2020-21 NBA Season Discussion

[Max123]

Cool to see Steph, CP3, and Russ all put their stamp on this season. The age of the point guard is not over yet

Has it been projected to?


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[parsnips33]

Cool to see Steph, CP3, and Russ all put their stamp on this season. The age of the point guard is not over yet

Has it been projected to?


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

I guess it depends on how you define "point guard". I personally think the future of the league (at least the stars) are Luka Doncices and Joel Embiids - big forwards who can be the primary initiators and unicorn big men who can anchor a defense.

Of course, people call Doncic a point guard which is in a sense correct but I think misses something important

[Texas Chuck]

Of course, people call Doncic a point guard which is in a sense correct but I think misses something important

I think it goes back to the old adage pre-Steph anyway that a small guard simply can't be the best player on a championship team. Zeke was probably the best Piston, but those were super deep teams and he was more a first among equals.

So Luka being an oversized PG doesn't carry that same concern because he's never going to be the same major defensive liability that guys like Dame or Trae or Nash have all been.


Now as to the value of PG's I think next to a playmaking wing, they are still highly valued. Gobert, for instance isn't seen as valuable as Dame and as much as I love Dame, I think that's totally wrong. Even Embiid prior to this season didn't seem to be as valued as much as some lessor players who were seen as offensive stars.

And most teams play multiple PG's a lot. The league has definitely finally gotten to a place where it values skill over athleticism and size. Gone are the days where teams play a lot of athletic guys with limited offensive skill. And with that emphasis on skill opens up opportunities for point guards who are generally the most skilled players.

[falcolombardi]

curry, nash, chris paul are some of the best offensive players of all time

westbrook, lillard are other "sub 6'4" elite offemsive players

i think defense is where small size is too much of a ceiling limiter compared to offense

[Colbinii]

What does everyone have for All-NBA Teams? What are peoples criteria?

1st team: Luka, Curry, LeBron, Giannis, Jokic
2nd team: Lillard, Harden, Butler, Kawhi, Embiid
3rd team: Trae, Irving, Zion, George, Gobert

[The-Power]

What does everyone have for All-NBA Teams? What are peoples criteria?

1st team: Luka, Curry, LeBron, Giannis, Jokic
2nd team: Lillard, Harden, Butler, Kawhi, Embiid
3rd team: Trae, Irving, Zion, George, Gobert

You don't think Harden's missed games are a big issue? He only played half a season worth of games for the Nets this year (and I don't think the 8 games for the Rockets do anything for him this season considering the circumstances).

For the first two teams, I have two main issues. The first is LeBron over Kawhi. I don't think LeBron's on-court play has made up for the ten more games Kawhi has played in this year. The second is Embiid over Gobert. I firmly believe Gobert has had a better season than Embiid. I completely understand taking Embiid over Gobert on a per-minute basis but even if I accept that I'd have a hard time justifying that ranking in light of Gobert's very clear advantage in games played.

I realize, though, that you don't seem to value availability as much as I would – so I'm not saying your choices are inconsistent or unjustified, just that I would disagree with the (presumably) applied criteria.

For the last group, I'm not entirely sold on Young and Irving as choices but I understand them and could see myself favoring them as well. I think Holiday and Paul are at least worthy of serious consideration, though. I also think Tatum deserves consideration despite the Celtics very underwhelming season but I'd probably leave him out as well.

[eminence]

I don't know what the positional assignments are, but my very nearly finalized picks:

Curry
Doncic
Kawhi
Giannis
Jokic

CP3
Dame
Butler
Randle
Gobert

Young
Harden
LeBron
Tatum
Embiid

George probably my toughest cut.

[Texas Chuck]

Imma cheat because the league says I can and I want to get the best guys on the teams. So Embiid, Kawhi, Luka, George all out of their actual positions. Only 2 guys who don't feel quite like locks are Kyrie and Capela.

Jokic
Embiid
Giannis
Kawhi
Curry

Gobert
Butler
Luka
Dame
Paul

Capela
Randle
Zion
George
Kyrie

Leaving Lebron off is hard, but I'm doing it. Harden never a consideration for me with Houston and the games missed in Brooklyn. If I wasn't cheating the center spot then Lebron probably would take Capela's spot as I don't have another forward I feel strongly about.

[clearlynotjesse]

Curry
Lillard
Luka
Giannis
Jokic

Paul
George
Kawhi
Butler
Gobert

Holiday
Irving
Randle
Zion
Embiid

Cheating on positions a bit. Lots of good seasons this year. Last guard spots were the hardest.

[Ballerhogger]

What does everyone have for All-NBA Teams? What are peoples criteria?

1st team: Luka, Curry, LeBron, Giannis, Jokic
2nd team: Lillard, Harden, Butler, Kawhi, Embiid
3rd team: Trae, Irving, Zion, George, Gobert

I dont see how lebron makes 1st being out so long.. but with new cretia
1st
Curry
Kawhi since he can be a guard
Giannis
Jokic
Enbiid
2nd Team
Lillard
Luka
Zion
Lebron
Gobert
3rd team
Trae
Bael
Tatum
George
Vuveic

[Prez]

Curry
Luka
Kawhi
Giannis
Jokic

Paul
Lillard
Butler
Randle
Embiid

Kyrie
PG13
LeBron
Zion
Gobert

[eminence]

I'm looking forward to these playoffs, think we could see a lot of competitive series.

