Who do you expect to under perform?

[bondom34]

Maybe Adams was a better team defender than Ibaka last season in Donovan's system but he hasn't got the ability that Ibaka does to be a great defender. He just isn't as agile, doesn't have the leaping ability, and I'm pretty sure Ibaka's longer too.

You've literally had others say the same thing as me and won't admit it.

Never said there wasn't. I said Adams is a better defender. Not rim protector.

3 years ago. Oddly, the NBA has changed in 3 years. Oddly, Adams got much better.

That's your statement in your sig. You need to change that because those are your words.

I said Adams was a better defender, yes. Others have said he's a better defender as well. We should really make this a sig bet, because its hilarious.

[basketballRob]

You've literally had others say the same thing as me and won't admit it.3 years ago. Oddly, the NBA has changed in 3 years. Oddly, Adams got much better.

That's your statement in your sig. You need to change that because those are your words.

I said Adams was a better defender, yes. Others have said he's a better defender as well. We should really make this a sig bet, because its hilarious.

It's hilarious that you think Adams is a better defender.

[Andre Roberstan]

It's really this simple: if Ibaka had had a better year on defense than Steven Adams, he would still be wearing a Thunder jersey.

[Andre Roberstan]

Not disputing Adams had a better year defensively than Ibaka last year overall, but there's more to rim protection than simple blocked shots and DRTG. Ibaka was still among the best at rim defense sporting the 6th best FG% allowed at 43.3%, 6th in points saved per game at 1.36 vs. Adams at 48.9% and -0.55. There's always noise in defensive numbers, but you have to give Ibaka credit for still being among the best defenders in the league last year. The Thunder had the luxury of 2 elite defensive bigs and chose to use that surplus to make up for a weakness at another position, just like the Magic did.

He was still definitely among the best. But his best position now is as a small-ball 5 (on a side note, that's why I kind of hate signing Biyombo and keeping Vucevic) when other teams go small. He's not good at covering stretch 4s, and as more and more power forwards gravitate to the perimeter, his rim protection becomes less and less useful because he's dragged too far away to make a difference. He's far and away the best rim protecting power forward out there, but as Nylon Calculus has noted before, rim protection at the center position almost always holds more value.

[anatomicbomb]

DeMar DeRozan, Manny Pacquiao, Amy Schumer, Tim Cook, the kids in most school plays, my psychiatrist, your band.

[basketballRob]

Not disputing Adams had a better year defensively than Ibaka last year overall, but there's more to rim protection than simple blocked shots and DRTG. Ibaka was still among the best at rim defense sporting the 6th best FG% allowed at 43.3%, 6th in points saved per game at 1.36 vs. Adams at 48.9% and -0.55. There's always noise in defensive numbers, but you have to give Ibaka credit for still being among the best defenders in the league last year. The Thunder had the luxury of 2 elite defensive bigs and chose to use that surplus to make up for a weakness at another position, just like the Magic did.

He was still definitely among the best. But his best position now is as a small-ball 5 (on a side note, that's why I kind of hate signing Biyombo and keeping Vucevic) when other teams go small. He's not good at covering stretch 4s, and as more and more power forwards gravitate to the perimeter, his rim protection becomes less and less useful because he's dragged too far away to make a difference. He's far and away the best rim protecting power forward out there, but as Nylon Calculus has noted before, rim protection at the center position almost always holds more value.

Thanks, that's why we have one of the best rim protecting centers in Biyombo. He has a 7'7" wingspan, read the very bottom of his draftexpress page.

[Mrewn]

Noah, D.rose

[TheGOATRises007]

Spurs. Don't even think they'll win 60 games.

[bondom34]

That's your statement in your sig. You need to change that because those are your words.

I said Adams was a better defender, yes. Others have said he's a better defender as well. We should really make this a sig bet, because its hilarious.

It's hilarious that you think Adams is a better defender.

Is pot legal in Oklahoma?

Considering every fact backs it up...

[bondom34]

And considering Biyombo/Ibaka lineups may not score ever, that's a problem.

[Charlie78]

I think it's funny to see Utah fans discount the end of last season as a reason for Portland to be good, while pointing to a stretch from two years ago as the reason they are going to be good. I'll tell you what won't disappoint, the Northwest division is going to be a battle this season I can't wait!!


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The reason is not the stretch from 14-15 season. The only point is health and depth. A healthy utah is better than portland especially for the regular season. As a jazz fan i think portland will still be more dangerous than utah when post season time comes.

For me if both are healthy it's pretty close but your entitled to your opinion the difference is we have seen Portland healthy we still don't know what an entire season of the Jazz looks like. Also Blazers fans know better than anyone that a team that struggles to stay healthy sometimes just keeps being banged up.


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[bwgood77]

And considering Biyombo/Ibaka lineups may not score ever, that's a problem.

Unless he gets back to 2013-14 form. 15 ppg and 38% from 3. He does better with more fga and this past year was his fewest attempts per game in 4 years.

[darthmerrick]

It's really this simple: if Ibaka had had a better year on defense than Steven Adams, he would still be wearing a Thunder jersey.

