Around the NBA - the sharp end of the playoffs - Randle snubbed for All NBA

[DaGawd]

is it just me or has this post season sucked?

Nearly every game is not competitive. Maybe the series is competitive but the actual games are rarely close. So it really hasn't been enjoyable.

Not a hockey fan at all but these playoff games are kicking basketballs ass right now. Every game seems close.

Every basketball game seems like a blowout.

As stated the way the nba game is played right now leads to these type of performances.. the league needs to do some serious soul searching in allowing more defense to be played and slowing down how wide open the game is a bit

[Capn'O]

The nature of today's game makes for a lot of boring games. I'm not sure what they can do about it but the high variance of high volume of 3's creates these situations way too often and indiscriminately. Even the playoffs aren't immune to this anymore.

I don't want to go back to 82-80 grindfest with a bunch of bricked mid range jumpers but I also don't really enjoy 135-110 games neither.

Extend the 3-point line. They’d either have to make the court wider because of the short corner 3 or just have the extended 3-point line tapper off until it meets with the sideline at some determined number of feet up from the baseline and simply do away with the corner 3-pointer.

Death to corner 3s!

[Adelheid]

That entails renovating the arenas to enlarge the playing court

My idea is to make a shaded area, that encompases the top of the key and the corner wings area as the valid areas for 3s. Outside corner shots even if outside the 3pt line, would still be 2 pt shots

[PeteW]

Just bring back hand checking, so defenders are not left on an island defending the modern threes.

[mpharris36]

is it just me or has this post season sucked?

Nearly every game is not competitive. Maybe the series is competitive but the actual games are rarely close. So it really hasn't been enjoyable.

Not a hockey fan at all but these playoff games are kicking basketballs ass right now. Every game seems close.

Every basketball game seems like a blowout.

As stated the way the nba game is played right now leads to these type of performances.. the league needs to do some serious soul searching in allowing more defense to be played and slowing down how wide open the game is a bit

Its not good. I have never enjoyed hockey. Would rather watch a SL basketball game over a playoff game if given the chance.

But I have really been into these post season games just because every game seems like a 1 score game late. Its some thrilling stuff.

The basketball games are over after the 1st qtr...its a bore fest. NBA has been get there **** together...its a bad product right now. And no "in-season" tournament is going to change that. The games just need to be more competitive.

[Capn'O]

That entails renovating the arenas to enlarge the playing court

My idea is to make a shaded area, that encompases the top of the key and the corner wings area as the valid areas for 3s. Outside corner shots even if outside the 3pt line, would still be 2 pt shots

That's literally the same thing as tapering the corner three line to the sideline.

[Capn'O]

The Grizzlies games were mostly close.

[cgmw]

is it just me or has this post season sucked?

Nearly every game is not competitive. Maybe the series is competitive but the actual games are rarely close. So it really hasn't been enjoyable.

Not a hockey fan at all but these playoff games are kicking basketballs ass right now. Every game seems close.

Every basketball game seems like a blowout.

As stated the way the nba game is played right now leads to these type of performances.. the league needs to do some serious soul searching in allowing more defense to be played and slowing down how wide open the game is a bit

Its not good. I have never enjoyed hockey. Would rather watch a SL basketball game over a playoff game if given the chance.

But I have really been into these post season games just because every game seems like a 1 score game late. Its some thrilling stuff.

The basketball games are over after the 1st qtr...its a bore fest. NBA has been get there **** together...its a bad product right now. And no "in-season" tournament is going to change that. The games just need to be more competitive.

It's not the rules. It's just a transition period for the league's marquee dominant superstars. Steph is still alive and kicking but he's all alone at the moment insofar as established mega-stars who define the league.

Luka and to some extent Tatum are making names for themselves, but it's early times still. Giannis dropped the ball to elevate himself to "generational" status. But it appears that the league is undergoing a bit of a power vacuum for individual stars.

If the Lakers and Celtics blew out every opponent leading into the Finals, nobody cared as long as they got Magic versus Bird at the end. Jordan carried an entire league through many blowout wins by hanging a target on his own back for a decade as the undisputed champ. At the moment, Lebron is old. Kawhi plays part-time. Durant chose a Flat Earth. Jokic is a two-time MVP on a fairly bad team. Harden is washed. And it's just not as compelling to watch an overachieving Pat Riley-Erik Spolstra team battle an up-and-coming Jayson Tatum or to watch a past-his-prime Steph dominate tomorrow's star Luka.

The Warriors will probably beat the Celtics in a tight series and Disney will coronate Steph while pumping the narrative of Tatum carrying the torch for Aurbach, Russell, and Bird. And when they do, fans will eat it up and think the league is great again despite the short court and lack of hand checking.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Wiggins making a huge impact. Easy to see RJ being able to do similiar things. Big wings with all around skills can be valuable. Mavs are missing that kind of player (besides Luka)

[mpharris36]

As stated the way the nba game is played right now leads to these type of performances.. the league needs to do some serious soul searching in allowing more defense to be played and slowing down how wide open the game is a bit

Its not good. I have never enjoyed hockey. Would rather watch a SL basketball game over a playoff game if given the chance.

