NBA Discussion

[Venom]

I liked the idea of the Freestyle round - we saw some cool stuff, got everyone warmed up, bit of teamwork and creativity.

But the Battle round idea seems to work better in practise. 1 dunk each, three attempts... seemed a bit of a let down, I don't know.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Venom

[W3BB13]

The team format for the dunk contest doesn't work for me... it's a damn shame, becausd I think they had a bad format but had way better dunkers than the past 5-6 dunk contest combined...

 

I haven't truly enjoyed a dunk contest since Jason Richardson won it a decade or so ago..

I agree with pretty much everything you said.

I believe the whole reason the NBA went through with the format change was because the dunk contest was getting kind of stale the last few years, but I think that it's been more of a problem with the actual participants than it has been with the format of the contest.

I didn't really like the Freestyle Round very much, and the Battle Round was alright except for the fact that Lillard was putting on a show and then ended up getting eliminated early. If they wouldn't have changed the format we probably would've seen PG, Lillard, Ross and Wall all dunk at least once more.

It seems to me like the biggest reason the fans aren't getting into the contest as much anymore is mainly because almost every dunker needs multiple attempts to complete their dunks. Every time someone throws down a nasty dunk the crowd erupts, but they lose their intensity when the next guy misses a couple of dunk attempts. If the NBA only allowed each dunker two attempts for every dunk I think it'd force them to try and complete the dunks on their first attempt, and that would likely get the crowd more into it. That's just my two cents.

Aside from the new format I didn't think it was that bad of a dunk contest.

As for the All-Star Game, I thought it was pretty solid. Plenty of highlights and scoring from both teams. The West looked like they had it locked up for a while but the East made a nice comeback. I do kind of wish that everybody would play a little more seriously like they always do at the end, just so that the game would be a little more competitive from start to finish, but at least they put on a show.

A little bit more KD vs. LBJ would've been nice as well, but overall I was satisfied. Kyrie beasted.

[Sir Michael]

LeBron's killing it right now. So far, he dropped 14 points and it's only been 6 minutes of the first quarter. 0_0

[W3BB13]

OKC isn't playing defense at all tonight, and their offense has been almost just as bad.

[Sir Michael]

No kidding.. the Heat plowed the paint.

Sucks about LeBron's nose though... he took a hard slap from Ibaka. I always thought the man was invincible.

[Vercetti42]

Poor 4th quarter from the Celtics, we just threw the game away. I'm starting to think we might not make the playoffs this year if we continue our inconsistent run of form.

[W3BB13]

Poor 4th quarter from the Celtics, we just threw the game away. I'm starting to think we might not make the playoffs this year if we continue our inconsistent run of form.

If we end up with Wiggins I'll forget all about this season

[I cucked Alex Jones]

I really wish the NBA would limit the playoff teams from each conference to four or six. There are only four or five teams each year that have any legitimate chance of winning the title, the rest just take up space. It would increase my interest in the regular season.

[Jimmy_Leppard]

I've been thinking and I've come to the conclusion that once LeBron James becomes a free agency material, he could definitely go to the Clippers.

 

I mean, he's got Blake and CP3 there, plus he's worth about 19 million once becoming a free agency material. Clippers could without a doubt come up with that money. DeAndre Jordan? He's worth 11 million. For 10 ppg? Seriously?

 

Also, CP3 and LeBron are tight. CP3 is LeBron's son's godfather, they play ball together in the summer for years now and I'm sure LeBron wouldn't just want CP3 to be there if that happens, he'd also want Blake to be there cause I know there were some speculation that if LeBron's trade to the Clippers happens, it would include throwing Blake in for the trade aswell. But, that would be the case if the Clippers can't come up with the money. However, I think that's not the problem since only DeAndre Jordan gets paid for way much more than he deserves.

[W3BB13]

If that happens the Clippers will be the team to beat, but I don't see it happening. If LeBron doesn't stay in Miami I think the only place he'll be going is back to Cleveland.

 

The Clippers and OKC both put on a show today. OKC's struggling at the moment with trying to get Westbrook back to his former self, but they're getting there.

 

I look forward to seeing the Rockets and the Suns go at it later tonight. Should be a great game.

[AznDragon89]

If that happens the Clippers will be the team to beat, but I don't see it happening. If LeBron doesn't stay in Miami I think the only place he'll be going is back to Cleveland.

 

The Clippers and OKC both put on a show today. OKC's struggling at the moment with trying to get Westbrook back to his former self, but they're getting there.

 

I look forward to seeing the Rockets and the Suns go at it later tonight. Should be a great game.

highly doubt Lebron going back to Cleveland since its a mess and Kyrie wanting to leave

He going to stay til next year and HOPEFULLY come to the

Knicks

the following year

Edited February 24, 2014 by AznDragon89

[W3BB13]

 

If that happens the Clippers will be the team to beat, but I don't see it happening. If LeBron doesn't stay in Miami I think the only place he'll be going is back to Cleveland.

