Around the NBA, 2016-17 Season thread

[Prokorov]

Man... i know i said it the other day.... but being able to blitz and trap pick and rolls is such a part of winning basketball. as is being able to switch and not get beat consistently. We really need to start transitioning towards bigs who can defend that way. You can make up for lopez scoring by getting more scoring from SG/SF spots. but until we can do those things defensively its always going to be a struggle.

[shakendfries]

Man... i know i said it the other day.... but being able to blitz and trap pick and rolls is such a part of winning basketball. as is being able to switch and not get beat consistently. We really need to start transitioning towards bigs who can defend that way. You can make up for lopez scoring by getting more scoring from SG/SF spots. but until we can do those things defensively its always going to be a struggle.

The Bucks are dismantling the Raptors and I'm loving every second of it

[MrDollarBills]

Man... i know i said it the other day.... but being able to blitz and trap pick and rolls is such a part of winning basketball. as is being able to switch and not get beat consistently. We really need to start transitioning towards bigs who can defend that way. You can make up for lopez scoring by getting more scoring from SG/SF spots. but until we can do those things defensively its always going to be a struggle.

I didn't even bother watching the Cavs/Pacers. I opted for watching The Bucks too. Giannis and Thon Maker are a joy to watch as a basketball fan.

[playteamball]

There is much else I'd like to add, but I want to address one area that seems to get left out regarding Lebron. I can't put Lebron in the GOAT category because of his free throw shooting for his position as a ball handling wing. Shooting 74% career and now 67% this season in a latter part of his prime is the opposite of what players like MJ, Magic, and Bird did. All of those players improved their free throw shooting to 85%-90% towards the end of their primes, even Magic and Jordan who like Lebron came into the league as questionable shooters. To not be able to shoot free throws as a key ball handler is so critical at the end games and gets into so much of what you can do on offense at critical junctures.

He still has time to prove me wrong, but I don't see it happening. I've played ball myself though obviously on a much lower level, and it is my opinion that free throws is an ultimate combination of skill, hard work, and mental strength. And one thing I personally can't tolerate for a GOAT for a decision making/handling/wing position is any significant weakness in this area.

And I generally like Lebron a lot, by the way.

[Prokorov]

Free throws seems like a silly thing to keep lebron off your goat list considering it hasnt impacted his efficiency which is other worldly.

[MrDollarBills]

Lebron's FT shooting has never been an issue in huge games, and this dude has played in numerous games of a top tier magnitude.

He's one of the greatest players of all time, and the best of his generation. So yeah, he's up there with Russell, Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Bird, and Michael.

[FlipFlopShot]

Boston surely could have used Lopez. IT is doing everything and now he is hurt.

I'm crying, because they have our F!@#$!%@! pick. Couldn't even help us out. It would have been a win-win.

If they get Markelle Fultz, REPRESENT. Backcourt Huskies.

[Papi_swav]

Boston surely could have used Lopez. IT is doing everything and now he is hurt.

I'm crying, because they have our F!@#$!%@! pick. Couldn't even help us out. It would have been a win-win.

If they get Markelle Fultz, REPRESENT. Backcourt Huskies.

IT is hurt ? I'm just happy they look vulnerable and I hope the Bulls finish them off.

[Prokorov]

Boston surely could have used Lopez. IT is doing everything and now he is hurt.

I'm crying, because they have our F!@#$!%@! pick. Couldn't even help us out. It would have been a win-win.

If they get Markelle Fultz, REPRESENT. Backcourt Huskies.

IT is hurt ? I'm just happy they look vulnerable and I hope the Bulls finish them off.

I hope boston takes it... they are a gritty bunch and built themselves the right way. Rondo going down really hurt the bulls. i think boston wins it

[NyCeEvO]

Boston surely could have used Lopez. IT is doing everything and now he is hurt.

I'm crying, because they have our F!@#$!%@! pick. Couldn't even help us out. It would have been a win-win.

If they get Markelle Fultz, REPRESENT. Backcourt Huskies.

IT is hurt ? I'm just happy they look vulnerable and I hope the Bulls finish them off.

I hope boston takes it... they are a gritty bunch and built themselves the right way. Rondo going down really hurt the bulls. i think boston wins it

Yeah, Chicago played like they didn't want to win yesterday. You can't punt games away in the playoffs. I was looking forward to a good upset story. Now, I'm pretty sure Boston feels like they can win 4 straight against the Bulls without Rondo being there.

