Jokic plan is to go 16-0 in the post-season, force LeBron retirement. End the debate.

**RunBookRun** · 04-27-24, 07:38 PM

..not saying Nuggets will go 16-0, Timberwolves look great. but could happen. Jokic will certainly try.

Had my money on Nuggets repeat long time ago, my only wish was that one could wager on 3-peats.

**RunBookRun** · 04-27-24, 10:14 PM

loss good for Nuggets.. don't want too much time off before Minnesota. I hope Wolves wrap in 4 against Suns. Will be letting it ride on Denver 2nd Round. Early series line for Nuggets vs. Lakers. Expect will be much tighter line. Slight edge to Nuggets. I want that as tight as possible. If Nuggets were dogs, wager is same. Let it ride.

**RunBookRun** · 04-27-24, 10:15 PM

Lakers holding parade for win tonight. Game 5 likely delayed at least one day.

**RunBookRun** · 04-27-24, 10:57 PM

James Worthy on Lakers TV: "LAKERS IN 7"

give that man a raise!

**RunBookRun** · 04-28-24, 08:03 PM

Doncíc is useless. 1-9 from 3PT. I bet most just launched without looking around to see who had best play on the court.

**stevenash** · 04-28-24, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by RunBookRun

Lakers holding parade for win tonight. Game 5 likely delayed at least one day.

Or until the riots are under control.

**RunBookRun** · 04-28-24, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

Or until the riots are under control.

lol.. Lakers.. that's the only team I did not like LeBron playing for, felt like selling out. I know he good for his side hustles (movies.. etc)..

whatever the series price is against Minnesota...

Denver.

**RunBookRun** · 04-29-24, 05:48 PM

Gilbert Arenas: "LA just toying with Nuggets last 11. Lakers in 7"

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

**RunBookRun** · 04-30-24, 01:47 PM

got series price DEN/LAK at DEN (-400).
letting it ride DEN (-190) Series over Minnesota

**RunBookRun** · 05-01-24, 11:09 PM

Doncic is no Jokic. Just a massive playoff let down. Has shot under .200 for the series from 3PT, and took plenty of shots. Terrible efficiency. Plays scared in the playoffs it seems, maybe Jokic success unnerves him, not sure.

Only thing hurting OKC is too much time off, still should easily handle either Mavs or Clippers. Both are duds. Playoff Doncic is the new playoff Harden. Regular season miracle, but playoff ghost.

**RunBookRun** · 05-03-24, 09:23 PM

Doncíc wasting possessions heaving up 3s that have no chance of going in. Luke is a liability in the post-season.. he needs security of regular season.. where he taunts and laughs at opponents, scoring at will.. for series probably under .150 from 3pt range. Refs put him on the line a great deal. Lucky for that.

Not committed athlete, drinks beer every night. 50Lbs. overweight.

**RunBookRun** · 05-03-24, 10:09 PM

Doncíc 0-7 from 3PT range. Halftime game 6. critical closeout game.

**IBetYou** · 05-04-24, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by RunBookRun

Doncic is no Jokic. Just a massive playoff let down. Has shot under .200 for the series from 3PT, and took plenty of shots. Terrible efficiency. Plays scared in the playoffs it seems, maybe Jokic success unnerves him, not sure.

Only thing hurting OKC is too much time off, still should easily handle either Mavs or Clippers. Both are duds. Playoff Doncic is the new playoff Harden. Regular season miracle, but playoff ghost.

Terrible analysis. Doncic is nothing like Harden. Harden is a regular season scorer. Doncic is one of the finest offensive players the league has ever seen ...not as effective as Jokic, but I think most people have realised this without your help.

**IBetYou** · 05-04-24, 10:59 AM

Reality is playoff basketball is physical and that takes a toll on player. Jokic is a big guy and he's able to score around the basket with ease, so he doesn't feel the physicality so much. There was a time when the Lakers had the likes of Marc Gasol or even Dwight Howard and so they could wear on him a bit. I don't see any teams having this anymore thus the Joker is able to do his tricks easy.

**IBetYou** · 05-04-24, 11:06 AM

Strange that the Lakers let Gasol go when they did. He was the best low post defender in the league his final year -you would think a contending team would find that useful with Jokic & Embiid rising to prominance. Instead he goes to play in the Spanish 2nd division. I think he & James did not get along.

**RunBookRun** · 05-06-24, 11:43 PM

Wolves total dominance game 2, up 2-0
goes to show.. if you go for it 100% anything possible.

**RunBookRun** · 05-07-24, 11:39 PM

Originally posted by IBetYou

Terrible analysis. Doncic is nothing like Harden. Harden is a regular season scorer. Doncic is one of the finest offensive players the league has ever seen ...not as effective as Jokic, but I think most people have realised this without your help.

