February 2020 NBA Game Thread

Ale Xander

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hopefully no more Kobe tributes (sans le jeu de toutes des etoiles )
 
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HomeRunBaker

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hopefully no more Kobe tributes (sans la jeu de toutes des etoiles )
You don’t really believe this do you? I would expect tonights tribute at Staples will dwarf all the others.......until the All-Star Game tribute dwarfs tonight’s. And if the Lakers win the Championship that will essentially be a Kobe and Gianna parade with record parade attendance.

I believe everyone deserves the right to grieve in their own way. I wouldn’t criticize Kyrie for missing a game this week for this reason .......but really Carmelo, sitting out tonight’s game 5 days later? Am I being insensitive or does this seem like a bit much?
 

lovegtm

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I believe everyone deserves the right to grieve in their own way. I wouldn’t criticize Kyrie for missing a game this week for this reason .......but really Carmelo, sitting out tonight’s game 5 days later? Am I being insensitive or does this seem like a bit much?
I normally would say yes, but I'm not a particularly sentimental person and didn't have a particularly strong feeling about Kobe, and this still hit me in a weird way that celeb deaths don't. It's hard to analyze the reasons, but something was just different here, and I'm not shocked a guy in the league from that generation is taking it particularly hard, especially as his career draws to a close.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I normally would say yes, but I'm not a particularly sentimental person and didn't have a particularly strong feeling about Kobe, and this still hit me in a weird way that celeb deaths don't. It's hard to analyze the reasons, but something was just different here, and I'm not shocked a guy in the league from that generation is taking it particularly hard, especially as his career draws to a close.
It is REALLY unique to those out in LA who have been close to him for two decades. Tonight is going to be special. It’s currently 6 hours to game time and every single lower bowl seat at Staples has a Kobe #8 jersey draped over it.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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You don’t really believe this do you? I would expect tonights tribute at Staples will dwarf all the others.......until the All-Star Game tribute dwarfs tonight’s. And if the Lakers win the Championship that will essentially be a Kobe and Gianna parade with record parade attendance.

I believe everyone deserves the right to grieve in their own way. I wouldn’t criticize Kyrie for missing a game this week for this reason .......but really Carmelo, sitting out tonight’s game 5 days later? Am I being insensitive or does this seem like a bit much?
Maybe, but that's January, and Ale is talking February
 

Smokey Joe

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I am just happy that the Kobe thread continues to slide down page and eventually to page 2. They can do what they want in LA and for the all star game.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Where do you suggest?

Seattle?
Raleigh?
Vegas?
Tampa?
San Diego?
I don’t know what the pecking order is. It was always assumed to be Seattle but it wouldn’t surprise me if LasVegas hasn’t pushed past them as the next franchise destination.
 

The Social Chair

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Seattle would be my first choice (Reign Man 2.0). Vegas would be the only other city that could support an NBA team.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Denver, on the second night of a back to back, goes into Milwaukee and hands the Bucks just their third home loss and their seventh overall. The Nuggets had nine guys score in double figures with Joker one assist away from a triple double (his performance down the stretch against Utah on Thursday night was insane. Dude is a sorcerer).

If Denver can nab another scorer at the deadline, they are scary to me and I know that others here consider them a paper tiger. But not me, especially if Porter Jr's leap is real.

Also, in other news, there is no one playing better consistently from the offensive end than Dame Lillard. If you aren't watching him because of the time zone issue or anything else, change your schedule. He is worth it. 13 points, four boards and four assists in the first quarter tonight...
 

jmcc5400

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Rooting hard for Portland. Because that's what Mamba would want.

Thank god we have Mark Jackson to shepherd us through the grieving process.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Lillard is doing it again. Dude has been on a tear this week and would be in the MVP conversation if his team wasn't out of the playoffs. He has Curry like gravity right now. Teams are literally sending two guys at him or blitzing him hard with help. And he is still getting buckets, often times through contact.
 

camneely

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Lillard is doing it again. Dude has been on a tear this week and would be in the MVP conversation if his team wasn't out of the playoffs. He has Curry like gravity right now. Teams are literally sending two guys at him or blitzing him hard with help. And he is still getting buckets, often times through contact.
Dame with 34/7/7 with 4:00 left in the third
 

Sprowl

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Seattle would be my first choice (Reign Man 2.0). Vegas would be the only other city that could support an NBA team.
Vancouver weeps slow bitter tears. It's a pity that the west coast Canada-US border generates so much friction, but Vancouver and Seattle basketball fans will never attend the same games.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Dame: 48 points on 17-30 shooting, 10 assists and nine boards. Whiteside chipped in with 30 points on 13-14 shooting and 12 boards. Blazers 127, Lakers 119. What an impressive win for Portland given the circumstances.
 

