2021-22 NBA Thread: The Bucks are Reigning Champs

[MuggsyB]

Yeah....I think the East is actually a harder road than the West this year.  I honestly have no idea who the favorite is right now but if Durant is right they have the ultimate sledgehammer and serious motivation.  And the more I look at that trade, the more I think Philly got fleeced.   

Initially my thought was that Brooklyn is gearing towards next year but they may have time to figure it out.   I know this isn't news but Durant can't be guarded.  If he gets more opportunities because Harden is a toddler that helps Brooklyn.   They will be much better defensively and have plenty of guys to space the floor.   

[cheebs09]

The Bucks weren't exactly juggernauts last year in the regular season. Their stats when their Big 3 play in games is still elite. With the shortened offseason and Olympics, I think they are just trying to peak for the playoffs.

I actually think if Brook can come back in the regular season, they are probably set up better than they were last year. Although, the Pat C injury definitely doesn't help. They still have to get some guys on the buyout market.

[MuggsyB]

The Bucks weren't exactly juggernauts last year in the regular season. Their stats when their Big 3 play in games is still elite. With the shortened offseason and Olympics, I think they are just trying to peak for the playoffs.

I actually think if Brook can come back in the regular season, they are probably set up better than they were last year. Although, the Pat C injury definitely doesn't help. They still have to get some guys on the buyout market.

Who Cheebs? 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I dunno. The East looks tougher than the West this season.

That could be an issue though for whoever the East representative is.

Playing three tough series versus the Warriors and the Suns who seems extremely likely to roll early and face each other in the WCF.

[MU82]

That could be an issue though for whoever the East representative is.

Playing three tough series versus the Warriors and the Suns who seems extremely likely to roll early and face each other in the WCF.

Perhaps. Or the East winner will be "battle tested"!

The good thing is we'll get to see.

[BM1090]

From today's Action Network article by Matt Moore:


The Nets have a ridiculous amount of shooters, especially if Joe Harris comes back this season. Irving, Durant, Harris, Curry, and Patty Mills are all elite. But of course you can only play so many on the floor together.

[wadesworld]

Lol just saw a Tweet about Jimmy Butler saying he wants the NBA to allow brawls. The Tweet was along the lines of, "Jokic broke his teammate's neck and he just stood there." So true. Well, of course, until they were separated by about 90 feet and 100 people when he went all tough guy.

But that Tweet was so good.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

DeRozan is something else man. Was at the UC tonight and it felt like everything he shot in the fourth quarter was automatically going in.

[wadesworld]

Bembry is a nice addition to the Bucks.

[MU82]

DeRozan is something else man. Was at the UC tonight and it felt like everything he shot in the fourth quarter was automatically going in.

DeRozan is no worse than top-5 MVP candidate IMHO. Incredible numbers, and a huge impact on an otherwise young team that seemed at least a year away when the season began. Very good argument could be made for top-3.

Embiid and Giannis in some order, followed by DeRozan and Ja in some order? Then maybe Jokic, Steph and Paul. Luka can get in the mix too if he stays healthy and Mavs keep winning.

But I love DeRozan's game and what he's meant for the Bulls.

[wadesworld]

DeRozan is no worse than top-5 MVP candidate IMHO. Incredible numbers, and a huge impact on an otherwise young team that seemed at least a year away when the season began. Very good argument could be made for top-3.

Embiid and Giannis in some order, followed by DeRozan and Ja in some order? Then maybe Jokic, Steph and Paul. Luka can get in the mix too if he stays healthy and Mavs keep winning.

But I love DeRozan's game and what he's meant for the Bulls.

To me it's Jokic and Embiid at 1 and 1A.  Then Giannis at 3.  Then Steph, Ja, Luka, DeRozan in some order.  I think the top 3 have kind of separated themselves from the rest, though.  I think Jokic and Giannis both have some "voter fatigue" from being the MVPs of the last 3 seasons, and they're still widely considered to be in the top 3 right now.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

To me it's Jokic and Embiid at 1 and 1A.  Then Giannis at 3.  Then Steph, Ja, Luka, DeRozan in some order.  I think the top 3 have kind of separated themselves from the rest, though.  I think Jokic and Giannis both have some "voter fatigue" from being the MVPs of the last 3 seasons, and they're still widely considered to be in the top 3 right now.

