The 2017-2018 Around the NBA thread

[JCSunsfan]

And they wouldn't trade him for Melo, at least that's what was reported after Melo was sent to OKC. I don't buy that for a minute, I think that was Rich Paul floating a crazy rumor out there to try and build value in TT.

Tyson Chandler would be an improvement for them. At least he would be depth for when TT lays an egg like this.

 

[Errntknght]

Kinda feel vindicated about being a Sabonis fan in the draft. He is producing for Indy.

I've noticed that, too. Oladipo seems to be playing better since coming to the Pacers, as well. He hit the clutch 3 against the Spurs tonight and Sabonis went 9/9 from the field in the game with 12 boards. I don't have any idea why... maybe the Pacers coach just has higher expectations for them

 

[JCSunsfan]

I've noticed that, too. Oladipo seems to be playing better since coming to the Pacers, as well. He hit the clutch 3 against the Spurs tonight and Sabonis went 9/9 from the field in the game with 12 boards. I don't have any idea why... maybe the Pacers coach just has higher expectations for them

Maybe they actually get to touch the ball.

 

[Hoop Head]

Through 6 games Westbrook has 3 triple doubles and is now the first player in NBA history to record a triple double against every team he's played, so 29 of the 30 teams in the league since he's only played for the Thunder and hasn't had the chance to record one against them. He's averaging 20.8 ppg, 12.2 apg, and 9.8 rpg. If he can average a triple double for the 2nd straight year I wonder if he'll get back to back MVP's. It looks like he'll average close to a triple double again but the team should have more success than last year with George and Melo there. They have to beat the 47-35 record they had last year for him to be considered. Last year he was OKC's only option for the most part but averaged 31.6 ppg, which got him the scoring title, and he also finished #3 in assists per game with 10.4, and #10 for rebounds with 10.7 a game. He also led the league in offensive +/-, which shows how much the Thunder needed him. His was 10.9 and #2 on that list was IT with 8.7. The Thunder only had a 0.8 point differential, averaging 106.6 and giving up 105.8, so Westbrook was huge for them.


I think the NBA should change voting to include the first round of the playoffs for some awards, like MVP. Especially now that they have an awards ceremony at the end of the playoffs. I'm sure in close races that would help some players edge out the competition. Last year it might have been enough to push Harden past Westbrook since they met in the first round but I still think Westbrook deserved it because of how valuable they were to their teams and Westbrook was definitely more valuable to the Thunder than Harden was for the Rockets. Some years it could cost someone the award altogether like in 2007 when Dirk won MVP but they had to give him his award at a press conference because the #1 seed Mavericks lost to the #8 seed Warriors in 6 games during the first round. That made Dirk look bad and the NBA as a whole.



http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...-westbrook-triple-double-every-nba-team-faced

 

[Hoop Head]

Maybe they actually get to touch the ball.

Westbrook was #3 in assists per game last year, they had chances. Sometimes it takes a new system for a player to step up though.

Sabonis is averaging 7.6 shots a game and shooting 57.9% compared to 5.9 shots and 39% from the field. While Oladipo is up from 13.9 attempts to 17.2 and shooting 50% which is up from 44.2% last year. His FT percentage has gone up also, from 75.3% to 88.6% and he is averaging more as the first option also. He only averaged 2.3 FT attempts a game last year but is at 7.0 this year.

 

[Phrazbit]

THAT? From a bird?

Airplane surfaces are designed to be flexible, not rigid. And I've cracked my windshield hitting a bird at 50 mph, that plane was probably going somewhere between 300-600 mph.

 

[Ronin]

R.I.P. Lewis D’antoni

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[Finito]

Wow 103

 

[elindholm]

What's amazing is that he ate the same seven foods over and over again.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just like a DAntoni. Their teams always score over 100.

 

[Mainstreet]

DeAndre Jordan worth $35 million?

DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Clippers have discussed a contract extension, but talks have stalled.

Jordan would have to earn less with an extension than he could if he waited until the offseason where his starting salary could start at $35 million.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247901/DeAndre-Jordan-Extension-Talks-With-Clippers-Stall

 

[95pro]

DeAndre Jordan worth $35 million?



https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/247901/DeAndre-Jordan-Extension-Talks-With-Clippers-Stall

In today's NBA with huge caps, yes.

