₦airaland Forum

birdman:
this is how the jazz are playing when rusty? lmao . flogging loading. obviously warriors would have been a better matchup

inside life!

this is how the jazz are playing when rusty? lmao . flogging loading. obviously warriors would have been a better matchup

A40:
Nobody's fault that AD is not taking the next leap. This should be his team by now

E don tey wey I don dey question him mentality not today. Now I see you guys are already downgrading him to embellish LeNomad's status. Not so fast!

AD's skill set has never been in doubt his skillset is elite and is a top 3 defender and top 10 scorer in this league but right he looks and is playing compromised. DeAndre Ayton had more offensive Rebounds than AD had rebounds. Let that sink in

We will know what to expect from the Lakers game 2 but I guarantee you one thing. This Lakers will not go anywhere if a much better version of AD doesn't show up, no matter what LeNomad plays

some days he plays like a beast, looking like the best big in the game. Other days, he plays quiet. Like his mind is not there. Looks are deceiving for sure, because he doesnt look like that sort of chap. Like you said, they need him to snap out of it, otherwise they going home. Lebron is clearly trying not to re-injure anything, even his drives into the paint are like "no one step on my ankle abeg".

where is a40 btw. havent seen any of his posts lately

etidy:
Watching Drummond stink the joint today brings me back to this post.

I expect the lakers to make adjustments but losing athletic bigs like Howard and javale, and the genius of Rondo will hurt them in this playoffs.

AND PLEASE ANTHONY DAVIS WAS NEVER THE SECOND BEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE.

To be honest, none of those things lost them the game today. They really didnt come to play. Other than Lebron, the team stunk. Drummond was more valuable than AD in this game. At least he played like he wanted to be there. I feel like AD is sorta intimidated by a skilled big like Ayton.

We all know AD was never the second best player in the league. Its just a way for lebron haters to diminish his accomplishments. So they will wait until the day AD drops 40 to say, see, we told you its AD's team! Its ok, make dem dey hate dey go

steady986:
My analysis of the game.

This game had "blowout" written all over it. We attempted 10 fewer shots than Phoenix. We shot the ball poorly and weren't aggressive
LeBron attempted only 13 shots. For comparison, Booker attempted 26. LeBron and AD combined to shoot 38% from the field. And we couldn't take advantage from the free throw line. We literally could have won the game from there. We missed a whooping 11 free throws, shooting just 60%. Plus Booker and Ayton had the games of their lives.

And yet we lost by only 9. That's the reason I'm optimistic moving forward. I'd be more worried if we shot and played well and lost. There's ample room for improvement. At times it looked like we could claw our way back into the game, but poor decisions at crucial moments cost us. This game has last year Portland game 1 written all over it.

It's a long series. Many things for Vogel and LeBron to work out. We'll watch films and adjust. We might have to use Gasol in this series to drag Ayton out of that paint.

I change my mind. Lakers in 5.

I never got the feel lakers could win this game. It felt like they were down 20 even when they were down 10. I agree its a plus it was so close with Lakers playing badly. If they play with better energy and AD gets going, they should be able to steal one in phoenix. but make no mistake, the suns are very well coached, and they all carry that cp3 poise. you have to beat them to win this series, they aint making any mistakes.

lakers in 5 ke? This is going to game 7 optimistically. I worry about Lebron reinjuring

shey we can all agree now that its still lebron's team

I kept smirking when nba analysts were saying Jazz are easier than suns. do these guys watch the games, or they just look at the standings and all star names. The suns could easily come out of WCF imo. Im not saying that to excuse lebron and the lakers, thats just how deep the suns are.


floor general is back on d court

Playoff p!

