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Post by connors on Mar 25, 2021 20:53:48 GMT
Gordon to Nugs is big.
Oladipo to Heat is big.
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Post by connors on Apr 2, 2021 21:52:22 GMT
Meyers Leonard gets fined, suspended.......let’s see what happens to KD.......my bet not much
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Post by Solly on Apr 3, 2021 9:40:54 GMT
Had no difficulty at all finding the comments made by Meyers Leonard, but took much more of a search to find Durant's words - absolutely appalling language.
I guess some people get so much privilege that they lose touch with the sort of standards of behaviour that anyone might reasonably expect.
Certainly differing levels of handling for the levels of stars within sports and then for stars and for the "man in the street"...
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Post by faz on Apr 3, 2021 10:10:08 GMT
Meyers Leonard gets fined, suspended.......let’s see what happens to KD.......my bet not much 10 match ban back dated to Feb 18 |
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Post by connors on Apr 3, 2021 16:19:14 GMT
Or a fairly paltry $50k fine. Paltry to him anyway.
IF he played for Heat would they have shipped KD like they did Leonard one wonders......
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Post by Solly on Apr 5, 2021 15:10:39 GMT
I've just finished reading "When Nothing Else Matters".
Anyone who enjoyed the Netflix series "The Last Dance", will certainly enjoy this book.
I hadn't realised it was written in 2004, shortly after Jordan's time in Washington ended. This version is a 2020 re-issue, presumably on the back of the interest created by the documentary.
If you don't mind perhaps being a little disillusioned about the "business" of the NBA, and would like to find out something nearer to what actually goes on, then I thoroughly recommended this book.
Sam Smith's book "The Jordan Rules" was a shocking expose of its time and this book only opens things up further.
Here's one of the back-cover recommendations -
"When Nothing Else Matters is easily the most fully formed portrait of Jordan ever written and one of the best sports books in recent memory"
I concur with the above - it gets a hearty ten from me 
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 12, 2021 20:01:48 GMT
Can Lakers muster a defence of their playoff title or will injuries to so many key players mean they won't have time left to recover their best form?
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Post by connors on Apr 12, 2021 20:25:08 GMT
I think it depends on whether the rumours that AD and Brons injuries are being strung out are true or not.
If they are basically already fit and just resting for a playoff tilt whilst the others get more game time then the Lakers themselves clearly believe home court advantage is not going to be critical and they can overcome it.
If they are struggling with those injuries then could be a surprise early flameout from the playoffs for LBJ and co!!
The West appears very strong. I’m massively on the Denver bandwagon and I’ve been really impressed with Utah and the surprising Suns. The Clippers should be in a great position. Ridiculously having shipped the last 2 6th men of the year they are still very deep. Addition of Rondo looks a bit of a coup. The firepower of their two wings is incredible and there is still an argument that when he’s focused Kawhi is the best player in the league (not one I subscribe to!!).
Brooklyn have not been fully fit either. Aldridge looks a great addition.
Interesting and exciting run to the playoffs!!
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 13, 2021 6:06:16 GMT
Can't see LeBron not playing if he's fit. Despite strengthening their roster with very good additions I think other teams may prove too strong this season because of Lakers' injury list which has been extensive. On the other hand, I wouldn't bet against Lebron's ability to drag the team together. Think Brooklyn will take some stopping. Like you, I think the playoffs will be pretty great to watch this year.
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 13, 2021 8:31:06 GMT
I think it depends on whether the rumours that AD and Brons injuries are being strung out are true or not. If they are basically already fit and just resting for a playoff tilt whilst the others get more game time then the Lakers themselves clearly believe home court advantage is not going to be critical and they can overcome it. If they are struggling with those injuries then could be a surprise early flameout from the playoffs for LBJ and co!! The West appears very strong. I’m massively on the Denver bandwagon and I’ve been really impressed with Utah and the surprising Suns. The Clippers should be in a great position. Ridiculously having shipped the last 2 6th men of the year they are still very deep. Addition of Rondo looks a bit of a coup. The firepower of their two wings is incredible and there is still an argument that when he’s focused Kawhi is the best player in the league (not one I subscribe to!!). Brooklyn have not been fully fit either. Aldridge looks a great addition. Interesting and exciting run to the playoffs!! Bad news about Murray. That doesn't look like he'll be back any time soon. |
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Post by connors on Apr 13, 2021 8:31:39 GMT
I think once again Davies is key. Lebron is Lebron but AD seems to be a player most other teams struggle to match up with, particularly when they cannot focus their attentions solely on him due to Lebron.
