The Official NBA Regular Season Thread—-20/21 Edition

[codered]

Originally Posted by tennelson55

This has everything to do with the guard play. OG isn't good; I don't know why Raptors fans keep praising a guy who I find can't get any scoring rhythm.
Kawhi was the answer for this team and he's not there anymore.
Siakim isn't a 1; he needs someone to take the pressure off of him getting 20 a night.

Guard play is fine. Fred and Kyle have been great as per usual. OG is who he is, an extremely good defender and 3 point shooter/spot up shooter. He struggles when he puts the ball on the floor for some reason. He doesn’t have a great handle and panics when pressure comes. Worst case he’ll just be a really good 3 and D guy which isn’t terrible.

Siakam was doing just fine pre bubble. He earned a deserved all star spot. He was embracing the #1 role and was looking to get teammates involved when he struggled. He’s a really good defender with his speed and length. I wish I knew what happened to him but he doesn’t look happy anymore. He doesn’t really the floor the same way he use too and he looks frustrated on the defensive side of the ball. He had a poor performance in the bubble and for the first time in his career he wasn’t getting the praise he has been use to. I’m sure that’s affected him mentally. Add in the harden trade rumours and you have a recipe for an unhappy player.

Make no mistake, we are struggling hard because we miss Serge and Gasol. Gasol is one of the smartest defenders I’ve seen. He really helped quarterback the defense and used his body so effectively to defend the paint. Serge is also a great defender, natural shot blocker and offensive had the ability to stretch the floor. We also miss his energy and leadership off the bench. Baynes is nice but he really isn’t a close replacement for either gasol or ibaka. Had Giannis signed a little sooner I’m 100% certain we would have resigned ibaka

Im not super upset or worried as a raptors fan. We will figure it out. As has been mentioned we have had double digit leads in every loss. We will figure out how to close games. I mean this is the first time since January of 2014 that we are under .500. We will figure it out

[tennelson55]

Originally Posted by codered

Guard play is fine. Fred and Kyle have been great as per usual. OG is who he is, an extremely good defender and 3 point shooter/spot up shooter. He struggles when he puts the ball on the floor for some reason. He doesn’t have a great handle and panics when pressure comes. Worst case he’ll just be a really good 3 and D guy which isn’t terrible.

Siakam was doing just fine pre bubble. He earned a deserved all star spot. He was embracing the #1 role and was looking to get teammates involved when he struggled. He’s a really good defender with his speed and length. I wish I knew what happened to him but he doesn’t look happy anymore. He doesn’t really the floor the same way he use too and he looks frustrated on the defensive side of the ball. He had a poor performance in the bubble and for the first time in his career he wasn’t getting the praise he has been use to. I’m sure that’s affected him mentally. Add in the harden trade rumours and you have a recipe for an unhappy player.

Make no mistake, we are struggling hard because we miss Serge and Gasol. Gasol is one of the smartest defenders I’ve seen. He really helped quarterback the defense and used his body so effectively to defend the paint. Serge is also a great defender, natural shot blocker and offensive had the ability to stretch the floor. We also miss his energy and leadership off the bench. Baynes is nice but he really isn’t a close replacement for either gasol or ibaka. Had Giannis signed a little sooner I’m 100% certain we would have resigned ibaka

Im not super upset or worried as a raptors fan. We will figure it out. As has been mentioned we have had double digit leads in every loss. We will figure out how to close games. I mean this is the first time since January of 2014 that we are under .500. We will figure it out

We have different takes on what's going on I think. Kawhi was a huge part of the offense because he could guard the opposing best player who was 2/3 and right now they don't have a player who can score/create like Kawhi could.
I love VanVleet and I think he's amazing, but his height and Kyle's high is alarming because neither can really body a 2/3 well. On offense this is huge because while VanVleet can create his own shot he still has a hard time doing it because of the non spacing on the floor (Siakim can't hit shots/Ibaka isn't there to hit the mid range/occasional 3). I'm seeing an anemic offense that desperately needs a 3 who can shoot and create a little.
I don't think Gasol leaving is an issue at all and I think Baynes/Len can produce more, but haven't show it yet.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by tennelson55

We have different takes on what's going on I think. Kawhi was a huge part of the offense because he could guard the opposing best player who was 2/3 and right now they don't have a player who can score/create like Kawhi could.
I love VanVleet and I think he's amazing, but his height and Kyle's high is alarming because neither can really body a 2/3 well. On offense this is huge because while VanVleet can create his own shot he still has a hard time doing it because of the non spacing on the floor (Siakim can't hit shots/Ibaka isn't there to hit the mid range/occasional 3). I'm seeing an anemic offense that desperately needs a 3 who can shoot and create a little.
I don't think Gasol leaving is an issue at all and I think Baynes/Len can produce more, but haven't show it yet.

Made this about a week before the season started...

Big city / gentleman's clubs - check
coach / gm he can respect - check
good defenders all around - check

and a decision-maker not afraid to push the button on a big trade in Masai? check.

