NBA thread 2018-2019 v. Raptors are Champs

[bosk1]

Meanwhile, the most beloved team in the NBA started off its 3-peat bid in style.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

Durant is great, but I think that Steph is their best player when healthy. Truly a joy to behold. Also, the Celtics looked really good. Excited to see them against my Raps on Friday.

[Samsara]

Jayson Tatum is the real deal. From skills to composure, everything screams alpha dog superstar.

Agreed. He's got the complete game. And I forget just how long he is. The scary thing about Boston is the team's depth. I don't expect Rozier to stay past this season, but it won't matter if they sign AD, or someone else. That team is built to contend for a decade or more.

And what, no one wants to do the standings rankings? Fine. Bunch of lazy prog nerds.   

[Indiscipline]

And what, no one wants to do the standings rankings? Fine. Bunch of lazy prog nerds.   

I'm tempted, but I'll do that after the winter trade window. I feel it's gonna be more balance-shifting than usual this year.

[TheOutlawXanadu]

The Raptors looked rusty but promising last night. Once Kawhi rounds into form, I think that we will be a 60-win caliber team. Here we go!

[Samsara]

Wolves looked like the Wolves. Bad 4th quarter D, lack of rebounding, and just not getting it done. Might have been a different story if Towns hadn't fouled out with 8 pts and 9 rebs, but it is what it is.

Honestly, folks shouldn't fall asleep on the Spurs. DeRozan is a legit 25 ppg scorer, and so is Aldridge. You have two All Stars on that squad, great coaching, and role players that know their limits. I think they'll be a lot better than people think this year. As for my Wolves...Rose looked horrible, and Tyus Jones is not a legit NBA rotation player. Thibs didn't play Okogie, which is sorta ridiculous, given how bad Rose and Jones looked.

[Nekov]

Don't blame it on Towns alone, Wiggins didn't look like he had any desire to play.

[jingle.boy]

The Raptors looked rusty but promising last night. Once Kawhi rounds into form, I think that we will be a 60-win caliber team. Here we go!

Agreed... though it's hard to describe 24/13 as needing to 'round into form'.  Tomorrow vs the Celts ought to be fun.

Come at me TAC/King. 

[King Postwhore]

The Raptors looked rusty but promising last night. Once Kawhi rounds into form, I think that we will be a 60-win caliber team. Here we go!

Agreed... though it's hard to describe 24/13 as needing to 'round into form'.  Tomorrow vs the Celts ought to be fun.

Come at me TAC/King. 

I'm on top.














I want to talk your breath away.

[Samsara]

Don't blame it on Towns alone, Wiggins didn't look like he had any desire to play.

In the 4th. Wiggins played really well the first three quarters. Even hit a couple of 3s.

[jammindude]

What the heck happened to the Rockets??? Are the Pelicans that good? Or did Houston just completely not show up for their own home opener?

I watched that game while I was recovering from a kidney stone procedure and I couldn’t figure out which was more painful. The final score doesn’t even reflect how bad it was. At one point the Rockets were down by 29, and the Pelicans basically phoned it in during the second half just to keep them at bay.

[Nekov]

What the heck happened to the Rockets??? Are the Pelicans that good? Or did Houston just completely not show up for their own home opener?

I watched some of it. What happened is basically what everyone knew was going to happen. They lost Ariza and Mbah a Moute which leaves them with Tucker as the only really good defender. Their defense took two steps back and it showed when they switched and tried to double team. Add to that the fact that both Harden and Paul were not having a good offensive night and you've got a recipe for disaster.

Something similar happened to the Lakers yesterday, they allowed Portland to score way too much and shot bricks from 3 all night long. The shooting part doesn't surprise me given the roster they have, but it's just the start of the season and they are still getting to know each other. They should get better.

[Samsara]

Houston's lack of D, and the Lakers' lack of a three-point threat is going to severely impact both those teams.

Adding Carmelo to Houston, even as a bench player, is a mistake. I can at least see what the Lakers are trying to do, but that move by Houston was DUMB. They should have paid Ariza.

[bosk1]

Houston's lack of D, and the Lakers' lack of a three-point threat is going to severely impact both those teams.

Adding Carmelo to Houston, even as a bench player, is a mistake. I can at least see what the Lakers are trying to do, but that move by Houston was DUMB. They should have paid Ariza.

Agreed.  Although it is WAY too early to start making predictions, I think Houston went from a team that could legitimately challenge the Warriors (and did so last season) back to just being a team that will probably get a high playoff seed, but not be a credible threat.  I think Utah may be in position to pass them up.

[jingle.boy]

That was one helluva entertaining game last night.  Back and forth all night, until the Raps hit a couple of beautiful 3s from Green/Lowry (NOTHING but net - love that sound) and a 10-0 run in the final minutes - which was nice because they were 3-15 from three point land to start the game. Leonard was crap in the first half - iirc, he started 2 of 10... but still finished with another double-double at 31/10.  He missed some VERY easy shots, and could've easily had 40.  And dat double block with Green on Tatum to seal the win was VERY reminiscent of LeKing's block in the finals a few years back.

