2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

parsnips33 · Post #1341 » by **parsnips33** » Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:39 pm

Can't say I've watched a ton of Houston this year, but I love PJ Tucker to the Bucks. Their defense will be really legit, and I don't see Brooklyn being able to stop Giannis. Really hoping we get to see that matchup

Post #1342 » by **Texas Chuck** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:31 am

parsnips33 wrote:Can't say I've watched a ton of Houston this year, but I love PJ Tucker to the Bucks. Their defense will be really legit, and I don't see Brooklyn being able to stop Giannis. Really hoping we get to see that matchup

Reminds me a bit of the Marcus Morris pickup by the Clippers last year. I don't think Tucker will give as much as Morris, but he allows them to close games with Giannis at center which is going to be vital and just as importantly they kept him away from the other East teams so he can't be employed against Giannis/Middleton.

And really creative deal making to include the late 1st/early 2nd pick swap which I've never seen before and I'm a transactions nerd.

GSP · Post #1343 » by **GSP** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:35 am

parsnips33 wrote:Can't say I've watched a ton of Houston this year, but I love PJ Tucker to the Bucks. Their defense will be really legit, and I don't see Brooklyn being able to stop Giannis. Really hoping we get to see that matchup

Miami, Philly and Milwaukee all present different matchup problems for Brooklyn.

Ppl thinking theyre anywhere close to a lock to make the finals are delusional.

Post #1344 » by **Prez** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 4:36 am

The Bucks have experimented with and closed with Giannis at C with switching, and in an extremely limited sample Jrue-Donte-Khris-Giannis with anyone besides Lopez has killed teams. A bigger, stronger but still switchable defender to replace Pat Connaughton (who was previously the default 5th guy if not Lopez) was always the goal. Unfortunately I don't think Tucker's the guy, but we'll see. Praying his washed-ness was more disinterest with what Houston was doing than him just actually being totally washed.

Agree that the deal was pretty well thought out on both sides, despite some Bucks fans expressing a bizarre level of anger towards it lol.

Post #1345 » by **bondom34** » Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:00 am

Yeah initially I was harsh on it but the pick likely isn't a huge deal, and if they find a backup PG it's solid. Will be a fun lineup if Tucker is decent even

Dr Positivity · Post #1346 » by **Dr Positivity** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:34 am

If the Nets hadn't traded for Harden they would be having a pretty brutal overhype season with their start and Durant injury (and LeVert situation), what a deal

Post #1347 » by **mojomarc** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:00 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:Dame is just ridiculous this year.

It is pretty amazing, after 30/8 last year, that he's even better this year. At some point my concern that he will plateau out will come to fruition, but this year doesn't appear to be the year.

Post #1348 » by **Texas Chuck** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:05 pm

mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:Dame is just ridiculous this year.

It is pretty amazing, after 30/8 last year, that he's even better this year. At some point my concern that he will plateau out will come to fruition, but this year doesn't appear to be the year.

I'm putting his over/under this weekend at 90 pts and 1 game winner. And taking the over.

Post #1349 » by **mojomarc** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:27 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:Dame is just ridiculous this year.

It is pretty amazing, after 30/8 last year, that he's even better this year. At some point my concern that he will plateau out will come to fruition, but this year doesn't appear to be the year.

I'm putting his over/under this weekend at 90 pts and 1 game winner. And taking the over.

That Luka/Dame boxscore battle will be something. Wow! Happy to have a bit of a sig side bet with you on this if you're game. Maybe promote each other's star for MVP for a month? I mean, I love watching Luka so I wouldn't be all that upset (I would, which is what makes it a great bet

)

Post #1350 » by **Texas Chuck** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:40 pm

mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
It is pretty amazing, after 30/8 last year, that he's even better this year. At some point my concern that he will plateau out will come to fruition, but this year doesn't appear to be the year.

I'm putting his over/under this weekend at 90 pts and 1 game winner. And taking the over.

That Luka/Dame boxscore battle will be something. Wow! Happy to have a bit of a sig side bet with you on this if you're game. Maybe promote each other's star for MVP for a month? I mean, I love watching Luka so I wouldn't be all that upset (I would, which is what makes it a great bet )

I already have Dame ahead of Luka for MVP so I'm not really risking anything.

Post #1351 » by **mojomarc** » Fri Mar 19, 2021 9:48 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
I'm putting his over/under this weekend at 90 pts and 1 game winner. And taking the over.

That Luka/Dame boxscore battle will be something. Wow! Happy to have a bit of a sig side bet with you on this if you're game. Maybe promote each other's star for MVP for a month? I mean, I love watching Luka so I wouldn't be all that upset (I would, which is what makes it a great bet )

I already have Dame ahead of Luka for MVP so I'm not really risking anything.