Soxfan in Fla

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Dame: 48 points on 17-30 shooting, 10 assists and nine boards. Whiteside chipped in with 30 points on 13-14 shooting and 12 boards. Blazers 127, Lakers 119. What an impressive win for Portland given the circumstances.
Thankfully the Fakers lost on “LA has officially jumped the shark” day.
 

scottyno

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Kobe wouldn't approve of those 10 assists in a game where you're going off from the field
 

HomeRunBaker

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Lillard is doing it again. Dude has been on a tear this week and would be in the MVP conversation if his team wasn't out of the playoffs. He has Curry like gravity right now. Teams are literally sending two guys at him or blitzing him hard with help. And he is still getting buckets, often times through contact.
Not to nitpick but Portland is 2 games out of the playoffs with 4 more home games than Memphis who is currently the 8-seed. I don’t know the exact math to calculate this but its probably a coin flip for them make the playoffs right now.
 

Kliq

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As someone whose favorite non-Celtics are probably Dame Lillard, Trae Young and Westbrook, I'll be sad to see January go. Lillard won't be in the MVP race, but at his current rate he has a shot to beat out Luka or Harden for first-team All-NBA, especially if Harden stays in his funk or misses time.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Not to nitpick but Portland is 2 games out of the playoffs with 4 more home games than Memphis who is currently the 8-seed. I don’t know the exact math to calculate this but its probably a coin flip for them make the playoffs right now.
I was just qualifying for the well-actually responses (which would be technically correct) around my MVP statement. I think Portland will make it as they get healthy.

Also, its early still but kudos to you about your call for Ariza to be rejuvenated by the trade to Portland. He isn't what he was a few seasons ago (again, you could see the decline during his last season in Houston) but he is clearly additive to the team.

For the month of January, Lillard averaged 33.1 PPG on 48% shooting including 44% from three. He also averaged just under five boards and eight assists. All career highs.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Lillard is doing it again. Dude has been on a tear this week and would be in the MVP conversation if his team wasn't out of the playoffs. He has Curry like gravity right now. Teams are literally sending two guys at him or blitzing him hard with help. And he is still getting buckets, often times through contact.
It'd never happen but Lillard to Denver would be great.
 

benhogan

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Not to nitpick but Portland is 2 games out of the playoffs with 4 more home games than Memphis who is currently the 8-seed. I don’t know the exact math to calculate this but its probably a coin flip for them make the playoffs right now.
It feels like a 4 horse race for WC 8-seed
1. Portland, the favorite due to Dame
2. Memphis in the lead, have caught a lot of NBA teams asleep with their energy/effort
3. Spurs, Pop + vets
4. New Orleans, cause Zion vs Bron "passing of the torch" is exactly what the NBA needs in round 1

the Suns are out, as soon as they replaced Baynes with Ayton it was over;)
 

lovegtm

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It feels like a 4 horse race for WC 8-seed
1. Portland, the favorite due to Dame
2. Memphis in the lead, have caught a lot of NBA teams asleep with their energy/effort
3. Spurs, Pop + vets
4. New Orleans, cause Zion vs Bron "passing of the torch" is exactly what the NBA needs in round 1

the Suns are out, as soon as they replaced Baynes with Ayton it was over;)
New Orleans vs LAL is what everyone needs--that could be a legitimately competitive series if Zion and Favors are healthy.
 

benhogan

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New Orleans vs LAL is what everyone needs--that could be a legitimately competitive series if Zion and Favors are healthy.
Jrue, Zion, Favors, JJ Redick have the talent to match up... and oh yea their All-Star Brandon Ingram

Throw in Lonzo, Hart, Jaxson Hayes, Moore they really have the rotational depth to compete/make it interesting. Unfortunately, Alvin Gentry is also lurking during a late/tight game.
 

ElUno20

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Jrue, Zion, Favors, JJ Redick have the talent to match up... and oh yea their All-Star Brandon Ingram

Throw in Lonzo, Hart, Jaxson Hayes, Moore they really have the rotational depth to compete/make it interesting. Unfortunately, Alvin Gentry is also lurking during a late/tight game.
You beat me to it.

