Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[brokenshoelace]

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.

Well, considering he said "the triangle required too much thinking," yeah, he might be dumb, Basketball wise. And considering he's never been consistent, yeah, he's streaky.

The thing about being streaky though, is you have great streaks in you, which JR certainly does, and he's proved there before.

So what's your point?

 

[the AntiPusher]

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.

It will be interesting to see how JR plays against OKC who will kindly send him an invite to a 3point shootout

 

[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.

Well, considering he said "the triangle required too much thinking," yeah, he might be dumb, Basketball wise. And considering he's never been consistent, yeah, he's streaky.

The thing about being streaky though, is you have great streaks in you, which JR certainly does, and he's proved there before.

So what's your point?

My point is that you and others who criticize JR have no idea what you're talking about. JR is a high IQ passer who doesn't get credit for it because so many people get hung up on his image and self-presentation.

His remarks on the Triangle were actually very intelligent; it is largely a stupid offense that forces basketball players to restrict natural instincts in a game that moves too fast to approach it, in-game, studiously. JR's comments, as usual, were too intelligent and too clear for the masses to understand. They want 3rd-grade San Antonio Spur-style basketball.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Oh, so JR is a misunderstood genius who's ahead of his time despite under-performing his entire career, but the masses, which apparently include Greg Popovic's 3rd grade Basketball and Phil Jackson's triangle are behind the times. All right.

How much did the triangle restrict Jordan or Kobe's natural instincts?

 

[calitennis127]

How much did the triangle restrict Jordan or Kobe's natural instincts?

Not at all, because they were allowed to take any shot they wanted and encouraged to take at least 20-25 per game, playing 35 minutes +. The Triangle restrictions didn't apply to them.

JR Smith played 20 mpg under Fisher and wasn't constantly being told to be selective about his shots. No comparison.

 

[calitennis127]

Make that 6-1 for LeBron and JR Smith playing together.

And man, does OKC need a big man who can score. That is their missing piece.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Make that 6-1 for LeBron and JR Smith playing together.

And man, does OKC need a big man who can score. That is their missing piece.

Yeah they do. The Brook Lopez rumors died down unfortunately. I'm not even that big of a Lopez fan, but at this point I'll settle for anything.

Steven Adams being out really hurt them too because they were forced to play Perkins for the majority of the game and well, this is 2015.

The most disappointing part about OKC right now is they're somehow getting outhustled despite the fact that they're the best rebounding team in the NBA (Kevin Love picked up 9 first quarter rebounds alone). Every possession for the opposing team is virtually a guaranteed double attempt. They're also defending the perimeter like crap and giving up way too many open threes.

They're not shooting the ball well either. This was always going to be the trade off with Waiters: while he can be a very useful scoring spark off the bench, he's often prone to settling for jumpers despite the fact that he's not necessarily a great shooter, instead of being aggressive and attacking.

I told you, OKC are in trouble this year.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Make that 6-1 for LeBron and JR Smith playing together.

And man, does OKC need a big man who can score. That is their missing piece.

Yeah they do. The Brook Lopez rumors died down unfortunately. I'm not even that big of a Lopez fan, but at this point I'll settle for anything.

Steven Adams being out really hurt them too because they were forced to play Perkins for the majority of the game and well, this is 2015.

The most disappointing part about OKC right now is they're somehow getting outhustled despite the fact that they're the best rebounding team in the NBA (Kevin Love picked up 9 first quarter rebounds alone). Every possession for the opposing team is virtually a guaranteed double attempt. They're also defending the perimeter like crap and giving up way too many open threes.

They're not shooting the ball well either. This was always going to be the trade off with Waiters: while he can be a very useful scoring spark off the bench, he's often prone to settling for jumpers despite the fact that he's not necessarily a great shooter, instead of being aggressive and attacking.

I told you, OKC are in trouble this year.

There are rumors that Jermaine ONeil is coming back to the NBA, maybe Dallas afterwards his rehab on his cronic injured knee.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Kind of cool to see these old timers still in the league. I had no idea Elton Brand's old ass was still around until a few weeks ago. That said...rather meaningless news aside from the name. Ancient, injured big men won't contribute much at this point. Now an ancient shooter like Ray Ray is a different story. I bet he signs somewhere just before the playoffs.

 

[the AntiPusher]

^ Kind of cool to see these old timers still in the league. I had no idea Elton Brand's old ass was still around until a few weeks ago. That said...rather meaningless news aside from the name. Ancient, injured big men won't contribute much at this point. Now an ancient shooter like Ray Ray is a different story. I bet he signs somewhere just before the playoffs.

Ray RAY can demand a kings ransom, can you imagine if he signs with GS or the Bulls because that extra veterans leadership will be paramount, IMO

 

[calitennis127]

Make that 6-1 for LeBron and JR Smith playing together.

And man, does OKC need a big man who can score. That is their missing piece.

Yeah they do. The Brook Lopez rumors died down unfortunately. I'm not even that big of a Lopez fan, but at this point I'll settle for anything.

