2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[dtgold88]

Maybe they are wrong.

But signing Randle would mean no shot at another max player in free agency and no shot at a future championship without a blockbuster trade. They need a 2nd star and Randle is not that. His stat lines are nice and all, but he doesn't move the needle all that much in a team concept because he has flaws.

The Lakers were thinking big and they made the right move. Even if it does not end up panning out. They did what gave them the best odds to build a contender.

I don't even completely disagree........my issue is the cavs' FO would have been roasted for letting their best player walk.

That said, on such a short deal, they absolutely could have moved him during or after this season if there was a player in trade they wanted or in FA after the season.

 

[tlance]

So tell me exactly what Mr Flop Harden has done this year exactly? You could say that Chris Paul and Westbrook cancel each other out and then the fact that the Thunder have a better record. Paul George is a top 5 defender and Hardens defense well lol.

Except that Chris Paul and Westbrook don't cancel each other out. And Paul has missed more than half the games.

Houston has been starting G leaguers and other teams bench fodder for most of the season because of injuries.

You can argue all you want for George over Harden. I am all about 2 way players and I would probably even take George over Harden on my team if I had another star. But no way no how is PG going to beat Harden in MVP voting. Only chance would be if Harden sustained a season ending injury in the next couple weeks.

 

[trojanfan12]

James says hi. The Lakers are a completely different team without him.

Lebron will likely be mentioned because he's Lebron.

But the Lakers would have to have a top 4 seed for him to get serious consideration and that seems unlikely at this point.

 

[dtgold88]

Lebron will likely be mentioned because he's Lebron.

But the Lakers would have to have a top 4 seed for him to get serious consideration and that seems unlikely at this point.

agree.....if the guy didn't get it last year playing the way he did and not missing a game seems hard to imagine he'd win it this season.

 

[Gman]

Many teams the coach takes heat for this. Not if it's Stevens, though.

I happen to like him and think he's a very good coach, but when fans and the media don't like a coach he'll take the blame for anything going wrong (in MLB, NBA and NFL). Like him and he gets a pass.

I'm more inclined to blame players in most cases, including this one.

Stevens has definitely done more good than bad in his time with the Celtics... his overall track record and favorable reviews from players past and present gives him some air conditioning on crap like this.

I blame veteran leadership (particularly Kyrie) for this sh!t.

• Horford is a quieter, lead-by-example type. Which is fine, that's his personality.
• Morris shot off at the mouth last night and should know better. Look your teammates in the eye and keep it in the lockerroom, Mook.
• Kyrie is the lion share of the problem. He has said several times he wants to be the "leader". He has also... several times... made inappropriate comments to the media that a good leader wouldn't make. Mess up once and I give him a pass... but do it a few times, then you need to mature the F up, Kyrie. Or stop demanding to be a leader... either one.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yet you take the time.

Took the time.

It's clear that you are unwilling or unable to grasp the concept, so you're no longer worth the time.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Stevens has definitely done more good than bad in his time with the Celtics... his overall track record and favorable reviews from players past and present gives him some air conditioning on crap like this.

I blame veteran leadership (particularly Kyrie) for this sh!t.

• Horford is a quieter, lead-by-example type. Which is fine, that's his personality.
• Morris shot off at the mouth last night and should know better. Look your teammates in the eye and keep it in the lockerroom, Mook.
• Kyrie is the lion share of the problem. He has said several times he wants to be the "leader". He has also... several times... made inappropriate comments to the media that a good leader wouldn't make. Mess up once and I give him a pass... but do it a few times, then you need to mature the F up, Kyrie. Or stop demanding to be a leader... either one.

Yep your last paragraph is perfect. Love his game but he literally is surround with the EXACT situation he wanted and he still isn't happy. At least not outwardly enough we all feel it

 

[tlance]

I don't even completely disagree........my issue is the cavs' FO would have been roasted for letting their best player walk.

That said, on such a short deal, they absolutely could have moved him during or after this season if there was a player in trade they wanted or in FA after the season.

Randle wasn't their best player though.

