The 2019/2020 NBA Discussion Thread

[katester44]

So far, the NBA has delivered some pretty entertaining games this fine Xmas day.

Raptors/Celtics - Celtics blowout win, but Raptors without a couple of key players
Sixers/Bucks - Blow out early, Bucks came back to make it a game before Sixers closed it out.
Rockets/Warriors - Major upset as the Warriors get the win. Harden only took one FT (missed it)
Lakers/Clippers - fun game to watch, last I saw it was tied around the 5 minute mark
Pelicans/Nuggets - No Zion......

 

[mm1sub]

The Lakers/Clippers game was a great game to watch. It is just a little sad for me to realize that for the first time in a very long time LeBron James was not the best player on the floor. Leonard just looks completely un-guardable. His ability to hit mid to long range jump shots is simply incredible to watch. If a player can do that on a consistent basis there is just no way to guard him.

 

[katester44]

The Lakers/Clippers game was a great game to watch. It is just a little sad for me to realize that for the first time in a very long time LeBron James was not the best player on the floor. Leonard just looks completely un-guardable. His ability to hit mid to long range jump shots is simply incredible to watch. If a player can do that on a consistent basis there is just no way to guard him.

Feels like if LeBron and AD aren't on the court at the same time, the Lakers are eminently beatable. Playing a bunch of bad teams early to run out to such a great record may have hidden some flaws (not a lot of depth/age) that may show itself as the season progresses. And to make matters worse, another Xmas day groin injury for LeBron - if he can rest for a month (load management), it would greatly benefit him in June.

Even more concerning is the rumors out of New Orleans where they are trying to teach Zion how to walk healthier?? That can't be a good thing. He was supposed to be back by the Xmas day games, now saying sometime in January, maybe, and with full load management. Just sit him, get him right and let him play next year, at full health. Worked out pretty well for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.....Trust the Process!

 

[mm1sub]

Feels like if LeBron and AD aren't on the court at the same time, the Lakers are eminently beatable. Playing a bunch of bad teams early to run out to such a great record may have hidden some flaws (not a lot of depth/age) that may show itself as the season progresses. And to make matters worse, another Xmas day groin injury for LeBron - if he can rest for a month (load management), it would greatly benefit him in June.

Even more concerning is the rumors out of New Orleans where they are trying to teach Zion how to walk healthier?? That can't be a good thing. He was supposed to be back by the Xmas day games, now saying sometime in January, maybe, and with full load management. Just sit him, get him right and let him play next year, at full health. Worked out pretty well for Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.....Trust the Process!

It kind of sucks for all the people who shelled out big money for Zion's cards. It may be too early to tell, but he looks like a good candidate to end up the same way as Greg Oden.

 

[dragonslayer913]

It kind of sucks for all the people who shelled out big money for Zion's cards. It may be too early to tell, but he looks like a good candidate to end up the same way as Greg Oden.

I seriously doubt that the Pelicans are being smart in not playing him although they claim he's making good progress but I would shut him down for the season

 

[katester44]

It kind of sucks for all the people who shelled out big money for Zion's cards. It may be too early to tell, but he looks like a good candidate to end up the same way as Greg Oden.

That is what happens with prospecting! Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. He is definitely talented, so can't compare to Anthony Bennett - but Oden or Sam Bowie might be a good comparison.

I seriously doubt that the Pelicans are being smart in not playing him although they claim he's making good progress but I would shut him down for the season

For the future of the franchise - I wouldn't risk injury to play him in 20 games. Get him 100% healthy and come out swinging next year.

 

[katester44]

Rough fall for AD in last nights game - glad he wasn't seriously injured. Still concerned about the amount of minutes that both AD and LeBron are getting. Not getting any easy games where they can rest the final quarter and they don't seem to be load managing at all....

Zion is back doing 5-5 drills - hope he is getting healthier by the day. ROY is Ja Morants to lose, but give the Pelicans fans something to cheer about for the 2nd half of the year.

