Inside the Bubble

[THE HCP]

You think so?

What do you think of the room Rondo is giving the emoji middle finger to?

Ya, you see all those dudes laughing at him. He is always trying to stir up shit.
As far as the hotel room, it doesn't seem as nice as our normal rooms at all. Not sure where they are staying, but in this situation, it is where it is. Funny how quickly you get spoiled traveling with an NBA team. Half the year I'm in Four Seasons and Ritz Carltons, the other half sometimes it's la Quinta. Rondo will be just fine.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Meyers has his priorities in order

Vanity at its finest?

Think he has a room in his house where all the walls are mirrors?

I kid. he is a good boy.

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

@. Orion. Bailey.

 

[THE HCP]

You think so?

What do you think of the room Rondo is giving the emoji middle finger to?

And then, did you see they have all these areas, JUST for them. Game rooms and theaters to watch movies. Barber shops and spas. I think they'll get by. But it definitely isn't the suit at the Intercontinental Miami!!!!

 

[Orion Bailey]

@. Orion. Bailey.

Why cantg I see this post?

Are you now quoting me without quoting me? Only a couple people do that around here that I know of. Dont stoop that low bro.

 

[tlongII]

Does he burn the suit once he gets to the hotel?

 

[blazerkor]

Should we stsart a betting pool on the calendar? Which day will they pack it in?

Ill take the date, 8/24/2020.

What will I win Merv????

I think with the ambiguity that Adam Silver has put out there for what it would take to shut it down, we're not going to see a shut down because although the virus is extremely contagious, this is a much safer environment than any other that these people could be in. So even if there are several cases, those people will be quarantined before they get into contact situations with other people. No, I think this is gonna happen and we will see a champion crowned in 2020.

I think the Blazers could be a real shocker of a team. I think we will get that eighth spot and then have to play the Lakers. I think the Lakers are going to have a very hard time handling the Dame/Nurk two man game, while respecting the offensive potency that CJ and Melo bring both as spot up shooters and iso experts, then Zach will do a great job getting garbage points down low. That offense is going to be more potent than the Lakers offense will be against our D. We will need to crowd their three point shooters and funnel them to our shot blockers after blow bys that are obviously going to happen a lot. After the blow bys our perimeter defenders are going to need to give maximum effort to stay as close to their defensive assignment as possible. Zach is going to need to do a decent job on The Brow but I think Zach is up for that. This tactic might lead to some fouls for our strong side shot blockers but the good thing is we have two extremely elite strong side rim protectors. Once we get past the Lakers we will be a problem for everyone. Dame is rested and motivated. We have our full complement of big men. We have a ton of guys who can score. We are going to be a great rebounding team on both ends. Our perimeter D is a weakness but I don't see it as being a terminal one.

So the season will come to a full completion and we will have a great chance at being there. GO BLAZERS!!!

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think with the ambiguity that Adam Silver has put out there for what it would take to shut it down, we're not going to see a shut down because although the virus is extremely contagious, this is a much safer environment than any other that these people could be in. So even if there are several cases, those people will be quarantined before they get into contact situations with other people. No, I think this is gonna happen and we will see a champion crowned in 2020.

I think the Blazers could be a real shocker of a team. I think we will get that eighth spot and then have to play the Lakers. I think the Lakers are going to have a very hard time handling the Dame/Nurk two man game, while respecting the offensive potency that CJ and Melo bring both as spot up shooters and iso experts, then Zach will do a great job getting garbage points down low. That offense is going to be more potent than the Lakers offense will be against our D. We will need to crowd their three point shooters and funnel them to our shot blockers after blow bys that are obviously going to happen a lot. After the blow bys our perimeter defenders are going to need to give maximum effort to stay as close to their defensive assignment as possible. Zach is going to need to do a decent job on The Brow but I think Zach is up for that. This tactic might lead to some fouls for our strong side shot blockers but the good thing is we have two extremely elite strong side rim protectors. Once we get past the Lakers we will be a problem for everyone. Dame is rested and motivated. We have our full complement of big men. We have a ton of guys who can score. We are going to be a great rebounding team on both ends. Our perimeter D is a weakness but I don't see it as being a terminal one.

So the season will come to a full completion and we will have a great chance at being there. GO BLAZERS!!!

IF. IF the season concludes, I do think we have a shocker shot. But how large will the asterisk be on the ring of any team this year?

Also. Money where the mouth is?

Not happenin.

Ill add that if the Blazers win though . There will NOT be an asterisk.! It will be 100% legit!

Go Blazers!

