Around the NBA, 2016-17 Season thread

[shakendfries]

I also don't think Lebron is insanely good anymore. This season was his the first where I started to see him decline.

Didn't Bron just post his best statistical season? Like better than his MVP season? I understand he scored less (since took less shots per game), but isn't he currently averaging career highs by every other metric?

[playteamball]

shidd, the Nets are lowkey the reason the Cavs even won the chip last year

Explain?

Billy King acquired Jarrett Jack/Sergei Kerasev in a three team deal with Cleveland and Boston. Allowing Cleveland enough to bring back LeBron.


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Ahh...thanks.

[Antti22]

Can we put a fork in them ( Celtics) ? Whats your opinion?

[NyCeEvO]

Can we put a fork in them ( Celtics) ? Whats your opinion?

Still plenty of basketball left. The Celtics definitely have another level that they can play at but for whatever reason they aren't getting there.

If they can find a way to win Game 5, I think they still have a pretty good shot to win the series.

[Antti22]

As a Nets fan not much (outside of Nets own accomplishments ofcourse) would satisfy more than seeing Celtics get sweeped in the first round and making "bad history" .

[Prokorov]

If the Bulls win over Boston with Butler there is zero chance on any trade happening there. He's improving his stock as a franchise player worth building around and this is his virtually his debut as 'the man'. Wade is there to mentor and be his side kick and it's working.

Paul George ain't going nowhere. I suspect more win now moves coming for Indiana and I don't see why Heyward would leave Utah. Gobert is developing nicely into a near all-star and perennial DPOY candidate. There's nobody in Boston as good as him defensively and his offense has taking a leap further.

I don't care for their drafting either. The Celtics are a version of what the Nets can be in two seasons, honestly. We'll see how good Fultz or Ball is but overall, It's not that hard to put together a collection of high end athletic role players. People in the media act like these guys are Top 10 at every position.

Al Horford...Is like a big man version of Joe Johnson. Makes big plays but goes through the motions otherwise.

I don't see Boston as a fringe star away from contending at all. They need to blow it up. They are in the same class to me right now as the Hawks, Grizzlies, Raptors. Good regular season teams that fails in the playoffs. Just like that 2012 Nets team.




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Disagree with alot of this.... Horford is certainly not a big joe johnson and going through the motions is the last thing he does. guy is a gamer. solid defender and super high iq. not a star but as a glue guy as good as you will find.

Isiah thomas isnt just some athlete.... and guys who average 30/6 on 63 TS% dont just grow on trees. Bradley also isnt just some athlete, he is one of if not the best 3 and D player in the league.

The celtics are missing another go to scorer who can shoot it from deep. george/hayward/butler certainly would put them in contender status.

i think we are building similar to the celtics... but we arent just a few athletes from being what they are.

[Prokorov]

I think boston is crazt to trade the pick... Ball is gonna be a superstar and the celtics window is in 2-3 years not now when lebron is still insanely good and the warriors have a superteam.

They are better off taking fultz and using their less pick assets to get a fringe all-star

Yeah I don't really buy the hype that either Ball or Fultz are going to be life changing players.

I guess if you do, then maybe.

Not to mention that Boston only has a 50% chance at getting either of these guys.

It's very possible that they end up at 3 or 4.

I also don't think Lebron is insanely good anymore. This season was his the first where I started to see him decline.

The way the Cavs are playing right now, it isn't gonna take all that much to knock them off.

If I was the Celtics I would try to pair Butler/George with Griffin and IT. That might get it done against the Cavs.

i mean lebron is older.... but decline is pushing it a bit.... i mean his numbers are pretty much identical to his last MVP season (2013) and thats in a year were they kind of coasted.

2013: 27/8/7 on 31 PER 64 TS%

2017: 27/9/9 on 28 PER 62 TS%

Lebron is still a beast and will be for a while....

i know people hate lonzo ball or maybe just his dad but that kid has it all and is a complete monster. his game is a perfect fit for the NBA as well. His ceiling is better then what paul george is right now

[Hello Brooklyn]

I also don't think Lebron is insanely good anymore. This season was his the first where I started to see him decline.

Didn't Bron just post his best statistical season? Like better than his MVP season? I understand he scored less (since took less shots per game), but isn't he currently averaging career highs by every other metric?

He averaged more rebounds and assists, but his points were down. And his defense has really taken a step back.

Depends on how you define best season.

His team had a very subpar performance.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I think boston is crazt to trade the pick... Ball is gonna be a superstar and the celtics window is in 2-3 years not now when lebron is still insanely good and the warriors have a superteam.

They are better off taking fultz and using their less pick assets to get a fringe all-star

Yeah I don't really buy the hype that either Ball or Fultz are going to be life changing players.

I guess if you do, then maybe.

Not to mention that Boston only has a 50% chance at getting either of these guys.

It's very possible that they end up at 3 or 4.

I also don't think Lebron is insanely good anymore. This season was his the first where I started to see him decline.

The way the Cavs are playing right now, it isn't gonna take all that much to knock them off.

