₦airaland Forum

I realize there are many players in the league I have never heard speak, I just know them by their stats. I cant get over how low key Jrue Holiday is - completely the opposite of what I expect. Cat was averaging 20 for the pelicans for a looong time.

Suns should win this, but on any given night, if Jrue drops 30, there gon be problems

If you havent seen this yet
https://guardian.ng/sport/nigerian-basketball-teams-kits-trapped-at-lagos-seaport/

With less than 19 days to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, kits and other sports equipment donated to the Nigerian basketball teams to aid their smooth participation at the Games are trapped at the Lagos seaport.

In the absence of Nigerian men and women football teams at the Tokyo Olympics, many Nigerians are looking forward to the performance of D’Tigers and third women counterparts, D’Tigress at the Olympics.

An official of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) told The Guardian yesterday that Peak Milk based in China donated some sports equipment, including sports kits for the two teams, to them for the purpose of the Olympics Games about three months ago, but the Nigerian Customs Service has held on to them at the port.

I remember when we were a force to reckon with in track, boxing, shot put, name it. Even if we no medal we go dey final. The world has shrunk, and a lot of talented but frustrated athletes have found their way out of Nigeria for better pay. You will see one lone black dude on a squad somewhere in some unpronoucable country in Asia, and be wondering. Na condition

benji93:
On the other hand, most of these players come from poor homes. They could certainly use some money to stay away from crime and negative atmospheres as much as possible. Perhaps regulating how much they get could be fine.

Unfortunately for many teenagers this money will end up enriching clubs, drug dealers, car dealerships, scam businesses, predatory relatives etc. Because the money will come before they have the wisdom to self discipline. Im all for letting these guys get paid, but it will be mixed results.

Android17:
Is anybody going to say it or should we pretend that it was not obvious? The Bucks seem to be a better playoff team without Giannis. There, I said it.

They are more disciplined without Giannis. That being said, Trae was off, otherwise this game could have gone the other way.

chic2pimp:
Looking like you will get your wish

I guess not. I was hoping for a game 7

I had no plans on watching this game. I expected Hawks to win not because they are better but because the Bucks are gutless. Checked in at halftime and Shaq confirmed as much

chic2pimp:
Giannis was on His Feet pretty much all night. Reports all said He did some Gym work today as well. Glad to see He is doing alright.

He was limping into the locker room after the game. I would be surprised to see him back this series

I still cannot get over Kawhi's decision to leave the Raptors. Toronto, a world city, bigger than NYC was behind this guy. If you have never been to Toronto, you need to visit to understand . There was a window to reach the Finals again the next year, maybe win another ring. Talented roster. Talented GM. Championship team. City begging you to take max deal. Somehow one yeye uncle convinced you to drop everything and come home to be closer to family. To come and share market with Lebron.

Is this not the work of villagers

steady986:
I almost forgot about "playoff Rondo". I thought they brought him for the playoffs, that last piece to lead them to the promised land Man can't even get one minute in a closeout game. The Clippers found out about him real quick. I was just laughing at the likes of Skip Bayless that were hyping him when the Clippers traded for him. Like is that not the same Rondo that played 2 years for the Lakers? That he had 2 or 3 very good games in our title run doesn't mean we couldn't have done it without him. I even heard Skip say we wouldn't have won without him. Anything to diminish LeBron's effort.

I never understood that Rondo acquisition - makes you wonder what people are watching.

Floor general dropping meaningful 40pts. Where is that guy that was throwing shade 2 days ago. Better switch to iphone. Or ipob

Roland17:
Full left knee hyperextension! oh my goodness... That is sickening to even watch..

Glad to see Giannis walk through the tunnel on his own.. Man I hope he is okay.

Sports no easy oh

Pls pls pls, after you jinxed the man. Na so we beg u no gree. Ok.

DeeMain:
Worst time for an injury. I am gutted. End of the road for Bucks.

The number of injuries in this playoffs is staggering. The schedule is merciless.

Any of the remaining teams is an injury or two away from becoming champions.

They have no one to blame but themselves. The lazy way they started this game was ridiculous and shameful.

There are some life lessons here for procrastinators. Got just one life!

