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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 16:36:17 GMT
NBA and WNBA thread
Would be gramatically correct
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2019 17:57:41 GMT
Aye, appalling capital T for a start!
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Post by Richyyy on Mar 10, 2019 16:33:29 GMT
Don't forget the US just put their clocks forward, three weeks before most of the rest of the planet. Means only a four-hour difference if you're used to seeing Eastern tip-off times and adding five.
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Post by connors on Mar 12, 2019 7:12:55 GMT
No lip reading required on this one......Russ Westbrook makes his feelings crystal clear! www.facebook.com/theScore/videos/388425001888737/Not been able to find anything that shows the fan in question other than he did an interview afterwards where, unsurprisingly, he claims to have said nothing like Westbrook accuses him off (see second video above). In the wake of the incidents in English and Scottish football this past weekend it once again highlights the delicate balance that exists between allowing fans to be close to the action and ensuring the interactions between them and the players remain safe for all. It also places on the spotlight on difficult job stewards have. When do they step in, potentially unwittingly escalating the situation, and when do they let it play out. Hard to judge this incident. If the fan is telling the truth then a massive over reaction from Westbrook but his reaction suggests the fan said more than he's letting on. Bad timing for OKC if Westbrook gets suspended over this. They, along with Warriors, have been in poor form recently losing 6 out of last 10. Not what you want going into the playoffs. |
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jimw
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Post by jimw on Mar 13, 2019 16:35:12 GMT
Westbrook fined €25k. A pimple, and I'd say acknowledgment from the league that it was the fan wot was in the wrong.
Slightly (but only slightly)off topic: are we doing a WhatsBev NCAA bracket tourney this year?
I'm game, after all, you need someone to prop up the table...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2019 20:43:00 GMT
Slightly (but only slightly)off topic: are we doing a WhatsBev NCAA bracket tourney this year? I'm game, after all, you need someone to prop up the table... I'd love to join you there! |
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Post by SamH on Mar 13, 2019 22:36:01 GMT
Plus the Jazz have banned the fan for life and Jazz players have supported Westbrook over it, so that tells you what you need to know. The fine is tough but he did react aggressively, they probably felt they had to do something.
There are far more hostile environments in Europe than any NBA arena, but I guess it's not about the hostility but the inappropriate comments.
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Post by connors on Mar 14, 2019 7:06:51 GMT
Hmmm. I presume and hope that the Jazz had more witnesses than simply Thunder players who heard the fans comments. I've yet to see any footage of the rather strange comments that the fan allegedly said but the footage of Westbrook threatening him and his female companion are there for all to see.
Hopefully the NBA are now ensuring the players are aware of how to report these matters so they can be dealt with properly. NBA players threatening people in the stands, given the amount of security, stewards and often police at games is not necessary even if an understandable in the heat of the moment.
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Post by SamH on Mar 14, 2019 15:40:51 GMT
I read that the investigation had confirmed Westbrook's version from steward statements and some others, might have been players but I think there were other team officials and what not in the vicinity too. I think fans need to understand the art of heckling better - I don't know how much of it goes on these days, doesn't seem like much. Back in the day you'd read about or hear for yourself some fantastic banter being called out to opposing players to try and put them off, but it was always good natured stuff or at least wouldn't cross a line. Feels to me like both trash talk on the court and heckling from the stands are on the wane now, its a shame - if done right it adds to the atmosphere of the whole thing.
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Post by SamH on Mar 15, 2019 22:46:25 GMT
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Post by SamH on Mar 20, 2019 20:23:44 GMT
Stat of the day, from espn:
The Nets, who trailed by 25 after three quarters, became just the fourth team in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) to overcome a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Teams trailing by 25 or more points entering the fourth quarter were 3-3,028 in the shot-clock era entering Tuesday.
Wowsers!
