2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

[MisterHibachi]

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/01/22/triple-team-donovan/

Perfectly worded. The most high profile Nba show is all (usually funny) jokes and the lowest quality actual basketball analysis you can find. I’ve actually been muting their halftime show for the last couple of years because they provide zero in depth analysis.

I’m not even sure what Shaq was trying to accomplish last night with that exchange with Donovan.

I try not to overexaggerate, but last night was my first time watching a game on TNT in a few weeks, and it was genuinely shocking. Not only was Inside the NBA bad, but the broadcast itself was even worse. Some examples: Cutting to the game from commercials and replays way too late, the screen being sliced so the bottom was at the top, amateur-looking graphics on the court, Marv Albert not realizing they were back on the air, and Chris Webber not doing a single in-depth breakdown of any plays or strategies. To call the broadcast "dumbed down" would be putting it kindly. This is beyond that. This is a broadcast tailored for 12-year-olds watching the game from the toilet in-between rounds of COD. The presentation of NFL games is leagues ahead.

Also, the Lakers/Bucks game was supposed to start at 7:30 but didn't tip off until after 7:50 pm.

[Texas Chuck]

Shaq at his core has always been a bully. Yeah he can be silly and goofy, but underneath it all he's still insecure and a bully.

I loved Mitchell's response tho. Just whatever bro. He knows Shaq has no idea about anything.

There are former players who know the game, love the game, can talk the game and who could be entertaining. But they don't have Shaq or Chuck's star power so.... And while I much would prefer a guy who could really break the game down and show me things only an expert could I get they know guys like me are watching anyway. And Shaq and Chuck bring in more casual viewers. So can't fault them for doing what they have to do in an increasing difficult environment.

[kayess]

Read on Twitter

?s=19

Somebody on Twitter made a comment the. Embiid in this highlight video is much bouncier than he is now. I haven't watched a lot of Sixers this year. Does anyone see a noticeable physical/mobility difference in Embiid this year compared to this video? All reports seem to indicate he's playing the best basketball of his career right now.

Holy ****. I mean maybe it's lack of sleep but I was legitimately terrified of Embiid in those clips and recoiled at some of those dunks/blocks.

[Homer38]

Time for TNT to fired Shaq?

[ThunderBolt]

Perfectly worded. The most high profile Nba show is all (usually funny) jokes and the lowest quality actual basketball analysis you can find. I’ve actually been muting their halftime show for the last couple of years because they provide zero in depth analysis.

I’m not even sure what Shaq was trying to accomplish last night with that exchange with Donovan.

I try not to overexaggerate, but last night was my first time watching a game on TNT in a few weeks, and it was genuinely shocking. Not only was Inside the NBA bad, but the broadcast itself was even worse. Some examples: Cutting to the game from commercials and replays way too late, the screen being sliced so the bottom was at the top, amateur-looking graphics on the court, Marv Albert not realizing they were back on the air, and Chris Webber not doing a single in-depth breakdown of any plays or strategies. To call the broadcast "dumbed down" would be putting it kindly. This is beyond that. This is a broadcast tailored for 12-year-olds watching the game from the toilet in-between rounds of COD. The presentation of NFL games is leagues ahead.

Also, the Lakers/Bucks game was supposed to start at 7:30 but didn't tip off until after 7:50 pm.

These tip off times really irritate me. Mainly because I know they start later than my guide says but when I look online for the actual tip times, they are nowhere to be found.

[yoyoboy]

Any of you guys have ESPN+? I was hoping to read what Lowe wrote about Sexland.

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/30754447/ten-nba-things-like-including-nikola-jokic-dunks

[toodles23]

Maybe I'm setting myself up to get totally owned when this post is bumped in a few months but I really don't think this Nets team is that scary. Their defense utterly pathetic and is going to get carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey by contending teams, they have an amazing combination of having awful point of attack defense on top of having almost no interior presence - DJ at this point of his career is not going to be able to plug the holes, if he ever was that level of defender to begin with.

I'll reserve judgment on their offense, that's clearly going to take some time to gel.

I mean regardless of how they rank on offense there’s clearly potential for this to be one of the most unstoppable offensive team ever, so they’re definitely scary. It’ll depend on coaching how they’ll be in the playoffs defensively, but they lack rim protection and def have a few weaknesses and weak individual defenders, but they’re not like the worst defensive team of all time lol

After watching them get torched in back to back games by the effing Cavs I'm thinking they have a real shot at a bottom 5 DRTG this year. I have no idea what they could even do short of making a big trade, their problem is that their players suck ass at defense

They gave up a 125 ORTG to the Cavs in the first game and were at 129 when Nash pulled the Nets starters late in the 4th, this despite the Cavs only shooting 7-24 on threes!

[MisterHibachi]

Even if their front office thinks it's better to have KD + Harden + depth rather than the big 3, what even is Kyrie's trade value?

