2015-2016 NBA Game Thread
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And then he still has to palm the basketball out of the mascot's hands in a split-second, in order to get it from the mascot to his right hand to his left hand. I know palming a basketball is a little bit easier for a 6'9" guy than a 6'5" gut, but damn.
Dunk contest reactions video
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/2/13/10987778/2016-nba-dunk-contest-reactions-zach-lavine-aaron-gordon
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/2/13/10987778/2016-nba-dunk-contest-reactions-zach-lavine-aaron-gordon
I remember when JR Rider was the first to do the through the legs dunk, and people lost their minds. Now, guys are jumping over people and going around their backs and making it look easy. The dunk contest had been stale for awhile, but hopefully these 2 will keep going at it for years to come.
Orlando Woodridge did the between the legs in the very first dunk contest. Of course it was rigged for Dr j win, but he missed a dunk giving the title to Nance.
Or what Thorpe is saying reflects an evolving understanding of the game and, as we become more aware of how to optimally play basketball, one's view of past players can shift. That Russell was among the best in an era that was not very good at playing basketball does not mean that one is obligated to venerate him as a top player, all time. Because, if one is not inextricably tied to the opinions of yesteryear, the opinions of today may differ.
But you are a self-designed reactionary, cheetodusting your way across many fields of self-granted expertise, so I understand that you must play to type.
It started around 2010 and has gotten even worse the past 2-3 years.
In the 90s, the combined score was usually in the 240s; it crept into the 250s and 260s in the 00s. Every ASG this decade has had a combined score over 280; the past two were 300+, and it looks like we're headed there again.
I'm not sure how much of the increase is bad defense, and how much is the increase in 3-point shooting.
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They just blew away every scoring record for the teams for the all star game. Literally the only time any real defense was played was the last minute when Popovich decided to deny Paul George the individual scoring record. At that point who really gives a fuck.
It's not sexy, but Portland's season has been a great story so far. It's pretty astonishing that they could sport a winning record and have a legit shot at the playoffs after replacing Aldridge, Batum, Lopez and Matthews with the likes of Mason Plumlee, Gerald Henderson, Ed Davis, Mo Harkless etc. They just laid a wire to wire can of whoop-ass on Golden State. Lillard finishes with 51 points, 7 assists, and 6 steals.
Lillard has been amazing tonight. And McCollum is fantastic too. The only problem is that Chris Kaman looks like Chris Elliott at 67 years old.
But wow....Lillard was simply unstoppable.
I don't have the time right now to really research this, but has there ever been a season where rookies from 10-30 have had such an impact? This looked like a loaded draft a couple of years ago when these guys were still in high school, but I'm really impressed how deep the draft has been. Picks numbers 10-13 went Justise Winslow, Myles Turner, Trey Lyles and Devin Booker. Bobby Portis went 22nd. How did the Celtics not get Bobby Portis?
The 2011 first round had no relationship between draft position and production:
(The thin blue line is a linear regression, actually sloping down...)
(The thin blue line is a linear regression, actually sloping down...)
The box score to that game is pretty interesting, just a total example of one guy single handily beating you.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/boxscore/NBA_20160221_NO@DET
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/boxscore/NBA_20160221_NO@DET
Why would Drummond ever be guarding Davis? He's matched up with the opponents power 5.....although that matchup would certainly explain Brow dropping 59 lol. Brow plays the 4 which looks like was split between Marcus Morris and Tobias Harris.
Edit: I was joking when I said Drummond on Brow would explain the 59 in that Van Gundy surely would never draw Drummond outside paint to defend a perimeter player........apparently he DID and Brow shot 9-11 with Drummond on him. Ok, that was pretty dumb Stan.
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I know it was for the 3rd place title but that was an impressive win by the cavs. I'm sure the numbers won't show it but they defended Durant well.
And they're finally trying to use Love for something more than standing in the corner. He had a nice game, felt a bit Minny-esque with how he grinded through it.
And they're finally trying to use Love for something more than standing in the corner. He had a nice game, felt a bit Minny-esque with how he grinded through it.
That is how Love played prior to Kyrie returning from injury he's so much more effective as a primary/second option which was his role last night after Kyrie left in the first half due to illness.
The problem isn't Love it's Love when Kyrie is playing and he's a third option that lands him as an off-the-ball weak side shooter more times than not.
One of the problems with Blatt was he never figured out how to use Love. We'll see if Lue can work up an idea on how to use Love's strengths while Kyrie is playing.
I think you are asking for something not really possible. How do you put the ball in the hands of the 3rd option when the ball is in the hands of the 1st and 2nd while only being one ball. The only real option is to stagger the minutes Love plays so his minutes don't overlap Kyrie's as much but will he be willing to embrace a 6th man role? That is the only option I can see.
That's why coaches get paid the big bucks. So, I don't really have sympathy for Blatt that he couldn't get Love more involved. Already seeing Cavs' scoring dramatically up since Lue took over. It helps the overall team to get Love more involved b/c then Irving & Lebron expend less energy on offense.
