2021-22 Around the NBA Thread

[Mainstreet]

It will happen but it won't be for the sake of the game or for the players well-being or for the enjoyment of the fans. It will be for money, nothing more.

It will cheapen the regular season and eventually (IMO) it will lead to the tournament carrying almost as much importance as the postseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see them eventually wipe out much of the regular season.

That's an interesting idea getting rid of part of the season.

Actually if the tournament shortened the season and made enough money to compensate, it would be a win-win.

 

[AzStevenCal]

That's an interesting idea getting rid of part of the season.

Actually if the tournament shortened the season and made enough money to compensate, it would be a win-win.

Short term yes but I think, like ESPN and the other sports channels, they undervalue the importance of the regular season to the fans. Yes, fans seem to prefer the playoffs but how much interest in the games will there be for the teams that can't win it all?

I think it's a way for the rich teams to get even richer and the network partners will love it but I'm not convinced it's good for the game in the long run. And once they do it, I don't see them going back. We'll end up with multiple tournaments and a 32 game season or something like that. Speaking as a fan that loves watching the regular season, it's disappointing to me.

 

[Mainstreet]

Short term yes but I think, like ESPN and the other sports channels, they undervalue the importance of the regular season to the fans. Yes, fans seem to prefer the playoffs but how much interest in the games will there be for the teams that can't win it all?

I think it's a way for the rich teams to get even richer and the network partners will love it but I'm not convinced it's good for the game in the long run. And once they do it, I don't see them going back. We'll end up with multiple tournaments and a 32 game season or something like that. Speaking as a fan that loves watching the regular season, it's disappointing to me.

For me, it will probably depend on how it is formatted and the meaning of the games.

A shorter season is not a bad idea especially since I think a longer season plays a role in the number of injuries. How much, I don't know but the NBA is very physical and takes a toll on the body.

I thought a 72 game schedule plus the playoffs was too long last season.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I can’t fathom the actual basketball reasons for a tournament in the middle of the season. Does it decide home court in the finals? Does it have any bearing on anything or is it just teams playing each other... like they do during the season anyway.

If there’s no stakes, it’s just stupid IMO.

 

[Mainstreet]

I can’t fathom the actual basketball reasons for a tournament in the middle of the season. Does it decide home court in the finals? Does it have any bearing on anything or is it just teams playing each other... like they do during the season anyway.

If there’s no stakes, it’s just stupid IMO.

I don't think an extra million dollars per player for the winning team is going to motivate the entire field of teams.

We agree, there has to be motivation regarding the playoffs.

 

[AzStevenCal]

For me, it will probably depend on how it is formatted and the meaning of the games.

A shorter season is not a bad idea especially since I think a longer season plays a role in the number of injuries. How much, I don't know but the NBA is very physical and takes a toll on the body.

I thought a 72 game schedule plus the playoffs was too long last season.

I think you'll see an even more physical game if they go this route, just look at how the referees officiate postseason play for what we'll likely see.

And 72 games was too many in too short of a time frame but they had a lot of money to recoup (the league, the players and the networks) so they disregarded player health and crammed in too many games into too short of a time frame.

Keep in mind the winning team from the bubble year played games from July 30th all the way up to October 11th. And then the next season started December 23 with the playoffs finishing July 7th. That's roughly a full season (80 regular season games) and two complete playoff runs in less than a calendar year. Way too much.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think you'll see an even more physical game if they go this route, just look at how the referees officiate postseason play for what we'll likely see.

And 72 games was too many in too short of a time frame but they had a lot of money to recoup (the league, the players and the networks) so they disregarded player health and crammed in too many games into too short of a time frame.

Keep in mind the winning team from the bubble year played games from July 30th all the way up to October 11th. And then the next season started December 23 with the playoffs finishing July 7th. That's roughly a full season (80 regular season games) and two complete playoff runs in less than a calendar year. Way too much.

A longer season for 72 games sounds about right including the proposed tournament.

I really think the NBA is trying to tap into the magic and interest in high school and college basketball tournaments around the holidays.

I don't have an answer for the physical play.

If they used the tournament to determine playoff seeding the rest of the season would have a lot of meaningless games as teams rest players.

Perhaps what they should consider is have a Holiday tournament for all the teams that runs approximately Christmas through New Years and adjust the regular season schedule afterwards for the teams that played extra games to determine a champion.

Maybe the champion gets a first round bye in the playoffs and a million dollars per player?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

A longer season for 72 games sounds about right including the proposed tournament.

I really think the NBA is trying to tap into the magic and interest in high school and college basketball tournaments around the holidays.

I don't have an answer for the physical play.

If they used the tournament to determine playoff seeding the rest of the season would have a lot of meaningless games as teams rest players.

Perhaps what they should consider is have a Holiday tournament for all the teams that runs approximately Christmas through New Years and adjust the regular season schedule afterwards for the teams that played extra games to determine a champion.

