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Post by connors on Jun 5, 2020 5:50:24 GMT
So it looks like 22 teams starting 31st July (so long!!!).
I think its the best of a bad situation really. KD coming back for Nets is a nice bonus if true though!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2020 9:20:20 GMT
I generally threaten kids at school with dismemberment when they (over)use the word literally. But I'm literally counting down the days 'till it's back.
I look forward to sacked moderator Sam discussing the fact that 30 teams were absolutely, definitely going to Disney. |
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Post by connors on Jun 6, 2020 5:53:55 GMT
www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/29273001/kevin-durant-rules-remainder-2019-20-season-best-waitBooo!! I was hoping to see KD back as a nice twist for the return of the NBA. He’s a great player but I’m disappointed. Can you imagine Jordan or Kobe doing this? They’d be chomping at the bit to grab the opportunity for a quicker than expected return. I guess he feels the need to get a full proper pre season in but I don’t think that’s going to be easy for NBA teams. Is Kyrie expected back? Not sure who I’m asking that to? Does a tree make any sound when it falls in an empty forest?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2020 9:56:15 GMT
Modern players, eh? Sam would implode. I can think of about 40 million reasons why he should give it a go. I blame Kawhi Leonard. |
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Post by leamrider2 on Jun 6, 2020 16:29:39 GMT
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned: I could not spot it.
There's a brilliant HBO documentary been shown on TV of late. You should be able to find it on catch up. "Women of Troy". Mainly on the subject of Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper and their careers at USC Trojans and then into WNBA (sadly, not for Miller) and post-paying career work. I found it one of the best basketball programmes I have ever seen. Catch it if you can.
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Post by faz on Jun 15, 2020 10:51:10 GMT
Modern players, eh? Sam would implode. I can think of about 40 million reasons why he should give it a go. I blame Kawhi Leonard. I really do t understand KD or Kyrie choosing not to play. 14 months since the injury. Ideal opportunity to develop on court chemistry with the roster. If I was a Mets fan I’d just think it was a piss take. |
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Post by connors on Jun 15, 2020 10:57:14 GMT
If I was a Mets fan I would be watching baseball personally :-)
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Post by connors on Jun 15, 2020 11:11:09 GMT
On a more serious note not only does Kyrie not want to play himself but he also apparently does not think players should be playing at all.... www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29307585/nba-players-use-money-season-support-black-lives-matterApparently Dwight Howard agrees. www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29311351/lakers-players-say-there-figure-things-ahead-restartAlthough they are very well paid these guys are employees of their teams and ultimately the money they get justifies a certain amount of flexibility from them in relation to getting the season done. Like all elite sport the biggest driver is money (regardless of any PR BS about providing entertainment and distraction to the masses). They have commitments to TV companies that need to be fulfilled. If they can be done safely they should do so. It will be really interesting to see how it pans out over the coming week. If I were Dwight Howard I would be looking to repay the Lakers for taking a chance on me. Not to mention a great opportunity to contribute to getting a ring that will go some way to redeeming some wasted years bouncing around the league with the sulks. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2020 11:28:33 GMT
Agreed. In fact I'd just written about it. Disney will give players the perfect chance to show their support for BLM |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2020 12:46:43 GMT
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Post by connors on Jun 21, 2020 14:10:40 GMT
www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/29341659/concern-nba-grows-coronavirus-cases-spike-floridaNoise from NBA still seems to be that there’s a contingent of players not 100% convinced of the plan to resume. Given the nature of the sport being indoors I guess the differences to football are significant. It’s a stark contrast though as generally footballers have been very keen to get back to it. I wonder if the reaction would be different if the return didn’t involve being confined to an albeit luxury barracks? The teams have ample resources to all conduct and document lots of testing. They all have access to private charter travel. The playoffs are just around the corner greatly minimising the mixing of various teams and in fact presenting an ever decreasing problem. It feels to me that an alternative could have been workable that would’ve been more accepted by all the players? Maybe it will still change if the vocal minority gather support. Overall though, given the vast amount of money they are paid I do think the teams have the right to ask the players to do this. Pre existing medical conditions allowing of course.
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Post by leamrider2 on Jun 22, 2020 16:23:43 GMT
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned: I could not spot it. There's a brilliant HBO documentary been shown on TV of late. You should be able to find it on catch up. "Women of Troy". Mainly on the subject of Cheryl Miller and Cynthia Cooper and their careers at USC Trojans and then into WNBA (sadly, not for Miller) and post-paying career work. I found it one of the best basketball programmes I have ever seen. Catch it if you can. On the basis of this programme I hunted down a copy of Cynthia Cooper's autobiography "She got game". Wow. Talk about determination and pulling yourself up from the lowest beginning imaginable. For anyone with an interest in WNBA, this is a great read. |
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Post by connors on Jun 24, 2020 8:21:35 GMT
Plenty more bumps in the road for teams in the run up to the NBA re-start.
