The Around The NBA Thread

Chicago-Bull-E · Post #681 » by **Chicago-Bull-E** » Thu May 27, 2021 1:57 pm

Was kind of surreal seeing all the fans at MSG rocking in the 4th when Obi threw down that alleyoop. Feels like we'd never get to this point.

MAQ · Post #682 » by **MAQ** » Thu May 27, 2021 2:04 pm

kulaz3000 wrote:Of all the players which annoys me the most that we missed out on in recent years, it's Ja Morant.

The only real concern I have with him, is that he is so slight in statue that I'm afraid that once he gets his first significant injury, his body just won't hold up, and that concern is exasperated by the fact that he has a relentless way of playing which is one of many reasons why I love him.

This post isn't about how we should have tanked for a better chance or him or not, but just me being a massive fan of his prior to the draft, and even more so now. The Grizzlies will likely sign him to his first extension, as most good young players do, but unless the Grizzlies are a legit contender by his first true pending free agency, I think he will be out of there.

Could not agree more.

LaMelo is firmly in 2nd place too. Hes not knocking on the step of first place, but no one's contending with him for that 2nd spot, Zion and the bunch included.

MAQ · Post #683 » by **MAQ** » Thu May 27, 2021 2:08 pm

jc23 wrote:without Rose this knick team would be dead in the water right now.

julius randall's really gonna have to pull his head out his rear.

Seems like Capela's length is really bothering him when he gets to the rim, and the double teams are also really making him struggle. Hes the team's best player by far and he's a liability iut there in just about ever facet offensively. It's been amazingly bad to watch. Really hope he shakes off whatever the **** is going on.

Andi Obst · Post #684 » by **Andi Obst** » Thu May 27, 2021 2:18 pm

I’ve tried to watch both Knicks/Hawks games, but ended up staring at Gallo‘s mohawk for the whole game both times. Still unsure whether I love it or hate it.

Chicago-Bull-E · Post #685 » by **Chicago-Bull-E** » Thu May 27, 2021 4:37 pm

I guess I’m in the minority, but man, Westbrook continues to be my least favorite player. Dude shows how soft he is by going full rage-Karen mode after a few kernels of popcorn fall on him. Dude looked like he was having a seizure in the tunnel, he was so upset.

Let’s not pretend he doesn’t antagonize fans, lots of history of it.

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/fan-released-clip-westbrook-slapping-phone-hand/

Knocked phone out of a guys hand, this fan looks like he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Watch on YouTube

Calling out fans, wanting to fight them.

Throwing anything into the arena, not cool, he got thrown out, needs to happen. But if anyone thinks I’m gonna feel bad for Westbrook, not gonna happen. Russ gnarles like he is the toughest guy out there, and then screeches at this incident.

jc23 · Post #686 » by **jc23** » Thu May 27, 2021 4:53 pm

Russ was in the wrong in that situation, I don’t respect people’s opinions on matters when they ignore that story but speak up loudly about the popcorn situation.

With that said the Dan should get a permanent ban. I do give Russ some slack since there have been multiple stories of extreme verbal abuse towards players from fans. Many times people let past experiences influence how they react in the present.

othawhitemeat · Post #687 » by **othawhitemeat** » Thu May 27, 2021 5:34 pm

sco wrote:Wait, we're hoping to contend by hoping our guy develops into a not-quite-as-good version of Kawhi?

To be fair, an early Kawhi before he blew up paired with Zach and Vucevic is a heck of a core. The issue is we don't have a real pg and the issue for Clippers is they have Kawhi, Playoff P, and not much else offensively while not being tough minded as a team. However a lighter version of Kawhi is an all star.

Dan Z · Post #688 » by **Dan Z** » Thu May 27, 2021 6:16 pm

Westbrook gets a lot of hate. Sure he makes bad decisions sometimes on the court, but he gives a full effort.

Off the court he seems to be a decent guy. I've never heard anything bad like drugs, hanging out with gangs, etc. He also doesn't talk crap like some NBA players (look at the Kwame situation with S Jax, Barnes, and Arenas) or talk about how he's "woke" (Kyrie) or does anything like make a burner social media account (Kevin Durant).

But no matter what he does there will always be a percentage of people who will find fault in it. It's crazy.

RSP83 · Post #689 » by **RSP83** » Thu May 27, 2021 6:41 pm

Michael Jackson wrote:
Leslie Forman wrote:Even if you hate the Knicks, I think everybody recognizes that the Knicks being good is just plain good for basketball.

Imagine these MSG playoff games being played in Charlotte or Orlando instead. Blech.

100%. Having the Knicks relevant is great for basketball. Every team hates their fans so that is fun. Everyone hates Dolan so that is fun. Now they have been so bad that they are almost lovable losers too, at least a great punchline for the league. The fact that they are a lunchpail team now and not a Broadway flash type team is also fun. They are just the perfect team that has that you love to hate type vibe.

This Knicks team is easy to root for. Unlike the Carmelo Knicks which was the other way around (never liked Melo either, overrated and a diva). Reminds me of that Houston, Sprewell, Camby team. Thibs happened to be the assistant coach of that team if I'm not wrong.

Post #690 » by **Michael Jackson** » Thu May 27, 2021 9:13 pm

Chicago-Bull-E wrote:I guess I’m in the minority, but man, Westbrook continues to be my least favorite player. Dude shows how soft he is by going full rage-Karen mode after a few kernels of popcorn fall on him. Dude looked like he was having a seizure in the tunnel, he was so upset.

Let’s not pretend he doesn’t antagonize fans, lots of history of it.

