2016-2017 NBA Game Thread
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Without Okafor the sixers are 2-3 and -0.4 net rating. Good for 8th in the East.
With him? 6-21 with - 8.8 net rating good for last.
If people like Lowe think he's good... I'd be happy to get a 2nd for him.
With him? 6-21 with - 8.8 net rating good for last.
If people like Lowe think he's good... I'd be happy to get a 2nd for him.
I'd agree. Some team which wants him for a specific role, assuming he can swallow that.
He doesn't try, despite the whole team being fucked around to help him.
I'm over it. Either he's stupid or lazy. He doesn't hustle, he contests shots where he is way late so just gets out of position for the board as a result.
Even offensively he tries to bully people. Vs Denver he did well with some finese moves etc played fine then second half bull ball vs frankly a better player and failed.
I think if someone could get through to him he could be average ish rebounding wise but he's so slow of motion and thought i would never expect any help d or pnr competence defensively.
I can't watch him defending the pnr any more. He just does nothing. He's always in the no mans land.
I don't watch him play often, but with your disgust I feel bad for you LondonSox. He sounds like Anthony Bennet with talent but no effort put forth on the floor?
It's a blown pick. But a blown pick which had so little upside.
I think one the best criticisms of hinkie is he really didn't swing for the fences. Embiid was brace but obvious for me.
Noel was smart and the overall trade smart but easy.
MCW was the "safe" upside pick. Hard to say bad as he was a jump shot from being a player with a later pick. But when giannis etc are there.... hindsight is easy but which of those was a superstar upside?
Okafor was tricky. His good and bad were well recognised which for such a young guy is rare. But he was a high floor guy (oops) which when you have centres .... it was a hedge for embiid and that is a bad idea imo.
If embiid works out, you have a problem. If he didn't ... okafor was not clearly a guy you could build around. Again with hindsight it's easy but porzingis was the superstar upside and less of a certain problem.
Anyway. Whatever. I can't abide players not trying hard. Embiid is the opposite I wish he would try so hard and dive into the stands every damn game. Okafor acts like he doesn't care and I'm so bored of it.
Edit sorry missed the last point I started with! He's a blown pick don't compound it by hurting development of embiid (pushed out of centre) saric pushed to 3, TLC less minutes, Noel no minutes. Let alone when Simmons is back.
I think one the best criticisms of hinkie is he really didn't swing for the fences. Embiid was brace but obvious for me.
Noel was smart and the overall trade smart but easy.
MCW was the "safe" upside pick. Hard to say bad as he was a jump shot from being a player with a later pick. But when giannis etc are there.... hindsight is easy but which of those was a superstar upside?
Okafor was tricky. His good and bad were well recognised which for such a young guy is rare. But he was a high floor guy (oops) which when you have centres .... it was a hedge for embiid and that is a bad idea imo.
If embiid works out, you have a problem. If he didn't ... okafor was not clearly a guy you could build around. Again with hindsight it's easy but porzingis was the superstar upside and less of a certain problem.
Anyway. Whatever. I can't abide players not trying hard. Embiid is the opposite I wish he would try so hard and dive into the stands every damn game. Okafor acts like he doesn't care and I'm so bored of it.
Edit sorry missed the last point I started with! He's a blown pick don't compound it by hurting development of embiid (pushed out of centre) saric pushed to 3, TLC less minutes, Noel no minutes. Let alone when Simmons is back.
I was under the impression that Hinkie wanted to draft Porzingas, but was overruled by ownership, no?
Yeah I just saw the statline come across the ticker on NBA TV and my jaw dropped. This is like 1961-62 with some of these numbers that are being put up. I mean that is one of the best statlines ever.
Giannis put up a 35-9-7 with 7 blocks and that wasn't even the top performance of the night.
Giannis put up a 35-9-7 with 7 blocks and that wasn't even the top performance of the night.
Westbrook got his triple double tonight after 19 minutes of game time, his fastest ever.
