thelesterlee
The playoffs are the best time to make wildly irrational takes based on quite literally the tiniest sample size ever solely because the games ‘matter more’ or whatever. Stephen A. Smith gets to yell even harder at Kyrie Irving for costing the Brooklyn Nets a chance at the title even though it had more to due with injuries and their lack of depth and almost nothing to do with Kyrie. Wild overreaction time, babyyy
Here are some of my wild overreactions after the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs
1. There is only 1 Kawhi
What stood out to me the most—especially in the Eastern Conference—was the atrocious shot selection. Sure, one could make the argument that the Miami Heat have a fantastic defense and it was a bad matchup for the Atlanta Hawks BUT, the Hawks make it really easy to defend them when they chuck up the worst shots they possibly can.
I understand why Trae Young launches it from the logo. It’s one of the rare times a defender isn’t wearing his jersey but like, he shot 7-for-38 from 3. That’s 18%. Maybe uh, try to get to the rim or shoot closer or something? Maybe?
The Brooklyn Nets almost pride themselves in adding unnecessary obstacles. Whether it’s refusing to take medicine and missing every home game or grave-digging to revive Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge or trading for a guy who physically and mentally cannot stand on a basketball court—the Nets subscribe to the ‘no easy buckets’ message but for themselves.
Add in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving living and dying by these contested long 2’s and I can’t help remind myself of the one guy who can take and make all of these dumb shots and somehow sink them:
The fact Kawhi Leonard is shooting 63% from the field in the Playoffs on this many tough shots is so insane. pic.twitter.com/gRgfDT4c1o
— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopNBA) May 31, 2021
The Goat.
2. Brandon Ingram is HIM
We can talk about a few young guys who stepped up. Bones Hyland looked great for the Nuggets. Tyrese Maxey can get to the rim whenever he wants. Desmond Bane is the best shooter ever(?). But Brandon Ingram is built different.
Brandon Ingram 30 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB Highlights vs Suns | Game 4 NBA Playoffs @B_Ingram13 😈 pic.twitter.com/tUswjJ6EAP
— DukeLights (@duke_lights) April 26, 2022
We’ve been told Zion Williamson doesn’t want to play for New Orleans despite him never saying or doing anything that could lead to that conclusion. Can you imagine how good this team could be next season with a healthy Zion, Brandon Ingram becoming one of the best scorers in the league and CJ McCollum being the third option?
Also, can’t not mention how dominant Jaren Jackson Jr can be when he’s not committing the worst fouls ever. He’s the best shot-blocker in the NBA. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor. He can take bigger defenders off the dribble. Ja is a beast. But JJJ is right behind Jokic and Embiid for best big man in the NBA.
3. Our favorite players are washed
Russell Westbrook was so bad he dragged the Lakers out of the playoffs. James Harden seems incapable of scoring 20 points anymore. The Boston Celtics made Kevin Durant look like Kevin Knox. Steph and Klay are missing 3’s left and right. Chris Paul was getting manhandled by Jose Alvarado.
The future is now. It’s a brand new crop of stars and they all showed out in the playoffs. Well, everyone except Trae Young. Lol.
4. You weirdos don’t actually like the NBA
Whether it’s analysts crying about players taking too many 3’s or fans complaining about players showing any form of emotion, you people HATE this sport for some reason.
It’s fascinating how old-timers will praise Jordan and young fans with Kobe Bryant profile pictures always talk about his ‘mamba mentality’ yet any player today isoing at the end of a game is playing ‘hero ball’ and hurting the team.
We hate when the Timberwolves celebrate making the playoffs and when Karl-Anthony Towns waves to the fans after being eliminated. Players being happy is like, a problem I suppose. Ja Morant dancing on the T-Wolves logo is too far but we want players to foul the ever-loving shit out of each other without flagrant fouls being called like the good ol’ days when teams scored 70 points and spent entire games on the free-throw line. These players are too friendly but also they should be classy and never disrespect their opponents.
Why do you all watch this sport when you hate every aspect of it based on some ESPN debate show topics that don’t matter? Bill Simmons said he didn’t vote for Jalen Green for Rookie of the Year because he isn’t a ‘winning player’. He’s a rookie. What teenager is a fucking ‘winning player’.
I write some negative shit on this site but I don’t think you could walk away thinking I don’t love this sport but every conversation surrounding every player and game these past couple of weeks has shown how little people enjoy watching the NBA and actually enjoy the attention they may receive from being assholes.
