2017-18 NBA Regular Season Game/Observation Thread

Washington with 29 assists tonight, and they move a half-game behind Cleveland for the three seed. Wizards are now 8-2 since Wall went down and Tomas Satoransky had a flawless game tonight; 18 points on 6/7 shooting with 8 assists and zero turnovers.

Interesting that the Warriors shot 62.7% FG and 56% 3P and beat the Clippers, who rallied late, by only 7.

Imbricus said:

Interesting that the Warriors shot 62.7% FG and 56% 3P and beat the Clippers, who rallied late, by only 7.

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Golden State had a comfortable double digit lead nearly the entire game. Sweet Lou led a 19-4 run against the Warriors second unit late 3rd/early 4th which cut the lead from 20 to 5 when their defense, particularly Nick Young, was still enjoying the ASB.

HomeRunBaker said:

Golden State had a comfortable double digit lead nearly the entire game. Sweet Lou led a 19-4 run against the Warriors second unit late 3rd/early 4th which cut the lead from 20 to 5 when their defense, particularly Nick Young, was still enjoying the ASB.

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That warriors second unit sucks. Good thing they have the greatest team of all time.

The clipps aren't making the playoffs. Their schedule is brutal the next couple weeks.

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

Maybe they aren't as fixed as we hot-taked them out of the trade deadline. The fact is that, even if you buy that they made a huge defensive upgrade by simply trading away IT (it was clearly an upgrade but I am not sure it was that massive), they still haven't solved the points they lost when they dealt Irving to Boston. In theory, Hill can take up some of the scoring slack but let's see.



Those two kids are amazing. The Sixers are really one more star player, plus some more seasoning, away from being a contender provided that Embiid can stay healthy. He has quickly rocketed to one of my favorite players to watch in the NBA, and I have lots of guys I love to watch play. If Fultz figures his stuff out....

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I think this is a little hot takey. Washington was on fire yesterday and played great ball down the stretch. And Lebron seemed to be jogging most of the 2nd half (including some possessions late). Sometimes you just get beat. It's best to evaluate them after another 10-15 games

ElUno20 said:

That warriors second unit sucks.

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Assuming you're talking about their most used non-Steph/KD unit — the "low octane" Klay/Dray/Andre/Shaun/DWest group that's been starting the 2nd and 4th quarters — I see that as a classic case of how deceiving the eye test is, particularly when it comes to judging defense. I used to scream at the TV every time Kerr trotted out that unit ... till I noticed they had the best net rating of the Ws' most used five-man units (+19.3 points per 100 possessions), thanks to their killer defense. I mean, all units that don't include Steph tend to annoy me, since they never resemble the Warriors I know and love, but that one in particular has been really getting the job done, in its plodding, high IQ, defense-oriented way.

Last night that wasn't the case, alas — but you got to give a lot of credit for that to your Clips, who are deeper, younger, tougher and scrappier this year than they've been the last couple seasons. They came into the game having won 17 of their last 24, and last night took one Warrior haymaker after another and kept getting off the mat. Not convinced last year's Blake-CP3-Crawford-Pierce-Redick crew would have shown that much moxie. It took an epic performance by Steph (44 pts on 19 fga, partially helped by some horrible D by Austin Rivers, going under screen after screen) for the Ws to pull it out.

If the Clips slip off the playoff bubble, it'll be because the #3-10 in the West is brutally competitive, not for lack of talent and fight from them. And if they somehow end up in #1-8 first round series with Houston, I wouldn't be shocked to see them take it 7 (and maybe avenge the horrific 2015 debacle that effectively spelled the beginning of the end of their period of dominance?)

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

To be clear, I am not saying Cleveland hasn't improved their team. I too am simply saying that proclaiming them "fixed" and the first or second best team in the conference based on their two games after their trades was a bit premature.


I agree that we need a lot more data before we know how good this team is relative to both it's earlier incarnation as well as the other contenders.