Denver have Gordon now who physically should be a good match up for him. I've not seen enough of him to know whether he's a good enough defender though. I think this is why Paul George just has to be better in the playoffs. Very few teams have the players to guard both him and Leonard successfully in the playoffs. Problem is in the playoffs PG normally does the job for the other teams!
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 18, 2021 22:28:26 GMT
Drummond is a game changer for Lakers. Quite an impact. Once AD returns Lakers will be formidable in the front court. Harrell's no slouch and those three will pose problems if they all stay fit.
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Post by connors on Apr 19, 2021 9:48:29 GMT
He's was a bit up and down in his first few games but he seems to be finding his stride.
Injuries are looking to be key to how the post season develops so lets see how the squads stack up when it comes to the crunch.
The Nets are a real enigma. The signing of Aldridge was looking inspired until his very unfortunate retirement. Their 3 stars seem unable to get on court at the same time but if they do then it looks positive!
Philly are looking strong but I always wonder about late game scenarios when your number one player is a centre. They often come down to creating shots outside and we know thats not Simmons strength. Can Harris be that guy if opponents collapse on Embiid? Harris is having a great season.
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Post by faz on Apr 19, 2021 10:29:17 GMT
He's was a bit up and down in his first few games but he seems to be finding his stride. Injuries are looking to be key to how the post season develops so lets see how the squads stack up when it comes to the crunch. The Nets are a real enigma. The signing of Aldridge was looking inspired until his very unfortunate retirement. Their 3 stars seem unable to get on court at the same time but if they do then it looks positive! Philly are looking strong but I always wonder about late game scenarios when your number one player is a centre. They often come down to creating shots outside and we know thats not Simmons strength. Can Harris be that guy if opponents collapse on Embiid? Harris is having a great season. Fascinating year. Nets doing far better than I expected. The roster outside the big 3 have stepped up. Lakers biggest threat could be the Jazz who have multiple players capable of a high 3 point make whilst also having an inside presence. As a spectator give me a Nets Lakers final. |
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Post by massiveridersfan on Apr 20, 2021 14:54:35 GMT
Utah Jazz play exciting basketball - everyone involved with few individuals standing out from the crowd. Their 3 point shooting is nuts. I'd love Lakers to make the final but have to say that's looking less likely as LJ & AD still aren't playing. AD may play this week apparently. Certainly hope so.
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Post by connors on Apr 22, 2021 21:11:37 GMT
Interesting post by Hoopsfix (can’t find on website to link) stating NBA store to open up in London.
I guess all the shops closing due to Covid restrictions and general tough retail conditions have finally drove rents abs rates down enough to tempt those poor hard done by dudes in the NBA 😂
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Post by connors on May 20, 2021 10:44:36 GMT
Wow...times have changed. Who would think a basketball forum could go without a comment on the worlds biggest and best basketball league! Particularly when it is approaching crunch time for the playoffs. I've enjoyed the play in format. daveballblog.wordpress.com/2021/05/18/play-in-time/Generally it seems to have worked really well in keeping more teams involved up to the death, reducing players being rested and tanking. I won't do spoilers (mainly for Hersey) but now the BBL is over I would recommend the NBA :-) |
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2021 14:21:29 GMT
Nobody's commenting because nobody cares about regular season nba really. Playoffs are when it gets interesting. Play ins is a stupid idea
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Post by connors on May 20, 2021 15:11:05 GMT
Thanks Mr Tall for your insightful comments! Would be interesting to know why you think that?
I would have agreed with you normally but they seem to have spiced up this terrible regular season that you have mentioned.
Why does nobody care about it? Viewing figures and fan attendance in normal times would suggest otherwise?
Do you mean nobody cares about it in the UK?
