NBA Regular Season 2016-17

brady23

brady23 wrote: »

No games of any particular interest today, maybe Celtics/Bulls.
Although I think the soap opera in Chicago this year will be interesting. I think it'll be closer than most analysts think but I don't see the Bulls making the playoffs.
A team of big personalities with declining abilities and no one in the starting 5 who can truly space the floor.
Their 2nd unit will be better than last year I think, maybe McDermott becomes 2014 Kyle Korver, Mirotic and Portis make a leap. I think if McDermott does make the leap then bringing D.Wade off the bench would be best but that's never going to happen, they need to hope they get 40 wins and that's enough for the 8th spot

That was my assessment after watching them the other day and I think that's what needs to happen. They're obviously an interesting team to watch and maybe they get 7th, get the C's in the first round, their experience etc shines through.

However, the lack of minutes so far (obv very early) for Portis would be a concern. I think like I said it'll be close but I'd lean towards not making the playoffs given the inevitably of Wade and Rondo not playing a full schedule.

ButtersSuki

I haven't thought fully about the play offs yet (we're 3 games in....) but re. Chicago I think their biggest issues will be Wade and/or Rondo not lasting the season through injury OR the chances of that team exploding (with Wade and Rondo being the likely spark/culprits) from a chemistry POV.

Have to get around to posting my 1-8s for each conference.

Again, small sample size.....but GS are 9th in the West now and OKC 2nd. LOL


The Miami Lebron Team in year 1 from memory were 5-8 at one stage so far too early to press the panic buttons.

K.O.Kiki

Game 4 and Spurs already resting LMA.

#justPopThings

ButtersSuki

Russ become first player in NBA history to tally over 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in first 3 games of a season and 4th player to record 2 triple doubles in first 3 games as he leads the league in scoring and assists. And they're 3-0. Unsustainable sure, but impressive nonetheless.

K.O.Kiki

ButtersSuki wrote: »

Russ become first player in NBA history to tally over 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in first 3 games of a season and 4th player to record 2 triple doubles in first 3 games as he leads the league in scoring and assists. And they're 3-0. Unsustainable sure, but impressive nonetheless.

He's impressive overall, but TBH I hate cherry-picked stats with arbitrary cutoffs.

Paully D

Haven't got a chance to see anything of the Timberwolves this season yet. Obviously very early days, but how's Thibs looking? Wiggins and Towns averaging 36 and 37 minutes a game already I see. Never change Thibs! :pac:

brady23

Extended Dieng for 60m+ so I guess they think he can coexist with KAT. Wiggins looks good it'll take a while to see if his defense is making a move but his rebounding doesn't suggest it. Rubio is breaking my heart, I just want him to be a respectable scorer but Dunn is making him look expendable

Paully D

Bulls steamrolled the Nets last night, won by 30 with the game all but over after the 1st quarter. It's never going to last and probably comes to an end tomorrow night in Boston, but long may it continue as it's so fun!

ButtersSuki

Paully D wrote: »

Bulls steamrolled the Nets last night, won by 30 with the game all but over after the 1st quarter. It's never going to last and probably comes to an end tomorrow night in Boston, but long may it continue as it's so fun!

There's getting carried away, and there's getting carried away....:D

ButtersSuki

K.O.Kiki wrote: »

He's impressive overall, but TBH I hate cherry-picked stats with arbitrary cutoffs.

I see your point, but he still did it. Problem is (as I alluded to previously) he's taking Kobe levels of shots to get those numbers, which is highly inefficient. Completely unsustainable. On what I've seen so far, he's more likely to lead the league in scoring over Harden.

Paully D

Paully D wrote: »

Bulls steamrolled the Nets last night, won by 30 with the game all but over after the 1st quarter. It's never going to last and probably comes to an end tomorrow night in Boston, but long may it continue as it's so fun!

Prob won't last bit Bill Simmons did mention that although they have brutal floor spacing you've got 3 incredibly high basketball iq guys out there so who knows I thought it was bull**** at the time but they are playing well

LuckyLloyd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndv67McrFNQ

buyer95

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ndv67McrFNQ

If Noah fell out of a boat he wouldn't hit water atm. Unlike his namesake;)

LuckyLloyd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu4FKj0QuJA

Love me some Larry Nance Jr tbf

brady23

. What's the most surprising team in the Eastern Conference?