The thing about this year is that every night you have to at least skim the box scores because something amazing might happen. A big criticism of the NBA is that the regular season is too long and the games often feel meaningless, but on a day like today, a nothing late December Saturday, a bunch of incredible things can happen. It is so enjoyable to watch just as a fan of basketball.
Also, I can't find it online but I wonder how many points Harden was responsible for tonight. Considering how many threes Houston takes, I'm thinking it has to be around 90(!)
Also, I can't find it online but I wonder how many points Harden was responsible for tonight. Considering how many threes Houston takes, I'm thinking it has to be around 90(!)
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Couldn't agree more. Harden's numbers, and more importantly, highlights, were staggering. He was clearly in the zone as some of those threes were so far beyond the arc that they were clearly heat checks.
And you mentioned Giannis - Jabari had another good shooting night and Brogdon had his first triple double. And then there is Westbrook who is basically must watch every single night,
IMHO, the NBA is the best thing going right now.
There have been rumors but not widespread and they are a bit dubious.
Hinkie fans like to think so, and as one I want to. But I don't really have the evidence. It's not unlikely he took Okafor to trade etc.
I'm open to it, but it's wishful thinking and I know it.
It should at least be noted that NY (a bad defensive team at full strength) was playing without the guy who would have guarded Harden most (Courtney Lee) plus their two best interior defenders (Porzingis and O'Quinn), and also Carmelo didn't play in the second half. Not to minimize Harden's insane numbers in any way, just saying.
In keeping with not sleeping on a winter night in the Association, C.J. McCollum went 16-25 including three of six from behind the arc to score a career high 43 against the T-Wolves. He added five boards and four assists for Portland who was without Lillard who is recovering from an ankle sprain.
Meanwhile, the T-Wolves are confounding. I know its in fashion to shit on their young stars for not being better or winning but I still really like KAT, Wiggins and Levine. Youth, Thibs and a non-existent rotation seem to be the culprits to me. But given the talent they do have, I would have thought they would be a bit better. They are heading toward the lottery again...
Meanwhile, the T-Wolves are confounding. I know its in fashion to shit on their young stars for not being better or winning but I still really like KAT, Wiggins and Levine. Youth, Thibs and a non-existent rotation seem to be the culprits to me. But given the talent they do have, I would have thought they would be a bit better. They are heading toward the lottery again...
Having dinner/drinks in Florida last night they had two big screens up on the patio, Packers/Lions and you guessed it......Wolves/Blazers! LOL!
CJ was a classic example of there simply not being an answer when a plus NBA scorer/shot creator gets into his unconscious zone. It didn't matter if it was Rubio or Dunn on him, he was creating enough separation to down contested looks all night as if he was alone in the gym after practice.
I don't agree that there is anything confounding about the Wolves. One of the youngest teams of all time, got off to rough start, and has since won 5 of their last 10 with 4 of those 5 losses being either a one or two-possession defeat. It seems like Thibs is getting ahold of the situation before it spiraled out of control.
I have no idea what "non-existent rotation" means since he's essentiall used the same starting 5 and the same 9-man rotation with virtually identical minutes each night for over a month now. Bjelica and Aldrich up front, Muhammed at the wing, and Dunn for Rubio with the starters returning to close the game with few exceptions......last night Dunn closing for Rubio was one of the few.
CJ was a classic example of there simply not being an answer when a plus NBA scorer/shot creator gets into his unconscious zone. It didn't matter if it was Rubio or Dunn on him, he was creating enough separation to down contested looks all night as if he was alone in the gym after practice.
I don't agree that there is anything confounding about the Wolves. One of the youngest teams of all time, got off to rough start, and has since won 5 of their last 10 with 4 of those 5 losses being either a one or two-possession defeat. It seems like Thibs is getting ahold of the situation before it spiraled out of control.
I have no idea what "non-existent rotation" means since he's essentiall used the same starting 5 and the same 9-man rotation with virtually identical minutes each night for over a month now. Bjelica and Aldrich up front, Muhammed at the wing, and Dunn for Rubio with the starters returning to close the game with few exceptions......last night Dunn closing for Rubio was one of the few.
