The 2018-2019 Around the NBA thread

[95pro]

HOnestly not but we'll see. Houston has beaten the Warriors 3 times, once without harden. It's just a tough matchup because of the way they run offense they can force switches and punish Cousins, and they do a great job of getting Harden on Curry and Harden just overpowers him and shoots FT's. I thought Houston was going to win last year until CP3 got hurt and they might this year if they're healthy. And OKC.

I haven’t watched any warriors rockets games but did Capela play in any of them? I know he was injured for a while and might not be 100% still.

 

[Hoop Head]

A tourny? He's lost his mind.

In case you are fans of one of the 27 or so non-superteams, now your players can risk injury playing in a worthless tourny.

It's the epitome of putting lipstick on a pig.

Oh and some of these can be played overseas and the players can take a 15-20 percent paycut. Adam 'ivory tower' Silver

How about the All-Star game goes back to just being a normal fun time that some people can take it or leave it? They've tried to dial it up to 10, 11, 12 and the hype just doesn't work anymore. He is just overthinking it. It's not supposed to be a big deal.

The only sort of tourney I could get behind is something to bypass the lottery for draft positioning. Don't open it up to all of the non-playoff teams though. I know 14 is not a good number for a tournament but they could take the 9th seed from each conference and put them in a 1 game sudden death game for the 8th seed, no more tie-breaker by record for that final spot.

Then playing for picks they could do 3 separate tournaments, with each playing for different spots in the draft, no more lottery either. The 4 worst teams play for #1-4 with the winner in each first round matchup meeting again to determine the 1 & 3 picks, not 1 & 2, because the 2 teams that lost in the first round of that play each other for the #2 pick so it would be similar to the Olympics. The "Gold Medal" game produces the bronze medalist while the silver medal game takes place at the same time only that silver medal type game would be for the #2 & #4 picks. Repeat that for #5-8, and #9-12. With the 13th and 14th teams fighting for the playoff spots in their sudden games the 2 teams that come up short would face each other for the better pick.

That might stop tanking, to a certain degree. It might also get teams to quit waiving some expiring veterans to bolster other teams playoff spots since they have games they want to win.

It's not perfect, far from it, but it would give the league a few more games but they could cut the fat off the season a little bit to make up for it. The revenue from those games might generate enough they can roll back the season by 10-12 games since they'll have meaningful games in April with almost a playoff atmosphere.

 

[Phrazbit]

The NBA should have left their all-star game as it was. The only reason it ever gained traction was because of the stretch in the 80s when there were some teams and players who truly hated each other, all the league can hope for is that a similar situation arises in the future. The NBA All-Star game has little chance to evolving beyond what it has been, basically the Globe Trotters vs the Globe Trotters... hell, if anything keeping it East vs West during this talent disparity probably would have made the game more intense as the East all-stars kept having to hear people talk about how much they suck leading into the game.

The leagues have all overreacted and in their tinkering they've made what was already a flimsy product all the more obviously farcical.

Baseball freaked out because they had a tie one time, then they switched it to "now it counts!", their method of making it count was so absurdly unfair that they had to do a 180.

Football is far too violent of a sport for exhibition games (IMO they shouldn't even have pre-season). Who wants to risk their health for a game no one is watching and when the season is already done? The Pro Bowl shouldn't exist at all, given that it takes place between the conference title games and the Super Bowl (there by excluding all the players on the best 4 teams) it is hard to come up with a more idiotic format.

And then hockey... I like hockey... and I don't know what the hell they're doing. I don't think anyone does, players included.

 

[Western Font]

I’m with the camp that thinks the regular season should be shortened by around 10 games even without a tourney.

As for the ASG, I agree that just going back to how it was sounds best, but we may be pining for a bygone era where the financial bonus from the ASG would actually be felt, and the injury risk not tabulated in millions for some. If the top vets aren’t making it a priority, it’s not.

 

[Russ Smith]

I haven’t watched any warriors rockets games but did Capela play in any of them? I know he was injured for a while and might not be 100% still.

I think he played in 2 of the 3 wins for Houston but didn't look it up.

This time of year it's tough to really judge, the warriors are sitting guys left and right, last night it was Klay and Looney, before it was Durant and Westbrook, Iggy and Livingston have been sitting too. But that's part of the problem what made them so good in past years was the bench, this year we seem to get 1 good Iggy game every 5 and about the same for Livingston, father time has taken it from them it appears. Looney is not 100% so Jordan Bell is playing more, Jerebko who started so well seems to have fallen back to reality. They don't appear to have anybody on the horizon to help as Damion Jones won't be back this season from his surgery so my guess is they just plan to go C by committee to back up Cousins.

