Author Topic: 2015-16 NBA thread v. Changing of the guard (Read 42890 times)

bosk1 · « **Reply #140 on:** January 06, 2016, 12:07:26 PM »

Quote from: Destiny Of Chaos on January 06, 2016, 11:15:05 AM

All great points. Heck, he could have even lost a bet!

I hadn't even considered that possibility.

Azyiu · « **Reply #141 on:** January 08, 2016, 11:58:27 PM »

At least he is still rooting for a team from CA, lol!

black_biff_stadler · « **Reply #142 on:** January 09, 2016, 12:02:21 AM »

It's crazy to see that beyond the Warriors' historic start we can combine their and the Spurs' record for a 66-8 record and also those two teams' plus the Cavs' home record is a combined 54-1.

black_biff_stadler · « **Reply #143 on:** January 10, 2016, 02:46:23 AM »

Also, the Warriors can take a 2-game lead on the '95-96 Bulls if they win their next 8 games. By looking at the list of the NBA's best starts at each point in the season (regarding quantity of games played thus far), it seems like this would be the first time a team has had the best record in NBA history by more than 1 game over all other teams this late in the season since at least 1967 when the Sixers were in the midst of their 68-13 campaign (still the 4th best record ever.)

That Sixers team also still has the best record through the 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50-game marks in the season (4 losses at those points) and are tied with the '95-96 Bulls for the 51 and 52-game marks (5 losses.) From games 53-82, the Bulls are untied for all marks.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_best_records.html

Azyiu · « **Reply #144 on:** January 11, 2016, 06:48:30 AM »

Rumors have it the Russian wanted to hire John Calapari as both coach and team Prez, what do you think? If Calapari ever wanted to return to the NBA for the sake's of proofing he can, I would think situations like the Nets' are perfect! Hell, if he can somehow right this Titanic in 3 or 4 seasons or so, he would become a legend! Wouldn't you want a shot at that if you were Calapari? I would so jump on that chance! He will always have college ball to fall back on, so why not?

Destiny Of Chaos · « **Reply #145 on:** January 11, 2016, 07:17:34 AM »

Quote from: Azyiu on January 11, 2016, 06:48:30 AM

Rumors have it the Russian wanted to hire John Calapari as both coach and team Prez, what do you think? If Calapari ever wanted to return to the NBA for the sake's of proofing he can, I would think situations like the Nets' are perfect! Hell, if he can somehow right this Titanic in 3 or 4 seasons or so, he would become a legend! Wouldn't you want a shot at that if you were Calapari? I would so jump on that chance! He will always have college ball to fall back on, so why not?

Because right now... he has THE job when it comes to college basketball.

Nekov · « **Reply #146 on:** January 11, 2016, 07:22:32 AM »

Quote from: Azyiu on January 11, 2016, 06:48:30 AM

Rumors have it the Russian wanted to hire John Calapari as both coach and team Prez, what do you think? If Calapari ever wanted to return to the NBA for the sake's of proofing he can, I would think situations like the Nets' are perfect! Hell, if he can somehow right this Titanic in 3 or 4 seasons or so, he would become a legend! Wouldn't you want a shot at that if you were Calapari? I would so jump on that chance! He will always have college ball to fall back on, so why not?

I had to google this guy's name. It seems that for starters he's asking for tons of money which the Nets might pay (not a problem for the russian guy) however I get the notion he wants full control, not just coaching which I think is never a good idea.The coach should be involved in basketball related decisions but not be responsible for them. I don't see this scenario ending in a good way for the nets, but then again, nothing has ended good for the nets lately so...

Azyiu · « **Reply #147 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:06:58 AM »

Quote from: Destiny Of Chaos on January 11, 2016, 07:17:34 AM

Because right now... he has THE job when it comes to college basketball.

I was also thinking about the same too... his class coming into Kentucky next year will be the best talent he has ever had. There is a big man that has UK in his Top 2 and if he decides to come then Kentucky would have the #1 or #2 in EVERY position in next years class... so I bet there will be a ton of soul searching for him in the next few weeks.

bosk1 · « **Reply #148 on:** January 11, 2016, 08:49:18 AM »

Quote from: black_floyd on January 10, 2016, 02:46:23 AM

Also, the Warriors can take a 2-game lead on the '95-96 Bulls if they win their next 8 games. By looking at the list of the NBA's best starts at each point in the season (regarding quantity of games played thus far), it seems like this would be the first time a team has had the best record in NBA history by more than 1 game over all other teams this late in the season since at least 1967 when the Sixers were in the midst of their 68-13 campaign (still the 4th best record ever.)

That Sixers team also still has the best record through the 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50-game marks in the season (4 losses at those points) and are tied with the '95-96 Bulls for the 51 and 52-game marks (5 losses.) From games 53-82, the Bulls are untied for all marks.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_best_records.html

It will not be easy. Their schedule in the latter half of January is pretty tough.

