2023-24 Around the NBA Thread

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

If we both stay healthy and everything meshes well, I think they're a notch above us if they can escape the obvious chemistry issues.

I say no bc I think harden becomes subtraction by addition. His consistency is gone. I think he causes westbrook to implode.

 

[nashman]

I say no bc I think harden becomes subtraction by addition. His consistency is gone. I think he causes westbrook to implode.

Exactly Westbrook is only good when he dominates the ball, how’s that gonna work with harden? And again are they just not gonna have a PF? That will be a small lineup and who’s in the bench now? The Suns have far superior bench and better big 3 that actually can play together and aren’t ball dominant…

 

[AzStevenCal]

I say no bc I think harden becomes subtraction by addition. His consistency is gone. I think he causes westbrook to implode.

I think Harden has plenty left (about like CP3 when he joined us), it's his ego that concerns me but it always has. I'd be very surprised if they can get all the pieces to fit there but if it happens, IMO Harden would be better than Beals, Booker might get the edge on George but Kawhi beats out KD so that's why I'd give them the overall edge. But yeah, I don't see Westbrook taking this well at all.

 

[Hoop Head]

Exactly Westbrook is only good when he dominates the ball, how’s that gonna work with harden? And again are they just not gonna have a PF? That will be a small lineup and who’s in the bench now? The Suns have far superior bench and better big 3 that actually can play together and aren’t ball dominant…

They'll play Kawhi at PF like we do Durant. I dont see their chemistry working though.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Exactly Westbrook is only good when he dominates the ball, how’s that gonna work with harden? And again are they just not gonna have a PF? That will be a small lineup and who’s in the bench now? The Suns have far superior bench and better big 3 that actually can play together and aren’t ball dominant…

To be clear, I like our chances better than theirs but if they mesh, I think they have a real advantage over us. Maybe they are weak at the 4 but Zubac and Plumlee give them plenty of size and PJ Tucker has always played KD tough.

 

[AzStevenCal]

They'll play Kawhi at PF like we do Durant. I dont see their chemistry working though.

I don't either. But I didn't expect it to work when Westbrook went there so who knows.

 

[nashman]

To be clear, I like our chances better than theirs but if they mesh, I think they have a real advantage over us. Maybe they are weak at the 4 but Zubac and Plumlee give them plenty of size and PJ Tucker has always played KD tough.

They have no advantage over us if we are healthy you must be kidding… who’s coming off the bench for them? Our bench is freaking stacked compared to them! We owned them with old ass CP3 and Booker, no we have Beal, Book, Durant and a C who actually play makes and a deep bench! Don’t see anyway they are better than us that’s crazy imo.

 

[AzStevenCal]

They have no advantage over us if we are healthy you must be kidding… who’s coming off the bench for them? Our bench is freaking stacked compared to them! We owned them with old ass CP3 and Booker, no we have Beal, Book, Durant and a C who actually play makes and a deep bench! Don’t see anyway they are better than us that’s crazy imo.

They were never healthy when we "owned them". And a rotation that includes Paul George, Kawhi, PJ Tucker, Westbrook, Zubac, Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, PJ Tucker and Kenyon Martin Jr looks plenty deep to me if they stay healthy.

 

[Cheesebeef]

They were never healthy when we "owned them". And a rotation that includes Paul George, Kawhi, PJ Tucker, Westbrook, Zubac, Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, PJ Tucker and Kenyon Martin Jr looks plenty deep to me if they stay healthy.

You counted PJ Tucker twice. But even with just one Tucker, they’re still really deep anssuming everyone’s healthy. Don’t they also still have Terence Mann or was he in the Harden deal?

 

[nashman]

You counted PJ Tucker twice. But even with just one Tucker, they’re still really deep anssuming everyone’s healthy. Don’t they also still have Terence Mann or was he in the Harden deal?

Martin also went in the deal…, they not that scary PG3 and Kawhi will certainly miss time and not sure how harden meshes time will tell…

 

[Cheesebeef]

Martin also went in the deal…, they not that scary PG3 and Kawhi will certainly miss time and not sure how harden meshes time will tell…

Right, so take out Martin who makes no impact and substitute in Mann who wasn’t mentioned and they’re still just as deep as we are, if not moreso if everyone’s healthy.

And Suns fans can’t make the “they can’t stay healthy” argument about other teams anymore. We couldn’t even start the season healthy and there’s apparently no timetable on when we will be.

 

[Phrazbit]

If we both stay healthy and everything meshes well, I think they're a notch above us if they can escape the obvious chemistry issues.

I don't think so.

The only guy on that roster that I would trust in a meaningful moment is Leonard... and he is the least likely guy to get the ball.