BetYou, not sure if you understood my post. I stated that Doncíc is a regular season miracle-man, but a playoff choker (like Harden). in the last 4 games vs. the Clippers he shot 7 of 41 from 3PT (.171)

adding tonight, 1 of 9 he is now 8-50, (.160%), on most of those occasions he just dribbles up the floor and jacks it up without looking around with plenty of time left on the clock.

Funny how he can hit 3PT underhanded circus shots in the reg season and can't hit wide open 3's in the playoffs. What would be the difference in difficulty?

lets see of he recovers, and leads Mavs past Thunder. Could happen. anything can. but I doubt it.

**IBetYou** · 05-08-24, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by RunBookRun

BetYou, not sure if you understood my post. I stated that Doncíc is a regular season miracle-man, but a playoff choker (like Harden). in the last 4 games vs. the Clippers he shot 7 of 41 from 3PT (.171)

adding tonight, 1 of 9 he is now 8-50, (.160%), on most of those occasions he just dribbles up the floor and jacks it up without looking around with plenty of time left on the clock.

Funny how he can hit 3PT underhanded circus shots in the reg season and can't hit wide open 3's in the playoffs. What would be the difference in difficulty?

lets see of he recovers, and leads Mavs past Thunder. Could happen. anything can. but I doubt it.

RunBookRun, not sure if you have seen past playoff performances from Doncic. He averages 33.9ppg in the playoffs -this is league leading, and it's not close. About 48% on FG too. Rough go for him this year. He's obviously injured. But his numbers were going to dip a bit vs Dort anyway -this is the best perimeter defender in the league and has been for some time.

**IBetYou** · 05-08-24, 12:21 AM

His team is just not as good as the other 3 still alive in the west. Can't tell me Washington & Gafford move the needle. Lively is the one frontliner that can emerge as a 3rd star for them but they have to wait for him, 3-4 years.

**IBetYou** · 05-10-24, 05:39 AM

It would be great if the Mavs knocked off the Thunder... all these BLM goons going off about their "brother" (SAS actually used that word -yup subtle as a sledge hammer) SGA not winning it. Shaq, SAS, K.Smith, Arenas, Perkins - pretty much every black talking head - all feeling very strongly the blackie ought to have won.

Much racism in America makes for a highly entertaining Balkans takeover

**IBetYou** · 05-10-24, 05:41 AM

Well not that great actually, as I will be betting the Thunder

**RunBookRun** · 05-10-24, 02:41 PM

Doncic played better and his face looked thinner. I think Doncic has a beer problem.. not off season.. ALL season. I think he drinks a 6 pack a day. Shows in his face and body (and performance). I think after game 1 stinker he decided to get serious. And did.

if he continues to play well next few games.. and we notice his face continue to look more slim.. it was the beer that disrupted his play.

**RunBookRun** · 05-10-24, 02:48 PM

I do agree that some people really root so hard against Jokic and Doncic.. but they have been on the receiving end of this treatment for so long.. not surprising they have anger about it. Jackie Robinson.. black QBs.. only hockey was it no big deal. I do think that is the core resentment. but expected.

I wonder what Shaq's treatment of Jokic will have on Game 3. it might have pissed him off. I do think that Jokic was extra motivated last year for being denied MVP he deserved. Wanted to show league who should have won. I also feel this award should be voted on after season like hockey. It affects playoffs too much. Anthony Edwards received a single vote and not in discussion. I believe that factors into his beyond normal play in the playoffs and especially this round.

tonight should be interesting. Minnesota much better coached.

**IBetYou** · 05-10-24, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by RunBookRun

I do agree that some people really root so hard against Jokic and Doncic.. but they have been on the receiving end of this treatment for so long.. not surprising they have anger about it. Jackie Robinson.. black QBs.. only hockey was it no big deal. I do think that is the core resentment. but expected.

I wonder what Shaq's treatment of Jokic will have on Game 3. it might have pissed him off. I do think that Jokic was extra motivated last year for being denied MVP he deserved. Wanted to show league who should have won. I also feel this award should be voted on after season like hockey. It affects playoffs too much. Anthony Edwards received a single vote and not in discussion. I believe that factors into his beyond normal play in the playoffs and especially this round.

tonight should be interesting. Minnesota much better coached.

How about Kenny Smith? He said "WOW" when Doncic was listed as a one of the candidates... wow what?! He's put up arguably the best regular season stats ever. Stats are one of the main arguments, so he's going to be in the conversation. I think it's all good drama personally... but you'd think they'd have a bit more self awareness -maybe they actually want people to know they're tribal.

**IBetYou** · 05-10-24, 10:44 PM

Nuggets to repeat I think. T'Wolves & Thunder lack experience. Celtics are just 2nd rate.

