Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[Kirijax]

Dwight Howard returned to Orlando last night and the Magic kicked him out of town a loser. So very satisfying.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The Bulls lost to Washington again, even with Rose having an excellent first half. Wall is very much a top player, and Beal has a sweet shot. Beal's pull-up game is very impressive.

The Wizards are just better than the Bulls, and hopefully the Bulls' hype will die down once and for all after they fail this season. I would expect that roster to be blown up after the playoffs because its ceiling is a second-round playoff loss.

Cali , I will take that bet if they meet in the playoffs, unlike last year , the Bulls will be playing with their full staffed defensive squad (Noah, Gibson and Butter) plus Gasol, Rose, Brooks, McD and others on offense, Brother , I will take that bet, regular season means jack during the playoffs,IMO

 

[calitennis127]

The Bulls lost to Washington again, even with Rose having an excellent first half. Wall is very much a top player, and Beal has a sweet shot. Beal's pull-up game is very impressive.

The Wizards are just better than the Bulls, and hopefully the Bulls' hype will die down once and for all after they fail this season. I would expect that roster to be blown up after the playoffs because its ceiling is a second-round playoff loss.

Cali , I will take that bet if they meet in the playoffs, unlike last year , the Bulls will be playing with their full staffed defensive squad (Noah, Gibson and Butter) plus Gasol, Rose, Brooks, McD and others on offense, Brother , I will take that bet, regular season means jack during the playoffs,IMO

And I will gladly accept your offer. Brooks is a good addition, and he is better than Andre Miller, but overall the Wizards just have a little bit too much firepower for the Bulls.

 

[kskate2]

The Bulls lost to Washington again, even with Rose having an excellent first half. Wall is very much a top player, and Beal has a sweet shot. Beal's pull-up game is very impressive.

The Wizards are just better than the Bulls, and hopefully the Bulls' hype will die down once and for all after they fail this season. I would expect that roster to be blown up after the playoffs because its ceiling is a second-round playoff loss.

Cali , I will take that bet if they meet in the playoffs, unlike last year , the Bulls will be playing with their full staffed defensive squad (Noah, Gibson and Butter) plus Gasol, Rose, Brooks, McD and others on offense, Brother , I will take that bet, regular season means jack during the playoffs,IMO

And I will gladly accept your offer. Brooks is a good addition, and he is better than Andre Miller, but overall the Wizards just have a little bit too much firepower for the Bulls.

I actually think they are evenly matched. As Murat says, D.C. is just playing at a really high level right now and the Bulls have fallen off. It reminds me of what happened w/ Indy last year. They were playing well until they started smelling themselves and then they went downhill.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I trust the Bulls to raise their level a little more in the playoffs, and while they can be offensively deficient when they're not clicking, they have more options to still make their offense work, such as slowing the game down and taking it inside (especially if Pau continues to deliver the goods), or tightening up on defense and start rolling in the open court.

 

[calitennis127]

Cali , I will take that bet if they meet in the playoffs, unlike last year , the Bulls will be playing with their full staffed defensive squad (Noah, Gibson and Butter) plus Gasol, Rose, Brooks, McD and others on offense, Brother , I will take that bet, regular season means jack during the playoffs,IMO

And I will gladly accept your offer. Brooks is a good addition, and he is better than Andre Miller, but overall the Wizards just have a little bit too much firepower for the Bulls.

I actually think they are evenly matched. As Murat says, D.C. is just playing at a really high level right now and the Bulls have fallen off. It reminds me of what happened w/ Indy last year. They were playing well until they started smelling themselves and then they went downhill.

Washington is far more offensively talented and explosive than the Pacers ever were. Washington is just a better team than Indiana was or Chicago is. Too much talent offensively with their Top 7.

 

[kskate2]

And I will gladly accept your offer. Brooks is a good addition, and he is better than Andre Miller, but overall the Wizards just have a little bit too much firepower for the Bulls.

I actually think they are evenly matched. As Murat says, D.C. is just playing at a really high level right now and the Bulls have fallen off. It reminds me of what happened w/ Indy last year. They were playing well until they started smelling themselves and then they went downhill.

Washington is far more offensively talented and explosive than the Pacers ever were. Washington is just a better team than Indiana was or Chicago is. Too much talent offensively with their Top 7.

