Around the NBA II

Post #81 » by **FNQ** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:24 pm

I really dont see the Spurs as a lock anymore... super-smart team but I feel that once Parker's speed peters out, their offense will have a much tougher time. I was wary about them last year, now I'm full on worried. If there is/was a sports bet where I could bet against the Spurs making the playoffs, I'd likely be all over that.

Jester_ · Post #82 » by **Jester_** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:30 pm

FireNellieQuick wrote:I really dont see the Spurs as a lock anymore... super-smart team but I feel that once Parker's speed peters out, their offense will have a much tougher time. I was wary about them last year, now I'm full on worried. If there is/was a sports bet where I could bet against the Spurs making the playoffs, I'd likely be all over that.

We hear that every year, though. I mean who really expected them to end up with the best record in the league last season? Not to mention Kawhi is set for a breakout year.

Post #83 » by **FNQ** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:34 pm

I dont see how Kawhi can really break out. Just not that good offensively... excellent role player, but he is what he is and came into a great situation.

The media says that every year... but when I watched the Spurs in the POs last year, I saw a much slower team than what it used to be. Duncan just cant close out on the weakside like he used to, and he's slated to be paired with Diaw, Splitter, and Eddy Curry, and they cant either. I could easily see them going .500

Lucky Striker · Post #84 » by **Lucky Striker** » Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:50 pm

Jester_ wrote:Portland threatening? The only thing Portland is threatening is a top 5 lotto pick.

Depends if Lillard is for real. If so, its a nice starting lineup (weak bench, though).

Lillard
W.Mathews
Batum
Aldridge
M.Leonard/Hickson

anti-troll · Post #85 » by **anti-troll** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 4:11 am

I am calling it right now. Lillard will be rookie of the year and will lead the blazers to the playoffs. Might be a little immature to say this after a summer league and one preseason game but the kid is scary good. He's going to break Curry's ankle :lol:

whocurrz · Post #86 » by **whocurrz** » Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:17 pm

FireNellieQuick wrote:I really dont see the Spurs as a lock anymore... super-smart team but I feel that once Parker's speed peters out, their offense will have a much tougher time. I was wary about them last year, now I'm full on worried. If there is/was a sports bet where I could bet against the Spurs making the playoffs, I'd likely be all over that.

I don't think the Spurs get a #1 seed and maybe not a top 4 seed, but unless Duncan misses extensive time I don't see how they miss the playoffs. Their offense is predicated on great ball movement and guys who can hit open jumpers. They are not as susceptible to age in that regard as the ball never gets tired and there's not a ton you can do on defense to counterract elite ball movement and guys who hit their shots.

I think Splitter becomes a candidate for MIP this year as the guy improved steadily and has solid potential, especially with a coach like Poppovich developing him. I think they actually have a shot to upset the Lakers if Splitter takes the next step and they pull a matchup with them in the playoffs as their offense style really limits the effect a player like Howard can have defensively, and the Lakers perimeter defense will probably be weak and Parker usually performs very well against Nash. Pops has also done a solid job of limiting Nash in the past.

And they looked a bit slow last year against OKC, but most teams do. OKC is the Spurs worst matchup in the Western Conference. Before that they absolutely ran through the Jazz and Clippers and most other teams in the NBA when they didn't sit their big 3. Oh yeah and they have Jackson's expiring contract if they need to make a move at the deadline.

Jester_ · Post #87 » by **Jester_** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:27 am

FYI, whocurrz, I'll be paying way more attention to your posts this year. Your playoff predictions last year were money.

whocurrz · Post #88 » by **whocurrz** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:50 am

Jester_ wrote:FYI, whocurrz, I'll be paying way more attention to your posts this year. Your playoff predictions last year were money.

Yeah I've been on with my playoff predictions the last 2 years. The year before I was in Vegas weekend before the finals started trying to convince my friend we should put big money on Mavs in 6 but I was also Vegas wasted so probably just wanted that for the odds. I just learned from betting on the wrong teams in the past that you gotta analyze the matchups much more than how hot each respective team has been playing as every new series is a new beginning for each team and anything can happen, especially with adjustments that can be made playing the same team over and over

I make terrible predictions too every year too though so you probably don't want to bet on mine :wink:

Lucky Striker · Post #89 » by **Lucky Striker** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:02 am

btw, Minnesota looked excellent against the Pacers. Roy looked like he hadn't lost much and their depth was excellent. And Pekovic looked super tough.

The question will be whether Roy can hold up. If he does, they've got a very tough team.

Jester_ · Post #90 » by **Jester_** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:00 am

JV looked great in full minutes against Detroit.

Senchu · Post #91 » by **Senchu** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:28 pm

Gotta love the preseason hype -

Thomas Robinson Playing Like Veteran In Kings' Camp

DeMarcus Cousins Evolving In Leadership Role With Kings

Kings Implement Triangle Offense, Inspired By Harlem Globetrotters Tape From 1943

Kings' Teammates Impressed With Fredette's Camp Performance

After reading all these Queens news titles seems like they are going to blow up this season.

Jester_ · Post #92 » by **Jester_** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:30 pm

Senchu wrote:Gotta love the preseason hype -

Thomas Robinson Playing Like Veteran In Kings' Camp

DeMarcus Cousins Evolving In Leadership Role With Kings

Kings Implement Triangle Offense, Inspired By Harlem Globetrotters Tape From 1943

Kings' Teammates Impressed With Fredette's Camp Performance

After reading all these Queens news titles seems like they are going to blow up this season.

It's going to be an epic collapse. Unless TR becomes super good, in which case his personality could lift that team.

Lucky Striker · Post #93 » by **Lucky Striker** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:23 am

Thomas Robinson is likely another bust for the Kings. Not big enough to be the bullying PF he was in college. Really a bad defender at the position, as well.

The Kings were trying him out at SF. That's not a good sign.

Mylie10 · Post #94 » by **Mylie10** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:57 am

I think he will outwork guys and there's no way he'll bust...unless you're redefining the term bust.

Quazza · Post #95 » by **Quazza** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:58 am

Not big enough? Isn't he like 6'9, 240 and built like that big wall in China?

Lucky Striker · Post #96 » by **Lucky Striker** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:08 am

Quazza wrote:Not big enough? Isn't he like 6'9, 240 and built like that big wall in China?

6'8.75 and 240 lbs is pretty small for a PF.

Lucky Striker · Post #97 » by **Lucky Striker** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:20 am

Mylie10 wrote:I think he will outwork guys and there's no way he'll bust...unless you're redefining the term bust.

Its not his motor that is a question, its his skill level and size that will make him a bust.

Not that one's preseason debut is the game that will define his career, but last night 0-4fg, 0 pts, 4 pf's in 17 minutes.

Jester_ · Post #98 » by **Jester_** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:24 pm

Faried does fine, so I don't see why TR's size is an issue. Then again, Faried's wingspan is insane.

Left*My*Heart · Post #99 » by **Left*My*Heart** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:51 pm

Faried is a lot more athletic than Robinson; Faried is all over the place, with his hustle as well.

whocurrz · Post #100 » by **whocurrz** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:23 pm

Left*My*Heart wrote:Faried is a lot more athletic than Robinson; Faried is all over the place, with his hustle as well.

Um no he's not. T Rob is one of the most athletic PFs to enter the league in years. A Blake Griffin type combination of size, speed, strength and jumping ability. Faried is just an excellent rebounder (had like the highest rebounding rate of any college player since Rodman or something) who knows his role as a garbage man. T Rob settles for jumpers whereas he'd be better off playing the garbage man role until his jumper comes along.

Saying Faried is "a lot more athletic than Robinson" is just incorrect though