I think this lakers team is incredibly untalented and has tremendously outperformed. The issue in a series with new orleans is Gentry is good for giving away at least 1 game. So they'd basically have to win 5 to get 4 wins for the series.
 

benhogan

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You beat me to it.

I think this lakers team is incredibly untalented and has tremendously outperformed. The issue in a series with new orleans is Gentry is good for giving away at least 1 game. So they'd basically have to win 5 to get 4 wins for the series.
Griffith needs to replace Gentry at seasons end. They should spend big on coaching and get the best with that roster/future picks
BUT if they opt for going cheap/available, Dave Joerger wouldn't be a bad selection.
 

lovegtm

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I find it hard to call a team incredibly untalented when they have 2 of the top 5 players in the league
No one is arguing the greatness of LeBron and AD, but I think his point was more that outside those 2, the Lakers are very meh. They're -0.2/100 against top-10 point differential teams, so this isn't crazy at all to say. I'm becoming pretty skeptical of their ability to get through 4 rounds with the current roster, although obviously deadline or buyout moves could change that.
 

Cesar Crespo

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No one is arguing the greatness of LeBron and AD, but I think his point was more that outside those 2, the Lakers are very meh. They're -0.2/100 against top-10 point differential teams, so this isn't crazy at all to say. I'm becoming pretty skeptical of their ability to get through 4 rounds with the current roster, although obviously deadline or buyout moves could change that.
It's weird. On any one given night you can't really rely on anyone other than AD and LeBron, but they have enough guys that they can expect one or two of them to have a good game. Just a matter of finding which ones.
 

Jimbodandy

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I don't understand why it's sacrilege to point out that the Laker roster is junk beyond the big two. That doesn't mean that they can't/won't win it all, because it's basketball. But it's a shitload of rotation players and deep bench, most of whom wouldn't start on a contender generally.
 

Sam Ray Not

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I don't see a strong case for AD as a top 5 player, but I wouldn't call the Lakers' roster "incredibly untalented," either. (Fwiw, El Uno didn't add an "after LeBron and AD" caveat). It's not stacked, but it has a top 5 guy and a top 10 guy, plus KCP, Green, Dwight, and "Hi I'm Alex" Caruso, who have all played well this season. Throw in Bradley, JaVale, and whatever they can get for Kuzma, and I think they have enough to win it all, given decent health and luck.

We'll see what happens with the Kuz chip, but for now I'm sticking with 25% LAL / 25% LAC / 25% MIL / 25% field, give or take. And call me crazy, but I'd happily watch Apathetic A-Hole Damian Lillard take on the Incredibly Untalented Lakers in the first round.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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I don't see a strong case for AD as a top 5 player, but I wouldn't call the Lakers' roster "incredibly untalented," either. (Fwiw, El Uno didn't add an "after LeBron and AD" caveat). It's not stacked, but KCP, Green, Dwight, and "Hi I'm Alex" Caruso have all played well this season. Throw in Bradley, JaVale, and whatever they can get for Kuzma, and I think they have enough to win it all, given decent health and luck.

We'll see what happens with the Kuz chip, but for now I'm sticking with 25% LAL / 25% LAC / 25% MIL / 25% field, give or take. And call me crazy, but I'd happily watch Apathetic A-Hole Damian Lillard take on the Incredibly Untalented Lakers in the first round.
I don't either but the NBA is stacked. It would be really hard to make a top 10 list. Even harder to make a top 20.
 

Marceline

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I don't see a strong case for AD as a top 5 player, but I wouldn't call the Lakers' roster "incredibly untalented," either. (Fwiw, El Uno didn't add an "after LeBron and AD" caveat). It's not stacked, but it has a top 5 guy and a top 10 guy, plus KCP, Green, Dwight, and "Hi I'm Alex" Caruso, who have all played well this season. Throw in Bradley, JaVale, and whatever they can get for Kuzma, and I think they have enough to win it all, given decent health and luck.

We'll see what happens with the Kuz chip, but for now I'm sticking with 25% LAL / 25% LAC / 25% MIL / 25% field, give or take. And call me crazy, but I'd happily watch Apathetic A-Hole Damian Lillard take on the Incredibly Untalented Lakers in the first round.
Who would you take from the field? Nuggets/Houston? Nuggets seem to be really coming around, beating the Jazz and then the Bucks back to back was impressive.
 

Cesar Crespo

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What's Zion's upside on defense? He was 6/8 from the line yesterday too. Just one game but I'm pretty sure he's not going to be Shaq from the line.

