2014-15 NBA thread v. 2015-16 thread now playing

[KevShmev]

He can in this case, because this time it really wasn't his fault at all that they lost, and if they had somehow won, he would have gotten the lion's share of the credit, and rightly so. 

As for calling out his teammates, well, you'd be a little frustrated too if you had played like he did and gotten so little support.  It's hard to fault his teammates entirely, largely because some of them are  not meant to play as much as they did, but because of the injuries, had to, but I think that James was just incredibly frustrated that their season ended the way it did because their 2nd and 3rd best players were hurt.  I doubt Jordan would have smiled and given props to his teammates back in 1997 or 1998 had he not had Pippen AND Rodman, and the Jazz had beaten them.  Plus, James is probably the most criticized athlete in the world, which is crazy when you consider how good he is, and don't think he doesn't know that.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

LeBron doesn't seem like a bad guy to me, but he's got a huge ego, and is a bit of a control freak. Marc Stein just wrote an article criticizing LeBron for kind of bullying David Blatt. That kind of thing is not cool.

[Azyiu]

LeBron doesn't seem like a bad guy to me, but he's got a huge ego, and is a bit of a control freak. Marc Stein just wrote an article criticizing LeBron for kind of bullying David Blatt. That kind of thing is not cool.

I read that article, and that makes me like LBJ even less. I mean, sure, he is a freak of nature on the court. Yet, though he once said he just wanted to be one of the guys on the team, his actions suggest otherwise. I am sure David Blatt is a very capable coach than he showed in the Finals (his coaching resume is pretty impressive before the Cavs), and maybe he needs to find a team where he can actually teach and coach. 

[TheOutlawXanadu]

LeBron doesn't seem like a bad guy to me, but he's got a huge ego, and is a bit of a control freak. Marc Stein just wrote an article criticizing LeBron for kind of bullying David Blatt. That kind of thing is not cool.

I read that article, and that makes me like LBJ even less. I mean, sure, he is a freak of nature on the court. Yet, though he once said he just wanted to be one of the guys on the team, his actions suggest otherwise. I am sure David Blatt is a very capable coach than he showed in the Finals (his coaching resume is pretty impressive before the Cavs), and maybe he needs to find a team where he can actually teach and coach. 

Also, remember what LeBron was saying and tweeting about Kevin Love earlier in the year. Wouldn't blame Kevin at all for not wanted to deal with that shit.

[lonestar]

Parade day, haven't seen this much blue and yellow around in ages, trains are packed, spirits are so high, similar atmosphere to 2010 when the Giants took it, just not as black . Gotta love championships man!!!!




Ok, you all can go back to talking about the losing team again.

[Azyiu]

Again, congrats to the Dubs!!

Steve Kerr is such a class act, loyal guy!! The first person he thanked right after they won was Lute Olson!! How awesome is that? 

[KevShmev]

LeBron doesn't seem like a bad guy to me, but he's got a huge ego, and is a bit of a control freak. Marc Stein just wrote an article criticizing LeBron for kind of bullying David Blatt. That kind of thing is not cool.

I don't know much about Stein, but that article reeked of nitpicking.  He acts like James is the first NBA star to ever "make" his head coach draw a new play up in the huddle.  Yeah, that never happens.   Honestly, his article smacks of "Well, I can't criticize James the player anymore, because he is too good, and I will look dumb if I do it, so I will pick nits about other stuff."  Some people just live to criticize LeBron James.

[King Postwhore]

Though that is the problem you see a lot in the NBA Kev.  The inmates run the asylum.

[KevShmev]

That is true, but to veer off into another discussion, I like watching pro basketball (the playoffs) better than March Madness now because the coaches let the players play in the pros.  In college ball, most of the coaches spend the whole game running back and forth, yelling plays and advice to players on the court, while in the pros, you rarely see coaches do that.  Granted, once you become a good pro, you can be trusted to not need advice the whole game, unlike many green college players, but I just get tired of seeing college coaches running around yelling the whole freaking game.  Steve Kerr clearly comes from the Phil Jackson school of coaching, where 9 times out of 10 you see him on the bench, he looks like he is kicked back and ready for a nap.

