Anyone into this?
I went to see the Knicks play in New York a few years ago (tourist alert!) and I’d keep an eye in their results now and again.
I noticed that the season has started back. Does anyone else watch it or have a team they support?
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Anyone into this?
I went to see the Knicks play in New York a few years ago (tourist alert!) and I’d keep an eye in their results now and again.
I noticed that the season has started back. Does anyone else watch it or have a team they support?
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
I do - don’t know if you have sky but they have just signed a deal to show the next 4 seasons of the NBA on sky sports :thumbsup:
i follow the bulls, have done since I was a kid and a fan of Michael Jordan. I’ve been to a game in Chicago, great experience, especially when you compare the differences to going to a football match here
Also a Knicks fan and have been lucky enough to see them at Madison Square Garden. Haven’t watched much of the NBA since it switched away to BT from channel 5 but hopefully some games will feature on the free Sky Sports channel.
I'm a Celtics fan but although we look good... the Warriors are better.
It's been boring the last few years.
Good to hear, was annoyed that BT Sports had lost it.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I really enjoyed it when I went to MSG. I’m not sure if I should pick a random team to support this season or watch from a distance before making my mind up next season!Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Exile
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Originally Posted by The_Exile
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Originally Posted by CapitalGreen
Yeah I was pretty scunnered when BT lost it as well, until I saw this news.
I believe, don’t quote me :greengrin, but I think the free sky sports channel will show one game a week. And there are supposed to be a lot of games shown at a decent time for UK viewers :top marks
GS Warriors fan (as I live/work around the Bay Area for large portions of the year - despite all of my other sporting affiliations being around the Boston area, I just cannot bring myself to support a team called the Celtics).
I've only just recently gotten into the NBA, so it feels like a bit of a cheat, but I have been to see them 6 times in the past couple of years.
The new stadium they're building in SF, just along from AT&T Park is quite incredible. It'll be a real boost to the area and they've paid for it themselves, which is a refreshing change in US Sports.
Glory hunter Scott :greengrin
Erm.......Michigan Wolverines :faf:Quote:
Originally Posted by Haymaker
Not to mention Stanford Cardinals :greengrinQuote:
Originally Posted by DH1875
I'm comfortable in my off-setting glory/misery hunting endeavours :greengrin
And we're all Hibs fans so there's that off set.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
My mum was raised in San Francisco sink might follow the Warriors this season. Feels like I’m a glory hunter! Them or Boston!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
I've seen the Knicks live a few times. I love the NBA but the Knicks are a car crash franchise. Dolan along side Dan Snyder at the redskins is the worst owner in American sports.
Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by Just Jimmy
:agree:
Dolan is too hands on, and too close to the people he’s hired to run the franchise. Isaiah Thomas should have been fired long before it happenedd, for example. Phil Jackson being another disaster (although he did draft porzingis, which everyone laughed at til he walked on the court).
That said, the reinsdorfs owners of the bulls are making an arse of it as well, won’t fire poorly performing team principals, and are too hands off. They need to get rid of Forman and Paxson and get in a proper GM.
Looks like a slow start for LeBron in LA, think he missed a free throw and the last shot of the game in overtime to win it against the Spurs last night. I think they'll make the play offs but no chance of making the finals.
32 Pts, 14 Assists and 8 Rebounds last night is a good performance and the shot at the end was not any easy chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Exile
This was always going to be a transition season for the Lakers with probably a less than 50/50 chance of reaching the playoffs in a really strong Western Conference.
Next summer will be interesting as Anthony Davis is now under LBJ’s management company with talk he might lining up to a move to the Lakers.
Is Davis the guy whose been offered $230 million to stay at his club?Quote:
Originally Posted by CapitalGreen
Am I right in thinking it’s going to take a few years for Lakers to relalistically be contenders?
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
Re. The lakers, not necessarily, depends how free agency goes next summer. If another top echelon player decides to join LeBron, and they get good fit role players around them, then they’ll be a danger to seriously contend. That said, there are still a few other strong teams right now. Warriors are historically good, celtics and 76ers are looking to break through and likely will, raptors will be strong this year (and beyond depending on what Kawhi does next year), Houston will be decent (and even more so if they can get the trade for Butler done).
Davis is contracted to 2020 I think, so I don’t think he has been offered his contract yet (there’s strict rules about when offers can be made), this year will be crucial for the pelicans, if they can make a strong showing of the playoffs this season, it’ll entice Davis to stay.
Cheers mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I’ve still not decided on a team to follow!
