2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

[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.

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.

Cam Payne!

Never, ever, ever expected this from him at this point either lol. And yep their bench has been great.

[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.

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.

I could see him being deserving for sure, but I was skeptical that he'd actually be selected - until I took a look at the main candidates in the West right now.

LeBron
AD
Kawhi
PG
Luka
Jokic
Steph
Gobert
Mitchell
Booker

All seem like locks or at the very least likely to make it. What I'm not seeing is a second group of candidates with strong cases to fill out the roster. I would say Ja will now make a push but everyone else is on a likely lottery team or just not playing that well. So Conley has a better chance than I initially thought if the Jazz keep up their current pace.

[eminence]

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.

I could see him being deserving for sure, but I was skeptical that he'd actually be selected - until I took a look at the main candidates in the West right now.

LeBron
AD
Kawhi
PG
Luka
Jokic
Steph
Gobert
Mitchell
Booker

All seem like locks or at the very least likely to make it. What I'm not seeing is a second group of candidates with strong cases to fill out the roster. I would say Ja will now make a push but everyone else is on a likely lottery team or just not playing that well. So Conley has a better chance than I initially thought if the Jazz keep up their current pace.

Dame too, but yeah, I think Conley might have a real shot if he/the Jazz stay hot.

[Fadeaway_J]

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.

I could see him being deserving for sure, but I was skeptical that he'd actually be selected - until I took a look at the main candidates in the West right now.

LeBron
AD
Kawhi
PG
Luka
Jokic
Steph
Gobert
Mitchell
Booker

All seem like locks or at the very least likely to make it. What I'm not seeing is a second group of candidates with strong cases to fill out the roster. I would say Ja will now make a push but everyone else is on a likely lottery team or just not playing that well. So Conley has a better chance than I initially thought if the Jazz keep up their current pace.

Dame too, but yeah, I think Conley might have a real shot if he/the Jazz stay hot.

Somehow forgot to list Dame there. That does make a bit tight if others are putting up bigger counting stats. Would definitely be contingent on the Jazz staying right at the top of the standings.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Lol the nets have the second worst defense since harden came and 4/5 of the games they played are vs bottom 10 offenses (3/5 vs bottom 5)

[Fadeaway_J]

Lol the nets have the second worst defense since harden came and 4/5 of the games they played are vs bottom 10 offenses (3/5 vs bottom 5)

Who could have foreseen that?

[MartinToVaught]

Welp, Clipper haters will be having a field day soon. Brutal road trip coming up with PG and Beverley both injured.

[Homer38]

Not a good game for the cavs offense against the celtics so far....The Nets defense were really garbage in both game in Cleveland....

[bondom34]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

[Clyde Frazier]

Read on Twitter

"We want that tv money so we're gonna do this under the guise of charity, even though we could donate independently anyway."

[MyUniBroDavis]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

“This is what greatness at the guard position looks like. I played with the best to-ever-do it. You know I know what the best look like. #donthavetohate y’all know I got that G14 classification to say what I say”

That’s the text also he argued with one of the comments lul

[Goudelock]

The fact that, in the year of our Lord 2021, there are still people living on planet earth who believe Jimmer Fredette never got a fair shot in the NBA. That if he'd just played on the right team, he would have been a good player. This fact bothers me.

[MyUniBroDavis]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

If Mitchell ascends we all must praise shaq because shaq must be the sole reason

[bondom34]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

If Mitchell ascends we all must praise shaq because shaq must be the sole reason

Oh I didn't even think of it but he's absolutely gonna take credit when he makes the all star game again isn't he

[MyUniBroDavis]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

If Mitchell ascends we all must praise shaq because shaq must be the sole reason

Oh I didn't even think of it but he's absolutely gonna take credit when he makes the all star game again isn't he

Tbf he’s said that’s why he was chatting **** but still lol

[bondom34]

If Mitchell ascends we all must praise shaq because shaq must be the sole reason

Oh I didn't even think of it but he's absolutely gonna take credit when he makes the all star game again isn't he

Tbf he’s said that’s why he was chatting **** but still lol

Ah yeah, just not a very constructive way of criticizing. The whole "doesn't have it in him" thing was weird, idk if he was walking it back or what but the IG follow up was bizarre, as was the DM.

TBH he won't but wish he'd just own it and apologize or say something positive to Mitchell to say he respects him and wants to push him or something, just simple. IDK if its too much or what exactly but just like a comment to put it behind them. Its so dumb, analysts shouldn't be talking down on the league like this and its something other sports don't have, and IMO it contributes to the people claiming the game was better back in whatever day they say.

[freethedevil]

Not to go too far off actual basketball and into the dumb Inside the NBA stuff but to recap further on Shaq:

1. Someone made an IG post of a photoshop of Mitchell dunking on him. He sends a DM to the artist telling them to shut up.

Post:

Spoiler:

DM:

Spoiler:

2. He then posts this (Need to open for the text I think).

Spoiler:

This is just so petty and dumb from an all time player. Chuck shrugs this stuff off, this is just dishing out bad analysis and not being able to take a little joking clap back.

If Mitchell ascends we all must praise shaq because shaq must be the sole reason

Shaq is just salty that mitchell would be the goat if he ran into playoff shaq as opposed to playoff murray

[Heej]

The fact that, in the year of our Lord 2021, there are still people living on planet earth who believe Jimmer Fredette never got a fair shot in the NBA. That if he'd just played on the right team, he would have been a good player. This fact bothers me.

My only regret with Jimmer is that I didn't go see him in person when he played for the Westchester Knicks. County Center's like 10 mins from my crib lol

Re: the Nets I might have to eat crow on their defense. As an unabashed James Harden fan I truly believed if he locked in he could use his elite anticipation to be a great defender, but I guess that's just never gonna happen. Too many weird habits built in that I'm not sure will get ironed out. The whole flip the switch thing on defense has never been proven to work to the extent that the Nets will have to. I feel like Kyrie actually tries too in the games I've seen but he's basically a poor man's Avery Bradley in that he looks good pressing up on people but the impact just isn't there. KD doesn't get to the rim enough and I think that'll be an issue in the playoffs where the percentages on that stop and pop middy starts to bleed value on the margins.

[Peregrine01]

People think Harden's issue on defense is effort but I think it's more motor. I don't think he has the stamina to maintain a consistent effort level throughout the game. It shows in his offense too - he goes in spurts and has to take plays off other times so he's off the ball and standing 5 feet behind the line. I'm not sure this is all a matter of him not being in shape, I don't think his body type is predisposed to having a good motor.

If you think of all the great defenders in history, they're all wiry, long and have insane stamina (Russell, Hakeem, KG, Rodman, etc)

[GSP]

So.....Christian Wood? Maybe not that impactful? There were some insane takes about him even here by a couple ppl about his talent level and potential rank leaguewide

Houston is 3-1 without him now only loss by 7 @ Indy. As talented as his offensive game is his defense is horrendous