2023 NBA Playoffs Thread

[SouthernDukie]

I didn’t watch the game, but did the Knicks win with RJ Barrett playing 31 min, with 4 rebounds and 6 assists?

For some reason, I have a feeling you know the answer to your own question.

[Billy Dat]

I was looking for the RJ Barrett lovefest thread. I don’t think this is it.

Consistency is a big issue with RJ, not consistency of effort but shooting. I think he'll have some moments in this series, and he was part of a very solid 5 man line-up mixed between starters and the bench that pushed the lead back out in the 3rd quarter.

[roywhite]

Consistency is a big issue with RJ, not consistency of effort but shooting. I think he'll have some moments in this series, and he was part of a very solid 5 man line-up mixed between starters and the bench that pushed the lead back out in the 3rd quarter.

RJ just hasn't improved much as a shooter; in fact, is trending worse from 3-pt

Regular season stats
2019-20 40.2% FG 32.0% 3-pt
2020-21 44.1% FG 40.1% 3-pt
2021-22 40.8% FG 34.2% 3-pt
2022-23 43.4% FG 31.0% 3-pt

[WV_Iron_Duke]

Grayson is available to play for Bucks today at 5:30 on TNT. CBS Sports reporting that the Bucks injury report is blank.

[Steven43]

Ja Morant with a full head of steam on the fast break is a serious problem for those who would attempt to defend him.

My gosh. 😮

[brevity]

The 16-team NBA Playoffs began this weekend. Duke tweeted a composite image of its participating former players a few days ago, during the play-in games.

nbaplayoffs2023.jpg

I thought it was time to make a more definitive list of Duke people who are part of these 16 teams. I've covered the players and coaches, but I wouldn't be surprised if I were missing a few other names. Not every team has a media guide posted online, and even then, not every name in the organization lists a college affiliation.

ATLANTA HAWKS

AJ Griffin, Player
Grant Hill, Co-Owner
Jalen Johnson, Player
Quin Snyder, Head Coach

Let me go ahead and anticipate your response so you don't have to do this...

"Jalen Johnson? Who? I don't care if he's in the image above. He quit on his team and I don't consider him part of the Brotherhood, even though Coach K and all the players do. I've been a fan before those players were born, and before Coach K set foot in Durham! I bleed Duke blue! I made it through the lean years! I went to Cameron before it was even called Cameron! I was there! Freddy Lind!"

BOSTON CELTICS

Joe Pagliuca, Board of Directors
Steve Pagliuca, Co-Owner
Jayson Tatum, Player

BROOKLYN NETS

Seth Curry, Player

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

David Henderson, Scout
Antonio Lang, Assistant Coach

DENVER NUGGETS

(Jack White is not on the playoff roster.)

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Mike Dunleavy Jr, Assistant GM

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Dahntay Jones, Assistant Coach
Mason Plumlee, Player

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

No one. Why do people still root for this loser franchise?

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Tyus Jones, Player
Luke Kennard, Player
Zach Kleiman, GM (Duke Law)
David McClure, Assistant Coach

MIAMI HEAT

Nick Arison, CEO
Shane Battier, Strategic Advisor

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Grayson Allen, Player

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Wendell Moore Jr, Player
Austin Rivers, Player

NEW YORK KNICKS

RJ Barrett, Player
(Trevor Keels is not on the playoff roster.)

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Alaa Abdelnaby, Announcer
Elton Brand, GM

PHOENIX SUNS

(None to my knowledge.)

SACRAMENTO KINGS

Lindsay Harding, Assistant Coach

[CrazieDUMB]

Let me go ahead and anticipate your response so you don't have to do this...

"Jalen Johnson? Who? I don't care if he's in the image above. He quit on his team and I don't consider him part of the Brotherhood, even though Coach K and all the players do. I've been a fan before those players were born, and before Coach K set foot in Durham! I bleed Duke blue! I made it through the lean years! I went to Cameron before it was even called Cameron! I was there! Freddy Lind!"

This got a literal LOL from me

Lindsay Harding, Assistant Coach

I had no idea - thanks for putting this together!

[AZLA]

Luke is the best three point shooter % in the NBA right now

[Steven43]

Jalen Johnson? Who? I don't care if he's in the image above. He quit on his team and I don't consider him part of the Brotherhood, even though Coach K and all the players do. I've been a fan before those players were born, and before Coach K set foot in Durham! I bleed Duke blue! I made it through the lean years! I went to Cameron before it was even called Cameron! I was there! Freddy Lind!

”And get off my motherf#%&ing lawn!”

[Steven43]

Anthony Davis may have just injured his right arm. I intensely dislike the Los Angeles Lakers, but I hope he’s not injured.

I like Davis, and he’s a helluva player.

[Billy Dat]

Rui Hatchimura playing like it’s the 2018 Maui Invitational final!

Luke looks good on this Memphis squad, live he and Tyus repoing the bench squad.

Should be a good finish here.

[Billy Dat]

Man, Morant looks like he may have broken his hand.

[Billy Dat]

Austin Reeves is really good.

[construe]

Reaves is reminding me of a breakout by another "Who the heck is this guy?!?" Austin in the playoffs from back in the day: Austin Croshere.

[SouthernDukie]

Lakers win this series with ease now. Not at all surprising - unfortunately.

[SouthernDukie]

Man, Morant looks like he may have broken his hand.

Looked really bad. A sprained wrist at minimum. Broken bones are a real possibility. Probably done for these playoffs.

[Steven43]

Lakers win this series with ease now. Not at all surprising - unfortunately.

Don’t worry, buddy, Golden State will take care of the Lakers. 🍀

[tommy]

Looked really bad. A sprained wrist at minimum. Broken bones are a real possibility. Probably done for these playoffs.

x rays negative.

[SouthernDukie]

x rays negative.

I am absolutely gobsmacked by that news. It looked horrible.

[SouthernDukie]

Don’t worry, buddy, Golden State will take care of the Lakers. 🍀

Possibly. But the Lakers look really good right now.

By the way, Steven, do you see why didn’t want Boston to be playing Miami? Atlanta was such a better match up.