Game Threads Index (June 04, 2023):

r/nba is one of the larger subs whose content frequently hits the front page of Reddit and I feel like we as a community should 100% be supporting the blackout other communities are doing to make a stand against the API changes and to support 3rd party apps.

Apparently Reddit is charging 3rd party apps $20 million a year to access the API. This is absolutely absurd because it’s not like Reddit creates the content. Reddit is a great site because it’s content is all user generated and with Reddit trying to punish 3rd party apps we will see a drop off of content.

What are your thoughts?

Edit: lol at all of you crying like your world is ending for being inconvenienced for a day

https://twitter.com/TyHaliburton22/status/1665538150939127810?t=eW1x8r-22xq3-Y0yzlhyVg&s=19

Much like Tyrese Haliburton, I also hate the minimalist scoreboard design from ESPN, especially compared to last year when they had vibrant colors and the golden version of the Warriors and Celtics team logo. Also that small ass trophy on the side with YouTube TV and NBA finals written on it is not enough at all for the occasion.

Source: https://twitter.com/CoupNBA/status/1665758646020583426

@CoupNBA In their nine postseason wins against Milwaukee, Boston and Denver, the Heat are shooting 46.9 percent from three - including 48.7 percent on 'heavily contested' threes.

It's historic, and timely, shooting, and it's going to be a part of this team's story no matter what happens.

This is completely unbelievable and might be an example of the basketball god's paying us back after taking away or three-point shot all of last post season and this season. Miami's post season success is almost all 3pt shooting as well. They haven't defended well and there's no other facet of their game that stands out. https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=A&sort=DEF_RATING

Source

Kevin Love didn’t play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Erik Spoelstra took accountability for the decision and re-inserted Love into the starting lineup for a surprising reason:

Defense, @joevardon writes.

Erik Spoelstra on not starting Kevin Love in Game 1: “I didn't have the foresight, I didn't. That's on me.”

Both the Warriors and Heat have been the most dominant teams for their respective conferences since 2011, and yet neither have faced each other in the finals. I hope we get a Heat vs Warriors matchup before the dominance of both recedes.

Said on the Draymond Green podcast.

Great discussion starting around 17 minute mark

Draymond: Getting to tonight’s game… Joker another great game 41 points, 11 rebounds, but only 4 assists… what do you make of that stat?

Kerr: Haha yeah we talked about this last year when we played Denver… we felt the same way that Miami did tonight, that he’s just so good of a passer. I think that’s what he likes to do best. What makes him go, what makes their team go. And they’re just so much better as a team now [because of injury issues last year]. They’re a great great team. But I do think, what Miami did tonight, they said, ‘Alright we’re gonna make Jokic a scorer and take away other people.’”

Draymond: After last game I spoke about some possible adjustments they could make. Put Butler on Murray and keep Bam on Joker so you can defend that pick and roll better (switching). It keeps guys in front, you’re not getting back door cuts, Joker’s not getting 10 assists.”

Link to podcast

He is slated to make $46,741,590 in 2023-24, $50,203,930 in 2024-25, $53,666,270 in 2025-26, and then has a Player Option for $57,128,610 in 2026-27

He also has a No-Trade Clause and a 15% trade kicker

Generational heist