Tag: NBA Playoffs

Report: Most players on bad teams want NBA to restart with playoffs

If the 2019-20 season resumes, the NBA has yet to commit to whether it would play regular-season games or go straight to the playoffs.

The majority of NBA players on teams effectively eliminated from playoff contention in the 2019-20 season do not want to resume their seasons, according to a new report by Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.

The league has been halted since March 12 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with most teams having played in the ballpark of 65 games of the NBA’s usual 82-game regular season. While not locked in, both conferences now have a significant gap in the standings between the eight playoff teams and anyone on the outside looking in.

As a result, players on teams that are all-but-mathematially eliminated don’t have much incentive to return after a long layoff. Haynes writes:

The majority of players who are essentially eliminated from postseason contention would rather the league start back up with the top eight teams in each conference competing in some sort of playoff, sources said.

That jives with comments last month from Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who said his Warriors (15-50) felt like it was “the end of the season” for their team. According to Haynes, many players opposed to returning themselves do still want the playoffs to proceed for financial reasons.

For some players out of the playoff picture, there’s concern a canceled season could negatively affect the next CBA, sources said.

In the same story, Haynes reports that a group of NBA stars including Houston’s Russell Westbrook all agreed Monday during a private conference call that the league should resume the 2019-20 season with proper safety measures. Besides Westbrook, others on the call included Chris Paul, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, and Damian Lillard.

But of that group, only Curry and Lillard play for non-playoff teams. While Haynes says the unified voices from many of the league’s heavyweights should carry significant weight when it comes time for other players to decide on restarting the season, it remains to be seen whether that would be enough for the entire league to want to return.

[lawrence-related id=29623]

The NBA has indicated that it would like to play regular-season games before the playoffs, but it has yet to commit to that path. No timetable is currently set for the league’s potential resumption, which would almost certainly occur at a neutral site such as Orlando or Las Vegas.

Should they go straight to the playoffs, Houston (40-24) would be the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and slated for a first-round series versus No. 3 Denver (43-22). The Nuggets and Rockets split their four games in the regular season, with the home team winning each time.

[lawrence-related id=27547,29840]

Warriors Playoff Rewind: Steph Curry drops 40 in 2016 ‘I’m back’ game in Portland

It’s been four years since Stephen Curry exploded for 40 points in the “I’m here, I’m back” game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Throughout the 2019-20 season, Stephen Curry has missed 60 games for the Golden State Warriors. His absence from the lineup has had a dramatic impact on the Warriors’ chances of returning to the NBA playoffs for the eighth straight time. 

With 17 games remaining on the calendar, the Warriors are the first team in the league to be eliminated from playoff contention. Despite the Warriors missing the playoffs in 2020, the past handful of years has provided a balanced wave of postseason highlights. 

Although Curry’s return to action was shortened to only one game before the NBA season was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, the two-time Most Valuable Player’s comeback in the 2016 playoffs produced a legendary moment. 

May 9, 2016 

After spraining his knee against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, Curry made his awaited return versus the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Semifinals game four. 

After dropping game three behind Damian Lillard’s 40 points, the Warriors found themselves in another tight game in Portland. Without Curry in the starting lineup, the Warriors fell behind big to start the game, but a back and forth battle broke out after the first quarter. 

Harrison Barnes drilled a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining to push the game into overtime. Prior to the start of OT, Curry recorded 23 points against the Blazers. Once the bell rang for the extra period, Curry exploded. 

The six-time All-Star snapped an NBA record, scoring 17 points in overtime to blast past the Blazers, 132-125. 

With just under two minutes remaining in overtime, Curry splashed a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key forcing the Blazers to call a timeout. As the teams were walking to the bench, Curry famously called out —  “I’m here. I’m back.” 

Curry’s 40 point performance on 16-of-32 shooting with nine rebounds and eight assists in 37 minutes will forever be known as the “I’m back” game. 

Watch highlights from Curry’s return to the playoffs via YouTube: 

The Warriors eliminated the Blazers in game five Oakland to move on to face Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. 

