Around The League - Bill Walton passes from cancer at 71

[-Jragon-]

I've never seen someone quote themselves so often.

I was trying to quote someone else that time and clicked the wrong one.

[-Jragon-]

Donte.. a couple good games, a couple trash games. He still is what he's proven he is.

Unless you're a lockdown defender and can shut down the other team's best player you're still making things difficult for your own team going 0 - 6 on open 3s. I do agree that it IS better than when Beas would go 0 - 6 and play garbage defense. I also agree that Donte would be an optimal type of player next to Dame if he wouldn't be so streaky and could get some consistency someday on open shots. That being said, it wouldn't have happened since Donte most likely would have been sent in the Dame trade instead of Grayson.

Odd you only post after Donte's poorer games and then go silent on his good ones. Its ok to accept you were wrong. We all get some wrong. Although one will always be wrong if they think its realistic to shoot 60% from 3.

Right... that's what I'm saying though. It's John Starks - ish to go 0% from 3 one day and 80% the next. That's not optimal when your teammates need to count on you. All 3 and D guys (especially starters) hopefully on a bad Day they go 2 - 6 and a good day and 4 for 6 on a really good day and not have such a low floor where guys don't know if they should or can go to you that day. Another idea is if you go 0 for 3 instead and take it in the next 3 times. That helps your team more.

[Ron Swanson]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

[DingleJerry]

Unless you're a lockdown defender and can shut down the other team's best player you're still making things difficult for your own team going 0 - 6 on open 3s. I do agree that it IS better than when Beas would go 0 - 6 and play garbage defense. I also agree that Donte would be an optimal type of player next to Dame if he wouldn't be so streaky and could get some consistency someday on open shots. That being said, it wouldn't have happened since Donte most likely would have been sent in the Dame trade instead of Grayson.

Odd you only post after Donte's poorer games and then go silent on his good ones. Its ok to accept you were wrong. We all get some wrong. Although one will always be wrong if they think its realistic to shoot 60% from 3.

Right... that's what I'm saying though. It's John Starks - ish to go 0% from 3 one day and 80% the next. That's not optimal when your teammates need to count on you. All 3 and D guys (especially starters) hopefully on a bad Day they go 2 - 6 and a good day and 4 for 6 on a really good day and not have such a low floor where guys don't know if they should or can go to you that day. Another idea is if you go 0 for 3 instead and take it in the next 3 times. That helps your team more.

No, its totally normal for role players. That is the variance of 3pt shooting. Shooting 60% as you demanded from him is impossible.

But yea, instead of just moving on and accepting he's a solid nba player keep the vendetta going and bashing him out of nowhere.

ETA: Caldwell Pope, ring winning 3D role player last chunk of games: 4/5, 1/4, 0/2, 0/2, 2/4, 1/6, 2/3, 1/5, 0/4, 4/10. Think that comes to 33%.

[-Jragon-]

Odd you only post after Donte's poorer games and then go silent on his good ones. Its ok to accept you were wrong. We all get some wrong. Although one will always be wrong if they think its realistic to shoot 60% from 3.

Right... that's what I'm saying though. It's John Starks - ish to go 0% from 3 one day and 80% the next. That's not optimal when your teammates need to count on you. All 3 and D guys (especially starters) hopefully on a bad Day they go 2 - 6 and a good day and 4 for 6 on a really good day and not have such a low floor where guys don't know if they should or can go to you that day. Another idea is if you go 0 for 3 instead and take it in the next 3 times. That helps your team more.

No, its totally normal for role players. That is the variance of 3pt shooting. Shooting 60% as you demanded from him is impossible.

We're assuming role players are shooting when open.
It's average math; from the #s in my post :

Acceptable:
4 for 6 = 66% nice day!
2 for 6 = 33%
0 for 3 = 0%

Unacceptable:
0 for 6 = 0% Why waste 6 possessions when you're off... draw and kick to someone else.

You're welcome. If you need any more calculation help lmk

[DingleJerry]

Right... that's what I'm saying though. It's John Starks - ish to go 0% from 3 one day and 80% the next. That's not optimal when your teammates need to count on you. All 3 and D guys (especially starters) hopefully on a bad Day they go 2 - 6 and a good day and 4 for 6 on a really good day and not have such a low floor where guys don't know if they should or can go to you that day. Another idea is if you go 0 for 3 instead and take it in the next 3 times. That helps your team more.

No, its totally normal for role players. That is the variance of 3pt shooting. Shooting 60% as you demanded from him is impossible.

We're assuming role players are shooting when open.
It's average math; from the #s in my post :

Acceptable:
4 for 6 = 66% nice day!
2 for 6 = 33%
0 for 3 = 0%

Unacceptable:
0 for 6 = 0% Why waste 6 possessions when you're off... draw and kick to someone else.

You're welcome. If you need any more calculation help lmk

Cool, totally made up numbers based on nothing and lack of logic.

Now continue to ignore the real numbers because you say so.

[tydett]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

[Matches Malone]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

I always forget Gordon was a top 5 pick. Need to find someone who's talented but their teams haven't capitalized on their skills yet.

That 2020 draft class has a few guys that were taken high and flamed out at their respective teams I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on. Wiseman, Pat Williams, Okoro could have been nice but seems like he's found some minutes in CLE again.

