Around the NBA: 2019-20 edition

[Pacers Forever]

I find it funny that all of a sudden Lebron doesn't like the play in format. Portland going to take them down tomorrow and win the tie breaker. They both can finish the season 3-3 and Portland will get the 6th spot.

[Scoot McGroot]

I find it funny that all of a sudden Lebron doesn't like the play in format. Portland going to take them down tomorrow and win the tie breaker. They both can finish the season 3-3 and Portland will get the 6th spot.

I mean, I don’t hold it against him. I don’t like the play in either

[Pacers Forever]

I find it funny that all of a sudden Lebron doesn't like the play in format. Portland going to take them down tomorrow and win the tie breaker. They both can finish the season 3-3 and Portland will get the 6th spot.

I mean, I don’t hold it against him. I don’t like the play in either

I'm not a fan of Lebron the person. Tired of his whine when things don't go his way. I do give credit for being a huge agile hard to stop basketball player.

[Scoot McGroot]

I find it funny that all of a sudden Lebron doesn't like the play in format. Portland going to take them down tomorrow and win the tie breaker. They both can finish the season 3-3 and Portland will get the 6th spot.

I mean, I don’t hold it against him. I don’t like the play in either

I'm not a fan of Lebron the person. Tired of his whine when things don't go his way. I do give credit for being a huge agile hard to stop basketball player.

I lived in Northeast Ohio for 7 years my wife’s extended family is all around greater Akron. I have to say, I hate Lebron for what he’s done to my teams in the playoffs, but I have the utmost respect for him as a person, and the achievements he’s earned. He had the toughest road, having been anointed “The King” when he was an underclassman in high school, and he actually achieved it, with multiple championships, MVP’s, etc, all while having not a single off the court scandal thus far, married to his high school sweetheart, a great and present dad to his kids, and opening public schools, funding all kinds of charity drives, etc. The work he’s put into being the best, taking care of his body, and developing is simply insane.

I mean, he’s killed my Pacers. But he’s clearly one of the best of all time.

[Scoot McGroot]

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[boomershadow]

So, I'm watching Bucks vs Heat. They're playing a lineup with Lopez/Giannis/Tucker.

That almost makes Turner/Sabonis look like small ball.

[Scoot McGroot]

So, I'm watching Bucks vs Heat. They're playing a lineup with Lopez/Giannis/Tucker.

That almost makes Turner/Sabonis look like small ball.

Kind of. Tucker and Giannis are the flexible adaptable defenders that allow you to do this. Lopez takes the 5. Tucker can guard 3/4/5. Giannis can guard, well, most anything on the court.

I do think, though, that a Turner/Sabonis duo can stand up defensively in a set that doesn’t demand Sabonis to guard every inch of the half court, and to have him try to fight over every screen and guard tight at the logo. He did much better when he was guarding “realistically” and giving a step back on guys that weren’t a threat past the 3 point line.

[boomershadow]

I feel like I need to eat my share of crow for saying I didn't think Nate McMillan would ever win a playoff series again in his career. That Atlanta team is probably more talented than his Pacers teams and is healthy, but they all deserve credit for looking like a real solid NBA team. Trae probably makes the most difference with his offensive talent, but that team is well coached and making good use of its pieces.

That said, I still was absolutely tired of watching the Nate McMillan offense in Indiana. It had just gotten boring to watch on a game to game basis.

[Tom White]

I feel like I need to eat my share of crow for saying I didn't think Nate McMillan would ever win a playoff series again in his career. That Atlanta team is probably more talented than his Pacers teams and is healthy, but they all deserve credit for looking like a real solid NBA team.

Yep. The Pacer problems did not all lay at McMillan's feet. Most times, talent wins. The Pacers severely lack(ed) talent.

[boomershadow]

I feel like I need to eat my share of crow for saying I didn't think Nate McMillan would ever win a playoff series again in his career. That Atlanta team is probably more talented than his Pacers teams and is healthy, but they all deserve credit for looking like a real solid NBA team.

Yep. The Pacer problems did not all lay at McMillan's feet. Most times, talent wins. The Pacers severely lack(ed) talent.

I'm actually not one of those "the coach barely matters" kind of guys. I think it matters a lot. We had a similar roster when we were a 4th seed and when we were 9th seed. Injuries were a big concern both years, so I don't think that's the issue either.

This current roster if healthy is the 4th seed team plus Levert. Would I hate to see an upgrade in talent or change being made to accommodate a better fit? Absolutely not. Do I think we severely lack talent? I would not say that.

Do I think the Pacers are a "contender" next year? Probably not unless James Harden forces his way here to play with several other all-stars, but that's just the modern NBA.

[boomershadow]

Simmons not looking too hot these playoffs. Could be a good time to buy low

[Pacers Forever]

Boston dumped Kemba and his big $$$$ on OKC huge to get rid of a mistake. He had game earlier in career but when Charlotte run was done I felt Kemba's game was in decline with too poor of shooting. Then injuries set in. I would have never wanted him on the Pacers as much as I saw rumors they liked him. Some people think OKC got the better part of the deal getting rid of Horford who didn’t want to be there and the #16. IDK

[Pacers Forever]

I can see the case for OKC if they can move Kemba quickly or within a year. Currently they’re in acquiring and rebuilding mode. Not sure what their timeframe is to get into the playoffs.