NBA Discussion

[smokeless6]

Many say that this move makes the Bucks the clear class of the conference, but I'm not so sure about that. Lillard is a great player, but so is Holliday. There's always the chance Lillard won't mesh well with Antetokounmpo, and you've dealt one of the top two-way guards to get him, so I'd expect a drop in defensive efficiency. It's not like Dame is just added to last year's team and they're that much better automatically. They gave up something too. It might be that Holliday to the Celts gives me more worry (Sixers fan here), probably both teams got better which isn't good news for Eastern foes. But I'm not sold entirely on the Bucks yet. We'll see.

[ThomasBlake]

One thing that worries me is whether the NBA will go the way of football and therefore the big sheikhs. As I watched the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks control game when they faced each other in Abu Dhabi, I wondered when some sheikh would show up and billions would start flying in. 

[smokeless6]

Oil soaked cash could find its way in to the league, but the difference between most US pro leagues and European club football is the US leagues have a salary cap. So even if say the Saudis bought the Knicks, their mad stacks couldn't give them an advantage with roster building. It could help in other ways -- facilities, scouting, hiring front office staff, medical, training, travel and that sort of thing. But they can't outspend their rivals on playing staff. At least not within the rules.

Edited October 6, 2023 by smokeless6

[Funktipus]

On 10/5/2023 at 1:11 PM, smokeless6 said:

Many say that this move makes the Bucks the clear class of the conference, but I'm not so sure about that. Lillard is a great player, but so is Holliday. There's always the chance Lillard won't mesh well with Antetokounmpo, and you've dealt one of the top two-way guards to get him, so I'd expect a drop in defensive efficiency. It's not like Dame is just added to last year's team and they're that much better automatically. They gave up something too. It might be that Holliday to the Celts gives me more worry (Sixers fan here), probably both teams got better which isn't good news for Eastern foes. But I'm not sold entirely on the Bucks yet. We'll see.

It does hurt them on the defensive end. Even on offense, it may take them half a season to gell. 

[Funktipus]

Anyone catch the Heat/Spurs game? I know it's only pre-season and the competition isn't top-notch, but Wemby looked pretty good. Definitely has a nice skill set. 

Like Reggie Miller said, he has to adjust when opponents get up in his chest and are more physical with him.

 

 

[RARusk]

Wow. When Wemby does a slam his feet barely leaves the floor.

[smokeless6]

I think he has to stoop and duck to dunk

[Funktipus]

I'd say Philly made out great in the Harden trade;

 

 

[Funktipus]

Legendary coach Bob Knight passed away. Never cared much for the man, but I always respected his coaching knowledge and his impact on the game. Can't take that away from  Knight. He was a double-edged sword.

 

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/38796141/legendary-basketball-coach-bob-knight-dies-83

 

UNC legend and former Suns star Walter Davis (uncle of Hubert) passes away at age 69.
 

https://theathletic.com/5025255/2023/11/02/walter-davis-death-unc-suns/

Edited November 2, 2023 by Funktipus

[Margot Robbed Me]

Steve Kerr electing to not foul, up three again.

 

Warriors 6th loss in a row. 

[GTA3Rockstar]

RIP Josh Giddey's career

[smokeless6]

On 10/31/2023 at 11:27 AM, Funktipus said:

I'd say Philly made out great in the Harden trade

 

So far so good. I liked the trade at the time it was made, although most of my mates hated it. But their arguments made no sense and it's like they think this is still 2015 Harden or something. Sixers got several picks, plus some expiring contracts, which will give them the sort of cap flexibility that teams dream of in 2024. The players they got in return have contributed off the bench. Normally when you trade a player of Harden's caliber, you want a starter-level player in return. They didn't get that, but the picks could be really good. Sixers haven't done well with first rounders in recent memory (Simmons, Fultz, Jerome, Springer), but they did select Maxey. If they don't blow it again this trade will only get better.

 

But really, aside from the 'value' of the trade, we got rid of a grumpy player who wanted to engineer an exit. It's the Clippers' problem now. The Sixers play with much better movement and spacing now, Embiid has taken on some of that facilitator role dishing dimes. Nurse has changed the way they play. They still have too many losses, six already, so hopefully they start showing some consistency. The east seems wide open at the mo, but the Sixers need to play better every night to take advantage.

 

The Sixers had little leverage with Harden so unhappy and only wanting to play for the Clips. So to get what they did is fine with me, and if they hit on these first-rounders it will be a great trade in the end.

Edited November 30, 2023 by smokeless6

[RARusk]

Break up the Spurs! They finally win a f*cking game for once. They still have a lot of work to do to unf*ck themselves from the last couple of years and make a decent team around Wemby.