Then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wall, Beale and Nene are exceptional at their positions. The rest of them are average when compared to Gasol and the Bulls bench.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Very excited to watch Raps-Hawks. Hawks have won 10 in a row. Raps managed to stay above water waiting for Demar and this is his second game back. Let's see if we can hang with them.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Atlanta is scary good. Middle of 4th quarter and out of 10 Atlanta players that played, 9 of them are shooting as good or better than %50. Everyone is taking good shots and making the extra pass.

 

[brokenshoelace]

OKC play their first good game in what seems like forever.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I actually think they are evenly matched. As Murat says, D.C. is just playing at a really high level right now and the Bulls have fallen off. It reminds me of what happened w/ Indy last year. They were playing well until they started smelling themselves and then they went downhill.

Washington is far more offensively talented and explosive than the Pacers ever were. Washington is just a better team than Indiana was or Chicago is. Too much talent offensively with their Top 7.

Then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wall, Beale and Nene are exceptional at their positions. The rest of them are average when compared to Gasol and the Bulls bench.

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Great night from Wiggins. The rook is coming along nicely. Needs to get a bit stronger.

 

[calitennis127]

OKC play their first good game in what seems like forever.

This talk from all the people who can't stand Westbrook that OKC "won't make the playoffs" really cracks me up. If Westbrook and Durant are healthy - now that OKC has Waiters - there is no way that either Golden State or Memphis is beating them in a series, let alone San Antonio. I do think Dallas would have a shot because of the Rondo-Ellis combo.

 

[calitennis127]

Washington is far more offensively talented and explosive than the Pacers ever were. Washington is just a better team than Indiana was or Chicago is. Too much talent offensively with their Top 7.

Then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wall, Beale and Nene are exceptional at their positions. The rest of them are average when compared to Gasol and the Bulls bench.

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

Well, they can solidify their defensive pressure all they want, but there are two sides to a basketball game, one of which is offense. I know that most people just want to talk about defense all the time, but the offensive side is important too - very important, actually, and I would maintain more important than defense.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wall, Beale and Nene are exceptional at their positions. The rest of them are average when compared to Gasol and the Bulls bench.

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

Well, they can solidify their defensive pressure all they want, but there are two sides to a basketball game, one of which is offense. I know that most people just want to talk about defense all the time, but the offensive side is important too - very important, actually, and I would maintain more important than defense.

Every single coach in the NBA would disagree with you on that , but what do they know, right?

I have seen a couple of teams with average offense win titles in the past, but I have never seen a bad defensive team win one.

I know you are into aesthetically pleasing sports Cali, and I don't mind it myself one bit, but the dirty work has got to be done to win a title. If you can get both on the same team, like Jordan's Bulls, even better.

 

[brokenshoelace]

OKC play their first good game in what seems like forever.

This talk from all the people who can't stand Westbrook that OKC "won't make the playoffs" really cracks me up. If Westbrook and Durant are healthy - now that OKC has Waiters - there is no way that either Golden State or Memphis is beating them in a series, let alone San Antonio. I do think Dallas would have a shot because of the Rondo-Ellis combo.

Is this directed at me, because I don't know where did I imply that "I can't stand Westbrook." If not, never mind. Regardless, he obviously has some issues with decision making but if OKC are to have a shot at anything, this season or beyond, they absolutely need him. He definitely should be taking less threes though because he's never been a great shooter beyond his mid range pull up and his 3 point % is at a dismal 27%.

For this season, my worry that they won't make the playoffs is simply due to the fact that Phoenix are playing well and already have 5 more wins, and OKC are struggling to put together a good run. I've always explained my distaste for Scott Brooks' coaching abilities, but I think with Waiters fitting in as well as he has, he's starting to figure things out. The team had been lacking an identity for a while due to all the injuries, even after Russ and KD got back, but on talent alone, even with what's already happened this season, there is no way this team shouldn't make the playoffs.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Then we'll have to agree to disagree. I think Wall, Beale and Nene are exceptional at their positions. The rest of them are average when compared to Gasol and the Bulls bench.

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

Well, they can solidify their defensive pressure all they want, but there are two sides to a basketball game, one of which is offense. I know that most people just want to talk about defense all the time, but the offensive side is important too - very important, actually, and I would maintain more important than defense.

