Situations like this confirm that the current generation of players has become too soft mentally. It's hard to imagine that any player from the '90s and '00s would have allowed himself to miss an important game just because he would have felt like he wasn't himself. Honestly, I immediately thought about Game 5 of the 1997 Finals when Jordan was very sick with the flu, but as hard as it was for him at the time, he still got on the court to help his team win that game. That's probably the kind of thing that separates all-time great players from ordinary players.

I guess you could really say that because even if the roster is somehow decent, we can't disregard that they are in a hot mess right now and that will likely result into a miscommunication while playing in the game because they are in a middle of misunderstanding. The management might be frustrated by now but they can't do something because the franchise's fate is in the hands of their players which I think the Thunder will take advantage of their situation now.

They had a good run and they almost defeated the Thunders but we all know that almost isn't as good enough as that was their entire chance to play in the playoffs. The roster is already fed up by Zion's absence as his presence could really increase his chance. But no, that fatty was just too selfish and choose to be overweight instead of being fit enough to help his team.

Has to do with money really.  Back in the 80s and 90s they didn't have these types of salaries.  Role players now adays can make over 9 figures so no need to end your career.  I don't agree with it but they take more direction from theor agents then they do themselves.  Shame cause zion is fun to watch when he is on the court.  But more and more thinking we will just never see an extended period of time with him.

It definitely looks like Lakers will do fine. On the other hand Pelicans put themselves at risk, seems like they may not get it at all. In the end the top teams are top teams for a reason and these games shouldn't really matter. They will end up playing against high seed teams anyway so getting the last spot shouldn't really matter. What play-in managed is 10th team being able to both get a better draft position but also have a single series possibly where they will lose but make some extra money because there are some games played at home which would be profit, plus the tv rights and commercials and sponsors etc etc. Aside from that I do not expect Nuggets to lose to any of these teams at all.

True, that's why when the Warriors announcement that Wiggins is not going to play at the regular season, then we know what it means already. That if they make the playoff then definitely he will go and play. He is still one piece of the equation for the Warriors. So they are back with full strength this playoff, with Curry, Thompson, Looney, Green and Wiggins at starting five. And then they have Poole, DiVincenzo and Payton to come-in. And then the 3rd unit will include Moody, Jerome and JaMychal Green, so that is very deep in rotation for them, healthy 100%. With that, it's going to be a fun and exciting series with the Kings, they don't have the advantage in this series, but they have been in this kind of situation before, they are still one of the most dangerous teams outside despite their sixth position. It's hard to beat that championship DNA with the likes of Steph, Klay and Draymond.

It's a good time to rest and refresh our minds especially those who will be making their bets. We got to really analyze the game and leave emotions behind. Although I know it cannot be avoided. 

Kings coach Mike Brown voted NBCA's Coach of the Year
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36179274/sources-kings-coach-mike-brown-voted-nbca-coach-year
Mike Brown! Yeah! He deserves it.
Now, we have to wait for the media voting but this will have a big impact on him to win the award.
The four other coaches running for the award.
But I do see some media revealing their votes and most of it are for Coach Brown. He will win this one, without a doubt. He made the Kings better, 2006 was their last playoff appearance and now they made it again. A sensational coaching job, thanks to Mike Brown, even I was dragged by the Kings hype.

I don't see the advantage here because if he just copies the system, I think the Warriors have the better advantage in terms of players' skills. Also, take note that the Warriors are the defending champions, yet they haven't gained respect due to their bad regular season record, especially their road record.

So, let's talk about the road game. Based on record, Sacramento should have the advantage. However, this is playoffs, and there is a different atmosphere for sure.

I think we all knew it, all of the Basketball Coaches knew it, everybody in the league knew it already way before the end of the regular season.
We all knew who will be the Coach of the Year. Coach Mike Brown really turned the whole Kings upside down. From a team who's in the bottom, and didn't reach the playoff for 16 straight years to now one of the top offensive teams in the league, and take note that it's only his first year coaching the Kings though he got some experience being an assistant coach on the Warriors. Credits to the runner ups I guess.

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Now I just saw it on Facebook a while ago and it's the Rookie of the Year award. Just look at the picture alone, and you will see how stupid the voters are.


Paolo Banchero is one vote away from being the unanimous Rookie of the Year, but look at that stupid one voter down below who voted for Walker Kessler. Also take a look the outlet where he is working. Salt Lake Tribune is from Utah. I don't want to say stupid to him, but he ruined it because he voted for the rookie that's playing on their home. Banchero must've been the only unanimous Rookie of the Year since KAT in 2015, but he ruined it.

Yep, based on how he leads the performance of the entire team, with him as the orchestrator of the plays he really did well mentoring the players, I like how they execute all those plays and how the chemistries build up.

It's the good relationship between players and the coaching people that really gives them the recognition
now, finishing 3rd and securing the first-round playoff position, a good achievement for coach Brown.

Rooting for your guy does always seems biased to everyone's point of view, most especially when there's a bit of a gap between the other guy's performance.
Andy Larsen was said to have his vote influenced by the advanced metrics, but nah I don't buy that, he was just trying to defend his biased pick. Yep Kessler did put a good contribution to help the team win games, but Paolo Banchero has bit a of better impact in his team over Kessler if that's how we determine in voting for the ROY.