Around the League

Post #1301 » by **Cowology** » Tue Jun 6, 2017 8:00 am

I'm not saying the league is about to fold or anything. It's more profitable than it's ever been, thanks in large part to their TV deal obviously, along with globalization of the sport and an omni-channel media presence. My idea of what's "healthy" has admittedly little to do with economics and more to do with a sort of purist ideology that embraces competitive balance and promotes excellence across multiple venues.

IF for example Durant signed with Boston I'd be a much happier camper. Instead of GS being a clear pre-season favorite to topple the defending champs you instead have BOS, SA, GS & CLE all as legit contenders with teams like HOU and LAC close enough that with the right mid-season moves it could get interesting. Both CLE and GS have already proven then can not only get to the Finals, but win rings without Durant; creating another superpower, whether Boston or elsewhere, would add another level of intrigue.

How much would that really take away from the quality of play we are enjoying out of the Warriors? The team that won 73 games a year ago! The team that was already the darling of the league after winning their first title in 40 yrs behind the breakout MVP play of Steph Curry.

How much would that add to the drama of the East? LBJ vs. Durant 4 times in the regular season? How much spicier are those BOS games vs. GS? vs. SA? vs. HOU, LAC or OKC??

Are the WCF more competitive? Does that make it less entertaining or more so? These are the sort of things I question. What if we didn't know who was going to win before the season even started??

There is plenty of good bball to be appreciated and greatness to be enjoyed without it all being on one and a half teams.

Pharaoh · Post #1302 » by **Pharaoh** » Tue Jun 6, 2017 11:46 pm

Cow: I completely understand where you're coming from and agree to some extent...

But:

This season alone we've seen:

the rise of Alphabet

the change in Harden & HOU

Westbrook making history

Leonard being the best player in the league

Miami's improbable run

Real excitement in Philly for the first time in years

A soap opera with the Knicks

A tragedy with the Nets

Boston continuing to be the Celtics

All of that interests me on some level

The league is bigger than the GSW/CLE stuff.

IF the Warriors actually embraced their inner heels we could be witnesses to the biggest build up ever!

At some point some team is going to knock out the Warriors or Cavs and when that happens a lot if fans are going to rejoice and have a new favourite 2nd team...

The drama is people can't see that point coming any time soon, which is odd considering we're in year 3 of the GSW and it's year whatever of Lebron.

Father Time is undefeated and has a sick sense of humour

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BloodNinja · Post #1303 » by **BloodNinja** » Wed Jun 14, 2017 6:27 am

The playoffs were a bit underwhelming but I enjoyed the regular season. As great as the Warriors are for me the bigger issue is that the East once again has failed to produce a contender v LeBron. I'd be very happy if they just moved to top 16 and inter conference playoffs.

Billl · Post #1304 » by **Billl** » Fri Jun 16, 2017 2:01 pm

That would mess up the tv schedule.

The league isn't going to have much parity as long as they require freedom of movement on the perimeter. The top perimeter players in the league are just so good. If the defense isn't allowed to knock them off routes or put a hand on them, there really isn't much you can do. They are going to dominate. The best you can hope for is that the true superstars stay in different conferences and preferably on different teams.

You aren't going to have an underdog stories (like the going to work pistons teams). It's by design. The league doesn't want grind it out basketball where physical defenses can force the ball out of the superstar's hands.

Pharaoh · Post #1305 » by **Pharaoh** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 3:48 am

The Going to Work team should still be the blueprint if you wanna compete though

Yeah you're not gonna hold teams to less than 70 but 100 or less would mean you've got quality D today

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joedumars1 · Post #1306 » by **joedumars1** » Sat Jun 17, 2017 11:48 pm

I want hand checking back. I know a lot of ppl don't like Defense, but them pistons pacers games were great. I'm sure there's more before that too

Post #1307 » by **Snakebites** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 7:52 pm

Pacers have been told Paul George is outta there in 2018.

Devastating if true because it destroys whatever value George might have had.

