Around the League: Week 13 3/15-3/21

[Split T]

Hawks are definitely playing better, but you gotta look at who they beat as well. Thunder, Rockets, Cavs, Kings, and Magic are 5 of those wins. Then a 1 point win over Toronto missing half their team and a win over Miami without Butler.

[bajanguy008]

Hawks are definitely playing better, but you gotta look at who they beat as well. Thunder, Rockets, Cavs, Kings, and Magic are 5 of those wins. Then a 1 point win over Toronto missing half their team and a win over Miami without Butler.

Yea I took a quick glance and realized it wasn't many top teams and your exclusions does put a bigger asterisk on it.

[bajanguy008]

Interesting.....

[Split T]

Hawks are definitely playing better, but you gotta look at who they beat as well. Thunder, Rockets, Cavs, Kings, and Magic are 5 of those wins. Then a 1 point win over Toronto missing half their team and a win over Miami without Butler.

Yea I took a quick glance and realized it wasn't many top teams and your exclusions does put a bigger asterisk on it.

Their next 10 are tough... be interesting to see how they do. They’ve got Hunter coming back soon though and Bogdon might be getting back in rhythm.

[INFORMER]

Maybe because we have a tendency to give up too soon on big men development?

Like who? Bender? Chriss? Robin Lopez?

I don't think the Suns gave up on Holmes. Holmes played well here, and often outplayed the #1 pick that started in front of him. I think because the Suns had a "generational" talent at the 5, they didn't prioritize spending money to retain Holmes.

Holmes man defense wasn't good here. Guys scored on him regularly.

[bajanguy008]

[Split T]

Worries me for tomorrow. LeBron probably won’t play and we like to play down to our competition

[INFORMER]

Worries me for tomorrow. LeBron probably won’t play and we like to play down to our competition

I'm not worried about playing down to the Lakers. We could use the reps going against LeBron and Co.

[Split T]

Worries me for tomorrow. LeBron probably won’t play and we like to play down to our competition

I'm not worried about playing down to the Lakers. We could use the reps going against LeBron and Co.

Ya that too, I’d like to see us play the Lakers at full strength. Those are good tests for us.

But now that they’re gonna be extra short handed, all I mostly care about is getting the W and improving our seeding. Should be an easy win.

[Superbone]

I'll take them any way they come.

[INFORMER]

all I mostly care about is getting the W and improving our seeding

Honestly, I don't think seeding is going to matter much for this team, or in general in the playoffs.

[Split T]

all I mostly care about is getting the W and improving our seeding

Honestly, I don't think seeding is going to matter much for this team, or in general in the playoffs.

Maybe not, but I feel like there are 5, maybe 6 teams that are 2nd round teams in the west. Only 4 can make it and I’d like to avoid having to play one of those other teams in round 1.

If we get a top 2 seed, we’ll get someone from the Dallas/GS/Memphis/SA group. I’d feel pretty good there. I’m not too worried about Portland, but a 1st round series against Denver or one of the LA teams would be tough.

[INFORMER]

I’m not too worried about Portland

Don't underestimate Lillard

[Indy]

I will always worry about Portland as long as Dame is there. EJ was talking in the last two games about how some teams just have those guys that if the game is within 5-10 points in the last 3-4 minutes, you can always lose even if you play well. Because some guys just have that offensive ability to not be shut down for a stretch to end a game. Dame is like that, but more like within 15 points in the last 2 minutes. The guy is a killer.

[Split T]

I just don’t think Portland has the defense to beat us. Sure, Dame could go bonkers, and probably will, but they won’t stop us either.

But that’s why I said 5 or 6, they’re the 6th team and I’d like to avoid them too. Just think we’d be favored over them. Not sure we’d be favored in any of the other series against top 6 teams.

[carey]

Chris Vernon & the facemelter KOC were talking about the Suns a few days ago and said that no one in the playoffs will beat us in 4 or 5.

[Superbone]

Chris Vernon & the facemelter KOC were talking about the Suns a few days ago and said that no one in the playoffs will beat us in 4 or 5.

Not good enough.

[Split T]

High ankle sprain for Lebron...he is gonna miss a few weeks...this is gonna get interesting for LA. How far do they fall? Do they bring AD back a bit earlier than expected to help out? Could we see an LA/LA 4/5 matchup in the 1st round?

[wpmiller42]

Interesting.....

The Jazz take so many 3-pointers that this is misleading. They don't drive aggressively, they don't penetrate aggressively and kick it out either. They just jack up a ton of 3s. That's why they don't get to the line. I live in SLC and keep hearing all these Jazz fans complain about how they don't get respect from the refs and point to free throw attempt disparities... well, quit jacking up so many 3s!

[Split T]

It was the Jazz that had the 41 free throws in this one.