Cali, The Bulls are pretty deep on the offensive side.. the only offensive liability they had on the team coincidentally is Noah.. the Bulls should get Doug McDermott and Mike Dunleavy back, these two guys are excellent 3 point shooters and will have to be respected which will oprn up things in the passing lanes for Drose and Butler , down low for Gasol and others. KS, I havent seen a full Bulls game but am I correct with this accessment

 

[calitennis127]

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

Well, they can solidify their defensive pressure all they want, but there are two sides to a basketball game, one of which is offense. I know that most people just want to talk about defense all the time, but the offensive side is important too - very important, actually, and I would maintain more important than defense.

Every single coach in the NBA would disagree with you on that , but what do they know, right?

I have seen a couple of teams with average offense win titles in the past, but I have never seen a bad defensive team win one.

I know you are into aesthetically pleasing sports Cali, and I don't mind it myself one bit, but the dirty work has got to be done to win a title. If you can get both on the same team, like Jordan's Bulls, even better.

The notion that defense is more important than offense is a cliche that is far more false than true. There are times when it is true - like last year in the playoffs when OKC and Miami lost to San Antonio because they couldn't guard them. But most of the time, offense is more important than defense. Coaches at all levels say that defense is more important because they are just repeating a cliche that makes them feel sophisticated about the game, as if they understand it better than 9-year-old kids playing NBA2K who just want to see monster slams.

 

[calitennis127]

OKC play their first good game in what seems like forever.

This talk from all the people who can't stand Westbrook that OKC "won't make the playoffs" really cracks me up. If Westbrook and Durant are healthy - now that OKC has Waiters - there is no way that either Golden State or Memphis is beating them in a series, let alone San Antonio. I do think Dallas would have a shot because of the Rondo-Ellis combo.

Is this directed at me, because I don't know where did I imply that "I can't stand Westbrook." If not, never mind. Regardless, he obviously has some issues with decision making but if OKC are to have a shot at anything, this season or beyond, they absolutely need him. He definitely should be taking less threes though because he's never been a great shooter beyond his mid range pull up and his 3 point % is at a dismal 27%.

For this season, my worry that they won't make the playoffs is simply due to the fact that Phoenix are playing well and already have 5 more wins, and OKC are struggling to put together a good run. I've always explained my distaste for Scott Brooks' coaching abilities, but I think with Waiters fitting in as well as he has, he's starting to figure things out. The team had been lacking an identity for a while due to all the injuries, even after Russ and KD got back, but on talent alone, even with what's already happened this season, there is no way this team shouldn't make the playoffs.

No, my comments weren't really directed at you, but to many people in general who are asking "can the Thunder make the playoffs?" I find that question to be utterly silly.

Regarding Phoenix - there is no way that they are going to outpace the Thunder the rest of the way. They don't have the talent for it, so long as Westbrook, Durant, and Waiters are healthy. Phoenix will fizzle out just like Golden State and Atlanta will.

 

[calitennis127]

When Noah returns he will solidify the Bulls defensive pressure

Well, they can solidify their defensive pressure all they want, but there are two sides to a basketball game, one of which is offense. I know that most people just want to talk about defense all the time, but the offensive side is important too - very important, actually, and I would maintain more important than defense.

Cali, The Bulls are pretty deep on the offensive side.. the only offensive liability they had on the team coincidentally is Noah.. the Bulls should get Doug McDermott and Mike Dunleavy back, these two guys are excellent 3 point shooters and will have to be respected which will oprn up things in the passing lanes for Drose and Butler , down low for Gasol and others. KS, I havent seen a full Bulls game but am I correct with this accessment

AP, I think very highly of Rose, but there is no mistaking the reality that the Bulls are offensively challenged outside of him. Are they a little better with Gasol now? Yes. Is that enough to make a difference in the playoffs? I highly doubt it, unless other top teams experience injuries to key players.

Dunleavy is a standstill shooter at the NBA level. He doesn't have versatility in how he gets his shots. McDermott had a fabulous college career and I certainly respect his #'s, but athletically he is a little bit limited in terms of what he can do at the NBA level. I would like to see more of him though. I know the rest of the Bulls' team pretty well and I haven't seen much there the last four years.