DLeethal wrote:This series was never destined to end in 5. Basketball gods would never allow for something like that to happen. I hope we can avoid game 7 but that might be the fate. This is just an all time great series so far.

This is a great series. This a 2/3 series not a 2/7 series. I think its pretty clear that these are the 2 best teams behind Boston. Every game has been hotly contested. On net we have been a bit better - honestly in each game. Game 3 still a game where despite their 3rd quarter barrage you can point to the fact that refs let Embiid throw us around without enforcing the rules. Whatever. My point is we're a little better. We beat people with intensity and resilience all year. We know this team knows how to deal with situations like this so lets believe in the work they put in.

VDesai wrote:

martin wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:

martin wrote:Man, Mitch is a defensive only player for the most part and he made like 3 mistakes on this one play.

End of game, rookie level mental mistakes. I’m still shaking my head

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It's not even the piss poor contest but the fact that he also left Embiid, rolling to the rim, to do it. He's played well defensively against Embiid but we cannot have him on the floor down the stretch because he is a mental midget; as evidenced by that play. It was an awful decision that was further compounded upon.

For me, you KNOW Philly needs 3's and it's 2's you want them shooting, and also to waste time. Give Embiid a wide open layup... who cares, right?

Stand right at the 3point line and just put your hands up (if you can beat Maxey to spot) or don't go anywhere near the player. That's it.

Thats correct. You give up the easy 2. Mitch can't jump or lose his feet in that situation. Problem is he blocked a few on the perimeter this series and was going for a block. No need to do that. Clean contest, don't make contact, or give up the layup that's fine. We have a 6 point lead and the clock is in your favor. It was a major mistake. The guy was playing an amazing game defensively, but he made a massive mistake.

But beyond his mistake someone had to make 2 spectacular shots and they did. You tip your cap and move on.

100%

VDesai wrote:

martin wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

martin wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:Was anyone else occasionally thinking - man wish had Grimes to at least try to run throw out against Maxey for a few minutes.

His quick feet, size and strength would be nice as an option especially given we have neither Bogey/In the trunk

No we too busy man loving deuce

Talking about the non Deuce minutes when Maxey is blowing by Donte/Josh

We fan club members have solutions for this: 48 minutes of Deuce!!!!

Can we say something about Deuce? Aside from his D, this guy has never been put in a position where he had to make the kind of shot he did - which should have closed the series. Ok free throw line jumper, but that's a major pressure shot and he makes a great read to go to the middle there as they are collapsing on defense. High pressure shot and he nails it, all net.

His bucket getting skills are catching up with his defense. He isn't just a 3 pt marksmen, he is finding ways to get in the paint.

Yeah, I have not watched all the minutes of all the later season games but that felt like one of the first times Deuce was purposely in that spot taking that kind of shot? Usually it's iHart or Hart?

Deuce has been one ginormous revaluation this year. Bonkers good right? Passing every test that the NBA and Thibs throws at him?

I'm astounded. Definitely never trade Deuce.

VDesai wrote:

DLeethal wrote:This series was never destined to end in 5. Basketball gods would never allow for something like that to happen. I hope we can avoid game 7 but that might be the fate. This is just an all time great series so far.

This is a great series. This a 2/3 series not a 2/7 series. I think its pretty clear that these are the 2 best teams behind Boston. Every game has been hotly contested. On net we have been a bit better - honestly in each game. Game 3 still a game where despite their 3rd quarter barrage you can point to the fact that refs let Embiid throw us around without enforcing the rules. Whatever. My point is we're a little better. We beat people with intensity and resilience all year. We know this team knows how to deal with situations like this so lets believe in the work they put in.

great point, these really are the 2 best teams behind BOS, and this is with both teams being hobbled.

It's why I felt we shouldn't have gone so hard to win the last 3 games and had rested more instead.

but it's been a great series to watch, a throwback. Both teams choked away a game. Time to put it away on thursday. but even if we don't, game 7 at MSG will be a ruckus!

