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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: black_biff_stadler on June 21, 2013, 04:03:44 AM
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I know there aren't a whole lotta Heat supporters round here but I didn't feel like being deafened by the community's collective uproarious laughter if I'd have mentioned the Pelicans in the thread title.
Obvious shit to look out for this offseason/coming season:
1. Where do Doc Rivers/CP3/Dwight Howard end up?
2. Will the Bulls make a serious run with Derrick Rose back in the fray?
3. If so, will they, the Pacers, Knicks, or a dark horse upset the Heat and make the finals?
4. Are the Lakers or Steve Nash done?
5. What happens to the Spurs with age creeping up on Tim Duncan (37) and Manu Ginobili (about to be 36)? Will Tony Parker be able to continue his ascent to the league's top echelon enough to make up for a possible slowing down of those two?
6. Stephon Curry: ready to challenge the Thunder for the "heir apparent" status in the West as soon as Kobe and Tim Duncan (possibly) fade out in the next few seasons?
7. Rockets: will James Harden continue to carry them toward the top?
8. Bobcats (eventually Hornets :| ), Magic, and Timberwolves: status quo or do any of them stop sucking abysmally?
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Wow! The 2013 Draft hasn't even happened... ain't we a bit ahead of ourselves here? :lol
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1. Where do Doc Rivers/CP3/Dwight Howard end up?
I think that all three stay right where they are. I don't think coaches can be traded for players or draft picks like in the NFL. As for CP3 and Howard, they have 30 million reasons to stay put.
2. Will the Bulls make a serious run with Derrick Rose back in the fray?
If Derrick Rose can return to form, the Bulls will be serious contenders.
3. If so, will they, the Pacers, Knicks, or a dark horse upset the Heat and make the finals?
We'll have to see what happens with Miami's rotating cast. Curious to see if Bosh is dealt. At this point, they should gauge the market for interest. He's still a good player, but he's getting paid a lot of money for the same kind of performances that Battier, Anderson and Miller come up with. But at the end of the day, any team with James and a healthy Wade will be tough to beat.
Pacers came close to knocking the Heat off in the ECF, so I give them and the Bulls the best odds at knocking off the Heat. The Knicks, not so much.
4. Are the Lakers or Steve Nash done?
I think that they're done in regards to being legitimate Title Contenders, but I don't see them missing the playoffs.
5. What happens to the Spurs with age creeping up on Tim Duncan (37) and Manu Ginobili (about to be 36)? Will Tony Parker be able to continue his ascent to the league's top echelon enough to make up for a possible slowing down of those two?
Manu might retire. The Spurs should have another good season, but a healthy Thunder team or perhaps the Grizzlies or Clippers could knock them off as is.
6. Stephon Curry: ready to challenge the Thunder for the "heir apparent" status in the West as soon as Kobe and Tim Duncan (possibly) fade out in the next few seasons?
Don't know if the Warriors have what it takes to get past a great defense in the playoffs.
7. Rockets: will James Harden continue to carry them toward the top?
Absolutely. But they need another piece or two in order to make a serious run.
8. Bobcats (eventually Hornets :| ), Magic, and Timberwolves: status quo or do any of them stop sucking abysmally?
I felt that the Timberwolves have been on the cusp of not sucking for the past two seasons, but they have had a lot of injuries. Signing Love to a long term deal should be their priority.
I've heard Charlotte to be a potential trading partner with Miami to move Bosh. But even with him, I don't see Charlotte getting out of the 1st round, if they get there at all.
Bottom line.... it's far too early to know for sure what's going to happen next year.
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I know there aren't a whole lotta Heat supporters round here but I didn't feel like being deafened by the community's collective uproarious laughter if I'd have mentioned the Pelicans in the thread title.
Obvious shit to look out for this offseason/coming season:
1. Where do Doc Rivers/CP3/Dwight Howard end up?
4. Are the Lakers or Steve Nash done?
5. What happens to the Spurs with age creeping up on Tim Duncan (37) and Manu Ginobili (about to be 36)? Will Tony Parker be able to continue his ascent to the league's top echelon enough to make up for a possible slowing down of those two?
7. Rockets: will James Harden continue to carry them toward the top?
Ok, I am interested in those above questions.
1. I can see three possible outcomes there.
a) Both CP3 and D12 stay put
b) If the Hawks are aggressive enough and make some of the right moves, they could get both CP3 and D12 (long shot)
c) Somehow, I think this is a more likely scenario. CP3 stays put with the Clippers, the Lakers and Rockets engage in a serious sign-and-trade for D12... see #7 for more.
4. Define "Done". Can the Lakers challenge for the title next year even if Nash turns back the clock to 2005? Long shot. But will they be competitive? You bet. Nash can still play at an above average level, but like TD or Manu, don't expect him to go beyond 30 or so minutes a game.
5. TD will stay for one more (I think) and retire a Spur. Manu will likely retire this summer, IMO. Also, I think we've seen Leonard is developing into a nice on-court partner with TP, so don't be surprised the Spurs are going to keep building around those two going forward. Look for a (not a mis-typing) more athletic and more running style!
7. If somehow D12 is traded to the Rockets, Harden and him will be the center pieces in Houston for years to come. Regardless, Harden is GOOD player but he ain't a franchise guy, and I think the Rockets are aware of that too. IMHO, a fair deal for D12 would have to include AT LEAST Patrick Beverley, Chandler Parsons and Jeremy Lin + pick(s). Asik showed he can be a good center last season, but his contract is a killer toward the end of its life. So as a Lakers fan I don't want his contract. But, if such a deal cannot be made, look for D12 returning to the Lakers and acts like as if nothing has ever happened. :hat
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1. Where do Doc Rivers/CP3/Dwight Howard end up?
Doc - Ugh, basketball reasons part 2. Stern should've shut up and just let him go to the clips.
I don't think CP3 is going anywhere regardless; any new coach is going to be an upgrade from VDN.
Dwight Howard is the big question mark because his mind is so fragile and fickle. You really can't guess what's going on up there.
2. Will the Bulls make a serious run with Derrick Rose back in the fray?
Yes. This is really just a homer pick though.
3. If so, will they, the Pacers, Knicks, or a dark horse upset the Heat and make the finals?
Yes. 7th chip for the Bulls!
4. Are the Lakers or Steve Nash done?
I really wish Nash hadn't gone to the Lakers, because I want him to do well and get a chip a la Kidd. I don't want Howard to get one though. But to answer the question, yes, they are done for now.
Just wait till next year when they get Wiggins.
5. What happens to the Spurs with age creeping up on Tim Duncan (37) and Manu Ginobili (about to be 36)? Will Tony Parker be able to continue his ascent to the league's top echelon enough to make up for a possible slowing down of those two?
Kawhi Leonard is the next era of Spurs. They actually have a ton of cap space this offseason, so I expect them to be right back in it next year.
6. Stephon Curry: ready to challenge the Thunder for the "heir apparent" status in the West as soon as Kobe and Tim Duncan (possibly) fade out in the next few seasons?
Eh, I'll have to see this season before I can give Curry that much.
7. Rockets: will James Harden continue to carry them toward the top?
This really depends on Howard and what the Rockets' plan B is. I actually want them to get Josh Smith. Sure he can be a big idiot frequently, but I think he fits with their athleticism, fast pace, and he and Asik would be monstrous defensively.
8. Bobcats (eventually Hornets :| ), Magic, and Timberwolves: status quo or do any of them stop sucking abysmally?
The Wolves were actually a lot of people's pick for the 8th seed in the west before they all died. I think they'll be in the playoff hunt. The other two are just really bad and will be in the Wiggins/Parker hunt.
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Geez... I guess in the end the Clippers is still the Clippers. After stopping the Doc Rivers to LA talks, they are aggressively talking to Byron Scott? I mean, even for a Lakers fan I find Scott is as ordinary as any coach can be out there. If the indeed hire Scott at the end... well, good luck. :hat
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CP3 and Scott lost game 7 in the 2008 Western semis against the defending champion Spurs with what seems like an inferior cast. I really don't know what to make of that but if those two plus David West, a less-developed earlier-career Tyson Chandler, and an over-the-hill Peja Stojakovic can come that close to the WCF, then I see no reason why them teaming up with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin wouldn't be able to at least equal that.
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CP3 and Scott lost game 7 in the 2008 Western semis against the defending champion Spurs with what seems like an inferior cast. I really don't know what to make of that but if those two plus David West, a less-developed earlier-career Tyson Chandler, and an over-the-hill Peja Stojakovic can come that close to the WCF, then I see no reason why them teaming up with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin wouldn't be able to at least equal that.
Maybe, but IMO Scott is not good at making proper adjustments, his strategies seem to be pretty predictable; and his 3 years with the Cavs also seemed to suggest he ain't a good teacher either. Then why not give either Lionel Hollins or B Shaw a more serious look?
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Clippers get Rivers for a 2015 First Round Pick. Awesome.....
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2013/6/23/4457482/done-deal-doc-to-clippers-for-2015-unprotected-pick
Celtics better start talking to Brian Shaw ASAP.
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(https://i.imgur.com/eS0SsaP.gift)
I wonder if it's against the rules to have that many LeBron's on the court at the same time.
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That is awesome. On a related note, here is a file of all of the shots Chris Bosh made in Game 7:
(https://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18rr39yaq3171jpg/ku-medium.jpg)
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:lol
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Clippers get Rivers for a 2015 First Round Pick. Awesome.....
Great move for the Clippers, and it looks like there is one less reason for CP3 to go anywhere else.
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And with Stern putting the kibosh on any more interactions between LAC and BOS, it's pretty likely Chicago's gonna end up with KG. ;D
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The Clippers can still trade for KG and Pierce they just weren't allowed to get KG+Doc Rivers at the same time.
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Nah, the league has said that any future deals will be seen as a violation.
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Why? Did they determine that some illegal activity occurred in the initial LAC/BOS talks and then made it that any future trades/acquisitions involving the players/coaches involved in that potential deal are off limits for the remainder of this offseason/coming season?
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Okay, so the initial talks were what just happened with Doc for a 1st rounder plus KG for Jordan or something like that.
You can't actually trade coaches for players, so that deal was impossible to do.
You can, however, compensate a team for allowing you to hire their coach. This is why Doc for a 1st rounder is allowed.
But you can't have conditional trades, i.e. "Hey, let's do this KG for Jordan thing, and we promise we'll let you hire Doc later"
So, since they had the initial talks, the league isn't letting them split it up as two different things.
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All the Clippers have to do is convince the league it's a separate deal from the initial one which really isn't a hard thing to do.
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I think you're underestimating David Stern.
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I don't know this is the guy who thought $5,000 fines would stop people who make millions from flopping. He also made the WNBA so he can't be that smart. At the end of the day David Stern will do what will make him the most money, and allowing the Clippers to acquire KG and Paul Pierce will make him the most money.
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I think he's more the guy who thought $5,000 fines would make it seem like he's trying to stop flopping.
Anyways, KG to the Bulls would create a real rival to the Heat in the East. That's probably going to get a lot of money, too.
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Even if KG waived his no trade clause to go to Chicago which I don't see why he would. I don't see that making the Bulls a threat to Miami unless they magically acquire a bench in the offseason.
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Point One: KG
One of the big reasons KG would waive his no trade clause to go to LAC was Doc.
KG didn't want to be on a rebuilding team and he wanted a familiar coach in Doc.
CHI is not a rebuilding team and Thibs was on assistant with BOS while KG played there.
Point Two: The Trade
The basis of the trade that I could see happening is:
Boozer -> BKN
Humphries -> BOS
KG -> CHI
That's obviously not the whole thing; there would be picks and whatnot involved.
BKN does it because Boozer is better Humphries and they clearly don't care how much they spend.
BOS does it because Humphries is an expiring and they get the aforementioned picks and whatnot.
CHI does it because KG.
Point Three: The Bulls
You make it seem like the Bulls would be hardpressed to dig up a bench from nowhere, but that's exactly what they did this past season.
I'm going to assume that with the addition of KG, the front office would be more willing to spend and keep our guys.
That would give a lineup of:
Rose/ Nate/ Teague
Butler/ Hinrich (I'm putting Hinrich in the SG position because I liked the Nate/Hinrich lineup)
Deng/ Bellinelli
KG/ Taj
Noah/ #20 (I'm assuming the Bulls get a big in the draft)/ Nazr
Nobody could score on that, and with Rose and KG being solid offensively with Butler also coming along, I don't see how the Bulls aren't a threat to Miami.
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The Bulls aren't keeping Nate unless he's willing to take less money and I wouldn't bet on him doing that. It seems like you also assume the Bulls would be playing the same Miami team from this year which most likely won't be the case. They will probably pick up a big or 2 in case Greg Oden can't stay healthy which there is a 99% chance he won't. With a competent big Miami wipes out any weakness they had in the past.
LeBron/Chalmers/Cole
Wade/Allen
Battier/Miller
Bosh/Haslem
Oden/What ever the other big is they pick up
As long as Wade and Oden stay healthy you can forget about anyone being a threat to Miami.
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Why would Chicago want to get rid of Boozer? They don't need to change their starting lineup at all, they just need a couple of bench guys that can come in and produce. They need a couple of bigs to give Noah and Boozer a rest and maybe get a decent shooting guard which is their weakest spot but they don't need KG, that's for sure
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Boozer is not good on defense.
He shies away from big moments, so when we actually need his offense, it's not there.
Chicago doesn't need KG, but he'd be good to have.
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He'd be good to have, but I wouldn't wanna rely on the knees of him for my hopes to win a championship. He's played 47,801 minutes, that's a lot of mileage!
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KG is too old, I wouldn't put my money on him. This came on my FB today, anyone know if this is true?
LaMarcus Aldridge is the jump shooting power forward that Ric Bucher reported was interested in joining the Bulls [back in February].
Portland would want Joakim Noah if they moved LaMarcus Aldridge. Chicago Bulls have been looking for a 3rd team that they could send Deng instead and get Portland something of value. I have not heard anything of late though, but I do know the Bulls will go after him. Can you imagine them working together beast of a team.
Now, that looks like it would be a much more interesting deal. if they did this they could use Boozer as a trading card for a good Deng replacement, I'm thinking maybe Granger who might get relegated given George's awesome season.
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As we all have heard over the last couple of hours now, Chicago and Washington are in trade talks that would send Deng to Washington for Emeka Okafor and the 3rd overall pick in this years draft.
Some Bulls fans might say this is a stupid trade or we are losing the trade. YOUR'E WRONG!
With the 3rd overall pick we can pick-up a 2 guard that we desperately need in Ben McLemore, and we can get a back-up center that we need in Emeka Okafor since Nazr Mohammad is a free agent and we are over the tax limit. Don't forget we also own the 20th pick and we can possibly get another big man in Alex Len and we can be strong if Noah get's hurt of Boozer get's hurt.
This trade will also strengthen our bench mob that we lacked from a season ago all season and during the playoffs definitely against the Heat when fatigue sat in on us. So if I were the GM Gar Forman I would pull the trigger because this would lead to a lot of success as our superstar is set to return on opening night.
Don't forget this would be our line-up if this trade happens,
PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Joakim Noah
:huh:
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That lineup would not strike fear in the hearts of anyone!
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Derrick Rose might not come back at all if they perform that trade :lol
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Yeah, I don't like that.
It shakes up the team in a bad way for the 3rd pick in a bad draft.
What would the Bulls do with Okafor? Backup C? They can get that with the 20th.
Bulls are already week at SF, this would would just create a hole.
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Maybe they want to tank for a chance at Wiggins ??? :lol
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Maybe they want to get Okafor as a starter and trade Boozer for a SF? Jimmy Butler should not be the starter, they need someone who can get open to give Rose some space and shoot the ball from long distance if the defense collapses to the key. Butler is not that guy
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LeBron is going to pass Jordan, yo.
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I am amused by the people who repeatedly say, "Nobody will ever surpass Jordan." What they are basically saying is, "I am so biased that no matter what any other player does ever, I will continue to stick my fingers in my ears while babbling 'Jordan is the best ever' incoherently like Lloyd Christmas." :lol :lol
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Maybe they want to get Okafor as a starter and trade Boozer for a SF? Jimmy Butler should not be the starter, they need someone who can get open to give Rose some space and shoot the ball from long distance if the defense collapses to the key. Butler is not that guy
Butler was the 2nd leading player on the Bulls for 3p% behind Hinrich last season. The expectation is that Butler can definitely be that guy.
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I am amused by the people who repeatedly say, "Nobody will ever surpass Jordan." What they are basically saying is, "I am so biased that no matter what any other player does ever, I will continue to stick my fingers in my ears while babbling 'Jordan is the best ever' incoherently like Lloyd Christmas." :lol :lol
I get super amused by it, too. LeBron has achieved more than Jordan has thru their age 29 seasons. It'll be cool to see if LeBron could do it.
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I am amused by the people who repeatedly say, "Nobody will ever surpass Jordan." What they are basically saying is, "I am so biased that no matter what any other player does ever, I will continue to stick my fingers in my ears while babbling 'Jordan is the best ever' incoherently like Lloyd Christmas." :lol :lol
I get super amused by it, too. LeBron has achieved more than Jordan has thru their age 29 seasons. It'll be cool to see if LeBron could do it.
People that say this almost always forget that LeBron also had a 3 year headstart.
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Well thats Jordan's fault for wasting his time going to college.
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Yeah. Using age rather than actual seasons played, especially when there's a 3-year discrepancy, is a woefully inaccurate way to try to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
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Brian Shaw has been hired as the new Denver Nuggets' head coach! Good for him and he has definitely earned it. Good luck. :tup
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About time and lol at all the teams that fucked up by not hiring him they're going to regret it.
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https://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/nba/san-antonio-spurs/story/Dwight-Howard-wants-to-play-for-Spurs?blockID=911705
Duncan+Howard yeah nothing would get through that I would hope the Spurs are smart enough to get rid of the washed up Ginobili and make a run at Howard.
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:lol
Yeah right. Howard is too high profile for the Spurs team plus I doubt they are willing to pay what Howard wants. They could put that money for better use.
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I'm happy to see Brian Shaw finally get a head coaching job! I wish him nothing but success and hope he gets it with the Nuggets so he can internally say "suck it Jim Buss!"
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I'm happy to see Brian Shaw finally get a head coaching job! I wish him nothing but success and hope he gets it with the Nuggets so he can internally say "suck it Jim Buss!"
I actually wouldn't mind if Shaw verbally say it. :lol
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Yeah. Using age rather than actual seasons played, especially when there's a 3-year discrepancy, is a woefully inaccurate way to try to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
Yeah, it isn't LeBron's fault he was able to go straight into the NBA from highschool. And he played for a very shitty team for SEVEN years, i think it's fair. Jordan had a huge case of guys behind him in CHI.
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(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1010013_10201107277585005_1341954691_n.jpg)
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Well, no one would ever accuse Miami of being a great sports town. :lol :lol
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ESPN source says provision DOES include three-team (and more) trades. NO trade exchanging Celtics & Clippers allowed until after next season
So it looks like KG to LAC is definitely off the table for good.
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Well, no one would ever accuse Miami of being a great sports town. :lol :lol
I guess facts dont matter.
400k at Miami celebration...double that of Baltimore.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BNn1hnLCEAAvnL0.jpg)
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Shhhhh you're ruining the illusion that Miami has bad fans.
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More people were at a parade in Miami in June than were at a parade in Baltimore in February? You don't say :facepalm: I'm pretty sure that more "fans" were at the latter.
Yeah, I jumped the gun with that pic and got owned :blush
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Yeah, I jumped the gun with that pic and got owned :blush
I know that feeling all too well.
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LOL
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I wonder how many of those 400K, if asked on the spot with no warning, could name three of the Heat's starting five the year before LeBron and Bosh came to town.
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Doesn't matter one iota. They're buying tickets, merchandise, etc., which helps the Heat have the capital to remain a top echelon contender. If they seriously didn't care, I doubt they'd waste their money. This bandwagon movement to bash Heat fans is even worse than their fair-weatheredness.
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Well, they brought it on themselves with a bunch of them bailed on their team at the end of Game 6, missing what was a historic comeback. Sure, you can say it was only a few handfuls, but again, Miami is not exactly known for being a great sports town. Miami is never mentioned in discussions about best sports fans, for any individual sport or overall.
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About the LeBron/Jordan thing:
I never thought I'd agree with Stephen A. Smith on anything-guy's a tool-but he raised this point in the discussion. Jordan went 6 for 6 in the finals. Never went to a game 7. Was Finals MVP 6 for 6. Until James does something on that order, sorry, he's not better than Jordan. Hell, he's got work to go before I think he's better than Magic Johnson or Larry Bird. Hell, he's still got work to catch up to Tim Duncan in my mind.
/flame shield on.
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While I agree that he still has work to do to catch any of those guys, Jaq, the "Jordan was 6 for 6 in the Finals" argument is not a strong one, IMO, and here is why: let's say LeBron wins four more titles and ends up 6-2 in the Finals. Are you telling me that his legacy would be better by having not gotten those two losing teams to the Finals? In other words, he would look better by having lost earlier in the playoffs? I don't get that at all. Especially when you consider that that 2007 Cavs team had no right being in the Finals, and were only there cause LeBron dragged them there. And he gets penalized for that? No way, I say. :biggrin:
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The Chicago Bulls are 6 for 6 in the Finals not MJ. Why does everyone always say it like it was all MJ and he didn't have a great team surrounding him?
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Great team? I don't know if I'd go that far. Aside from Jordan, they only had one Hall of Famer for the first three-peat (Pippen), and two for the second (Pippen and Rodman), so it's not like that was a stacked team. Hell, they were bounced in the 2nd round the year they didn't have Jordan (1994), so let's have some perspective here.
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Pippen and Rodman were the perfect supporting cast for Jordan.
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And also take into account that during the last couple of games against Utah for the last championship Pippen had a back injury and barely played. Jordan took care of the team and won that last game all by himself.
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Great team? I don't know if I'd go that far. Aside from Jordan, they only had one Hall of Famer for the first three-peat (Pippen), and two for the second (Pippen and Rodman), so it's not like that was a stacked team. Hell, they were bounced in the 2nd round the year they didn't have Jordan (1994), so let's have some perspective here.
3 Hall of Famers in the starting five? That's pretty good.
Jordan's and James' ending numbers will be apples to oranges. Far too many variables, which is precisely why you don't hear Russell vs. Jordan arguments.
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Pre draft trade rumors: Cleveland offers 19th pick for Thomas Robinson.
Trail Blazers were informed by Lamarcus Aldridge wants a trade to the Bulls.
Bulls offers Houston 20th pick for Thomas Robinson.
Celtics are looking for ways to trade Paul Pierce to free up cap space for them to pursue Josh Smith.
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Jordan's and James' ending numbers will be apples to oranges. Far too many variables, which is precisely why you don't hear Russell vs. Jordan arguments.
Right. That is why I laugh when anyone thinks rings are all that matter when discussing which player is better. Jordan is better than anyone because he has 6 rings, but, oh yeah, we will ignore the fact that Russell has 11. :lol
I like the idea of discussing "alpha rings," meaning a ring you got when you were the best player on your team without question. In that case, LeBron and Bryant are now tied at 2. Imagine if LeBron had played his first 7-8 seasons with an in-his-prime Shaq. My God.
That is why it is never as simply as counting rings.
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Great team? I don't know if I'd go that far. Aside from Jordan, they only had one Hall of Famer for the first three-peat (Pippen), and two for the second (Pippen and Rodman), so it's not like that was a stacked team. Hell, they were bounced in the 2nd round the year they didn't have Jordan (1994), so let's have some perspective here.
Jordan,Pippen and Grant(Not a Hall of Famer but still a pretty good player) for the first. Jordan,Pippen,Rodman and Stever Kerr(Who should be a Hall Of Famer) for the second. I'd say those are pretty good teams now obviously without Jordan they don't win a thing which you already alluded to, but without those players surrounding him Jordan has 0 rings right now and were discussing why he couldn't win the big one instead of him being the GOAT.
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/6/26/4467454/nba-trade-rumors-lamarcus-aldridge-chicago-bulls-portland-trail-blazers
Speaking of the Bulls adding LA would definitely make them a threat to the Heat. They should give Portland anything not named Derrick Rose for him.
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I would really like that to happen while keeping Noah. Not sure how though...
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https://dailysnark.com/lakers-are-begging-dwight-howard-to-stay/
I hope Dwight leaves now just to make the Lakers look even more pathetic.
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For any team who's a perennial playoff team, this would come across as strangely needy and be some kind of tipping of their hand revealing much greater weakness than was previously evident on the surface. For a team with the Lakers' prestige plus being only 3 years removed from a title repeat, it really hints at the roof being mere seconds from caving in.
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Maybe Jim Buss should have put up a few more signs because Howard said he won't be resigning with the Lakers. His reason is Mike D'Antoni's system.
(https://i.imgur.com/9XcberV.jpg)
He looks better in a Rockets uniform anyway.
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Maybe Jim Buss should have put up a few more signs because Howard said he won't be resigning with the Lakers. His reason is Mike D'Antoni's system.
(https://i.imgur.com/9XcberV.jpg)
He looks better in a Rockets uniform anyway.
Howard is unlikely to resign with the Lakers. Really? Am I surprised by this rumor? Hell no! Like I said before, I know we would SUCK big time without Howard, and when Kobe is still in the midst of his rehabs with an generally aging team and all. Still, do I want such a temperamental guy to be the face of my team? Sorry, I'd rather stay sucky for a few years and then sign or trade for another star down the road. :cool:
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The Lakers should start looking into the free agency market (not including DH) to see how they can put together a competitive team. I'm sure Howard leaving will give them enough cap to sign 1 or 2 good players that adapt to D'antonis system. I'm thinking maybe Josh Smith and Iguodala
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https://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/22548431/report-nets-celtics-discussing-deal-for-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce
Garnett and Pierce to the Nets for Humphries,Wallace, some 3rd guy and 3 picks...why would the Nets even consider this how many years do Pierce and Garnett have left ?
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I guess they want to join the LOLKnicks and become the LOLNets. Really though they're ripping Boston off if the trade happens they get rid of a few god awful contracts while gaining 2 players that instantly make them contenders. If Danny Ainge is trying to rebuild he would be doing a terrible job of it with this trade to say the least.
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Seriously why are the Clips and Nets interested in Pierce and KG?!
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Yeah I wonder why anyone would be interested in 2 Hall of Famers who can both put up 15-25 points on any given night.
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Seriously why are the Clips and Nets interested in Pierce and KG?!
LAC makes perfect sense for KG/PP (lol pee pee) because of Doc's presence plus the instant upgrade from Rondo to CP3. Having those two to pass to could have CP3 approaching a season average of 15 apg. Sometimes a one-season gamble for a title ain't such a bad thing especially if you're a perennial laughingstock like LAC had been until the last few years. This is because there's no guarantee that they can gradually build for excellence the way mainstays like LAL, SA, CHI, etc. can since CP3 is the only major thing making LAC an attractive destination. There's no "ooh" factor for just getting to play for them the way there is for other teams with more successful histories.
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It's time for the most exclusive draft in U.S. Sports. Hope that the Wizards take Porter.
Bennett?? Wow! Gutsy pick!
Hope the Wizards stay the course and draft Porter.
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Noel's face was priceless!!
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Noel's face was priceless!!
Noel's face and Bill Simmons' shock.
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Oladipo to the Magic. This leaves the Wizards with quite the choice. Noel? Porter? McLemore? Len?
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Porter joins Beal and Wall! Love the pick!
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Hey DoC, if you keep all the pick announcements in your first post it'll be easier to read for the rest of us and I'll update the OP with it at the draft's conclusion if that's okay with you.
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Hey DoC, if you keep all the pick announcements in your first post it'll be easier to read for the rest of us and I'll update the OP with it at the draft's conclusion if that's okay with you.
That's cool.
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David Stern with the jokes :lol
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Well according to sources KG has agreed to the Brooklyn trade and the Celtics will be sending him and Paul Pierce to the Nets.
Edit:Also they get Jason Terry too they're only giving up a horrible contract in Wallace and 3 worthless draft picks. The Nets just got away with highway robbery :rollin
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It's ironic then that "Celtics" and "Sell tix" sound identical since they won't be doing much of that for a while now.
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That trade was just... wow.
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This draft has been legendary just for Bill Simmons' reactions to things, from the first pick-I've always wanted to see Mel Kiper have a WHAT THE FUCK moment like that-to his growing dread and disbelief as the Nets/Celtics trade became closer and closer to reality.
And I gotta admit, the over-use of "wingspan" beats the hell out of the NFL draft's over-use of "length." By the end of the first night, I was starting to wonder if I was watching the NFL draft or a porno draft. "He's got great length, you can't coach that." :rollin
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I am somehow even more done with Celtics basketball than I was earlier this week.
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LAC makes perfect sense for KG/PP (lol pee pee) because of Doc's presence plus the instant upgrade from Rondo to CP3.
This comment would have been a lot more fun if ReaP was still around to object with one of his 3,474-word posts. :lol :biggrin:
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I thought the exact same thing as I typed it :lol In fact I was even about to reach into my burlap sack full of the dozens of reasons he's better and then immediately realized "Oh yeah! Reap ain't around anymore so everyone's gonna agree with me anyway."
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The Nets now actually look kind of decent on paper after the trade.
Aside from D-Will, JJ and B Lopez (they get to keep Lopez! Wow!), they now also have KG, Pierce and Terry off the bench. This may not be a championship type roster, but they are certainly good enough to compete in the east next season.
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I'm surprise ReaP hasn't asked to be reinstated just so he can shit on that trade and on Danny Ainge! :lol
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What ever happened to ReaP? I really enjoyed his Boston homerism in the previous threads.
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IIRC, he asked for a ban to focused on work or something.
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NBA All Access ‏@AllAccessNBA
Don't hold your breath Celtics fans. Just got word of talks between Boston and New York Knicks for Rajon Rondo.
The Knicks would need to rid a large contract to be able to get Rondo. Probably Chandler, or Stoudamire.
The Knicks are showing interest in several point guards. Rondo being the big ticket now that cp3 is probably off the table
Whats next are the Celtics going to trade Jeff Green and Avery Bradley too? I get they're tanking for Wiggins, but what good is Wiggins if you have no team around him? It's going to be LeBron's Cavaliers all over again.
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:facepalm: :facepalm:
I get the Celtics are thinking ahead but that trade is insane and thinking of trading Rondo is even more insane. Is Ainge a Lakers fan or something?
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You guys see Doc Rivers basically call Bill Simmons an idiot last night on live TV? I didn't see it when it happened (I never watch live drafts, except for maybe the first round of the NFL, and even that is only sometimes), but I read about it, and the clip was found pretty easily. I :lol. Simmons is a good writer, but on TV, he comes across as way too much of a homer, which is poor since if you are there as a basketball analyst, not a Boston fanboy, you should at least pretend to be impartial. Save for the shtick for the columns.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OloiB3qLYyY
Yeah I turned on the draft literally a few minutes before he said it. I think Bill Simmons is trying to get himself fired or at least taken off TV because the way he acts it doesn't seem like he even wants to be there.
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I don't see why he would get fired or suspended for anything he said there. Skip Bayless routinely says worse things than that and he's still employed by them!
If Bill really wanted to shit on Doc he would've done it on Grantland.com where he doesn't have to censor himself because of Disney.
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Regardless, the look on Bill Simmons' face was priceless! :lol
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Skip is payed to say the things he says he doesn't actually believe what he says. If Skip was actually allowed to use his decades of experience First Take's ratings would plummet. Nobody wants to watch him and Stephen A agree with each other for 2 hours. They want to see Skip make an ass of himself then watch Stephen A embarrass him it makes for good television.
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And having a figure with such a big following like Bill Simmons arguing on TV with a prominent NBA head coach does as well, so Bill's fine!
They've been replaying that everywhere on their networks!
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Now there's rumors going around that the Mavs and Knicks have engaged in talks to get Rondo. :lol
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First off, thank you Paul Pierce for all you great years here. Thank you KG for the Championship team and beyond. True grit.
And they might as well trade Rondo while he is hot before he comes back to a bad team and he acts out. Time to blow it up.
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Might as well trade Green and Avery too!
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Might as well trade Green and Avery too!
Correct me if I am wrong, but instead of getting rid of both Avery and Green, I thought the Celtics are actually intending to build around those two + Sullinger?
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I've no idea what they're intending to do, but I wouldn't mind having Green on the Lakers! I've enjoyed watching him play since he was on Georgetown.
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I've no idea what they're intending to do, but I wouldn't mind having Green on the Lakers! I've enjoyed watching him play since he was on Georgetown.
Sorry, I got mixed up, are you a Celtics fan or a Lakers fan, or other's? I am a Lakers fan myself, by the way.
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Lakers. kingshmegland is the Celts fan
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Lakers. kingshmegland is the Celts fan
Nice to know. :tup
And for the record, I honestly will not feel too devastated if D-Howard ends up leaving LA for Houston or Atlanta. Sure, I know we will suck for the 2013-14 season without him, yet based on what we've seen last season (especially after Kobe got hurt and out) I don't think we would fair much better with him. Worst, for many reasons I really cannot picture him being the face of the Lakers going forward. IMHO, we might be better off just restrain ourselves a bit in terms of signing anyone this summer, and wait til the summer of 2014 (when we clear our book except for Nash's contract) to make our next major signing. Your thoughts?
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How hated would LBJ be if he teamed up with Kobe plus could you imagine how absurdly difficult it'd be for a coach, other than Phil or Pop, to manage all that ego?
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How hated would LBJ be if he teamed up with Kobe plus could you imagine how absurdly difficult it'd be for a coach, other than Phil or Pop, to manage all that ego?
As if he is not already been hated enough? No, seriously, while I am NOT a LBJ fan, I only hated him for the way he handled the "The Decision" show.
As for the what if he join forces with Kobe in the summer of 2014... well, it is still at least a year a way, and by then Kobe is also one year older, and a year closer to retirement; and I am sure he already knows it far too well that, he can't let his ego be in the way if he ever wants another crack at a ring.
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Also, it's funny because every ring LBJ would win with Kobe in that situation would do nothing to help him catch Kobe so he can become considered the bet post-MJ player.
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Well, for one, Tim Duncan is currently the best post-MJ player (by a hair over Shaq), but James, barring some crazy injury that derails him, will overtake them all within the next few years.
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Tim Duncan has had the same coach his entire career and has never played with teams as bad as Kobe's were during the 3 1/2-year span from Shaq's departure through Pau's arrival and he still has one less ring.
As for Shaq, he won exactly one ring after no longer having Kobe for a teammate (and that was a lot more because of D-Wade than him.) I realize he was much more of a reason for those '00-'02 titles than Kobe but that advantage wanes a bit when we compare their respective careers outside of that threepeat.
Shaq:
Titles: 1 (2006)
Finals appearances: 2 (1995, 2006)
Kobe:
Titles: 2 (2009, 2010)
Finals appearances: 3 (2008, 2009, 2010)
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So? Duncan has more alpha rings than Bryant (4 to 2), more Finals MVPs (3 to 2) and more regular season MVPs (2 to 1). Besides, the difference of one in rings is fairly meaningless when you consider how many games could have gone the other way based on one or play or two that neither had anything to do with. If Robert Horry doesn't hit that 3 against Sacramento, the Lakers likely don't 3-peat and Bryant only has four rings. If Leonard or Ginobili make one more free throw in the final minute of Game 6 last week, Tim Duncan has five rings. That is why comparing number of rings is often not totally fair.
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And Duncan also has had FAR more stability than Kobe. He had David Robinson to help guide him from day one and Manu/Tony were in place before the Admiral retired. All those Timmy accolades don't pile up without a constant smooth system in place.
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You do realize that the Lakers down years in the mid 00s were mainly because Bryant ran Shaq and Phil Jackson both out of town, right? So, Bryant's Lakers teams not being very good those years was largely his own damn fault. Meanwhile, Tim Duncan is a rock, and his teammates always love him.
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Yes, but we're talking about their respective skill levels/accomplishments, not whether they're dicks or not.
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Okay, but Bryant being a dick is a reason why he didn't have stability, and you are the one that brought that (the stability factor) into this conversation, so it is relevant, given the nature of what we are discussing.
Besides, like I said before, winning a ring is a team accomplishment, so Bryant having one more ring than Duncan (that could have changed last week had one of two guys hit a free throw, which somehow makes Duncan less good than Bryant? :lol) is largely irrelevant.
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Lakers. kingshmegland is the Celts fan
That I am! I'm really not sure where I stand right now. I think Jeff does have a chance to become that leader of the team that he really couldn't with the vets still there. But who the hell knows what Trader Dan will do?
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Besides, like I said before, winning a ring is a team accomplishment, so Bryant having one more ring than Duncan (that could have changed last week had one of two guys hit a free throw, which somehow makes Duncan less good than Bryant? :lol) is largely irrelevant.
Hearing NBA fans argue about rings as a measure of how good a player is always amuses me. I figure you'd hear something like number of MVPs or "all time leader in..." but no, it's almost always about number of rings first.
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If you think about it, the lack of respect for Kareem when discussing all-time greats is glaring. He's the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, has won the most regular season MVP awards (6, which is more than Jordan or Russell) and was on six title-winning teams. Yet he is never in the discussion for even 2nd best player ever (since most concede that Jordan is number 1). I think many overlook him now because they assume Magic was better than him in the 80s (not true in the early 80s, but true in the mid to later 80s) and they forget how utterly dominant he was in the 70s.
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If you think about it, the lack of respect for Kareem when discussing all-time greats is glaring. He's the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, has won the most regular season MVP awards (6, which is more than Jordan or Russell) and was on six title-winning teams. Yet he is never in the discussion for even 2nd best player ever (since most concede that Jordan is number 1). I think many overlook him now because they assume Magic was better than him in the 80s (not true in the early 80s, but true in the mid to later 80s) and they forget how utterly dominant he was in the 70s.
Completely agreed with you on all points above, well said.
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We are still a few minutes away from the official start of the free agent period as I am typing this, but CP3 has already said he will return to the Clippers. No surprise there.
https://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9440281/chris-paul-accept-5-year-107m-extension-los-angeles-clippers-sources (https://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9440281/chris-paul-accept-5-year-107m-extension-los-angeles-clippers-sources)
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Let's talk a little more about the Nets. Bringing in KG and PP sounds like a great idea, the same as the Lakers had when they brought in Howard and Nash and that sure worked for them... oh wait, no. Jokes aside, this new Nets team seems the best option to dethrone Miami in the East but how long will this team really last? Can they be title contenders for more than 1 season? And by that we have to assume that Kidd will be able to make all this guys work well together in just a couple of months and that is doubtful to say the least since this will be his first season as a coach.
Another good example is Miami, their first year they weren't able to get the ring, although they did reach the finals but it serves as an example that it's hard to win a title the first year that you put a great team together.
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BARGNANI?!
REALLY?
EAT SHIT DOLAN
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It might be my rampant Knicks homerism but I really don't see how this makes the Nets that much better -- certainly not favorites to challenge Miami. It's going to take a while for them to get working well together, by which time either KG or PP or both will already have gotten hurt. They'll almost certainly have a good season - and this fixes their "lack of toughness" problem - but I don't think they're going to be that much better. It's a nice, bold move but at the same time I think it's quite likely that Miami, Indiana and Chicago will be better than them. I'm probably blinded by how much I want this to blow up in Brooklyn's face, but that's what I think.
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Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA 48m
There won't be a fifth year on the Splitter deal. The terms will be four years, $36 million-plus, sources tell Y! Sports.
Tiago Splitter is about to rip off the Spurs can't believe they're that desperate to keep that scrub.
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https://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/02/aldridge-on-bledsoe-three-team-deal/index.html
Now if the Clippers could get a competent big man they would be the 2nd best team in the West.
Edit:Jerry Buss never would have allowed his team to be embarrassed by the Clippers like this.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BOLxqpmCYAAGwuD.jpg:large)
:lol
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:rollin
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Reports are saying Earl Clark met with the Cavs for the second time last night... believe it or not, it would be a huge loss to the Lakers if we lose Clark! He was our glue guy off the bench, and we wouldn't have made the playoffs without his contribution.
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You know something isn't right when people want to leave LA. I think it's time for them to get rid of Jim Buss and Mike D'Antoni, and replace them with Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson.
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And it is sad when the Lakers have to resort to begging on billboards for Dwight Howard to stay. Even sadder that it might not even work. :rollin :rollin
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I still don't get why he would wanna leave LA if he wants money and a way to "expand his brand", but whatever, you wanna leave then GTFO.
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State taxes and the cost of living out in LA would take away a lot of that extra money he would get by playing out there. And it's not like Houston is a small city. He can play for the Rockets, still make a ton of money, play in a large city, play in a better atmosphere for him with less pressure (I don't think he can handle the pressure of LA) and probably be happier. It makes sense.
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I don't get why these athletes need hundreds of millions of dollars anyway who spends that much money? If Dwight was serious about wanting to win he would take his talents to South Beach for the few million they could even offer him.
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I think he wants the offense to center around him, and that won't happen in Miami or LA. But $$$ really talks loud...
Speaking of money, athletes like that often have a small window of years to maximize their talent and get paid for it, and it is likely that Howard will be past his prime the next time he needs a contract, so you can't blame him for wanting the most money now. The contract he gets this summer will be the most lucrative he will ever get, so if he takes the highest offer (LA's), no one should be surprised.
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Interesting pick for the new head coach of the Celtics. I like this with the youth movement.
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/07/03/celtics-name-brad-stevens-head-coach/
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Great choice. Loved what he did at Butler.
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Really nice choice.
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The Bobcats sign Al Jefferson for 3 years/$41 million not sure why they aren't tanking for Wiggins though. I guess MJ figured getting the 8th or 7th seed in the playoffs next season is better than Wiggins.
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The Bobcats sign Al Jefferson for 3 years/$41 million not sure why they aren't tanking for Wiggins though. I guess MJ figured getting the 8th or 7th seed in the playoffs next season is better than Wiggins.
Jordan is too competitive to tank, to his team's detriment.
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Not to mention that Jordan has proven himself to be an awful evaluator of talent.
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True, he probably wouldn't even select Wiggins if they got the #1 pick anyway. He would draft another Kwame Brown.
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Source tells Sporting News that Lakers F Earl Clark has signed a 2 yr deal w the Cavaliers for $9 million
Looks like Dwight Howard isn't the only one who wants nothing to do with the Lakers.
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Spurs sign Marco Belinelli to a two year deal worth about $6 million. Neal is likely being courted by teams willing to pay more for him than the Spurs are. Belinelli is an excellent replacement.
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You know something isn't right when people want to leave LA. I think it's time for them to get rid of Jim Buss and Mike D'Antoni, and replace them with Jeanie Buss and Phil Jackson.
Can't agree more... and Earl Clark has verbally agreed to a 2-year deal with the Cavs. :(
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https://dimemag.com/2013/07/report-lakers-to-dwight-howard-play-for-us-well-get-you-lebron-melo/
Kobe and Melo on the same team? I don't think there is enough shots to go around with both of them on a team, but I'm sure LeBron would enjoy all the assists he would get.
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This is pretty cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI83UXuBa5s
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Well Golden State just propelled themselves to one of the top 3 teams in the West if they get Dwight it's game over for rest of the league.
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Nah. The Heat's complacency remains their biggest challenge, not any other current team. The fact that they were able to play such a half-assed finals against the Spurs yet were able to miraculously flip the switch to close out proved that pretty clearly.
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And it seems that Houston will get Howard.
Dwight's agent now denying... Why is Howard so afraid of commitment??? :lol
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And it seems that Houston will get Howard.
Dwight's agent now denying... Why is Howard so afraid of commitment??? :lol
:lol That the Dwight we've all come to know and..... know.
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Adrian Wojnarowski %u200F@WojYahooNBA 47s
Y! Sports: Dwight Howard is leaving Los Angeles, finalizing a free agent deal with the Houston Rockets.
I still say Golden State was the better choice, but Houston was an obvious 2nd.
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Looking forward to Houston sports writers turning on Dwight Howard in about 7 months.
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Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 38s
New Orleans has shown strong interest in acquiring Rockets center Omer Asik, w/ an offer likely centered on Ryan Anderson, sources tell Y!
Ryan Anderson and J Smoove damn if OKC doesn't make any moves they better hope Kevin Durant becomes the 2nd coming of LeBron James, or they won't last more than 5-6 games against the Rockets.
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Not this again... I am saying this NOT out of frustration, rather based on what we've seen in him, or how he handles major events. Hey, Dwight, just go to Houston, really. I don't think you and LA are a good match, nor I cannot picture you be the face of our future, period.
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At least LeBron's decision helped charity and there was none of this flip flopping BS. Maybe there needs to be an ESPN special for this too of course it will be multiple parts because Dwight will change his mind every time.
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Looks like Howard had made up his mind... again... and he is heading to the Rockets.
Well, good luck, all the best and I sincerely hope this mess is done and over with for the last time!
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Man, I am so rooting for Kobe to fully recover as quickly as humanly possible, and I can't wait to see him drop 40pts on D12! :hat
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He'll do it in usual Kobe fashion too by jacking up 25-30 shots and hoping they go in :hat
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That supposed Howard/Josh Smith front line isn't as good an idea as it sounds. In close games they would both be foul to hell because neither can make a FT and Smith, for some stupid reason, loooooves to jack up 18+ footers not realizing that he's left wide open because he can't make them!
Now if they both started making them and Smith not shooting jumpers, they'd be scary!
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Kevin McHale and Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon would be working non stop with both of them on their post game. If J Smoove can't develop a post game with the 2 greatest post players in NBA history teaching him then maybe he should be jacking up 18+ footers. They're pretty much fucked when it comes to FT's though even the greatest FT shooter in NBA history couldn't teach Dwight how to make a FT, and J Smoove is worse than Dwight at shooting FT's.
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(https://i.imgur.com/VrCF4x5.jpg)
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I guess, but Patrick Ewing was helping Howard in Orlando and we've seen how much that helped his post moves.
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Adrian Wojnarowski
@WojYahooNBA
Josh Smith has agreed to a four year, $56 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell Y! Sports.
Well no J Smoove for the Rockets they can just get Ryan Anderson instead which is probably a better idea anyway.
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I thought Mark Cuban was supposed to be a good owner? He just signed Andrew Bynum for 3/24M this guy has no clue what he's doing :facepalm:
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Where are you seeing this? I can't find it.
If true, then yeah, Mavs really have been bad since the championship.
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That hasn't happened yet.
But it's a good move for the Mavs if they do it. It's not like they're giving him max money or anything like that. They were either going to roll the dice on him or Oden if they missed out on Howard.
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I don't think the money is the problem. The three years is. I don't trust his knees.
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As a Lakers fan, you should never trust his knees.
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Also, Shaq has already started to shit on Howard.
https://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9454960/shaquille-oneal-blasts-dwight-howard-says-los-angeles-spotlight-was-too-big
Love the line about Houston being a "little town" though, it's not like it's the 4th biggest city in the US or something. :lol
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Shaq's a moron.
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But Shaq Soda is glorious.
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(https://i.imgur.com/MzGLKF3.jpg)
:lol
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I thought Mark Cuban was supposed to be a good owner? He just signed Andrew Bynum for 3/24M this guy has no clue what he's doing :facepalm:
I'm a Dallas fan, and I have been wondering this for the past 2 years straight. The only guy I want to stay even further away from Dallas than Dwight Howard is Andrew Bynum.
But it's a good move for the Mavs if they do it. It's not like they're giving him max money or anything like that. They were either going to roll the dice on him or Oden if they missed out on Howard.
Both dumb moves IMO. Should have re-signed Tyson Chandler a couple years ago instead. You know, after he contributed heavily to their epic championship run.
-J
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I can understand the risky logic in Mavs wanting to sign Andrew Bynum... yet, like I said it is so risky that, why don't they or other interested teams think about much less risky options like Jason Collins? For real, Collins is NOT an all-star, but he is far cheaper, far safer and relatively reliable. :hat
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As much as I like Cuban in some respects, I am thoroughly convinced that the Mavs managed their sole title almost in spite of him. How do you let Chandler go like that? I am sure DWill would have joined us and then maybe others this year as well. Would have been awesome to see a Mavs Big 3 against the Heat again in the Finals.
And I won't even touch the 'what if' of if we had kept Steve Nash.
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I don't see the big deal in letting Chandler go. Honestly he is garbage I don't get why people keep overrating him so much.
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Averaging almost a double-double and nearly 60% FG shooting for his career, not to mention consistently a top paint defender. Pretty good for garbage that people "keep overrating."
Believe it or not, winning teams need guys who can and will do the dirty work, and whose egos don't need to be adored by the ignorant masses who are only appeased by flashy offense.
-J
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Averaging almost a double-double and nearly 60% FG shooting for his career, not to mention consistently a top paint defender. Pretty good for garbage that people "keep overrating."
Believe it or not, winning teams need guys who can and will do the dirty work, and whose egos don't need to be adored by the ignorant masses who are only appeased by flashy offense.
-J
:clap:
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Almost averaging a double double is meaningless even David Lee almost has a double double average :lol. Shooting 60% on nothing but dunks has to be the most unimpressive thing there is. If LeBron did nothing but dunk he would be shooting 98% from the field. Which just leaves his mediocre defense which is definitely his most overrated quality, but the media like the idiots they are rob Dwight Howard of DPOTY, and give it to Chandler and idiots actually believe that means he's a good defender.
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Almost averaging a double double is meaningless even David Lee almost has a double double average :lol. Shooting 60% on nothing but dunks has to be the most unimpressive thing there is. If LeBron did nothing but dunk he would be shooting 98% from the field. Which just leaves his mediocre defense which is definitely his most overrated quality, but the media like the idiots they are rob Dwight Howard of DPOTY, and give it to Chandler and idiots actually believe that means he's a good defender.
Wow. The ignorance of both basketball and statistical relevance in this post is astounding. You gotta be trollin' son.
-J
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Tyson Chandler played an important role on that Mavericks team that won it all in 2011. That was fairly obvious.
And I continue to laugh at Lakers fans who think LeBron James might go there next year.
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And I continue to laugh at Lakers fans who think LeBron James might go there next year.
Count me OUT, dude. I don't think LBJ would leave the Heat, especially after he helped them won TWO championships in 3 years. There is just NO incentive for him to move team yet again.
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Unless it's back to Cleveland, although at this point would they even welcome him back?
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Cleveland would take him back in a heartbeat, as James would make them a top contender again, especially with Kyrie Irving and the other young talent they are assembling, but would LeBron want to play for that douchehead Dan Gilbert again? Gilbert would have to do some major bridge building to make that happen.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228753/Lakers-Plan-On-Amnestying-Metta-World-Peace
They really should amnesty Kobe instead.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/228755/Cavaliers-Seek-Decision-From-Andrew-Bynum-On-Two-Year-$24M-Deal
Cavs are doing it right with Bynum. Two years, second year is a team option. Don't care how much.
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GS signs Jermaine O'Neal... I had completely forgotten he was still active! :lol
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Bill Simmons
@BlllSimmons
The Boston Celtics have talked to multiple team about trading Rondo. Leaders look to be the Bobcats and Rockets.
:rollin :rollin :rollin
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Hum, I've been checking his Twitter today and that one is nowhere to be found...
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Bynum to Cavs.
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Unless it's back to Cleveland, although at this point would they even welcome him back?
they absolutely would in a heartbeat
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Wish I could get payed 6M to sit on the bench like Bynum at least he isn't completely ripping them off.
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Bill Simmons
@BlllSimmons
The Boston Celtics have talked to multiple team about trading Rondo. Leaders look to be the Bobcats and Rockets.
:rollin :rollin :rollin
:facepalm:
Bynum to Cavs.
Well worth the risk for Cleveland.
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A great move by the Cavs indeed. In fact, I see this a win-win for both the Cavs and Bynum himself. If healthy, the Cavs could use Bynum and the young core to attract major FAs in the 2014, and Bynum could re-launch his career that once seemed (or maybe still is) dying.
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Bill Simmons
@BlllSimmons
The Boston Celtics have talked to multiple team about trading Rondo. Leaders look to be the Bobcats and Rockets.
:rollin :rollin :rollin
:facepalm:
Don't worry, that's not a real tweet.
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https://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9466869/lakers
Bill Simmons, YOU'RE A FUCKING GENIUS!!! :lol
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https://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/9468452/dwight-howard-wanted-end-kobe-bryant-era-los-angeles-lakers?src=mobile
The Lakers should have listened to him amnestying Kobe is obviously the best move. They need to stop worrying what a bunch of butt hurt fans will say and do it.
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haha dwight is such a baby. couldn't handle kobe
also the espn comment section is good sometimes:
Kobe tried to pass the torch to you Dwight, you just mishandled it and turned it over. Then he picked it up and tried to pass it to you again and you committed an offensive foul.
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Kobe Bryant is such a douche. He says, "[Howard] has his way of leading that he feels like would be most effective and would work for him, and obviously the way we've gone about it with this organization and the leaders that we've had -- myself, Magic [Johnson] and Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] -- we've done it a different way."
:lol :lol :lol :lol
Does ANYONE think Bryant is a great leader? Doubtful. And Magic and Kareem never had to lead while dealing with a chucker like Bryant on their team. Shaq did and look what happened. Dwight Howard has issues, but I don't blame him for not wanting to stay in LA and play second fiddle to Bryant while he hangs on long enough to try to get Kareem's all-time scoring record.
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haha dwight is such a baby. couldn't handle kobe
also the espn comment section is good sometimes:
Kobe tried to pass the torch to you Dwight, you just mishandled it and turned it over. Then he picked it up and tried to pass it to you again and you committed an offensive foul.
:lol :lol
That was great!
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if you're planning a coup on the los angeles lakers, you at least better show up on the court and give the fans something. not whine about everything and hope they'll dump a fan favorite. a post game wouldn't hurt either
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Peter Vecsey
@PeterVecsey1
This just in: Nets have signed. Kirilenko for mini mid-level, 3.1M per
They're doing all this just to lose to Miami in the 2nd round sounds like it's worth it.
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The Nets getting the 3 seed is far from unlikely.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nets--deal-with-andrei-kirilenko-raises-suspicions-from-nba-rivals-180604173.html
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Nice to see an owner putting his money where his mouth is.
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So it cannot be that AK chose that little contract just for the chance to win a title? OK.
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https://www.theonion.com/articles/derrick-rose-wondering-if-he-should-start-rehabbin,33096/
:lol
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(https://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3943/tf2a.jpg)
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Kobe would never be able to jump that high, but I guess Laker fans are allowed to dream about stuff that will never happen.
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Kobe would never be able to jump that high, but I guess Laker fans are allowed to dream about stuff that will never happen.
is that a joke or are you so blinded by hating on a player you don't know that actually happened??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p5M6KKx6GA
(https://ballislife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/17736-kobe-dunk-on-dwight-howard.jpg)
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Eh...syzzle's a troll anyway. We established that a while back.
