2016-2017 NBA Game Thread

HomeRunBaker

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after starting 9-2 the Hawks are 1-9 and getting blown out of games.
I'll take a shot at it........

1. They were never as good as their 9-2 start indicated and not nearly as bad as their recent 1-9 shows. They are 10-11 which is about where you'd expect them to be post-Teague and post-Horford.

2. They are offensively challenged with Millsap out the past few games (although the slide began when he was still playing).

3. The schedule heavily favored Atlanta early on. They won both games versus Philly. Beat Sacramento, Washington, and Milwaukee at home. During this 1-9 stretch over just 15 days the Hawks have played 8 of those 10 games on the road without any time to recover/practice. This also leads to my point above in #1.
 

ElUno20

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And what has happened to the Clippers El Uno? Thoughts? They looked great out of the gates.

I mean dude. They're like 16-6. Outside of the Dubs and Cavs, that's a great record.

Simply, they are a well oiled machine. But they aren't on the Cavs or Warriors level. Nothing wrong with that, imo. That's why the failure talk, blow it up, etc has always been so stupid to me. I've had the chance to watch great basketball 6-7 months out of the year for the last 5 years. I'll take that over the wear a bag over the head days.

Long winded but that's where I stand.

Edit: forgot to add, I love how there big wins this year have been completely ignored but when they shit the bed it's time to break them up.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I mean dude. They're like 16-6. Outside of the Dubs and Cavs, that's a great record.

Simply, they are a well oiled machine. But they aren't on the Cavs or Warriors level. Nothing wrong with that, imo. That's why the failure talk, blow it up, etc has always been so stupid to me. I've had the chance to watch great basketball 6-7 months out of the year for the last 5 years. I'll take that over the wear a bag over the head days.

Long winded but that's where I stand.

Edit: forgot to add, I love how there big wins this year have been completely ignored but when they shit the bed it's time to break them up.
To be clear I don't think you blow them up and I think they can beat GS or the Spurs this season. Hell, I might bet on them on Wednesday.

That said, I was just noting that after going 11-1 to start, they now appear to be up and down. On paper, this is one of their deepest squads I can remember and CP3 is off to a fantastic start. I just haven't had a chance to see them play much yet.

There is no way you blow them up, especially since you won't get equal value for any of their "tradeable" assets.
 

Devizier

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Weren't the Clippers one of the teams rumored to be interested in Zach Randolph? I don't see any way for them to get it done, but it would make for an impressive frontcourt rotation.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Hmm, I feel like the Clips are already overloaded with "smallish offense-minded bigs who can't really guard the perimeter or the rim" in Griffin, Speights and Bass. What their frontcourt rotation could really use imho is either one more true rim protector for when DJ sits or gets hurt (Cole Aldrich, e.g.) or an athletic 3-4 who can switch defensively (Thad Young, e.g.) ZBo would only make their oldish and slowish core rotation older and slower.

I basically agree with El Uno's take. Their early success is based on the sublime talent and chemistry (built over 5-6 years now) of their Big 4. When those guys sit — particularly all of them during the "hockey substitutions" that I think Doc does way too much of — the drop-off is dramatic. Last night the Pacers with their core of young athletic wings obliterated them when the Big 4 were off the floor.

When the Big 4 are on the floor, they're clearly a "well-oiled machine" — but they're also a very familiar machine to teams like the Spurs and Warriors who have faced them 4-5 times a year over the past 5-6 years (with a couple of playoff series for good measure). I think it'd take a inspired feat of coaching genius to come up with enough new wrinkles in the way those four play to bother the Warriors in a 7-game series. Or failing that, a key injury or two, like the ones that felled the Clips last year v. Portland, the Cavs in the 2015 finals, or the Warriors in the 2016 Finals...

If I have one hope for the playoffs this year (beyond my fanboyish wish for the Ws to win it all) it's that all the contenders enter the playoffs at 100% health and stay that way throughout the playoffs.
 
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BigSoxFan

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I'll take a shot at it........

1. They were never as good as their 9-2 start indicated and not nearly as bad as their recent 1-9 shows. They are 10-11 which is about where you'd expect them to be post-Teague and post-Horford.

2. They are offensively challenged with Millsap out the past few games (although the slide began when he was still playing).

3. The schedule heavily favored Atlanta early on. They won both games versus Philly. Beat Sacramento, Washington, and Milwaukee at home. During this 1-9 stretch over just 15 days the Hawks have played 8 of those 10 games on the road without any time to recover/practice. This also leads to my point above in #1.
4. Dwight Howard is the losiest loser in the league.
 

ElUno20

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To be clear I don't think you blow them up and I think they can beat GS or the Spurs this season. Hell, I might bet on them on Wednesday.

That said, I was just noting that after going 11-1 to start, they now appear to be up and down. On paper, this is one of their deepest squads I can remember and CP3 is off to a fantastic start. I just haven't had a chance to see them play much yet.

