2018-2019 Around The NBA thread

[Pioneer10]

I sometimes think about the kind of numbers a guy like Shaq would put up against flimsy 2018 frontcourts. Can you even imagine?

It would be awesome to see both ways: Shaq just destroying everything in the paint and then teams relentlessly putting him in the PnR the other way.

 

[Jstock12]

Nurkic just dropped the first 20/20/5/5/5 game in NBA history.

He also dropped the first 20/20/7/5/5 and the first 24/20/7/5/5 and the first 24/23/7/5/5 !

 

[Nathan S]

It would be awesome to see both ways: Shaq just destroying everything in the paint and then teams relentlessly putting him in the PnR the other way.

I halfway agree, but while this makes a lot of sense qualitatively there's precious little evidence that 7-footers, even plodding ones like Nurkic, actually hurt their teams defensively. It seems like in most cases "going small" boosts a team's offense at some cost to their defense, not the other way around. Of course, this is why players who are both big and offensively skilled are so valuable.

 

[Pioneer10]

I halfway agree, but while this makes a lot of sense qualitatively there's precious little evidence that 7-footers, even plodding ones like Nurkic, actually hurt their teams defensively. It seems like in most cases "going small" boosts a team's offense at some cost to their defense, not the other way around. Of course, this is why players who are both big and offensively skilled are so valuable.

I wonder to what extent the previous years GS and Cleveland teams impacted this: I don't think many if any other teams have had the 3 point prowess of these two teams from theoritically 1 to 5 spots. Portland sort of had it with the Sheed/Sabonis lineup and they really did have the Lakers on the ropes despite not having a typical MVP caliber alpha type

 

[Nathan S]

I wonder to what extent the previous years GS and Cleveland teams impacted this: I don't think many if any other teams have had the 3 point prowess of these two teams from theoritically 1 to 5 spots. Portland sort of had it with the Sheed/Sabonis lineup and they really did have the Lakers on the ropes despite not having a typical MVP caliber alpha type

I think that definitely played a big role...traditional bigs certainly look out of sorts trying to defend those lineups. The subtlety I'm pointing out, of course, is that small frontcourts often get roasted defensively too...just by merciless LeBron/Durant dunks instead of Korver/Klay threes. At the end of the day, the only reliable way to slow down a team that puts five talented offensive players on the court is to put five talented defensive players on the court.

 

[Athaloc]

No Kyrie and Hayward flourishing...

 

[Derek]

Exhibit Z as to why I hate Laker fans. They boo'd Paul George, a guy who never played for them, because he didn't sign with them. Entitled.

 

[Jstock12]

Exhibit Z as to why I hate Laker fans. They boo'd Paul George, a guy who never played for them, because he didn't sign with them. Entitled.

They even chanted "We don't need you!!!"

Apparently, the Lakers lost that game.

 

[Dr. Claw]

ugh, that's just dumb.

Speaking of entitled fans: why tf is Bill Simmons still so mad about the Cavs?

especially that the Cavs traded the #2 most important player in franchise history to the team he likes for a song and a couple of remixes? A team that is currently an embarrassment of coaching and talent riches? A team that started this whole "Big 3" bullshit? A team/franchise that owns THE MOST RINGS in the entire league?

The Cavs winning the draft lottery makes your butt hurt? Not even the Suns, who have been horrible for a long while?
Would he say the Mavericks don't deserve Luka Doncic?

Lakers fans are pretty bad, but Boston fans, man....

 

[Derek]

ugh, that's just dumb.

Speaking of entitled fans: why tf is Bill Simmons still so mad about the Cavs?

especially that the Cavs traded the #2 most important player in franchise history to the team he likes for a song and a couple of remixes? A team that is currently an embarrassment of coaching and talent riches? A team that started this whole "Big 3" bullshit? A team/franchise that owns THE MOST RINGS in the entire league?

The Cavs winning the draft lottery makes your butt hurt? Not even the Suns, who have been horrible for a long while?
Would he say the Mavericks don't deserve Luka Doncic?

Lakers fans are pretty bad, but Boston fans, man....

Lakers fans are 1000x worse than Boston fans in my book. Boston fans only think they should be able to trade for any player, the Lakers fans assume they can just sit back and sign anyone they want.

 

[Jstock12]

Lakers fans are 1000x worse than Boston fans in my book. Boston fans only think they should be able to trade for any player, the Lakers fans assume they can just sit back and sign anyone they want.

Speaking of terrible fans, and this might come as a surprise for a lot of people, but the Spurs fans are pretty damn horrible too.

 

[Nathan S]

Speaking of terrible fans, and this might come as a surprise for a lot of people, but the Spurs fans are pretty damn horrible too.

The one fanbase where the bandwagon fans are much more pleasant than the "real" fans?

 

[Jstock12]

The one fanbase where the bandwagon fans are much more pleasant than the "real" fans?

 

[Lee]

It would be awesome to see both ways: Shaq just destroying everything in the paint and then teams relentlessly putting him in the PnR the other way.

I always thought Hakeem would be a better version of Anthony Davis in todays game and dominate, and that is not intended as an insult to Davis, just think Hakeem mobility, strength and length with his outside shot and all around abilities is perfect for the modern NBA.

 

[Jstock12]

I always thought Hakeem would be a better version of Anthony Davis in todays game and dominate, and that is not intended as an insult to Davis, just think Hakeem mobility, strength and length with his outside shot and all around abilities is perfect for the modern NBA.

Also, Hakeem doesn't disappear in 4th quarters.