2017-18 NBA Regular Season Game/Observation Thread

luckiestman

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Don't look now but the Clippers are balling out. Blake is looking rejuvenated, Lou Will is doing Lou Will things, Milos is getting dimes and street free agent (AKA G League graduate) Tyrone Wallace is doing lots of good little things for Doc.

I did not even know Milos was back. I liked them at full strength early this year.
 

Sam Ray Not

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street free agent (AKA G League graduate) Tyrone Wallace
UC Berkeley grad to you!! Go Bears!

But yeah, huge props to Doc for getting these guys to ball out when the season seemed totally lost for them. Tonight makes five straight — including outright spankings of both the Rockets and Warriors (yeah, without Harden and Curry, but it's not the Clips haven't been decimated). They're now above water (22-21) and in a three-way tie for the #8 seed.

Love all the saltiness and chippiness in this game too. El Uno's a better judge, but this feels like more fight than I've seen in the Clips in years.
 

Nick Kaufman

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Isaiah is what, 85%? 90%? Which is hard because that last 10% is what separates very good from great. Obvious question: when does it come back if at all?

I'm still rooting for him.
It didn't seem to me that IT's problem was physical; he just didn't have enough reps for his shots to fall that's all.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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UC Berkeley grad to you!! Go Bears!

But yeah, huge props to Doc for getting these guys to ball out when the season seemed totally lost for them. Tonight makes five straight — including outright spankings of both the Rockets and Warriors (yeah, without Harden and Curry, but it's not the Clips haven't been decimated). They're now above water (22-21) and in a three-way tie for the #8 seed.

Love all the saltiness and chippiness in this game too. El Uno's a better judge, but this feels like more fight than I've seen in the Clips in years.
I am a huge Tyrone Wallace fan (stan for the kids). He has been great in the week since the Clips brought him onboard.

If this seeding holds, Rockets Clippers would be a first round series. I want a 21 game series...


Clippers are my new LP darling.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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For those on mobile, Woj reporting that Harden, Ariza and Gerald Green went into the Clippers locker room to confront Austin Rivers before security intervened and escorted them out.

Too funny all the way around.
 

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theapportioner

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Some amazing words about the locker room drama after the Clippers-Rockets game:

"It was classic NBA," one Clipper witness told ESPN. "None of these guys were going to fight."
As the drama unfolded later, Rockets center Clint Capela walked down the main corridor and banged on the front entrance to the Clippers' locker room, league sources said. Soon, a Clippers staff member opened the door and looked up to see Capela, a formidable 6-foot-10 figure standing in the doorway.

She shut the door in Capela's face. For a few moments, Capela stood there, unsure how to proceed. Before long, Capela walked back to the Rockets' locker room, showered and headed for the bus with the rest of the Rockets.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22116253/houston-rockets-push-la-clippers-locker-room

I wonder if there'll be fines/suspensions over this.
 

ElUno20

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This whole situation is comical. I'd love to see any NBA player in an actual fight, especially cp.

On doc rallying the scrubs, I think it's a perfect combo of their situation and Doc's main strength (all the motivational hoopla). When you have guys who are dying to stay in the league or break through, it's easier to get the fire going in the regular season.
 

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sezwho

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This whole situation is comical. I'd love to see any NBA player in an actual fight, especially cp.

On doc rallying the scrubs, I think it's a perfect combo of their situation and Doc's main strength (all the motivational hoopla). When you have guys who are dying to stay in the league or break through, it's easier to get the fire going in the regular season.
I don't want to see the bolded, frankly they are just as likely to break their hands as anyone's face and it just encourages the next generation of 'tough guys'. I definitely agree that Doc's greatest strength, and I believe an underrated one, is getting his team motivated and playing together.

Cool video here if you want to see what an NBA 7' kick boxer looks like though. Apologies for reposting as I may have seen this video in another thread. Imagine if he used the whole Muay Thai arsenal (knees, elbows and leg strikes)!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2724313-tim-duncan-training-in-mma-in-post-nba-life
 

ElUno20

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I don't want to see the bolded, frankly they are just as likely to break their hands as anyone's face and it just encourages the next generation of 'tough guys'. I definitely agree that Doc's greatest strength, and I believe an underrated one, is getting his team motivated and playing together.

Cool video here if you want to see what an NBA 7' kick boxer looks like though. Apologies for reposting as I may have seen this video in another thread. Imagine if he used the whole Muay Thai arsenal (knees, elbows and leg strikes)!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2724313-tim-duncan-training-in-mma-in-post-nba-life
I meant it in jest mainly. I know they can't fight
 

DJnVa

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Apparently, LeBron, KLove and DWade met with the media in secret last night to say that their team stinks, they need help, and that IT is a problem, particularly on defense. I feel terrible for IT, though they're not necessarily wrong.

Yikes. Dude has been back for a handful of games and the knife is already in his back. Kyrie knew what he was doing.

Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon quoted a league source, who said this: “Rotations are awful. IT (Isaiah Thomas) is so much worse than Kyrie (Irving) defensively it’s insane. There is not a great feeling anywhere. They need to limp into the All-Star break and get away from each other
 

sezwho

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I meant it in jest mainly. I know they can't fight
Right on. Kermit Washington demonstrates what can happen when one of these incredibly fit, strong and explosive athletes actually lands one though. I also remember Shaq whistling one past an earhole that made we wonder how the story would have ended if landed.
 

Kliq

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I mean, it wasn't like the Cavs were firing on all cylinders before IT came back. Plus their defense was lousy (I think SRN said it was 28th in the league) and one player cannot swing it that much; the entire team has to have a better effort and the coach needs to adjust his strategy because it is clearly not working. IT is a lousy defender but that wasn't really a surprise; the fact that they are burying him when he is still trying to work his way back from a serious injury isn't a good sign.

I can't imagine being a Cavs executive right now. What do you do? Without injury luck they are not getting past GS, even if they somehow land DeAndre or another player. Even if you did a Brooklyn pick for DeAndre trade, are you sure that is going to be enough to keep LeBron after this season? If you make that move and then you lose LeBron, they are starting at ground zero again. LeBron being coy with his future has to be frustrating for the players, coaches and front office staff.
 

sezwho

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Is everyone in this league losing their minds? Tonight it's Aaron Afflalo with the haymaker looking for the knockout
Geez, that’s a night ender even going up a weight class. If Mayweather says ‘haymaker’ who are we to judge? Looks like Augustin(?) tried to sneak in a cheap shot at the end too.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I think Silver needs to hold a WWE-like event at the All Star game. Afflalo/Bjelica as the undercard with a royal rumble between Ariza, CP3, Harden, Green & Capela vs Rivers, Griffin, Dekker, Harrell and Beverley.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I think Silver needs to hold a WWE-like event at the All Star game. Afflalo/Bjelica as the undercard with a royal rumble between Ariza, CP3, Harden, Green & Capela vs Rivers, Griffin, Dekker, Harrell and Beverley.
Don't forget last weeks Serge Ibaka/James Johnson match that reminded me of the Chris Childs punch to Kobe's face. Lots of stuff for Adam Silver to be tested with this week.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Don't forget last weeks Serge Ibaka/James Johnson match that reminded me of the Chris Childs punch to Kobe's face. Lots of stuff for Adam Silver to be tested with this week.
James Johnson shouldn't be allowed near any other NBA players when it comes to fighting. The aforementioned match-ups would simply be a bunch of AAU kids having a slap fight. I don't doubt Ibaka's toughness but James Johnson can probably kill him with a single roundhouse kick.
 

Sprowl

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Jackson and Bender are putting on a show against the Blazers. The proto-Suns may start shining yet.
 

Sprowl

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5 minutes left in the first half, Bender has 3 points, Jackson 8, and the Suns are down 11. Kind of quick on the the trigger you are.
I still have a tinge of regret that Bender isn't a Celtic (and want him to prove my gut right). Besides, Bender makes the right pass, but none of his teammates do, so he doesn't get enough shots.
 

BaseballJones

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Is everyone in this league losing their minds? Tonight it's Aaron Afflalo with the haymaker looking for the knockout blow!

https://sportsnaut.com/2018/01/watch-aaron-aflalo-throws-haymaker-gets-ejected/
Why did Bjelica get ejected? He didn't throw a punch. He didn't push. He didn't put his hands up in Afflalo's face. There was contact, Afflalo turned, pushed Bjelica in the face, and then threw a haymaker that fortunately missed. Bjelica then got him in a headlock to control him, lifted his right hand as if to say, "I'm not looking to fight", when he could have absolutely pummeled him, and then let it go when separated.

What is Bjelica supposed to do there? Run away? Let Afflalo deck him? He handled that part of the confrontation perfectly. Protect yourself, but don't fight back. Why that gets him ejected, I have no idea.
 

DJnVa

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Because of the headlock. Yes, he should have not engaged at all.

Not really realistic, but that's what it is.
 

Tony C

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two random comments -- in a flu/pneumonia haze -- post CP3-Clippers game/post-game confrontation.

1: Isn't that just a really bad look for CP3? One, he's the friggin' head of the players' assoc and for him to be part of a crew barging into another team's locker room is super juvenile for someone who presents himself as the face of mature professionalism. Beyond that, doesn't it highlight the nagging doubt about him as a mega-superstar? I really want to love CP3: love watching him play, love his style, love his focus, love his intelligence -- he is truly great and the whole package (love his little kid, too). And I don't buy the Skip Bayless style "you're not great if you haven't won championships" hot take. It's tough to win championships and CP3 has never had a team that had more than an outside shot. And yet, there does seem to be this flaw he has - whether it be punching the guy in the nuts at Wake Forest to the game 7 meltdown vs the Rockets (ironically) to Clipper-land complaints that he pointed fingers/never took responsibility, there just seems to be a connecting thread of a guy who needs to be in control and loses it a bit if that control frays. This regular season game vs the Clippers is that in a microcosm: after a somewhat graceless exit just return to L.A., wave to the crowd, say some nice things about his years there, play hard and go home. Instead he makes snarky comments, was clearly over-emotional during the game, and then is part of juvenile hijinks after the game. In the larger scheme, who cares....just a passing beef that is kinda funny, but it does make one wonder if CP3 just somehow has a character flaw that shows itself at inopportune moments.

