Around the NBA: February 2020

[BonesJones]

Generally it seems like whether a player is a "main player" or a "supporting/complementary player" in the eyes of fans is whether they're good at scoring. In some respects, that's fair--as a solo star, you can't carry a team very well if you can't lead them in scoring. In other respects, that's not so fair--championship teams (almost) never consist of a single star, so the real question is how much you drive success in an ecosystem of two or three stars. I think Green is a "main player" in the overall success of the Warriors' run. He basically does everything (at least prior to this year) except be a potent scorer and has been a huge part of the team's defense (as the effective quarterback and all-court defender) and offense (as a facilitator).

This season seems to illustrate that Green is a poor choice as a solo star, but I think he remains a true star when he has other scoring stars on the team.

Rudy Gobert is an example to the contrary.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Rudy Gobert is an example to the contrary.

Could Rudy Lead a team to the playoffs as a solo “star”?

 

[BonesJones]

Could Rudy Lead a team to the playoffs as a solo “star”?

Probably.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Probably.

Its a tough question because to be fair the west is stacked you really need two guys, the days of AI or Lebron carrying a team to the finals are probably gone.. look at how good Dame is and where the Blazers are. That said I think Center has been de-emphasized a lot. I think Id lean towards no with Rudy, but I understand why someone would would say yes.

 

[kjironman1]

Could Rudy Lead a team to the playoffs as a solo “star”?

Not a chance in the world IMO.

 

[CupWizier]

Could Rudy Lead a team to the playoffs as a solo “star”?

No way. A perfect example is that Anthony Davis couldn't do much at New Orleans and he had some quality pieces to help him and AD is a superior player to Gobert.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This is excellent:

 

[kjironman1]

No way. A perfect example is that Anthony Davis couldn't do much at New Orleans and he had some quality pieces to help him and AD is a superior player to Gobert.

Shaq couldn't do it without Kobe.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Re: defensive-minded "complementary" players - could they win? Well: Bill Russell has 11 rings.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Could Rudy Lead a team to the playoffs as a solo “star”?

Didn't Mutombo do that, and furthermore, beat the #1 seed in the first round?

 

[calvin natt]

Re: defensive-minded "complementary" players - could they win? Well: Bill Russell has 11 rings.

He was also surrounded by HOFers and was 7ft playing against accountants

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Didn't Mutombo do that, and furthermore, beat the #1 seed in the first round?

Much different league today then 20+ years ago.

 

[CupWizier]

Re: defensive-minded "complementary" players - could they win? Well: Bill Russell has 11 rings.

Completely different NBA back then and the Celtics were loaded as well.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He was also surrounded by HOFers and was 7ft playing against accountants

Like this one?

 

[calvin natt]

Like this one?

yeah that ONE. Who averaged 50 a game and scored 100 once. Was definitely held in check

 

[calvin natt]

In 94 regular season games head to head

Russell: 37% FG, 14 ppg, 23 rpg
Wilt: 49% fg, 30 ppg, 28 rpg

 

[Rastapopoulos]

In 94 regular season games head to head

Russell: 37% FG, 14 ppg, 23 rpg
Wilt: 49% fg, 30 ppg, 28 rpg

Boy, Wilt was pretty good for an accountant. Kind of impressive that Russell still won all the championships.

 

[calvin natt]

Boy, Wilt was pretty good for an accountant. Kind of impressive that Russell still won all the championships.

Your 1958 NBA Champs

 

[BigGameDamian]

Like this one?

Looks like he wet his shorts.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Dame likes Booker. Booker likes Dame. How do we get him here. ;-)

 

[jlprk]

Bill Russell was an underrated head coach. He got the Sonics to their first playoffs with ordinary players. As Sonic GM, he squirreled away future picks which, as soon as he left, Lenny Wilkens cashed in to win a championship.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Dame likes Booker. Booker likes Dame. How do we get him here. ;-)

Imagine if the Suns hadn't been stupid, they would have a backcourt of Booker and Doncic.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Imagine if the Suns hadn't been stupid, they would have a backcourt of Booker and Doncic.

omg sick combo

 

[BigGameDamian]

Dame likes Booker. Booker likes Dame. How do we get him here. ;-)

CJ and Little for Booker?

 

[wizenheimer]

CJ and Little for Booker?

if you had Booker, would you trade him for CJ and Little?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

if you had Booker, would you trade him for CJ and Little?

No, but if I had to offload Joel Embiid because my other star Ben Simmons hates him, I might consider CJ + a re-signed Whiteside. (But only if I'm not very smart or I know that Embiid's knees are fucked.)

 

[illmatic99]

Imagine if the Suns hadn't been stupid, they would have a backcourt of Booker and Doncic.

I was calling for that! Doncic should have gone 1st.

What Sac did is even more egregious though.

 

[andalusian]

Dame likes Booker. Booker likes Dame. How do we get him here. ;-)

Are you asking as a Phoenix or Portland fan?

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[wizenheimer]

is Houston trying to set some kind of record for number of wings and guards on the roster?

Ben McLemore 6-3
P.J. Tucker 6-5
James Harden 6-5
Austin Rivers 6-3
Danuel House 6-6
Russell Westbrook 6-3
Thabo Sefolosha 6-6
Eric Gordon 6-3
Chris Clemons 5-9
Robert Covington 6-7
Jeff Green 6-8
DeMarre Carroll 6-6

that's 12 guys 6'7 and under. I wonder if this is Morey or some kind of D'Antoni fantasy?