Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[Murat Baslamisli]

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.

Sooo...you are saying NBA coaches actually do not know the game any better than a 9 year old kid? And this whole defense business is all about cliches?

OK then...

 

[calitennis127]

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.

Sooo...you are saying NBA coaches actually do not know the game any better than a 9 year old kid?

In some ways, sadly, this is actually true.

And this whole defense business is all about cliches?

Absolutely. Why are so you willing to question the Pope but not willing to question NBA coaches?

And tonight's Cavs-Bulls game was great evidence of how offense is more important than defense. The Bulls' muscleheaded physicality led by Thibodeaux's dimwitted approach stood no chance against the LeBron-JR-Kyrie offensive onslaught.

Offense is the main determining factor of talent. Offense is most important.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

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.

Sooo...you are saying NBA coaches actually do not know the game any better than a 9 year old kid?

In some ways, sadly, this is actually true.

And this whole defense business is all about cliches?

Absolutely. Why are so you willing to question the Pope but not willing to question NBA coaches?

And tonight's Cavs-Bulls game was great evidence of how offense is more important than defense. The Bulls' muscleheaded physicality led by Thibodeaux's dimwitted approach stood no chance against the LeBron-JR-Kyrie offensive onslaught.

Offense is the main determining factor of talent. Offense is most important.

I question everything. Like, right now, I am questioning if you are really sane or not...:cover

 

[calitennis127]

So the Cavs are now 3-1 with LeBron and JR playing together. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go something like 21-4 in their first 25 games together.

I do have to say that those who, like Broken, said that the trade was more about Shumpert than JR are really going to be eating their words. Even if the trade's main purpose was to acquire Shumpert, the trade's main benefit to Cleveland was the addition of Smith.

And one thing I also have to say about WHY this LeBron-JR complementarity is so great is that LeBron brings an athletic, explosive dimension as a #1 option that Carmelo does not. LeBron makes the game faster than Carmelo does. There are explosive driving plays LeBron makes which open up the game in ways that JR really benefits from and thrives off of.

 

[the AntiPusher]

So the Cavs are now 3-1 with LeBron and JR playing together. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go something like 21-4 in their first 25 games together.

I do have to say that those who, like Broken, said that the trade was more about Shumpert than JR are really going to be eating their words. Even if the trade's main purpose was to acquire Shumpert, the trade's main benefit to Cleveland was the addition of Smith.

Now one thing I have to say about WHY this LeBron-JR complementarity is so great is that LeBron brings an athletic, explosive dimension as a #1 option that Carmelo does not. LeBron makes the game faster than Carmelo does. There are explosive driving plays LeBron makes which open up the game in ways that JR really benefits from and thrives off of.

You have been a bit of a soothsayer so far Mr Cali, I can't make any more excuses why the Bulls have just took a nose dive

 

[kskate2]

So the Cavs are now 3-1 with LeBron and JR playing together. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go something like 21-4 in their first 25 games together.

I do have to say that those who, like Broken, said that the trade was more about Shumpert than JR are really going to be eating their words. Even if the trade's main purpose was to acquire Shumpert, the trade's main benefit to Cleveland was the addition of Smith.

Now one thing I have to say about WHY this LeBron-JR complementarity is so great is that LeBron brings an athletic, explosive dimension as a #1 option that Carmelo does not. LeBron makes the game faster than Carmelo does. There are explosive driving plays LeBron makes which open up the game in ways that JR really benefits from and thrives off of.

You have been a bit of a soothsayer so far Mr Cali, I can't make any more excuses why the Bulls have just took a nose dive

I gave you the reason in a previous post AP:

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.

 

[DarthFed]

The Bulls will be fine, just a bad stretch. They almost have no chance at the #1 seed now but I like their chances if they can get the #2 seed. And the couple weeks off seemed to do Lebron a lot of good. The question is though...will he stay fresh the rest of the year or is this just a brief return to form. If you have a situation where the Bulls aren't a top 2 seed and Lebron is Lebron come playoff time then the East becomes extremely interesting.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The Bulls will be fine, just a bad stretch. They almost have no chance at the #1 seed now but I like their chances if they can get the #2 seed. And the couple weeks off seemed to do Lebron a lot of good. The question is though...will he stay fresh the rest of the year or is this just a brief return to form. If you have a situation where the Bulls aren't a top 2 seed and Lebron is Lebron come playoff time then the East becomes extremely interesting.

Yep

 

[the AntiPusher]

Good win at home by the Bulls 104-88 over the champs Spurs.. the Bulls held the Spurs to 37 % shooting.. good stuff

 

[calitennis127]

Good win at home by the Bulls 104-88 over the champs Spurs.. the Bulls held the Spurs to 37 % shooting.. good stuff

Not that great a win, considering the Spurs are not even one of the 20 most talented teams in the league. The success of the Spurs is a joke and owes to opposing coaches' stupidity.

