Around the NBA, 2016-17 Season thread

[Rich Rane]

I'm with the group that would rather not see Deron with a ring. Having said that, I've come to terms that might happen simply because I don't want it to to happen.

Also, I just popped into a Buffalo Wild Wings. Always weird to see a spelling bee on TV anywhere alcohol is sold.

[Prokorov]

I'm with the group that would rather not see Deron with a ring. Having said that, I've come to terms that might happen simply because I don't want it to to happen.

Also, I just popped into a Buffalo Wild Wings. Always weird to see a spelling bee on TV anywhere alcohol is sold.

i dont really care if deron wins a ring. its riding coat tails.

i want to see durant fail

[Roy Tarpley]

I don't understand the criticism of KD.

Lebron couldn't win in CLE initially because the management/owners didn't give him the talent he needed to win. Lebron knew he needed 2 other stars with him so he took matters into his own hands and created his own super team. And then CLE looked like it had stars in Irving and Wiggins, he went back to CLE.

Westbrook may appear to have all this competitive fire, but he's either (a) dumb enough to think that he can win on his own OR (b) he knows he can't win on his own but doesn't care because he doesn't care about winning (i.e., not competitive). Durant got sick of OKC and Westbrook's balhogging and went to a team that will give him a great shot to win the title and the sunny Bay Area. That sounds smart AND competitive to me.

No one is saying that he doesn't care about winning. In fact, it's the opposite. He cares about winning so much that he sought to take his superstar talents to a team that was a play away from winning the title (and IMO would've won in 5 had Green not been suspended).

It's smart. But I don't know in what way it can be considered competitive.

I hated LBJ's decision in 2010. I didn't care if he left Cleveland, but his purpose for joining the Heat was to win and win easily.

He wasn't just placating to MIA fans when he talked about the number of championships they were going to win, he believed and hoped that this move would secure "not 1, not 2, not 3...etc.," championships. LBJ wanted to play with the Wade, who arguably was the 2nd best player in the league at the time, and Bosh, a top 3 big man. His move was intentionally done so that he would win walking the path of least resistance.

KD's decision was done in the same manner. A top 3 player & 2014 MVP sought to join a top 3 player & 2015-2016 MVP, who comprises half of the best backcourt in the league, Additionally, he has a perennial DPOY candidate helping them on defense.

I don't understand. Every player should be putting themselves in the best position to win, and win easily.

Some players luck into having great teams created for them because the management is good (e.g., the 80s Lakers already had Kareem and they lucked into Magic and Worthy). Same thing for Bird, McHale, Parish, and DJ. Same thing for Curry, Thompson, Green.

Other players like Garnett on the Wolves or Anthony Davis on the Pelicans don't get the players they need to compete. So they either don't win (Davis) or they put themselves in situations to win (Lebron or Durant) or they get put into situations to win (Garnett).

MJ himself couldn't win until Magic fell ill, Bird's back gave out, Isiah blew out his Achilles, and Pippen turned into a NBA Top 50 player. MJ didn't say "trade Pippen, I don't want to play with another NBA Top 50 player" or "don't sign Rodman, I don't want to play with the best rebounder in NBA history."

[Paradise]

I'm with the group that would rather not see Deron with a ring. Having said that, I've come to terms that might happen simply because I don't want it to to happen.

Also, I just popped into a Buffalo Wild Wings. Always weird to see a spelling bee on TV anywhere alcohol is sold.

Deron winning a ring before CP3....You can add that to the list of awful things under the Trump Administration.


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[Prokorov]

i dont blame durant for going to the warriors. i blame him for being a giant hippocrite

[Rich Rane]

i dont blame durant for going to the warriors. i blame him for being a giant hippocrite

I assume this stems from that tweet several years ago criticizing Miami? I don't mind honestly. Since then, he's had 1 Finals appearance and no titles, and OKC front office lost Harden for pennies on the dollar. LeBron still has his hold on the Eastern Conference and there isn't really any other choice if he's serious about getting a championship.

[NyCeEvO]

How many dunks did KD have due to the Cavs choosing to guard Curry at the 3pt line over stopping the ball?

KD had better numbers but people need to recognize who the opposition treats as the bigger threat between KD and Curry.

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[Paradise]

How many dunks did KD have due to the Cavs choosing to guard Curry at the 3pt line over stopping the ball?

KD had better numbers but people need to recognize who the opposition treats as the bigger threat between KD and Curry.

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That's also due to the fact Kyrie is not a good defender. LeBron was getting absolutely no help in PnR hedges.

Cleveland has no physical tough PG that's harassing Steph defensively with this unit. Deron with a vintage performance of 0 points on 0-4 shooting in 18 minutes isn't replicating Delly.




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[NyCeEvO]

How many dunks did KD have due to the Cavs choosing to guard Curry at the 3pt line over stopping the ball?

KD had better numbers but people need to recognize who the opposition treats as the bigger threat between KD and Curry.

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That's also due to the fact Kyrie is not a good defender. LeBron was getting absolutely no help in PnR hedges.

Cleveland has no physical tough PG that's harassing Steph defensively with this unit. Deron with a vintage performance of 0 points on 0-4 shooting in 18 minutes isn't replicating Delly.




