January 2020 General NBA Game Thread

Light-Tower-Power

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The NBA is weird and betting on the NBA is even weirder. Can’t win on the Celtics against the Pistons but a degenerate MIA, IND, MEM, PHI, ATL parlay with Kevin fucking Huerter beating the Spurs on a 3 with 6 seconds left to seal it wins tonight.
 

Tony C

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The Pelicans are a ton of fun and when Zion joins should be even more dangerous, but at the same they're that classic young team that plays well, but does the little things that let a club like the Clippers climb back into games when they should be buried. New Orleans has lost more close games this year...

And Lonzo Ball is just an odd duck. In L.A. he was a great passer and even better at the defensive side, but couldn't hit outside shots and couldn't finish at the hoop. Now he's hitting outside shots, but his defense is sucking (and doesn't look like he'll ever be a finisher). Maybe it's a team defense thing, though I can't imagine his Laker teammates last year were much better than what he has in New Orleans.
 

Kliq

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Houston just feels like such a soft team. In the second half this game picked up in intensity and Houston has come apart; it feels like every one of their disappointing playoff exits. They should be beating a Davis-less Laker team at home handily, but they have come apart at the seams as soon as the intensity picked up.

To me, it comes down to D'Antoni and the team's culture. They don't value defense, and every player is allowed to take basically any shot they want as long as it is a three. There doesn't appear to be a lot of accountability on the court for what would in other offensive systems be considered bad, selfish basketball.
 

Kliq

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There are like, 15,000 Laker fans at this game in Houston. It's nauseating.
 

ElUno20

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Houston just feels like such a soft team. In the second half this game picked up in intensity and Houston has come apart; it feels like every one of their disappointing playoff exits. They should be beating a Davis-less Laker team at home handily, but they have come apart at the seams as soon as the intensity picked up.

To me, it comes down to D'Antoni and the team's culture. They don't value defense, and every player is allowed to take basically any shot they want as long as it is a three. There doesn't appear to be a lot of accountability on the court for what would in other offensive systems be considered bad, selfish basketball.
I wouldn't put this on D'Antoni. He's coached intense, tough teams in the past. Those suns teams were gritty as F despite public perception.

This is on the "genius" Morey. His rosters suck. Year in and year out. And it's tough with Harden. He isnt soft just very nonchalant about like 99% of what happens on the court.
 

Rook05

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I know it’s been said before, but the fact that the Nuggets are blacked out locally is absolute horseshit.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I know he has few fans here but DeRozan is quietly putting himself in consideration for WC Player of the Month in January. 27/7/7 w 70% eFG.
 

Apisith

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Houston just feels like such a soft team. In the second half this game picked up in intensity and Houston has come apart; it feels like every one of their disappointing playoff exits. They should be beating a Davis-less Laker team at home handily, but they have come apart at the seams as soon as the intensity picked up.

To me, it comes down to D'Antoni and the team's culture. They don't value defense, and every player is allowed to take basically any shot they want as long as it is a three. There doesn't appear to be a lot of accountability on the court for what would in other offensive systems be considered bad, selfish basketball.
Generally agree with this. We're playing some really soft 'ball and seemingly waiting for the playoffs already, even though we're the 6th seed at this point. Luckily we're only a few games out of the 2nd seed so there's still time to right the ship but the pressure is really on right now. Harden has been in a funk for some reason, really strange to see. I think he's playing too many minutes, D'Antoni has been running out 7 and 8-man rotations. It's only frickin' January. I also want to blame our owner for being an absolute cheapskate and pissing away a really good team by not wanting to pay any amount of the luxury tax. What's the point in having a good team if you don't go into the tax for 2-3 years to try and win it all. Everyone knows a rebuild is coming in 2 years tops. We needed to Dombrowski the hell out of the last 3 years and instead we've done nothing.
 

lovegtm

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Generally agree with this. We're playing some really soft 'ball and seemingly waiting for the playoffs already, even though we're the 6th seed at this point. Luckily we're only a few games out of the 2nd seed so there's still time to right the ship but the pressure is really on right now. Harden has been in a funk for some reason, really strange to see. I think he's playing too many minutes, D'Antoni has been running out 7 and 8-man rotations. It's only frickin' January. I also want to blame our owner for being an absolute cheapskate and pissing away a really good team by not wanting to pay any amount of the luxury tax. What's the point in having a good team if you don't go into the tax for 2-3 years to try and win it all. Everyone knows a rebuild is coming in 2 years tops. We needed to Dombrowski the hell out of the last 3 years and instead we've done nothing.
It’s a total travesty, with the amount of control the league exercises over team sales, and the number of rich people who want to own NBA teams, that they allowed a sale to a cheapskate.
 

