Official Around the NBA - March 2016

[PDXFonz]

So who ever gets Memphis is at an advantage?

 

[BlazerBeav]

So who ever gets Memphis is at an advantage?

Without question. So I've got to think that when OKC plays at the Moda Center, they will be of the mind that losing that game and possibly getting to play what's left of Memphis in the first round might be to their advantage.

 

[PDXFonz]

Without question. So I've got to think that when OKC plays at the Moda Center, they will be of the mind that losing that game and possibly getting to play what's left of Memphis in the first round might be to their advantage.

Good point, could very well be possible that they "rest" some players that night.

 

[Natebishop3]

Why would anyone want to play the Clippers? The refs would job us for sure.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Why would anyone want to play the Clippers? The refs would job us for sure.

maybe not after the last 2-minute report?!?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

From Casey:

Tiebreaker status: The Trail Blazers and Grizzlies split the season series 2-2 and neither will win their respective division so the tiebreaker, if necessary, will be determined by record against Western Conference teams.

Currently, we're 26-21 vs. West
Memphis is 25-22 vs. West

 

[KingSpeed]

Why would anyone want to play the Clippers? The refs would job us for sure.

Clippers will be easier to beat than the other 3, I think. Plus, it's a real accomplishment to have the 5th best record in the conference. BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.

 

[Strenuus]

Clippers will be easier to beat than the other 3, I think. Plus, it's a real accomplishment to have the 5th best record in the conference. BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.

Clippers are known to be chokers in the playoffs.

 

[KingSpeed]

Clippers are known to be chokers in the playoffs.

It will be interesting to see how the return of Griffin affects them.

 

[BlazerBeav]

We're going to be underdogs in the first round regardless - but the matchup with the Clippers just looks better than with OKC. The Thunder are rolling right now.

 

[PDXFonz]

CP3 pulled out of the olympics. Westbrook/Dame/Wall/Irving. Looks like Dames chances increased.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

CP3 pulled out of the olympics. Westbrook/Dame/Wall/Irving

Umm...Curry?

 

[PDXFonz]

Umm...Curry?

Is obviously the starting point guard unless he pulls out.

 

[PDXFonz]

I think it makes sense that Westbrook is the guy taken as the backup. But if they decide to go 3 deep then its going to be interesting between Wall/Dame/Irving. I think it would be Dame > Wall > Irving.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

IMO, Westbrook is the obvious #2 based on his defense, with Wall right behind him for the same reason along with his passing. Irving and Dame are a notch below in terms of what they'd bring to international competition.

Absent injury, Olympic lineup should be (next choice in parentheses):
Curry/Westbrook (Wall)
Butler/Thompson (Harden)
Durant/Leonard/George (Hayward)
Lebron/Green/Griffin (Love)
Davis/Drummond (Cousins)

 

[PDXFonz]

So, you were just listing potential backup PGs? IMO, Westbrook is the obvious #2 based on his defense, with Wall right behind him for the same reason along with his passing. Irving and Dame are a notch below in terms of what they'd bring to international competition.

Absent injury, Olympic lineup should be (next choice in parentheses):
Curry/Westbrook (Wall)
Butler/Thompson (Harden)
Durant/Leonard/George (Hayward)
Lebron/Green/Griffin (Love)
Davis/Drummond (Cousins)

I wouldn't question them if they took Wall over Dame, not the same with Kyrie however.

I don't think you gain that much with Wall over Dame though.

Also Anthony Davis has been ruled out of the Olympics.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I wouldn't question them if they took Wall over Dame, not the same with Kyrie however.

I don't think you gain that much with Wall over Dame though.

Also Anthony Davis has been ruled out of the Olympics.

Didn't realize that about Davis. Aldridge might be next man up at the center spot.

In addition to his superior passing/court vision, I think Wall is a significantly better defender than Lillard (although as I recall, Lillard was noted as an insanely pesky defender the last time he was involved with USA BB). Lillard's main advantage over Wall is his outside shooting ability. I think Wall's skillset is likely more desirable to the USA BB coaching staff.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

He should have dunked it.

 

[Draco]

From Casey:


Currently, we're 26-21 vs. West
Memphis is 25-22 vs. West

We are currently three losses behind Memphis. So if we finish tied they'll have three more losses than now. Thus we'll have the tiebreaker.

 

[Draco]

We're going to be underdogs in the first round regardless - but the matchup with the Clippers just looks better than with OKC. The Thunder are rolling right now.

Agreed. Plus we're not sure how Griffin will return to the team. He'll have a lot of rust and be out of rhythm. He had a severe injury to his shooting hand. That can put any offensive player in a slump for a series. I definitely think we have a much better chance against the Clippers.

Who knows though. I remember back the year we played Dallas when they won the title we wanted to play them more than any other opponent. We didn't want the back to back champ Lakers. Then in the playoffs Dallas got on a roll and the Lakers fell apart. We might've upset that Lakers squad who was easily swept by Dallas. That would've been an historic series win.

 

[selloutking]

LeBron is going to rest tonight against HOU

 

[trailblazer18]

LBJ sitting out vs. Houston tonight. We got an easy gift last night with Cousins and Rondo sitting out, so I guess all is fair. Gonna be a lot of games with players resting here at the end of the season.

 

[trailblazer18]

LeBron is going to rest tonight against HOU

You beat me to it.

 

[HailBlazers]

We are currently three losses behind Memphis. So if we finish tied they'll have three more losses than now. Thus we'll have the tiebreaker.

Dayyuum. Gonna go down to the wire.

 

[selloutking]

uncle cliff was just on espn talking about his new pot shop lolololol

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Blazers currently 6th in ORtg, 18th in DRtg.
No team between 2005 and 2014 has made it to the finals with a DRtG worse than 12th:

 

[Strenuus]

Blazers currently 6th in ORtg, 18th in DRtg.
No team between 2005 and 2014 has made it to the finals with a DRtG worse than 12th:

So you're saying there's a....


Oh wait, you're not.

 

[Draco]

Blazers currently 6th in ORtg, 18th in DRtg.
No team between 2005 and 2014 has made it to the finals with a DRtG worse than 12th:

Yeah we need better defense. One reason I think it's ludicrous when poster bring up removing Farouq from the starting lineup for an offensive SF, or trying to sign Ryan Anderson.

 

[Draco]

LeBron is going to rest tonight against HOU

Will make it all the sweeter when Houston losses.

 

[Strenuus]

LeBron is going to rest tonight against HOU

He knows inferior competition when he sees it.