Tom Haberstroh, ESPN Insider: That's easy: the Chicago Bulls. After three games, they have the top 3-point percentage in the East (42.5 percent) and they're defending at a high level. They're shooting a league-high 54.2 percent on what NBA.com classifies as wide-open 3s. That won't last, but it sure is fun.

David Thorpe, ESPN Insider: I'm sure a lot of us are noticing the Bulls. Let's not mitigate their three wins by pointing out who and where they played. Nor do we need to focus on the long-term challenge of Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade playing together. As long as Wade is making perimeter shots (and 3s!) they can co-exist.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler has to love being the focal point of an offense that features a point guard who feeds his scorers (rather than the open guy) while having Wade as a secondary option. It also looks as if Doug McDermott might become a legit scoring and shooting threat this season.

Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider: I know the schedule has been soft, but I am stunned by the numbers the Bulls are putting up as a group. Every time this fall someone asked me how they'd do this season, I said, "Aggressively mediocre." The roster makes no sense, but the proof is in the pudding, as they say. I've been busy with another Chicago team lately, but I can't wait to spend some time with the Bulls next week.

Brian Windhorst, ESPN.com: I assume everyone is saying the Bulls here so I'm going to try to add a little to the conversation. The Cavs are actually somewhat surprising. LeBron James had never been 4-0 before. His teams, even the truly great ones, usually start a little slow. They already have a quality road win in Toronto.

Meanwhile it's worth watching to see whether Kyrie Irving can do something no James teammate has ever done: lead the team in scoring. LeBron is willing to let this happen while he continues to put up great all-around numbers.

Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: The Bulls. What concerns about outside shooting? The Bulls have made at least nine 3-pointers on 40 percent-plus shooting in each of their three games so far, and their offensive rating is the league's best.

No, that's probably not going to continue, but this is an optimistic 5-on-5: Chicago has plenty of room to regress and still be far better than anyone outside the front office expected.

2. Who's the most surprising player in the East?

Haberstroh: Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. I had to write out the full name because I'm not sure it's the same player. He's firing up three 3-pointers per game, which is about the same rate as Kevin Durant, Jamal Crawford and C.J. McCollum thus far. And Wade's making them. Small sample size? OK, but since the 2016 postseason started (including this preseason), Wade is 24-of-48 from deep. I love it.

Pelton: DeMar DeRozan. It's not just that DeRozan has scored 30-plus points in all three games this season. It's the efficiency with which he has done it. He has shot better than 50 percent from the field in two of his first three games, something DeRozan did over just three different three-game spans all of 2015-16.

Windhorst: Joel Embiid looks as if he's going to be a force. He's like a baby giraffe out there at times, fumbling into mistakes because he's clearly not yet comfortable -- but he's still, you know, gigantic. That he's already so skilled and such a difference-maker is a surprise to me.

Doolittle: Myles Turner has been amazing. It's one thing to average 18 points as a 20-year-old center, but to do it with a .623 true shooting percentage? Oh yeah, and leading the league in blocks? I don't know that Turner can sustain these numbers, especially the shooting, but he looks like a special player.

Thorpe: I like how Avery Bradley just seems to keep getting better. In one game he hit eight 3s and snagged 11 rebounds. Brad Stevens continues to work the magic that I like to call "coaching" -- he gives his guys a quality system in which to shine while also providing them the time and temperament (from the staff) to continue to grow their games. Bradley can be this year's Isaiah Thomas.

3. What's the most surprising team in the Western Conference?

Thorpe: Seems silly of me to be surprised by anything the Spurs are doing, but it is unexpected that they have been rolling -- notwithstanding a Tuesday home loss to a good Utah team -- despite getting next to nothing from Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. They still do Spurs things on defense (execution!), and their offense is now looking to feature two amazing bucket-getters rather than just moving the ball around and making a smart play. That's new.

Windhorst: An easy answer here is Oklahoma City. But the Thunder have played a favorable schedule.