[Prokorov]

Man... i really hoping we either dont make the offer or the wiz match on otto porter. The idea of giving him 4/108 scares me...

43% from three on 5 attempts a game is obviously great. and a long solid defender. beyond that im struggling. Do we want to give 25+ million to a three and D guy?

Unless you think porter can become a paul george/kawaii/middleton/derozan/butler type i dont think you can give him that money. and while he isnt a total catch and shoot and nothing else guy like crabbe, i dont see alot of offense creating from him or a ton of shooting off the dribble.

7 points and 6 rebounds in this series and 10 points 5 rebounds post allstar break once they added bogs for some offense.

He'd be a great fit... but i think if you are seperating the fit from the money you are doing it way wrong.

As an excersize....

Joe Johnson made 24 million and gave us 16/4 on 40% from three

porter would be 26 million and maybe give us 16/7 on 42% from three

joe johnson was almost universally disliked for not performaing up to his contract here.

[Papi_swav]

Boston surely could have used Lopez. IT is doing everything and now he is hurt.

I'm crying, because they have our F!@#$!%@! pick. Couldn't even help us out. It would have been a win-win.

If they get Markelle Fultz, REPRESENT. Backcourt Huskies.

IT is hurt ? I'm just happy they look vulnerable and I hope the Bulls finish them off.

I hope boston takes it... they are a gritty bunch and built themselves the right way. Rondo going down really hurt the bulls. i think boston wins it

Boston is overrated . They have tough defenders but they depend on IT on offense too much to go anywhere . And plus I hate everything Boston sorry to say but it's true. Yes I'm petty

[Prokorov]

IT is hurt ? I'm just happy they look vulnerable and I hope the Bulls finish them off.

I hope boston takes it... they are a gritty bunch and built themselves the right way. Rondo going down really hurt the bulls. i think boston wins it

Boston is overrated . They have tough defenders but they depend on IT on offense too much to go anywhere . And plus I hate everything Boston sorry to say but it's true. Yes I'm petty

i dont know whats so overrated about them... no one talks about them as like upsetting the cavs or anything.

and yea i mean what team with a 30 point scorer doesnt rely on him?

[Papi_swav]

I hope boston takes it... they are a gritty bunch and built themselves the right way. Rondo going down really hurt the bulls. i think boston wins it

Boston is overrated . They have tough defenders but they depend on IT on offense too much to go anywhere . And plus I hate everything Boston sorry to say but it's true. Yes I'm petty

i dont know whats so overrated about them... no one talks about them as like upsetting the cavs or anything.

and yea i mean what team with a 30 point scorer doesnt rely on him?

Hey we have a Boston fan here ^^. How are they not overrated? they are getting spanked by an 8th seed after being 1st seed without even suffering from any major injury. They are sooooo lucky Rondo got hurt.

That's my point, he is 90% of their offense and teams like that don't go anywhere. They need a 2nd option not just one guy dropping 30. He is also a huge liability on defense and Celtics doesn't have a great bench.

[Prokorov]

Boston is overrated . They have tough defenders but they depend on IT on offense too much to go anywhere . And plus I hate everything Boston sorry to say but it's true. Yes I'm petty

i dont know whats so overrated about them... no one talks about them as like upsetting the cavs or anything.

and yea i mean what team with a 30 point scorer doesnt rely on him?

Hey we have a Boston fan here ^^. How are they not overrated? they are getting spanked by an 8th seed after being 1st seed without even suffering from any major injury. They are sooooo lucky Rondo got hurt.

That's my point, he is 90% of their offense and teams like that don't go anywhere. They need a 2nd option not just one guy dropping 30. He is also a huge liability on defense and Celtics doesn't have a great bench.

To be overrated, people need to be rating you highly and predicting great things. who is doing that with boston? hell on the GB alot of people predicted an early exit even before game one.

they are down 2-1 to an 8 seed. ok? thats with their star players sister dying right before the series started. maybe that factored in or nah?

celtics bench is actually really good. statistically one of the best from a +/- standpoint. an jaylen brown really came on strong late.

[Papi_swav]

i dont know whats so overrated about them... no one talks about them as like upsetting the cavs or anything.

and yea i mean what team with a 30 point scorer doesnt rely on him?

