2019-20 NBA Season Discussion

[Doctor MJ]

Regardless of who (if anyone in particular) he’s talking about I think this is interesting insight from an athlete.

Read on Twitter

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

[eminence]

Doc bounced back pretty nicely. I kinda like his fit with Embiid. May have the necessary cachet to get through to him.

[yoyoboy]

I genuinely believe LeBron when he says they’re not jealous of each other. I would’ve never thought I’d say this before the season but now I really don’t think he cares if Davis gets FMVP. They seem to really have a great relationship, more so than with any teammate Bron’s had besides Wade for sure.

[kayess]

I've disliked Kyrie way more when he was a Cav, at least now I can take solace in other people hating him.

There was once a whole Dion vs Kyrie thing in Cleveland. Even though Kyrie was clearly the better and more talented player a lot of cavs fans were team Dion for that. That’s how unlikable Kyrie was and also how selfish a player he was because we all liked the fact Dion was much more of a team player.

Wait is this some exaggeration? Dion **** Waiters a better team player than Kyrie??

[yoyoboy]

This gets said virtually every season but I really do think next year could be fantastic. The Lakers will obviously still be contenders and probably the favorites. Denver and Dallas should improve. Miami has the flexibility to add another piece. Golden State should be healthy and has that #2 pick to try to bring in a disgruntled star. Lotta eyes will be in Milwaukee with Giannis sweepstakes coming up. Kinda done believing in Houston to be honest but we’ll see what a coaching change up can do. Same for Philly and LAC.

[kayess]

Whatever man, I'm gonna root for my Nets regardless, and hope Nash is the 2nd coming of Kerr lol.

We should win a bunch of RS games at least...hopefully.

I feel for you man. A fan like you doesn't deserve that team.

At least you can watch LeBron on a great team?

[Dupp]

I genuinely believe LeBron when he says they’re not jealous of each other. I would’ve never thought I’d say this before the season but now I really don’t think he cares if Davis gets FMVP. They seem to really have a great relationship, more so than with any teammate Bron’s had besides Wade for sure.

Yeah I honestly think he just wants to win and if he gets fmvp he get it. Don’t think he’s gonna gun for it or anything just play the right way.


I think it more of a fan thing wanted lebron to get finals mvp.

[kayess]

Just wondering aloud here ... but is Kyrie the biggest celebrity example of millenialism right now? Entitlement, use of virtue signalling as a tool to absolve everything, imagined intellectualism disguised as "wokeness", obstinate belief in their own views despite vast ignorance, etc., etc.

Are... are you a boomer?

I do agree there's some twinge of entitlement to the rhetoric of millenials. But asking for fair wages and help, and boomers viewing that as entitled when their situation was completely different is just flat out ignorance.

I don't think his decision to not play basketball was him trying to be woke. He's a pseudo-intellectual for sure, but you're conflating the two things in Kyrie's case. What exactly do millenials say is imagined intellectualism disguised as wokeness? lmao

Obstinate beliefs in their own views despite vast ignorance... Millenials aren't exactly the first group that come to mind when I think that. That probably belongs to the group that anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers belong to

[MyUniBroDavis]

Off topic thread is locked but getting a lecture by the offensive video coordinator for the blazers lol kinda excited

[kayess]

Regardless of who (if anyone in particular) he’s talking about I think this is interesting insight from an athlete.

Read on Twitter

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

LMAO. Doc, I hope Kyrie somehow reads your comment. You are essentially saying LeBron's not only a far superior basketball player, but he's a superior drama queen to Kyrie as well. Even in THAT aspect he can't win, he's not worth being talked about

[Dupp]

Regardless of who (if anyone in particular) he’s talking about I think this is interesting insight from an athlete.

Read on Twitter

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

Wait did Kyrie actually make a specific comment about ad and lebron? Maybe I just read what you meant wrong.


Crazy To think shaq and Kobe went sour and still won 3 titles and went to 4 finals.


With lebron choosing to go back to Cleveland and play with Kyrie. Maybe not the best choice in partner and franchise but in the end they still could of won multiple titles. Injuries in 15 and the biggest cap jump in nba history allowed for the kd move. Too pretty unlucky things and without them cavs have a huge chance of beating the warriors one or 2 of those two seasons.

Also I think lebron factored in his legacy and wanted to specifically win a title for Cleveland. Obviously if that wasn’t on the card he wouldn’t have gone back but I do think it factored into his mind.

He also did genuinely seem more emotional winning for Cleveland than Miami.



