The 2018-2019 Around the NBA thread

[BC867]

I know you're not fond of Leonard Cohen so I could see you taking her version over his but I don't think it holds a candle to Jeff Buckley's version. To me, Buckley's Hallelujah is one of the three greatest covers in popular music. I'd put it right there with the Jay and the Americans version of Cara Mia and Harry Nilsson's cover of the Badfinger tune Without You.

I think it's a question of style. Jeff Buckley's folk song version, with just a voice and guitar, in pretty much a monotone style, is certainly closer to the way Leonard Cohen wrote it.

Whereas Alexandra Burke's version is more of a production number and even gospel when joined by the choir. After all, it is a religious song.

There have been very few cases over the decades where I have preferred a cover over the original. Such as Hall & Oates' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" over the Righteous Brothers' original version. Another example was when Bobby Darin did a big band version of Mack The Knife only a few years after the original jazz version by Satchmo and it became a mega hit. And I enjoyed the Beach Boys' version of Sloop John B even more than the folk song we sang in college.

In this case, I found Alexandra Burke's presentation to be one-of-a-kind and very reminiscent of the way Whitney Houston presented her songs.

To me, Leonard Cohen wrote a great song (of course), but Alexandra presented it in a heart wrenching style. 'Just my opinion. No right or wrong.

 

[Russ Smith]

Man another absolutely brilliant game for Durant, 47, leads the Warriors back from 18 points, 10 in the 4th, hits a game tying 3 with 9 seconds left over Kawhi. then at the other end Iggy forces Kawhi off his shot, Looney rotated and made him pass and they don't get a shot off. Game is going to OT, Kawhi has been brilliant. I have never seen Siakam play this well either, he was a regular at the pro games at UCLA this summer.

 

[Russ Smith]

what a great game toronto wins in OT, forces 5 To's in the OT, 2 absolutely brutal ones by Iggy. I have to say at Toronto with Kawhi and Siakam playing that well, to get to OT without Steph and Draymond was impressive as hell.

Durant has been absolutely off the charts good the last few games, 44, 49 and 51 in his last 3 games. Tonight 51 11 boards 6 assists and he was guarding Kawhi the whole game at the other end.

 

[sdscard4]

Knowing Sacramento is 10 -10 And light years ahead of us absolutely disgusts me.

 

[sdscard4]

If Joerger is let go the Suns better get him quick.

 

[Hoop Head]

If Joerger is let go the Suns better get him quick.

Why so he can disappoint after 15 games and people call for his head? I'm not that found of some of Kokoskov's moves but it does appear that he's made a number of changes since the season started. We were the worst team in the league last year. We won't be great right out of the gate, especially without a PG.

 

[sdscard4]

Why so he can disappoint after 15 games and people call for his head? I'm not that found of some of Kokoskov's moves but it does appear that he's made a number of changes since the season started. We were the worst team in the league last year. We won't be great right out of the gate, especially without a PG.

I understand ....but man we are dead freaking last..again. I hope it changes

 

[Hoop Head]

I understand ....but man we are dead freaking last..again. I hope it changes

It's a bad spot, no doubt. We're screwed either way. If we start winning a lot of people will be mad we miss out on Zion. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's a bad spot, no doubt. We're screwed either way. If we start winning a lot of people will be mad we miss out on Zion. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

I want Zion but if we miss out on him because we are coming together as a team, I'm fine with that.

 

[BC867]

It's a bad spot, no doubt. We're screwed either way. If we start winning a lot of people will be mad we miss out on Zion. Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

Uh oh, I hear a tank revving up.

If it become the Suns' plan to lose, it doesn't matter whom we get to draft high. Another loser's mentality on the Suns (other than perhaps the final week of the season -- if it comes to that) will weigh our young players down more than a high pick will lift us up.

The proof? We had the #1 pick for the only time in our fifty year history and look where we are. With another key executive fired a couple of weeks into the season (having been overridden by the Managing investor, as we just read) and weak at three positions.

Those three positions (as I posted a few days ago) ... Power Forward; Point Guard; and Shooting Guard (with ours covering Point Guard).

 

[Hoop Head]

I want Zion but if we miss out on him because we are coming together as a team, I'm fine with that.