Hey we have a Boston fan here ^^. How are they not overrated? they are getting spanked by an 8th seed after being 1st seed without even suffering from any major injury. They are sooooo lucky Rondo got hurt.

That's my point, he is 90% of their offense and teams like that don't go anywhere. They need a 2nd option not just one guy dropping 30. He is also a huge liability on defense and Celtics doesn't have a great bench.

To be overrated, people need to be rating you highly and predicting great things. who is doing that with boston? hell on the GB alot of people predicted an early exit even before game one.

they are down 2-1 to an 8 seed. ok? thats with their star players sister dying right before the series started. maybe that factored in or nah?

celtics bench is actually really good. statistically one of the best from a +/- standpoint. an jaylen brown really came on strong late.

No they are overrated because they've overachieved this year and last obviously. I don't know where you been but I seen alot of people saying they will put up the best fight against the Cavs. I think Wizards are better.

And??? what do you mean and? how many 1st seeds were down to 8th seeds in the last 5 years?? Hell even the last 20 years? I would guess 5 at best. That is not something you take lightly, and the Bulls beat them in their own house twice. You can say IT sister dying effected things but IT dropped 33 the first game and 20 the 2nd. Which proves my point, Celtics rely on IT too much.

Please Prok stop stat watching and just watch the games. Celtics bench has been trash this series. Their bench might be rated high because their starters play like 40 minutes a game. Other than Smart there bench is pretty trash and Smart is kind of trash himself. Olynik get buckets but no defense, Jayen Brown hasn't really done anything, he's a good athlete but he is still a raw. Idc what you say, them being down to a Bulls team that barely made the playoffs is embarrassing .

[Prokorov]

No they are overrated because they've overachieved this year and last obviously. I don't know where you been but I seen alot of people saying they will put up the best fight against the Cavs. I think Wizards are better.

Lol how does overachieving make you overrated? they earned those wins. to be over rated someone has to rate you over what you are actually capable of... quite literally. ive seen no one say they would give the cavs the best run. at least no on real GM. hell not even on the celtics board. maybe the wizards are better. both teams are in that same tier. And wizards rely a ton on John Wall themselves.

They are a really good team. they have tons of 2 way players, defenders, shooters. super versatile and well coached

And??? what do you mean and? how many 1st seeds were down to 8th seeds in the last 5 years?? Hell even the last 20 years? I would guess 5 at best. That is not something you take lightly, and the Bulls beat them in their own house twice. You can say IT sister dying effected things but IT dropped 33 the first game and 20 the 2nd. Which proves my point, Celtics rely on IT too much.

IT was really poor in game 2. and it was a major team disraction. as far as #1 seeds down 2-1.... well beyond that there are 1 seeds who have been knocked out by 8 seeds let alone trail in the series. 94 nuggets, 99 knicks. warriors over the mavericks. bulls lost to the sixers. hell we almost lost to the pacers the in 2000 the first year we went to the finals. went down to the final game.

Please Prok stop stat watching and just watch the games. Celtics bench has been trash this series. Their bench might be rated high because their starters play like 40 minutes a game. Other than Smart there bench is pretty trash and Smart is kind of trash himself. Olynik get buckets but no defense, Jayen Brown hasn't really done anything, he's a good athlete but he is still a raw. Idc what you say, them being down to a Bulls team that barely made the playoffs is embarrassing .

lol at you telling me to watch the games when you are pretty irrationally hating on boston. Iive here and ive watched tons and tons of their games and even gone to a few. saying jaylen brown hasnt done anything shows a lack of having watched them... thats like saying levert hasnt done anything. with rookies it goes beyond the numbers. and brown really looked great the last month.

Smart, Brown, Olynk, Amir Johnson, jerebko are all solid bench players. and smart one of the stronger defenders in the league.

you want to throw away 53 wins and get all crazy over a 3 game sample where the bulls took 2 of three when boston was distracted by a tragedy and dwayne wade was hitting threes and was sure to come back down to earth.

The bulls may not win another game this series.

Its not bostons fault cleveland coasted and boston ended up number one instead of number two.

[Prokorov]

Nets announcers dominating the post season between Ian, Ryan Rucco and Czar

[MrDollarBills]

I'm not sure how there were folks here saying that Lin was better than Conley.

[Prokorov]

I'm not sure how there were folks here saying that Lin was better than Conley.

they also though he was better then harden and chris paul. so i mean thats what you are working with.