**IBetYou** · 05-13-24, 09:45 AM

Well well... Jokic 2-0 since Shaq went on that tirade, and Doncic 2-0 since the insolence from "the Jet" Smith.

I have changed my opinion on the Thunder/ Mavs series. I was wrong on both teams. The wheels are coming off for the Thunder. Giddey has lost the backing of his coach, and Chet is looking a bit like a rookie (he is). Washington has brought a lot to the Mavs. Better defender than I thought with his switchability and blocking shots from behind -only 6'7 but a 7'3 wingspan

**RunBookRun** · 05-13-24, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by IBetYou

Nuggets to repeat I think. T'Wolves & Thunder lack experience. Celtics are just 2nd rate.

Seawed picked the Pacers to come out of East for –1200 and I thought it was a great bet, I would have tailed that but I locked up everything on being Nuggets series price, one at a time. Pacers would be 3-1 if not for refs, hope he wins.

Last year I put balance on Denver series vs. Suns Round 2 (after game 4), can't remember price (maybe +600) around there. I looked at futures after game 4 and Denver was dead last of 8 teams remaining. I thought that was crazy. They went 10-2 rest of way.

at beginning of season I thought repeat, in fact I think Three-Peat. the Nuggets all play like Jokic now, when he is on bench, Gordon (and Murray) brings it up and does a great job. He influenced them all. That -24pts rating Nuggets have when Jokic on the bench will improve greatly soon. next to impossible imaging Nuggets lose three in a row at home. Game 5 Nuggets I feel.

Looks like your man and my man will be facing each other. Slovenia vs. Serbia, Irving playing like a king. If he stayed in Cleveland, Cavs win at least 3 ring s there together with LeBron, would still be playing together. What a silly move asking for trade.

**IBetYou** · 05-13-24, 05:43 PM

Irving is the elder statesman on the Mavs and well respected by everyone on the team. He's happy. In Cleveland he would have always been the apprentice. Some things aren't meant to be.

**IBetYou** · 05-13-24, 05:43 PM

And James was leaving for LA anyway (Irving beat him to the punch).

**RunBookRun** · 05-13-24, 07:27 PM

agreed on first post.. but can't see LeBron leaving Irving for unknown LA, imo that only happened because he could not win in Cle. without Irving.

Best chance to catch Jordan (6) is to stay with Kyrie. But LeBron sealed own fate by acting a fool at the parade/party in Cleveland. He took, and never let go of microphone, assumed role of **, acts like hosting party in own backyard. I was huge Cavs fans back then, and I thought it was cringy.

**RunBookRun** · 05-14-24, 08:46 AM

Luka doesn't want to face Jokic in the WCF, no other reason for playing like this.. face looks fat for a guy who runs that much.. has to be beer. one day he will snap and stop drinking. Watch out NBA when he does. for now.. he's an all-time great offensively in the reg. season.. and scared in the playoffs.

Jokic is in his head. When they are together, Jokic treats him disrespectfully continuously. Like a bad big brother. 1) probably only person in the world that does that to Luke 2) Luka lets it happen, doesn't know how to respond. Very bad for mindset.

**IBetYou** · 05-14-24, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by RunBookRun

agreed on first post.. but can't see LeBron leaving Irving for unknown LA, imo that only happened because he could not win in Cle. without Irving.

Best chance to catch Jordan (6) is to stay with Kyrie. But LeBron sealed own fate by acting a fool at the parade/party in Cleveland. He took, and never let go of microphone, assumed role of **, acts like hosting party in own backyard. I was huge Cavs fans back then, and I thought it was cringy.

Nah. He has wander lust! Windhorst is suggesting he might go back to Cleveland now. Seems likely; he must be looking at these young West final 4 teams grappling with each other war of attrition style and be thinking no penetrating way would my team handle that! If he goes back to Cleveland nobody will expect too much of him or his team and he can have a more relaxing season.

**IBetYou** · 05-14-24, 03:38 PM

I think he's finished. Just wants to play in the league with his son and then retire. No super-team with him & Curry in the bay -Curry would get all the credit anyway

**RunBookRun** · 05-15-24, 10:03 AM

if LBJ and Bronny play together it will be Napoleon invading Russia. Just retire with dignity. Whatever GN signs Lebron and agrees to draft Bronny is a fool and will ruin career. This will be stain on LeBron ruin Bronny career (already difficult being son of all time great) and th GM and the team for the money they will give up. You can't have a father making 10X what th some makes. Bad news all around.

No way to win now for Lebron with Jokic in league. Wolves also.

Take Thunder for series tied 2-2. OKC (-155 series price) Doncic does NOT want to face Jokic in playoffs. Will fake injury, you can see th stress and worry in his face in the post game talks.

Those two pretend to like each other. They dont.