[lawrence-related id=25658,25691,25603,25629,25939]

Today in 1995: Olajuwon, Drexler lead Rockets to clincher in Utah

Olajuwon and Drexler each had 30+ points and 10 rebounds as the Rockets won a decisive Game 5 in Utah on their way to the 1995 NBA title.

It was 25 years ago today when it became evident that the playoff form of the 1994-95 Houston Rockets was very different than the regular season.

Led by 63 combined points from future Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the Rockets won a decisive Game 5 at Utah, 95-91 (box score). The Jazz went 60-22 in the regular season, while the defending NBA champion Rockets were a mere 47-35 and a lightly regarded No. 6 seed entering the Western Conference playoffs.

But the Rockets proved in that first-round series versus Utah that they were able to flip the switch. The May 7, 1995 win in Salt Lake City was the second of five playoff games they’d win when facing elimination.

Olajuwon led the Rockets with 33 points (10-of-16 FG) and 10 rebounds, while Drexler had 31 points (8-of-15 FG) and 10 rebounds. Drexler also made five of his seven shots (71.4%) from 3-point range.

No other Houston player scored in double figures. The Jazz were led by 35 points (10-of-21 FG) and 10 rebounds from Karl Malone.

By defeating the Jazz, the Rockets advanced to the second round of the 1995 playoffs to face the Phoenix Suns (59-23). In that series, Houston also won the decisive game with a road victory in Game 7. And few weeks later, they claimed their second consecutive NBA championship.

[lawrence-related id=29457]

A look back: Shaun Livingston’s productive play in the 2016 playoffs

Shaun Livingston was effective as the Warriors’ backup point guard during the 2016 NBA playoffs.

Shaun Livingston was perhaps the best version of himself during the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

Livingston was in his second year with the Golden State Warriors, the most feared team in the NBA that season. Golden State had a historic regular season, going 73-9 to set the record for most wins in a season.

An unfortunate knee injury hampered Livingston early in his career, but his resilience and perseverance is clear. He went on to play 11 more seasons after suffering the injury in the 2006-07 campaign, and some of his best years were with the Warriors.

Being on a title contender, he had a defined role during the 2016 postseason. He was to lead the second unit’s offense, meaning to score when necessary and set up his teammates.

One of Livingston’s best series was the first round, when the Warriors played the Houston Rockets.

Livingston played 26.9 minutes per game and averaged 13.2 points, tied for third on the team with Draymond Green. Livingston was second in assists per game (4.8) that series behind Green.

Throughout that postseason, Livingston played 21.4 minutes a game and averaged 8.2 points, his second-highest playoff average. Livingston also dished 3.3 assists per game, the most he had in any of his postseasons with Golden State.

The first round was filled with solid performances for Livingston, but the NBA Finals was where he shined.

Livingston had one of his best games ever in Game 1 of the Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring a playoff career-high 20 points as the Warriors won 104-89. He led the Warriors in scoring that game, and his midrange jumper was blossoming.

Standing at 6-foot-7, Livingston used his length to back down opposing wings in the post during the Finals, and he’d rise for midrange shots.

According to Basketball Reference, Livingston shot 50% of his 2-point field goals from 10-16 feet of the hoop. He shot 42.9% from that area, with his midrange jumper being a key part of his arsenal.

Livingston didn’t score in double figures again the rest of that series, but his impact was felt in other ways. He averaged 2.9 assists, the highest of any Warriors player who didn’t start in any games. Livingston also grabbed 3.4 rebounds per game, ranking fifth on the team.

The Warriors lost the historic Finals, but Livingston was arguably at his peak. That midrange jumper was lethal in the Finals, and he was one of Golden State’s best reserves because of it.

Livingston isn’t too far removed from the game, as he retired in September 2019. A three-time champion, Livingston finished his career as one of the most reliable backup point guards in the league.

 

 

 

Today in playoff history: Harden scores 41 as Rockets top Warriors

On May 4, 2019, James Harden scored 41 points in Game 3 as the Rockets won an overtime thriller versus the two-time defending champions.

In Game 3 of the 2019 West semi-finals between the Rockets and two-time defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, reigning MVP James Harden scored a team-high 41 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists as Houston won at Toyota Center, 126-121.

