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Post by doakley8 on Jun 14, 2021 6:26:52 GMT -5
#freebolbol
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 14, 2021 7:22:26 GMT -5
Not a great ending for the Nuggets (and Jokic in particular), but hopefully this opens people's eyes that this Phoenix team is for real.
Sure, the AD injury really set LA back in that series, but even with him healthy it was going to be a tough road to hoe regardless of if it went 5, 6 or 7.
I'm happy for a lot of those guys on that Suns team. CP3 maybe shaking the "playoff choker" narrative, Booker shaking the "good stats, bad team" narrative and even Ayton shaking the "should've taken Luka" narrative (even though....they still should've taken Luka).
Hopefully Utah can put the vice grip on the Clips tonight. I really want to see a Utah/Phoenix WCF not only for the basketball, but also for them both to prove to people that they weren't just the default 1 & 2 seeds because the LA teams dealt with injuries/load management all season.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 14, 2021 11:26:43 GMT -5
Not a great ending for the Nuggets (and Jokic in particular), but hopefully this opens people's eyes that this Phoenix team is for real. Sure, the AD injury really set LA back in that series, but even with him healthy it was going to be a tough road to hoe regardless of if it went 5, 6 or 7. I'm happy for a lot of those guys on that Suns team. CP3 maybe shaking the "playoff choker" narrative, Booker shaking the "good stats, bad team" narrative and even Ayton shaking the "should've taken Luka" narrative (even though....they still should've taken Luka). Hopefully Utah can put the vice grip on the Clips tonight. I really want to see a Utah/Phoenix WCF not only for the basketball, but also for them both to prove to people that they weren't just the default 1 & 2 seeds because the LA teams dealt with injuries/load management all season.
I was actually thinking the same thing about Ayton.
No matter what people will always look back and wonder why Luka didn't go #1. That said, if Ayton develops into a very quality C and Booker maintains his ascent into stardom - while guys like Bridges/Cam develop into quality players - they should be relatively free from the majority of criticism, esp. given it's a lot easier and more logical to wonder what the hell the Kings were thinking at #2.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 14, 2021 12:57:44 GMT -5
All in all the 2018 draft is looking fairly solid in terms of the lottery picks
Luka is a superstar Trae and SGA are stars Ayton, JJJ, MPJ look to be really solid players with star potential Sexton is racking up big time stats - we'll see if they are empty or not
Bagley and WCJ are actually good, if they would just stay healthy Both Mikal and Miles Bridges are looking like solid two way players who could have nice long careers
Bamba has shown flashes and just needs PT, which he might get with Vuc gone and ORL rebuilding
Really the only "busts" have been Knox and Jerome Robinson - and Knox showed enough his rookie year where you can argue he really just needs a change of scenery
Later in the draft you have Devonte Graham, Kevin Huerter, Gary Trent Jr., Shake Milton, Jalen Brunson, Landry Shamet, Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen, Mitchell Robinson, Lonnie Walker, Anfernee Simons, Aaron Holiday, Robert Williams, De'Anthony Melton, Hamidou Diallo, Bruce Brown, Josh Okogie
Deep
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 14, 2021 13:52:56 GMT -5
It's 1984 all over again. Sure, in hindsight MJ (Luka) should've gone first, but anyone even trying to insinuate that Houston taking Hakeem (Ayton) over him is in any way comparable to Portland taking Bowie (Bagley) is an idiot in my book.