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
A pleasure bud :aok:
watch some games, see what happens. Sometimes you just click with a team or player. I follow the Bulls because of Michael Jordan, I loved his style on the court. The bulls have been pretty terrible in the 20 years since, and there’s been other players I’ve been a fan of, but the bulls are still my team :greengrin
Through thick and thin!Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
Is it true that Vegas are getting a team? I love the place so might wait until they’ve got one!
Lakers and Spurs on Sky now, good end to the weekend!
Vegas has a hockey team and soon a football team so wouldn't surprise me.Quote:
Originally Posted by LustForLeith
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
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Originally Posted by Haymaker
I think theres a lot of conflicting thought processes about a team in Vegas. There’s an NBA summer league that’s hosted in Vegas every year, it’s usually the highest profile one, I think the league don’t want to disrupt that. There’s also the potential for negative connotations between sports and gambling, although that appears to be changing. There’s also a school of thought that says many ‘home’ fans would be tourists and visitors to the city (I don’t really agree with that myself). On the flip side, there’s a lot of money there (duh), and I get the impression that Vegas is trying to be seen for more than just gambling and the strip.
Theres a few cities that want an NBA team, Seattle being a major one.
Yes I get the impression that it's trying to be seen differently - with legalized sports gambling now in most states and more states/cities opening up casinos I imagine there's an visitor attraction issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
That Steph Curry’s some player!
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
Despite all the media hyperbole that surrounds a lot of American sports, I genuinely think we’re witnessing some generational players and cultural shifts in the NBA.
i don’t like him, but LeBron will end up an all time great (I would say is, but he’s not finished yet), who will be amongst the leaders in many career categories, a social commentator beyond most athletes, and someone who has singlehandedly changed the culture of free agency and player movement.
steph curry has changed how the league approaches and values 3 point shooting, and he’s demonstrated that a (relatively) small player can dominate a league of giants. His shooting skills are simply off the chart in regards to what was considered accurate and efficient shooting and scoring.
We’re watching 6’10’’ plus players who tradionally were entrenched next to the basket now comfortably playing 30 fee from the basket. Kevin Durant would’ve been played at center 15 years ago, now he’s essentially positionless, capable of playing anywhere on the floor.
Players are more outspoken for what they believe in, their wealth, public standing, social media and access to people have enabled them to speak up about racism, police brutality, Trump, injustice, poverty, natural disasters, and more. This just didn’t happen in the past. It happens outwith the NBA, as athletes such as J.J. Watt and Colin kaepernick have shown, but the NBA players seem to be much more inclined towards this, possibly because they operate in a league that seems to be in lockstep with its talent, unlike the NFL.
Just back from SF. Never really followed b ball much but the GSvwarriors store had some jerseys for 50 bucks so bought a Kevin Durant Jersey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
I’m clearly no expert but is there a shift now with players who are positionless? Is Anthony Davis like that?Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
That’s the basketball equivalent of a tourist visiting Scotland and purchasing an Eduoard strip from a Celtic shop while in Glasgow :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by nellio
Aren't the Warriors owned by a hedge fund? So I imagine that's why they've built it as it's an investment. However, far better than using tax payers money!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
I think theres definitely less ‘defined’ positions, with big men often seen (and almost expected) to be shooting three’s, whilst at the same time we're seeing guys like draymond green playing center when not so long ago, someone his size would be a small forward.
Anthony Davis is one of this new breed certainly, although he generally does play center, but is capable of shooting out to the three point line, and defending on the perimeter comfortably. Others like kristaps porzingis, Karl Anthony-towns, Lauri markannen, Durant are also in this ilk. Going back a few years, Chris bosh and dirk nowitzki probably started this shift, even LeBron has redefined positions, he’s comfortably capable of playing all 5 positions at a high level. Up until about 7-10 years ago, players were pigeon holed into one position, two at a push, and never encouraged to explore their boundaries. Now, we’re seeing players operating in places on court that fit their skills, or in some cases, being taken off the court because their skills don’t fit the modern style of play. Old fashioned centers are a dying breed, and often at the end of the rotation because modern big men like Davis are overwhelming them.
Theres also a shooting shift shift that’s been happening for a few years, where the likes of curry, Lillard, Kyrie Irving, klay Thomson, Durant, are rewriting the books in terms of what efficient scoring is, what is seen as effective shooting range, and asking questions of defences that have never been considered before.
Cheers.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I’m getting well into the sport, it’s taking my kind off Easter Road!
