NBA Chatter Thread

[Cotton]

It was a great moment. Thanks to all the Twitter talk, I just so happened to tune in to the game on the possession that he hit that shot.

I actually missed it. I knew he was 20 away when the game started, but unfortunately just had things going on and didn't get to watch.

 

[1bigfan13]

Oh, how about that performance from Kawhi against the Rockets the other night?

Some are even saying he won the MVP that night in that late game sequence.

Thoughts [MENTION=63]Jiggyfly[/MENTION]?

I don't think there's a wrong answer if you choose any of the top guys (Lebron, Westbrook, Kawhi, IT4, & Harden). I think you can make strong arguments for and against each of them.

But I will say this. If you used the old argument that the MVP should go to the most valuable player and not necessarily the best player, I think that pushes guys like Westbrook, Harden, and even Lebron ahead of Kawhi. If those 3 guys miss games their teams struggle mightily. Whereas if Kawhi misses games the Spurs would likely continue winning games at a decent clip; largely due to the coaching and basketball environment that Pop has created over the years.

 

[Simpleton]

It'd be difficult for me to give the MVP to Westbrook, they're basically a .500 team and he's more or less just gunning all game long, which his nearly 6 TO's are indicative of. Something similar can be said for Harden, although he's doing a much better job of lifting the play of his teammates. And I realize that OKC would probably be like 20-40 right now without Westbrook.

At this particular moment I think I'm leaning towards Leonard, they're only 2.5 games behind the best record in the league and aside from Aldridge the majority of that team are veteran part-time players who only play about 25 minutes a game. Popovich's brilliance can't be discounted since he's probably worth at least 5-10 wins just himself, but I think Leonard's defense is what is pushing him over the top for me right now.

Westbrook and Harden have the eye-popping offensive stats, yes, but I think Leonard's efficiency compensates for that in my opinion, and then him being arguably the DPOY puts it over the top.

 

[1bigfan13]

The gunner argument is definitely a valid argument against Westbrook. The only time that I can remember a gunner winning the MVP award was during Iverson's 2000-2001 season when the Sixers went to the Finals. Even when Kobe was clearly one of the top 3 players in the game in the mid-2000s, I don't remember him receiving serious consideration for MVP because the Lakers weren't winning many games.

I think that's why Harden is still the favorite in the clubhouse. He's doing similar things as Westbrook but he's doing more of the little things to help his team win games.

Most OKC fans have way too much blind loyalty towards Westbrook. I can't count the number of times that I've been shouted down by OKC fans just for pointing out a flaw in Westbrook's game that's easily correctible and would help a team with very little room for error. I'm usually met with "HE NEEDS HELP!" retorts or blame being passed to others on them team.

Perfect examples are the excessive gambles on defense that I mentioned the other day, and him wasting too many offensive possessions with quick, bad shots. I love the energy and passion that he plays with but sometimes less is more.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Oh, how about that performance from Kawhi against the Rockets the other night?

Some are even saying he won the MVP that night in that late game sequence.

Thoughts [MENTION=63]Jiggyfly[/MENTION]?

Look up.

 

[Jiggyfly]

 

[1bigfan13]

"4 straight triple doubles....that's cute." - Russell Westbrook

As an aside, next Sunday is OKC-Houston Round 4. You ready, Jiggy?

And unlike in recent nationally televised marquee games, I think it's safe to say that neither Westbrook or Harden will be sitting out for "rest".

 

[1bigfan13]

Continuing my rant on resting healthy players......if the league doesn't start doing something about players taking days off, the fans need to take a stand and organize a boycott of sorts during a nationally televised game.

I know Popovich started this trend but at least he was resting guys who were well over 30. IMO, it's nonsense that a healthy player who's in his mid-20s needs to take rest days. I understand the schedule can be hard at times but that's one of the reasons why NBA players are compensated so well. The average star player is probably making close to $20 million per year. God forbid they actually have to show up to work and play hard every night.