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Post by blacknwhite on Mar 21, 2019 8:42:40 GMT
Stat of the day, from espn: The Nets, who trailed by 25 after three quarters, became just the fourth team in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55) to overcome a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Teams trailing by 25 or more points entering the fourth quarter were 3-3,028 in the shot-clock era entering Tuesday. Wowsers! My guys! Also Dlo's 27 point 4th quarter is the most in a quarter by a single player this season so far as far as I can see. |
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Post by SamH on Mar 23, 2019 13:17:05 GMT
Well that's it, LeBron is officially eliminated from the playoffs. It will be weird not seeing him there, and not seeing him in the finals too. Methinks Luke Walton is out at the end of the season, and unless Magic can find a way to bring Anthony Davis or an equally big name in this summer, he might go too.
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Post by connors on Mar 24, 2019 15:05:12 GMT
I think the move to the Lakers is arguably the first big mistake of LeBrons playing career. It may not be in terms of his life after basketball. I suspect SJ2 will be huge and no doubt being in LA without the need to do something tiring like the playoffs will no doubt be of some benefit. I can imagine for a star like him there are many other attractive business and social reasons why LA is a better fit than Cleveland.
What I can’t understand, unless you really subscribe to a conspiracy theory that they wanted to miss the playoffs, is how they constructed a team that literally has nobody whose play compliments its star player!! We all know Lebron is very involved in those moves so it’s on him as well. Truly bizarre!
I think his absence along with the shaky play of GSW gives me hope for a very interesting playoffs.
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Post by SamH on Mar 24, 2019 19:15:09 GMT
Yeah LeBron was in full support of bringing in Lance Stephenson and Rondo, he wanted JR Smith too. Guys with attitude issues, I guess he thought that would help in some way but it hasn't. Injuries have been a factor though and the Lakers haven't been the same since James went down at Christmas. They were looking quite good before that.
Not convinced by GS's woes, think they're just being complacent, it happened last year too. Looking at the West, I don't think Denver are ready to challenge yet, OKC sadly are too inconsistent and Portland are just not talented enough. That leaves Houston again as the main challenger. They could do it if healthy, but I wonder if their best shot already came and went last year?
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Post by connors on Mar 25, 2019 7:16:25 GMT
GSW strike me as a team that think they can just turn on playoff mode but it does not work like that. I think the complacency has lead to losses that has chipped away at their aura and teams think they have a shot now.
If they do go out I can see a team from the East winning this year.
Celtics have been under performing all season and need to change in the summer BUT they are my dark horse. They have the talent and if they can focus, shorten the rotations and ride Kyries shot making I think the Bucks and Raptors may be in for a shock.
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Post by number23 on Mar 28, 2019 14:59:00 GMT
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Post by SamH on Apr 3, 2019 15:49:15 GMT
Another Westbrook moment last night as he became just the 2nd player (after Wilt) to go for 20-20-20! Amazing. The ups and downs of being an OKC fan - once again the season has been disappointing and inconsistent (now down to 8th place!) but mixed in with some truly great moments including this one, and the fact he is going to average a triple double for a THIRD straight season. Results have been poor since the all star break though and its not even going to be a 50 win season, so no improvement at all on last year despite managing to get rid of Melo and another year of Russ and PG13 playing together. A first round exit seems likely too unless they can move back up and get Portland (who they swept this season).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 16:14:14 GMT
I've only just got around to writing about this daveballblog.wordpress.com/2019/04/03/goodbye-nba/ but I think the lack of comment on here shows how little impact the NBA's annual trip made on British ball fans. Yes, Sam, the numbers Russ puts up are special but I can't see them ever producing a ring. The mention of Wilt is interesting as Elgin Baylor talks of him as a selfish player who cared more about his record than winning. He still picked up rings, though, whereas Russ isn't going to even get close. |
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Post by connors on Apr 3, 2019 17:56:54 GMT
I think it’s disappointing as a NBA fan to not have this opportunity but I’m also confused as to what NBA are looking for?
