Around the NBA- February 2018

[AFully22]

In OKC’s first two games without Roberson they have given up 112 and 124 pts. A win tomorrow puts us a half game back for the 5th seed.

 

[H.C.]

Jokic with the shot @ westbrick.
'We ran this play earlier and they play really good defense to keep ball from going up top. and I think Russel fell asleep and Harris got open. Best assist of my life'.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Titan]

I am glad OKC lost, not sure if Denver got away with 5 seconds before the inbound pass.

 

[H.C.]

Westrbick pushes fan whos' celebrating as Westbrick is walking off the court.
Fan might've been on the court a little bit, but come dude. Just take the L.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[H.C.]

Looks like a face that wishes he was playing in Portland to me.
Any thoughts @Carmelo Anthony

 

[Cippy91]

It’s sad PG didn’t end up here. He is the most perfect fit I have ever seen for this team and honestly would make us a contender. Easily

 

[Cippy91]

Westrbick pushes fan whos' celebrating as Westbrick is walking off the court.
Fan might've been on the court a little bit, but come dude. Just take the L.

Seems like all basketball media are siding with Russ. I understand fans shouldn’t be on the court like that but big game winners make huge fans of teams super hyped and Russ was the one that pushed him. Fan however shouldn’t of gotten as close as he did. That’s a no call.

 

[riverman]

Seems like all basketball media are siding with Russ. I understand fans shouldn’t be on the court like that but big game winners make huge fans of teams super hyped and Russ was the one that pushed him. Fan however shouldn’t of gotten as close as he did. That’s a no call.

Russ is an entertainer...a well paid one...he should raise his hands in the air and walk away....keep it classy

 

[BBert]

That fan was way out of line. He should be banned from the arena. That's a dangerous and slippery slope if you allow that behavior.

I'm one of the biggest Westbrick haters around, however I thought he showed good restraint.

 

[riverman]

That fan was way out of line. He should be banned from the arena. That's a dangerous and slippery slope if you allow that behavior.

I'm one of the biggest Westbrick haters around, however I thought he showed good restraint.

I agree with this...Russ though could have brushed it off without the push...he makes tougher layups than that without pushing a guy

 

[Labinot41]

Westbrook Stayed in the paint because he wanted to grab his 10th rebound and get his shitty triple double instead to defend murray. What a Statsbitch

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm just wishing there was a clip that showed how the guy got on the court. Did he have courtside seats? Otherwise I have no idea how security would have let him down there.

 

[theprunetang]

I'm just wishing there was a clip that showed how the guy got on the court. Did he have courtside seats? Otherwise I have no idea how security would have let him down there.

He had to have been sitting courtside. He was way out of line.

 

[Natebishop3]

He had to have been sitting courtside. He was way out of line.

Yup. Not allowed to take a step on the court. Big no no. RW was within his rights to shove the guy away.

 

[theprunetang]

Yup. Not allowed to take a step on the court. Big no no. RW was within his rights to shove the guy away.

I heard about the story and was already thinking of fun ways to hate on Westbrook. But, watched the video, and thought, "This guy is lucky Russell took it easy on him".

 

[SIeepwalker]

Isn't the "run to the locker room after a game winner" for when you're ON THE ROAD ???

 

[Natebishop3]

I heard about the story and was already thinking of fun ways to hate on Westbrook. But, watched the video, and thought, "This guy is lucky Russell took it easy on him".

Russ just seemed surprised. Not even angry... just.... you could tell he was like, "wtf..."

 

[H.C.]

Westbrick had the same reaction when the philly fan flipped him the double bird.
Minus the push.
I didn't like the push, as a professional athlete there are other ways to get at a fan who is acting like ric flair.

 

[theprunetang]

Westbrick had the same reaction when the philly fan flipped him the double bird.
Minus the push.
I didn't like the push, as a professional athlete there are other ways to get at a fan who is acting like ric flair.

I understand that, but if a fan is acting like Ric Flair right in his face, he has every right to go Nature Boy himself.

 

[H.C.]

I understand that, but if a fan is acting like Ric Flair right in his face, he has every right to go Nature Boy himself.

Disagree.
Walk away, get security.
Resorting to violence is never the answer in life regardless if someone is asking for it.
He was very clearly trying to get under Westbricks skin, and that's exactly what he accomplished.

 

[Sarni]

Westbrook Stayed in the paint because he wanted to grab his 10th rebound and get his shitty triple double instead to defend murray. What a Statsbitch

Silly thing is that is actually a plausible reason.

 

[Lukee]

Silly thing is that is actually a plausible reason.

No way. Even he isn't that stupid.

 

[stampedehero]

He is the only player that would make the Knicks or Nets relevant. These teams are destined to spend their futures in futility.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

538.com (current):
Blazers have 87% chance of making playoffs.
46-36

bleacherreport (lol, preseason):

• 11. Portland Trail Blazers (37-45), 35 percent playoff probability, 200/1 title odds

usatoday (preseason):
43-39

cbssports (preseason)
38.8 wins

sportsinsights (preseason)
43.5 wins

vegasinsider (preseason):
over/under 40.5 wins

nyloncalculus (preseason):
40.0 wins

247sports (preseason)
44.1 wins

espn (preseason)
43.5 wins

sportsonearth (preseason)
Blazers do not make playoffs.

 

[Natebishop3]

Disagree.
Walk away, get security.
Resorting to violence is never the answer in life regardless if someone is asking for it.
He was very clearly trying to get under Westbricks skin, and that's exactly what he accomplished.

I disagree. I don't think he saw the guy until he was just a few inches away from him. Someone tossed him the ball and then he looked up and realized there was a fan screaming in his face. He seemed startled and he pushed the guy away. The players don't know what the fan's intentions are. He was clearly creating space because the guy was right there. I think he actually reacted in a pretty controlled manner.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

538.com (current):
Blazers have 87% chance of making playoffs.
46-36

bleacherreport (lol, preseason):

• 11. Portland Trail Blazers (37-45), 35 percent playoff probability, 200/1 title odds

usatoday (preseason):
43-39

cbssports (preseason)
38.8 wins

sportsinsights (preseason)
43.5 wins

vegasinsider (preseason):
over/under 40.5 wins

nyloncalculus (preseason):
40.0 wins

247sports (preseason)
44.1 wins

espn (preseason)
43.5 wins

sportsonearth (preseason)
Blazers do not make playoffs.

You forgot the most important preseason projection:

@HCP: 40-42 (as he has reminded us several times this season).