Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily. We are now in the Conference Finals!
Lou Williams was great in his first career postseason start.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)
This postseason, in basketball alone, has been fantastic and unpredictable. We have all these teams that we never see this late in the postseason. We have fresh faces. And just when we thought we knew who was going to win a series, something else happens. It’s quite nice and I wish the NBA were like that more often.
Unfortunately, the unpredictability includes injuries. And this might be why the NBA has been different. So many all-stars have gotten hurt this postseason because of the quick turnaround for quite a few of these playoff teams. Add to that the freak nature of how these injuries happened and we’ve got a problem here.
I was mad that Trae Young was out for Game 4. A bone bruise on his foot prevented him from playing and it was because the official was there at the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t want to blame the referee; he’s just trying to do his job. But it sucks that Trae was taken out because of that.
It seemed like an easy win for the Milwaukee Bucks but due to how the Bucks have played a frustrating brand of ball all postseason long, I didn’t want to count the Hawks out. And sure enough, with Lou Williams playing an inspiring starting role and Bogdan Bogdanovic finally making shots, the Hawks led by double digits at the half.
But here’s where we ran into another problem. Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperextended his knee in the third quarter and would not return. By then, the Hawks were still up by double digits and Giannis being out pretty much sealed the deal. Lou would lead Atlanta with 21-5-8 while Bogi scored 20. Newly-appointed Batman by pundits, Khris Middleton, only went for 16 and gosh, people really suck at talking basketball.
So now we’re down to the best-of-three between the Bucks and the Hawks. But I hate that we have to pose this question for most of these playoff games now: will (insert star here) play in this game? We’ve been asking this about Kawhi Leonard in the West. Now we have to ask the same about Trae and Giannis. I honestly don’t like Giannis’s chances because knees are delicate to work with, especially for taller guys like Giannis. It’s why Kawhi hasn’t played in about two weeks.
The unpredictability is great. Until you realize that also carried over to injuries. All I can say now, more than ever, is that I hope these four remaining teams in the NBA playoffs stay healthy. I always say the NBA has been a battle of attrition but it really hits more in 2021.
Bullet Passes
I don’t think I’ve really seen a more awkward and embarrassing press conference in terms of introducing a coach. New head coach Chauncey Billups and general manager Neil Olshey of the Portland TrailBlazers did NOT look great here. Olshey, in particular, looked really… evil in this press conference.
I don’t think I have any more to add to this but there are two pieces that are useful (and quite frankly, difficult to read). Let’s all learn from this. Here’s a piece from Blazer Banter and Blazer’s Edge. Blazer’s Edge, in particular, is very educational and has words from five different women concerning this coaching hire. Do yourselves a favor and read these.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
June 29, 2021
NBA Playoff Series Count
EAST
#3 Bucks tied with #5 Hawks, 2-2.
#5 Hawks defeat #1 Sixers, 4-3.
#3 Bucks defeat #2 Nets, 4-3.
#1 Sixers defeat #8 Wizards, 4-1.
#5 Hawks defeat #4 Knicks, 4-1.
#2 Nets defeat #7 Celtics, 4-1.
#3 Bucks defeat #6 Heat, 4-0.
WEST
#2 Suns lead #4 Clippers, 3-2.
#4 Clippers defeat #1 Jazz, 4-2.
#2 Suns defeat #3 Nuggets, 4-0.
#1 Jazz defeat #8 Grizzlies, 4-1.
#4 Clippers defeat #5 Mavericks, 4-3.
#2 Suns defeat #7 Lakers, 4-2.
#3 Nuggets defeat #6 Blazers, 4-2.
Watch This Play
How about Clint Capela going behind the backboard to beat the shot clock?! Like Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant!
HOW, CLINT CAPELA!?#NBAPlayoffs on TNT pic.twitter.com/dtLR5TGWJy
— NBA (@NBA) June 30, 2021
You know, it’s really weird that they did not allow that kind of shot until barely more than a decade ago. But what a shot by Capela.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.
R.I.P. Nala.