Okafor's pretty much been relegated to DNP-CD since Zion came back. No surprise there though.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Who would you take from the field? Nuggets/Houston? Nuggets seem to be really coming around, beating the Jazz and then the Bucks back to back was impressive.
Hmm. Hard to pick one since they're all flawed after the top 3, but I'd think Boston, Philly, Miami, Toronto, Indiana, Utah, Denver, Houston and Dallas probably add up to 25% or so.
 

Sam Ray Not

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I don't either but the NBA is stacked. It would be really hard to make a top 10 list. Even harder to make a top 20.
Compiling the list makes me sad cos of the injuries to KD and Steph. If not for the stupid Achilles I think Durant is the pretty clear #1, possibly now more than ever in this era where defenses sell out defending the three and basically concede mid-rangers all day. And he had abused both LeBron and Kawhi the last few times they had matched up head to head.

#1-4 in order would have been: KD, Kawhi, Giannis, LeBron.
#5-6 Curry, Harden
#7-10 Lillard, Luka, AD, Gobert, in roughly that order? CP3, George, Siakam, maybe even Tatum knocking at the door.

But even taking out KD, I'd have a hard time putting AD in the top 5.
 
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HomeRunBaker

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Houston went 6'6" and below the entire game last night.

yikes, classic bigs are going to see a massive pay cut this summer
While I don’t necessary disagree I wonder what the reaction is from a copycat league if we have a Lakers/Sixers Finals with both teams playing two 5’s together much of the time.
 

benhogan

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While I don’t necessary disagree I wonder what the reaction is from a copycat league if we have a Lakers/Sixers Finals with both teams playing two 5’s together much of the time.
AD and Embiid are special, it would be tricky to copy that.

If we see super cheap Howard ($1.6MM)/McGee ($4MM) play a lot of 5 for the Lakers then yea, teams should copy that gameplan

Just curious, what is Vegas saying about teams making the NBA finals these days? How high are the Sixers? Lakers or Bucks the favorites?
 
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Sam Ray Not

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While I don’t necessary disagree I wonder what the reaction is from a copycat league if we have a Lakers/Sixers Finals with both teams playing two 5’s together much of the time.
I’m still waiting for the Lakers to bust out the LeBron-Davis-Cousins-Howard-McGee lineup.
 

Marceline

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Just curious, what is Vegas saying about teams making the NBA finals these days? How high are the Sixers? Lakers or Bucks the favorites?
As far as making the finals you have Eastern Conference odds of Bucks -110, 76ers +450, Celtics +800, Heat +900, Raptors +900.

Western Conference Lakers +140, Clippers +250, Rockets +700, Mavs/Nuggets/Jazz +900

76ers are 4th highest odds to win the title which is interesting to me. I'd probably put any of the Rockets/Nuggets/Jazz ahead of them, although I guess you have to factor in the WC playoffs will likely be tougher.
 

benhogan

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As far as making the finals you have Eastern Conference odds of Bucks -110, 76ers +450, Celtics +800, Heat +900, Raptors +900.

Western Conference Lakers +140, Clippers +250, Rockets +700, Mavs/Nuggets/Jazz +900

76ers are 4th highest odds to win the title which is interesting to me. I'd probably put any of the Rockets/Nuggets/Jazz ahead of them, although I guess you have to factor in the WC playoffs will likely be tougher.
Thanks.

Raptors seem cheap to me, they are fundamentally sound. Bench is longer now that guys are coming back from injury. Gasol got some needed rest
 

HomeRunBaker

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As far as making the finals you have Eastern Conference odds of Bucks -110, 76ers +450, Celtics +800, Heat +900, Raptors +900.

Western Conference Lakers +140, Clippers +250, Rockets +700, Mavs/Nuggets/Jazz +900

76ers are 4th highest odds to win the title which is interesting to me. I'd probably put any of the Rockets/Nuggets/Jazz ahead of them, although I guess you have to factor in the WC playoffs will likely be tougher.
Correct on that last part. It isn’t about the talent of the teams as much as it is the path to The Finals.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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Curry out until March. Lost season for Dubs fans, but the idea of adding a top 5 pick to a healthy Curry and Thompson next year is at least comforting.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Draymond 8 pts, 7 reb, 16 ast (!!), 2 blk, 2 stl, +26 in 26 minutes in Cleveland. Someone remind him this isn't the Finals?
 

Cesar Crespo

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This amuses me.

Bam Adebayo 1-8 from the field, 2-4 from the FT line. 4 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks. 2 TO. +14 in 38 minutes. Quickly becoming one of my favorite players in the league.