Cousins is really starting to score well, but he's clearly nowhere near 100% back he's much slower and his defense was never good and is worse now, so the backup 5 becomes a big role for them now. A guy like Capela is just athletic for Cousins right now his ability to run end to end puts so much pressure on Boogie.

With OKC I've been sayign it all year I just don't think Westbrook is the same guy, he's still great but he's not as explosive this year, I think he either has some injury they're not disclosing, or he got too big. He's still averaging a triple double but his offensive overall performance is down, he's not shooting the 3 well so his true shooting % is at it's lowest point since he was a rookie. Still a great player and in a series dangerous, especially against the Warriors where he'll be motivated, but at least now he's not the same guy. Maybe he's reached that point where he's pacing himself I really don't know

 

[Mainstreet]

Trae Young breaks record for an NBA rookie with 49 points and 16 assists.

Trae Young recorded a career-high 49 points while adding 16 assists during the Atlanta Hawks' 168-161 quadruple OT loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Young became the first rookie in NBA history to have at least 45 points and 15 assists in a game. He scored or assisted on 86 points for the Hawks, also an NBA record for a rookie.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiret...A-Rookie-History-With-49-Point-16-Assist-Game

 

[Finito]

Trae Young breaks record for an NBA rookie with 49 points and 16 assists.



https://basketball.realgm.com/wiret...A-Rookie-History-With-49-Point-16-Assist-Game

Man I missed the ball on this kid. I looked at him and thought he’s way to thin to have any success he needs to put on weight he’s gonna get killed taking the pounding, but nope

His ball handling and passing is great he’s super fun to watch

 

[Hoop Head]

With OKC I've been sayign it all year I just don't think Westbrook is the same guy, he's still great but he's not as explosive this year, I think he either has some injury they're not disclosing, or he got too big. He's still averaging a triple double but his offensive overall performance is down, he's not shooting the 3 well so his true shooting % is at it's lowest point since he was a rookie. Still a great player and in a series dangerous, especially against the Warriors where he'll be motivated, but at least now he's not the same guy. Maybe he's reached that point where he's pacing himself I really don't know

I think playing with Melo last year opened his eyes. He was headed down a Melo path prior this year. He had already had a falling out with KD and management sent away Ibaka and Harden so he was the last man standing and knew he couldn't do it all alone, like he'd been trying. He was a chucker on offense like Melo though and Melo is now out of the league early because of being that type of guy. I think he didn't want a similar future and saw that coming when he did finally slow down. He's got PG-13 right now and next to Westbrook he's a perfect fit. If he can't win with PG-13 then he can't win at all. George is willing to be secondary to Russ also so it's not the same Russ & KD dynamic.

I don't believe he's hurt though. I can understand thinking that but I just think he realized he needed to be a bit more team oriented. He got lucky PG stayed because if he left then Westbrook's window closed. To keep a fellow star happy he needs to be a bit more unselfish.

 

[Mainstreet]

Man I missed the ball on this kid. I looked at him and thought he’s way to thin to have any success he needs to put on weight he’s gonna get killed taking the pounding, but nope

His ball handling and passing is great he’s super fun to watch

I underrated the impact Young would have because of his slight build. Otherwise he has the whole package.

His build still worries me long term but there is no doubting his talent. He is a fresh breath of air to the NBA.

 

[Finito]

I underrated the impact Young would have because of his slight build. Otherwise he has the whole package.

His build still worries me long term but there is no doubting his talent. He is a fresh breath of air to the NBA.

I love it. I honestly don’t think the level of talent has ever been higher across the league

 

[Mainstreet]

I love it. I honestly don’t think the level of talent has ever been higher across the league

Yeah. Every team seems to be getting better except perhaps the Suns, Knicks and Cavaliers.

I do think a starting point guard would have a tremendous positive impact on the Suns with a multiplier effect.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I underrated the impact Young would have because of his slight build. Otherwise he has the whole package.

His build still worries me long term but there is no doubting his talent. He is a fresh breath of air to the NBA.

I was really high on Young. He is just a defensive liability, but so was Steve Nash. I don't think Young and Booker would be a good combo. Not enough defense between the two. Young would go perfectly with a Raja Bell type of two guard.

