Let's Talk Some NBA 2016-17

NonP

NonP

Legend
stringertom said:
When you have the Greatgrindfather playing 31 quality minutes at age 40, it inspires the young whippersnappers to pick up the slack for the absence of Kobe's worst nightmare.
Click to expand...

Yeah Vince was excellent tonite. He's definitely aging gracefully, but that of course has to do with the fact that he squandered a lot of his special gifts in his younger years. Who knows what he could've accomplished with a killer instinct a la MJ/Kobe? (BTW as a Kobe fanboy I feel obliged to point out that Allen has named my boy as the toughest player he's had to guard.)

Frankly, though, I'm more interested in the OKC-Houston matchup. The Thunder can't shoot much better than they did last nite but they still barely survived. Just hope Russ can keep up his effort for the rest of the series, if only to stave off the nonsense about the Beard being a better MVP candidate.
 
NonP

NonP

Legend
LOL, Westbrook just got his 3-2 in the nick of (half)time, apparently joining Wilt as the only players to post 3 straight in the playoffs. I was getting frustrated that OKC was barely leading even with Houston (esp the Beard) laying so many bricks, but at least I got a chuckle out of it.

Good to see Russ' mid-rangers finally falling but they should have Adams and Gibson post up more. And keep up the defensive pressure. We all know the Rockets can explode at any moment.

And here's a fine postmortem on last nite's SA-Memphis corker from Charley Rosen:

https://www.fanragsports.com/nba/rosen-mike-conley-marc-gasol-lead-grizzlies-game-4-win/
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
OKC stayed with the Rockets until the last two minutes. Then Billy Donovan inexplicably inserted poor FT-shooting Roberson, making it 5-on-4 defense for the Rockets and they build 4-point leads twice to hold on with a little "blind mice" help from the officials. The push off by Harden on the last inbound play was blatant and missed by all three idiots.
 
NonP

NonP

Legend
stringertom said:
OKC stayed with the Rockets until the last two minutes. Then Billy Donovan inexplicably inserted poor FT-shooting Roberson, making it 5-on-4 defense for the Rockets and they build 4-point leads twice to hold on with a little "blind mice" help from the officials. The push off by Harden on the last inbound play was blatant and missed by all three idiots.
Click to expand...

Plus that 3 by Oladipo could've been a 4-pt play. And apparently the blind mice threw the Cavs many bones earlier today. Disgraceful officiating all around.

And Donovan has made some really stupid decisions in this series. Back in game 2 his team still had the lead when Houston went on that run towards the end of Q3, but he panicked and decided to put Russ in for the entire Q4. We know how that turned out. And I still can't see for the life of me why he didn't yank Roberson when he was costing OKC at least two possessions in crunch time. It was obvious the Beard was having a tough outing so why not trust somebody else on him? Easily one of the stupidest games I've seen played by any playoff-caliber team.

This series is over. Just hope Russ can break his cold shooting streak and finish the season on a high note.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Off court news:

Steve Kerr's health issues (head/neck pain) have sidelined the GSW coach again, this time thrusting his very experienced assistant Mike Brown into an interim HC position. There is no timetable for Kerr's return.

Orlando is moving at a very deliberate speed to find their new GM. Rumored candidates include front office personnel for teams still active in the playoffs so there may not be any further action until those candidates become available for interviews after the playoffs end for their teams. One huge rumor is Cavs GM David Griffin, whose contract expires at season's end. A more realistic option might be AGM Travis Schlenk of the Warriors. His experience in the NBA began right here in Orlando under Chuck Daly and he also served in various roles under Pat Riley in Miami before joining GSW in 2004.
 
C

Chadillac

Guest
stringertom said:
Off court news:

Steve Kerr's health issues (head/neck pain) have sidelined the GSW coach again, this time thrusting his very experienced assistant Mike Brown into an interim HC position. There is no timetable for Kerr's return.
Click to expand...

I was listening to brady quinn (former qb). He also had back surgery and brought up a really scary point. There is still a little hole where they went in and the fluid can drain out (like kerrs) overtime. The really bad thing is your brain rests in this liquid, so when it depletes your brain is now on skull, making really bad headache's. You have to take blood from another part of the body and put it there so it clots back, nothing you can do at home.

Dont really like kerr, but wish him the best, this is nothing you would wish on your worst enemy.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Two takes on NBA pressers:

1. If Fitzdale gets a $30K fine for criticizing officials, fine Russell Westbrook as much for attempting to censor the media with his churlish shutdown of a reporter attempting to ask Stephen Adams a reasonable question. STFU Russell!