JOKIC has tested positive for CV19 along with 4 top flight tennis players after attending a tennis tournament in Serbia with no restrictions. Smart move obviously.....guessing the Nuggets will be over the moon.
BRADLEY opts not to play remainder of season due to possible risk to sons health costing himself $650k......Lakers looking to sign Brons old pal JR Smith as a replacement.
In relation to JOKIC given the season was in full swing when lockdown occured and that the Nuggets would have figured to make a play off run its interesting that he chose to relocate to his native Serbia. Presumably plenty of other NBA players did the same.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2020 10:11:10 GMT
You're turning into Little Richard  At the risk of joining you, can Nuggets really complain when Jokic has acted like their President. Serbia & Slovenia have behaved pretty much like Trump - they're bored of Covid, so they'll pretend it's not an issue any more.
I think the spike in Florida is the biggest issue rather than a few players sitting out (Jokic will be clear well before it resumes), we've got another month of this speculation even if the deadline for sitting out has passed. But you know when the answer is JR Smith, the question is seriously screwed. I'm with Evan Fournier, though |
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Post by connors on Jun 24, 2020 12:25:10 GMT
"but it wouldn’t work. A bit like Davis Bertans, really."
:-) :-) :-)
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Post by connors on Jun 24, 2020 12:28:56 GMT
I'm actually more in favour of them ditching the bubble and playing in their own arenas behind closed doors. I think they have access to all the private charter travel and that it will not make that much difference in the end.
Then I think the players would be happier to play as they would not need to up sticks to a 5 star resort for a period of time. It must be a hard life for them.
When players of Bradleys and Bertans modest success can leave over half a million dollars on the table you know that money is not the issue for the players.............
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Post by connors on Jun 26, 2020 22:35:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2020 14:55:59 GMT
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Post by connors on Jun 30, 2020 17:55:01 GMT
Joakim Noah can help teams off the bench.
Jordan and Dinwiddie from Nets....
3 players at Pels.......
Nuggetts shut practice facility.......
Be interesting to see how impacted by virus drop outs the playoffs become. I cannot see past a LA v Bucks final at present. Which LA is the only question.....
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Post by connors on Jul 2, 2020 11:43:33 GMT
I notice there is more and more on various sites starting to raise questions about the "possibility" of season not restarting.
I personally believe it will still happen and I do think the major domino is Lebron. He appears to be back in training with Lakers at their facility so far. As long as he goes then I think the majority will follow.
Should another top 10 player opt out it will be a problem. So far its mainly role players. Starters and stars is another matter......but Lebron is key. If he is there the NBA is playing.
Biggest surprise for me so far is Kawhi hasn't dropped out.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2020 12:55:41 GMT
Things like Nuggets closing practice down are bound to fuel speculation. I agree with you about LeBron. The reality is even living/playing in the bubble is safer than everyday life for the average American - though they do have the ability to isolate for months.
Leonard is probably working on picking up a mild sprain that will rule him out until Christmas.
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Post by connors on Jul 2, 2020 14:24:30 GMT
The Clippers are so loaded I think even without him they could challenge the Lakers in this very unusual situation.
For me it is the steady drip drip of players opting out chipping away at other players confidence. It also starts to become normal.....lets see if starters pull out. Then starters on teams with a shot.
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Post by connors on Jul 23, 2020 5:46:49 GMT
www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/29519946/nuggets-bol-bol-impresses-mike-malone-double-double-debutCrazy starting 5!! People talked of this when players like Kukoc came into the game. Positionless basketball is not something I completely am on board with seeing. I like the variety that I already find missing in the modern game. This was a gimmick born out of a desperate situation in a meaningless “game”. Fun though. Also gives me the opportunity to mention the NBA is almost back! Live basketball back on TV......and generally gimmick free.......generally.
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Post by LTFan on Jul 30, 2020 14:10:14 GMT
Just a reminder, the NBA returns tonight!!!  That'll give me some basketball to watch until the BBL eventually returns. |
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Post by Solly on Jul 30, 2020 15:14:07 GMT
I'm most excited, to the extent that I may watch it live rather than tape.
Having said that, I'm a little worried that maybe it'll be an anti-climax, largely because of the lack of crowds and the often-consequential intensity.
In a desperado-fashion I tried watching some of the WNBA but it was even more uninspiring than I can remember when I viewed it pre-lockdown.
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At the risk of joining you, can Nuggets really complain when Jokic has acted like their President. Serbia & Slovenia have behaved pretty much like Trump - they're bored of Covid, so they'll pretend it's not an issue any more.
