Around the NBA: 2020-21 Season

[TheFinishSniper]

That was quick

Read on Twitter

Quick is weird word. Maybe rushed is better. I had no idea that Wolves were even in head coach search, let alone gone route firing and hiring new coach long term. Even more weird had no idea that now their old coach was even under pressure to get fired. I mean KAT missed some good amount of games at start of season. I have no idea where this came from. Really suprised. I mean if Wolves did had head coaching search or were having interviews during season this would mean they basically undermined their now former coach through it. Which would be another reason why they underperformed.

[Andi Obst]

I mean if Wolves did had head coaching search or were having interviews during season this would mean they basically undermined their now former coach through it. Which would be another reason why they underperformed.

I don't think an actual interview was necessary, Finch and Rosas know each other really well and Rosas probably wanted him there for a long time. Seems like their ownership wanted to give Saunders a real shot for, if we're being honest, emotional reasons. It certainly looks like Rosas just got what he wanted now, but I agree that the optics are very bad. Looks like Finch was just waiting for the call.

[Indomitable]

I wish the Bulls would bring Nwaba back.

[TheStig]

That was quick

Read on Twitter

Saunders was bad but the more important issue is roster construction and injuries. KAT is not a true franchise player and if they continue to allow it to be his team then they will never win anything.

Watching KAT and Rubio goes to waste in Minnesota is difficult. KAT is not the franchise player everybody made him to be at the start of his career, but he has talent and he can help many teams. And Rubio is still more than serviceable, especially that we don't have other real point guard outside of Sato.

Coby, Markkanen, OPJ for KAT, Rubio straight up works. I'd throw in lottery protected FRP, or top 10 FRP protected.

Try throwing in like 3-4 unprotected picks. There is no way he goes for that little. There will be a Kat bidding war if he hits the market.

[MGB8]

I mean if Wolves did had head coaching search or were having interviews during season this would mean they basically undermined their now former coach through it. Which would be another reason why they underperformed.

I don't think an actual interview was necessary, Finch and Rosas know each other really well and Rosas probably wanted him there for a long time. Seems like their ownership wanted to give Saunders a real shot for, if we're being honest, emotional reasons. It certainly looks like Rosas just got what he wanted now, but I agree that the optics are very bad. Looks like Finch was just waiting for the call.

Eh, I don't think the optics are that bad. Even counting injuries, the wolves have been massively under-performing. It wasn't working, and they needed to pull the plug. If anything, they may have waited too long.

[Andi Obst]

Eh, I don't think the optics are that bad. Even counting injuries, the wolves have been massively under-performing. It wasn't working, and they needed to pull the plug. If anything, they may have waited too long.

I'm not saying they shouldn't have fired Saunders, if anything he probably shouldn't have been hired in the first place, but it's obvious they had an agreement with Finch before they fired Saunders. Rosas and Finch have worked together a lot in Houston/Rio Grande, so the connection is very obvious. You don't fire your coach, ask the Raptors for permission to interview Finch, actually interview him and make the decision to hire him in a couple of minutes. Doesn't look like Saunders ever had Rosas' support, but it took the Wolves' ownership until now to agree to fire him.

[TheFinishSniper]

I mean if Wolves did had head coaching search or were having interviews during season this would mean they basically undermined their now former coach through it. Which would be another reason why they underperformed.

I don't think an actual interview was necessary, Finch and Rosas know each other really well and Rosas probably wanted him there for a long time. Seems like their ownership wanted to give Saunders a real shot for, if we're being honest, emotional reasons. It certainly looks like Rosas just got what he wanted now, but I agree that the optics are very bad. Looks like Finch was just waiting for the call.

Eh, I don't think the optics are that bad. Even counting injuries, the wolves have been massively under-performing. It wasn't working, and they needed to pull the plug. If anything, they may have waited too long.

This kind of changes you make in offseason. Where you re evaluate all options with bigger pool of coaches to be chosen along with interviews and for your due dilligences. But Wolves did zero of that. They actually gone and got a long term coach during season. Which either way you put it undermines now ex coach. Because person they chose was likely for some time now their number one target which means even in offseason they knew Saunders was gone. So they likely didnt bother much to improve situation within a team and if anything let it develop this way for team to underperform. Under reports I am reading even players knew he was goner for some time.