Honestly, Joe Harris might be their only piece with trade value. What caliber of player fixes their defense? Is it one player?

[bondom34]

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Don't have the BBR subscription thing but has to be the first one of these in a while.

[SideshowBob]

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Don't have the BBR subscription thing but has to be the first one of these in a while.

I remember Dwight having one sometime between 08-10. Can't think of any other since then.

Lucky for us, NBA.com stepped in to fill the void for BBR.

Query

Davis in 2018 is the most recent. Whiteside with 4 from 15-16.

[bondom34]

Read on Twitter

Don't have the BBR subscription thing but has to be the first one of these in a while.

I remember Dwight having one sometime between 08-10. Can't think of any other since then.

Lucky for us, NBA.com stepped in to fill the void for BBR.

Query

Davis in 2018 is the most recent. Whiteside with 4 from 15-16.

Darn, would not have guessed its that common even.

Edit: And lol Shaq with 24/28/15 blocks.

And good call on NBA.com, crossed my mind briefly but wasn't sure/too lazy.

[bondom34]

Even if their front office thinks it's better to have KD + Harden + depth rather than the big 3, what even is Kyrie's trade value?

Honestly, Joe Harris might be their only piece with trade value. What caliber of player fixes their defense? Is it one player?

It sounds insane, but honestly a guy like Jrue Holiday kinda made more sense for them IMO. They're going to just kill teams with offense but I have so many questions just because it feels like they're almost punting defense.

Also re: Nets, its only a week, and they're missing guys in and out so I'm not going to come to any hard conclusions but 4 games since they've had the roster at least available even if not all playing and a 119 D rtg (4th worst in the league). 2 of those were against the Cavs.

Edit: And Gordon replied to the Capela tweet lol.

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[eminence]

It's fun to follow the wild GB takes on the Nets. When Harden first arrived it was over for the league, now it's over for the Nets.

They need some moves (say sign RHJ and trade a 2nd or two with their exception for a McGee type), but they should be there as some sort of contender. Ideally they'd be trading Kyrie to balance the roster, but I think there's too many factors that'll keep that from happening.

[MartinToVaught]

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Yikes.

[yoyoboy]

Drummond could be an awesome player if he just focused on his strengths. It’s so frustrating watching him set weak screens, lazily roll to the basket, post up way more than he should, and dribble the ball after he gets the rebound instead of immediately giving it to a guard. Because then half the time you also see him dominating the glass, overpowering guys when he gets deep position, catching lobs, playing surprisingly good defense, and only making the easy reads like handoffs and kick outs instead of trying to be a point center.

[bondom34]

Question the pick all you want (actually don't, it was still just the wrong pick), but Ayton seemed to improve last year (at least statistically iirc) on defense and continues to show flashes. Bridges looks great, and Booker's had some rough games but a few solid ones. Hope he's not hurt too bad, apparently out tomorrow, but I really like the Suns this year just for entertainment value. From what I can tell CP3 hasn't been quite as good as last year but still expect them to end up fairly well.

Also Embiid is on a run right now.

[eminence]

I wouldn't have thought there was any chance of this prior to the season, but he's been playing great, could this finally be the Mike Conley All-star season?

[Fadeaway_J]

I wouldn't have thought there was any chance of this prior to the season, but he's been playing great, could this finally be the Mike Conley All-star season?

You'd expect Gobert and Mitchell to make it as things stand. Would Utah get three All-Stars? Can't see it happening unless they've somehow distanced themselves from the LA teams.

[Texas Chuck]

Question the pick all you want (actually don't, it was still just the wrong pick), but Ayton seemed to improve last year (at least statistically iirc) on defense and continues to show flashes. Bridges looks great, and Booker's had some rough games but a few solid ones. Hope he's not hurt too bad, apparently out tomorrow, but I really like the Suns this year just for entertainment value. From what I can tell CP3 hasn't been quite as good as last year but still expect them to end up fairly well.

Also Embiid is on a run right now.

Mikal Bridges is ridiculous. If he can really provide this much offensive contribution, good grief what a valuable player.

But also their 2nd unit has just been straight wrecking opposing benches. And man if I'm an NBA backup PG I hate dealing with freaking Jevon Carter. His on-ball defense is really fun to watch.

[Texas Chuck]

I wouldn't have thought there was any chance of this prior to the season, but he's been playing great, could this finally be the Mike Conley All-star season?

You'd expect Gobert and Mitchell to make it as things stand. Would Utah get three All-Stars? Can't see it happening unless they've somehow distanced themselves from the LA teams.

Could argue Conley has been better than Mitchell this year, but I understand when talking all-stars stats are the thing and so Conley probably gets squeezed. But if Utah keeps playing like they have been the past couple weeks, they can make a case for 3 all-stars.