The amount of NBA Jerseys I see the kids at my club wearing (i.e. nearly all of them) compared to BBL ones (none of them) would suggest otherwise too.
I do think there are times the NBA regular season is not always a good advert for the game. Talking of adverts they also can make NBA games a tough watch...even on replay.
However the quality of players and overall the quality of games is basically unmatched in my opinion.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2021 16:23:57 GMT
I dont mean nobody cares about the nba, i mean nobody cares about the regular season. 82 games takes away the thrill. You rarely see full arena at the start or end of games either.
People enjoy the nba but its not a talking point until there's something at stake like now.
I'd have to disagree with the play in being good though. If you finish 20th you're not going to win the championship. It's trying a new angle which I like but it's not a good one in my opinion
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2021 16:25:21 GMT
People certainly watch but not enough for the talking point. The fact that on the eve of a lebron steph playoff game most people talking mba are talking about 2 bench retired players arguing over a podcast shows the interest in discussion of the regular season
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Post by allstring on May 20, 2021 22:01:58 GMT
82 games, I remember that from the distant past!
A big problem with the NBA historically has been the monotony of the regular season. The Play-In stage has resulted in multiple benefits:
- Kept the season alive for more teams resulting in more competitive games
- Limited tanking, especially for position; the benefits of doing so have been minimalised
- The best (top 6) teams still qualify by right
- There is a negative to the already qualified teams resting players at the end of the Regular season. Do you really want you key players missing game action for a fortnight before the Play-offs?
- The (almost) sudden death of these games is attractive. I have no issue a 7th placed team being eliminated in a one-off match. Fight for sixth if your worried!
Not sure what the perfect format is, but this illustrates what can be effective. I wouldn't want it to become too ridiculous, but any tweaks the put more emphasis on the importance of the regular season can only be good.
I've never underestimated the excitement generated just trying to reach the Play-Offs in Basketball leagues. I never thought it's pointless a team scraping in will never win it, very occasionally they do of course. I remember back in the 80's when the Bracknell Pirates qualified for Wembley by finishing fourth (four team playoffs). The following season they lost Callandrillo, Keenan and Balogun and fought hard for 8th spot for the extended play-offs. It was Renaldo Lawrence's (Andrews dad) first season. They scraped in and it was so much fun (I think they won just about every game that was within a few points). Pretty certain to lose to Kingston over best of three, but if I've got my years right, the atmosphere for the home leg was stunning.
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Post by connors on May 21, 2021 8:00:33 GMT
Great post AllString!
I will even forgive you for bringing up BBL (sort of) in one of the few threads not dominated by BBL talk on this forum :-)
As for Renaldo Lawrence I had the pleasure and misfortune of playing against him several times....and when I say against him I mean being the designated man on our team with the impossible job of trying to slow him down! I will never forgot the one thing he said to me. After some modest success in the previous game against him (i.e. he was taking it easy :-)) he arrived for a cup final in an altogether different frame of mind. As he hit his first jumper in my face and jogged back down the court he said "It's about to start raining boy...you best run for cover"!!!! It was a long game but a memorable one.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2021 13:19:35 GMT
Yet to watch last night's east "final", so I'm not reading Connors' words of wisdom, but it's been decent viewing highlighted by Lakers/Warriors. It's been a success, no chance of this not being repeated. Some thoughts
The real thing starts tomorrow, hopefully with Clippers made to regret tanking down to fourth. |
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Post by connors on May 27, 2021 11:09:07 GMT
Well Hersey your Mavs have got off to a flyer! Love it. Something about that Clippers team that I don't like....flat track bullies really. Good when winning but seem to lack the leadership to respond to adversity. Certainly the two stars numbers are very good but I always look at the "when" and not just the "what".
On paper the Clippers look better at almost every spot but the sport isn't played on paper......
I would suggest Brooklyn and Philly heading for a sweep. I think the Heat may have a win in them and despite my comments above I could see the talent of the Clippers coming good for at least a game. The other series are all well balanced at 1-1 and its great to see some of the younger talent coming through to make things interesting!
Anyone else enjoying the play-offs so far? Or is the first round boring and you only start watching when it gets really interesting?
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