NBA thread 2016-17 v. The Age of The Land?

[bosk1]

Green was asked in an interview whether he wished he could have gotten 10 points for the quadruple double.  His response was basically, "Nah, I think this narrative is the better story because it more reflects my style of play and my role on the team." 

In other NBA news, wow, look at Utah.  They are quietly on the rise.  I didn't even notice they have crept up to the #4 spot in the west.  And in the east, look at Boston being right on the Cavs' heels.  I would love to see them overtake Cleveland and have the #1 spot going into the playoffs.

[TAC]

   

In other NBA news, wow, look at Utah.  They are quietly on the rise.  I didn't even notice they have crept up to the #4 spot in the west.  And in the east, look at Boston being right on the Cavs' heels.  I would love to see them overtake Cleveland and have the #1 spot going into the playoffs.

And the Celts just beat the Jazz in Utah on Saturday.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

As a Raptors fan, there's a small part of me that dislikes the Celtics because everyone picked them over the Raptors to start the year. I was like, "The Raptors went to the Conference Finals last year. Where's the respect?"

Well... Looks like people were right. The Celtics have been much better than the Raptors as of late.

[TAC]

The Celtics have to make some noise in this year's playoff. But they need to get healthy. I think their starting five has been together for less than half of their games.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Looks like my guys made a deal today, acquiring Serge Ibaka from Orlando for Terrence Ross and a first rounder. I like the trade, assuming that Ibaka stays with us after this year. I still don't think he pushes us past the Cavaliers though, as he isn't as terrifying a defender as he used to be.

[Samsara]

Looks like my guys made a deal today, acquiring Serge Ibaka from Orlando for Terrence Ross and a first rounder. I like the trade, assuming that Ibaka stays with us after this year. I still don't think he pushes us past the Cavaliers though, as he isn't as terrifying a defender as he used to be.

That was a great deal for the Raptors. If Serge resigns, and I think he likely will, you get a great third piece behind your big 2 to do all the dirty work, and chip in 15/10 for the next five years. For what, Ross (ok bench depth) and a first rounder this year, that is going to be late in the round. I take that. In fact, I think if the Raptors stay healthy, this might be their year (once they get through some bumps integrating Serge into the sets) to get into the NBA Finals. Gonna be tough against the West...I think GS beats them, but if GS is ousted in the WCF, I think the Raptors can bring it home.

My Wolves are looking for some revenge tonight against the injury-riddled Cavs. I expect Derrick Williams to kill the Wolves tonight, but hoping Wiggins and Towns can match Kyrie and Lebron. The wildcard is going to be bench play. I think the Wolves have the advantage. I like Stephenson with Jones in the backcourt coming off the bench...we'll see.

[bosk1]

Tell your boys to punch dem bums in the teeth.

[King Postwhore]

The Celtics have to make some noise in this year's playoff. But they need to get healthy. I think their starting five has been together for less than half of their games.

Can the Celtics elevate their game when other teams ratchet up their defense?  That's been their problem.

[Azyiu]

I think this is a good (not great) trade for the Raptors. They used to have NO reliable bigs inside after they lost Biyombo to free agency. That being said, let's see if Ibaka a 2-month rental, or is he going to resign with the Raptors this summer. The playoffs in the east is going to be interesting with 4 teams fighting for the top spots now.

If I were the Cavs, I am so going to restrict both Kyrie and LBJ's minutes now... I bet they are kicking themselves for not trading Love to the Knicks for Melo now, lol! 

[TAC]

The Celtics have to make some noise in this year's playoff. But they need to get healthy. I think their starting five has been together for less than half of their games.

Can the Celtics elevate their game when other teams ratchet up their defense?  That's been their problem.

Well, it's on them to take the next step. Each year has shown a progression. But the playoffs will ultimate define their season.

[King Postwhore]

Their progression is only the regular season.   In the playoffs they are stagnant.

[Nekov]

Their progression is only the regular season.   In the playoffs they are stagnant.

They need to add another good guy to their team in order to move forward in the playoffs. Their team game is great, but during playoffs you need a couple guys that can elevate your team to another level. Thomas can do that but you need someone else. Look what happened to Atlanta a couple years back, great team play but when the time came, only Paul Millsap could take the load and that wasn't enough.  I think they should make a run for a guy like Jimmy Buttler, they certainly have the assets to do it without breaking their core.

[Samsara]

I really hate losing to Lebaby James. He whines and cries almost as much as Demarcus Cousins. 

Oh well. Wolves put up a  big fight last night, but their D was terrible. Cavs still a tough team to beat, even without Love and JR (I will shoot anything, anywhere) Smith.

[Azyiu]

Kyrie Irving believes the earth is flat. Link     

[Azyiu]

Kyrie Irving believes the earth is flat. https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/02/17/cavaliers-kyrie-irving-flat-earth     

[Accelerando]

That kid from Stranger Things was absolutely ballin in that Celebrity All-Star game.

Also, Rachel DeMita 

[TAC]

Other than Jason Willams and Mark Cuban, oh and Nick Cannon, I did not know a single person playing. On what planet are these people celebrities?

