AROUND THE NBA THREAD. OCT 2021 edition

[Shaboid]

I was told he won teams games in the 4th quarter because of his offense.

 

[PCmor7]

I was told he won teams games in the 4th quarter because of his offense.

Well, to be fair, this shot only would have tied it.

 

[OneSport3]

Sheesh, the Cavs held the Clippers to 79 points.

 

[wizenheimer]

Sheesh, the Cavs held the Clippers to 79 points.

their starting front line is 6'11, 6'11, 6'10...and their starting back court is really fast

 

[SharpesTriumph]

SacTown again showing signs of improvement. I don't understand why they have buried Bagley that way. Did I miss something?

He's an average offensive player and horrible defensively.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Lakers suck. LeBron was injured in game 3.

Why do people think their West favorites?

The west is freaking strong with teams like the Grizz and Kings fighting for a playin spot. Lakers might miss the playoffs.

 

[Haakzilla]

Lost a 26 point lead

Largest in 25 years

 

[PCmor7]

Quad double!

View attachment 41356

Ja almost had a quadruple double against us tonight.

 

[bobf]

Lakers suck. LeBron was injured in game 3.

Why do people think their West favorites?

The west is freaking strong with teams like the Grizz and Kings fighting for a playin spot. Lakers might miss the playoffs.

Lakers are about 7th or 8th in the West.

 

[bobf]

Melo’s air ball
‘Twas a thing of beauty.

 

[THE HCP]

 

[Minstrel]

 

[Titan]

It sure was nice of Melo to help the Thunder win a game.

 

[Hoopguru]

Kings and Wolves are for real and will be in the playoff fight.

 

[tlongII]

I just want to say LOL Lakers and LOL @THE HCP !

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

These are very substantial differences; the way the way they set it up really underplays it.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Kings and Wolves are for real and will be in the playoff fight.

The battle for the last playin spot will be fierce!

I'd say Thunder Rockets Pelicans Spurs are likely to miss out.

So one of the Kings, Wolves, Grizzlies, and ?Lakers? will miss out.

Many will laugh at the idea the Lakers could miss out, but LeBron couldn't stay healthy past 2 games, Westbrook is a horrible fit, and the rest of their players outside AD have major flaws on one side of the ball. I still think they are likely to make the playin game, but if they get more significant LeBron or Davis injuries all the sudden they will find themselves in a fight for that playin spot.

Its so ridiculous how many had them as favorites in the west.

 

[julius]

thats a poor example of the 'unwritten rule' being enforced. The Thunder were up by 5, and while nearly impossible, the Lakers still had a shot. So while yes, the guy should've just kept the ball after he stole it, it's not like they were up by 30 and kept scoring.

Maybe he'll "rock the baby" in the next game, and soothe his fragile ego.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Even a broken clock is right twice a lifetime

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Many will laugh at the idea the Lakers could miss out, but LeBron couldn't stay healthy past 2 games, Westbrook is a horrible fit, and the rest of their players outside AD have major flaws on one side of the ball. I still think they are likely to make the playin game, but if they get more significant LeBron or Davis injuries all the sudden they will find themselves in a fight for that playin spot.

Its so ridiculous how many had them as favorites in the west.

I'm enjoying the Lakers' struggles as much as anyone but this is premature. Both LeBron and Westbrook always go through bad patches, but both have a history of hitting their stride in the last third of the season. To my mind, the real key is Davis. He was bad last year (for him) - can he stay healthy?

 

[Hoopguru]

These are very substantial differences; the way the way they set it up really underplays it.

Doesnt surprise me, also from what ive seen it seems the refs are allowing more physical play and contact. Which I like.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[Natebishop3]

So I’m wondering with the rule change if players are able to defend Dame harder on the 3 point line because they’re not afraid of giving up the foul as much as in the past.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Russ and Melo are who we thought they were....

 

[Chris Craig]

So I’m wondering with the rule change if players are able to defend Dame harder on the 3 point line because they’re not afraid of giving up the foul as much as in the past.

It appears so. I think a bigger part of Dames struggle is playing off the ball. He's so used to having the ball in his hands and creating for himself, now he is relying on teammates to get him the ball and getting the timing right to get shots off the pass before defenders close him off.

There is not enough effort to set strong screens to insure open shots for Dame. When he gets the ball off the pass, his defender is often already there or a switch on defense has already occured. Dame can step back and shoot over defenders, but a lot if time he plays like he would with the ball anyway, gets stuck with a defender or two on him and tries to get around another screen to get open again.


The bigger result of Dame playing off the ball is CJ having it more, and becoming the lead scorer. I like that it's getting Simons involved more.

 

[Chris Craig]

Westbrook destroying another team

 

[julius]

It appears so. I think a bigger part of Dames struggle is playing off the ball. He's so used to having the ball in his hands and creating for himself, now he is relying on teammates to get him the ball and getting the timing right to get shots off the pass before defenders close him off.

There is not enough effort to set strong screens to insure open shots for Dame. When he gets the ball off the pass, his defender is often already there or a switch on defense has already occured. Dame can step back and shoot over defenders, but a lot if time he plays like he would with the ball anyway, gets stuck with a defender or two on him and tries to get around another screen to get open again.


The bigger result of Dame playing off the ball is CJ having it more, and becoming the lead scorer. I like that it's getting Simons involved more.

Part of me thinks that if Damian became more of a "decoy", it would prolong his career and he'd be healthier in the playoffs. Plus, it forces the rest of the team to put up or shut up, which should help them long term too. They way over-relied on Damian the last few years (read: Stotts over-relied on Damian) to the detriment of the growth needed.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm enjoying the Lakers' struggles as much as anyone but this is premature. Both LeBron and Westbrook always go through bad patches, but both have a history of hitting their stride in the last third of the season. To my mind, the real key is Davis. He was bad last year (for him) - can he stay healthy?

Funny how you say its premature for one team but with the Blazers, after 4 possessions, will start 3 threads asking whats wrong with the team.

 

[THE HCP]

I just want to say LOL Lakers and LOL @THE HCP !

Giving it 30 games , just like our Blazers my man. Although my .500 prediction for Portland looks pretty right on.

 

[THE HCP]

The battle for the last playin spot will be fierce!

I'd say Thunder Rockets Pelicans Spurs are likely to miss out.

So one of the Kings, Wolves, Grizzlies, and ?Lakers? will miss out.

Many will laugh at the idea the Lakers could miss out, but LeBron couldn't stay healthy past 2 games, Westbrook is a horrible fit, and the rest of their players outside AD have major flaws on one side of the ball. I still think they are likely to make the playin game, but if they get more significant LeBron or Davis injuries all the sudden they will find themselves in a fight for that playin spot.

Its so ridiculous how many had them as favorites in the west.

The Lakers finish ahead of us in the standings, and the Blazers will be battling to get into the 8th seed.