Back to the jealousy thing. I guess it’s something myself and others don’t always factor in when superstars first team up. It certainly creeped in for KD while Steph is the exact opposite. Not that it held them back too much it just shortened their dynasty.

[kayess]

I genuinely believe LeBron when he says they’re not jealous of each other. I would’ve never thought I’d say this before the season but now I really don’t think he cares if Davis gets FMVP. They seem to really have a great relationship, more so than with any teammate Bron’s had besides Wade for sure.

Yeah I honestly think he just wants to win and if he gets fmvp he get it. Don’t think he’s gonna fun for it or anything just play the right way.


I think it more of a fan thing wanted lebron to get finals mvp.

Oh LeBron's gonna gun for it, you can be sure of that. Not in a way that tanks the whole team, but if he senses the opportunity he will 100% do so.

[Dupp]

I genuinely believe LeBron when he says they’re not jealous of each other. I would’ve never thought I’d say this before the season but now I really don’t think he cares if Davis gets FMVP. They seem to really have a great relationship, more so than with any teammate Bron’s had besides Wade for sure.

Yeah I honestly think he just wants to win and if he gets fmvp he get it. Don’t think he’s gonna fun for it or anything just play the right way.


I think it more of a fan thing wanted lebron to get finals mvp.

Oh LeBron's gonna gun for it, you can be sure of that. Not in a way that tanks the whole team, but if he senses the opportunity he will 100% do so.

I dunno game one was a pretty good example of him just more interested in winning then him dominating. He had a great game imo but didn’t look to score too much. He might “gun for it” in his own way but I think he’ll just play smart.



It’s an odd post season for lebron. The load is so much lower than in use too. He hasn’t had to do anything historical to get to this point.

[toodles23]

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

The meltdown potential for the Nets next season is off the charts. You have the two most delusional and egotistical stars in the NBA on the same team who both view the game as 5 separate 1v1 matchups and who are already saying they don't want to be coached, and Nash has no experience and is likely completely in over his head dealing with these dudes. You can easily imagine them starting off the season next year 7-7 or something with the offense basically being Kyrie and KD taking turns ISOing while being zeros on defense, and see them start blaming their teammates, or Nash for not playing their preferred guys. Or see them get jealous of each other when the media inevitably starts giving one guy more credit than the other and seeing them turn on each other out of jealousy.

Gotta say I'm kind of rooting for the meltdown considering how unlikeable these dudes are, though I feel bad that Nash would get caught up in this mess.

[Homer38]

I think LeBron wants the FMVP, but he's going to be careful to not ruin his relationship with Davis .... If after Game 2 or Game 3,Davis is ahead of LeBron for FMVP and the lakers are sure to win the title, I believe he's going to let Davis win the FMVP.So I don't think that LeBron will go for the FMVP at all cost.Different situation with Kobe in 2004 since Kobe had 0 FMVP at this point and his feud with Shaq was real.

[kayess]

Yeah I honestly think he just wants to win and if he gets fmvp he get it. Don’t think he’s gonna fun for it or anything just play the right way.


I think it more of a fan thing wanted lebron to get finals mvp.

Oh LeBron's gonna gun for it, you can be sure of that. Not in a way that tanks the whole team, but if he senses the opportunity he will 100% do so.

I dunno game one was a pretty good example of him just more interested in winning then him dominating. He had a great game imo but didn’t look to score too much. He might “gun for it” in his own way but I think he’ll just play smart.



It’s an odd post season for lebron. The load is so much lower than in use too. He hasn’t had to do anything historical to get to this point.

I sort of agree with you - even when the game was over he was still playing the right away and forcing it into AD when he had a mismatch.

But not long after that you can tell he wanted that 10th assist, and when that wasn't happening, to close the scoring gap. Again, he'll gun for it when the win is absolutely secured and/or if it doesn't impact the team that much. Spo might adjust to ensure AD doesn't eat them alive again which might lead to LeBron dominating the stat sheet more, idk

[kayess]

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

The meltdown potential for the Nets next season is off the charts. You have the two most delusional and egotistical stars in the NBA on the same team who both view the game as 5 separate 1v1 matchups and who are already saying they don't want to be coached, and Nash has no experience and is likely completely in over his head dealing with these dudes. You can easily imagine them starting off the season next year 7-7 or something with the offense basically being Kyrie and KD taking turns ISOing while being zeros on defense, and see them start blaming their teammates, or Nash for not playing their preferred guys. Or see them get jealous of each other when the media inevitably starts giving one guy more credit than the other and seeing them turn on each other out of jealousy.

Gotta say I'm kind of rooting for the meltdown considering how unlikeable these dudes are, though I feel bad that Nash would get caught up in this mess.