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^
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:lol
I guess every thread needs one. Train wrecks can be entertaining.
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Eh...syzzle's a troll anyway. We established that a while back.
it is fairly obvious
anyway,
now i really wish Sheed was still playing. then the knicks would have one crazy locker room
Sheed, JR, Metta, Kmart, Shump, Baron Davis still hanging around
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"I will bring a championship to your city" **insert drum roll here** - The opening line of Dwight Howard's standup comedy session. :lol
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Didn't we hear this line before? I think it was in Ohio the last time...
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Drew Gooden is wavied by the Bucks via the amnesty clause. I think he is a good, cheap option for team without much cap space and in need of a serviceable big man. The Hawks should have waited and sign Gooden instead of E-Brand.
https://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/16/bucks-waive-gooden-by-amnesty.ap/index.html?rss=true (https://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/16/bucks-waive-gooden-by-amnesty.ap/index.html?rss=true)
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wtf is with the thread title haha
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Yeah, you're right. Who is Tim Linceum?
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wtf is with the thread title haha
I thought it'd be swell to have 2 out of the 3 major sport threads have that title but you had to go fuck it up with your Korean gymnast bullshit :tdwn
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Ok, this old topic about the lottery system again.
I was in discussion on another forum about it. Personally I support having the lottery system. The hard fact is, it is next to impossible to proof a team or teams are knowingly and intentionally "tanking" for a better draft position. So I believe some sort of mechanism must be installed, or a signal must be sent to tell teams with bad W-L records that, whether you are on a tankapalooza tour or not, nothing is "guaranteed".
The nay-sayer said, doing away with the lottery or changing it would have little to no effect on how hard teams play. This tanking thing is overblown.
Your thoughts?
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wtf is with the thread title haha
I thought it'd be swell to have 2 out of the 3 major sport threads have that title but you had to go fuck it up with your Korean gymnast bullshit :tdwn
did you see that gif tho?
(https://25.media.tumblr.com/0bd11969b4d92638726d8612ee4ad2d4/tumblr_mpi53cHiMi1qbyxr0o1_400.gif)
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Yeah and I'd have jerked off to it multiple times (/no humor) if my phone could fluidly display gifs bit I just wanted to give full glory to one of my favorite thread titlings ever.
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Ok, this old topic about the lottery system again.
I was in discussion on another forum about it. Personally I support having the lottery system. The hard fact is, it is next to impossible to proof a team or teams are knowingly and intentionally "tanking" for a better draft position. So I believe some sort of mechanism must be installed, or a signal must be sent to tell teams with bad W-L records that, whether you are on a tankapalooza tour or not, nothing is "guaranteed".
The nay-sayer said, doing away with the lottery or changing it would have little to no effect on how hard teams play. This tanking thing is overblown.
Your thoughts?
I'm sure that from a players standpoint, they're going to play their very best night in and night out. It's in their own best interest to.
From a team standpoint, I'm sure that some tanking happens. Isn't that what Boston's sort of doing with the blow up job that they're doing?
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The Golden State Warriors are the NBA Champions!!!
...ok, in the Summer League, I mean. :lol
(https://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/970617_10151667973973463_475733716_n.jpg)
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Drew Gooden is wavied by the Bucks via the amnesty clause. I think he is a good, cheap option for team without much cap space and in need of a serviceable big man. The Hawks should have waited and sign Gooden instead of E-Brand.
https://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/16/bucks-waive-gooden-by-amnesty.ap/index.html?rss=true (https://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/16/bucks-waive-gooden-by-amnesty.ap/index.html?rss=true)
As a Milwaukee Buck fan I can honestly say that anything Drew Gooden gives you on offense, he'll give it away twice as much with his defense.
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As a Milwaukee Buck fan I can honestly say that anything Drew Gooden gives you on offense, he'll give it away twice as much with his defense.
I know he has never been a defensive presence, but I just didn't know he had regressed that much over the past couple seasons, oh my. :hat
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It looks like Bynum doesn't want Dwight Howard to have all the fun by himself, when he returns to LA comes next season. Andrew Bynum takes shot at Lakers fans, just be careful with what you wish for, Andrew.
https://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-recap-andrew-bynum-takes-shot-at-lakers-fans/2013/07/24/ (https://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-rumors-recap-andrew-bynum-takes-shot-at-lakers-fans/2013/07/24/)
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
During Bynum’s introductory press conference with the Cavs, the former Laker took a shot at fans of the storied franchise in Los Angeles. Bynum said that playing for the Cavs would be the first time he will be playing in front of a fanbase that truly supports the team and players with passion.
Come on now. At least be funny if you're going to troll. The Lakers have plenty of great fans.
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
The irony coming from someone who roots for Miami. :lol
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
The irony coming from someone who roots for Miami. :lol
:tup :lol :tup
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kmart is back on board
NY Knicks '13-'14 Thug Squad
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kmart is back on board
NY Knicks '13-'14 Thug Squad
Now I would LOVE to watch a Knicks / Nets match up!
K-Mart vs KG, and MWP vs Pierce. Not to mention JR Smith vs. JJ. :hat
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
The irony coming from someone who roots for Miami. :lol
Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
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:rollin :rollin :rollin
Sure I am bro, sure I am.
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Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
Miami Heat fans, eh? :lol
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jimmy-kimmel-live-asks-miami-heat-fans-takes-225403415.html
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Not like it isn't true The Lakers have some of the worst fans in the NBA if you can even call them fans.
The irony coming from someone who roots for Miami. :lol
Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
try harder with the trolling. this is too easy
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Right? :lol
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Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
Miami Heat fans, eh? :lol
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jimmy-kimmel-live-asks-miami-heat-fans-takes-225403415.html
:lol
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Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
Miami Heat fans, eh? :lol
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jimmy-kimmel-live-asks-miami-heat-fans-takes-225403415.html
You're an idiot if you think thats real, but then again you're a Lakers fan.
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You're an idiot if you think thats real, but then again you're a Lakers fan.
Whoa... someone is taking things a touch too seriously, and couldn't tell the difference between a joke or otherwise, eh? :chill
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I am pretty sure that in a conversation for best fan base, neither the Heat nor Laker fan base would be in the discussion, so who cares? :biggrin:
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Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
Miami Heat fans, eh? :lol
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jimmy-kimmel-live-asks-miami-heat-fans-takes-225403415.html
I hear Lando Calrissian has the ability to make the player he's defending go ice cold.
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Unofficial until proven otherwise, yet this should be a welcoming news to Pacers fans. Scola is heading to the Indiana Pacers for Gerald Green and a future pick.
https://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9513617/indiana-pacers-trade-phoenix-suns-luis-scola-publicist (https://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9513617/indiana-pacers-trade-phoenix-suns-luis-scola-publicist)
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Miami has some of the best fans in the NBA, but of course you delusional Laker "fans" live in your own fantasy world where half your fans didn't bail on you for the Clippers.
Miami Heat fans, eh? :lol
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/jimmy-kimmel-live-asks-miami-heat-fans-takes-225403415.html
You're an idiot if you think thats real, but then again you're a Lakers fan.
No reason for this kind of tone.
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So the NBA schedule is out, and I took a quick look at it yesterday.
To me this is pretty obvious, and I kind of expect the Heat to have a slower than expected start, and don't be surprised if they are stuck at the #3 or 4 spot before the ASG. After all, like the Lakers before them, they had made it to the Finals 3 years in a row and it IS tiring! No way the Heat can or should keep the pace up and play at full speed any time before the ASG.
That said, I definitely want to see how the Bulls, Nets and Pacers perform by around the ASG this year with all the new / returning players and all. We should be able to tell, slow start or not, any of those 3 teams are good enough to knock off the Heat in the playoffs.
Knowing the Lakers ain't going anywhere this year, I think I will kind of root for the Spurs and the Pacers on a part time basis.
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The Los Angeles Lakers have signed forward Marcus Landry! :metal ...wait a second, who the F*CK is he? :lol :biggrin:
Note: He was on the Lakers' summer league team.
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Well his brother is good, so maybe there's hope for him too? :lol
-J
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Man, I would've had no problem with the Lakers tanking this year to get a good pick with the loaded draft that's incoming. Instead they'll be the Bucks: a competent, competitive team who'll just make the playoffs, lose quickly and have no one good/great to choose from with their first pick.
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With Kobe may or may not be at a 100%, and with D'Antoni coaching? I have "faith" in the tankapalooza tour! :lol
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They've sign too many people that have the skills to be in the D'Antoni system to tank.
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No way the Lakers make the playoffs.
Clearly better teams:
Clippers
Rockets
Spurs
Thunder
Grizzles
Warriors
Probably better teams:
Mavericks
Blazers
Pelicans
Timberwolves
Nuggets
Once Kobe comes back, the Lakers are still Kobe, Nash, Gasol (all old) + pile of nobodies. Bottom 4 team in the West.
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I expect guys like Jordan Hill, Steve Blake, J-Meeks and Jordan Farmar to contribute this upcoming season. Hell, even if we suck, please don't let us look too bad when that happens is all I ask. Then again, on paper the Lakers can be fairly competitive. If everyone is healthy, our roster ain't great but it doesn't suck too bad either. Let's wait and see... this could be like 2005 all over again, or like the surprising 2006 team. :hat
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I have the Timberwolves and Lakers as the 7th and 8th seed in the west. I think a lot of people are underestimating both teams.
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I do not doubt the T-Wolves. If not for Rubio still recovering from his knee injury, I think the T-Wolves would've easily earned the #8 seed over the Rockets last season. The Lakers on the other hand, well, even for a Lakers fan myself, I still don't have a good read on my own team. Like I said above, 2013-14 could be a disaster like in 2005, or it can be a surprise like in 2006. Just let it play itself out, I guess.
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The 2013-14 Lakers are so "promising"! :lol
I counted at least 4 guys ranked #432 of 500 and BELOW on the ESPN's 2013-14 Player Ranking top 500. :whip: :D :p :rolleyes: Look at the bright side though, Farmar is at #305, and Wes Johnson is @ #336. :lol
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D-Rose is expected to play in the pre-season game vs. the Pacers tomorrow! Pre-season game or not, I am definitely looking forward to watching that one, and to see D-Rose's return to the game! :hat
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What does Tim Lincecum or the Padres have to do with the NBA? Wait, forget I asked...don't really need an answer.
I used to love the NBA in the 90's when the Knicks had Ewing, Oakley and Starks. The league could not be less interesting to me now. I would much rather ignore this awful league and watch hockey.
Just making a statement so don't go haywire.
Moving on....
LETS GO KNICKS! :tup
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I used to have black Ewing high tops with cool silver double crossover strap.
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I used to have black Ewing high tops with cool silver double crossover strap.
:metal
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(https://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1739873/asiktrain_medium_medium_medium.gif)
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Nice win by the Lakers! I don't think we can shoot as well on a regular basis, but hey, it is still nice to win the home opener. :hat
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(https://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/dance_party.gif)
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:lol :lol :lol
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Trying to get into NBA this year.
Gotta say, watching the Bulls / Heat last night, I found it pretty boring. People who've tried to get me into NBA always tell me how fast paced and exciting the game is, but it seems like it's actually really predictable.
The announcers were even talking about how the Heat have won all these back-to-back championships.
What's so fun about watching a really great team beat-up an awful team?
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I find the NBA mostly boring, outside of the occasional game, until the playoffs. And even then, I usually won't bother till the 4th quarter of most of the games I am interested in enough to wanna watch.
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Go Milwaukee! - said no one ever. :sad:
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Trying to get into NBA this year.
Gotta say, watching the Bulls / Heat last night, I found it pretty boring. People who've tried to get me into NBA always tell me how fast paced and exciting the game is, but it seems like it's actually really predictable.
The announcers were even talking about how the Heat have won all these back-to-back championships.
What's so fun about watching a really great team beat-up an awful team?
The Bulls aren't an awful team they're a great team they just don't match up well with the Heat. The people who told you the game is fast paced and exciting are right, but the Bulls just can't keep up with the Heat in a fast paced game(Nobody can really). So thats why the game ended up being a blowout. You should try watching more games because they're usually much more exciting than the Bulls/Heat game was.
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Trying to get into NBA this year.
Gotta say, watching the Bulls / Heat last night, I found it pretty boring. People who've tried to get me into NBA always tell me how fast paced and exciting the game is, but it seems like it's actually really predictable.
The announcers were even talking about how the Heat have won all these back-to-back championships.
What's so fun about watching a really great team beat-up an awful team?
You should've stuck around and watched the Clippers/Lakers, it was infinitely more fun to watch than the beat down the Heat put on the Bulls.
The game can, and for the most part is, fast paced and exciting, but when two teams can't match up it can be boring because you see just how futile the attempts by one side are. Watch more games Joe, if you can any of the two in NBA TV tonight, especially the second one where there will be a lot of points scored.
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Okay, watching the Sixers come out and beat up the Heat like this is really awesome :D
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Knicks opening tip tonight my GOD I'm excited. This is gonna be a crazy season.
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So I'm getting ready for the Sox game tonight! and I see the scrawl at the bottom of the screen. Says the Pacers are playing the Pelicans. The Pelicans?? Who the fu#k are the Pelicans? Did I miss something?
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New Orleans
-
The new orleans hornets changed their name in the offseason :lol
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OK, thanks guys. I absolutely missed that. I don't really follow basketball, but I usually hear the headlines.
Is that the best they could come up with? really.
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Pelicans are rad if you ask me, and I think it's the State bird or something.
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and I think it's the State bird or something.
I think I'd have trouble rooting for the Boston Black Capped Chickadees! :lol
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Yeah I was like "lolPelicans" and then I saw the logo and color scheme and changed my mind.
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Tyson Chandler has hit a jumpshot before Bargnani.
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PRIMO
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OK, aftering watching the boring Heat / Bulls game, it was great to see a rookie like Michael Carter Williams dunking over LeBron :biggrin:
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The Sixers front office had to be like "but we're suppose to be tanking!" :lol
That was an amazing performance by MCW!
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Go Milwaukee! - said no one ever. :sad:
At least you're bucking the trend.
OK, thanks guys. I absolutely missed that. I don't really follow basketball, but I usually hear the headlines.
Is that the best they could come up with? really.
To help avoid the Hornets (now Pelicans) being sold to the first ownership group who could provide an acceptable pitch to the NBA (and possibly [likely] move them to a new city in the near future), Tom Benson (owner of the Saints) bought them like a year or so ago. I guess he's trying to pander to locals with romanticized memories of "Pelicans" being a name used for a AA minor league baseball team for nearly 60 years during the first half of the 20th century as well as one season as a AAA team (1977.)
I personally think it's among the shittiest names in any of the four major sports (along with Canucks, Canadiens, Senators, Blues, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Wild, Stars, Nuggets, Clippers, Pacers, Texans, Jazz, Wizards, Magic, Reds, Mets, Phillies, Nationals, Dodgers, Padres, Twins, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Angels, and Athletics.)
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How are the Bills not in that list??
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How are the Bills not in that list??
Why in the world should they be?
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How are the Bills not in that list??
(https://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/black_floyd_2007/My%20Pics/Billshat_zps53f6c6df.jpg) (https://s213.photobucket.com/user/black_floyd_2007/media/My%20Pics/Billshat_zps53f6c6df.jpg.html)
How are the Bills not in that list??
Why in the world should they be?
:floydapproves:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQ_PQTI0DQ
How did ESPN miss this? You would think Dwight Howard being racist would be front page news for them.
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But does it relate to Lebron?
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D-Rose is looking good thus far, though he is still a little rusty.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQ_PQTI0DQ
How did ESPN miss this? You would think Dwight Howard being racist would be front page news for them.
Timestamp? Most of us don't wanna watch a 7-minute clip for what may be nothing at all in the first place.
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I know there is a lot of strategy involved but purposely fouling people in the endgame has got to be the most boring thing in any sport.
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Pretty good game by PP in the second half, and how about this kid Alan Anderson? Nice game from that guy. :hat
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Pretty good game by PP in the second half
Does he play for the Pisstons?
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Pretty good game by PP in the second half
Does he play for the Pisstons?
^ LOL... I was thinking something similar.
SO, QUESTION OF THE DAY: WHO HAS THE BEST STARTING 5 IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW?
Off the top of my head, I submit it might be Golden State: Iggy, David Lee, Bogat, Klay Thompson, and Curry. That's scary!
Or is it Brooklyn? Pierce, Garnett, Lopez, D-Will, and Joe Johnson?
Thoughts anybody?
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Pretty good game by PP in the second half
Does he play for the Pisstons?
^ LOL... I was thinking something similar.
The judges would've also accepted Golden State. As for best starting 5, the Nets have a decent argument as do the Warriors. In a Goldilocks and the Three Bears sort of way, however, the Heat trump them both imo. Garnett and Pierce give the Nets unparalleled wisdom through experience and still have something left in the tank though there may not be a whole lot left come season's end. Golden State is young and built for 6 and 7 game series come playoff time. Barring unfortunate injuries, their youth will give them an edge over at least 80% of the NBA when it comes to being able to tire other teams out by the middle of the 4th quarter. Their bane, as of now, is they're still in the NBA's middle tier at best regarding their ability to handle the pressure of intense playoff situations the way teams like the Heat, Spurs, Lakers, and (now) Nets will.
For me, the Heat's combo of D-Wade and LBJ is too formidable to be overcome by any other team's starting five regardless of depth. When you consider that Chris Bosh might be the absolute best player on a team if he were with any of a small handful of other teams and would be no worse than the second option on at least 10-15 of the league's teams, having him as a 3rd option with Mario Chalmers occasionally being the third option as well is just crazy good for establishing the power of the Heat.
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Yep. LeBron is far and away the best player in the league, and when you consider Wade and Bosh, it doesn't really matter that their other two starters are probably just average starters. The answer is still the Heat.
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LeBron is such a beast. He's admittedly out of shape to start the year and still averaging 23/5/8 on 55% shooting. What we're seeing out of him now is probably a preview of what to expect when he's 34 and lost his athleticism, which is scary.
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LeBron and Wade are both out of shape. Give it a few months, and Lebron will be back to averaging 27/8/8 and Wade will be averaging 24/5/5.
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I like how this thread still has the title from the day when it was all Lincecum subject lines in the sports threads. :rollin
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these stricter delay of game calls are ridiculous
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I wouldn't worry about it too much they always call things stricter in the first couple weeks to get players used to it. If they're still doing it in a couple months then it will be ridiculous.
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Kobe Bryant
@kobebryant
#blackout #bearhunt
Probably reading too much into his tweet, but they play Memphis next friday and debut their new black jerseys that game. It looks like there might be a chance Kobe is coming back next week.
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Why is every team doing the Seven Nation Army thing now? Miami started it now everyone is just going to copy them I guess.
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It seems to have taken over all sports. Are you sure Miami started it?
also RIP Knicks.
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Pretty sure the Ravens started it in the NFL, but for the NBA Miami is the first team I heard doing it. I think the Pacers are doing it because they think their is a rivalry between them and Miami.
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I have no problem with every team in the universe doing it since it's a terrible song by a terrible band; same thing with Zombie Nation's Kernkraft 400. The integrity of who's first is a moot point for me.
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I had to YouTube that last song, then realized I've heard it EVERYWHERE! Never knew that was the name of it! :lol
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Neither did I until I made that post. I just googled "oh oh oh oh oh oh dance song" and the rest was history.
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https://deadspin.com/these-are-the-nba-christmas-uniforms-1460527973
Can they stop using those terrible sleeved uniforms? This is basketball not soccer.
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Those are fucking horrible!! Especially the Lakers one, it's so monochromatic!
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Every sport has tried it from the shorts in the late 70's for baseball. (White Sox) to the long pants in the 70's for hockey. (Flyers and Whalers)
And they all failed. :lol
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Holy crap! I know it is only after 6 games, but just like the Spurs are at 5-1 like clockwork... got to respect them supposedly old and tired Spurs and Pop. :hat
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I'm not totally sure about this but I think the Spurs didn't start going all lax on the regular season in order to save their energy for the playoff stretch until a season or two after their most recent title in 2007. That said, they've had a recent history of not going full tilt until at least 30 games in and it's either helped them continue to make deep playoff runs in spite of an aging nucleus or cost them titles by preventing them from getting the top seed in all but two of the past six seasons (2010-11 where they ironically lost in the first round anyway and 2011-12 where the Thunder got 'em in 6)
Without being aware of the injury issues they faced in each of those years, it's difficult for me to know for sure which side of the argument has more of a foundation but if they are trying to save some energy for the stretch run by only giving 70-80% during the early season, it certainly bit them on the ass last year considering how close they were to closing out the Heat and how having game 7 at home would've been a monumental advantage for them. Yeah, it was a freak of postseason probabilities for the Heat to come back and win game 6 the way they did but chances are that kinda thing doesn't happen with 20,000 roaring opposing fans bearing down on the Heat.
This established, I think until we see the Spurs make it to the 30-game mark with at least 20 wins, it's hard to know if they're truly gonna be able to win Timmy his 5th.
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How the hell did the C's beat the Heat and one their 3rd in a row. Shocking.
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Miami has a few glaring problems early this year: Boredom, turnovers, and of course size. As long as they fix the latter two in time for the playoffs, they should still be successful.
I think it will be very important for them not to have to play both Brookyln and Indiana in the same postseason. They'll get beat up too badly.
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I think they'd have a "beat up" problem with the Bulls too. It's gonna be a real rough path to the Finals again.
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The Bulls are no threat to The Heat unless they get someone else to help Rose because LeBron will lock him down just like he did in 2011.
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https://screen.yahoo.com/30-30-space-jam-game-155008766.html
:lol
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Michael Jordan playing beer pong with a Michael Jordan shirt and Michael Jordan shoes is the most Michael Jordan thing ever!
https://twitter.com/totalfratmove/status/400453090081394689/photo/1
Also, the elbow rule does not apply to him!
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https://screen.yahoo.com/30-30-space-jam-game-155008766.html
:lol
Oh that's gold. Pure gold.
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Also, the elbow rule does not apply to him!
Integrity in a game where a ping pong ball hits the ground and gets washed in a cup of possibly-clean water which is then reused to "clean" the ball after every subsequent time it hits the ground. Also, short of making Miller meringue pie, there may not be any other way to have beer in a warmer, foamier manner.
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Joey Crawford knows everyone pays their ticket to watch him perform!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIsuoZlStw4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh-_bJSquC0
Jason Terry giving James Harden a run for his money as best flopper.
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Andrea Bargnani ladies and gentlemen.
(https://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/1918541/ku-xlarge.gif)
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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1855144-los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-now-fully-cleared-for-all-basketball-activities
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Amar'e Stoudemarie's new defensive technique: https://vine.co/v/hFKzz7EWXbD
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Is it me or is the East looking worst than in previous years? Right now 4 out of the 8 teams that would be making the playoffs have negative records :-\. I know it's too soon and that there are some teams like the Knicks or the Nets that are expected to pick up their game at some point and make the playoffs but still, this is an awful start for the conference.
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The East is top heavy as usual, and I think it is still a bit early to say anything.
Sure, supposed decent teams like the Knicks have been disappointing thus far, but the Nets are hit hard by injuries. That being said, I thought both the Hawks, Sixers and Pistons are playing better than expected so far. So we will see, the rest of the East might not look too bad after all.
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Honestly the 16 teams with the best records in the NBA should make the playoffs. That way you don't have the garbage teams in the east with negative records making the playoffs while a decent team in the west with a winning record misses the playoffs.
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a Bucks fan(s) have started a website showing the historic amount of futility for the franchise and requesting change.
I approve.
https://saveourbucks.com
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Amar'e Stoudemarie's new defensive technique: https://vine.co/v/hFKzz7EWXbD
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZipXZyCEAAsYeF.jpg:large)
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BZipXZyCEAAsYeF.jpg:large)
:lol That's pretty damn good! :lol
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:rollin
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Jordan Bernfield
@JordanBernfield
Good source tells me #Bulls fear it's a torn right ACL for Derrick Rose. If so, unlikely he will ever be the same.
Looks like it's the end for D-Rose.
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That's really tough luck for both the Bulls and D-Rose.
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Man, if it is the ACL, time for the Bulls to blow it up.
Trade everybody not named Rose or not on a rookie contract and build it from scratch again.
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Man, the Bulls just haven't ever had any luck.
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Except Jordan/Pippen.
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Good news:Rose doesn't have a torn ACL
Bad news:Rose has a torn meniscus.
Bulls just have to stay above .500 for a few months which isn't hard in the east.
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Best case scenario for D Rose would be returning by around the All-Star break, but my gut's feelings are saying he would be out the entire season. :-\
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That's not your gut feeling telling you that, that's DRose's history telling you that.
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https://espn.go.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/10034512/derrick-rose-chicago-bulls-season-knee-surgery
Rose out for season. Sad.
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Kobe got a 2 year extension for $48.5 million... I love Kobe but damn is that bad!
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Lol the Lakers are becoming the Knicks of the west.
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(https://i.imgur.com/FOGnk2v.png)
No wonder they can't score on anybody the other team knows whats coming.
:rollin :rollin :rollin
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:lol Raptors obvs weren't doing that the other day.
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Kobe got a 2 year extension for $48.5 million... I love Kobe but damn is that bad!
As much as I dislike Kobe, the basketball fan inside of me is a little sad we're never going to see him deep in the playoffs again.
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Speaking of Kobe, he maybe back by Friday @ Kings? Barely seven months after his Achilles injury? Wow! :eek
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I can't recall the last time the whole division (Atlantic) was this bad! None of these guys are even close to .500! And the worst thing is the Knicks (current last place in the division), owner of a 9-game slide, are only 3 games behind the Raptors! In 2003 David Stern insisted to guarantee each division winner a playoffs spot, and home court in the first round, no less! I bet he never saw a division as sucky as this year's Atlantic, right? :lol!
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I would like to take this opportunity to laugh at the Knicks who didn't win a single game in November, and are tied for the worst record in the East when teams are trying to tank this year.
(https://img32.imageshack.us/img32/8074/3mh5.jpg)
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remember the name, Giannis Antetokounmpo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWcEAhdPELM).....
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remember the name, Giannis Antetokounmpo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWcEAhdPELM).....
GA nicely filled the lane and ran the floor pretty well there.
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<3 u knicks.
In other news, Kidd just demoted lawrence frank :lol
I CANT WAIT FOR THURSDAY
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<3 u knicks.
In other news, Kidd just demoted lawrence frank :lol
I CANT WAIT FOR THURSDAY
Don't know what went on behind closed door, but I thought it was a bad move (at least bad for PR) on Kidd's part.
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It might just be the shots that the highlight shows are using, but every time I see Jason Kidd on the sidelines anymore, he looks like he's one second away from yelling "I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING CLUE WHAT I'M DOING!" :lol
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joey crawford needs to retire. holy shit, screw that guy. calls a foul on EVERYTHING, then T's up everyone even faster. The knicks are up 30 and he's still dragging the game out and making it all about him. a little transparency in the officiating crew would be nice
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BARGNANI FOR PRESIDENT FUCK KG
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Watched the Pacers @ Spurs game. Sure, the Spurs' starters didn't play up to their level from the 2nd qtr onward, but the Pacers' bench has to be the worst one among top teams! They almost gave away an entire 26-point-lead in the 4th qtr alone! TO after TO, and they barely played any D. :facepalm:
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Thats exactly why the Pacers aren't as big a threat to Miami as the media wants people to believe. Miami's bench extends leads when they come into the game, and they've closed out multiple games this year. The Pacers are also making the mistake of going for the 1st seed in November/December if they don't start pacing themselves they won't have anything left for the playoffs, and Miami will steal the 1st seed in February/March.
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Thats exactly why the Pacers aren't as big a threat to Miami as the media wants people to believe. Miami's bench extends leads when they come into the game, and they've closed out multiple games this year. The Pacers are also making the mistake of going for the 1st seed in November/December if they don't start pacing themselves they won't have anything left for the playoffs, and Miami will steal the 1st seed in February/March.
You sir are mostly correct about the Pacers' bench there. IMHO their starters are red hot right now, but that can't be said about their bench; and that's pretty disappointing for a team supposedly among the elite.
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(https://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/3707719/deandre.gif)
LOL City
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Thats probably their first missed lob since CP3 joined the Clippers.
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I was cool to hear Doc get all choked up in the press conference after the game. The video they played between the 1st and second quarter and his response to it was a great moment.
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I just want to report in and say the Bulls are doing a pretty good job with the tank.
Losses to Milwaukee and New York; it's tough to watch, but it's for the greater good.
The only thing is Deng has been "out", but he'll get traded, so I think this is signs of things to come.
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All Star voting so far :lol
WEST
Frontcourt
1. Kevin Durant (OKC) 607,407
2. Dwight Howard (Hou) 295,120
3. Blake Griffin (LAC) 292,925
4. Kevin Love (Min) 275,506
5. Tim Duncan (SA) 217,271
6. Anthony Davis (NO) 149,579
7. Pau Gasol (LAL) 133,199
8. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 132,818
9. Andre Iguodala (GS) 109,745
10. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 89,093
11. Chandler Parsons (Hou) 77,179
12. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 60,923
13. David Lee (GS) 60,015
14. Kawhi Leonard (SA) 55,023
15. Omer Asik (Hou) 53,827
Backcourt
1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 501,215
2. Chris Paul (LAC) 393,313
3. Stephen Curry (GS) 327,449
4. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 240,404
5. James Harden (Hou) 198,667
6. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 149,065
7. Tony Parker (SA) 112,423
8. Ricky Rubio (Min) 63,096
9. Steve Nash (LAL) 60,782
10. Damian Lillard (Por) 55,847
EAST
Frontcourt:
1. LeBron James (Mia) 609,336
2. Paul George (Ind) 489,335
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 424,211
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind) 208,369
5. Chris Bosh (Mia) 156,364
6. Kevin Garnett (BKN) 102,825
7. Joakim Noah (Chi) 75,229
8. Jeff Green (Bos) 55,912
9. Luol Deng (Chi) 54,340
10. Tyson Chandler (NYK) 51,738
11. Andre Drummond (Det) 51,351
12. Carlos Boozer (Chi) 48,745
13. Paul Pierce (BKN) 45,145
14. Brook Lopez (BKN) 37,153
15. Josh Smith (Det) 32,025
Backcourt
1. Dwyane Wade (Mia) 396,279
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle) 365,712
3. Derrick Rose (Chi) 272,410
4. John Wall (Was) 124,851
5. Ray Allen (Mia) 99,464
6. Rajon Rondo (Bos) 80,889
7. Deron Williams (BKN) 44,282
8. George Hill (Ind) 42,536
9. Evan Turner (Phi) 33,605
10. Mario Chalmers (Mia) 32,996
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I just want to report in and say the Bulls are doing a pretty good job with the tank.
Losses to Milwaukee and New York; it's tough to watch, but it's for the greater good.
The only thing is Deng has been "out", but he'll get traded, so I think this is signs of things to come.
Likewise for the Lakers. :lol
Losing Nash for the last 12 games and counting... and then Farmar went down... now even Blake is out!
With Kobe back and not at a 100%, but with ZERO PG... fun fun fun... :hat
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It seems the Nets are picking up their game lately. I wonder how much that has to do with Kidd waiving Frank out.
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Pretty sure it has more to do with Deron Willams coming back than anything.
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Pretty sure it has more to do with Deron Willams coming back than anything.
Yeah, that also makes a difference :lol
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I just want to report in and say the Bulls are doing a pretty good job with the tank.
Losses to Milwaukee and New York; it's tough to watch, but it's for the greater good.
The only thing is Deng has been "out", but he'll get traded, so I think this is signs of things to come.
good luck out-tanking the Bucks. A 3pt miracle from Dunleavy and Bucks fans are smiling. :)
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Yeah, that was a bummer.
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What a performance by Kobe! A near quadruple-double! :eek 21pts, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 TOs! :lol
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this just went up in Milwaukee near the Bucks arena......
(https://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i17/bigkurty/SAM_0898.jpg)
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It does take balls to not tank for the best draft class in a decade.
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lolkobe. I guess if you're dumb enough to pay $50 million dollars for an antique, you can't be surprised if it breaks.
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Anybody see the end of that Spurs-Warriors game? Obvious goaltending on the tip in by Splitter at the buzzer, refs didn't even look at it. Good ol' NBA officiating.
-J
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With injuries starting to pile up, I could see Bryant retiring sooner rather than later, but not before he passes MJ on the all-time scoring points list. He only needs around 600 more points, and there is no way he won't gut out whatever ailments he'll have to get those points.
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So... a lot of things have happened in the NBA over the past year.
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Damn Patrick Beverly really did a number on Westbrook's knee just had to get a 3rd knee surgery done, and he's out until after the All-Star break.
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Well... Look at the bright side. We're going to see Durant going for 40 every game now, which will be fun.
Also, welcome back ReaP.
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Can we take a moment to shit on the awful, awful Christmas jerseys? The Bulls, Lakers and Heat looked especially cheap!
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Can we take a moment to shit on the awful, awful Christmas jerseys? The Bulls, Lakers and Heat looked especially cheap!
I actually... didn't mind them. They were kinda interesting. The ugly sweater warmups were actually pretty cool.
The problem is that, clearly, the league is experimenting with the idea of having sleeves be standard, which would be horrible.
Also, welcome back ReaP.
Thank you, thank you.
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The battle for draft lottery supremacy continued in Utah tonight, and the Lakers came out "winning" this round, and "gained" a little more ground toward a high lottery pick! :lol
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Horford out. Sucks for the Hawks.
The East is somehow even worse, my God.
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Can we take a moment to shit on the awful, awful Christmas jerseys? The Bulls, Lakers and Heat looked especially cheap!
I actually... didn't mind them. They were kinda interesting. The ugly sweater warmups were actually pretty cool.
The problem is that, clearly, the league is experimenting with the idea of having sleeves be standard, which would be horrible.
I don't know, those 3 look like an 8 year old printed their logo in black and white and just stapled it on a shirt.
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I don't know, those 3 look like an 8 year old printed their logo in black and white and just stapled it on a shirt.
I know what mean. When you really look at them up close, they're poorly done. They look rushed.
I was surprised how little I hated them in an aesthetic sense. It didn't feel like it wasn't basketball just because they weren't wearing sleeveless jerseys.
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What a shot by Bosh, and nice win by the LeBron-less Heat, indeed. Guess the Blazers were too worried about D-Wade scoring on an easy layup like the play before, and "forgot" about switching toward the perimeter. :hat
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First Option Bosh making an appearance :hat
He always seems to hit the game winning 3 when ever he's the first option for the game.
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I can't even lie I love watching the Heat.
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The threat of the crunch time Bosh 3 pointer is one of the biggest reasons the Heat are the champs. It's why Pop took out Duncan at the end of game 6 when Miami got those two crucial rebounds that each led to 3 pointers by LBJ and Allen. Bosh making that shot is exactly what Pop was afraid of. The basketball God's deemed that Pop's gamble wouldn't work out :lol
Edit: Take that back, Bosh wasn't even in the game on the first 3. Definitely was on the 2nd, though and ended up getting the rebound. I guess it was just more about having the quickness to defend all the athletes on the floor that could shoot the 3. This is why Diaw got subbed in at the last second right before that first 3.
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^ The Heat just always had things break their way with substitution luck last year. Remember Game 1 of the Indiana series when Vogel inexplicably removed Roy Hibbert on the last play and Lebron drove for a layup with like 2 seconds left? How stupid was that of Vogel, and how lucky for the Heat? 2 seconds left and you have to have a basket? A Lebron drive is probably your best option -- unless Hibbert is there.
It has been documented (https://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/58603/roy-hibbert-is-in-lebron-james-head) that Hibbert is the one player who Lebron might have second thoughts about challenging at the rim.
Still an unbelievably dumb move that maybe cost the Pacers the series!
Can't wait to watch them go at it again this year though. If anybody can beat Miami, it's the Pacers.
EDIT: the play: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jYB9-7zXIk
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One sportswriter giving his speculative opinion that James is scared of Hibbert doesn't really mean anything.
You can call that play lucky, but how many NBA championships would have gone differently if you changed every last second shot? Michael Jordan might only have only won a ring or two. Teams that are as good as the Heat are make their own luck.
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In a general sense, can we talk about how ridiculous it is to not have a big on the floor on defense when the opponent needs a three? I understand the desire to switch on defense, but losing the rebounding and rim protection hurts you too much.
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Can we talk about how ridiculous it is that the NBA hasn't adopted fouling the other team when they need a 3 so they don't even get the chance to shoot one? It is used in the Euro basket a lot and it's proven to be very effective.
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"This is America we don't do that here"
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@Kev -- I know it's just one article, but it was backed up with a lot of detailed evidence and stats. And I wasn't really calling the play lucky, just the fact of removing Hibbert from the game.
I understand, too, about speculating on "what-ifs," but in this case it was a pretty big "what-if?"
@Reap -- I think it's in general (not always) a bad move to not have your best 5 players on the court. And removing the big man is especially dangerous, as we saw in Game 6 from last year's Finals, because of the loss of defensive rebounding.
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Can we talk about how ridiculous it is that the NBA hasn't adopted fouling the other team when they need a 3 so they don't even get the chance to shoot one? It is used in the Euro basket a lot and it's proven to be very effective.
It happens sometimes. I remember Houston/Phoenix Game 7 in either '94 or '95, where Houston hit a 3 with like 10 or so seconds left to take the lead, and the rest of the game was nothing but foul shots, as Houston kept fouling to prevent Phoenix from making a 3. And I think both teams literally hit all of their free throws, and Houston ended up winning by a point. :lol :lol
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Can we talk about how ridiculous it is that the NBA hasn't adopted fouling the other team when they need a 3 so they don't even get the chance to shoot one? It is used in the Euro basket a lot and it's proven to be very effective.
I think the worry is that savvy shooters will be able to draw a foul and thus three free throws. If you intentionally foul, you basically hug the other player. In that circumstance, the Harden/Durant rip through move is very easy.
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^ YEP. The Carmelo play below is a perfect example, even if the ref made the proper call (I think) and got Harden for the foul before the shot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNG6Wlt6cI
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Well, Harden clearly fouled him before he made the shot but I do get that if it's up to the NBA refs, fouling to avoid a 3 is probably not the best idea.
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Peep this defensive display:
(https://i.minus.com/iGNkIZfwDjvOe.gif)
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#KNICKSTAPE
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Suddenly the hottest team in the West (the Blazers) lost two in a row, and they are at OKC against the Thunder tonight. Can they beat the Thunder and steal back the #1 spot out west, or will they suddenly lose 3 games in a row?! Either way, Blazers @ Thunder tonight should be a good one! :hat
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They lost 2 in a row on last second game winners so it's not really that bad. Now if they get blown out by the Thunder without Westbrook it might be some cause for concern.
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Gotta love NBA officiating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCdgssaOlfA
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^I'm a Mavs fan and couldn't believe that wasn't called.
Marion otherwise had a good game though.
-J
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They lost 2 in a row on last second game winners so it's not really that bad. Now if they get blown out by the Thunder without Westbrook it might be some cause for concern.
As predicted, that Blazers @ Thunder turned out to be a good game. :hat
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Gotta love NBA officiating:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCdgssaOlfA
The problem is that NBA officials aren't referees, they're politicians.
If you called the rules literally, there would be multiple fouls every play. The game would be nothing but free throws. The NBA's rules aren't literally enforceable, but you can't not have them or else games would become unwatchably physical.
So there are certain rules you let go by and certain rules you enforce, based on a complex calculus of looking out for what the league wants (which is why meaningless rules like delay of game are strictly enforced), making sure the game's entertaining (which is why three second rules are sporadically enforced), and making sure you as an official feel relevant (which is why refs call BS technicals).
In the case of the Wolves game, the unspoken rule doing end-of-game situations is to swallow your whistles. NBA refs are deathly afraid of being blamed for causing the game to end a certain way. For instance, Ray Allen may or may not have traveled when he made his big three against the Spurs (I don't think he did, just trying to illustrate a point). Let's say he did and the refs called it. In the minds of fans, the Spurs' title would have an asterisk on it because of the refs, something they will not allow to happen.
In this case, the political calculus backfired. The foul was so blatant that it had to be called. NFL fans complain about NFL officiating, but compared to the NBA they're virtually perfect. On one hand, I feel bad for NBA refs. On the other, I think the NBA should work on hiring better people.
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In this case, the political calculus backfired. The foul was so blatant that it had to be called. NFL fans complain about NFL officiating, but compared to the NBA they're virtually perfect. On one hand, I feel bad for NBA refs. On the other, I think the NBA should work on hiring better people.
Agreed with your post on all points but this one. While you could make a case that the NBA should higher younger people, the people they do hire are very qualified, having refereed at many levels throughout their lives. Then, once they're hired, if they're not officiating games, they're plopped in front of a television meticulously evaluating what they did right or wrong the previous night. The NBA hires good refs; it's just that basketball on that level might simply be impossible to officiate well.
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They might be elite in terms of their technical abilities, but the mindset of NBA officials seems off. I remember one time a guy was driving to the basket on a fast break, and the ref called a shooting foul on the guy guarding the rim. It was semi-obvious in real time that nothing happened, and the replay confirmed it. The guy called for the foul asked the ref what gives, and the ref said that he thought a foul was going to happen so he just automatically blew his whistle. What?
Also, check out the NBA officials wired videos on Youtube. If I was a player or coach and I had to deal with them acting like that, I'd get at least a technical every game.
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They might be elite in terms of their technical abilities, but the mindset of NBA officials seems off. I remember one time a guy was driving to the basket on a fast break, and the ref called a shooting foul on the guy guarding the rim. It was semi-obvious in real time that nothing happened, and the replay confirmed it. The guy called for the foul asked the ref what gives, and the ref said that he thought a foul was going to happen so he just automatically blew his whistle. What?
Also, check out the NBA officials wired videos on Youtube. If I was a player or coach and I had to deal with them acting like that, I'd get at least a technical every game.
Yup. I know what you're talking about. Officials definitely have a frustrating mindset. I'm not sure how Joey Crawford hasn't been murdered by a coach yet.
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I don't know how anyone could call Joey Crawford a "professional referee".
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Watch out Ray Allen J-Smoove is coming for your GOAT Shooter title.
(https://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0102/grant_JoshSmith_1152x1104.jpg)
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Josh Smith has never gotten an open 3 he couldn't miss!
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:lol
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Is Chris Paul the first player to ever injure himself while flopping?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzK1IUmNtgU
Seems like something that could have happened to Ginobili at some point...
Hope he gets better as soon as possible. The league is definitely worse off without him.
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At this point, LeBron is pretty much the unanimous pick for MVP (at least in the articles I've seen). Anyone else think Durant's actually been the MVP this year?
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James is in similar territory as Jordan was for much of the 90s: he is so obviously the best player by a large margin that he is pretty much the MVP every year, but like Jordan, there will likely be years where votes get bored with voting James again and will give it to a star having a career year (like when Barkley won it in '93, Rose in '11).
And that is hilarious that Chris Paul hurt himself flopping. :lol :lol
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The problem with the MVP is that no one knows what it is.
LeBron's obviously the best player, but is he the MVP? The Heat would still be an excellent team without him. If you take the term MVP literally, Trey Burke has a better case than LeBron. The Jazz started out 1-11 without him and are 10-10 with him. A LeBron injury would never affect the Heat that drastically.
If it's the best player award then can we just call it the best player award?
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Except it's League MVP, and not Jazz MVP or Heat MVP. So even if you take the term literally LeBron is still the MVP.
They probably should just change the name of the award though because people try and make this argument every year.
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Pau Gasol might have played his last game for the Lakers last night vs. the Jazz, as the Cavs are leaning toward finalizing a Gasol-for-Bynum trade by Sunday. Regardless of what will happen, thanks Pau for the past 4 plus years in LA! :hat
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At this point, LeBron is pretty much the unanimous pick for MVP (at least in the articles I've seen). Anyone else think Durant's actually been the MVP this year?
I would put Paul George up there, he's having a phenomenal season and is why Indiana is doing so well. I think Indiana is a solid team regardless of him but he provides that extra that has them leading the East.
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To me, the MVP award should go to the player who had the best year, and Durant's having the best year. A couple of things are working against LeBron:
1. Injuries. First his back was bad, then he rolled his ankle, then he injured his groin, and now he's icing his knees. He can't seem to shake the bug, and it's impacting him in very real ways, especially on the defensive end.
2. Boredom. The regular season is irrelevant to him at this point, and every game he shows it in tiny ways, either by not getting back on defense or throwing awful passes (resulting in his highest TOPG since his rookie year).
LeBron's still the best player as he's pretty much hacked the game. Shooting 59% is ridiculous. Durant's had the more impressive year though. 29/8/5 on almost 50/40/90 and he's been way less prone to injuries and boredom to boot.
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Rudy Gay per game this year in Toronto (18 games):
19-7-2 39%FG
Rudy Gay per game this year in Sacramento (12 games):
20-5-3 50%FG
This is mind boggling.
My conspiracy theory - Rudy Gay was trying to get traded out of Toronto. He knew that if he played well, he would be untradable because no team would be willing to trade assets for his contract. The only way to get traded was to play bad enough to hurt his trade value but good enough for a desperate team to move some rotation players for him.
Remember when he banned stat sheets in the locker room? It felt like an onion story come to life. Maybe it was an intentional bit of antics on his part.
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Well he's taking almost 4 less shots per game so either the coach or Cousins went to him, and told him he's not chucking here like he did in Memphis and Toronto.
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Bulls trade Luol Deng for Andrew Bynum and picks they also plan to amnesty Boozer. I guess they can say goodbye to Thibs and Rose too no way both of them stick around to rebuild for a couple years.
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I don't get the bulls. Deng fit perfectly in their team and they had no need for another big man, specially one that plays the same position as Noah.
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Well it's a good thing Bynum won't be playing for them then isn't it? They're going to waive him as soon as they can.
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Okay trade for the Bulls. The 1sts are an underrated risk. The Sac pick might not come for a couple years if at all. The pick swap could be mostly worthless. But they did get to clear some cap space, which is always a good thing.
I guess the Cavs had to do this because they're built to win now, but it's a huge risk for them too. What if Deng leaves?
It's a trade both teams had to do and it worked out as well as possible for them. But it's hard to like.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEOWuoPe6wQ
Bill and Jalen are awesome together.
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I tried, but I can't be a Wizards fan. Well.... I can, just not to that die-hard level like the Orioles and Ravens. I'll still wear the Wall jersey, and I guess I'll start wearing that Durant jersey again. Fan of the league, just not a diehard for any team, unless Baltimore ever gets a team I guess.
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The Bullets, cuz.
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The Bullets, cuz.
I wish... :angel:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Bullets_(1944–54)
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Yes.... I'm aware that Baltimore used to have an NBA team. But it would take a lot of doing to get another team, starting with a new arena. The Baltimore Arena is so old that the Bullets did play there before leaving for Landover in the 70's.
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Rondo to play his first game this season on Friday. It seems like everyone forgot he even existed until just a week ago.
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GREG ODEN LIVES
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfYh9iW4ZN4
Literally starting a fight over a good foul :lol
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I don't want to defend him because he's a real asshole but he did get hit hard in the head and I understand him being angry at the guy who fouled him but why did he punch Dragic?
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Apparently he was mad that none of his teammates came over to defend him. That doesn't really explain why he punched Dragic maybe he wants to be the next Ron Artest or Stephen Jackson :lol
Something else that's funny is the Lakers might not have enough players to play Boston on Friday since Young and Jordan Hill will most likely be suspended.
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They can always bring someone from the D-League. It's not like they can do much worse :lol
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Someone from the D-League would probably be a nice addition! :lol :(
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NO ONE DARE DISRESPECT SWAGGY P
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfYh9iW4ZN4
Literally starting a fight over a good foul :lol
That was a flagrant foul, not really just a "good" hard foul. But of course Swaggy P had to protect his rep.
-J
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All Star game jerseys :facepalm:
Edit:Looks like the link got taken down all you need to know is they're terribly designed sleeved jerseys.
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Why are they pushing for the sleeves? It just doesn't fit
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looks like a soccer jersey
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looks like a soccer jersey
That's the idea unfortunately.
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Rondo's return went about as well as I could expect. Some nice baskets. Some nice moves at the rim. This Celtics team sucks in the fourth quarter though. A Rajon Rondo iso jumper should not be the best shot you get out of your offense.
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If it was playoffs Rondo he would have made that shot.
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Good to know this crappy Lakers team can still beat the crappy Celtics team!
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Good to know this crappy Lakers team can still beat the crappy Celtics team!
Both teams played like they belong to the YMCA league :lol
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I'm sure the Celtics don't mind the Lakers helping them get Jabari.
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If it was playoffs Rondo he would have made that shot.
Heh.
Good to know this crappy Lakers team can still beat the crappy Celtics team!
Both teams played like they belong to the YMCA league :lol
True, but it made for enjoyable basketball. Lots of running. The bad defenses allowed for a lot of cool passing and ball movement.
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Paul George not impressed with Lob City:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhv03qqlHDc
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Nasty dunk.
-
That might be the best uncontested dunk I've ever seen.
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^ yeppers. Dunk had me making the Shaq Nasty face:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6785793796_66561de927_o.gif)
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I'm starting to believe in Durant's MVP case. All we're hearing from the Heat is how they lack motivation. Meanwhile, Durant's averaging 37-6-6 52%FG without Westbrook.
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The Heat clearly lack motivation, but that doesn't change the fact that Durant is still the MVP. So unless LeBron averages 30/8/8 on 70 TS% he's not winning MVP he probably wasn't going to this year anyway.
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There's no argument for anyone else besides Durant in the MVP race right now. He's averaging 31/8/5 with a 31 PER. He's approaching a territory only a handful of guys have ever approached. I know there's only ever been seven guys with a 30 PER. There's gotta be even less guys with a 31 PER.
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There's no argument for anyone else besides Durant in the MVP race right now. He's averaging 31/8/5 with a 31 PER. He's approaching a territory only a handful of guys have ever approached. I know there's only ever been seven guys with a 30 PER. There's gotta be even less guys with a 31 PER.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/per_season.html
Only 3 with above 31.
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Good to know this crappy Lakers team can still beat the crappy Celtics team!
:lol
Crap! I missed this crappy post! :lol
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(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3YJDWk7G9W0/UuMkzPaS1UI/AAAAAAAABeY/msrIpG12Kos/s1600/2.gif)
62 pts
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That was a thing of beauty. Love you Melo.
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So stupid to take him out he could have easily scored 70+.
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Congrats, Melo... note to you, the Nets have won 9 out of 10 since the start of 2014.
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So stupid to take him out he could have easily scored 70+.
people are complaining that he didn't play 48 mins vs the bobcats in a blowout win. He was gassed by the time that last shot went in, and it took him a few attempts to get that last one.
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I wish he had stayed in too but he was exhausted and it probably would have been in bad taste.
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Looking like the Spurs age has finally caught up with them.
-
Leonard, Splitter, and Green are all injured right now. I wouldn't take any Spurs losses too seriously right now. The Spurs could be down 0-3 to OKC in the playoffs and I'd still pick them to win the series. They've defied the odds enough times to deserve the benefit of the doubt.
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Injuries don't explain how they've only won 1 game against the best teams in the NBA. Since those 3 weren't injured until pretty recently. Now if those 3 come back, and they can actually win some games against good teams we could probably assume the first half of the season was just an aberration.
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Pop has been keeping the same rotation against all teams to preserve the older guys for the full season. I'm fairly sure that when the playoffs come Manu, Duncan and Parker will get more minutes than they are right now which should make a big difference.
You always say that whatever the Heat do during the regular season doesn't really matter because their best game is when they are in playoffs mode, can you conceive the same thing will happening with the Spurs?
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You always say that whatever the Heat do during the regular season doesn't really matter because their best game is when they are in playoffs mode, can you conceive the same thing will happening with the Spurs?
That makes too much sense.
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You make it sound like it's a bad thing :lol
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The Spurs are 1-10 against title contenders(Their only win against the Clippers with no CP3 or Reddick), and 32-1 against the rest of the league. Their struggles don't indicate that they're coasting like Miami as if Pop would allow that anyway. They have 8 games against contenders for the rest of the season lets see if they can at least win half of them :corn
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...Kevin Durant...
I think all the talk about how Westbrook was the real leader of the Thunder got to him.
MVP frontrunner right now. Putting the team on his back.
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^ BEWARE THE SLIM REAPER!
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(https://i.imgur.com/5bnmqy8.jpg)
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I think all the talk about how Westbrook was the real leader of the Thunder got to him.
I don't know anyone but Skip Bayless who said that. :lol
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Skip wasn't saying that at all until recently he was the one saying Durant was better than LeBron. Now Durant has no clutch gene and disappears in the 4th quarter according to Skip.
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I think all the talk about how Westbrook was the real leader of the Thunder got to him.
I don't know anyone but Skip Bayless who said that. :lol
Also a Bill Simmons theory. I remember it being bandied about on RealGM too.
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I think all the talk about how Westbrook was the real leader of the Thunder got to him.
I don't know anyone but Skip Bayless who said that. :lol
Also a Bill Simmons theory. I remember it being bandied about on RealGM too.
Bill's lost a little credibility with me recently. A couple of months ago he was saying Paul George might be better than Durant.
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Bill's lost a little credibility with me recently. A couple of months ago he was saying Paul George might be better than Durant.
Until Durant's recent surge, that wasn't a ridiculous opinion. PG's defense helps his case a lot.
That said, I have to agree with you in a broader sense. I think he's spreading himself so thin that he's not watching enough actual games, which hurts his ability to see what's happening.
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The Thunder @ Nets game is one of the very few enjoyable blow out games to watch. Not that I hate the Nets, but watching KD playing like tonight, despite pretty good D from the Nets (early on), is just fun!
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So KD's 30 point streak ended. What a shame. Guess you can't be hot forever. Back to the LeBron worship.
.......
Wait, what?
He scored all those points in 30 minutes shooting 10-12 from the field?
So trying to build my impressions of Basketball from headlines doesn't work?
Whoops.
-
At one point Durant and Ibaka had more points combined that the whole Nets team. :lol
-
Boring Celtics trade teadline predictions:
Ainge makes at least one trade
Rondo stays
Wallace stays, though not for lack of trying by Ainge
Sullinger stays
If the Celtics make a trade, a draft pick is either going out or coming back in.
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No more David Stern. The nightmare's finally over. I'm not really joking.
-
Commissioners are guilty until proven innocent in my eyes. New guy has to earn his trust before I consider any nightmares over.
-
Boring Celtics trade teadline predictions:
Ainge makes at least one trade
Rondo stays
Wallace stays, though not for lack of trying by Ainge
Sullinger stays
If the Celtics make a trade, a draft pick is either going out or coming back in.
They could trade the whole team right now. Rondo's value in low right now so It won't happen until next year when he's fully recovered.
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I don't know why everyone expects Rondo to be traded. No upside for Ainge. You need stars to win titles. If you have one, why trade him?
