2015-2016 NBA Game Thread

Eddie Jurak

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Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA 33s33 seconds ago
The Houston Rockets fired coach Kevin McHale, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
In a move that should surprise absolutely no one.

McHale looked old, frustrated and miserable coaching the "mail it in" Rockets.

At the same time, as bad as he looked, he probably still could have suited up and dropped 30 on the Rockets' pathetic Efense.
 

jmcc5400

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Hopefully, this means we get Kevin back on NBA TV with Chris Webber. They were good together.
 

Kliq

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His shot's coming around, and he's a lot stronger already than I think anybody expected him to be. He's aggressive on the offensive glass, can get his shot off against anybody, and is shockingly athletic for somebody his size. I have a lot of trouble coming up with comps for him when I watch him play, but Pau Gasol is a reasonably good one, though I think he's a better perimeter scorer already than Gasol ever was. Early on, the comp was Bargnani, but I think Porzingis has already shown himself to be a better post player and rebounder, thank god.
I think it is hard to say right now. His skill set is outstanding for someone so young. Before the season began Zach Lowe wrote about how he was worried Porzingis would be buried on the bench and that he needs minutes to get out there and suck, similar to how the Bucks used Giannis his rookie season. Porzingis has blown that prediction away, I think his best comp is Dirk considering his ability to put the ball on the floor in addition to his stroke, but the scary thing is Porzingis has a much higher defensive ceiling than Dirk ever did.
 

jmcc5400

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Haymakers from the Clips. But they're frontrunners. Let's see if the Dubs can claw back.
 

nattysez

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After Curry's TOs in the 4th, I thought there was no chance they'd win. Amazing.

As half of basketball Twitter has pointed out, no one's yet come up with a way to stop the Curry-Klay-Iggy-Barnes-Draymond lineup.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I feel bad for El Uno. I think the Clippers have the talent to compete for the crown but they appear to lack a closer's mentality. And Doc had nothing for the Warriors small line-up at the end.
 

ifmanis5

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Another big game that the Clips can't close.

NBA scheduler maker fucked up. The Dubs and the Spurs play 3 times but two of those games are at the very end of the year so both teams will be resting and those games will be meaningless. There's really only one Dubs/Spurs game and it's not until March 19th.

After the Bulls tonight the next hard game for the Dubs is at the Raps on Dec 5th. If they win tonight against the Bulls (which is a tough one on no rest) I'd expect them to be 20-0 before that Raps game.
 

ElUno20

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I feel bad for El Uno. I think the Clippers have the talent to compete for the crown but they appear to lack a closer's mentality. And Doc had nothing for the Warriors small line-up at the end.
Don't. The Warriors give me the Kobe Shaq Lakers vibe, i know they are clearly far and away above everyone else but i just dont like them and it's more than a hate thing it is really just a matter of taste. I cant stand watching Curry play basketball. So I just put the nba on the backburner.

The clippers can compete but they can't beat the warriors. For today's NBA, the warriors have the perfect players and system. The rest of the league should pray for injury because I really believe they'll get damn close to 72 wins, if not match it. But i couldn't care less.
 
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DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Don't. The Warriors give me the Kobe Shaq Lakers vibe, i know they are clearly far and away above everyone else but i just dont like them and it's more than a hate thing it is really just a matter of taste. I cant stand watching Curry play basketball. So I just put the nba on the backburner.

The clippers can compete but they can't beat the warriors. For today's NBA, the warriors have the perfect players and system. The rest of the league should pray for injury because I really believe they'll get damn close to 72 wins, if not match it. But i couldn't care less.
I understand. This is not about the Warriors though. I am fascinated with a team like the Clippers who clearly have the talent to compete at the highest level yet can't seem to get over the hump.

I know CP3 is hurt but injuries aside, it feels like they don't play fundamentally good team basketball.

As such, I wonder if a mini blow up at the trade deadline might give them a boost. I don't think they will do it but I wonder whether CP3 move, assuming they can find a willing counterparty who can give them enough value, would help this team overall.

It may sound crazy because his talent is almost impossible to replace but the counter argument is that they are unlikely to go far in the playoffs as currently constructed.
 

Kliq

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The thing with LA is that they have no composure at all. One bad call goes against them and they immediately start mentally unfolding and end up collapsing through dumb mistakes and lazy defense. That issue starts with their head coach. It's also a team with a lot of weird personalities and adding Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson to that locker probably doesn't help.

I don't think the worst thing in the world for them was when Jordan originally looked to be going to Dallas. I think he is just such an offensive risk that it hurts Blake on the offensive end. Another big that might not have as much defensive upside (and I think DJ is an overrated defender) but can roll to the rim and knock down a 15-20 foot jumper and you could actually be better. In most situations you could get by with Griffin as the Center.
 

