These may be the single wildest playoffs we've ever had with so many "underdogs" winning games right away in the Semis. Everyone's picking plans, and I mean everyone's, have completely been blown to the wind. The two Eastern teams favored to go the Finals are both down 0-2. They're supposed to meet next round and duke it out, but now there's a very good chance that that doesn't happen. Still, the Celtics are defending champs and the Cavs are the #1 seed for a reason with several notably long win streaks throughout the season. They can both come back, so personally I'm avoiding those series.
Meanwhile, the Thunder looked every bit themselves in Game 2 and did exactly what they were supposed to do after losing Game #1 at home: make a damn statement that it won't happen again. Denver did what they were supposed to do (win one game), but the Thunder look like they're going to the finals, IMO. Now we've got today's only game, the Warriors vs. the Wolves in Game #2. I had the Warriors with a slight edge in this series, but now Steph Curry is out for the rest of the series. Even though they pulled off a win in Game #1, I cannot see them getting past the Wolves without Curry. For that reason, I'm picking a Warrior (which in itself may be Against The Grain since they're up 1-0), but assuming most people pick Butler or Hield, I'd say the true Against The Grain pick is Brandin Podziemski. He's averaged 15/7/5 in games without Curry this season, which are pretty strong numbers that could be enhanced by higher postseason minutes here. Somebody has got to score for the Warriors with no Curry & the Wolves are going to be keyed in on Buddy Hield after he torched them for 24 pts in Game 1.
And if you recall, my first ATG pick this previous round was a home run hit with Scotty Pippen Jr. Of course I didn't pick him, and I'm probably not picking Podz here either, which should mean he'll be great :)
Everyone's picking plans have indeed completely been blown to the wind. I've been knocked off top 10 in FPS as the top new top 10 ALL picked someone from the winning team. While I had Murray's measly 18.
ReplyDeleteToday I have Dray. Hoping for a double-double, for extra FPS points.
Dray, triple-single
DeleteI agree with you Jerry. If some combination of Mobley - Garland - Hunter returns tonight, I'm stlill avoiding Cavs - Pacers series for the time being, and picking Jamal Murray. If not, I'm picking Jarrett Allen.
ReplyDeleteFor the tomorrows pick, I really don't think any of GSW players are worth picking (already picked Butler and Curry). Podziemski/Dray/Hield can be picked, but even though I do think there is a strong possibility that the Celtics make a comeback, I'm probably going Tatum here. Losing a Celtic won't hurt much in conference finals as I'd have almost everyone from the Cavs/Pacers to pick.
agree with u..Besides Curry and Butler im not taking a warrior unless there is nobody left to pick.Tonight I already picked Joker and Murray.Tonight its either Mitchel or Siakum Tomorrow its Tatum.Knicks are up 2 and home 2 in row.And will fight like dogs so Ill take 1 Celt and Im not going be cute and take anyone but tatum
DeleteAll Cavs injured player are gonna play. Still sticking with Donovan. If Garland and Mobley and Hunter are gonna suck in some of Donovan stats, then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI've switched to Jamal Murray. I'm giving the Cavs a chance to change my mind. If they lose, Spida in Game 4.
DeleteI had pre-set Brunson for G3 pick before G2 began. But with Knicks up 2-0, I can't ignore picking from the Celtics anymore.
ReplyDeleteKP still does not feel like himself. And Robinson is having his way on the boards.
I am picking Tatum for G3 just because Brown plays better in elim games than Tatum in recent years.
Playing the hand I am dealt.
I'm not touching the Celtics yet. They were up 20 in both games before collapsing. Going with Butler tonight. Tomorrow is a more difficult decision after Nuggets won. Probably picking a Pacer instead of my original idea of Murray
ReplyDeleteCeltics 6 of 7 on 3s in the 1st quarter Knicks just 1 of 7........