How does the current era of basketball match up with previous ones? The game defiantly picked up an interest with the likes of Jordan v Bird for instance.
Not really a fan of the NBA but I'm a big fan of trainers which goes part and parcel with the NBA. I remember a big hoo ha with Lavar Ball a year or so ago with his big baller brand.I know he tipped his son Lonzo to be the next big thing just wondered how he's getting on?any good?
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
Horses for courses tbh mate, a bit like trying to compare football in the 60s and 70s to now. Different styles, physical condition of the players totally different, even the footwear was archaic compared to today, from the 90s forward the footwear advancements have been significant, such cushioning, styling, branding, structure of the shoe.
the popularity of the sport has grown exponentially though. Magic Johnson played in the 1980 NBA finals as a rookie, and all of the games were on tape delay across the states, none of it was shown live. Magic and bird are generally credited with turning the league into something exciting and engaging, along with Dr J, Moses Malone, etc. Jordan arrived in 84, along with Charles Barkley, with Patrick Ewing and several other big names soon after. Jordan was electric from day one, amazing to watch as a player finding his way in the league, til he went on his run of 6 titles in 8 years in the 90s. The 90s themselves wee a bit of a dirge of negative defensive basketball, although massive names like Shaq, Kobe, Iverson, Garnett, Duncan, and more came into the league. After some dire play in the early 2000s, the league made some progressive changes to rules around defending, handchecking, and defensive structure, leading to more offensive players coming to the fore, ultimately leading to today with the likes of Steph and Durant. Equally, there’s been an evolution in both how defensive play and offensive strategies are deployed, with much more complexity and intricacy involved, and in players being utilised in ways that support their skill set rather than their height.
sorry, I’m a bit of a nerd hahaha :greengrin
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Originally Posted by hibs#1
Hes a decent player, an excellent passer of the ball but a poor shooter. His dad is a wahoo, and will likely end up causing his son bother before his career is over. There been some rumours that the lakers have tried to corall the father somewhat, without much success.
hes an LA boy, playing at his boyhood team, where he would possibly have developed into a very good player. Now with LeBron being there, his window of opportunity has shrunk rapidly, the lakers will do whatever they need to appease LeBron, and work to his timetable, which may mean lonzo gets traded or pushed down the pecking order and doesn’t get the development he’ll need.
No need to apologise, it’s quite interesting!Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I might have picked this up wrong but wasn’t there a players strike at one point? Was it because Bird could be offered a better deal by any team other than Boston and he wasn’t happy about this? As a result players went on strike for ages. Probably picked this up wrong.
I remember hearing that Jordan for awhile, wasn’t the best player player in basketball, he wasn’t even the best paid player st the Bulls. He made an absolute fortune from Nike and it was when the new rules came in after the players went on strike that he got a better wage.
It’s probbaly rubbish!
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
I dont *think* there was a strike/lock out when Jordan was playing, there was one right after he retired for the second time, in 1998, which ended up with a much shortened season (50 games iirc, down from the usual 82, with no preseason games either). There’s been another lockout since then also. These days however, the league and the players union are very much in close contact and working closely hand in hand. The scale of money coming into the NBA just now is unprecedented, both the players and their union, and the league itself are very happy to work to their mutual benefit rather than split hairs and rock the boat.
When Jordan first came into the league, he was tagged as a player who was more driven by his own stats than winning, and that he neeed Phil Jackson to guide him to become more of a team player, which then led to him becoming the juggernaut and ultimately the GOAT. When you look at his individual stats and advanced metrics though, that argument doesn’t really add up, his stats from say 87-93 don’t vary a great deal, and ultimately its more a case of his teammates getting better (therefore meaning the other team had more to deal with than just jordan), better coaching provided by Jackson, and good drafting of new young players, and good trades (of which Jordan wasn’t always happy with). Kind of comical in hindsight given he’d won a college title, and an Olympic gold medal as a collegiate player in 84. The ‘stats selfish’ thing was more lazy journalism, and an unfair comparison to bird and magic who were different players, and a tag that was difficult to shake off for Jordan until he was holding multiple titles and the press began to change their rhetoric about him. Equally, magic was considered a coach killer when he was younger (his coach got sacked in a move publicly perceived to be all about appeasing him), and was a defensive sieve. Bird was labelled as slow and unathletic, and only where he was a token white in an increasingly black dominated sport. Now they’re both feted, as is Jordan.