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I'm talking about the three or so dunks he had in transition where Curry flared to the wing for a 3 and LBJ, Shumpert, and others went to defend a Curry 3pt attempt rather than stopping a guaranteed 2pt dunk from KD.


I don't feel sorry for Cleveland at all. I still think Durant's move was weak but LBJ has no right to complain because he sought to create a dynastic team as well.

I only root for Steph because for some ridiculous reason people have forgotten how great he truly was and still is.

That D-Will performance was an all too familiar sight lol.


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[Rich Rane]

I only root for Steph because for some ridiculous reason people have forgotten how great he truly was and still is.

He gets a lot of deserved criticism for his 2 Finals performances going into Game 1, but you're right. Curry is a very great player. Defending him on the transition must seem like instinct and part of me almost can't blame defending him on the perimeter than defending Durant on the drive. Curry is THAT good (but ultimately, you have to defend the paint of course).

That D-Will performance was an all too familiar sight lol.

It really was.

[NyCeEvO]

I only root for Steph because for some ridiculous reason people have forgotten how great he truly was and still is.

He gets a lot of deserved criticism for his 2 Finals performances going into Game 1, but you're right. Curry is a very great player. Defending him on the transition must seem like instinct and part of me almost can't blame defending him on the perimeter than defending Durant on the drive. Curry is THAT good (but ultimately, you have to defend the paint of course).

Well, I'm of the belief that not only was he hampered by injuries in both Finals, he also was the main target of Cleveland's defense. They hedged or ICE'd every pick, made sure that Curry was touched on every drive to the basket, and did everything they could make sure he couldn't get going. They know that Curry is the head of the snake and they always try to take him down.



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[CalamityX12]

If the cavs want some change, Shumpert and Jones need some playing time. Those two will tighten up the defense. Lets see what changes Lue will do.

but go Warriors... screw Dwill!

[Rich Rane]

I only root for Steph because for some ridiculous reason people have forgotten how great he truly was and still is.

He gets a lot of deserved criticism for his 2 Finals performances going into Game 1, but you're right. Curry is a very great player. Defending him on the transition must seem like instinct and part of me almost can't blame defending him on the perimeter than defending Durant on the drive. Curry is THAT good (but ultimately, you have to defend the paint of course).

Well, I'm of the belief that not only was he hampered by injuries in both Finals, he also was the main target of Cleveland's defense. They hedged or ICE'd every pick, made sure that Curry was touched on every drive to the basket, and did everything they could make sure he couldn't get going. They know that Curry is the head of the snake and they always try to take him down.

He was definitely hampered by injuries, but the perception was that he had solid series playing through injuries throughout the playoffs and just slowed down in the Finals. Curry's offensive arsenal (and the Warriors in general) is so expansive you would always think he would find a way to win as the Warriors had done against any defense, especially after a 73-9 season.

[MrDollarBills]

Nothing pleased me more than to see that rancid sonofabitch post a fat donut in a finals game

[CalamityX12]

not to mention, Klay has yet to get his offense going.... its only a matter of time.

[Rich Rane]

Nothing pleased me more than to see that rancid sonofabitch post a fat donut in a finals game

Tell us what you really think of Deron Williams, MDB.

[Paradise]

I expect a competitive series but Curry looks extremely spry and he absolutely abused Irving last night.

This could be the Finals that exposes the defensive flaws we all expected with Irving, Love, Thompson. Also, adding old Korver and garbage azz D-Will hurts the ability to keep up with GS's speed and athleticism.


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[NyCeEvO]

not to mention, Klay has yet to get his offense going.... its only a matter of time.

I don't think it's just "a matter of time". He has struggled because he's not getting the same touches that he used to get.

Just knowing that the ball is going to come to you often and touching the ball even when you subsequently pass it to someone else keeps you in the offense and in a rhythm.

He might have a game where he'll do well but he'll start struggling again unless KD or Steph takes a step back in their offensive involvement.

[MrDollarBills]

Nothing pleased me more than to see that rancid sonofabitch post a fat donut in a finals game

Tell us what you really think of Deron Williams, MDB.

Hard pass on this one...I doubt anyone wants to read a post that contains 90% of me saying **** **** ****

1 down, 3 to go. I hope not only for Cleveland's brutal demise, but I hope that he doesn't score a point.

send that dog home with it's tail tucked between it's stubby ass legs and cankles

[CalamityX12]

not to mention, Klay has yet to get his offense going.... its only a matter of time.

I don't think it's just "a matter of time". He has struggled because he's not getting the same touches that he used to get.

Just knowing that the ball is going to come to you often and touching the ball even when you subsequently pass it to someone else keeps you in the offense and in a rhythm.

He might have a game where he'll do well but he'll start struggling again unless KD or Steph takes a step back in their offensive involvement.

He's still a great shooter, he'll shoot himself out of the funk. There's going to be moments where KD isn't clicking and thats most likely when Klay will get more looks. Also depends on the substitutions... Noticed a lot of Klay not being with either KD or Steph as oppose to KD and Steph being together...

In fact, i expect both teams to be more comfortable. GM 1 jitters were on display last night.