Friendly Bounce Emergency RTOE: Luke Walton and Game 6s

January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton (left) talks to Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Friday night was a big night in the NBA. With three Game 6s, a big coaching hire and the Purple Shirt Man getting Dwyane Wade going, it was a ton of fun. It also was a perfect reason to call for an emergency Roundtable Over Everything so here we are.

Apr 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) talks with guard Dwayne Wade (3) during a timeout in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Which was more impressive feat from Dwyane Wade on Friday: The two three-pointers, the fadeaway jumper or the block?

Donnie Kolakowski (@donniebuckets): Really, it’s all of the above, but I’ll have to go with the block. That was the only one that made me make an inaudible noise.

Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg): DWYANE WADE WAS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE. But it’s gotta be the three’s. He hasn’t made a single three-pointer since December and then made two in crunch time in a win-or-go-home Game 6. Onions.

Ryne Prinz (@ryneprinz): The fadeaway is pretty standard for Wade, so it’s either the threes or the block, and I’m rolling with the threes. I jumped off the couch when he nailed that second one, and they were only the sixth and seventh triples he’s hit all season.

Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): The threes for sure. That was the epitome of raising your game to a new level in an important spot because Dwyane Wade just doesn’t make threes. Like he hadn’t made one in five months. Then he hit two in like two minutes. Insane.

Apr 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) moves to the basket as he is defended by Miami Heat forward Joe Johnson (2) during the first half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Kemba Walker is pretty good, huh?

Kolakowski: If it wasn’t for C.J. McCollum, Walker would’ve had a really good shot at Most Improved this year. His ability to actually hit a jump shot has made his sick handles that much more effective.

Goldberg: Even as I was watching my Miami Heat almost get eliminated, I couldn’t help but think “dang, this guy is good.” That means something, I think.

Prinz: I’ve never really been a Kemba Walker guy, but I’m convinced. If it weren’t for Dwyane Wade, Kemba would’ve won Charlotte the game.

Cianfrone: I’m like Ryne, in that I have never really thought Kemba was as good as most people seem to. But last night he was incredible and at one point in the fourth quarter I was sure the Hornets were going to win that game purely because of him. It was so much fun to watch.

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) attempts to control the ball as Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) defends during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Raptors aren’t actually going to lose this series are they?

Kolakowski: I mean….Paul George had been the best player in the first round until Friday night. And the Raptors do have all the pressure on them. I still think they find a way to pull it out, but it’s not close to a sure thing.

Goldberg: Yeah they are. Paul George is taking away DeMar DeRozan and they can’t do anything about it. And #PlayoffLowry unfortunately trumps #SkinnyLowry. Indiana is moving on, folks. (I’ll probably be wrong since the Raptors are impossible to predict.)

Prinz: I don’t think so, but that doesn’t mean anything.

Cianfrone: I wouldn’t be surprised either way because Toronto is the more talented team even if Paul George is by far the best player in the series, but this entire playoff series has not been a great look for DeMar DeRozan. It won’t stop him from getting a max contract (HELLO LAKERS!) but it probably should come close.

Apr 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Miami Heat team bench before game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Game 7 are you most looking forward too?

Kolakowski: Toronto-Indiana. The stakes are highest for Toronto out of the teams in a Game 7, and Paul George has been really fun to watch.

Goldberg: Heat vs Hornets. You better b’lieve I’ll be wearing my Dwyane Wade jersey and my 2012 NBA Champions hat.

Prinz: WHY DO I HAVE TO CHOOSE? I’d say Indy and Toronto. It would be awesome to see Paul George win Indiana a series in Game 7 after his devastating injury.

Cianfrone: Heat vs. Hornets. That has been my favorite series of the entire first round and I think we should get a great final game. Steve Clifford and Eric Spoelstra are two great coaches and are sure to have some new wrinkle for Game 7. I can’t wait.

Luke Walton is the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. What do you think of the hire? Who should be his lead assistant?

Kolakowski: Although I still think Walton has a long way to go as an in-game decision-maker, it’s still a good hire. The Warriors clearly respected Walton, and he can probably get the Lakers locker room straightened out. And, obviously, he should keep Byron Scott as his lead assistant to put down D’Angelo Russell at every opportunity.

Goldberg: Great hire. Seems to be liked in the NBA, which is a flavor currently missing from the table the Lakers have set the last few seasons. He better be ready to lose a bunch, but I think he’s the right guy to get the young players involved. Aka not Byron Scott. As for his lead assistant, is it time to run Brian Shaw back?

Prinz: It’s better than Byron Scott for sure. I think we’ll see how he does with more power on a team, since it was obvious that Steve Kerr still had a lot of control, even if he wasn’t sitting on the bench. He will have a nice, young core to work with, and I’d have to say I’m excited.

Cianfrone: It seems like a great hire. Walton seems in touch with the modern NBA which is a nice fit with a roster that has D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle already and is poised to add another young player in this year’s draft. There is a lot of work to do but Walton seems like he should give the Lakers a great chance of being good in a few years. As for his lead assistant I will be consistent like always: Rasheed Wallace.

Home/NBA