Stacker Sports- Day 169- Finals
688 sats \ 28 comments \ @grayruby 21 May Stacker_Sports
Finals
Fret not. You have not been transported back in time to your college days and are not faced with a series of finals you have not prepared for.
We are talking about the Eastern and Western Conference Finals in both the NBA and NHL. Last night the Edmonton Oilers walked a tight rope in the last 5 minutes to hold off a Vancouver Canucks late surge and secure their place in the NHL Western Conference Final. And with that victory all four finals in the two leagues were set. (Sorry about your Canucks @gnilma- heck of a season)
In the NBA we have the Celtics vs the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Final and the Mavericks vs the Timberwolves in the Western Conference Final. In the NHL we have the New York Rangers vs the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final and the Dallas Stars vs the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final.
Personally, I am looking forward to both Western Conference Finals. I will be rooting for Edmonton of course (gotta support the Canadian team) but the Dallas Stars have looked incredible getting past the last stanley cup champion in round 1 and the cup champ from two years ago in round 2. And in the NBA I want to see if the TWolves led by Ant Man and their stellar D can continue this fantastic run or will the dual threat of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving prove to be too much to handle.
So out of these four upcoming series, which one(s) are you looking forward to and why?
Sats for all, GR
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90 sats \ 8 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
https://m.stacker.news/31936https://m.stacker.news/31937
@Undisciplined @gnilma thoughts?
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50 sats \ 7 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
Seems about right. I wish they were a little bit more positional, though. It's odd that first team is almost all bigs and second team is all guards.
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42 sats \ 6 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
Boom. Exactly why I shared this when I saw it.
That's what I thought as well. I think it should be more positional. It's supposed to be an all defensive team. No team would have no guards or no bigs on the floor.
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50 sats \ 5 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
I was thinking that, but then I thought about a late game scenario.
Let's say you just need to get a stop and you win the game. Who would you sub in from the 2nd team to replace who from the 1st team?
I might consider subbing in one of those guys for Gobert, which is odd considering he earned DPOY this year, but I think I'd rather keep those 1st team guys out there.
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42 sats \ 4 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
I don't think it has to be strictly positional. The best guys are the best guys but I think it should look a bit more like a feasible lineup.
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92 sats \ 2 replies \ @gnilma 21 May
It's odd that first team is almost all bigs and second team is all guards.
I thought the same. I guess it depends on the definition or requirements on the votes. I think voters are just thinking overall defense (blocking shots, altering shots, breaking up plays, steals) and the bigs generally have an edge due to their size. Voters are probably not distinguishing perimeter defense vs post defense, or trying to build an actual team.
It's just a top 10 list of best NBA defenders as voted by a bunch of analysts and not really a legit team.
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50 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 21 May
It's strange, though, that it's not just two teams of bigs, then.
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42 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
After creating the first team they probably thought maybe we have to include some guards here. Ok we'll put them on the second team.
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50 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
But it's only one-side of the court, so a feasible lineup would be one that best defends a feasible offensive lineup.
The 1st team isn't all big stiff rim protectors. AD and Bam are terrifying defenders for guards and wings to go against, so I kind of think it's ok.
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61 sats \ 1 reply \ @gnilma 21 May freebie
Canucks tried. They beat all expectations and put on this great show for the city. It was sad to see them lose game 7 like that, but it was fun while it lasted. Better luck next year. At least I can go back to focusing on NBA.
I'm also looking forward to the NBA WCF, as I think it would be one hell of a series.
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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
They came so close at the end. I thought they were going to tie it.
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92 sats \ 10 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
It's Minnesota-Dallas for me. I'm absolutely captivated by the emergence of Ant as the next two-way superstar and face of the league. Also, I love elite NBA defense and that's not something we've gotten to see a lot in the past 20 years.
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84 sats \ 9 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
I think this series is going to be great. I think Minny will win but who knows. If Luka and Kyrie can shoot the lights out it might mitigate some of what the Twolves do defensively.
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82 sats \ 8 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
You're right, but Luka and Kyrie are pretty similar to Jokic and Murray as a combo.
Just don't get into a close-out situation with Kyrie and they should be ok.
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84 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
Yes, I think Dallas needs to have both of them rolling to have a chance to take the series. I think Minny is going to frustrate the heck out of Luka. If he is spending his time crying to the refs they have done their job.
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92 sats \ 6 replies \ @gnilma 21 May
As you've mentioned before, Kyrie is 14-0 in close out games. If they ever get to a close out situation, I would not bet against Kyrie.
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52 sats \ 5 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
Minny needs to avoid 3 losses at all costs.
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60 sats \ 4 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
What are you expecting?
I picked Minny in 6 for the pick 'em and I think 5 games are more likely than 7.
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52 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May freebie
I think 6 is about right. Dallas will win a couple games. Minny's D might not have an off night but their shooting probably will. We have seen some some pretty dry stretches from the offense especially when the Nuggets were locking down Ant Man. Also, I think Luka and or Kyrie will have at least one insane game and will the Mavs to victory. So 4-2 seems about right.
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50 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 May
My thinking was basically that Luke will win one for Dallas and KAT will lose one for Minnesota.
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50 sats \ 1 reply \ @BTC_Bellzer 21 May
You already know my vote
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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 May
Goes without saying. Best of luck to the Rangers.
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50 sats \ 0 replies \ @Bell_curve 21 May
Minnesota and Edmonton
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50 sats \ 2 replies \ @Satosora 21 May
who do you think will win the western conference final?
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10 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 21 May
TWolves in NBA and I hate to say this because I am cheering for the Oilers but I think the Stars will win in NHL.
How about you?
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60 sats \ 0 replies \ @Satosora 21 May
hoping twolves. They need a win. Not sure about the NHL yet.
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