He needs to stay aggressive like this though. Those shots will fall sooner or later

Like I said game 1 of the season. I dont understand how Jrue makes the bucks a better defensive team, somehow they just are

My predicshions


WCF:
1 Jazz vs 8 Grizzlies - I was hoping to see playoff Curry, but such is life. Jazz flogs the teenage mutant ninja turtles 4-0
2 Suns vs 7 Lakers - E be floor general tinz . This is going to go to game 7. Lakers edge out Suns 4-3. Hopefully Lebron stays healthy
3 Nuggets vs 6 Blazers - Nugs sweep 4-0. Accept it like dat, if you like shoot 20 parking lot 3s.
4 Clippers vs 5 Mavericks - poor clippers. This has upset written all over it. Playoff P disappears as usual, and Mavs win this 4-3

ECF:
1 76ers vs 8 Wizards - 76ers win 4-1, wether Westbrook triple double or not . Beal should be happy he smelled playoffs
2 Nets vs 7 Celtics - I really want celtics to pull upset here, buuuut, I see a Nets 4-0 sweep . Maybe Harden can break leg
3 Bucks vs 6 Heat - Smells like an upset, even if Giannis can rewrite his playoff history. Heat win 4-2. Baba God, I hope I am wrong. For Adetokunbos's sake
4 Knicks vs 5 Hawks - Im partial to Hawks here, but they look like the more consistent team. Hawks win 4-2. Give atlanta a real reason to party. not like they need any

Roland17:
This is what the Heat do and one of the easiest ways to beat the Bucks. Slow the game and convert it to a half court game. They are picking the ball handlers deep which makes it difficult for transition basketball, more so, they are set by the time the ball arrives their own half.
The Bucks want pace so Giannis can have that freedom to run through the Heat or kick out for a 3 but the Heat are dictating the pace of this game as they have also increased tempo a few times here.
Also, in Ariza/ Iggy/ Butler/ Bam they can go incredibly small but more importantly, they can defend the perimeter.

Still tho, the bucks have significant more firepower this year. They have missed some easy 3s that if they make at 50%, they would be up by 10. Heat should be worried

SmooshCHN:
Anyways, good thing the season is over. The Warriors clearly have lost focus. From the front office, coaches and down to the players especially Draymond. There's no reason he should be throwing a contested floater for game winner. He never practiced that or even worked on his offense. You're a facilitator doesn't mean you forget how to score. A well deserved loss. I'm just glad Steph and rest knowing he played one of the best basketball seasons in NBA history.

Warriors deserved that playoff spot. This play in nonsense is garbage. Best record enters playoffs. Period!

As for Draymonds chucking an illadvised floater, i told yall so. The leadership by committee is rubbish. There should be a team leader that can keep role players like Draymond in line. Currys leadership by example is good, but he needs more. He needs to be able to let Draymond know what time it is. You have 3 dead eye shooters on the
court why are you taking a floater? You are a role player on this team Draymond. Know your role!

Roland17:
I have to agree with you...For those who have not seen the video. Also, one of the more eloquent and intelligent ex players out there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei6WE7GL82U

1 on 1, none of tough talking Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes or even Sisi Arenas can stand Kwame

Thanks for finding the full vid. I only got to watch snippets

steady986:
Russell Westbrook though

Very interesting that Harden and Curry would fare so badly on this list. Perception is that I would want these guys taking that last shot. Reality is far different

The gory details of nairaleague 2020/2021. Till now, I no know how I take enter finals

Now that the season is over, congrats to killrhymz for winning this years nairalegue. This was the most vicious episode yet, and I am happy to report smooshchn no even see playoffs . Na joke i dey joke o, too many injuries this year.

Roland17:
The Wizards have the matchup I wanted for my Celtics.. They can win one or two games and make it a series..

I normally love to hate the celtics, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I want any team Harden is on to experience catastrophic playoffs failure. Bball gods, let Tatum drop 50 every game.

Roland17:
You are in essence saying the Suns will defeat the Lakers in the 2 vs 7 match up?

Nope didnt say that. Just ignore the records for a sec, and go look at the starting 5 for Jazz and Suns. And remember that Donovan has been out a month. For real, which has the better starting 5?

Jazz: Conley, Spyda(on Injury List), Gobert, oneal, bogdanovic
Suns: CP3, Booker, Ayton (also banged up but not like Spyda), Mikal, Crowder

Afromentalist:
The warriors are a difficult team for anyone to handle in one game. They can beat anyone in 1 game including the Nets / Lakers/clippers etc. In a serie though, I think the Jazz may have the upperhand.