[Doctor MJ]

I don't tend to think through All-NBA the way I do the big trophies, but let's see...

1st
Jokic
Giannis
Kawhi
Steph
Luka

2nd
Gobert
Jimmy
PG-13
Dame
CP3

3rd
Embiid
Zion
Porter
Beal
Booker

Wasn't going to add commentary but then I decided to make a switch, so might as well.

On the first, 2 things:

1. Luka vs Dame is still in flux.
2. I agonized on Kawhi vs Jimmy. I really wanted to go with Jimmy but I can't say I think Jimmy scales like Kawhi does, so the fact Kawhi's doing it on a more successful team, well, it does matter.

On the second:

Big thing is me putting Gobert over Embiid. Honestly I feel like the whole basketball world is deluding itself. They see the flaws in Gobert in certain match ups in the playoffs and don't think he deserves to be seen as an "MVP" because of this. Understandable, but doesn't change the fact that the dude is one of the most valuable players in the league.

On the third, what was the switch?

I deleted "Randle", and added "Porter". I'm happy for Randle and the Knicks, but Porter's ascension after Murray fell to injury has been spectacular. I'm a card-carrying "Jokic is the MVP" guy, but he's not making Porter do what Porter is doing. He helps, but Porter really is this much of a beast.

If the 3-headed monster of Jokic/Murray/Porter can all be healthy and all continue to be harmonious with Porter's rise, this team could be unreal.

[Colbinii]

What does everyone have for All-NBA Teams? What are peoples criteria?

1st team: Luka, Curry, LeBron, Giannis, Jokic
2nd team: Lillard, Harden, Butler, Kawhi, Embiid
3rd team: Trae, Irving, Zion, George, Gobert

You don't think Harden's missed games are a big issue? He only played half a season worth of games for the Nets this year (and I don't think the 8 games for the Rockets do anything for him this season considering the circumstances).

For the first two teams, I have two main issues. The first is LeBron over Kawhi. I don't think LeBron's on-court play has made up for the ten more games Kawhi has played in this year. The second is Embiid over Gobert. I firmly believe Gobert has had a better season than Embiid. I completely understand taking Embiid over Gobert on a per-minute basis but even if I accept that I'd have a hard time justifying that ranking in light of Gobert's very clear advantage in games played.

I realize, though, that you don't seem to value availability as much as I would – so I'm not saying your choices are inconsistent or unjustified, just that I would disagree with the (presumably) applied criteria.

For the last group, I'm not entirely sold on Young and Irving as choices but I understand them and could see myself favoring them as well. I think Holiday and Paul are at least worthy of serious consideration, though. I also think Tatum deserves consideration despite the Celtics very underwhelming season but I'd probably leave him out as well.

The missed games are interesting and definitely something I, in the past, have cared about. I still do care about missed time and missed games but much more for MVP, "Player of the Year" and ROY.

For All-NBA, I have a couple of criteria. The minimum games is 50% by rule and I view all-nba as "Who was the best when on the court".

I currently would have Kawhi ahead of LeBron for Player of the Year but I thought LeBron did more with his level of play in comparison to Kawhi--even though Kawhi has been healthier.

RE Irving: His impact numbers are terrific and I feel Trae has had a larger responsibility for Atlanta versus Paul in Phoenix, resulting in more output and production.

[Texas Chuck]

Felt out there on an island including Capela on my all-NBA, so refreshing to see Doc put Porter on his squad. Not a guy I had on my radar nor have I heard any of the usual media suspects discussing him as a candidate. I always appreciate guys willing to go with who they think deserves a nod without regard to consensus opinion.

Not as high on Murray as Doc though, even pre-injury.

[falcolombardi]

with the way boston is playing i am almost sure washington is beating them

sixers vs boston/hornets/pacers

washington vs nets

most likely

[Colbinii]

Felt out there on an island including Capela on my all-NBA, so refreshing to see Doc put Porter on his squad. Not a guy I had on my radar nor have I heard any of the usual media suspects discussing him as a candidate. I always appreciate guys willing to go with who they think deserves a nod without regard to consensus opinion.

Not as high on Murray as Doc though, even pre-injury.

Capela is a good mention. I actually have him 2nd in my DPOY right now behind Gobert.

He is having a tremendous season.

[MO12msu]

1st: Steph, Luka, Jimmy, Giannis, Jokic
2nd: Paul, Dame, Kawhi, Zion, Embiid
3rd: Harden, Irving, Lebron, Randle, Gobert

Honorable mention to Bam, Capela, Trae, and George. Almost cheated and went with Embiid at pf to put Gobert on the 2nd team but didn't feel right.

[therealbig3]

He missed 18 games this year, but Kyrie has been fantastic in the games he's played, and is a big reason why the Nets still put together an impressive season despite all the injuries. Should at least get an honorable mention imo. Out of the Nets big 3, he's been the best overall player just based on availability.

[Texas Chuck]

Almost cheated and went with Embiid at pf to put Gobert on the 2nd team but didn't feel right.

Yeah I decided to cheat because I think the positions are largely outdated to begin with but if the league wanted us to take that seriously just no chance Embiid or Jokic would be eligible anywhere but center. But I didn't feel good about it.

I also appreciate that you had the nerve to put Butler on the first team. I really thought about it too and probably would have if I hadn't cheated Embiid on there. Zach Lowe's constant harping on how good Butler has been got me to take a closer look and its striking just how night and day Miami has been with and without him this year.