Too long or not to me seems there is bit of clash between management and owner in delaying or not delaying this decision, regardless how you see it. Management is also maybe under bit of pressure keeping KAT before he request a trade so decisive moves where you actually offer new coach during season long term deal may speak under how much pressure they are to fast track building a team. if they can get new coach to develop relationship with KAT they might feel KAT is willing to stay

[kodo]

That was quick

Read on Twitter

Quick is weird word. Maybe rushed is better. I had no idea that Wolves were even in head coach search, let alone gone route firing and hiring new coach long term. Even more weird had no idea that now their old coach was even under pressure to get fired. I mean KAT missed some good amount of games at start of season. I have no idea where this came from. Really suprised. I mean if Wolves did had head coaching search or were having interviews during season this would mean they basically undermined their now former coach through it. Which would be another reason why they underperformed.

Apparently Finch already interviewed with Minny 2 years ago. Some fans believe Finch was the most qualified to take the job, but there was a lot of pressure to "give Saunders a chance" in the org.

So this seems less like a kneejerk reaction to recent losses, and more of an expiration time on the Saunders thing and going with the original decision that was probably made 2 years ago.

[dice]

Weird that the Bulls are one of the better EC road teams. 7-7.
Philly is 7-8, Bucks 7-9. Celtics 7-10.

Just closing games at home like we're supposed to, and the Bulls could be a playoff team.

i'm not sure how important COVID home court advantage is, but it's interesting that home teams have been a bit better in the NBA this season while there was no advantage whatsoever in the NFL. maybe the more frequent travel is a factor, maybe shooting backgrounds...

[BullChit]

Weird that the Bulls are one of the better EC road teams. 7-7.
Philly is 7-8, Bucks 7-9. Celtics 7-10.

Just closing games at home like we're supposed to, and the Bulls could be a playoff team.

i'm not sure how important COVID home court advantage is, but it's interesting that home teams have been a bit better in the NBA this season while there was no advantage whatsoever in the NFL. maybe the more frequent travel is a factor, maybe shooting backgrounds...

I was watching Coach Nick break down why the Bucks are struggling on D this year and his major theory is that their pack the paint and live with wide open 3s defence isn't working because of COVIDS no fans is allowing 3pt% for virtually all players to go through the roof.

That and the amount of foot on the sideline out of bounds calls being up this season due to no fans... It's an asterisk season for a lot of different reasons.

[jc23]

I still enjoy hearing about NBA news but i could never sit through an entire hour of "The Jump" with Rachel Nichols. I get that nails on a chalkboard sensation.

[dice]

checked out 10 online publications to see who their all-star reserve projections are in the east. number of selections out of the 10:

10 brown
9 harden
8 tatum
7 randle
6 middleton
5 sabonis, adebayo, simmons

4 lavine
2 vanvleet, young
1 harris, butler, hayward

[WindyCityBorn]

checked out 10 online publications to see who their all-star reserve projections are in the east. number of selections out of the 10:

10 brown
9 harden
8 tatum
7 randle
6 middleton
5 sabonis, adebayo, simmons

4 lavine
2 vanvleet, young
1 harris, butler, hayward

I’m pretty LaVine is a lock for the all-star. I will legit be shocked if he isn’t on the list tomorrow. Media has been trash in how they rank LaVine. Media vote had LaVine ranked 5 in guards. Fans had him 4th and players 3rd. He was composite 4th. I expect coaches to be in line with those latter two.

[dice]

checked out 10 online publications to see who their all-star reserve projections are in the east. number of selections out of the 10:

10 brown
9 harden
8 tatum
7 randle
6 middleton
5 sabonis, adebayo, simmons

4 lavine
2 vanvleet, young
1 harris, butler, hayward

I’m pretty LaVine is a lock for the all-star. I will legit be shocked if he isn’t on the list tomorrow. Media has been trash in how they rank LaVine. Media vote had LaVine ranked 5 in guards. Fans had him 4th and players 3rd. He was composite 4th. I expect coaches to be in line with those latter two.

i'm pretty sure that coaches are high on all of middleton, sabonis, adebayo and simmons. and lavine probably has to beat out 2 of those guys. might happen, might not. i wouldn't be surprised either way