Harden’s total from the May 4, 2019 game (box score) included two critical shots over Andre Iguodala in the final minute of overtime to secure the victory. The Game 3 win brought life back to the series, with Harden’s Rockets cutting Golden State’s lead in half.

The Rockets needed every bit of Harden’s late heroics, since Kevin Durant led the Warriors with a game-high 46 points. Draymond Green had a triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Harden backed up his Game 3 performance with 38 points and 10 rebounds in the ensuing Game 4 as Houston tied the series. Rockets GM Daryl Morey recently referred to that Game 4 showing as his favorite Harden game over the MVP’s eight seasons to date in Houston.

The top-seeded Warriors ultimately won the series over the No. 4 Rockets in six games. Golden State then went on to capture its fifth consecutive Western Conference championship.

Today in 1996: Magic Johnson’s career ends as Rockets win series

Magic Johnson’s career came to a close at The Summit in Houston as Hakeem Olajuwon’s Rockets defeated the Lakers in a playoff series.

It was May 2, 1996 when Los Angeles Lakers legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson played the final NBA game of his storied career.

But it wasn’t at The Forum in Inglewood. Rather, it was in a loss to the two-time defending NBA champion Rockets at The Summit in Houston.

The Rockets won Game 4, 102-94 (box score). and clinched the best-of-five series, three games to one. Though the Lakers (53-29) were the West’s No. 4 seed and had home-court advantage over the No. 5 Rockets (48-34), Rudy Tomjanovich‘s squad again came up clutch in the playoffs.

Hakeem Olajuwon led the Rockets with 25 points (54.5% FG), 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Kenny Smith and Robert Horry each scored 17 points with a combined seven 3-pointers between them.

The Lakers were led by 25 points and 12 rebounds from Cedric Ceballos. Johnson had 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 30 minutes in his career finale, though he shot just 2-of-8 (25%) from the field.

Less than two weeks later, Johnson made his retirement official. Prior to the 1995-96 season, Johnson had not played in the NBA since testing positive for HIV just before the 1991-92 season.

“I’m going out on my terms, something I couldn’t say when I aborted a comeback in 1992,” Johnson said in his announcement. Though he was 36 years old and coming off a four-year layoff, Johnson was still effective in his final season — averaging 14.6 points (46.6% FG, 37.9% on 3-pointers), 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per game.

That May 2, 1996 game was Houston’s final victory that season, since they were swept by eventual West champion Seattle in the second round.

[lawrence-related id=28181]

Austin Rivers: Winning the 2020 NBA title would be ‘hardest ever’

“People have been saying, whoever wins, it’s going to have a blip next to it,” Rivers said. “I believe it’s the complete opposite.”

If the 2019-20 season ever resumes from its current COVID-19 hiatus, many fans have wondered whether a 2020 NBA champion would have an unofficial “asterisk” next to it. It’s understandable, given the unusual dynamic of a season with a significant delay just before the playoffs.

But as Rockets guard Austin Rivers sees it, the odd circumstances could actually make this year’s champion even more meaningful.

In a Facebook Q&A with Houston broadcaster Craig Ackerman, the 27-year-old guard elaborates on this season’s unique difficulties:

This time off is nothing small. It’s going to be hard. There were teams in a groove. The Lakers, the Bucks. There are these teams that had this momentum. Momentum does not matter anymore. There’s no more momentum.

As such, Rivers believes the key is which teams are using the extended time off since the season’s March 12 suspension to their advantage.

“The team that’s going to win, if this does come back, is going to be the team that had the most collective guys taking this time off seriously,” Rivers says. … Even if they do give us a little bit of a regular season, it’d be like five, six, seven games at max. It won’t be a lot. It’d be something where within a couple weeks, it’ll be done.”

“You only have that time to sharpen your tools, get your team chemistry, and then you’re right into the playoffs,” Rivers adds. “Factor in the no crowds, and it’s just going to be different.”

https://www.facebook.com/17729777319/videos/2699082450218972

Based on those circumstances, Rivers believes this year’s champion could be among the most memorable of all-time.