[Azyiu]

That is true, but to veer off into another discussion, I like watching pro basketball (the playoffs) better than March Madness now because the coaches let the players play in the pros.  In college ball, most of the coaches spend the whole game running back and forth, yelling plays and advice to players on the court, while in the pros, you rarely see coaches do that.  Granted, once you become a good pro, you can be trusted to not need advice the whole game, unlike many green college players, but I just get tired of seeing college coaches running around yelling the whole freaking game.  Steve Kerr clearly comes from the Phil Jackson school of coaching, where 9 times out of 10 you see him on the bench, he looks like he is kicked back and ready for a nap.

Jackson's Zen-like style is partly due to his hip and back problems where he can't really move or walk around along the sideline freely. 

[KevShmev]

True, but in the case of Kerr, I like that he is like that.  He coaches them beforehand to be ready for the game, and then lets them play.  And the results are more than obvious.  This team never would have gotten over the hump with Mark Jackson, yet they won it all in Kerr's first year.  Just goes to show you how important coaching is.

[j]

This team never would have gotten over the hump with Mark Jackson

I'm not so sure about that.

-J

[KevShmev]

Well, we'll obviously never know, but, and this is just me, the Warriors under Jackson the previous two years reminded me a bit of the Suns teams in the mid 00s; fun and exciting to watch, but you just knew that their style would never get them a championship.  That changed under Kerr.  The team just looked...different this year.  It reminds me of Doug Collins and Phil Jackson and the Bulls 25 years ago.  Like Jackson, Collins was a solid coach, but it took Phil Jackson taking over to get them over the hump in just his second year (while Kerr did it in his first).

[j]

^Yeah, I can agree with that assessment.  I still wonder if their style will be "sustainable" in the long-term; that is, if they'll continue to be contenders over the next several seasons as circumstances change.

-J

[Azyiu]

The Warriors got a major break in terms of injury is concerned. I still believe with a healthy Mike Conley, that Grizzlies series might have a much different outcome. Now that the entire league has been taking note on their style of plays, I think next season they will not have as easy a path in the Playoffs. There are the Clippers, Rockets, Grizzlies and then a healthy Thunder and a wiser Pelicans team. I have not even mentioned the Mavs, Spurs and of course, the Lakers  . What I am saying is, I can't wait for the 15-16 season to start already! 

[KevShmev]

LOL at the Lakers indeed.  They still won't be relevant.

The Warriors did catch a break, considering all four teams they played in the playoffs had an injured point guard at some point, but part of winning a championships is the luck factor, not just being good, and the luck factor was definitely on their side.   But I would not say they had an easy path in the playoffs this year considering the four teams they beat won, respectively, 50, 55, 56 and 53 games.  I don't know the history of that stat, but I imagine they have be one of the few teams that won an NBA title by beating teams that won 50+ games in all four rounds. That alone is damn impressive.

[Azyiu]

LOL at the Lakers indeed.  They still won't be relevant.

The Warriors did catch a break, considering all four teams they played in the playoffs had an injured point guard at some point, but part of winning a championships is the luck factor, not just being good, and the luck factor was definitely on their side.   But I would not say they had an easy path in the playoffs this year considering the four teams they beat won, respectively, 50, 55, 56 and 53 games.  I don't know the history of that stat, but I imagine they have be one of the few teams that won an NBA title by beating teams that won 50+ games in all four rounds. That alone is damn impressive.

As a Lakers fan, I just have to find humor in our otherwise miserable past 3 or so seasons...      Looking forward to the draft on Thursday though. 

Yes, I agreed being in the position to win it all, you must be loaded with talents AND with a ton of luck along the way. Defending a title is WAY harder to win your first one. They won't win another 60 plus games, I don't think; and they likely won't earn home court again either. I am anxious to see how the Warriors respond comes next season. A lot of it depends on the schedule, and if those schedulers are kind to them; they may have a softer early season with no long road trips. We will see.