He probably meant non existing depth. That and a lack of D. I think next year is the year the Wolves win 45-50 games. Lavine and Wiggins should be more consistent by then, Dunn will have a year of experience under his belt and as mentioned above, they'll have another high lottery pick coming in. And if a team were to trade for a Butler, Cousins, etc... it seems the Wolves would be a good match.
Next year is also the last year that Wiggins, Towns, and LaVine are not max players; and who knows how many of them they'll be able to lock down long term, even with the huge home-team advantages built into the new CBA.
I'm still pretty high on their future as a team, but at a certain point you gotta start seizing the day. I thought this would be the year they at least jumped into convo for low playoff seed. And honestly, with the #8 seed in the West still wide open, I still think they need to go for it. They're currently only 3.5 games out, with (imho) the best personnel of realistic contenders. I'd probably put my money on the Blazers playing just enough D to grab the spot, but I won't be at all surprised to see the Wolves swoop in and grab it.
In semi-related (old) news: in light of the video-game numbers currently being put up by Harden, Westbrook and Durant, how insane is it that OKC had those three and Ibaka, all in their early 20s at the same time, and came away with zero titles to show for it? One of the great shames in hoops history ... unless you're a Sonics fan.
I'm still pretty high on their future as a team, but at a certain point you gotta start seizing the day. I thought this would be the year they at least jumped into convo for low playoff seed. And honestly, with the #8 seed in the West still wide open, I still think they need to go for it. They're currently only 3.5 games out, with (imho) the best personnel of realistic contenders. I'd probably put my money on the Blazers playing just enough D to grab the spot, but I won't be at all surprised to see the Wolves swoop in and grab it.
In semi-related (old) news: in light of the video-game numbers currently being put up by Harden, Westbrook and Durant, how insane is it that OKC had those three and Ibaka, all in their early 20s at the same time, and came away with zero titles to show for it? One of the great shames in hoops history ... unless you're a Sonics fan.
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Minny needs to follow the Utah model. Like Minny, Utah was having trouble putting it all together but with the addition of quality vets like Hill, Johnson, Diaw, etc. combined with the continued development of their draft picks, they're now legit. As has been mentioned before on this site, Minny really lacks the quality vets to balance out all the young talent they have.
Someone else said it earlier, but going forward I'd take the Bucks lineup over the Wolves. The Bucks aren't all that much older, either. I'd take Jabari over Wiggins now.
Also, Myles Turner is going to be special player isn't he?
Also, Myles Turner is going to be special player isn't he?
Utah needed a PG, they now have one (when's he not concussed) and the fact that he is a vet helps, but I think its the skills Hill brings to the table more than his experience that have pushed the Jazz forward. The biggest difference between Minny and Utah is defense. Once they jettisoned Kanter, the Gobert and Favors pairing helped them become an elite defensive team notwithstanding their inexperience.
The Wolves are far worse on defense then they should be. The missed rotations and mental lapses are to be expected given their youth, but the lack of effort is a real concern. Wiggins seemingly has the physical tools to be an at-least above average perimeter defender, but it does not show on the court at all.
This is what I meant - thank you for clarifying. That bench is kind of a tire fire. I agree that next year they should be better. Dunn really looks like the NBA game is slowing down for him of late.
If nothing else, he will have a youtube legacy after that play on Napier
Suns @ Clippers tonight, Clippers without Paul and Griffin. Jazz are up 2 vs the Nets with 8 minutes to go.
edit: And just like that, the Jazz are up 8.
edit: And just like that, the Jazz are up 8.
Ever since LeBron abandoned him on the curb in front of Pat Riley's office, Napier has essentially been a babe in the NBA wilderness and so its only natural that the Wolves finally got him.
*sorry...couldn't resist.
