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Post by Solly on Mar 7, 2021 23:21:12 GMT
Am currently waiting for the All 🌟 rip-off and found Kyrie Irving disturbing enough when he was spied backstage with a shepherds crook  But then I saw James Harden - kin ell   |
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Post by faz on Mar 8, 2021 14:22:44 GMT
So Griffin to Mets. Now the team to beat without question
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Post by Solly on Mar 9, 2021 13:53:12 GMT
Griffin has been on the slide since joining Detroit ( and less so, in his closing days at the Clippers), but the chance to now get a ring will likely be the trigger to revive his game.
Having said that, he has had his 'issues' in the past and is now going to be immersed in a sea of egos.
Nash must be doing a hell of a job at the moment keeping everything dampened down. Fine when the going is good but it won't take much adversity for everything to come crashing down...
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Post by connors on Mar 9, 2021 21:26:12 GMT
He’s managing OK at present as injuries are meaning that the novelty hasn’t worn off for the 3 mega stars sharing the ball.
Griffin seems physical much reduced from his prime due to injuries. He’s still a very good guy to have as a 4th/5th option on a strong team.
Good luck to him. Personally thought the Warriors
Would’ve been a good choice as well
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Post by dandayr on Mar 9, 2021 22:27:10 GMT
Think it also helps Nash having such a large staff to help him keep a handle on things - only got round to watching Rockets v Nets the other day and the commentators at a time out highlighted how Nets had more coaches than Rockets had players. and to rub it in mentioned a couple of Nash's support squad could have suited up for Rockets and got decent minutes  |
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Post by massiveridersfan on Mar 9, 2021 23:53:51 GMT
The AllStar game was as dull as ditch water. Never watched one before and won't bother again. Fast forwarded much of it. Can't see the point of it. No defence played at all. Bit like wrestling matches in the 70s that were more scripted panto than actual contests. Lot of hoopla about a worthless evening.
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Post by edware on Mar 10, 2021 7:03:24 GMT
The AllStar game was as dull as ditch water. Never watched one before and won't bother again. Fast forwarded much of it. Can't see the point of it. No defence played at all. Bit like wrestling matches in the 70s that were more scripted panto than actual contests. Lot of hoopla about a worthless evening. Yep Farcical. The whole re-brand from conferences to team captains as made it even less of a contest imo. I don't think the majority of fans and certainly the players would be that bothered if they did away with it. But I imagine its a big money spinner for the NBA in terms of commercial/tv deals. And money talks. |
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Post by connors on Mar 10, 2021 8:05:19 GMT
Personally I would agree with the comments above but to give it another perspective.
My son is 9 years old and absolutely loved it! He was bouncing around the front room marvelling at the long range 3s and alley oop dunks. For me they are pretty meaningless.....basketball with no defending is a waste of time. Certainly the shooting prowess of Lillard and Curry from almost anywhere is impressive, even with minimal defence, but its not enough for me. The game is not for me though...its for the younger generation of fans and more casual fans to inspire and entice them.......whilst making a tonne of money for the NBA :-)
I think the new format breathed some life back into things last year and its hard to judge this year when so many of the players were on record saying they did not want to be there. The format for the forth quarter only really works if the losing team has a realistic shot. This time they did not and it was also clear everyone wanted it over and done with.
I will wait and see next year. I would definitely advocate that the skills and dunk contest need to go. The 3pt shootout is the only one the players take seriously and still attracts the big names.
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Post by edware on Mar 10, 2021 12:43:27 GMT
Personally I would agree with the comments above but to give it another perspective. My son is 9 years old and absolutely loved it! He was bouncing around the front room marvelling at the long range 3s and alley oop dunks. For me they are pretty meaningless.....basketball with no defending is a waste of time. Certainly the shooting prowess of Lillard and Curry from almost anywhere is impressive, even with minimal defence, but its not enough for me. The game is not for me though...its for the younger generation of fans and more casual fans to inspire and entice them.......whilst making a tonne of money for the NBA :-) I think the new format breathed some life back into things last year and its hard to judge this year when so many of the players were on record saying they did not want to be there. The format for the forth quarter only really works if the losing team has a realistic shot. This time they did not and it was also clear everyone wanted it over and done with. I will wait and see next year. I would definitely advocate that the skills and dunk contest need to go. The 3pt shootout is the only one the players take seriously and still attracts the big names. Fair comments. I guess kids would love it but I will probably skip it from now on-and i'll watch pretty much anything that's basketball. So now the All-Star break is over the fun officially begins. Who we got for the title? The likes of Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Utah all looking strong but I still fancy the Lakers to come good out the west and win it all. Every year there seems to be a bit of "wild card" in the West that looks mustard in the regular season and seeds high 1 or 2 in the play offs only to get bombed out in the conference semis or finals. The likes of Denver, Portland in the past and this year it's Utah. |
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Post by Solly on Mar 10, 2021 14:25:11 GMT
Phoenix and Utah will likely crumble when it gets to the crunch, leaving Lakers and Clippers as the frontrunners. Nuggets are another who have difficulties in the clutch, wasting the enormous presence of the Joker.
Guess it'll likely be Nets n 76ers in the East - but I really dislike how Rivers gets his team handed to him on a plate and I dislike all the gobs at the Nets, so am hoping that the Heat can step up.
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Post by connors on Mar 10, 2021 14:39:13 GMT
Unless Lebron or AD get long term injuries then they are the team to beat in the West. I would suggest that the Clippers are best suited to beat them as long as Kwahi Leonard is switched on and the others don't go MIA.
In the East I actually hope you are right and we get a Nets v 76ers ECF. I think that could produce a fascinating clash of styles. Embiid could be the solution or the problem. His current form and dominance could be a huge problem for the Nets.....equally his inability (relatively speaking) to cover their small ball lineups may prove a problem for the 76ers. Equally were he to get injured at the wrong time....