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Lebron is on the Cavs. IT is not. By virtue of those two facts, Cleveland is automatically one of the top teams in the east.

The Wizards getting blown out tonight at home was so, so predictable

Clippers up 21-2 again st the Suns a few minutes ago. Yikes

eddiew112 said:

The Wizards getting blown out tonight at home was so, so predictable

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They should just pin the loss on John Wall.

I usually root for whoever is playing the Zards, but watching them win, sans Wall, has been enjoyable.

Jimmy Butler just went down with a non-contact knee injury. Did not look good

Cellar-Door said:

Jimmy Butler just went down with a non-contact knee injury. Did not look good

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Yup that looked bad. See you in December, Jimmy.

MIL-TOR was a very entertaining end to the game. MIL pulls it out in OT. Ref issues notwithstanding, MIL beats up a very long TOR team on the boards scoring something like 19 second chance points. MIL is going to be a tough out.

And man Giannis is good.

And NO-MIA goes into OT. Good night of ball.

Well, that’s a relief. Can’t afford to lose anymore key guys out West.

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

Maybe not.


From Shams: Sources: X-rays on Jimmy Butler's right knee returned negative tonight, with MRI scheduled tomorrow in Minnesota and some hope around the severity.

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Serious knee injuries don't usually show up on X-rays, do they? It's not a broken bone.

Emeka Okafor made a start tonight for New Orleans; and had five blocks in 22 minutes. A long way back to the league for him.

Anthony Davis 45/17 with 5 steals and 5 blocks. Would be interesting to see what Danny would be willing to give up to get him. He’s obviously not getting traded any time soon.

Bob Montgomery's Helmet Hat said:

Serious knee injuries don't usually show up on X-rays, do they? It's not a broken bone.

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Some sorta do. What this DOES suggest is that a “feel test” didn’t reveal any “gaps” (e.g. “See this space when I push my finger in? Thaf’s not supposed to be there, which suggests a turn...”*) which is a precondition to good news.

*Based on personal experience and conversation with a reasonably reputable orthopedic surgeon.

Reverend said:

Some sorta do. What this DOES suggest is that a “feel test” didn’t reveal any “gaps” (e.g. “See this space when I push my finger in? Thaf’s not supposed to be there, which suggests a turn...”*) which is a precondition to good news.

*Based on personal experience and conversation with a reasonably reputable orthopedic surgeon.

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Isn’t that test separate from an X-ray? They usually do it on the court or field.

Or maybe you are drawing it from the “some hope around the severity.” I’m unclear if those are the reporter’s words or from the team.

Ed Hillel said:

Isn’t that test separate from an X-ray? They usually do it on the court or field.

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Yes. But they wouldn’t be hopeful if they found a gaping hole where a ligament is supposed to be, now, would they?

Reverend said:

Yes. But they wouldn’t be hopeful if they found a gaping hole where a ligament is supposed to be, now, would they?

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You’re fast, I was editing.

Maybe. “Some hope” is vague and that’s assuming it’s the team’s feelings and not a reporter who thinks a negative xray means something good.

The wolves talking it up as hopeful after an x-ray is fucking weird man. They also let him hop unhelped to the X-ray ... So bizarre.
Butler seemed to say it's torn as he was helped off. I hope for the best but non contact knee injuries from tough guys who play too many minutes... Yeesh.

There are certain fractures that are almost always associated with ACL tears (i.e. if that fracture is there, the ACL is 100% toast). But most ACL tears have no fracture (at least on X-ray), so a negative X-ray alone doesn't get Butler out of the woods by any means.

Presumably the "hope" refers to the team doc's physical exam. Usually they have a good sense if the ACL is torn just by feeling the stability of the joint.

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

The ask will start with Tatum, Brown and picks. I am not sure that even gets it done. But if he gets the chance, you know Ahab, er Ainge won't hesitate.

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The other day someone posted that LA would have a good shot at bringing in AD with some combination of Ball, Kuzma, Ingram. If the Pels were considering trading AD I can't see a better offer than Tatum/Jaylen/Sac 1 2019. I'd expect that many would argue that's too much to give up.