Nekov · « **Reply #149 on:** January 15, 2016, 05:49:36 AM »

I know the NBA will most likely give Steph Curry the MVP again because well, he's playing at a spectacular level but after yesterdays game I think Kawhi Leonard more than deserves the hardware. He went against the King and played at the same level, maybe even a little better. His development is a thing of beauty.

KevShmev · « **Reply #150 on:** January 15, 2016, 06:05:20 AM »

Quote from: Nekov on January 15, 2016, 05:49:36 AM

I know the NBA will most likely give Steph Curry the MVP again because well, he's playing at a spectacular level but after yesterdays game I think Kawhi Leonard more than deserves the hardware. He went against the King and played at the same level, maybe even a little better. His development is a thing of beauty.

Late night drinking?

Nekov · « **Reply #151 on:** January 15, 2016, 06:22:34 AM »

I'm very much not getting your comment

Azyiu · « **Reply #152 on:** January 15, 2016, 07:39:34 AM »

LeBron WAS the best player in the NBA, per Chuck; which I agreed to an extend. He also said Kawhi Leonard IS the best player currently in the league... Well, Leonard is a hell of a player, but he is not quite there as THE best player yet... not until he starts showing some killer instinct like Kobe of old or KD. For now, I think Jimmy Bulter is closer to that status than Leonard.

black_biff_stadler · « **Reply #153 on:** January 15, 2016, 10:46:38 AM »

Steph Curry's team is 36-2 with him this season (losses were by 9 and 2 and both on the road) and 1-1 without. The loss was by 23 on the road. Not sure how much more he can do to make his case.

KevShmev · « **Reply #154 on:** January 15, 2016, 05:22:54 PM »

Quote from: Nekov on January 15, 2016, 06:22:34 AM

I'm very much not getting your comment

No sober person should think that anybody other than Steph Curry is the MVP this year.

Leonard is a great player, but has zero case for being the MVP right now.

contest_sanity · « **Reply #155 on:** January 17, 2016, 11:33:16 AM »

While Curry is still the obvious front-runner, I don't it's insane (and certainly don't think it makes me a drunk) to believe Leonard at least has a possible case for MVP. Talking of the Warrior's record without Curry this year, Kawhi was injured for the first couple months of last season, and the Spurs record as of Jan 13th 2015 was 23-15. Compare that to 35-6 this year, which is only a couple of games behind the Dubs. I found this article interesting, which points to the priority we give offense over defense when discussing MVP:

https://hoopshabit.com/2015/12/16/kawhi-leonards-mvp-case-problem-measuring-defensive-value/

Kawhi is the top offensive and defensive player on his own team, while also being the top defender in the league. Out of the 30 teams in the NBA, Kawhi is the best defender to stop 25 of those teams' best scoring options.

Again, I'm not necessarily saying Leonard should win it, but I don't think it's as laughable as some people make it out to be. While Curry is a historically unique player, Leonard could be on his way to becoming the greatest perimeter defender of all time -- while also carrying a large offensive load, even if (because of the Spurs system) he's not always the "go-to" guy.

Nekov · « **Reply #156 on:** January 18, 2016, 05:05:51 AM »

Thanks CS, that's a great explanation. As I said before I know Curry is going to win it and he deserves it because he's playing lights out, but as that article says, Leonard makes it happen on both ends of the court on a consistent basis and he can shut down players like no one else can.

TheOutlawXanadu · « **Reply #157 on:** January 19, 2016, 01:29:10 PM »

Leonard is probably the best defensive wing I've ever seen. I only really started watching the game in the early 2000s, so take that statement with a grain of salt, but the dude's unbelievable.

I still think Curry's been the best player this year because his offense is so insane that it makes his cumulative value higher than Kawhi's, even though Kawhi's doing it on both ends. In other words, 10 + 0 is greater than 4 + 5.

bosk1 · « **Reply #158 on:** January 19, 2016, 01:36:36 PM »

Don't underestimate Curry's defense though. I know it is hard to know if you don't regularly see the team play, but he is one of the best in the game on the defensive side of the ball as well. But one of the main reasons his defensive stats may not seem to leap off the page is that, as a team, the Warriors are an outstanding defensive team. They don't have one or two guys who dominate on the defensive side. Almost all of them do. It is very much a team defense. So the defensive stats of any individual Warriors player are going to be somewhat diluted.

Syzzle · « **Reply #159 on:** January 19, 2016, 07:18:09 PM »

Leonard has a long way to go before he can be considered a better wing defender than Pippen or Jordan, but at the rate he's going he might be better by the end of his career.

Accelerando · « **Reply #160 on:** January 19, 2016, 09:39:42 PM »

Quote from: KevShmev on January 15, 2016, 05:22:54 PM

Quote from: Nekov on January 15, 2016, 06:22:34 AM
I'm very much not getting your comment

No sober person should think that anybody other than Steph Curry is the MVP this year.

Leonard is a great player, but has zero case for being the MVP right now.

Are you even watching basketball right now? Leonard is easily one of the game's best players!!!

KevShmev · « **Reply #161 on:** January 19, 2016, 09:43:57 PM »

I didn't say he wasn't.