I agree. Warriors are a tricky team to play. You want to win 2 home games against them and try to steal a third away, break the confidence of Wiggins and co. Interestingly, Jazz playoffs philosophy has always been to guard each player man on man and just play high IQ defense. I am interested to see if they keep this philosophy knowing Curry can get red hot. Also Spyda did not play for the last month or so, so I expect some rust there as well. Warriors actually have a shot here

Contrary to what everyone is saying I think Suns are harder to play than the Jazz. The Suns have what it takes to come out of the west. IMO they have more potent weapons, deeper roster, with fewer injuries.

steady986:
An average team cannot be 5th in defensive ratings. It's impossible. I see the Warriors as the Knicks. Not a lot of big name but guys who really know how to ball on both ends of the floor. The Knicks are not even as talented as the Warriors and yet they're 4th. Steph and Wiggins combined for 50 points per game this season. Bron and AD combined for 47. Wiggins is likely to make an all defensive team this year. Same with Draymond. So y'all can deny the facts all you want, but the Warriors are far above average.

no doubt! they took a while to gel, but if you look at their record in the last half of the year, memphis should be really worried playing these guys. As should the Jazz. Curry is for real, and Wiggins is starting to do what people thought he could do. I know some unfortunate haters will try to twist what I just wrote, thinking Im trying to make the lakers win last night look legit. Ol boy cam down

mattfeuter:
This thread and emotional n-words lol

They want to see bron lose so bad.

Na una eyes he go do again as una yarn dust all through last year.

Curry was a one man wrecking crew yesterday. On any given Sunday, Curry on any team will beat anybody. Lebron was really rusty yesterday. But he also showed up when it mattered. That clutch 3 reminds me of the AD's clutch 3 in the playoffs last year. This game was a confidence builder for Lakers. For warriors role players too.

I think any open minded bball fan can watch yesterdays game and give props to both teams. the game lived up to its billing. I dont understand all this wanking over lebron or seeding, blah blah blah.

Gotta show some love for Kwame Brown! Glad the dude stood up for himself. Matt Barnes (called him Becky with good hair ) and Steph Jackson (called him lil a** boy) crossed a line when they tried to diminish him while interviewing Jeanie Buss. As does SAS a lot. Maybe these guys will be a bit more humble when downing players. Even Jemele Hill caught some bullets. Everybody is either apologizing or keeping shut. I cant blame them. Arenas said it took 20 bodyguards to bring down Kwame and his brother in a club . Probably exaggerating, but nobody wants problems with Kwame.

Full story here: https://www.theroot.com/yall-gon-stop-playing-with-kwame-brown-1846917109

These news personalities, SAS especially need to be careful how they blast people. At least all Kwame did was respond on IG. Others may resort to violence instead

steady986:
LeBron just aggravated his ankle. That's it for the season.

I keep saying they need to shut the season down. But I guess there is some pride there, the champs want to at least get to the playoffs

Roland17:
Haha... Congrats boss! I know say d pikin go “Bleedgreen” las las!!

As for the Lakers, Drummond will struggle with this roster in my opinion and this is because the style is not remotely tailored towards his strength... The Lakers roster was built around LeBums strength. More importantly, the 2 kingpins LeBum and AD need that interior space to operate which means Drummond has to find a way out of that interior except on defense. That is why Gasol is going to be important in the post season depending on where the Lakers fall.

I am worried you guys deny others their due credit because you want to always credit LeBum.. LeBum did not have and still doest have the degree of impact AD has on this Lakers team. Despite playing with a groin injury against a solid Knicks team, AD’s defensive presence was obvious. He commanded double teams which was the reason they even tied the game in the first place.

No one is dragging LeBum’s leadership but at this age and stage of his career, it is okay to say he is being carried and can no longer do everything he used to be able to.

As long as he doesnt bleed Utah Jazz, I can live with his choices. I should get him a Curry or LBJ jersey so he doesnt stray into unwanted territories

You right Drummond doesnt really fit with AD. But there are points in the game where AD likes to camp on the perimeter, even Lebron gets tired and chucks 3s. Im hoping Drummond can be a big body still hanging around the rim, keeping everybody honest. Kind of how Howard used to do, when one of the big 2 is on the bench. I think at this point Drummond is ok with no explicit plays drawn up for him. Just clean up on the inside. In theory, Gasol is a better fit, spreading the floor with his passing and midrannge shot, giving the big 2 room to work. Somehow, it hasnt worked out. Might as well try what worked last year

I wish what you say on Lebron being carried is true. For real. If AD steps up consistently, Lebron rests more and has a few more years in the league. AD has the skills to do it - he just isnt consistent at it yet. The guy who chose AD as first pick in this years fantasy nba is here. He can shalaye what really happened

Roland17:
I know you did not watch last night’s game but I want you to come tell us how it went..especially how AD played and how the Lakers got the W.

