The 2019/2020 NBA Discussion Thread

[katester44]

You want to talk NBA hoops -- here is your spot for it!

Who are the hot rookies going to be? Which teams are stepping up as contenders? Which are falling by the wayside this year?

I will stay away from my homer-ism and not go with Coby White or Nassir Little as favorites for rookie of the year, personally, I think it will be Ja Morant, but Zion will win it if he stays healthy,

The Bucks and Sixers fight it out for the East crown - hoping that Ben Simmons has a 3 pointer in his arsenal this year.

The Clippers and Jazz fight it out for the West crown - don't think the Lakers have enough depth after Boogie got hurt before the season even started.

 

[mm1sub]

No love for Darius Garland? I am hoping that he may wind up as the steal of the draft.

 

[katester44]

No love for Darius Garland? I am hoping that he may wind up as the steal of the draft.

Not there isn't any love for Darius - I just think he gets lost in this draft, especially the top 3. The Zion hype train is rolling....not a lot is going to be able to de-rail it!!!! Every Zion dunk this year is going to be the lead for Sportscenter.....

 

[mm1sub]

I do not hear a lot about Barrett form the Knicks either. But what happened to that franchise? They have been irrelevant for 20 years. I guess that shows us what an owner who gets too involved can do.

 

[anglinomics]

I don't watch college basketball, so I am just now learning some of the new names. I really enjoyed watching basketball last year. Last year I watched more games than I did in the past 10 years. What made last year special was the James Harden show. The rockets were on cable most of the early games of the double headers. I hope something like that happens this year. It adds to the excitement.

 

[katester44]

I do not hear a lot about Barrett form the Knicks either. But what happened to that franchise? They have been irrelevant for 20 years. I guess that shows us what an owner who gets too involved can do.

You nailed it!!! James Dolan and Isaiah Thomas happened to the Knicks! Ask the Redskins how it is going with Dan Snyder as their owner!!!!

I don't watch college basketball, so I am just now learning some of the new names. I really enjoyed watching basketball last year. Last year I watched more games than I did in the past 10 years. What made last year special was the James Harden show. The rockets were on cable most of the early games of the double headers. I hope something like that happens this year. It adds to the excitement.

I watched more pro hoops last year than I had in 15+ years - my son wanted to watch games, who am I to argue getting to hang out with him and do something he was enjoying. Lots of great young players to follow - Harden/Westbrook/Simmons/Embiid/Giannis/Kawhi/KAT/Trae Young/Luka/KD/Steph - and now this class of rookies. Could be a fun year!!

And more importantly....Ben Simmons hit a 3 pointer last night!!!! Albeit in a 800 point blowout of the Ghangzhou Lions, but it counts!!!!

 

[katester44]

Following this whole China/NBA dispute - crazy how it has escalated from a single tweet to events being cancelled and logos being sanded off the floor for the Lakers/Nets game today. The info that I have been hearing is that if this blows up and China walks away - the salary cap next year could drop by up to $20 million. Talk about a potential wake up call.

Once again - Herm Edwards nailed it - "Don't Press Send!!!!" Once it is out there, you can't take it back.

In other news, Zion was 12/13 from the field last night - I know it is only preseason, but he may be the real deal and a potentially likable Dukie, which hasn't happened since Grant Hill.

 

[mm1sub]

I was watching that game and the Bulls are horrible. I would be surprised if they win 20 games.

 

[katester44]

I was watching that game and the Bulls are horrible. I would be surprised if they win 20 games.

Can't argue that...they don't look good. But they do have a young Tar Heel on the squad in Coby White - so I will follow the Bulls to catch his games.

 

[katester44]

About 4 more days until the season officially kicks off....

I am sure Silver and the players will be happy for that and they can put all insanity with the Chinese fiasco behind them. I will say no more on that subject, as I don't want it to become a political issue.

I have to admit, my big curiosity is if Zion will be able to keep up the shooting percentage that he currently has in pre-season.

 

[mm1sub]

I am not sure if Zion has taken a shot outside of 3 feet from the basket. The Pelicans will be horrible this year but Zion will be a load of fun to watch. I am betting that he will get a ton of TV time.

 

[katester44]

I am not sure if Zion has taken a shot outside of 3 feet from the basket. The Pelicans will be horrible this year but Zion will be a load of fun to watch. I am betting that he will get a ton of TV time.

LOL - good point - he really hasn't had to show what his range will be on shots this year. I never liked his form in college, will see how it translates in the NBA, once the games are for real. I don't think the Pelicans will be as bad as everyone thinks - they may not be a playoff team, but they have a solid core of players...and they may be fun to watch! Curious to see how Lonzo handles things being away from the LA spotlight.

 

[katester44]

Zion is out "several" weeks due to discomfort in his left knee. This is the same knee that kept him out of all but 10 minutes of summer league action. But not the one that he injured against North Carolina when his shoe blew up.

Whether I like a player or not, don't ever want to see them go down injured. I think he was going to bring a level of energy to the Pelicans that would make them must watch...now it is must wait!

 

[anglinomics]

Zion is out "several" weeks due to discomfort in his left knee. This is the same knee that kept him out of all but 10 minutes of summer league action. But not the one that he injured against North Carolina when his shoe blew up.

Whether I like a player or not, don't ever want to see them go down injured. I think he was going to bring a level of energy to the Pelicans that would make them must watch...now it is must wait!

I have a draft this weekend. I was thinking about taking Zion with my second pick. I am really at a loss this year with all the big name players who are injured. I have studied, but I still don't have a draft plan.

 

[katester44]

I have a draft this weekend. I was thinking about taking Zion with my second pick. I am really at a loss this year with all the big name players who are injured. I have studied, but I still don't have a draft plan.

Hope you passed on Zion!!! Out 6-8 weeks with a partially torn meniscus. Will be undergoing surgery.

Thinking it is about 24 hours until tip off. All of a sudden that opening night Raptors/Pelicans matchup has lost a lot of luster...... Speaking of the Raptors, a little surprised that Siakim got a 4 year max deal with them over the weekend.

 

[katester44]

Just like the WS - about two hours until tip off -- Pelicans (minus Zion) v. Raptors (minus Kawhi) and than at 10:30 it is Lakers/Clippers -- should be fun!

 

[katester44]

Raptors/Pelicans was kind of blah game to kick off the season, but Siakim went off in game one after signing his new contract.

Lakers/Clippers - AD and Lebron scored 2, count them 2, points in the 4th quarter of their loss to the Clips last night, who were without Paul George. I can't imagine that Danny Green will go 7-9 from deep every night - the Lakers still have an issue with 3 point shooting, somebody better step up, or they will end up exactly where they were last year.

 

[katester44]

Kyrie drops 50 in his debut with the Nets...and they still lose. Most points ever for a players first game in a new uni.

Sixers beat the Celtics -- the team that gave them fits last year. Nice to see Horford helping the team rather than frustrating the crap out of Embiid!!!

 

[katester44]

Everyone crushing the Warriors and saying they are done after losing by 20 to the Clippers. I am going to say that is a bit of an overreaction...Are the Warriors as good as they have been, obviously not, but come on, the Clippers are the team to beat in the West, and they just schooled the Lakers 2 days ago. Still think the Warriors are making the playoffs, even without Klay.

 

[katester44]

And right on cue - the Warriors get off the schneid with a victory over the Pelicans.

Watched a good chunk of the Hawks/Sixers -- the Sixers better find someone to shoot the ball from 3 point land. They do not look comfortable unless it is in the paint.