I've also been impressed by the Grizzlies. OK, so they got crushed Tuesday in Minny when coach David Fizdale rested Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. But Gasol looks good coming off the foot injury and he's making 3s now, Zach Randolph off the bench is working. Vince Carter, who continues his fascinating career, is defending and hitting 3s too. And they they look to be deeper than they've been in years. Their outlook is better than I thought it was.

Pelton: The Memphis Grizzlies. Although a 2-1 start was hardly unrealistic (before they rested Conley and Gasol and took a loss Tuesday in Minnesota), in the context of the Grizzlies playing without starting wings Tony Allen and Chandler Parsons it's impressive nonetheless. Memphis has received good minutes from fill-ins Vince Carter, James Ennis and Jarell Martin, and a 3-point barrage from Marc Gasol, which bodes well for when all the starters return.

Haberstroh: The San Antonio Spurs. OKC is 3-0 against maybe the three worst teams in the NBA, so I'm going with the team that blasted Golden State in the Warriors' building. They have one of the best net ratings in the NBA while resting their key players during a Tuesday-to-Tuesday stretch with five games. That's impressive.

Doolittle: I don't think the Thunder are a great team, and their schedule hasn't been too tough, but they are fascinating in their post-Kevin Durant version. Billy Donovan's formula is to give the ball to Russell Westbrook, surround him with athletes and play lightning-fast, messy basketball. The way they've played so far stylistically makes you wonder if Westbrook really could average a triple-double.

4. Who's the most surprising player in the West?

Thorpe: Kawhi Leonard edges out Marc Gasol's 3-point shooting onslaught. Leonard now is at the top of his game and he has the Kobe Bryant-like mentality of every opponent looking like a target when he has the ball. Getting 27 free throws in two road games (and making 25) tips us off to his mindset. Just over two years ago he proved to be the MVP of the Finals. He has ascended into a very serious league MVP candidate.

Haberstroh: Rudy Gay. I did not foresee this fully energized start out of Gay, who made it clear this summer he wanted out of Sacramento. He's been more active defensively (six blocks) than usual and getting to the line twice as often as he did last season. His all-around game is far more surprising than his 23.8 scoring average. He's doing nothing but helping his trade stock.

Doolittle: I guess nothing that happens in San Antonio should ever truly qualify as a surprise, but how about Kawhi Leonard? His transition to superstardom looks complete.

Gregg Popovich has turned the keys of the offense over to him. He might lead the league in free throws made and looks as if he'll make his biggest scoring leap yet in his sixth season -- and he's a guy who has improved his average ever single year. Most impressive of all: We've said the missing piece for Leonard is setting up others. He's doing that now, too.

Pelton: Rudy Gay. Despite trade rumors, DeRozan's former teammate is averaging 23.8 points with a 54.3 percent effective field goal percentage. Gay is getting to the basket on a regular basis, taking 30 of his 82 shot attempts (36.6 percent) in the restricted area, per NBA.com/Stats.

Windhorst: Again, I'm not sure surprise is the word for me, but Rudy Gay is off to an excellent start. He's disgruntled, as we all know, but he's pretty clearly playing for that next contract. He's shooting better than 50 percent early on and has the team's best plus-minus. Small sample, but if he puts together a career year he's going to be a major focus in both February (at the trade deadline) and July (as a potential free agent).

From espn Insider first assessment. Lots of praise for Bulls

ButtersSuki

That was one ugly game there between OKC and the Clippers with OKC getting home by 2, 87-85. Only one thunder player in double figures (can you guess who?) and he had 10 turnovers when I stopped counting and was 0-7 from 3, no triple double tonight either but they're now 4-0.

It's GSW v OKC tonight! I wonder will he take 50 shots?