Maybe the champion gets a first round bye in the playoffs and a million dollars per player?

I just don’t think that magic translates to the pros. In college and high school it has bearing on rankings which are key. If a tournament doesn’t impact, or disproportionately impacts, the season in the nba it’s awful.

 

[Mainstreet]

I just don’t think that magic translates to the pros. In college and high school it has bearing on rankings which are key. If a tournament doesn’t impact, or disproportionately impacts, the season in the nba it’s awful.

I agree. Part of the magic in high school and college tournaments exists because teams are playing other teams they normally wouldn't play or they play in an exotic location. There is something special to being a tournament champion.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I agree. Part of the magic in high school and college tournaments exists because teams are playing other teams they normally wouldn't play or they play in an exotic location. There is something special to being a tournament champion.

Which is why a tournament is stupid. All these teams play each other at least twice every season.

 

[Mainstreet]

Which is why a tournament is stupid. All these teams play each other at least twice every season.

Exactly. That's the kicker.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'd be ok with a quick, and short, 3 on 3 tournament. 3 on 3 basketball is rising in popularity with the Big 3 League and being added to the Olympics. Add 2 extra teams to make it a full 32 team tournament. Add the Big 3 champs as 1 of the extra teams and then add a G-League team. The G-League team can be the top 3 players across that league or take the scoring leader, rebound leader, and assist leader.

Each team sends 4-5 guys and with the way 3 on 3 works there could even be multiple games in 1 day without wearing players out. Winning team gets paid. It could make for a fun 3-4 day tournament. It also could be fielded by end of the bench players because 3 on 3 is a little different. That could allow fans to get more familiar with end of the bench players and give some guys a role if they aren't seeing a lot of time during the regular season. That also allows stars to rest a little.

Just an idea. I think pausing the season or doing some sort of weird early season tournament isn't needed. If they do if then they should try to make it a bit different, somehow, to build intrigue.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd be ok with a quick, and short, 3 on 3 tournament. 3 on 3 basketball is rising in popularity with the Big 3 League and being added to the Olympics. Add 2 extra teams to make it a full 32 team tournament. Add the Big 3 champs as 1 of the extra teams and then add a G-League team. The G-League team can be the top 3 players across that league or take the scoring leader, rebound leader, and assist leader.

Each team sends 4-5 guys and with the way 3 on 3 works there could even be multiple games in 1 day without wearing players out. Winning team gets paid. It could make for a fun 3-4 day tournament. It also could be fielded by end of the bench players because 3 on 3 is a little different. That could allow fans to get more familiar with end of the bench players and give some guys a role if they aren't seeing a lot of time during the regular season. That also allows stars to rest a little.

Just an idea. I think pausing the season or doing some sort of weird early season tournament isn't needed. If they do if then they should try to make it a bit different, somehow, to build intrigue.

If they do it, it should replace the All-Star game weekend or at least shorten the season for however long the tournament is supposed to have games.

 

[95pro]

That game went longer than it needed to go. Anyone other than Tatum should be on the trading block for the Celtics. Smart or Brown just aren’t a #2 that can take them any further.

 

[Mainstreet]

Paul George is out again. I never realized he returned.

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[GatorAZ]

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[Finito]

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He was horrible

 

[Phrazbit]

He was horrible

The Celtics destroyed his career. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't sued them, their medical staff cost him somewhere around 100 million dollars.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Celtics destroyed his career. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't sued them, their medical staff cost him somewhere around 100 million dollars.

Ppl said the same thing about Durant and the Warriors. Nobody is forcing these guys to play thru injury.

 

[Hoop Head]

Ppl said the same thing about Durant and the Warriors. Nobody is forcing these guys to play thru injury.

Big difference is Durant got a huge deal and is still playing at a high level. IT went from an MVP candidate to signing 10 day try out deals in like 2 years.

 

[Phrazbit]

Ppl said the same thing about Durant and the Warriors. Nobody is forcing these guys to play thru injury.

If Durant had never recovered, like Thomas, then yeah, people would still be saying the same thing.

Furthermore, the Warriors still were willing to offer Durant the max after his injury. Meanwhile the Celtics bad doctors let Thomas' hip fail, then the franchise dumped him out with the garbage (after also lying to the Cavs about the state of Thomas' injury).

 

[Mainstreet]

Celtics waive Brad Wanamaker. For a depth point guard he would be a solid addition.

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[Hoop Head]

Celtics waive Brad Wanamaker. For a depth point guard he would be a solid addition.

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Wanamaker is better than Payton. I doubt we'd make that switch though given the CP3 connection and also with Elf out because of Covid.

 

[Mainstreet]

Wanamaker is better than Payton. I doubt we'd make that switch though given the CP3 connection and also with Elf out because of Covid.

I've always liked what Wanamaker brought off the bench for the Celtics.

 

[Lefty]

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