2018 -- NBA Games Thread

[Spud2nique]

This can't be true, right?

I mean, that’s crazy,” Lue said. “If Kevin was out there we might have given up 170. Who knows, man. We’ve got to be better, got to just stay together. We’re being tested right now. This is when your true character comes out and the character of who you are as a person and as a player. We’ve got to step up and play basketball.”

I saw that too but he just kind of misspoke. He's referencing the idea that the team was blaming Love for not playing and getting blown out, and basically he's trying to say that missing Love wasn't the reason they got blown out. It was not playing as a team. Saying they would have given up 170 with Love looks bad but that's not really what he meant.

Love is a true pro though and honestly i think the guy is a lot smarter than some of his teammates. He doesn't get defensive because he sees through their bull. The guy isn't a great defender but i've never seen him dogging it or taking plays off. The same can't be said for Lebron, IT, JR, Frye. Those guys are playing games/screwing around this season and it never mattered before. It might this time.

Wow...we seem to disagree on a ton. Love might be a lot smarter than his teammates but that doesn't help him shuffle his lazy feet on defense. He looks like he's hustling but honestly it's a fake hustle....either that or he's the most skilled worst athlete the NBA has ever seen. He is often lost out there on D also. Maybe it's Lebron barking orders at him. I don't know if it's vegan clean diet or weight loss or what but Love needs to man up.


I do give him a ton of credit though for remaining composed. It's easy to point fingers at people when things aren't going your way. He hasn't and in that sense has remained a true pro.

I just hope it all doesn't work out for them.

[macd-gm]

What's the standard being used on Love though? He's not a great defender. That's pretty well established. But the dude is 19/10 and shooting 40% from 3. He leads the team in rebounding by a pretty wide margin. It's not like he's some scrub out there dogging it.

[Spud2nique]

What's the standard being used on Love though? He's not a great defender. That's pretty well established. But the dude is 19/10 and shooting 40% from 3. He leads the team in rebounding by a pretty wide margin. It's not like he's some scrub out there dogging it.

Oh no doubt...but the standard to me is that he's becoming a 6 time all star... If you've been selected that many times I think that sets its own standard. As a 6 time all star, it should take more than a sniffle or a bruise to keep you out. He needs to lead by example because once again..HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE CAVS, right? He's acting like a journeyman role player...who knows though maybe he's tired of Lebron like Kyrie was...I remember Kobe being the same way...a bunch of great stars didn't want to play with him...

Even when they won the ring two years ago and they were down 1-3, Lebron was kind of treating Love like crap it seemed....I dunno, in any event, I do think K Love has a lot character for not being a loudmouth about this and calling people out as well.

[jayu70]

I'm gonna say it's Lue that can't bring out anything in his guys...hate to bash an X Hawk but he's about to get canned.

Yes! Lue is one of the main problems for Cleveland and so is Lebron James.
If any other team had the issues Cleveland does the media would be all over the superstar on the team. In this case, Lebron is considered the best player in the world, and nobody is speaking on it, so the blame is being placed on Kevin Love.

I'm not a Lebron supporter by any means, but you have to admit that Kevin Love is not the same Kevin Love that was on the Wolves. I'm not sure what happened to the guy, he lost all confidence in his game and became half as effective as he can be and just a glorified jump shooter. Perhaps it's because Lebron is the entire defense and as a result, his teammates just become role players...

At this point if I'm the Cavs, I try and call the Clippers for a Lou Williams/Love centered swap. Having said that, uncle Lou doesn't play a lick of defense either.

They are certainly in a bind no doubt.

That's what happens playing next to LBJ. Just ask Chris Bosh.
Like Mac-d said. Love was never a great defender but at least the effort is there, he's not dogging it like guys who are supposed to be defenders.
LBJ is mad because Cavs missed out on PG and Eric Bledsoe.

[Spud2nique]

Yes! Lue is one of the main problems for Cleveland and so is Lebron James.
If any other team had the issues Cleveland does the media would be all over the superstar on the team. In this case, Lebron is considered the best player in the world, and nobody is speaking on it, so the blame is being placed on Kevin Love.

I'm not a Lebron supporter by any means, but you have to admit that Kevin Love is not the same Kevin Love that was on the Wolves. I'm not sure what happened to the guy, he lost all confidence in his game and became half as effective as he can be and just a glorified jump shooter. Perhaps it's because Lebron is the entire defense and as a result, his teammates just become role players...

At this point if I'm the Cavs, I try and call the Clippers for a Lou Williams/Love centered swap. Having said that, uncle Lou doesn't play a lick of defense either.

They are certainly in a bind no doubt.

That's what happens playing next to LBJ. Just ask Chris Bosh.
Like Mac-d said. Love was never a great defender but at least the effort is there, he's not dogging it like guys who are supposed to be defenders.
LBJ is mad because Cavs missed out on PG and Eric Bledsoe.

Effort on defensive is overrated. It's all heart. If you want to defend somebody then D up and don't run around pretending...this is the pro game.

I do agree that anyone who joins Lebron is gonna take a hit...whether in stats or having your manhood questioned cuz you have a boo boo and decided to go home while 11 other guys are playing and probably through the same boo boo's.

[macd-gm]

Where is the evidence though that Love has ever wimped out of games? I've seen Lebron take 3 weeks off for "treatment" in miami because he was tired.

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

Earvin Magic reborn.

[ATL Boy]

I don't get the hate on Kevin Love's on the court production here. He's still an all star caliber player despite playing in Lebron's shadow and being the third option ever since joining the Cavs. Just like Chris Bosh, the big man takes a hit on Lebron's team.

I feel like if Love got the opportunity to be the first option on a team again he could put up the gaudy numbers that would have us asking if he's the best PF in the game again.

