2025 NBA postseason thread

[PCLoadLetter]

Yes they both played in Olympics, but so did how many Olympians (throughout the World)? How many of those tore their Achilles? You've got to look macro level, not micro.

The answer is that very few did it like these guys did it, and almost literally no one like Tatum. He played a full season through the NBA Finals, went to training for the Olympics, then came back and played a full season into a deep playoff run before the Achilles gave up.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

Two things related to this...

I heard someone talking about this after Tatum's injury, and they made the point that an Achilles injury is a wear-and-tear injury -- it gets weakened over time before it lets go, as opposed to just a sudden catastrophic failure. That's why it is traditionally older players who have suffered them. But AAU players are playing so many competitive games now, team doctors are seeing rookies come into the league with wear on their bodies they only used to see in vets.

Also, probably worth noting that the two young guys to blow an Achilles this postseason - Tatum and Halliburton - both spent their offseason with the Olympic team, and had been going for essentially two years without any kind of break.

I thought Celtics fans were mad that Tatum got too much of a break during the Olympics (I kid, I kid...)

The league must be so happy it has the new TV deal locked up because teams and players will be going to the mattresses when it comes to taking nights off. If there's a hint of calf soreness, who wouldn't shut it down for a couple of weeks?

The Knicks job just got more difficult because the standard is now making The Finals, and the East is a total ****show. No excuses.

 

[HanSenSE]

Yes they both played in Olympics, but so did how many Olympians (throughout the World)? How many of those tore their Achilles? You've got to look macro level, not micro.

Put Curry's bad hammy in the mix as well.

 

[ChrisLong]

NBA Achilles injuries??
Big dudes folding their long legs to get into their Ferrari or Lamborghini on the way to the nightclub.

 

[Batman]

The answer is that very few did it like these guys did it, and almost literally no one like Tatum. He played a full season through the NBA Finals, went to training for the Olympics, then came back and played a full season into a deep playoff run before the Achilles gave up.

Maybe he's the exception and just a physical freak, but LeBron has been doing that for 20 years and I don't think he's had a major injury.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Maybe he's the exception and just a physical freak, but LeBron has been doing that for 20 years and I don't think he's had a major injury.

Yeah, I don't think there's any explanation for LeBron. To stay as healthy as he does with his workload is insane.

 

[Webster]

Haliburton played 27 more minutes at the Olympics than I did. And Tatum played 71 total minutes with 2 DNPs. Not exactly a massive workload.

 

[TigerVols]

Haliburton played 27 more minutes at the Olympics than I did. And Tatum played 71 total minutes with 2 DNPs. Not exactly a massive workload.

Yeah sure but you and I both know 27 minutes on the court was far exceeded by hours of training, practice, scrimmages. These guys' bodies got very little rest in the grand scheme of things.

 

[qtlaw]

Out of all that I saw during the Finals and the entire playoffs, I was most impressed with Mark Daignault. He was always cool, calm, collected very much like a Wooden would be. No moment seemed too big for him, not when DEN went up 2-1 on them, not when IND went up 2-1 (and at home for Gm. 4), not in Gm. 7, down at halftime. Big compliments to Mr. Daignault.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Haliburton played 27 more minutes at the Olympics than I did. And Tatum played 71 total minutes with 2 DNPs. Not exactly a massive workload.

They literally had no offseason.

 

[Webster]

They literally had no offseason.

They literally did. The Olympics ended on August 10th and training camps opened 6 weeks later for the Nuggets and Celtics and a week after than for all other teams.

 

[TigerVols]

I'm just bummed that Halliburton next season won't be able to build off this remarkable run he's had. Of course, Adam Silver and Co. feel a lot worse than I do.

 

[User 4332]

I'm just bummed that Halliburton next season won't be able to build off this remarkable run he's had. Of course, Adam Silver and Co. feel a lot worse than I do.

They'd have to occassionally watch Indiana to feel bad. Hibbert's Law and all.

 

[User 149557]

I have zero idea what the Pacers should do heading into next season. A total purgatory until Haliburton comes back.

 

[Webster]

I have zero idea what the Pacers should do heading into next season. A total purgatory until Haliburton comes back.

Agreed — he’s the sun around which the whole team revolves.

 

[qtlaw]

I have zero idea what the Pacers should do heading into next season. A total purgatory until Haliburton comes back.

Um learn not to TO the ball, value the ball. They were right there then the TOs piled up. McConnell, coach's son, the stereotype of the pesky PG, had 6!! Some were ugly too. I don't understand that, the Pacers played an O that doesn't need to make any risky passes, just solid, chest passes, yet there they were throwing it away.

Bummer.

Yeah Halliburton is going to be sorely missed but you don't throw away next year. You develop:

Mathurin, a big talent but needs to smooth out the rough edges, become Alex English, not Shaq;
Bradley, that guy could be somebody, decent hands, nice size;
Get rid of Jeff Shepherd, he throws a nice 6 ft chest pass but that's it; why was he even out there? Totally reluctant to shoot or be aggressive, gives up backdoor dunks; sorry man.

 

[User 149557]

My real concern if I’m the Pacers is Siakam will be 33 the next time Halliburton steps on the floor and in a walk year. They waited a DECADE to find a controllable second guy. They found him. And they'll waste an entire year of him at the end of his prime. It's just such a tough break.

Note to self: Do not bet the Eastern Conference champion next year. I have no idea.

 

[HanSenSE]

 

[DanOregon]

Wow, not the usual stuff you hear from a player at this point. The comments are gold.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

Love this trade for the Blazers, who screwed up when they traded him to the Celtics in the first place.