2022/3 season thread

Corvo · 10-02-2022 10:34pm

Bembry just got waived by Nets, he actually looked decent at times

Carcharodon · 17-02-2022 4:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118612883#Comment_118612883

Those were my first thoughts also, I think the nets got some major assets plus the main thing is that these Simmons is under contract for a 3 more seasons I think and curry for another season, plus draft picks.

Where as Harden has player option next year. As you say if Sixers win then it’s all good but not sure I see them winning with Harden.

ButtersSuki · 20-02-2022 11:48pm

in 35+ years of watching Dunk Contests that was by far the worst I’ve ever seen - and seeing how bad it’s been in the last 10 years that’s saying something.

Carcharodon · 21-02-2022 4:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118665886#Comment_118665886

Yea, they needed to change it for a while now, it’s just not working and especially with the players in it, most of them aren’t even the best dunkers on their teams

ButtersSuki · 22-02-2022 11:52am

Ever since it became “uncool” to enter it it’s gone rapidly downhill.

ButtersSuki · 03-03-2022 1:56pm

Ja Morant with some crazy plays this week, fast becoming the new face of the NBA.

Gizzlies too are on course to overtake GS in the race for the No. 2 seed. GS badly missing Draymond.

Also hilarious to see the Lakers continue to eat themselves from within. Some very amusing takes on TV and across the various basketball podcasts in the last couple of weeks about you know who...........

Carcharodon · 03-03-2022 5:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118725778#Comment_118725778

Yea, Morant is must watch TV now, don’t think he is a flash in the pan, the real deal.

Again and again, people question Draymond but he is the backbone of this team, we are going nowhere without him.

I puzzles me about the Lakers, it’s like there is a constant elephant in the room, LeBron got what he wanted but when it doesn’t work, the toys go out of the pram and it’s not his fault, he will get whatever he wants again, playing with his son is his next objective although I read his son has still a long way to go to be a top player

ButtersSuki · 03-03-2022 6:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118727249#Comment_118727249

His son, based on what (and I’ve seen a lot of him) I’ve seen is not an NBA level talent. He’s the 4th best player on his team, and his team is not the No. 1 ranked high school team in his state, let alone the country.

But LeBron has basically ensured he’ll get an NBA contract now as some team will draft him to even get one year of LeBron, and someone far more talented and deserving will lose out. Sad really.

ButtersSuki · 03-03-2022 6:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118727249#Comment_118727249

I forget who said it but the comment that “LeBron is the worst GM in the league” has been around for years and never was it more appropriate.

You even have long-time Lakers bear writer Bill Plaschke saying they should trade LeBron. Imagine the circus if that happens? I don’t think the Lakers have the balls to do it though.

Corvo · 04-03-2022 12:16pm

I think the GM stuff, while justified at times (Westbrook) is a bit overblown.

During his first Cavs tenure I don't believe he would have had much in the way of power, and it was a dysfunctional front office who consistently surrounded him with inadequate pieces.

In Miami it was well reported that yes, he tried to have Spoelstra replaced but he was told to piss off by Pat Riley though I'm open to correction on any other personnel moves he pushed for.

Cleveland second stint, certainly more moves pushed for here - but it resulted in a chip - so he was justified. Unless we are going to believe that Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett were going to have significant impact in comparison to Kevin Love. I don't think he can be held at fault for Kyrie ending their championship window by pushing himself out the door.

At the Lakers, yes I have no doubt he pushed the front office to trade pretty much the entirety of the young core (who have all developed into fine players in their own right) for Anthony Davis (it is my opinion that Davis would not have pushed for LA without LeBron's presence) but again, his supposed GM's moves here resulted in a chip - justified. And I think that they would have a made a good run again if not for health issues.

