Around The NBA: 2019-20 RESTART

[dumbell78]

Looking at George's shots the last three games half, I repeat half have been from three-point attempts. George needs to get to the line and also look to get mid-range jumpers during this slump. Leonard didn't shoot well either this game but when he got cooking it started from the mid-range. I'll just sit back and watch for the analytics guys to come at me. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4251/paul-george

This is especially true come playoff time. There are moments especially when games are close and winding down where you simply need a bucket from your best guys. If its a mid range jumper or fadeaway from the baseline, so be it. There are times when you need some momentum starters, much like a stop on the defensive end.

As an example, you cant convince me that during those crucial times that swinging the ball to a PJ Tucker or House for a 3 is a better shot than Harden getting or manufacturing a bucket. Kawhi showed that late in today's game, its just Luka is ridiculous and they had no way of stopping the kid.

While I don't disagree, kawhi kicked it out to Morris for the 3 instead of forcing his shot this game

Yes he did but previous to that with LA down 11, it was Kawhi getting into his comfort zone and hitting multiple mid range shots. Without those "undesirable" shots LA isnt going into OT with the chance to win.

Its never black and white, analytic conversation always turn into these black and white conversations. That I never buy into.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Toronto's bench scored 100 points, a NBA record.

Like I said, everyone is like a clone of each other. They certainly dont depend on one guy that HAS to show up or they lose.

Like they will miss Lowry if he cant play the first few games of the next series. But Boston will miss Haywood far more.

[dice]

This is especially true come playoff time. There are moments especially when games are close and winding down where you simply need a bucket from your best guys. If its a mid range jumper or fadeaway from the baseline, so be it. There are times when you need some momentum starters, much like a stop on the defensive end.

As an example, you cant convince me that during those crucial times that swinging the ball to a PJ Tucker or House for a 3 is a better shot than Harden getting or manufacturing a bucket. Kawhi showed that late in today's game, its just Luka is ridiculous and they had no way of stopping the kid.

are you saying that a basket from a star is more valuable than a basket from a non-star in a big situation? because michael jordan didn't think like that. kobe might have...to his team's detriment

I'm saying putting it in your main guy hands to make a play, most of the time its that guy trying to get the bucket. Just following normal swing around tactics to allow for the "analytical" play isnt ideal in my view.

i think there's some validity to that. a superstar can't be in clutch mode the entire game, but it certainly makes sense to have him carry more of the load in important situations. still, he has to be cognizant of the open man and what the defense is giving him regardless of game situation. i don't think there's a player in the game that i'd prefer to shoot a mid-range fadeaway when there's a competent spot up shooter open. even michael jordan didn't have much luck with low percentage shots with the game on the line. and he knew that. he instead had the good sense to find paxson or kerr or whoever

[Southpaw]

Man Luka is something special. I envy Dallas fans, they'll be watching greatness for a long time. To think that we could've had a shot at him in the draft if only we tanked right.

[Grodoboldo]

MPJ fanclub is missing today. Just like his defense. And intervertebral discs.

[dumbell78]

are you saying that a basket from a star is more valuable than a basket from a non-star in a big situation? because michael jordan didn't think like that. kobe might have...to his team's detriment

I'm saying putting it in your main guy hands to make a play, most of the time its that guy trying to get the bucket. Just following normal swing around tactics to allow for the "analytical" play isnt ideal in my view.

i think there's some validity to that. a superstar can't be in clutch mode the entire game, but it certainly makes sense to have him carry more of the load in important situations. still, he has to be cognizant of the open man and what the defense is giving him regardless of game situation. i don't think there's a player in the game that i'd prefer to shoot a mid-range fadeaway when there's a competent spot up shooter open. even michael jordan didn't have much luck with low percentage shots with the game on the line. and he knew that. he instead had the good sense to find paxson or kerr or whoever

Yeah I'm good with that and we can debate what's a good shot for a star player. Kawhi kicking out to Morris was a good example of what can and should happen, similar to Jordan did with Kerr to use your example. The lead up to that shot like I said earlier was Kawhi doing what stars do and there are times you need that, damn what the analytics say. Its about finding the right balance in basketball.

[dice]

Man Luka is something special. I envy Dallas fans, they'll be watching greatness for a long time. To think that we could've had a shot at him in the draft if only we tanked right.

to think that luka and zion could easily have ended up on the same team (mavs had same lotto odds as pelicans and were top 5 protected from having to send pick to hawks). potential hawks fan reaction: "wait, we gave them luka AND gave them zion protection on one of the picks we got back?!"

[Repeat 3-peat]

Donovan Mitchell with 51 points in a win over Denver. Utah now up 3-1.