 

The Clippers and OKC both put on a show today. OKC's struggling at the moment with trying to get Westbrook back to his former self, but they're getting there.

 

I look forward to seeing the Rockets and the Suns go at it later tonight. Should be a great game.

highly doubt Lebron going back to Cleveland since its a mess and Kyrie wanting to leave

He going to stay til next year and HOPEFULLY come to the

Knicks

the following year

 

I believe LeBron will remain in Miami for the rest of his career, but if he does leave there's no way he's going to the Knicks.

[Funktipus]

 

 

If that happens the Clippers will be the team to beat, but I don't see it happening. If LeBron doesn't stay in Miami I think the only place he'll be going is back to Cleveland.

 

The Clippers and OKC both put on a show today. OKC's struggling at the moment with trying to get Westbrook back to his former self, but they're getting there.

 

I look forward to seeing the Rockets and the Suns go at it later tonight. Should be a great game.

highly doubt Lebron going back to Cleveland since its a mess and Kyrie wanting to leave

He going to stay til next year and HOPEFULLY come to the

Knicks

the following year

 

I believe LeBron will remain in Miami for the rest of his career, but if he does leave there's no way he's going to the Knicks.

 

Players and coaches around the league aren't blind. They see how badly run the Knicks are, and what a horrible owner James Dolan is. Why would anyone worthwile come here?

[W3BB13]

 

 

 

If that happens the Clippers will be the team to beat, but I don't see it happening. If LeBron doesn't stay in Miami I think the only place he'll be going is back to Cleveland.

 

The Clippers and OKC both put on a show today. OKC's struggling at the moment with trying to get Westbrook back to his former self, but they're getting there.

 

I look forward to seeing the Rockets and the Suns go at it later tonight. Should be a great game.

highly doubt Lebron going back to Cleveland since its a mess and Kyrie wanting to leave

He going to stay til next year and HOPEFULLY come to the

Knicks

the following year

 

I believe LeBron will remain in Miami for the rest of his career, but if he does leave there's no way he's going to the Knicks.

 

Players and coaches around the league aren't blind. They see how badly run the Knicks are, and what a horrible owner James Dolan is. Why would anyone worthwile come here?

 

Exactly.

 

Plus, of all the places he could go, why would he go to a team with another star SF like himself? He could go to the Clippers and play alongside the best PG in the game and one of the top PFs as well. Even if he went to Cleveland he'd be playing with an elite PG in Irving, which would likely be better for him than playing with another SF.

 

It just wouldn't make any sense for LeBron to go to the Knicks. I don't see him leaving the Heat at all. They've spent the last three years building that team around him, and he knows no matter how good he is that he can't just win a championship with any team. It has to be a good fit, and the Knicks would not be a good fit at all.

Edited February 24, 2014 by W3BB13

[AznDragon89]

Raymond felton got arrested for firearms possession and for pointing his gun at his GF/wife in NY

2 years in jail

Knicks plainly sucks

[tjor24]

I knew Ray was going through a divorce and something had clearly affected his play this year but damn. I hate being a knicks fan. It's a curse. Sad thing is knicks are probably better off if Felton isn't playing. He's been a joke this year. This team is going to get worse before it gets better. Here's praying for Kyrie and K Love in 2015 lol

[Funktipus]

I knew Ray was going through a divorce and something had clearly affected his play this year but damn. I hate being a knicks fan. It's a curse. Sad thing is knicks are probably better off if Felton isn't playing. He's been a joke this year. This team is going to get worse before it gets better. Here's praying for Kyrie and K Love in 2015 lol

 

With no first round draft pick, a bad cap situation, no smart basketball people in the front office and a horrible owner calling the shots, the Knicks future is bleak.

 

I just read Knicks are going to sign Shannon Brown and Earl Clark....whoop-de-damn-do.

[W3BB13]

Anyone else watching the Clippers/Rockets game tonight? It should be a hell of a game.

 

Harden's one of my favorite players to watch in the league today.

[W3BB13]

WTF is Raymond Felton doing on the court right now?

[Sir Michael]

WTF is Raymond Felton doing on the court right now?

Getting outgunned by the Heat. Lol

 

Triple OT with the Wizards and the Raptors. I hate not getting those games...

[W3BB13]

If I were Melo this would be my last season with the New York Knicks.

[Shoumaker]

If I were Melo this would be my last season with the New York Knicks.

Same here, he'll never win a championship if he stays there. I wouldn't mind if he went to the Clippers or something so he could win a championship.

[Funktipus]

In my 40+ years of watching the Knicks, this is one of the worst seasons I've ever seen. These clowns don't even compete!

Things are going to get worse, because there are no smart basketball people running the show. Steve Mills and Allan Houston are nothing but Dolan yes-men. Whenever the front office gets someone competent, they get pushed out by this inept owner.

It's hopeless...

[W3BB13]

Does anybody else think it's ridiculous that everyone's acting like LeBron is back in the lead for the MVP award?