I said he has no case for being the MVP right now.

Which he doesn't.

Accelerando · « **Reply #162 on:** January 19, 2016, 09:59:56 PM »

He's absolutely a contender for the MVP. He's averaging 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, he's leading a Spurs team that has Duncan, Parker, Aldridge, and Ginobli who are now 36-6 and 24-0 at home. He's not the go to guy like Curry because the Spurs spread it around like a true team does, but plop him in any other team...put him in the Orlando Magic's roster and he's scoring 30 a game. Let's not forget he is still the leagues best defensive player and is shutting down former MVPs like Lebron and Durant. He might even be the best two way player. Curry may get MVP #2 by the end of this season, but Leonard is absolutely a contender.

Jamesman42 · « **Reply #163 on:** January 20, 2016, 04:57:37 PM »

I really hate that I don't keep up with the NBA during football season + working a lot. Who's been lighting up each conference?

bosk1 · « **Reply #164 on:** January 20, 2016, 05:02:45 PM »

Not sure how it is in San Antonio, but I know that out here in CA, people have been looking forward on the calendar to the upcoming Warriors/Spurs matchup for awhile. This week, local sports media is in an absolute frenzy about it. Pretty hilarious for a game this early in the season. But it got me thinking: How hilarious would it be if Pop decided to play the ultimate troll card and rest all the Spurs starters for that game? Warriors fans and media would absolutely lose their minds. I think it would be amazing.

Jamesman42 · « **Reply #165 on:** January 20, 2016, 07:04:25 PM »

I could see Pop doing that

Syzzle · « **Reply #166 on:** January 21, 2016, 01:06:56 AM »

Pop would do that, and the NBA will fine the Spurs like the last time he did it.

Destiny Of Chaos · « **Reply #167 on:** January 21, 2016, 06:23:28 AM »

Quote from: Accelerando on January 19, 2016, 09:59:56 PM

He's absolutely a contender for the MVP. He's averaging 20.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, he's leading a Spurs team that has Duncan, Parker, Aldridge, and Ginobli who are now 36-6 and 24-0 at home. He's not the go to guy like Curry because the Spurs spread it around like a true team does, but plop him in any other team...put him in the Orlando Magic's roster and he's scoring 30 a game. Let's not forget he is still the leagues best defensive player and is shutting down former MVPs like Lebron and Durant. He might even be the best two way player. Curry may get MVP #2 by the end of this season, but Leonard is absolutely a contender.

I think just about every one here thinks the world of Leonard and respects his talent. And yes, if there has to be a number of contenders for the MVP in the way that there has to be a number of nominees for an Oscar, then Leonard is on that short list. But in reality, Curry is #1 by a longshot. It's not a knock on Leonard, James, Butler or anyone else. It's a compliment of what Curry has done and what he means to his team and the league.

KevShmev · « **Reply #168 on:** January 21, 2016, 05:15:40 PM »

Exactly.

Azyiu · « **Reply #169 on:** January 22, 2016, 04:34:39 AM »

Can't believe it has been 10 years since Kobe's 81-point game! It feels like just yesterday!

Azyiu · « **Reply #170 on:** January 22, 2016, 04:41:21 PM »

The Blatt firing is a joke. When your team is the 1 seed in the East, you are the 1 seed regardless. You don't just fire the coach like that, especially when Lue is his replacement? I guess the Dubs' spanking the other night got LeBron in full panic mode. What a joke!

Destiny Of Chaos · « **Reply #171 on:** January 22, 2016, 05:00:31 PM »

Quote from: Azyiu on January 22, 2016, 04:41:21 PM

The Blatt firing is a joke. When your team is the 1 seed in the East, you are the 1 seed regardless. You don't just fire the coach like that, especially when Lue is his replacement? I guess the Dubs' spanking the other night got LeBron in full panic mode. What a joke!

I thought it was well known even last season that the players respected Lue more than Blatt.

Jamesman42 · « **Reply #172 on:** January 23, 2016, 06:00:22 AM »

WTF? Lelbron had to have his hand in this. After reading a lot on this last night, it seems there is a major clusterfuck within the organization. I feel sorry for Cleveland sports fans. With that said, if this promotion of Lue turns the team into a legitimate fear for teams in the West, we can all eat our words. I don't know much about all of that. But in theory this seems like a crazy move.

Nekov · « **Reply #173 on:** January 23, 2016, 01:15:34 PM »

Did you guys read Woj's last article?

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-david-blatt-never-stood-a-chance-with-lebron-james-and-his-camp-035612484.html

How much of that is true? And if it is, what does it say about lebron and the cavs?

Azyiu · « **Reply #174 on:** January 23, 2016, 09:32:03 PM »

I think most of it is true.

With the Cavs giving Lue a fat extension now, there is almost no chance Mark Jackson would become the Cavs' HC anytime soon.

News: The Gift of Music official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fae4FQ4McSY

Author Topic: 2015-16 NBA thread v. Changing of the guard (Read 42890 times)