( ( ( ( ( nba bubble ball 2020 ) ) ) ) )

kemba has been just awful the last few games since the defense started trapping him he seems very confused by it which is strange, if he had a normal or only kinda bad game last night the celtics wouldve cruised, also btw classic marcus smart play drawing that deadball foul allowing the celtics to tie it up in regulation

it reminded be a lot of the tornoto series tbh some very intense switching D on both sides

someone please to photoshop jokic's face on this boxer
https://movieposters.ha.com/itm/movie-posters/sports/the-contender-prc-1944-one-sheet-27-x-41-sports/a/161812-54092.s

If tatum drops the ball at the last second is it a goaltend

yes prob

unless the ball hit the backboard prior to the block or tatum released the ball so that it had a defined 'arc' and was on its way down, i'd say no goaltend.

Yeah I don’t know the rules in this sitch at all. Really wish Bam was on the nuggets

Official NBA Rule states:

A Player shall not:
... b) Touch any ball from within the playing area when it is above the basket ring and within the imaginary cylinder.

This seems like it would cover it, and it looks like I was wrong. But I'm not sure how Tatum could possibly have anticipated a clean block was even possible or removed his hand from the ball in time to change it from a forceful dunk to a gentle drop.

didn't watch clips-nuggs but i looked at the box score this morning and *yikes*

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiDwCnjXgAE_l7I?format=jpg&name=medium

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EiDw2OrWkAcqW-L?format=jpg&name=medium

westbrook lol

Siakam had a great year but now that we're into the playoffs him over Tatum and Butler has not aged well

yep

this is a very silly system

I was shocked Khris Middleton didn't get named to third team, then noticed he did indeed have more total points (82) than Simmons (61) and Westbrook (56). But his votes were split between G and F, so he didn't get the edge. Ballots should be positionless—it's a positionless game! https://t.co/gImk33qx2C

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) September 16, 2020

very dumb

that's some electoral college type shit

sucks for middleton, he had a better year than a couple of those guys

does that translate into bonus money for these guys?

yes, in many cases:

The rookie max extension for Pascal Siakam will now be adjusted based on earning All-NBA honors. Siakam signed a four-year extension last October that has a starting salary of 25% of the 2020-21 salary cap. The starting salary will be adjusted to 28% of... https://t.co/NnKleGJylu

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 16, 2020

the regular season feels like a decade ago now, but what a strange list. has to be the weakest list of guards in a long time

CP was mostly not great for like half of the season iirc

the bubble essentially has the heat shooting better than any warriors team of the steph/klay era

Playoffs Shooting, with 3ptFGA per 100 possessions

19-20 Heat: 38.6% on 37.3
18-19 Warriors: 37.2% on 32.8
17-18 Warriors: 35.7% on 32.0
16-17 Warriors: 35.7% on 32.0
15-16 Warriors: 39.2% on 33.0
14-15 Warriors: 37.4% on 31.6

Just as an idea of what MIA is working with so far.

— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) September 16, 2020

There are only three players in NBA postseason history to shoot 41% from 3pt on 8+ attempts per game (min 10 games):

Klay Thompson
Steph Curry (2x)
Jae Crowder

Obviously a ways to go for Crowder, but so far he's basically been what Duncan was in the regular season. Same comps.

— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) September 16, 2020

the heat getting duncan robinson’s offense in jae crowder’s body is the most underplayed aspect of this run

seems sustainable

only has to last 7 more wins

he could turn into a pumpkin but he’s getting a lot of open shots in an open gym... i’m curious

dragic is the story of the heat success to me. dude is ballin

yeah hes been great

big patience more like it

The Jokic passing clinic from last night pic.twitter.com/JOPyvKr2Zu

— Jordan Sperber (@hoopvision68) September 16, 2020

those double teams dont phase him one bit lol

Yeah he just chills and survives the court for the open guys

surveys*

When someone definitively figures out what’s up with kemba, please let me know. He looked like he had a huge bruise above his eyebrow....?

Jokic took two and a half steps on the final cut and drive in that selection. Other than that, lots of sweet reads and passes.

i count two after the gather/catch. right foot was on the ground when he got it

that clip highlights how bad the clippers defensive strategy was. trap always comes at the same time, guy who's getting helped off of knows to just cut to the basket, easy money

seriously did doc just skip the video sessions between games or....

Where did all the ball go?

Back tomorrow!

Jokic's ability to catch a ball, survey his options, pick one and make the right pass at the right time - all in 2 seconds or less - while some of the best defensive basketball players on the planet swarm around him is really something to behold. I hope we get 10+ more years of it.

Blazers, spurs, jazz and now the clippers all failed to figure out how to defend Jokic in the playoffs. If anyone can do it it’s probably Lebron doing his free safety stuff.

If my maths is correct, Heat have made 2 of their last 18 3-point attempts.

celtics still can't figure out how to not foul this team

the heat have "it"

celts were lost vs zone d

If the Heat make it to the finals they have to let Mark Wahlberg into the bubble. It's law.

Marcus Smart is screaming in the #Celtics locker room and there is a bunch of arguing going on. Smart comes out say “y’all on that bullshit!” Team is imploding. Smart is in bathroom and there is still screaming coming from locker room.

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) September 18, 2020

lol