2: I know there was some chat early in the season from El Uno and a few others about how the Clippers might have an interesting run,. That's been largely derailed by a furious run of injuries moving them from underdog to long longshot. That said, they are super fun, interesting team. You can see that without CP3 yelling at them/at the refs constantly they're much looser and with Doc relieved of GM duties Franks and West (and whomever) have done a great job at getting complementary pieces -- exactly the sort of complementary pieces they didn't have when they had the great starting 5 of CP3/Griffin/Jordan/Reddick/Moute. It's easy to imagine this team sneaking into the playoffs, and if healthy being one of those "will take any team to 7 games" pain-in-the-ass squads. That's especially true if Beverly were able to make it back -- read a blurb that it's an outside chance, though seems highly doubtful -- assuming not it's more of a woulda/coulda/shoulda comment....but in any case it is a much more fun team to watch now.
 

Sam Ray Not

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The Beard set to return (barring potential setbacks or suspensions) tomorrow v. MIN, which puts him back in (or atop?) the MVP chase, the Rockets back in the hunt for the #1 seed, and the three-point crown totally up for grabs...

145 Thompson, GS
145 Harden, HOU
129 Gordon, HOU
127 George, OKC
126 Williams, LAC
126 Ellington, MIA
122 Curry, GS
113 Lowry, TOR
112 Irving, BOS
111 Ariza, HOU

Curry, the five-time defending three-point king, has his work cut out for him. He's been known to drop 157 after the all-star break (2016, including an insane 67 on 54% 3fg in his ten February games), so think it's still his if he wants it — and stays healthy, knock wood — but I kinda think Klay and the Beard might want it more this season.
 
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BaseballJones

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Because of the headlock. Yes, he should have not engaged at all.

Not really realistic, but that's what it is.
If he doesn't put him in a headlock, Afflalo keeps swinging and likely connects. I mean, you're probably right - that might be the reason for his ejection, but a player should be allowed to protect himself without being ejected. Especially when he literally didn't push or throw a punch or anything. He just grabbed him and held on so he wouldn't get cold cocked in the face.
 

Sam Ray Not

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I still can't believe Afflalo hauled off and took a full, closed-fist swing at someone's face. You almost never see that in a 21st century hoops skirmish, and it didn't look like there was anything to warrant that level of escalation. If Bjelica deserves a game or two for not immediately backing away, Afflalo deserves 10 or 20.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Kawhi now out indefinitely with the same weird quad issue that kept him, out a the start of the season. Ugh. Was really looking forward to the SAS-HOU death re-match in round 2; seems less likely now. The Wolves might well slide up to #3 now, with a potential #4-5 of SAS-OKC.

In any case, get well soon, Kawhi.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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As has been noted in this forum and in other NBA circles, the Afflalo punch doesn't just come out of nowhere. By all accounts Afflalo isn't a dirty player so that punch was out of character. As is always the case, there are two sides to every story and it would not surprise many if we learn that Bjelica, like other NBA bigs (*cough* Steven Adams /cough) has a well earned reputation around the Association for dirty little things that the cameras don't catch but other players notice.

Or, maybe it's just a case of a generally well regarded veteran losing his damn mind.
 

Kliq

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Kawhi now out indefinitely with the same weird quad issue that kept him, out a the start of the season. Ugh. Was really looking forward to the SAS-HOU death re-match in round 2; seems less likely now. The Wolves might well slide up to #3 now, with a potential #4-5 of SAS-OKC.

In any case, get well soon, Kawhi.
It’s funny that you think Pop isn’t going to win 55 games this season.
 

Sam Ray Not

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It’s funny that you think Pop isn’t going to win 55 games this season.
So, 26-11 (.703) from here on out, a much better pace than they've managed so far (.644), without Kawhi for some or all of it? It's possible — and as I said preseason, I wish I had a nickel for every time I've prematurely predicted the demise of the Spurs. But at this point I think I'd put even money on Minnesota (0.5 games behind with a better net rating and not missing their best player) to pass them. Butler and Towns seem to be developing a really nice synergy and — so long as cruddy Wiggins doesn't siphon off too much usage from them — are just so much better than the Spurs' top end guys, sans Kawhi. But I'm sure Pop will make me eat my words again...
 

BaseballJones

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I still can't believe Afflalo hauled off and took a full, closed-fist swing at someone's face. You almost never see that in a 21st century hoops skirmish, and it didn't look like there was anything to warrant that level of escalation. If Bjelica deserves a game or two for not immediately backing away, Afflalo deserves 10 or 20.
Imagine if he had connected flush in the face. Holy cow.