The Around The NBA Thread

[the ultimates]

CP3 makes the Suns dangerous. Without him the Suns aren’t much.

I could see Lowry doing much of the same for the Bulls. I think Lowry has more in the tank too. His ceiling obviously isn’t as high as CP3 though.

Glad Lebron is watching rest of playoffs.

I think you are giving CP3 a little too much credit. Booker is one of the elite scorers in the league. Ayton in this series was by far the best big on the floor. Crowder and Bridges your prototypical 3 and D players. Paul played well this game especially in the 4th but Booker went supernova before that which is what got them that huge lead.

CP3 took over the game multiple times when Lakers made their runs. He controlled the pace. Without him I think the Suns would have coughed up that lead.

CP3 also missed some wide open three's during those runs. I doubt the Suns would have lost the lead. When you get down by that much you have to expend so much energy to get back into the game. Then the opposition only needs free throws here and there or a basket every now and then basically just to maintain. As long as Phoenix didn't go on some 3-4 minute scoring drought they were never in danger of losing the lead.

[the ultimates]

Booker is a hell of a player no doubt but he isn't on some other level than Lavine. How Booker is being looked at right now is the same way Deangelo Russell was when he was with the Nets and they got into the playoffs. The Nets didn't win a playoff series but people said Russell had arrived it was a star turn the Lakers gave up on him too early. Nobody is saying that now after stints in Golden State and now being in Minnesota.

[CobyWhite0]

I remember how strong the Kobe is better than MJ opinions used to be on the general board at one point. Once Kobe got hurt and old that talk quickly stopped and almost no one believes that now. If LeBron's twilight years end with lots of first-round exits/no more championships, I wonder if people will still consider him to be the 2nd greatest. I feel like Kareem in particular has gotten underrated when talking about GOATS.

It's always this 4 for me: Wilt, Kareem, MJ, Lebron.

MJ is 1, Kareem and Lebron tied at 2, then Wilt. Wilt is really only 4th on my list because he didn't win more. But I think Wilt is probably the most gifted of the 4, which is crazy because Lebron is a rare specimen as well. Kareem is physically gifted as well, but his IQ and consistency is like legendary level professional. MJ had combo of unrivaled killer instinct, crazy work ethic, and this hyperdrive to not only win, but to conquer.

Wilt is the most dominant player ever, even moreso than MJ. During his first 7 seasons, he never averaged below 33.5 points and never averaged less than 24.3 rebounds. I'm pretty confident that no player will ever have another 50/25 season, and they had to change more than one rule solely because of Wilt - they widened the lane, introduced offensive goaltending, and made it illegal to cross the line on a free throw attempt (he would leap with the ball from behind the foul line to deposit the ball in the basket).

It's not his fault he kept losing in the playoffs to a Celtics team that had so many Hall of Famers, they even had them coming off the bench. And if he were LeBron, he would have requested a trade to the Celtics lol.

[Andi Obst]

Booker is a hell of a player no doubt but he isn't on some other level than Lavine. How Booker is being looked at right now is the same way Deangelo Russell was when he was with the Nets and they got into the playoffs. The Nets didn't win a playoff series but people said Russell had arrived it was a star turn the Lakers gave up on him too early. Nobody is saying that now after stints in Golden State and now being in Minnesota.

Even in his best season with the Nets, which was indeed incredibly overrated, Russell wasn’t half the player Booker is now (and has been for at least the last 2 years before that). Russell was also horrible in his only playoff series while Booker was by far the best player in a series against the Lakers.

I’m not trying to get into the Booker/LaVine debate, but some people are straight up disrespecting Booker here. He’s extremely good. Paul was far from the only reason the Suns took such a big step.

[Jeffster81]

Sadly, that’s what he gets for being so loyal to a franchise that just can’t build a real team around him.

Portland are kind of what Reinsdorf wishes the Bulls could be, perpetually in the play offs and in contention with a Superstar who seems like he will never leave them.

Reinsdorf should have just bought a small market team if he wanted to run the team like that. When you own a big market franchise there are more expectations.

Which is why the 90s was both a blessing and a curse for Reinsdorf.

[the ultimates]

Booker is a hell of a player no doubt but he isn't on some other level than Lavine. How Booker is being looked at right now is the same way Deangelo Russell was when he was with the Nets and they got into the playoffs. The Nets didn't win a playoff series but people said Russell had arrived it was a star turn the Lakers gave up on him too early. Nobody is saying that now after stints in Golden State and now being in Minnesota.

Even in his best season with the Nets, which was indeed incredibly overrated, Russell wasn’t half the player Booker is now (and has been for at least the last 2 years before that). Russell was also horrible in his only playoff series while Booker was by far the best player in a series against the Lakers.

I’m not trying to get into the Booker/LaVine debate, but some people are straight up disrespecting Booker here. He’s extremely good. Paul was far from the only reason the Suns took such a big step.

I didn't say Russell was better than Booker. Like I said the Nets lost the series but Russell didn't lose the shine that people gave him helping the Nets make the playoffs. That didn't wear off until Golden State and Minnesota.

The question for Booker is can he continue this level of play, not just this season and playoffs but for multiple seasons afterwards, that's how you know a guy has truly made it to the next level.

[Andi Obst]

Booker is a hell of a player no doubt but he isn't on some other level than Lavine. How Booker is being looked at right now is the same way Deangelo Russell was when he was with the Nets and they got into the playoffs. The Nets didn't win a playoff series but people said Russell had arrived it was a star turn the Lakers gave up on him too early. Nobody is saying that now after stints in Golden State and now being in Minnesota.

Even in his best season with the Nets, which was indeed incredibly overrated, Russell wasn’t half the player Booker is now (and has been for at least the last 2 years before that). Russell was also horrible in his only playoff series while Booker was by far the best player in a series against the Lakers.

