|
|
Post by samgray on Aug 26, 2020 22:17:00 GMT
Strong statement from the bucks and then the NBA... I’m interested to see what comes next. Hopefully a start point is it puts pressure on us all to do more than talk about it. Actions speak louder than words!
|
|
|
|
Post by thetriplethreatcoach on Aug 26, 2020 22:39:52 GMT
Bucks using their platform to take action! Brilliant to see. Especially waiting to speaking to their government to discuss future action. Real intent, again showing how the NBA is revolutionary and at the forefront of social justice!
|
|
|
|
Post by connors on Aug 27, 2020 6:48:24 GMT
I’ve reflected on this overnight and I’ve got to say I admire their determination in taking such a strong and radical stance. I’m very sceptical that it will achieve what they hope. It certainly, along with the supportive actions of many other teams. Sportsmen and even announcers (Kenny Smith walking off), make a very big news story that will certainly bring more focus on what is happening in the USA right now.
Obviously the vast majority of NBA players are relatively wealthy and can afford to do this. Their sponsors, employers and their league will support them for sure. Not so easy for normal people to do the same. It would’ve been an even bigger statement had fans been waiting eagerly at an arena and it would have been an interesting litmus test of the feelings of the paying NBA fans.
I hope this achieves what they want. I don’t think it will but I hope I’m wrong. If the road to social justice in the USA and other countries around the world runs through the playoffs being cancelled I can certainly live with that. I wonder what the TV companies, their advertisers and the NBA owners REALLy think though........
Hard to see how the playoffs continue now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2020 7:51:21 GMT
the season is over, there's no way back from this.
Really hoping it works to start even the tiniest bit of change
|
|
|
|
Post by connors on Aug 27, 2020 8:02:46 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2020 8:09:27 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2020 8:13:45 GMT
the season is over, there's no way back from this. Really hoping it works to start even the tiniest bit of change Getting rid of Trump in November would be a start. Having a president who doesn't give a f uck about a certain section of society being fair game for the police is never going to end well. |
|
|
|
Post by interestedridersfan on Aug 27, 2020 8:15:33 GMT
the season is over, there's no way back from this. Really hoping it works to start even the tiniest bit of change NBA just the start Other sports players boycotting now I imagine it will spread outside of US as well soon enough Will be harder for less wealthy sports players to boycott their sports though so hard to predict what happens next You have to respect those players taking this stance though |
|
|
|
Post by connors on Aug 27, 2020 13:06:17 GMT
I’d imagine the Premier League is holding it’s breath that’s for sure.
There is definitely potential for players to want to join a boycott if the players across multiple sports carry on their boycott in the US. I think those players will find less support for such a stance Amongst football fans in this country. There was already talk about how taking the knee would go down once crowds returned.
I think the biggest challenge the Bucks uncoordinated actions present is how to return to play when ostensibly nothing will have changed in the short term. As Hersey mentions no significant change in US can occur until Trump goes (hopefully) but many of the terrible stories players have told about their own experiences happened under Obama’s presidency. He clearly would not have supported that but the State system in US makes it difficult for even the president to impact immediate change in some areas.
Massive challenge but let’s say playoffs are abandoned. What next? What needs to happen for the players to deem their actions have been successful and change is coming? Many are very wealthy from playing basketball but not all of them. Some will want to/need to get back to work.
|
|
|
|
Post by allstring on Aug 27, 2020 19:15:47 GMT
It's hard to see how abandoning the play-offs will be effective. The NBA will make a bigger impact by continuing; stopping now basically removes the influence they can have. With other sports having cancelled matches, it makes it easier to restart. The players will probably look to increase the profile in exchange for continuing. Not sure what that is, but the NBA has made an (excellent) impact to date, so expect the players to want that to continue.
I think the way sport in general has addressed these issues has been very good. The challenge now is how to maintain the momentum.
Connors touches on the Premier League. The players kneeling in that opening Villa/Sheffield (I think) match was incredibly powerful. But should that continue in every match this coming season when the crux of Black Lives Matter won't be resolved quickly? The cause can't (and must not) be lost, but you feel sports will need to look at a longer term strategy to offer their support.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2020 9:20:35 GMT
Completely agree. It appears it'll return over the weekend, the point's been made. Some more thoughts. In the meantime, Connors is responsible for deciding which games from earlier in the play-offs that I should watch. I avoided scores, so he now has a massive responsibility. |
|
|
|
Post by connors on Aug 28, 2020 13:15:49 GMT
Pressure or what!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2020 14:10:34 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by connors on Sept 4, 2020 15:37:11 GMT
Spoliers......I'm on a group chat with about 40 basketball players of various ages who don't understand the concept!!
Interesting appointment of Nash as the new head coach for Nets. Stephen A Smith had a thought provoking rant in his show about how so many black out of work coaches/assistant coaches were passed over and how it is white privilege. I think he has a point on the coaches passed over because without doubt they have better coaching CVs than Nash.....because he has never coached!
I do not believe Nash got the job because he is white. The fact that he is a HOF, 2 x MVP bona fide NBA Superstar who also happens to be pals with the Nets GM AND seems to have an existing good relationship with one their 2 star players probably had a lot more to do with it.
As Smith says Nash is seemingly a really good guy and possibly could be a great coach. Certainly he knows basketball and has a very good basketball brain.