 

[blazerkor]

IF. IF the season concludes, I do think we have a shocker shot. But how large will the asterisk be on the ring of any team this year?

Also. Money where the mouth is?

Not happenin.

Ill add that if the Blazers win though . There will NOT be an asterisk.! It will be 100% legit!

Go Blazers!

I'm just hoping for a really ironic "Not happenin" post when we get the chip. You are right, whoever gets this ring will have done something special not something that should be looked down on. This is the ultimate proving ground with no advantages for anyone. Something like the NCAA tourney but even more neutral and nowhere close to as fluky because of the series format. This will be a legit champion and I really do think it will happen.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm just hoping for a really ironic "Not happenin" post when we get the chip. You are right, whoever gets this ring will have done something special not something that should be looked down on. This is the ultimate proving ground with no advantages for anyone. Something like the NCAA tourney but even more neutral and nowhere close to as fluky because of the series format. This will be a legit champion and I really do think it will happen.

Will there be any teams at full roster strength and ready?

I know most teams heading into the playoffs aren't at full strength during most seasons, but players aren't used to playing at this time of year, distractions, covid, elections, etc... I just don't see this being a legit ring... unless we win.

 

[e_blazer]

IF. IF the season concludes, I do think we have a shocker shot. But how large will the asterisk be on the ring of any team this year?

Also. Money where the mouth is?

Not happenin.

Ill add that if the Blazers win though . There will NOT be an asterisk.! It will be 100% legit!

Go Blazers!

If the asterisk means "different than usual", sure. If it means "easier than usual", nope. Not buying it. And does anyone think that the Spurs fans don't appreciate the original "asterisk" shortened season trophy as much as any other? Every team is playing with the same "bubble" restrictions this season, and a championship means you beat everyone else.

I'm not usually a Doc or Austin Rivers fan, but I agree with what was said on a recent podcast about putting an asterisk on this season's title:

The LA Clippers head coach recently joined his son Austin Rivers on an episode of Austin’s podcast Go Off to catch up on all things NBA when the topic of a potential 2020 champion came up. Austin brought up how some people think this season’s NBA title (if there is one) could be seen as a lesser accomplishment due to the circumstances. Both father and son, however, disagreed with such a claim.

“I would say this is one of the hardest ones to ever win,” said Austin. “Part of winning a title is keeping your focus,” added Doc. “Teams that keep their focus throughout this whole time — they’re gonna deserve it.”

 

[Orion Bailey]

If the asterisk means "different than usual", sure. If it means "easier than usual", nope. Not buying it. And does anyone think that the Spurs fans don't appreciate the original "asterisk" shortened season trophy as much as any other? Every team is playing with the same "bubble" restrictions this season, and a championship means you beat everyone else.

I'm not usually a Doc or Austin Rivers fan, but I agree with what was said on a recent podcast about putting an asterisk on this season's title:

Different. Wont know about easier until it happens, but it def. has potential. We have no clue who may test positive and not be able to play, but if AD and LBJ become positive., are you gonna say it wasnt easier for us to win the first round if we do?

This ABSOLUTELY has potential to be easier for the winner, than any normal season.

A shortened season is apples to oranges vs some teams not having key players because of the virus.

 

[e_blazer]

Different. Wont know about easier until it happens, but it def. has potential. We have no clue who may test positive and not be able to play, but if AD and LBJ become positive., are you gonna say it wasnt easier for us to win the first round if we do?

This ABSOLUTELY has potential to be easier for the winner, than any normal season.

A shortened season is apples to oranges vs some teams not having key players because of the virus.

How is the virus any different than losing a player to any other illness or injury? That happens almost every playoffs.

 

[blazerkor]

Will there be any teams at full roster strength and ready?

I know most teams heading into the playoffs aren't at full strength during most seasons, but players aren't used to playing at this time of year, distractions, covid, elections, etc... I just don't see this being a legit ring... unless we win.

I get that there are some unique psychological challenges that every team will have to deal with equally but that will just be one more hurtle the eventual champion will have to overcome, making this champion even more legit. As far as full roster strength goes, I really think that this situation is the same as an injury situation. Every team with the exception of the Nets looks like they will be coming in as close to full capacity as they usually would be. The Nets have a gripe to make but they weren't going to do much anyway IMO, also their players with positive tests had the opportunity to travel to the bubble get healthy and get back, possibly in time for the playoffs (playoffs start August 17th which would have given them six or seven weeks after their diagnosis to get back and test negative). Now if another team has a break out once in the bubble, especially one that is considered a favorite or legit contender then we might see this championship lose a bit of its luster. Again I think a breakout in the bubble is very unlikely and you think that it is very likely... so there you have it.