Lowry-FVV-Harden-OG-Baynes/Boucher

immediately makes the team way more dangerous.

Maybe they need a third team that wants Siakam and can give back Houston someone younger, but for his age, Siakam has relatively low mileage and has some potential that may yet be untapped given how raw he was just a couple years ago. I also think Houston will want him in the East, and given how Wall has looked pretty good, and they signed Wood, who is entering his prime and already looks great as well, maybe they aren't wanting quite the 'rebuild'that we're used to seeing.

[gomiamigo]

The 76ers offense with Embiid, in a half-court situation, is scoring 8% more than last year per 100.

Who could have imagined that shooters matter in today's NBA???

[gomiamigo]

Tyrese Maxey is the steal of the draft so far at 21. Once he gets his legs fully under him on this veteran team, he will be a huge asset for 76ers.

https://twitter.com/NBCSPhilly/statu...73259780792323

Just turned 20.

[jcardstore]

I like Maxey a lot

[tennelson55]

Originally Posted by daeve

Made this about a week before the season started...

Big city / gentleman's clubs - check
coach / gm he can respect - check
good defenders all around - check

and a decision-maker not afraid to push the button on a big trade in Masai? check.

Lowry-FVV-Harden-OG-Baynes/Boucher

immediately makes the team way more dangerous.

Maybe they need a third team that wants Siakam and can give back Houston someone younger, but for his age, Siakam has relatively low mileage and has some potential that may yet be untapped given how raw he was just a couple years ago. I also think Houston will want him in the East, and given how Wall has looked pretty good, and they signed Wood, who is entering his prime and already looks great as well, maybe they aren't wanting quite the 'rebuild'that we're used to seeing.

The problem isn't small guard play. They have two guards who can create a bit and shoot very well. I'm not sure Harden is a three, but he sure can create and it might be what they need.

[codered]

Originally Posted by tennelson55

We have different takes on what's going on I think. Kawhi was a huge part of the offense because he could guard the opposing best player who was 2/3 and right now they don't have a player who can score/create like Kawhi could.
I love VanVleet and I think he's amazing, but his height and Kyle's high is alarming because neither can really body a 2/3 well. On offense this is huge because while VanVleet can create his own shot he still has a hard time doing it because of the non spacing on the floor (Siakim can't hit shots/Ibaka isn't there to hit the mid range/occasional 3). I'm seeing an anemic offense that desperately needs a 3 who can shoot and create a little.
I don't think Gasol leaving is an issue at all and I think Baynes/Len can produce more, but haven't show it yet.

I mean you’re not wrong. Kawhi was a huge part of the offence. The reason we could never get over the hump was we never had that guy that could create and get a bucket when we needed one (sorry DD). Last year we made it work because we had a carousel of guys stepping up in clutch moments. Siakam had a great season pre bubble, Norm played like he deserved to be a starter, Serge had his moments, Kyle and fred hit timely shots and even guys like Boucher, OG and davis hit shots occasionally. Unfortunately this year siakam is off, norm is no where to be found and rest of the team can’t make shots (minus fred and Lowry). I think they can turn this around because they played well with similar guys on offence last year. Big question is can siakam get right i suppose.

[cardbored]

I know there are some Dre fans in this thread. This is a small sample size, but he is SO important to the Hawks this year.

[codered]

Originally Posted by daeve

Made this about a week before the season started...

Big city / gentleman's clubs - check
coach / gm he can respect - check
good defenders all around - check

and a decision-maker not afraid to push the button on a big trade in Masai? check.

Lowry-FVV-Harden-OG-Baynes/Boucher

immediately makes the team way more dangerous.

Maybe they need a third team that wants Siakam and can give back Houston someone younger, but for his age, Siakam has relatively low mileage and has some potential that may yet be untapped given how raw he was just a couple years ago. I also think Houston will want him in the East, and given how Wall has looked pretty good, and they signed Wood, who is entering his prime and already looks great as well, maybe they aren't wanting quite the 'rebuild'that we're used to seeing.

This has been the rumoured trade since preseason but with norm and siakam having slow starts Houston is asking for more unprotected 1st round picks. I don’t know if Masai is will to get rid of the draft capital Houston wants

[Bronconation24]

Originally Posted by drobfan8

Yessss!!!

After what, almost a decade of sustained success we finally see who they really are amirite?

What a baffling post.

They've been a Playoff team for years and won a title. Yet now they're being exposed..lol

exactly for that reason, theyre being exposed lol. They're 'supposed' to be a contender, but in reality, theyre not

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by Bronconation24

exactly for that reason, theyre being exposed lol. They're 'supposed' to be a contender, but in reality, theyre not

Sure, nobody thought they'd be this bad but nobody really thought they were a legit contender this year either.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by cardbored

I know there are some Dre fans in this thread. This is a small sample size, but he is SO important to the Hawks this year.

He's been great.

I think the major point for the Hawks is still playing G-League guys to make up for the injured guys thus far. Goodwin and Fernando are just so bad. This team will get an immediate boost once Okongwu/Dunn are healthy.