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Depends on the lottery this year really. But to be honest Rondo is already talking about looking forward to free agency so that there is a red flag to get what you can for him when you're that bad now. Rondo won't come out and say it but he's looking to leave and I don't blame him to get this last big, long term contract.
https://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2014/02/01/rajon-rondo-says-possibility-of-free-agency-intriguing/
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I get the other factors involved as for why Rondo might want to leave the Celtics, but I don't think a star player saying he's looking forward to free agency is signaling that he wants to leave. I'm sure the allure of wining and dining with a bunch of executives who desperately want your services is a thrill. If I was a big time player I'd definitely like to experience that, even if I had no plans of actually leaving.
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I don't think Rondo wants to leave, I think he wants the team to make a commitment. Ainge tried to trade him multiple times. And he's still not taking him totally off the table.
If Rondo could sign a five year extension now I think he would, but the CBA only lets him sign one for three years, which he's not going to do. He's going to be 28 or 29 when he signs his next contract, which will also be his last big contract. I don't know if he wants the full 105 million dollar max, but he's going to want a big contract, especially after playing at such a discount on his current one. He's going to want five years, and I have a hard time believing he won't ask for a no trade clause.
I'm biased because I like Rondo, but I don't see him planning on leaving. I see someone who knows what Ainge is like and doesn't want to let the narrative of his free agency get out of his control. He wants to negotiate on his terms.
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You like Rondo? Well, that is more than can be said for a lot of his teammates over the years. :lol :lol
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I think we all know Ainge is a gunslinger and I'm just guessing he will at some point pull the trigger. When stories from many of the beat writers say the same thing there's got to be some truth to it.
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You like Rondo? Well, that is more than can be said for a lot of his teammates over the years. :lol :lol
That's a cheap shot and you know it. It's not even true at the moment. His current teammates seem to like him.
I think we all know Ainge is a gunslinger and I'm just guessing he will at some point pull the trigger. When stories from many of the beat writers say the same thing there's got to be some truth to it.
Ainge is also good at trading though. He's not going to let Rondo go in some mindless salary dump or draft pick dump. People don't realize that Ainge is actually very conservative about trading. He wasn't willing to trade Doc unless it was for a 1st. He didn't trade Pierce and KG until he get three 1sts and a pick swap. He got a 1st for Crawford (highly protected, but still) and an actual player (Bayless) for Lee. If Rondo goes, it will be for a package like Jrue Holiday and two 1sts (no specific info, just setting a line of expectation). He apparently already turned down an offer from the Kings for McLeMore, two 1sts, and another good player.
Beat writers are to be taken with a grain of salt when it comes to front office strategy. Especially when it comes to someone like Ainge who hides what he does very well. Except for the Doc trade (because it involved Doc, who clearly leaks stuff to the media), Ainge's trades tend to come out of no where.
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It's not a cheap shot; based on a lot that has come out, it is largely true. His current teammates probably like him cause they'll like any really good player who might make them better than horrible, but when it came to playing with stars, it wasn't so simple.
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It's not a cheap shot; based on a lot that has come out, it is largely true. His current teammates probably like him cause they'll like any really good player who might make them better than horrible, but when it came to playing with stars, it wasn't so simple.
If my older veteran teammates were treating me like a dippy little brother while I was using my floor management skills to make them look better than they are, I'd be hard to get along with too.
You're trying to paint Rondo as a bad teammate, which he isn't.
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Rondo a good teammate? I'm sure Ray Allen would completely agree with that :lol
-
Rondo a good teammate? I'm sure Ray Allen would completely agree with that :lol
Does that matter?
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Considering that my comment you objected to was, "You like Rondo? Well, that is more than can be said for a lot of his teammates over the years," then, yes, it matters, since Ray Allen was, ya know, one of his teammates over the years. :lol
As for Rondo making those veterans look better than they were, I guess it didn't take long for you to turn on those future Hall of Famers that got your Celtics their first ring in over 20 years, eh?
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Considering that my comment you objected to was, "You like Rondo? Well, that is more than can be said for a lot of his teammates over the years," then, yes, it matters, since Ray Allen was, ya know, one of his teammates over the years. :lol
What I mean is - Ray disliked Rondo for reasons that had to nothing to do with Rondo. Ray resented how Rondo was taking on a bigger role within the team at the expense of his own.
As for Rondo making those veterans look better than they were, I guess it didn't take long for you to turn on those future Hall of Famers that got your Celtics their first ring in over 20 years, eh?
Not at all. But in a pure basketball sense, people say Rondo looked good because he played with three future hall of famers, when really it was the other way around. That's not meant to diminish them at all.
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Given the limited role Ray Allen has had on the Heat, I don't think he has a problem with having a smaller role. Rondo's asshole personality (which has been talked about in enough places for me to trust that it is accurate) was likely the bigger issue.
And while a good point guard can make players look better, he is nothing without finishers around him, so it is more fair to say that they all benefited from each others' presence.
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Given the limited role Ray Allen has had on the Heat, I don't think he has a problem with having a smaller role. Rondo's asshole personality (which has been talked about in enough places for me to trust that it is accurate) was likely the bigger issue.
Even Ray didn't frame it that way though. Ray tried very hard to make it look like Boston slighted him, but he never talked about Rondo being an asshole. The one thing I remember him talking about was how, during the 2009 offseason, there was a trade being discussed that would send Ray and Rondo to the Suns for Stat and Barbosa. Ray said he asked Rondo to say something to the front office about the trade, and Rondo didn't bother. This just doesn't make sense to me.
I'm loathe to believe anything Doc says. Seeing what he's doing with the Clippers, it's clear that everything he says to the media is BS spin. Spin that's good for the team (which is why I still kinda like Doc), but spin. In spite of all this, his account of why Ray left (https://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--doc-rivers-takes-blame-for-ray-allen-leaving-celtics-for-heat-.html) seems to be the most accurate. I've never really read or heard anything that credibly contradicts it.
And while a good point guard can make players look better, he is nothing without finishers around him, so it is more fair to say that they all benefited from each others' presence.
Fair.
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We should be talking about the Raptors right now. If they make it to the second round I will be so, so unbelievably happy.
-
We should be talking about the Raptors right now. If they make it to the second round I will be so, so unbelievably happy.
Four seed in the east. Not impossible.
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urfdwK-IC6M
Adam Silver's first fine is coming up very soon.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urfdwK-IC6M
Adam Silver's first fine is coming up very soon.
:lol I love how he points out every single referee
-
https://www.sportsworldnews.com/articles/9213/20140205/paul-george-baby-mama-a-stripper-photos-pacers-star-cheated-on-doc-rivers-daughter-offered-exotic-dancer-1-million-dollars-to-abort-child-video.htm
Paul George is a piece of shit who knew :tdwn
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The title of this thread makes me laugh every time I see it.
-
The title of this thread makes me laugh every time I see it.
99% of the credit goes to Snapple for actually using it as one of his 2013 MLB thread title updates and 1% goes to me for being enough of a schmuck to make this thread's title confusing for the sake of honoring the legacy of something I found funny.
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Lakers beat the Cavs last night. The Lakers played with 8 players, but then Swaggy P hurt his knee, Kaman fouled out and Farmar was seen with tape on his leg. Leaving them with so few players where this was possible:
(https://i57.tinypic.com/2zfnbs3.jpg)
Robert Sacre fouled out in the 4th quarter but because the Lakers were short on players (if you're keeping count, this would've left them with FOUR players eligible) he was allowed to still played.
I wonder how many times that has happened in the history of the NBA.
-
Is that even legal? Shouldn't they have lost the game automatically?
-
No the rules state that if you only have 5 eligible players and one of them fouls out they can keep playing, but every foul they commit will be a technical foul.
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Ah, that makes sense.
-
And they still beat the Cavs!!!!!
Which is probably why Chris Grant just got fired.
-
NBA Tip Off = A live draft for the Rising Stars challenge + Samuel L. Jackson.
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No the rules state that if you only have 5 eligible players and one of them fouls out they can keep playing, but every foul they commit will be a technical foul.
If I read correctly, it counts as a technical and a team foul.
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And water fowl.
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No the rules state that if you only have 5 eligible players and one of them fouls out they can keep playing, but every foul they commit will be a technical foul.
If I read correctly, it counts as a technical and a team foul.
This. If Sacre would have fouled again, the Cavs would have gotten to shoot technical foul free throws before any free throws due to the foul, assuming the Lakers were in the bonus or it was a shooting foul.
-
Rajon Rondo last three games:
19-6-10 81%FG
8-9-11 50%FG
15-8-12 50%FG
Celtics need to trade him so they can rebuild.
Oh, he's a coach killer too. Need to make sure I get that in there.
In all seriousness - Thank god he's recovering so well from his ACL injury.
-
Rajon Rondo last three games:
19-6-10 81%FG
8-9-11 50%FG
15-8-12 50%FG
Celtics need to trade him so they can rebuild.
Oh, he's a coach killer too. Need to make sure I get that in there.
In all seriousness - Thank god he's recovering so well from his ACL injury.
If they like having terrorists on their roster.
-
haha
-
Can the NBA adopt the mercy rule and forfeit our next game vs. the Thunder? Just give them the win and save us from potentially getting another player injured, it is a long season, you know? :lol
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They're going to have to bring players out of retirement if they get anymore injuries :lol
Think Magic and Kareem can still be Showtime at age 50+?
-
https://grantland.com/features/approaching-the-finish-line/
If you remotely care about Steve Nash and basketball history you'll read this article and watch the video.
-
That J-Wall dunk at the end was... WOW! :omg: :metal
-
Yeah, that dunk was sick, but damn, what kind of dunk contest was that? This new format is terrible
-
Not even LeBron could have saved that terrible Dunk Contest honestly only 3 good dunks.
-
True that, the overall format sucks and there were many boring dunks in between; luckily we've got that J-Wall dunk at the end!
-
That new format was dumb and the contest was boring barring a few dunks.
-
https://grantland.com/features/approaching-the-finish-line/
If you remotely care about Steve Nash and basketball history you'll read this article and watch the video.
I finally sat down and read the article (haven't seen the video yet) but I see Nash the same way Simmons portrays him here :lol
Everytime I see him hurt or limping it's Cap Space Nash but goddamnit I want to see him succeed and not go out with a career-ending injury because I just can't hate the guy from what I've seen off the court and in interviews and for how great a player he's been.
-
I really cannot wait for the rest of that series.
-
https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/231999/Kings-Offered-Celtics-Isaiah-Thomas-Ben-McLemore-Picks-For-Rajon-Rondo
Rondo preventing the Celtics from getting better or maybe he just doesn't want to play with Cousins :lol
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Not that it isn't a good trade, but it's not as good as it looks. Isiah Thomas is an excellent player, but not on Rondo's level. McLemore is an unknown quantity. And, a Kings team with Rondo, Gay, and Cousins is winning games. The picks won't be worth very much.
Apparently, the Celtics aren't going to make any trades at all, which I don't really like. I was hoping we could trade Bass away and/or get Asik.
Lets look at my boring predictions:
Ainge makes at least one trade
Rondo stays
Wallace stays, though not for lack of trying by Ainge
Sullinger stays
If the Celtics make a trade, a draft pick is either going out or coming back in.
No.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
N/A
That makes me 3/4, but on very easy predictions.
BTW, Pacers just traded Danny Granger for Evan Turner. Bird just locked up back-to-back exec of the year awards and probably a title. Philly is taking uber uber hard.
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Brooklyn trading for an overpaid Marcus Thorton because they don't have enough overpaid players as it is!
-
Billy King drinks at work.
-
Nice job Rajon. All you have t do is ask in advance and yet he doesn't even talk to management about not traveling with the team.
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24456559/rajon-rondo-skipped-team-trip-to-sacramento-without-permission
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Someone with knowledge on RealGM posted that Rondo wants to play back to backs but isn't cleared to do so by the team. So this was his way of giving the finger.
Looking at it that way, it's hard for me not to see his point of view. If I were in his shoes, I'd have already complained publicly. Trying to lose games intentionally is embarrassing.
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The fact is he is paid by the team and was expected to travel with them. he did not ask not to travel with the team and did not show up. That is on him.
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Someone with knowledge on RealGM posted that Rondo wants to play back to backs but isn't cleared to do so by the team. So this was his way of giving the finger.
Looking at it that way, it's hard for me not to see his point of view. If I were in his shoes, I'd have already complained publicly. Trying to lose games intentionally is embarrassing.
I am absolutely shocked that you would defend Rondo. #sarcasm :lol :biggrin:
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I am absolutely shocked that you would defend Rondo. #sarcasm :lol :biggrin:
He makes it so easy.
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I don't have a problem with them tanking. They have too.
It's just that he did not even communicate with the Celtic's about doing this and that's been his MO. Trust me. Here in Boston we've read all the stories and if Pierce and Garnett were not around, they would have not dealt with his outbursts.
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Exactly. When you are a leader - which, as the captain, Rondo is - you have to act like one. Which he didn't. There is a reason Rondo has so much conflict with so many people.
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I don't have a problem with them tanking. They have too.
The front office should be making moves to improve draft position, but I think losing games on purpose is pathetic and embarrassing. These Celtics game are tough to watch not because the team is bad, but because I'm not sure if Stevens is really trying to win them.
It's just that he did not even communicate with the Celtic's about doing this and that's been his MO. Trust me. Here in Boston we've read all the stories and if Pierce and Garnett were not around, they would have not dealt with his outbursts.
Outburst?
Exactly. When you are a leader - which, as the captain, Rondo is - you have to act like one. Which he didn't. There is a reason Rondo has so much conflict with so many people.
This is fair. Even if the tank story is true (which I suspect it is), being a good team captain is more important than sticking it to the front office.
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You never heard the story of him throwing a chair into the TV when they were going over the previous game and he thought he was being singled out?! :lol
Oh man I could go on!
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You never heard the story of him throwing a chair into the TV when they were going over the previous game and he thought he was being singled out?! :lol
Oh man I could go on!
Certainly, but is that really comparable to missing the Kings game?
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Yes, as the Captain and a player you have an obligation while traveling to the team. Now we all know he wasn't playing but he needs to ask to not travel with the team to stay over. You have to ask your boss. Not just decide to do it yourself.
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I just don't understand how that's comparable to throwing a remote at a TV screen. One is an act of violent rage, the other an act of questionable work place ethics.
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:facepalm:
You asked what kingshmegland was talking about when he said outbursts, and he merely gave you an example of another. That doesn't mean every outburst is created equal. Sheesh, is Rondo your brother or something? :lol
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Listen, I love rondo on the court but he has been trouble from the beginning here. He was in a perfect position to grow with a great coach, and great vet. leaders and he still caused so much problem to everyone. He is a professional, and now that captain and he needs to act accordingly. If it's not lashing out, he's causing issues between players, being selfish, and now ,when he is who the team looks to, leaves without asking permission.
It all goes toward why he is his own worst enemy. If he wasn't so talented, he'd be on the streets right now. Hell, being on the trading block and having interest even though of his past tells you what kind of player he is. Imagine if he could get the other side right.
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:facepalm:
You asked what kingshmegland was talking about when he said outbursts, and he merely gave you an example of another. That doesn't mean every outburst is created equal. Sheesh, is Rondo your brother or something? :lol
No, but I think most of the anti-Rondo narrative is unfair.
Listen, I love rondo on the court but he has been trouble from the beginning here. He was in a perfect position to grow with a great coach, and great vet. leaders and he still caused so much problem to everyone. He is a professional, and now that captain and he needs to act accordingly. If it's not lashing out, he's causing issues between players, being selfish, and now ,when he is who the team looks to, leaves without asking permission.
It all goes toward why he is his own worst enemy. If he wasn't so talented, he'd be on the streets right now. Hell, being on the trading block and having interest even though of his past tells you what kind of player he is. Imagine if he could get the other side right.
Two very important things (was reading more about this):
- Rondo did tell the team he was leaving. He didn't just head off without saying anything.
- If KG did this, no one would dare question it.
I'm not saying Rondo and KG are the same people in the same situation, but the lack of consistency to me has less to do with that than simply what people think of Rondo in the first place.
You mention Rondo being his own worst enemy, but he's played with vets that never totally respected him, a coach who never totally bought into him, and a GM who's never totally bought into him. You might say that people buy into you when you deserve it, but look at Rondo and Stevens. Stevens bought into Rondo unconditionally from the beginning, and Rondo's responded with excellent basketball (14-6-10 47%FG in February, even though he's playing in a knee brace).
I'm not saying Rondo should get special treatment, but he's been the Celtics' best player since 2010 and worth a max contract. Pierce and KG never wanted to admit Rondo was better than them. And Ainge's game for years has always been to make sure he never talks up Rondo too much, or else he'd never be able to talk Rondo's agent out of a max contract.
Not trying to paint Rondo as a martyr. He creates enough problems for himself. But the 'Rondo is a headcase' media narrative is a bunch of air.
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Important enough to double post - Apparently under Doc, there was no procedure. If you wanted to leave the team, you just did.
It's hard for there not to be a misunderstanding given that.
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So basically, in nearly every instance where there is a problem, even though Rondo is the one constant, it is almost always someone else's fault and/or not his. How convenient.
I hate to break it to you, but when one guy is the one constant in all of these problems, everyone else is not the problem; that one guy is. And that one guy is Rondo.
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That argument is problematic here. Rondo's not choosing his circumstances.
Look at Dwight. Rondo couldn't be as big of a headcase if he tried. When Dwight got to choose his team, he went to Houston and started playing better and having better relationships with the team. In retrospect, the dysfunction in Orlando and LA was underrated. You can blame Dwight for being... Dwight, but you can't discount the situation.
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That might be, but Dwight has only been in Houston for a little over half a year. Give it time. :lol :lol
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Definitely. Dwight has a lot of career rehabbing to do.
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Here in Boston he's saying he did and the ownership said he didn't. Like Kev said, there is just so many instances with him that it is his fault not the other way around. Secondly when a new coaching staff comes in, we all know damn well they lay down the new rules and guidelines so we can't use the past coaching staff as an excuse.
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That might be, but Dwight has only been in Houston for a little over half a year. Give it time. :lol :lol
So funny, so true. :lol :lol :lol
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Ainge did the right thing and tried to diffuse the Rondo story. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/03/01/danny-ainge-says-rajon-rondo-issue-resolved/fUxDa47alBBMSHVD0vTEDP/story.html)
- No team discipline
- Ainge is "satisfied" with Rondo's explanation
At this point, some people will keep bitching about the story. But when the player, coach, and GM are all saying it's time to move on, the media starts to look ridiculous.
Thank god.
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Haven't been following basketball closely lately. Why are the Lakers blowing so hard?
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D'Antoni
Injuries
West is a beast.
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Adam Silver just said: "I have no reason to believe the use of PEDs are widespread in the NBA"
When a major PED scandal hits (there's no if here), he's going to be really embarrassed.
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Yeah, the West seems stacked with good teams. Rockets, Clippers, Thunder, Warriors, etc.
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The West is so incredibly competitive it's ridiculous! The Grizzlies, the West's 9th best record would be the East's third seed if the playoffs started today!
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Ainge did the right thing and tried to diffuse the Rondo story. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/03/01/danny-ainge-says-rajon-rondo-issue-resolved/fUxDa47alBBMSHVD0vTEDP/story.html)
- No team discipline
- Ainge is "satisfied" with Rondo's explanation
At this point, some people will keep bitching about the story. But when the player, coach, and GM are all saying it's time to move on, the media starts to look ridiculous.
Thank god.
ReaP. That's Danny in front of the Cameras. Here in Boston the writers that follow the team say they are hearing something totally different from Ainge which means he's saying the the right things to trade him.
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ReaP. That's Danny in front of the Cameras. Here in Boston the writers that follow the team say they are hearing something totally different from Ainge which means he's saying the the right things to trade him.
Do you have links? I need to know what they're saying specifically.
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Lot of them are on sports talk radio for interviews. I'll try to dig some up tomorrow.
BTW, I'm not trying to run him out of town, but there are some damning things against him over the years.
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I say this as a non-Bostonite, but my impression of the talk radio people is that they try to stir things up on purpose. The one article I saw questioning Ainge's words on the internet came from CNSSE summarizing the words of two talk radio people. They were shocked Ainge would do it, and speculated it might be a play to keep his trade value up. I'm not criticizing them for being biased, but it's hard to believe their speculation.
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You have to think that is a true statement even though every GM knows Rondo already. Sports is like business, paint a picture the other person interested will like.
It will quiet own soon enough until the summer when Rondo is on his last year of his contract.
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I sorta know what you mean. I think when Ainge said him and Rondo needed to talk about it, he was trying to put Rondo's feet to the fire a bit. But I think he saw how the story made Rondo look bad and realized he had to kill it. The thing is, I don't think it's totally fake. If the team fined Rondo, the info would leak. It would be impossible for it not to. If Ainge was secretly fuming, it would leak. I'm not saying Ainge necessarily had a genuine change of heart, but I think he genuinely wants this story to go away and is willing to let Rondo's behavior go if necessary.
Also, Ainge stated publicly that he wants the team to contend for titles again in the 2015-2016 season. He needs Rondo to do that. If they trade for another superstar, that player isn't resigning without Rondo. Free agents aren't coming to Boston without someone else like Rondo to play with.
Ainge wants to have it both ways. He wants to keep Rondo's trade value high and his free agency value down, but it can't work because those things are the same. The more teams are willing to give up in a trade, the more likely he'll be worth the max. The less teams are willing to give up, the worse his market value is. But if Rondo suspects Ainge is purposefully trying to push his value down, he won't stick with a franchise that's trying to compromise him.
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All so very true ReaP. All teams want to handle these things in house for all the reasons we talked about.
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Heard someone on the radio say only the Pacers this year could stop the Heat from winning it all again. Not even anyone from the West.
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The west is so much stronger so I'm not sure about that James and is seems the Pacers play well against the Heat. 3-peats are so damn hard.
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Heat are being overrated this year. They could still win this year, don't get me wrong. LeBron's potential if sufficiently motivated is limitless. But, the Pacers this year have a better team. OKC looks dangerous. San Antonio can never be counted out. As for the Clippers, what Doc's doing over there is amazing. I think people need to take them more seriously.
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I'm interested to see how Miami starts closing out the regular season. They may be battling for that first seed until the end. Or will they rest the big 3 and some other starters at the end, 1st seed be damned?
It's obvious Indiana or Miami is in the Finals. Pacers are fucking scary. West overall could kill them as well. Spurs almost did it last year.
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(https://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/4074243/trolledbyiverson_medium.gif)
Allen Iverson, breaking ankles even if he's not physically on the court,
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:lol
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If Dwayne Wade can stay healthy for the playoffs, the Heat will likely 3-peat, plain and simple (assuming the other key players remain healthy too, of course). Their best is still better than anybody else's best.
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The Pistons are considering hiring Isiah Thomas as their GM... Thomas along with Joe Dumars, this should end well.
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Goran Dragic might be one of my new favorite players....and I'm a Spurs fan. That's respect, right there.
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The Pistons are considering hiring Isiah Thomas as their GM... Thomas along with Joe Dumars, this should end well.
It's not all bad. This possibility is proof that the world isn't a meritocracy.
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supporting the new york knicks is a really good way to get yourself to consider how illogical and base team fandom can be.
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(https://i.imgur.com/h2fody6.jpg)
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Charlotte's the 6th best defense in the league by rating. Scoring 61 points on them on 66% shooting is insane.
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supporting the new york knicks is a really good way to get yourself to consider how illogical and base team fandom can be.
I'm guessing you read that Mist3k article on Grantland :lol
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(https://i.imgur.com/h2fody6.jpg)
Fucking amazing :rollin
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supporting the new york knicks is a really good way to get yourself to consider how illogical and base team fandom can be.
I'm guessing you read that Mist3k article on Grantland :lol
I have now! Side note: I love netw3rk. One of the funniest people I follow on twitter, sports or not. *especially* when the Knicks suck.
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When it comes to people, maybe you can never know.
For whatever reason, I figured Dwight Howard's attitude came from a general lack of willingness to take anything seriously. He didn't want the responsibility of it.
Nope. Turns out his mom lost seven siblings before him to miscarriages. (https://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/05/dwight-howards-seven-lost-siblings-the-source-of-his-fun-loving-attitude/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)
I was two months premature. Very, verry small baby...
I wasn’t supposed to be here. I made it! So, I’m happy. I’m going to smile. I’m going to enjoy my life. I’m going to have fun, because I wasn’t supposed to be here.
I'm not trying to talk about how great a guy Dwight Howard is (how many illegitimate children does he have?). But remember how a year ago he was universally regarded as an immature dipshit? As someone who felt the same way, I find it hard to believe.
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This was me watching the coverage of the 61 point game by James:
ESPN: LEBRON GOES FOR SIXTY ONE AGAINST CHARLOTTE. HE IS THE KING. HE IS THE GREATEST
Me: He isn't even the only person to go for sixty this year.
ESPN: GIVE HIM THE MVP! PRAISE LEBRON FOR HIS GREATNESS!
Me: Hell, Carmelo Anthony went for more against the same team
ESPN: SHUT IT, JAQ. HERE'S A TWO MINUTE VIDEO OF WHY LEBRON JAMES IS A SUPERHERO.
Me: *changes the channel*
I wish I was lying about ESPN spending two minutes calling him a superhero, by the way. I don't think even Lebron James likes that shit.
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Imagine if Michael Jordan had played during this era of social media and ESPN bludgeoning everything to death. Well, first off, he would have been torn to shreds early in his career when he was winning MVPs and no titles, but the fellating once he started winning titles every year would have made the love fest for LeBron James look like a $4 appetizer. :lol :lol
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I can't believe no one else has given Syzzle's pic any love. That thing's a fucking gem.
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Imagine if Michael Jordan had played during this era of social media and ESPN bludgeoning everything to death. Well, first off, he would have been torn to shreds early in his career when he was winning MVPs and no titles, but the fellating once he started winning titles every year would have made the love fest for LeBron James look like a $4 appetizer. :lol :lol
Jesus, Michael would probably go for 45-60 pts once a week in his prime if he was playing in the current NBA era. The lack of defense, or rather hard as nails defense, in todays game is staggering. I miss the good ol days when a layup or a dunk was EARNED.
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Imagine if Michael Jordan had played during this era of social media and ESPN bludgeoning everything to death. Well, first off, he would have been torn to shreds early in his career when he was winning MVPs and no titles, but the fellating once he started winning titles every year would have made the love fest for LeBron James look like a $4 appetizer. :lol :lol
MJ liked gambling, being an asshole to team mates, smoking cigars, staying up late, and women who aren't his wife. The media would have killed him.
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@ Pacers the team... if you still think you are the #1 seeded team in the east, and/or you still think you are going to beat the Heat this year? Either wake up or think again. :loser:
In the past 6 games (actually you only had ONE dominating game over the lowly Lakers in the past 10 games or so), you barely beat the Celtics, Bucks and Jazz, and followed it up with a 3-game losing streak. I see no killer instinct in y'all, nor I feel any fire in your performance of late. :hat
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Pacers need to hit the panic button.
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No, they can start sucking now. Heat gonna 3-peat
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Eh, it's just a bad stretch, which all teams go through at some point - hell, OKC lost three in a row recently, too - but the Heat have slowly been getting closer to the Pacers in the standings, and while the Heat have lost their last two as well, I'll be shocked if they don't overtake the Pacers here very soon and end up as the 1 seed in the East.
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Credit to the Heat - They did a good job realizing that they couldn't coast the regular season. In spite of the Pacers woes, you simply can't face them in a Game 7 at home.
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Wow.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/minnesota-republican-lawmaker-sends-racist-tweet-about-nba-p
Aside from the stupid end part, really? Nobody would notice their NBA team is gone? What...this is some start-up league or something? NBA attendance is that low? All that's on the sports channels now is basketball. Dumbass.
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Man, the Clippers are playing some of the most sloppy, scared ball I've ever seen a team play in a game where they held a 20+ point lead.
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Imagine if Michael Jordan had played during this era of social media and ESPN bludgeoning everything to death. Well, first off, he would have been torn to shreds early in his career when he was winning MVPs and no titles, but the fellating once he started winning titles every year would have made the love fest for LeBron James look like a $4 appetizer. :lol :lol
Jesus, Michael would probably go for 45-60 pts once a week in his prime if he was playing in the current NBA era. The lack of defense, or rather hard as nails defense, in todays game is staggering. I miss the good ol days when a layup or a dunk was EARNED.
The defense in today's NBA is actually really good, just not as physical. The pace is also slower, so part of me thinks it'd be harder to average 35+ PPG nowadays.
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The defense in today's NBA is better than the 80's and 90's. The Pistons from the mid 00's and the 08 Celtics are some of the best defensive teams of all time if not the best, but people just look at all the great centers back then and how physical it was and assume that it was better.
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More contact allowed is an advantage that largely favors defense. Rule changes in the NBA have decreased physicality and the focus of defenses has thus changed. You have guys intentionally falling down and undercutting players rather than contesting shots or holding their position. In my opinion, this cheapens the game and makes defenses generally less "tough," but admittedly makes for a more accessible and palatable viewing experience.
However, I wouldn't make a definitive statement about defenses being "better" or "worse" in a certain era as the preceding posters have, because there's no frame of reference. We can't compare across eras, although it's fun to speculate about what MJ would have done in today's NBA. He probably would have developed as a completely different player.
-J
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One one hand, the defenses now aren't as physical as they were back then.
On the other hand, they weren't nearly as sophisticated and disciplined. Watch a defense from an old NBA game. No one knows where to go or where to rotate.
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https://www.youtube.com/user/GrantlandNetwork
People making a lot of fuss because Nash was honest and straight up said he didn't want to retire because he wants the last 9.7 million on his contract. A lot of Lakers fan calling for him to retire.
Well, the best of both worlds is for the Lakers to use the "stretch provision" on his contract and basically make him retire. He'll still get his 9.7, in three 3.23 million payments for the next three years and only that 3.23 affects the Lakers cap for the next years.
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This just in: water is wet.
Fans are stupid.
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I hate when people say "Oh, he's just doing it for the money." Well, would you do your job if they weren't paying you? Nope. Just because Nash's job is really cool doesn't mean it isn't a job.
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Heat, wat r u doin
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healthy dose of not giving a fuck before the playoffs, you know.
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Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker have just won their 491st game together. As of now, they are the second most successful big 3, but by early next season, they will surpass Bird, McHale, and Parish to be the greatest trio in the history of the game. I love my Spurs!
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What about MJ, Pippen, and...
And......
Ok, point taken, lol
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(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1912245_681234285267158_1500894547_n.jpg)
:lol
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Kobe's legacy is going to be fascinating.
Will people remember the five rings? The insane work ethic? The intelligence? The ability to play "the game"? The way he wanted his teammates to be just as intense as him. The way he understood, if only a little bit, that it was valuable to listen to Phil's coaching? The fact he's probably a top 10 all-time player?
Or will they remember the 48 million dollar extension that killed the Lakers' chances at another title with him? The fact he won his titles with Shaq and Pau? The way he wasn't very good both finals he played against Boston? The fact that his clutch shooting was actually terrible? The selfishness? The meanness? The ego?
I'd prefer we remember both. If I had to pick between one or the other, I'd prefer the latter. I suspect that, if forced to pick one, the public will remember the former.
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It will be his legacy.
Nobody talks about the power struggle with Shaq and himself anymore.
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All of it will be part of his legacy. All of it. There will always be those who act like only one of the extremes matters and that the other does not, but the reality is that all of it matters.
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Sure ain't no Elgin Baylor.
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All of it will be part of his legacy. All of it. There will always be those who act like only one of the extremes matters and that the other does not, but the reality is that all of it matters.
I agree.
My question is more along the lines of what basketball fandom as a whole will think. Players are remembered based on their symbolic value moreso than what they actually did on the court.
For example - people forget that MJ and Kobe's games were 99% the same. Obviously, that 1% is unbelievably important. It's the difference between the greatest player ever and one whose greatness is very questionable. But people talk about how much better a team player Jordan was as if he perfectly gracefully balanced shooting and passing. I've been some of Jordan's games - he's just as aggressive a shooter as Kobe.
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I think 1% is a bit off. Maybe 80%. Jordan seemed to win games in the first half the way he'd learn his opponents' every nuance, exploit them, and execute at a level only ever seen previously when combining Red's coaching virtuosity with Russell's and Cousy's consummate excellence through versatility as well as execution. Phil has more rings but Red probably would've ended up with more had he hung around even though Phil seems to be a bit better at evolving with the times as a means of staying in touch with each new generation on a mental level. What I mean by this is that Jordan, despite having fewer rings than the '50s/60s Celts, is very likely the single most valuable player in NBA history when judging for direct effect on team titles. Kobe is more a product of having Shaq/Phil/Pau.
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ReaP, how old are you? I am guessing young enough to have never really seen Jordan play on a regular basis, hence you saying you have seen some of his games, meaning you probably saw a few of his games on ESPN Classic or something, right? In other words, you weren't around when he was at his peak (not talking about his days with the Wizards after he foolishly came back), cause if you were, you wouldn't be saying that he and Bryant were 99% similar. Just because they were both shooting guards who were volume shooters doesn't mean they were essentially the same player.
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ReaP, how old are you? I am guessing young enough to have never really seen Jordan play on a regular basis, hence you saying you have seen some of his games, meaning you probably saw a few of his games on ESPN Classic or something, right? In other words, you weren't around when he was at his peak (not talking about his days with the Wizards after he foolishly came back), cause if you were, you wouldn't be saying that he and Bryant were 99% similar. Just because they were both shooting guards who were volume shooters doesn't mean they were essentially the same player.
Most of what I've seen of Jordan is the second three-peat version. Most of what I've seen of Kobe is the post-Shaq part of his career. To me, those two players are very similar.
Haven't really seen Shaq-era Kobe. Only seen a little of pre-first retirement Jordan. Maybe they were more different.
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It looks like we'll be getting another Spurs/Heat final or maybe Thunder/Heat. Either way, Indiana has been playing dreadfully the last 10 games and they don't seem to be able to pick up the slack. And even though the Heat have also had a slump the last couple of days we all know there is no threat for them in the east.
Do you guys think there'll be mayor changes with the upcoming free agency and draft or will we get another year of Miami cruising to the finals due to the lack of opposition?
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As a Heat fan who loathes the Pacers, I'd rather Miami win by beating the best at their best. I haven't been able to watch basketball lately, but it seems like Ind is in a really bad spot. Still, they should get to the ECF with Miami. And hopefully lose.
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Indiana's offense has always been shaky. It doesn't help that Paul George's efficiency has gone down the toilet the past few months, either. The real exciting part of the playoffs to me will be seeing teams like Washington and Charlotte in there for the first time in ages. And also the entire Western Conference.
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The worst Lakers team in history dropped 51 points in a quarter on the Knicks. LOOOOOOOOOOL
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who are "the Knicks"?
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is that a basketball team?
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I'm sorry for the misspelling, I meant to say the
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bjb3gSLIIAAwhMR.jpg)
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I fucking hate the Pacers.
David West travels but it's ok, gets a 3.
Wade makes a 3 but gets called OOB.
Fucking dirty ass players.
I hope Miami destroys them in the ECF.
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lol
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Honestly, I don't, at this point, expect the Heat to 3-peat. I have zero confidence in Wade and Allen to both be healthy throughout the playoffs, and Miami will likely have to win it all by not having home court in both the ECF and Finals, which I am not sure this team is cut out to overcome this year (last year's team was better and still needed two Game 7s at home, against Indiana and SA, to repeat).
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I can't believe I'm making this post:
If I were better at Vegas, I'd bet the field. But, Miami can't be counted out until they're gone. Indiana's too shaky. OKC and SA are great, but the Heat already beat both of them in different finals series. I love what the Clippers are doing, but they have holes and are untested.
Also, LeBron James.
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Forget what I said yesterday, I'm putting the Pacers back as contenders only because they really want to beat Miami.
Also, LeBron James.
He's been playing through an injury for the last couple of months and going into the playoffs not healthy might affect his game. He's still Lebron though.
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Miami can say what they want, but this season the injuries and the wear and tear from making the finals all those times in a row is wearing them down, and they seem to have settled into the "we'll turn it on in the playoffs." Teams are clinching divisions, guys, you'd better turn it up now if you don't want to get bounced BEFORE the Conference finals. They're losing to multiple sub .500 teams, it isn't that much of a stretch to see them going out early, if they keep playing down to the level of their competition. Still the team to beat, don't get me wrong, but this is the most vulnerable they've been since James came on board.
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Miami can say what they want, but this season the injuries and the wear and tear from making the finals all those times in a row is wearing them down, and they seem to have settled into the "we'll turn it on in the playoffs." Teams are clinching divisions, guys, you'd better turn it up now if you don't want to get bounced BEFORE the Conference finals. They're losing to multiple sub .500 teams, it isn't that much of a stretch to see them going out early, if they keep playing down to the level of their competition. Still the team to beat, don't get me wrong, but this is the most vulnerable they've been since James came on board.
This to me is their biggest issue. Right now, the Pacers, Thunder, Spurs, and Clippers would all have homecourt against Miami in a seven game series. Even Houston's record right now is tied with Miami's. That's a major disadvantage to fight against.
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A lot can still happen, but the Spurs appear to be on a mission to avenge themselves for that Game 6 collapse.
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A lot can still happen, but the Spurs appear to be on a mission to avenge themselves for that Game 6 collapse.
The Spurs machine just keeps on going and going.
Especially if they win this year or next, the Spurs need to be remembered as the greatest team of this era, and Duncan as the greatest superstar.
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I think it's likely that James will go down as being better than Duncan when it's all said and done, but Duncan should be ahead of both Shaq and Bryant on the all-time list. He isn't top 5 all-time, but he's in that 6-10 range. It's criminal how underrated he really is.
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To both of you
:clap:
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Tim Duncan is the GOAT of nonchalant greatness.
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I love Tim Duncan.
I love this gif:
(https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4193875/adioslance.gif)
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Wade's face :lol
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(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5wAtqbggB9E/UzTI886gj2I/AAAAAAAAEBU/2fzOFxYMwwU/s1600/lances+gonna+lance+faster.gif)
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I love watching the Spurs play, it almost seems like they could do it with their eyes closed
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Miami has officially coasted to the #1 seed :rollin
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And all is right with the world
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I know it is a bit early now, but if I have a vote, the COY has to be Tom Thibodeau! No D Rose, no more Nate or Deng? No problem, the Bulls are still right up there in the standing, wow! Otherwise, Jeff Hornacek would be my next choice. Also, I think Dwane Casey of the Raptors is equally deserving. The Raptors started off poorly (6-12), but they began winning after they traded away Gay and went on a 36-20 run since. I don't care if they are in the East, they basically have no star power up there in Toronto. Their leading scorer is DeMar DeRozan for crying out loud. What's your top 3 COY choices?
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I'm gonna go with the obvious choice of Popovic, the Spurs continue to play incredible basketball, all the new team members have adjusted perfectly to the system and the team was able to overcome a rough couple of month where every single starter got injured and sometimes more than one at the time. Plus they are on a record season so yeah.
Second I'd go for Dwane Casey since as Azyiu points out, their team sucks and still they are able to maintain that 3rd place in the East.
Third I'd probably put Kevin Mchale, The Rockets have been playing some good basketball and Harden and Howard seem to be getting along pretty good.
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Looking like it's going to be Miami and Toronto in the ECF. The Pacers are worse than garbage right now honestly they might lose to The Bobcats in the first round :lol
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Yep, after seeing Hibbert sit out the whole second half yesterday it's pretty clear there are issues in that locker room
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Congrats to Steve Nash for passing Mark Jackson, and becomes the #3 all-time assists leader.
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Congrats as well to Dirk, now the #10 all-time scorer in league history.
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Instead of saying "LOL @ Pacers", it would have been too easy and pointless; I am actually interested to know what is going on with Roy Hibbert? I recall someone here kind of mentioned it last year that, the Pacers could go as far as Hibbert keeps playing like an All-star; and he did last year. This season? Not at all thus far, so what is wrong with him? At times this season he looks lost on the court, or simply not even being a part of the offense. Like tonight, he was a complete NON-factor @ Heat. Seriously, if Hibbert can't fire himself up for the playoffs, the Pacers won't go far, period!
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dear paul pierce
i h8 u
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Hibbert with 5 points and 1 rebound against Miami :lol
If Andrea Bargnani didn't exist Hibbert would be the worst center in the NBA.
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I thought the Pacers were the best roster in the league and would at least win the east. Especially after the Turner trade.
I don't know if I've ever been more wrong about anything.
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I fell asleep way too early and missed the game. MFW I wake up (https://i.imgur.com/XHYBroj.jpg)
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In the previous game against Miami Hibbert was one of the deciding factors because the defense couldn't figure out how to stop him. Last night he got double teamed every time he had the ball which is all merit for miami but you also need to take into account that over the last couple of weeks he has been complaining that he's not getting the ball enough so I think there are some issues in the locker room right now which are causing this slump.
If things continue to be like this Indiana won't make it to the conference finals.
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I won't be surprised if they get eliminated in the first round. They wouldn't get swept obviously.
Then again, they may turn things around and explode post-season. Fuck the Pacers.
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I'm not buying into the Pacers. I know the East is super weak, but I just don't think Indiana is THAT good. I think they were great earlier this season, but something tells me they're going to lose early. The Bulls, I think are playing well and it would not surprise me if they won the East.
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What in the world happened to Hibbert?
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I never bought the Pacers as the team to beat in the East. Sure, they had a great start to the season, but it's almost like they were so dead set on getting the 1 seed so they wouldn't have to go to Miami for a possible Game 7 again that they were clueless as to how to pace themselves over the course of the entire season, and now they looked burned out and gassed. It's like they forgot that it's a marathon, not a sprint.
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Don't you think it's a bit more than they might be tired, though? Things are breaking down at every level. It's just so weird.
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I never bought the Pacers as the team to beat in the East. Sure, they had a great start to the season, but it's almost like they were so dead set on getting the 1 seed so they wouldn't have to go to Miami for a possible Game 7 again that they were clueless as to how to pace themselves over the course of the entire season, and now they looked burned out and gassed. It's like they forgot that it's a marathon, not a sprint.
:biggrin:
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Definitely seems like some locker room issues as well.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/232910/Amare-Knicks-Might-Be-Best-Team-In-NBA-On-Paper
Knick's players are just as delusional as their fans :rollin
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It's a bit far fetched but looking strictly at their roster you would think they'd be competing for the top sport in the east. You have 2 top notch scores in Carmelo and JR smith, you have 2 great defensive players in Shumpert and Chandler, Amare can provide both rebounds and scoring, Felton is a very good shooter. Hardaway has proven to be a good scorer coming from the bench, Prigioni provides a more well thought offence as well as more defense than Felton, K mart is old but still a good presence in the paint so strictly on paper they are a fantastic team.
Their problem lies in their system and how they are not able to put all that individual talent in favor of the team which if you ask me is more an issue with Mike Woodson being a lousy coach than the players themselves.
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IF ONLY BARGNANI WAS HEALTHY THE KNICKS WOULD WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
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:lol
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Steph Curry is 19 threes away from breaking his own record for most 3pm in a season. It's unlikely since they only have 2 games left, but if anyone could basically make 10 3's in back to back games it's Curry. I would love to seem him just go Kobe or Melo mode and chuck for it.
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They haven't secured the 6th spot yet so I don't think Curry will try to break a record risking having to play OKC or the Spurs in the first round, that would be pretty stupid
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I have to say as a Spurs fan, The Warriors match up pretty well against us. I'm more worried about them than I am the Clippers or Rockets .
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Pacers clinch Eastern Conference 1st seed.
lol Heat
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lol oh well Lebron will be Finals MVP anyway
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Yeah the Pacers will be lucky if they even make it to the ECF :lol
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lol oh well Lebron will be Finals MVP anyway
Unless the Heat of a '98 Bulls type performance in them, the western conference champion is winning the finals. Heat of regressed. Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers have all gotten better.
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Heat just need rest. I'm not denying the powerhouses in the west, but come playoff time Miami should be firing on all cylinders. Should be.
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Don't write off the Bulls yet. They've been playing some mayor basketball lately. I wouldn't be surprised if they made it to the ECF and even win there.
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Pacers clinch Eastern Conference 1st seed.
lol Heat
Who is the Celtics likely first round playoff opponent?
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Curry with 7 3PM in last nights game now he just needs to tie the NBA record for most 3PM in a game to break his regular season record. They probably won't play him the final game of the season though would have been cool to see if he could do it if given the green light to just chuck a bunch of 3's.
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Bucks fans have never been happier.
Now if we can just get a new owner and a new arena.
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Pacers clinch Eastern Conference 1st seed.
lol Heat
Who is the Celtics likely first round playoff opponent?
No one.
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Pacers clinch Eastern Conference 1st seed.
lol Heat
Who is the Celtics likely first round playoff opponent?
Needs to be done sir. I just wished they got in the top 3 for the balls. Best I think is a tied 4th.
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I'm a Hawks fan but I really enjoy the Western conference, and I'd love to see Portland make a run, but they just don't have much depth.
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Needs to be done sir. I just wished they got in the top 3 for the balls. Best I think is a tied 4th.
This season though has been really embarrassing:
- Rondo wasn't the guy he needed to be this season (for reasons unrelated to birthdaygate)
- I like Stevens, but he's shown some real flaws. The offensive sets are not good. And while I like that his coaching is basically applied Roman Stoicism, I'm not totally sure it's the right approach with NBA players. In general too, the team's just been sloppy.
- Sullinger and Green hurt my brain.
The only bright spot is Olynyk, who's really coming on.
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Playoffs are going to be so good this year. My Raptors could be in the second round...
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I'm pulling for the Raps. Lowry for PM.
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Pacers clinch Eastern Conference 1st seed.
lol Heat
Who is the Celtics likely first round playoff opponent?
No one.
Exactly. Which is why you saying "lol Heat" is hilarious. When your team sucks, you probably shouldn't be mocking a team for only finishing 2nd in the conference. It'd be like a Raider fan giving me, a Broncos fan, shit after the Super Bowl. Like, really?? :lol :lol
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Exactly. Which is why you saying "lol Heat" is hilarious. When your team sucks, you probably shouldn't be mocking a team for only finishing 2nd in the conference. It'd be like a Raider fan giving me, a Broncos fan, shit after the Super Bowl. Like, really?? :lol :lol
True. When you consider that the Celtics actually beat the Heat twice this season, it's clear that both teams were on about the same level. You have to hold both teams to the same set of standards.
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Needs to be done sir. I just wished they got in the top 3 for the balls. Best I think is a tied 4th.
This season though has been really embarrassing:
- Rondo wasn't the guy he needed to be this season (for reasons unrelated to birthdaygate)
- I like Stevens, but he's shown some real flaws. The offensive sets are not good. And while I like that his coaching is basically applied Roman Stoicism, I'm not totally sure it's the right approach with NBA players. In general too, the team's just been sloppy.
- Sullinger and Green hurt my brain.
The only bright spot is Olynyk, who's really coming on.
I think some of Rondo's immaturity is how he played as a leader and the B-day party was a microcosm of it.
Stevens was dealt shit this year and I think until they were out of the playoffs he has them playing hard.
Green has always hurt my brain. 40 point one night and 5 the next. Crazy. I like Sully. He's still young so lets see his game 3 years from now.
Olynyk has been a bright spot this year. Love to see him with another year under his belt.
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I mean how much can you really critique a team that is trying to lose games?
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I missed this bday party thing. What happened?
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I mean how much can you really critique a team that is trying to lose games?
They weren't. That's the problem.
I missed this bday party thing. What happened?
After their away game at the Lakers, Rondo told Brad Stevens that he wasn't going to be at the game the day after in order to spend his Birthday with his family. While Rondo wasn't playing in back-to-backs (team/coach decision), he had been on the bench with the team almost every game unless he had a rehab session to attend. It was expected that he continue to do this.
The specific circumstances are hazy - apparently the policy under Stevens was that you had to ask to skip out on a game you weren't going to play, and Rondo either didn't know or openly didn't care.
It was publicly exacerbated by Rondo not being even slightly apologetic and Ainge fanning the flames a bit by saying it wasn't resolved after Stevens already said it was.
The crux of the issue is that Rondo put himself before the team.
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When you consider that the Celtics actually beat the Heat twice this season, it's clear that both teams were on about the same level. You have to hold both teams to the same set of standards.
Joking, right?
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With ReaP, you never know. :lol :lol
It really is too bad he wasn't around last year when LBJ was beasting his way to a 2nd ring. His forced criticism would have been entertaining. :biggrin:
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I mean.
Brad Stevens wasn't trying to lose games. Their players weren't trying to lose games. But I'm sure the Celtics FO isn't exactly beating itself up about the losing season and the nice draft pick they'll be able to use this summer.
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When you consider that the Celtics actually beat the Heat twice this season, it's clear that both teams were on about the same level. You have to hold both teams to the same set of standards.
Joking, right?
Not at all. The Heat have 29 more wins basically because of luck.
It really is too bad he wasn't around last year when LBJ was beasting his way to a 2nd ring. His forced criticism would have been entertaining. :biggrin:
LeBron is a PR genius. He went crazy in the OKC series and won it in five. People cared that he got his first ring, but beating a clearly inferior team in five games doesn't get people excited. If he played his best basketball the whole San Antonio series, the Heat might have won in six or even five games. Nice resume builder, but again, it doesn't have any magic to it. So, by holding out, he increased the drama of the series. If LeBron had had that masterful 37 point game seven earlier, the impact wouldn't have been the same. By milking it as long as possible, LeBron successfully increased the perception of his greatness.
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I mean.
Brad Stevens wasn't trying to lose games. Their players weren't trying to lose games. But I'm sure the Celtics FO isn't exactly beating itself up about the losing season and the nice draft pick they'll be able to use this summer.
I think you're right. The Celtics weren't tanking but management couldn't expect the team to perform a lot better after having traded all the good players. Rebuilding seasons are usually this bad
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When you consider that the Celtics actually beat the Heat twice this season, it's clear that both teams were on about the same level. You have to hold both teams to the same set of standards.
Joking, right?
Not at all. The Heat have 29 more wins basically because of luck.
It really is too bad he wasn't around last year when LBJ was beasting his way to a 2nd ring. His forced criticism would have been entertaining. :biggrin:
LeBron is a PR genius. He went crazy in the OKC series and won it in five. People cared that he got his first ring, but beating a clearly inferior team in five games doesn't get people excited. If he played his best basketball the whole San Antonio series, the Heat might have won in six or even five games. Nice resume builder, but again, it doesn't have any magic to it. So, by holding out, he increased the drama of the series. If LeBron had had that masterful 37 point game seven earlier, the impact wouldn't have been the same. By milking it as long as possible, LeBron successfully increased the perception of his greatness.
This is some of the weakest, stinkiest bait I've seen in some time. If you are gonna go fishing, at least throw out some non-stinky bait for others to grab on to. :lol :lol
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Did I miss the meeting when Reap announced his transition from borderline-delusional "Rondo is the NBA's best PG" guy to outright troll?
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I'm staying out of this. :lol
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I am enjoying how basically everyone in the East is doing their level best to make sure that, in some round or another, they're going to face the Raptors. :rollin
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Did I miss the meeting when Reap announced his transition from borderline-delusional "Rondo is the NBA's best PG" guy to outright troll?
This is a preposterous allegation.
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Reap is just venting his disappointment, I'd probably do the same if the team I root for did as poorly as the celtics.... :neverusethis:
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Reap is just venting his disappointment, I'd probably do the same if the team I root for did as poorly as the celtics.... :neverusethis:
It was a disappointing season, but my overall feeling is positive. Stevens has his flaws, but he also has a lot going for him. In spite of Rondo's flaws, he also made some important steps forward in his work ethic and his game. Sully's only in his second year, and Green's contract isn't a disaster. Plus, we have the assets to make a huge trade. And...
DRAFT LOTTERY!!!
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https://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10790404/milwaukee-bucks-announce-sale-team
The Milwaukee Bucks will announce later Wednesday that longtime owner Herb Kohl has reached an agreement to sell the team to hedge-fund billionaires Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry for a purchase price of $550 million, according to sources familiar with the transaction.
Sources told ESPN.com that the deal, subject to league approval, will be confirmed in an afternoon news conference.
Kohl, the longtime U.S. senator, made keeping the team in Milwaukee a condition of the sale.
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I too think there are positive signs but I am not as upbeat on Rondo as Reap is. They have so many #1 draft picks that Ainge will be the gunslinger he is the next few years. I also believe that if they don't get a big name player Rondo will move on. At his age rebuilding is not an option and he is in his prime.
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I too think there are positive signs but I am not as upbeat on Rondo as Reap is. They have so many #1 draft picks that Ainge will be the gunslinger he is the next few years. I also believe that if they don't get a big name player Rondo will move on. At his age rebuilding is not an option and he is in his prime.
This is the one big unfortunate reality.
If Ainge drafts Wiggins or Emiid and/or he trades for a superstar like Love, it will be in both Rondo's and the Celtics' interest for him to resign.
If the Celtics don't make a big leap this off-season, they have a real problem. If they don't trade Rondo, then they're forced to make a big trade in the 2015 off-season if they want to keep him, which isn't a smart risk to take. In that case, you almost have to trade him in the 2014 - 2015 season. That kind of desperation pushes his value down.
There are only two ways out of this:
1. Rondo becomes 2012 Eastern Conference finals Rondo again, which makes him good enough that free agents would actually want to come to Boston. But that's also not a wise chance for the Celtics to take. And even if he does find that level during the regular season, that means his trade value is high. Better to do the sure thing and get assets for him than risk him walking in free agency.
2. Make a mid-season trade next year. For example, the Wolves seem pretty adamant about not letting Love go. Maybe by the trade deadline next year the signs he's leaving will become too obvious to ignore.
Ultimately, both Ainge and ownership have tough choices to make soon. Ownership wants a quick rebuild, but it might not be feasible. Also, while the high draft position this year is nice, the problem with having such a bad season is that no one's trade value is that spectacular. The Celtics have a lot of good assets, but right now they'd all be sold below their potential value.
But whatever. I'd rather be positive about it. The Celtics have a lot of options, which is a good problem to have.
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Hey guys the Mavs are in. Fuck yeah!
*slinks back into the shadows*
-J
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Always glad to see Dirk in the playoffs. Who will they play?
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It's looking like OKC I think, although if they lose to Memphis tonight they could end up playing the Spurs.
In other words, a likely first round exit regardless. :lol
-J
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https://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10790404/milwaukee-bucks-announce-sale-team
The Milwaukee Bucks will announce later Wednesday that longtime owner Herb Kohl has reached an agreement to sell the team to hedge-fund billionaires Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry for a purchase price of $550 million, according to sources familiar with the transaction.
Sources told ESPN.com that the deal, subject to league approval, will be confirmed in an afternoon news conference.