People have been saying, whoever wins, it’s going to have a blip [asterisk] next to it. I personally believe it’s the complete opposite. Whoever wins, this is so much harder. … Whoever wins this year really had to go get it and earn it, and had guys who took time off seriously and still stayed in shape, and was able to get back the chemistry, true chemistry. So many things. In my eyes, whoever wins this, it’s going to be the hardest championship ever won.

Most reports have indicated that any resumption of the 2019-20 season would likely be without fans in attendance due to health concerns. According to Rivers, that brings its own challenges.

“I’ve never played in a game without fans,” Rivers said. “There’s no more home-court advantage. A lot of things are going to change. Even little things. Free-throw percentages are going to go up. Shooting percentages are going to go up. There’s no more noise and distractions. It’s basically like a scrimmage. There’s a lot of guys who can play in practice, but when the lights are on, it’s just different. Now, there’s no fanbase, there’s no hoopla. It’s just going to be a different game in general.”

Ultimately, Rivers believes that being “different” will add to the legacy of the 2019-20 season — should the NBA resume operations. He says:

It’s going to be so different and weird. I don’t like to say cool, because the circumstances that we’re going through right now are tragic for many people. But it will be interesting that if the season does come back, we will be involved in something that’s never been done before. It’s something that we’ll look back in 10, 20 years from now saying, ‘You remember when we played like this?’ It’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be interesting.

With any luck, we could get the opportunity to soon find out.

[lawrence-related id=29203,26858]

BJ Armstrong calls “Scottie migraine” game most important moment in Bulls franchise history

SportsPulse: Former Chicago Bull’s point guard BJ Armstrong explains why their Game 7 loss to the Pistons in the 1990 Eastern conference finals was the most important game in Chicago’s franchise history.

SportsPulse: Former Chicago Bull’s point guard BJ Armstrong explains why their Game 7 loss to the Pistons in the 1990 Eastern conference finals was the most important game in Chicago’s franchise history.

Today in 1986: Rockets top Denver as Olajuwon goes for 38 and 16

In Game 1 of a second-round series, Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon had a monster game with 38 points (67% FG), 16 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Led by a massive game from second-year center Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets began their second-round playoff series versus Denver with a 126-119 victory (box score) on April 26, 1986.

The eventual Hall of Famer led the Rockets in Game 1 with 38 points (66.7% shooting), 16 rebounds, six steals, and five blocked shots. All of those figures were game-highs that day at The Summit in Houston.

Fellow big man Ralph Sampson backed Olajuwon’s effort with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while future Hall of Famer Alex English led the Nuggets with 34 points (52.2% FG) and nine assists.

The Nuggets (47-35) were the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Rockets (51-31) had home-court advantage as the No. 2 seed. Houston went on to win the best-of-seven series in six games.

After defeating Denver, the Rockets went on to shock the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals — which they won in just five games. The 1985-86 Rockets advanced to the NBA Finals (where they lost to Boston in six games) for just the second time in team history.

[lawrence-related id=28843,28239]

Today in 2005: Tracy McGrady has epic dunk, game winner in Dallas

In the same 2005 playoff game,, Rockets star Tracy McGrady had an epic dunk over Dallas center Shawn Bradley and the game-winning shot.Ho

According to the legendary call by TNT announcer Kevin Harlan, Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady “sucked the gravity right out of the building” with his Game 2 dunk over 7-foot-6 Dallas center Shawn Bradley in the first round of the 2005 NBA playoffs.

Later in that same game on April 25, 2005, McGrady hit the game-winning shot with two seconds left to give Houston a 2-0 lead in the series.

McGrady finished with 28 points (52.6% FG) and 10 assists, while All-Star center Yao Ming had 33 points on an astonishing 13-of-14 shooting (92.9%). It led to a thrilling 113-111 road win (box score) by the Rockets.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks rallied to win each of the next two games in Houston. That put the Western Conference’s No. 4 and No. 5 seeds back on level footing, and Dallas won at home in Game 5 and Game 7 to ultimately advance.

Nonetheless, that Game 2 was among the highest points of the McGrady-Yao partnership — and a reminder of what possibly could have been in future years, had the All-Stars been able to stay healthy.

[lawrence-related id=28471,27993]