However, just like in 1984, it does go to show that worrying about "fit" (can't draft MJ, we already have Drexler .... Can't draft Luka, we already have Booker/Fox) isn't the most efficient way to build in the NBA, even if it works out sometimes, like Phoenix now
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 15, 2021 14:01:09 GMT -5
It's 1984 all over again. Sure, in hindsight MJ (Luka) should've gone first, but anyone even trying to insinuate that Houston taking Hakeem (Ayton) over him is in any way comparable to Portland taking Bowie (Bagley) is an idiot in my book. However, just like in 1984, it does go to show that worrying about "fit" (can't draft MJ, we already have Drexler .... Can't draft Luka, we already have Booker/Fox) isn't the most efficient way to build in the NBA, even if it works out sometimes, like Phoenix now
100% agree. You're picking that high because you really suck - obviously there are exceptions but that is the majority of the cases - and in that event you need to be going BPA versus Best Player at Biggest Need. That's the type of thinking that gets you Olowokandi and Oden at #1
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 15, 2021 17:36:03 GMT -5
It's 1984 all over again. Sure, in hindsight MJ (Luka) should've gone first, but anyone even trying to insinuate that Houston taking Hakeem (Ayton) over him is in any way comparable to Portland taking Bowie (Bagley) is an idiot in my book. However, just like in 1984, it does go to show that worrying about "fit" (can't draft MJ, we already have Drexler .... Can't draft Luka, we already have Booker/Fox) isn't the most efficient way to build in the NBA, even if it works out sometimes, like Phoenix now 100% agree. You're picking that high because you really suck - obviously there are exceptions but that is the majority of the cases - and in that event you need to be going BPA versus Best Player at Biggest Need. That's the type of thinking that gets you Olowokandi and Oden at #1
Oh, the Kandi Man.... Guy is a borderline Kwame Brown Revenge Tour All Star. Played 8 years and was a solid (definitely not good nor great) player who's only problem was having the audacity to be drafted #1 overall by a shitty organization
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 15, 2021 20:31:57 GMT -5
In actuality, the Clippers should have gone best player at biggest need.
I was perplexed they didn't draft Bibby. It's not even a hindsight thing as it's not like Bibby went on to become a HOFer but the Clippers were simply awful at PG that prior season with Darrick Martin coming off two really subpar seasons as the starter and just invested their two most recent lottery picks on frontcourt players with Mo Taylor and Lorenzen Wright. But hey, perhaps they did go BPA in their mind with Kandi Man and opted to resolve the PG situation instead by adding 31 year old journeyman Sherman Douglas to compete with Martin. Spoiler alert - their PG situation sucked again.
In fact they didn't draft a PG until Livingston in 2004. From 1996 to 2003 they drafted all frontcourt players in the 1st round with the exception of QRich #18 in 2000 - which was a great pick, so naturally they lose him for nothing as a free agent in 2004 because they didn't want to match the Suns offer sheet.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 8:16:56 GMT -5
KD's a beast
Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Wednesday's Game 5 with the Utah Jazz with a right knee injury and he could be out the remainder of the series
CP3 is out indefinitely and his status for the WCF is up in the air after entering Covid Protocols
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Post by varsity on Jun 16, 2021 8:58:07 GMT -5
KD's a beast Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss Wednesday's Game 5 with the Utah Jazz with a right knee injury and he could be out the remainder of the series CP3 is out indefinitely and his status for the WCF is up in the air after entering Covid Protocols It's being reported that CP3 was vaccinated so he may not be out for long. I believe they are saying the earliest the Suns could play is Sunday or Monday if the Clippers-Jazz series only goes to 6 games. But Kawhi potentially being out is a huge swing in the Western Conference, IMO. I feel like Phoenix can beat Utah in a series but I think the Clippers could beat Phoenix assuming Kawhi is healthy. His injury may open the door for CP3 and the Suns to the Finals.
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Post by varsity on Jun 16, 2021 10:03:45 GMT -5
Stan Van Gundy is out as coach of the New Orleans Pelicans according to Woj.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 10:11:58 GMT -5
wow, was just about to post that. That's ridiculous. He's not one to hold his tongue, so maybe he'll bash David Griffin real good
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Post by varsity on Jun 16, 2021 10:30:07 GMT -5
Scott Brooks out in Washington as well. The two sides couldn't reach agreement on a deal and have agreed to part ways.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 10:49:03 GMT -5
I think CP3 will be back in time for the conference finals and should be a favorite over the Jazz or Clippers with an absent/hobbled Kawhi. I'm not really a CP3 fan but good for him for making the Finals finally if it happens. Kawhi being likely out for multiple games is probably a death knell to the Clippers but I won't toss dirt on the Clippers' grave just yet though because I do think the Jazz are vulnerable, PG has it in him to have big games (he also has it in him to fail miserably as well obviously) and the Clippers have enough depth where IF the role players actually step up they could pull out two close Ws in a 2004 Detroit Pistons kind of way relying less on starpower and more on depth, defense and hitting outside shots. I think the X-Factor is Kennard because he's the one not named George/Morris/Jackson who can potentially have a big impact.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 10:53:03 GMT -5
Scott Brooks out in Washington as well. The two sides couldn't reach agreement on a deal and have agreed to part ways.
