2023 NBA Playoffs Discussion Thread

[David Stern]

I remember a couple years ago, right before the 2021 playoffs, where I had the audacity to call Quin a mediocre playoff coach. I got lambasted pretty hard by a few here.

Well he is. Quin is too stubborn of a coach to be successful in a playoff series because a playoff is all about adjustments and match-ups and he's the type of coach that is hell-bent on doing it his way no matter what.

I think we’ve spent plenty of time discussing this on this forum, but it’s nearly impossible for me to separate Quin’s playoff stubbornness from the roster construction issues from DL. Both dudes were obviously very stubborn and played a major role in the downfall of that core. I pretty much blame them both equally for being unable to adapt

 

[JazzGal]

I blame Gordon Hayward.

 

[Jingled]

I personally don't think we were ever really all that close to winning a title in the Don/Rudy era. Sure, Lindsey missed on some moves and Snyder could have been more flexible in the playoffs and made more adjustments, and it would've helped if Don and Rudy could have got along better. In the end, I think the biggest problem by far is that we just didn't have the top end talent it takes to win in the playoffs. It's almost impossible to win a championship without having a top 5 player on your roster...you need a Jokic or a Kawhi or a Lebron or a Steph or a Gianis etc. We just didn't have that guy on our team.

I just don't think a team with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell as it's two best/highest paid players would ever be able to win a championship, no matter who their coach, GM or teammates were.

 

[Sean]

I think we’ve spent plenty of time discussing this on this forum, but it’s nearly impossible for me to separate Quin’s playoff stubbornness from the roster construction issues from DL. Both dudes were obviously very stubborn and played a major role in the downfall of that core. I pretty much blame them both equally for being unable to adapt

I don't disagree.

 

[Sean]

I personally don't think we were ever really all that close to winning a title in the Don/Rudy era. Sure, Lindsey missed on some moves and Snyder could have been more flexible in the playoffs and made more adjustments, and it would've helped if Don and Rudy could have got along better. In the end, I think the biggest problem by far is that we just didn't have the top end talent it takes to win in the playoffs. It's almost impossible to win a championship without having a top 5 player on your roster...you need a Jokic or a Kawhi or a Lebron or a Steph or a Gianis etc. We just didn't have that guy on our team.

I just don't think a team with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell as it's two best/highest paid players would ever be able to win a championship, no matter who their coach, GM or teammates were.

Utah was close only because of parity. The NBA doesn't have a super elite, impossible to stop team right now and they didn't in 2021, either. Of course, that just makes Utah's lackluster playoff performances the last three seasons they made it all the more damning.

If the Jazz don't choke a fifteen point lead halfway through the third quarter of a close-out game five against Denver in the Bubble, they go on to maybe beat Los Angeles (both teams) and make it to the NBA Finals.

But too much choking.

 

[Jingled]

Utah was close only because of parity. The NBA doesn't have a super elite, impossible to stop team right now and they didn't in 2021, either. Of course, that just makes Utah's lackluster playoff performances the last three seasons they made it all the more damning.

If the Jazz don't choke a fifteen point lead halfway through the third quarter of a close-out game five against Denver in the Bubble, they go on to maybe beat Los Angeles (both teams) and make it to the NBA Finals.

But too much choking.

I just don't see any way Donovan/Rudy would've beaten Kawhi/PG or Lebron/AD. Top end talent is just too important in the playoffs.

 

[Sean]

I just don't see any way Donovan/Rudy would've beaten Kawhi/PG or Lebron/AD. Top end talent is just too important in the playoffs.

Possible but it doesn't feel implausible.

Like, I look at 1992 or 1994 or 1996, seasons the Jazz were good enough to make the WCF but I don't see any chance, no matter how many do-overs, that Utah goes and beats Chicago in 1992 if they get by Portland. I don't see how they can beat the 1994 Rockets. No matter how many games they play 'em. And if Utah had gotten by Seattle in 1996, there's no way they beat the Bulls.

In 2020, I think there's a path. In 2021, there's absolutely a pathway - even more so than 2020 - because Utah was staring down a game seven before a historic collapse in game six vs the Clippers. Do they beat the Suns and Bucks? I wouldn't bet on it. But again, I didn't see any of those series as impossible opportunities like what faced Utah so many times in the 1990s.

 

[FrenchJazzFa]

Congrats to Denver, well deserved. They had the luck they need to win. Roster healthy, easy road in the PO, they take advantage of that playing Minny with a team without NAz and MC Daniels, KAT, Rudy at 70%...... play aging Lakers and Miami was toasted. You need a bit of luck to win. We did not play well in PO but have also been quite unlucky at some occasions (injuries). Planet were aligned for Denver. But they remain a very good overall team managed by the best player in current NBA, Joker.
The positive side for me is that a team with only one real star ( and small market) can win NBA title. Good lessons to anyone thinking that getting 2 or 3 stars is the only way to win.

 

[Agent#00]

Who is the scout who brought 7 undrafted players to Miami. We need him asap!

 

[hgb]

Who is the scout who brought 7 undrafted players to Miami. We need him asap!

A job well done by the scout(s) for sure, but I think it's more Spoelstra & team than scouting, to be honest.

 

[TheStormofWar]

I just don't see any way Donovan/Rudy would've beaten Kawhi/PG or Lebron/AD. Top end talent is just too important in the playoffs.

They weren't beating a Kawhi-less Clippers teams, so point taken.

 

[Udidthizz]

Possible but it doesn't feel implausible.

Like, I look at 1992 or 1994 or 1996, seasons the Jazz were good enough to make the WCF but I don't see any chance, no matter how many do-overs, that Utah goes and beats Chicago in 1992 if they get by Portland. I don't see how they can beat the 1994 Rockets. No matter how many games they play 'em. And if Utah had gotten by Seattle in 1996, there's no way they beat the Bulls.

In 2020, I think there's a path. In 2021, there's absolutely a pathway - even more so than 2020 - because Utah was staring down a game seven before a historic collapse in game six vs the Clippers. Do they beat the Suns and Bucks? I wouldn't bet on it. But again, I didn't see any of those series as impossible opportunities like what faced Utah so many times in the 1990s.

I still believe 1995 should have been our year. But we blew it in the 4th quarter of a deciding game 5 at home to the Rockets, who went on to win the championship. No Bulls that year.