But I have really been into these post season games just because every game seems like a 1 score game late. Its some thrilling stuff.

The basketball games are over after the 1st qtr...its a bore fest. NBA has been get there **** together...its a bad product right now. And no "in-season" tournament is going to change that. The games just need to be more competitive.

It's not the rules. It's just a transition period for the league's marquee dominant superstars. Steph is still alive and kicking but he's all alone at the moment insofar as established mega-stars who define the league.

Luka and to some extent Tatum are making names for themselves, but it's early times still. Giannis dropped the ball to elevate himself to "generational" status. But it appears that the league is undergoing a bit of a power vacuum for individual stars.

If the Lakers and Celtics blew out every opponent leading into the Finals, nobody cared as long as they got Magic versus Bird at the end. Jordan carried an entire league through many blowout wins by hanging a target on his own back for a decade as the undisputed champ. At the moment, Lebron is old. Kawhi plays part-time. Durant chose a Flat Earth. Jokic is a two-time MVP on a fairly bad team. Harden is washed. And it's just not as compelling to watch an overachieving Pat Riley-Erik Spolstra team battle an up-and-coming Jayson Tatum or to watch a past-his-prime Steph dominate tomorrow's star Luka.

The Warriors will probably beat the Celtics in a tight series and Disney will coronate Steph while pumping the narrative of Tatum carrying the torch for Aurbach, Russell, and Bird. And when they do, fans will eat it up and think the league is great again despite the short court and lack of hand checking.

Lets be honest the NBA's most exciting time is the offseason when guys are moving teams. The actual gameplay and competitiveness outside of some highlights is pretty poor.

[Deeeez Knicks]

First round was good when there was like 4 games on some nights. At least could turn on the most competitive one. I didn’t even watch more then a few min last night since it was never close.

[cgmw]

Its not good. I have never enjoyed hockey. Would rather watch a SL basketball game over a playoff game if given the chance.

But I have really been into these post season games just because every game seems like a 1 score game late. Its some thrilling stuff.

The basketball games are over after the 1st qtr...its a bore fest. NBA has been get there **** together...its a bad product right now. And no "in-season" tournament is going to change that. The games just need to be more competitive.

It's not the rules. It's just a transition period for the league's marquee dominant superstars. Steph is still alive and kicking but he's all alone at the moment insofar as established mega-stars who define the league.

Luka and to some extent Tatum are making names for themselves, but it's early times still. Giannis dropped the ball to elevate himself to "generational" status. But it appears that the league is undergoing a bit of a power vacuum for individual stars.

If the Lakers and Celtics blew out every opponent leading into the Finals, nobody cared as long as they got Magic versus Bird at the end. Jordan carried an entire league through many blowout wins by hanging a target on his own back for a decade as the undisputed champ. At the moment, Lebron is old. Kawhi plays part-time. Durant chose a Flat Earth. Jokic is a two-time MVP on a fairly bad team. Harden is washed. And it's just not as compelling to watch an overachieving Pat Riley-Erik Spolstra team battle an up-and-coming Jayson Tatum or to watch a past-his-prime Steph dominate tomorrow's star Luka.

The Warriors will probably beat the Celtics in a tight series and Disney will coronate Steph while pumping the narrative of Tatum carrying the torch for Aurbach, Russell, and Bird. And when they do, fans will eat it up and think the league is great again despite the short court and lack of hand checking.

Lets be honest the NBA's most exciting time is the offseason when guys are moving teams. The actual gameplay and competitiveness outside of some highlights is pretty poor.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out. ABC will work hard during the Finals to find the superstar narrative — it’ll be “Warrirors dynasty” versus “Tatum dynasty?”

[mpharris36]

It's not the rules. It's just a transition period for the league's marquee dominant superstars. Steph is still alive and kicking but he's all alone at the moment insofar as established mega-stars who define the league.

Luka and to some extent Tatum are making names for themselves, but it's early times still. Giannis dropped the ball to elevate himself to "generational" status. But it appears that the league is undergoing a bit of a power vacuum for individual stars.

If the Lakers and Celtics blew out every opponent leading into the Finals, nobody cared as long as they got Magic versus Bird at the end. Jordan carried an entire league through many blowout wins by hanging a target on his own back for a decade as the undisputed champ. At the moment, Lebron is old. Kawhi plays part-time. Durant chose a Flat Earth. Jokic is a two-time MVP on a fairly bad team. Harden is washed. And it's just not as compelling to watch an overachieving Pat Riley-Erik Spolstra team battle an up-and-coming Jayson Tatum or to watch a past-his-prime Steph dominate tomorrow's star Luka.

