GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (1) VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (1)
The postseason is winding down, with their only being one game per night, so we can now start talking about other things into the future. But as for Game 2 between the Dubs and Wolves, it was sorta a there's-nothing-to-see-here type of situation.
The Timberwolves beating Golden State without Curry isn't news. Even if Anthony Edwards couldn't return to the game, you would expect Minnesota to win, especially at home. Evening the series must feel good, but all things considered it's nothing to celebrate about.
As for Curry, first of all remember that was a non-contact injury. Secondly, if you read the statement he made, well, check out what Lebron said also. LBJ basically admitted that yes, there is a benefit to being hurt during the Playoffs, which is that you get to rest early after a long season. Dudes are successful vets; their legs are tired, and there's really nothing left to prove. If the Warriors proceed to win the 2025 championship, it really wouldn't be any more miraculous than what they already pulled off in 2022.
NEW YORK KNICKS (2) VS. BOSTON CELTICS (0!)
Unless the Celtics win Game 3 or otherwise even the series, that exclamation mark will remain.
I also feel that maybe Jayson Tatum needs to STFU, because after talking that shit, it really won't look good if they lose Game 3 also. He didn't really talk shit, but you know what I mean. We live in the age of positivity thinking - okay, cool. But here's the thing. When you're involved in an endeavor where there's direct competition, maybe your opponent is thinking positively also.
Meanwhile, the Knicks arguably have the better roster (even if not as deep), and you have to imagine that NYK, if not the entire Big Apple, is on an emotional high right now. The Celtics basically have to win two games in a city that wants nothing more than to see them finally fall to the home team.
Like the Timberwolves, Boston could really benefit from a major injury to the opposing team right about now. That's one of the things shocking me the most, when you recall last postseason, that none of the Knicks are injured.
Also remember when I said that in today's NBA - where you have niggas slipping on banana peels and needing months to recover - that the healthier postseason team, no matter what, is likely to prevail. We're witnessing that right now not only with GSW vs. Minny but also Indiana vs. Cleveland and to some extent, considering Kristaps "the Ankle Bracelet" Porzingis, even with Boston vs. NYK.
DENVER NUGGETS (1) VS. OKC THUNDER (1)
Yes, Nikola "Rudolph" Jokic is overrated. I'm not saying that as a diss or any jab against his greatness. He's great, but people are trying to make it sound like he's the greatest. That said, dude did put up 42pts(!!) and 20 rebounds in Game 1, against one of the tallest teams in the NBA. That's like some Wilt Chamberlain type shit.
Or rather let me say that now is his moment of truth. Nikola was allegedly roughed up in Game 2, which is how the Thunder are said to have kept him in check. But it's not like he's unaccustomed to being assaulted on court. Back when AD was on the Lakers, every time they played Denver, Jokic's nose would be red, like he endured a vigorous, direct, intentional socking. If you can put up a triple-double at will, especially as a C, then of course dudes are going to try to neutralize you dirty, especially in the Playoffs.
My point is that, this is the moment of truth for "the best basketball player on the planet". The Nuggets are in fact the underdogs. OKC has just about every advantage over them, with the exception of not having a Jokic. So now, let's see if he's actually worthy of all of this dickridin', if he can lead his team to prevail over an all-around superior opponent.
That means, imo, that his teammates have to do a better job holding him down. Nikola, one thing I've always said about him - pure speculation based on surface observations - is that he doesn't seem to be like a people person. The only teammate he appears to have a friendly relationship with Murray. Well guess what, Rudolph? Sometimes being stink, even when you are an all-time great, can work against you.
I like the Nuggets, and there's a part of me that wants to see them prevail, you know, as underdogs though arguably the best team in the West suited to be beat OKC. But at the same time, they have one of the thinnest benches in the league. Outside of Westbrook, Jordan and Watson, I can't name anyone on their bench, even though these dudes are like recent champions. And as for Watson, I never even really heard of him until this postseason. So it's like, if Jokic is really supposed to be better than LBJ and Steph and even SGA, well, I guess we're about to find out. Even if his team doesn't win the series, he has to consistently represent.
LEBRON TO WHERE?
There's been reports circulating that Lebron may be leaving the Lakers soon 'to go to a contender'. I thought the Lakers were contenders, lol. That's what the pundits were saying just a month ago.
I always considered Lebron to have a high basketball IQ, but sometimes the way he behaves makes it look like he isn't any smarter than like your average dickridin' reporter. He should've known this current roster, even with Luka, wasn't going anywhere unless the NBA rigged games for them, which they obviously didn't during the postseason.
If the rumors are true and King James does walk away, first of all, it'd be sorta like a slap in the face to Doncic, who has already endured being unexpectedly traded away from the franchise he was the face of, the one that made it to the Finals just last season.
Second, given the generation of superstars he's the leader of - i.e. Carmelo Anthony, the Beard, KD and Kyrie - you would totally expect LBJ to bail, though he has stuck with the Lakers through some hard times.
Third - and this is the point I really wanted to make - I wonder what contender out there is actually stupid enough to pay Lebron "the Defensive Liability" James $40 or even $50+mil/year, money that can be better spent on another player(s). I can assure you that afterwards, they won't be contenders anymore.
Lebron may do something exceptional on defense here and there, reminiscent of the days he was banging with D-Wade. But I mean, damn. It's starting to get the point now where it's obvious, at least to me, that there's some type of subconscious(?) conspiracy on the part of the media not to mention the fact that James can't or won't play defense anymore.
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