2025 NBA Playoffs

[TheMarathonContinues]

They are good and playing better than they did all season. Seems like OKC is on a mission, though, and OKC is playing even better than they did. Wondering if OKC locks down Halliburton, if Indy will struggle offensively.
Separately, if OKC wins a ring this year, safe to say they won the Caruso trade? Lol. Dude has been elite in the playoffs, although not always in the typical statistics sheet.

I mean, both teams won the trade. Giddey was out of the rotation, and he can't play defense. Caruso is a role player who is a 3 and D guy like most of that team. Plus, he brings veteran leadership. It was a smart move on their part. Bulls didn't need him, so both teams came out well.

They also let Caruso get away with some physical play that no one else can unless they play for the Thunder lol.

 

[ghst187]

I mean, both teams won the trade. Giddey was out of the rotation, and he can't play defense. Caruso is a role player who is a 3 and D guy like most of that team. Plus, he brings veteran leadership. It was a smart move on their part. Bulls didn't need him, so both teams came out well.

They also let Caruso get away with some physical play that no one else can unless they play for the Thunder lol.

Fair…Giddy is a good player, Caruso brought a presence though.
Not sure why the narrative on OKC, at least half the games in the playoffs their opponents shot more fts than they did. Really hard to imagine the league wanting a small market team to win, they hate that. OKC-Indy is the league’s worst nightmare amidst sagging ratings hence the desperate Luka move to LA. Additionally, there is pushback against non-US players (SGA is Canadian) and a media blitz to anoint ANT as the next Jordan.
Playoffs have always been physical…back at least to Detroit’s bad boys.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Fair…Giddy is a good player, but Caruso brought a presence, though.
Not sure why the narrative on OKC, at least half the games in the playoffs, their opponents shot more FTs than they did. Really hard to imagine the league wanting a small market team to win, they hate that. OKC-Indy is the league’s worst nightmare amidst sagging ratings, hence the desperate Luka move to LA. Additionally, there is pushback against non-US players (SGA is Canadian) and a media blitz to anoint ANT as the next Jordan.
Playoffs have always been physical…back at least to Detroit’s bad boys.

I don't think the NBA is involved, though I do see some perks. SGA is the next NBA star. They built Jokic with the championship, Tatum...now it's SGA's turn, and I feel like Ant will be next.

Free throws don't mean that they don't let Thunder get away with physical play. They were killing Jokic, and no calls.

It happens. I saw for years that the NFL let the Legion of Boom just do whatever they wanted. I don't think it's about wanting them to win, I just think some teams get away with it.

And if you're the Thunder you foul to they call it.

 

[ghst187]

I don't think the NBA is involved, though I do see some perks. SGA is the next NBA star. They built Jokic with the championship, Tatum...now it's SGA's turn, and I feel like Ant will be next.

Free throws don't mean that they don't let Thunder get away with physical play. They were killing Jokic, and no calls.

It happens. I saw for years that the NFL let the Legion of Boom just do whatever they wanted. I don't think it's about wanting them to win, I just think some teams get away with it.

And if you're the Thunder you foul to they call it.

Yeah for sure, they obviously are not going to call a lot in the playoffs so you keep pushing until you find that line. So true about Seattle. Rodman got away with all kinds of crap. Have to imagine though if other teams could pull it off they would be doing it too though.
Most of the teams OKC played so far were only really 8 deep. You could see the blitzing and physicality wear Denver out in the fourth quarters.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yeah for sure, they obviously are not going to call a lot in the playoffs so you keep pushing until you find that line. So true about Seattle. Rodman got away with all kinds of crap. Have to imagine though if other teams could pull it off they would be doing it too though.
Most of the teams OKC played so far were only really 8 deep. You could see the blitzing and physicality wear Denver out in the fourth quarters.

Yeah that’s what makes Pacers intriguing they are probably the deepest team out East.

 

[Robbieac]

Free throws don't mean that they don't let Thunder get away with physical play. They were killing Jokic, and no calls.

It happens. I saw for years that the NFL let the Legion of Boom just do whatever they wanted. I don't think it's about wanting them to win, I just think some teams get away with it.

And if you're the Thunder you foul to they call it.

They were letting OKC be physical with Jokić because he is the most physical offensive player that I’ve seen in a long time. He pushes and shoves relentlessly on the offensive side and hardly ever gets called for it. It’s turnabout fair play. He dishes it out, so he gets it in return.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

They were letting OKC be physical with Jokić because he is the most physical offensive player that I’ve seen in a long time. He pushes and shoves relentlessly on the offensive side and hardly ever gets called for it. It’s turnabout fair play. He dishes it out, so he gets it in return.

Yeah but they let him get away with it all year lol…..

 

[Robbieac]

Yeah but they let him get away with it all year lol…..

And other teams were not smart enough to fight back against him. OKC has a very smart coaching staff.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

And other teams were not smart enough to fight back against him. OKC has a very smart coaching staff.

Other teams aren't allowed to fight against that, lol. Let's not kid ourselves here. They let the Lakers do it to for whatever reason, and they had success last I saw.