In terms of pay, the contract structure was different to nowadays, where it’s actually pretty straightforward for journalists etc to predict what players could be paid in future deals, and the lengths of contracts are strictly governed. When Jordan was drafted, players could be paid silly money right from the off (now a rookie contract is linked to your draft position and monetary value clearly laid out), and often for different lengths of time. Jordan was (relative to the leagues top players) probably underpaid in the run up to and during the first 3peat, with a number of lesser players earning more (ironically in part due Jordan’s popularity and style increasing interest and money pouring into the league). For example, Scottie pipped signed something crazy like an 8 year deal in the late 80s, and within 4 years the league’s money had increased massively, money being paid to players signing deals later on was much more, even though they were average players not coming close to winning titles.
during the second 3peat, he was the highest paid player in the league, in fact I think it’s only in the last 3 years or so that the figures he was earning have been surpassed as an all time high single season figure. The lockout just after he retired began to usher in an era where there was caps placed on what a player can earn, based on league tenure, a teams willingness to go to the max level for any given player, how many max contracts a team already had, and that players performance in relation to being selected all-NBA, etc.
You are correct in that his earnings from Nike eclipsed his earnings with the bulls, bearing in mind that there’s a entire Nike brand based purely around him. He still earns a vast amount from his relationship with Nike even now.
PSG have their away kit made by Jordan and not Nike these days. Obviously Nike owns Jordan brand but a bit shocked to see it.
I once watched a documentary with his agent who had put together the deal with Nike. He said Nike told him if they sold $1m of Air Jordan's they'd be ecstatic but believed they'd sell like 100,000 total :faf:Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
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Originally Posted by Haymaker
:agree:
Nike were still seen very much as an athletics sports company, and were trying to break into a new market (sports sponsorship was in its infancy, Converse were the biggest player in the basketball market, but they had no idea of how sports sponsorship and branding could go, and weren’t doing much more than getting magic and bird in the occasional advert).
As you’ve said, not even Nike saw what the future would hold, although they did see early on what kind of appeal Jordan had, and embraced that, and put their weight and money behind it, bringing in the likes of spike lee to direct Jordan’s adverts.
Cheers for the last two posts, really informative.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I think a problem in the UK is in the late 80’s and 90’s basketball was pretty hard to come by. For me it was playing computer games and in being a film geek Spike Lee. Sportswear played a massive part as well where it almost became irrelevant that Jordan actually played a sport!
:agree: that Nike executive must be very happy s/he was wrong with that prediction!Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
Put Nike on the map sports wise and opened up so much more revenue to players.
Not NBA but did anyone see Zion Williams debut at Duke last night? Wow.
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
No probs mate, happy to chat NBA all day :greengrin
i agree, mid-90s channel 4 used to have a programme on a Sunday morning, but watching NBA basketball in the UK has never been easy.
i used to play a lot at school and for a bit after, would love to play again (no idea where you could tbh lol), not sure if the knees would cope that well but you never know :greengrin
Any recommendations for the best show to catch up with all the results from the week? Sky have one but it doesn’t cover the all the matches!
Bulls sack Hoiberg.
a good start, but the front office needs to go as well, far too conservative, far too short sighted, no long (or mid) term plan, just clueless
Still quite enjoy watching this. Still don’t have a favourite wan but I quite like this James Harden chap!
NBA done for a season! Well done Raptors.
I’m getting into the drafts. Williamson looks some player!
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Originally Posted by LustForLeith
He’s certainly being hyped, i think he has some work to do on his shooting, but with the right guidance could really be something.
shaping up to be a very intriguing free agency as well, so many top end players able to move, and a few teams looking to acquire or get rid of players, will be a very different league when the dust settles :greengrin
Always kept meaning to come back to this thread.
Well done Toronto! Disappointed I didn't get to see back to back championships in the Bay Area, but the Raptors deserved their win.
Injuries hurt us a bit this year, but we recovered well to make the playoffs and then found our momentum. Just not enough in the end!
Talk of shortening the season and adding a competition
Box office free agency so far, league looking quite different, with Kawhi still to make a public decision, and probably a fair bit of player movement still to come :greengrin
Yes it's been insane! A team in New York might win some games!Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haymaker
Kawhi and Paul George to the clippers! Wow!
what a mega trade for George, 5 picks, 2 pick swaps, and shai gilgeous-Alexander!
This is can only end up being great for the clips or a disaster. Watch the thunder become a major player for the next few years as they use those assets to rebuild. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them try to trade Westbrook now or soon as well
Next year might be very competitive, something the league has been missing for a while imo.
