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Post by SamH on Jun 15, 2018 17:10:47 GMT
Yes Celtics and 76ers will contest the east if LeBron leaves it. But neither will compete with HR or GS.
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Post by r33 on Jun 18, 2018 12:16:36 GMT
Anyone following the Draft? Doncic should go #1 but Phoenix have got taken in by Ayton. Don’t get me wrong, he could be a good offensive player, but putting your hopes in a post scorer who has bad defensive instincts because of his incredible physique seems like a move from 5 years ago.... Following it more from an NCAA than an NBA perspective - although it frustrates me to a degree as it focuses on the impact of an individual rather than the team as a whole. Yep, some of the analysts have an 'interesting' perspective on the potential of the draftees. Some appear to be low on Doncic because he is already good, so he has no upside, whereas players like Ayton, Bagley, Carter et al although flawed in key aspects of the game and not bringing a whole lot of success (comparative to expectations) to their college programmes are elevated as they potentially have potential. Biggest surprise for me is Jaren Jackson Jr who wasn't a massive contributer on an inconsistent Spartans team. His biggest strengths appear to be that he is big and young... Having said all that there is definitely a lot of talent available in the top 10 - looking forward to see Bamba in the big league. I’ve seen the questioning of Doncic, upside-wise, but I don’t buy that he has less room to grow as a player. He’s only 19 now. He has significant room to improve his conditioning and I think his shooting numbers will improve with the more spacious NBA court and a less intense usage. He had 20/9/3 last night in the ACB finals while Ayton couldn’t guard his man on the University of Buffalo in the last game he played, so... |
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Post by connors on Jun 18, 2018 14:51:34 GMT
Totally agree. I think there is still a bias against Euroleague basketball in the NBA.
For a 19 year old to garner the individual and team success he has had is very impressive. Teams should be thinking Manu Ginobli ++ with this guy. He is more proven than any college player in my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2018 15:51:47 GMT
It appears to rankle with some nba people that a seriously good player can come through without playing any part in the college system. I love college but the Euroleague is clearly the second best competition in club basketball
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2018 7:03:10 GMT
I'm sure he'll celebrate 41 in a bigger way, but happy 40th to Dirk. Watch the video, and see why I fell in love with the bloke. |
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Post by interestedridersfan on Jun 20, 2018 7:13:38 GMT
I'm sure he'll celebrate 41 in a bigger way, but happy 40th to Dirk. Watch the video, and see why I fell in love with the bloke. Link not working |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2018 7:22:46 GMT
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Post by connors on Jun 20, 2018 7:55:14 GMT
Only possible challenge to Dirks "greatest European player" title is Tony Parker. I'd give the edge to Dirk though on an individual basis.
Is he playing next season?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2018 8:20:17 GMT
Good as (the annoying little rat) Parker is, Dirk actually changed the game.
He's back near, talking about the year after but when I read the "body of a 50-year-old" I guess #41 will quit at 41. Not sure I can see him as a head coach, probably end up as a shooting coach.
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Post by interestedridersfan on Jun 20, 2018 12:00:00 GMT
Good as (the annoying little rat) Parker is, Dirk actually changed the game. He's back near, talking about the year after but when I read the "body of a 50-year-old" I guess #41 will quit at 41. Not sure I can see him as a head coach, probably end up as a shooting coach. What a job that is? Shooting coach? What a life some people have! Lol |
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Post by therock on Jun 20, 2018 19:20:29 GMT
Only being a casual follower of the NBA (generally get interested once the play offs start) I didn’t realise Dirk was still going.
Note that he was drafted in 1998, there can’t be too many NBA players still active who played in the 1990’s, who’s likely to be the last man standing from the 20th Century?
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Post by connors on Jun 20, 2018 19:22:47 GMT
Vince Carter and Jason Terry as well. My money is on Carter
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2018 19:44:50 GMT
Both are a year older than Dirk, but he played more minutes than them both last season and in his career (substantially in the case of JET). Terry, of course, did his bit to help Mavs win it all 7 years ago.
I can see them all retiring in 12 months time, though mark Cuban would clearly let Dirk play until he's 60.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2018 19:46:04 GMT
Only being a casual follower of the NBA (generally get interested once the play offs start) I didn’t realise Dirk was still going. Understandable. BT Sport didn't show them once last season |
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Post by SamH on Jun 21, 2018 12:59:55 GMT
Technically Manu Ginobili as he was drafted in 1999 but continued to play elsewhere before joining the Spurs in 2002 I think it was. But he was 25 by then. It makes you realise how short most players' careers are when you realise almost everyone from the 90s is now gone and a lot of players drafted before 2005 are out of the league too now. Kevin Durant has even said he plans to retire at 35 which means he only has 5 seasons left to go, so you realise how quickly a career is done. People like Dirk, Kobe, probably LeBron who play beyond 15 or 16 years are rarities.
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Post by connors on Jun 21, 2018 14:14:34 GMT
I think players age differently depending on how they play, their conditioning, luck with injuries and genetics!
