Around the League Discussion - 2018-2019 (Playoffs)

[Kobblehead]

I think Middleton's payday will result in them losing depth. It doesn't help that they're stuck with nearly $20m in bad salary to Snell and Ilyasova.

Brogdon and Mirotic could be casualties of cap.

Lopez is probably a must because he's imperative to maximize Giannis.

[KramerDSP]

It seems destined that Curry, Draymond, Klay, and Iguodala all end up with four rings in five seasons. Insane. And Kerr’s gonna have nine (five as a player, and four as head coach).

That core is one ring away from Magic, Kobe, and Duncan. And they’re two away from Kareem, Jordan, and Pippen.

[James40]

It seems destined that Curry, Draymond, Klay, and Iguodala all end up with four rings in five seasons. Insane. And Kerr’s gonna have nine (five as a player, and four as head coach).

That core is one ring away from Magic, Kobe, and Duncan. And they’re two away from Kareem, Jordan, and Pippen.

Draymond’s aggressiveness and hustle was awesome to watch, if Ben could have that just for the playoffs, the Sixers would be tough to beat.

[76ciology]

It seems destined that Curry, Draymond, Klay, and Iguodala all end up with four rings in five seasons. Insane. And Kerr’s gonna have nine (five as a player, and four as head coach).

That core is one ring away from Magic, Kobe, and Duncan. And they’re two away from Kareem, Jordan, and Pippen.

Draymond’s aggressiveness and hustle was awesome to watch, if Ben could have that just for the playoffs, the Sixers would be tough to beat.

Exactly.

[sixers hoops]

I was a little surprised Paul George was the third MVP finalist. I follow the Sixers more than the rest of the league these days, but I thought Lillard getting that roster 53 wins in the West is quite a feat. Maybe I’m underrating the rest of that roster. George is an amazing defender, but I didn’t see the Blazers winning that many games.

[Kobblehead]

Paul George messing up his shoulder, resulting in Westbrook assuming the reigns is why the Thunder didn't wind up with as many wins as they probably were going to win.

I think the nod for George over Lillard is appropriate. George was the 2nd best offensive player in basketball this year while also playing all-NBA defense.

[sixers hoops]

Paul George messing up his shoulder, resulting in Westbrook assuming the reigns is why the Thunder didn't wind up with as many wins as they probably were going to win.

I think the nod for George over Lillard is appropriate. George was the 2nd best offensive player in basketball this year while also playing all-NBA defense.

I’m a defense guy so I respect that. Some players like Harden, Lillard, and Westbrook give you a lot offensively, but two-way players like Kawhi and George offer so much value.

If I’m taking a no defense, all offense star, he has to have tremendous impact, like an AI, Harden, Lillard. It’s the reason I never really like Carmelo. Very good player, but his isolating style of play offensively and lack of defense, made him tough to win with.

I guess I found it surprising George would be nominated considering the ESPN buzz is generally about Harden, Giannis, Westbrook, Lillard, with scoring streaks, triple-doubles, etc.

MVPs generally end up being offensive players like Curry, Harden, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Dirk, Nash, Iverson. Even if James, Durant, and Kobe won, it was for their elite offense. Defensive player recognition is generally for DPOY, and the MVP seems not as much weighted toward defense. I guess that’s why a George nomination jumped out at me.

*just looked it up, didn’t know George was second in league in scoring.

[Kobblehead]

Yeah, if it wasn't for Harden manipulating his way to extra points at the stripe, George may have lead the league in scoring this season. Not many saw that coming.

[James40]

Paul George messing up his shoulder, resulting in Westbrook assuming the reigns is why the Thunder didn't wind up with as many wins as they probably were going to win.

I think the nod for George over Lillard is appropriate. George was the 2nd best offensive player in basketball this year while also playing all-NBA defense.

I’m a defense guy so I respect that. Some players like Harden, Lillard, and Westbrook give you a lot offensively, but two-way players like Kawhi and George offer so much value.

If I’m taking a no defense, all offense star, he has to have tremendous impact, like an AI, Harden, Lillard. It’s the reason I never really like Carmelo. Very good player, but his isolating style of play offensively and lack of defense, made him tough to win with.

I guess I found it surprising George would be nominated considering the ESPN buzz is generally about Harden, Giannis, Westbrook, Lillard, with scoring streaks, triple-doubles, etc.

MVPs generally end up being offensive players like Curry, Harden, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Dirk, Nash, Iverson. Even if James, Durant, and Kobe won, it was for their elite offense. Defensive player recognition is generally for DPOY, and the MVP seems not as much weighted toward defense. I guess that’s why a George nomination jumped out at me.

*just looked it up, didn’t know George was second in league in scoring.

It’s a strange thing in OKC, for everyone that rips Westbrook, his teammates love playing with him, even Oladipo has commented on how much Westbrook helped his game.

Harden averaged 36 a game which is much higher than George’s 28, but when you consider what Kobblehead said (Hardens flopping) and then remember George is playing with Westbrook, averaging 28 a game is really impressive considering offensively, we’ve never put George on par with KD.

PG13 should probably be the MVP.

[sixers hoops]

Paul George messing up his shoulder, resulting in Westbrook assuming the reigns is why the Thunder didn't wind up with as many wins as they probably were going to win.

I think the nod for George over Lillard is appropriate. George was the 2nd best offensive player in basketball this year while also playing all-NBA defense.