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/fan-released-clip-westbrook-slapping-phone-hand/

Knocked phone out of a guys hand, this fan looks like he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Watch on YouTube

Calling out fans, wanting to fight them.

Throwing anything into the arena, not cool, he got thrown out, needs to happen. But if anyone thinks I’m gonna feel bad for Westbrook, not gonna happen. Russ gnarles like he is the toughest guy out there, and then screeches at this incident.

Tom Gamboa disagrees. After seeing that incident with Ligue and of course the Malice in the Palace (which I woke my wife up to watch lol) I can’t stand fans doing anything like that. I’m all for heckling but taking it beyond words with even popcorn is a bad move. It’s a bleeping game and crazy fans go to far. Literally we just get attendance back and this is our highlight? Shameful. I do agree Russ is going to hard on it, but that is also just him placing his frustration on the wrong thing. I like seeing the sheet talk between Trae and the NYK faithful but I don’t want to think that Trae could get attacked. While popcorn is nothing that escalates quickly, just ask Artest.

Post #691 » by **Michael Jackson** » Thu May 27, 2021 9:16 pm

MAQ wrote:
kulaz3000 wrote:Of all the players which annoys me the most that we missed out on in recent years, it's Ja Morant.

The only real concern I have with him, is that he is so slight in statue that I'm afraid that once he gets his first significant injury, his body just won't hold up, and that concern is exasperated by the fact that he has a relentless way of playing which is one of many reasons why I love him.

This post isn't about how we should have tanked for a better chance or him or not, but just me being a massive fan of his prior to the draft, and even more so now. The Grizzlies will likely sign him to his first extension, as most good young players do, but unless the Grizzlies are a legit contender by his first true pending free agency, I think he will be out of there.

Could not agree more.

LaMelo is firmly in 2nd place too. Hes not knocking on the step of first place, but no one's contending with him for that 2nd spot, Zion and the bunch included.

I honestly wanted Ja maybe more than Zion, simply because Zions health concerns me. Ja just remind me a lot of healthy Rose a lot with a better head in his shoulders. I also have concern in how he uses his body though too... the punishment adds up. Granted he falls better than Derrick did, Rose was always in a bad position when falling.

JohnnyTapwater · Post #692 » by **JohnnyTapwater** » Thu May 27, 2021 11:17 pm

I love playoff intensity.

Reminds me how valuable making the playoffs can be for the development of young players.

Post #693 » by **kulaz3000** » Thu May 27, 2021 11:44 pm

JohnnyTapwater wrote:I love playoff intensity.

Reminds me how valuable making the playoffs can be for the development of young players.

It's definitely undervalued at times, especially when it comes to teams similar as our position currently. It's either boom or bust with most fans, and no in-between. But there is a reason why former and current NBA players always say that the playoffs are a different game entirely, and the experience in invaluable for further growth of a player and franchise. This is why the Bulls front office was betting on the Vuc trade to get them into the playoffs, and getting players like Zach that experience he really needs. Unfortunately, the team didn't come together soon enough, and then of course, Zach was out of commission for too long.

Leslie Forman · Post #694 » by **Leslie Forman** » Fri May 28, 2021 1:13 am

2021 Heat sure look like the 2007 Heat.

Post #695 » by **kulaz3000** » Fri May 28, 2021 1:39 am

Leslie Forman wrote:2021 Heat sure look like the 2007 Heat.

Their bubble play gave them a false sense of how good they really are.

Post #696 » by **kulaz3000** » Fri May 28, 2021 1:57 am

Jrue Holiday has been great. I always thought that he would show his worth in the playoffs.

Jcool0 · Post #697 » by **Jcool0** » Fri May 28, 2021 2:08 am

Remember when Tyler Hero was a future All-Star and Jimmy Butler could be a #1 player?

kodo · Post #698 » by **kodo** » Fri May 28, 2021 2:17 am

Jcool0 wrote:Remember when Tyler Hero was a future All-Star and Jimmy Butler could be a #1 player?

...and how adding Victor Oladipo would make a championship team.

Post #699 » by **kulaz3000** » Fri May 28, 2021 3:37 am

It would be quite devastating after such a great season to be bounced in the first round for the Suns. But this experience will help them in the long run, but how much more does CP3 have in the tank?

BahamaBull · Post #700 » by **BahamaBull** » Fri May 28, 2021 4:03 am

Chicago-Bull-E wrote:I guess I’m in the minority, but man, Westbrook continues to be my least favorite player. Dude shows how soft he is by going full rage-Karen mode after a few kernels of popcorn fall on him. Dude looked like he was having a seizure in the tunnel, he was so upset.

Let’s not pretend he doesn’t antagonize fans, lots of history of it.

https://www.opencourt-basketball.com/fan-released-clip-westbrook-slapping-phone-hand/

Knocked phone out of a guys hand, this fan looks like he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Watch on YouTube

Calling out fans, wanting to fight them.

Throwing anything into the arena, not cool, he got thrown out, needs to happen. But if anyone thinks I’m gonna feel bad for Westbrook, not gonna happen. Russ gnarles like he is the toughest guy out there, and then screeches at this incident.

I agree...Russ is such a diva...

At the same time we are living in a very sensitive world. Undisputed on FS1 today spent more than 10 minutes talking about it...

Its popcorn!!!!!

No, its not right but Russ overreacted as he always does...

I can see the day Benny the Bull will be suspended for life for throwing popcorn on the fans...Gosh, I miss the 80s and 90s. People are so soft nowadays.