bowiac

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It’s a total travesty, with the amount of control the league exercises over team sales, and the number of rich people who want to own NBA teams, that they allowed a sale to a cheapskate.
As you may imagine, this is an issue where the owners themselves likely have very strong feelings. They want to be able to sell their teams to the highest bidders themselves down the road, even if the highest bidder isn't necessarily the best for the league.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Generally agree with this. We're playing some really soft 'ball and seemingly waiting for the playoffs already, even though we're the 6th seed at this point. Luckily we're only a few games out of the 2nd seed so there's still time to right the ship but the pressure is really on right now. Harden has been in a funk for some reason, really strange to see. I think he's playing too many minutes, D'Antoni has been running out 7 and 8-man rotations. It's only frickin' January. I also want to blame our owner for being an absolute cheapskate and pissing away a really good team by not wanting to pay any amount of the luxury tax. What's the point in having a good team if you don't go into the tax for 2-3 years to try and win it all. Everyone knows a rebuild is coming in 2 years tops. We needed to Dombrowski the hell out of the last 3 years and instead we've done nothing.
Yeah it’s a shame you guys are struggling with that $145m payroll, 2nd in league behind Portland, while signing Paul to retain his salary slot and paying top dollar to retain Capela and Gordon.

Geez Louise, “doing nothing” you’d have House and Hartenstein in your starting lineup.
 

lovegtm

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As you may imagine, this is an issue where the owners themselves likely have very strong feelings. They want to be able to sell their teams to the highest bidders themselves down the road, even if the highest bidder isn't necessarily the best for the league.
Yeah, I'm just surprised because my impression was that the league had high demand for franchises and some of these bidding processes get pretty competitive even without regard to the raw dollars. I could be wrong.
 

Apisith

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Yeah it’s a shame you guys are struggling with that $145m payroll, 2nd in league behind Portland, while signing Paul to retain his salary slot and paying top dollar to retain Capela and Gordon.

Geez Louise, “doing nothing” you’d have House and Hartenstein in your starting lineup.
I honestly did not realise we were 2nd in payroll. Goodness.
Who do I blame for this mess now?
 

Sam Ray Not

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Weirdly, not Westbrook, who's been outstanding the last five games. He looked like the only guy on the team who GAF today, and has been amazingly efficient to boot.

He might wanna think twice about all the trashtalking, rocking-the-cradle and such to players like CP3 and Lillard if he's then going to lose to them.
 

AMS25

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Harden has been in a funk for some reason, really strange to see. I think he's playing too many minutes, D'Antoni has been running out 7 and 8-man rotations.
What is with the short rotations? Who (on the bench) should be playing more? As you saw tonight, the Thunder will put just about anyone on the floor, including Dort and Burton (with Adams, Noel, Ferguson, and Nader all out).
 
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DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Speaking of Dame, he is apathetic and soft. But damn if he isn't having himself a game against the Warriors tonight. 40 points on 12-23 shooting, six boards and five assists through three quarters.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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"Apathetic a-hole" had 42 of his team's 84 points late in the 3rd. Fun game.
As a side note, all the run the Warriors guys are getting is going to benefit the team when they get Curry and Thompson back. I expect they will move Burks plus maybe one of their other wings/bigs. But there is enough there to build a very credible bench/rotation. Spellman is another lowkey nice find for them.
 

Kliq

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Dame about to hit Golden State for 60. He's getting Oakland's revenge!

He wouldn't have to do it by himself if his supporting cast could help him at all. Take away Dame and the Trail Blazers are 2 for 22 from three tonight. Also, I know they saved a lot of money with the Bazemore trade, but he was their only experienced wing that played defense.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Dame about to hit Golden State for 60. He's getting Oakland's revenge!

He wouldn't have to do it by himself if his supporting cast could help him at all. Take away Dame and the Trail Blazers are 2 for 22 from three tonight. Also, I know they saved a lot of money with the Bazemore trade, but he was their only experienced wing that played defense.
They traded Bazemore for Ariza who will fill that role once he gets there. The Blazers were also without half of their rotation tonight due to injury. Lillard did what he had to do with his team so short handed tonight.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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They traded Bazemore for Ariza who will fill that role once he gets there. The Blazers were also without half of their rotation tonight due to injury. Lillard did what he had to do with his team so short handed tonight.
This wasn't a stat-stuffing game. He literally was the Blazers only offense. The clutch shots were just that too - he doesn't hit that three over Burks and the Warriors get a much-needed road win.
 

benhogan

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"Chandler was in peak physical condition at the time of the wreck. He is now working with a team of doctors to regain his health, and at this time, his ability to return to play is unclear. Our focus right now is on helping him make a full recovery, while we also work to hold any and all responsible parties fully accountable."


peak physical condition
for the Big3 maybe
 

HomeRunBaker

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"Chandler was in peak physical condition at the time of the wreck. He is now working with a team of doctors to regain his health, and at this time, his ability to return to play is unclear. Our focus right now is on helping him make a full recovery, while we also work to hold any and all responsible parties fully accountable."


peak physical condition
for the Big3 maybe
Which attorney or agent wrote this piece of crock?