The only reason I'm not 100% rooting for the meltdown is it's Nash. Can you imagine if like, Doc Rivers went to the Nets instead?

The activity in the Brooklyn Nets thread would absolutely blow the LeBron thread out of the water. They would just get clowned at every conceivable step

[Peregrine01]

Just wondering aloud here ... but is Kyrie the biggest celebrity example of millenialism right now? Entitlement, use of virtue signalling as a tool to absolve everything, imagined intellectualism disguised as "wokeness", obstinate belief in their own views despite vast ignorance, etc., etc.

Are... are you a boomer?

I do agree there's some twinge of entitlement to the rhetoric of millenials. But asking for fair wages and help, and boomers viewing that as entitled when their situation was completely different is just flat out ignorance.

I don't think his decision to not play basketball was him trying to be woke. He's a pseudo-intellectual for sure, but you're conflating the two things in Kyrie's case. What exactly do millenials say is imagined intellectualism disguised as wokeness? lmao

Obstinate beliefs in their own views despite vast ignorance... Millenials aren't exactly the first group that come to mind when I think that. That probably belongs to the group that anti-maskers, anti-vaxxers belong to

No, I'm a millenial myself. This conservation can go in an entirely different direction so I don't want to expand too much except to say that I see many of my cohort generation fall into ideological thinking to the point that realism and pragmatism is ignored. You may be correct that this phenomenon may not have been so different from previous generations in their youth.

[Doctor MJ]

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

The meltdown potential for the Nets next season is off the charts. You have the two most delusional and egotistical stars in the NBA on the same team who both view the game as 5 separate 1v1 matchups and who are already saying they don't want to be coached, and Nash has no experience and is likely completely in over his head dealing with these dudes. You can easily imagine them starting off the season next year 7-7 or something with the offense basically being Kyrie and KD taking turns ISOing while being zeros on defense, and see them start blaming their teammates, or Nash for not playing their preferred guys. Or see them get jealous of each other when the media inevitably starts giving one guy more credit than the other and seeing them turn on each other out of jealousy.

Gotta say I'm kind of rooting for the meltdown considering how unlikeable these dudes are, though I feel bad that Nash would get caught up in this mess.

Yup, I'm in the same boat. I've got a ton of respect for Nash's decision making both on and off the court, but I can't pretend I'm not worried here.

To say something positive:

I think it's possible for KD to really, really buy in with the right coach and the fact that he thinks it's Nash and Nash has so many positive traits makes it a distinct possibility that he's right about himself here. I question his self-awareness, but that doesn't mean he's always wrong, and in this case, he's going to want to prove everyone else wrong.

But when Kyrie goes dark, he gets real dark, and he got dark on both of his first two teams.
And if Kyrie goes dark, it will be an uphill battle for KD to not go dark as well given where we saw him go in GS.

[Doctor MJ]

Regardless of who (if anyone in particular) he’s talking about I think this is interesting insight from an athlete.

Read on Twitter

I have to say, as down as I just was on Kyrie, the comment about LeBron & AD being jealous of each other wasn't on my radar, and is about the most clueless projection as you'll ever see. Kyrie thinks LeBron & AD are jealous of each other because HE was jealous of LeBron, and his jealousy of LeBron ruined the team's chemistry.

I've been quite critical about how LeBron handled himself in his 2nd Cavs stint, but the only reason I don't talk more about Kyrie is because he isn't worth talking about and I think LeBron should have known that this was a distinct possibility before he ever thought about re-joining the Cavs.

What's interesting though is that if, say, there were jealousy between LeBron & AD, this would totally be in alignment with the Shaq-Kobe Lakers were their respective selfish tendencies were a huge, and ultimately fatal, problem. It makes sense to think that it would have to be the same for LeBron & AD if all you've ever seen are guys like Shaq and Kobe (and now Kyrie).

I'm very optimistic that this will play out differently though because LeBron is smart enough to understand these dynamics and AD understands concepts like partnership and gratitude. And I do think the "fanboy" way that AD is helps. I feel like he's spent his whole big time career thinking "I can't believe this is actually happening" because of the late growth spurt.

LMAO. Doc, I hope Kyrie somehow reads your comment. You are essentially saying LeBron's not only a far superior basketball player, but he's a superior drama queen to Kyrie as well. Even in THAT aspect he can't win, he's not worth being talked about

That's an amusing though but I'd tend to say that while LeBron is a drama queen, Kyrie is a bigger one. The fact that LeBron is smarter about it is just an extension of LeBron being smarter about most things.