As a 46 year old who is still playing competitively I can say that if you can play the 4/5 or point guard it helps. Carter is an anomaly for me as he is playing the most demanding of positions in the modern NBA. I recall though he was rather notorious in his younger days for feigning injuries and calling it a day before the end of a season for struggling teams. I think in his mid thirties he must of experienced a bit of an epiphany!
As Lebron ages if he was of a mind to play like Magic Johnson I'm sure he could extend his career very successfully.
Dirk must love the game. He looks like he is in pain when he plays and it must take him ages to warm up and recover. Fair play to all the 40+ guys still balling at the highest level.
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Post by SamH on Jun 22, 2018 16:57:35 GMT
So, thoughts on the draft? I'm excited to see how good Ayton can become as the shift back towards having good big men continues. Surprised at the Mavs Hawks trade but love that Dirk will be mentoring Doncic next season. I thought the Kings may have taken him 2nd over Bagley, time will tell if they were right or not. Given they had a pretty good draft last year and this is the kings we're talking about, you kind of think Bagley is doomed to underwhelm!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2018 17:23:13 GMT
My thoughts? Bloody ecstatic with Doncic - the best player in the draft. Might get two more years out of Dirk now. I like Bagley, but this kid has so much potential it's frightening
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Post by interestedridersfan on Jun 22, 2018 19:10:28 GMT
So, thoughts on the draft? I'm excited to see how good Ayton can become as the shift back towards having good big men continues. Surprised at the Mavs Hawks trade but love that Dirk will be mentoring Doncic next season. I thought the Kings may have taken him 2nd over Bagley, time will tell if they were right or not. Given they had a pretty good draft last year and this is the kings we're talking about, you kind of think Bagley is doomed to underwhelm! Ayton at 7ft1 and a decent shooter as well should have a great career ahead of him lots of the commentators seem to rate Doncic. But I can't see him being a superstar. But instead just a very solid signing. Whereas maybe Ayton could be a superstar? |
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Post by SamH on Jun 22, 2018 19:24:17 GMT
Seems to me these days everyone can shoot, regardless of height/size. It never used to be like that, I mean when you think of all the great big men from the 80s and 90s, how many could shoot from even mid-range, let alone 3 point range? You had a few 'tall' guys like Detlef Schremph and Cliff Robinson who could shoot but they were small forwards by position. Now everyone in the starting 5 can make shots, but I still like to see teams play with versatility where they have talented bigs who know how to score down low too.
I'd love to see a prime Shaq in today's game and look at whether his lack of being able to shoot (literally anything) would hinder him with the style of game, or would it help because he'd be so unique?
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Post by interestedridersfan on Jun 22, 2018 19:28:48 GMT
when Doncic name was called he kissed a girl who I thought must be his girlfriend who was actually his mum!
lol see below!
/video/1
she has to be number one pick for mums at the draft!
you forget how young these guys are until you see mums who look like that!
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Post by interestedridersfan on Jun 22, 2018 19:38:49 GMT
This mum so excited her son has signed for the club where she works!
traded 10 minutes after the interview!
lol
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Post by connors on Jun 23, 2018 6:31:59 GMT
The Mavs should be in the best position to get some immediate production from Luka. This kid has been excelling in professional basketball at a level far higher than college ball.
I wonder how many future all stars in this draft? Since so many players have been one and done at college I’m really not a fan of college ball. It makes it so difficult to discern who the real talent is. I read stuff saying so and so will be better in the more open NBA but often what I see is big athletic kids who are beating up on players who will likely never play pro basketball or much more than decent recreation league once they leave college.
Meanwhile there is this kid playing against seasoned pros in international and top level euroleague hoops,who is garnering MVP awards going up against these players (many of whom have played in NBA) and there are question marks?
Mavs are onto a winner.
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Post by SamH on Jun 26, 2018 9:50:51 GMT
I think Doncic and Smith Jnr should make for an exciting duo on the Mavs. Probably not a playoff team next year but shouldn't be too long. Meanwhile free agency is ramping up - Leonard wants to go to the Lakers but the Spurs want to hang on to him. I say they should get what value they can for him because he'll walk next year anyway. Melo has opted in to his $28M contract for next season with OKC (shock horror, he didn't think he could command more on the open market) but the key thing is trying to keep PG13. Thunder with only Westbrook and Melo doesn't sound good to me.
Cousins is also a free agent I believe. Be interesting to see where he lands. I wonder if the Rockets can't get LeBron, should they try and get Cousins instead? CP3, Harden and Cousins (backed up by Capella) would be a pretty intimidating opponent for the Warriors.
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Post by connors on Jun 26, 2018 11:55:42 GMT
So Harden MVP. Deserved I would say. OKC are certainly good are drafting future MVPS!
Simmons ROY. Personally couldn't split him and Mitchell but a lot of people I know complaining hes not a rookie........
Gobert DPOY. Yup.
Oladipo MIP. Yup.
Williams 6th Man. Yup.
I see Lebron got fans player of year based on his results in the fan voted best plays etc. He still is the best player in the NBA for me currently.
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