Man I wanted them to beat Boston so bad.  It's only game 2, but it made me jingle.happy.

In your face Shmegland!

[King Postwhore]

 

The C's look like they need to gel a little and also define some roles.  That will work itself out over a few weeks or so.

[jingle.boy]

The C's look like they need to gel a little and also define some roles.  That will work itself out over a few weeks or so.

Oh for sure.  I mean, Tatum is still only in his 2nd year; Irving missed a bunch of time, and Hayward is only on his 2nd full game in 16 months - and they still outplayed the Raps for almost all of the 1st half, and held within a single possession until Green/Lowry hit back-to-back 3s with less than 3 minutes to go.

Gonna be another fun season.

[Indiscipline]

The cost of putting Kyrie and Howard back into the fold is a mild knock on last season's stellar perimeter defense. I think that's what lost the game yesterday, but nothing Stevens can't fix.

I'm liking Nurse plenty, he seems to have found the perfect way to use Ibaka in that contest. Kawhi - judging a player on both ends of the floor - is Top 3 material right now.

[KevShmev]

I knew Rondo was a douche, but getting himself suspended only two games into the season?  He has outperformed my expectations!

Chris Paul is not much better (also a mega douche).

[King Postwhore]

No surprise with Rondo at all.

[TAC]

I knew Rondo was a douche, but getting himself suspended only two games into the season?  He has outperformed my expectations!

 


So who got to Lavar Ball? Seems the Lakers going 0-2 without Lonzo starting would've been a perfect time for the old man to throw a shot at the Lakers. Seems Lebron might have told him the first word out of his mouth and Lonzo would be gone..

[King Postwhore]

Rondo spat in Paul's face.  I understand his rage.

[Samsara]

Someone needs to tell Brandon Ingram to grow the F up. Just sayin'...

As for that whole "brawl," just put CP3 and Rondo in a fucking ring and be done with it. Anyone who has watched hoops over the last decade or so knows those two can't stand one another. THis was bound to happen. But man, what a great playoff matchup if they are seeded right and the Lakers get in.

[bosk1]

Assuming Rondo is still with them at that point.  I heard some analysis last week or the week before suggesting a mid-season trade where they get rid of him in favor of someone who would fit into a system better with LeBron.

[Samsara]

Assuming Rondo is still with them at that point.  I heard some analysis last week or the week before suggesting a mid-season trade where they get rid of him in favor of someone who would fit into a system better with LeBron.

Seems to me he fit in just fine so far, particularly against Houston. But I think what just happened, considering it was James' best friend, will ultimately make Rondo a former Laker sooner than later. And if Ball does wonders during Rondo's suspension, I expect Rondo to never regain his starting spot.

[Samsara]

Happy Wolves fan this morning. Solid effort against the Pacers. Best defensive effort I've seen out of that team in some time. Very much needed that win, as the team heads to Toronto tomorrow. Wiggins got hurt, but apparently he's good to go for Toronto. I expect him to have a big game (Leonard is going to guard Butler most likely, so that will be a great match-up).

[T-ski]

Bucks are 4-0 and bombing away from three.  Quite a departure from Jason Kidds philosophy of 'the closer to basket the easier to score'.

also Giannis....."I feel like so far I've been playing B basketball. I think I can be way better. I can help my teammates find open shots even more. And I'm going to keep trying to get better and try to make my teammates better."

His current averages: 29.2pts/15.6reb/7.4ast

[Samsara]

Giannnis will be MVP this year. Book it. Guy is a monster. When he learns how to rain 3s...the game might change forever. If he learns how to do it quick enough. The guy who deserves a ton more credit though is Kris Middleton. I've loved that guy since he came into the league. He's finally healthy and in a system that really is tailor-made for him, particularly with so much attention on Giannis. Bucks are going to crush. Might be some bumps on the road as they learn how to win, but if they can keep that core group together and healthy, and add here and there, they might win a title or two in the next seven or eight years.

Last night's Wolves-Raptors game was really good. It was a game of big runs back and forth. Basically, no one could stop Leonard, and little things killed the Wolves. JImmy Butler missed five free throws, and Okogie was like 0-9 in the first half. And Towns was offensively asleep for three quarters. Jimmy's bricks at the line, and some rookie mistakes, combined with Towns playing uncharacteristically poorly for three quarters really put the Wolves in the hole. Any one of those three guys improves on those errors, Wolves get a huge upset win. But credit to Toronto. They kept coming. And Leonard...looks unstoppable. He made Jimmy look like a rook when they were 1 on 1.

[bosk1]

Looking forward to Warriors/Raptors on 11/29.  It will be interesting to see how Leonard plays when faced with an elite defense with multiple elite defenders.

Oh, and:  51

[Indiscipline]

Leonard knows which passing line the passer is going to choose before the passer himself. I've never seen anybody channelling prime Scottie Pippen more faithfully.

[Samsara]

Looking forward to Warriors/Raptors on 11/29.  It will be interesting to see how Leonard plays when faced with an elite defense with multiple elite defenders.