I guess you cannot count out the Bucks whilst they have Giannis and Middleton. The NBA is a great league for adapting and in late game situations it is becoming harder for Giannis to be the go to guy because he cannot shoot from range and hes a poor free thrown shooter. Does the excellent Middleton have the chops for the real big moments? not dissimilar situation with Ben Simmons. By NBA standards poor outside shooter meaning he's easier to set up against in end of game situations.
I don't see Miami being a force again this year.
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Post by edware on Mar 10, 2021 17:50:11 GMT
Unless Lebron or AD get long term injuries then they are the team to beat in the West. I would suggest that the Clippers are best suited to beat them as long as Kwahi Leonard is switched on and the others don't go MIA. In the East I actually hope you are right and we get a Nets v 76ers ECF. I think that could produce a fascinating clash of styles. Embiid could be the solution or the problem. His current form and dominance could be a huge problem for the Nets.....equally his inability (relatively speaking) to cover their small ball lineups may prove a problem for the 76ers. Equally were he to get injured at the wrong time.... I guess you cannot count out the Bucks whilst they have Giannis and Middleton. The NBA is a great league for adapting and in late game situations it is becoming harder for Giannis to be the go to guy because he cannot shoot from range and hes a poor free thrown shooter. Does the excellent Middleton have the chops for the real big moments? not dissimilar situation with Ben Simmons. By NBA standards poor outside shooter meaning he's easier to set up against in end of game situations. I don't see Miami being a force again this year. Miami were one of the biggest beneficiaries of the bubble situation last year. Unique situation and everything just clicked for them at the right time. Won't be a factor this year. I've seen/heard lots of chat that Giannis is considered more of a Pippen than a Jordan. Great player but not in that super elite tier where a player can drag a team to the title pretty much on their own. I think I would agree with that. Needs another big star with him to take that next step (and I mean a big star as in a lebron/durant type.) |
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Post by connors on Mar 10, 2021 20:15:12 GMT
I understand what you mean. I agree.
This sounds ridiculous for an MVP and DPOY player but honestly don’t think he’s anywhere near the overall skill abs basketball IQ of Scottie Pippen.
Giannis biggest attribute is his size and athleticism and in the modern NBA that can take you an awful long way.
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Post by faz on Mar 10, 2021 20:22:09 GMT
Think they’ll be a few movements in personnel before the trade deadline.Drummond to the lakers is strongly rumoured if the cavs buy him out but apparently they’re hoping for a second round pick in a trade. Seems a bit harsh on Drummond to be benched. It’s not his fault he’s overpaid.
Talking off being overpaid I was shocked to see that Wiggins is on $33 mill a year! Needs to deliver a lot more imo.
The Nets will win the east. They’re much better than the 76ers and KD yet to play much.
A lakers nets final would be salivation city! Kyrie getting jack from Lebron would be karma.
However the change in decibel levels at the clippers makes me think they’re a far bigger challenge in the west than the 76ers in the east.
Trades and injuries will determine where the rings go this year!
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Post by ko25 on Mar 10, 2021 20:50:46 GMT
How come buying a player out has become much more of a thing, in the past they'd play or trade them and at least get something back or is it just a case of their contract's so huge they can't get anything?
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Post by faz on Mar 10, 2021 23:15:57 GMT
As I read it yes. Clears cap space in most situations. Regarding Drummond, Cavs just want to max time on court for Allen. I don’t know if they’re not playing him to avoid any chance of injury or slightly tanking?
Contract up at season end and I doubt he’ll get a similar deal.
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Post by connors on Mar 11, 2021 10:54:43 GMT
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Post by connors on Mar 12, 2021 7:53:31 GMT
www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31048425/pj-tucker-frustrated-traded-return-houston-rockets-uncertainand another one! Starting to get silly now. That's Drummond, Cousins, Griffin, Aldridge and now Tucker. Why these teams and players cannot find better solutions is a mystery to me. All the players are solid if old/injury prone and would definitely help on a contender in more limited roles. Tuckers toughness would certainly help some teams out but I hope he does not end up in either LA team or the Nets
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Post by faz on Mar 24, 2021 18:48:27 GMT
Agree. Carmelo isn’t looking too shabby and it looked all done at one point.
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Post by connors on Mar 24, 2021 19:37:00 GMT
Tucker on the Bucks is a decent pick up for them but I’m not sure it’s best fit.
Lowry potentially moving to a contender could be a game changer
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Post by faz on Mar 24, 2021 21:01:48 GMT
Tucker on the Bucks is a decent pick up for them but I’m not sure it’s best fit. Lowry potentially moving to a contender could be a game changer Lowry to Heat? Apparently Mcghee might be leaving cavs and coukd ultimately end up back with the Lakers Word is Lonzo leaves the pells tomorrow. Think the pels have dropped one there. |
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Post by connors on Mar 25, 2021 7:54:28 GMT
I doubt they want him to go. Small market teams just don't have the financial clout to keep players seemingly.
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Post by faz on Mar 25, 2021 8:07:01 GMT
He turned down what was offered by the Pels. Wants 20 mill a year.
They’ll do well to get a better point for that!
They’re paying Adam’s 25 I believe. Know who’d I’d rather have. Griffith has a good reputation but this could bite him.
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Post by faz on Mar 25, 2021 18:44:27 GMT
Rondo to clippers for Lou Williams and 2 second round picks.
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Post by faz on Mar 25, 2021 18:51:00 GMT
Nuggets get Gary Clark and Aaron Gordon for a first round pick, Gary Harris and RJ Hampton to magic
McGee goes to Nuggets. Cavs get : 2nd round picks and Isiah Hartenson. Does this mean nothing happening with Drummond?
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