam Team. And I don't think the Lakers would have beaten us in the 2nd round either (I'm basing that on **** the Lakers btw).
I'm glad Monte didn't make a huge move. He's set the team up nicely. It's tinker time!
Agreed on all.
FWIW, all I’m reading today is gushing over LAL and PHX and how they along with Denver are clearly top 3 in the West.
Maybe, maybe not.
All I know is most these same people were gushing over LAL and PHX (and other teams) after the trade deadline too, and downplaying the KINGS ability to stay in the top 4. Neither PHX nor LAL won a damned thing and the KINGS exceeded expectations. And many of the other teams that made splashy deadline moves didn’t pan out so well.
WRT PHX, they are a top 3 heavy team. They’ll go as far as KD and his health can carry them. If he or Booker falter or go down for any length of time, they’re in trouble.
Same goes for LAL. They may have some good depth, but they’ve ebbed and flowed on the health of LBJ and AD for years. During the 5 years LBJ has been there, they’ve missed the postseason twice and were 1st round and out another time. So it’s really only been 2 out of 5 years they’ve been a threat. And LBJ and AD have only gotten older and more fragile.
The Warriors still have Steph, Klay, and Dray but are also older and more fragile. And don’t seem to have the same level of defense and depth as in years past.
IMO, the KINGS are on potential path to be a top team with Denver. They are young and don’t have the same age and fragility issues as PHX, LAL, and GSW. They clearly can score with or outscore all of those teams. Just keep improving the depth and team defense and they could ascend beyond those teams.
Tackling Denver and Jokić is gonna be a tough hill for anyone to climb and conquer. But they just lost a key piece from their championship team, so who knows?