I’m not trying to get into the Booker/LaVine debate, but some people are straight up disrespecting Booker here. He’s extremely good. Paul was far from the only reason the Suns took such a big step.

I didn't say Russell was better than Booker. Like I said the Nets lost the series but Russell didn't lose the shine that people gave him helping the Nets make the playoffs. That didn't wear off until Golden State and Minnesota.

The question for Booker is can he continue this level of play, not just this season and playoffs but for multiple seasons afterwards, that's how you know a guy has truly made it to the next level.

Booker has played on a pretty similar level for like 3 full seasons now. Playoffs are a different animal, sure, but I think we know how good he is by now.

[jc23]

nba will be just fine without lebron in the playoffs.

[MrSparkle]

Booker scored 70 points in a game. His fundamentals and moves are all a step above Zach’s. He does not rely on athleticism to get to the rim, and his shot selection is confident. He’s always been a talented scorer; now his defense and overall awareness has improved. Obviously CP3 and the rest of the pickups (Suns are actually a veteran-laden team) pushed them into #1 seed. I didn’t expect things to work as well; was shorting the Suns all season long cause I was annoyed they let down last year after the hot start. Part of me thinks they were due for (playoff) improvement with or without Paul; obviously they don’t knock Lebron out of round 1 without CP3 keeping pace.

Zach has some work in the awareness/off-ball department to catch up to Booker. I don’t think they’re on par. He has a good chance to work on it with Vuc though.

[MrFortune3]

CP3 always thrives with younger teams. When he's the unquestioned leader and alpha. He elevates the team and gets them to that next level.
His issue has always been once you get him on a team where you have multiple guys wanting to be the head of the snake.

[MrFortune3]

Will be an interesting offseason for the Blazers. They can’t really bring that same squad back, right?

I’d definitely see what I can get for CJ. His play in the series was disappointing on both ends, but especially the defensive fit with Lillard is just so bad. Their PoA defense just doesn’t even give them a chance, they can’t stop anybody.

Portland needs a new voice in the coaching staff. Someone who is going to command smart defensive play.
The Blazers just want to outscore you and put up 120+. That doesn't work in the playoffs.
They need someone to become their linchpin on defense and then a coach who demands Dame play adequate defense. Until that happens, they will never win.

It's like watching the Warriors before Mark Jackson or the Mavs under Nelson. You will win a ton of regular season games and then get bounced in the playoffs.

[MrFortune3]

If the Finals are Milwaukee vs. Utah, will Adam Silver choke someone?

Silver is like a skeleton he can’t choke anyone lol. For finals it’s most likely Nets but in the west it’s open, any of those teams can make it.

Yea I would have said maybe the Sixers, but with Embiid injured so much for that. Winner of this Brooklyn/Milwaukee series will win the East.

I think Milwaukee is on a mission and will play like a demon possessed. This is their best shot at winning the title. Granted, they are set up to be far more successful in future seasons with their current top 3 but you have to take your shot this year and win it. Anything could happen next year from an injury to a new super team being formed or etc.

[Chewie]

nba will be just fine without lebron in the playoffs.

But will ESPN survive?

[MrFortune3]

nba will be just fine without lebron in the playoffs.

But will ESPN survive?

They did just fine when he was out during the Lakers initial rebuilding phase.

[Michael Jackson]

nba will be just fine without lebron in the playoffs.

It is a blessing for the NBA right now. The transition from him being the face needed to happen... Look at all the great players to watch right now - you have his era players still in what we call the Nets... The new crop is stacked, Luka, Young, Tatum with Zion and Morant coming up fast. You have the middle aged stars of Giannis, Jokic, Embiid etc... We also have a new crop coming in this year that may have a few superstars in this draft. It is time for him to fade and not be the focus. Plus you still have the exciting play of guys like Curry and Dame and the whole Nets squad. Plenty of players to root for or against. 18 years of market domination is damn good for LeBron but we are all pretty much over his narrative. He can be the second best player on a team still but him being the sole reason to watch the product is a done deal now. He can be proud of his legacy, and he may yet win another ring, but ti won't be because he is the best player in the game and that is good for the NBA

[Michael Jackson]

I wonder how much Schroder cost himself this year. Likely not much because of the weak FA class and teams including the Lakers in need of his services but he did not pull of a Jimmy Butler "bet on yourself" gamble.

[DASMACKDOWN]

I just think its so refreshing to get a whole new finals matchup and champion this year.

Now I know you have two levels of fans. The casual fan that only knows how Lakers and or who Lebron is. Then you have the hardcore fan that likes watching basketball with a new influx of talent.

ESPN will probably shift their focus to whomever is the winner of Clippers vs Luka. Luka is def the next golden boy face of the league. I think they will beat the Clippers so I expect a whole lot of attention on Luka and rightfully so.

[Chewie]

nba will be just fine without lebron in the playoffs.

But will ESPN survive?

They did just fine when he was out during the Lakers initial rebuilding phase.

They have such a hard on for him I'm sure they will still lead with what he had for breakfast.

[MGB8]

The bigger question honestly is whether this is actually the beginning of the end for Lebron. The Lakers were vet laden and solid enough outside of Davis with Kuzma, Montrez, KCP, Schroeder, Morris, Matthews, Gasol, Drummond, THT, Caruso... younger Lebron would have had no issue getting that group, without Davis, past the Suns with a not 100% CP3, Booker, then Ayton, Bridges, Crowder and... Cam Johnson, Cam Payne, Kam-Insky (har har)...

The Lebron era may just have ended....

[MGB8]

Actually... “Hey Lebron, in order to be considered tied for the GOAT, you have to win championships 5 and 6.... with Chicago... when you come as a FA for 20m per season...”