I’m a defense guy so I respect that. Some players like Harden, Lillard, and Westbrook give you a lot offensively, but two-way players like Kawhi and George offer so much value.

If I’m taking a no defense, all offense star, he has to have tremendous impact, like an AI, Harden, Lillard. It’s the reason I never really like Carmelo. Very good player, but his isolating style of play offensively and lack of defense, made him tough to win with.

I guess I found it surprising George would be nominated considering the ESPN buzz is generally about Harden, Giannis, Westbrook, Lillard, with scoring streaks, triple-doubles, etc.

MVPs generally end up being offensive players like Curry, Harden, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Dirk, Nash, Iverson. Even if James, Durant, and Kobe won, it was for their elite offense. Defensive player recognition is generally for DPOY, and the MVP seems not as much weighted toward defense. I guess that’s why a George nomination jumped out at me.

*just looked it up, didn’t know George was second in league in scoring.

It’s a strange thing in OKC, for everyone that rips Westbrook, his teammates love playing with him, even Oladipo has commented on how much Westbrook helped his game.

Harden averaged 36 a game which is much higher than George’s 28, but when you consider what Kobblehead said (Hardens flopping) and then remember George is playing with Westbrook, averaging 28 a game is really impressive considering offensively, we’ve never put George on par with KD.

PG13 should probably be the MVP.

About 4 years ago, Paul George was largely considered top 5. After the injury, he rep took a dip. I watch so few national games, I didn’t realize how great he was playing until I saw his MVP nomination.

[Kobblehead]

Sucks that Paul George didn't even open himself up to free agency. He would have probably vaulted both the Lakers and the Sixers to the Finals.

[James40]

I’m a defense guy so I respect that. Some players like Harden, Lillard, and Westbrook give you a lot offensively, but two-way players like Kawhi and George offer so much value.

If I’m taking a no defense, all offense star, he has to have tremendous impact, like an AI, Harden, Lillard. It’s the reason I never really like Carmelo. Very good player, but his isolating style of play offensively and lack of defense, made him tough to win with.

I guess I found it surprising George would be nominated considering the ESPN buzz is generally about Harden, Giannis, Westbrook, Lillard, with scoring streaks, triple-doubles, etc.

MVPs generally end up being offensive players like Curry, Harden, Derrick Rose, Westbrook, Dirk, Nash, Iverson. Even if James, Durant, and Kobe won, it was for their elite offense. Defensive player recognition is generally for DPOY, and the MVP seems not as much weighted toward defense. I guess that’s why a George nomination jumped out at me.

*just looked it up, didn’t know George was second in league in scoring.

It’s a strange thing in OKC, for everyone that rips Westbrook, his teammates love playing with him, even Oladipo has commented on how much Westbrook helped his game.

Harden averaged 36 a game which is much higher than George’s 28, but when you consider what Kobblehead said (Hardens flopping) and then remember George is playing with Westbrook, averaging 28 a game is really impressive considering offensively, we’ve never put George on par with KD.

PG13 should probably be the MVP.

About 4 years ago, Paul George was largely considered top 5. After the injury, he rep took a dip. I watch so few national games, I didn’t realize how great he was playing until I saw his MVP nomination.

I didn’t realize he just finished his 9th season, I think since Russ gets most of the press out of OKC ( not a lot anyway) it’s easy to forget about George and how good he really is. Plus he’s the bass fishing version of Karl Malone, so that doesn’t help.

[HBRGDR]

The Klaw erased Gainnis tonight. He could do nothing with Kawhi on him, mustered 12 pts with about half of them free throws.

Ultimately Toronto will regret giving away game 1 on the road though when they totally outplayed the bucks. That and the fact that Toronto needed to end that philly series in six to give them selves a breather. That series took out a lot out of them compared to bucks breezing by celts. Bucks in 7.

[76ciology]

The Klaw erased Gainnis tonight. He could do nothing with Kawhi on him, mustered 12 pts with about half of them free throws.

Ultimately Toronto will regret giving away game 1 on the road though when they totally outplayed the bucks. That and the fact that Toronto needed to end that philly series in six to give them selves a breather. That series took out a lot out of them compared to bucks breezing by celts. Bucks in 7.

Nah.. giannis knew refs arent gonna favor him with the series about to go 3-0, at Raps homecourt and with a superstar that gets respect from the refs also guarding him.

[James40]

My Bucks in 6 prediction may be a little off. The Raptors bench showed up tonight.

[XtremeDunkz]

We could have taken the Bucks. Im sad.

[Sixerscan]

My Bucks in 6 prediction may be a little off. The Raptors bench showed up tonight.

Still very much in play though.

[Sixerscan]

We could have taken the Bucks. Im sad.

Definitely would have been a good series. But maybe losing like that causes Embiid to grow up a little bit and become an even better player next year and long term it ends up working out.

At least that’s what I’m telling myself lol.

[Kobblehead]

We could have taken the Bucks. Im sad.

Maybe. By star math, we should be able to take anyone.

However, our roster construction makes it really hard for for multiple guys to play well at the same time.

[Negrodamus]

I really think that Giannis's struggles should be something our front office is monitoring. Even if Ben gets to the same level of shooting as Giannis, which is all we really can hope for, he's still always going to be an issue at the FT line and an unreliable shooter that defenses will scheme against.

The difference between the teams, however, is that the Bucks have Bledsoe and Middleton as their secondary creators and they have been just all right in the games in Toronto. Having Embiid and Butler as the creators changes the dynamic a bit.