The Westbrook trade has been an absolute disaster and he deservedly gets criticised for pushing for it (along with Davis) and I think the vast majority of people before the season would have placed a bet on it not working (spacing issues, ball handling duties if they were both on the court). I think LeBron (and the front office) both wanted alternative ball handlers as they knew LeBron would either be injured (correct) or need further rest (correct) hence Rondo, Schroeder and now Westbrook, the last two not working out for different reasons but the general train of thought was sound.

Corvo · 06-03-2022 7:18am

Klay Thompsons return may have been spoke about too soon. He’s very very rusty still and took some bizzare shots

LuckyLloyd · 06-03-2022 10:31am

56 points from LeBron last night. His numbers in his year 19 season are just insane.

Corvo · 06-03-2022 8:37pm

KD walking straight out after a defeat? Oh my….

ButtersSuki · 10-03-2022 9:23am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118739861#Comment_118739861

Yeah, he realizes he can't win a title this year so is now going full-on stats hunting. Lol. They beat a GS team that isn't even at .500 since Draymond went out, hardly the win of the season.

It's hilarious watching them at the moment, they're 9th and had Portland and New Orleans not gone on extended losing streaks they wouldn't even be in the Play-In Tournament.

It's hilarious to watch the Lakers players argue with fans, watch them whine like little babies, and watch their fans turn on them. And the media - even some of the biggest LeBron fans are turning on him.

I assume given his comments last year on the Play-In Tournament he won't play in it?

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-whines-about-nbas-play-in-tournament-but-the-postseason-scale-was-tipped-in-his-favor-for-years/

My favourite line was:

"Whoever came up with that s--- needs to be fired," LeBron said of the play-in tournament - lol. If they hadn't Lebron you'd be going on holidays soon. Lakers are now 7 games behind the Clippers in 8th and have essentially zero chance in catching them. What would be most hilarious though is if they slipped below 10 and out of the Play-In Tournament completely.

ButtersSuki · 13-03-2022 6:07pm

Watching Knick V Nets, Mitchel Robinson just blocked KD on a jumper, incredible block - I’ve only seen Giannis do that before.

ButtersSuki · 16-03-2022 10:50am

Sunday - KD 53

Monday - KAT 60 (inc. 32 in a quarter)

Tuesday - Kyrie 60 (and benched for the last 8:32 of the game)

crazy few days.

ButtersSuki · 17-03-2022 11:20am

Pat Bev with some epic trolling of the Lakers last night, esp. LeBron and Russ.

ButtersSuki · 19-03-2022 12:02am

Can’t believe the reaction to Marcus Smart chasing a loose ball and Curry getting injured as a result. Completely legitimate effort play and no malice intended. Kerr’s reaction is disappointing tbh, as is some media commentary. I’m a huge Curry fan, but that’s not a dirty play.

ButtersSuki · 19-03-2022 11:58am

Jeez the Donnie Nelson v Mark Cuban story is insane. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Realt Dearg Sec · 19-03-2022 3:24pm

The bulls are in free fall. I think everyone just assumed the defense would fix itself once Caruso came back and it doesn't work that way. Other teams have started closing down DeRozan as well and they don't seem able to adapt at all.

ButtersSuki · 20-03-2022 10:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118805964#Comment_118805964

They’re 2-16 against teams with better records than them for the season and 0-8 against the top 4 in the East, but to be fair they’ve had a lot of injuries all year. By play off time they will have Ball back and may have Williams, so it’s a different proposition then. But if they’re not careful Toronto could catch them and then they’d be in the Play In.

Let’s not forget though they seriously outperformed expectations at the start of the year so you’re probably seeing a degree of natural regression at this stage.

Zero-Cool · 20-03-2022 12:02pm

So hard to watch the Bulls since the all star break. AC is such an important player but this while thing of "we'll be fine once AC and Ball are back is ridiculous. Derozan gets shut down and Lavine isn't the 3pt shooter he thinks he is. That along with Vuc being highly inconsistent is a killer, especially against teams with star Bigs. Gonna be a rough end to the season, would be happy if they make it the 2nd round of the playoffs.