One playoff series win and that was his first season back in 2017 when he had a really stacked squad with Wall, Beal, a healthy Otto Porter, Markieff Morris, Gortat, Oubre and acquired Bojan Bogdanovic midseason. In 5 seasons, he has an overall under .500 record and the team is more or less treading water in mediocrity.
Team should consider moving on from Sheppard too. While he's only been GM since 2019, he's been with the team since 2003. Probably time for a fresh set of eyes.
Team should just consider a complete overhaul.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 11:58:46 GMT -5
Damn, might be an ACL for for Kawhi. Dammit. Id let him walk if I'm Clippers..
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 12:12:17 GMT -5
Well in that case, he's done for the playoffs obviously and a torn ACL presumably knocks him out of all of next season too, similar to Klay Thompson. Terrible situation if true.
Regardless of his injury, the Clippers will still re-sign him. Similar to what the Nets did with KD knowing he'd miss a year with his achilles injury. The Clippers in no way shape or form would let Kawhi walk away, especially since doing so doesn't give them cap space and paying Kawhi to sit all next season doesn't impact Ballmer's wallet particularly much. So there is no upside for him walking and the massive downside is you lose what Kawhi would give you 2022-2023 and beyond.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 14:47:02 GMT -5
What a damn day in the NBA, Injuries, Covid, ROY, 2 firing coaches, fired GM, more injuries, Game 5's, players/coaches complaining about ALL-NBA teams, new coaching hirings rumors, Nurkic pissed at is role on the Blazers, yea buddy, just wait until D'Antoni comes to town and not a word about LeBron
Good Times
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 16, 2021 14:57:42 GMT -5
What a damn day in the NBA, Injuries, Covid, ROY, 2 firing coaches, fired GM, more injuries, Game 5's, players/coaches complaining about ALL-NBA teams, new coaching hirings rumors, Nurkic pissed at is role on the Blazers, yea buddy, just wait until D'Antoni comes to town and not a word about LeBron Good Times Spoke too soon about LBJ. Might want to peep him doing his big "I told you so" to the NBA about the short off-season/current injuries earlier today on social media
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Post by varsity on Jun 16, 2021 15:04:46 GMT -5
What a damn day in the NBA, Injuries, Covid, ROY, 2 firing coaches, fired GM, more injuries, Game 5's, players/coaches complaining about ALL-NBA teams, new coaching hirings rumors, Nurkic pissed at is role on the Blazers, yea buddy, just wait until D'Antoni comes to townand not a word about LeBron Good Times Show up to work more than 30% of the time and maybe that'll change. I see Mark Cuban chose Luka over Donnie. Guess he's a billionaire for a reason.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 15:06:24 GMT -5
What a damn day in the NBA, Injuries, Covid, ROY, 2 firing coaches, fired GM, more injuries, Game 5's, players/coaches complaining about ALL-NBA teams, new coaching hirings rumors, Nurkic pissed at is role on the Blazers, yea buddy, just wait until D'Antoni comes to town and not a word about LeBron Good Times
Ah yes, the guy who has only played 30.8% of the regular season games the last two seasons due to injury and had difficult staying on the floor the last two postseasons because he was super foul prone is complaining.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 15:07:57 GMT -5
Insert eye roll emoji here ---->
I just read all that me me me mess.
Now..Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow's rant about his injury I was down with!..and I think Tyler had a valid point
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 15:09:32 GMT -5
lol Vars/EE had to of planned that. Vars comes up with 30%, EE says 30.8% ..WHICH IS IT!