Kohl, the longtime U.S. senator, made keeping the team in Milwaukee a condition of the sale.
there is much rejoicing going on amongst the hundreds of Bucks fans everywhere!
Seriously though, this is a really exciting time for the Bucks franchise. It's like we've been given a re-boot. New Owner, most likely new arena, gm, coach and add a good chance at the #1 pick in the draft this summer. Hopefully they don't screw it up.
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Playoffs are on! How about some predictions?
East:
Ind-Atl: 4-2
Chi-Was: 4-2
Tor-Bkn: 3-4
Mia-Cha: 4-0
West:
Sas-Dal: 4-1
Hou-Por: 4-2
Lac-Gsw: 2-4
Okc-Mem: 4-2
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Almost all of those western series are going to be fun and interesting to watch!
The Warriors vs. Clippers series, for example, the series hasn't even started; guys are already running their mouths. I expect to see some very physical plays in THAT series!
The Spurs / Mavs series, sure, I think the Spurs will eventually win it; but it WON'T be an easy first round series! I expect each game will be ultra close. Both teams have some match up nightmares for the other, and it will be a series all about who's going to our coach the other.
As for the Grizzlies / Thunder series, same thing, ultra close in each game; but I think Scotty Brooks is a slightly better coach than David Joerger at this point, although I really like the Grizzlies as of late.
Interestingly, the Blazers / Rockets series is the one series I care for the least among all of those western match ups.
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Playoffs are on! How about some predictions?
East:
Ind-Atl: 4-2
Chi-Was: 4-2
Tor-Bkn: 3-4
Mia-Cha: 4-0
West:
Sas-Dal: 4-1
Hou-Por: 4-2
Lac-Gsw: 2-4
Okc-Mem: 4-2
Damn, Clippers out in the first round again? That would be so brutal :lol
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East:
Ind-Atl 4-3 (If Al Horford wasn't injured this would be a first round exit for The Pacers)
Chi-Was 4-2
Tor-Bkn 3-4 (Could easily go the other way, but Pierce and KG want Miami they won't lose before that)
Mia-Cha 4-1 (Big Al is going to go off in this series, but thats only good for maybe 1 win)
Ind-Chi 2-4 (Better coach and better team)
Mia-Bkn 4-2 (The Heat will continue their domination over Pierce and KG)
Mia-Chi 4-1 (Chicago wins the first game and Miami gentlemen sweeps them)
West:
Sas-Dal 4-2 (Should be a good series, but Duncan and the Spurs are on a mission this year)
Hou-Por 4-3 (Harden flops his way into the 2nd round)
Lac-Gsw 4-3 (Easily the best 1st round series, and it could end up being the best of series of the playoffs. If Gs still had Lee and Bogut they could probably win this, but without them BG is going to feast on Gs.)
Okc-Mem 4-1 (If Memphis still had Hollins this would go 7 because he can coach circles around Brooks)
Sas-Hou 4-2 (Harden and Manu will have a flopping competition of epic proportion.)
Okc-Lac 4-3 (Doc Rivers will out coach Brooks easily, but Brooks has Kevin Durant to bail him out)
Sas-Okc 4-3 (Regular season means nothing here nobody is stopping Tim Duncan from getting back to the Finals. Also Greg Popovich.)
Mia-Sas 4-3 (LeBron James)
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I think people are underestimating the Raps' home-court advantage. I think it's going to give them the edge they need to "upset" the Nets.
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Mia-Sas 4-3 (LeBron James)
Who is not the big factor that he was last season. If my Spurs and the Heat see each other again in the Finals, the Spurs will win. We've added strong pieces in Marco Belinelli, and Patty Mills is a very strong supporting player off the bench. Ginobli is playing better this season than he did last season, and he, Duncan, Parker, Leonard have unstoppable.
I'll the give the heat game 6 of last years playoffs because of a rare error from Coach Pop for sitting Duncan the last minute who was a rebounding machine that game. This year, that shit ain't gonna happen.
Go Spurs.
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My NBA over/under predictions from the beginning of the seasons:
Heat - 60 - over - wrong - I'm disappointed in myself.
Clippers - 57 - over - wrong - I didn’t think they’d take so long to pick up steam.
Bulls - 56.5 - over - wrong - So that happened...
Spurs - 55.5 - over - right - The Spurs machine rolls on.
Rockets - 54.5 - over - wrong - So close.
Pacers - 53.5 - over - right - Barely.
Nets - 52.5 - over - wrong - I thought they'd be who they are now from the beginning.
Thunder - 50.5 - over - right - Damn.
Warriors - 49.5 - over - right - Again, barely.
Knicks - 49.5 - under - right - High fiving myself for this one.
Grizzlies - 49 - under - wrong - Bravo to the Grizz. Especially with Gasol's injury.
Nuggets - 47 - under - right - Called it.
Mavericks - 44 - under - wrong - Happy to be wrong here.
Wizards - 42 - under - wrong - They rebounded really well.
Pistons - 41 - over - wrong - Embarassingly bad by me.
Wolves - 41 - over - wrong - You gotta finish tight games man.
Cavs - 40.5 - over - wrong - Not sure how I feel about this
Hawks - 40 - under - right - I only got this because Horford went down.
Pelicans - 40 - under - right - This team was hard to believe in.
Blazers - 38.5 - under - wrong - Epicly wrong.
Raptors - 36.5 - under - wrong - I won't blame myself for this. They were terrible before they traded Gay.
Lakers - 33.5 - under - right - Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm
Kings - 31.5 - under - right - Not much of an accomplishment.
Bucks - 28.5 - under - right - Yeah!
Celtics - 27.5 - over - wrong - They were who Vegas thought they were
Bobcats - 27.5 - under - wrong - Their coach turned out to be great.
Jazz - 27.5 - under - right - I was saved here by Burke's early season injury.
Magic - 24.5 - over - wrong - Close, but not quite.
Suns - 21.5 - under - wrong - lol
76ers - 16.5 - under - wrong - Got killed by their three early season wins.
Right - 12
Wrong - 18
Terrible.
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I think people are underestimating the Raps' home-court advantage. I think it's going to give them the edge they need to "upset" the Nets.
It's probably more of a case of no one ever talking about them, so everyone assumes they are easy pickings.
Mia-Sas 4-3 (LeBron James)
Who is not the big factor that he was last season. If my Spurs and the Heat see each other again in the Finals, the Spurs will win. We've added strong pieces in Marco Belinelli, and Patty Mills is a very strong supporting player off the bench. Ginobli is playing better this season than he did last season, and he, Duncan, Parker, Leonard have unstoppable.
I'll the give the heat game 6 of last years playoffs because of a rare error from Coach Pop for sitting Duncan the last minute who was a rebounding machine that game. This year, that shit ain't gonna happen.
Go Spurs.
He's still the best player in the world, though (even if Durant will be the MVP).
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I'd be shocked if Miami won the title this year. The problem isn't LeBron (he was coasting all year and will turn it up starting Sunday); it's that their role players from last year are either gone (Miller) or old as f!@# (Allen, Battier). Plus you have no idea what you're getting from Wade.
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I'd be shocked if Miami won the title this year. The problem isn't LeBron (he was coasting all year and will turn it up starting Sunday); it's that their role players from last year are either gone (Miller) or old as f!@# (Allen, Battier). Plus you have no idea what you're getting from Wade.
Agreed for the most part, yet I think Wade, Allen and Battier will be fine in the playoffs. Rather, I wonder what their bench and other guys like Chalmers, Beasley and how about Oden and Lewis can bring to the table. They won their last 2 titles with intense D and great / timely productions from those "lesser" guys; but based on the regular season this year, I just don't see those other guys can bring it.
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I'd be shocked if Miami won the title this year. The problem isn't LeBron (he was coasting all year and will turn it up starting Sunday); it's that their role players from last year are either gone (Miller) or old as f!@# (Allen, Battier). Plus you have no idea what you're getting from Wade.
Also, San Antonio and OKC got better.
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Steve Nash -- Grantland's Finish Line Eps. 4:
Dinner With Dirk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VePNq-V_wxk)
This was great!
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Does anyone have a read on how the Bulls Wizards series will go down?
The Wizards have the better roster, but the intangibles favor the Bulls so strongly.
Both teams are theoretically close enough for this to be a seven game series, but I can also imagine one or both teams either hugely over or under performing expectations and the series ending in four or five games. I don't get it.
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Haven't watched the Wizards this year. Are they really that good? I would assume Bulls no question.
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Dinner With Dirk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VePNq-V_wxk)
Opening it for discussion here bc they brought it up in the above clip: what would the Mavs have been able to accomplish if Cuban had decided to pay Nash in 2004?
Do the Mavs at least win it in 06? Do they possibly claim 07 too (when they had the league's best record and Dirk's MVP year)? Subquestion: assuming the 2011 Mavs had kept Chandler and then been able to pull in a Deron Williams, could they have made another run in 2012 or 13?
I will continue to maintain that letting those two players walk in 04 (Nash) and 11 (Chandler) were huge F-ups by Cuban -- and I'm a Cuban fan!
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In retrospect, letting Chandler go was indefensible.
Cuban had a very important insight - The 2011 team wasn't winning another ring. But he was too willing to gamble on either DWill or Howard signing in Dallas. By keeping Chandler he:
(a) Would have had, along with Dirk, two really attractive potential teammates for free agents.
(b) One of the best trade assets in the league.
Yeah, keeping Chandler would have been expensive. But he's a good enough player to justify the money.
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^ It's pretty much an established fact that only the Joe Johnson trade convinced D-Will to resign in Brooklyn, and that was AFTER Chandler had been allowed to leave Dallas. Mavs keep Chandler and D-Will no doubt comes to Dallas. Then you could possibly even let Chandler walk after another season or trade him -- and then sign Dwight Howard too. Can you say BIG 3??? Wouldn't that have been an amazing Finals rematch with the Heat?
I don't want to think about this anymore...
EDIT: yes, I know both Dirk and Howard were hurt with significant injuries in the 2012-13 season, but, since this is my speculation, I'm gonna pretend they would not have gotten hurt in my scenario.
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^ It's pretty much an established fact that only the Joe Johnson trade convinced D-Will to resign in Brooklyn, and that was AFTER Chandler had been allowed to leave Dallas. Mavs keep Chandler and D-Will no doubt comes to Dallas. Then you could possibly even let Chandler walk after another season or trade him -- and then sign Dwight Howard too. Can you say BIG 3??? Wouldn't that have been an amazing Finals rematch with the Heat?
I'm not sure keeping Chandler would have made D-Will coming to Dallas a sure thing. The dude's judgment is clearly suspect if he was eager to play with Joe Johnson for Christ's sake. However, not paying up for Chandler was still a huge mistake, even if not for that reason alone.
That was a great video by the way. Dirk seems to be a pretty no-bullshit dude.
-J
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Playoff predictions:
Clippers > Warriors in Six
Even without Bogut, the Warriors feel very threatening.
Thunder > Grizzlies in Six
The Grizz are sneaky good, but the Thunder are just better. And they have enough experience not to play around and find themselves in a game seven.
Spurs > Mavericks in Five
Dirk will win the Mavs a game.
Rockets > Blazers in Six
The Rockets are definitely the better team, but they're hard to trust. They should win in five, but they'll give up a game they shouldn't have.
Heat > Bobcats in Five
Big Al will win a game for the Bobcats.
Bulls > Wizards in Seven
Noah's the best player, and I have a hard time believing the Wizards are ready.
Nets > Raptors in Six
The Nets have the roster and veteran experience to end this one without going to game 7.
Pacers > Hawks in Six
The Pacers have such a better roster, but they aren't trustworthy until they play a few consecutive games of good Basketball.
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https://instagram.com/p/m-l6tRSstd/
:lol :lol :lol
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I love the pace of the Nets @ Raptors first half, but I do not like the way the Raptors are playing. At times they play like they are out of control!
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This Toronto crowd is absolutely insane. So pumped for them. Hopefully they come out in the 2nd half with a bit more composure.
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Toronto might have passed Golden State for the best fans in the NBA. They have thousands of fans outside watching the game on the big screen, and the crowd inside is just insane.
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If only DeRozan would snap out of it.
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If only DeRozan would snap out of it.
He is forcing things thus far... the Raptors have better turn to Lowry and Valanciunas if they want to win game 1.
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The Truth! Are you kidding me?!
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fucking paul pierce.
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What a freakin SLOPPY game the beginning of this LAC/GSW game is! :facepalm:
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https://instagram.com/p/m-l6tRSstd/
:lol :lol :lol
MASAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
But yeah, when it came down to it Brooklyn handled themselves better. Experience matters.
On the other hand, Toronto has a lot of room to clean up their play. If they could pull off some combination of better shooting, DeRozen finding his best rhythm, fewer turnovers, and better passing, they can really compete with Brooklyn as the series goes on. It's not over.
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Holy shit these refs in the LAC vs GSW game need to chill out they're literally calling everything an offensive foul completely ruining the game. :tdwn
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Holy shit these refs in the LAC vs GSW game need to chill out they're literally calling everything an offensive foul completely ruining the game. :tdwn
Awful reffing. Since it's Warriors vs. Clippers, they decided they needed to 'keep the series under control.' Haven't the refs ruined enough games this way for the league to make them back off on this?
Still, very worrying loss for the Clippers.
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Anyone watching the Hawks dismantling of the Pacers? :eek
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Anyone watching the Hawks dismantling of the Pacers? :eek
I didn't see the game, but good lord.
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Anyone watching the Hawks dismantling of the Pacers? :eek
I didn't see the game, but good lord.
...and that final score is not really indicative of the slaughter it was. The Pacers brought it back to a single digit deficit in junk time. It was pretty bad.
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Go Hawks!
lulz at Roy Hibbert getting blocked TWICE by... wait for it... beast of the paint Kyle Korver!
I was really hoping that the Pacers would find themselves again, and give Miami a serious run, but they could easily lose this series to the Hawks.
Another positive besides A GA team winning is that if the Pacers lose the series, they can claim the crown of worst #1 seed implosion from my 07 Mavericks.
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The Pacers have absolutely NO sense of urgency whatsoever, as if they collectively just don't care about the series. They deserve to lose! :hat
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Good.
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If Marc Gasol didn't play like his brother during playoff time, he probably could be the best big man in the game.
Anyway, I'm thinking OKC is going to sweep. At least Memphis made it interesting in the second half
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You mean his brother that bailed Kobe out in the Finals and got robbed of a Finals MVP? If he played that good they would probably have a better chance against OKC.
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Depressing game yesterday for the Raptors. So many unforced turnovers, but you also have to give the Nets credit because they answered every Toronto run with a run of their own.
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It must make Larry Bird, who played with such heart, sick to see this Pacers team play with none.
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I was shocked by how confident the Pacers were following the loss. You don't want out-right panic but I think a sense of urgency is warranted at this point.
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Argh, Mavs like to open and close with their weakest shit. Hard to watch.
Why their offense includes so many jumpers by Devin Harris, one of the poorer jump shooters among NBA guards (and on the Mavs roster), I do not understand.
-J
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Argh, Mavs like to open and close with their weakest shit. Hard to watch. Why their offense includes so many jumpers by Devin Harris, one of the poorer jump shooters among NBA guards (and on the Mavs roster), I do not understand.
Those last few minutes were pathetic. And Dirk just didn't have a good offensive showing for whatever reason. Mavs can't win with him scoring 13 points or whatever it was. Mavs bench scored over 40 points this game, and I'm gonna say that's unlikely to happen again. Our defense actually was decent numbers-wise, but we couldn't do a thing to stop Parker.
Oh well, Mavs just aren't constructed to make any kind of playoff run right now. They need that one more player to help transform them into an elite level defense again, and I don't know who that would be. Even if it was possible in theory, I don't think Houston would ever trade Asik to their state, division, and conference rival.
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Wow! Lucky win by the Blazers at the end, but they fought really hard most of the game though. :hat
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420blazerf****t!
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(https://www.pageqsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Roy-Hibbert-Gmail-Inbox.jpg)
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Mike Woodson was fired, and Rick Adelman just announced he is going to retire.
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Rick Adelman just announced he is going to retire.
Shame. He ran a lot of really cool sets with the Wolves. But from what I understand, there was a lot of personal tragedy in his life. I'm not sure his heart was totally in it.
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Ty Corbin's contract expired this year and won't be renewed. Jazz looking for new head coach.
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Mike Woodson was fired
I read somewhere that Steve Kerr will be replacing him. Not sure how that will work but Woodson was a horrible coach and I can't think that someone will do a worst job with the Knicks current Roster
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Mike Woodson was fired
I read somewhere that Steve Kerr will be replacing him. Not sure how that will work but Woodson was a horrible coach and I can't think that someone will do a worst job with the Knicks current Roster
Pretty much.
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Really good Grizzlies vs. Thunder game.
Thunder are in real trouble. The Grizzlies have a limited roster, but use it surprisingly well. The Thunder have a lot of talent, but the stuff they run on offense is just so bad.
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Really good Grizzlies vs. Thunder game.
Thunder are in real trouble. The Grizzlies have a limited roster, but use it surprisingly well. The Thunder have a lot of talent, but the stuff they run on offense is just so bad.
I really enjoy watching KD, but personally I like the Grizzlies as a team slightly better. Fear the bear! :lol
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Congrats to Pop for his COY award. Go Spurs!
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About time they get the CoY award right.
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Atta boy, Coach Pop! What a classy guy, leading a classy franchise that have had a winning season ever since the '97-'98 season. I know he will always be attached with the San Antonio's big three in Duncan, Ginobli, and Paker, but He's coached some amazing players that including the legendary David Robinson (my all time favorite player), and Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot, Vinny del Negro, Will Perdue, Steve Kerr, Bruce Bowen, and Robert Horry. I know the Spurs have been known as a "boring team", but I don't care. I love watching them. I'm very proud to be a Spurs fan, and watching this team excel and define what winning is all about :metal
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Atta boy, Coach Pop! What a classy guy, leading a classy franchise that have had a winning season ever since the '97-'98 season. I know he will always be attached with the San Antonio's big three in Duncan, Ginobli, and Paker, but He's coached some amazing players that including the legendary David Robinson (my all time favorite player), and Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot, Vinny del Negro, Will Perdue, Steve Kerr, Bruce Bowen, and Robert Horry. I know the Spurs have been known as a "boring team", but I don't care. I love watching them. I'm very proud to be a Spurs fan, and watching this team excel and define what winning is all about :metal
I don't think so. When I think of Pop as a coach what immediately comes to mind is the way he is able to get the role players to produce at a great level which is why the Spurs are so good. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili don't have the production that Wade, Lebron and Bosh have and yet they were able to get the top seed in the NBA and why they've been able to be at such a high level for so many years. Look at Danny Green, before going to SA he was just a mediocre player but after being with Pop he's become a great defensive team, a mayor thread from the 3pt line and also a guy that can penetrate and pass the ball when needed. Another great example is Belinelli, he had a good ending of last season but since he's in the Spurs his level has risen significantly.
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I agree, and that's what I meant. Similar to how Jackson's named is paired up with Jordan or Kobe, Pop's name will be paired with Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker, and as I listed, he has also many great players who played at a high level under him
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Jeff Hornacek placed second and Tom Thibodeau finished third.
Steve Clifford, Dwane Casey, Terry Stotts, Doc Rivers, Scott Brooks, Mark Jackson and Jason Kidd rounded out the top-10.
Why does the media keep overrating Scott Brooks? He's closer to the bottom 5 coaches in the league than top 10 :lol
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(https://i.imgur.com/Cv8VzQZ.png)
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Free throws killed Brooklyn, especially by Mason Plumlee. Should be an interesting, even series here on out though!
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Down 0-2 and heading to DC for the next two games, are the Bulls doomed?
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Down 0-2 and heading to DC for the next two games, are the Bulls doomed?
No, but you don't win two games in Chicago without being a legitimately good basketball team. Washington's doing a great job proving themselves. After a couple years of struggling in so many ways, it's impossible not to feel good for them.
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Very likely, the Wizards are just too athletic for them. Plus they have a reliable scorer, something that Chicago sorely lacks.
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Yes. YES CHICAGO, FALL DOWN
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Atta boy, Coach Pop! What a classy guy, leading a classy franchise that have had a winning season ever since the '97-'98 season. I know he will always be attached with the San Antonio's big three in Duncan, Ginobli, and Paker, but He's coached some amazing players that including the legendary David Robinson (my all time favorite player), and Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot, Vinny del Negro, Will Perdue, Steve Kerr, Bruce Bowen, and Robert Horry. I know the Spurs have been known as a "boring team", but I don't care. I love watching them. I'm very proud to be a Spurs fan, and watching this team excel and define what winning is all about :metal
I don't think so. When I think of Pop as a coach what immediately comes to mind is the way he is able to get the role players to produce at a great level which is why the Spurs are so good. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili don't have the production that Wade, Lebron and Bosh have and yet they were able to get the top seed in the NBA and why they've been able to be at such a high level for so many years. Look at Danny Green, before going to SA he was just a mediocre player but after being with Pop he's become a great defensive team, a mayor thread from the 3pt line and also a guy that can penetrate and pass the ball when needed. Another great example is Belinelli, he had a good ending of last season but since he's in the Spurs his level has risen significantly.
I'm not so sure I agree that Danny Green was ever 'just a mediocre player', I just don't think anyone knew how to utilize his strengths without letting his weaknesses get in the way. Pop's ability to take a guy who seemingly wasn't going to have a career in the league, and turn him into a record-setting 3 point threat, highlights his strength as a coach. Giving the right guys a chance when most won't, and getting those right guys to buy into the system. Hopefully this loss tonight was just a minor bump in the road.
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20 years ago today, my boy David Robinson dropped 71 pts on the Clippers :metal
(https://cdn.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/david_robinson_71.jpg)
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If the Grizz and Blazers both win, isn't this the ultimate vindication for intelligent play over talent?
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Either that or that the East is just a joke.
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What would that have to do with the East?
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Nothing at all :lol :lol
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or a vindication of good coaching, idk
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Win or lose, I am impressed by the Grizzlies alot! Love this team.
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(https://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/sad-bird-3.gif?w=510)
U MAD LARRY BIRD?
(https://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/teague-sorry.gif?w=510)
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:lol
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Win or lose, I am impressed by the Grizzlies alot! Love this team.
I didn't realize how well the Grizzlies matched up against OKC until I watched the game last night. It's impossible to guard Kevin Durant, but Tony Allen is throwing a wrench in KDs game. An incredible perimeter defender to watch.
And props to Conley for winning the Sportsmanship award!
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Expected result in Brooklyn, but man, the Raptors kept missing their FTs toward the end... :tdwn
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Even when the Clippers had the day off, they still managed to make the headlines.
https://www.tmz.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-clippers-owner-black-people-racist-audio-magic-johnson/ (https://www.tmz.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-clippers-owner-black-people-racist-audio-magic-johnson/)
Donald Sterling up to his old antics... and shame on him!
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What a fucking creep
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK1IgqTNV1M
I don't know how to describe this.
There's no way he can be allowed to keep owning the Clippers, right?
EDIT 1: Deadspin: Your Complete Quotable Guide To Decades Of Donald Sterling's Racism (https://deadspin.com/your-complete-quotable-guide-to-decades-of-donald-sterl-1568047212)
None of these moments were good enough to kick him out?
EDIT 2: ESPN says the audio is allegedly Donald Sterling. Come on now.
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What a dope.
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In response to Sterling's comment, Magic Johnson has said he will not attend a Clippers game as long as Sterling remains owner.
Isn't that exactly what Sterling wants?
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It would be good if, in a boycott/protest, to Sterling Paul, Jordan, Collison, Bullock, Barnes, Crawford, Davis, Dudley, Granger, Green and even Doc Rivers refuse to play/coach the next game (and the rest of the series) because of this.
I bet he would be forced to step down in a heartbeat, but it won't happen.
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The black Clippers players should just be like "our team's owner doesn't want us at the games, so, okay. We'll only play when we're away."
EDIT: Silver's speaking tonight at 8:30. I guess a decision on this is coming quickly.
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Vince for the win!!!
-J
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It would be good if, in a boycott/protest, to Sterling Paul, Jordan, Collison, Bullock, Barnes, Crawford, Davis, Dudley, Granger, Green and even Doc Rivers refuse to play/coach the next game (and the rest of the series) because of this.
I bet he would be forced to step down in a heartbeat, but it won't happen.
Don't forget Griffin bro lol. He may be bi-racial but he has black in him too.
This whole situation is disgusting. To me, every player, every coach, everyone who has a hand in the basketball operations for Los Angeles Clippers, no matter what nationality, should boycott.
Here is what Clipppers president Andy Roeser regarding the situation::
"We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape -- who we believe released it to TMZ -- is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would "get even."
The plot thickens.
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It's bullshit. They're saying "she's a gold digger" to deflect attention from Sterling's words. Nothing about his words seemed altered at all.
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Clicked the Adam Silver conference link. There's an ad on it. Classy.
EDIT: It's 9 o' clock and it hasn't started.
EDIT 2: It was mostly uninteresting:
- Sterling voluntarily won't be at LAC vs. GSW game four.
- A reporter asked Silver about Sterling being at game five on Tuesday, and if the investigation would be completed before then. Silver said something like 'we hope to conclude our investigation quickly, yes," which means we'll know before game 5.
- When asked about Sterling's previous racial problems, Silver dodged by saying he didn't really know what had happened and that the discrimination case was settled. Silver's a lawyer, so it makes sense, but it's not really a good sign either.
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Nice to hear Sandman and Sad but True during the OKC/MEM game. MEMPHTALLICA!!! :metal :metal :metal
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Nice to hear Sandman and Sad but True during the OKC/MEM game. MEMPHTALLICA!!! :metal :metal :metal
Question: Do they still play Metropolis Part 1 at the start of the 2nd half in San Antonio these days?
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Damn! The Grizzlies HAD the game toward the end of regulation... geez...
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Nice to hear Sandman and Sad but True during the OKC/MEM game. MEMPHTALLICA!!! :metal :metal :metal
Question: Do they still play Metropolis Part 1 at the start of the 2nd half in San Antonio these days?
Not sure. I usually listen for it if I'm watching at that point but I've either been working or watching other games at the start of the 2nd half for each game of this series. TGP is a better Jock Jam anyway though despite Metropolis being my favorite overall DT song.
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Pretty sure I heard Metropolis (or my friend heard it and he pointed it out) like a month ago.
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Funny picture from the Warriors game.
https://instagram.com/p/nThiMooxq1/
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:lol
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:lol
Would that be better at a hockey game?! :lol
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Have you been following the Don Sterling thing at all, king?
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Was reading up a something Simmons wrote and this was so on the money!
Q: If Phil Jackson learned the triangle offense from Tex Winter, then who was Scott Brooks’s mentor for Oklahoma City’s “Clogged Toilet” offense? Was it just Mike Brown, or were Vinny Del Negro and Mike Woodson involved as well?
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Double-dipping here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao
I don't know if the funniest thing about that video is Harden's constant "my bad" hand raising or the blatant "eh, don't care" defense attitude! :lol
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haha and that's why OKC traded him
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Have you been following the Don Sterling thing at all, king?
Just read about it today. So sad to heat about this still in todays society
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I'm usually not too surprised by humanity anymore, but an NBA owner who doesn't like blacks ... that's impressive in its own right.
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Wow... that last possession by TOR. Anyone see that? 3 offensive boards....4 missed shots. :facepalm:
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The Raptors are 1 for 16....not a typo... ONE FOR SIXTEEN in the 3rd Quarter. Sometimes you wonder how they even get to be professional.
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I'm usually not too surprised by humanity anymore, but an NBA owner who doesn't like blacks ... that's impressive in its own right.
Well It was like that in the past as well sad to say. It amazes me to this day that people are not judged by their actions alone.
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I'm usually not too surprised by humanity anymore, but an NBA owner who doesn't like blacks ... that's impressive in its own right.
Eh, it's just a rich old white guy being a rich old white guy. The whole thing is revolving around a privately taped conversation and if you taped any number of people you'd get similarly disturbing conversation. I don't agree with his statements at all but this time around it wasn't a public statement so let the guy stew in his own embarrassment instead of suspending/fining him. I find the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award even more amusing.
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I find it funny that an organization whose purpose is to look out for black people still has the word "colored" in its name.
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Three of the four Rockets vs. Blazers games have gone to OT.
EDIT: McHale's coaching for his job the next two games.
Aldridge still beasting.
Dwight's quietly having an excellent statistical series, but I don't think anyone cares because of how Aldridge is raining points.
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The Clippers/Warriors series is so fun to watch. I want both of them to go on to the next round :(
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RIP Dr. Jack Ramsay
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So was Steve Kerr hired for the Knicks head coaching job because they wanted an unquestioning yes man puppet of Phil Jackson? Dude has zero experience except a massive failure as a GM, and I'm pretty sure the highly qualified van Gundy bros were in the discussion for the job at some point.
Any Knick fans feel strongly either way about Kerr as your new coach?
-J
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So was Steve Kerr hired for the Knicks head coaching job because they wanted an unquestioning yes man puppet of Phil Jackson? Dude has zero experience except a massive failure as a GM, and I'm pretty sure the highly qualified van Gundy bros were in the discussion for the job at some point.
Any Knick fans feel strongly either way about Kerr as your new coach?
-J
Not a Knicks fan, but I do find this very suspect.
Kerr hasn't demonstrated that he has the coaching experience, leadership experience, or or the BBIQ to do this job. Eventually, Kidd was able to overcome his lack of coaching experience with leadership and hoops IQ, but what evidence do we have that Kerr has the same qualities?
I like Kerr as a person. If I were a GM I'd love to hire him as an assisstant. But a head coach? Ehhhh.....
I agree with you - I smell yes man potential here.
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I feel like over the years, I've strayed away from the Atlanta Hawks. I like Atlanta sports in general, but something about the Hawks just don't do it for me. I'm always a die hard Braves and Falcons fan, but the Hawks just don't have that same effect on me. I find it hard to be a fan of them when they don't keep anyone, I feel like they're always a transition city. Past 2 or 3 years, I've really liked the Trailblazers a lot, and I really want them to win it all this year.
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Good read, and it is good to know Silver actually do have more power than I thought.
https://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling (https://"https://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling")
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I feel like over the years, I've strayed away from the Atlanta Hawks. I like Atlanta sports in general, but something about the Hawks just don't do it for me. I'm always a die hard Braves and Falcons fan, but the Hawks just don't have that same effect on me. I find it hard to be a fan of them when they don't keep anyone, I feel like they're always a transition city. Past 2 or 3 years, I've really liked the Trailblazers a lot, and I really want them to win it all this year.
What's up with the Flames and then the short lived Thrashers? Has it been poor ownership situations? Or does Atlanta just not support hockey?
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Atlanta just isn't a good sports city period. It'll be interesting to see if their new MLS team they're getting survives.
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Atlanta just isn't a good sports city period. It'll be interesting to see if their new MLS team they're getting survives.
This surprises me...because Braves fans are INSANE...
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Good read, and it is good to know Silver actually do have more power than I thought.
https://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling (https://"https://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling")
The thing is, to some extent, Silver's power is limited by the other owners. The other owners apparently don't like Sterling, want him to sell the team, and believe he should be punished harshly for what he did. But at some point, this is a leaked private statement. The owners don't want the commissioner setting precedent for indefinite suspensions and forcing sale of the team.
Expect Sterling to be suspended from the playoffs, and 1 million dollar fine, and for Sterling/the other owners to try and push out Sterling through politics rather than brute force.
EDIT: Um.... maybe I'm reading this wrong. The Rockets owner is on record saying all the Clippers players should be made into free agents to drive Sterling out the league. (https://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2014/04/calling-sterling-comments-disgusting-leslie-alexander-seeks-to-drive-him-from-nba/) Maybe there's stronger anti-Sterling feeling from the owners than I thought. We know what Jordan thinks (no place for his racism in the league, which means no place for him).
EDIT 2: I'm starting to think Sterling won't own the team next season. Clippers sponsors are dropping like crazy. Heat protesting. You know that, if Sterling sticks around, players are going to get more and more restless. Apparently Sterling's GF has many more hours of tapes she can release. Doc suggesting he might not coach the team next year (a semi-big deal if you understand how respected he is around the league). This specific Sterling story might fade away because of the Internet's short attention span, but what happens when Sterling does something stupid again? Why does the NBA want to go through yet another news cycle like this? I suspect everyone involved is trying to figure out how to force him to sell.
EDIT 3: If Silver doesn't hand out an exceedingly harsh punishment tomorrow, 100% chance the Clippers boycott the game.
EDIT 4: Saw a great point, surprisingly, in a Reddit comment - How can this not affect the upcoming national TV deals being negotiated by the league?
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I am loving this Atlanta lead mmmmmm
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So..... even though the Spurs won that game I don't feel totally good about them.
People talk about Pop's coaching this series, and I kinda know what they mean. It felt like from a schematic standpoint the Mavs always had a bit of an edge. It felt like the Mavs had more good looks that they just missed.
The biggest thing about Pop that I'm not understanding though is that he's just being too cute with these rotations. In the regular season, it's perfect. You try a lot of different lineups and rest your stars. In the playoffs though, I don't see the rationale. Why wasn't Parker put in until there were 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter? Why was Duncan taken out with 5 minutes to go in the fourth?
The Spurs don't have the luxury here of thinking long term. If they lost that game, they would have lost the series probably. What was the upside of not playing those guys as many 4th quarter minutes as possible?
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Hawks Owner wants Sterling gone. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/clippers/2014/04/28/owners-vote-possibility-donald-sterling-out-los-angeles/8441375/)
Paul Allen (Blazers owner) calls Sterling statements unacceptable. (https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/04/trail_blazers_owner_paul_allen_weighs_in_on_donald.html)
I'm not saying these guys are acting purely out of the goodness of their heart, but I find it surprising that even from the owners themselves the reaction to Sterling is very harsh.
Normally, in a situation like this, the owners would condemn Sterling only as much as they had to for PR purposes. They'd pressure Silver to issue the minimum possible punishment necessary to placate the public reaction (playoff suspension and fine). However much they hate Sterling, they don't want to empower the commissioner to act against them if they ever were to get in a controversy of their own.
In this case, the owners don't seem to care all that much. There's a real, visceral hatred for Sterling here, even if it's just the owners acknowledging how people feel about it. Apparently, the buzz is that Silver's going to drop the hammer really hard on Sterling. Curious what he does.
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Word on the streets is no recess for a week and Fruit Rollups are gone indefinitely.
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The Spurs are going to give me a stroke at age 27. Too close for comfort, but at least we secured the win.
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NBA TV picked up an angry Pacers fan heckling at Paul George when he was complaining to the ref about a travel call. I don't blame the fan, and i agree 100% on what he said!
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2044840-heckler-gets-all-over-paul-george-for-complaining-to-refs?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national
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I can't wait for some website to do an oral history of this Pacers season. I want to know so badly what caused them to fall apart like this.
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I heard an NBA announcer say at one point, "This may be one of the most 'wide open' playoffs in NBA history"
I tend to agree. I was just commenting to my wife how fun this years playoffs are. I didn't follow the regular season at all...but I'm having an absolute BLAST watching the playoffs, and one of the #1 reasons is because there is not really an absolutely clear cut dominant team.
There has been one sweep (Charlotte is out) but half of the original 8 series are tied at 2-2, and one of the other four just went to its fifth game and is 3-2. Add to that, that there are several classic and iconic teams that are NOT in the playoffs this year. Boston, New York, LA Lakers, Philly...all not in it.
This may be one of the funnest and most entertaining NBA playoffs I've ever seen. I haven't been a fan since the Sonics left town...but this post season may have converted me.
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Agreed with all of that. Shit's been a thrill ride all the way. I gotta say though that Philly hasn't been an iconic team since the early 80s though. AI breathed some life into them for a fleeting moment with that one finals loss to the Shaq/Kobe Lakers but otherwise they've been completely MIA amongst the NBA's elite since shortly before Dr. J's retirement.
Also, I really miss the Sonics. In a league whete the Bullets, Kings, Mavs, Clippers, Bucks, and Timberwolves could cling to life despite decades of futility in virtually all of their cases, it's nothing short of a crime that a big market franchise with multiple finals appearances, a title, and a run as good as they had as recently as the 90s Payton/Kemp/Schrempf days ended up being relocated.
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Also, I really miss the Sonics. In a league whete the Bullets, Kings, Mavs, Clippers, Bucks, and Timberwolves could cling to life despite decades of futility in virtually all of their cases, it's nothing short of a crime that a big market franchise with multiple finals appearances, a title, and a run as good as they had as recently as the 90s Payton/Kemp/Schrempf days ended up being relocated.
UGH Such a good team! I am glad I got to see them play in San Antonio as a kid. Of course I was rooting for David Robinson and the Spurs, but man, when Kemp threw down, I went nuts. Best dunker in the history of the game.
Speaking of retro teams....Bobcats are no more. They are now the Charlotte Hornets! I really liked that team too. I believe I still have my Glen Rice jersey from days of childhood stocked up somewhere. If Charlotte can re-sign McRoberts and keep building around him, I think they can start something special.
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I miss the Hornets. Seriously, fuck that Pelicans name with every fiber of my being. Unquestionable bottom 10 team name out of all 4 major North Americam sports.
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Agreed with all of that. Shit's been a thrill ride all the way. I gotta say though that Philly hasn't been an iconic team since the early 80s though. AI breathed some life into them for a fleeting moment with that one finals loss to the Shaq/Kobe Lakers but otherwise they've been completely MIA amongst the NBA's elite since shortly before Dr. J's retirement.
Also, I really miss the Sonics. In a league whete the Bullets, Kings, Mavs, Clippers, Bucks, and Timberwolves could cling to life despite decades of futility in virtually all of their cases, it's nothing short of a crime that a big market franchise with multiple finals appearances, a title, and a run as good as they had as recently as the 90s Payton/Kemp/Schrempf days ended up being relocated.
Don't forget Sam Perkins, Nate McMillian and Hersey Hawkins.
I really do miss that team. Even though everyone looks to the 93/94 team (the #1 seed that lost to the Nuggets) or the 95/96 team (that went all the way to the finals only to lose to the Bulls) it was the 92/93 season where I really feel we got robbed. I feel like that was the younger, hungrier, scrapy-er version of the Kemp/Payton era. Anyone who saw that 7 game series against the Suns in the conference finals KNOWS that we got robbed in Game 7. The phantom fouls that were called in that game were just mind-boggling...and rumors began to circulate that the league wanted a Barkley/Jordan showdown in the finals...and would do anything to get it.
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In a league whete the Bullets, Kings, Mavs, Clippers, Bucks, and Timberwolves could cling to life despite decades of futility in virtually all of their cases, it's nothing short of a crime that a big market franchise with multiple finals appearances, a title, and a run as good as they had as recently as the 90s Payton/Kemp/Schrempf days ended up being relocated.
Here's the thing though, the teams in tougher situations now (Kings, Wolves, Bucks, etc.) are able to hang on because of the Sonics fiasco. Everyone knew Bennet wanted to move them to OKC, and Stern allowed it because he's such a corrupt person. Because of how much bad PR the Sonics move generated, the NBA is going out of its way to make sure teams don't move. Financially, there was no reason for the league not to move the Kings to Seattle, but they gave Sacramento every chance possible to keep them because they didn't want another Seattle>OKC situation.
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Makes sense but it's a shitty way to go about it. I WANT MY JAZZ BACK!! I HAVE NO CHILDHOOD HOMETOWN BASKETBALL MEMORIES, LARRY O'BRIEN, YOU FUCKING CREEP!!!
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So it looks like thanks to Orcus I'm not going to be the only one stating an unpopular opinion. Aren't people in this country still allowed to be racist assholes if they want? If people want to boycott the Clippers then so be it, although I think it's rather silly. Here's the problem, though, as far as I know his comments were surreptitiously recorded and never intended for public discourse. If he'd called a news conference to say that Magic Johnson was no longer welcome at Clipper's games then I'd have no problem with the league disciplining him. Hell, if people had overheard him at a restaurant making those comments then they'd have a case. This seems to me to be more akin to a thought crime, though. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure a world where you can be financially and publicly destroyed for an opinion you provide to somebody in confidence is one that we'd be better for living in. You think LeBron and Doc rivers would want to be held up for every single thing they say to their homies in private? I guarantee you there's a whole lot more venomous racism than Sterling's remarks floating around in the NBA.
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The real question is whether Donald Sterling or the Indiana Pacers are having a worse postseason.
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So it looks like thanks to Orcus I'm not going to be the only one stating an unpopular opinion. Aren't people in this country still allowed to be racist assholes if they want? If people want to boycott the Clippers then so be it, although I think it's rather silly. Here's the problem, though, as far as I know his comments were surreptitiously recorded and never intended for public discourse. If he'd called a news conference to say that Magic Johnson was no longer welcome at Clipper's games then I'd have no problem with the league disciplining him. Hell, if people had overheard him at a restaurant making those comments then they'd have a case. This seems to me to be more akin to a thought crime, though. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure a world where you can be financially and publicly destroyed for an opinion you provide to somebody in confidence is one that we'd be better for living in. You think LeBron and Doc rivers would want to be held up for every single thing they say to their homies in private? I guarantee you there's a whole lot more venomous racism than Sterling's remarks floating around in the NBA.
Interesting, too, is that it is apparently illegal to secretly record someone in the state of California, so Sterling, on his way down, could ruin his mistress by having her arrested, suing her, whatever. Granted, I am sure the NAACP would be more than happy to come to her aid monetarily, but it is something that could happen.
And that is another interesting thing: why was the NAACP giving this clown an award, his SECOND, next month, when he was been a well-known racist for YEARS? Oh, let me guess: $$$.
Either way, this guy has to go. To say the public tide has already turned against him would be the understatement of the century.
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Holy shit! Silver just banned Sterling FOR LIFE, fined him 2.5 million and plans to FORCE him to sell the Clippers! Damn!
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Banned for life. Wow.
Should be interesting to see if Sterling fights it.
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Any links? All I can find is possibilities about that or other outcomes.
I'd like to read more because that'd be a fun read :biggrin:
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Holy shit! Silver just banned Sterling FOR LIFE, fined him 2.5 million and plans to FORCE him to sell the Clippers! Damn!
For comments made in private that were illegally recorded. I got a real problem with that.
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Live press conference on ESPN right now. The ban, attempt to force sale, and $2.5M fine are all legit, Dyl.
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ESPN is showing the Silver press conference.
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Live press conference on ESPN right now. The ban, attempt to force sale, and $2.5M fine are all legit, Dyl.
Doooooooooooooooooooope :metal
Wasn't doubting btw, just wanted to know if I could read about it somewhere.
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I heard/read somewhere that Sterling was aware of the recording. Cannot recall source, take at face value.
Has recoding one's own conversations ever benefitted anyone in the history of recording technology? Who is out there going "I think I want to listen to that call I had with Bob from last September 21st."
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Adam Silver said Sterling admitted to being him in the recording, haven't heard anything about him being aware though.
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Has recoding one's own conversations ever benefitted anyone in the history of recording technology? Who is out there going "I think I want to listen to that call I had with Bob from last September 21st."
Women who want to extort money from the filthy stinking rich boyfriends. By all accounts the woman was a real cunt, and maybe it's just me be a spiteful old bastard, but I'd spend as much of the $800 million the Clippers will net making sure that she's destroyed.
edit: and California is a two-party state.
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Holy shit! Silver just banned Sterling FOR LIFE, fined him 2.5 million and plans to FORCE him to sell the Clippers! Damn!
For comments made in private that were illegally recorded. I got a real problem with that.
Not exactly.
Apparently, like Chris said, Sterling knew the recording existed. So right there that's a huge point for Sterling that doesn't count.
The bigger issue is that this is about who Sterling is.
If this recording came out, but it was Peter Holt (owner of the Spurs, one of the most respected owners in the league), this would be dealt with severely, but there would be no impetus to kick him out of the league. The consensus would be the Holt is allowed to be a racist on his own time as long as he does his job as owner right.
Sterling is:
- Incompetent as an owner. The team is good now for reasons that have virtually nothing to do with him.
- Someone who brings racism to his business dealings. Rumor has it he didn't want to trade for J.J. Reddick because he didn't want to give a white player a 7 million dollar contract. He's had two housing discrimination lawsuits filed against him.
- Generally a scumbag. His dealings with women are just as bad as his dealings with race.
Also, as much as I'd prefer it not be this way, a lot of what allows humanity to be what it is is less rational than symbolic. FDR's new deal policies were mostly garbage, but it was more important that the government be firmly pro-worker and anti-business. Lincoln's rationale for not letting the South secede was completely wrong, but it was more important that governments not be allowed to be divided based on racism.
This is the case here. What Silver's doing with Sterling is problematic, but it has to be done. This isn't dishonest (like the NSA spying). This isn't further empowering the powerful at the expense of the average person (the bank bailouts).
An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
Finally, if you want to make a more practical argument - Sterling was stupid enough to record himself saying things on the phone with a booty call. How could he have not expected this to happen unless he's too stupid to be responsible for owning an NBA team? His actions are responsible for the NBA losing tons of money and experiencing tons of bad PR. In a pure business sense, Sterling is a catastrophic liability for the league. People are dissatisfied that the Clipper didn't boycott game 4, but they missed the longer game. The Clippers team was waiting to play that card until they saw what Silver did. If Silver didn't drop the nuclear option on Sterling, the Clippers would have called the punishment unsatisfactory and walked out.
When you're doing so bad a job owning your team that you have to worry about your players boycotting your games, you have to be kicked out of the league.
Silver can't be given enough credit for handling this the right way.
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I know I posted here that it would've been awesome had the Clippers boycotted Game 4, but the more I think about the more I'm glad they didn't (if you watched that game you could argued that they definitely didn't show up :lol ).
But the players have to play for themselves and the fans, the reason they're this good is because of David Stern and not Sterling, certainly not because of Doc Rivers moves (yeah, let's trade for Redick and Dudley in a team already full of 3-point shooters and waste the, always juicy, expiring contract on them), so they should play and try to win. They should just wear the blue "Los Angeles" jersey the rest of the playoffs as their form of protest.
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Holy shit! Silver just banned Sterling FOR LIFE, fined him 2.5 million and plans to FORCE him to sell the Clippers! Damn!
For comments made in private that were illegally recorded. I got a real problem with that.
Not exactly.
Apparently, like Chris said, Sterling knew the recording existed. So right there that's a huge point for Sterling that doesn't count.
The bigger issue is that this is about who Sterling is.
If this recording came out, but it was Peter Holt (owner of the Spurs, one of the most respected owners in the league), this would be dealt with severely, but there would be no impetus to kick him out of the league. The consensus would be the Holt is allowed to be a racist on his own time as long as he does his job as owner right.
Sterling is:
- Incompetent as an owner. The team is good now for reasons that have virtually nothing to do with him.
- Someone who brings racism to his business dealings. Rumor has it he didn't want to trade for J.J. Reddick because he didn't want to give a white player a 7 million dollar contract. He's had two housing discrimination lawsuits filed against him.
- Generally a scumbag. His dealings with women are just as bad as his dealings with race.
Also, as much as I'd prefer it not be this way, a lot of what allows humanity to be what it is is less rational than symbolic. FDR's new deal policies were mostly garbage, but it was more important that the government be firmly pro-worker and anti-business. Lincoln's rationale for not letting the South secede was completely wrong, but it was more important that governments not be allowed to be divided based on racism.
This is the case here. What Silver's doing with Sterling is problematic, but it has to be done. This isn't dishonest (like the NSA spying). This isn't further empowering the powerful at the expense of the average person (the bank bailouts).
An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
Finally, if you want to make a more practical argument - Sterling was stupid enough to record himself saying things on the phone with a booty call. How could he have not expected this to happen unless he's too stupid to be responsible for owning an NBA team? His actions are responsible for the NBA losing tons of money and experiencing tons of bad PR. In a pure business sense, Sterling is a catastrophic liability for the league. People are dissatisfied that the Clipper didn't boycott game 4, but they missed the longer game. The Clippers team was waiting to play that card until they saw what Silver did. If Silver didn't drop the nuclear option on Sterling, the Clippers would have called the punishment unsatisfactory and walked out.
When you're doing so bad a job owning your team that you have to worry about your players boycotting your games, you have to be kicked out of the league.
Silver can't be given enough credit for handling this the right way.
Some valid points, but a few problems, as well. Silver stated very plainly that his actions were a response to this incident only (correct me if I'm mistaken). Moreover:
An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
Sorry amigo, but this is bullshit. It's certainly a road you don't want to see traveled.
Finally, if you want to make a more practical argument - Sterling was stupid enough to record himself saying things on the phone with a booty call.
If this is true I'll certainly revise my opinion. I was thinking it was the POS girlfriend that recorded him, which is largely the basis for my problem with this.
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I've heard nothing that indicates that Sterling knew he was being recorded. Just an FYI. I gotta think that if that were true, it would be getting more coverage.
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My problem with it is twofold:
1. As Barto already addressed:
An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
I have a HUGE problem with this. I am not defending Sterling one bit, and I think this views are 100% indefensible. So let's just get that out of the way from the get go. HOWEVER, no matter how offensive his views may be, when exactly did we as a society decide that out position was going to be: If your views offend me, you forfeit the right to own property? As Barto said, this is a road we should not be going down. At all. As wrong as Sterling is, this is even more wrong. Last I checked, I thought we were against the idea of "thought police" in this society.
2. Whether the recording is legal or illegal (and everything I am aware of seems to point toward it being illegal, but whatever), it was still a private conversation between two and only two people. Sterling was not making policy on behalf of the NBA or even his team. He was not speaking in the public where he could be deemed the voice of the team. It was a private conversation. As such, I have a problem with the NBA taking action based on this conversation. If they want to take action based on his policies or things he does in the public, so be it. But a private conversation between two people should not be the basis for any action.
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A general question unrelated to the racism remarks....
Does this open up the *possibility* that the Clippers don't stay in LA? I mean, LA already has the Lakers, so it's not as if the market is not represented.
I know the Clippers have their own fan base, and have for years, but since Sterling HAS TO SELL...doesn't that open the door for other interest groups? Or is the team (for other contractual reasons) locked into LA?
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An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
Sorry amigo, but this is bullshit. It's certainly a road you don't want to see traveled.
It's inevitable though. Look at the Brandon Eich thing (the Mozilla CEO).
Society has chosen to handle problems by channeling outrage about something into such a powerful case of bad PR that you can't ignore it. This won't change. The key is to handle it the right way. In this, case, if Silver didn't punish Sterling as much as possible, the received message wouldn't have been "we should learn not to judge people by their private lives." The received message would have been "racism is okay."
Yes, humanity is dumb. I get it. But you have to make the best of that.
EDIT: To address something bosk said, the government isn't doing this. It has nothing to do with property rights.
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My problem with it is twofold:
1. As Barto already addressed:
An unrepentant, openly racist person owns an NBA team. In a modern society, this simply can't be.
I have a HUGE problem with this. I am not defending Sterling one bit, and I think this views are 100% indefensible. So let's just get that out of the way from the get go. HOWEVER, no matter how offensive his views may be, when exactly did we as a society decide that out position was going to be: If your views offend me, you forfeit the right to own property? As Barto said, this is a road we should not be going down. At all. As wrong as Sterling is, this is even more wrong. Last I checked, I thought we were against the idea of "thought police" in this society.
You are against gays holding office or something, right? Feel me free to correct me if I'm misremembering.
I wanna know why being a racist is OK for owning property but being gay is not OK for a job.
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To address something bosk said, the government isn't doing this. It has nothing to do with property rights.
I know the government isn't doing it. But I have just as much of a problem that a private organization (the NBA) is doing it. He is an owner of the team; not an employee. Sanction him all you want, but saying he cannot own the team is in fact taking property away from him.
You are against gays holding office or something, right? Feel me free to correct me if I'm misremembering.
What? No, you are mistaken. And let's not get off topic. This is already into territory that would normally get a thread moved to P/R, but I am letting it stay provided it stays on topic and doesn't stray too far into P/R-land.
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OK, my mistake. :)
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I know the government isn't doing it. But I have just as much of a problem that a private organization (the NBA) is doing it. He is an owner of the team; not an employee. Sanction him all you want, but saying he cannot own the team is in fact taking property away from him.
This article talks about the relevant portion of the NBA constitution that lets the other owners force a sale of a team. (https://deadspin.com/heres-the-secret-nba-rule-that-could-oust-donald-sterli-1568842613)
Whether or not the comments were private, Sterling made them and they came out.
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A general question unrelated to the racism remarks....
Does this open up the *possibility* that the Clippers don't stay in LA? I mean, LA already has the Lakers, so it's not as if the market is not represented.
I know the Clippers have their own fan base, and have for years, but since Sterling HAS TO SELL...doesn't that open the door for other interest groups? Or is the team (for other contractual reasons) locked into LA?
I don't know if the Clippers have a lease that locks them in the Staples center, but I would love to see them get moved to Baltimore. But in reality.... they should be moved to Seattle. Those people deserve their Supersonics.
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0% chance the NBA sells to an ownership group that wants to move them.
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2013-14 NBA thread v. Adam Silver Lays the Pipe on Donald Sterling
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0% chance the NBA sells to an ownership group that wants to move them.
I tend to agree that the NBA would do whatever it could to keep the team in that market, but I'd say the chances of them moving are a little greater than 0.
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I know the government isn't doing it. But I have just as much of a problem that a private organization (the NBA) is doing it. He is an owner of the team; not an employee. Sanction him all you want, but saying he cannot own the team is in fact taking property away from him.
This article talks about the relevant portion of the NBA constitution that lets the other owners force a sale of a team. (https://deadspin.com/heres-the-secret-nba-rule-that-could-oust-donald-sterli-1568842613)
Whether or not the comments were private, Sterling made them and they came out.
That actually sets up an interesting civil version of Mapp Vs. Ohio (sorry Bosk). It sets something of a nasty precedent in which anybody can obtain evidence of conversations and use it to wreck others. Seems like a reasonable thing to do would be to make a stand and say that it won't fly (hence Mapp). How long do you think the NBA would last if Sterling were to blow some of his new found billion hiring PIs to snoop on all of the players, coaches and owners if private lives were penalizable?
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How long do you think the NBA would last if Sterling were to blow some of his new found billion hiring PIs to snoop on all of the players, coaches and owners private lives were penalizable?
Good question.
Believe me. I have no idea where this is going or how it will work out. I have no confidence, in the long term, that any of this will be good. I can totally see, in 20-30 years, people writing that no matter how reprehensible Sterling's views were, the outrage against him was worse than what he did.
But right now is right now. Your actions are necessarily interpreted a certain way by culture, and Silver needed to send a clear anti-racist message.
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With all the bad press Stern and the move of the Sonics had, there's a less than 0% chance of any other franchise being moved.