KD: 31.5 PPG (51% FG, 41% 3PT, 88% FT) / 5.5 APG / 7.8 RPG / 1.5 SPG / 0.8 BPG

LBJ: 26.9 PPG (58% FG, 36% 3PT, 74% FT) / 6.4 APG / 7.0 RPG / 1.5 SPG / 0.3 BPG

KD: 4.6 more PPG, 0.8 more RPG, 0.5 more BPG

LBJ: 0.9 more APG

LeBron is 7% more accurate from FG range, but Durant is 5% more accurate from 3PT range and 14% more accurate from the foul line while averaging 4.6 more PPG.

It's pretty clear to me that if the season ended today Durant is the obvious choice for the MVP award, yet everyone seems to think LeBron has somehow taken the lead back already. NBA.com currently has LeBron ranked in first place ahead of Durant in the "Race to the MVP Ladder," which just doesn't make any sense. I'm aware that their stats are pretty close, but if you have to choose one or the other I can't understand what would make anyone think LeBron deserves that number one spot more than Durant. LeBron's got a lot of work to do if he wants the MVP award this year as far as I'm concerned.

[AznDragon89]

After the Knicks offered Phil Jackson the head coaching position and he turned them down. They made a new offer. Full control of the knicks

[GTA3Rockstar]

Lakes. lol

 

 

Eastern conference is terrible, as well. Considering the Lakers would only be 5 games out of 8th place.

[Shenmue18]

Not only that, but the Mavericks, who are in the 8th seed in the Western Conference with a 37-26 record would be in the 3rd seed if they were in the Eastern Conference. That just goes to show that besides Indiana and Miami, the Eastern Conference is filled with trash. Another interesting fact, the 3rd seeded Toronto is 11 games behind Indiana for the number one seed while the 7th and 8th seeded Suns and Mavericks are just 9 games behind number 1 seeded OKC. So in the Western Conference, the 2 lowest seeded teams are closer to the number one spot than the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

[GTA3Rockstar]

Not only that, but the Mavericks, who are in the 8th seed in the Western Conference with a 37-26 record would be in the 3rd seed if they were in the Eastern Conference. That just goes to show that besides Indiana and Miami, the Eastern Conference is filled with trash. Another interesting fact, the 3rd seeded Toronto is 11 games behind Indiana for the number one seed while the 7th and 8th seeded Suns and Mavericks are just 9 games behind number 1 seeded OKC. So in the Western Conference, the 2 lowest seeded teams are closer to the number one spot than the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

 

Yea, even after Miami and Indiana dropped 3 4 games.

 

Just as bad as when Seattle got into the playoffs at 7-9, which never happens. Might see 3 teams under .500 get in in the NBA.

[tjor24]

After the Knicks offered Phil Jackson the head coaching position and he turned them down. They made a new offer. Full control of the knicks

Yep. This is about the only hope I have for them. Even if he isn't gm material, it takes the reigns from dolan's dumbass.

[Sir Michael]

 

Does anybody else think it's ridiculous that everyone's acting like LeBron is back in the lead for the MVP award?

KD: 31.5 PPG (51% FG, 41% 3PT, 88% FT) / 5.5 APG / 7.8 RPG / 1.5 SPG / 0.8 BPG

LBJ: 26.9 PPG (58% FG, 36% 3PT, 74% FT) / 6.4 APG / 7.0 RPG / 1.5 SPG / 0.3 BPG

KD: 4.6 more PPG, 0.8 more RPG, 0.5 more BPG

LBJ: 0.9 more APG

LeBron is 7% more accurate from FG range, but Durant is 5% more accurate from 3PT range and 14% more accurate from the foul line while averaging 4.6 more PPG.

It's pretty clear to me that if the season ended today Durant is the obvious choice for the MVP award, yet everyone seems to think LeBron has somehow taken the lead back already. NBA.com currently has LeBron ranked in first place ahead of Durant in the "Race to the MVP Ladder," which just doesn't make any sense. I'm aware that their stats are pretty close, but if you have to choose one or the other I can't understand what would make anyone think LeBron deserves that number one spot more than Durant. LeBron's got a lot of work to do if he wants the MVP award this year as far as I'm concerned.

 

I'm inclined to agree.

 

MVP is more than stats though. The award is more of a way of saying that you were a massive asset in your teams victories. Durant's relentless scoring is the reason why the Thunder win their games, which is a compelling argument for him to win MVP

 

With LeBron, his efficiency is the major key to his game; less misses means less opportunities for other teams to score. His pass-first mentality is also another thing that helps the Heat win their games. He's the main scorer and the unofficial Point Guard on that team, and that alone makes him a valuable asset to the Heat. However, without LeBron, the Heat are still fairly stacked, even if they are ancient fossils.

 

This is going to go down to the wire, but at this pace, I think Durant has the upper-hand. OKC doesn't have much support aside Durant and Westbrook. Truth be told, without Durant, the Thunder are irrelevant. He's what keeps the team afloat and if you take him away, the Thunder are just a below-average team; I hate to say it, but Westbrook can't carry a team like Durant.