Montana Fan said:

The other day someone posted that LA would have a good shot at bringing in AD with some combination of Ball, Kuzma, Ingram. If the Pels were considering trading AD I can't see a better offer than Tatum/Jaylen/Sac 1 2019. I'd expect that many would argue that's too much to give up.

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With his injury risk, I'd argue that's too much to give up. Two of those 3 at most. The hard part is getting enough salary to match.

chilidawg said:

With his injury risk, I'd argue that's too much to give up. Two of those 3 at most. The hard part is getting enough salary to match.

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Given that Boogie won't be ready to start next season and Davis would be in Boston (in this hypothetical trade) utilizing Monroe as a sign-n-trade in an Amir-like contract to make the numbers work would seem to be a Win-Win-Win for all parties involved. It creates simplicity for Boston in making numbers work, it gives NO a big to give them minutes on an expiring contract, and Monroe will make more than he would from any other deal while getting minutes to retain/increase his value in a more UFA-friendly environment in summer of '19.

That means it all depends on whether or not it's the part of the meniscus that receives blood supply or not, as that part can heal, whereas the other part can only be, like, sutured up.

Grain of salt: I am not a physician or surgeon. I do hurt myself a lot though.

Reverend said:

That means it all depends on whether or not it's the part of the meniscus that receives blood supply or not, as that part can heal, whereas the other part can only be, like, sutured up.

Grain of salt: I am not a physician or surgeon. I do hurt myself a lot though.

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My understanding, also someone who hurts themselves a lot, is that if there is blood flow they'll do a repair, and if not they'll just cut out the offending piece. Short term recovery is faster in the latter, but long term you're better off with the repair. If it's a simple procedure recovery can be as quick as 3 weeks.

Whew — sounds like pretty close to a best-case scenario based in how it looked initially (non-contact, yelled "I tore it," had to be helped off the floor).

Still sucks though: 4-6 weeks is likely the rest of the season, and I think there's a decent chance the Wolves fall out of the playoffs in his absence (they're one loss ahead of the #9 seed, and I think without Butler they're almost certainly the worst of the WC playoff contenders).

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

More color from Shams:


"Jimmy Butler is expected to undergo surgery in coming days and could return within 4-to-6 weeks, league sources tell Yahoo. Final timetable will be set after procedure."

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Gets to avoid Thibs for 1.5 months. Lucky guy!

Sam Ray Not said:

Whew — sounds like pretty close to a best-case scenario based in how it looked initially (non-contact, yelled "I tore it," had to be helped off the floor).

Still sucks though: 4-6 weeks is likely the rest of the season, and I think there's a decent chance the Wolves fall out of the playoffs in his absence (they're one loss ahead of the #9 seed, and I think without Butler they're almost certainly the worst of the WC playoff contenders).

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Depends (on best case issue) on, if it’s the cut it off and tie tntogrther approach—which it could be given the quick estimated return time—the. It depends how much they have to cut out (and shape etc.).

Like, he can play without meniscus, but it’s there for a reason (cushioning the joint) and they may not know exactly how much has to be done until they get in there.

Hope he turns out to have been lucky.

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

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I love hearing this type of stuff

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

I am loving the really salty Carmelo Anthony era. He is the epitome of an old NBA man shaking his fist at a cloud or yelling at those pesky kids to get off his lawn.

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11-46 from Westbrook/George/Anthony. Ouch.

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:

Zaza led all players with one maiming attempt on Russ' lower leg.

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Lol. In fairness, he also helped turn the game with his tough D, rebounding, and screening. Ws were +27 in his 19 minutes.

Andre was the real MVP tonight, though — 7 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast, +29. When he's flying around, rebounding, dribbling, passing and defending 1-4 like his young self, the Warriors look unbeatable.

Swaggy P going nuclear helps too.

Lilliard wills the Blazers to a win