NBA 2023-24 season

[hayesboy]

The NBA and the players are used to awards being given out for a run of games. Whether that is the NBA regular season or the finals.
However I would agree Sam. The whole point of the IST is to introduce a more European football cup competition style. If that is the case they need a MOTM approach for the final.
Without doubt Lebron was the best player across the tournament.
I'm firmly on the MJ is best side of the fence but Lebrons durability, longevity and consistent brilliance is amazing.

[milehigh]

Interesting article about the NBA head coaches

fadeawayworld.net/current-nba-head-coaches-tiers-who-is-on-hot-seat-who-is-the-best?fbclid=IwAR1nJsZY0lNVzc39IbodWdYZSFLjP4ykNND4ZBxgRVZWkm3bYduTPBMfDxQ

[SamH]

Wow, Karl Anthony-Towns scores 62 last night and he isn't even the highest scoring player of the day! Joel Embiid pouring in 70 against the Spurs - wow! And on the anniversary of Kobe's 81 point game as well. Embiid takes the franchise record away from Wilt Chamberlain and is just the 9th player to have a 70 point game. Fantastic stuff!

Oh and don't forget that Towns is coached by Chris Finch while Embiid is coached by Nick Nurse!

[milehigh]

Some serious "stat padding" by Embiid last night, but he does that a lot.

A possible finals preview was the game in Boston on Sunday, where Nuggets beat Celtics. It was the highest quality game I've seen this season.

[SamH]

I think you have to stat pad to get to 70, David Robinson doing it on the final day of the season to nick the scoring title springs to mind. Although the report I read said he'd told the team not to force it and make the right play - in contrast to Towns and the Wolves who Finch ripped into for playing immature and not making the right plays. I haven't seen the game but apparently Embiid's line was the first time ever seen in the NBA - think it was 70, 18 and 5. Even if he was stat padding that's impressive.

Celtics v Nuggs was a really good game. I do think Denver is still the team to beat in the West despite sitting 3rd - OKC and Minnesota lack the necessary experience to contend this year, but I am very much looking forward to next season! Phoenix have been a huge disappointment.

[SamH]

In other news the Bucks have fired coach Adrian Griffin after just half a season. It makes me think they made the wrong choice going for him over Nurse, who is doing well in Philly. Funny how things work out - now the Bucks look like hiring Doc Rivers, who Philly fired!

[milehigh]

Jokic has now completed triple doubles against 28 of the NBA teams, just missing Washington, and of course Denver.

It really is a remarkable feat, and shows the consistancy of his play.

[SamH]

That's a good accomplishment - think its only Lebron, or is it Westbrook (might be both) who have one against all 30 teams.

[milehigh]

As both have played for multiple clubs, surely their target would be to have a triple double against all 30 teams?

[SamH]

Yes, that's what I said - they have got one against all 30. Well, LeBron has - just checked it out. www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/507838-first-player-to-record-a-triple-double-against-every-nba-team Maybe Westbrook hasn't, but it feels like he would after those couple of years where he seemed to get one every other game!

edit - just checked, Russ has done it too. He needed one against the thunder but actually got it some time ago.

[milehigh]

Hopefully Jokic never gets the chance to add the 30th team.

The situation at Bucks sacking their coach after a few months seems strange.

[SamH]

This is getting crazy! Doncic goes for 73 and Booker 62 in a loss. Seems scoring 62 isn't a good thing! But 73?! Wowzers!

[milehigh]

It's getting away from doing whats needed to win the game for the team, and making good use of the players energy to get to the play offs.

Meanwhile, the "king of the stat padders" Joel Embiid, cries off playing in Denver, with an alleged knee injury, a few minutes before the start. Strange that he always misses the game in Denver!

[SamH]

Looks like Embiid is on the shelf for a while, and it looks like he was trying to play a couple of games he shouldn't have because of this rule that you can only win awards such as MVP, if you play 65+ games. Maybe they need to look at tweaking that rule, because you don't want guys trying to play games they shouldn't be and making injuries worse. This absence is going to rule him out of the race though, so Jokic might reclaim the award this season, but I think new challenges are coming from SGA and Antony Edwards, and perhaps Tatum. Denver will need to finish better than 4th in the West for Jokic to win it again I think.