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Originally Posted by Haymaker
Yep, no one team stands out, and there are several that will fancy their chances
I’ve taken my eye off the ball and missed the start of the season! Did I just see Antony Davis has signed for the Lakers?!
LA traded most of the assets they had for him, young players and picks, with the expectation he will sign an extension by the end of this season. It looked a lot to give up at the time, but we had offered more at the trade deadline last season and the package the Clippers sent for PG helped put it in perspective for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by LustForLeith
It was sad to see the young guns like Ingram, Ball and Hart be traded as I think all three will breakout sooner rather than later. The Pelicans might not win a bunch this season but they will sure be fun to watch. AD isn't a talent to miss out on though. He had 40 and 20 in 31 minutes last night!
Anyone been watching JaValle McGee's vlogs on youtube?
Not long till the league returns.
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Originally Posted by Tambo
Restarts tonight, for the 22 :greengrin
Sadly my team isn't in that group, but perpetual hope for better things :rolleyes: :brickwall :I'm waiti :faf:
Nets missing kyrie here, down at halftime to the magic.
The Nets injury list is insane, Irving, Durant, Jordan, Dinwiddie along with Chandler and Prince electing not to play, there's almost the full starters and bench making up the full list of players not available, crazy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
Trail blazers vs celtics at 8.30 on sky.
Carmelo is now 15th on the all-time scoring list.
Playoffs start tonight, will be interesting with no home court advantage.
Portland vs lakers will be the pick of the rounds.
It’ll be the draft lottery soon too I think, things hitting up in the world of the NBA
that said, it’s looking like the 8 odd teams out isn’t be getting their mini tournament to play, which is a shame
I’m supporting the Nets through the playoffs, ‘mon the underdogs. I’ve jinxed them now eh? :greengrin
Lakers 0-1 down to Portland atm, game 2 friday.
Game two of Denver and Utah on at 9pm.
Lakers and Portland 1-1 now, Anthony Davis first player with 30+ points and 10+ rebounds since kobe.
Lakers and Clippers leave the season.
Play offs to resume saturday.
James Harden with 36 as the rockets take a 1-0 lead vs the lakers.
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Originally Posted by Tambo
firmly in the ‘anyone but the Lakers’ camp :greengrin
to be fair, if the rockets win, I’ll be in the ‘anyone but the rockets’ camp then hahaha
There goes a lakers vs clippers western conference final.
Lakers 2-0 up on the nuggets. Looks like there going to win the nba finals for kobe.
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Originally Posted by Tambo
both conference finals set up nicely at 2-1, can see the Lakers taking the next 2 games to win it, Heat v celtics a tougher call, hopefully the heats play off form continues but I think the Celtics will fancy pulling it square at 2-2 now.. big game for Miami tonight
Good form continues 3-1 the heatQuote:
Originally Posted by Dmas
Lakers 2-0 up now in the finals, looking like the sweep is on. Get out the brushes shaq and Barkley.
Put those brushes away :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
Some performance by butler last night, 2-1
I will watch the highlights later and I don't have a preference to who wins, but I guess the more games the better for the fans so let's say lakers to win 4-3Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmas
I like the Heat, however I can see the Lakers winning the rest I'm just glad it wasn't a clean sweep, the loss of bam and drogic is a bit much to deal with both have been immense since bubbleQuote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
Still time for the heat even at 3-1 but will be a very long shot.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
Yeah, need to get Bam and Dragic back to stand much of a chance
Pains me to say it but if lakers win tonight then surely lebron must go down at the goat?
3 championships with 3 different franchises and im a big mj and kobe fan.
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Originally Posted by Tambo
I humbly disagree, still think Jordan is ahead of him IMO :greengrin
It’s tough to say anyone better than MJ isn’t it, the guy catapulted the game almost single handed, the line up of players in the NBA in the 90s was incredible which is why I always stick with MJ.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
LeBron is fantastic though you see how many 3s he was putting away last night almost like it was nothing, the talent is incredible.
As would Danny Green, not sure he’ll ever be in the GOAT convo though especially after his miss last night 😂Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
I'm definitely with you guys and will always see mj as the greatest in my life time (34 years old), I just think lebron has a case now for the goat. Think his 10th final? Yes he lost 6 of them.
People can say in lebron's case mj had better players beside him but in Jordan's era it was a lot harder.
Anyway good overall season despite covid and will look forward to the draft.