2. Fred Hoiberg is a whiny arsehole with his rant about Isaiah Thomas' "palming". That should get a fine too.

This stuff is why the NHL is so much more enjoyable at playoff time.
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
stringertom said:
Two takes on NBA pressers:

1. If Fitzdale gets a $30K fine for criticizing officials, fine Russell Westbrook as much for attempting to censor the media with his churlish shutdown of a reporter attempting to ask Stephen Adams a reasonable question. STFU Russell!

2. Fred Hoiberg is a whiny arsehole with his rant about Isaiah Thomas' "palming". That should get a fine too.

This stuff is why the NHL is so much more enjoyable at playoff time.
Click to expand...
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Rockets close the series 4-1 with a 105-99 win gift wrapped by the same old, same old: no good defense on the pick and roll, sending The Beard to the charity stripe for the majority of his points; Donovan not having a clue how to manage time outs; Westbrook refusing to listen to his tired body and launching 4th quarter shots with no legs; Roberson inexplicably missing FTs down the stretch, finishing the series barely above 10%. You just shouldn't lose to a 3-point-heavy team when they go 6 for 37 but OKC did.

Poor sport Westbrook immediately heads for the tunnel at game's end. Give the victors their due.

Houston awaits the SA/Memphis winner. The Spurs are up by seven with 5 minutes left in game 5.
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
stringertom said:
Rockets close the series 4-1 with a 105-99 win gift wrapped by the same old, same old: no good defense on the pick and roll, sending The Beard to the charity stripe for the majority of his points; Donovan not having a clue how to manage time outs; Westbrook refusing to listen to his tired body and launching 4th quarter shots with no legs; Roberson inexplicably missing FTs down the stretch, finishing the series barely above 10%. You just shouldn't lose to a 3-point-heavy team when they go 6 for 37 but OKC did.

Poor sport Westbrook immediately heads for the tunnel at game's end. Give the victors their due.

Houston awaits the SA/Memphis winner. The Spurs are up by seven with 5 minutes left in game 5.
Click to expand...
Dedicated to the MVP,
 
NonP

NonP

Legend
stringertom said:
Steve Kerr's health issues (head/neck pain) have sidelined the GSW coach again, this time thrusting his very experienced assistant Mike Brown into an interim HC position. There is no timetable for Kerr's return.
Click to expand...

Despite their blowout win last nite Kerr's absence may well turn out to be the deal breaker when they face the Spurs. The unspoken word among NBA bigwigs is that Brown can't coach (his current assistant role is really perfect for him) and Pop will almost certainly win the battle of wits between the two.

stringertom said:
Rockets close the series 4-1 with a 105-99 win gift wrapped by the same old, same old: no good defense on the pick and roll, sending The Beard to the charity stripe for the majority of his points; Donovan not having a clue how to manage time outs; Westbrook refusing to listen to his tired body and launching 4th quarter shots with no legs; Roberson inexplicably missing FTs down the stretch, finishing the series barely above 10%. You just shouldn't lose to a 3-point-heavy team when they go 6 for 37 but OKC did.

Poor sport Westbrook immediately heads for the tunnel at game's end. Give the victors their due.

Houston awaits the SA/Memphis winner. The Spurs are up by seven with 5 minutes left in game 5.
Click to expand...

Donovan strikes out yet again. I get that Russ was in a good rhythm and their O suffers with him on the bench, but it was still a close game and he should've been given more time to rest after having played all of Q3. Those 42 min felt more like an hour. No wonder he ran out of gas so early.

Anyhoo this series has shown that 1) the Rockets are not ready to contend for the championship (OKC, one of the worse offenses in the league, had a lead at the end of Q1 in every one of the 5 games and scored near 110 points or more in 3 of 'em) and 2) Harden does not deserve to be named the MVP over Russ and LBJ, let alone Kawhi.

Ronaldo said:
Dedicated to the MVP,
Click to expand...

He badly needs more help. Donovan might have kept his minutes down to a manageable level during the regular season but as we just saw a min for Westbrook is more like two for most role players, given his unprecedented % of usage. At the very least they need a better bench to be competitive with the best.
 