Reading Hersey’s blog I find myself concurring that a NBA European division or even just a single team seems as far away as ever. So based on that playing sell out games to appreciative fans in one of the most iconic cities in the world was surely a winning formula? Is this a case of quitting whilst ahead? Do they have some sort of advanced metrics that somehow predict a decline in interest and fans willing to pay through the nose for often meaningless mid season game?
I’m sure it will be equally successful in Paris. If they move it to weekend for any reason I’ll have a better chance to take my son to it!
Russ Westbrook stats are impressive. Particularly his rebounding for a guard. He’s a unique player and I’m not sure, despite all the assists, he’s that easy to build a team around. In theory Russ, PG and Adams should be 3 great pieces to construct a really good team, better than they are now, that has a chance at winning it all. Shows how tough the NBA is.
Wilt probably was a selfish player. If I was his coach I’d have wanted him to be!
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Post by SamH on Apr 3, 2019 20:44:36 GMT
I think with Wilt it was partly he had a big ego (he led the league in assists one season simply because he was accused of not passing enough, to show that he could do it if he wanted to!) but also he never had the team mates around him that Russell had so he had to do more. Same with Oscar Robertson who only got his ring once he teamed up with Kareem. Kobe was selfish and a bad team mate too yet he got 5 rings - but all of them came when playing next to an all star big man. When he didn't have that he didn't take the Lakers anywhere. I'm not sure what Russ should do differently, he could shoot less perhaps but I don't think he's a HUGE ball hog like Kobe was, or Melo or Iverson etc. were. He obviously gets the team involved and plays hard all the time, so what should he change? I agree, that nucleus with PG and Adams should easily win 50 games and home court advantage in the first round at least. PG has played at a super high level, there was even talk of him being an MVP candidate for a while. So I don't know what the answer is, but they have lost a LOT of games to bad teams and consistency is a key issue. It could be as simple as changing the coach but I think Donovan does a pretty good job all in all.
Answers on a postcard!
In other news, which 3 teams snag the last of the playoff spots in the East? I'm going with Nets, Pistons and Heat but it would be nice to see Orlando back in after so many years in the wilderness!
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Post by connors on Apr 4, 2019 7:55:54 GMT
I think the answer is simple for OKC. Play better more often! Same as the other NBA teams. Like you I'm not sure there is a magic formula.
I suspect Nets and Pistons will be in (think they deserve to be as well). Would prefer to see Wade go out in the playoffs. I think he would have one vintage Wade performance left in him which would be good to see.
Whoever gets 8th seed is not going to beat the Bucks in 7 games.
When will the seedings in West be finalised? Looks quite close in certain spots. Going back to your boys OKC I'd say they'd be my bet for first round upset. Reckon they could take the relatively inexperienced Nuggets.
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Post by SamH on Apr 4, 2019 10:53:51 GMT
I'd like to think so too but the Nuggets got the sweep 4-0 this season so that doesn't bode well! I like to think OKC is the team no one at the top wants to draw, much like GS is the team no one at the bottom wants. Of course no one wants Houston either, I'm hoping they settle in 4th so they get GS in round 2, should be a good series.
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Post by connors on Apr 4, 2019 11:51:38 GMT
Individually George and Westbrook are in top 10 players in the league (comfortably) therefore they most definitely should feature high on the "team to avoid" list.
Did not realise their record was so bad against the Nuggets.
Russ is my sons favourite current player and OKC his favourite team. I'm happy to see them do well.
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Post by SamH on Apr 8, 2019 3:56:39 GMT
Amazing that Charlotte are still in the playoff chase. Winners of 3 straight including beating Detroit last night, while both Detroit and Miami have lost 4 straight. I fancy Charlotte to win their last 2 games meaning Detroit need to beat Memphis on Tuesday (they get a gimme v the Knicks as well). Should be interesting. Don't see Miami winning it's last 2 games (Philly and Brooklyn) so they're probably done.
Credit to Orlando for knocking off the Celtics last night to clinch their spot and comically, their division. Good job the league got rid of the structure where division winners were guaranteed a top 4 seed!
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