There is no way you blow them up, especially since you won't get equal value for any of their "tradeable" assets.
The "struggles" of late aren't that concerning to me. They're pretty standard for a 303939 month NBA season. It's just when you do it in the shadow of the warriors, it looks bad. Especially when the warriors never lose games.

I like their chances against the spurs in the playoffs (they did beat them in a 7 game series 2 years ago despite it being scrubbed from the NBA record books). The warriors though, no way. Id have to see it to believe it. Maybe if Blake were an all league defender that we could bank on shutting down Draymond then ...maybe. But given what they are I just can't see it.

And that's just basketball wise, mentally the warriors own the clipps. Curry's MVP and title really mindfucked CP and Blake is very easily mindfucked himself by Draymond.
 

ElUno20

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Hmm, I feel like the Clips are already overloaded with "smallish offense-minded bigs who can't really guard the perimeter or the rim" in Griffin, Speights and Bass. What their frontcourt rotation could really use imho is either one more true rim protector for when DJ sits or gets hurt (Cole Aldrich, e.g.) or an athletic 3-4 who can switch defensively (Thad Young, e.g.) ZBo would only make their oldish and slowish core rotation older and slower.

I basically agree with El Uno's take. Their early success is based on the sublime talent and chemistry (built over 5-6 years now) of their Big 4. When those guys sit — particularly all of them during the "hockey substitutions" that I think Doc does way too much of — the drop-off is dramatic. Last night the Pacers with their core of young athletic wings obliterated them when the Big 4 were off the floor.

When the Big 4 are on the floor, they're clearly a "well-oiled machine" — but they're also a very familiar machine to teams like the Spurs and Warriors who have faced them 4-5 times a year over the past 5-6 years (with a couple of playoff series for good measure). I think it'd take a inspired feat of coaching genius to come up with enough new wrinkles in the way those four play to bother the Warriors in a 7-game series. Or failing that, a key injury or two, like the ones that felled the Clips last year v. Portland, the Cavs in the 2015 finals, or the Warriors in the 2016 Finals...

If I have one hope for the playoffs this year (beyond my fanboyish wish for the Ws to win it all) it's that all the contenders enter the playoffs at 100% health and stay that way throughout the playoffs.
On the Doc hockey sub thing, I'm not a hardcore stats guy so I don't have the numbers but just watching games, it's insane how rarely he sends Blake or CP out with the second unit. So then it just makes the bench that more crucial because there are zero playmakers outside of Blake or CP on the team.

The 2nd unit is basically street basketball/one on one guys. So when someone's shot isn't falling, it has a huge impact.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Also, it may be time to discuss the curious case of Troy Daniels who may be breaking out after going undrafted.
 

jmcc5400

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Love seeing Curry jumping up and down like a five year old on the bench at Klays pyrotechnics.
 

Kliq

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The 60 point game is one of my favorite little things about the NBA, if only Indy could have kept it close.
 

Kliq

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Credit to Kerr and the staff for not pushing it either. Whether or not them going for 73 wins hurt them, it's only sensible to sit your starters up 40--a Curry ankle roll could derail their season.
 

BigSoxFan

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Credit to Kerr and the staff for not pushing it either. Whether or not them going for 73 wins hurt them, it's only sensible to sit your starters up 40--a Curry ankle roll could derail their season.
By "de-rail", I'm assuming you mean drop their win total to like 65 instead of 70. This team is even better than last year.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Most points scored in NBA history with < 30 minutes played:

1. 60, Klay Thompson, 12/5/16
2. 43, Larry Bird, 3/18/86
 

coremiller

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The record for offensive rating in a season is 115.6, by the 86-87 Lakers. The Warriors are currently at 118.2. Last year's Warrior team was 114.5.
 

Sam Ray Not

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According to Haberstroh, Klay had the ball in his hands for his 60 points for total of 88.4 seconds.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Anybody here still feel like Klay's not going to get enough touches in this offense and is going to demand a trade?
This changes a long time ago when Draymond came out publicly and said he'd forego his role in the offense to focus on becoming Defensive Player of the Year.

Lol I know it sounds like I've been a Draymond apologist lately but truth is I'm really not a super fan of his. I just call it like I see it and his move here opened the door up for Klay.
 

coremiller

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This changes a long time ago when Draymond came out publicly and said he'd forego his role in the offense to focus on becoming Defensive Player of the Year.

Lol I know it sounds like I've been a Draymond apologist lately but truth is I'm really not a super fan of his. I just call it like I see it and his move here opened the door up for Klay.
Curry has been giving up more shots than Draymond:

Draymond FGA/G:

2015-16: 10.1
2016-17: 8.9

Curry FGA/G:

2015-16: 20.2
2016-17: 17.5
 

Cesar Crespo

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This changes a long time ago when Draymond came out publicly and said he'd forego his role in the offense to focus on becoming Defensive Player of the Year.