 

[Orion Bailey]

How is the virus any different than losing a player to any other illness or injury? That happens almost every playoffs.

Read again. That's not what I said based on what you bolded. I already mentioned that in a previous post. You were bringing up the Spurs season . Im saying a team missing players due to the virus is different than an asterisk for a shortened season.

 

[blazerkor]

How is the virus any different than losing a player to any other illness or injury? That happens almost every playoffs.

If it's one player, I agree that it's just the same as an injury but if a team has a breakout that lasts into the playoffs then that would tarnish this championship. When I say breakout, look at what has happened to the Nets. Now the Nets are different because their breakout happened so soon that their COVID positive players could have opted to go to Orlando get healthy and most likely be ready for the playoffs, they chose to give up/opt out.

 

[illmatic99]

How is the virus any different than losing a player to any other illness or injury? That happens almost every playoffs.

Is this a serious question? Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

Are torn achilles contagious? How about broken legs?

Are people dying from a torn meniscus?

 

[Orion Bailey]

I get that there are some unique psychological challenges that every team will have to deal with equally but that will just be one more hurtle the eventual champion will have to overcome, making this champion even more legit. As far as full roster strength goes, I really think that this situation is the same as an injury situation. Every team with the exception of the Nets looks like they will be coming in as close to full capacity as they usually would be. The Nets have a gripe to make but they weren't going to do much anyway IMO, also their players with positive tests had the opportunity to travel to the bubble get healthy and get back, possibly in time for the playoffs (playoffs start August 17th which would have given them six or seven weeks after their diagnosis to get back and test negative). Now if another team has a break out once in the bubble, especially one that is considered a favorite or legit contender then we might see this championship lose a bit of its luster. Again I think a breakout in the bubble is very unlikely and you think that it is very likely... so there you have it.

But...., that's been my point all along. The numbers are spiking. The season wont start for another couple weeks. Florida is going to be out of control in a month and I do believe some players will test positive creating a chain and teams will start dropping players like flies. So if it does actually complete, by the time the team gets to the finals, it will likely be because the team they faced in the previous round lost a third of their roster in the previous couple of weeks because someone tested positive.


Again. What if we make it and face the lakers, But... Ad and LBJ tested positive and cant play? Do you really think if we get past them and win, people are gonna be like.. "Yep. You did it legit!", Or be like... "yeah.. NO LBJ and AD.. not a real ring..."


I'm pretty darned sure it will be the latter.


We will just have to agree to disagree on whether a breakout in the bubble happens or not. Time will tell. But I don't trust Florida as far as I can throw the state.

 

[Orion Bailey]

:Listen.... When @illmatic99 and I agree on something... Its pretty conclusive.

 

[e_blazer]

Read again. That's not what I said based on what you bolded. I already mentioned that in a previous post. You were bringing up the Spurs season . Im saying a team missing players due to the virus is different than an asterisk for a shortened season.

Okay, it's true that there's a difference between a shortened season vs. losing players, but so what? Every team is playing in the same set of circumstances. You say it could be a lot easier because a team might face an opponent that is short a player or two because of the virus. That could happen, but it could also happen that a team wins the title despite being short a star player. Assuming that it's going to be an asterisk season makes no sense to me.

 

[illmatic99]

If it's one player, I agree that it's just the same as an injury but if a team has a breakout that lasts into the playoffs then that would tarnish this championship. When I say breakout, look at what has happened to the Nets. Now the Nets are different because their breakout happened so soon that their COVID positive players could have opted to go to Orlando get healthy and most likely be ready for the playoffs, they chose to give up/opt out.

It is asinine to think this bubble is anything but abnormal.

 

[blazerkor]

But...., that's been my point all along. The numbers are spiking. The season wont start for another couple weeks. Florida is going to be out of control in a month and I do believe some players will test positive creating a chain and teams will start dropping players like flies. So if it does actually complete, by the time the team gets to the finals, it will likely be because the team they faced in the previous round lost a third of their roster in the previous couple of weeks because someone tested positive.


Again. What if we make it and face the lakers, But... Ad and LBJ tested positive and cant play? Do you really think if we get past them and win, people are gonna be like.. "Yep. You did it legit!", Or be like... "yeah.. NO LBJ and AD.. not a real ring..."


I'm pretty darned sure it will be the latter.