Roland17:
You and & @birdman have further buttressed my point that Giannis gets cut a lot of slack because of his likability (bird man) and he plays hard (you). How does that excuse the fact that his holes have not been talked about in the same manner holes in other superstars are being exaggerated? Who plays harder than Brodie in this league? Yet Brodie never gets the respect he deserves! The first thing we talk about are his flaws when we discuss Brodie! How about AD? No be here we dey when many of you questioned AD’s mentality? Body language, he is not a leader.. very superficial things that are not associated to his game..How about Simmons? He plays just as hard and should be likable but what do we do when we watch him?
Weak mentality is obvious with Giannis and it is not just with FT. He has a weak mentality about his weaknesses. Shaq was horrible at the FT line but Shaw never traded his barbecue chicken points under the rim for the fear of missing FT.. That is a strong mentality! Shaq was not interested in learning to shoot jump shots or 3 balls because he was afraid of the fans counting down.. Shaq called out his team mates when they did not pass the ball to him after 8 seconds. This is not about shooting the ball but the obvious bias in the way we discuss superstars in this league. No player in the NBA over the last two seasons has enjoyed more whistles than Giannis..
LeBum catches a lot of heat in this league even from haters like me but he has developed tremendously from the man that took his talents to South Beach.. Still we don’t let him have any excuses aged 37 but somehow Giannis should catch a break every time he flops. KD puts a superhuman performance yet it is the airball for the final shot that some choose to remember. Whenever the Slimreaper is mentioned, it’s about his outside life and how he manages his social media life.. not even about his basketball.
Giannis was the defensive player of the year last season but is always afraid to guard the best player of the opposing team! We watched the Bucks/ Nets series where he avoided guarding the “Slimreaper” in all the 4th quarters of that series and I am not supposed to question his mentality. Even Chuck said it and he was not bothered if he was hated!


Enough with all the excuses, it is becoming very boring and making it more obvious!

You sure sey you no be lawyer Forgive and forget nau, Durant will be back next year. Be magnanimnous! A40 pls send your man a case of seamans schnapps to cam him down.

Make una free Giannis abeg, na God pikin - I decree that no evil eye against greek freak shall prosper!!!

Roland17:
Closeout games are the hardest.

and it gets harder the further into the playoffs.

Khanben:
Some of these guys overvalue themselves.

They are down 5 points late in the fourth, collins makes basket and has enough time to be winking at the camera. These guys need to stop reading headlines and just focus on the game. Hawks should have won that game, if not for some overconfident plays by Huerter late in the game.

benji93:
Why you wan turn am to fight? . Na reference i reference now. You already know my stand on that man. He's one of the purest of them, and you won't have him and not be a decent team. Where you and i part ways is your claim that he's more impactful than Curry is kind of a stretch. ANd you know that. As you know how to cause problem, me to know how to cause problem.

I am holding receipts boss . they way una attack me ehn, you guys should pray he does not reach Finals. Just dey pray for clippers because if the Suns beat them, I will be digging up floor general quotes

Roland17:
God bless you for this post.

I disagree with the embolden. LeBum is respected even amongst his haters! Many of us accept his greatness and it is well documented.

As for Giannis, the league including analysts have a soft spot for Giannis and this is what I have been trying to show on this thread for 3 seasons now. No superstar has enjoyed as much excuse as Giannis has enjoyed in the history of the NBA. Even on this thread, we read how people make excuses for his failures but are quick to call out and hate on the Slimreaper/ LeBum/AD/ Chef Curry/ CP3/ Harden/Playoff P/ Porz. I don't understand it honestly!

Everyone is afraid of calling out his weak mentality! No one wants to use that word even though it is the obvious. I have said it before and I will continue to reiterate it that there is a real effort by the league to dash the Bucks this Championship and get Giannis his ring!

Ha, this hate is too much nau

Giannis is likeable. He has a feel good story on his journey to the NBA, and he plays hard. People like players that give it 100%. And unlike westbrook, he does not trash talk opponents and crowds. Maybe because he is in a small market, or his imperfect english gets in the way, but he never really rubs anyone the wrong way. If nothing else, you have to give him some love for sticking with the bucks, and coming back better each season.

I wouldnt say he is mentally weak either. His toolset is limited, and in the past, in must win games where he couldnt slash into the paint, there was nothing else he could do. At least this year he has some sort of crazy fadeaway, and he uses his length more to avoid those offensive fouls.

benji93:
On a more serious note, i think we may have to wait for a year or two inorder to ascertain the stardom/superstardom of these players.

ya know! If it was Lebron that missed the jumper Durant airballed, HEI!!! This thread for collapse

3 years ago, folks were already calling Giannis the next Lebron. Then it was supposed to be Kawhi. Then Durant. Tomorrow someone will say its Luka . See, its one thing to be able to drop 40. Its another thing to drop 40 when the defense is designed to stop YOU. And its another thing to will your team to a win with defense, steals, rebounding and bball IQ when your shot isnt falling.