Future Boston Celtic (maybe, please...) Jimmy Butler just dropped 52 points on 15-24 shooting and also pulled down 12 boards as the Bulls beat the Hornets 118-111. Just another boring night in the Association.
The Bucks are pretty good for a team that plays Jason Terry significant minutes.
Giannis has this ability because of his freakish length and quickness where he can dunk the ball super fast, like literally in a blink. It is so impressive that it almost looks unimpressive, if that makes sense. He does it like two or three times a game.
Malcom Brogdan is like, really good. Embiid is going to win ROY, but Brogdan could earn a spot on the all-rookie team, which is a big accomplishment for a guy picked 36th overall.
Giannis has this ability because of his freakish length and quickness where he can dunk the ball super fast, like literally in a blink. It is so impressive that it almost looks unimpressive, if that makes sense. He does it like two or three times a game.
Malcom Brogdan is like, really good. Embiid is going to win ROY, but Brogdan could earn a spot on the all-rookie team, which is a big accomplishment for a guy picked 36th overall.
After staring down Morey for months, Motiejunas will be signing with the Pelicans for the vet minimum. Oops. Better luck next summer I guess.
Is this a new thing? LeBron seems overtly reliant on going hard with his right hand, muscling/shoving his guy out of the way and then laying it in. It isn't very artistic and it either ends with LeBron making the layup and his guy bitching about getting fouled, or LeBron misses it and bitches that he got fouled.
Yes, but to be fair 13 other teams also passed. And Rudy Gobert was taken 12 picks later. It was a weird, weak draft.
It wasn't like Gobert was a stretch simply because he fell on draft night though. After the combine there was talk of him in the mid to late teens.
He was a similar high risk/high reward who came from a foreign land-type. I recall a few on this board who liked him draft night.
C.J. McCollum is unfucking conscious with 26 in the first half on 10-18 shooting and Crabbe is shooting well and even Evan Turner is hitting threes in slug-fest in Oakland. Portland up 71-67 with 30 seconds left to play too.
Ws finally figure out that (with Dame out) it might be a good idea to double McCollum and cruise to victory. They've been looking a little bored the last few games, but are still 31-5 with the best PD in NBA history (#1 in offensive efficiency, tied for #2 in defense).
Solid play at the 5 by Zaza, DWest and (yes) JaVale, plus the continued blossoming of Ian Clark are making them look a bit more solid than they did at the start of the season. The team with putative lack of rim defense currently leads the NBA in blocks (1.7 blocks per 36 from their new "small" forward a big part of that). Still: the Cavs and Spurs remain totally legit contenders.
Cavs/Ws rematch on MLK day in Oakland should be interesting.
Solid play at the 5 by Zaza, DWest and (yes) JaVale, plus the continued blossoming of Ian Clark are making them look a bit more solid than they did at the start of the season. The team with putative lack of rim defense currently leads the NBA in blocks (1.7 blocks per 36 from their new "small" forward a big part of that). Still: the Cavs and Spurs remain totally legit contenders.
Cavs/Ws rematch on MLK day in Oakland should be interesting.
I know he doesn't kick/tap guys in the nuts but if Pachulia were to somehow make the Allstar game over Draymond Green, who is having a monster season as a defender and facilitator, it would be a crime. He even kept his new years resolution last night by not barking at the refs despite five fouls on some borderline calls.
Theoretically the new voting system — 50% fans, 25% writers, 25% players — will hedge against the entire population of Eastern Europe stuffing the ballot for Zaza (or before him, casual fans voting for injured Yao, injured Kobe, et al.)
Zaza's clearly the biggest travesty on there, though I also think Wade/Melo/Lin are too high and Lowry/CP3 are too low.
I also think Last Pick Isaiah remains a slightly better player than First Pick Kyrie, but of course voters are easily swayed by rings...
Zaza's clearly the biggest travesty on there, though I also think Wade/Melo/Lin are too high and Lowry/CP3 are too low.
I also think Last Pick Isaiah remains a slightly better player than First Pick Kyrie, but of course voters are easily swayed by rings...