“The most overrated NBA player” winning the chip would be best storyline

[dhsilv2]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

I assumed Gobert lol.

[dhsilv2]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

I thought it was gonna be about Gobert.

dang it, i just said the same thing.

[nbafan38]

Not in his prime but westbrook winning after all the grief he's taken over his career would be kind of cool.

[Ice Man]

I loved Carlisle's reaction when asked about that vote. A look of pure contempt. Rick clearly thinks that the NBA players who voted were some very dumb bunnies. Hard to disagree with that.

[cgf]

Interesting that people read Haliburton as 'cocky' in a problematic way. He's obviously a pretty smart dude with a lot of perspective on himself and the game, I think it might be that people don't like how his version of competitiveness is less pounding chest and mean mugging and more getting excited and smirking. I get why--those two things are a pretty rough combo and make him seem sort of middle school-ish. But I also don't think any of us think it's bad for a guy who was overlooked to be confident and celebrate when he wins things he was doubted about.

I like the pacers, but the kid runs his mouth a lot and it can often come off as smarmy. People finding that off-putting has nothing to do with his intelligence.

[jkvonny]

Most of those votes probably came from the salty Bucks.
Hali and the Pacers has had their number in recent years.

[TinmanZBoy]

If Denver wins it, I swear Joker would hate winning another regular season MVP

[Nuntius]

I wouldn't say rooting for him, but all the hate for his "taunting" is making me want to support the Indy playoff run. People expect sports to be as professional as a banking office job and I can't stand it. I like emotions in my sports, having the good guys and the bad guys, the rivalries and the story lines. I love Kawhi as a player but his personality is not what I want to watch. Give me more Gary Paytons, Oakleys, Barkleys, Jordans, Reggie Millers, Kevin Garnetts, Halis, Anthony Edwards, etc, etc.

I find it weird too. These dudes are young professional competitors, sure some of them have quieter personalities and are more focused introvert types but those dudes are still feeling cocky and competitive af on the inside. They just don't express it in the same way, which is fine too.

I've played on lots of teams and worked with lots of people over the years--when you're actually in those things no one despises one whole personality type. You may not like some people but it won't just be because they're loud or something. I don't know how sports fans process this stuff sometimes, it's like they're on dating apps swiping on people they don't think they're compatible with but also sort of judging everyone too. Like you're a bad person if you're 'not my type of guy' when you don't acutally know what they're like or about (and also why does every pro athlete need to be exactly 'your type of guy'?) It's grown elite athletes competing, seems like we shouldn't want things to be neat or everyone to be calm and mature, and even if you do in your daily life maybe lighten up some and enjoy the spectacle that all of pro sports is meant to be.

Being classy in win and loss is not about "lightening up". You dont need to mock your opponent in sport. If you play a team that is literally crippled by having three key players out and you act like MJ 2nd coming its not classy. If your trash dad comes and yells at the defeated opponent in the worst way and your response is "lighten up" then i think you are actually the one who needs to rethink his principles ...

Haliburton has never mocked anyone. Sure, he's celebrated big shots he's made but if that's mockery then literally every single NBA player mocks each other constantly since most players celebrate their shots.

Haliburton has never spoken negatively in the media about another player, he's never come out with a trolly social media post against another NBA player, he's never publicly called anyone a "frontrunner", "overrated" or any of that crap. He's done absolutely none of that. All of his trash talk is exactly where it belongs, on the court during the game.

[SkyBill40]

His play in moments like this, not to speak of him in general, are what drives me crazy in knowing how ridiculously stupid James Jones was for passing on him while he was available... for Jalen friggin' Smith.

[Kingdibs19]

lol so people are upset that he celebrated game winners and he shouldn’t because his opponents are missing players.

Curry is beloved but he’s out there twerking at half court after he makes a 3. I think people hate on Hali because he was anointed as a superstar a little prematurely (though he is one now) whereas Curry dealt with a lot of adversity early in his career in terms of injuries.

Also I’ve never heard Hali talk ish about players to the media. People love Klay but when he was up (aka front running) he told the media Lebron got his feelings hurt and we know how that ended up.

Also how is the actions of his father on Hali. He can’t control what another man is doing after he won a game. In fact he told the media that what his Pops did was embarrassing and was very against it, something people were upset with because that’s his Dad. Seems like people are just looking for reasons to hate on the kid.