I could actually stomach this healthy scratch/rest phase the league is going through if teams did it in a manner that's a little more respectful to the fans. Right now the methodology is just a last minute notification, middle finger to the paying customer. That's what pisses me off most of all.

So here are 3 rule changes that I think the NBA should institute before next season.

1. Give coaches the ability to project rest days and make it mandatory that they project at least 2 weeks in advance. You're still going to have fans who get cheated out of seeing star players they expected to see but a rule of this nature would at least cut down on the number of fans who are charged marquee game ticket prices for a D-League product.

2. Only one player can be rested per game. This protects the fans from getting what we got from Cleveland last weekend and Golden State and the Spurs the week before. If Cleveland comes to town and Lebron is a healthy scratch, sure there are going to be some disappointed fans but at least the fans still get to watch Kyrie & Love. There's no excuse for sitting 3 and 4 All-Stars at the same time.

3. Limit the number of "rest" days a player can take to 3 per year.

Obviously my recommendations aren't perfect and I could foresee teams inventing injuries just to steal extra rest days, but it's a start.

 

[Deuce]

Continuing my rant on resting healthy players......if the league doesn't start doing something about players taking days off, the fans need to take a stand and organize a boycott of sorts during a nationally televised game.

I know Popovich started this trend but at least he was resting guys who were well over 30. IMO, it's nonsense that a healthy player who's in his mid-20s needs to take rest days. I understand the schedule can be hard at times but that's one of the reasons why NBA players are compensated so well. The average star player is probably making close to $20 million per year. God forbid they actually have to show up to work and play hard every night.

I could actually stomach this healthy scratch/rest phase the league is going through if teams did it in a manner that's a little more respectful to the fans. Right now the methodology is just a last minute notification, middle finger to the paying customer. That's what pisses me off most of all.

So here are 3 rule changes that I think the NBA should institute before next season.

1. Give coaches the ability to project rest days and make it mandatory that they project at least 2 weeks in advance. You're still going to have fans who get cheated out of seeing star players they expected to see but a rule of this nature would at least cut down on the number of fans who are charged marquee game ticket prices for a D-League product.

2. Only one player can be rested per game. This protects the fans from getting what we got from Cleveland last weekend and Golden State and the Spurs the week before. If Cleveland comes to town and Lebron is a healthy scratch, sure there are going to be some disappointed fans but at least the fans still get to watch Kyrie & Love. There's no excuse for sitting 3 and 4 All-Stars at the same time.

3. Limit the number of "rest" days a player can take to 3 per year.

Obviously my recommendations aren't perfect and I could foresee teams inventing injuries just to steal extra rest days, but it's a start.

You can't limit rest days because teams will find a way around it. All the sudden, Lebron will have "hamstring strain" and be day to day causing him to miss a game. Just shorten the regular season a little, decrease the amount of 3 games/week on the schedule and give the players no reason to take days off.

 

[1bigfan13]

You can't limit rest days because teams will find a way around it. All the sudden, Lebron will have "hamstring strain" and be day to day causing him to miss a game. Just shorten the regular season a little, decrease the amount of 3 games/week on the schedule and give the players no reason to take days off.

Yeah, I mentioned that teams would probably come up with phantom injuries just to give a player a rest day.

I doubt that the owners would ever agree to fewer games. They'd lose money by doing so. Even the players would possibly be hurt by fewer games. I believe the NBA Players Association has followed the lead of other major sports leagues where the players receive a portion of ticket sales and media revenues. So fewer games would hit their pockets as well.

Of my recommendations I think #2 is the most viable. I understand that this recommendation is still susceptible to coaches and players feigning injury, but if NBA organizations really gave a damn about the fans like they say they do, then staggering the rest cycles of their star players shouldn’t' be too much to ask.

It would be a win-win for everyone. Fans still get to see a quality product while one of the star players gets a day of rest. That way fans aren't shelling out $300 per ticket to watch a matchup featuring Zsa Zsa Pachulia and Corey Joseph.