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Apparently, the Wizards, Bulls, Thunder, Grizzlies, Warriors, and Clippers were all going to walk out tonight if they weren't satisfied with the league's punishment of Sterling.
I think what's being underrated right now, but will come out later, is how quickly and how effectively the players organized against Sterling. They brought in Kevin Johnson immediately and made it clear to the league that Sterling was going to go unless they wanted a huge problem on their hands.
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I personally do not believe that the players would have really not played tonight. Fortunately, we'll never know.
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I personally do not believe that the players would have really not played tonight. Fortunately, we'll never know.
Agreed. It would seem that Silver also lacked the balls to establish some authority over the players. That's another bad precedent set.
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Must be nice to have all that money so you could walk out of work if you didn't like one of the owners. We did that no matter if the owner was a dirtbag or not we'd lose out jobs.
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Woj reported the player walkout thing too. One of the NBPA VP's was the one who said it. No way he would say that if it wasn't true. It'd look stupid if the NBA's people dug a bit deeper and found it was purely grandstanding.
It was ready to go.
Agreed. It would seem that Silver also lacked the balls to establish some authority over the players. That's another bad precedent set.
It's not an issue of having balls. Lets say Silver suspends Sterling just for this playoffs and only fines him a million. Players walk out. The next day, Silver announces penalties for the boycotting players.
All hell breaks loose.
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Agreed. It would seem that Silver also lacked the balls to establish some authority over the players. That's another bad precedent set.
It's not an issue of having balls. Lets say Silver suspends Sterling just for this playoffs and only fines him a million. Players walk out. The next day, Silver announces penalties for the boycotting players.
All hell breaks loose.
I suspect that after this hell breaking loose is a foregone conclusion. What did the players learn today? Make a big enough stink and you can fuck with the owners. Whether or not Sterling should have been dealt with is one issue. Whether or not the players get to dictate the decision is another.
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What did the players learn today? Make a big enough stink and you can fuck with the owners.
How is this a bad thing?
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What did the players learn today? Make a big enough stink and you can fuck with the owners.
How is this a bad thing?
Well this discussion sure took a distinct turn. The answer to your question is that it's against the order of things. The owners own the league. The players work for them at the owner's pleasure. This isn't a public institution where the rules have to effect everybody equally. Don't want to play in the playoffs tonight? Fine. Try to make your efforts count next year.
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Kids today...
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Well this discussion sure took a distinct turn. The answer to your question is that it's against the order of things. The owners own the league. The players work for them at the owner's pleasure. This isn't a public institution where the rules have to effect everybody equally. Don't want to play in the playoffs tonight? Fine. Try to make your efforts count next year.
It's an issue of mentality. When you say "the powerful must be powerful," you get abuse of power. When you approach things from the angle of "it's the responsibility of powerful people to do what's in the best interests of the people they have power over," things actually work out for the average person.
Consider that, for the first time, the NBA has officially released a copy of its constitution and bylaws. (https://mediacentral.nba.com/media/mediacentral/NBA-Constitution-and-By-Laws.pdf) There was no reason for this document to ever be secret except as a way to keep less powerful people in the dark about how the upper-level power structure of the league operates. But, because the league is dealing with this story the right way, now it's being transparent about itself in a meaningful way.
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Well this discussion sure took a distinct turn. The answer to your question is that it's against the order of things. The owners own the league. The players work for them at the owner's pleasure. This isn't a public institution where the rules have to effect everybody equally. Don't want to play in the playoffs tonight? Fine. Try to make your efforts count next year.
It's an issue of mentality. When you say "the powerful must be powerful," you get abuse of power. When you approach things from the angle of "it's the responsibility of powerful people to do what's in the best interests of the people they have power over," things actually work out for the average person.
What's wrong with a middle ground between those positions? Seems to me that what's best for the league is best for the players, as well. I doubt the Clippers' players are complaining about the ownership and the league too much when they're cashing their $320,000 check each month.
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What's wrong with a middle ground between those positions?
Nothing, necessarily. But that middle ground doesn't include Donald Sterling owning an NBA team. He's just too disgusting a human being.
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So, you mean because they make a lot of money they can't go out and complain that their boss is being racist? I mean, in any other situation an employee can make a case of the boss making racist comments and things could go the way they are going now.
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What's wrong with a middle ground between those positions?
Nothing, necessarily. But that middle ground doesn't include Donald Sterling owning an NBA team. He's just too disgusting a human being.
Hey look, I don't like basketball. I didn't even know the Clippers were a team. I didn't know who Sterling or Silver were before yesterday. I'm only arguing about the principle of forcing a co-owner out over things he does in private. Quite honestly, I'm not sure who'd actually be entitled to own anything if all of our private acts were scrutinized for questionable behavior. Out of curiosity, is somebody stole all of your hard drives and posted them to TMZ, would you be allowed to own an NBA team? Should you be allowed to?
So, you mean because they make a lot of money they can't go out and complain that their boss is being racist? I mean, in any other situation an employee can make a case of the boss making racist comments and things could go the way they are going now.
Well, the discussion has been a bit more nuanced than that. And that wasn't my point anyway. I don't really have a problem with the players bitching about it. Hell, I don't have much of a problem with them bitching collectively about it. There does come a point though where it becomes extortion, and my original point was that the league probably should have acted to diminish that aspect. If the players don't want to play then so be it. If they're in breach of their contract, penalize them.
And for the record, I'd defend the sole owner of a private company's right to make racist comments to an employee and in public should he choose. Same rules apply. Employee doesn't have to work for him and the public doesn't have to support his business.
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I feel very strangely about what happened today. If the NBA truly did take action based on the TMZ conversation alone, which they said they did, then I'm scared for reasons stated above by bosk1 and El Barto. On the other hand, Sterling has such a history of amoral activity that I can't say I'm going to lose any sleep over the ruling.
So I'm both against and fine with Silver's decision. I love how these things work sometimes.
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Wow. Chicago lays an egg. They got outplayed so bad.
And I don't think Durant and Westbrook are a good duo.
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Sterling's an asshole and a complete idiot. The commissioner's reaction was the predictable and necessary one from a PR damage control standpoint. However, I think it's clearly way out of line, and the precedent it sets is scary.
As strange as it seems to anyone with half a brain, people are allowed to be racists. The point Reap made that can't be ignored, is if there is indeed evidence of racism affecting Sterling's business practices (hiring, etc.). But that's not what is even being put forth by the league in its reasoning. Seems to me like a knee-jerk to appease the inevitable emotional explosion that comes with any "race" related controversy.
-J
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Being an owner of a sports franchise isn't like owning a house, or a regular company. You're part of a weird club/fraternity with its own special rules and conditions. I have no sympathy for Sterling, and I have no idea how this could set a scary precedent. What's going to happen?
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Being an owner of a sports franchise isn't like owning a house, or a regular company. You're part of a weird club/fraternity with its own special rules and conditions.
And yet they retain their right to freedom of speech.
I have no sympathy for Sterling, and I have no idea how this could set a scary precedent. What's going to happen?
I have no sympathy for him either, I think he's despicable. But the precedent is that he's not just being publicly vilified, but he's being forced out of ownership of his business for things he thinks and says in the (presumed) privacy of his own home, on his personal time. I think it would be hard to argue that that isn't getting into dangerous territory.
-J
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Given his alleged history of making inappropriate comments, I wouldnt be surprised that the NBA didn't somehow help the girlfriend set him up. Then the owners could easily oust him if thats what they desired all along. Has anyone asked, why was a private conversation between two people recorded in the first place? I agree this sets a terrifying precedent in its own right, but it's not anything new.
Baseball long abhorred Marge Schott here in Cincinnati, and could not wait to be rid of her. I had the chance to meet Marge several times, and while I wouldn't personally choose to be her friend under normal circumstances, I had a lot of respect for her. She had ten gallon balls in a mans world. Baseball ultimately kicked her out. I recall the Hitler comments she made. In my opinion they were taken completely out of context, and in response to a direct question from a reporter, Marge was quoted as saying, "Hitler was good in the beginning, but he went too far." What is ALWAYS left off of that statement is the follow up sentence, which was "I mean he was good for Germany when he took over, but it turned out he was crazy." Some would argue thats pretty close to it. Now, I don't know if she was a racist, or an anti-Semite. All of the other controversial comments attributed to her were by former employees of the Reds, and were all hearsay. I do believe she was however not very bright. At all. She did some damn near crazy numbskull things; and my personal experiences with her showed me that not only was she not very smart; bu that she refused to listen to reason or logic at all. But there is no rule that says wealth and brains must go together. But it wasn't long after, that she was out of baseball. A sport where the commissioner himself once stated in reference to both Marge Schott and the widow of Ray Kroc that, "Women really didn't have a place in baseball ownership."
No, I'm afraid the billionaires club had no choice really when it comes to PR; and Sterling basically showed he is an idiot of the highest order. But the "punishment did not fit the crime" IMO.
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Being an owner of a sports franchise isn't like owning a house, or a regular company. You're part of a weird club/fraternity with its own special rules and conditions.
And yet they retain their right to freedom of speech.
Employers can fire employees without freedom of speech getting in the way. I think 1st amendment rights mainly pertain to citizens versus the government.
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Out of curiosity, is somebody stole all of your hard drives and posted them to TMZ, would you be allowed to own an NBA team? Should you be allowed to?
It's not for me to decide. The money is a bigger issue I think.
But to kinda get to the heart of your question - if the contents of my hard drive went public I'd have to just own it and see what happens. I couldn't really say "this is stuff I made in private," because it'd be public, and you have to deal with it that way.
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^I thought private employers couldn't legally take action against employees for legal behavior that occurs outside the workplace? You're right, I doubt it's derivative of the first amendment, maybe it's a labor code thing. Aren't there some law people here?
-J
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Present, but sorry, I'm stumped. I don't know anything about labor law. There is a torts doctrine called "frolic and detour" that touches upon stuff employees do outside of the workplace, but it's so far from the issues involved here.
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^I thought private employers couldn't legally take action against employees for legal behavior that occurs outside the workplace? You're right, I doubt it's derivative of the first amendment, maybe it's a labor code thing. Aren't there some law people here?
-J
I don't think this is actually a labor issue, though. If the NBA wants to suspend him for life I have no problem with it (in theory, that is). It's the ownership issue that creates a problem. It does appear that the bylaws allow for the ouster of an owner with a 3/4 majority vote. He signed onto this agreement, so they're probably within their rights to force him to sell. With that said this is new territory, which I don't think has happened in any sporting league before, so there's no telling how this would play out if he chose to fight it in court. It's also possible that the owners who are publicly calling him out now might be a little more nuanced in their positions when they have to actually pull the trigger on setting a frightening precedent. Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of them decided forcing the removal of a team might not be int heir best interest once it came time to vote.
Somebody in another forum made an interesting point. The owners own the rights to players in the NBA. This actually does cause a ripple effect through the league. If somebody is drafted by the clippers then they have no choice but to play for Sterling (unless they're Archie Manning's kid, I suppose). I personally think that nobody has a right to an NBA career, but it creates an interesting dilemma nevertheless.
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there's no telling how this would play out if he chose to fight it in court.
The NBA constitution is apparently pretty strict about making sure things go to arbitration. And once you get there, the clauses about being forced to sell the team if you bring great harm to the league (which Sterling did) are clear.
It's also possible that the owners who are publicly calling him out now might be a little more nuanced in their positions when they have to actually pull the trigger on setting a frightening precedent. Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of them decided forcing the removal of a team might not be int heir best interest once it came time to vote.
Cuban said a couple days ago that he was against voting out Sterling, but changed his tune to "I support commissioner Silver" when the announcement happened No owner wants to be labelled a pro-racism owner. Since apparently every owner has released some form of an "I support commissioner Silver" statement, it would look even worse to back track from it.
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That point about owning the rights to the players drafted is interesting, I would love to know if there's some clause/rule/whatever that a player could use to get out of playing for the team that drafted him. They certainly can't do like baseball player do and just don't sign and go to college or play somewhere else (Philly fans will remember JD Drew).
Maybe they could play a season in Europe and come back as a free agent?
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Maybe they could play a season in Europe and come back as a free agent?
Definitely not. NBA teams draft players who play in Europe on purpose because it's a great way to get free development.
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Just a tiny nitpick about the subject line: ™, not ©.
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In game news, remember two years ago, after the Thunder had won Game 1 of the 2012 Finals over the Heat, when some wondered if LeBron would ever win a championship since they thought the Thunder were on their way to their first, which was gonna be their first of a bunch in a row? Seems more than just a bit laughable now.
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In game news, remember two years ago, after the Thunder had won Game 1 of the 2012 Finals over the Heat, when some wondered if LeBron would ever win a championship since they thought the Thunder were on their way to their first, which was gonna be their first of a bunch in a row? Seems more than just a bit laughable now.
Definitely.
Thunder need to fire Scott Brooks. The stuff he runs on offense is a joke.
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there's no telling how this would play out if he chose to fight it in court.
The NBA constitution is apparently pretty strict about making sure things go to arbitration. And once you get there, the clauses about being forced to sell the team if you bring great harm to the league (which Sterling did) are clear.
It's also possible that the owners who are publicly calling him out now might be a little more nuanced in their positions when they have to actually pull the trigger on setting a frightening precedent. Wouldn't be surprised if more than a few of them decided forcing the removal of a team might not be int heir best interest once it came time to vote.
Cuban said a couple days ago that he was against voting out Sterling, but changed his tune to "I support commissioner Silver" when the announcement happened No owner wants to be labelled a pro-racism owner. Since apparently every owner has released some form of an "I support commissioner Silver" statement, it would look even worse to back track from it.
As I just said in another forum, Silver would have done anything he possibly could to get out of the situation quickly and prettily. Whether or not it's valid is another matter altogether. If they get shot down in court they still look squeaky clean and Sterling's still an asshole; no harm, no foul.
This applies to the owners, as well. I wouldn't be surprised is they decide once things cool down that the legal ramifications of forcing him to give up a billion dollar asset aren't something they want to fight for.
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This applies to the owners, as well. I wouldn't be surprised is they decide once things cool down that the legal ramifications of forcing him to give up a billion dollar asset aren't something they want to fight for.
If the owners do this, they won't be out of it quickly and prettily. The fiasco will start up again.
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In game news, remember two years ago, after the Thunder had won Game 1 of the 2012 Finals over the Heat, when some wondered if LeBron would ever win a championship since they thought the Thunder were on their way to their first, which was gonna be their first of a bunch in a row? Seems more than just a bit laughable now.
Definitely.
Thunder need to fire Scott Brooks. The stuff he runs on offense is a joke.
Yep. That play he drew up for the end of OT last night - Durant from like 5 feet behind the 3-pt line? :lol :lol - was terrible. That team needs a coach that knows how to harness and best utilize Westbrook.
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It's amazing how many teams - good teams, even - still employ head coaches who rely on iso-heavy hero ball to win almost all their games.
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That team needs a coach that knows how to harness and best utilize Westbrook.
This to me is the bigger thing. Durant does dumb stuff because he plays in a dumb culture, but if you give him a smart coach he'll go along with it. He puts in the work. He cares.
I like watching Westbrook play because he clearly cares a lot. But his decision-making is so bad, and he's so relentlessly who he is. Very tough player to coach right.
Scott Brooks is a likable person. This speech in the huddle of game 5 of the 2012 finals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea5BS0AsjvY) about treating the Heat like champions was creative and brilliant. He's created a culture in OKC where you're expected to work hard and develop well. But a better coach can push Durant and Westbrook to another level.
Brooks isn't as bad as Vinny Del Negro at all, but look what Doc Rivers has done for Blake and DeAndre. Imagine what a better coach could do for Westbrook and Durant.
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I like the Grizzlies and all - and a 2nd round re-rematch between them and LA would be really intriguing - but I think we'd be losing something to see OKC go out in the first round. As ugly as their offense can be at times I feel like we deserve to see more of them in the playoffs.
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That point about owning the rights to the players drafted is interesting, I would love to know if there's some clause/rule/whatever that a player could use to get out of playing for the team that drafted him. They certainly can't do like baseball player do and just don't sign and go to college or play somewhere else (Philly fans will remember JD Drew).
Maybe they could play a season in Europe and come back as a free agent?
The answer is no. The Spurs held the rights to draft Luis Scola for several years but never went with it because they had to pay too much money. After some time they traded the draft rights to Houston who ended up getting him. So unless the team decides to get rid of the draft rights the player has to either play for that team or don't play at all in the NBA.
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You'd think after Spoelstra embarrassed him in the Finals everyone would realize how terrible of a coach Brooks is. It seems OKC is fine with wasting Durant and Westbrook's careers with a terrible coach though.
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You'd think after Spoelstra embarrassed him in the Finals everyone would realize how terrible of a coach Brooks is. It seems OKC is fine with wasting Durant and Westbrook's careers with a terrible coach though.
:rollin :rollin :rollin I could have coached the Heat to the finals with that team.
So did Brooks pull the trigger on giving Harden away, because that's unquestionably the biggest difference between the Thunder team that made the finals, and the 2 since then....
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I normally don't agree with Syzzle but this time he's right, the Thunder don't have any game plan other than giving the ball to Durant/Westbrook and have them play one on ones. The only reason they win so much is because of the individual talent of those 2 guys plus the amazing defense Ibaka provides.
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I don't get the people that say the Spurs are boring
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Kobe Bryant's reaction to D'Antoni resigning:
(https://i.imgur.com/KZ43NIf.gif)
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That zoom gets me every time.
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That's gotta be a top 10 gif.
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Raptors almost gave me a heart attack last night. They played the worst fourth quarter I've ever seen. :lol
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I really hate tired sports cliches, but the Nets - especially with Pierce and Garnett on the bench - are just a soft-ass team. Does any Nets fan have faith in Deron Williams to do anything to lead this team to a series win?
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Pierce said they were soft but his play is suspect as well this series.
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Brooks actually coached a good game. Deserved win.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmotcvSCcAA127R.png:large)
And to think this guy was actually picked to be an all star what a joke :lol
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Being picked for the All-Star means nothing.
Kobe was picked for the All-Star and he barely played this year.
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Yeah except Kobe was voted in by the fans and Hibbert was picked by the coaches you would think that the coaches would be smarter than that.
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I bet they were trying to make Vogel happy, he was the All-Star coach. :lol
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Considering that his career PPG avg is 11.2, I don't see the merit in this. Sure, he's having a horrible series for multiple reasons, but let's not pretend that he is being paid to be some sort of offensive juggernaut.
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I think there's more problems with Indiana Pacers this post-season than just Roy Hibbert.
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I'm rooting for everyteam down 3-2 tonight! I want a weekend FULL of game 7s!!
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GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Remember when people were talking about how we need to fix the first round because it's so boring?
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Most Game 7 series in the first round in NBA HISTORY! I have not been interested in basketball in 6 or 7 years...but I'm a convert on this playoff season. Greatest playoff year I've ever personally seen!
:hefdaddy
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Great win for the Mavs, but what the hell was Monta thinking throwing that ball down the court with 2 seconds left? Just hold the ball, for God's sake!
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Remember when people were talking about how we need to fix the first round because it's so boring?
The debate isn't that the first round is boring, it's that the West is much stronger than the East.
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Wow, that was incredible. A 3 at the buzzer by Lillard to win the series for Portland.
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They're gonna need to dramatically step up their post game on both ends in the next round to stand a chance. Most of their team looks like Anderson Varejao when they're chasing defensive rebounds and they seem way averse to consistently driving the lane, frequently jacked up 15+ foot jumpers (most of which were still contested) with more than 10 seconds still left on the shot clock, and just settle for bad shots a lot.
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Watched a replay of the Lillard shot. Amazing. Love the play too. Lillard just runs immediately and, purely because of surprise, gets free.
McHale getting fired.
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I yelped when I saw that live. Couldn't believe how wide open he was.
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Best first round ever.
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Best first round ever.
Seriously! What, five out of the 8 series going to Game 7s? That's gotta be unprecedented?
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Of course, it's second guessing now (and with such little time you have to make split second decisions), but it seems Houston should have been planning to run a 2nd defender to wherever the ball was inbounded because there was no chance for a pass. For instance, if the guy guarding the inbounds had immediately gone after the ball once it was in play, perhaps Lillard is a little less wide open... just thinking out loud.
I wonder if you would ever even consider not guarding the inbound at all and having that extra defender available on the perimeter? After all, you have Dwight at the rim to protect against a lob... ?
EDIT 1: (seen in another article): why the hell was Parsons guarding Lillard anyway?
EDIT 2: sorry for double post!
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(https://i.imgur.com/ZJcGLxN.gif)
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I just watched the video again - Parsons was standing *behind* Lillard. He didn't even really need a screen. Hell, any of the three guys on the perimeter could have gotten open for that 3.
edit: Also, wouldn't it be beneficial to switch for something like this? To have someone - anyone - to contest a last second shot? Harden could have easily moved over to catch the running Lillard.
ALSO, why was Harden - 2013/14's most mocked defensive liability - even out there?
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BECAUSE HE'S A DEFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT!!
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What a fucking shot.
I hope the following teams advance this weekend:
Grizz (because Mike "Mike" Miller)
Mavs (because Monta)
Raptors (because fuck Garnett)
Hawks (because fuck the Pacers but especially fuck that whole team)
I'm torn on LAC and GSW. They're both so good and I want them both to go on. Curry is a monster and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. But CP3 deserves a shot at the finals. Will be fun to watch.
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Well the Rockets are automatically down a defender every possession because of James Harden so no surprise that someone was open. :lol
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lol at that gif, antiG
Yeah, that was just a poor defensive possession all around, from the players themselves and also the coaching decision about personnel on the floor.
lol at DEFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT !!! (for those unaware (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao))
Lastly, things shaping up nicely for OKC as Z-Bo is suspended, Conley is gimpy, and it's now being reported that Tony Allen has a migraine and may not play.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2GJ2PwXQ4E
The call by Tirico on Lillard's shot is amazing:
"It's Lillard. He got the shot off! OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODD!!! GOOOOOOD!! AND THE BLAZERS! WIN THE SERIES! FOR THE FIRST TIME! IN FOURTEEN YEARS!"
- I've never heard an American pro sports commentator say oh my god before.
- I love when commentators get totally lost in the moment. It's when they're at their best.
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^ in response, still my fave:
"LEBRON JAMES, WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE!!!!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tag9UmmFfY8
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Great moment. Lots of energy. Harlan captured it very well.
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Conspiracy Theory - The Pacers were making all the drama up on purpose.
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Conspiracy Theory - The Pacers were making all the drama up on purpose.
That would be beyond amazing!
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That Warriors Clippers game was borderline perfect.
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I'll be very surprised to see the winner of any of the games in the LAC/OKC series score less than 100 points.
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Considering how crazy these Western Conferences series have been, if the Spurs win today, the top 3 seeds and the 5 seed (that had the same record as the 4 seed) will all have won, which is kind of disappointing. I was hoping to see it being one of those years finally where a bunch of lower seeds (6-8 seeds) won in the first round.
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Considering how crazy these Western Conferences series have been, if the Spurs win today, the top 3 seeds and the 5 seed (that had the same record as the 4 seed) will all have won, which is kind of disappointing. I was hoping to see it being one of those years finally where a bunch of lower seeds (6-8 seeds) won in the first round.
I was just noticing that if the Spurs and Raptors both win, both the East and the West will have the 1-2-3-5 seeds remaining.
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Considering how crazy these Western Conferences series have been, if the Spurs win today, the top 3 seeds and the 5 seed (that had the same record as the 4 seed) will all have won, which is kind of disappointing. I was hoping to see it being one of those years finally where a bunch of lower seeds (6-8 seeds) won in the first round.
The Z-Bo suspension and the Paul George non-suspension combined were a pretty obvious case of protecting NBA interests and likely contributed to the outcomes of those two series. Officiating has had a significant impact on some of these games too (Nets-Raptors, Warriors-Clippers), though I don't think I could tell general incompetence from calculated manipulation if it were even taking place.
Not to go full conspiracy theorist, it's just...convenient.
Unfortunately the Mavs are about to give it up to the Spurs completely of their own accord. No league intervention necessary. :lol
-J
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I mean. Z-Bo punched a guy in the face.
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Yeah Spurs!!!
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I mean. Z-Bo punched a guy in the face.
Eh, watch the replay. Looked to me like it was more of an attempted shove gone wrong. Really dumb and deserved a flagrant for sure, but not a suspension.
Arguably more concerning was Paul George's clearly leaving the bench during the altercation the other night without consequence.
-J
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The Raptors Nets game was a lot of fun, with a riveting ending. Was getting out of my couch a lot due to the intensity.
The Spurs Mavs game was mostly unexciting, but a bit intriguing. I loved what Carlisle did by putting Dirk at center. It ended up not working out because the Spurs were so hot, but they cut the lead to 14, caught them off guard, and showed once and for all how great a job Carlisle did coaching this series.
The Spurs needed a game like this both for themselves and to send a message to the league. The Mavs played great, but the Spurs also weren't playing at the level they'll need to in order to win the WCF and the finals. They showed that level of intensity, execution, and mental toughness in this game.
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Lets see how my playoff predictions did:
Prediction: Spurs > Mavericks in 5
Result: Spurs > Mavericks in 7 (off by 2 games)
Comments: I got this series wrong. Mavs put up a much better fight than I expected.
Prediction: Rockets > Blazers in 6
Result: Blazers > Rockets in 6 (off by 3 games)
Comments: Lolworthy prediction. Rockets couldn't keep it together at the end. Can't believe they picked up McHale's option. Such a bad move.
Prediction: Thunder > Grizzlies in 5
Result: Thunder > Grizzlies in 7 (off by 2 games)
Comments: I really underestimated the Grizz. Great job by them.
Prediction: Clippers > Warriors in 6
Result: Clippers > Warriors in 7 (off by 1 game)
Comments: Oddly, in the series most effected by unforeseen events (the Sterling drama), my prediction was closer to the result than any of my others in the western conference.
Prediction: Pacers > Hawks in 6
Result: Pacers > Hawks in 7 (off by 1 game)
Comments: While numerically close, my thoughts on the series were way off. I thought the Pacers would jump a level and play at least semi-coherent ball. They sucked their way through six games and only finally played decent on game 7.
Prediction: Bulls > Wizards in 7
Result: Wizards > Bulls in 5 (off by 3 games)
Comments: Wizards showed intensity and heart I didn't think they had. Bulls didn't have talent to stick with them. Congrats to the Wizards.
Prediction: Heat > Bobcats in 5
Result: Heat > Bobcats in 4 (off by 1 game)
Comments: All the credit to the Heat for taking this seriously and ending it quickly.
Prediction: Nets > Raptors in 6
Result: Nets > Raptors in 7 (off by 1 game)
Comments: Raptors were great. Both teams scored the same amount of points, so really it's hard to think it didn't just come down to luck.
Overall Stats:
I picked 7/8 series winners correctly. w00t!
I was, on average, off by 1.75 games. I don't feel good about that.
Predictions for the next round:
Spurs > Blazers in 6
The Spurs are a lot better than the Rockets.
Thunder > Clippers in 6
Scott Brooks, fortunately for the Thunder, managed to improve his offensive coaching in the second half of the Grizzlies series. And, while the Clippers win was riveting, it can't be forgotten that the Warriors weren't that great of a team.
Wizards > Pacers in 7
The Wizards have shown more heart this playoffs than the Pacers. The Pacers can't be trusted until they earn that trust back.
Heat > Nets in 6
The Heat are better rested, more experienced, and not as old. I dunno. I'm rooting for the Nets, but I can't see it.
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I mean. Z-Bo punched a guy in the face.
Eh, watch the replay. Looked to me like it was more of an attempted shove gone wrong. Really dumb and deserved a flagrant for sure, but not a suspension.
Arguably more concerning was Paul George's clearly leaving the bench during the altercation the other night without consequence.
If I am Suns fan who saw my team's best shot at a title ruined because of that stupid rule in 2007, I'd be pretty peeved. Granted, Stern isn't the commish anymore, so maybe Silver is gonna be a bit more lenient with that one, but George absolutely should have been suspended, by the letter of the law.
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Rich Bucher made a great point on Simmons's podcast: The only players who get respect from the refs are the ones who whine a lot for calls.
Think about it. Here are the league leaders in free throw attempts:
1. Kevin Durant-OKC 805
2. Blake Griffin-LAC 674
3. James Harden-HOU 665
4. Dwight Howard-HOU 638
5. Kevin Love-MIN 633
6. DeMar DeRozan-TOR 630
7. DeMarcus Cousins-SAC 595
8. LeBron James-MIA 585
9. Carmelo Anthony-NYK 541
10. Paul George-IND 464
Almost all of them are known for being petulant with officials.
And then you think about guys in general who gets a lot of respect from officials, like Chris Paul. They're always throwing a fit after calls.
This is why the league doesn't want players whining to the officials. It's not the whining that's bad, it's that the whining works, which makes it even worse.
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Dwane Casey extended. He earned it.
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Rich Bucher made a great point on Simmons's podcast: The only players who get respect from the refs are the ones who whine a lot for calls.
Think about it. Here are the league leaders in free throw attempts:
1. Kevin Durant-OKC 805
2. Blake Griffin-LAC 674
3. James Harden-HOU 665
4. Dwight Howard-HOU 638
5. Kevin Love-MIN 633
6. DeMar DeRozan-TOR 630
7. DeMarcus Cousins-SAC 595
8. LeBron James-MIA 585
9. Carmelo Anthony-NYK 541
10. Paul George-IND 464
Almost all of them are known for being petulant with officials.
And then you think about guys in general who gets a lot of respect from officials, like Chris Paul. They're always throwing a fit after calls.
This is why the league doesn't want players whining to the officials. It's not the whining that's bad, it's that the whining works, which makes it even worse.
I don't buy it. I mean it may or may not be true, but that list is just a bunch of players who have the ball more than anyone else on their team. Of course they're going to get fouled more and shoot more free throws.
Also Rick Bucher making a good point, come on. :lol
-J
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Also Rick Bucher making a good point, come on. :lol
-J
He spent a lot of the podcast defending Mark Jackson. Believe me, I'm not getting on the Bucher train.
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Wow, Thunder getting killed.
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Mark Jackson fired.
He wasn't a good enough coach to deserve the cult of personality he built around himself.
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I'm surprised LeBron is on that list for FT attempts he is easily the most disrespected star when it comes to getting calls the guy gets hacked every time he drives to the basket :lol
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Kevin Durant's MVP Press Conference was truly moving. He's a class act, and easily my favorite player since he entered the league.
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Durant is an all-time great player in the making. We're lucky to be watching him.
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I'm surprised LeBron is on that list for FT attempts he is easily the most disrespected star when it comes to getting calls the guy gets hacked every time he drives to the basket :lol
It's interesting, because last year I think there was a real backlash by the refs against LeBron. The game 6 running across the court due to an offensive foul (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsXkFzFXlh4) was a major tipping point, but even then LeBron had just done so much whining that the refs stopped giving him respect. It didn't hurt that the Pacers played physical, but clean defense against him. He only attempted 5.57 free throws a game versus the Spurs.
This year though I'm not sure he has the same stigma. He averaged 7.6 FTA/game this year (up from last year) and generated 11 FTA/game vs. the Bobcats. Granted, I know it's the Bobcats, but that's still an insane number.
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Mark Jackson fired.
This organization is so stupid. It is really hard to get behind them in any way, shape, or form no matter how much I may like some of the players.
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Mark Jackson was well liked by his players, but he wasn't a very good coach. They have too much talent to be wasted with a mediocre coach. It's kind of similar to OKC's situation except honestly Mark Jackson is probably better than Brooks. :lol
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One one hand, the Warriors have been on a steady and unprecedented rise on his watch. Their record is better every year and they had a legitimate shot to go further in the playoffs this year, despite the west being so strong. On the surface it seems like the season should be called a success and the notion of firing a head coach after such a season seems ridiculous.
However, there are some pretty obvious problems with the Warriors' style of play. They eschew any type of interior game in favor of an offense that consists of guards chucking a crap load of low percentage jump shots. That is simply a statistically unsustainable offense, even though you've got a couple of the very best shooters in the league on your roster. Not only that, but Jackson seems like a good preacher and motivator, but I'm not sure how good a coach he is. But given that his team plays next to no defense and runs and guns like a rec league team, I have to be a little skeptical.
I'm unaware of the alleged butting of heads between him and Warriors management, but I hear there were some other things that contributed to his firing. I'm sure they were the main factor.
-J
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I wouldn't say Jackson is a bad coach, but it definitely seems like the team had reached a peak with him in charge. You just hope they can find an adequate replacement.
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Mark Jackson was well liked by his players, but he wasn't a very good coach. They have too much talent to be wasted with a mediocre coach. It's kind of similar to OKC's situation except honestly Mark Jackson is probably better than Brooks. :lol
For all of Brooks' faults, OKC has been a really good defensive team under his watch.
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Not only does Tony Parker have one of the best mid-range shots, but he's one of the best post-players in the game too. What he does in the paint is a treat to watch
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Spurs put on a clinic again. They came out with the same energy they did against Dallas in game 7, and their game-planning was masterful.
But this series still has a lot of potential to be interesting. Even though the Blazers were being blown out, Stotts (the coach) kept his starters in to see what they could do against San Antonio's defense. And they found something important.
The Spurs were willing to guard the paint very lightly in order to be sure Portland's 3-point shooters never had a good look (the Blazers shot 25.7 threes per game against Houston, and only 16 tonight against San Antonio). So the Blazers started posting up Aldridge very close to the basket and having their guards (especially Lillard) penetrate more. In theory, this is bad. You want Aldridge outside the paint stretching the defense, and you don't want Lillard driving because he's a bad shooter near the rim. But the Spurs guarded the three so heavily that the Blazers had to do something to adjust, and it worked out very well for them. Lillard got some open looks in the paint, and the Blazers revealed how unwilling the Spurs are to double team Aldridge (who had 32 points even in a blowout).
This makes for a very interesting game 2. How heavily will Stotts exploit his new-found knowledge? Will Pop make adjustments to stay ahead strategically? We'll find out Thursday. Can't wait.
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Mark Jackson was well liked by his players, but he wasn't a very good coach. They have too much talent to be wasted with a mediocre coach. It's kind of similar to OKC's situation except honestly Mark Jackson is probably better than Brooks. :lol
For all of Brooks' faults, OKC has been a really good defensive team under his watch.
He can coach defense, but his offensive coaching leaves a lot to be desired. Honestly I don't even want OKC to fire Scott Brooks just get him someone to help with the offense and they would be set.
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Listening on the radio about Lady Gaga's concert in DC being rescheduled because the Wizards made the next round, and her fans' reaction to it. Stupid.
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I still think POR/SA ain't even seeing game 6 as long as the Blazers continue to be as deplorable as they've been on the boards. In defensive rebounding situations, they're more concerned with not bumping into each other than they are with securing the ball and the other team routinely takes candy from a baby. Also, they don't box out and are constantly out of position.
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Listening on the radio about Lady Gaga's concert in DC being rescheduled because the Wizards made the next round, and her fans' reaction to it. Stupid.
Well hey, some of us happen to like Lady Gaga way more than basketball. Her fans can get mad about something they really want to see being postponed, and basketball can seem stupid to others. Just saying.
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So we're all on the same page here, Lady Gaga's last DC show was canceled as well so I feel the fans are justified for being pissed but threatening riots is retarded.
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Yeah, threatening riots is a bit overboard
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Fan overreaction aside, I do think that it is bull shit that they are changing the concert date like this at the last minute. I'd be royally pissed, too, if I were coming from another city and already had hotel and plane reservations booked, which takes a lot of planning and rearranging things in your life to make it work, and then, boom, they pull the rug out from under you at the last minute. Hell, I don't even like Lady Gaga, but it's bull shit.
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Well the same could be said for changing the playoff game date for her concert. There's no win-win here.
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Well the same could be said for changing the playoff game date for her concert. There's no win-win here.
Not really, that concert's probably been scheduled for quite awhile.
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Well the same could be said for changing the playoff game date for her concert.
That doesn't make any sense, given the timeline. The playoff series wasn't set in stone until four days ago; the concert has been scheduled for months.
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OMG ROY HIBBERT!!!!
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Alright big fella, you go ahead and drop those 28 pts.
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Fuck, the Pacers looked dangerous again. Now I can say with confidence again that I can see Miami and Ind in the ECF
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Hold your horses people... It was one game, at home, and they got more out of Hibbert than they're going to get again all series. I'm still skeptical about the Pacers.
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Wiz in 6
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Hold your horses people... It was one game, at home, and they got more out of Hibbert than they're going to get again all series. I'm still skeptical about the Pacers.
This. Even with that monster game from Hibbert, they still barely beat the Wizards at home.
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Wiz in 6
Yep.
-J
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Whether you were a fan or not of the NBA yet in 2002, the following Grantland oral history of the 2002 Western Conference Finals is an amazing read.
As a huge Kings fan at the time, it was an agonizing outcome to lose to the Lakers yet again, especially when the Finals were pretty much a cakewalk that year. Looking back now, though: it is one of the most dramatic, controversial, and down-to-the-wire series of all time:
https://grantland.com/features/2002-western-conference-oral-history-los-angeles-lakers-sacramento-kings/
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To me, the 2002 Sacramento Kings have a good argument for 2nd place on the list of teams that were screwed out of a championship by awful officiating. Number 1 is still the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals. >:( :censored
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Read the whole Kings article. Thought it was great.
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To me, the 2002 Sacramento Kings have a good argument for 2nd place on the list of teams that were screwed out of a championship by awful officiating. Number 1 is still the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals. >:( :censored
At least the Cardinals have some championships. Poor Kings: who knows when they'll be able to become contenders again?
Read the whole Kings article. Thought it was great.
:tup
EDIT: isn't it amazing how sports truly can be a game of luck and inches sometimes? How many things had to go perfectly right (for the Lakers) and perfectly wrong (for the Kings) on the famous Robert Horry play that kept the Lakers in the series? I mean, look at this gif:
(https://i.minus.com/iTghgtWkPbxbk.gif)
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At least the Cardinals have some championships. Poor Kings: who knows when they'll be able to become contenders again?
Thomas, Gay, and Cousins are an intriguing core. Unfortunately, they also have a bunch of other awful contracts. They have 68 million in salary committed for next year if Gay exercises his option (not a certainty, but I'd bet on it) and that's not including what they spend on Thomas. Awful situation.
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EDIT: isn't it amazing how sports truly can be a game of luck and inches sometimes? How many things had to go perfectly right (for the Lakers) and perfectly wrong (for the Kings) on the famous Robert Horry play that kept the Lakers in the series? I mean, look at this gif:
I agree 100%. It's the reason why I think championships are over-valued when ranking basketball players.
On another note, the Heat won nicely tonight with a B- game. The Nets are in trouble. They might get one win at home, but that's probably it. I'd be shocked if the series went six games.
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Ray Allen>Pierce and KG :hat
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Yeah, I read that and thought it was yet another fantastic piece by Grantland! It sucks that Webber didn't want to be interviewed for it though, it seems he doesn't like to talk about things in his career as he also didn't participate on the Michigan Fab Five doc.
And what they say in the piece is true, people always talk about game 4, but never about the calls (and noncalls) that helped the Kings in the 5th game. And even if it was a fixed game, they still had a seventh game they could've won, so yeah. Same thing happens with the 86 Red Sox and 03 Cubs.
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Deron "Roy Hibbert" Williams
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To me, the 2002 Sacramento Kings have a good argument for 2nd place on the list of teams that were screwed out of a championship by awful officiating. Number 1 is still the 1985 St. Louis Cardinals. >:( :censored
2006 Mavs.
/homer
-J
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The Mavs in 06 just got beat by the greatest Finals performance in NBA history. Only Mark Cuban and salty Maverick fans blame the refs.
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^Lol, game 5 son.
I'm about as cynical a Mavs fan as there is. The Mavs didn't play to win, for sure, and the refs aren't to blame for their lame performances. But there was some seriously bogus officiating that contributed to putting them away. Anybody who watched knows that.
And Wade had a great series, but "greatest Finals performance in NBA history?"
-J
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^Lol, game 5 son.
I'm about as cynical a Mavs fan as there is. The Mavs didn't play to win, for sure, and the refs aren't to blame for their lame performances. But there was some seriously bogus officiating that contributed to putting them away. Anybody who watched knows that.
And Wade had a great series, but "greatest Finals performance in NBA history?"
-J
Yeah, definitely hyperbole to call Wade's 06 series the greatest.
For anyone interested in that Game 5 fiasco, here is a play by play breakdown of all the possibly "blown" calls -- really cool article:
https://www.82games.com/game5refs.htm (and same author also went back and did Game 6 of 2002 (https://www.82games.com/lakerskingsgame6.htm) as well)
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I see Syzzle is continuing his trend of saying outrageous things in sports threads that no one should take seriously. :lol :lol
Anyway, the '06 Mavs were definitely on the short end of some major calls in that finals. If every NBA game was officiated the way the end of some of those games were - where breathing on Wade was called a foul - every game would take sixteen hours to play since both teams would be shooting free throws non-stop.
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Pacers 34 Wizards 33 at halftime.
Playoffs need to have no conferences for seeding. What a joke.
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Did the Wizards really just score a total of 63 points in a playoff game? Holy shit! Jordan scored 63 by himself once in the 86 playoffs against the C's, LOL
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Well done, Pacers. Didn't think you would come out and play such a strong game prior to Game 3. :hat
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The Pacers Wiz series is actually interesting now.
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The second round is doing everything in its power to cancel out the awesomeness of the first round.
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Plus, the predictability of the NBA is showing again.
In the 1st round, only one real lower seed won (I consider 4/5 to be basically an even match-up), and that was the lower seed everyone thought would win anyway, the Nets.
And it's looking like the conference finals will be the two 1 seeds, one 2 seed and either another 2 or a 3 seed.
Contrast that to hockey where anybody can win in any round.
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Yep. In 2006, didn't one conference's 5, 6, 7, and 8 seeds all win their opening round series?
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Plus, the predictability of the NBA is showing again.
This isn't really an issue to me. I know luck plays a part in all sports, but what's cool about the NBA is that you can look at the champions every year and know that each one was probably the best team the year they won. In Football, Superbowl winners are basically meaningless. It's fun but not anything to be taken seriously.
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Superbowl winners are basically meaningless. It's fun but not anything to be taken seriously.
So, the team with the best record in each conference only has to win two home games to play in the SB yet they're still somehow the best even when other teams play as many as three road games just to get there? I think you're overvaluing the regular season.
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Superbowl winners are basically meaningless. It's fun but not anything to be taken seriously.
So, the team with the best record in each conference only has to win two home games to play in the SB yet they're still somehow the best even when other teams play as many as three road games just to get there? I think you're overvaluing the regular season.
I don't think the line you quoted said what you think it said.
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:hat
(https://cdn.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/44/file-22775444-135/Blog-Photo--Good-Job-Good-Effort-becomes-instant-internet-meme.jpg)
(https://cdn.faniq.com/images/photos/photo_large/44/file-22775444-136/Blog-Photo--Good-Job-Good-Effort-becomes-instant-internet-meme.jpg)
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Portland just can't hang with SA at either end. I'm starting to think SA has a legitimate shot at the title. I don't see OKC or the Clips giving them too much trouble, at least if they continue playing the way they are. And the Heat are being lulled into complacency by their shitty eastern conference opponents.
-J
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Portland just can't hang with SA at either end. I'm starting to think SA has a legitimate shot at the title. I don't see OKC or the Clips giving them too much trouble, at least if they continue playing the way they are. And the Heat are being lulled into complacency by their shitty eastern conference opponents.
-J
I agreed. Toward the end of the regular season, I thought the Spurs were the most focused team of all. They knew this is their final legit chance at a title with this group, and I bet they intend to do whatever necessary to get back to the Finals this year!
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Superbowl winners are basically meaningless. It's fun but not anything to be taken seriously.
So, the team with the best record in each conference only has to win two home games to play in the SB yet they're still somehow the best even when other teams play as many as three road games just to get there? I think you're overvaluing the regular season.
I don't think the line you quoted said what you think it said.
I thought you were belittling the legitimacy of the Super Bowl.
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I thought you were belittling the legitimacy of the Super Bowl.
Now I'm really confused. What I'm trying to say is that being the winner of the Superbowl doesn't mean a whole lot, because luck plays such a huge factor.
Do you agree with this? Disagree?
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Disagree about 90%. I'll only concede on the smaller sample size, 1 versus at least 4 games in all 3 other major North American sports.
If a "lesser" team beats a "superior" team in the SB, they've pretty clearly proven they are the best since luck is a very minimal component while the superior team's performance can't simply be apologized away by luck. They get an extra week to heal injuries before the divisional round and then both teams get two full weeks to heal up and gameplan for the SB.
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Select a team: San Antonio Spurs
Select mode: God Mode
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Remember that the Spurs looked this good two years ago before losing four straight to the Thunder, who match up well against them. If I am a Spurs fan, I am rooting like hell for the Clippers to take the Thunder out.
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Yeah the Thunder could be a problem, but as of right now my money remains on a rematch of last seasons's finals. Hopefully San Antonio doesn't blow it this year.
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Scott Brooks is officially the worst coach in the league :lol
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Scott Brooks is officially the worst coach in the league :lol
Doug Collins really nailed it on the postgame show. He talked about how, when things get tough, the Thunder don't have a team mentality toward their offense. They lean on Westbrook and Durant. They never ran any actions to get themselves good looks down the stretch, which is a huge part of why they lost.
And I still have no idea why they didn't foul at the end.
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On top of that how many times did the Clippers go on a run, and he would just stand on the sideline looking clueless not calling a time out or anything?
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The most striking thing to me was how many times in the last couple minutes a Clipper got WAY out on the fast break with not a single OKC player in the zip code to drop back.
Actually Reap is right, OKC not fouling was the most striking thing. What an implosion.
I'm kinda pulling for the Clippers though. I like Durant, but don't care for the Thunder as a team.
-J
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Not that the Thunder don't deserve a lot of criticism, but the heart, execution, and teamwork the Clippers have shown this playoffs have been really incredible.
Like, JVG kepts saying "The Thunder need to go to Durant" over and over again, but it's not about that. CP3 and Blake did a lot for the Clippers, but their comeback was also about never folding mentally, running an actual offense for 48 minutes, and the contributions of everyone on the team.
It's impossible not to root for the Clippers when they keep playing such inspiring basketball.
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Disagree about 90%. I'll only concede on the smaller sample size, 1 versus at least 4 games in all 3 other major North American sports.
If a "lesser" team beats a "superior" team in the SB, they've pretty clearly proven they are the best since luck is a very minimal component while the superior team's performance can't simply be apologized away by luck. They get an extra week to heal injuries before the divisional round and then both teams get two full weeks to heal up and gameplan for the SB.
Hey Reap, I was curious about your take on this.
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Disagree about 90%. I'll only concede on the smaller sample size, 1 versus at least 4 games in all 3 other major North American sports.
If a "lesser" team beats a "superior" team in the SB, they've pretty clearly proven they are the best since luck is a very minimal component while the superior team's performance can't simply be apologized away by luck. They get an extra week to heal injuries before the divisional round and then both teams get two full weeks to heal up and gameplan for the SB.
Hey Reap, I was curious about your take on this.
I'm here now.
I think a team's performance within an individual game is very much about the luck and the situation. Like, within the paradigm of the Superbowl, I almost always think the winner deserved to win that game, but that doesn't mean they're the better team, which I know makes no sense.
Look at this current Clippers Thunder series. Clippers decisively win game 1 based on the energy from the previous game 7. Thunder kill the Clippers in game 2 because the Clippers finally wear and and because of the KD MVP speech. Game 3 both teams play a high scoring offensive game and the Thunder win by a few points. Game 4 the Clippers have a huge comeback and win.
In each of those games, the right team won. But taken as a whole, the four games show that both teams are very even. We still have no idea who's better yet, which is why it's going to be exciting to see the rest of the series play out.
EDIT: Or, to use a Superbowl, if Football is a best of seven sport, the Giants probably don't win either of their Superbowls. But, because Football isn't best of seven, you can't say they don't deserve them either.
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You made some valid points but I just can't get how a supposedly superior team can have half a month to prepare for a game against a team they should beat, lose that game, and still be considered better.
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You made some valid points but I just can't get how a supposedly superior team can have half a month to prepare for a game against a team they should beat, lose that game, and still be considered better.
Freak stuff. A shooter gets hot. A receiver makes a crazy catch. One of the teams comes up with a game plan that's awesome but would never work again once it was on film. In the last Superbowl, the Seahawks figured out the Broncos signals, which I'm not sure it something that happens a lot in Football.
I'm not saying that every sports game comes down to luck. The Patriots vs. Broncos AFC championship game was a clear case of the Broncos just being a better team. But if you played the NFC championship game the 49ers win 4 or 5 of them. Without playing a series to see who can sustain more success over multiple games, how can you definitely say either team was better?
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Well yes, I already conceded the sample size disparity. But the big thing is that that is greatly overcome by the fact that they have a veritable eternity to gameplan for the SB whereas in the NBA finals, the team who took longer to win their CF gets a maximum of two or three days to prepare which can be a legit disadvantage. Without getting too slippery slope here, I'll point out that (as of last year) game 1 winners win a best of seven series 71.1% of the time (867-353) according to this link https://www.whowins.com/tables/up10.html So, that already means that there's a huge advantage in winning game 1 which almost makes game 1 like the SB itself.
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The Rockets fired one of their assistant coaches. Guess he was the fall guy since they didn't get rid of McHale.
I feel like the importance of assistant coaches in a general sense is underrated. Doc Rivers coached some mediocre offenses his last few years in Boston, and when he went to the Clippers all the sudden he was coaching the best offense in the league. Obviously, the roster helps. But no one points out that Doc hired Alvin Gentry, an assistant coach for Mike D'Antoni's seven seconds or less Suns offenses, as an assistant. You don't think having someone like Gentry helping you with your offense matters just a little bit?
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You made some valid points but I just can't get how a supposedly superior team can have half a month to prepare for a game against a team they should beat, lose that game, and still be considered better.
Think of it this way:
There is no way to say that the 2007 Giants were better than the 2007 Patriots, but they won the Super Bowl, in large part thanks to Asante Samuel dropping what would have been a game-ending INT on one play and then the Tyree on the next play. If either of those fluky plays turn out differently, the better team wins, but everything went the Giants way in the last two minutes of that game. But you can't convince me that the Giants were the better overall team.
Same for the 2012 Ravens and 2011 Giants, neither of whom were even among the five best teams going into those playoff years, yet got hot and win it all thanks to the one-and-done format.
And I don't agree with ReaP's take that the Super Bowl winner doesn't mean a lot. I just think the one-and-done format makes it more difficult for the truly best team to emerge as the champion than sports that have the best-of-seven format.
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Think Paul Pierce is tired of losing playoff games to LeBron James?
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Think Paul Pierce is tired of losing playoff games to LeBron James?
Probably.
EDIT: Huge LeBron game though. Doesn't matter how good you are, you need to keep proving it. If I were a Western Conference coach, I'd look at that box score and think, "fuck."
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In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBoTggz8zQs), Kendrick Perkins and Zack Randolph tell a referee they want to play physical in the low post and ask if the refs can avoid calling touch fouls on them. The referee says something like, "If you wanna lock arms, that's fine. But no one falling to the ground. You have to stick within the guidelines."
I don't like to use the word surreal lightly, but I had an out-of-body experience watching this video.
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It's sketchy, no doubt, but it's much easier to swallow considering both teams' interests were represented.
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It's not even sketchy. The ref was making sure both Perkins and Randolph were there to keep it fair.
I think it's more that, like, Basketball is a sport where the rules are more guidelines. Football has judgment calls and no-calls, but generally the rules are enforced as they are.
The first couple years I watched, they tried to pretend that rules were being enforced. Lately it seems like the league is being way more open about the rules being enforced selectively. They posted a video where, literally, two if its players ask the ref not to enforce the rules and the ref at least partially agrees to their request.
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I don't really mind it in that case though. They're both agreeing to it and telling the ref and he's allowing them with limitations, fine with me.
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I don't really mind it in that case though. They're both agreeing to it and telling the ref and he's allowing them with limitations, fine with me.
I don't mind it either. I just can't believe I saw it.
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Stan Van Gundy is leaning toward taking the head coach/president of basketball operations job in Detroit. If he does this, he'll consider hiring Otis Smith as the team's GM.
I feel bad for Pistons fans.
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Yeah, why would fans of a team that has won 34% of their games in the last five seasons want a coach who has won 64% of his games over 7+ seasons as a head coach?
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Yeah, why would fans of a team that has won 34% of their games in the last five seasons want a coach who has won 64% of his games over 7+ seasons as a head coach?
Stan Van Gundy is a great head coaching hire, but if he wants to hire Otis Smith as his GM, it's hard to believe that he has the right stuff for running the Basketball ops.
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Wait.
So if SVG accepts that role, he, the coach, will be in charge of the GM? That's a pretty amusing flip of things.
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Wait.
So if SVG accepts that role, he, the coach, will be in charge of the GM? That's a pretty amusing flip of things.
Clippers right now are the same way.
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Man I heard some of the Anderson Cooper interview with Sterling. That guy is nuts!
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Sterling on Magic Johnson: "What has he done? He has AIDS."
Pretty sure Johnson was HIV-postive, and did not have AIDS. Glad Sterling knows what he is talking about.
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One of many bat shit crazy comments and attacks he make when a different question was asked.
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Why are people even giving Sterling attention?
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Media does and I was listening to sports radio on the ride home. I couldn't turn it off because it was that crazy. I'm not worried, the other owners will do the right thing.
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Yeah, why would fans of a team that has won 34% of their games in the last five seasons want a coach who has won 64% of his games over 7+ seasons as a head coach?
Ask any team that has been coached by George Karl...
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Wait.
So if SVG accepts that role, he, the coach, will be in charge of the GM? That's a pretty amusing flip of things.
Clippers right now are the same way.
Yeah, but isn't Doc also the GM?
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Yeah, but isn't Doc also the GM?
Kinda maybe.
When Neil Oshley went to Portland, Gary Sacks took over as Clippers GM and I think actually negotiated the deal to bring Doc to LA. When Doc joined the team, he took on the title of Executive Vice President of Basketball operations, and Sacks I guess kept his title of Vice President of Basketball Operations. The team has no official GM.
So like, I guess Doc is the one on the phone making deals, maybe. But I doubt Gary Sacks stopped GMing either. So Doc is the head coach, the ultimate authority in Basketball operations, and he has someone who used to be the de facto GM working under him.
The Stan Van Gundy arrangement seems to be a little more clear (Otis Smith would be the GM), but who knows.
Clippers staff page here has to official job titles (https://www.nba.com/clippers/club-directory)
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OKC just got handed this game by Chris Paul and the officials. Westbrook rewarded for unbelievable (but typical for him) stupidity. Clippers repeatedly opting for Jamal Crawford one-on-fours during their offensive possessions. Neither team playing a fucking bit of defense. No idea what the refs were watching half the time.