That is why after MJ, it was Kobe, then Lebron. No one else has fulfilled this criteria of current best player among current superstars. It should be Kawhi, but he is turning to Mr Glass, getting what I feel is bad advice from his camp. He never even tries to play through anything. AD sef fall my hand.

benji93:
@birdman over to you.

might want to rewatch that game. without cp3, this would be tied 2-2.

Without cp3 Clippers woulda won this game. Floor general tinz. Neither team cracked 90 pts so this was an old fashioned playoff game. If Im the clippers I would feel good because they coulda won this. But then I would also be worried because CP3 will have even less rust next game. I this going to game 6 at least

Khanben:
Wait did you just say court vision is not Luka's strong suit. He is top 3 in the league in terms of court vision, his issues are fitness, defense and the fact that he is a streaky shooter.
If Kidd and Nico are appointed i hope it helps the Mavs in terms of recruitment, cause for some reason they have never been a FA destination.
As for on the court if he or any coach they get needs to make KP at the very least just do what Ayton or even Capela has been doing all playoffs especially on offense.

How is he top 3? Based on what? His offense is stellar, but when he goes cold who does he create for

I was planning on watching this game with wine. Ol boy make I switch to guinness

KD needs to grow up. He has to clap back at everything. Yeesh

joshboo:
Jason kidd- New mavs Coach... good or bad for luka??

Is it official? Kidd was a pure PG, and wasnt a good shooter. But he was tough minded and would knock down open 3s if he had to. He was more of a facilitator and playedgood defense.

If Luka is teachable, this will move him from all star to hall of famer as court vision is not Lukas strong suit.

If Luka is stubborn, things could get rocky. At the very least, I think Porz will benefit. No way Kidd will let him remain useless.

chic2pimp:
Nobody was paying attention because the Head coach before Nate took over was a dud.

Chauncey Billups is who I'd like to see given a Head coach job. High IQ on and off the court. Whenever you hear Him speak, you can literally hear His High intelligence shine through. A good student of the game.

Yeah, I was probably biased being he was a young black coach, and I wanted him to succeed. In hindsight, he wasnt what this team needed

I forgot about Billups! But this is why some folk were pissed at Nash getting a plum job out of nowhere. There are so many other prospects putting in work and not getting the opportunity

chic2pimp:
How was Trae not an All Star? Which knuckleheads vote for this thing? Imagine not giving Ice Trae an All Star Spot?


Btw Three Black coaches in the Conference finals. We love to see it. Plus I am willing to bet my bottom dollar they'll do a much better Job if they were in charge of this Milwaukee team.

Nobody has been paying attention to Hawks. I expected the Trae train to take another year to arrive, but they have superior coaching that has sped them up. They now have toughness and can play stretched of good D.

I hope all the openings means mark jackson gets another shot. I would like to see Cassell too. Former NBA point guards make for very good coaches

Roland17:
Just imagine the nonsense the Bucks just served us in game one.. They never took this game serious from start of the whistle.. @birdman abeg no tell me say u no watch this game oh.. or say you change station.

I watch am. Looked like Hawks would win from the beginning, because like you said, Bucks werent taking them too seriously. These guys can steal two quick games on Bucks home court, for real.

steady986:
I think this one would be too difficult for the Clippers to come back from 0-2 down. The Suns are just too good, and they don't have Kawhi. Plus the Suns expect CP to return at some point in the series (that's if they don't blow out the Clippers).

So, let's brace up for a Bucks vs Suns finals.

Thats how you were bracing for Nets 76ers semi finals Anything can happen, especially with teams that have shooters that can launch logo 3s. Bucks need to be very controlled and disciplined.

The way doc and embiid threw simmons under the bus will come back to bite them someday. Simmons was not the only problem in that series. Next season, there will be fake loyalty in the locker room, cuz you know you could be next. Even Harris will be watching his back

Khanben:
The process should be revamped. Ben simmons for Dame or even Beal should be explored by the sixers

Anybody in philly that makes mistake to mention the process tomorrow will have himself or herself to blame. Anything from beating to job loss to kidnapping can occur. People wey no get joy to start with.

Roland17:
So J. Collins is betting on himself to get the max from somewhere by refusing the extension offered by the Hawks and I would tell you he is putting in the work.. Will someone pay him the max though? Is he a max type of player?

He is not, but if Porzingis can find a fool to pay him, so can Collins.

Roland17:
Na Doc Rivers stubbornness and wanting to prove a point to kukuma kill am!

Gotta agree. No reason for Simmons to be on the court right now. If you believe in Simmons defensive prowess, then he should be on Trae like white on rice. This is why Doc holds the record for choke jobs. Stubbornness in the face of opposing facts - original african man syndrome