 

[katester44]

Sounds like Wednesday the 22nd, against the Spurs, will be Zion's return to action. Not sure who gets to broadcast it, but pretty sure I will be tuning in if at all possible.

 

[anglinomics]

Towns is back for Minnesota after missing 13 games approximately. He scored 33 fantasy points which is a warmup for him. He gets over 50-60 points normally. He will probably sit tonight on the back end of a back to back.

 

[katester44]

Limited minutes in the first couple games, but Zion has made his debut and looks like he is everything he was in college. Once he knocks the rust off and loses about 20 pounds, he may be unstoppable.

Sorry to see the Lakers/Clippers game postponed, but due to circumstances, can completely understand why. Hopefully the NBA will get back to some sort of normalcy sooner rather than later.

Anyone else feel like they are watching the movie Pleasantville when they watch NJ Nets home games?????

 

[katester44]

Zion finally had a "bad" game last night, matched up against the Greek Freak. Only 20 points, but on 5 of 19 shooting.... I think my disdain for all things Duke is well known, but dang, Zion is fun to watch!!!

Houston deals Capella to the Hawks and pick up Covington from the T-Wolves - some other parts to the trade, but that felt like the main portion of it. Who will be the next to go - I am leaning towards D'Angelo Russell in Golden State - with Curry not coming back to March, they really have nothing to play for except lottery position. If they could get a 1st rounder or two for Russell, that would be an amazing haul.

The sixers are in free fall. For that roster, they look horrible. Simmons still afraid to shoot anything but layups. Q Richardson being out is crushing their depth. Can't figure out what is wrong with them, except that they don't have clutch shooters - shocking that they let Reddick and Butler go in the offseason.......

 

[katester44]

Completely whiffed on the trade deadline......

Haven't seen all the deals, but know some stuff went down.

Sixers get Robinson III from the Warriors, and a throw in, for 3 2nd round picks

Cavaliers get Andrew Drummond from the Pistons - thought for sure he was headed to Houston.

Warriors deal DAngelo Russell to the T-Wolves for Andrew Wiggins and a couple of draft picks.

Sure I am missing a couple, but those are the ones that jump to mind

 

[anglinomics]

There was a huge trade involving 3 teams which had Robert Cunningham going to Houston, Clint Capella goes to Atlanta, and about 10 more pieces. Hoping Wiggins does well at Golden State, but they are saying he lost in the trade.

 

[katester44]

Anyone else watching the NBA 2K tourney on ESPN? Not the greatest TV, but it is something. Wishing there was a bit more interaction between the two players. The first matchup of KD & Jones Jr., was horrible. It felt like KD was all sullen because he was getting his butt kicked....

After that, it picked up a bit. Think the best one so far was Ayton/Levine -- Ayton was fantastic, was very engaging. And so far, the best part, not one of them has uttered a curse word. Which is great because I am assuming there are a lot of kids watching.

 

[katester44]

Anyone else watching "The Last Dance" about Jordan and The Bulls?

Loved how much anger MJ still has towards Isaiah Thomas, and how Thomas is now trying to deny the whole handshake thing and "hopes" that isn't why he didn't make the Dream Team. C'mon man - you know darn well that you didn't make the Dream Team because MJ said he wouldn't play on it if you were on it.

I have thought Thomas was a sketchy person from the get go, and this just reinforces that thought.

 

[David K.]

Anyone else watching "The Last Dance" about Jordan and The Bulls?

Loved how much anger MJ still has towards Isaiah Thomas, and how Thomas is now trying to deny the whole handshake thing and "hopes" that isn't why he didn't make the Dream Team. C'mon man - you know darn well that you didn't make the Dream Team because MJ said he wouldn't play on it if you were on it.

I have thought Thomas was a sketchy person from the get go, and this just reinforces that thought.

Thanks for the tip! Best regards, David