Irving is hitting corner 3s at 35% this year and long 2s at >50%. So, could occasionally play a 2-man game Lebron/Love and spot Irving up in the corner or for long 2s.
Lebron has not been hitting jumpers this year, but could have him flash to the hoop for easy buckets when playing 2-man game Love/Irving.
Could sometimes run a triangle or princeton offense.
Could try having Love come off the bench to help stagger minutes better (Lebron + Love + Irving currently average right around 96 minutes per game so could in theory not ever have all 3 on the court at the same time without reducing anyone's minutes).
I'm not saying it's easy but also far from impossible.
Irving is hitting corner 3s at 35% this year and long 2s at >50%. So, could occasionally play a 2-man game Lebron/Love and spot Irving up in the corner or for long 2s.
Lebron has not been hitting jumpers this year, but could have him flash to the hoop for easy buckets when playing 2-man game Love/Irving.
Could sometimes run a triangle or princeton offense.
Could try having Love come off the bench to help stagger minutes better (Lebron + Love + Irving currently average right around 96 minutes per game so could in theory not ever have all 3 on the court at the same time without reducing anyone's minutes).
I'm not saying it's easy but also far from impossible.
I haven't watched enough of the Cavs to be sure about this, but one of the things that I think could be part of the problem is that Cleveland wants Love to be a spot-shooter way too often. He is an excellent shooter for a big man and that is a skill that should be exploited, but he also is good on the block and can help rebound on the offensive glass. His final year in Minnesota he took 42 percent of his fga inside ten feet and 35 percent of his fga from beyond the arc. This season he is taking 37 percent of his shots inside 10 feet and 44 percent of his shots from three. I understand that with two of the best finishers at the rim in basketball on your team you want to unclog the paint, but that method also takes away from some of Love's finest skills.
I had to check the box score to see if my hunch was right. Building a dynasty there.
Love's interior number began taking a big hit entering his final year in Minnesota when he began losing some of his lift which was the first year he began straying outside of the paint more. Those offensive interior skills Love had early in his career aren't what they once were and are quickly deteriorating further. The other thing that those numbers don't tell you is the pace and spacing Minnesota had without having to worry about structured weak side help was far different than a typical halfcourt set in Cleveland where he would have to be his man and at least one other defender from the help side, sometimes two.
...said all of us ironically In the middle of the 2018 season after he has played 60 out of his first 120 games with the Nets.
Don't laugh. That is a very realistic landing spot for Gordon. Almost a perfect stop gap fit.
Oh I know. I've assumed all year that he would be one of their top targets after (insert list of top-tier free agents) turn them down. Name recognition guy who can shoot but has enough warts and injury concerns that he'll likely just chase the biggest contract he can get before he breaks down completely.
Game totals after managing to play 78 in his rookie year: 62, 56, 9 (lockout year), 42, 64, 61, 41.
Can you clarify why he wouldn't have to worry about help defenders and being double teamed in Minnesota where he was the only consistent offensive threat and will somehow have to worry about double teaming when he is playing with Irving and James? Love is such a skilled passer that he should relish at least some double teams anyways.
This Heat fan from Tuesday's game has everybody (mostly dudes)... uh... talking.
LINK: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/miami-heat-fan-black-dress-sends-internet-spiral-article-1.2542120
LINK: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/miami-heat-fan-black-dress-sends-internet-spiral-article-1.2542120
In the halfcourt set Love played primarily in the high post screen-n-roll either rolling to the paint or popping behind the arc depending on the defenses read and/or matchup. Many of those interior FGA didn't come off traditional post-ups. Also, the Timberwolves played at a blistering pace among the top 3-4 in the league it was a very loosely played defensive game. In Cleveland they are among the slowest pace and a grind it out style with much much less spacing.
Those back to the basket post ups in secondary transition or against a looser halfcourt defense in Minnesota are not there in a grind it out halfcourt offense when teams typically run doubles off the 5 or perimeter shooter.
Finishes with 51 points (on 27 fga), 8 assists, 7 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Only player in the last 50 years to score 50+ points with 1 free throw or fewer.
Warriors 52-5.
Sometimes it's hard to say which is more ridiculous, this player or this team. Tonight was definitely a "this player" night.
Only player in the last 50 years to score 50+ points with 1 free throw or fewer.
Warriors 52-5.
Sometimes it's hard to say which is more ridiculous, this player or this team. Tonight was definitely a "this player" night.
Shocked Kris Humphries is still in the NBA, but here he is going 0-9 with a bunch of turnovers in 11 first half minutes against Brooklyn. This Suns team could easily pass the Lakers for the 2 spot.
Thunder in the midst of coming back from a double digit deficit with 3 minutes to play. 119-117 with 1:04 left
Didn't make it back. They are a 2 and a half person team and the drop off after those 3 is scary. They've lost 3 of their last 4 and have the Dubs on Saturday.