If I was the Celtics I would try to pair Butler/George with Griffin and IT. That might get it done against the Cavs.

i mean lebron is older.... but decline is pushing it a bit.... i mean his numbers are pretty much identical to his last MVP season (2013) and thats in a year were they kind of coasted.

2013: 27/8/7 on 31 PER 64 TS%

2017: 27/9/9 on 28 PER 62 TS%

Lebron is still a beast and will be for a while....

i know people hate lonzo ball or maybe just his dad but that kid has it all and is a complete monster. his game is a perfect fit for the NBA as well. His ceiling is better then what paul george is right now

I think it all depends on what we see in the Playoffs.

I'm not sure if Lebron was just "saving it" for the playoffs, or if he is actually playing a bit worse. I mean I think it was a very slight decline.

But the point is, I he's definitely not getting better. And he's probably going to get worse.

I just don't think the Cavs are invincible anymore like they were 2 years ago. A good team could beat them.

We'll see with Lonzo. I don't see anything in his offensive game that wows me, like I did in other superstar players in college.

[Prokorov]

I think it all depends on what we see in the Playoffs.

I'm not sure if Lebron was just "saving it" for the playoffs, or if he is actually playing a bit worse. I mean I think it was a very slight decline.

What is there to be not sure about? the tone of your post makes it sound like lebron didnt beast in the regular season. but he dropped 27/9/9 on 62 TS% and shot 36% from three in line with his MVP year.

not sure what we would need to see in the playoffs either, he just had 2 great games and they are up 2-0.

But the point is, I he's definitely not getting better. And he's probably going to get worse.

you dont need to get better at the level he is playing at. and he has shown no signs of decline

I just don't think the Cavs are invincible anymore like they were 2 years ago. A good team could beat them.

I dont know, i mean a 73 win warriors team couldnt with a 3-1 lead. i see no signs of them being challenged by any east team

[Prokorov]

We'll see with Lonzo. I don't see anything in his offensive game that wows me, like I did in other superstar players in college.

have you watched him much? not sure how you wouldnt be wowed. He is basically like Klay Thompson only with elite passing and better ball handling. He Led the NCAA in assists (7.6) and shot 42% from deep hitting threes from Curry type distance. He has a 37" verticle, size (6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan) and also is an excellent rebounder (6.0 per game). He also blocked more shots then teammate TJ Leaf, had 2 steals a game and gaurded 3 different spots. His IQ on both ends is through the roof.

Other then his dad being a loudmouth, whats not to like about him? He is like a better version of jason kidd when kidd was coming out of Cal.

Watch on YouTube

I mean... tell me what you dont see? you said you dont see ANYTHING that wows you yet he was an elite passer, elite shooter, elite rebounder for a PG, elite in transition and elite finisher at the rim, and elite late in close games. oh yeah... and super unslefish. he can also play off the ball and was top 10 in the NCAA in catch and shoot threes.

Did i mention he is only 19 years old?

[MrDollarBills]

I can't compare the Celtics to the 2012 Dog ass Nets.

boston's problem is that they are too easy to stop on offense when the game becomes a grind like it is in the playoffs. Add that with the Bulls being full of guys who are playoff studs and it's a recipe for disaster. Rondo was working them last night. Butler is just an A tier stud basketball player. Wade still has air in those tires. Robin was inside beating people down, I love the way Brook's brother plays the sport. We definitely need to draft a big with some of that kind of nastiness in him. I thought he was going to get into a fight last night.

time will tell if Ainge was foolish to hold onto our pick. Especially if it doesn't land #1 again.

But...this is exactly why the Nets were correct in NOT shaping their moves around preventing Boston from getting a top 3 pick. Who gives a rat's ass!!

[MrDollarBills]

We'll see with Lonzo. I don't see anything in his offensive game that wows me, like I did in other superstar players in college.

have you watched him much? not sure how you wouldnt be wowed. He is basically like Klay Thompson only with elite passing and better ball handling. He Led the NCAA in assists (7.6) and shot 42% from deep hitting threes from Curry type distance. He has a 37" verticle, size (6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan) and also is an excellent rebounder (6.0 per game). He also blocked more shots then teammate TJ Leaf, had 2 steals a game and gaurded 3 different spots. His IQ on both ends is through the roof.

Other then his dad being a loudmouth, whats not to like about him? He is like a better version of jason kidd when kidd was coming out of Cal.

Watch on YouTube

I mean... tell me what you dont see? you said you dont see ANYTHING that wows you yet he was an elite passer, elite shooter, elite rebounder for a PG, elite in transition and elite finisher at the rim, and elite late in close games. oh yeah... and super unslefish. he can also play off the ball and was top 10 in the NCAA in catch and shoot threes.

His Dad's idiocy is the ONLY negative about this kid.

[Prokorov]

I can't compare the Celtics to the 2012 Dog ass Nets.

boston's problem is that they are too easy to stop on offense when the game becomes a grind like it is in the playoffs. Add that with the Bulls being full of guys who are playoff studs and it's a recipe for disaster. Rondo was working them last night. Butler is just an A tier stud basketball player. Wade still has air in those tires. Robin was inside beating people down, I love the way Brook's brother plays the sport. We definitely need to draft a big with some of that kind of nastiness in him. I thought he was going to get into a fight last night.

time will tell if Ainge was foolish to hold onto our pick. Especially if it doesn't land #1 again.