 

[Mainstreet]

I was really high on Young. He is just a defensive liability, but so was Steve Nash. I don't think Young and Booker would be a good combo. Not enough defense between the two. Young would go perfectly with a Raja Bell type of two guard.

Young is a liability on defense to a degree but he is the type player a team has to make room for on the roster.

I'm still happy with the Ayton selection as he should anchor the Suns offense and defense for years to come.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think playing with Melo last year opened his eyes. He was headed down a Melo path prior this year. He had already had a falling out with KD and management sent away Ibaka and Harden so he was the last man standing and knew he couldn't do it all alone, like he'd been trying. He was a chucker on offense like Melo though and Melo is now out of the league early because of being that type of guy. I think he didn't want a similar future and saw that coming when he did finally slow down. He's got PG-13 right now and next to Westbrook he's a perfect fit. If he can't win with PG-13 then he can't win at all. George is willing to be secondary to Russ also so it's not the same Russ & KD dynamic.

I don't believe he's hurt though. I can understand thinking that but I just think he realized he needed to be a bit more team oriented. He got lucky PG stayed because if he left then Westbrook's window closed. To keep a fellow star happy he needs to be a bit more unselfish.

I think he's passing more yes but I think he's just not as consistently athletic as before. I don't know what his weight is and he's not as big now as he was this summer in the open runs at UCLA when he looked enormous, but I think he's just put on too much bulk. I said it then he just looked abnormally big and in this day and age I always immediately assume PED's. He's leaned out some now.

He's still a great player I just don't see him as athletic this year as in the past.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Young is a liability on defense to a degree but he is the type player a team has to make room for on the roster.

I'm still happy with the Ayton selection as he should anchor the Suns offense and defense for years to come.

You have to build around players. Young is the type of player you can build around. Other players want to be on the court with a guy like that.

 

[Mainstreet]

You have to build around players. Young is the type of player you can build around. Other players want to be on the court with a guy like that.

Maybe I'm wrong but I think Ayton will be that type player. His upside is unlimited. Too much has been expected of him his rookie season. Big men take longer.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think Ayton will be that type player. His upside is unlimited. Too much has been expected of him his rookie season. Big men take longer.

I am hoping that, but its different with point guards. Point guards are more of a draw than other players. Free agents wanted to play with KJ, Kidd, and Nash--not so much Stoudemire, Marion, Chambers or even Barkley.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I love it. I honestly don’t think the level of talent has ever been higher across the league

Lots of young talent. Can’t remember the last time there were back to back drafts that seemingly had this much talent showing this early.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am hoping that, but its different with point guards. Point guards are more of a draw than other players. Free agents wanted to play with KJ, Kidd, and Nash--not so much Stoudemire, Marion, Chambers or even Barkley.

This is where the NBA is today... point guard oriented. There is no denying this. The Suns will have to find theirs although I'm not sure it has to be a star player.

I'm hoping the Suns can invite a new era with Ayton as a centerpiece much like past players like Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

Everyone wants to build around Anthony Davis so there is that.

 

[Carolinacacti]

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And this guy was not good enough for the Suns or this board.

 

[Chaplin]

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And this guy was not good enough for the Suns or this board.

Correct.

 

[BC867]

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And this guy was not good enough for the Suns or this board.

This guy PLAYED not good enough for the Suns or this board.

If the fault was management's, somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.

But it may give insight into why some are disappointed in Ayton's debut.

 

[Carolinacacti]

If the fault was management's, somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.

It was all management and basically Chandlers stupid contract. Suns should still have Len and Ayton. Or Len and ?

 

[AzStevenCal]

It was all management and basically Chandlers stupid contract. Suns should still have Len and Ayton. Or Len and ?

It was his inconsistent play, his foul problems and a changing league that led to his exit. He wasn't as bad as some made him out to be but IMO his absence is no great loss.

 

[Phrazbit]

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And this guy was not good enough for the Suns or this board.

Lol, yes, he still isn't good enough for the Suns board. Random games where he does not poop on the floor mean nothing.

In his previous few games Len racked up 1 point and half a rebound a game. Over the course of a given 10 game stretch Len will typically look decent in one game, like a rotation player in 2 or 3... and 6 where he appears as though he's never seen a basketball before.

Len sucked, he still sucks, he is having another lousy season as a bench player on a terrible team.