Jamal Murray also scored 50.

It's crazy to see this amount of scoring.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Read on Twitter

[the ultimates]

Looking at George's shots the last three games half, I repeat half have been from three-point attempts. George needs to get to the line and also look to get mid-range jumpers during this slump. Leonard didn't shoot well either this game but when he got cooking it started from the mid-range. I'll just sit back and watch for the analytics guys to come at me. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4251/paul-george

no "analytics guy" would argue against getting to the line. that's always the best option. which is why settling for the mid-range is almost never a good strategy unless the clock is winding down. in a slump from the 3 point line or getting pushed off it? take it to the hole and finish, get fouled or create for others!

When you aren't getting to the foul line or getting cheap foul calls and slumping mightily from three the hated mid-range jumper should be an option period. This was not a game to worry about where George should efficiently get points. He's been shooting so bad he should just look to get points from anywhere.

Again his teammate got hot by making those same mid-range jumpers and seeing the ball go in. Then he started to make three's get to the rim and foul line more.

[MrSparkle]

DEN falling flat. Honestly, as exciting as their bubble was with the emergence of MPJ and Bol, the playoffs are a blunt reminder of how irrelevant such draft catches are in the short-term. They need a defensive wing armada. IMO there is no future in playing MPJ full-time alongside Jokic.

Mitchell and Gobert are also playing way out of their minds... but man, there is modern lazy defense, and there is horrendous defense. Denver literally could not stop them from scoring a bucket every time.

[Chi town]

DEN falling flat. Honestly, as exciting as their bubble was with the emergence of MPJ and Bol, the playoffs are a blunt reminder of how irrelevant such draft catches are in the short-term. They need a defensive wing armada. IMO there is no future in playing MPJ full-time alongside Jokic.

Mitchell and Gobert are also playing way out of their minds... but man, there is modern lazy defense, and there is horrendous defense. Denver literally could not stop them from scoring a bucket every time.

I agree about MPJ and Jokic.

DEN is missing Barton and Harris big time.

[Leslie Forman]

You want to hope that Denver's complete lack of defensive talent is a bug and not a feature of Karnisovas's team building philosophy.

[dice]

Looking at George's shots the last three games half, I repeat half have been from three-point attempts. George needs to get to the line and also look to get mid-range jumpers during this slump. Leonard didn't shoot well either this game but when he got cooking it started from the mid-range. I'll just sit back and watch for the analytics guys to come at me. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/gamelog/_/id/4251/paul-george

no "analytics guy" would argue against getting to the line. that's always the best option. which is why settling for the mid-range is almost never a good strategy unless the clock is winding down. in a slump from the 3 point line or getting pushed off it? take it to the hole and finish, get fouled or create for others!

When you aren't getting to the foul line or getting cheap foul calls and slumping mightily from three the hated mid-range jumper should be an option period.

not getting to the foul line is more an indication of lack of aggression than it is bad luck from refs, if that's what you're suggesting.
better to keep at it rather than give up, settle for bad shots and hope that the mid-range shot is going to turn everything around

This was not a game to worry about where George should efficiently get points. He's been shooting so bad he should just look to get points from anywhere.

or stop damn shooting and get others involved! drive and kick if met with resistance, be more selective with 3 point shots...

Again his teammate got hot by making those same mid-range jumpers and seeing the ball go in. Then he started to make three's get to the rim and foul line more.

i'm talking about general strategy, not anecdotal evidence that it works once in a while

[troza]

Well... just to share that, as the Bulls are missing in the playoffs, I would love to see Dallas win it this year. If they do beating Clippers and Lakers in the way to the finals that would be epic. I have my doubts but one can dream.

Still... if they don't win... let it be anyone but the Lakers

[dumbell78]

I think some of these guys are benefiting with being in the bubble in a strange kind of way. I'm talking scoring and shooting. The fact that it's the same open gym concept with what should be better line of vision is probably making it easier for some guys. Not having any real home court without fans can come some real nerves.

Just a random thought.

[MrFortune3]

Read on Twitter

Torching the team that technically drafted him. That's cold blooded.

[Andi Obst]

Read on Twitter

Torching the team that technically drafted him. That's cold blooded.

Gobert was also drafted by the Nuggets and traded on draft day. They're beating themselves basically.

[DASMACKDOWN]

When Lebron leaves in a few years, the league will be in very good young hands.

[TheFinishSniper]

When Lebron leaves in a few years, the league will be in very good young hands.

Wait? He didnt left already?! Lebron era ended when he decided that his own rest is more important than catching playoffs. As he needed top 5 player in a trade to make it happen next year.