Also, I would add that the Spurs little playoff run in 2013 and 2014 was based in large part on injuries. There is no way they would have gotten out of the first round in 2013 if Kobe didn't tear his Achilles. There is no way they would have beaten Golden State in Round 2 if Curry did not roll his ankle in Game 3. There is no way they would have beaten OKC last year if Ibaka was there from the start. And there is no way they would have beaten Miami if Wade's knee had not completely deteriorated by 2014. Wade was a shell of himself last year.

The Spurs won because of opposing coaches being fools in their help defense schemes and also because so many key players were injured in their two playoff runs.

 

[brokenshoelace]

^^^ Oh boy... Come on now.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Good win at home by the Bulls 104-88 over the champs Spurs.. the Bulls held the Spurs to 37 % shooting.. good stuff

Not that great a win, considering the Spurs are not even one of the 20 most talented teams in the league. The success of the Spurs is a joke and owes to opposing coaches' stupidity.

Also, I would add that the Spurs little playoff run in 2013 and 2014 was based in large part on injuries. There is no way they would have gotten out of the first round in 2013 if Kobe didn't tear his Achilles. There is no way they would have beaten Golden State in Round 2 if Curry did not roll his ankle in Game 3. There is no way they would have beaten OKC last year if Ibaka was there from the start. And there is no way they would have beaten Miami if Wade's knee had not completely deteriorated by 2014. Wade was a shell of himself last year.

The Spurs won because of opposing coaches being fools in their help defense schemes and also because so many key players were injured in their two playoff runs.

Question, do you think that the 2013 Spurs deserved to win the championship if Ray Allen(aka Jesus Shuttersworth ) did not sink that 3 pointer at the end of the game?

 

[calitennis127]

Good win at home by the Bulls 104-88 over the champs Spurs.. the Bulls held the Spurs to 37 % shooting.. good stuff

Not that great a win, considering the Spurs are not even one of the 20 most talented teams in the league. The success of the Spurs is a joke and owes to opposing coaches' stupidity.

Also, I would add that the Spurs little playoff run in 2013 and 2014 was based in large part on injuries. There is no way they would have gotten out of the first round in 2013 if Kobe didn't tear his Achilles. There is no way they would have beaten Golden State in Round 2 if Curry did not roll his ankle in Game 3. There is no way they would have beaten OKC last year if Ibaka was there from the start. And there is no way they would have beaten Miami if Wade's knee had not completely deteriorated by 2014. Wade was a shell of himself last year.

The Spurs won because of opposing coaches being fools in their help defense schemes and also because so many key players were injured in their two playoff runs.

Question, do you think that the 2013 Spurs deserved to win the championship if Ray Allen(aka Jesus Shuttersworth ) did not sink that 3 pointer at the end of the game?

Absolutely. In my mind, the Spurs pretty much won the 2013 Finals because LeBron's play for the most part was a joke. He knew his teammates were terrible so he needed to be more of a scorer, and he wasn't, except in Games 2 and 7 (and 7 shouldn't have even been played).

But the Spurs never should have even gotten out of the first or second rounds that year either. They were as lucky to get out of the second round in particular as Miami was in Game 6.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Klay, WTF???

 

[brokenshoelace]

Jesus Christ! Klay Thompson! That was one of the single most jaw-dropping performances I've ever seen.

On a sidenote, OKC lost to the Hawks in a game that typifies why I think this team would never go anywhere with Scott Brooks. The game was competitive for 3 quarters, despite the fact that Durant wasn't feeling it, and the contribution from the bench was quite poor (only Westbrook was playing well). But then, of course, Brooks plays Perkins and Reggie Jackson at the same time, which should never ever happen. Reggie's perimeter defending is garbage, and Perkins is way too old and slow and to help out. Teague killed them on every pick and roll action and the game ran away from the Thunder.

Nevertheless, I'm excited for their game with Cleveland on Sunday as the Cavs are looking impressive for the first time all season, and JR Smith is balling (interesting to see how long that will last). Also, Mozgov is proving to be a great addition and hew as just what the Cavs needed.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

BS, also credit to Atlanta. Maybe not the prettiest team to watch but they are clicking in every department.

 

[DarthFed]

That record is insane. Just watched the highlights...he did it all in the last 10 minutes of the quarter including 21 in the final 4 minutes. Just absurd!

 

[calitennis127]

Nevertheless, I'm excited for their game with Cleveland on Sunday as the Cavs are looking impressive for the first time all season, and JR Smith is balling (interesting to see how long that will last).

Who would have seen that one coming? He is such a dumb, streaky player.

 

[kskate2]

Just saw the Klay madness on SC. Unbelievable! :wow:

 

[the AntiPusher]

The Bulls seem to have regrouped somewhat.. However, it appears that the Hawks have the right stuff.. as for Klay Thompson, what a remarkable shooting performance.. :clap (no way GS was gonna trade him for Melo last summer, IMO)

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400578943