Canadafan · Post #1308 » by **Canadafan** » Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:46 pm

Cavs are gonna trade for the 1yr rental George. Wade will opt out and go there too. Mannnnnnn! I want George

DBC10 · Post #1309 » by **DBC10** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:55 am

Watch on YouTube

Thoughts? I think Kobe hit the nail on the head. The Cav's offensive system IS Lebron and Kyrie to a lesser extent. It's actually why I think SVG would be the absolute perfect coach there. It's basically the Orlando Magic part 2, but except they're obviously better without the focus on the post presence game. It's a 4 or 5 man spread with little role player movement, sounds eerily familiar to us.

Post #1310 » by **Snakebites** » Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:23 pm

Canadafan wrote:Cavs are gonna trade for the 1yr rental George. Wade will opt out and go there too. Mannnnnnn! I want George

Wade's already opted in.

Pharaoh · Post #1311 » by **Pharaoh** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:43 am

Chauncey looking like the GM in Cleveland...

Find it odd that Griffin wasn't kept - he acquired most of the pieces that won their championship

Billups is tight with Gilbert and Lue...wonder if LeBron approves lol

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DBC10 · Post #1312 » by **DBC10** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 2:34 am

Gilbert is just a dumbass, nothing new. Griffin got multiple Finals appearances and a chip on his resume, literally no reason why you fire someone like that. Especially him working under unique situations with a disgustingly capped out roster and multiple trade exceptions.

sc8581 · Post #1313 » by **sc8581** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:04 am

Snakebites wrote:
Canadafan wrote:Cavs are gonna trade for the 1yr rental George. Wade will opt out and go there too. Mannnnnnn! I want George

Wade's already opted in.

I thought I heard that as well but it was all over the media today that he still has that decision to make.

coordinator0 · Post #1314 » by **coordinator0** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:30 am

sc8581 wrote::cry:
Snakebites wrote:
Canadafan wrote:Cavs are gonna trade for the 1yr rental George. Wade will opt out and go there too. Mannnnnnn! I want George

Wade's already opted in.

I thought I heard that as well but it was all over the media today that he still has that decision to make.

Read on Twitter

sc8581 · Post #1315 » by **sc8581** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:21 am

He's probably hoping for a buyout

Neptune · Post #1316 » by **Neptune** » Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:42 pm

Watch Paul George get traded to the Rockets

Post #1317 » by **roc** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:48 am

Looks like I will mainly be watching the same 3 teams (MIN, PHI, MIL) I did last year lol.

Minny and Philly with the biggest trades of the draft are looking pretty fun.

and...

East down another All Star with Butler shipped off to the West.

MotownMadness · Post #1318 » by **MotownMadness** » Fri Jun 23, 2017 4:37 am

roc wrote:Looks like I will mainly be watching the same 3 teams (MIN, PHI, MIL) I did last year lol.

Minny and Philly with the biggest trades of the draft are looking pretty fun.

and...

East down another All Star with Butler shipped off to the West.

Can't believe Minny got Butler and Ainge just watched it happen for such a low cost. Glad he did and Bulls are done but man Wolves will be good.

Pharaoh · Post #1319 » by **Pharaoh** » Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:10 pm

Ainge is a fool. "Contend now"? Contend for what?

They got blitzed by the Cavs and in 2 years could be destroyed by Philly, Milwaukee, Washington or a darkhorse no one can see right now

#7, Dunn, LaVine & they got Butler & #16?

Ainge couldn't have offered #3, Smart & Amir just for Butler?

I'm guessing the Bulls didn't go back to Ainge after Thibs made his offer
As of now Ainge should be offering Indy a glorious collection of picks for Paul George

There's a chance he bolts...but if you go to Game 7 of the ECF I doubt he bails for LA

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Montanabadboy · Post #1320 » by **Montanabadboy** » Sun Jun 25, 2017 4:35 pm

I'm thinking it was worth it to the Bulls to keep Butler out of the East. Kinda like how I would hope no one would make a deal with Cleveland to improve their prospects.