PG's season ends with a wimper!

basketballwacko2 · Post #1 » by **basketballwacko2** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 4:00 pm

While Victor roars!

PG's stat line from their game 6 exit, 5 pts 2 of 16, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal 6 turnovers

Victor's stat line 28 points 13 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 6 of 8 Three point shots.

Tom White · Post #2 » by **Tom White** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:20 pm

I don't generally root against former Pacers, but have made an exception in George's case. It was even tough to root for him during his last few years as a Pacer. Had to just cheer for the team and try to ignore his baggage, drama, attitude, whining at the refs and on and on. Was so happy to see him go. Even happier to see Oladipo arrive.

I don't think it is hard to understand why players/others talk about the improvement in the locker room atmosphere.

DusterBuster · Post #3 » by **DusterBuster** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 6:50 pm

Tom White wrote:I don't generally root against former Pacers, but have made an exception in George's case. It was even tough to root for him during his last few years as a Pacer. Had to just cheer for the team and try to ignore his baggage, drama, attitude, whining at the refs and on and on. Was so happy to see him go. Even happier to see Oladipo arrive.

I don't think it is hard to understand why players/others talk about the improvement in the locker room atmosphere.

A unhappy star can really taint a whole franchise. I remember hearing the rumblings in the Blazers locker room after Aldridge left.

Pacers are much better off without Paul, especially since KP made such a great trade.

All that said, in mild defense of Paul and even Melo, can we all agree that playing next to Russ is no easy task for any player.

Tom White · Post #4 » by **Tom White** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:02 pm

DusterBuster wrote:
All that said, in mild defense of Paul and even Melo, can we all agree that playing next to Russ is no easy task for any player.

That makes me wonder. Which of those three do you think had the most difficult time adjusting to (accepting) their new circumstance, and which had the easiest time.

I would think George had the hardest time, seeing how he had to take a step down in the pecking order.

Melo was likely happy to be out of NY and on a better team. Plus, with his age (though not overly old) and understanding of where he is in his career, he may have been more accepting, even welcoming a lessened load.

I doubt much changed for Westbrook. He still ruled the roost in OKC. It was still his team. Possibly expected he might have more help to lean on.

DusterBuster · Post #5 » by **DusterBuster** » Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:12 pm

Tom White wrote:
DusterBuster wrote:
All that said, in mild defense of Paul and even Melo, can we all agree that playing next to Russ is no easy task for any player.

That makes me wonder. Which of those three do you think had the most difficult time adjusting to (accepting) their new circumstance, and which had the easiest time.

I would think George had the hardest time, seeing how he had to take a step down in the pecking order.

Melo was likely happy to be out of NY and on a better team. Plus, with his age (though not overly old) and understanding of where he is in his career, he may have been more accepting, even welcoming a lessened load.

I doubt much changed for Westbrook. He still ruled the roost in OKC. It was still his team. Possibly expected he might have more help to lean on.

Its a good question, but I still think Melo had the harder time. The role they asked him to play was much tougher than the one they asked of PG. George can play off the ball and defend just fine, it's not getting the most out of him they could have, but he still thrived enough in the role next to Russ.

Memo meanwhile... They wanted him to be the Bosh role and he just clearly couldn't do it anymore. His offensive game has fallen off a cliff and he's shown zero interst in playing closer to the basket as a PF.

Honestly, the best for Melo and the team would have been him as a 6th man on that team, making the second unit in OKC more dynamic, but his ego wasn't going to let that happen.

Topofthekey · Post #6 » by **Topofthekey** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 12:26 am

On a side note, watching Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade turning into old dudes playing out the tail end of their career makes me feel old af

It seems just like yesterday that they were all coming into the league as rookies, with LeBron James of course, each heading to their respective teams, bringing with them the prospect of greatness

basketballwacko2 · Post #7 » by **basketballwacko2** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:04 am

I don't root against PG I mostly ignore him. But I was looking at the box score and saw he had a tough night. My heart didn't break for him.

HurricaneDij25 · Post #8 » by **HurricaneDij25** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 3:38 am

Topofthekey wrote:On a side note, watching Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade turning into old dudes playing out the tail end of their career makes me feel old af

It seems just like yesterday that they were all coming into the league as rookies, with LeBron James of course, each heading to their respective teams, bringing with them the prospect of greatness

LOL that's the trio that set the standard for self-importance in the modern NBA.

Tom White · Post #9 » by **Tom White** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:16 pm

DusterBuster wrote:Honestly, the best for Melo and the team would have been him as a 6th man on that team, making the second unit in OKC more dynamic, but his ego wasn't going to let that happen.

Wow! I guess you nailed it.
I just read the RealGM wiretap article about him not being willing to accept a role coming off the bench. Didn't realize his ego still needed 40 acres to turn around.

DusterBuster · Post #10 » by **DusterBuster** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:20 pm

Tom White wrote:
DusterBuster wrote:Honestly, the best for Melo and the team would have been him as a 6th man on that team, making the second unit in OKC more dynamic, but his ego wasn't going to let that happen.

Wow! I guess you nailed it.
I just read the RealGM wiretap article about him not being willing to accept a role coming off the bench. Didn't realize his ego still needed 40 acres to turn around.

I mean, it wasn't the first time he flat out said he'll never accept a bench role. He did that in their media day interviews, so as much as I'd love to take credit for calling something, I was just repeating something he had said and he reaffirmed that stance in no uncertain terms in their exit interviews.

Post #11 » by **boomershadow** » Sun Apr 29, 2018 11:44 pm

DusterBuster wrote:
Tom White wrote:
DusterBuster wrote:Honestly, the best for Melo and the team would have been him as a 6th man on that team, making the second unit in OKC more dynamic, but his ego wasn't going to let that happen.

Wow! I guess you nailed it.
I just read the RealGM wiretap article about him not being willing to accept a role coming off the bench. Didn't realize his ego still needed 40 acres to turn around.

I mean, it wasn't the first time he flat out said he'll never accept a bench role. He did that in their media day interviews, so as much as I'd love to take credit for calling something, I was just repeating something he had said and he reaffirmed that stance in no uncertain terms in their exit interviews.

I have no idea how a player can "not accept" a bench role. The coach decides the starting lineup, not any of the players. If he won't join the second unit, let him rot in the third unit for a bit until his attitude improves.