DeleteI cannot decide who to pick tonight. It's either a Pacer or a Nugget for me despite both teams are leading in the series. I think both the Cavs and the Thunder will win their series, but if one of them gets eliminited, it would be Cavs. That's why I'm leaning towards to pick Aaron Gordon, but Haliburton or Siakam are in the cards too.
ReplyDeleteChanged my mind and picking Haliburton. Saving Gordon as just in case for now as I've already picked Jokic and Murray.
DeleteShouldn't have changed my mind smh.
DeleteI put faith in the Cavs for Game 3 when they got healthier, and it paid off (for now). Put similar faith in the Celtics yesterday. I'm going to keep that going by picking Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson. This allows me to avoid the West for one more game, and shift focus there starting Game 5 as needed.
ReplyDeleteChange in plans. OKC winning Game 4 has opened Game 5 to be a Pacer. So I'm switching from Hali and saving him for Game 5 (on the road, I figure he will take on a larger load). Gonna go Pascal Siakam on FP and Myles Turner on GD.
DeleteSiakum only been averaging 21 i already took Haliburtan and for Nugs took top 2 players I got Williams today.That series is a toss up now,What u think about Kumunga tommorow
ReplyDeleteI am taking Siakam, hoping he finally fond his rythm last game in the 2nd half. Tomorrow Jalen Brunson
ReplyDeletePicked Chet.
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll see Cavs again next year strong.
ReplyDeleteJust like OKC in recent years ago, get bumped in playoffs despite great season record.
Teams just need to go through the motion before reaching the top. No cinderellas.
Best remaining Warriors and Knicks (teams that I believe will be eliminated) players for me: Hart, OG, Mikal Bridges, Kuminga. Both series are 2-1, so at I can pick at most 4 players from these teams.
ReplyDeleteIt's Kuminga today for me as I believe without Curry, he has at least a similar expected value as OG and Mikal (Hart is better I think). The Knicks are also leading 2-1, so we have more time to pick players from them. They also have a puncher's chance to get through, while GSW has no shot without Steph.
Another factor is that Kuminga will be irrelevant when/if Steph returns, and he's the only player other than Butler who can create his own shot at the moment, so he should get plenty of minutes and usage again.
I think I have every reason to pick Kuminga atm, which means I will get hurt again lol.
Daren
Deleteagreed on all counts.I got Kuminga
DeleteGot Buddy Hield on deck 🏀
DeleteOMG the Pacers DESTROYED the Cavs in Game 4!! The ENTIRE 2nd half was garbage time! Jarrett Allen got a 5 on GD and a 4 on FP!
DeleteGot the minutes and usage as I envisioned, scored well, but man, what an empty line he had. Still the highest scorer on the Warriors tho, so cant complain too much.
DeleteBuddy Hield got 15 in the 1st half .... and 1 in the 2nd half on FP! At least he was on the losing team.
DeletePrepared for Draymond to disappoint me heavily tonight
ReplyDeleteI need to thank the officials of the game where I picked him for their patience. After his technical foul and how he was yelling at them I thought he was gone lol
DeleteToday it's rather an easy decision to pick the best Cavs player available. It's Mitchell for me if he plays, Mobley if he doesn't.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow it's also very easy to pick the best available Celtic, so it's Jaylen Brown for me. Tatum probably tore his achilles, which was very sad to watch.
I'm going Mobley even though Mitchell will play. Cavs will win. Mitchell in Game 6.
DeleteMy next pick... Cooper Flagg!
ReplyDeletehow does Kuminga not get 1 rebound or assist ..Mobley tonight..Brown tommorow..Leader picked Brown not Tatum Im in 2nd.I hope Tatum ok but it dosnt look good
ReplyDeleteexactly this for me and yeah, Tatum already had the surgery. Brutal.
DeleteBest available Cavs and Celtics in my pool... Garland, then Brown.
ReplyDeletePicking Celtics as quick and as many as possible. CAVS too
Deleteyeah, def that for the Celtics. Cavs still have a small chance.
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