If there is a breakout on any team once in the bubble, then I think there is a good chance the season gets called off. If they didn't call off the season and one team was decimated by the virus then that would taint the championship, especially if as you pointed out it was a team like the Lakers, Bucks or Clippers who are the prohibitive favorites but really if any team that makes the playoffs has an outbreak and that makes an easy series for any other team, then the champions will be viewed as "less than" other championship teams. I just don't think that will happen and you obviously do, so we will just wait and see.

 

[e_blazer]

Is this a serious question? Please tell me you are being sarcastic.

Are torn achilles contagious? How about broken legs?

Are people dying from a torn meniscus?

Man, talk about going off tangent and playing the "moral superiority" card. I'm clearly just talking about impact on the game. Losing a player is losing a player and it happens every season. Getting the virus can be a very serious thing and I did not state or imply otherwise. Guys also can have a career ending, or potentially life ending, injury while playing basketball at a time when there is no pandemic. Good grief.

 

[e_blazer]

If it's one player, I agree that it's just the same as an injury but if a team has a breakout that lasts into the playoffs then that would tarnish this championship. When I say breakout, look at what has happened to the Nets. Now the Nets are different because their breakout happened so soon that their COVID positive players could have opted to go to Orlando get healthy and most likely be ready for the playoffs, they chose to give up/opt out.

Sure, I can see a set of circumstances that could tarnish the championship. That said, going into the playoffs assuming it's going to be a lesser achievement to win a title is absurd.

 

[blazerkor]

It is asinine to think this bubble is anything but abnormal.

It's equally asinine to posit that the abnormality doesn't affect all of the teams equally unless a team is decimated by the virus. Therefore if all team's are in the same unique/abnormal situation and conditions then it is asinine to say that this isn't a fairly contested playoff and championship. The eventual champions, as long as an outbreak hasn't affected outcomes, should not be looked at as anything less than previous champions. To look down on them would, again, be asinine.

 

[illmatic99]

Man, talk about going off tangent and playing the "moral superiority" card. I'm clearly just talking about impact on the game. Losing a player is losing a player and it happens every season. Getting the virus can be a very serious thing and I did not state or imply otherwise. Guys also can have a career ending, or potentially life ending, injury while playing basketball at a time when there is no pandemic. Good grief.

What moral superiority?

You are just flat wrong in thinking that this bubble doesn't deserve an asterisk. This virus isn't anything close to a freak injury in the regular season. The implications are massive. They just completely shut down 7 teams' practice facilities this past week for entire teams due to positive cases for only a couple players. That's normal?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[illmatic99]

It's equally asinine to posit that the abnormality doesn't affect all of the teams equally unless a team is decimated by the virus. Therefore if all team's are in the same unique/abnormal situation and conditions then it is asinine to say that this isn't a fairly contested playoff and championship. The eventual champions, as long as an outbreak hasn't affected outcomes, should not be looked at as anything less than previous champions. To look down on them would, again, be asinine.

It's not equal at all. Hell take a look at our own situation. We have played one more game than NO and will have a .001 advantage over them even if we end up with the same record in the bubble seeding games. That effectively removes their tie breaker.

Or what about the teams that had their PFs close due to positive cases?

How about the fact that we will effectively have played a far tougher schedule overall this season than MEM?

Nothing about this is equal or normal and the only reason it's continuing is because of the massive $ involved. Which is fine. But let's not pretend that it's normal. This isn't just a lockout season.

 

[e_blazer]

What moral superiority?

You are just flat wrong in thinking that this bubble doesn't deserve an asterisk. This virus isn't anything close to a freak injury in the regular season. The implications are massive. They just completely shut down 7 teams' practice facilities this past week for entire teams due to positive cases for only a couple players. That's normal?

The moral superiority that you seem to think that you have in assuming that my take had ANYTHING AT ALL to do with the risks inherent in playing during the pandemic or that I'm somehow belittling that risk.

Yes, this season is different. AS I SAID IN MY FIRST POST. If that's what you mean by an "asterisk" dandy, put one on the season and I'm fine with that.

My point, AS I SAID IN MY FIRST POST, is the notion that an asterisk means it was an easier path and that the title is therefore tainted. Because of COVID-19 it's much likelier to be a more difficult path as teams have to deal with losing players and making adjustments on the fly.

 

[illmatic99]

My point, AS I SAID IN MY FIRST POST, is the notion that an asterisk means it was an easier path and that the title is therefore tainted. Because of COVID-19 it's much likelier to be a more difficult path as teams have to deal with losing players and making adjustments on the fly.

If anything, I'd say the asterisk should signify the difficulties the winning team overcame. I agree with that.