Travesty of coaching, playing, officiating; just a horrible game all the way around.
-J
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Exciting finish, but man oh man, that was some dreadful officiating, which is par for the course for the NBA.
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What was that officiating holy shit :lol
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Exciting finish, but man oh man, that was some dreadful officiating, which is par for the course for the NBA.
RealGM's message boards are exploding.
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Gotta love Doc just not giving a crap during the postgame interview. I wonder if the NBA should switch to hockey style, where an objective referee reviews these plays in a remote location.
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Gotta love Doc just not giving a crap during the postgame interview. I wonder if the NBA should switch to hockey style, where an objective referee reviews these plays in a remote location.
Doc looked really close to just completely losing his shit. He was more composed when talking about Sterling.
EDIT: Wow. Just looked at the replay. Jackson pushes it out of bounds with his hand.
Doc might be right about them giving it to the Thunder to make up for them not calling a foul on Barnes. But you CANNOT do that. That's beyond shady. It's openly corrupt.
NBA so crooked. So disappointing. I'm less confident that Silver will handle this right, with his bullshit about how NBA refs are the best in the world.
EDIT 2: Also, if you look carefully, what happens in Barnes slaps the ball but then Jackson touches it again. Never seen a strip automatically called out on defense if the offense touches it again before going out.
EDIT 3: Really questionable foul on Westbrook at the end too. Technically a foul, but refs let worse contact than that go all the time during the end of games. Why make that call now? Even with the increased emphasis on calling fouls on jumpshooters, they've tended to be looser about it at the end of games.
EDIT 4: Tony Brothers said the replay was inconclusive. Doesn't the NBA do eyesight checks on its refs to make sure they can see what's happening?
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^Barnes never even touched the ball! He hit Jackson's hand, but the ref didn't call the foul real-time, so they are supposed to call the review based on the original call on the floor, which is was the ball out of bounds off of Barnes or Jackson. Frankly, they should be able to go back and say "nevermind, he was fouled." Wouldn't change the flow of the game since they're already reviewing the play.
The ghost foul on Westbrook's retarded three at the end was totally unnecessary too. CP is dumb for even crowding him that much, but calling that foul with almost zero contact on a deep prayer three is just plain bullshit. But that combined with two horrible turnovers makes that probably the worst 30 second stretch of Chris Paul's career.
The whole system is problematic to begin with, but then add in that these officials have to be either completely incompetent or crooked and it's just an enormous clusterfuck.
-J
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^Barnes never even touched the ball! He hit Jackson's hand,
Apparently, if you slap someones hand and that makes them drop the ball, it's still the offense's ball. This is the argument that contrarians are using to say it should be Thunder ball.
Problem is that Jackson then pushes the ball out of bounds, which you can clearly see from the top angle.
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Steve Kerr signs 5 year deal to coach Warriors.
This is not a good start for Phil Jackson's tenure.
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Perhaps he's already had his fill of Phil and didn't kerr to be a part of their organization.
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So, will the Heat actually show up for the ECF or will they even need to considering the patsies they'll end up playing?
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Pierce looked like he was about to cry :lol
Also a healthy Dwyane Wade= It might be time for coach Pop to panic.
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Don't get ahead of yourself. Pop has no reason to panic.
Also, the officiating tonight was terrible, again.
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The Spurs are a well oiled machine right now. The Heat are lackadaisical and playing fast and loose. The Heat have way more to prove right now despite being the two-time current.
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You expect them to take any team in the east seriously? They don't have to prove anything until someone actually presents a challenge which probably won't be until the Finals.
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The Heat though have, very wisely, been playing hard this whole playoffs. They beat the Bobcats in 4 and a perfectly decent Nets team in 5. If they can win the ECF in 5 or 6 games (totally possible) they'll go into the finals far better rested than they did last year (remember, they weren't trying to maintain a historical winning streak this season either).
No matter what happens in the Western Conference, they'll be facing probably their biggest finals challenge this year. Every little advantage they eek out is to their benefit.
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I'd be shocked if the Heat won the title again to be honest. The Clippers, Spurs, and Thunder are all significantly better teams. The Heat would need an A+ game from either LeBron or Wade every night to have a chance.
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I'm not betting on the Heat to win either. But, so far this playoffs, they're taking care of business. Maybe I'm just reading this wrong, but so far it seems like LeBron genuinely in the mindset of "I have to play my best game every night if we're going to win this thing." Nobody wants to play LeBron when he's at his best.
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Even though it has been negative talk, this is the most Chris Paul has ever been talked about in the playoffs. I had a conversation with a friend the other day, and he was surprised that I didn't think Paul was as great as everyone else does, and I was like, "Well, 95% of my NBA watching is the playoffs, and his teams never make it far in the playoffs, so I don't see him play a lot." :lol :lol Don't get me wrong, the guy is a great player for sure - that has been obvious for much of this series - but at some point, given the rep he has, even if you don't win a championship, you need to be playing in June.
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You need to produce under pressure. Tonight's an elimination game. What's CP3 going to show us?
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Doc fined 25k for criticizing the refs. NBA releases statement defending their decision.
The NBA... where blatant corruption happens!
That said, I'm curious how tonight's game will be officiated. I don't think the league will tell the refs "go easy on the Clippers," but you know they said stuff like "don't call cheap fouls on jump shooters at the end of the game," "put more effort into reviewing calls at the end of the game," and "you guys basically gave Durant points in game 5, don't let him make you look stupid when he goes to the line."
A lot of people say "if you think the NBA is rigged, then why not bet like it is and make tons of money?" Believe me, if I gambled on Basketball, I'd bet the Clippers tonight. The league doesn't want them to lose, because it would really embarrass them.
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Even though it has been negative talk, this is the most Chris Paul has ever been talked about in the playoffs. I had a conversation with a friend the other day, and he was surprised that I didn't think Paul was as great as everyone else does, and I was like, "Well, 95% of my NBA watching is the playoffs, and his teams never make it far in the playoffs, so I don't see him play a lot." :lol :lol Don't get me wrong, the guy is a great player for sure - that has been obvious for much of this series - but at some point, given the rep he has, even if you don't win a championship, you need to be playing in June.
Paul has actually played really well in the playoffs, his teams just aren't that good. I must say that he did get what he deserved in Game 5; if you make it a habit of trying to trick referees, eventually it's going to come back to bite you.
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Perhaps he's already had his fill of Phil and didn't kerr to be a part of their organization.
The only good thing to come of this is no Steve Kerr puns in New York.
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Doc fined 25k for criticizing the refs. NBA releases statement defending their decision.
The NBA... where blatant corruption happens!
That said, I'm curious how tonight's game will be officiated. I don't think the league will tell the refs "go easy on the Clippers," but you know they said stuff like "don't call cheap fouls on jump shooters at the end of the game," "put more effort into reviewing calls at the end of the game," and "you guys basically gave Durant points in game 5, don't let him make you look stupid when he goes to the line."
A lot of people say "if you think the NBA is rigged, then why not bet like it is and make tons of money?" Believe me, if I gambled on Basketball, I'd bet the Clippers tonight. The league doesn't want them to lose, because it would really embarrass them.
Well, you'd have to lay 4 1/2, and that could go either way, especially if it is close at the end (where free throws made by the winning team and if the losing team scores a bucket or two at the end, often dictate who covers those type of spreads), but I do think the Clippers will win and force a Game 7. And I suspect they will get the benefit of the calls at the end of the game to make sure there is a Game 7. It's how the NBA has operated for as long as I've been watching.
Paul has actually played really well in the playoffs, his teams just aren't that good. I must say that he did get what he deserved in Game 5; if you make it a habit of trying to trick referees, eventually it's going to come back to bite you.
Yeah, he is a notorious flopper.
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Who isn't a flopper in todays league? Durant,CP3,Griffin and Westbrook are some of the biggest floppers though I'm shocked we haven't seen any fines for flopping during this series.
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I'd be shocked if the Heat won the title again to be honest. The Clippers, Spurs, and Thunder are all significantly better teams. The Heat would need an A+ game from either LeBron or Wade every night to have a chance.
I definitely don't think the Clippers and Thunder are "significantly better" than the Heat, or better at all really. The Spurs are a better team, but will they still be bringing it by the time the Finals roll around, we'll see.
Doc fined 25k for criticizing the refs. NBA releases statement defending their decision.
Saw that shit coming from a mile away. The lack of accountability for these guys is astounding.
The league doesn't want them to lose, because it would really embarrass them.
True, but the league wants to see KD vs. LeBron, and probably wants Sterling's team out as well. The Thunder will still take the series. Where it may get interesting is when some serious intervention is needed to boost the Thunder over the Spurs.
-J
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OKC matches up well against the Spurs, unlike Portland, so the Thunder beating them without any assistance is very possible.
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True, but the league wants to see KD vs. LeBron, and probably wants Sterling's team out as well. The Thunder will still take the series.
Assuming the league's rigged (which it probably isn't, but what happens makes more sense if it is), they're in a tough situation. If the Clips lose, it puts an asterisk next to the Thunder's victory, which the league doesn't want. But, it's also problematic when it comes to how the league usually fixes series. Generally, they make sure to push it to seven and then make sure the last game's actually reffed competently. In this case, if they let the Clips win game 6, they might need to do some 2010 finals game 7 treatment for the Thunder. It will be obvious, but they need their KD vs. LeBron apparently.
What I find funny is that Silver wants the NBA to become the most popular sport in America. Hard to do when it seems rigged.
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Okay, I wouldn't go that far with it. :lol :lol
Do I think certain games are called a certain way because the league wants series to go longer or whatever? Absolutely. But to say the league is fixed or rigged is a bit over the top.
I'll use the 2009 ECF between Cleveland and Orlando as an example. Everyone was anticipating a James/Bryant match-up in the finals, but the Magic ruined it by upsetting the Cavs, and in Game 3 of that series, every close call went the Cavs way, yet the Magic so thoroughly outplayed them that it didn't matter; the Magic still won. So, that was an example of a game being called a certain way to try and get a certain result, yet the players ultimately decided it. Had it been rigged or fixed, they would have done everything in their power to made sure the Cavs won.
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Here's the problem. Let's say God told me this: "You have to tell me, yes or no, if you think the NBA deliberately rigs the outcomes of its games to produce certain results. Since I'm god, I know the actual answer. If you answer wrong, you'll be damned forever." I'd answer no. But, whenever I chose to analyze the NBA as if it were rigged, all the sudden everything that happens makes sense. At the very least, it's deeply corrupt.
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They did it the hard way, but the Pacers made it right back to where they're supposed to be, the Eastern Conference Finals. Hopefully, they can beat the Heat.
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Case in point, ReaP: Westbrook and Perkins are both already in foul trouble, which makes it much harder for the Thunder to win this game. The league wants a Game 7. This is so predictable. :lol :lol
As for the Pacers, if you are a fan of the sport, you should be rooting for the Heat, since Heat vs. any of the top 3 West teams will be a great final. Pacers vs any of them would be a bludgeoning.
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No way in hell the Clips would bludgeon the Pacers. They're way too streaky and are incapable of playing a full 48 of competent defense. I say this with them actually being one of my favorite NBA teams.
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Some seriously sketchy calls here in the 4th.
I agree with Reap: I can't come out and say the NBA fixes games, because I just don't know. All I can say is the way things always seem to play out is very, very convenient.
-J
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I'm not so sure about the East, but the Western Conference finals are going to be interesting! The Spurs are the better team, in my opinion, and are riding a bit more momentum, but OKC has a decent shot as well. Durant is an absolute beast and there's no doubt in my mind that he'll play big throughout the series. I look forward to seeing if OKC can pull together enough of a supporting cast to mitigate San Antonio's advantage in the experience, balance, and consistency departments.
If I had to put money on it I'd say Spurs in 6 or 7.
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Obviously I'm disappointed that the Clips lost, but the referring in that game was just amazing. Not because it was biased, but because it was incompetent. The refs could never figure out if they were calling the game loose or tight. You'd see them let fouls go and then call the same fouls the next play. They called almost every charge/block wrong.
It felt like every play was decided purely by luck, in terms of whether the ref was going to call a foul that play, and what team the foul was going to be on. No logic to it.
I can't stress this enough - Football refs make mistakes all the time, but are basically professional and usually at least have some logic to what they're doing. I almost never have a bad taste in my mouth after a Football game because of the officiating. On the other hand, virtually no one else in the working world can be as incompetent at their jobs as NBA officials, or they'd be fired.
If the NBA wants to grow their sport, they have to figure this out. The game will not grow if the officiating is this bad. As someone who considers himself a relatively devoted NBA fan, I know for a fact that I watch less basketball because of the officiating. Putting up with the bullshit is too frustrating.
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Incompetence and bias factor big time into the sad state of officiating in the NBA, but I feel like there are some profoundly shitty rules that also play a role. Calling a charge versus a block basically IS a 50/50 toss up at this point. The player doesn't necessarily have to have established position or even be on the ground (as we saw tonight), and you have guys understandably trying to take advantage of the officials' obvious inability to enforce the rule. The degree and nature of contact allowed in post play is ambiguous. The shove in the back on the rebound is a widely ignored phenomenon. The focus just seems to be constantly on the wrong things and there's frankly too much attempt by the officials to control the game via rules that are poorly defined to begin with.
Also as a (sort of) critic of Durant at times, I feel like I should acknowledge that he had an absolutely monstrous game.
-J
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Incompetence and bias factor big time into the sad state of officiating in the NBA, but I feel like there are some profoundly shitty rules that also play a role.
Yeah. One of the most brilliant things Football did was simplify their rule book. It made the officiating much less controversial.
Calling a charge versus a block basically IS a 50/50 toss up at this point. The player doesn't necessarily have to have established position or even be on the ground (as we saw tonight), and you have guys understandably trying to take advantage of the officials' obvious inability to enforce the rule.
Yeah. Like, apparently Blake was blocking Westbrook at one point because, even though his feet were planted, Westbrook moved to the side and made contact with Griffin's side, making it a block.
Block/charge for stationary defenders needs to be rewritten so the only question is if the defender's feet were planted before contact outside of the restricted area. I'm sure a lot of mistakes would still be made, but the reduced over-thinking on the refs' part would improve accuracy.
The degree and nature of contact allowed in post play is ambiguous. The shove in the back on the rebound is a widely ignored phenomenon. The focus just seems to be constantly on the wrong things and there's frankly too much attempt by the officials to control the game via rules that are poorly defined to begin with.
This is a huge one. The official rules forbid pretty much all contact in the post, but in reality that's impossible to enforce. You're right that, inevitably, the refs decide to just call the game with no consistency based on how they want to call it. As a post player, it's impossible to know game-to-game what the limits are. I have no idea how to rewrite these rules though.
Also as a (sort of) critic of Durant at times, I feel like I should acknowledge that he had an absolutely monstrous game.
-J
Durant is amazing.
EDIT: Did you notice how, during the game, they called very few fouls on jumpshooters? After making a huge deal out of it for weeks, the league realized it had gotten out of control with the CP3 foul at the end of game 5, so they told the refs to roll that business back. Nobody knows what they're doing. These people are paid too much to be this incompetent.
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Meh. I don't think the league is rigged. I think that it's very hard sport to officiate, refs are biased toward superstars - possibly because they feel intimidated by them -, and the rule book kind of sucks. There have been too many examples of imperfect match-ups; for example, the 2009 Finals would have been the biggest ever if LeBron and Kobe were in it, but the Cavs couldn't beat the Magic despite 38/8/8 from LeBron. It would have been pretty easy for the league to rig that series if they wanted to, but it didn't happen. And there are many more examples like that.
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Isn't the Thunder's offense maddening to watch? I lost track of how many times they just dribble the shot clock down and then just launch a jump shot. It's almost like, they have no set plays to run on offense. And it works a lot cause Durant and Westbrook are great shot makers, but fundamentally it is a train wreck of an approach.
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Isn't the Thunder's offense maddening to watch? I lost track of how many times they just dribble the shot clock down and then just launch a jump shot. It's almost like, they have no set plays to run on offense. And it works a lot cause Durant and Westbrook are great shot makers, but fundamentally it is a train wreck of an approach.
Which is why Brooks gets tons of critics in this thread ;)
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Isn't the Thunder's offense maddening to watch? I lost track of how many times they just dribble the shot clock down and then just launch a jump shot. It's almost like, they have no set plays to run on offense. And it works a lot cause Durant and Westbrook are great shot makers, but fundamentally it is a train wreck of an approach.
It seems like what saves them is that their defense is usually great, so not having an offense doesn't hurt them much. Right now Durant and Westbrook account for like 65% of their usage, which is insane.
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Isn't the Thunder's offense maddening to watch? I lost track of how many times they just dribble the shot clock down and then just launch a jump shot. It's almost like, they have no set plays to run on offense. And it works a lot cause Durant and Westbrook are great shot makers, but fundamentally it is a train wreck of an approach.
They don't have a real system. Their plays have no second or third options, and the plays they do run are barely plays. To me, it's the biggest reason Brooks needs to go. Look at the Clippers offense and how much it improved with a real coach who can actually teach his team to run plays. Imagine what would happen if the Thunder had a coach like that.
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Sucks Ibaka had to get injured that will probably be enough to keep Scott Brooks safe after they lose to the Spurs.
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This sucks for the Spurs. No matter what they do this playoffs, there will be an asterisk next to it. And if they lose to the Thunder without Ibaka, that would be really embarrassing.
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This sucks for the Spurs. No matter what they do this playoffs, there will be an asterisk next to it. And if they lose to the Thunder without Ibaka, that would be really embarrassing.
I don't think I agree. Injuries are part of the game. This happens to a title contender pretty much every year. No one will remember Ibaka's injury 10 years from now, except for Thunder fans.
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^Yeah. Losing Ibaka is significant, but he isn't as important to the Thunder as he was a year or two ago. Between Adams, Perkins, Collison, et al, OKC has plenty of depth at 4 and 5.
-J
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I'm with TOX. I'm not completely sure but I think in the same playoffs, a few years ago, Kobe, Rondo, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook were all injured. The combo of 80-90 games under your belt and going even harder each night due to the way-higher stakes of playoff basketball is a clearcut recipe for injuries. It's almost surprising there aren't more injuries.
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I don't think I agree. Injuries are part of the game. This happens to a title contender pretty much every year. No one will remember Ibaka's injury 10 years from now, except for Thunder fans.
Exactly!! Was about to say the same, thank you!! :hat
I am not cold blooded or anything, but people on almost all the NBA forums I am a member of are "feeling sorry" for the Thunder. Geez, roll with it, injury is a part of the game!! So boo hoo!! :hat
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I'll cry for months of LeGod gets injured and is out.
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I'll cry for months of LeGod gets injured and is out.
I'll join you we can be like the Bulls fans in 2012 and cry about it for years after too.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5PLcxZy44&feature=youtu.be
:lol
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5PLcxZy44&feature=youtu.be
:lol
I laughed out loud at that video! :lol
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Apparently, Minnesota is giving serious consideration to trading Kevin Love.
If he's willing to play in Boston, the Celtics need to get this done. Sullinger, Green, Bogans (whose 5 million dollar contract is non-guaranteed), and 3 1st round picks. No other team can come close to this kind of offer.
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crapcrapcrap
Heat in 6
Spurs in 5
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If the Pacers beat the Heat this series, my conspiracy about them faking all the drama will be one of my favorites of all time.
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It's gonna be fun watching Around the Horn and Pardon The Interruption during the Eastern Conference finals and watching as they jump on and off the Pacers bandwagon depending on what happened the day before. :lol ESPN's been alternatively burying and praising the Pacers for weeks now.
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Pacers diversification was ridiculous.
George - 24-7-4
West - 19-7-3
Hibbert - 19-9-3
Stephenson - 17-8-4
Hill - 15 pts
Watson - 11 and 4
-J
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I missed it, but fuck is that why they lost? Pacers making their shots?
How did the Heat look?
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It's not that the Heat looked bad, it's that the Pacers looked like the world-beaters they seemed before Spring.
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It's not that the Heat looked bad, it's that the Pacers looked like the world-beaters they seemed before Spring.
Actually, Bosh did look pretty awful. Wade/James both looked pretty good but not spectacular. Heat were pretty weak defensively, though; most points Pacers have scored all playoffs. Heat better wake up fast, as, despite their recent struggles, Indiana is perfectly designed to beat them.
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Yeah, in the second half the Pacers made a fucking TON of shots even under heavy contesting. On their midrange jumpers they could basically do no wrong and the Heat shot like reres during the second half. The Heat looked scared, confused, lazy, one-dimensional, and thoroughly bereft of heart once they realized this wasn't gonna be one of the million games they've won just by putting together one good fourth quarter run. Spoels better put on that thinkin cap or shit's gonna get ugly real quick.
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Eh, it's one game. Besides, the Pacers get up to play the Heat, so I figured they'd win a game or two. The Heat will be fine this series. Remember that the Bulls did something similar to them in a Game 1 a couple years ago and then the Heat won the next four.
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In before 62-20 run?
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A part of me feels like the Pacers hit shots at a rate they will never be able to duplicate again, and that the Heat are going to ramp up the intensity and be fine going forward.
Another part of me feels like the Pacers always find ways to play out of their minds against the Heat, so maybe Miami is in trouble.
Game 2 will be very telling!
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Eh, it's one game. Besides, the Pacers get up to play the Heat, so I figured they'd win a game or two. The Heat will be fine this series. Remember that the Bulls did something similar to them in a Game 1 a couple years ago and then the Heat won the next four.
I am agreeing with you on the Heat coming back part, but just wanted to point out that; that Bulls team was without D Rose, and Nate Robinson was playing like a man possessed in game 1. :hat
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Well James, I tried to not make you feel too bad about the game. These guys didn't help :lol
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Eh, it's one game. Besides, the Pacers get up to play the Heat, so I figured they'd win a game or two. The Heat will be fine this series. Remember that the Bulls did something similar to them in a Game 1 a couple years ago and then the Heat won the next four.
I am agreeing with you on the Heat coming back part, but just wanted to point out that; that Bulls team was without D Rose, and Nate Robinson was playing like a man possessed in game 1. :hat
No, that was the 2011 playoffs, when Rose was coming off his MVP season and playing really well. He wasn't hurt till the following season.
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I, for one, am by no means calling an Indy series victory yet. That would be foolish in any series after Game 1, but especially so with how inconsistent the Pacers have been lately. It was just a little surprising to see Miami get basically dominated like that. It doesn't happen often. Miami is weaker this year, though, and I won't be surprised if they lose. However, I will be equally unsurprised if LeBron finds some way to pull it out, even if it requires Cleveland-mode!
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Grizzlies CEO fired. GM assumes temporary control of the team. No one knows what's happening. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2014/05/19/grizzlies-fire-ceo-and-assistant-gm/9293013/)
Strange moment for such a major shakeup of the team's management. After the weird start (Joerger trying to make the Grizz run and gun), they became an excellent basketball team. This feels like more an issue of personality than results.
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I felt the same about Mark Jackson being fired.
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I felt the same about Mark Jackson being fired.
I don't think it's that simple
I'm not going to say Joerger was a better coach than Jackson, but the Grizz played more to their identity. It took Jackson a couple games to realize he should go small (unacceptable from a professional coach) and they still ran a lot of ISO ball and never had the best rotations.
The only reason Joerger would be fired is that the owner doesn't like him, which is silly. Jackson on the other hand kicked people out of practice, tried to fire an assistant coach he didn't have the authority to fire, and probably tons of other stuff we don't know about.
If Joerger's fired, speculation is that he'll go to the Wolves. No one wants to hire Jackson.
Jackson wasn't a good enough coach to justify how much of a pain in the ass he was. Joerger isn't a great coach necessarily, but he's at least competent and doesn't seem like a troublemaker.
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I never liked Mark Jackson, even as an announcer. In fairness to Jackson though, I'm not a Kobe fan, and Jackson at one point said Kobe was as good as Jordan, so I immediately stopped taking him seriously. :lol
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I disagree with 90% of what JVG says, but at least he's trying. Jackson just seemed to say whatever sounded good to him at the moment.
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https://youtu.be/kcvwCn7DwDY
MAMA THERE GOES THAT MAN!
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Hand down.... MAN DOWN!
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Didn't think losing Ibaka would mean this much.
Also, Pop is a really good coach. Credit to Brooks for trying to be creative, but Pop had the smarter lineups and adjustments.
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I missed the 2nd half of the game, but did Scott Brooks really play Durant at Center? If so he should have been fired right there on the spot :lol
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Didn't think losing Ibaka would mean this much.
Also, Pop is a really good coach. Credit to Brooks for trying to be creative, but Pop had the smarter lineups and adjustments.
Without Ibaka, the Thunder loses arguably their 2nd most athletic guy on the floor. He is also their main shot blocker / rebounder / defensive anchor. The Thunder tried to out score the Spurs with a super small lineup in the 2nd half, and it only got way worse! Unless they figure out something reliable to slow down the Spurs, the Thunder are in serious trouble!
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Also, Pop is a really good coach. Credit to Brooks for trying to be creative, but Pop had the smarter lineups and adjustments.
Not only that, Pop managed to modify the offense so much that they ended scoring more points in the paint than they normally do. He is without a question the best coach in the NBA.
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Oh Auerbach, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy nine rings.
Thy Larry O' Brien trophies will come
Thy plays will be run,
on the parquet, as it was during the Russell era Celtics dynasty.
Give us this day our Luck of the Irish
And forgive us our 25 win season,
As we forgive Paul Gaston and Rick Pitino
And lead us not onto the mediocrity treadmill
But deliver us into a first place lottery finish.
For thine is the Garden,
The championships, and glory over the Lakers,
Amen.
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The draft lotto is tonight. Realistically, I think the Lakers could only get as high as the #3 pick.
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
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Amazing Spurs tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NbJMq-QfU&feature=youtu.be
EDIT: This is a more dry video breaking down what kind of stuff the Spurs run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKtu6YoIxg
The big thing to note in the second video - The Spurs offense has a lot of options based on what the defense does or in case something goes wrong. The players are never standing around wondering what to do. Contrast this with the Thunder. If they run a play and it doesn't work, they just pass it to Durant or Westbrook and hope they score.
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^ You could say that the Spurs offense is in CONSTANT MOTION (https://vimeo.com/21012544)
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
Kev :lol How has the C's done in the past with the lotto?! Remember having 2 picks with the most balls and getting the #3 and #6 pick loosing out on Tim Duncan and in 07, having 2 second most amount of balls only to get the #5 pick, (which they did trade the player, Jeff Green*Ironic!* to get Ray Allen.
The league has really helped them out man. :lol
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If I were Kevin Love, I'd want to leave the Wolves too. (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2068172-ricky-rubio-i-could-be-timberwolves-definitive-leader-instead-of-kevin-love?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national?is_shared=true?is_shared=true)
About his teammate Kevin Love, the Spanish point guard says that "he is a special player, the numbers that he puts up are incredible, but still the leader has to be somebody else (...) He leads in scoring, in other things, but in voice he is not the type of player that wants to be or that can be, no? There are different types of leaders. Still, it did not have to have been him, it should have been Kevin Martin, with a little more experience, or even I can take a step further and start to be the definitive leader."
Shouldn't Rubio crack 40% shooting before he says stuff like this?
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Amazing Spurs tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NbJMq-QfU&feature=youtu.be
EDIT: This is a more dry video breaking down what kind of stuff the Spurs run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKtu6YoIxg
The big thing to note in the second video - The Spurs offense has a lot of options based on what the defense does or in case something goes wrong. The players are never standing around wondering what to do. Contrast this with the Thunder. If they run a play and it doesn't work, they just pass it to Durant or Westbrook and hope they score.
Thanks for sharing- I really enjoyed watching the videos. More importantly, a great reminder of why I really enjoy watching the Spurs.
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Amazing Spurs tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6NbJMq-QfU&feature=youtu.be
EDIT: This is a more dry video breaking down what kind of stuff the Spurs run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKtu6YoIxg
The big thing to note in the second video - The Spurs offense has a lot of options based on what the defense does or in case something goes wrong. The players are never standing around wondering what to do. Contrast this with the Thunder. If they run a play and it doesn't work, they just pass it to Durant or Westbrook and hope they score.
Thank you for sharing this, especially that first video....it brought me to tears. Those highlights should shut every naysayer who says the Spurs are too boring to watch. The ball movement is gorgeous! It's poetry in motion. How is winning boring?
However, as a Spurs fan, i do wish these videos would recognize the other pieces who pushed and influenced this dynasty by the likes of David Robinson, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, and Mario Elie.
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However, as a Spurs fan, i do wish these videos would recognize the other pieces who pushed and influenced this dynasty by the likes of David Robinson, Sean Elliot, Avery Johnson, Vinny Del Negro, and Mario Elie.
I think what's happened is that appreciating the Spurs has really become a thing in the last couple years. They started running an offense with heavy motion (really intriguing to hardcore basketball fans) and finding ways to squeeze more and more out of their role players. So while the guys you mention have faded into history a bit, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills, and so on are getting a lot of appreciation.
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Can't take this stress. Come on... come on......
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
Wrong. :lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8-HDUBbtgQ
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Celtics pushed back to six.
Christ.
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Cleveland again? Holy shit!
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I'd be for rigging the draft if they never got another #1 pick. They're just gonna waste it.
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Yeah should have rigged it for the Celtics or Lakers at least they will actually do something with the #1 pick.
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Did Beasley fuck a coaches wife or something? Fucking play him already holy shit :lol
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I didn't see much of the game, but wow the Pacers D made a lot of mistakes. They kept helping off corner 3 point shooters, and got burnt multiple times.
This is why you can't collapse mid-season and just turn it back on. The regular season is where you built the habits that let you win when it counts. Pacers D is now making major mistakes.
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
Wrong. :lol
Oops. :facepalm: :lol
I'd be for rigging the draft if they never got another #1 pick. They're just gonna waste it.
Haha, exactly. Wiggins is probably already thinking, "Shit, I gotta go to Cleveland??"
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(https://i.imgur.com/w5kRGDO.jpg)
:biggrin:
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
What happened to "the league would give either the Celtics or Lakers at least a top 3 pick" conspiracy now? Oh wait, the Cavs won the #1 pick for THIRD time since 2011! :lol
Oh, and so much for home court advantage, eh? The Heat only needed to win one of the first two at Indy, and they did. Now they are looking mighty good heading back home. As said before, Heat in 5 or 6. :hat
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I didn't say it would happen; I merely said I wouldn't be surprised if it did. :P
The fact that the NBA doesn't do the lottery thing with the balls live has always made it, um, shall we say, questionable.
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Realistically, I won't be surprised if the NBA does some of their special rigging to ensure the Lakers and Celtics both benefit.
What happened to "the league would give either the Celtics or Lakers at least a top 3 pick" conspiracy now? Oh wait, the Cavs won the #1 pick for THIRD time since 2011! :lol
Oh, and so much for home court advantage, eh? The Heat only needed to win one of the first two at Indy, and they did. Now they are looking mighty good heading back home. As said before, Heat in 5 or 6. :hat
Of course the Pacers have actually played better on the road in these playoffs than they have at home, so I wouldn't be fitting Miami for championship rings just yet. :lol
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I don't think Miami will beat the Spurs this year anyway.
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Grizz letting Wolves interview Joerger.
Really stupid by the Grizz.
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George was diagnosed with a concussion, and he must be clear of all symptoms before he is allowed to play again. Good luck, Pacers.
https://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10964763/2014-nba-playoffs-paul-george-indiana-pacers-diagnosed-concussion (https://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10964763/2014-nba-playoffs-paul-george-indiana-pacers-diagnosed-concussion)
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How many times do the Thunder do that backdoor cut into an alley oop for Durant? That might be the only play Scott Brooks knows.
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Did I just see Oklahoma running a play with several options and moving the ball all around the court? What universe am I in?!
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The Spurs are a really good basketball team guys.
EDIT: Thunder can't fuck around here.
Eight man rotation. Start Jackson, Westbrook, Butler, Durant, and Collison. Have Durant play the whole first/third quarter and Westbrook the whole second/fourth quarter so one of them is always on the floor. Use Adams to give Collison rest. Use Fisher and Sefolosha to give rest to the other guys.
Is this a radical solution? Yes. Did the Thunder lose the first two games by a combined 52 points? Also yes.
The announcers have made a big deal out of how hard it is for KD to play four because he has to bang down low. But, the MVP of the league has what it takes to make sacrifices for his team, right?
Right?
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(https://slamonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/spurs.jpg)
Duncan, Ginobli, and Parker now have more playoffs wins as a trio than any other Big 3 in the history of the game, and they are still going strong. And yet, most sports experts will never deem them worthy of the dynasty label....because they are "boring." Sign me up to be the first in the Line of Boredom if it means my teams can win a handful of championships, break records, embarrass people in the postseason, and play with the best team attitude in modern times.
God i love this team
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The reasons I'll wait on calling the Spurs a dynasty are simple, but understand I do consider them a great team.
Aside from 2007 and 2008, they've never been the team with the most (by themselves, not tied) recent titles. After their first in 1999, the Lakers threepeated and the Spurs didn't tie those three titles until taking 4 more seasons to do so than the Lakers. Even when they took the 2007 title, the Lakers had already made it to their 4th finals of the Shaq/Kobe era 3 years earlier meaning the extra title alone is obviously more overall success at that point but not by any means to the extent to consider them the unquestionable best (what a dynasty is.)
Add to this the fact that the Lakers then played in the next 3 NBA Finals and won 2 more titles and there just isn't any realistic way to say they were the outright best at any point in time plus the lack of any repeats hurts their cause a little bit too considering that, excluding their 4 titles, 19 of the remaining 23 titles since 1987 have been a part of repeats and 1 of the 4 nonrepeating titleists, the 2006 Heat, are basically the first chapter of what would be a dynasty if the Heat threepeat this year since the Dwyane Wade continuity is there.
87-88 Lakers
89-90 Pistons
91-93 Bulls
94-95 Rockets
96-98 Bulls
00-02 Lakers
09-10 Lakers
12-13 Heat
Again, I have deep respect for the Spurs but this post is only my analysis for whether or not I believe they have a claim to be considered the irrefutable best at any point in their history. Also, Manu looked cooler back in that pic's era when he was Balki from Perfect Strangers.
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(https://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18qbsucc0bfokgif/k-bigpic.gif)
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Danny Green is the man- and my favorite player in the NBA right now. Talk about a guy who understands his role, excels in that role, buys into the system, plays hard defense, and does the small things. And to think that he almost fell out of the nba entirely. Props to him for working on his game, and pop for giving him the chance, so that he could develop into one of the most spectacular role players in the league. Watch out Ray Allen, he's coming for your playoff records! Oh wait...
:hefdaddy
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I'm probably not the only one who thinks the ECF is irrelevant at this point. The Heat or Pacers will get rocked by the Spurs. It's not going to be pretty.
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*hoping someone addresses my post at the top of this page*
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I don't have much to say about it, and frankly I don't really care if they're worthy of being called a dynasty. Regardless, it's been an impressive run for them, and they definitely have my respect for now. It will be interesting to see what happens when the trio retires, in the coming years.
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Well, I would say that it is kind of absurd to suggest that the '06 title would be a part of the Heat dynasty. That was a completely different team, with a different coach.
Overall though, I agree with much of it. The fact that the Spurs have never repeated does kind of work against them in the "greatest ever" discussion of dynasties.
Either way, Tim Duncan is easily in the top 10 NBA players ever. In fact, right now, it'd be easy to put him around 6th right now, behind Jordan, Bird, Magic, Wilt and Russell. I think James will eventually reach the top 3, but he needs a few more years.
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I understand the Thunder overcame a 0-2 hole and beat the Spurs in the 2012 WCF, and I am sure some Spurs fans ain't feeling too comfortable still. IMO, unlike in 2012, this Thunder is as good as done now. They no longer have Harden, and Ibaka is hurt. They simply get no production off the bench, and the other 3 starters. Barring any major injury to the Spurs, they are simply too disciplined to lose a 2-0 series lead this time around.
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I'd say the Spurs are good in a way that shows the dynasty label is a bit silly.
If the Spurs win this year (very possible), they will have won 5 titles in 15 years. That's insane performance for a sports franchise. If that isn't a dynasty, then the idea of a dynasty is a bit meaningless.
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I'd say the Spurs are good in a way that shows the dynasty label is a bit silly.
If the Spurs win this year (very possible), they will have won 5 titles in 15 years. That's insane performance for a sports franchise. If that isn't a dynasty, then the idea of a dynasty is a bit meaningless.
Agreed, plus IIRC, except for the 2 locked out shorten seasons, the Spurs had never won fewer than 50 games in the Duncan era! That alone is a crazy accomplishment! :hat
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I think longevity should define what a dynasty is. A lot of people think that having back to back championships automatically constitute as a dynasty. I don't think that is the case. I do not consider the 94-95 Rockets a dynasty. The Spurs have won 4 championships, made 5 finals appearances, and let's not forget that not only have they had a winning record since the 97-98' season, but they've appeared in the playoffs ever since! There hasn't been a more dominate team in the league than the Spurs in the last 15, maybe 20 years. I say that is a dynasty, whether they get that fifth with Duncan or not.
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I'd say the Spurs are good in a way that shows the dynasty label is a bit silly.
If the Spurs win this year (very possible), they will have won 5 titles in 15 years. That's insane performance for a sports franchise. If that isn't a dynasty, then the idea of a dynasty is a bit meaningless.
I completely agree with all of that.
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Somebody leaked the Thunder's playbook :lol
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoDF2fpIIAAm7wX.png)
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?
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Does anyone have any insight into the Kevin Love thing that I don't? The way I see it:
- I hear the Cavs getting talked about, but I don't see it. Love would never sign there.
- A Lakers trade isn't happening. They have one good draft pick and that's it. They have no valuable players. No matter how much Love wants to go there, the Wolves would be better off just letting him opt out than looking like suckers.
- Phoenix has no marquee asset for the Wolves or for Love to play there. I'm not sure this is happening.
- I think Chicago is more focused on Carmelo than Love.
- On paper, the Celtics make the most sense. But, I've seen no indication that Love wants to play there. And it feels like the Wolves are looking less for draft picks and more for players just based on how the various stories feel. Sullinger, Green, Olynyk, and Bass are all intriguing assets, but other teams can do better. If the Wolves want draft picks, we can oblige. But if that isn't what they want, we have a problem.
- The Warriors only have a 2015 draft pick to trade. But, they do have great players to trade if they want to. And I think this is a market Love would want to play in. To me, this is the front runner. Everything works out the best.
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So I'm thinking, what if Duncan decides to retire after next season? Would Love be a suitable replacement for him? Would he want to play for the Spurs? Would the Spurs want him there?
I'm gonna answer the first question and go with a YES, Love would be a great replacement for Timmy D and I think he would fit very well in the Spurs system. I don't know about the other 2 questions but I can see this happening.
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The Spurs' GM once said in an interview that they don't want players who are obsessed with playing in big markets. I suspect this would make Love unattractive to them.
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While I understand their stand, they haven't had to look for key players in the last 12 years, the team has changed a lot but Manu, Parker and Duncan have stayed there. I would think they'll be willing to overlook that position a bit when the time comes to look for these guys' replacements.
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From the sound of it, Love wants to eventually sign long term in a big market, so the obvious places are Boston, NY, Chicago or LA.
I am not sure what is more crazy: the media thinking Love going to Cleveland would influence James to go back there, or the media acting like there is ANY chance James goes back there. Why in the hell would be go back to Cleveland? I mean, seriously?
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While I understand their stand, they haven't had to look for key players in the last 12 years, the team has changed a lot but Manu, Parker and Duncan have stayed there. I would think they'll be willing to overlook that position a bit when the time comes to look for these guys' replacements.
Good point. The angle of choosers sha'n't be beggars being reverted toward the traditional beggars can't be choosers dynamic should be interesting. Not calling what they'll be, post-Duncan, beggars at all but noting that they've been the exact opposite of beggar for so long that his eventual retirement will potentially be the first major thing to shift their spot on the beggar/chooser scale since the late 80s. Sure, they never won titles before Duncan but David Robinson pulled them out of their driest spell in franchise history and they've contended at the top level ever since so this certainly will be the biggest hole to fill since the Reagan administration.
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Somebody leaked the Thunder's playbook :lol
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BoDF2fpIIAAm7wX.png)
yup :lol
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Spurs will be fine when Duncan/Manu/Parker go away. They have an almost completely clear cap sheet for the 2016 season. They'll be able to sign whatever free agents they want and keep drafting smartly. Assuming Buford stays around and they hire another good coach, it will be one of those things where in a few years we'll be wondering how they're a contending team even though they never made a splashy move. Like the Pacers before they collapsed for some reason.
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What the hell is D-Wade wearing? :lol
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1.0-9/10394479_10152330646968463_8141851597092325926_n.jpg)
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Only thing missing is a leather football helmet.
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Ain't gonna lie though. That purse is fuckin slammin.
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Wolves on board with bringing in Joerger. Working out trade with Grizz to do it.
lol Grizz.
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Ugly first half.
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Come on, Indy, let the choking begin! :lol
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I still can't tell if the Heat are really that streaky or really that unmotivated until shit hits the fan.
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Plastic teams with a generic all-star, a bunch of fake tough guys, playing spotty D; might look good in the REGULAR season. Yet this kind of team usually have NO business in big stage like the NBA Finals. I am looking forward to a 2013 Finals rematch. :hat
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Seriously Indiana and Paul George were so over hyped during the regular season by the media in an attempt to create a rival to Miami. Now they have come crashing down to earth and it's hilarious to watch the media hopping on and off the Pacers bandwagon depending on whether they win or not.
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They might have been over hyped a bit, but it's not necessarily undeserved praise. I mean they did earn the number one seed, above Miami, so they certainly belong in the discussion. Don't let your heat-tinted glasses fog your vision too much- the media didn't need to do anything to create a rival for Miami, the fact of the matter is that Miami allowed for that by not proving they were the best during the regular season. I'll grant that the media does play a role in this, to a certain extent, but it ultimately comes down to Miami's inconsistent and lackadaisical regular season play.
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I still can't tell if the Heat are really that streaky or really that unmotivated until shit hits the fan.
I am starting to believe they actually do have a switch they turn on.
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They might have been over hyped a bit, but it's not necessarily undeserved praise. I mean they did earn the number one seed, above Miami, so they certainly belong in the discussion. Don't let your heat-tinted glasses fog your vision too much- the media didn't need to do anything to create a rival for Miami, the fact of the matter is that Miami allowed for that by not proving they were the best during the regular season. I'll grant that the media does play a role in this, to a certain extent, but it ultimately comes down to Miami's inconsistent and lackadaisical regular season play.
Exactly this.
I still wonder if the Heat "switching it on" will be enough to overcome the Spurs, assuming they continue to fire on all cylinders.
-J
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The Spurs have been playing full tilt ever since game 7 of the Dallas series. Miami can't play any of that series in off mode. They need every opportunity they can possibly get to win.
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Exactly. They can "hang around" and eventually overtake a mentally soft team like the Pacers, but if they have slow starts against the Spurs, they'll get blown off the court in the first half. But I think they know that and will come in mentally ready to go from the start.
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Apparently now Joerger wants to stay with the Grizz and Pera isn't giving him to the Wolves.
wat?
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He couldn't bear the thought of leaving them.
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:clap:
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Spurs have work to do.
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Looks like the Thunder are Ibaka in the saddle again.
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That one was okay, but I can't post a clap. Sorry.
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No biggie. Just couldn't not post it.
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I think (a) the doctors did a really bad job dianosing Ibaka, (b) him being out for the season was bullshit, or (c) he used PEDs to come back.
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In game 1 & 2 starters not named Durant and Westbrook scored 9 pts. In game 3 those starters scored 34pts. Some adjustments needed for the Spurs. Or, was it just a must win situation at home that, brought the (one game only) best out of the Thunder? One thing is for sure, Ibaka is playing or not, the Spurs cannot allow guys like Reggie Jackson to score like he is an all-star!
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Brooks deserves a lot of credit for the rotation he used last night. Starting Jackson was great, and he cut Sefolosha completely.
I think a lot of what happened last night was just the intensity of the Thunder's energy. But still, with Ibaka, the Thunder can play the kind of defense they need to play, and the offense really opens up.
Spurs should still win the series, but they need to make the right adjustments.
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https://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/05/26/report-robert-pera-orchestrated-one-on-one-game-with-tony-allen-wanted-to-fire-dave-joerger-when-it-fell-through/
Seriously who is this guy and why is he allowed to own any basketball team? :lol
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The Pacers didn't lose tonight because of the officiating, but if I'm Frank Vogel, I'm still getting a fine tonight. 27 fouls for Indiana versus 17 for the Heat. There were a lot of missed calls.
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I didn't see much of the game, only the last four or five minutes, but that offensive foul on Stephenson when he would have cut it 9 was pretty bad. It likely wouldn't have mattered, but it's typical NBA officiating.
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PG says they outplayed the Heat.
What a joke.
It doesn't really matter, but I'm rooting for the Heat this series. Fuck that Pacers team.
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Regardless of whom they've played, the Heat seem to be the most underrated team to ever have this good of a record one game from clinching a finals appearance. They definitely have appeared lackadaisical at times but there simply is no way a team in any modern season in NBA history can go 11-2 without being inarguably elite.
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I miss the Celtics at least they put up a fight against Miami.
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Vogel had his chances. If I were Bird, I would so fire Vogel immediately, come down and coach the team myself for Game 5 and hopefully beyond. He has nothing to lose. :hat
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Video of PG saying the Pacers were better, and Wade/LeBron responding. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDtXs-MG9tY&feature=youtu.be)
This is the only time I've ever sympathized with LeBron. When the reporter tells him and Wade what PG said, the WTF? look on his face borders on genuine. After Wade's done talking, he says "Well, we did only have five turnovers, and we scored 20 points off their turnovers. I don't think that had anything to do with the free throw line."
This Pacers team is so unlikable I'm rooting for the Heat.
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Video of PG saying the Pacers were better, and Wade/LeBron responding. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDtXs-MG9tY&feature=youtu.be)
This is the only time I've ever sympathized with LeBron. When the reporter tells him and Wade what PG said, the WTF? look on his face borders on genuine. After Wade's done talking, he says "Well, we did only have five turnovers, and we scored 20 points off their turnovers. I don't think that had anything to do with the free throw line."
This Pacers team is so unlikable I'm rooting for the Heat.
In some ways I actually feel the same way, and typically I root against the Heat! :hat
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How about stupid ass Lance Stephenson dogging LeBron to the media for trash talking him, saying it was weak? I guess Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, two of the biggest trash talkers ever, were weak, too, eh? :lol :lol :lol And it is never smart to give a guy like LeBron more ammo to want to stick it to you.
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How about stupid ass Lance Stephenson dogging LeBron to the media for trash talking him, saying it was weak? I guess Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, two of the biggest trash talkers ever, were weak, too, eh? :lol :lol :lol And it is never smart to give a guy like LeBron more ammo to want to stick it to you.
I found that baffling. When LeBron's doing well, he's usually more relaxed and talking. When LeBron's not doing well, he's tighter and not really talking.
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So Lance trash talking LeBron isn't weak, but LeBron talking back is weak? I can understand PG's comments because he clearly suffered brain damage from his concussion, but Lance is just an idiot.
Paul George: "Lance is young. That's a teaching point... Sometimes, you've just got to watch what you say."
:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin
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Fuck Paul George.
You get a woman pregnant, offer her a million dollars to have an abortion, she refuses for the child support money. Deny it in public like an idiot.
Get catfished by a man. "Oh no, that was no man."
Get killed by your rivals in the ECF, "Oh, we outplayed them. They just won at the free throw line."
I hate to mix up my opinions of athletes' personal and professional lives. It's an open secret that KG's had a mistress for a long time. That doesn't change the insane amount of work and sacrifice he puts into basketball. It doesn't mean he's a good person, but it does mean you can respect him as an athlete.
Paul George is totally unlikable because it's the same thing over and over. Whenever he fucks up, it's somehow not his fault. Yet he wants you to know how awesome he is. You can't have it both ways. If you want to talk about how awesome you are, you better produce. If you have an injury or something and want to say it's hurting your game, by all means. But be humble about it.
PG's just being an ass. And a really irresponsible one at that.
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It's gotta make Bird sick to see how mentally soft this Pacers team is, considering no one was more mentally tough than Larry Bird.
And because Bird was such an awesome trash talker, here are some awesome stories about that:
When the Indiana Pacers put rookie George McCloud on Bird in the closing minutes of a game, Bird yelled over to the Pacers bench, "Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can't you find someone who at least has prayer?" (I nearly choked on my lunch a bit ago, cause I made the mistake of reading this one while chewing my food, and I couldn't stop laughing. :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin)
After Craig Hodges won the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point contest in Bird's absence, Hodges was asked if the victory was tainted because Bird hadn't participated. "He knows where he can find me," was Hodges retort. Told of Hodges' challenge, Bird replied, "Yeah, at the end of the Bulls' bench."
On a West Coast trip in 1986, Bird told the entire Dallas Mavericks bench that after the time out, Ainge would inbounds the pass to DJ, who would hit Bird in the corner where Bird would step back and take a three. "So you got that?" Bird queried the bench. "I'm gonna stand right here. I'm not going to move. They'll pass me the ball, and the next sound you here will be the ball hitting the bottom of the net." And that's exactly what happened. Bird winked at the Maverick before heading back down to the other end of the court.
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:rollin
I didn't know he had that attitude.
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I'm just going to copy and paste this: (https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/233589/Heat-Drove-27-Times-Compared-To-11-For-Pacers-In-Game-4)
The Miami Heat had 27 drives to the basket for 33 points in Game 4, according to SportVU data.
The Indiana Pacers, however, had just 11 drives for 10 points.
LeBron James had 10 drives compared to zero for Paul George.
George said following the game that the Pacers attacked the basket as much as the Heat.
"You can't tell me we don't attack the basket as much as they attack the basket."
Obviously you're going to get more fouls.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BonYlE6CIAAnE4x.jpg)
Damn those ref's favoring Miami. (Damn at the Spurs though :lol)
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It's gotta make Bird sick to see how mentally soft this Pacers team is, considering no one was more mentally tough than Larry Bird.
And because Bird was such an awesome trash talker, here are some awesome stories about that:
When the Indiana Pacers put rookie George McCloud on Bird in the closing minutes of a game, Bird yelled over to the Pacers bench, "Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can't you find someone who at least has prayer?" (I nearly choked on my lunch a bit ago, cause I made the mistake of reading this one while chewing my food, and I couldn't stop laughing. :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin)
After Craig Hodges won the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point contest in Bird's absence, Hodges was asked if the victory was tainted because Bird hadn't participated. "He knows where he can find me," was Hodges retort. Told of Hodges' challenge, Bird replied, "Yeah, at the end of the Bulls' bench."
On a West Coast trip in 1986, Bird told the entire Dallas Mavericks bench that after the time out, Ainge would inbounds the pass to DJ, who would hit Bird in the corner where Bird would step back and take a three. "So you got that?" Bird queried the bench. "I'm gonna stand right here. I'm not going to move. They'll pass me the ball, and the next sound you here will be the ball hitting the bottom of the net." And that's exactly what happened. Bird winked at the Maverick before heading back down to the other end of the court.
Oh god those stories and a thousand more we legendary here in Boston. He never stopped talking and backed it up all the time.
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For sure. I am not always a fan of trash talking, but I love reading about Bird's!
Also, the Spurs should thank their lucky stars that Ibaka missed Games 1 and 2, otherwise they could have been swept. It's amazing what a difference he makes.
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He's only paid 12 million per year too.
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I'm still cautiously optimistic that the Spurs will take care of business at home and win this series, but I hope the extra time for rest and preparation doesn't give the Heat an advantage in the finals. I'm not sure how much that actually matters- sure people like to talk about it, but I haven't seen any hard evidence on such an advantage- but it would be nice to see the Pacers at least push a game 6. Doesn't look too likely, though, after the last game :-\
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I'm not thinking about a Spurs Heat finals anymore. Spurs have real work to do.
EDIT: Look at it this way. Thunder aren't smarter than the Spurs, but if they're smart enough to help aggressively on defense and run even a little bit of an offense, it's enough to leverage their athleticism and decisively win games. The Spurs have never found a solution for the Thunder, which is problematic because they desperately need one now.
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Question: I think it's more than reasonable to consider the 10 best NBA players ever at this juncture to be:
Jordan
Kareem
Bird
Magic
Wilt
Russell
Duncan
LeBron
Shaq
Bryant
I am not sure who else would be in there or who you would take out.
But in what order would you put them, right now? I say "right now" because, barring an injury that slows him down, James is likely to end up in the top 3, but I don't think you can put him there yet. My order would probably be about the order I listed them in, although I am sure I could tweak it a bit.
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I would substitute Hakeem for Bryant and say:
1. Jordan
2. Kareem
3. Russell
---
4. Magic
5. Bird
6. Wilt
---
7. Shaq
8. Duncan
9. LeBron
10. Hakeem
Or something. If the Heat win this year, LeBron goes up to #5.
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I thought of Hakeem (and Karl Malone and Oscar Robertson), but I eventually with went Bryant in the last slot. As much as I enjoy hating on him :lol, he is tied for the most 1st All-NBA team appearances, so I think he deserves the 10th spot.
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1.Jordan
2.Kareem
3.Magic
4.Russell
5.LeBron
6.Duncan
7.Bird
8.Shaq
9.Wilt
10.Hakeem
LeBron passes Russell and is tied with Magic if they win this year. He will surpass Magic next year especially if he wins another MVP. Now on the other hand if the Spurs win this year Duncan moves into the top 4 ahead of Russell for me.
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As much as I hate these efforts to compare across eras, Oscar Robertson has to be on that list. He pioneered the "big guard" archetype like Wilt pioneered the "big man with actual skills" archetype, while simultaneously doing it (arguably) better than anybody since. And he averaged a triple double over an entire season, and came close to doing it more than once.
-J
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Jordan (obviously)
Russell (11 rings)
Kareem (Longevity and quality)
Magic (More success than Bird)
Bird (At risk of becoming very underrated. Watch on Youtube)
Chamberlain (Statistical absurdity)
Duncan (He's fucking Duncan)
West (Didn't play like someone with only one ring)
Kobe (He was so good)
Oscar (Not as statistically absurd as Wilt, checkered career)
I think people are listing LeBron as a top ten all time player because of where they think his career will end up rather than where it is right now.
If LeBron wins this year he has to jump Hakeem (my 11) as well as Oscar. Kobe might not be safe either.
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If Miami wins with this officiating I will laugh. :lol
3 terrible foul calls on LeBron and I'm sure they will have a 3rd on Wade soon.