[Funktipus]

Damn, if my Knicks can only get a legit A-List superstar to team up with this cat....one of the best free agent signings in Knick history;

 

 

[RARusk]

Back in 2005 the NBA Finals had the Spurs and the Pistons go to seven games before the Spurs pulled it out in the final minutes to claim that year's championship. Today, as we get near to January 1, 2024, both of these teams have a total of six, yes, six wins between the two of them at this point in the season with the Spurs having four of them. At least the Spurs have something to look forward to as Wemby gets acclimated to the NBA with the potential to eventually change the game and possibly bring more championships to south Texas. The Pistons, however, look a lot worse and it may take a long time to get off of the mat even if they get a couple of number one draft picks.

[Margot Robbed Me]

Pistons really sent the Celtics into OT. 

[GTA3Rockstar]

6 hours ago, Margot Robbed Me said:

Pistons really sent the Celtics into OT. 

 

I wouldn't say that as they were winning at half by 19. They just sucked it up in the 3rd lol

 

If they want to end the streak, now's the time because it's at home against the Raptors. After that, 4 straight raod games which includes the Kings, Nuggets and Warriors.

[Funktipus]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-trade-grades-og-anunoby-a-big-score-for-new-york-immanuel-quickley-perfect-for-raptors/

 

I like the trade, I just hate losing I.Q. With OG, we get a two-way player, a much-needed wing defender. IMO, RJ has reached his ceiling. He's a nice player, but when you're drafted as high as he was, we needed more. I guarantee you, there'll be another trade before February's deadline.

[RARusk]

Pistons finally won a game - beat the Raptors tonight.

[Funktipus]

Season-ending injury for Ja....damn.....

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-morant-injury-grizzlies-stars-shoulder-tear-ends-his-season-after-only-nine-games/

[RARusk]

The other night against the Pistons Wemby scored a triple double in only 21 minutes of total playing time. In just a few minutes during the third quarter in tonights game against the Hornets he scored twelve straight Spurs points. He's already a beast and he's only getting better. Get a couple of quality players around him and we may be doing more Riverwalk championship parades soon.

[Funktipus]

You can't make this stuff up, lol. My prediction....Doc will coach Milwaukee to a 3-1 lead against Boston in the conference finals, then choke it away.

 

https://www.aol.com/sports/reports-bucks-fire-head-coach-194914728.html

[smokeless6]

Sixers fan here. I like Doc. He's a good dude. But the game has passed him by in some ways. Too old-school for the modern NBA.

 

Just as one example... the league transitioned to a pick-and-roll league during Doc's time in Philly, yet the Sixers ranked at the bottom of the league in pick-and-roll during his time in Philly. This alone didn't cause him to fail to bring a title to the city, but it might show how he has not evolved along with the NBA.  He could adapt, and maybe he will upon reflection of his time with the Sixers.

 

When the Bucks swapped Holiday for Dame, essentially, I said at the time that their defense would regret the move. Holiday is a top defensive guard, Dame, well, isn't. Can Doc fix it? I have doubts.

 

But then, I hope the Bucks just cannot get it together, to make Philly's path a little easier.

[Funktipus]

8 hours ago, smokeless6 said:

When the Bucks swapped Holiday for Dame, essentially, I said at the time that their defense would regret the move. Holiday is a top defensive guard, Dame, well, isn't. Can Doc fix it? I have doubts.

Yep, you called it smoke. Now they can get by with average 'D' in the regular season, but not in the playoffs when strengths & weaknesses are magnified, and you have to buckle down and get a crucial stop.

[smokeless6]

Yep, exactly. The east is a beast this year, but some of that is feeding on the minnows. The worst teams in the conference are really bad. Probably always like this to a degree, but feels more polar than usual.

 

And those teams won't be around in June when it counts. The Bucks are second in the east, but 22nd in defensive efficiency, and I agree with you that this will be exposed in the playoffs, so they need to fix it.

[GTA3Rockstar]

Apparently there's no defense this week lol

 

Two 70 point and two 60 point games lol

[GTA3Rockstar]

In other - but old news - Embiid is a little bitch

 

He hasn't played in Denver since 2019 lol

[Margot Robbed Me]

Dunk contest sucks again, as always.

Sabrina almost had Steph. She should have competed in the NBA 3-pt contest too.

[Funktipus]

Man, that All Star game was a travesty. I shut it off after during the 2nd quarter. It wasn't even basketball. I remember games from the 70s, 80s, 90s when players actually gave effort, like that 135-132 OT thriller from 1993. Sunday night was a hot mess.

[Margot Robbed Me]

Same. I think I watched the 1st quarter and gave up.