2019/20 ¤Bubble season chit-chat thread¤ ™

[tjforce]

It's Here!!!

After over 4 long months, we have competitive basketball, starting with scrimmages today, moving towards seeding games on July 30th.

Time to talk about games, players, league happenings.

Time to rally around members who root for the same team/players that you do, and to renew old internet rivalries with some familiar foes.

Time for hot takes, great takes, terrible takes, victim of the moment takes.

Time for PBM's to start up their 5th account to pump players they're way too invested in (Shout out to my Harry Giles crew).

Time to talk about how performances will send card prices skyrocketing, or crashing back to earth.

But most of all... time to enjoy Basketball again!!!

After what we've all been through the last 1/3 of a year, we deserve this!!!!!

[tjforce]

My first take....

The most interesting thing that I'm paying attention to early on is the seeding in the West.

Right now, 1 game separates 4th seed Utah from 6th seed Houston, with OKC in the middle.

Dallas is not far behind in the 7th seed, 1.5 games behind Houston.

Meanwhile, Denver is only a game behind the Clippers. I have the Lakers and Clippers in a virtual toss up of who I think is a better team, but there's a reason I think the Lakers have the advantage and it's that whoever they play in round 1 should be a cake walk, while the Clippers might have their hands full. I could see the Rockets or Dallas giving the Clippers a tough series, especially since the Clippers roster has been so erratic in the bubble, with Patrick Beverly now leaving for personal matters.

The East is pretty much just a warm up series before the playoffs start, but it's looking like there will be a lot of interesting action in the West.

Other things I'll be watching early:

-How does skinny Jokic play?
-How does Power Forward/Point Guard Ben Simmons play, and does he shoot?
-Will the chemistry still be there for the Bucks?
-Will there be Zion?
-Who gets in the 8th seed in the West?

[frankiecgsw]

finallllyyy! some real basketball on TV and not just people talking and making fake debates. Very cool how NBATV will be broadcasting games almost at all hours for the next couple weeks. Working from home and basketball! Excited to see the setup/ arena. Hoping to see Mickey and Minnie in the stands.

My question is will there be cheerleaders? saw a hot chick in thybulles youtube video.

[theLUCKYshow]

did someone say Harry Giles?!


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[BigMeech23]

Interested in seeing how the Nets do with their near-depleted roster without the likes of KD, Kyrie, DJ, Dinwiddie, Prince, Chandler, and Claxton. I'll especially be focusing on Levert as this will be a big opportunity for him to show what he's capable of to the front office, and that ultimately being a deciding factor in whether or not he'll be the "third star" the Nets are looking for or if he'll end up being a key trading piece in acquiring that missing piece for the team. However, I don't believe you can really blame Levert if things go poorly as he won't really have much to work with with possibly the weakest roster (or the Wizards) going into the NBA Bubble. Will be very exciting to watch!

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by frankiecgsw

finallllyyy! some real basketball on TV and not just people talking and making fake debates. Very cool how NBATV will be broadcasting games almost at all hours for the next couple weeks. Working from home and basketball! Excited to see the setup/ arena. Hoping to see Mickey and Minnie in the stands.

My question is will there be cheerleaders? saw a hot chick in thybulles youtube video.

Scrimmages start at 3 PM Pacific today!!!

No amazing matchups, and Zion not there, but it'll just be good to see the setup, who looks good, who's out of shape.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by BigMeech23

Interested in seeing how the Nets do with their near-depleted roster without the likes of KD, Kyrie, DJ, Dinwiddie, Prince, Chandler, and Claxton. I'll especially be focusing on Levert as this will be a big opportunity for him to show what he's capable of to the front office, and that ultimately being a deciding factor in whether or not he'll be the "third star" the Nets are looking for or if he'll end up being a key trading piece in acquiring that missing piece for the team. However, I don't believe you can really blame Levert if things go poorly as he won't really have much to work with with possibly the weakest roster (or the Wizards) going into the NBA Bubble. Will be very exciting to watch!

Whoever plays the Nets in round 1 will be getting a bye. They just don't have the bodies.

[abidtsteele]

Saw Giannis draining jumpers and three pointers in practice yesterday. Will that make it to the court more or will he continue his attack the rack play?

[abidtsteele]

Originally Posted by BigMeech23

Interested in seeing how the Nets do with their near-depleted roster without the likes of KD, Kyrie, DJ, Dinwiddie, Prince, Chandler, and Claxton. I'll especially be focusing on Levert as this will be a big opportunity for him to show what he's capable of to the front office, and that ultimately being a deciding factor in whether or not he'll be the "third star" the Nets are looking for or if he'll end up being a key trading piece in acquiring that missing piece for the team. However, I don't believe you can really blame Levert if things go poorly as he won't really have much to work with with possibly the weakest roster (or the Wizards) going into the NBA Bubble. Will be very exciting to watch!

Interested to see how JC looks as well.

Also want to watch the young Wizards and their expanded roles. Both Rui and TB Jr

[gomiamigo]

Ben Simmons draining loads of 3s in practice.

Get Excited!

[tjforce]

I'm about to pay $6.99 for one month of League Pass.

Should get me all the exhibition games, and whatever seeding games aren't on regular TV.

[ballhawkdawk]

Originally Posted by gomiamigo

Ben Simmons draining loads of 3s in practice.

