NBA discussion

[faz]

Kyrie. Will anyone offer him a max contract? You do get the feeling it won’t come from Brooklyn!

[Deleted]

Someone absolutely will, even if it’s a 2 or 3 year contract

Also he has a player option this year he’ll probably use

[faz]

Jan 24, 2022 17:24:04 GMT @casualhook said:

Someone absolutely will, even if it’s a 2 or 3 year contract

Also he has a player option this year he’ll probably use

Probably unless he takes a cruise and falls of the edge of the world.

[SamH]

Ummm

Clipper v Wizards last night, anyone?

[faz]

Jan 26, 2022 10:56:08 GMT SamH said:

Ummm

Clipper v Wizards last night, anyone?

Awesome finish!

[SamH]

It wasn't just the 35 point lead blown, but the 7 points in the last 9 seconds by Kennard, not even an especially well known player! Reminded me of Reggie Miller and the Knicks, albeit this was split up with free throws. But to get the 4 point play to win by 1, from 35 down...the odds of all that playing out must have been astronomical! Indeed, I read that its only the 2nd game since 1997 where a team has blown a 35+ point lead, thats 2 games in over 16,400 where its happened. But how often does someone make a 4 point play to win a game by 1? I think Larry Johnson did it in a playoff game for the Knicks in the 90s, that might be the only other time? Just...wow!

As a Thunder fan I thought the 78 point, record breaking loss to Memphis was painful, but this, if you're a Wizards fan, takes it another level!

[Deleted]

I see Warriors fans have got Andrew Wiggins starting in the All-Star game, I know it’s pretty pointless but what an absolute joke this has been allowed to happen

[SamH]

I agree, especially now they brought in that the fans only account for 50% of the vote! How did Wiggins still get in despite this?! Ridiculous.

My votes went to:

West:

Lebron, Morant, Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic and Gobert

East:

Embiid, Giannis, DeRozan, Young and Siakam (didn't vote KD as he's injured)

Pleased to see the fans noticing DeRozan and the great season the Bulls have been having (til recently anyway, injuries suck). Those 2 back to back game winners as well, a real highlight of the season, probably won him some votes.

[Solly]

Was impressed by T'Wolves first-half showing last nite at Warriors, but they went to pieces thereafter.

Finch certainly seems to have had a lot of easy wins in fixing the easier-to-fix aspects but will have a harder job to do without some legitimate stars.

Towns is Ok but doesn't consistently punch his weight. Shaq and Barkley said last night that he believes he's as good as Embid - laughable...

Edwards is promising but so he should be as a number-one pick.

[SamH]

So we're about halfway through the season now, so who do you think will get in the playoffs and who misses out? I'll say, in no particular order:

West

Suns
Warriors
Grizzlies
Mavs
Clippers
Jazz
Nuggets
And I'm going to say Lakers, I think they'll figure out enough to squeak in

T'wolves and Spurs to round off for the play-in. I don't see Portland featuring at all though they are currently in 10th place.

East:

Bulls
76ers
Heat
Nets
Cavs
Bucks
Hornets
Celtics

Play in teams - Raptors and....this is tough, its sad to see the Knicks, Hawks and Wiz all struggling after coming into the season with such promise. I'll say Knicks but it could be any of them really.

[massiveridersfan]

I'd be very disappointed if Lakers didn't make the playoffs but I'm beginning to think they won't. So many injuries and (more importantly) issues to resolve before they can start to consistently win games. Defence is really poor. Don't get me started on turnovers!

[faz]

AD has returned and so much better than pre injury. Westbrook is looking better, not great but better. If they and Lebron stay fit they’ll make play offs and be as competitive as anyone. Big if that though.

[Solly]

Milwaukee again pour moi.

[SamH]

Interesting that Davis wasn't picked for the all star game. I think a combination of missed time and the Lakers record - but considering hes just made the 75 all time team, that's still quite a surprise!

I was also surprised to see Green get picked, he's only averaging 7, 7 and 7 this year. Is that really all star worthy? He's injured anyway so will get replaced but still.

I didn't think there were too many obvious snubs this year though, no absolute howlers anyway. Nice to see the Suns get both their guys in, quite right too. I was also pleased to see VanVleet get recognition for the Raptors. Since Lowry and DeRozan have gone, he's really come into his own but people forget how crucial he was in the championship run 3 years ago. It's as if he's only just now getting the recognition he probably deserved from back then.

[faz]

I accept the significance of stats but how many coaches in the NBA wouldn’t start Dremond in their team? Warriors not too shabby this year.
Agree on Van Fleet but delighted Garland and Morant were selected. Disappointed that Allen and Melo didn’t get the nod. Replacements for KD and Dreymond?

[SamH]

Im not saying Green isn't a worthy NBA starter, just not sure he's all star level this year, and certainly not with Wiggins getting in already. I'd have went with Davis I think, even though he's missed some time. Some folk think he should be in ahead of Towns but I don't think so - they average the same in points and rebounds, Towns is ahead in assists and he hasn't missed any time, plus his team has the better record, though I dont value that so much.

Don't the replacements have to come from the same conference (even though the teams are mixed now anyway with the captains picking!) I pegged Melo to replace KD, he was maybe a bit of a snub and he's fun to watch. If Green's replacement has to be from the West, I'd probably go with Davis or Dejounte Murray - just because the Spurs aren't very good, he's having a terrific season with all around stats I think I heard only MJ and Magic have averaged previously or something like that. I'd be happy with Allen though if they can be from the East as well, the Cavs are having a great season and the game is in Cleveland so it kinda makes sense.

Is PG13 going to be back in time? If not that'll be another replacement needed.

[Deleted]

Very enjoyable game on sky tonight, Jokic destroying the Nets who have absolutely no one who can stop him, Nuggets depleted bench trying to make a game of it by being crap

[erj14]

This Nets thing is so weird. They've built around their trio so badly, almost as bad as the Lakers. Insane that they let Allen go in the Harden deal, although I love that Cavs team this year so I'm glad it played out the way it did.

Having said that, with KD back they could still win a title. Mad.

[SamH]

In case anyone forgot that Jokic is the reigning MVP, or thinks he's not in the mix again for it this year, how about his stat line against the Nets? 27, 12 and 10 on 12/15 shooting. Apparently only Wilt has had a triple double featuring that sort of shooting and scoring before!

That said Denver is still only in 6th place, the west is as usual, really competitive.

As for the Nets, well bringing Kyrie back for road games sure hasn't helped. Harden doesn't have the jordanesque scoring power he had in Houston where you were surprised if he didn't score at least 30. Obviously KD makes a huge difference but this Nets team hasn't looked as good as last year's even with him playing.

But the East isn't that strong behind the Bucks. I could see a Nets-Sixers showdown for the right to lose to the Bucks in the conference final. I don't think the Cavs, Bulls or Heat are quite there yet, but those teams should be contending by next year all being well.

[faz]

Bulls lose by 3 to Suns. No lonzo or Caruso. Don’t write of Heat and Levert is a great pick up for cavs. I’m not convinced the west is still stronger than the east tbh.
I’ve really only started following the NBA in the last couple of years has there always been so many injuries?