-he could well beat out simmons, but that would mean that the sixers almost certainly get only 1 all-star
-he could well beat out sabonis, but that would mean no all-stars for the pacers
-he could well beat out adebayo, but that would mean no all-stars for a team that coaches would love to reward for their finals appearance
-he could well beat out middleton, but, well, middleton's still just a better all-around player

fans are an entirely unreliable arbiter of who deserves to be on an all-star team. it's why their vote was severely devalued in choosing the starters in the first place. and players are more likely to vote for guys that they like personally. the media is clearly the most objective source. and then there are the advanced stats, where lavine doesn't fare well at all. T-28 in the conference in what used to be known as PIPM (player impact plus-minus) wins added. and 34th in the conference in RPM, which devalues the importance of defense

[WindyCityBorn]

checked out 10 online publications to see who their all-star reserve projections are in the east. number of selections out of the 10:

10 brown
9 harden
8 tatum
7 randle
6 middleton
5 sabonis, adebayo, simmons

4 lavine
2 vanvleet, young
1 harris, butler, hayward

I’m pretty LaVine is a lock for the all-star. I will legit be shocked if he isn’t on the list tomorrow. Media has been trash in how they rank LaVine. Media vote had LaVine ranked 5 in guards. Fans had him 4th and players 3rd. He was composite 4th. I expect coaches to be in line with those latter two.

i'm pretty sure that coaches are high on all of middleton, sabonis, adebayo and simmons. and lavine probably has to beat out 2 of those guys. might happen, might not. i wouldn't be surprised either way

I will be. He’s in. He has had a better season than all of those guys and it’s not like their records are great to deserve multiple all-stars.

[dice]

I’m pretty LaVine is a lock for the all-star. I will legit be shocked if he isn’t on the list tomorrow. Media has been trash in how they rank LaVine. Media vote had LaVine ranked 5 in guards. Fans had him 4th and players 3rd. He was composite 4th. I expect coaches to be in line with those latter two.

i'm pretty sure that coaches are high on all of middleton, sabonis, adebayo and simmons. and lavine probably has to beat out 2 of those guys. might happen, might not. i wouldn't be surprised either way

I will be. He’s in. He has had a better season than all of those guys and it’s not like their records are great to deserve multiple all-stars.

better scoring season than all of them, certainly. but that's not all that matters

[WindyCityBorn]

i'm pretty sure that coaches are high on all of middleton, sabonis, adebayo and simmons. and lavine probably has to beat out 2 of those guys. might happen, might not. i wouldn't be surprised either way

I will be. He’s in. He has had a better season than all of those guys and it’s not like their records are great to deserve multiple all-stars.

better scoring season than all of them, certainly. but that's not all that matters

He is carrying Bulls to mediocrity. Cannot say the same about those guys you mentioned. They are on much talented teams and aren’t really winning. Miami has a worse record. Miami and Milwaukee will have one all-star at best. Celtics should only have one too.

[Dez]

A 20-2 run in 4 minutes in the 4th for the Jazz against the Hornets.

F*** me talk about flipping a switch.

[dice]

I will be. He’s in. He has had a better season than all of those guys and it’s not like their records are great to deserve multiple all-stars.

better scoring season than all of them, certainly. but that's not all that matters

He is carrying Bulls to mediocrity. Cannot say the same about those guys you mentioned. They are on much talented teams and aren’t really winning. Miami has a worse record. Miami and Milwaukee will have one all-star at best. Celtics should only have one too.

sabonis is the best player on a better team, averaging 21/12/6. no top 10 draft picks on the indy roster, speaking of talent. their second best player was drafted in the 2nd round and they're starting an undrafted player in justin holiday

philly is far from mediocre. it's probably pretty unusual for the top team in a conference to not get multiple all-stars

and yes, miami has been poor, but as i said, there will be a subconscious desire to reward them for their finals run

[WindyCityBorn]

better scoring season than all of them, certainly. but that's not all that matters

He is carrying Bulls to mediocrity. Cannot say the same about those guys you mentioned. They are on much talented teams and aren’t really winning. Miami has a worse record. Miami and Milwaukee will have one all-star at best. Celtics should only have one too.

sabonis is the best player on a better team, averaging 21/12/6. no top 10 draft picks on the indy roster, speaking of talent. their second best player was drafted in the 2nd round and they're starting an undrafted player in justin holiday

philly is far from mediocre. it's probably pretty unusual for the top team in a conference to not get multiple all-stars

and yes, miami has been poor, but as i said, there will be a subconscious desire to reward them for their finals run

I was talking about Miami, Milwaukee and Boston being mediocre and not deserving two all-stars. I don’t think LaVine is competing with Sabonis for a spot. He might get left out for Randle.