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Heat are absolutely neutered without LBJ. I know that goes without saying but usually it's said with underlying exaggeration. Tonight in his absence, they've gone from leading 48-37 to trailing 68-59 which is a 31-11 run and have horrible ball movement, beyond-clumsy rebounding, and zero interior defense.
And for the fucking love of god, are they morphing into Mr. Magoo every time they attempt a long pass?
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This has been about the worst viewing experience ever. James hasn't been able to play because of some very soft calls and both teams have gone through stretches where they just didn't care.
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If LeBron wins this year he has to jump Hakeem (my 11) as well as Oscar. Kobe might not be safe either.
Kobe might not be safe? LeBron would have three more MVPs, one more Finals MVP, all on top of being the statistically superior player. I get that Kobe has more longevity and team success, but come on!
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This has been about the worst viewing experience ever. James hasn't been able to play because of some very soft calls and both teams have gone through stretches where they just didn't care.
This game has at least been competitive as much as I've disliked the Heat's struggles. The Bulls' 96-54 beatdown of the Jazz in the '98 finals was nearly unwatchable.
Also, Bosh is straight skurred tonight. His shooting hesitance is identical to the little league nerd in the outfield repeatedly chanting under his breath "Please don't hit it to me."
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This has been about the worst viewing experience ever. James hasn't been able to play because of some very soft calls and both teams have gone through stretches where they just didn't care.
I think these last couple of minutes have compensated for that.
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I get that Kobe has more longevity and team success, but come on!
These things matter to me. Also, it's not like I'm a Kobe fan. I actually like LeBron more.
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Just looked at the box score. LeBron James 24 minutes and five personal fouls? What the fuck? I guess LeBron was just really foul happy. Good on the refs for calling the game right. Because that's exactly what they do. Night in and night out. Consistently. With no shenanigans whatsoever.
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Reap, you forgot the to color your post green :lol
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Classic refs
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Classic refs
I really liked this post.
Reap, you forgot the to color your post green :lol
Tom Washington, one of the refs in this game, also reffed Clippers vs. Thunder game five. I think he's done enough to prove his credibility. I don't know what you're insinuating about my post.
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If LeBron wins this year he has to jump Hakeem (my 11) as well as Oscar. Kobe might not be safe either.
Kobe might not be safe? LeBron would have three more MVPs, one more Finals MVP, all on top of being the statistically superior player. I get that Kobe has more longevity and team success, but come on!
Kobe is not a top 10 all time player.
Anybody read this? A good deal of it is far-fetched, but Ibaka's sudden recovery was strange and completely unprecedented given the initial diagnosis. Also it was posted on a Spurs website. :lol Still he makes a couple of interesting points.
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/28/5756958/i-believe-sam-presti
-J
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Anyone who thinks games are not called to get desired results is out of their mind. Tonight was a classic example. The NBA wanted a Game 6, and having LeBron on the bench for half of the game pretty much guaranteed that, even though the Pacers tried to give it away at the end.
And it showed again how stupid the concept of fouling out is. In no other sport do you see the best player in that sport sitting for half of the game because of something as subjective as foul calls. It's so stupid.
Also, LeBron is not already an all-time top 10 player, ReaP? No freaking way.
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Anyone who thinks games are not called to get desired results is out of their mind. Tonight was a classic example. The NBA wanted a Game 6, and having LeBron on the bench for half of the game pretty much guaranteed that, even though the Pacers tried to give it away at the end.
And it showed again how stupid the concept of fouling out is. In no other sport do you see the best player in that sport sitting for half of the game because of something as subjective as foul calls. It's so stupid.
Also, LeBron is not already an all-time top 10 player, ReaP? No freaking way.
It's really close. I just couldn't get over the statistical absurdity and dominance of Robertson.
Also, I look at these things in terms of what players have done, rather than projecting things. LeBron could retire the best player ever if his career goes right. But if he retired now, to me the other guys on the list have just done more.
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Okay, but I didn't project either, otherwise I would have put James at number 2 or 3, which is where I think he will end up around.
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I'm so glad I didn't watch the Heat game tonight and instead fell asleep very early, for the sake of my walls.
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Glad I had to work last night was a terrible game from what I got to watch.
LeBron with 5 fouls in 3 quarters seems legit though. On top of that the Pacers still almost managed to lose if the refs don't take LeBron out of the game it's a 20+ point blow out :lol
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Anyone who thinks games are not called to get desired results is out of their mind. Tonight was a classic example. The NBA wanted a Game 6, and having LeBron on the bench for half of the game pretty much guaranteed that, even though the Pacers tried to give it away at the end.
And it showed again how stupid the concept of fouling out is. In no other sport do you see the best player in that sport sitting for half of the game because of something as subjective as foul calls. It's so stupid.
Also, LeBron is not already an all-time top 10 player, ReaP? No freaking way.
I think it would have been in the NBA's best interest for the Heat to have wrapped it up last night and guarantee themselves a Finals berth. I do agree though that it was ridiculous watching the best player in 20 years sit the whole game because every 50/50 call didn't go his way.
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(https://giant.gfycat.com/RawWetFlatcoatretriever.gif)
:lol
INB4 James lights the Pacers up light a Christmas tree tomorrow night.
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:rollin
Their faces are perfect
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:rollin
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Wolves thinking of hiring Del Negro as their coach.
Astounding.
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If you played in the NBA in the 90s, now seems to be a fantastic time to cash that check.
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I wish I had seen the Spurs vs. Thunder game. I'm sure they did a lot of really smart, interesting things to turn the series back around.
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Like convincing the Thunder it isn't okay to chase defensive rebounds.
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I only watched a bit of the game, but it seemed like Ibaka wasn't quite as dominant as the last two games.
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It was a mix of the Thunder not being as intense as in the previous games and the Spurs going back to doing what they normally do and being more aggressive. Also for some reason Pop though having Bonner as a starter was a good idea and since they win the game maybe it was.
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The Pacers' season ends tonight! Man, I am a Lakers fan, ok? But this Pacers team is so unenjoyable to watch, annoying and immature; I am actually rooting for the Heat to finish them off. They don't deserve even making the Finals. :tdwn
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The Spurs I guess went small ball the whole game so they always had four shooters on the floor. But I hear they also ran actions to make sure the Thunder couldn't clog the paint without a kick out being available. No matter how athletic the opposing D, if you create enough spacing they can't cover it all.
To me, this is why Pop's a genius. How many coaches have coached a pound it low offense with two bigs and a D'Antoni style pace and space offense?
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If you played in the NBA in the 90s, now seems to be a fantastic time to cash that check.
Speaking of checks.... Donald Sterling has a pretty big fat one coming his way shortly.
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The Spurs shot lights out last night, but I suspect the Thunder will still win tomorrow and force a Game 7.
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I don't know if the Thunder will win or not. Brooks has made some great adjustments, but he's also whiffed on some stuff too. I think the biggest factor is the crowd. OKC has an awesome crowd that the players really feed off of. And, to be honest, San Antonio's been much better these playoffs at home. Right now I feel like the game's a coin flip, but gun to my head I guess I have to say OKC.
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I am so excited that this guy owns an NBA franchise:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc
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How was this guy pushed out of Microsoft for being explosively temperamental? He seems so happy.
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I hope the Heat thrash the Pacers tonight. I really hate that team.
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How was this guy pushed out of Microsoft for being explosively temperamental? He seems so happy.
I think it had more to do with MSFT not releasing anything groundbreaking since Windows XP.
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The Spurs/Thunder series has been interesting to watch less because of the games but because of the immediate reaction to them on ESPN (yeah, I love bagging on ESPN, I know.)
After the first two games: "The Thunder are done! This is over!"
After the next two: "The Thunder are back! This is just like last year, Spurs are done!"
Welp. I think it goes seven myself, but fuck, the coverage is hilarious.
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Damn, no competition so far. Lance Stephenson is quite the character, by which I mean he's kind of a dick. I don't really mind him trying to get into LeBron's head, though, it just comes across as kind of pathetic when you're getting crushed.
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Game started 9-2 Pacers, then the Heat whimsically decided to go on a 47-17 run. They're on the outskirts of approaching that otherworldly 62-20 run they put on the Bulls in game 2 of last year's ECSF which turned a modest 42-38 lead into a 104-58 bloodbath and eventual 116-77 laugher.
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This would have happened last game if not for the refs deciding LeBron wasn't going to play.
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The Heat played a dominating first half, while the Pacers, especially PG; barely showed up. :hat
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I hope the Heat keep this up!
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Anyone else catch that shot of LeBron holding Haslem back on the bench while he was yelling, "I'm gonna fuck you up!" at Stephenson? :lol
Should be interesting if/when Haslem gets in the game here in the 2nd half...
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You think Vogel would leave Lance in the game by the time Miami is sending the likes of Udonis Haslem out?
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'ey Syzzle, congrats on that upcoming 1000th post.
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If I were Bird, I wouldn't panic and break up the team. Rather I would let Vogel go and likely won't resign Stephenson. Problem with the Pacers is, they have too many guys signed to long term deal. If Vogel can't get them motivated now after a somewhat "successful" regular season; he won't be able to replicate it ever. So sorry, Frank, you are gone. I'd so re-hire Larry Brown, and make these suckers to play the game the right way. :hat
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Ain't Larry Brown's health really shitty?
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Ain't Larry Brown's health really shitty?
I didn't know that... but my point is, the Pacers desperately need a vet coach who can make these suckers to work, play hard and hold them ALL accountable.
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Fun fact:
LeBron James has now done something Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson never did: made it to four straight NBA Finals.
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That is true. Lucky for LeBron that Jordan decided on that two year sabbatical.
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Regarding that, I always laugh when someone says, "He would have won eight in a row if he hadn't taken two years off to play baseball."
a. We have no of knowing that.
b. The odds of them staying hungry every year to win that many in a row would have been not good.
Besides, while I do think that Jordan is the best ever, it is rather dubious that the best player ever in that sport took nearly two years off in his prime to go play another sport. Can you imagine Wayne Gretzky having taken 18 months off to go play soccer? :lol :lol
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Jordan's post-retirement 3-peat absolves ANY criticism tenfold. Also, unless the "lay low to avoid a gambling suspension" rumor is true, it's kinda (if not, very) dick to call a guy out for pursuing a childhood dream while grieving for a murdered parent.
Edit: Beyond this, your argument that they wouldn't have stayed hungry indirectly supports the argument that losing out on the 1994 and 1995 titles rejuvenated their hunger propelling them to win the six titles you seem to doubt they'd have had the motivation to win otherwise.
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I've heard the gambling thing was legitimate, but we'll probably never know for sure.
Either way, I was never a Jordan fan, and considering what a total prick the guy is in real life, it makes it even easier to not give him the benefit of the doubt.
Plus, he's known as a horrible tipper, as is his old pal Scottie "No Tippin'" Pippen :lol :lol, so a person like yourself in the industry, b_f, has another reason to not like him. ;)
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Stop clouding the issue with facts.
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Fun fact:
LeBron James has now done something Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson never did: made it to four straight NBA Finals.
Magic did do this. 1982-85.
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Besides, while I do think that Jordan is the best ever, it is rather dubious that the best player ever in that sport took nearly two years off in his prime to go play another sport. Can you imagine Wayne Gretzky having taken 18 months off to go play soccer? :lol :lol
Why do you take issue with this?
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Fun fact:
LeBron James has now done something Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson never did: made it to four straight NBA Finals.
Magic did do this. 1982-85.
:lol :tup
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Fun fact:
LeBron James has now done something Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson never did: made it to four straight NBA Finals.
Magic did do this. 1982-85.
Yup!
Also, lolPacers
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Fun fact:
LeBron James has now done something Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson never did: made it to four straight NBA Finals.
Magic did do this. 1982-85.
That's what I get for believing what I read on twitter without fact checking it. :facepalm: :lol
Besides, while I do think that Jordan is the best ever, it is rather dubious that the best player ever in that sport took nearly two years off in his prime to go play another sport. Can you imagine Wayne Gretzky having taken 18 months off to go play soccer? :lol :lol
Why do you take issue with this?
I am not taking issue with it, so much as pointing out that you'd have a hard time finding (let's say for the sake of argument) a top 5 player in any major sport, other than Jordan, who took off over a year and a half off in their prime to play another sport. It's just fascinating, really. I mean, think about how history could have changed for handful of players if he never retires:
-Maybe Hakeem's Rockets never win a title.
-Maybe Malone and Stockton get a ring or two in the late 90s (which would have helped Malone's case in all-time discussions big time).
-Maybe Jordan doesn't go undefeated in the finals (which is an overrated fact anyway, but still).
So many things could have changed. It's just interesting to think about.
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Well, as soon as I get a flux capacitor in stock, I'll go kill some middle-aged people whose last name is either Gretzky, Dimaggio, Starr, Howe, Russell, Greene, or Alcindor, and we'll see what happens.
Wish me well!
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Have fun!
In the meantime, because we all love a good laugh...
(https://wac.9ebf.edgecastcdn.net/809EBF/ec-origin.philly.barstoolsports.com/files/2014/05/hibbert-xbox-controller.jpg)
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I often think what a matchup it would've been if the Jordan/Pippen Bulls faced off against the Kobe/Shaq Lakers or the Duncan/Robinson, Duncan/Parker/Ginóbili Spurs.
Oh well.
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I am not taking issue with it, so much as pointing out that you'd have a hard time finding (let's say for the sake of argument) a top 5 player in any major sport, other than Jordan, who took off over a year and a half off in their prime to play another sport. It's just fascinating, really. I mean, think about how history could have changed for handful of players if he never retires:
-Maybe Hakeem's Rockets never win a title.
-Maybe Malone and Stockton get a ring or two in the late 90s (which would have helped Malone's case in all-time discussions big time).
-Maybe Jordan doesn't go undefeated in the finals (which is an overrated fact anyway, but still).
So many things could have changed. It's just interesting to think about.
One of the things that seems apparent about Jordan, especially after hearing a bit about what's in his new biography (I have it, dunno when I'm going to read it), is that his childhood was extraordinarily fucked up. Like, apparently, his dad was sexually abusing one of his sisters, but the family made a collective decision to ignore it. But then Jordan becomes an adult who literally idolizes his dad. What?
I know that the smart way to look at success is to see it as a product of timing, luck, and social connections. That's not totally wrong either. But successful people, especially borderline mythic people like Jordan, have something very different in their brain that drives them to insane levels of productivity. The version of that thing in Jordan's brain, I suspect, is also what drove him to baseball.
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I just realized - refs are going to be all in on the Thunder.
Game 7 is a lock.
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I needed last night's game after this shitty week. It completely made me happy.
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The Pacers should do David West a favor and trade him the guy deserves to be on a better team I think he is the only one who plays with any heart on the Pacers.
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LeBron is quietly having an all-time great playoff run. I'm hoping he keeps it up!
27 PPG / 7 RPG / 5 APG / 2 SPG
on
56 / 36 / 81
31.1 PER
with
.296 WS/48 and 3.5 WS total in 15 games
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So far, this is LeBron's best season. He's embracing his role completely.
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Kevin Love checking out Boston "to see what it's like." (https://dirtywaternews.com/kevin-love-in-boston-all-weekend-love-it/)
At least he's considering it.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/233632/Pacers-To-Bring-Back-Frank-Vogel-Next-Season
This guy is becoming the Scott Brooks of the eastern conference. A garbage coach that the team won't fire for whatever reason :lol
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Best game of the series that I've seen, so far. Not that either team is playing particularly well, just that it's been very evenly matched so far.
Go Spurs!
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Another officiating controversy. Refs missed a goaltend on Ibaka.
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Poor Kevin Durant…
And then poor Manu Ginobli…
41 of the last 43, and he misses!
Overtime!
ETA: Tim Duncan is the man. He has more composure in a single hand than the entire Indiana Pacers team.
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The Thunder are massively underachieving. You'd think a team with KD, 'brook, and Iblocka wouldn't completely crumble in a home game elimination OT which woulda forced a finals-berth-at-stake game 7.
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Just... what an unbelievable Spurs win. Everything of this team's greatness was on display tonight. I just can't even man.
Hope TP is ready for Thursday. I'm shaking with excitement for this rematch.
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The Thunder are massively underachieving. You'd think a team with KD, 'brook, and Iblocka wouldn't completely crumble in a home game elimination OT which woulda forced a finals-berth-at-stake game 7.
The problem, I think, comes down to what happens when those guys don't get the support they need to compete with a complete team like the Spurs. It's a very formidable trio, including the second best player in the world, but there's just not enough production from the rest of the team. There are simply too many weapons on the Spurs side for those guys to contend with. Add to that that the Spurs' trio ain't too shabby themselves, and you've got a recipe for perpetual bridegroom. The Spurs have proven that they are the bride, for the time being, and I'm not sure it's necessarily underachieving to get knocked out by them in the conference finals.
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OKC's lack of depth obviously matters, but it's ultimately the coaching. And I don't even totally know why. Brooks ran a couple really great ATOs. At the end of the game, they were playing Fisher, Westbrook, Jackson, Durant, and Ibaka. Put Fisher in the corner and play four on four. Jackson and Ibaka can't run plays?
Meanwhile, even without Tony Parker, the Spurs are still doing tons of motion on offense to get guys open for good passes. They're the deeper team, but you can only have five guys on the floor. Talent Wise, Ginobili/Green/Leonard/Diaw/Duncan is not better than the Thunder's best five. But they work with what they have so much better.
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I wouldn't blame KD entirely for the loss, rather I thought Westbrook held on to the ball a bit too much toward the end of regulation, and especially in OT. IMO, of course it is all after the fact now that, their offense should've gone through KD in OT. That was MVP time, and I was surprised Westbrook held on to the ball most of the time.
Anyway, first Finals rematch since the '97 and '98 between the Jazz and Bulls. So much similarities between now and then, eh? I am just hoping for a great series but sincerely wish Pop and Timmy win it this year.
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I'm so happy I can't even! I'm looking forward to this rematch. Just like last year...the two best teams in the league are meeting for the Championship. As it should be. I'm just hoping it goes our way this time. GO SPURS GO!
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On one hand, I don't want to "blame" either KD or Westbrook for losing that game. Especially Westbrook because he plays so hard.
But they didn't step up to the moment. Both took a lot of bad shots and committed a lot of turnovers. Your two best players can't be doing that.
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On one hand, I don't want to "blame" either KD or Westbrook for losing that game. Especially Westbrook because he plays so hard.
But they didn't step up to the moment. Both took a lot of bad shots and committed a lot of turnovers. Your two best players can't be doing that.
The Thunder's rotation was kind of interestingly bad also. Guys like J-Lamb and Perry Jones got some minutes, but Caron Butler received a DNP CD?! That's why the Thunder bench was out scored 51-5!!! :tdwn
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Scott Brooks has to be fired. It's not just that the offense isn't good, it's that it isn't getting any better either. He's not learning.
You look at guys like Pop, Carlisle, and Doc, and what distinguishes them is that they get better every year. I watched Doc coach the Celtics for three years, and I thought his work with the Clippers was better than any of those Celtics teams from an X's and O's standpoint. The Spurs offense was great least year, but this year they have more great sets and they run them better. The offense Carlisle ran this year against the Spurs was insane. He made Ellis look like a superstar. These guys are great because they never just decide what they've already figured out is good enough.
Then you have the Thunder, who can't run a counter if their first action is stopped. Again. What's the point of keeping Brooks around?
EDIT 2: Or look at Jason Kidd. At the beginning of the season he sucked. Even though the Nets lost to the Heat in 5, they found an identity, were motivated, and ran good stuff on offense and defense. Brooks has only kinda found an identity for the Thunder, is admittedly good at creating a culture, but is very lacking in terms of the system he implements.
I just can't understand why it isn't a foregone conclusion he will be fired.
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Oh, just remember the Finals is changed back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format! I wonder how much will that affect this rematch this time around.
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I didn't see a second of tonight's game, but I am bummed that the Spurs won; I wanted to see a Game 7. That aside, the Heat/Spurs rematch should be great.
As for Vogel returning, I am not surprised. Given all of the problems they had, he still got them to Game 6 of the ECF (albeit in a weak conference), so I guess that counted for something. If the rumors of Paul George sleeping with Roy Hibbert's wife are true, then it should be interesting to see what personnel changes they make in the offseason.
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Bringing back Vogel is totally reasonable.
I don't know how they can resign Stevenson.
They need to put Hibbert on the block. Same with George Hill.
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Looks like Hibbert is open to being traded.
Reap, agreed on Kidd. I hate the Nets but I love Kidd as a coach now.
Heat in 6. I want to believe.
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I've come to like the Heat. They seem like decent dudes. I think the Spurs will be too much though.
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Oh, just remember the Finals is changed back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format! I wonder how much will that affect this rematch this time around.
I forgot about that, and honestly I think that is to the Heat's benefit. Let's say they split the first two in San Antonio. In the 2-3-2 format, I am not sure I could see the Spurs losing three straight and going down in five, but in 2-2-1-1-1, I could see the Heat having the close-out game at home in Game 6. Having said that, I still think the Spurs are the better team this year, but you just never know.
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I forgot about that, and honestly I think that is to the Heat's benefit. Let's say they split the first two in San Antonio. In the 2-3-2 format, I am not sure I could see the Spurs losing three straight and going down in five, but in 2-2-1-1-1, I could see the Heat having the close-out game at home in Game 6. Having said that, I still think the Spurs are the better team this year, but you just never know.
The 2-2-1-1-1 Finals format just hasn't been done in like 30 years, and I still like to think it will have some crazy consequences that affect both teams; but I just can't quite put my finger on anything tangible at this time.
As for the Spurs, I too think they are the more disciplined and overall slightly better team (after the big three, their talent level drops off stiffly; and D-Wade ain't exactly at a 100% in these playoffs health-wise) then the Heat. Having said that, the Spurs really haven't been a strong road team in these playoffs. Against the Heat, they simply can't just rely on home court either. So although I picked the Spurs in 6, deep down I kind of doubt if they have what it takes to win at least 1 game in Miami this year. We will see.
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I don't think the format will affect either team.
As for the series, as has been said in this thread, the Heat cannot come out lazily for a half in any game. The Spurs will crushed them if they do. Looking forward to another great series from these two teams!
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The Thunder have problems. Brooks seems like he must be on another planet at times, and Westbrook plays like a massively gifted rec center chucker. Durant is already one of the best players in the league and has the potential to get even better, but he's stagnating in this isolation-long-jumper-reliant offense. The pieces are there; Ibaka is key with Perkins off the bench, Jackson is hugely underrated, Adams is going to be good, etc. They need somebody who can make it all come together.
IMO, part of that process is dealing Westbrook. He's a wild card; clearly Brooks can't (or won't) try to rein him in at all, and for every impressive explosion for 30-8-7, there are three or four outings where he goes 1/14 from the field with 10 turnovers. His decision making in crucial situations is costly. He is detrimental to a team dynamic. I know Durant would never admit it ("it's all about the team/winning, etc"), but WB absolutely takes away from him in more ways than one, and I suspect deep down he is not okay with that. Not only that but you know there would be a lot of interest around the league, so OKC ought to shop him around a little and see what they can get.
-J
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This format is the way it should be. Not the 2-3-2. that format does not help the home team. You work all year to have home court and it should mean something.
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I watched the end of the 4th Q and OT this morning (I had DVR'd it) and Westbrook definitely killed him them in OT with his attempt at playing hero ball. How do you go possession after possession with Durant not touching the ball?? The one possession in OT was hilariously bad as Westbrook dribbled for a few seconds, tried to drive, but the defender played him well, causing him to retreat, and when he did, he dribbled once or twice and then just hoisted up a random jump shot, which missed of course. Awful offense. They need a coach who can reign him in when need be. They'll never win a championship with the current dynamic they have in place.
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Stat of the game for me: OKC's starters scored 102 of their 107 points. You can't beat a team with depth that way, and San Antonio was just plain deeper.
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The one possession in OT was hilariously bad as Westbrook dribbled for a few seconds, tried to drive, but the defender played him well, causing him to retreat, and when he did, he dribbled once or twice and then just hoisted up a random jump shot, which missed of course.
I remember that possession. 15 seconds off the shot clock and not a single pass. Cringeworthy.
-J
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This format is the way it should be. Not the 2-3-2. that format does not help the home team. You work all year to have home court and it should mean something.
Seriously. Assuming there isn't a big gap in strength between both conference's #1 seeds (the teams who are obviously expected to be in the finals each year), it's fairly reasonable to expect the most common outcome to be the home team winning each game (not as a whole but, if you were to look at it game by game, I doubt the road team has won the majority of game ones, game twos, etc. all the way to game sevens in NBA finals history) so, barring the less likely road team upset, this means the 2-3-2 format would have the team with homecourt "advantage" playing elimination games in games 6 and 7. Yeah, it does even it out a bit since the lesser team gets one less home game but it's called "homecourt advantage", not "50/50 shot at a title through attempts at balancing the competitive factors".
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I looked it up once. In Past NBA finals, the home team did better under 2-3-2 than 2-2-1-1-1. Like Kev said, the game 6 at home for the away team is huge.
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Here's why I don't understand OKC's lack of an offense:
This is the play OKC ran to try and get KD a game tying three (https://www.gfycat.com/CompleteRemarkableAmurstarfish)
Fisher and Westbrook drag their defenders away from the shot. As Durant curls into the shot, Ibaka sets a pick to stop Leonard. Duncan has to sag low to defend the paint. By the time he realizes what's happening, KD's already getting the ball for good shot. No one's quite there to guard him.
This is all really basic stuff, but so is everything the Spurs run. Good basketball isn't complicated. And it seems like Brooks at least somewhat understands it. So why not run a real offense???
EDIT: I know a lot of the "Westbrook and Durant can't co-exist" stuff is just drama. But at this high a level, you can't ignore it. You can't have Westbrook shooting more than Durant. I know the impulse is to accept Westbrook's flaws, but they're too detrimental to the team. Originally, when the controversy flared up, it was reasonable to point out what Westbrook brings to the Thunder. But now, I think the "don't bash Westbrook" argument has become its own form of groupthink that has no relation to reality.
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So... it seems like Love wants to go to Boston. Unless he's really running some next level game.
Flip shouldn't be dumb here. This hurts Love's trade value, but he can still get fair value for him in a deal. Is not trading him to Boston, loaded with draft picks and able to provide salary relief, really better than letting him walk in free agency for nothing?
If Flip waits until the trade deadline, Love's value will be even lower. Remember how toxic the Melo and Asik situations were? This would be worse.
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So... it seems like Love wants to go to Boston. Unless he's really running some next level game.
Flip shouldn't be dumb here. This hurts Love's trade value, but he can still get fair value for him in a deal. Is not trading him to Boston, loaded with draft picks and able to provide salary relief, really better than letting him walk in free agency for nothing?
If Flip waits until the trade deadline, Love's value will be even lower. Remember how toxic the Melo and Asik situations were? This would be worse.
Well, I'll bet he's scouting each city that has interest in him really. It's a good way to get a pulse of the city and not collude*wink wink* with the teams while under contract.
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You know that the Celtics management got texts this weekend saying "Love's here. Don't even be in the building."
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzGbhsjD71Y
Finally, the real reason everyone should want Miami to win just so we get another one of these.
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A+ rant
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I still can't believe ESPN gave that guy his own show (actually, I can). He's not Stephen A. Smith bad, but he's close.
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I can't believe they could convince his pep pep to stop selling bags of oranges on the shoulder of an I-95 offramp for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
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...wow
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I meant he seems like an incompetent old coot. I didn't intend it the way it apparently came across.
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Without looking at the link you folks must be talking about Dan Le Batard[/b]
No love from me here.
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Rondo saying he doesn't want to leave Boston. This is code speak for "Kevin, if you come up here and sign an extension, I won't leave you hanging."
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I would love it if Manu Ginobli takes over this Finals, and if the Spurs win the championship, he gets the Finals MVP award. I would love to see all of the Big 3 get it before their time together is over.
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When Ginobili gets hot, I get hot in my pants. He's the classic version of James Harden. Bombing threes and going to the line. Great stuff.
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When Ginobili gets hot, I get hot in my pants. He's the classic version of James Harden. Bombing threes and going to the line. Great stuff.
Dude, that's an insult to Manu! :lol Manu plays pretty good D! :lol
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Nice.
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When Ginobili gets hot, I get hot in my pants.
Sigd
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Speaking of James Harden he got 2 votes for the All Defensive 2nd team :lol
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Speaking of James Harden he got 2 votes for the All Defensive 2nd team :lol
That honor has become a joke. I love LeBron but no way did he deserve to make the 2nd Team this year. :lol
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Rockets decline fourth year option on Chandler Parsons's contract, making him a restricted free agent. (https://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--rockets-will-decline-chandler-parsons--option-making-him-a-restricted-free-agent-022721563-nba.html)
The article explains why they did this and why it's to their advantage to do so. Morey's had somewhat of a rough year, but this is shrewd on his part.
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Speaking of James Harden he got 2 votes for the All Defensive 2nd team :lol
That honor has become a joke. I love LeBron but no way did he deserve to make the 2nd Team this year. :lol
Pretty much
LeBron got his selection on reputation just like Kobe got most of his.
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Funny. I know people tend to root for the "underdog" but damn, Miami couldn't win out one other state? Even with Lebron??? :lol
(https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/10366038_10152478182882464_7331376448165991290_n.png)
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Well, like anything else, a lot of people get tired of the same team winning all the time.
Plus, I think most casual fans tend to still not like James because of "The Decision."
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I got Heat in six exactly. Spurs in five was one game off.
For the finals, right now I'm thinking Spurs in seven, but something bugs me. Tony Parker's health is such a huge issue. If he was totally healthy, I'd think Spurs in 6. If he wasn't healthy, I'd almost lean toward Miami.
Uuuggghhhhh.
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This series is a total toss-up because of Parker's health. If Parker was healthy, I'd say Spurs in six with admirable confidence. Because he's not, I will openly admit to having no idea who will win.
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^Pretty much that. Patty Mills is really gonna have to bring his A game!
-J
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Noticed something new about the famous Game 6 nightmare sequence from last year:
Watch LeBron after Allen's shot goes in -- HE knows that the Spurs have no timeouts left. He starts waving for the rest of the Heat to play defense, then starts arguing with the official bc they stop the game to review the 3 pointer. Pretty heady, I thought.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr6XsZVb-ZE
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I like how people are tired of the same team winning all the time so hopefully we can have another team win their fifth title to end this tyranny. #yallbeeneatinlongenoughnowstopbeingreedy
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I was reading a RealGM thread about Spo, and a lot of people made the same, excellent point.
The Heat made it to the finals in 2011 and lost. Spo could have decided what he was doing was good enough, since they made it to the finals. Instead, he decided to keep evolving what he wanted the team to be until he found their small ball identity.
Contrast that with guys like Scott Brooks, who seem utterly content with what they have.
To me, Pop is the clear best coach. Carlisle, Doc, and Spo in some order round out the top four.
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1.Pop (G.O.A.T Coach for me)
2.Doc
3.Carlisle
4.Spo
5.Thibs (He coaches GOAT defense, but his offense leaves a lot to be desired)
Honestly not sure how I would rank the rest of the coaches in the league none of them really stand out.
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The only ones I would say with confidence are:
1. Pop
2. Doc
It's weird, I was talking to my buddy about Spoelstra the other day. Normally our main metric for evaluating coaches (moreso than players) is their ability to take teams deep into the playoffs/to the finals/to win a championship. We can watch players and glean quite a bit more about them than we can about what a coach says and does day in and day out.
And yet, Spoelstra is a weird case. Immediately when he became a head coach, he found himself in a situation where he was completely loaded with three of the most talented players in the league, and a complement of role players. He's been to the finals every year (I think?) and won it twice, maybe a third time this year. He meets the usual ultimate requirement for coaching greatness. But instead of giving him his due, many of us (myself included) sort of say "well, I'd have to see what he can do with a LESSER team before I can call him a great coach." And maybe there's something to that, but regardless, the dude can't win, despite having the unwavering support of Riley from the outset.
-J
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Spo coached the Heat in 2009 and 2010, where he won 43 and 47 games respectively. In '09 he lost in seven to a good Hawks team, and in '10 he lost in five to the Celtics team that nearly won the finals. Neither performance is much to get excited about, but not much to criticize either. Winning nearly 50 games in your second season as a coach is pretty good.
I hate the "let's see what he'd do with lesser players argument." I know that if Pop coached the Milwaukee Bucks this year, he might have made the playoffs. He's that good. But he's never winning a ring with that team. Coaches should be judged based on how they maximize the potential of their teams. No one remembers that, outside of Kobe, the '06 and '07 Lakers weren't much of a team, but PJax got them to the playoffs anyway. This isn't a positive on his coaching resume?
Spo figured out how to mange two of the biggest egos in the game (LeBron and Wade). He also figured how how to take a very unbalanced roster and use the abilities of its best players to maximize the abilities of its lesser players. That's tremendous coaching.
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Spo may have LeBron, but as 2011 showed us, that means nothing if LeBron's not in a position to succeed. Spo may have fallen into small ball by accident, but nevertheless it was his willingness to embrace it that has led the Heat to two straight titles. LeBron surrounded by four shooters is unstoppable.
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https://socialnewsdaily.com/39404/dwight-howard-cheating-on-gf-with-teenager-incriminating-photos-circulate-on-twitter/
I wonder if Dwight could go 1 off season without being an idiot :facepalm: (If this turns out to be true)
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One of my favorite Twitter feeds is @NBARefStats. Here's tonight's tweet:
Marc Davis officiating #NBAFinals Game 1
w/Davis:
#Spurs haven’t lost a playoff game in over 6 years (7 straight wins)
#Heat 0-2 in Finals
I guess yay for the Spurs?
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From a drama standpoint, this series already has last year's finals beat.
The heat didn't make the Heat pack it in before the game was over or the Spurs go on an offensive rally.
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I'm gonna love sports journalism over last night's game.
Because half of them are going to ignore the fact the Spurs played in the same damn hot as fuck building and say that's the only reason the Heat lost...and the other half will say "Lebron thinks he's better than Jordan? Jordan would've finished that game on one leg, then walked to the Belmont to bet on the horse race on that leg!" :lol
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If Lebron cramps this much in playoff games why the hell is he not getting fluid IV during these games?! It makes me laugh that you can't keep the best player out there when it matters........IN THE FINALS!!!!
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Gatorade CM for the win
(https://s3.postimg.org/60dvgwctv/Lebron.jpg)
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Spo coached the Heat in 2009 and 2010, where he won 43 and 47 games respectively. In '09 he lost in seven to a good Hawks team, and in '10 he lost in five to the Celtics team that nearly won the finals. Neither performance is much to get excited about, but not much to criticize either. Winning nearly 50 games in your second season as a coach is pretty good.
I hate the "let's see what he'd do with lesser players argument." I know that if Pop coached the Milwaukee Bucks this year, he might have made the playoffs. He's that good. But he's never winning a ring with that team. Coaches should be judged based on how they maximize the potential of their teams. No one remembers that, outside of Kobe, the '06 and '07 Lakers weren't much of a team, but PJax got them to the playoffs anyway. This isn't a positive on his coaching resume?
Spo figured out how to mange two of the biggest egos in the game (LeBron and Wade). He also figured how how to take a very unbalanced roster and use the abilities of its best players to maximize the abilities of its lesser players. That's tremendous coaching.
Pretty good points you have made there, and I agreed with pretty much everything you said. I used to doubt Spo's coaching ability at the beginning too, or I should've said I was skeptical at first. After all, he wasn't exactly a coaching superstar or something, you know. Then again, the more I watch him coach, and how the Heat making all the subtle adjustments in each series, I know this guy is for real. And than I remember he started off as a video coordinator, and I think those long hours he spent editing films had helped developed into a detail oriented guy, and it pays off big time now.
Still, I don't like the Heat and Go Spurs Go! :lol
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convenient a/c malfunction......LeBron cramps up.
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Gatorade CM for the win
(https://s3.postimg.org/60dvgwctv/Lebron.jpg)
Zing.
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No way was that A/C thing an accident. Given that James has had problems in the past with cramps, it getting hot in there not only made that more likely to happen, but guys getting tired quicker cause of the heat helps the team with the deeper bench, which is the Spurs. Call it gamesmanship I guess, but it's lame when a city has to resort to that to win a game. I remember years ago when the Blues played a game 5 in Detroit and they just happened to get there on the day they painted the visitor's locker room, so the Blues had to deal with paint fumes all day in their locker room. Lame, but it is what it is.
Oh, and the criticism of James for not playing through it is MORONIC. Many of the people are just James critics who love to hate on him for anything, and I have to think that many are also peeps who have never played sports and/or never had a cramp. Good luck standing, much less playing, when you have a terrible cramp in your leg.
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Im gonna agree with ya Kev.
I 100% believe it.
Im not the biggest LeBron fan, but he's an incredible player.
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I'm not buying that it was on purpose because while the Spurs have a deeper bench the heat is more likely to affect Duncan, Ginobili and Parker because of their age than it is to affect the younger Miami team.
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Never attribute to malevolence what can more easily explained with incompetence.
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I have no idea if the AC broke intentionally. It would be too scandalous if you were caught.
No reason to diss LeBron though for not playing through the cramps. I had a cramp once when I was sleeping that was so bad it woke me up. I can't imagine my whole leg cramping.
EDIT: If you're going to blame LeBron for anything, it's not drinking enough. He was apparently getting an IV after the game. And really, if you looked at him during the game, he looked like he was going to faint or have a heat stroke or something. Gotta hydrate.
EDIT 2: That still doesn't make it his fault though. Seeing people on the Internet talk about how he wasn't good enough really bothers me. He couldn't move his left leg.
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People are morons. It really is that plain and simple. I know we live in a society now where people love to bash great players whenever anything doesn't go their way, but the lengths some take it to are so outrageous, it borders on hilarity.
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Apparently, cramping is a major cause of swimmers drowning in the ocean.
If cramps are so severe that you can't prevent yourself from dying, then expecting LeBron to play through a basketball game, even if it is the finals, is insane.
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I can't believe the lights went out in the Superbowl but there is a lot of electricity drawn during any finals.
I'm not buying that it was on purpose because while the Spurs have a deeper bench the heat is more likely to affect Duncan, Ginobili and Parker because of their age than it is to affect the younger Miami team.
Second.
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Also, as we're seeing from the media reaction, no one's treating this as a mistake. It's being considered a major embarrassment. The Spurs stay away from that kind of thing at all costs. They're smart enough to know that part of the reason they're able to succeed is that people respect them. Turning off the AC on purpose would more than taint that.
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So it just happened to go out in game 1 of the finals against a team with the best player in the world, a player whom has had issues in the past with cramps because of not being hydrated enough? Sorry, not buying it. I've been watching sports long enough to know that most teams will do whatever they can to get an advantage, and just because the Spurs have this portrayal of being a noble franchise doesn't mean that they are above such actions.
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The Spurs generate that reputation on purpose though. If the league investigates this (very possible) and finds shenanigans, it would evaporate all of that.
The Spurs use that perception to play borderline dirty defense without having fouls called on them. They use it to convince players to be selfless. Peter Holt is one of the most powerful owners in the league. The consequences of being found out, especially in a time when keeping secrets is impossible, are too huge.
The Superdome's electricity went out during the Superbowl. The Spurs arena has a history of things being weird and going wrong.
It's not impossible, but circumstantial evidence isn't enough.
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Well if so, it worked like pointing a laser beam right at Lebron's calfs. :lol
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The funniest thing is people who say "MJ would've played through it!"
It's like... No, if MJ couldn't move his leg, he wouldn't have played through it. What would he do - Hop up and down the court and then shoot hook shots? :lol
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To Lebron's credit, he was asking in and Spolstra (sp?) wouldn't allow him.
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All of this becomes moot if the Heat win game 2.
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Why the fuck would the Spurs want to play in those conditions AND risk the health of their three oldest players, especially with one who is fighting an ankle sprain?!?
Sorry. Malfunctions happen. Nothing is perfect. And the Spurs were playing better than the Heat in the 4th quarter and would have still won that game with Lebron in. All the players and coaches suffered from the heat, the Spurs included.
Go Spurs Go.
The funniest thing is people who say "MJ would've played through it!"
It's like... No, if MJ couldn't move his leg, he wouldn't have played through it. What would he do - Hop up and down the court and then shoot hook shots? :lol
An NFL player ranged in on Twitter saying something along the lines of People who said Lebron should have played with cramps because MJ played with a flu has never been an athlete EVER :lol
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I suspect Spo is showing LeBron this article. (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/lebroning-lebron-james-nba-finals-game-1-cramps)
More importantly though:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpa55ykCYAAuxjI.jpg)
Moving to San Antonio and becoming a Spurs fan. K thx bye.
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:lol
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Clamsterdam^^
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I know what would've helped LeBron
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/10369227_10204149237750651_354258261275277053_n.jpg?oh=677d03ad26942f05c76528cabc3379af&oe=53943C7E&__gda__=1402211189_9970b3bab7a10b1a8bbb79b0abcfe7af)
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I suspect Spo is showing LeBron this article. (https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/06/lebroning-lebron-james-nba-finals-game-1-cramps)
More importantly though:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bpa55ykCYAAuxjI.jpg)
Moving to San Antonio and becoming a Spurs fan. K thx bye.
So should we change it to Cameltoeing?! :lol
What else can help LeBron?! Midol.
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And the Spurs were playing better than the Heat in the 4th quarter and would have still won that game with Lebron in.
a) No they weren't, prior to James' cramps kicking in.
b) We have no idea of knowing who would have won had James been fine and played the rest of the game.
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Wasn't it only a 2 point game when he came out? Like Kev said you don't know the outcome if he is in.
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The Spurs had an 106% effective goal percentage in the 4th even with James in the game. They were out rebounding Miami, and scored 36 points on just 20 possessions in the 4th.
Looks to me that they got hot in that quarter, and when the Spurs are hot, they can't be stopped.
And no that wasn't an AC pun!!!
The biggest reason why the Spurs were in trouble the previous three quarters were because of the TOs, which by the end of the game resulted in 23 total, which is not common for this team. If Miami can create those TOs, it's going to be a long series for San Antonio. TOs are the reason why in the past San Antonio have never been able to have back to back Finals appearances until now. They are handling the ball better than ever.
Also, something that is news worthy that slipped through the cracks because of the whole LeBron leaving the game issue...
(https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v231/tremontidood/10442360_759822077397884_8187918985467121506_n_zpsbecc05f2.png)
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Yeah, well, Duncan doesn't have Kobe's clutch shots. He's like a top 30 player at best. Stop over complicating things with numbers. 86% of statistics are made up anyway.
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First of all, that's not fair, because you break down and give stats about the game this season more than anybody on this thread, and secondly i'll counter by saying they are two different players playing two different positions?
I'm not complicating things. It just looked like the Spurs got hot at the 4th, and I was just proving it. Yes, the Spurs are my team, but I'm the first one to give credit where credit is due, and Miami had us on the rocker for most of the game, mainly, as I stated, we turned the ball over a bunch of times, and they made some great shots. I love the game of basketball too much to be one sided. I've played it up until I got hurt in college.
It's going to be a great series, probably even better than last years which was a classic. I'm looking forward to game 2, and I hope Lebron is healthy by Sunday so we can both teams at 100%.
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First of all, that's not fair, because you break down and give stats about the game this season more than anybody on this thread, and secondly i'll counter by saying they are two different players playing two different positions?
Sarcasm radar, broken.
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First of all, that's not fair, because you break down and give stats about the game this season more than anybody on this thread, and secondly i'll counter by saying they are two different players playing two different positions?
Sarcasm radar, broken.
Yeah....that's on me...
sorry I'm still heated from a small squabble from some of my buds who are Heat fans who went the whole "If LeBron stayed in we would've beaten you" route and kept saying the Spurs purposely turned off the AC...it started off as decent debate until our passion kicked in. I'm sorry, I was on edge.
(https://www.rebootblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/forgiveness.jpg)
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I've missed sarcasm too. It's cool.
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Timmy was fantastic in Game 1, sure, but y'all never mentioned about both Diaw's passing (many of Timmy's baskets were dished out by Diaw!!) and Manu's explosion on both ends in game 1!
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Looks to me that they got hot in that quarter, and when the Spurs are hot, they can't be stopped.
And them getting HOT and going on a run happening to coincide with James' exit was just a crazy coincidence, right? Hey, your team won; be happy. Just don't act like LBJ not being in there wasn't a major reason why (or THE main reason).
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Will this become a league-wide tactic, the next 'Hack-a-Shaq?'
SAUNA A LEBRONA?
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Will this become a league-wide tactic, the next 'Hack-a-Shaq?'
SAUNA A LEBRONA?
:rollin
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:rollin
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In the last year the two-time defending champion Miami Heat have overtaken the Los Angeles Lakers as America's favorite NBA team, according to an ESPN Sports Poll.
The poll was administered over a 12-month period that ended in March. It tracks fan base sizes and fan base demographics for all major sports through a monthly telephone survey of 1,500 Americans ages 12 and older.
Overall, the poll shows that the Heat rank sixth overall among America's favorite teams -- three spots ahead of the Lakers. While Miami is pursuing a three-peat as NBA champion this month in the NBA Finals, the Lakers were 27-55 this season, the worst 82-game record in the history of the franchise.
The Dallas Cowboys are the polled fans' favorite sports team, and three other NFL teams are in the top five -- the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 2, the Green Bay Packers at No. 3 and the Denver Broncos at No. 5. The New York Yankees are fourth in the poll.
The ESPN Sports Poll's 12-month findings also showed that the NFL is America's favorite sports league and accounted for 40 percent of the top 10 favorite athletes of fans polled. Overall, seven of America's 10 favorite sports teams are NFL teams.
:hat
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Seriously, I think we ought to switch the focus from LeBroning back to the series for Game 2 tonight.
For the Heat, I think LBJ will bounce back, but will D-Wade (knee) and Lewis (yes, Lewis instead of Bosh) put up the same type of production? In game 1, aside from Allen, the Heat bench scored only 4 total points! If they carry on like that in game 2, combining that with Lewis or Wade having a so-so night, the Heat can be in for a long evening. I think the Heat are just feeling too comfortable with their small lineup. They really need to consider playing Haslem and Andersen together to force the Spurs' big further away from the paint, or at least try to.
As for the Spurs, Diaw will still be the key guy behind Parker. Hardly anyone talked about it, but Diaw handed out 6 assists in game 1; and many of them were GREAT passes for TD! Diaw is a very good passer, and if the Heat can't make it hard for him to see the court with even rotation, good luck. Manu and Green are the biggest question marks for the Spurs. As we've seen, they both are capable of having a terrible night after a great game. So let's see what happen tonight.
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For Miami, Chalmers needs to step up. I also think Bosh is more of an X-factor than Wade is at this point, because there's no big presence in the paint for Miami.
Kawhi Leonard needs to play well for the Spurs. He only had 9 pts, and 7 of those were in the second half. All 4 of his turnovers led to fastbreak points for Miami, so he needs to take care of the ball better. Timmy too, which he had 5.
In fact, the Spurs do not need to have 23 TOs. Ever. Especially against Miami.
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Wouldn't it be cool if Oden could play well? Maybe he can, I've hardly seen him play besides against Indiana.
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Great flopping there Chalmers. Absolutely embarrassing that the refs let players get away with ridiculous stuff like that.
EDIT: Followed by some fabulous flopping by Dwayne Wade. Unbefuckinglievable. The Heat are a joke.
The Heat are acting ridiculous with all the flopping, Chalmers did it again near the end of the half, just play the damn game, ya know, like the Spurs do.
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Please players have been flopping since the 80's only reason anyone cares about it now is because of social media bringing more attention to it.
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Well I actually care because it seriously detracts from the game and makes it much less fun to watch, especially when obvious flopping gets non existent fouls called on the other team., but you keep thinking that man.
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Nah, Syzzle's right. Also, the Spurs used to get a ridiculous amout of calls because of Ginobili's flopping so they might be getting some karma payback.
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So because Social Media brings more attention to it, it's still fine and we should just accept it because hey it's always happened?
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I guess. It doesn't really bother me, it happens, so I got used to it. But I understand what you mean.
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So because Social Media brings more attention to it, it's still fine and we should just accept it because hey it's always happened?
No, but it's the refs'/league's fault, not the players'. If there's something you can do to improve your team's chances of winning, then it'd be foolish to not utilize it especially when the other team has the same ability to use it. I hate flopping but the burden of eliminating it lies solely on the league.
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Nah, it isn't social media, people have turned into drama queens with flopping in the past five or so years all over the NBA because the refs let it go unless its stupidly, horribly bad. You see guys get elbowed lightly and fly fifteen feet like pro wrestling. Social media is just people complaining about how fucking horrible it's gotten league-wide. Cause it has.
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Not a hard one to analyze. Spurs made a couple huge mistakes. Heat were great. LeBron was great.
Onto game 3.
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Great finish by the Heat. I just wonder when they're gonna realize that it's better to risk having a 3-point shooter pump fake their way into an easy cut to the basket for just 2 points than it is to stay at home and give up 3 points cuz they were afraid to give up an easy 2.
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So because Social Media brings more attention to it, it's still fine and we should just accept it because hey it's always happened?
Social media, especially twitter, brings out the worst people and their most moronic opinions.
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Coach Pop on lack of ball movement:
"You move it or you die."
Well said. We did not move the ball well at all, and we made some critical mistakes. It was still a great game! I hope every game moving forward is just as competitive and fun
EDIT:
I ran to the restroom at one point, but I did not see that we missed 4 free throws in a row from Parker and then Duncan
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That was the turning point. Up 2, the flagrant foul gave Parker two FTs, which he missed, and then on the ensuing position, Duncan got fouled, and also missed both FTs. Then the Heat came down and James nailed a 3. What could have been a 6-point lead became a 1-point deficit, just like that.
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Yeah, the timing was bad, but I noticed numerous moments like that throughout the game. Just a game of hot potato, really, and it went the wrong way for them.
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Both sides flopping aside, this game was close. Heat just took care of it at the end, Bosh is a fucking monster. I don't blame Parker for missing his FTs due to getting elbowed, but Duncan...sucks for him.
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The Spurs ain't too good in playing catch up in series. That's why I think for psychological reasons they must win game 3, or else they would always been playing catch up with the Heat; which is not an easy thing nor a good thing to do. Even they would admit they'd gotten lucky with the Mavs in the first round, after being down 1-2 after 3 games. The Heat are too good to let you take back a series lead, so do not expect to play catch up and beating them. In short, I might be jumping the gun here, but if the Spurs lose game 3, this series goes to the Heat! :hat
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They obviously want to win game three, but I don't see why they cant win back to back in games four and five to retake the lead. I guess my biggest fear would be that they lose both three and four, but I think so long as they win one of them they'll be in a strong enough position to still win the series. Winning back to back games against the Heat is, admittedly, a lot easier said than done, but I believe they could pull it off should they lose on Tuesday
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I think it's important for the Heat to take Game 3 as well. They don't want to have to win on the road again, even though it's obviously something they're capable of.
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The Spurs absolutely have to win Game 3! It is now a 5-game series, and three of the next 4 games are in Miami! Suddenly the odds don't look so good for the Spurs, if you ask me. :hat
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If they split the next two, the series will become a best of three with only one game in Miami.
The Spurs really want to win this game, but it's not the end of the series if they don't. And if they do win, it's not like they have it wrapped up.
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If they split the next two, the series will become a best of three with only one game in Miami.
The Spurs really want to win this game, but it's not the end of the series if they don't. And if they do win, it's not like they have it wrapped up.
True, but as good as the Spurs are, they ain't exactly a good come-from-behind team, agree?
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I know what you're saying and don't totally disagree. But we've seen what they can do. Selling them short is a mistake. I think everybody sold the Heat short last year. Look how that series turned out.
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In the Spurs series:
Lebron ON: 111.8 ORTG, 103.5 DRTG, +8.3 Net
Lebron OFF: 95.7 ORTG, 147.8 DRTG, -52.2 Net
+60.4 Net
:omg:
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His value to the team was never more obvious than it was at the end of that game. If he's in there, does anyone really think Denny Green is that open to hit all of those 3s?
It really is a shame that many people are so intent on hating the guy because of The Decision (something he has since acknowledged was a mistake) that they can't enjoy watching someone as great as him just play, especially when he's been a model citizen since coming into the league. In this day and age of selfish athletes, a player as unselfish as James should not be getting as much hate as he does, but that's today's society for ya.
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His value to the team was never more obvious than it was at the end of that game. If he's in there, does anyone really think Denny Green is that open to hit all of those 3s?
It really is a shame that many people are so intent on hating the guy because of The Decision (something he has since acknowledged was a mistake) that they can't enjoy watching someone as great as him just play, especially when he's been a model citizen since coming into the league. In this day and age of selfish athletes, a player as unselfish as James should not be getting as much hate as he does, but that's today's society for ya.
It's legitimately depressing to think about. The dude hasn't had a moment's privacy since he was 15. Considering the worst thing he's been caught doing is a dumb TV special, there's really no reason to hate him, especially considering how much worse some athletes have done. People are morons.
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It's odd to me how people downplay The Decision. He shit on city's chest on national television.
I'm willing to appreciate him as a basketball player. I don't think he's a bad guy either. But I think these things in spite of The Decision. It feels to me like people saying it wasn't that bad have short memories.
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Oh, he deserved all of the criticism he got for The Decision (for the way he did it, not for actually leaving Cleveland), but, like I said, he has since admitted that that was a mistake. I thought this country loved for forgiveness, yet people hold on to that since it's all they got.
Since people love the Jordan comparisons, can you imagine if Jordan had played in the social media era? Between the repeated playoff losses to the Pistons before finally breaking through, the gambling, and the stories of him generally being an asshole, he would have been crucified probably worse than James is, yet many act like Jordan was this mythical god who could do no wrong. It's comical. But nostalgia can be a funny thing.
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Oh, he deserved all of the criticism he got for The Decision (for the way he did it, not for actually leaving Cleveland)
The bold is crucial.
I thought this country loved for forgiveness, yet people hold on to that since it's all they got.
That's interesting to think about. Talking about LeBron specifically, there's a group of people that just hate him. It's cheap ammo for them.
I wonder about America and public forgiveness in general though. I think that's starting to go away a bit. Because the Internet makes things so accessible, scandalous public acts don't go away like they used to, so the memory of them becomes less abstract to people. So people don't look at something like the decision and think "well, in retrospect, he just presented himself poorly." You can rewatch The Decision on the internet and be instantly reminded of how awful it was. You can watch the welcome party video and immediately be reminded of how arrogant it was.
Since people love the Jordan comparisons, can you imagine if Jordan had played in the social media era? Between the repeated playoff losses to the Pistons before finally breaking through, the gambling, and the stories of him generally being an asshole, he would have been crucified probably worse than James is, yet many act like Jordan was this mythical god who could do no wrong. It's comical. But nostalgia can be a funny thing.
Jordan's a little more media savvy than LeBron. LeBron's always pretended to be this humble guy even though he obviously isn't, which hurts his image. Jordan knew how to present his psychotic competitiveness honestly without laying it on too thick.