I didnt watch it, but I think its the one where Drummond doubled doubled? and they played Gasol and Montrez reduced minutes. Its a good sign to me, because I feel like Drummond SHOULD fit in this system, especially if they go back to their defensive identity. Granted a lot of that defense worked with LBJ on the floor.

I will try and catch the game vs houston today. Hard to do these days though, my attention is severely divided. Small pikin wey dem born yesterday thinks he owns the house and everything in it

Hardetayour:
So Max Kellerman has been saying Steph chokes in the finals. Bar 2016 finals, how true is it?

Max Kellerman is so annoying to watch, I'm just trying to give him benefit of doubt

He knows how to press the right buttons to keep the shows ratings. I cant even blame him

benji93:
Not just that, he needs to tell us how the floor general couldn't get his team to win yesterday. .
@birdman over to you.

I no dey argue for argument sake boss. You can come to any conclusion you want based on one game. Even rookie on houston rockets dropped 50pts the other week. Is he now an all-star? Great guys can have bad nights, wether cp3 or curry.

Lets be guided friends. If Buhari enter dis matter, it wont be funny again o

I think Lakers should let this season go, rest AD, Lebron and miss the playoffs if need be. There is no point going into the playoffs half healthy, aggravating an injury that not only costs you this year, but next as well. Lebron has been bullet proof up till now, but this ankle injury feels to me like it can get worse. AD is heating up, but I dont think the team has gelled the way it should. To me Drummond should still be averaging a double-double in this system, but he is not. These guys need another season to gel

Roland17:
You are being extremely ingenuine and petty!!! The fact that you will even highlight a 36/12/5 as a LOSS speaks of your pettiness. You even delved too deep by highlighting a game where he limped out injured after 9 minutes!

IS LEBUM THE LEADER OF THE LAKERS? Absolutely! I won't debate that but is he the most important player to their journey to a championship? Absolutely not!!!!

Unlike you, in my stats I stated CLEARLY that he was injured in one of the losses. That is fairness. You on the other hand, waited until the struggling lakers won a game with AD doing well to post stats that tell half the story. Just to undermine Lebron. Who is petty? Bro, look mirror

Roland17:
IS LEBUM THE LEADER OF THE LAKERS? Absolutely! I won't debate that but is he the most important player to their journey to a championship? Absolutely not!!!!

You cannot be the most important player if your healthy play does not let you smell playoffs. There is no way for you to spin this. But Im not surprised. The fact that you have the energy to mistype the name every time means you can never be convinced, even if the guy quadruple double.

LONG LIVE LEKING!
LONG LIVE LEKING!
LONG LIVE LEKING! May the rock prosper in his hands!!!

Roland17:
Before dem go say the Lakers can’t win without the Bum.. AD pouring it in and carrying the Lakers all by himself.

I know why I dey put am out here like I did during the bubble because I know dem well well..

AD vs Blazers-36/12/5
AD vs Suns-42/12/5

Lets go deeper

AD vs Blazers-36/12/5 and it was a LOSS
AD vs LAC 4/1/0 and had to exit
AD vs Den 25/7/1 W
AD vs Tor 12/9/7 L

You cannot be cherry-picking games to prove your point. AD is a heck of a player, but without a healthy Lebron, these guys will not even be smelling the playoffs even with healthy AD. The Lakers have lost 4 games, and won only 2 in the full games AD played. These are the facts. It is team Lebron until AD can prove otherwise. And yes, that means last years ring was primarily due to Lebron.

A40:
Floor general ko floor corporal ni. All I know is equipped with the same team Steph Curry will do more, has done more and his apex is higher than anything CP3 will ever reach

It only means this era is maybe not as good as being advertised.

I think the rules favor jump shooters and guards waaay too much in this era. But the skill and strength level is undeniable. Those Steph/Lilard/Durant 3s will work even in the 90s. Lebron, Jokic, AD and Embiid will eat breakfast in any era.