Harden is useless without the ball in his hands, in clutch moments he is useless regardless. Westbrook is more likely to do harm than good at this stage in his career, even if they defer to Leonard, they're still doing nothing, both just standing there watching and not playing defense.

I think the Clippers have about the 10th best odds of winning the West.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think so.

The only guy on that roster that I would trust in a meaningful moment is Leonard... and he is the least likely guy to get the ball.

Harden is useless without the ball in his hands, in clutch moments he is useless regardless. Westbrook is more likely to do harm than good at this stage in his career, even if they defer to Leonard, they're still doing nothing, both just standing there watching and not playing defense.

I think the Clippers have about the 10th best odds of winning the West.

I think my post is getting misinterpreted. I'm not painting the Clippers as the favorite to win it all or anything close to that. I think both teams would have to stay healthy (highly unlikely for us, unlikely for LAC) and all the pieces would have to fit together well (highly unlikely for LAC). We have a better chance of developing as a unit than they do but if they can make those pieces fit and both teams are healthy, they'd be above us in the race IMO as they'd have the overall talent advantage. But when all is said and done though, I don't think either team wins a ring this year.

 

[95pro]

Harden, Westbrook and PJ aren't going to help on defense. PJ has his best days behind him.

All four of these guys need the ball to be productive, especially Harden and Westbrook. PG is the most capable passer of the group.

Anyone expecting them to play beautiful basketball together is dreaming. These guys do no compliment one another in any way, shape or form.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think it’s ironic that a team whose big four average . . .

4.5
4.8
6.8
7.0

. . . assists per game last season are being touted as not being capable of sharing the ball when our big three average:

5.0
5.4
5.5

 

[nashman]

I think it’s ironic that a team whose big four average . . .

4.5
4.8
6.8
7.0

. . . assists per game last season are being touted as not being capable of sharing the ball when our big three average:

5.0
5.4
5.5

Ehh bit misleading, new team their averages likely to increase since no real PG they likely all bump up a little in the assist dept. Our guys are unselfish with the ball, the Clips not so much…

 

[Hoop Head]

I think it’s ironic that a team whose big four average . . .

4.5
4.8
6.8
7.0

. . . assists per game last season are being touted as not being capable of sharing the ball when our big three average:

5.0
5.4
5.5

I agree with you but the assist numbers seem off.

Russ - 7.6
Harden - 10.7*
PG - 5.1
Kawhi - 3.9

Harden led the league last year. The idea they're too selfish doesn't make sense. Russ and Harden have 5 assist titles between them.

The problem I see is who takes the last shot. Harden will demand it, Russ and PG will want it, and Leonard should be the one taking it but the least likely to speak up. It's going to be interesting to see how things shake out.

 

[Phrazbit]

I think it’s ironic that a team whose big four average . . .

4.5
4.8
6.8
7.0

. . . assists per game last season are being touted as not being capable of sharing the ball when our big three average:

5.0
5.4
5.5

It isn't about being able to pass, the it is about doing something when the ball isn't in your hands. Harden and Westbrook both do nothing unless they are the ones initiating the offense.

Beal and, especially, Booker are both hard workers, even without the ball, running off screens and forcing the defense to account for them. Harden and Westbrook both either park in a corner or just stand about 3 feet outside the arch... flat footed, watching the action.

I expect it won't take long for the Clippers to bury Westbrook on their bench.

 

[Raindog]

Milwaukee getting crushed tonight by Toronto, which drops them to 2-2 on the season. So at least they're struggling as well.

 

[Mainstreet]

Milwaukee getting crushed tonight by Toronto, which drops them to 2-2 on the season. So at least they're struggling as well.

What's the saying, misery loves company.

 

[GatorAZ]

Memphis and Miami look awful.

 

[Raindog]

Nuggets get blasted, too, at Minnesota... so that's nice to see.

 

[Russ Smith]

Javale McGee had one of the best blocks I've ever seen just now. Kuminga going up for a 2 hand flush and Javale met him at the top and just swatted it.

 

[Proximo]

They were never healthy when we "owned them". And a rotation that includes Paul George, Kawhi, PJ Tucker, Westbrook, Zubac, Norman Powell, Bones Hyland, Mason Plumlee, PJ Tucker and Kenyon Martin Jr looks plenty deep to me if they stay healthy.

The Clippers have two major problems

1. They are relying on old injury prone players.

2. They have Kawhi, George, Westbrook, Harden, Powell and Hyland who all play best when they Iso with the ball. There is only one ball. This is not only going to make for a clunky offense, it's going to ruin chemistry when all these ball hogs don't get their touches.

 

[Proximo]

Milwaukee getting crushed tonight by Toronto, which drops them to 2-2 on the season. So at least they're struggling as well.

I'm not a believer in Milwaukee being a great team.

Boston however I am legit scared of.