[Spud2nique]

Where is the evidence though that Love has ever wimped out of games? I've seen Lebron take 3 weeks off for "treatment" in miami because he was tired.

That's a valid point too. I don't like Lebron or Love..I can't believe I'm actually supposed to be defending Lebron here...how do you guys set these daily traps for me...lol dang

[jayu70]

Where is the evidence though that Love has ever wimped out of games? I've seen Lebron take 3 weeks off for "treatment" in miami because he was tired.

That's a valid point too. I don't like Lebron or Love..I can't believe I'm actually supposed to be defending Lebron here...how do you guys set these daily traps for me...lol dang

You are just gullible

[Spud2nique]

Where is the evidence though that Love has ever wimped out of games? I've seen Lebron take 3 weeks off for "treatment" in miami because he was tired.

That's a valid point too. I don't like Lebron or Love..I can't believe I'm actually supposed to be defending Lebron here...how do you guys set these daily traps for me...lol dang

You are just gullible

[Jamaaliver]

Read on Twitter

[Jamaaliver]

This kid is playing slightly better.

Avg 16 ppg and 4 apg over his last 5.

Read on Twitter

[Spud2nique]

This kid is playing slightly better.

Avg 16 ppg and 4 apg over his last 5.

Read on Twitter

Indeed...better than slightly I'd say...was watching the Kings at the Heat on Friday night (rooting on the Kings for tanking purposes and KG's BIL effect) and Fox straight took over the 4th nearly by himself. I think the Kings were down double digits and was starting to lose hope and Fox went on a crazy run at the end and had the game winning putback dunk which looked crazy for a small point guard flying in there to cram it off the O boards.


Fox is going to be a beast. I feel the Kings turned a corner as a franchise when they traded Boogie...they seem smart now..lol...let's see if it's sustainable.

[Jamaaliver]

^Collins Sexton reminds me a ton of D Fox. Sexton is a better shooter from three.

But they are both (s)core first point guards with a pitbull mentality.

[kg01]

This kid is playing slightly better.

Avg 16 ppg and 4 apg over his last 5.

Read on Twitter

Indeed...better than slightly I'd say...was watching the Kings at the Heat on Friday night (rooting on the Kings for tanking purposes and KG's BIL effect) and Fox straight took over the 4th nearly by himself. I think the Kings were down double digits and was starting to lose hope and Fox went on a crazy run at the end and had the game winning putback dunk which looked crazy for a small point guard flying in there to cram it off the O boards.

Fox is going to be a beast. I feel the Kings turned a corner as a franchise when they traded Boogie...they seem smart now..lol...let's see if it's sustainable.

I wouldn't go that far. They followed that up by going "all-in" for playoffs by acquiring George Hill, Vince and Zach Randolph. Then before midseason went back to tanking.

ETA: And my Heat-fan BIL called me out of the blue to talk NBA. (not-so)Coincidentally it was right as the Heat were making their little surge.

[Spud2nique]

This kid is playing slightly better.

Avg 16 ppg and 4 apg over his last 5.

Read on Twitter

Indeed...better than slightly I'd say...was watching the Kings at the Heat on Friday night (rooting on the Kings for tanking purposes and KG's BIL effect) and Fox straight took over the 4th nearly by himself. I think the Kings were down double digits and was starting to lose hope and Fox went on a crazy run at the end and had the game winning putback dunk which looked crazy for a small point guard flying in there to cram it off the O boards.

Fox is going to be a beast. I feel the Kings turned a corner as a franchise when they traded Boogie...they seem smart now..lol...let's see if it's sustainable.

I wouldn't go that far. They followed that up by going "all-in" for playoffs by acquiring George Hill, Vince and Zach Randolph. Then before midseason went back to tanking.

ETA: And my Heat-fan BIL called me out of the blue to talk NBA. (not-so)Coincidentally it was right as the Heat were making their little surge.

Haha you should have been with him that night to see his face after the Fox putback...it was a shocker lol.

I don't think the Kings were going all in for the playoffs but rather signing some crafty vets like Zbo and Hill to teach their young guys like Giles...(he's out now but Zbo is a great mentor) and Hill with Fox then flip them by the deadline. I think they did it right so far.

I love this country-Vlade dade we likes to party.

[Spud2nique]

^Collins Sexton reminds me a ton of D Fox. Sexton is a better shooter from three.

But they are both core first point guards with a pitbull mentality.

Does Sexton has the speed of Fox? If not, then that's a huuuge hit. Fox's tough attitude and demeanor are great but if he didn't have that elite speed he wouldn't stand out.

Sexton doesn't look to have the Wall/Fox/Dennis (ya what the hell Dennis deserves it) speed....however he does look like he can physically overpower a guy like Fox with his body.....

Again though I always tend to like my point guard to be more of a Trae Young than a Sexton....just my personal preference though to each their own.

[Jamaaliver]

^Collins Sexton reminds me a ton of D Fox. Sexton is a better shooter from three.

But they are both core first point guards with a pitbull mentality.

Does Sexton has the speed of Fox? If not, then that's a huuuge hit. Fox's tough attitude and demeanor are great but if he didn't have that elite speed he wouldn't stand out.

...however he does look like he can physically overpower a guy like Fox with his body.....

He's fast, but I don't think he's quite as fast as those other guys.

You are correct that he's physically strong for his age and able to finish in traffic more consistently.

Funfact: Trae and Sexton already know each other from both being McDonalds All-Americans.

As seniors Sexton won the dunk contest and Trae won the 3-pt shoot out.

[kg01]

Oh man, we got @jammmmmmmmmmaliver touting these teenagers. My how things have changed.