Case in point, making Quickley look like a potential all-star due to stuff like this...

https://streamable.com/tex823

like, what in the world is Goodwin thinking here?
"Hey Cam, I'm going to stop playing defense now, pick my guy up?
Cam: "What?"

[daeve]

Originally Posted by codered

This has been the rumoured trade since preseason but with norm and siakam having slow starts Houston is asking for more unprotected 1st round picks. I don’t know if Masai is will to get rid of the draft capital Houston wants

Could be, also wondering if that's why Siakam has been so bad... perhaps trade rumors getting to him? I could see him being hurt by those, especially after all the work he's put in and improvements made.

[Dame]

NOLA probably regrets trading Dre for Hayes and a salary dump.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by daeve

He's been great.

I think the major point for the Hawks is still playing G-League guys to make up for the injured guys thus far. Goodwin and Fernando are just so bad. This team will get an immediate boost once Okongwu/Dunn are healthy.

Case in point, making Quickley look like a potential all-star due to stuff like this...

https://streamable.com/tex823

like, what in the world is Goodwin thinking here?
"Hey Cam, I'm going to stop playing defense now, pick my guy up?
Cam: "What?"

He called for the switch. May have been a little later than Reddish wanted, but I wouldn't say he quit playing defense.

Typically that is something discussed beforehand, so I would assume a cross-up there between the two.

[brothertona]

I'd trade John Collins even in his best season which is this year for Pascal. I just think his confidence is shot right now, I said this somewhere else but it's almost like Knoblauch was for the Yankees.

[MrMasterpiece]

Julius Randles play isn’t being talked about enough. He is BEASTING! I honestly think he’s got a real shot at making the all-star team if the Knicks have a winning record. This is coming from a hornets fan. By the way, my team sucks but Lamelo looks to be the real deal.

[brothertona]

Saw this question on Twitter and thought it was interesting

https://twitter.com/JoshEberley/stat...115138048?s=20

[daeve]

Originally Posted by indyguy

He called for the switch. May have been a little later than Reddish wanted, but I wouldn't say he quit playing defense.

Typically that is something discussed beforehand, so I would assume a cross-up there between the two.

Yeah I was making a joke - I see him raise his arm to call for the switch, but clearly Cam didn't hear it or was confused... also why call for the switch right there? there's no screen, there's not even another Knick on that side of the floor for a potential screen. So unless it was decided beforehand, like you said, at best it's lazy defending on Goodwin's part.

Either way - that's the type of stuff that won't happen with Rondo even, and especially not with Dunn.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by daeve

Yeah I was making a joke - I see him raise his arm to call for the switch, but clearly Cam didn't hear it or was confused... also why call for the switch right there? there's no screen, there's not even another Knick on that side of the floor for a potential screen. So unless it was decided beforehand, like you said, at best it's lazy defending on Goodwin's part.

Either way - that's the type of stuff that won't happen with Rondo even, and especially not with Dunn.

We used to decide before the game if we were switching anything that the defenders had to go under/around/through/over another.

In this case, I'm assuming Goodwin was expecting the dribble hand-off, which would fall within the pre-game call, but Cam saw it not happening and decided to continue with his guy and then got blown by with the switch call.

I know what you're saying though. Just giving at least one of them the benefit of the doubt.

[cardbored]

Sounds like Rondo might be ready to go as well. When healthy, this team is going to be very deep. They just need to learn how to close games.

Originally Posted by daeve

He's been great.

I think the major point for the Hawks is still playing G-League guys to make up for the injured guys thus far. Goodwin and Fernando are just so bad. This team will get an immediate boost once Okongwu/Dunn are healthy.

Case in point, making Quickley look like a potential all-star due to stuff like this...

https://streamable.com/tex823

like, what in the world is Goodwin thinking here?
"Hey Cam, I'm going to stop playing defense now, pick my guy up?
Cam: "What?"

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by brothertona

Saw this question on Twitter and thought it was interesting

https://twitter.com/JoshEberley/stat...115138048?s=20

If anything the league needs to contract. Move a team to Seattle or Vegas but please get rid of 5 of them. There are too many teams just drafting and wasting talent vs legitimate contenders with sure-bet odds to win it all year-in and year-out.

But I did like the Blake Griffin answer. I would add LaMarcus given the Spurs current pool of talent.

[MIRRABB]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

If anything the league needs to contract. Move a team to Seattle or Vegas but please get rid of 5 of them. There are too many teams just drafting and wasting talent vs legitimate contenders with sure-bet odds to win it all year-in and year-out.

But I did like the Blake Griffin answer. I would add LaMarcus given the Spurs current pool of talent.

If there's one thing the NBA doesn't need to do it's contract.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by MIRRABB

If there's one thing the NBA doesn't need to do it's contract.

Deep down I know and I understand the reasonings. Just my thoughts when watching talent hoarded on one end and wasted on the other. Then the middle group is just floating aimlessly while their only asset pouts till they are traded to a contender