I like Nurkic...well the 69.2% of the time he does play
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jun 16, 2021 15:13:59 GMT -5
I mean, he's not wrong. And it'll happen again next year. Finals will be done about a month later than normal, yet we will start next season "on schedule" just before Halloween.
Big difference this year isn't necessarily the number or severity of injuries, but who their happening to.
All Stars missed 13.5% of available games this season (14.5% if you take out Joker's full 72 game season) and 8 different All Stars have missed at least one game this playoffs (a new record for the NBA).
NBA can throw out the data that percentage-wise injuries aren't up...but come on....there's a difference between AD, Kyrie, Harden, Mitchell, CP3, Jamal Murray missing playoff games and Tony Snell, Lou Williams, Torrey Craig, Ben McLemore missing playoff games
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Post by varsity on Jun 16, 2021 15:16:55 GMT -5
I just took a stab at the dark with 30% lol. But he's in no way in a position to complain. Part of me thinks this is him trying to influence the coaching search.
Tyler Glasnow has a point but MLB and their rules are just archaic and just plain stupid. Either allow foreign substances or don't. If hitters can use it to grip the bat tighter, pitchers should be able to use it as well. I swear MLB can find something so easy to fix and complicate matters.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 15:18:57 GMT -5
I mean, he's not wrong. And it'll happen again next year. Finals will be done about a month later than normal, yet we will start next season "on schedule" just before Halloween.
It's annoying coming from Lebron because OF COURSE he'd whine
That said, I agree, he's not wrong. I'm not a doctor or even a personal trainer but it doesn't take any type of specialized degree in health/fitness to see there is a legitimate relevance between the quick turnaround from last season to the rash of injuries. These guys are in tip top shape but they're not robots.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 15:21:29 GMT -5
I respect Glasnow's whole take, admissions..and his explanations. Dude really sold me on it. I mean having to grip it tighter instead of loose like an egg on your curve. Changing his mechanics that game said his whole body hurt, but maybe it was a freak thing..we'll never know.
Just blame is on Bauer..he's the one that runs his mouth about spin rate and got everybody looking all into it. But you could throw softballs and my Braves will still lose. So I guess im ready for Fantasy Football.
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 15:23:11 GMT -5
I mean, he's not wrong. And it'll happen again next year. Finals will be done about a month later than normal, yet we will start next season "on schedule" just before Halloween.
It's annoying coming from Lebron because OF COURSE he'd whine
That said, I agree, he's not wrong. I'm not a doctor or even a personal trainer but it doesn't take any type of specialized degree in health/fitness to see there is a legitimate relevance between the quick turnaround from last season to the rash of injuries. These guys are in tip top shape but they're not robots.
Loved your first line! then I stopped fist pumping after "that said" But yea..I know he's logically right.. I just despise him..and only follow him on IG to read the haters comments. It's what we do lol
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Post by eddieeddie on Jun 16, 2021 16:20:17 GMT -5
If Kawhi is out for the playoffs, then I have little interest in the Clips advancing from an entertainment standpoint. Rather just watch the Jazz I guess with the same redundant plays of Mitchell barreling down the lane for an errant bank shot, Ingles/Bogdanovic/Clarkson chucking up threes and then Gobert doing Gobert-type things. I'd really just then like to see the Suns make the Finals as that point.
In the East, I just don't want the Bucks to advance. I have nothing against Giannis, I just don't care to watch him. He's literally the least enjoyable superstar to watch in the NBA to me. Rather see the Nets advance. As fun a story as the Hawks would be to advance, a Nets vs Sixers finals is what people would want - hopefully with Kyrie/Embiid healthy-ish.
En route to Suns vs Nets and that CP3 vs Blake revenge match
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Post by doakley8 on Jun 16, 2021 16:36:07 GMT -5
I'd rather watch 2 hours of LeBron complaining than watch Giannis get a full head of steam and bulldoze his way to the room. Pulling for Nets vs Suns
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