NBA Thread 2020-21

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

In his 15 games since moving into the Hornets' starting lineup, LaMelo is averaging 20.7 points, 6.7 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and is using his funky form to shoot 45% from 3-point range.

Leads all rookies in scoring, assists and rebounds. And there are not many players who are more fun to watch. Sky's the limit.

LaMelo Ball is the real deal.  Best rookie so far and only Tyrese Haliburton is close.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards is a low efficiency volume scorer, just as he was in college.   Right now, Edwards is dead last among in advanced metrics like VORP and Win Shares.  In fact, he's negative in both.

Ball leads all rookies in VORP and Win Shares.  Looks like a huge win for the Hornets.  And if Edwards doesn't improve, a huge miss for Minnesota.

[MU82]

LaMelo Ball is the real deal.  Best rookie so far and only Tyrese Haliburton is close.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards is a low efficiency volume scorer, just as he was in college.   Right now, Edwards is dead last among in advanced metrics like VORP and Win Shares.  In fact, he's negative in both.

Ball leads all rookies in VORP and Win Shares.  Looks like a huge win for the Hornets.  And if Edwards doesn't improve, a huge miss for Minnesota.

Hornets picked 3rd, and it was obvious the top 3 would be Edwards, Wiseman and Ball. I was hoping the Hornets would get LaMelo. Second choice was Wiseman because I thought he could mature into a Bosh-type player. I didn't want Edwards, so I was thrilled when the Wolves picked him.

[MU82]

I was just surprised to read that the best "clutch" team in the league is Charlotte.

The NBA defines clutch time as the last five minutes of a game with a margin of five points or less. In those situations, the Hornets have outscored opponents by a league-best margin of 53.4 points per 100 possessions.

Terry Rozier has been at the heart of that. In 39 clutch-time minutes, he has scored 48 points, shooting 13 of 23 from the field and 9 of 17 from 3-point range. The Hornets are 10-4 in those games. Each of the last 3 games, he has won with a series of incredible plays. Thursday, with Jordan sitting courtside, he rallied Charlotte with a 4-point play (fouled while making a 25-footer) and two circus-shot floaters.

I was one of many who thought the Hornets way overpaid for Rozier as a replacement for Kemba. But he has been very good in his year and a half in Charlotte, and so far this season he has been quite a bit better than Kemba.

[PGsHeroes32]

Jimmy should be a legitimate MVP candiate.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

Henry Ellenson getting a lot of run against the Bulls tonight.

[MU82]

Lakers coach Frank Vogel chose Kuzma to shoot a technical FT last night. Kuzma, 65% from the line, shot an airball.

Warriors players were laughing their asses off. Guess they needed a reason chuckle, as they lost by about 800 points.

[MuggsyB]

I'm watching Zion W.

He's VERY cool.  Temendous quickness and athleticism.  I'm not sure why he doesn't touch the ball every possession.  A bigger Barkley?  He's totally unguardable inside.

[PGsHeroes32]

Jimmy should be a legitimate MVP candiate.

Still going

[CreightonWarrior]

What an incredibly idiotic defensive effort by Donte giving Philly a wide open 3 to tie the game.

[CreightonWarrior]

LaMelo Ball out for the year.

[MU82]

LaMelo Ball out for the year.

F4ck.

I feel bad for the kid, and for the Hornets.

[MuggsyB]

Awful to hear the news on LaMelo Ball.  The good news ia he's 19.

[MU82]

Awful to hear the news on LaMelo Ball.  The good news ia he's 19.

Yeah, long term he'll be fine. The Hornets finally were making strides this season. They don't play a lick of defense, but they have an entertaining offensive team with a lot of weapons, and LaMelo became the engine behind it.

[Pakuni]

RIP Elgin Baylor.
Great player, not-so-great GM.

[MU82]

RIP Elgin Baylor.
Great player, not-so-great GM.

Before my time as a fan but I've seen video and read a lot about him. He was Julius and Michael of that era.

[MuggsyB]

Who was better Baylor or West?  It seems like Mr.  Baylor was underrated, his early stats are sick.  Plus he changed the game.  May he rest in peace.

[Pakuni]

Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley this morning.

[JWags85]

Love the Vuc trade for the Bulls honestly.  People overvalue draft picks.  They get a proven All Star in his prime, a decent role player, and shed a terrible contract.  If they somehow move Lauri for Lonzo, Karnisovas will have remade the shizshow of GarPax in a day and created a very interesting team.

[MU82]

Hornets GM says LaMelo might be back in time to play during the last month of the regular season and then the playoffs.

"There is a possibility (of Ball playing again), just based on other players who have had this injury, that maybe he does come back for some portion of the year," Mitch Kupchak said. "The one thing we know we're not going to do in any event is put his health in jeopardy. If we get to the end of the (regular season), and we're in a playoff hunt, and he's not quite ready — (where) we feel we could get him back on the court and push it — we won't do that."

[GooooMarquette]

Bucks starting to look a little better. 10-4 since the beginning of March. And last night, Giannis was unstoppable against Portland. 47 points (18–21 FGs, 11-13 FTs) and 12 boards.

[Jockey]

Bucks starting to look a little better. 10-4 since the beginning of March. And last night, Giannis was unstoppable against Portland. 47 points (18–21 FGs, 11-13 FTs) and 12 boards.

I thought it would take at least half of this season for the Bucks to gel - especially on defense. So many new players this year. It takes time to develop the kind of teamwork necessary to do well in the playoffs. Barring injury, they shguld be ready to go next month.

[CreightonWarrior]

Holiday signing a 4 year extension with Bucks, great news considering the picks they gave up for him.

[JWags85]

Huge number for Jrue, but glad to hear he's settled in and likes it in MKE.  Really wish they could have a Big 3 of Jrue, Giannis, and then find a third instead of Middleton, but it is what it is

[wadesworld]

Worth every penny and trade.

[GB Warrior]

Jrue is just beginning to settle in and assert himself in this offense - every game I notice a new facet of his game that just completely lifts this team in a way Bled could not. Last night without Giannis and Khris in a funk early was just a Jrue clinic. Look forward to seeing playoff Jrue.

A max for 4 years into his 30s is a lot of money, and it's going to be a challenge to field a roster around the big 3 contracts. But at least they'll have the opportunity to try.