Bless you, my son

Post #1352 » by **bondom34** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:20 am

parsnips33 wrote:Has anybody noticed any long term effects in guys who tested positive for COVID? Might be making too much of it/seeing something that's not there, but it looks like Draymond's been a half step slower, conditioning a bit off, since returning from COVID protocol. I know it's supposed to have potentially long term effects on lung capacity, so I thought it could be something

Had thought of this seeing guys seem to bounce back some.

Westbrook's numbers have seemed to turn around (though I think the quad might have been the real issue not totally sure, he's been having some really strong games from what I can gather from box scores and numbers bounced back to a point where he's been I think solid?), and looks like Dray the same. And seems like Tatum might have had some issues as well.

So seems like it might be causing some issues for at least some guys getting back. Been pleasantly surprised seeing Westbrook's play not be so awful lol (and hope he's been OK for the Wizards penbeast). Seems like maybe 2 of the 3 if not all 3 were having some issues recovering.

Post #1353 » by **mojomarc** » Sat Mar 20, 2021 6:49 pm

mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
That Luka/Dame boxscore battle will be something. Wow! Happy to have a bit of a sig side bet with you on this if you're game. Maybe promote each other's star for MVP for a month? I mean, I love watching Luka so I wouldn't be all that upset (I would, which is what makes it a great bet )

I already have Dame ahead of Luka for MVP so I'm not really risking anything.

Bless you, my son

Fun game last night. Watching closely Luka and Dame, I have to say it is pretty incredible how much easier Dame makes 30+ points a game look than Luka does. The degree of difficulty appearance (maybe not reality) is off the charts. Super entertaining player to watch, and it isn't like he was seeing a typical Portland "we'll consider defense in the post-game press conference" approach. Covington especially was playing him pretty well, and he was still getting looks after 2-3 jabs and pivots. Footwork is incredible. Certainly he's in the top 2-3 players in the league I'd pay money to go see even if I had to wear an old fashioned diving bell and compressor to keep the 'rona out.

Of course, huge Dame fan. The way he is efficiently scoring lately even though the defenses are geared to double teaming him at the mid-court, and seems to do it mostly without stress, is a level above where he was prior to last year, and he's more efficient lately than last year. It will be interesting to see how having CJ back affects his scoring. It will also be interesting when Portland's secondary shooters start hitting wide-open shots again when Dame passes to them, as he's lost probably a dozen potential assists over the last two games by teammates missing wide-open shots (or passing up wide open shots for the extra pass when they probably should have just shot it).

Post #1354 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:40 am

mojomarc wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
I already have Dame ahead of Luka for MVP so I'm not really risking anything.

Bless you, my son

Fun game last night. Watching closely Luka and Dame, I have to say it is pretty incredible how much easier Dame makes 30+ points a game look than Luka does.

Luka making it look easy tonight.

Post #1355 » by **bondom34** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:08 am

Multiple unrelated things:

1. The Blazers streak of 54 games w/ 10 or more made 3s ended and it was the longest in NBA history (read that on the Athletic).

2. Man the Houston contenders hot takes died down because losing to that OKC team is a feat.

3. It won't happen at all, zero percent shot, but Giannis really should be in the MVP talks.

frica · Post #1356 » by **frica** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:28 pm

Jokic is averaging less turnovers than Embiid.
Also exactly the same TS% despite half the amount of freethrows.

And averaging more offensive rebounds.

I think Jokic is a monster.

Post #1357 » by **mojomarc** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:05 pm

Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
Bless you, my son

Fun game last night. Watching closely Luka and Dame, I have to say it is pretty incredible how much easier Dame makes 30+ points a game look than Luka does.

Luka making it look easy tonight.

The Blazers made it look difficult. What a stinker.

Post #1358 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 5:07 pm

mojomarc wrote:
Texas Chuck wrote:
mojomarc wrote:
Fun game last night. Watching closely Luka and Dame, I have to say it is pretty incredible how much easier Dame makes 30+ points a game look than Luka does.

Luka making it look easy tonight.

The Blazers made it look difficult. What a stinker.

That game perfectly captures the mantra of it being a make or miss league. Dallas made, Portland missed, blowout. It's gonna happen some nights.

parsnips33 · Post #1359 » by **parsnips33** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:27 pm

What potential playoff matchups is everybody excited for? I've said it before, but I really want to see Bucks vs Nets

Also a Clippers Mavs rematch would be fun

Post #1360 » by **bondom34** » Mon Mar 22, 2021 11:02 pm

parsnips33 wrote:What potential playoff matchups is everybody excited for? I've said it before, but I really want to see Bucks vs Nets

Also a Clippers Mavs rematch would be fun

I have a few Nets ones I'd like to see. Heat/Nets would be interesting strategically I think. Hawks/Nets would be POINTS. Suns/Clippers for CP3 vs his old team. Portland/Denver just always seems to be fun.