 

[Jiggyfly]

"4 straight triple doubles....that's cute." - Russell Westbrook

As an aside, next Sunday is OKC-Houston Round 4. You ready, Jiggy?

And unlike in recent nationally televised marquee games, I think it's safe to say that neither Westbrook or Harden will be sitting out for "rest".

Having a triple double on back to back nights is more cute add in the fact they were both being 40 point games and well SMDFTB. (JK)

You want cute?

Harden's last 5 games 31.2ppg 10.6rpg 11.6apg 2spg 48 percent shooting

Cuter than any cat video on Youtube.

 

[Texas Ace]

If I were voting, Harden gets the MVP.

Despite Westbrook's crazy amount of triple-doubles, I still think Harden has been better and more impressive.

 

[Deuce]

The Celtics couldn't even maintain a lead to beat the Nets without IT4. He's the MVP.

 

[1bigfan13]

Not sure if you guys saw the ESPN story or not but apparently the Warriors' organization was a bit butt hurt because the Thunder organization didn't pander to Durant during his return to OKC last month. They thought that OKC should have publicly recognized KD for all the good that he did for the city and the organization.

My response was, get the f**k over yourselves.

That was not the time or place to recognize Durant. Especially when he left in the manner that he did, where it felt like he was colluding with Draymond and members of the Warriors organization even during the playoffs.

KD will be thanked eventually. Most likely during the twilight of his career. Until then he can expect to keep catching these F-bombs.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Not sure if you guys saw the ESPN story or not but apparently the Warriors' organization was a bit butt hurt because the Thunder organization didn't pander to Durant during his return to OKC last month. They thought that OKC should have publicly recognized KD for all the good that he did for the city and the organization.

My response was, get the f**k over yourselves.

That was not the time or place to recognize Durant. Especially when he left in the manner that he did, where it felt like he was colluding with Draymond and members of the Warriors organization even during the playoffs.

KD will be thanked eventually. Most likely during the twilight of his career. Until then he can expect to keep catching these F-bombs.

Yeah that's ridiculous if true.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Denver is a really good looking young team.

Jukic is very good reminds me of Sabonis, Harris has blossomed ad they play well together.

Definitely a team on the rise.

 

[Simpleton]

Not sure if you guys saw the ESPN story or not but apparently the Warriors' organization was a bit butt hurt because the Thunder organization didn't pander to Durant during his return to OKC last month. They thought that OKC should have publicly recognized KD for all the good that he did for the city and the organization.

My response was, get the f**k over yourselves.

That was not the time or place to recognize Durant. Especially when he left in the manner that he did, where it felt like he was colluding with Draymond and members of the Warriors organization even during the playoffs.

KD will be thanked eventually. Most likely during the twilight of his career. Until then he can expect to keep catching these F-bombs.

The Warriors organization are the most arrogant bunch of fucks I've ever seen, it starts with their owner and seems to seep down to the coaches and players.

I mean, these coaches and the better part of the front office had absolutely nothing to do with drafting either Curry or Thompson, and Kerr had nothing to do with drafting Green either.

So congrats, the GM stepped into a situation where Klay and Curry were already there, they made a nice pick in Green and lucked into Durant which never would've happened if 1. the Thunder hadn't choked like dogs in the WCF, or 2. the Warriors hadn't turned around and choked like dogs against the Cavs.

Basically, they're a good organization that has been lucky as F, yet they act like they invented basketball.

Put this team in a time machine back 20-30 years and their finesse bullshit style would be getting ran off the court.

 

[Simpleton]

Denver is a really good looking young team.

Jukic is very good reminds me of Sabonis, Harris has blossomed ad they play well together.

Definitely a team on the rise.

Nurkic is in Portland, Jokic is still in Denver.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Nurkic is in Portland, Jokic is still in Denver.

Yeah I knew I messed that up.

At least I got the J right

 

[1bigfan13]

Nurkic is in Portland, Jokic is still in Denver.

He's been great for Portland. Portland has expanded his role since the trade and he's rewarded them for doing so.

You can make the Sabonis comparison with him as well.