If Dipo hadn't been outplayed by Fournier, Elf Payton or Mario Hezonja...than he would likely still be with the Magic. He did not live up to the high expectations placed on him.

Dipo is not a bad player. He is a good starting level defender, and can drive to the hole. No three point shot.

The Magic just had better players with more potential on the roster. I think Thunder fans will be disappointed if your expecting an Allstar though. He could develop into a solid role player and third/fourth option.

Ibaka may not be better than Steven Adams, but the Magic needed a solid rim protector and now they have two in Biyombo and Ibaka to play next to top 3 center Nikola Vucevic in Frank Vogel's offense. They don't need Bismack or Serge to score. They have Fournier, Hezonja, Gordon, Vucevic and I'm told Elf Payton will break out this year.

[bondom34]

It's really this simple: if Ibaka had had a better year on defense than Steven Adams, he would still be wearing a Thunder jersey.

If Dipo hadn't been outplayed by Fournier, Elf Payton or Mario Hezonja...than he would likely still be with the Magic. He did not live up to the high expectations placed on him.

Dipo is not a bad player. He is a good starting level defender, and can drive to the hole. No three point shot.

The Magic just had better players with more potential on the roster. I think Thunder fans will be disappointed if your expecting an Allstar though. He could develop into a solid role player and third/fourth option.

Ibaka may not be better than Steven Adams, but the Magic needed a solid rim protector and now they have two in Biyombo and Ibaka to play next to top 3 center Nikola Vucevic in Frank Vogel's offense. They don't need Bismack or Serge to score. They have Fournier, Hezonja, Gordon, Vucevic and I'm told Elf Payton will break out this year.

Nope, that's not what OKC is expecting. I do think he can manage around 20 ppg and be a solid secondary ballhandler and good defender. He's the best SG they've had since Harden, and doesn't need to carry the load but work within the offense. I love Serge for you guys and wish him the best, but he wasn't OKC's best defender. Adams overtook him early on last year, and he lost his shot at some point. I think it was a mix of the system and bum knees, but I really root for the guy because he's a fantastic human being. I do think there could be a problem if Serge and Biz play together too much, but we'll have to wait and see there.

[bwgood77]

It's really this simple: if Ibaka had had a better year on defense than Steven Adams, he would still be wearing a Thunder jersey.

If Dipo hadn't been outplayed by Fournier, Elf Payton or Mario Hezonja...than he would likely still be with the Magic. He did not live up to the high expectations placed on him.

Dipo is not a bad player. He is a good starting level defender, and can drive to the hole. No three point shot.

The Magic just had better players with more potential on the roster. I think Thunder fans will be disappointed if your expecting an Allstar though. He could develop into a solid role player and third/fourth option.

Ibaka may not be better than Steven Adams, but the Magic needed a solid rim protector and now they have two in Biyombo and Ibaka to play next to top 3 center Nikola Vucevic in Frank Vogel's offense. They don't need Bismack or Serge to score. They have Fournier, Hezonja, Gordon, Vucevic and I'm told Elf Payton will break out this year.

I think Orlando's an interesting team. I like Vucevic but hated that he couldn't rim protect. That situation has been resolved big time this summer. I thought they had drafted too many non shooters with Gordon and Payton though. Being a UA alum I am high on Gordon though too. I like Fournier and I really liked Hezonja in the draft but haven't gotten much of a chance to watch him yet. If Gordon can play the 3 that's a really interesting lineup.

They are going to have to be one of the best defensive teams in the league though because they can't really spread the floor or shoot well. I'll be watching them.

As a Suns fan, the two other teams I will probably pay most attention to are OKC and Orlando, along with, to a lesser extent NY (Hornacek and the new players and Porzingis) and Indiana (love George).

[MotownMadness]

Orlando is going to be a good defensive team but you do have to wonder where all the offense is going to come from.

[zeebneeb]

Orlando is going to be a good defensive team but you do have to wonder where all the offense is going to come from.

I keep reading this (not harping on you motown) and I have to question this assumption.

They have some added defensive players at the rim, but the remaining players don't know how to play defense and will have to be taught, and some of their players are terrible defensively.

They have a long, long way to go before I make any assumption on that team and all its crazy pieces.

[bwgood77]

Orlando is going to be a good defensive team but you do have to wonder where all the offense is going to come from.

They will have to be like top 3 defensively, Hezonja will have to break out, and Fournier will have to score about 20 a game. If Ibaka can get back to shooting with efficiency and scoring 15 a game that would help too. And Aaron Gordon will need to step up offensively.

[MotownMadness]

Orlando is going to be a good defensive team but you do have to wonder where all the offense is going to come from.

I keep reading this (not harping on you motown) and I have to question this assumption.

They have some added defensive players at the rim, but the remaining players don't know how to play defense and will have to be taught, and some of their players are terrible defensively.

They have a long, long way to go before I make any assumption on that team and all its crazy pieces.

Vogel should have enough defensive pieces out there to be pretty good on that side of the ball.

[bwgood77]

I expect the Suns to underperform so no matter what I can be happily surprised.