2018-2019 NBA Season

[DarthFed]

Pop like Phil Jackson had great players, but he still had to manage those egos which will probably make him seem great! I'm still a little annoyed how he fired Spurs coach Hill who didn't have "the Admiral" Robinson all '96-97 season due to injury, then after drafting Duncan took over the position! How could he lose with those twin towers to anchor his team? That's how I remember it, but as a senile old goat, I could be projecting! :cuckoo: :hoops:

Pops is legit as one of the all-time great coaches much the same way Phil is. Sure they both had a lot of talented players but I'd say the Spurs were for a long time dealing with teams that have had more talent. Duncan is one of the all-time greats but at the start the Spurs were dealing with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers, they've dealt with LeBron a few times, had Golden State and OKC (when Durant was there) at the end when Duncan was past his prime. The Spurs played as the ultimate team which points to them having a hell of a coach.

Phil of course had even more talent but look what the Bulls were before he took over. Also the Lakers were far from championship caliber before he took over. They got swept by the Spurs in '99. He then left after 3 rings and 4 finals and Kobe had his own team and was barely making the playoffs. Phil came back and they won 2 more. Phil is probably the greatest bball coach in history and probably high on the list of any sport.

 

[Federberg]

Pops is legit as one of the all-time great coaches much the same way Phil is. Sure they both had a lot of talented players but I'd say the Spurs were for a long time dealing with teams that have had more talent. Duncan is one of the all-time greats but at the start the Spurs were dealing with the Kobe-Shaq Lakers, they've dealt with LeBron a few times, had Golden State and OKC (when Durant was there) at the end when Duncan was past his prime. The Spurs played as the ultimate team which points to them having a hell of a coach.

Phil of course had even more talent but look what the Bulls were before he took over. Also the Lakers were far from championship caliber before he took over. They got swept by the Spurs in '99. He then left after 3 rings and 4 finals and Kobe had his own team and was barely making the playoffs. Phil came back and they won 2 more. Phil is probably the greatest bball coach in history and probably high on the list of any sport.

Don’t care what anyone says, for me the greatest coach in history in all of sports is Sir Alex Ferguson

 

[DarthFed]

Don’t care what anyone says, for me the greatest coach in history in all of sports is Sir Alex Ferguson

Is that a soccer coach? I probably should've limited "greatest in any sport" to baseball, basketball, and football. Can't say I know much about soccer, hockey, and other sports.

 

[Federberg]

Is that a soccer coach? I probably should've limited "greatest in any sport" to baseball, basketball, and football. Can't say I know much about soccer, hockey, and other sports.

Yup. He managed Aberdeen and Manchester United and won trophies like they were confetti. I think we’re still only really beginning to understand how great he was

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I cannot figure out Harden to this day. He blows by you in slow motion, but he blows by you! How the hell is that possible?

 

[kskate2]

Beard is putting on a show for the Kang & company.

 

[DarthFed]

I cannot figure out Harden to this day. He blows by you in slow motion, but he blows by you! How the hell is that possible?

We all know his top skill is drawing fouls whether legit or not. He's just all around tough to defend against. I don't like him at all but he is clearly effective. That team still is limited unless CP3 turns back the clock. Kind of had the feeling he is going down the D-Wade road where one day after a bunch of injuries he is merely good instead of a mega-superstar.

 

[britbox]

Liverpool top of the prem, the Raiders beat the Donkeys and the Lakers beat the Warriors... Happy Christmas

 

[DarthFed]

Liverpool top of the prem, the Raiders beat the Donkeys and the Lakers beat the Warriors... Happy Christmas

Have you seen much of the Lakers this year @britbox? They are doing a lot better than I expected this early on. I think it shows that Walton is a darn good coach more than anything.

It is not easy to get a team to gel when there are a bunch of new players even with LeBron coming aboard. LeBron joined Wade and Bosh in Miami and they struggled well into their first season. I think it was similar his first year back in Cleveland with Kyrie and Love. I also thought the Lakers were quite a bit better than expected last year considering their youth and lack of an all-star.

Anyways, they are now facing a new test with LeBron likely to miss a few games with a strained groin.

 

[britbox]

Have you seen much of the Lakers this year @britbox? They are doing a lot better than I expected this early on. I think it shows that Walton is a darn good coach more than anything.

It is not easy to get a team to gel when there are a bunch of new players even with LeBron coming aboard. LeBron joined Wade and Bosh in Miami and they struggled well into their first season. I think it was similar his first year back in Cleveland with Kyrie and Love. I also thought the Lakers were quite a bit better than expected last year considering their youth and lack of an all-star.

Anyways, they are now facing a new test with LeBron likely to miss a few games with a strained groin.

No, I haven't mate - but I do intend watching more NBA than usual this season... I'm a bit wrapped up with other stuff right now but I'm sure I'll be watching a lot more as the season unfolds.

 

[DarthFed]

No, I haven't mate - but I do intend watching more NBA than usual this season... I'm a bit wrapped up with other stuff right now but I'm sure I'll be watching a lot more as the season unfolds.

Have to say I expected them to do better without LeBron than 1-5 so far. He's going to miss a few more at least and they've looked helpless so far.

 

[Jelenafan]

Might be worth a drive down to Staples to see LeBron once he’s back, but damn I hate LA traffic.

 

[DarthFed]

This may be LeBron's most serious injury and it is really going to screw their playoff positioning because they've gone 4-7 without him in a very very soft spot of the schedule. Likely would have been 8-3 or better had he played.

 

[Jelenafan]

Those Warriors and Clay Thompson.....

Wow.

 

[Federberg]

I'm no Harden fan, but...

THIS..
IS...
RIDUNCULOUS!!!

 

[brokenshoelace]

What Harden is doing is insane but somehow I think him playing 40 minutes in the regular season vs. the Knicks and taking all the shots won't bode well for him come playoff time lol. He's a player who always burned out in the playoffs, and this has been a season where he's had to carry the team more than ever. He'll be completely gassed by then.

 

[Federberg]

What Harden is doing is insane but somehow I think him playing 40 minutes in the regular season vs. the Knicks and taking all the shots won't bode well for him come playoff time lol. He's a player who always burned out in the playoffs, and this has been a season where he's had to carry the team more than ever. He'll be completely gassed by then.

oh I completely agree. I also suspect that if you put a number of the other really top guys in a D'Antoni system they would also post insane numbers as well

 

[DarthFed]

Yeah it's pretty crazy what he's doing. Keeping the Rockets afloat in the West with a bunch of bums (due to injuries) is no joke. They were never going to be as good as last year and their long-term problem is that CP3 is going down the D-Wade route. The West is actually really interesting aside from GSW. If LeBron isn't back soon that team could struggle to make the playoffs but if they get in I'm not sure I'd take anyone aside from GSW over them in a series.

It's been surprising but clearly there has been some power shift to the East. The whole top 5 aside from Boston are much improved though Pacers just lost Oladipo.

 

[Federberg]

Toronto and Boston are no joke to me. I think both of those teams could give GSW a fight (they would lose though)

 

[DarthFed]

Toronto and Boston are no joke to me. I think both of those teams could give GSW a fight (they would lose though)

Call me a homer but I'd say Milwaukee would be their toughest out in the finals. They really can't handle Giannis while the Freak is perhaps one of just a few ever that is built to possibly slow Durant down. He has basically the same length and is quite a bit stronger and more atheltic. I also don't think the Bucks will make it in large part due to inexperience. Raps are a very tough matchup for them and anyone else really.