Mark Jackson has a decent track record as a player and coach. I think he did some much overlooked work at GSW with Stef Curry and Klay Thompson. He would have been a good candidate.....did he apply? Was he given opportunity?
|
|
|
|
Post by connors on Sept 7, 2020 20:03:55 GMT
And a superb battle last night with Bucks taking the spoils in OT. Giannis was on fire early doors before his departure. Hope they don't rush him back. They're not going to win three in a row, so don't let him risk a long-term injury. Having said that, if the other players somehow drag the tie back to 3-3 then there may be a decision to consider. Then again even getting through to the next round would lead to a beating from Boston/Toronto. Everything's lining up for a Championship for LA's less-glamorous side. I think you propose a sensible long term strategy but for me if he can play he should be playing. Ankle injuries don’t normally become career ending......not normally anyway. |
|
|
|
Post by connors on Sept 7, 2020 20:09:37 GMT
Lakers beating Houston in game 2 means it's a more exciting best of 7 BUT they don't look as if they've got the measure of Houston - over 20+ points up yet they couldn't stop a big comeback and depended on Davis and James to get them over the line. They need to defend better against the three pointers. They definitely need to defend the 3pt shot better but to say they are relying too much on their two beat players in a play off game is an odd comment. It’s a fascinating series. I’d love to see the Lakers really pound the Rockets inside. However they did very well with their small ball line up against the Rockets so what do I know!! |
|
|
|
Post by dandayr on Sept 7, 2020 21:22:04 GMT
If Rockets can keep the guys injury free from this point on - I fancy our chances of a LA double  However realistically, even without the normal factor of travel distances reducing recovery times, I cant see the medic and physio teams being able to keep what is really just a 7 man rota getting through a pair of 7 game series to get to the finals. D'Antoni would get the freedom of Houston if he pulled this off - I suspect higher odds he gets a golden handshake at end of 2021 and someone else will be trying to work out how you make the pieces put together by Morey gel to what the city is so desperate for. |
|
|
|
Post by connors on Sept 8, 2020 6:57:31 GMT
It would be a huge failure on behalf of the Lakers (not sure Bradley will be on Lebrons Xmas list) if they fail to make the finals.
Lebron is an interesting character. They talk of "playoff" Lebron etc but he seems to be struggling a little for motivation at times. AD also is a quiet guy seemingly? He can be ridiculously dominant and I really think Vogel needs to take charge and start pounding the smaller Rockets lineups.
As dandayr says - they only have 7/8 players.
I don't like the Rockets style of play and although I admire Harden and Westbrooks ability I am not a fan of theirs either. If they beat the Lakers though it will be a real achievement for them and Dantoni. I cannot see them beating the Clippers (who almost seem to be the perfect antidote to the Rockets) but I could see them beating Denver if they somehow get past the Clippers.
In the East I recall Pat Rileys comment (or was it Chuck Daly) - never underestimate the heart of a champion! Raptors looked dead and buried to me after 2 games. If the Celtics lose this they will really rue that 4th quarter in G3. They had the game in the bag on at least 3 occasions. The defence on the final play was really poor by NBA standards (even :-))
|
|
|
|
Post by dandayr on Sept 10, 2020 20:59:25 GMT
and there I was worried Rockets season would crash due to relying on a 7 maybe 8 man rotation and losing someone to injury - turns out it is not keeping it in your pants (allegedly) was the bigger risk.
Sixth man House out game 3 for personal reasons and not going to be in game 4 just hurts a limited rota - at same time Lakers seem to have found the key to unlock the small ball now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Solly on Sept 11, 2020 10:33:59 GMT
The Western Conference is all a bit bland at the moment as it meanders to an LA Final. Year on year Rockets are wasting the best seasons of Harden's ability. Or maybe Harden is the problem - can another NBA superstar comfortably co-exist with him. Carmelo, Chris Paul and now Westbrook - all seem to lose some of their previous powers when they join him on court. And have just read some of the stuff about House - an association with a coronavirus-tester of all people. Unbelievable...  |
|
|
|
Post by massiveridersfan on Sept 11, 2020 16:42:35 GMT
The Western Conference is all a bit bland at the moment as it meanders to an LA Final. Year on year Rockets are wasting the best seasons of Harden's ability. Or maybe Harden is the problem - can another NBA superstar comfortably co-exist with him. Carmelo, Chris Paul and now Westbrook - all seem to lose some of their previous powers when they join him on court. And have just read some of the stuff about House - an association with a coronavirus-tester of all people. Unbelievable... At least he knew she was free from Covid! |
|
|
|
Post by youngrocks on Sept 12, 2020 10:10:08 GMT
I think hardens the issue. Look at cp3 at okc he still has it. Westbrook looks lost. Who was better at okc?
|
|
|
|
Post by faz on Sept 12, 2020 10:21:31 GMT
I think hardens the issue. Look at cp3 at okc he still has it. Westbrook looks lost. Who was better at okc? If You think Hardens the problem blame the coach. Every team should be better if he’s in the team. |
|
|
|
Post by youngrocks on Sept 12, 2020 19:53:26 GMT
Firm believer that owners in the nba go to the player first over the coach. Coaches are more disposable that A Grade players.
|
|
|
|
Post by massiveridersfan on Sept 13, 2020 11:44:07 GMT
LeBron showing his skill and leadership against Houston. Although they pulled back to within single digits they never looked as if they'd upset a Lakers victory. Best team performance from them so far imo.
|
|