Get Excited!

GOAT ... splash splash splash.

[dennythedinosau]

If there was any year for upsets, this would be it.

I see Houston and Miami as being darkhorse contenders. Houston's super small ball lineup might baffle the other teams. If Miami's shooters get hot, I can see them taking out anybody. Plus, they added experienced veterans/defenders like Iguodala and Crowder.

On another note, even though they are the defending champions, do not underestimate Toronto. They know what it takes to win and most of these guys have been playing with each other for a while. Even if they don't win the championship, they're gonna be a tough out for the other contenders (Bucks, Lakers, Clippers, etc.)

[RBKSNIPZ]

Bol bol going off rn

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by tjforce

My first take....

The most interesting thing that I'm paying attention to early on is the seeding in the West.

Right now, 1 game separates 4th seed Utah from 6th seed Houston, with OKC in the middle.

Dallas is not far behind in the 7th seed, 1.5 games behind Houston.

Meanwhile, Denver is only a game behind the Clippers. I have the Lakers and Clippers in a virtual toss up of who I think is a better team, but there's a reason I think the Lakers have the advantage and it's that whoever they play in round 1 should be a cake walk, while the Clippers might have their hands full. I could see the Rockets or Dallas giving the Clippers a tough series, especially since the Clippers roster has been so erratic in the bubble, with Patrick Beverly now leaving for personal matters.

The East is pretty much just a warm up series before the playoffs start, but it's looking like there will be a lot of interesting action in the West.

Other things I'll be watching early:

-How does skinny Jokic play?
-How does Power Forward/Point Guard Ben Simmons play, and does he shoot?
-Will the chemistry still be there for the Bucks?
-Will there be Zion?
-Who gets in the 8th seed in the West?

That's pretty much what im paying the most attention to as well. It's a tight race in the West. Im hoping the Mavs can move up at least 1 spot and avoid the Clippers. I like their chances vs anyone else in the first round besides both LA teams. They'll get a good opportunity right away vs HOU in their first game.

[LeonfromNC]

Originally Posted by RBKSNIPZ

Bol bol going off rn

He is the first beneficiary of scrimmage stats and cards skyrocketing...

Too bad I don’t have any.

[tjforce]

Bol Bol beating up on some scrubs

[LeonfromNC]

Also the blonde doing commentary is insanely hot

[RogerGodahell]

Originally Posted by tjforce

I'm about to pay $6.99 for one month of League Pass.

Should get me all the exhibition games, and whatever seeding games aren't on regular TV.

Yeah im kind of in that predicament myself right now. I had DirecTV and bought league pass already but i cancelled my DirecTV account about a month ago. The extra charges were pissing me off i was paying $130 month on a package that was $80 before all the other added fees. Before i cancelled i called and specifically asked if was still going to be able to watch the games online because i had already bought league pass and they said i would. Well i can't access any of the content on the NBA site even though it says i already have league pass. There's no one to get ahold of when you call the help number either it says the NBA support is currently shut down. It's $60 to buy the rest of the season again and that's probably what i'll have to do. Then fight with someone to get a partial refund for the league pass season i already purchased.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

Yeah im kind of in that predicament myself right now. I had DirecTV and bought league pass already but i cancelled my DirecTV account about a month ago. The extra charges were pissing me off i was paying $130 month on a package that was $80 before all the other added fees. Before i cancelled i called and specifically asked if was still going to be able to watch the games online because i had already bought league pass and they said i would. Well i can't access any of the content on the NBA site even though it says i already have league pass. There's no one to get ahold of when you call the help number either it says the NBA support is currently shut down. It's $60 to buy the rest of the season again and that's probably what i'll have to do. Then fight with someone to get a partial refund for the league pass season i already purchased.

Yea I ended up having to get the $29 package, which will get me through scrimmages and not nationally televised seeding games. Still worth it.

[tjforce]

Jokic looks drunk out there trying to play Point Guard.

[Akphillips86]

Originally Posted by LeonfromNC

He is the first beneficiary of scrimmage stats and cards skyrocketing...

Too bad I don’t have any.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. This just goes to show you we are going to see some WILD spikes when the actual games get going. Brace yourselves gentlemen.


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[Giannis34fan]

Michael Carter Williams looks good!

Sell, Sell, Sell! lol

[tjforce]

Exhibition season finished!

On to the games that count.

Thursday could be exciting or it could be a dud, based on the facts that both Zion and AD are questionable. The Pels need Zion to try to rack up a win, while it'd be nice to see the Lakers and Clippers at least play with their two superstars healthy, even though both teams will be missing some depth at guard.

My other thoughts after the exhibition season:

-Giannis looks as unstoppable as ever
-LeBron and AD look like they haven't missed a beat
-Philly's starters have looked great, leading in all 3 games until it was time to pull their starters, even though 2 of the games were without Embiid. So how does that mesh once they count for real?
-Dallas is going to be a tough out in round 1. I don't think this is their year yet, but if seed 2 or 3 in the West has to play them, it's not a matchup they'll be happy about
-Houston is still such a wildcard for me. I don't think they are capable of running the table and winning it all, but I do think they are capable of getting hot and upsetting someone.

[rifleman69]

Houston will self-destruct on their own...don't worry about them.