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In Appreciation of LaMarcus Aldridge
An ailing knee has put the oft-criticized big man’s importance to San Antonio into context
![[image loading]](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HNC7H-D5HFQ7tWv5HUoA3di9dJA=/0x0:3000x2000/920x613/filters:focal(1496x310:1976x790)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59192423/lamarcus_blog_getty_ringer.0.jpg)
Aldridge’s usage rate has peaked in March, at 33 percent. The team is 7.2 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor than when he’s off, and his scoring totals in the seven games before Tuesday’s injury read like fullback jersey numbers: 24, 25, 39, 33, 27, 45, 34. Aldridge is averaging three more points per game since the All-Star break, and 26.2 in the past month. And it’s not just the scoring that makes him so valuable; he also gives San Antonio an identity. An archaic, dusty, slow-paced identity, sure, but an identity nonetheless. Popovich said in January that he had tried to turn Aldridge into a player he wasn’t, that he had overcoached him their first two seasons together. “We took care of it, and he’s been fantastic,” he said then. Who knows how Aldridge’s style or, rather, the Spurs’ willingness to accommodate his style, would have differed had Kawhi played all season. It’s an alternate reality we may have to wait until next season to see. For now, the adjustments both sides made are paying dividends. Aldridge is the Spurs’ pulse, and though that’s not enough to beat the Warriors or the Rockets, it’s preventing them from having a lost season.
theringer
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On April 02 2018 08:39 Twinkle Toes wrote:
And just like that, the Spurs win over the Rockets 100-83, keeping the hopes alive for a their 21st 50-wins season
I was thinking the exact same thing and I really hope they do get the next 5 games, but beating both the Pelicans and Trail Blazers won't be easy.
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On April 02 2018 12:23 Yaqoob wrote:Show nested quote +On April 02 2018 08:39 Twinkle Toes wrote:
And just like that, the Spurs win over the Rockets 100-83, keeping the hopes alive for a their 21st 50-wins season I was thinking the exact same thing and I really hope they do get the next 5 games, but beating both the Pelicans and Trail Blazers won't be easy.
Yeah, with how Dame has been playing lately, it's going to be difficult, but possible.
vs. LAC
@ POR
vs. NO
vs. LAL
@ SAC
If only the Kawhi situation was a bit clearer. First time Pop is not in total control for 2 decades, weird to see this.
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Cavs are 28-11 when Jose Calderon plays 10 or more minutes. They're 19-19 when he plays less than 10 minutes.
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It's ended. 18 straight 50-wins seasons and no more.
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Well yeah, but it's going to feel bad if they win the rest of their games to get to 49 and to end their 18 season streak in such a lousy manner to a seed grabber team, and they were ahead 5 in under 3 minutes, with possession, and an out of bounds final shot. Brutal. All they had to do was play safe and run the clock. They're not off the hook yet also. 4 games remaining LAC is at 42 and SAS and UTA at 45, that's West #4-#10. LAC wins all and SAS wins only one and they may be in danger. They need at least 2 more wins. Kawhi's absence is painfully needed.
LouWill is legit though. Mad respect!
Lol at your Dame comment!
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Raptors vs Celtics on ESPN is really the only good game tonight.
Thursday is more compelling with:
- Warriors at Pacers
- Wizards at Cavs
- Portland at Houston
- Clippers at Jazz
- Minnesota at Denver
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Now it's getting more interesting. 2 unexpected and season-deciding losses at the very tail end of the season. Being a Spurs fun is going to be tough this week. And fucking lol ESPN for that cut away HAHAHA.
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bucks in 8th seed but could get 6 or 7th
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Pasta from r/nba, interesting probability:
It is probable to have a 7-way tie in the Western Conference, with the Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Wolves, Pelicans, Nuggets and Clippers all end up with the same record of 46-36.
Path to 46-36 7-way tie
- Jazz (45-33): L vs Clippers, W vs Lakers, L vs Warriors, and L vs Blazers;
- Spurs (45-34) L vs Blazers, W vs Kings, and L vs Pelicans;
- Thunder (45-34) L vs Rockets, L vs Heat, and W vs Memphis;
- Wolves (44-34) L vs Nuggets, W vs Lakers, W vs Memphis, and L vs Nuggets;
- Pelicans (44-34) W vs Suns, L vs Warriors, L vs Clippers, and W vs Spurs;
- Nuggets (43-35) need to W vs Wolves, L vs Clippers, W vs Blazers, and W vs Wolves;
- Clippers (42-36) need to W vs Jazz, W vs Nuggets, W vs Pelicans, and W vs Lakers;
Playoffs seeding in case of tie
In the event of a 7-way tie, with each of the team at 46-36, the two teams with the lowest head-to-head record against the other teams will miss the playoffs. Each teams' tie-breaker records are:
- Wolves: 15-7
- Jazz: 13-11
- Nuggets: 11-11
- Thunder: 11-11
- Spurs: 10-12
- Pelicans: 8-13
- Clippers: 8-13
So in the event of an amazing 7-way tie, the Pelicans and the Clippers will be eliminated from the playoffs.
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Congratulations to the Eastern Conference Champions the Cleveland Lebrons.
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Was at tonight's between Cavs and LeBron's future team.
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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EPT
