NBA Thread 2020-21

[JWags85]

I have enjoyed watching LaMelo Ball this season, but he wasn't the same player after he returned from his wrist injury. Last night, on the biggest stage of his young pro career, he played like a clueless 19-year-old.

I know that plus/minus is a flawed stat, but his minu-35 -- MINUS-35!!!!! -- spoke volumes.

Hornets have a few nice pieces, including LaMelo -- especially LaMelo. But right now they have the look of one of those middle-of-the-pack teams that will be on the playoff/lottery bubble every season, with lots of large salaries but little to show for it. Gotta be driving Jordan nuts. And Michael couldn't have liked the total lack of effort last night.

I hear you, but I think its an anomaly more than concern.  The Pacers make 12 3s a game at a 35% clip.   They made 7 out of 13 in the first quarter alone.  Just blitzed a young team with a meh head coach.  The entire starting lineup had a terrible +/- along with him.

Rough end of the season or not, they made the playoffs because of Melo.  They have some other nice young pieces (Washington, Rozier, Graham, and Bridges) but none are even all star caliber yet.  Took a transcendent ROY to push them.  Would be interesting to have seen him in a full 7 game series.

[MU82]

I hear you, but I think its an anomaly more than concern.  The Pacers make 12 3s a game at a 35% clip.   They made 7 out of 13 in the first quarter alone.  Just blitzed a young team with a meh head coach.  The entire starting lineup had a terrible +/- along with him.

Rough end of the season or not, they made the playoffs because of Melo.  They have some other nice young pieces (Washington, Rozier, Graham, and Bridges) but none are even all star caliber yet.  Took a transcendent ROY to push them.  Would be interesting to have seen him in a full 7 game series.

I like this take, Wags. Before he got hurt, LaMelo was an offensive genius. He could work magic with the ball, and he shot way better than I expected. He's a defensive disaster, but so are most 19-year-olds. I'm very high on him, for obvious reasons.

The Hornets' coach and his staff seem better at developing talent (including some of the names you mentioned) than they are at game prep and in-game adjustments. But they are relatively young in their professions, too, so I'm inclined to give them a bit of a pass on this strange season. Three players who were in the G-League 1 and 2 years ago have become NBA contributors (Graham, Martin, McDaniels), Bridges has future star potential and Rozier really found his way.

Yes, the Pacers shot well but most of those 3s were wide open. I mean, McDermott can't do anything else; why would you leave him wide open from 3, especially after the first couple? And they also had a parade of layups and dunks. The degree of difficulty on just about every shot they took was low -- NBA players make those shots. It underscores that the Hornets need to be MUCH better defensively, need to find a couple of rim protectors who aren't offensive liabilities, just need to be more dedicated on that side of the ball.

They simply need more good players, and for at least 2-3 of their good young players to become All-Stars. And then they need to keep their All-Stars from bolting to LA, NY, etc. It's a lot to ask. We'll see if Jordan and Kupchak can pull it off.

OK ... that was way too much Hornets talk ... sorry!

[BM1090]

Yeah butt, da Bucks are Giannis, Jrue, and a bunch of smoes, hey?

There are still people out there who don't appreciate KM?

[lawdog77]

I like this take, Wags. Before he got hurt, LaMelo was an offensive genius. He could work magic with the ball, and he shot way better than I expected. He's a defensive disaster, but so are most 19-year-olds. I'm very high on him, for obvious reasons.

The Hornets' coach and his staff seem better at developing talent (including some of the names you mentioned) than they are at game prep and in-game adjustments. But they are relatively young in their professions, too, so I'm inclined to give them a bit of a pass on this strange season. Three players who were in the G-League 1 and 2 years ago have become NBA contributors (Graham, Martin, McDaniels), Bridges has future star potential and Rozier really found his way.

Yes, the Pacers shot well but most of those 3s were wide open. I mean, McDermott can't do anything else; why would you leave him wide open from 3, especially after the first couple? And they also had a parade of layups and dunks. The degree of difficulty on just about every shot they took was low -- NBA players make those shots. It underscores that the Hornets need to be MUCH better defensively, need to find a couple of rim protectors who aren't offensive liabilities, just need to be more dedicated on that side of the ball.

They simply need more good players, and for at least 2-3 of their good young players to become All-Stars. And then they need to keep their All-Stars from bolting to LA, NY, etc. It's a lot to ask. We'll see if Jordan and Kupchak can pull it off.

OK ... that was way too much Hornets talk ... sorry!

Saw the box score, and noticed Kelan Martin, from Butler, scored 14. If that guy can be in the league, I can see why many college kids jump ship.

