NBA Thread 2020-21

[wadesworld]

He took a TO when they cut it to five. Agree about the line up though.

Got it. I thought it was very early, more just one of the timeouts where there hasn't been a break so you take one.

And now, after great defense for 2.5 quarters, the Clippers are very comfortable and the Bucks can't get stops. They almost always give up a run to close out the third and have zero momentum going into the fourth when they play a quality team.

[The Sultan]

The FF would have exploded with that Giannis block.

[wadesworld]

Fun game. Did not think the Bucks would get the momentum back. I really like this team. I just don't trust Bud to make adjustments necessary. But maybe he's just using the regular season to figure things out.

[hairy worthen]

Fun game. Did not think the Bucks would get the momentum back. I really like this team. I just don't trust Bud to make adjustments necessary. But maybe he's just using the regular season to figure things out.

This how I feel but maybe they are starting to figure it out.

[MU82]

If y'all haven't seen SNL's Weekend Update's hilarious segment on Lavar Ball talking about LaMelo (and other stuff), I highly recommend.

And speaking of LaMelo ...

Super entertaining game between the Hornets and Kings late last night. Hornets win 127-126 on an old-fashioned 3-point play by Malik Monk, who has gone from being in the doghouse to being a stud. Hornets win despite missing 3 starters, including top scorer Gordon Hayward, and are now only 1 game under .500.

LaMelo - who leads all rookies in scoring, assists and rebounds - goes 24-12-4. PJ Washington gets 42. Monk 21 off the bench.

The Kings' young backcourt is really dynamic, with Hield and Fox combining for 50. I have to admit that Hield is a lot better pro than I thought he'd be.

[4everwarriors]

Bucks better makes some moves at the trade deadline, 'cuz they ain't chit. 10 pts outta the startin' backcourt ain't gonna cut it. I'd dump anyone not named Holiday, hey?

[The Sultan]

Bucks better makes some moves at the trade deadline, 'cuz they ain't chit. 10 pts outta the startin' backcourt ain't gonna cut it. I'd dump anyone not named Holiday, hey?

But this is why they targeted Bogdan.  Dante is just a guy. 

[MuggsyB]

It sounds like the players got rid of Lloyd Pierce in Atlanta.  Having watched the Bucks it seems to me their problems are defense and how Budenholzer uses Giannjs.  I would agree they need to make a move.  Brooklyn is just too talented.

[JWags85]

It sounds like the players got rid of Lloyd Pierce in Atlanta.  Having watched the Bucks it seems to me their problems are defense and how Budenholzer uses Giannjs.  I would agree they need to make a move.  Brooklyn is just too talented.

I think that's totally merited in ATL. You look at that team, they have a bonafide stud in Young, a really good player in Collins, some fantastic high upside young talent with Hunter and Reddish, then solid supporting players like Capela, Huerter, and Gallo (who also provides some vet experience and presence)...but they STINK. Their inconsistency is baffling. I know Bogdan has missed a lot of games but still

[BM1090]

I think that's totally merited in ATL. You look at that team, they have a bonafide stud in Young, a really good player in Collins, some fantastic high upside young talent with Hunter and Reddish, then solid supporting players like Capela, Huerter, and Gallo (who also provides some vet experience and presence)...but they STINK. Their inconsistency is baffling. I know Bogdan has missed a lot of games but still

Can the worst defender in the NBA be a bonafide stud? He absolutely kills them at that end. He's also not the most efficient guy on offense. Tons of skill, can score and pass the ball, but not sure he makes teams better at this point.

[BM1090]

Bucks signing Myles Powell to a two-way. Sigh.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Can the worst defender in the NBA be a bonafide stud? He absolutely kills them at that end. He's also not the most efficient guy on offense. Tons of skill, can score and pass the ball, but not sure he makes teams better at this point.

This. The Hawks will never be any good with Trae Young as their leader.

[JWags85]

Can the worst defender in the NBA be a bonafide stud? He absolutely kills them at that end. He's also not the most efficient guy on offense. Tons of skill, can score and pass the ball, but not sure he makes teams better at this point.

I don't think he's the guy to make a team great, but he's certainly good enough to push an offense to a playoff level. Russell Westbrook type problems

[BM1090]

I don't think he's the guy to make a team great, but he's certainly good enough to push an offense to a playoff level. Russell Westbrook type problems

I don't think as highly as you do of Young but agree the coaching staff wasn't close to tapping the potential of the roster. The firing seemed fair.

[jficke13]

Bucks signing Myles Powell to a two-way. Sigh.

The Bucks, bad again. Nature is healing.

[MuggsyB]

It's a real shame Embiid didn't come to MU.  I also remember Mike Dunleavy Sr. saying that Jo-Jo was by far the best player in that draft. 

[wadesworld]

Worth the Bucks playing like absolute garbage in the second half to have Jrue hit that game winner. Welcome back.

[MuggsyB]

Jimmy Buckets!!!!!!!!

[PGsHeroes32]

Worth the Bucks playing like absolute garbage in the second half to have Jrue hit that game winner. Welcome back.

If there is one thing I have gathered casually skimming this thread at times.

You are a huge Jrue Holiday guy

[wadesworld]

If there is one thing I have gathered casually skimming this thread at times.

You are a huge Jrue Holiday guy

Yes.  Very big fan of his.  He probably gets the benefit of simply not being Eric Bledsoe, but still.

[MU82]

In an interesting article, the Hornets coach talked about how, in normal seasons, he'd be down to an 8-9 man rotation by now. But because the team will be playing 37 games in 67 days after the ASB, he'll have a 10-man rotation or even more sometimes.

The Hornets, like most teams, are scheduled to have only 2 instances of 2 straight off days in the final 2 months, and have a ton of back-to-backs.

[JWags85]

Blake Griffin to the Nets. My god.  We've discussed how rough he's been since his injury, but very interesting to see how he can be not having to be option 1 or 2.

He's a very good passer. Which just makes it silly.  You have 4 exceptionally skilled iso players in Durant, Harden, Kyrie, and now Blake.  All are very good passers.  You have 2  other guys who shoot north of 40% from 3 in Harris and Jeff Green.

You can basically run inside out iso with a combo of 2 of those 4 and then 1 of the shooters floating. Coached by a staff that's speciality is spacing and ball movement.  My god.

Yea Blake plays bad defense, but the Nets were never gonna be the early 2000s Pistons.  Figuring out a way to slow them down offensively is going to be impossible.

Not expecting All Star Blake, but the Blazers have shown how dangerous a former superstar can be in a pared down, less focused role with Melo.

[MU82]

Blake Griffin to the Nets. My god.  We've discussed how rough he's been since his injury, but very interesting to see how he can be not having to be option 1 or 2.

He's a very good passer. Which just makes it silly.  You have 4 exceptionally skilled iso players in Durant, Harden, Kyrie, and now Blake.  All are very good passers.  You have 2  other guys who shoot north of 40% from 3 in Harris and Jeff Green.

You can basically run inside out iso with a combo of 2 of those 4 and then 1 of the shooters floating. Coached by a staff that's speciality is spacing and ball movement.  My god.

Yea Blake plays bad defense, but the Nets were never gonna be the early 2000s Pistons.  Figuring out a way to slow them down offensively is going to be impossible.

Not expecting All Star Blake, but the Blazers have shown how dangerous a former superstar can be in a pared down, less focused role with Melo.

Darn. I seriously was thinking he might be a fit with the Hornets. Rich get richer. I'm sure it's a very low-risk deal for the Nets.

[wadesworld]

The Inside the NBA 4 part documentary that wraps up tonight has been so damn good.

[MU82]

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.