Kliq

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Dogfight in GS with Chicago up one with eight minutes to go. GS showing some wear and tear and Curry has been mortal. Jimmy Butler has been outstanding.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Chicago is very good and very deep (E'Twaun Moore!) - I think they are really going to push the Cavs in the East. That said, the Warriors depth won out here. Curry was clearly gassed tonight but not so much Harrison Barnes, Iguodala, Draymond Green and Ezeli. 14-0 now and if they win Sunday in Denver they tie the record for best start. If they get that, its back at Oracle on Tuesday vs the Lakers to make history.
 

Kliq

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Chicago is very good and very deep (E'Twaun Moore!) - I think they are really going to push the Cavs in the East. That said, the Warriors depth won out here. Curry was clearly gassed tonight but not so much Harrison Barnes, Iguodala, Draymond Green and Ezeli. 14-0 now and if they win Sunday in Denver they tie the record for best start. If they get that, its back at Oracle on Tuesday vs the Lakers to make history.

The problem Chicago faced (and this was in part because they didn't have Rose) but they didn't have anyone outside of Butler to create their own shot. Even worse, guys were passing chances up. Several times they swung the ball around the court and guys passed up open jumpers to shuffle it back to Butler who would have to settle for deep twos. They were scared to pull the trigger in the fourth and it showed. Butler and Hinrich actually outscored Curry and Thompson tonight, but the big issue was that Barnes, Iggy and Green stepped up and the Bulls players outside of the guards didn't. Curry was pretty bad tonight, and considering he is playing at an all-time high level this season, this was a perfect game for them to lose and Chicago couldn't close the door.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Some numbers for SBDS, from Ethan Strauss: after tonight's game, GSW's closing small lineup has outscored teams by 74 points in 54 minutes.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Hey, you never know. Cs put a serious scare into the Ws last season, and IT has often been Curry's Kryptonite.

Top five NBA teams by point differential:

1. Warriors +14.5
2. Spurs +8.8
3. Celtics +7.2
4. Cavs +6.8
5. Suns +4.8
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Some numbers for SBDS, from Ethan Strauss: after tonight's game, GSW's closing small lineup has outscored teams by 74 points in 54 minutes.
Mark December 11th on your calendar. Celts #1 D (tied w/SA) versus the W's.
According to BRef, the GSW small lineup of Curry, KT, AI, Barnes, and Green is #1 for lineups that have played over 50 minutes (+64.2).

However, for lineups that have played more than 10 minutes, the top lineup is Bradley, IT, Crowder, KO, and Sullinger at +83.7.

The Cs should be able to match up well with GSW as well as any other team.

And yes I know that 10 minutes is the definition of SSS.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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With a 118-105 win tonight in Denver, Golden State is in line to make history and be the first team to go 16-0 in the NBA when they face the Lakers on Tuesday. Five Warriors were in double figures and Curry didn't even see the court in the fourth.

In other news, the aforementioned Clippers not only lost tonight but 91-80 in Toronto but the big news is that things are not so smoove for Josh Smith apparently...

Josh Smith and an unspecified Clipper coach were involved in a frustration-fueled argument following the Clippers’ 91-80 loss to Toronto Sunday.

Profanities and yelling made their way through the cement walls separating the Clipper locker room from an adjacent room where the media was waiting to speak to head coach Doc Rivers.
 

Kliq

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Paul George scored 40 tonight against Washington. I think some have forgotten that this guy was a top 10 player in the league before he got injured, and seems to be back and better than ever. He is averaging 25 a game while shooting 42/41/84 and grabbing 8.6 boards per game and averaging nearly 5 assists per game while also doubling as a top wing defender in the league, capable of guarding four positions at times, and the Pacers are 9-5. Pretty good for a guy that had his leg literally snapped in two 18 months ago.

Oh, and he changed his number to 13. Let the PG-13 era begin!
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Its painful watching Kobe go out like this. I know he isn't loved in Boston but I have always respected his game and competitive nature, even if he hasn't been a likable team guy. 1-14 from the field thus far tonight. Ugh...
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Its painful watching Kobe go out like this. I know he isn't loved in Boston but I have always respected his game and competitive nature, even if he hasn't been a likable team guy. 1-14 from the field thus far tonight. Ugh...
I feel no such pain watching him go out this way. Kobe cashing a season paycheck and choking a (once) legendary franchise screams Kobe. Without typing rape.
 

nattysez

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Paul George scored 40 tonight against Washington. I think some have forgotten that this guy was a top 10 player in the league before he got injured, and seems to be back and better than ever. He is averaging 25 a game while shooting 42/41/84 and grabbing 8.6 boards per game and averaging nearly 5 assists per game while also doubling as a top wing defender in the league, capable of guarding four positions at times, and the Pacers are 9-5. Pretty good for a guy that had his leg literally snapped in two 18 months ago.

