2019-20 NBA Season Discussion

[Bidofo]

Even with Jokic being the clutchest player in history, I feel like Malone still prefers to run the offense through Murray at times. It’s baffling. Im not the biggest fan of Murray as is but that fourth quarter was pitiful.

[ShotCreator]

Even with Jokic being the clutchest player in history, I feel like Malone still prefers to run the offense through Murray at times. It’s baffling. Im not the biggest fan of Murray as is but that fourth quarter was pitiful.

Murray is flat out worse than Monte Morris on both ends.

But trust me, it was much, much worse in say 16-17. No belief in Jokic as a lead guy, awful Jamert Nelson PNR spam, and Murray was even more blind to passing lanes back then.

[GSP]

Malone seems like the Nuggets Mark Jackson. They have way more potential than theyre showing.

Hes not a good coach. Hes also one of those stubborn coaches that always closes the last 6-7 minutes with the starters. They didnt score for literally 7-8 minutes and he made 0 adjustments.

Jerami Grant should be getting way more minutes with the starters and specially Jokic

[Colbinii]

Even with Jokic being the clutchest player in history, I feel like Malone still prefers to run the offense through Murray at times. It’s baffling. Im not the biggest fan of Murray as is but that fourth quarter was pitiful.

Murray is flat out worse than Monte Morris on both ends.

But trust me, it was much, much worse in say 16-17. No belief in Jokic as a lead guy, awful Jamert Nelson PNR spam, and Murray was even more blind to passing lanes back then.

Morris is fantastic. I hope the Timberwolves can get him.

[Bidofo]

Goodness it’s bad enough Randle is playing like garbage for the Knicks, but I drafted him in the second round of fantasy league too...

Seriously though his lack of IQ has been...glaring. Was this always a problem in LA/NO? I always knew he was a bit of a ball stopper who took ill advised shots, but it’s been like a whole other level this year. And his turnovers give me headaches.

[Bidofo]

Even with Jokic being the clutchest player in history, I feel like Malone still prefers to run the offense through Murray at times. It’s baffling. Im not the biggest fan of Murray as is but that fourth quarter was pitiful.

Murray is flat out worse than Monte Morris on both ends.

But trust me, it was much, much worse in say 16-17. No belief in Jokic as a lead guy, awful Jamert Nelson PNR spam, and Murray was even more blind to passing lanes back then.

Yea I only started watching the Nuggets intensively for the first time last year because I love me some Jokic. I had my qualms about Murray then too, and I can’t help but blame him the most for the loss to Portland. I don’t know what’s going on with his development, but I’m just not seeing that jump that I would have liked this year. He comes off as the same player to me, which is unfortunate because he has nice potential and can be an explosive/exciting player.

Morris though was fantastic last year. I think he might literally be the GOAT in terms of turnover economy using trex’s formula haha he’s much smarter than Murray and actually finds and involves Jokic more. That kind of pass first guy fits better with Jokic better, but Murray just locked a very big contract so we are stuck with him for quite some time.

[Dr Spaceman]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

[therealbig3]

Where would you guys rank Rubio among PGs right now?

[eminence]

Tricky to say on Rubio, coming into the season I probably would've said somewhere in that 10-15 range, but he's having a career year so far and lots of other guys are not to put it lightly. He might be pushing top 5.

Bit dependent on who you classify as PG obviously (I'm doing it by a general who defends the smallest guy on the court for your team, so no LeBron/Luka)

[Colbinii]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

When we see the Celtics without Hayward.

[Dr Spaceman]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

When we see the Celtics without Hayward.

Ouch. Raptor fans are right. They get no respect.

[Colbinii]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

When we see the Celtics without Hayward.

Ouch. Raptor fans are right. They get no respect.

I didn't get my coffe yet

[Dr Spaceman]

When we see the Celtics without Hayward.

Ouch. Raptor fans are right. They get no respect.

I didn't get my coffe yet

Boston has looked legit too, I just don’t know how the Hayward injury will affect things. Don’t get me wrong, if Hayward is healthy and looks this good at the end of the season they are a real threat. I feel like this is the Boston team people were expecting before the broken leg and all the Kyrie drama (by the way, how low is Kyrie stock these days?).

Toronto is for real though. Siakam could be in MVP conversations by season’s end. They are amazing to watch on defense with their length and activity level.

Frankly the top teams in the East look better than the top teams in the West. George’s return will change things but outside of the Lakers the big players in the West look kinda shaky, while Philly, Boston, Toronto, Milwaukee and hel, even the Heat to an extent look to be real threats.

