Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[kskate2]

107-103 Bulls w/ 67 ticks left

 

[DarthFed]

Bad feeling...this is the Bulls year to make the finals. I don't think they'll win but I don't see who is beating them out East unless Lebron seriously comes to life.

 

[kskate2]

Bulls win. 114-105. The Butler and Pau did it.

 

[kskate2]

Bad feeling...this is the Bulls year to make the finals. I don't think they'll win but I don't see who is beating them out East unless Lebron seriously comes to life.

It's a tough one to call. They've won 6 in a row against the Western conference. They could actually find a way to win 4 games against GSW, Memphis or OKC.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Good grief, Why?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12125440/jr-smith-dion-waiters-involved-3-team-trade-new-york-knicks-cleveland-cavaliers-oklahoma-city-thunder

I know why the Thunder did it. I'm a little confused about why the Cavs did it

Well, let me explain it to you: JR Smith is the most talented and electrifying offensive player in the NBA when he is at his best. You can't teach much of what he is capable of doing. Him going to Cleveland and being free of the Derek Fisher Prison will allow him to just be himself and play his game, which he was not able to do in New York this season due to system restrictions.

Cleveland will be winning the East now.....you can book it.

I dont trust JR Smith in that or any system..

 

[kskate2]

Forgot there's another good game starting right now, Thunder @ GSW

 

[DarthFed]

Bad feeling...this is the Bulls year to make the finals. I don't think they'll win but I don't see who is beating them out East unless Lebron seriously comes to life.

It's a tough one to call. They've won 6 in a row against the Western conference. They could actually find a way to win 4 games against GSW, Memphis or OKC.

Yeah I'm not saying they have no chance but the West is still going to be 1 of 4 teams, Golden State, OKC, SA, or Memphis. Not sure I'd favor Chicago over any if they don't have HCA.

 

[calitennis127]

I know why the Thunder did it. I'm a little confused about why the Cavs did it

Well, let me explain it to you: JR Smith is the most talented and electrifying offensive player in the NBA when he is at his best. You can't teach much of what he is capable of doing. Him going to Cleveland and being free of the Derek Fisher Prison will allow him to just be himself and play his game, which he was not able to do in New York this season due to system restrictions.

Cleveland will be winning the East now.....you can book it.

I dont trust JR Smith in that or any system..

Why not?

 

[calitennis127]

Bad feeling...this is the Bulls year to make the finals. I don't think they'll win but I don't see who is beating them out East unless Lebron seriously comes to life.

He will.....JR will add an element of aggression and confidence sorely lacking on that team. LeBron will naturally feel the need to match what JR brings. His attitude will be contagious for LeBron.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Cleveland plays no defense, that and a much less productive (and now injured/tired) Lebron is why they are struggling worse than anyone would expect. I don't see them turning into the top team even if Lebron starts playing like Lebron.

 

[calitennis127]

The playoffs are different, Darth. LeBron will be more than ready to go for them. Home-court really isn't that big a deal.

 

[kskate2]

Bad feeling...this is the Bulls year to make the finals. I don't think they'll win but I don't see who is beating them out East unless Lebron seriously comes to life.

It's a tough one to call. They've won 6 in a row against the Western conference. They could actually find a way to win 4 games against GSW, Memphis or OKC.

Yeah I'm not saying they have no chance but the West is still going to be 1 of 4 teams, Golden State, OKC, SA, or Memphis. Not sure I'd favor Chicago over any if they don't have HCA.

Can't forget the Mavs. They're a serious threat now w/ Rondo.

 

[DarthFed]

^ A distant 5th. You'll see

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well, let me explain it to you: JR Smith is the most talented and electrifying offensive player in the NBA when he is at his best. You can't teach much of what he is capable of doing. Him going to Cleveland and being free of the Derek Fisher Prison will allow him to just be himself and play his game, which he was not able to do in New York this season due to system restrictions.

Cleveland will be winning the East now.....you can book it.

I dont trust JR Smith in that or any system..

Why not?

JR is a very streaky shooter.. He can be dangeous at times but IMO not to the level as Mike Miller. I think he has regress since he left Denver but you know him better than the average fan. If you are good with the trade and feel that this can work well with LBJ and current company.. We shall see

 

[kskate2]

^ A distant 5th. You'll see

Awww. No love for Dirk and Rondo? :snigger

 

[brokenshoelace]

Lmao, this JR Smith thing is hilarious. If Kyrie was frustrated with Waiters taking too many shots, I bet he's going to love playing with JR. Shumpert is a good acquisition because at least he can play defense, something the Cavs have stinked at this year. JR will be inconsequential. He and Lebron are not going to "dominate together," let's be real here.

OKC have struck a good deal in all of this, since they gave up someone who played zero minutes for a serviceable scorer. Though god forbid Jeremy Lamb gets any playing time.

Don't get me started on the Knicks.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The scary thing about the Bulls is they're doing so well with Rose not even resembling his old self. If he rediscovers his form, it could be scary. Though this would admittedly limit Pau and Butler's production, it's still what the Bulls need to go all the way. As it is, it's tough to see them not making it to the finals. Cleveland will continue to be shaky and their playoff path will be very dependent on who they run against.

 

[calitennis127]

Lmao, this JR Smith thing is hilarious. If Kyrie was frustrated with Waiters taking too many shots, I bet he's going to love playing with JR.

The difference is that JR is simply more talented than Waiters and a better shooter.

Shumpert is a good acquisition because at least he can play defense, something the Cavs have stinked at this year.

Complete myth. Shumpert is one of the least smart defenders I have ever seen. As someone who watched the Knicks constantly the last couple years, I have to say that I haven't seen someone so overrated as Shumpert is as a defender.

JR is the much more important player in this trade.

JR will be inconsequential.

That's not even possible. I will grant that the coaches will probably repress him like all coaches have, but he will have his chances to make a major impact, and he will do just that.

He and Lebron are not going to "dominate together," let's be real here.

If they don't, it will be because of coaching incompetence, which is always a very real possibility I am sorry to say.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I like the deal for OKC, they needed another scorer.. If Durant and Westbrook doesnt win a championship together, letting James Harden go may turn out to be the Thunder downfall.. I hope not because Westbrook is my favorite player to watch after Kobe.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I like the deal for OKC, they needed another scorer.. If Durant and Westbrook doesnt win a championship together, letting James Harden go may turn out to be the Thunder downfall.. I hope not because Westbrook is my favorite player to watch after Kobe.

OKC was never going to win a title with Harden. They're already ISO heavy as it is, and Brooks is terrible at running a decent offense in the half court. They take bad shots as it is and only get by due to the immense talent of their top 2 stars. They are also built on good defense which allows them to flow in the open court. Giving up Ibaka while keeping Harden would have killed that, and the team would have been about 3 exceptionally talented Bastkeball players taking turns playing one on one offense. You don't win a championship that way.