Oh, and he changed his number to 13. Let the PG-13 era begin!
Have they been having him guard/play the 4 much, as was rumored in the pre-season?

Its painful watching Kobe go out like this. I know he isn't loved in Boston but I have always respected his game and competitive nature, even if he hasn't been a likable team guy. 1-14 from the field thus far tonight. Ugh...
This should probably be its own thread, but I've got to assume that Jeannie Buss is going to fire everyone from Byron Scott on up in a few weeks. The team is an embarrassment and there is really not much hope for improvement. They owe Kobe $25mm next year and the guy is headed toward one of the worst seasons in basketball history given how much and how poorly he is shooting.
 
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gingerbreadmann

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I haven't watched any Pacers games aside from the second time they beat the Celtics, but according to BBRef he's played the 3 and the 4 almost exactly 50% of the time each. I also don't think people necessarily forgot about him, but the wheels very abruptly fell off the Pacers hype train starting with Roy Hibbert's legendary playoff series against the Hawks two years ago and continuing through Stephenson leaving, George getting hurt, and the team sucking last year. So it will take a while for people to start paying close attention but it was clear from the time he got injured that those kinds of clean breaks actually bode pretty well for long-term recovery and he's been showing that pretty loudly this year. I also was shocked to learn that he is still only 25.

As for Kobe: What he is doing right now is nothing short of performance art at the sole expense of the Los Angeles Lakers. It's not often we get to witness a man who has built up the cachet in an organization as to become completely untouchable both on and off the basketball court, and even rarer that the man develops such a righteous mix of grumpiness, antagonism, and suckitude that he sinks the entire ship by himself. It's beautiful and we should all be watching in awe.
 

tbrep

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I don't think Kobe is hurting the Lakers at all in the long run. He's contributed to them having the second-worst record and being in line to keep their top-3 protected pick. His contract is an insane overpay but I imagine he still has star appeal that brings in people and allows ticket pricing to be what it is.
 

Tony C

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I feel no such pain watching him go out this way. Kobe cashing a season paycheck and choking a (once) legendary franchise screams Kobe. Without typing rape.
This should probably be its own thread, but I've got to assume that Jeannie Buss is going to fire everyone from Byron Scott on up in a few weeks. The team is an embarrassment and there is really not much hope for improvement. They owe Kobe $25mm next year and the guy is headed toward one of the worst seasons in basketball history given how much and how poorly he is shooting.
The real question is if she fires/demotes her brother. If Russell continues to pale compared to Porzingis, I have to think that Kupchak will go with Scott -- but it may give Jeannie the legitimacy to make the hard call and get rid of her brother, bring back in Jerry West and Magic to coordinate who replaces the whole crew.

As for Kobe: What he is doing right now is nothing short of performance art at the sole expense of the Los Angeles Lakers. It's not often we get to witness a man who has built up the cachet in an organization as to become completely untouchable both on and off the basketball court, and even rarer that the man develops such a righteous mix of grumpiness, antagonism, and suckitude that he sinks the entire ship by himself. It's beautiful and we should all be watching in awe.
It's true that truly sucking doesn't hurt the Lakers as such and could help them land in the bottom 3 -- i.e., keep their 1st rounder But, one, they weren't planning a Sixers style tank. Two, Randle and Russell are clearly hurt by having Kobe around. I mean, it's truly awful basketball -- described well by ginger -- and at this point I think the Lakers would be better in Knicks mode of trying to establish a competitive team and use that to attract free agents.

But it's so fun to watch Kobe right now...performance art, indeed.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Have they been having him guard/play the 4 much, as was rumored in the pre-season?
Yes and No. Most teams aren't starting a 4 who is going to put George in a position to fail. So when they play a Memphis for example w Z-Bo at the 4 they go with Mahinmi and Jordan Hill at the 4/5 but when it's a non-scoring 4 like a Scola starting he can't punish George yet it gives the Pacers a mismatch advantage on the other end. It's giving them a ton of flexibility which is paying off to put George in tremendous positions to succeed.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Sixers might get a win tonight.
That would be negative.

There are so many teams laying down right now it's only a matter of time before the Wizards, Nets, or Bucks get caught in a 4th quarter deficit where they can't turn the switch on in time. Aside from that they host both the Lakers and Nuggets next week.
 

Kliq

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Sixers vanquished by James Harden's 50. He has been up and down all year but he is averaging 36.2 ppg over his last five games.

I feel really bad for Okafor. He is having a fine start to his career but it really sucks for a kid who is used to always having top talent around him to have to rely on entry passes from Ish Caanan and Phil Pressey.
 

sox311

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That's what she said.
Deandre 12/34 from the free throw line tonight.

10/27 on intentional fouls shots. Not sure how he calculated this stat but @kpelton reported that "clippers out scored the Blazers 15-7 on those possessions"