[Ron Swanson]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

I always forget Gordon was a top 5 pick. Need to find someone who's talented but their teams haven't capitalized on their skills yet.

That 2020 draft class has a few guys that were taken high and flamed out at their respective teams I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on. Wiseman, Pat Williams, Okoro could have been nice but seems like he's found some minutes in CLE again.

De'Andre Hunter

[paulpressey25]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

The difference is Gordon had the pedigree. He was a top prospect and high lotto pick in that stacked 2014 draft (#4 overall behind Embiid). He's not a great 3-point shooter, so Jokic being able to shoot 3's and space has done wonders for his game.

The cost was Gary Harris and two #1's (Hampton + a future).

But your point stands. We need to hit a home run on a deal, getting an undervalued guy. Gordon and Derrick White for the Celtics likely will meet in the Finals. Neither team has the recent success they have had without those deals.

[Matches Malone]

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

I always forget Gordon was a top 5 pick. Need to find someone who's talented but their teams haven't capitalized on their skills yet.

That 2020 draft class has a few guys that were taken high and flamed out at their respective teams I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on. Wiseman, Pat Williams, Okoro could have been nice but seems like he's found some minutes in CLE again.

De'Andre Hunter

[Ruben Quevedo]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

[machu46]

Jokic will obviously get all the flowers for his performance last night, but Aaron Gordon being far and away the 3rd best player on the court has been the difference in this series. Him being able to handle the ball and initiate offense to draw attention away from those two, while also switching on to Edwards and clamping him up every other possession is just an insane luxury to have.

Been said before, but should give us hope for trading some other teams' flawed players. Gordon was just a dude in Orlando, above average but cast as his team's second star to Vucevic. He's been a revelation in a different role in Denver. Our team could probably fix some dudes - just not Malik Beasley types lol.

I always forget Gordon was a top 5 pick. Need to find someone who's talented but their teams haven't capitalized on their skills yet.

That 2020 draft class has a few guys that were taken high and flamed out at their respective teams I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on. Wiseman, Pat Williams, Okoro could have been nice but seems like he's found some minutes in CLE again.

Not a Wiseman guy at all, but yeah, guys like Williams, Okoro, Hunter, etc., I could kinda see.

I'd be down for something around one of Utah's young guys (Kessler, George, etc.) and one of their potentially productive contracts (Sexton, Clarkson, Collins, etc.)

Maybe Saddiq Bey could be a buy-low option?

[SirChurros]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

Nah, Jokic is incredible. Best player in the world and I’m not sure it’s particularly close at the moment.

[Milbucks96]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

I been saying for a while that he reminds me so much of prime Lebron. Not in play style or even comparing advanced stats but he just feels so inevitable if that makes sense. He’s not going to win every championship or mvp, and hell the nuggets might even lose this series but it just feels like if he has a good team around him, he’s going to come out on top and it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.

I already think he’s one of the 10 best players ever but I’ll admit that’s probably a lot of recency bias.

[Ron Swanson]

Jokic's claim as BITW is about as ironclad right now as it gets, but it's stupid and insulting that people act like Giannis didn't already snatch the torch from Lebron 5-years ago and gloss over that whole 2019-2022 period of him being the best player on the planet.

[DingleJerry]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

I been saying for a while that he reminds me so much of prime Lebron. Not in play style or even comparing advanced stats but he just feels so inevitable if that makes sense. He’s not going to win every championship or mvp, and hell the nuggets might even lose this series but it just feels like if he has a good team around him, he’s going to come out on top and it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.

I already think he’s one of the 10 best players ever but I’ll admit that’s probably a lot of recency bias.

And the way he just controls and sees everything on the offensive side of the floor. He and LBJ just manipulate everything in a very similar way

[Ruben Quevedo]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

I been saying for a while that he reminds me so much of prime Lebron. Not in play style or even comparing advanced stats but he just feels so inevitable if that makes sense. He’s not going to win every championship or mvp, and hell the nuggets might even lose this series but it just feels like if he has a good team around him, he’s going to come out on top and it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side.

I already think he’s one of the 10 best players ever but I’ll admit that’s probably a lot of recency bias.

And the way he just controls and sees everything on the offensive side of the floor. He and LBJ just manipulate everything in a very similar way

Yes, the way he completely commands the offense is very much like Lebron. Both unselfish and always looking to make the right play. Only Jokic is an even more efficient scorer when he decides to call his own number.

[yannisk]

Am I a prisoner of the moment in saying that Jokic is the best player since peak Lebron and peak Shaq?

I tried to downplay his greatness by focusing on his defense and lack of volume scoring. He might not be an elite defender but he's much better than I gave him credit for. And he's absolutely an elite scorer.

He is an elite scorer, an amazing passer, a great rebounder, a fantastic guy for building a good team character and he is an above average defender. He is not a rim protector that's the only knock on him

on offense he is the best combination of scoring and passing

[raferfenix]

De'Andre Hunter

What do we think Hunter’s value is?

On paper Atlanta (and every team) could use an athletic and versatile 3 and D forward.

Hunter’s health has been an issue but also my impression is he’s shown flashes but hasn’t put together any consistency.

Could be he needs a change of scenery. Snyder is a good coach though which makes me wonder what’s up.