[JWags85]

Saw the box score, and noticed Kelan Martin, from Butler, scored 14. If that guy can be in the league, I can see why many college kids jump ship.

You mean the guy who averaged 22 and 6 on a good Butler team, was first team All BE, and an honorable mention AA?

He's a bit small for the 3, but he's very solid defensively and can score in a variety of ways.  Weird example cause he's the kind of dude who would have been an NBA lock before the migration to younger and raw talent came about

[lawdog77]

You mean the guy who averaged 22 and 6 on a good Butler team, was first team All BE, and an honorable mention AA?

He's a bit small for the 3, but he's very solid defensively and can score in a variety of ways.  Weird example cause he's the kind of dude who would have been an NBA lock before the migration to younger and raw talent came about

Or the 6-6 slow forward, who only shot 35% from 3, had more turnovers than assists, and led his team to a 9-9 conference records. Kids will see what they want to see, or see what people in their ear tell them. My point stands, if Kelan Martin can make the NBA, any decent player will think they can make it. You do realize there were 46 Honorable Mention All Americans?

[JWags85]

Or the 6-6 slow forward, who only shot 35% from 3, had more turnovers than assists, and led his team to a 9-9 conference records. Kids will see what they want to see, or see what people in their ear tell them. My point stands, if Kelan Martin can make the NBA, any decent player will think they can make it. You do realize there were 46 Honorable Mention All Americans?

It was 36.5% as a senior, is that supposed to be terrible?  Thats better than everyone on Marquette last year outside of Elliott.  Thats better than everyone on Creighton, a team known for shooting a lot of 3s, not named Zegarowski or Ballock.

There were 4 seniors on the AP 1st or 2nd team that year.  A bunch of underclassmen in the HM list.  So he was one of, lets say, the top 30 seniors in college basketball that year.  After being All Big East 2nd team for 2 years and First team his last year.

Again, he wasn't a lottery pick nor would anyone think he would be, but acting like he was some bum that validates any player thinking they can make the NBA is lunacy.  Using someone like Juan as an example of "if he can make it, anyone can if they take a shot and work", ok.  But Kelan Martin was a college stud who got NBA looks for good reasons and took advantage.  Pretending like he was a scrub at Butler who would give irrational confidence to others is absurd.  If you're gonna do that, at least use Sean McDermott who was literally just a guy for Butler that somehow has stuck with the Grizzlies

[Dish]

I'm cool with the playin tournament being one and done.

[wadesworld]

I'm cool with the playin tournament being one and done.

Yup.

[MuggsyB]

Bam.  Juan just drilled a three after a left-handed flick pass from Curry. 

[MU82]

Juan just took it right at LeBron.

[MuggsyB]

Juan just took it right at LeBron.

That was sweet!!

[MU82]

That was sweet!!

Yep. And "Juan just took it right at LeBron" is a sentence that, 7 or 5 or 2 years ago, any of us would have bet a million bucks would never be written!

[MuggsyB]

WTF???  Curry missed a FT?  How,?  Smh.

[wadesworld]

Juan just took it right at LeBron.

Some might even say he...took him Juan on Juan.

[MuggsyB]

Tremendous defense from JTA!!

[JWags85]

Wiggins in his vintage "become 50% better when playing against Lebron" mode.  Juan doing everything.  Steph heating up.  Lebron looking disinterested and not healthy and AD being stubborn.  This is about as bad a start for the Lakers as you could script

[MuggsyB]

KABOOM!!  Juan with another sweet triple!!

[MuggsyB]

KABOOM!! Another sweet triple by Juan.

[JWags85]

Just stop it Steph. Holy hell.  2 of those last 3 triples were cheat codes. The man has internalized all the post-Klay injury slander and turned into Omni-Man

[MuggsyB]

Just stop it Steph. Holy hell.  2 of those last 3 triples were cheat codes. The man has internalized all the post-Klay injury slander and turned into Omni-Man

Lillard may have similar range but Curry is Curry.  For some reason my step-back doesn't get to the rim as easily from 28 feet. 

[forgetful]

Just stop it Steph. Holy hell.  2 of those last 3 triples were cheat codes. The man has internalized all the post-Klay injury slander and turned into Omni-Man

The shot at the end of the half was kind of ridiculous. Roughly 5 seconds left, triple teamed, somehow still got a fadeaway step back 3 off. Nothing but net.

Cheat Code it is.                 

[MuggsyB]

Looks like the refs are trying to get the Lakers back in the game.  Lebron has no lift. 

[PGsHeroes32]

Warriors melting down with JTA on the bench.

[MuggsyB]

Zero reason Kerr hasn't inserted Juan back in the game.