Oh, and:  51

I agree, the Warriors' defensive tandem of Durant and Green is going to challenge Leonard. Butler is on that level defensively, but the other Wolves aren't, so Leonard was brutal on switches.

I think Steph, if healthy, is going to have a great year. But I simply don't think he is going to win a third MVP award. I wouldn't be surprised if he did, but I don't think he will.

Leonard knows which passing line the passer is going to choose before the passer himself. I've never seen anybody channelling prime Scottie Pippen more faithfully.

Yeah, that's a good comparison. But I think Leonard is a better overall player than Scottie. I think he's elite offensively, whereas Scottie was very good offensively. If Leonard stays healthy for the rest of his career, and continues to play like this throughout the rest of his prime, he's a sure-fire lock for the HOF, and might be one of the best players of all time. A lot of ifs there, but the potential is certainly there. I mean, against Butler, I felt like Butler was outclassed completely...and Butler is an elite player. Not top-10, but top-15. Leonard was unphased.

[bosk1]

I think Steph, if healthy, is going to have a great year. But I simply don't think he is going to win a third MVP award. I wouldn't be surprised if he did, but I don't think he will.

Not that I am pitying him or anyone else on the Warriors one bit, but it is really tough to win an MVP award on a team that is that stacked and where the expectations are that high, whether he "deserves" it or not.  There was some really good discussion about that on KNBR early this morning as I was driving in, and I wholeheartedly agree.  It was basically what I said, but obviously went much deeper than that.  Where you have one guy that is *the* difference maker in terms of whether his team is a contender or a complete bust, that is where the MVP votes most often go.  And that's fair.  No complaints from me.  But part of me does wish he would get a bit of a harder look.  Curry is absolutely the MVP of the Warriors, notwithstanding Durant's addition.  I'm not sure a Durant/Thompson/Green-led team is a perennial championship contender.  I think a Durant-less Curry/Thompson/Green-led team is.  Curry makes the other players around him, Durant included, better.  And their scheme really is based around him, including the defense. 

And while we're on the subject, Curry does not get NEARLY the credit he deserves for his defensive skills.  He is, without a doubt, one of the best in his position on defense.  It's just that that gets overshadowed when you have the other defenders the Warriors have.  And it gets overshadowed when Curry looks so "small" when standing next to those other players.  But as I pointed out last championship series, for example, he was playing lights-out defense even when switched onto LeBron, the most dominant player in the game right now.  It wasn't flashy and didn't manifest itself in blocked shots.  But more often than not, he either directly made LeBron pass rather than shoot, or forced LeBron to where the defensive help was, which again often forced LeBron to pass rather than shoot. 

I would boil his defensive assets down to maybe three areas:  (1) He's deceptively strong for his size, and doesn't get backed down or pushed out of the play nearly as often as one might expect a player of his size.  (2) He is a very smart defensive player.  He understands angles and understands where his help is, as well as understanding when he is needed to provide help, and that alone takes away a lot of open looks for players that thrive on open looks or open lanes.  (3) He is really quick, which allows him to either steal or disrupt shots or dribbles, even if he doesn't get a steal or block on a given play.  It also helps him on switches and helps him get around screens that a lot of guys don't have the ability to avoid. 

Again, most of that isn't flashy, so it doesn't get noticed.  And it isn't likely to when you've got Green, Thompson, and Durant playing strong D as well.  But being the third best defender on this team is quite the accomplishment.  And when you couple that with what he brings on the offensive side of the ball and what he brings in terms of team chemistry, I can't say that anyone on the team is more valuable than him--not even Durant.

[Samsara]

Curry is underrated defensively. If there was one knock, it was that he wasn't strong. But he's come back stronger this year. YOu just need to look at his body, and you see it. He's a pest on D, and needs more credit for it.

And yeah, completely agree on the logic behind how the MVP award votes go. Makes sense. I will say this about the Warriors. I think people forget sometimes -- The Warriors won an NBA title with Curry...before Durant came. Curry carried that team. He can do it again if need be (and he might in 2019-2020). I'm not saying Durant IS leaving, because personally, I think financially that's a dumb move. But I certainly could see him wondering if maybe he should be go back to where HE grew up, and maybe unite with John Wall and Bradley Beal and see if he can lead his hometown team to a title. If I were a betting man, I'd say he'd stay in GS. But nobody talks about the Wizards, and Durant's hometown. He's getting to that age where he might want to do something like that, like Lebron did when he came back to CLeveland to get it done.

[Indiscipline]

Leonard knows which passing line the passer is going to choose before the passer himself. I've never seen anybody channelling prime Scottie Pippen more faithfully.

Yeah, that's a good comparison. But I think Leonard is a better overall player than Scottie. I think he's elite offensively, whereas Scottie was very good offensively...

I'm a bit on the fence about that. Kawhi seems the superior scorer so far (with a big asterisk due to different rules), while - again, so far - Scottie was the superior passer. We shall see. Anyway, HoF material.

[Samsara]

You're right. I wasn't considering that. Good point.