[sp6r=underrated]

I wouldn't say rooting for him, but all the hate for his "taunting" is making me want to support the Indy playoff run. People expect sports to be as professional as a banking office job and I can't stand it. I like emotions in my sports, having the good guys and the bad guys, the rivalries and the story lines. I love Kawhi as a player but his personality is not what I want to watch. Give me more Gary Paytons, Oakleys, Barkleys, Jordans, Reggie Millers, Kevin Garnetts, Halis, Anthony Edwards, etc, etc.

Drakeem is right about this even if you root against the guys with the outsized personalities, which many do. Stoics such as Duncan, Kawhi, etc., excited fans way less than animated players.

As an example I root against Curry. The mouthpiece thing annoys me to no end as does the baby bed celebration. Just a really annoying guy but his personality on the court is better for fan interest than someone who acts the way Stockton did.

[MrPainfulTruth]

lol so people are upset that he celebrated game winners and he shouldn’t because his opponents are missing players.

Curry is beloved but he’s out there twerking at half court after he makes a 3. I think people hate on Hali because he was anointed as a superstar a little prematurely (though he is one now) whereas Curry dealt with a lot of adversity early in his career in terms of injuries.

Also I’ve never heard Hali talk ish about players to the media. People love Klay but when he was up (aka front running) he told the media Lebron got his feelings hurt and we know how that ended up.

Also how is the actions of his father on Hali. He can’t control what another man is doing after he won a game. In fact he told the media that what his Pops did was embarrassing and was very against it, something people were upset with because that’s his Dad. Seems like people are just looking for reasons to hate on the kid.

Currys celebrations and his "night night" stuff are the most annoying i've seen in a while. That doesnt make anything other players do right in my opinion. I have no horse in this race, i dont care who wins between Cavs and Pacers. But i enjoy seeing this kind of player fall hard after showboating.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I wouldn't say rooting for him, but all the hate for his "taunting" is making me want to support the Indy playoff run. People expect sports to be as professional as a banking office job and I can't stand it. I like emotions in my sports, having the good guys and the bad guys, the rivalries and the story lines. I love Kawhi as a player but his personality is not what I want to watch. Give me more Gary Paytons, Oakleys, Barkleys, Jordans, Reggie Millers, Kevin Garnetts, Halis, Anthony Edwards, etc, etc.

Drakeem is right about this even if you root against the guys with the outsized personalities, which many do. Stoics such as Duncan, Kawhi, etc., excited fans way less than animated players.

As an example I root against Curry. The mouthpiece thing annoys me to no end as does the baby bed celebration. Just a really annoying guy but his personality on the court is better for fan interest than someone who acts the way Stockton did.

Exactly. As much as i dislike LeBron i found satisfaction when they beat the cocky Warriors ("I can still smell the champagne in the locker room"). And nothing was more enjoyable than Dirk spanking Bron's and Wade's asses after they mocked him for being ill.

[jbk1234]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

Rofl

[Black Jack]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

The two guys that winning a ring this year would be the best storyline are Westbrook and Jimmy Butler. Both are gritty future first ballot HoFers near the end of their careers who have been to the finals but not won yet.

[iggymcfrack]

Tyrese Haliburton is now 10-for-11 on game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the last 2 minutes this year – 90.9%

Holy **** that's insane! He really is unbelievably clutch. Just look at how much he raised his game in last year's playoffs when he was healthy.

[iggymcfrack]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

Honestly, same

[Capn'O]

I thought this was gonna be about Westbrook.

The two guys that winning a ring this year would be the best storyline are Westbrook and Jimmy Butler. Both are gritty future first ballot HoFers near the end of their careers who have been to the finals but not won yet.

Second best storylines after Little Big Body Brunson returning glory to his father's franchise and to the much maligned Coach Thibs.

Those would be pretty good ones for sure. I've always liked Butler even though he doesn't like us.

[dc]

His play in moments like this, not to speak of him in general, are what drives me crazy in knowing how ridiculously stupid James Jones was for passing on him while he was available... for Jalen friggin' Smith.

It was a weak draft and a lot of teams passed on him. Even the savy Spurs.

The Warriors liked him a lot but thought #2 was too high for him.....and they essentially were right, given that he lasted until 12. They did in fact try to trade down, but likely wanted other teams to take on Wiggins' contract (which was considered one of the most undesirable at the time) and nobody bit on it.

I can see why teams passed on him back then. He had a skinny frame with an unorthodox looking shot. Conventional wisdom would say this type of guy wouldn't succeed, especially in the playoffs.

[Billl]

Nah. Don't like him. He purposely plays the villain,so I'm not sure you can hate him for that. Doesn't make it less fun to root against him though.