Still, Jordan would be a less mythical figure. I don't see how you can argue against that.
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Just like Reap, I respect him as a basketball player. He's obviously great, and an athletic beast. The Decision and some of the questionable comments he has made definitely irked me. Comments that put himself above the average person who happens to be NBA fans. Also taking a shot at Dirk Nowitzki during the NBA Finals by faking a cough was pretty low. Also when he got dunked on by a college player during a pick-up game, and he went out of his way to try and make sure that tape was confiscated, which to me is cowardly.
Also, he's suppose to be the greatest player in the world, and suppose to be in the same breath as Jordan and Kobe....why does he have to flop to try to win games? And his flopping isn't subtle, like Manu Ginobli, especially in his early career...Jame's is pretty ridiculous and over the top. Yes everyone flops nowadays, but you have to respect the game better than that especially if you are considered "The Chosen One"
Those are my irks. I respect him as an athletic basketball player, and he's a marvel to watch on the court. But that's about it. I'll never own a Lebron James jersey or wear his kicks like I have for Jordan, Bryant, or even Duncan.
Well...maybe his kicks...I wear a size 17...there's not a lot of options for me, and if there is a cheap pair of his my size i'll get them, but ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE SASQUATCH FEET ;)
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James is not the first, nor will be the last, superstar to flop. It's lame, I agree, but I watch the sport knowing that it's one of the annoying parts of the game that I can't change. Honestly, and this is not to absolve him of it, but I blame Dwayne Wade for it. I don't remember James being much of a flopper in Cleveland, yet once he got to Miami, he took it up several notches, and Wade has always been a huge flopper, so do the math. ;)
ReaP, I agree about the internet. Plus, when Jim Rome was still on ESPN, he loved making fun of the "Not one, not two..." speech at their welcome part, and that sticks in peoples's craws. I get it.
And even though I don't watch it anymore, that show with Skip Bayless supposedly gets huge ratings, and he is to James what Rome was to Barry Bonds (see: loud-mouthed basher to the nth degree), so I suspect the many dopes who still watch Bayless takes his absurd criticisms of James to heart.
With Jordan, I think he benefited by being the best player in the league who finally overcome the hated "Bad Boys" Pistons. So many were happy to see the Pistons finally lose in '91, and Jordan's Bulls were the ones to sweep them and dethrone them, so that definitely helped. All of those damn commercials back in the day helped, too, as you alluded to...marketing and all that.
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And even though I don't watch it anymore, that show with Skip Bayless supposedly gets huge ratings, and he is to James what Rome was to Barry Bonds (see: loud-mouthed basher to the nth degree), so I suspect the many dopes who still watch Bayless takes his absurd criticisms of James to heart.
I generally think that the people control their own destiny. We all hate Skip Bayless, yet enough people watch to keep him on TV. It's hard to complain about him having a voice on national media.
But doesn't ESPN have a social responsibility to cancel his show? Stephen A. Smith is awful too. After the first game, he talked about how LeBron showed his lack of greatness by not playing through cramps. I didn't see the TV because I was in the next room, but I imagine it was something like this. (https://youtu.be/9-GShbugITk?t=8s)
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Smith can actually be insightful on occasion - he is on Sportscenter now sometimes - but far too often, he gets all worked out and then out comes Screaming A. Smith. :lol :lol That is when I can't change the channel quick enough.
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It's all an act though nobody would watch the show if Skip didn't troll and Stephen A. didn't scream at him. Skip is incredibly knowledgeable about almost every sport, but if they let him show it First Take would plummet in the ratings and we can't have that happening now can we?
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And even though I don't watch it anymore, that show with Skip Bayless supposedly gets huge ratings, and he is to James what Rome was to Barry Bonds (see: loud-mouthed basher to the nth degree), so I suspect the many dopes who still watch Bayless takes his absurd criticisms of James to heart.
I generally think that the people control their own destiny. We all hate Skip Bayless, yet enough people watch to keep him on TV. It's hard to complain about him having a voice on national media.
But doesn't ESPN have a social responsibility to cancel his show? Stephen A. Smith is awful too. After the first game, he talked about how LeBron showed his lack of greatness by not playing through cramps. I didn't see the TV because I was in the next room, but I imagine it was something like this. (https://youtu.be/9-GShbugITk?t=8s)
SAT WHAAAT?!
ESPN's obligation is to get ratings to get more money for advertisments and sometime people what who they hate because they love to hate on them and both Skip and STEVEN A. SMITH does that.
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Yeah, Skip Bayless is Hitler.
Also, it looks like Derek Fisher will be the Knicks next head coach. I think he will do a fine job! Good luck, Fish!
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Just like Reap, I respect him as a basketball player. He's obviously great, and an athletic beast. The Decision and some of the questionable comments he has made definitely irked me. Comments that put himself above the average person who happens to be NBA fans. Also taking a shot at Dirk Nowitzki during the NBA Finals by faking a cough was pretty low. Also when he got dunked on by a college player during a pick-up game, and he went out of his way to try and make sure that tape was confiscated, which to me is cowardly.
Also, he's suppose to be the greatest player in the world, and suppose to be in the same breath as Jordan and Kobe....why does he have to flop to try to win games? And his flopping isn't subtle, like Manu Ginobli, especially in his early career...Jame's is pretty ridiculous and over the top. Yes everyone flops nowadays, but you have to respect the game better than that especially if you are considered "The Chosen One"
Those are my irks. I respect him as an athletic basketball player, and he's a marvel to watch on the court. But that's about it. I'll never own a Lebron James jersey or wear his kicks like I have for Jordan, Bryant, or even Duncan.
I have some problems with this logic.
On the one hand, no one really knows what any of these athletes are like and so it's probably best for me not to judge them based on what they do off the court. On the other hand, based on what little we do know, it's probably not entirely baseless to say that Kobe and Jordan were worse dudes than LeBron. Both guys were not liked by their teammates, Kobe was charged with rape, and Jordan had well documented gambling problems that took their toll on everyone around him.
Despite all this, you're saying you'll continue to support Kobe and Jordan but not LeBron? Even though those guys have much more questionable character than him?
I don't know. I just feel like whereas LeBron is a little immature and doesn't think as hard as he should sometimes, those guys are actually "meh" people.
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Yeah, Skip Bayless is Hitler.
Also, it looks like Derek Fisher will be the Knicks next head coach. I think he will do a fine job! Good luck, Fish!
Seems to be the new trend hiring ex players with no head coaching experience.
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:lol
Yeah. But from years watching him on the Lakers, I always thought he would make a pretty good coach.
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AND POINT GUARDS TOO! :lol
Still doesn't bode well for Rajon in 10 years though. :lol
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SAT WHAAAT?!
ESPN's obligation is to get ratings to get more money for advertisments and sometime people what who they hate because they love to hate on them and both Skip and STEVEN A. SMITH does that.
You're completely right. I'm just throwing it out there as a thought experiment. If I ran ESPN, I'd kill the show because it's embarrassing. Reputation is more important than money.
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Reputation is more important than money.
Capitalism laughs at this.
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It's a business sir. You want a good reputation, public-access television is a call way for you.
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Good reputation matters. Steve Jobs worked mercilessly to make sure Apple was a product people identify with. ESPN runs Grantland and FiveThirtyEight not because they have money but because it makes them look good. Why does any corporation donate to charity except to help their image?
ESPN's new side doesn't directly make money, but it gives them an apparatus for manufacturing helpful drama around sports. It's not like people will gradually go away. If ESPN gets too stupid, people will just suddenly go away without warning to other sites like Bleacher Report, SBNation, and so on. It's not like they're the only people producing good sports writing.
People get too attached to short term trends in business. Music as a whole is still louder than it should be, but it's no where near as bad as before Death Magnetic. Then, all the sudden, everyone became aware of the loudness war and everything had to step back. Manufactured pop music was huge in the late 80's and early 90's, until the Milli Vanilli incident was so embarrassing that everyone had to at least pretend to be authentic.
We live in a world where social media can cause people to lose their jobs. You don't think that Bayless is capable of saying something so bad that there's public outcry against ESPN.
Not just thinking about the money is naive idealism, until you're going out of business.
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It's an opinion show, they have plenty of other show you would deem respectable so if you don't like it turn the channel. Why in this day and age if one does not like a style, it should be banned for all to see? People watch TMZ for a specific reason and so do people who watch First Take.
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If I'm running ESPN, my view is that the site needs to be a source of credible journalism and opinion. Even if SVG and Mark Jackson say silly things when calling games, they've both coached. Michael Wilbon can say wrong things, but he's at least trying to provide serious commentary.
Then you have Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, who directly create characters to stir up shit.
The ESPN makes most of its money through broadcasting. What I don't want is to broadcast stuff into a vacuum, then have the Internet uncontrollably perceiving it. The Internet gets more and more powerful every year. I need a stake in controlling how it thinks. I want the advertising dollars. I want the branding.
I want more personalities like Bill Simmons and Nate Silver, who write thoughtful and entertaining content. Stuff that people trust, believe in, and can't not read.
If I broadcast the NBA and know why people watch it (drama, personalities, excitement), I need to produce content in house that plays up those factors that people actually see. If I'm the network that produces quality content, people buy in. If I'm the network of Skip Bayless, people will think "oh, a bullshit hype piece, pass."
If this sounds ridiculous, all I'm doing is repeating back how Steve Jobs used marketing and branding to make Apple the biggest company in the world. This isn't crazy stuff. It's the most successful business tactic in the world.
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Except that ESPN is the Apple of TV sports right now. They've diverse enough that you explained it with your post. People want to see the loud, abrasive, out there opinionated writers and the rating show. One show will not be the demise of ESPN and it's morality you seek.
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It's all an act though nobody would watch the show if Skip didn't troll and Stephen A. didn't scream at him. Skip is incredibly knowledgeable about almost every sport, but if they let him show it First Take would plummet in the ratings and we can't have that happening now can we?
Not really. From what I remember, he takes the emotional, simplistic approach to analysis. Plus, I did watch the day after the finals last year, just to see what he'd say after James won his 2nd title, and I believe that was the day that Mark Cuban was on there and made him look like a moron who knows nothing about the fundamentals about basketball. It was beautiful to watch.
Except that ESPN is the Apple of TV sports right now. They've diverse enough that you explained it with your post. People want to see the loud, abrasive, out there opinionated writers and the rating show. One show will not be the demise of ESPN and it's morality you seek.
Agreed. It shows how far ESPN has fallen when shows like First Take, Numbers Never Lie and Highly Questionable are on every weekday. Those shows all appeal to the lowest common denominator (see: the dumbest sports fans in the country).
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And it's hot right now. It's like that a lot on sports talk radio now as well.
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Skip has been covering sports for almost 40 years there is no reason to believe that he didn't know what a zone defense was (Which is what Cuban asked him to explain). He is just payed to say stuff to get reactions and he does his job well.
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The Heat are 38-7, including 8-0 this year, when their good luck charm, 13-year-old Julia Dale sings the National Anthem before their playoff games! Let's see if the streak will continue....
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10342754_10202929450611573_7005165378552557076_n.jpg)
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:lol
Of course they're only winning because of her! :lol
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So far the Spurs are absolutely dominating and Kawhi Leonard is hottest guy on the court… :omg:
Obviously a lot of time still left, but this is not a good start to your first home game in the NBA finals :lol
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Just like Lebron responded to the criticism (silly criticism too) on game 1, Leonard is responding to his. He scored more in that first quarter than he did both Games 1 and 2.
It also helps San Antonio is putting on a clinic on how to move the ball.
But. Miami and their second half adjustments.
We gotta be perfect for the rest of the game to win. We have blown some big leads in the past :(
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How big is Miami's rim? The spurs can't miss a shot!
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Absolutely astonishing how easily they seem to be scoring. 55 points in less than 16 minutes… If they keep it up (I'm skeptical that they will) I imagine this could break some records.
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I love Jeff Van Gundy's commentating right now :lol
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I literally zipped my dick up when I was 4. The first 6 minutes of this game alone were literally less enjoyable for me.
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I literally zipped my dick up when I was 4. The first 6 minutes of this game alone were literally less enjoyable for me.
Literally the best comment of all times.
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Fuck, the Spurs were shooting the lights out in the first half. 71 fucking points. Jesus.
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I saw the end of the third and the whole fourth quarter. I missed the scoring barrage, unfortunately.
But still, even as someone who loves what the Spurs do, I still find new ways to be impressed by them. I think the consensus going into this game was "are we sure the Spurs can beat Miami if LeBron doesn't have leg cramps? Has Kawhi lost it? The Heat know how big an opportunity they have." And the Spurs just said fuck that and unleashed on them.
It's still impossible to know where this series is going. But we do know now that the Spurs are going to make the Heat earn it.
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Couldn't we equally ask, however, of the Heat: "can they win if LeBron does not absolutely dominate?"
The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
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Couldn't we equally ask, however, of the Heat: "can they win if LeBron does not absolutely dominate?"
That's not a question. It's almost self-evident at this point. LeBron took 14 shots and 3 free throw attempts. It's just not enough.
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Couldn't we equally ask, however, of the Heat: "can they win if LeBron does not absolutely dominate?"
The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
I think they played like lackadaisical bitches on D and that probably doesn't happen if they're already down 2-0. Sure, they ran around and tried to chase down shooters but all too often they just took their foot off the gas and let 1.5 seconds of mental lapse take a shit on the 15-20 seconds they'd just hustled before that. It really seemed like classic Heat arrogance via buying into the media hype.
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Yeah if Spurs win game 2 I'm not sure game 3 looks so pretty for them.
Still, what an impressive performance all around for San Antonio. Spurs with almost twice as many players in double figures. They did a really good job of staying aggressive and getting free throws. Obviously Kawhi Leonard was the man, but Diaw and Green also both played really well. Green with 15 points and only one three point basket- not something you see everyday. And 5 steals to go with it!
Watching games that are actually competitive is fun, no doubt. But it's also nice to see a team unleash like that and play some beautiful basketball. Of course, the Heat could've played better defense as well :lol
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The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
Except there is no way of knowing that. They could say it to themselves all they want, but that doesn't make it true.
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Either way, I enjoyed watching the Spurs killing them Heat!! :metal
Yet, this series is FAR from over, and I expect the Heat would come back way tougher than in Game 3 in the next game. Should be interesting to watch. :hat
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The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
Except there is no way of knowing that. They could say it to themselves all they want, but that doesn't make it true.
Yeah, I understand that. Probably a dumb thing to write. It was late, and I'm not really sure what my point was. I think I was reacting to all of the hypotheticals Reap was throwing out as being the main narratives going into Game 3 for the Heat to be ultra confident. Obviously SA didn't buy into those.
It will be really tough, but SA needs to come out with just as much urgency in Game 4. It won't literally be a must win like it will be for Miami, but if SA loses Game 4, then it's gonna go 7 -- and it's hard to pick against LeBron in a Game 7.
Leonard is key, though. He doesn't have to get 29 a night, but he does have to bring that same aggressiveness the rest of the series.
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I didn't see a second of last night's game (was at a concert), but I heard the Spurs looked unstoppable. I suspect the Heat will come out like gangbusters tomorrow night. Mario Chalmers needs to pull his head out of his ass in a hurry though.
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The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
Except there is no way of knowing that. They could say it to themselves all they want, but that doesn't make it true.
Like saying "the Heat were gonna win game one until Lebron went out." :rollin
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The Spurs could be saying to themselves, "Hey, if it wasn't for those 4 straight missed free throws in Game 2, we'd be up 3-0 now."
Except there is no way of knowing that. They could say it to themselves all they want, but that doesn't make it true.
You could easily flip this though. The Heat could tell themselves they would have won game 1 if LeBron hadn't cramped up. But there's no way of knowing that.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/233750/Heat-Working-On-Plan-To-Sign-Carmelo-To-Create-Big-4
Get it done Riley then we'll be one step closer to a Big 5 :hat
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9lbAH9ttS4
I hope they keep making these :lol
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Joey Crawford reffing game 4. Unreal.
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https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/233750/Heat-Working-On-Plan-To-Sign-Carmelo-To-Create-Big-4
Get it done Riley then we'll be one step closer to a Big 5 :hat
Yeah what the Heat really need is another volume jump shooter. The most prolific one in the league, who doesn't pass or play defense. What a misguided effort. ::)
-J
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People were skeptical about how Wade/James/Bosh could not only coexist without egos prevailing but also how ANY active (or recently active) coach this side of Phil Jackson could even dream of getting them to buy into his plan yet these doubts have been thoroughly destroyed and they have played masterfully together. With Melo seeing a golden opportunity like this to get out of the "No rings" club, I think only a severely low contract offer in relation to his market value could chase him off and even that may not sour the deal.
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If Melo comes to Miami, it's because Wade/James/Bosh take pay cuts. Melo's actions and what people say about him strongly indicate that he's very interested in money. If they Heat can't/don't want to pay, don't expect Melo to be there.
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Word is that Wade and Bosh would be willing to take less to stay in Miami. Honestly, they should be given props for that, as most athletes take the money and run, but they are willing to take less to play on a winner and with guys they love playing with. That is a good thing. Not sure someone who plays hero ball like Carmelo Anthony would fit in well there, but with James there running the show, he'd probably be able to keep him in check. Anthony has to be tired of never playing in May and June.
As for Joey Crawford officiating tomorrow night, that's par for the course for the NBA.
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If Melo plays in Miami it will be fine. He's good at making Hockey assist type passes. Him and LeBron can basically play 3 and 4 interchangeably.
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Win or lose this series, I think Pat Riley knows, assuming the Big 3 all come back, that he needs to bring someone else significant in. They dropped to 54 wins this year, Ray Allen is getting old, Dwayne Wade's health is always a question mark, and you have to go for it while James is still in his all-world prime.
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Agreed. Even if they don't bring in another star, they could take a Spurs type approach and bolster the role players. In particular, like you said, Wade's health is too unreliable.
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I'm looking way too far ahead but, if the 3peat occurs, they'll obviously be going for the only 4peat in the post-Russell era. If they succeed in that, where does this hypothetical dynasty rank all time? It still obviously falls well short of Auerbach's green machine and there are still 3 different 5-title Laker dynasties as well as the double 3peat Bulls. So it's an absolute clusterfuck of subjectivity and biased stat manipulation rife for the likes of us nerdy fuckers.
What's y'all's take on this?
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If the Heat 4-peat, it would be the third greatest dynasty in basketball. It obviously wouldn't compete with the 60's Celtics, and you wouldn't rank it above the totality of the 90's era Bulls. But nothing else could compete.
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See, I don't lump the '00-'02 Lakers in with the '09-'10 Lakers. Too many different players in general, and the lack of Shaq makes it even more difficult to put them all together.
I'll go with what ReaP said. But I still think the Spurs are gonna win it this year.
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It's a shame the Mikan 5-outta-6er is so thoroughly forgotten because lolTVinitsinfancy.
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It's a shame the Mikan 5-outta-6er is so thoroughly forgotten because lolTVinitsinfancy.
I totally forgot it.
I don't know anything about it though so I don't know how to rank it. I haven't seen much of the Russell era games, but I've read a bit about it. How close a lot of games were. They got lucky at least once (in one of the championships, I think, the Lakers had the last shot, and if it went in they would have won the title). But they also pulled off a lot of crazy stuff to be so successful so consistently.
For all I know, the Mikan era Lakers were just that much better than the competition.
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Joey Crawford reffing game 4. Unreal.
For real?! :tdwn Damn! The Spurs are going to get hosed tonight, and I smell Timmy would get T'd up for no good reason... :facepalm:
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So basically this
(https://i.imgur.com/Cbgmn2g.jpg)
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LeBron's playoff record (Doesn't include this year's playoffs)
with Crawford: 11-11 (.500)
w/o Crawford: 81-39 (.675)
I'm sure Crawford is still holding a grudge against Duncan and Parker though so yeah I would be surprised if the Spurs win tonight.
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I remember Crawford calling game 6 last year pretty evenly.
The problem is that you always run into the risk of him grandstanding. Let's say LeBron drives to the rim, a Spurs big man uses verticality to challenge the shot. LeBron gets really pissy about not getting a foul. We go to the other end of the court. A Spurs player drives on James, he goes to take the charge. It could technically go either way, but is usually called a charge. Crawford calls is a block though, because he's still pissed about the previous play.
That's the problem. These kinds of things are always in play with him.
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Pop running a globetrotter offense. I love him so much
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Hey guys?
I think the Spurs are really good.
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So, is this a re-run of game 3?
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I don't understand how Miami was so lax at defense in the first half, it seemed like they didn't care if the Spurs were scoring. Lebron seemed pissed off and tried to put the team on his back but the rest of the guys were mentally destroyed.
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What the fuck is up with the Heat? Really disappointing.
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So, is this a re-run of game 3?
Heh.
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Dwayne Wade looked awful tonight. You'd think after Game 3 Miami would come out balls to the wall ready to rock, but this was arguably a bigger ass kicking. Things don't look good for the Heat. They're gonna have to play 200% better over the rest of the series to win it.
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The history of the Finals says they're done. No team has ever come back from 3-1.
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I can't figure it out, though. The Spurs are good, don't get me wrong, but they flat out embarrassed the two time champions on their home court twice. They're not quite giving up, but they're in the ball park.
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As far as I'm concerned the Heat could win the next three in a row.
It's never over until it's over.
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Kawhi Leonard defending Dwyane Wade. (https://www.gfycat.com/AngryAcclaimedCanadagoose)
I don't care if you're Jamal Crawford's handles. What's Wade supposed to do here?
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IF we win Game 5, Leonard will be handed that Finals MVP trophy
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Kawhi Leonard defending Dwyane Wade. (https://www.gfycat.com/AngryAcclaimedCanadagoose)
I don't care if you're Jamal Crawford's handles. What's Wade supposed to do here?
There's nothing anyone can do
IF we win Game 5, Leonard will be handed that Finals MVP trophy
Yep, I was actually hoping Manu had a good series and he got the trophy but after the last 2 games it'll be hard not giving it to Leonard
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I didn't catch the game last night, but recorded it and had someone ruin the result for me this morning. Oh well- one less game to worry about. It will be interesting to see if the Heat still have any fight in them after losing back to back playoff games for the first time in a relatviely long time, at home no less.
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These Spurs are so good. I've been a die hard NBA fan since 2002 and can honestly say they could go up against anyone I've seen.
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The Heat look tired. I think they're still playing *pretty* well considering that they're facing a team on ultra-god mode. I give the Spurs props, they deserve the championship this year. They have been playing like a fucking championship team, whereas the Heat are kinda dead right now.
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These Spurs are so good. I've been a die hard NBA fan since 2002 and can honestly say they could go up against anyone I've seen.
Agreed. They are one of the best single season teams I've seen since I started watching in the mid 80s. 62 wins in the regular season in that tough Western Conference, and their destruction of the Heat in these Finals is really impressive. Granted, the Heat aren't the team they were the last two years (Dwayne Wade is declining fast before our eyes), but still, what are they are doing is impressive as hell. Their passing is just ridiculous.
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I'm not sure the Heat are tired, I think it has to do more with the fact that the East was so weak they didn't have to put much effort into reaching the finals and as Jamesman said, they are now facing a team playing God mode and they were not ready.
And speaking of the Spurs, last year we saw the losing team adjusting after each game to come back but this time around it was Pop who adjusted for last game running plays that the Spurs hadn't run all season, that's f*ing crazy! I don't think the Heat are strong enough to come back and take this and even if they did the Spurs are not gonna let this one slip away.
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I think it's important to remember, too, that while these are the same teams as last year's Finals, they are not the same "teams." The Spurs got better this year, and the Heat declined.
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Still though, if any team can remotely climb back from a 1-3 deficit and win in the Finals, it will likely be the Heat. That said, their body languages at the end of both game 3 & 4 suggested otherwise. I hope the Spurs just wrap it up on Sunday! :hat
This summer will be interesting for LBJ. While I think both Bosh and D-Wade will eventually stay put, LBJ is the mostly one to leave. Will he return to the Cavs? I think he would be viewed as a "hero" if he does, but he can also choose to sign with the Lakers (nearly $50M in cap space) or anywhere for no reasons at all... in a half joking kind of way, I really want to see a superstar going to a team like the Jazz or the Bucks just because he can. :lol So let's sit back and see.
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He's not going back to Cleveland. No how, no way.
And why we would he play for the Lakers? If he would leave Miami, he'll wanna go to a team that's actually a contender.
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Yeah, Wade has declined a lot. And I feel like the absence of Mike Miller makes a huge difference.
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I think LeBron will wait and see what Wade does. If Wade signs a long-term deal for Kobe money, LeBron should consider leaving.
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He's not going back to Cleveland. No how, no way.
And why we would he play for the Lakers? If he would leave Miami, he'll wanna go to a team that's actually a contender.
From his prospective, IF he is not staying with the Heat; going to another big market team with cash to burn just seems to make the most sense. That is why I brought up the Lakers, or else returning to the Cavs would be the next logical move; or finding a way to do a sign-and-trade with the Bulls / 76ers would perhaps be a distance third option.
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While I think Wade will be a Heat for life, I don't see Riley giving him that kind of money. It would be incredibly foolish, since it would make it difficult to keep James AND put a good enough team around them to win it all again.
Imagine James on the Bulls. Even without a healthy Rose, he'd make them the top team in the East simply by signing.
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While I think Wade will be a Heat for life, I don't see Riley giving him that kind of money. It would be incredibly foolish, since it would make it difficult to keep James AND put a good enough team around them to win it all again.
Imagine James on the Bulls. Even without a healthy Rose, he'd make them the top team in the East simply by signing.
I think LeBron will wait and see what Wade does. If Wade signs a long-term deal for Kobe money, LeBron should consider leaving.
Agreed with you both. As much as I like D-Wade, at this stage of his career he simply just no longer deserve a max contract. That obviously won't stop him from asking for one though. :hat
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Fun stat I just read. The Spurs finished the regular season with 95 possessions per 48 minutes and an offensive rating of 110.5... The run-and-gun, 7-seconds-or-less 05-06 Suns played at a pace of 95.8 with a offensive rate of 111.5.
This ain't your father's "boring basketball" Spurs! :lol
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Fun stat I just read. The Spurs finished the regular season with 95 possessions per 48 minutes and an offensive rating of 110.5... The run-and-gun, 7-seconds-or-less 05-06 Suns played at a pace of 95.8 with a offensive rate of 111.5.
This ain't your father's "boring basketball" Spurs! :lol
Seriously, even though I am a Lakers fan I've always enjoyed watching the Spurs play (as long as we ain't playing them :lol ) and I really have no idea where that "boring" label come from. If playing good structured basketball and great D equal to being boring? Damn, these people know jack, and shouldn't be watching the NBA at all. If I have to pick a boring team, I honestly think the 04-08 or so Pistons were pretty boring to watch! :hat
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I guess people say that they were boring because they weren't making highlight reel plays game in and game out. Pop just built the offense around Duncan's post game and a dominant defense, but as Timmy's gotten older the Spurs front office has surrounded him with ball-handlers, up-tempo players, a move-the-ball system and perimeter marksmen.
I've been watching the last two games with a smile on my face, not because I want Miami to lose, but because of how nonchalantly the Spurs have eviscerate them!
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If you want the cynical answer, the Spurs haven't been historically a team full of flashy Nike pitchmen who are coached by a coach that carries themselves as being bigger than the game they coach. :lol Tim Duncan is one of the best players in the history of the league, but he's not a celebrity player like Lebron or Kobe. Pop isn't like Phil Jackson, who the media tends to portray as being as big if not bigger a part of the success of his teams. They're boring because ESPN can't turn them into a minute long highlight reel every night on Sportscenter for just winning with a solid system built around the players they have.
The Spurs just win.
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The funny thing is, often times you'll see a home team get behind like they did last night, but you just know a run is coming and they'll get back in it, but I never thought Miami would once they got down by 19 at the half. For one, they don't have a lot of shooters (Ray Allen is the only one who is gonna rain a bunch of 3s down, and the Spurs weren't gonna let him get open all night), and you need shooters to get back in a game like that, and for two, the Spurs were getting too many open looks, and they weren't suddenly gonna start missing every open shot. It looked like a mismatch from the start. Pretty amazing when you consider how the teams looked the first two games (when you could argue that Miami was the slightly better team, aside from that stretch at the end of Game 1 when James was playing or missing time with cramps).
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I think Kev mentioned how ridiculous the Spurs passing is, and it's true.
I remember during one of the Celtics' series against the Heat, Doc said something like 'we cannot throw cross-court passes against the Heat. They're gonna get picked off.'
The Spurs just do it and it works. It lets them find open shooters in places the Heat wouldn't think to rotate.
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Okay seriously, I think I am gonna choke the next person who says that James having (with one more loss) three finals losses counts against him in GOAT arguments. Uh, what? Oh, so it's better to lose earlier in the playoffs than later? :lol :lol :lol
Think of it this way: let's say James wins four more rings before his career. His 6-3 Finals record would actually be more impressive on his resume than Jordan's 6-0 record would be, unless James going farther than Jordan in at least three of his non-championship-winning seasons magically makes him worse.
It makes no logical sense.
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But Jordan is undefeated!!
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Haha, exactly. We'll just ignore those 9 other seasons where he didn't win the title or even get to the finals. And those four other seasons where Jordan's team either didn't make the playoffs or won zero playoff games...yeah, those never happened either. :lol :lol
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Well if the number of Championships dictates the greatest player to ever play, than Bill Russell will be the GOAT because he has more championship rings than anyone :P
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And Rick Horry is better than MJ.
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LeBron has never lost in the first round of the playoffs while Jordan has, but you will never hear anyone bring that up because it makes Jordan look bad and we can't have that now can we?
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And Rick Horry is better than MJ.
Still ain't got shit on Robert Fox.
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And Rick Horry is better than MJ.
Still ain't got shit on Robert Fox.
:lol :lol :lol
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:lol
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I normally don't care about anything kids do, because it's a less good version of what adults do. But these kids do a better job interviewing Kevin Love than most professional reporters. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJRK5MiG4BM)
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I normally don't care about anything kids do, because it's a less good version of what adults do. But these kids do a better job interviewing Kevin Love than most professional reporters. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJRK5MiG4BM)
:lol
K Love is a cool guy
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I was browsing Spurs videos on YouTube this morning, and I came across this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-eUU8j3ab4
I still have this on video :lol Does anyone remember VHS tapes? Crazy how outdated this is. Pop even looked young lol
Man...The Admiral....Avery Johnson...Sean Elliot.....I grew up in San Antonio watching these guys. They were San Antonio's big three before Timmy, and especially Manu and Tony, came into picture.
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If those threes weren't daggers, I don't know what a dagger is.
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Loved seeing Parker go off in the second half. After a great post-season, it would have been an ignominious finish.
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Congrats to the Spurs, they managed to throw the Heat out of the court 4 times in the finals. The way they played is just unbelievable.
:clap:
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Crying. CRYING
I love my Spurs!!!
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Spurs were just beautiful.
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They deserve it and Kawaii deserves FMVP. Fucking excited to watch his career go on.
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Wow! The Spurs were unbelievable!!
Miami came out white hot, and they ice cold, they weather it, climb back and annihilate the Heat! Goddamn!!
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Best team I've seen in a long time. I don't know the next time I'll see a group this good. Congrats to the Spurs!
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Best team I've seen in a long time. I don't know the next time I'll see a group this good. Congrats to the Spurs!
My favorite Spurs championship team ever :tup
Crying. CRYING
I love my Spurs!!!
:metal
5. What happens to the Spurs with age creeping up on Tim Duncan (37) and Manu Ginobili (about to be 36)?
Guess we have our answer ;D
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Congrats to the Spurs and their fans. That was truly a total team effort. :tup :tup
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Congrats to the Spurs and their fans. That was truly a total team effort. :tup :tup
Thank you.
Somehow I get the feeling they're not done, though. I think Timmy and Manu give it one more go for the repeat :tup
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A moment that I've seen no one mention - At one point, the Spurs fans were singing Seven Nation Army. That's trolling right there.
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Congrats to the Spurs and their fans. That was truly a total team effort. :tup :tup
Thank you.
Somehow I get the feeling they're not done, though. I think Timmy and Manu give it one more go for the repeat :tup
Even if all the Spurs' old guys come back 10% worse next year, they will still have a great chance to win because everyone else on the team is so young and will almost definitely get better.
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If the Spurs want to run it back, it will be semi-tough because they have to resign Diaw and Mills. Hopefully they could also sign a good MLE guy or make a nice trade.
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LeBron should go play for the Spurs. Seriously, how ridiculous would that team be?
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Not one... not two... not three... not four...
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:lol
Of course the problem with James going somewhere else will mean he will have spent the bulk of his career with 3+ teams. Players this good rarely bounce from team to team.
Jordan was always a Bull (until his ill-fated comeback with the Wizards).
Bird was always a Celtic.
Magic was always a Laker.
Duncan has always been a Spur.
etc.
Granted, James has a lot of critics, most of whom will irrationally bash him no matter what, but this will simply give them more ammo, especially if he goes to a team that is on the verge. That will stir up more "he had to go to a team loaded with talent to win" argument, as if any of the top stars in NBA history won multiple rings without other stars around him, but it's what he'll have to deal with his entire career.
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Here's the one valid criticism of that, and the one thing about this finals performance that's really open to criticism.
Jordan was an asshole, but he made you play hard. If you want to play hard for Jordan because he'll punch you at practice, this makes him a bad person. But you're playing hard. Oscar Robertson was also a legendary asshole, but it made people play hard.
Part of being a great player is, at a bare minimum, getting your team to play hard. The Heat this finals were often lazy and didn't care. The Heat's whole on/off switch thing in general has been bullshit. People romanticize it and say "well, they turn it on when it counts because they have the heart of a champion." But having an on/off switch is really bad. The Big three Celtics were an on/off switch team, and it hurt them deeply. It hurt their habits and their discipline. You can't say LeBron isn't at least partly responsible for these things without being unreasonable. He's the team's best player. The team's best player almost always sets the tone.
If LeBron changes teams again, you'd be able to say, fairly, that he's not interested in being around to help build a team and a culture. He just wants to go to somewhere it's already set up for him.
These are all ridiculously high standards. But if you want to say LeBron is a top 10 player ever, he has to meet them.
This is why, as much as I find LeBron's haters inane (anyone who blames him for the Heat losing is stupid, he's the only one that cared even a little), defending him also feels hollow. The Heat basically got Carmelo Anthony level play out of LeBron this series. Great, but not all-time great.
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I am sorry. but that is absurd. Carmelo Anthony-play? Really? :lol :lol
So basically, you are saying it is his fault that Wade suddenly looked older than me (I am 40), that Chalmers looked awful, and that the Heat's bench was basically useless? Because he didn't motivate his entire team like Jordan would have? Yeah, Jordan never had to play 1 on 5 in big games...
https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199006030DET.html
Why didn't Jordan get his team to play harder in that pivotal Game 7?? Was he basically Carmelo Anthony in that game?
Bottom line: last night, James had an epic 1st quarter, but no one else was doing anything, which is what that early 17-point lead evaporated quickly.
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So basically, you are saying it is his fault that Wade suddenly looked older than me (I am 40)
No.
It's that they didn't even give a shit. They at least looked alive the first two games. In the last three, they gave up.
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No, they got blown off the court by a team that was clicking on all cylinders. It's like the Broncos/Seahawks Super Bowl. Were the Seahawks that much better of a team than the Broncos? Not really. But once Seattle got on a roll, it just snowballed, and it was like shoveling shit against the tide. Same thing with the Spurs. Once a team gets on a roll like they did, there is not much you can do. Remember that almost all of their playoff wins since Game 7 against Dallas in the 1st round were romps. The Heat were simply another team, albeit the last, that got steamrolled by the tidal wave.
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I can't agree at all.
Here's a video breaking down the Heat's lazy execution in game 4. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnU-HfgaKKk)
Game 5 was slightly better, but not by much.
They didn't really move the ball that much. Their sets were sloppy. They stopped doing what they did in the first quarter. They were creating open threes for their shooters and driving lanes. Then nothing.
In the first two games, you saw a lot of threes and you saw a lot of LeBron posting up. Did LeBron post up at all in game 5? I don't remember it.
Or look at Game 1. Once LeBron was done for the game, they just shut down and let Danny Green shoot open threes.
Saying "oh, the Spurs were just better" is an excuse. The Heat didn't play hard enough to even try and earn it.
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With the Spurs winning their 5th title last night, we ought to pay our tribute to their great season with this funny video! :lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5PLcxZy44&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St5PLcxZy44&feature=youtu.be)
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Prophetic video.
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I can't agree at all.
Here's a video breaking down the Heat's lazy execution in game 4. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnU-HfgaKKk)
Game 5 was slightly better, but not by much.
They didn't really move the ball that much. Their sets were sloppy. They stopped doing what they did in the first quarter. They were creating open threes for their shooters and driving lanes. Then nothing.
In the first two games, you saw a lot of threes and you saw a lot of LeBron posting up. Did LeBron post up at all in game 5? I don't remember it.
Or look at Game 1. Once LeBron was done for the game, they just shut down and let Danny Green shoot open threes.
Saying "oh, the Spurs were just better" is an excuse. The Heat didn't play hard enough to even try and earn it.
Okay, I agree that the Heat gave up in Game 1 after James couldn't play down the stretch, but as for 3, 4 and 5, I think it's the chicken and the egg thing. I think it was a case of the Spurs playing lights out making some of the Heat players realize how overmatched they were, and in a team game, all it sometimes takes is one or two guys not giving their all, especially when you only have five guys on the court, for the whole team to look discombobulated. It's like when a team quits on a coach in football. It's not like an entire team quits on a coach, but all it takes is even a small percentage of players to not give their all and the team falls like dominoes. For example, see how many time during the Phil Jackson/Kobe Bryant era where they were ousted from the playoffs with an absurd blowout. It's not like all of the Lakers gave up; just some of the players did, and when you are playing a team clicking on all cylinders, the demolition then looks that much worse.
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Okay, I agree that the Heat gave up in Game 1 after James couldn't play down the stretch, but as for 3, 4 and 5, I think it's the chicken and the egg thing. I think it was a case of the Spurs playing lights out making some of the Heat players realize how overmatched they were
An important point. The Heat's will never should have broken, but the Spurs did break it. Miami didn't lose. The Spurs won.
and in a team game, all it sometimes takes is one or two guys not giving their all, especially when you only have five guys on the court, for the whole team to look discombobulated. It's like when a team quits on a coach in football. It's not like an entire team quits on a coach, but all it takes is even a small percentage of players to not give their all and the team falls like dominoes. For example, see how many time during the Phil Jackson/Kobe Bryant era where they were ousted from the playoffs with an absurd blowout. It's not like all of the Lakers gave up; just some of the players did, and when you are playing a team clicking on all cylinders, the demolition then looks that much worse.
This is interesting. Never totally thought of it, but it's true.
Can you see though why I find LeBron's leadership untrustworthy? A finals team shouldn't just melt like this, even with the Spurs pressure. It's not about being perfect, if you look back at other top ten players, you'll find flaws. But, we've seen LeBron do this four times in a row now. From a leadership/intensity standpoint, he hasn't been there more than he has been. I don't understand how I'm supposed to look at this guy as some kind of mythically great player.
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Can you see though why I find LeBron's leadership untrustworthy? A finals team shouldn't just melt like this, even with the Spurs pressure. It's not about being perfect, if you look back at other top ten players, you'll find flaws. But, we've seen LeBron do this four times in a row now. From a leadership/intensity standpoint, he hasn't been there more than he has been. I don't understand how I'm supposed to look at this guy as some kind of mythically great player.
Is it not more-so the coaching staff's responsibility than LeBron's to make sure the guys play hard? Also, what is it exactly that LeBron has done four times in a row now? Not be intense?
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Is it not more-so the coaching staff's responsibility than LeBron's to make sure the guys play hard?
EDIT: Shitshitshit. Misread your post.
I kinda know what you're saying. That's why I don't want to be like "LeBron's a bad leader!" I just think these questions also need to be seriously asked. Even if you can come up with a good reason why he's in the clear, it should be talked about.
Also, what is it exactly that LeBron has done four times in a row now? Not be intense?
Be in the finals.
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I also think that 4 years in a row to the finals is no joke. That's a ton of games and mentally a tough road.
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True. This is LeBron's best argument for being in the top ten. Just getting there four times in a row is insane.
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Okay, I agree that the Heat gave up in Game 1 after James couldn't play down the stretch, but as for 3, 4 and 5, I think it's the chicken and the egg thing. I think it was a case of the Spurs playing lights out making some of the Heat players realize how overmatched they were
An important point. The Heat's will never should have broken, but the Spurs did break it. Miami didn't lose. The Spurs won.
Exactly. The Spurs won. I know it's fun to play the blame game, but at some point, you have to actually give credit to the team that kicked ass and won. That team was the Spurs.
Can you see though why I find LeBron's leadership untrustworthy? A finals team shouldn't just melt like this, even with the Spurs pressure. It's not about being perfect, if you look back at other top ten players, you'll find flaws. But, we've seen LeBron do this four times in a row now. From a leadership/intensity standpoint, he hasn't been there more than he has been. I don't understand how I'm supposed to look at this guy as some kind of mythically great player.
Nope.
Think of it this way: James, Wade and Bosh all make the exact same money (they signed identical deals back in 2010), so realistically expectations should be the same, but I think it goes without saying that the Heat got more than their money's worth out of James, while neither Bosh nor Wade really lived up to the money they got (from an individual production standpoint), yet every time they lose, it is somehow James' fault. It's asinine. Hell, he deserved the criticism he got for his subpar games in the 2011 Finals, but anybody who puts the majority of the blame for this loss on him at all has zero grip on reality.
True. This is LeBron's best argument for being in the top ten. Just getting there four times in a row is insane.
Not to mention his 4 MVP awards and 2 Finals MVP awards (his 6 combined total MVP awards is already more Bird, Duncan, Bryant, Shaq and Wilt, FYI). He's already top 10, according to most NBA experts.
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V. The Spurs lay the pipe on the Heat
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You're all missing the most important point! The Heat were never winning last night because they were desperate enough to dress AND play Michael Beasley! :lol
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Nope.
Think of it this way: James, Wade and Bosh all make the exact same money (they signed identical deals back in 2010), so realistically expectations should be the same, but I think it goes without saying that the Heat got more than their money's worth out of James, while neither Bosh nor Wade really lived up to the money they got (from an individual production standpoint), yet every time they lose, it is somehow James' fault. It's asinine. Hell, he deserved the criticism he got for his subpar games in the 2011 Finals, but anybody who puts the majority of the blame for this loss on him at all has zero grip on reality.
You can't blame LeBron for losing this series. And yeah, I have no idea what Bosh and Wade were doing that series.
I just think LeBron can play better. I think Westbrook is wildly overrated, but I like watching him play because he leaves it on the floor every game. I want to see that from LeBron. I thought his Game 2 this series was great.
Even LeBron said "I didn't do enough."
Saying LeBron could have played better =/= It's LeBron's fault they lost.
To me, so much of LeBron's reputation is hype. I've seen him play basketball many times, and the player I see isn't the one I read about.
Not to mention his 4 MVP awards and 2 Finals MVP awards (his 6 combined total MVP awards is already more Bird, Duncan, Bryant, Shaq and Wilt, FYI). He's already top 10, according to most NBA experts.
Am I the only one who doesn't find the MVP award all that important? I thought it was cool that Durant won, but in the end LeBron played better against the Spurs than he did. So why do I care about his MVP? I don't understand what the award means.
You're all missing the most important point! The Heat were never winning last night because they were desperate enough to dress AND play Michael Beasley! :lol
This was interesting to me. Beasley isn't good on defense, but he can score. The Heat could have at least tried him.
I like Spo, but he was really bad this series. Never had any answers.
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Oh, come on. Him saying, "I didn't do enough," is what tons of players say in similar situations; it's called being accountable, regardless of how true or not it is. What is he supposed to do, throw his teammates under the bus by saying, "I needed more help"? Then you'd bash him for being a bad leader.
I am guessing the problem is, thanks to the media, you watch James and expect him to play the way you think he should, instead of appreciating the way he plays. He is not a flashy superstar the way guys like Jordan or Bryant are/were. He simply dominates more often than not by doing everything out there - scoring, rebounding, making great passes, defending, being a court general, etc. If you cannot see that, well, I don't know what else to say.
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You're all missing the most important point! The Heat were never winning last night because they were desperate enough to dress AND play Michael Beasley! :lol
^ THAT! :lol
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https://youtu.be/FFXsntujvZA
Best recap of the finals I've seen.
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LeBron was the only Miami player who showed up. I don't know if this will "hurt his legacy," as people seem to be saying, but it may. This was a total thrashing by a far superior team. The Heat were exposed as a team that has some serious deficiencies. They need some good role players and possibly a different coach to beat a team like the Spurs (or perhaps even a few other west teams).
Although LeBron's four consecutive Finals appearances are very impressive, don't forget that he's basically coasted there through a weak eastern conference at least 2 of those times. I'm a huge LeBron fan, and I still think he ends up as an all time top 5 player, but lets not pretend the Heat have had any serious competition in the east for the past 2 or 3 years.
-J
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The only competition the Heat ever had in the East were the Celtics. The Bulls and Pacers were never a real threat even though I'm sure the media will try to hype both of them up at the start of the next season.
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https://youtu.be/FFXsntujvZA
Best recap of the finals I've seen.
BAHAHAHA Everything about this video is amusing to say the least :lol
The only competition the Heat ever had in the East were the Celtics. The Bulls and Pacers were never a real threat even though I'm sure the media will try to hype both of them up at the start of the next season.
I would have loved to see the Wizards play against the Heat this playoffs. I feel like it would have been a great, competitive series.
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As much as I've rooted against the Heat these past four years, this series almost made me feel bad for LeBron. I think the situation was best epitomized by the third quarter of Game 4, when he put up 19 points and the Spurs still won the quarter; in fact, they increased their lead. You could see him looking around like, "Jesus, a little help here?" It was that bad. I half expected him to take his jersey off and throw it away in relief after it was over a la 2010.
I'm a massive Jordan fan, which is a big reason why I didn't want LeBron to reel off 3 or 4 titles in a row, but Jordan wouldn't have led this Heat team past these Spurs. It would have been 63 against the Celtics in the Garden again. The Bulls lost that game and the series. I think it's unreasonable to think LeBron should have been putting up 50-60 points a game, and even if he had, that still might not have been enough. People forget that, especially the Bulls' second 3peat, Jordan had 2 other HoFs who were still playing at a high level (Pippen, Rodman) another borderline All-Star (Kokuc), as well as talented role players (Steve Kerr).
LeBron got little from anyone else this series; I can't put this loss on him. It will be fascinating to see, though, what the Heat will do to reload, or if he might go elsewhere. If he really wanted a challenge, he could go join Carmelo in New York, LOL
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https://youtu.be/FFXsntujvZA
Best recap of the finals I've seen.
Holy crap! Absolutely the BEST Finals recap video EVER! :lol
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As much as I've rooted against the Heat these past four years, this series almost made me feel bad for LeBron. I think the situation was best epitomized by the third quarter of Game 4, when he put up 19 points and the Spurs still won the quarter; in fact, they increased their lead. You could see him looking around like, "Jesus, a little help here?" It was that bad. I half expected him to take his jersey off and throw it away in relief after it was over a la 2010.
I'm a massive Jordan fan, which is a big reason why I didn't want LeBron to reel off 3 or 4 titles in a row, but Jordan wouldn't have led this Heat team past these Spurs. It would have been 63 against the Celtics in the Garden again. The Bulls lost that game and the series. I think it's unreasonable to think LeBron should have been putting up 50-60 points a game, and even if he had, that still might not have been enough. People forget that, especially the Bulls' second 3peat, Jordan had 2 other HoFs who were still playing at a high level (Pippen, Rodman) another borderline All-Star (Kokuc), as well as talented role players (Steve Kerr).
LeBron got little from anyone else this series; I can't put this loss on him. It will be fascinating to see, though, what the Heat will do to reload, or if he might go elsewhere. If he really wanted a challenge, he could go join Carmelo in New York, LOL
Well said.
I think Anthony and James team up, it is way more likely to happen in Miami than in NY. I do think LeBron will give Miami every benefit of the doubt as far as him returning there. I'm sure he wants to stay there, but they are gonna have to show that they are making major improvements to upgrading the roster around him, for him to stay there.
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Bye 2013-2014 NBA thread...
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inb4 the lockout
lolNBAhumor
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Can you see though why I find LeBron's leadership untrustworthy? A finals team shouldn't just melt like this, even with the Spurs pressure. It's not about being perfect, if you look back at other top ten players, you'll find flaws. But, we've seen LeBron do this four times in a row now. From a leadership/intensity standpoint, he hasn't been there more than he has been. I don't understand how I'm supposed to look at this guy as some kind of mythically great player.
Maybe I'm overrating the guy, but as a fellow basketball fan, I feel like you're doing yourself a disservice by not appreciating LeBron more. The dude's a gem and I consider myself lucky to be able to watch him play. Some other musings on the matter:
- LeBron's leadership style is certainly very different from guys like Bird, Jordan, Kobe, etc. I think it's fair to criticize him for having such a blatant on/off switch, and there's no doubt his inconsistent effort was contagious as times, especially during the regular season.
That being said, while LeBron's leadership may be weak in some areas, it's very strong in others. His teammates love playing with him and all of them have praised his unselfishness at some point or another. While Jordan and Kobe might have made their teammates better implicitly through fear, LeBron makes his teammates better explicitly with his passing, something Jordan and Kobe never consistently did.
The bottom line is that there's not only one way to lead. Guys like Magic, Duncan, Hakeem, and Shaq are prime examples of all-timers who were not bullies but rather very well-liked by their teammates and were more likely to encourage than they were to scold.
- To say that "so much of LeBron's reputation is hype" is a tough thing to support. For starters, he averages 27/7/7 for his career. In the playoffs, he averages 28/8/6. Those are insane numbers. In 2009, he averaged 35/9/7 for the postseason including 38/8/8 against the Magic. In 2012, he had one of the great championship runs ever: 30/10/5 while defending four positions and carrying a team whose second best player was hobbled the whole time and whose third best player missed significant time due to injury. In 2013, he had the greatest regular season ever by a small forward (27/8/7 on 57% shooting) and followed it up with an impressive 26/8/7 title run. He's had a lot of stinkers along the way, sure, but he also has the second highest postseason game-winning shot percentage in NBA history, the highest scoring average in elimination games, and I believe he's way up there in Game 7 scoring as well.
- Also hard to argue that the MVP Award is not important. It's an honor awarded to (usually) the most impressive player, based off a sample of hundreds and hundreds of games. It's incredibly difficult to win and represents an absurdly high level of performance.
- A problem I see with a lot of contemporary basketball analysis is that it overrates almost every all-timer pre-2000. Most fans and writers act like Kareem and Russell never had a bad game. The reality is that there is a long history of great players underperforming.
Take Bird in his first Finals, for example. He averaged 15 rebounds and 7 assists per game, but only 15 points and on a very weak 42% shooting. Not as bad as LeBron in 2011 but close. LeBron was 18/7/7 on 48% shooting that year I believe.
Take Magic in 1984. He had a great statistical series but played so badly late in two of the games that he was dubbed "Tragic Magic".
Take Kobe in 2004. Bar none the worst Finals performance ever by a superstar. 23/4/3 on 38% shooting.
Heck, even Jordan had bad games. He had a stretch in the 1997 playoffs I think where he shot 33% over four or five games. In the 1996 Finals he had a very average series: 27/5/4 on 41% shooting.
Look, I'm not trying to say that LeBron's bad games mean nothing. I'm also not trying to convince myself that he's the most reliable player ever. I'm just trying to say that he's not the first great player to underperform here and there. To put it a little more strongly, if you don't think what he's done the past five or six years is impressive, then maybe you need to learn a little more about NBA history, because he's pretty darn special. I hate saying that because it makes me sound like a pompous prick (you can handle it though - you know I like you), but based on what I know of the league, very few players have ever been as good as LeBron James. I guarantee you that when it's all said and done and LeBron is basically a consensus top five player ever that you're going to regret not appreciating him more.
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That post was great. I read it three times. I disagree with a lot of parts of it, but what you're saying overall is right, so contesting the details is basically nitpicking, which isn't really right. It's just disagreement for its own sake. That's dumb.
The question you raise which is interesting is - why don't I enjoy LeBron James? In a way, this is silly. Rajon Rondo, my favorite player, is notoriously inconsistent and a very questionable team leader. Some of the difference is attitude. Rondo's confidence is cooler than LeBron's obvious self-consciousness. But that doesn't really matter.
The thing, I guess, is the desire to bend the game to your will. It's not even strictly a superstar thing. Danny Green is a role player, but he knows he can get hot and relishes the opportunity to bomb threes and crush his opponents' spirit. At his best, Rondo is unguardable because he can pass at any angle. And he's maybe the best rebounding point guard in the league and he has good touch around the rim. Watching Rajon Rondo at his best isn't watching basketball. It's watching an artist use the basketball court as his canvas.
Obviously LeBron can't score 17 points every quarter. It's a silly expectation. But before game 7, he told his team "follow me." I want to see him do that every game. I can't enjoy watching someone with the ability to be transcendent be willing to just melt into the game.
It feels like listening to someone with a great ear for melody noodling cool stuff out on a guitar, but never improving his technique or figuring out how to turn his ideas into songs. And then every once and a while he tells you he wrote a song, you hear it, it blows your mind, and then you have to wait forever for the next one.
I suspect you're probably right that I should accept who he is and just enjoy what he does, but for whatever reason I can't. To me, it's much better to watch players like Rajon Rondo (problematic, but mindblowing), Kevin Durant (not as good as LeBron, but stupidly consistent with perfect execution), and even Russell Westbrook (kinda, every game to him is a finals game 7 but his basketball IQ really is nonexistent).
If you know why this is, you know me better than I do.
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TOX, that was an awesome post. :tup :tup
I also find it amusing how so many people play revisionist history and act like the superstars of yesterday never failed, made mistakes, etc.
Can you imagine if those Wilt/Russell battles took place nowadays? Jeez, if we think LeBron gets ripped too much, Wilt would be tarred and feathered by social media for losing 7 of 8 Final series to Russell's Celtics.
Jordan would have been ripped unmercifully for years because of his repeated playoff losses to the Pistons.
The Tragic Magic shtick would have been far worse in 1984.
And so on and so forth.
All superstars fail at some point. Most, more often than not, especially if you consider not winning the championship failing.
And really, you have to give James extra props for everything he has done in recent years, when you consider the expectations and pressure he has been under, not only since entering the league, but since going to Miami. He put a target on his back with the "Not two, not three..." speech, and he delivered a Finals appearance in every season there, winning it all in half of them. And yeah, his numbers speak for themselves.