Meanwhile the Clippers are flying now - can't say I'm pleased, as Harden forced his way there, got what he wanted despite not deserving it and now it seems to be working. I think the reason no one is talking about the Clippers are serious contenders yet is because we're all just waiting for the injuries to happen. Hard to see PG13, Leonard and Harden all still being healthy by May. And of course there's always a chance Harden will have another sulk - its a race to see who acts up and forces a trade first, Harden or Kyrie. I suspect they'll both be ok for this season but next season is about the time scale for wearing out their welcomes.

[milehigh]

the top 4 in the west are all within one game of each other, I'd be very surprised in Denver wre not higher than 4th at the end.

Seven players got double figures, v Portland, overnight, including the 15th triple double for Jokic and Murray just missing the triple by one assist.

The great thing about the Denver side is that they all contribute andmove the ball around. They genuinely don't seem to be concerned about individual stats, but focus on what is needed to achieve the target for the season.


Embiid's injury Thursday, was a lose ball collision, not related to his existing injury.

[SamH]

This Denver team kind of reminds me of the old Tim Duncan Spurs in that regard - unselfish, sharing the ball, playing efficiently. Not the most exciting team but if you appreciate good quality basketball played the right way, you like to watch them. I think, like most years, the West is more interesting than the East this year. Can anyone knock Denver off the perch? Can the Lakers and Warriors find a way into the playoffs? Can Dallas and Phoenix finally fulfil their potential? In the East its just Boston really, and even they've been dropping a few lately.

[SamH]

And on that note, I assume you took umbrage with Jamal Murray not being picked to the all star game, MH? I thought it was outrageous that the 9th placed Lakers got a 2nd pick in AD, while the Kings got no one, OKC didn't get a 2nd player despite being top of the West and now Murray isn't in either? Come on, who's picking these players? The coaches did a poor job this year. I know some people say the ASG is a joke and doesn't matter etc, but I think to the players it does matter to be picked. Sometimes financially, but just the prestige of it too. I think I'd take out AD and Paul George and insert Murray and Sabonis. Be nice to see Holmgren get in and reward OKC's first place in the standings but he'll be there next year - rookies don't usually make it, Wemby hasn't made it, so I can live with that.

As for Doc Rivers getting to coach the East when he's only coached 3 games and is 1-2 in those games - don't get me started. They should have a rule that says coaches need to have coached at least 30 games or something to be eligible. It definitely should have been Thibs or Bickerstaff.

[milehigh]

No interest in the all star fame, but the selections do seem to be based more on image than actual achievement.

JM is a top level player, who makes his team better every night.

Through all sports it is difficult for Denver players to get the recognition they deserve, partly due to the major media outlets being based on the coasts, but also due to the fact that, especially for the Nuggets, they have a team first style of play, that doesnt give individuals massive stats.
Having 7 players all get over 10 points is better than having one individual get 60+, or having your star player go back on court when you are 20 up in the last 5 minutes to keep a 30 point streak going.

I'd say that Denver have 3 players who should be in the all star game, and that Malone should be considered to coach the West team, you just have to watch the team play to see the consistancy of Jokic, Murray and Gordon.

[SamH]

Well Malone is ineligible as he coached last year. Its all on tonight, if Monnesota win then Finch gets it, which would be quite cool to see but if they lose and we win then Mark D gets it, also pretty cool! If both lose and the paper clips win, Lue gets it.

I know what you mean about the middle based teams not getting as nuch coverage as the east and west coast teams, but you'd think the coaches would have better awareness. They usually pick pretty well but definitely got this wrong. Still, at least Harden wasn't selected!

[SamH]

This is just plain stupid - OKC sit atop the Western Conference due to holding the tie-breaker with Minnesota (head to head is 2-2 and the next tie breaker is record against division, which OKC wins) but that tie-breaker is not part of the process for selecting the all star coach, so they go to the next tie-breaker which is overall conference record - and Minnesota win that one, so Finch gets the ASG! Surely they need to be consistent. If division record isn't significant enough for ASG selection, why is it the 2nd tie breaker in line, for the standings?!

Don't get me wrong, it will be good to see Finch do it, given his BBL history - but I just think along with how Doc Rivers is coaching the East, the whole thing is farcical.