The Warriors will probably beat the Celtics in a tight series and Disney will coronate Steph while pumping the narrative of Tatum carrying the torch for Aurbach, Russell, and Bird. And when they do, fans will eat it up and think the league is great again despite the short court and lack of hand checking.

Lets be honest the NBA's most exciting time is the offseason when guys are moving teams. The actual gameplay and competitiveness outside of some highlights is pretty poor.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

[cgmw]

Lets be honest the NBA's most exciting time is the offseason when guys are moving teams. The actual gameplay and competitiveness outside of some highlights is pretty poor.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

You don’t buy it? Lol.

Literally you do. We all do. People buy brands based on perception of being “the best.”

It’s what the popularity of the NBA was built on. It’s just a transition period right now where nobody has established themselves as the main character of the league.

ABC will do all they can to coronate Steph Curry as the legendary leader of an all-time dynasty OR anoint Jayson Tatum as the new torch holder for the Celtics dynasty. The entertainment value is in how compelling fans find that narrative just as much as it is in whether competitive basketball gets played on the court.

Half the fun of the NBA right now is trying to figure out which Simba will rise up to take the crown.

[DaGawd]

Lets be honest the NBA's most exciting time is the offseason when guys are moving teams. The actual gameplay and competitiveness outside of some highlights is pretty poor.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

Yeah exactly. It’s the product more than anything else. There’s a plethora of compelling star talent in the nba today. The way the game is played is the issue.

[mpharris36]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

You don’t buy it? Lol.

Literally you do. We all do. People buy brands based on perception of being “the best.”

It’s what the popularity of the NBA was built on. It’s just a transition period right now where nobody has established themselves as the main character of the league.

ABC will do all they can to coronate Steph Curry as the legendary leader of an all-time dynasty OR anoint Jayson Tatum as the new torch holder for the Celtics dynasty.

again nothing you have said address why the games have to be 30 pt blowouts at halftime. Unless you are insinuating the NBA wants GS/BOS so bad that they will fix the games so that miami and dallas get blown out every game...which makes zero sense because its making a bad product even worse.

[cgmw]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

Yeah exactly. It’s the product more than anything else. There’s a plethora of compelling star talent in the nba today. The way the game is played is the issue.

OK

Except every one of that “plethora” happens to be sitting home right now except an aging Steph Curry, two junior stars, and a Riley team (sorry Jimmy) that lacks superstars.

I know this sounds shocking but 99.99% of fans are not sophisticated hoop junkies. It’s entertainment. Fans just want larger than life heroes versus villains, and the NBA is struggling to produce that narrative this year.

Edit: to be clear, I also agree with all the critiques about gameplay. I’m just saying, fans would be entertained right now if the dominant Lakers were about to take on the dominant Nets.

[mpharris36]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

The NBA currently lacks compelling alpha-level superstars. Witnessing two “best” superstars battle it out or an entire team try/fail to take down the “best” superstar is an important part of the narrative that keeps fans interested. People want to feel like they’re witness to the absolute “best.” Right now, there’s a vacuum caused by Lebron getting old and all these super teams crapping out.

I don't know if I buy that. I know there is a bit of a "changing of the guard" in terms of the LeBron generation getting older.

But

Giannis
Joker
Embiid
Luka
Tatum

are young stars in my opinion. I watch games to see there talents...its the overall product in terms of competitiveness that simply isn't there. I just want close competitive games...not 30 pt blow outs in the playoffs before halftime.

Yeah exactly. It’s the product more than anything else. There’s a plethora of compelling star talent in the nba today. The way the game is played is the issue.

Yup, I don't sit back and say man the NBA needs more stars. I think there is a lot of compelling young talent in the league. I didn't even mention Morant/Young types because I think they are a notch below the group above. But they are still special exciting young offensive talents.

NBA seems to be going through that analytics faze that baseball went through that everything is either a strikeout or a HR. Everyone swinging for the fences. Sure HR are cool but the game drags with less action in terms of runners on base and in-play action. I feel with this push to just jack up some many 3's and no defense...you either get a team hot or not from deep and it leads to massive blowouts. Even in a competitive series you can get like game 6 or game 7 completely uncompetitive. I have struggled to sit through a lot of these games.

[Deeeez Knicks]

Hard to explain the Heat/Celtics series. Seems pretty even and series is tied up. For whatever reason just not many close games. Hopefully the rest of that series is better. Dallas just looks over matched.

[mpharris36]

Hard to explain the Heat/Celtics series. Seems pretty even and series is tied up. For whatever reason just not many close games. Hopefully the rest of that series is better. Dallas just looks over matched.

but even the last PHX/DAL series that went 7 games....games 5,6, and 7 were all non-competitive blowouts early. That was a series tied 2-2 at the time and all those games were decided early.