Topic: American Sports

@Ravix Lol, ah man, yeah I got side tracked and then forgot to post some reactions but… wow, what a game! It didn’t have quite the nail-biting back-and-forth of game 1, but it had all the drama, excitement, and energy that we could hope for. Also, it helps that it ended with the outcome of a Spurs win, but it was just a good game regardless. There were still a couple really questionable calls that OKC got, but props to SA for just pushing through (although Castle almost lost it when Caruso basically did a UFC Jujitsu take down on that one fast break. I think it was Harper who held him back and kept him from reacting for a possible tech). I was so impressed with their poise for such a young team.

I do think the “flopper” comments and reactions really got into SGA’s head. He had a good enough game though, but there were times when he didn’t quite look as comfortable out there as he should, being the 2-time MVP. But Chet was the absolute worst about not showing up. Good grief, that was a bad game from him.

And how about Kornet going down forever in Spurs lore with that crazy block on Hartenstein! That was lowkey the play of the game, honestly. The Thunder were making a late game surge and that dunk would have got them to like within 3 or 4 in the closing minutes but the block then the SA bucket basically put the game on ice. I figured you were beaming with pride at your boy Kornet in that moment. 😄

I think we’ve got a really good finals coming. I’m pulling for the Spurs, but Knicks look really tough. I’m really anxious to see the NY offense against the SA defense. It could be epic.

@Th3solution great reaction, and yeah summed it up pretty much perfectly. I do think Shai started to try and not flop as much in some games after it became obvious that is his natural game, and it made him look awkward as hell, as I mentioned before, I think. Of course he was also trying to be their only real threat with no help from their number 2. It kind of showed their squad maybe isn't as unbeatable as people made out, too. And is Jaylen W's injury and recurring problem now? Thigh/hamstring can be a bi*** if it keeps failing (I believe that was his issue?)

Kornet is just a guy everyone likes, so it was good to see him have his moment. (Did I hear his new nickname he gave himself is "Non-Wemby Minutes" he has a great outlook and sense of humour 😅) The timing of that play was perfect on the fast break denial. And a pivotal moment, as you say. He also had the nuns who attend SA games (yeah, me either?) Bless him before one game

I think NY have Mitchell Robinson missing with a mystery non-basketball hand injury, too! Could be pivotal in the big positions. Although maybe he punched a wall on purpose so he doesn't have to get hacked in the final and miss free-throws on the biggest stage as it really gets in his head (that's my conspiracy for today)

Should be a good match up, eiher way. And interesting to the see the rest/rust vs playoff intensity/emotionally drained type matchup with NY sitting around and SA being battle ready but having spent a lot of energy.

Do you have any predictions at this point? I assume you still want SA to win. But it is a hard game to call because of all these factors that could go either way.

Match-up wise I have no idea on Kat vs Wemby. Kat is obviously stronger physically when he goes downhill, but he is also clumsy and fouls way too much. So, personally, I'd target Kat to draw foul trouble and then leave NY with the third-string big for most of the game and take away a big threat.

@Ravix Yeah, I think J Dub’s injury is hamstring and I doubt it will be a lingering problem, but he clearly came back too soon and those things just take time and it was not in the cards for him. Ajay Mitchell’s injury sounded less serious but still not something he could play effectively with. I suspect they’ll both be back next year, but it will be very interesting to see what the team does — whether to run the same team out there again next year and blame untimely injuries, or rather try tweaking the roster. If I’m not mistaken Mitchell is due a new contract, so I see them letting him go. They have tons of money tied up in their big 3, and need to shed some salaries. I think Hartenstein is also rumored to be let go this offseason or next. They have two first round draft picks so I guess they’ll load up with youth again, but there’s never a guarantee those will work out.

As for the finals, it might be recency bias but it’s hard for me to see NY beating SA. But what do I know because I predicted OKC to win it all. 😅 It’s just that I do think Wemby will neutralize KAT. And I think the combination army of young energetic guards, led by Castle and Harper, will give Brunson fits defensively. I’m sure Brunson will get his points, but like what they did to SGA, it will wear on him and he might have a couple games where he has to rely on his role players. I haven’t watched much of the Knicks this season, so I’m just pulling this out of thin air, but I’m leaning toward the Spurs in 7. I do predict some rust to affect NY in the first game. What do you think?

Welp, so much for what I know. San Antonio looked pretty poor tonight. I didn’t see anything showing me they are ready to win the championship. In classic fan overreaction mode now, but it’s over. Knicks in 5. 😛

@Th3solution I keep telling you NY's team should be expected to be winning everything (on paper) I don't even think Mikal Bridges did much and they still looked strong enough. OG didn't even play great for long stretches but then went nuts when needed, same as Brunson.

That is the worrying thing, NY did not hit top gear or anywhere near it, this was a warm-up 😭

I'm hoping SA play out-of-their-skins, though because I want to see the young guys win it all at the first attempt.

Anything can happen, SA can clearly win 4 games vs NY, but they will have to play absolutely great basketball for 6 games to do that, now. Absolutely no off-days, as NY will still be able to win 2 vs a great SA performance, imo by themselves stepping-up.

Thankfully NY can sh** the bed out of nowhere as good as anyone (they are due at this point) but it needs to come from KAT in foul trouble and crying about it, and Brunson doubled out of the game, while OG, Mikal and the bench shooters aren't shooting lights-out.

SA need to get the Nuns on the case!

@Ravix I do wonder how much difference the 14 games vs 18 games played makes, and more recently over the last two rounds — 8 games played vs 13. Spurs looked a bit gassed, especially toward the end. They came out on fire but quickly faded after the adrenaline wore off and seemed to not have nearly as much in the tank. I didn’t see the scrappy, scrambling intensity that they showed versus the Thunder and Twolves.

And here’s where the inexperience may come back to bite them. Knowing how to close out a playoff series is something that takes some maturity. Here’s hoping they reboot and come back better.

Yeah, it’s scary to see that KAT, Bridges, and OG didn’t even have their best showing, so it could get ugly. I was also disappointed that the crowd had quite a lot of Knicks fans for a SA home game.

@Ravix Did you catch game 3? I didn’t get to see all of it, but it turned out to be a really good one. Actually the whole series so far has been tight and competitive games. Hopefully the Commander-in-Chief keeps showing up to the NY games as it seemed to be a bad luck charm for the home team. 😂

@Th3solution I did, actually! Having missed most of game 1 and all of game 2. I picked a good one to see through, at least 😄

I always like to see NY in their own building as it adds needless pressure onto their own players as they hype everything up so much, and that seems to have been the case last night! I think SA do have a good plan on Brunson, too. OG was balling which is why it was close again, I guess. And I have no idea why KAT was just chilling after being dominant in the first 2. Maybe the pressure of home? Maybe they got a little shellshocked and forgot what was working? To me, it just seemed like normal, so I kind of rue not having seen KAT go beast mode in the other games, as it doesn't feel like it actually happened, to me 😅

I was going to say something about the orange one, but I won't. I'm sure he will post an AI video where he got the winning basket by dunking on a combination of people he is weirdly obsessed with. [Redacted]