And i wouldn't want to change the starting lineup right now, but Deuce has to come in earlier if DDV continues to struggle. Same for Mitch. Those two have changed the games when they come in. Mitch's stupid foul not withstanding.

And as much as we can harp on the Jhart missed FT and the OG, and the Brunson one... PHI missed alot of FT's too, maxey missed 3 in a row at one point

Maxey though, that was a 4th quarter for the ages...

nycericanguy wrote:gotta say i was surprised we didn't see Precious and OG on Embidd, especially in the 2nd half where he had a nice two man game going with Maxey.

And i wouldn't want to change the starting lineup right now, but Deuce has to come in earlier if DDV continues to struggle. Same for Mitch. Those two have changed the games when they come in. Mitch's stupid foul not withstanding.

And as much as we can harp on the Jhart missed FT and the OG, and the Brunson one... PHI missed alot of FT's too, maxey missed 3 in a row at one point

Maxey though, that was a 4th quarter for the ages...

I think we are at the point where we can make a shift to win a game. It doesn't have to be permanent. The same way we decided to thrust Deuce in the starting lineup to shadow Curry. I think he needs to be on shadow duty next game from start to finish. See if we can get off to a better start, after 5 straight games we get crushed to start the game, and also see if DDV can get going off the bench. It's time IMO ... can't wait too long to try and fix the issues with the starting unit and we need to contain Maxey.

The 40 spot is nice, but 6-9 FT and the 4TO's we gotta skip. Also, iHart is NOT wide open in the corner for a 3 at the end of the game, YOU ARE OPEN WHERE YOU ARE WITH THE BALL.

martin wrote:Dear Jalen, now that you the appointed one, we will expect perfection even when there is always imperfection amongst us all.

The 40 spot is nice, but 6-9 FT and the 4TO's we gotta skip. Also, iHart is NOT wide open in the corner for a 3 at the end of the game, YOU ARE OPEN WHERE YOU ARE WITH THE BALL.

That play was so predictable … everyone knew he was gonna go for the kill shot including Batum and he got caught

martin wrote:

DLeethal wrote:

nycericanguy wrote:gotta say i was surprised we didn't see Precious and OG on Embidd, especially in the 2nd half where he had a nice two man game going with Maxey.

And i wouldn't want to change the starting lineup right now, but Deuce has to come in earlier if DDV continues to struggle. Same for Mitch. Those two have changed the games when they come in. Mitch's stupid foul not withstanding.

And as much as we can harp on the Jhart missed FT and the OG, and the Brunson one... PHI missed alot of FT's too, maxey missed 3 in a row at one point

Maxey though, that was a 4th quarter for the ages...

I think we are at the point where we can make a shift to win a game. It doesn't have to be permanent. The same way we decided to thrust Deuce in the starting lineup to shadow Curry. I think he needs to be on shadow duty next game from start to finish. See if we can get off to a better start, after 5 straight games we get crushed to start the game, and also see if DDV can get going off the bench. It's time IMO ... can't wait too long to try and fix the issues with the starting unit and we need to contain Maxey.

I have to tell you, I'd be incredible interested in what the staff thinks about this situation and why they continue with DDV.

Knicks ain't winning it all this year. There is no doubt there but you gotta play to win. But you also gotta play for build as much as you can during the playoffs? At least in this year's iteration?

They can't really throw DDV under bus, he is gaining playoff experience too, right?

I'd be interesting in hearing the back and forth.

Thibs is very cautious switching up rotation. This goes back to the Elfrid/Rose days. I believe he eventually put Rose in the starting lineup in that Atlanta series and we got smoked anyway. I think he believes in keeping guys who are thriving where they are and also giving the guys struggling a chance to figure it out.

That said I think we are nearing micromanagement time. When we were up 3-1 going home to close it out I think it was fine to keep it consistent. But we are venturing into dangerous territory. Maxey just had a historic performance and we are running out of time to let the starters try and get it right.

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