Corvo · 21-03-2022 9:37am

The Celtics look really really good on both ends, I wonder how far they can go. I don't think anyone in the East will want them.

ButtersSuki · 21-03-2022 10:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118812878#Comment_118812878

Defensively they’re excellent, esp since Christmas after early season struggles. Offensively however it still looks very stagnant at times and too often they just rely on Tatum to try and create something out of nothing. I’m a Celtics fan but can’t see them coming out of the East unless the draw is very favourable and other teams take each other out. So much still to play for seeding wise and I think there will be lots of jockeying for position as teams seek to avoid each other and esp. Brooklyn.

ButtersSuki · 21-03-2022 10:11am

Lakers now 10th, lol.

Some interesting commentary on LeBron’s stat chasing across the media in the last few weeks, good to see people calling it out for what it is.

LuckyLloyd · 23-03-2022 10:53am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118812978#Comment_118812978

Let the hate flow through you I suppose, always and forever. There is also a lot of commentary across the basketball media of people being simply wowed by the longevity on display. The level he is playing at as a 37-year-old has no historical precedent in the sport. He was phenomenal against the Cavs the other night. I have to really suspect at this point whether you love the sport if you can't enjoy this tbh.

ButtersSuki · 23-03-2022 11:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118822696#Comment_118822696

Windhorst - who has been covering LeBron longer than anyone and is a huge LeBron fan - has called him out on it and said it’s “shameless”. Does he not love the game either? Once again any criticism of LeBron is deemed irrational. 🙄

They're bowering between 9th and 10th in their conference and he’s chasing stats. And he’s celebrating himself and his accomplishments more than even you are. Speaks volumes really.

ButtersSuki · 23-03-2022 11:44am

Simmons, Tim McMahon, Zach Lowe, Kevin Arnovitz, Kevin Peltin, Ryen Russillo, Tim Legler, Kevin O’Connor, Jalen Rose, David Jacoby, Mike Wilbon, and many more have criticized him for stat chasing in the last month. Do they all hate the game too?

LuckyLloyd · 23-03-2022 4:03pm

https://youtube.com/shorts/zEDCQrTEdt0?feature=share

Yeah lot’s of empty stat chasing there. Sure thing.

ButtersSuki · 24-03-2022 10:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118824709#Comment_118824709

You're better than that. You know what stat chasing is.

ButtersSuki · 24-03-2022 10:17am

Not since 1997 - 25 years ago - has a team with a less than .500 (42 wins) in the West made the play offs. There have been 3 teams in that time period that have won 48 games and NOT made the Play Offs, as have a number of teams with 47 wins. This is the weakest the West has been in 25 years and the man who thinks he's the GOAT can't get his team into the Top 8 in his conference.

The Lakers are currently 9th in the West at 31-42 and have the following remaining schedule:

@ NOP

@ Dallas

@ Utah

Home: NOP

Home: Denver

@ Phoenix

@ Golden State

Home OKC

@ Denver

They play the Pelicans - who are 1 game behind them - twice. SA who are 2 games behind them play the tanking Portland 3 times in their last 9 games.

The self-proclaimed GOAT may not even make the Play In. LOL.

@Phoenix3

Corvo · 24-03-2022 4:14pm

Just backed Boston at 11/1 in Paddy Power (12/1 in Bet365 if anyone is interested).

Going with the defence wins championships trope :)

ButtersSuki · 27-03-2022 7:40pm

San Antonio now one game behind the Lakers (with 2 games against Portland left). NO have same number of wins. Will be a fun last 2 weeks.

Edit: I typed 3, when they have 2 left after the game last week.

ButtersSuki · 28-03-2022 9:04am

San Antonio play the Rockets tonight, win that and the Lakers are 11th and out of the Play In for the moment.

They then play the Grizzlies on Thursday followed by 2 games v Portland again (who they beat by 35+ last week).......it's going to get very interesting.

ButtersSuki · 29-03-2022 12:05pm

San Antonio won but still 11th as they have one more loss than LA. They do however have the same number of wins now and San An play Portland twice in their remaining games. This is going to get very interesting..............