Harry_Wild

Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
Which team will pick the duds in the first round and the diamonds like a Stef Curry caliber player? Minnesota past on Stef two times since they had back to back picks at 5 and 6 or was it 4 and 5? SF landed him after Minnesota past!
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Celt's were out of sorts the first two games, the death of Isiah's mom and all that.
Nothing to do with Rondo.
Just like, Cav's won last year because Stef, Andre', and Bogut were hurt.
Just like, Warriors won the year before because Kyrie and Kevin were hurt.
Injuries make more difference than anyone gives it credit for. Injuries keep potential great player's from ever reaching their peaks.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
I still can't figure out Billy Donovan's coaching strategy (OKC Thunder).
1. Houston couldn't shoot worth beans.
2. OKC, except for Westbrook couldn't shoot worth beans.
SO, why bother to put OKC DEFENDERS in the game? No defense needed, Houston was missing all by themselves!
Why not put Abrinas, Kanter, and McDermott in, allow them 10 shots to sort themselves out....SHOOTER"S GOT TO SHOOT!...... and give yourself a chance to win?
Shooters can miss a lot, but once they groove, they MAKE a lot. That's the nature of shooters.
Defenders can't shoot, which is why they're defenders. If Houston is missing wide open shots, why play the defenders? They ain't defending, Houston is just plain missing.
 
donquijote

donquijote

G.O.A.T.
Milwaukee fans must be the most styupid people on earth. Their reactions and lack of knowledge of the game is unbelievable.
They even chanted U-S-A just because Raptors is a Toronto team. LOL
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
Larry Legend calls it a day as president of Pacers basketball operations.

I wonder how Frank Vogel feels about again working for the man who fired him last year? I wonder if French Lick Hick will can him as his first order of business with the Magic???
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
One game 7 on Sunday at The Clip Joint as LAC avoids losing the Jazz series in SLC. Utah's Big Shot Joe missed a trey at the buzzer and lose by 3.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Neither of those teams are looking strong for the push towards the West finals, Golbert not solid on his ankle and Blake out. JJohnson is an infusion of scoring, but can anyone rely on a older player to carry the load game after game? Or does inconsistency hurt the Jazz, him giving 25 on game, then missing his way to 12 the next? Inconsistency really hurts the strategy of the game.
Lotsa games played for two teams with stars injured.
OTOH, GS hasn't played in a week, hoping Durant get's stronger, while Barnes heals his ankle. Livingston might still be out for a while, hand injuries as they are. Looney disappeared from the scene.
 
C

Chadillac

Guest
article-2617952-1D7CAD4D00000578-475_634x438.jpg
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
LeeD said:
Neither of those teams are looking strong for the push towards the West finals, Golbert not solid on his ankle and Blake out. JJohnson is an infusion of scoring, but can anyone rely on a older player to carry the load game after game? Or does inconsistency hurt the Jazz, him giving 25 on game, then missing his way to 12 the next? Inconsistency really hurts the strategy of the game.
Lotsa games played for two teams with stars injured.
OTOH, GS hasn't played in a week, hoping Durant get's stronger, while Barnes heals his ankle. Livingston might still be out for a while, hand injuries as they are. Looney disappeared from the scene.
Click to expand...
Jazz to sweep "da dubs". If they do, I'm buying everyone a round of bacon.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Still, after all the analysis and conjecture, you gotta play the game.
World of sports, on any given weird day, the lowest seed can win over the top seed. On any given day, not any series or multiple days.
Who knows, maybe Heywood, Johnson, and Golbert have career days, all in the same game, while Durant, Curry, Klay, and Javale fall asleep during the same game.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
"And The Rockets' red glare..."

Spurs splattered in SA...they have their work cut out for them if it keeps raining treys.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
LeeD said:
Still, after all the analysis and conjecture, you gotta play the game.
World of sports, on any given weird day, the lowest seed can win over the top seed. On any given day, not any series or multiple days.
Who knows, maybe Heywood, Johnson, and Golbert have career days, all in the same game, while Durant, Curry, Klay, and Javale fall asleep during the same game.
Click to expand...
If the Warriors play 100% and the Jazz can even play at 50%, Heywood, Golbert and company will sweep Kory, Tompsum, Dorant and company. The Warriors are all about Westbrook. With him gone, they don't stand a chance.
 
