[lex24]

Ya, I think it’s generally correct that though Duke has seemed to have the players with more acclaim, Kentucky’s top players, even if they maybe weren’t as renowned in college, have overall been better in the NBA than Duke’s seemingly more hyped guys.

Think it has to do with the media love fest with K that it didn’t have with Calipari. 

Atlanta had a real shot to force a Game 7, The Celtics just got hot over the last few minutes while the Hawks went ice cold. The C’s look like the best team to me, but they also allowed the Hawks to stay in the series way longer than it seems they should have. 

I’m going with Warriors and Grizzlies to win Game 6 Friday night. I’m wondering if Kings bench Huerter in favor of Monk who has a better net rating than Huerter. The Kings are looking like they have fewer players they can rely on than the W’s. Fox, Barnes, Murray, Sabonis, and then who? Monk or Mitchell, that’s an O/D choice.

By contrast, Warriors have more guys who can play: Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Poole, Green, Looney, GP2, DDV can all play 10+ mins. Most of those guys are 2-way players, and even Poole has been better on D lately. I wonder if Kuminga will be given another shot tonight, or if he has played himself out of the playoffs.

Most fascinating thing about these games to me is how the 3pt shooting percentages have been eerily similar for both teams on a per game basis. The last two games were almost identical, Game 4 41% and Game 5 about 29%. The W’s are the better 3pt shooting team for the series but only by 3%. The W’s were #2 in NBA regular season, so they have a good chance to shoot better from 3 and win Game 6, IMO.

  Playoff series to me are all one offs.  Adjustments etc.  Murray did nothing first few games. Brown stuck with him.  He  has been very good last couple. Heuter has struggled.  But if he hits a 3 early that could change. So,  I doubt that Brown starts Monk.  First, starting is somewhat overrated. Whose in at stretch time is the bigger factor.  Second, he needs Heuter. He will get minutes.  If he continues his struggles, he probably won’t see much time in second half. Third, Monk is a terrific sixth man instant offense type. 

Biggest issue to me is Fox’s finger.  It definitely bothered him as game wore on.  

Been a good series.  Difference to me is Warriors are the much better defensive team. 

Tough to beat a good team 4 straight. I would not be surprised to see Kings win tonight. I expect they will come out flying.  

Weather the storm. Keep it close. Warriors experience advantage shows up in last few minutes. Course, I thought that would be the case in game 4……

One potential factor: Warriors are much older team. Games 3-5 had two days rest in between each game. Which I thought was a big help to the Warriors. Now they only get one day off. That could make a little bit of a difference. Particularly given minutes Curry has played.

[lex24]

Ya, I think it’s generally correct that though Duke has seemed to have the players with more acclaim, Kentucky’s top players, even if they maybe weren’t as renowned in college, have overall been better in the NBA than Duke’s seemingly more hyped guys.

Think it has to do with the media love fest with K that it didn’t have with Calipari. 

Atlanta had a real shot to force a Game 7, The Celtics just got hot over the last few minutes while the Hawks went ice cold. The C’s look like the best team to me, but they also allowed the Hawks to stay in the series way longer than it seems they should have. 

I’m going with Warriors and Grizzlies to win Game 6 Friday night. I’m wondering if Kings bench Huerter in favor of Monk who has a better net rating than Huerter. The Kings are looking like they have fewer players they can rely on than the W’s. Fox, Barnes, Murray, Sabonis, and then who? Monk or Mitchell, that’s an O/D choice.

By contrast, Warriors have more guys who can play: Curry, Thompson, Wiggins, Poole, Green, Looney, GP2, DDV can all play 10+ mins. Most of those guys are 2-way players, and even Poole has been better on D lately. I wonder if Kuminga will be given another shot tonight, or if he has played himself out of the playoffs.

Most fascinating thing about these games to me is how the 3pt shooting percentages have been eerily similar for both teams on a per game basis. The last two games were almost identical, Game 4 41% and Game 5 about 29%. The W’s are the better 3pt shooting team for the series but only by 3%. The W’s were #2 in NBA regular season, so they have a good chance to shoot better from 3 and win Game 6, IMO.

  Playoff series to me are all one offs.  Adjustments etc.  Murray did nothing first few games. Brown stuck with him.  He  has been very good last couple. Heuter has struggled.  But if he hits a 3 early that could change. So,  I doubt that Brown starts Monk.  First, starting is somewhat overrated. Whose in at stretch time is the bigger factor.  Second, he needs Heuter. He will get minutes.  If he continues his struggles, he probably won’t see much time in second half. Third, Monk is a terrific sixth man instant offense type. 

Biggest issue to me is Fox’s finger.  It definitely bothered him as game wore on.  

Been a good series.  Difference to me is Warriors are the much better defensive team. 

Tough to beat a good team 4 straight. I would not be surprised to see Kings win tonight. I expect they will come out flying.  

Weather the storm. Keep it close. Warriors experience advantage shows up in last few minutes. Course, I thought that would be the case in game 4……

One potential factor: Warriors are much older team. Games 3-5 had two days rest in between each game. Which I thought was a big help to the Warriors. Now they only get one day off. That could make a little bit of a difference. Particularly given minutes Curry has played.