ButtersSuki · 29-03-2022 8:59pm

Time Lord down a torn meniscus, there goes the Celtics’ season. :(

ButtersSuki · 30-03-2022 8:40am

Lakers 11th in the West. Lol.

ButtersSuki · 30-03-2022 6:59pm

Both SA and NO have the tie breaker over LA so LA are pretty much done considering the remaining schedule.

Wonder will The King 🙄 sit the remainder of the season rather than play to try and secure a stat-chasing scoring title……..hmmmm….

ButtersSuki · 31-03-2022 9:00am

Tough 1 point loss for San Antonio last night, NO win to put therm2 clear of the Lakers. It's still likely San Antonio take the 10th spot though.

In other news, GS lose a close one to Phoenix and Dallas leapfrog them into 3rd.

ButtersSuki · 31-03-2022 7:15pm

Meant to discuss this last week when it happened but the Heat fight last week was insane the more I think about it. Clearly there’s lots going on behind the doors there. Spoelstra is likely the coolest and calmest coach in the NBA, for him to react like that points to a breaking point. It wasn’t about whatever happened in the huddle, clearly there’s stuff that has happened there that wasn’t made public.

Player power era is one thing but if Butler thinks the Heat would choose him over Spo, he’s mistaken.

2smiggy · 02-04-2022 5:49am

https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1510126666751696901

Realt Dearg Sec · 02-04-2022 11:27am

Fun few days as the bulls play the top three teams in the conference in four days. They're already almost certain to avoid the play in, but why win against top opponents would be a huge boost as they simply haven't been able to beat any top team in either division (best the Celtics earlier in the season but they weren't any good then). Hard to see them doing much of anything in the playoffs but it's cool they're looking to be there. The win against the clippers the other night showed they can dig it out when they put their minds to it.

Zero-Cool · 02-04-2022 1:56pm

It's tough watching the Bulls the last few weeks. They're doing brilliant compared to last multiple years but want them to be doing better so bad. Happy out they'll make the playoffs and looking forward to them building on next year. Ball might not make the playoffs and Zach is dodgy, you can tell the knee isn't right. Vuc is so hot and cold, very hard to rely on. Next trades will be very interesting.

ButtersSuki · 04-04-2022 9:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118869075#Comment_118869075

Wait, why are you criticizing the Lakers and LeBron - don't you know that's not allowed?! ;)

🤣

ButtersSuki · 04-04-2022 9:23am

Doncic gave a masterclass last night in controlling the game, particularly from a pace perspective. Great game for a neutral.

ButtersSuki · 06-04-2022 8:45am

As I predicted a few weeks ago, Lakers now officially out of contention for the Play In.

Fun fact: since Portland (who are tanking btw) lost Lillard for the season they have a better record than the Lakers.

Can't wait to hear the LeBron Fan Club defend this.............

ButtersSuki · 06-04-2022 8:47am

Kareen - who is an amazing speaker and more cerebral in his thinking than most if not all basketball commentators - said this over the weekend:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33664003/los-angeles-lakers-legend-kareem-abdul-jabbar-criticizes-some-lebron-james-actions

I suppose Kareem hates basketball too?

ButtersSuki · 06-04-2022 1:57pm

Also great to see Magic "doing a Magic" and not only trying to insert himself into the storyline, but then blaming others and ignoring things he has said himself. Lol.

https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/1511036892887891979?s=20&t=a6v9gVyFLKTxrTNMkmA70g

Even though it was virtually impossible for them to sign DeRozan given them money involved and their cap etc.

And he posted this:

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1420909078939770883?s=20&t=oGC2Hf6mu936__QhDZOULQ

https://twitter.com/WadexFlash/status/1511567473421680640/photo/1

https://twitter.com/ajshapi1/status/1511567201433645059?s=20&t=oGC2Hf6mu936__QhDZOULQ