ButtersSuki

He did in fairness deliver this last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9kynuL1L1o

ButtersSuki

KD went off v OKC tonight. Some funny trolling from Westbrook pre game (on the phone so can't post a link but look at what he wore to the game) but game wasn't much of a contest after Q2.

rebelyell99

Hi guys new to this forum enjoys reading what ye have to say ,hoping for a good season

NufcNavan

Bring back Vogel and George Hill pls.

rushfan

rebelyell99 wrote:

Hi guys new to this forum enjoys reading what ye have to say ,hoping for a good season

Welcome aboards.ie!!

brady23

Hornacek has said that Porzingis needs to get the ball more. Early indications as expected that the D.Rose deal is a disaster waiting to happen.
Phil great coach etc etc but just like D.Rivers he's not proving himself the best at talent acquisition.
I haven't looked at anything yet but do something to blow it all up and start again.
I'd do my utmost to get rid of Melo and get as much back as I can. Given his deal was pre cap increase, you should be able to find a suitor, always good to give the Kings a call.
Perhaps a deal to send him back to Denver for some Mundiay/Faried/Nurkic/Gallinari/picks combo.
I think the Knicks should realise now that they simply need to make Porzingis the face and surround him the guys of a similar age.

ButtersSuki

GS lose badly to the Lakers. When they're good, they're very good, when they're bad.......

Still don't understand letting Bogut go. They should have figured out a way to keep him. It's not about his offensive point production, it's the defensive size factor (hands in lanes, shot blocking, etc) and his passing and spacing at the other end. Smh.

ButtersSuki

brady23 wrote: »

Hornacek has said that Porzingis needs to get the ball more. Early indications as expected that the D.Rose deal is a disaster waiting to happen.
Phil great coach etc etc but just like D.Rivers he's not proving himself the best at talent acquisition.
I haven't looked at anything yet but do something to blow it all up and start again.
I'd do my utmost to get rid of Melo and get as much back as I can. Given his deal was pre cap increase, you should be able to find a suitor, always good to give the Kings a call.
Perhaps a deal to send him back to Denver for some Mundiay/Faried/Nurkic/Gallinari/picks combo.
I think the Knicks should realise now that they simply need to make Porzingis the face and surround him the guys of a similar age.

No team in their right mind would trade for a black hole gunner the wrong side of 30 like Melo, let alone guy their team and future to acquire him. Likely scenario is he stays until his contract is up then joins his friend LeJon on a 1/2 year (relatively) cheap deal for one last shot at a ring.

I've been consistent on Melo for years (and incurred the wrath of boards for doing so). You can't build a team around a guy like that. He's a stat chaser, a guy who'd rather score 40 and lose than 15 and win. He's a massive part of the problem with the Knicks and even when he had a chance to join a contender a few years ago he stayed in NY to be the man. Insanely talented but not a team player.

LuckyLloyd

Well Porzingis got 27 last night (Melo 25) in a good win at Chicago. Too early to say blow it up on this roster imo.

Also Wade seems to have transformed and become a jump shooter. He's lights out from behind the arc to start the season. It's mad.

brady23

Yeah D.Wade looks like a new player, it's great, if he could shoot 200+ threes and average anything above 35% for the season I think that's a success.

Well I hated the deal from the get go and not the D.Rose part because it's 1 year but the 4 years of Noah could really hurt them.

As I said the Melo deal isn't bad financially given Tyler Ennis is getting 50m on his contract for example but at this stage it's a culture thing as much as anything.
I think put some feelers out for Melo, cut your losses on Rose at the end of the season and move forward with Porzingis as the face.

Porzingis got 27 last night after he was 0-4 the previous night and Hornacek said he needs the ball more.
He's an afterthought and poorly provided third option in an offense he should be joint first in.

It's obviously going to be a disaster, I would just cut ties asap.

rebelyell99

Lakers 3 and 3 now on the season maybe they can suprise a few people looked good last night

LuckyLloyd

Honestly think it's the best rotation the Knicks have put together in years, since the immediate aftermath of the Melo trade anyway. I personally think do the season and then decide what to do with Rose / what to do generally.

Paully D

The Bulls come crashing back down to earth. Oh well, the 3 games were fun while they lasted! :pac:

brady23

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Honestly think it's the best rotation the Knicks have put together in years, since the immediate aftermath of the Melo trade anyway. I personally think do the season and then decide what to do with Rose / what to do generally.

I wouldn't disagree in thinking that's exactly what will happen but I just hate it all.

D.Wade already has scored more 3s than he did last season. If he averaged 40% from range shooting 2/3 3s a night it would be a ridiculous transformation