[black_biff_stadler]

On what planet are these people celebrities?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y3N7q1bwfY

[KevShmev]

I chuckled seeing people lose their minds over the call at the end of the Boston/Chicago game.  Uh, when you swat a player on his elbow when he is in the act of shooting, that is a pretty easy call. 

[Azyiu]

Wow! Porzingis won the Skills Challenge in the coolest way possible! 

[King Postwhore]

I chuckled seeing people lose their minds over the call at the end of the Boston/Chicago game.  Uh, when you swat a player on his elbow when he is in the act of shooting, that is a pretty easy call.

Swat?


It's a bad call but I've got used to how bad the refs in the NBA are these days for all teams.  Favoring the top tier players is so wrong but is so the norm that it's become ok to fans.

Also, all teams have had these calls and it's only one game. 

[TAC]

I chuckled seeing people lose their minds over the call at the end of the Boston/Chicago game.  Uh, when you swat a player on his elbow when he is in the act of shooting, that is a pretty easy call.

Yeah, he swatted his elbow hair with his shadow!

[j]

I couldn't care less about the Bulls or the Celtics, but that was a terrible, terrible call.

-J

[TAC]

Wow! Porzingis won the Skills Challenge in the coolest way possible! 

That was awesome!

[KevShmev]

I couldn't care less about the Bulls or the Celtics, but that was a terrible, terrible call.

-J

It was definitely ticky-tack, and I have seen a lot worse not called, but whether we want to call it a swat or a love tap, if you touch the elbow of a player when he is in the act of shooting, you are risking having a foul called.

[Nekov]

And Boogie is finally out of Sacramento. That franchise has become a train-wreck since the new owner bought it. I'm eager to see how the pelis do with that beast of a frountcourt.

[black_biff_stadler]

My Pels are gonna win AT LEAST 25 games a year now

[Nekov]

My Pels are gonna win AT LEAST 25 games a year now

  Given how Denver and SAC seem to be rebuilding and how Portland can't get things right I think they might make the playoffs this season, but I would look forward to the next season when the coaches have time to adapt their gameplay to the new roster. I would love seeing them running a Princeton offence now that they have 2 big men who can shoot and pass the ball

[Azyiu]

After all is said and done, I am pretty disappointed at RW for still not acknowledging KD, or make an effort to reconcile. Come on, grow up!

[T-ski]

that is an awful return for Cousins.

glad there is a front office worse than my Bucks.

[j]

I couldn't care less about the Bulls or the Celtics, but that was a terrible, terrible call.

-J

It was definitely ticky-tack, and I have seen a lot worse not called, but whether we want to call it a swat or a love tap, if you touch the elbow of a player when he is in the act of shooting, you are risking having a foul called.

That's fair.  I guess from watching the replay I didn't even think it was clear that there was any contact.

Also, with as often as officials change the way they call the game in the final seconds (a practice I vehemently disagree with by the way), for them to make a game-deciding call like that really rubs me the wrong way.

-J

[Accelerando]

that is an awful return for Cousins.

glad there is a front office worse than my Bucks.

I don't think Bucks have an awful front office. At the very least, the Bucks have direction. I can't say the same for Sacramento, Orlando, Denver, Brooklyn, New York, and Los Angeles Lakers

[Samsara]

Re: Cousins trade

At first, I thought it was horrendous. But then I thought about it a little more. Sac wasn't going to be able to re-sign him. Cousins was saying all the right things, but a guy like that isn't going to stay with a franchise awash in mediocrity. Cousins is selfish and whiny, and is not a team leader. He's bad for a losing team's locker room. So the fact Sac got a rising star (Buddy Hield is going to be a star) to replace Rudy Gay (not sure when contract is up, but it is soon), and a first round pick (despite it being protected) is a pretty good return, altogether.

Sure, for a franchise that has a new arena, not having one of the best physical talents in the NBA is going to hurt -- ticket sales are going to be down. But Cousins is just a whiny brat, and restarting with a guy like Buddy Hield is a good move.

I was ripping the trade like everyone was when it was first announced. But I actually think, from a franchise standpoint, the Kings did the right thing in the long term.

p.s. forgot to comment on Tyreke Evans. Now back in Sacramento, who never used him correctly, I think Evans will thrive as a wing player. He's not a PG, like Sac tried to make him early on. He's a poor-man's Scottie Pippen. He'll average 16-6-6 and be a valuable piece. With him and Hield, Sacramento has a decent building base, and brings one of their draftees home.

Cousins is a superstar, and anythjing in return for him won't match up, talent-wise. But I think Sac did better than most people realize. Time will tell.

Now if my Wolves DON'T trade for Derrick Rose, I'd appreciate it...

[TAC]

But I think Sac did better than most people realize. Time will tell.
 

I'm not in tune to the NBA as most are, but it seems 1. that they were desperate to get rid of him, and 2. nobody wanted him.

So they get the (6th??) pick in last year's draft (Hield), and another 1st Round draft choice this year.

[Samsara]

But I think Sac did better than most people realize. Time will tell.
 

I'm not in tune to the NBA as most are, but it seems 1. that they were desperate to get rid of him, and 2. nobody wanted him.

So they get the (6th??) pick in last year's draft (Hield), and another 1st Round draft choice this year.

Yes, along with a still young, and borderline all star level talent when healthy player (Evans -- who Sac originally drafted).