[Colbinii]

Ouch. Raptor fans are right. They get no respect.

I didn't get my coffe yet

Boston has looked legit too, I just don’t know how the Hayward injury will affect things. Don’t get me wrong, if Hayward is healthy and looks this good at the end of the season they are a real threat. I feel like this is the Boston team people were expecting before the broken leg and all the Kyrie drama (by the way, how low is Kyrie stock these days?).

Toronto is for real though. Siakam could be in MVP conversations by season’s end. They are amazing to watch on defense with their length and activity level.

Frankly the top teams in the East look better than the top teams in the West. George’s return will change things but outside of the Lakers the big players in the West look kinda shaky, while Philly, Boston, Toronto, Milwaukee and hel, even the Heat to an extent look to be real threats.

This is the most balanced the conferences have looked in quite some time. Every single team has a question mark and it is very possible Toronto as a team has the least question marks in the entire league (sans LAC).

Denver has a coaching syndrome and a contractual issue where their best PG, Monte Morris, is not going to get his fair share of minutes ahead of Murray.

The best teams in the NBA in no order are Toronto, Milwaukee, Philly, Boston, Los Angeles x2, Denver and Utah.

Kyrie's stock is hilarious.

[Dr Positivity]

Going into this season I thought the Raptors destiny was to overperform in the regular season (they are full of late draft pick grinder guys who play hard every game) and then succumb in the playoffs to more talented East team. But since PHI and MIL both got worse this offseason, and hitting the high end of some seasons like Siakam and Anunoby, maybe repeat finals appearance isn't so far fetched.

[The High Cyde]

Raptors championship DNA came through yesterday. I don't know if they'll get to the Finals again, if so then Siakam would need to take yet another leap. Gasol and Ibaka have regressed and are a year older, and Giannis would like nothing more than to eat them alive. I doubt the Wall strategy will work to the same effectiveness. I mean it's possible but definitely not probable they get back there.

What do you guys make of the Miami Heat? Think they can nab the third seed? They might be players at the deadline, so I think they're a viable contender for that high of a seed. Spo is still a top tier coach, and they got the horses to make some noise now. Shout out to the Dragon playing out of his mind haha

[K_chile22]

Just wanted to share this for the laughs.

Even taking into account the small sample size of the latter here, this is hilarious:
Harden-Westbrook-House-Tucker-Capela: +23.8 (242 possessions)
Harden-Westbrook-Gordon-Tucker-Capela -127.0 (40 possessions)

Incredible. 150.8 points per 100 swing. How is that possible.

[Joey Wheeler]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

Never. Given health, Sixers should win the East easily. Toronto, Miami and Boston are really strong ensemble casts, but lack the top end talent you need to win deep in the playoffs; the Bucks would be the second favorite, but hard to see them win after the brutal way in which Giannis got exposed last playoffs.

I think it depends on Embiid mostly, if he's healthy in the playoffs I think the Sixers will get to the Finals with relative ease. If he isn't, then it's up for grabs for sure.

[SeniorWalker]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

Which 3rd team are you looking at to enter the race?

Edit: I should say, I'm not expecting it to be toronto unless Siakam is a lot more of a player than I think he is. I think many are really underestimating how much offensive pressure Kawhi took off of the role players throughout their run last year. True superstar talents show their value in playoff runs, where they take pressure off of the other guys to score. We've seen time and again before the Raptors got a real star what their ceiling actually was without one. Essentially an 'also ran'. Quality team, but not talented enough to beat a reasonably good team with a true star. I expect the same with this group.

[SeniorWalker]

When do we start thinking of the East as a 3 team race?

Never. Given health, Sixers should win the East easily. Toronto, Miami and Boston are really strong ensemble casts, but lack the top end talent you need to win deep in the playoffs; the Bucks would be the second favorite, but hard to see them win after the brutal way in which Giannis got exposed last playoffs.

I think it depends on Embiid mostly, if he's healthy in the playoffs I think the Sixers will get to the Finals with relative ease. If he isn't, then it's up for grabs for sure.

Joey, you seem like a reasonable poster. But for crying out loud can we not just write off a 24 year old Giannis for being "exposed" last year, as in defended by literally the entire team? I actaully have philly as the east favorite too because their system is not built around 1 player but it is completely irrational given the history of the game to think that because Giannis failed in one series that he is not going to improve ever again. This line of thinking makes absoltuely no sense. In fact, Giannis doesnt even have to improve much and the bucks definitely beat the raptors last year. Seriously, just more free throws would have done it. But hes going to be better than that clearly.