Last edited:
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Okee dokey there, Westbrook, eh?
Russell is the player who puts in the most effort. Does that mean valuable?
Me, I gotta say it's between Lebron and Kawai.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
LeeD said:
Okee dokey there, Westbrook, eh?
Russell is the player who puts in the most effort. Does that mean valuable?
Me, I gotta say it's between Lebron and Kawai.
Click to expand...
Heywood is MVP

Only thing that can stop him are bad Salt Lake burritos. Vamoose Heywood!!!!
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Well, he IS an all star, best player on the Jazz. He can get his 35 points at least twice in the series.
However, tough road to hoe when guarded by a 6'11" mobile Durant or some dude named Dray.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
r2473 said:
If the Warriors play 100% and the Jazz can even play at 50%, Heywood, Golbert and company will sweep Kory, Tompsum, Dorant and company. The Warriors are all about Westbrook. With him gone, they don't stand a chance.
Click to expand...
Don't think Duke Snider will get the most out of the American Music Genre when facing Tim Curry, Bobby Thomson , Roberto Duran and A.C. Green, even if Deborah Kerr is replaced on the bench by Jim Brown. Hell, Dubya could coach this team over the Bob Fosses cuz they ain't all that Jazzy.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
stringertom said:
Don't think Duke Snider will get the most out of the American Music Genre when facing Tim Curry, Bobby Thomson , Roberto Duran and A.C. Green, even if Deborah Kerr is replaced on the bench by Jim Brown. Hell, Dubya could coach this team over the Bob Fosses cuz they ain't all that Jazzy.
Click to expand...
I really can't argue with any of that
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Lebron's big advantage is bully ball. He's 6'9", no biggee, but he's a mobile, athletic 260 lbs. Only center's weigh in around that, and most are not mobile nor athletic. Lebron is a serviceable 3 point shooter, an excellent passer, can drive the hole, and can box out center's up to 280 lbs.
Kawai is close, but lighter at around 235 lbs. A bit quicker, certainly in initial hops, but the system he play's in doesn't allow freeflow offense, but it does protect him on his bad days. He's more a late clock desperation go to guy, rather than first option like Westbrook, Harden, Wall, or Lebron.
Durant is in the mentioning, if he's physically solid. We don't know, since residual worry about his knee can affect his play. 6' 11" helps, can do everything any offense needs, but how's his mind for the series.
All 3 above can trump Westbrook/Harden, if they're given the ball to start the offense.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Huge difference between a player designated as the top dog on a team compared to a role player who's basically a 5th scoring option as a starter.
Charles was certainly a top 75 all time player, something Dray is not near, but he was shackled by Kevin McHale of the Celtics, totally stopped, not just neutralized.
But, you wonder......what is defense worth? Charles never really played consistent D. Certainly he could block shots and swat at dribbler's, but only did so once in a while. Not ever considered a defensive stopper.
Does being a candidate for defenseman of the year raise Dray's status? Does averaging 11 points a game even allow him in the conversation with Charles?
Apples to oranges.
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
LeeD said:
Huge difference between a player designated as the top dog on a team compared to a role player who's basically a 5th scoring option as a starter.
Charles was certainly a top 75 all time player, something Dray is not near, but he was shackled by Kevin McHale of the Celtics, totally stopped, not just neutralized.
But, you wonder......what is defense worth? Charles never really played consistent D. Certainly he could block shots and swat at dribbler's, but only did so once in a while. Not ever considered a defensive stopper.
Does being a candidate for defenseman of the year raise Dray's status? Does averaging 11 points a game even allow him in the conversation with Charles?
Apples to oranges.
Click to expand...
Defense sways MJ's status above LBJ
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
If the above is somewhat true, then Russell or James? Russell tries harder, plays more D. Harden's team is winning more often than not.
The other case, Lebron vs Kawai, Lebron handles the more much more often, while Kawai is relied upon to put up a last second desperation shot much more often. D favors Kawai, but not by all that much. Bullyball favors Lebron, but not by all that much.
 
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Bionic Poster
LeeD said:
If the above is somewhat true, then Russell or James? Russell tries harder, plays more D. Harden's team is winning more often than not.
The other case, Lebron vs Kawai, Lebron handles the more much more often, while Kawai is relied upon to put up a last second desperation shot much more often. D favors Kawai, but not by all that much. Bullyball favors Lebron, but not by all that much.
Click to expand...
Harden is the Most Valuable to his team. Doubt the Cavs would make the playoffs without LBJ. Leonard is great but the season is too long for the Spurs
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
George Roy Hill is having a tough time directing the talented Tim Curry in the remake of TRHPS. I am having fun throwing popcorn at the screen though.
 
stringertom

stringertom

Bionic Poster
The Dubya starting lineup of Tim Curry, Klay Aiken, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dennis Green and Roberto Duran were too much for the overmatched American Music Genre, with all five getting double digits...mission accomplished in game 1 for stand-in coach Bobby Brown. Will Duke Snider be able to rally his team around Spencer Haywood and Rudy Colbert? I will report on game 2 on Thursday with help from Rudy's bro Stephen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top