I'd probably prefer that, not that I don't like Zion but I'm tired of seeing the Suns suck. I don't think I could get excited for another rookie that is supposed to lead us out of last place either.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I want Zion but if we miss out on him because we are coming together as a team, I'm fine with that.

Agreed. There are a lot of us that think Zion would be a terrific add, but it’s not like there’s been talk of tanking.

 

[95pro]

Getting Zion without tanking while the youngsters improve? Count me in.

 

[Mainstreet]

Noah will be signing with the Grizzlies. He fits their grit philosophy.

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[Mainstreet]

It looks like Dwight Howard will be getting back surgery.

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[JCSunsfan]

Getting Zion without tanking while the youngsters improve? Count me in.

Yeah. I really don't care so much what our record is at the end of the year, I just want this team to be playing in such a way that gets goo

It looks like Dwight Howard will be getting back surgery.

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Good for the Wizards. Yes. Really. Watch. They will start to play better now.

 

[Chaplin]

Uh oh, I hear a tank revving up.

If it become the Suns' plan to lose, it doesn't matter whom we get to draft high. Another loser's mentality on the Suns (other than perhaps the final week of the season -- if it comes to that) will weigh our young players down more than a high pick will lift us up.

The proof? We had the #1 pick for the only time in our fifty year history and look where we are. With another key executive fired a couple of weeks into the season (having been overridden by the Managing investor, as we just read) and weak at three positions.

Those three positions (as I posted a few days ago) ... Power Forward; Point Guard; and Shooting Guard (with ours covering Point Guard).

Sheesh BC, even with Booker at PG we are still covered at SG with Bridges.

 

[Mainstreet]

Good for the Wizards. Yes. Really. Watch. They will start to play better now.

I wouldn't be surprised but the Wizards could use some center help.

In this period where centers are supposedly being phased out, it seems they are on the upswing.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Knowing Sacramento is 10 -10 And light years ahead of us absolutely disgusts me.

They are better for sure, but they are not "light years ahead of us". They also won't be hanging out at .500 for long and have that record in large part because of an easy opening schedule.

 

[JCSunsfan]

They are better for sure, but they are not "light years ahead of us". They also won't be hanging out at .500 for long and have that record in large part because of an easy opening schedule.

I was going to say this, but I did not want to get into an argument. I also understand that its frustration speaking. I do believe that the Suns will be playing better basketball than Sacramento by the end of the year. Sac might not have the better record, but the Suns will be playing better ball. I just believe that.

 

[95pro]

They are better for sure, but they are not "light years ahead of us". They also won't be hanging out at .500 for long and have that record in large part because of an easy opening schedule.

I was going to say this, but I did not want to get into an argument. I also understand that its frustration speaking. I do believe that the Suns will be playing better basketball than Sacramento by the end of the year. They might not have the better record, but they will be playing better ball. I just believe that.

fools gold, including the clippers too

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

fools gold, including the clippers too

I think the Clippers will win a bunch of games this year (between 45-50), but they certainly aren't close to being the best in the west like their record would suggest. The Kings have played some good ball early on, but as their schedule gets tougher and teams game plan them better they will start to fall off. I would guess the Kings win total is somewhere around 35 at the end of the season (barring trades). I think the Suns will improve little by little as the season progresses and wins somewhere around 26-28 wins (barring trades also).

 

[Superbone]

I think the Suns will improve little by little as the season progresses and wins somewhere around 26-28 wins (barring trades also).

Just an FYI, but we are currently in the midst of our worst start in our 51-year franchise history.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Just an FYI, but we are currently in the midst of our worst start in our 51-year franchise history.

The worst start doesn't mean it will be the worst record for the season. It's been the worst start for reasons that have already started to improve and will continue to improve as the season progresses.

 

[BC867]

Sheesh BC, even with Booker at PG we are still covered at SG with Bridges.

Not the same as Book at SG and Bridges at SF. Especially if a real PG could play defense in the backcourt like Bridges.

Even with Warren at PF for the rest of the season. Nobody on the Suns can take the place of Devin Booker being fed at SG.

Now if we pick up a functioning PF, there would have to be a decision at SF. Warren or Bridges. With Bridges being a rookie, I could see him coming off the bench to start the game and going with the best options between Warren and him throughout the game. And even giving Warren some time at PF if it wouldn't hurt us defensively, now that we have a sold backup C.