Any ideas how there planning the next season? I really enjoyed the bubble games,maybe the best sport I’ve watched on tv during the pandemic I don’t think it lost too much at all with no fans, however the same concept won’t work for a 82 game season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tambo
Jordan is the greatest. Every finals he got to he won, he’s got TWO threepeats, LeBron doesn’t have any. LeBron is a phenomenal athlete but IMO the game is easier now for attacking play. Jordan played in a harder era and dominated, properly dominated.
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Originally Posted by The_Exile
:top marks totally agree mate
There's so many reasons why Jordan is the GOAT, the statistical reasons, the records he holds (and they are copious). What also stands out for me, is that he reshaped the way the entire league approaches how the game is played, how players are drafted and how they are valued. Before he came along, EVERY championship team featured a very good - dominant big man/forwards. Every single one. He was the first guard to lead a team without a dominating big man to win the title, and he did it 6 times! It had never been done before. Since then, only 2 successful teams have been built around big men, the Lakers with Shaq, and the Spurs with Tim Duncan. The players who have dominated the league since are all agile, athletic skilful players like Curry, LeBron, Durrant, Kobe, Wade, Kawhi, Paul, and its generally accepting that having a great wing player is more advantageous, and that you can get by with an average post player, rather than the other way around.
Watched the 1998 all-star game again and 23 pts and 8 assists not shabby for a guy who had been suffering with bad flu during the weekend and the speculation about his last season etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
No ideas but on nba2k21 season starts in December and I couldnt see the players wanting the bubble for an 82 game season like you said, maybe a shortened season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dmas
NBA looking for a pre-christmas start.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA is proposing several changes to next season that include a 72-game regular season, a play-in tournament and the likelihood of no All-Star Game or All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, sources said. The league is considering a two-week break at the midway point of the season, sources said.
Thoughts on the Bucks chances next season? Personally I think the supermax is Giannis preferred option but it will depend on what kind of help they can get him - I see they've hired Josh Openheimer, maybe at Giannis' request as they had worked together in the past (He ruined Giannis' jumper in my opinion and I don't think he has recovered it) - I'd have preferred a more attack minded assistant to be honest as I thought they were way too defensive in the bubble and it cost them.
I'm a Brook Lopez fan and Middleton is a good shooter but inconsistent. The bench is weak - I think DiVincenzo could turn out to be a player and is a very tradeable asset (along with George Hill).
Who would make then serious contenders?? I would like to see moves for Jrue Holiday/CP3, someone that can play the pick and roll with Giannis like Harden would be great but a pipe dream!
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Originally Posted by portyhibernian
wouldn’t completely dismiss harden, looks like Houston could be about to collapse, if harden wants out, then getting to play with giannis would probably appeal.
the biggest difference in the playoffs is teams get to play, evaluate, re-scheme and play again. Giannis can blow teams away on any given night, but when you have to play them in a series, coaches will work out how to make it tougher and tougher for him to get the points the bucks need him to get, or to shut down his teammates making him carry too much of the load. The bucks need to get another player in who can’t be left alone, CP3 would be a good fit but eye wateringly expensive. Harden would probably be the ideal fit (that’s even vaguely attainable, KD, Steph, Kyrie etc aren’t going anywhere).
I'm just hoping the the Bulls have finally turned a corner and might see some semblance of basketball nous, ambition and positivity :greengrin
Hope the Bulls can turn the corner aswell, their legendary team of 95/96 is the reason I took an interest in basketball - MJ also put in a sterling performance in Space Jam so I do have a soft spot for them! I just chose to follow the Bucks as I liked their uniforms the best, it's nice to finally see that decision paying off! (Well almost)Quote:
Originally Posted by McD
I think the Houston collapse you speak of might be on the horizon, looks likely that Westbrook and Harden may both be leaving, but I imagine they might do ok out of any deals for those guys.
Jrue Holiday to the Bucks also seems to be happening - they are giving up a lot to get him in but I think it will be worth it if it keeps Giannis in town beyond 2021 which I think is what they are desperately working to do. Doesn't leave much room to manoeuvre further down the line though, giving away 3 first round picks.
Looking forward to what will hopefully be another entertaining season!
NBA draft is on sky sports tomorrow night at 11pm. Worth a watch after the football perhaps! Looking to see who goes first and who the warriors will select at #2
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Originally Posted by portyhibernian
looks like the bucks are going all in with Giannis, with bogdanovic likely to be coming too, if they can hold on to (most of) the rest their role players then you’ll have a really strong squad. Jrue is a fantastic player, will compliment giannis well I think, in some ways is a better fit than Harden tbh.
I think it’s going to be an exciting season too :greengrin