NBA Thread 2020-21

[BM1090]

This item in an NBA notes column in The Athletic caught my eye:

Across the league, many believe Hawks forward/center John Collins increased his value as a maximum contract-caliber player during Atlanta's run to the Eastern Conference finals. In 18 postseason games, Collins averaged 13.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 35.7 percent 3-point shooting.

Really? 14 points, 9 rebounds and 36% 3-point shooting is all it takes to possibly get a max deal? Really? I guess a few teams will see the potential for Collins to increase those numbers significantly. But wow.

His career numbers, from ages 19-23, are 17 PPG, 8 RPG, on 57% shooting and 38% 3P shooting. He is incredibly athletic as well. Prime candidate for a max contract.

[MU82]

His career numbers, from ages 19-23, are 17 PPG, 8 RPG, on 57% shooting and 38% 3P shooting. He is incredibly athletic as well. Prime candidate for a max contract.

Thanks for those stats.

Still doesn't scream "max contract!" in my eyes, but the excellent conversation between cheebs and jficke does a nice job illuminating the entire max-contract world.

And I totally agree with cheebs about the "true max guys" being underpaid. If John Collins is worth a max deal, what are KD, LeBron and Giannis worth? Obviously, though, players and teams can only operate within the framework of the CBA, and this is what has been collectively bargained.

I'll be interested in seeing what Collins ends up getting.

[WarriorFan]

Good olympic players can shoot, can play physical defense, and can take 5 fouls on the way to  the hoop and still score - without flopping or expecting a call, because the call is not coming.

Dame fits, KD fits, Melo fits but unfortunately isn't on the team this year, Book should be great, Beal won't make the ajdustment, Kris should, and Jrue would be perfect if he can work into the system.  Bam might fit, Tatum can't take contact, Dray can't shoot, Levine is borderline.  Grant and Love??? Inexplicable. 

The main problem is these other international teams have been playing together since they were 16 and most have a distinct system and style of play that gets easy buckets when everyone knows the system.  On a good day the top 5 international teams can beat anyone - including Team USA - because they will get a lot of "system" buckets and because they understand how to play D the international way.  American style one on one basketball won't win games in this type of competition.

[The Sultan]

Good olympic players can shoot, can play physical defense, and can take 5 fouls on the way to  the hoop and still score - without flopping or expecting a call, because the call is not coming.

Dame fits, KD fits, Melo fits but unfortunately isn't on the team this year, Book should be great, Beal won't make the ajdustment, Kris should, and Jrue would be perfect if he can work into the system.  Bam might fit, Tatum can't take contact, Dray can't shoot, Levine is borderline.  Grant and Love??? Inexplicable. 

The main problem is these other international teams have been playing together since they were 16 and most have a distinct system and style of play that gets easy buckets when everyone knows the system.  On a good day the top 5 international teams can beat anyone - including Team USA - because they will get a lot of "system" buckets and because they understand how to play D the international way.  American style one on one basketball won't win games in this type of competition.

Yeah, I have been hearing this for 30 some years now.  About the "systems" of the top international teams, and how the "American style of basketball doesn't fit."

OTOH, Team USA is 138-5 in the Olympics with three of those losses coming in 2004.

It seems like whatever style America is playing, is working just fine.

[WarriorFan]

I hear ya. 

And it seems the guys on the team think the same...

but the gap has closed.

[JWags85]

Good olympic players can shoot, can play physical defense, and can take 5 fouls on the way to  the hoop and still score - without flopping or expecting a call, because the call is not coming.

Dame fits, KD fits, Melo fits but unfortunately isn't on the team this year, Book should be great, Beal won't make the ajdustment, Kris should, and Jrue would be perfect if he can work into the system.  Bam might fit, Tatum can't take contact, Dray can't shoot, Levine is borderline.  Grant and Love??? Inexplicable. 

The main problem is these other international teams have been playing together since they were 16 and most have a distinct system and style of play that gets easy buckets when everyone knows the system.  On a good day the top 5 international teams can beat anyone - including Team USA - because they will get a lot of "system" buckets and because they understand how to play D the international way.  American style one on one basketball won't win games in this type of competition.

Draymond plays excellent defense and can initiate offense from the forward position. Which is important because other than Holiday, the team has no true PG. That's why he's on the team.

Grant shot around 38% from 3 the last few years, from the 4 spot.  He can defend basically every position on the floor and is long and athletic.  Not sure how that's "inexplicable"...maybe cause he's not a household name and was on a terrible team.

Kevin Love is a locker room guy, pure and simple.  Won a Gold medal and a FIBA world championship.  Been in the Finals a bunch of times.  Again, can shoot with size for a team that doesn't have much size.  He's not gonna play a ton of minutes but he's a steadying presence for an inexperienced team.

Yeah, I have been hearing this for 30 some years now.  About the "systems" of the top international teams, and how the "American style of basketball doesn't fit."

OTOH, Team USA is 138-5 in the Olympics with three of those losses coming in 2004.

It seems like whatever style America is playing, is working just fine.

Just like college basketball, a good system with guys who understand and buy in can make up for a lack of talent.  But you're still probably gonna get smacked by Duke or Kansas, superior talent usually wins. Same applies to Olympic ball.  Australia and Spain and others have got a lot better, but the US will always have way more talent

[MuggsyB]

Awful start for the Bucks.  WTH?

[MuggsyB]

The Bucks' offense is just guys dribbling and going one on one.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

The Bucks' offense is just guys dribbling and going one on one.

What game are you watching?

[MuggsyB]

Giannis needs to calm down and just take an easy 10 foot J if they sag like that.  Book is having a great game . 

[cheebs09]

Giannis needs to calm down and just take an easy 10 foot J if they sag like that.  Book is having a great game .

I don't know if there's such a thing as an easy 10 ft J for Giannis.

It would be huge to get 5 on Booker soon.

[MuggsyB]

No answer right now for Booker.  I think you have ro deny him the ball.

[CreightonWarrior]

Jrue is such a black hole sometimes.

[MuggsyB]

Brutal game for Holiday.  Needs to wake up.

[JWags85]

Jrue is such a black hole sometimes.

He's a composed and heady player most of the time, but he gets into these modes where he is a sloppy driver and loses the ball repeatedly or takes really bad shots in the paint

[MuggsyB]

Wow.  Huge call and three FT's for Jae.

[4everwarriors]

6th foul on Booker right there, hey?

[wadesworld]

Lol. Booker's constant b!tching paid off. What a joke.

[Jockey]

Worst non-call in NBA history.

[MuggsyB]

How on earth do you not call that foul on Booker?  Was that 6?

[CreightonWarrior]

NBA is rigged. Not fouling Booker out there is absolute garbage.

[cheebs09]

I am interested to see how Booker shoots rest of the way. I wonder/hope he cooled off sitting so long.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Holy hell. How was that not a foul on Booker?

[Dish]

That was really bad. Really really bad.

[Jockey]

NBA is rigged. Not fouling Booker out there is absolute garbage.

I've always laughed at conspiracies but that play changed my mind.