IMO, no. But my opinion doesn't matter.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Extension talks have stalled for DJ though. I suppose his next move is to start dogging games and tweeting that he wants out.

Cause that's what everyone does, isn't it?

 

[Mainstreet]

In today's NBA with huge caps, yes.

IMO, no. But my opinion doesn't matter.

It will take a long time for me to get over sticker shock but I don't think so either.

However, he is an excellent rebounder.

 

[Russ Smith]

Westbrook was #3 in assists per game last year, they had chances. Sometimes it takes a new system for a player to step up though.

Sabonis is averaging 7.6 shots a game and shooting 57.9% compared to 5.9 shots and 39% from the field. While Oladipo is up from 13.9 attempts to 17.2 and shooting 50% which is up from 44.2% last year. His FT percentage has gone up also, from 75.3% to 88.6% and he is averaging more as the first option also. He only averaged 2.3 FT attempts a game last year but is at 7.0 this year.

As a UCLA fan I love Westbrook but he's NOT a guy that makes his teammates better, he just carries the team. He'll get assists yes off drives, but he's not a guy who will give you the ball where you want it, in your shooting pocket, in stride etc. I think part of why guys are shooting better %'s somewhere else is they're playing with a different PG.

He's an amazing player and I think playing with better talent again he'll be even better, but he's still going to be ball dominant.

 

[Russ Smith]

When did Ish Smith get that good? Man he was unreal last night off the bench.

 

[95pro]

Extension talks have stalled for DJ though. I suppose his next move is to start dogging games and tweeting that he wants out.

Cause that's what everyone does, isn't it?

Pretty much it. They've made it into a players league now, all the power is the players hands now.

 

[3rdside]

As a UCLA fan I love Westbrook but he's NOT a guy that makes his teammates better, he just carries the team. He'll get assists yes off drives, but he's not a guy who will give you the ball where you want it, in your shooting pocket, in stride etc. I think part of why guys are shooting better %'s somewhere else is they're playing with a different PG.

He's an amazing player and I think playing with better talent again he'll be even better, but he's still going to be ball dominant.

Tie that in with Carmelo and you know the thunder aren't doing anything, ever....They may be two of the least compatible players in the league, throw in George who needs shots also and you've got a sh*t show of the highest order.



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[Phrazbit]

I think George is a nice compliment to Westbrook, but getting Anthony was dumb. They didn't need any of what he provides.

 

[3rdside]

My sentiments exactly - and if i'm right in thinking George is on a one year deal only, I can't see any reason he'd hang around longer than he has to - KD couldn't manage Westbrook on his own so good luck with those two.


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[Errntknght]

When did Ish Smith get that good? Man he was unreal last night off the bench.

Ish has bounced around since he left, mostly as a sub, but he's produced wherever he was. I loved Ish and wished we'd have kept him. His .042 3pt percentage with us did him in, no doubt. Other than that year, he's averaged .300 from the arc. It always tickled me when he led us in rebounds for a game, smallest guy on the floor. He's averaged almost half a block per 36 for his career - at .6 last year - better than 25% of the PFs. Better than Blake Griffen and Kevin Love for example. What I Iiked about him was that he ran the offense well - better than Bled and Dragic but Hornacek was slow to firgure it out.

 

[95pro]

Tie that in with Carmelo and you know the thunder aren't doing anything, ever....They may be two of the least compatible players in the league, throw in George and you've got a sh*t show of the highest order.



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Yep any team is better off without Carmelo. It would be okay if he accepted himself as a bench, 3rd or 4th option.

 

[GatorAZ]

Porzingis is a monster. Slin wouldn't trade Chriss for him though.

 

[Ronin]

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[Russ Smith]

Porzingis is a monster. Slin wouldn't trade Chriss for him though.

The thing that's so hard to project is improvement. When I saw him in Summer League his rookie year he looked like a stiff ,big stiff that could shoot, but a stiff. he's SO much better now.