There is actually a much cheaper and much better solution than Brook Lopez, and he just happens to be the most skilled and most talented post scorer in basketball the last 15 years. The NBA executives have shunned him for the dumb reason that he is only 6-7 at power forward, but he is so quick and explosive and has such good footwork that it doesn't matter. Plus, he has girth that can shield defenders as well. He played for the Clippers for a couple years and the Clippers foolishly elected to go with DeAndre Jordan over him. His name is Craig Smith, and I followed his career at Boston College the way I followed Nalbandian's in tennis. He is a highly skilled, high-IQ player. He would be immensely more valuable than Perkins or Collison.

He is now 31 and has put on some serious weight, but that could be resolved. This immense skill and basketball intelligence is on full display though. My ideal NBA team would feature him and the other Smith, JR, quite prominently:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1FPCQ3CXjU[/video]

And there is also Robert Dozier, who played at Memphis with Rose. He would also fill the void the Thunder have. Antoher highly skilled, highly intelligent player:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzA3Z_fPDxw[/video]

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Bulls-Warriors should be good.

 

[DarthFed]

Memphis back to playing well with that Zebo-Gasol frontcourt. They blasted the Mavs in Dallas today. As expected there are some growing pains following the Rondo trade. Dallas will be a potential spoiler team come playoff time. They aren't winning the West though.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think Dallas will make a couple of trades before the deadline to strengthen their bench and they'll be fine after that.

Good game between Chicago and GSW. Rose had such a weird game: 11 turnovers, 1 assist, and missed 20 shots.

He also scored 30 points (13-33) and hit the game winner.

 

[calitennis127]

I think Dallas will make a couple of trades before the deadline to strengthen their bench and they'll be fine after that.

Good game between Chicago and GSW. Rose had such a weird game: 11 turnovers, 1 assist, and missed 20 shots.

He also scored 30 points (13-33) and hit the game winner.

Chicago is a tough match-up for Golden State because GS is frankly a soft team.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I think Dallas will make a couple of trades before the deadline to strengthen their bench and they'll be fine after that.

Good game between Chicago and GSW. Rose had such a weird game: 11 turnovers, 1 assist, and missed 20 shots.

He also scored 30 points (13-33) and hit the game winner.

Chicago is a tough match-up for Golden State because GS is frankly a soft team.

Come on Cali, as you said, it is the offense that matters, no? Who cares about toughness. GS should never lose to the Bulls with the most potent offense in the league...

Strangely enough, the other team GS lost at home to was...your favorite team, the Spurs!

On another note, you must have seen the Curry assist to Lee...talk about aesthetically pleasing. That was Magic there...

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think Dallas will make a couple of trades before the deadline to strengthen their bench and they'll be fine after that.

Good game between Chicago and GSW. Rose had such a weird game: 11 turnovers, 1 assist, and missed 20 shots.

He also scored 30 points (13-33) and hit the game winner.

Chicago is a tough match-up for Golden State because GS is frankly a soft team.

GS just have Andre "Bogus" in the middle which is probably why you deemed them as soft. I dd not expect the Bulls to win that game and was unware that Noah had returned to the starting lineup. GS is a very excellent team that shoots well from the perimeter and plays good team defense. Drose will only get stronger and will return to MVP form if he stays healthy.

Cali, you have been right so far about the Cavs and your beloved JR but this is just the middle of the season. Now we shall see the real cream rise to the top although I dont foresee anyone beating the Hawks who have been brillantly modeled after the Spurs by their first year coach who was part of that organiztion under Pop for over 15 years.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Kyrie working on a 50+ points game. Tied at 92 , half a minute left.

 

[DarthFed]

I think Dallas will make a couple of trades before the deadline to strengthen their bench and they'll be fine after that.

Good game between Chicago and GSW. Rose had such a weird game: 11 turnovers, 1 assist, and missed 20 shots.

He also scored 30 points (13-33) and hit the game winner.

Chicago is a tough match-up for Golden State because GS is frankly a soft team.

GS just have Andre "Bogus" in the middle which is probably why you deemed them as soft. I dd not expect the Bulls to win that game and was unware that Noah had returned to the starting lineup. GS is a very excellent team that shoots well from the perimeter and plays good team defense. Drose will only get stronger and will return to MVP form if he stays healthy.

Cali, you have been right so far about the Cavs and your beloved JR but this is just the middle of the season. Now we shall see the real cream rise to the top although I dont foresee anyone beating the Hawks who have been brillantly modeled after the Spurs by their first year coach who was part of that organiztion under Pop for over 15 years.

I think the fragile "Bogus" is pretty key for the Warriors' success in the playoffs. They need a legit presence down low (and I'm not talking a David Lee), to get through the West IMO.

As for the East it will be interesting with the Hawks. They have a lot of very good players (maybe Horford is great) and they play well together as a team. But you already know my theory about playoff basketball...it is often great players that go out and win titles even against superior "teams". It has usually been the case in NBA history, but every once in awhile you have a team like last year's Spurs or the 2004 Pistons that play so amazing as a team that they can destroy the mega superstars.

 

[DarthFed]

Kyrie working on a 50+ points game. Tied at 92 , half a minute left.

Kyrie F'ed around and dropped a double nickel. The Cavs are definitely heating up as this one they won without Lebron. I think they are now 2-8 without him.