VORP rankings:

1. Jokic
2. Giannis
3. Embiid

That's how I'd rank them as MVP candidates.  But like you said, voter fatigue could cost Giannis and Jokic since Embiid is so close.

With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr both injured, Jokic has done a remarkable job keeping the Nuggets a playoff team.  I feel like he's really getting shortchanged in the MVP discussion.

[wadesworld]

VORP rankings:

1. Jokic
2. Giannis
3. Embiid

That's how I'd rank them as MVP candidates.  But like you said, voter fatigue could cost Giannis and Jokic since Embiid is so close.

With Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr both injured, Jokic has done a remarkable job keeping the Nuggets a playoff team.  I feel like he's really getting shortchanged in the MVP discussion.

Jokic currently has the highest PER in the history of the NBA.

[MU82]

Yeah, I didn't mean to diminish Jokic at all. I do think where the team finishes will influence some voters, though. And BLM makes a good point about "voter fatigue" -- that's why Barkley and Malone were able to win MVPs when Jordan obviously should have.

As for DeRozan, there was a pretty long stretch where the Bulls had one player after another out with Covid or injuries, and he was the constant as they hung in there.

[MuggsyB]

Take a look at Giannis' stat line tonight when you get a chance.

[MU82]

Take a look at Giannis' stat line tonight when you get a chance.

Good thing the Bucks traded his azz. He'll never amount to anything.

[wadesworld]

Lol at LeBron Tweeting that the Dodgers and Lakers should join the Rams for their championship parade.  The dude just cannot let other athletes get the limelight without inserting himself.  Not to mention they're not even the reigning champions in their league anymore.

Because nobody has given him the credit and respect he deserves, let me be the first to say congratulations King, on your Mickey Mouse title.

[wadesworld]

Giannis now leads the NBA in points per game while being 54th in minutes per game.  He also leads Embiid in just about every efficiency category.  If the season ended today it probably should be Giannis or Jokic, with Embiid a very close third for MVP.  But a lot of game left.  It'll be interesting to see how things change if teams start getting complete (Harden with the Sixers, Brook and Pat with the Bucks, Murray and Porter Jr. with the Nuggets) after the All Star Break.

[BM1090]

It should be Jokic, but it likely won't be.

As you mentioned earlier, best PER in NBA history. Porter and Murray out all season. Their bench is terrible. He's dragging them to a playoff spot.

Giannis has been excellent as well but unless the Bucks get the 1 seed, I don't think he should get it over Jokic. Embiid will likely get it due to voter fatigue.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Bulls signing their Giannis stopper in Tristan Thompson.

[JWags85]

Bulls signing their Giannis stopper in Tristan Thompson.

He'll be too busy procreating to put in any defensive work

[MuggsyB]

Not that it matters (they weren't going anywhere) but Anthony Davis could be out for the year.  That looked bad. 

[MU82]

I've never been a fan of the "combo stat," as in ... "He's only the 8th player in NBA history to score 30 points on 60% shooting, with 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 4 straight games." I actually chuckle when the ESPNers (or other talking heads) call that a "record."

However, this seems pretty impressive to me ...

DeMar DeRozan became the first player in NBA history to score 35 or more points while shooting 50 percent or better from the floor in seven straight games.

I mean, think about all the great scorers these last 75 years -- including 7-footers whose average shooting distance was 2 feet from the basket. It's a little surprising that neither Wilt nor Shaq nor Kareem ever did that.

DeRozan lives 15-20 feet from the hoop. Damn, what a season he's had.

[rocket surgeon]

Take a look at Giannis' stat line tonight when you get a chance.

the dude scored 50 points taking only 21 shots in 36 minutes plus 14 bounds and 4 assists

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Bucks should have listened to the vaccine & NBA personnel expert and "traded his azz" I guess.