Lol I know it sounds like I've been a Draymond apologist lately but truth is I'm really not a super fan of his. I just call it like I see it and his move here opened the door up for Klay.
They are averaging 120 points a game. Getting shots was never going to be a problem at the pace they play at.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Although it seems the whole NBA plays at that pace now but I don't have time to look up the figures. I'd guess points per game are up considerably this year over last and it's a continuing trend.
 

Cellar-Door

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BJ Armstrong is having a rough week. First in trying to defend his client Draymond he babbled a bunch of nonsense, and didn't know who was on the competition committee (it includes the GS owner btw, along with a bunch of coaches, ex-players etc.) and looked like a fool.
Today he said Montiejunas won't report to HOU after they matched and that "we have our rights", of course they don't have much in the way of rights unless his client wants to take a fraction of the money to play in some other league and never play in the NBA again.
 

Kliq

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On the other side of Klay scoring 60 holding the ball for around a minute, John Wall scored 52 last night with all 18 of his field goals coming unassisted. He also outscored the entire Magic starting five and the Wiz still lost.
 

ElUno20

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Beatdown administered in the first quarter. Clipps can't even keep the ball in their hands they're so shook.
 

CreedBratton

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On the other side of Klay scoring 60 holding the ball for around a minute, John Wall scored 52 last night with all 18 of his field goals coming unassisted. He also outscored the entire Magic starting five and the Wiz still lost.
Where does he get traded and how soon??
 

Kliq

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Where does he get traded and how soon??
Hard to say, some think Sacramento although others believe that SAC will trade Boogie to DC. The goal seems to be to reunite them because they like each other from Kentucky. Idk if either team has the appropriate assets to get one of them.

If they want to move him they are going to face the problem that the Cs did with Rondo in that a lot of teams have their franchise PG or have a young guy they want for that role so they are not interested in Wall. Wall is better than Rondo obviously but it will still be a challenge. Maybe Philly for Noel + picks?
 

HomeRunBaker

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Where does he get traded and how soon??
That's not really fair to criticize Wall for a) scoring 52 efficiently to keep his team in the game and b) scoring unassisted since he's the guy with the ball in his hands. He's the face of the franchise, does a ton of community service in the DC area, and generally regarded as a good guy. I'd wager on Beal being the guy moved.
 

Cesar Crespo

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That's not really fair to criticize Wall for a) scoring 52 efficiently to keep his team in the game and b) scoring unassisted since he's the guy with the ball in his hands. He's the face of the franchise, does a ton of community service in the DC area, and generally regarded as a good guy. I'd wager on Beal being the guy moved.
Think that was more criticizing the team than Wall. Sorta like when is NO gonna trade Anthony Davis.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Think that was more criticizing the team than Wall. Sorta like when is NO gonna trade Anthony Davis.
Or Sacramento Cousins. It makes no sense when the team is awful to trade your one young stud to set the team back even further. It's why these guys are extended in recent years and not traded.
 

Kliq

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Houston outlasts Westbrook's 7th straight triple double and beat OKC at home 102-99. I'd say this would make a great playoff series, but HOU or OKC vs anybody is must-watch TV.

a) OKC easily could have won this game as both Westbrook and Oladipo had layups rim out in the closing seconds.

b) Patrick Beverley vs Westbrook is a real NBA feud. Beverley is a marginal player in the NBA, he is probably like the 7th or 8th man on Houston, but when he plays Westbrook he suddenly becomes Scottie Pippen on defense. He locked Westbrook down on one crucial play down the stretch.

c) It's fun watching Victor Oladipo play meaningful basketball on a good team.

d) I loved Montrez Harrell at Louisville and he is really fun to watch in the NBA. Just an energy guy that literally tries to dunk everything.

e) There is a 6'9" forward for Houston, a young guy that is a great athlete that dunks on fools but struggles with his outside shot. Chances are if you envision that player you probably wouldn't see someone that looked like Sam Dekker. He could be a member of the Billy Hoyle All-Stars.

<iframe src="" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
 

tbrep

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HOU-OKC was one of those games where the box score probably flatters Westbrook. He was really sloppy with the ball in the first half, turning it over repeatedly and providing some real gift points for Houston. And his decision making at key moments was poor (i.e. jacking up off balance contested 3-pointers rather than attacking the rim).
 

jon abbey

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HOU-OKC was one of those games where the box score probably flatters Westbrook. He was really sloppy with the ball in the first half, turning it over repeatedly and providing some real gift points for Houston. And his decision making at key moments was poor (i.e. jacking up off balance contested 3-pointers rather than attacking the rim).
To be fair, Harden has about a billion times more help on offense, Roberson's inability to hit wide-open threes really hurt OKC in this one.
 

Kliq

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Old man Tony Allen and the Grizzlies force Klay and Steph to go 8-28 and beat GS by 20. Memphis is quietly 17-8 and Marc Gasol looks to be inserting himself into some MVP talks.