But...this is exactly why the Nets were correct in NOT shaping their moves around preventing Boston from getting a top 3 pick. Who gives a rat's ass!!

Yeah im still not writing the celtics off in this series and expect them to even it up at 2-2.

I dont see robin lopez going 6-7 on jump shots every game. i dont see wade shooting 75% from three every game and i dont see thomas/braldey shoot that bad all series. thomas also was like 5-13 from the FT line or something like that.

Unless thomas is just completely shook right now i expect the celtics to make this a 6 or 7 game series and probably win it

[MrDollarBills]

Yeah, writing them off is a bit much. They aren't in a good spot at all getting beaten twice at home but I've seen crazier things. the idea that they can steal one in Chicago and then win out in the home games isn't far fetched, but is a tall order especially since they really don't have much offensively when you take the ball out of IT's hands.

Even though they lost last night, man The Greek Freak is looking frightening. Some of those attacks to the rim last night were brutal. If his jumpshot manages to develop god help the league, there won't be a player that can defend him.

[Prokorov]

Yeah, writing them off is a bit much. They aren't in a good spot at all getting beaten twice at home but I've seen crazier things. the idea that they can steal one in Chicago and then win out in the home games isn't far fetched, but is a tall order especially since they really don't have much offensively when you take the ball out of IT's hands.

you can say the same about the bulls when you take it out of butlers hands. thomas is still far and away the best scorer in this series. bulls have shot way over their heads. boston has played really poorly and has the obvious distractions. im not willing to start writing boston off unless they come back home down 3-1

Even though they lost last night, man The Greek Freak is looking frightening. Some of those attacks to the rim last night were brutal. If his jumpshot manages to develop god help the league, there won't be a player that can defend him.

yeah, he looks like he could be the best player in the league within 5 years. put 3 shooters and a defenive anchor(maker might be that guy) with him and that is scary.

[CalamityX12]

I'd feel a bit better if Bulls can eliminate the Celtics.....

our tank allowed Chicago in thus beating Boston....LOL...... i'll take that!

[Antti22]

We'll see with Lonzo. I don't see anything in his offensive game that wows me, like I did in other superstar players in college.

have you watched him much? not sure how you wouldnt be wowed.

I admit, I dont watch a lot of college basketball, being from out of USA and all. But this years draft and NCAA March Madness got me interested (Mainly because of South Carolina cindarella story with Estonian freshman starting for them, Maik Kotsar.) and I dug a bit deeper and have seen and "scouted" most prospects.

What really bother me about Lonzo and makes me doubt he will fully translate to the NBA is his shooting motion. He got a horrible hitch in his shooting motion and that being quite slow and low, will probably be quite easy to block by the NBA talent. And to top it off, when he played against comparable talent in Kentucky, he GOT KILLED by DeAaron Fox and Malik Monk. There might have been some other factors to it, but that is crazy.
But we will see.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I think it all depends on what we see in the Playoffs.

I'm not sure if Lebron was just "saving it" for the playoffs, or if he is actually playing a bit worse. I mean I think it was a very slight decline.

What is there to be not sure about? the tone of your post makes it sound like lebron didnt beast in the regular season. but he dropped 27/9/9 on 62 TS% and shot 36% from three in line with his MVP year.

not sure what we would need to see in the playoffs either, he just had 2 great games and they are up 2-0.

But the point is, I he's definitely not getting better. And he's probably going to get worse.

you dont need to get better at the level he is playing at. and he has shown no signs of decline

I just don't think the Cavs are invincible anymore like they were 2 years ago. A good team could beat them.

I dont know, i mean a 73 win warriors team couldnt with a 3-1 lead. i see no signs of them being challenged by any east team

His defense was a lot worse and his team success was awful for their talent level. I don't really consider that on par with his MVP season. His scoring was also down and he wasn't taking games over late.

That year he was the best defensive player in the NBA and his team was challenging the Lakers for most consecutive wins of all time.

Obviously this is nit picking. He's still the best player in the NBA and had an amazing season. I'm just saying that I'm starting to see signs of him slowing down.

He hasn't been playing well in the playoffs either. He's barely beating a terrible team and last game he nearly had a quadruple double.

[shakendfries]

Even though they lost last night, man The Greek Freak is looking frightening. Some of those attacks to the rim last night were brutal. If his jumpshot manages to develop god help the league, there won't be a player that can defend him.

Makes you think about the way Milwaukee has drafted these past few years:

Giannis - raw, risky
Parker - arguably best in class
Maker - raw, risky

Their riskiest draft picks look like they might pay off the most.

When it pertains to the Nets, Poppovich is someone who preaches being risk averse (especially when it comes to the draft), and is quoted as saying in a speech to NBA execs "the guy you fall in love with that has potential is the guy who's gonna get you fired". I doubt RC Buford would make the picks Milwaukee made, and I wonder how this perspective will influence Sean Marks.

Obviously, Marks has invested heavily in scouting and will rely on his team, but would they deem a player like Jonathan Jeanne too risky to select?

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