He is solid, but more of a stat stuffer on a bad team. His problem is that he can't really guard anybody in the modern NBA. He is too small to guard 5s and too slow to guard most perimeter based face up 4s. While he definitely has offensive skill, his offensive skill set doesn't completely overpower the defense.

And yeah, if they thought the market price for him would have been 2 years 18 million, they probably would have resigned him anyway. They were forced to renounce him at the start of free agency though because his cap hold didn't allow them to make a 2nd max offer. And most RFAs command longer commitments than just 2 years.

They really had no choice here.

 

[dtgold88]

Stevens has definitely done more good than bad in his time with the Celtics... his overall track record and favorable reviews from players past and present gives him some air conditioning on crap like this.

I blame veteran leadership (particularly Kyrie) for this sh!t.

• Horford is a quieter, lead-by-example type. Which is fine, that's his personality.
• Morris shot off at the mouth last night and should know better. Look your teammates in the eye and keep it in the lockerroom, Mook.
• Kyrie is the lion share of the problem. He has said several times he wants to be the "leader". He has also... several times... made inappropriate comments to the media that a good leader wouldn't make. Mess up once and I give him a pass... but do it a few times, then you need to mature the F up, Kyrie. Or stop demanding to be a leader... either one.

as I said, I'm not one who blames coaches for these things so I agree. But you must admit if this was a coach with a shaky history he'd be getting blamed for this (Walton, maybe?).

 

[dtgold88]

Took the time.

It's clear that you are unwilling or unable to grasp the concept, so you're no longer worth the time.

You keep taking the time to tell me you wont take the time. Priceless.

 

[Gman]

as I said, I'm not one who blames coaches for these things so I agree. But you must admit if this was a coach with a shaky history he'd be getting blamed for this (Walton, maybe?).

Sure... no doubt.

 

[trojanfan12]

agree.....if the guy didn't get it last year playing the way he did and not missing a game seems hard to imagine he'd win it this season.

Yeah, before his injury, when the Lakers were sitting at #4, you could definitely make a case.

If they can somehow get back to that level, he might have a real strong case because they fell to #10 without him.

But even then, I doubt he wins it. Not with the crazy numbers some other players (specifically Harden) are putting up.

 

[dtgold88]

Yep your last paragraph is perfect. Love his game but he literally is surround with the EXACT situation he wanted and he still isn't happy. At least not outwardly enough we all feel it

The guy was winning titles here and wasn't happy. I get not wanting to play with (under?) Lebron, but he goes beyond this. Once heard Jason Lloyd say the guy would literally (yes, this is used correctly) go days or maybe even a week or longer and not say a word to a teammate.

No doubt a great player, and sure, wouldn't mind if he and Lebron were still here, but something tells me he is the type that just cannot be happy.

 

[dtgold88]

Yeah, before his injury, when the Lakers were sitting at #4, you could definitely make a case.

If they can somehow get back to that level, he might have a real strong case because they fell to #10 without him.

But even then, I doubt he wins it. Not with the crazy numbers some other players (specifically Harden) are putting up.

If he didn't win it last year, I think it's gonna be tough for him to win another one. I think up until this year he was the real MVP pretty much every season for the last decade. And as you say, might have been this year if he didn't get hurt.

 

[trojanfan12]

If he didn't win it last year, I think it's gonna be tough for him to win another one. I think up until this year he was the real MVP pretty much every season for the last decade. And as you say, might have been this year if he didn't get hurt.

It's always an interesting discussion with Lebron when it comes to MVP.

It's why I think there should be essentially 2 awards. Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Player.

Most Valuable Player would go to the guy who brings the most value to his team.

Most Outstanding Player would go to the guy having the best season.

Sometimes, the same guy might win both. Most seasons it would be 2 different guys.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Good win.

Depends on how you look at it.

I think the Clippers have talked themselves into believing they are going to get Kawhi.

So, they don't mind making the playoffs because that pick just eats into their cap room.

I don't think that's happening.

So, I want the fricking pick.

 

[Hambombs]

Me too.

But, I'm not going rip Shit ride em over a project just because he will wear a Clippers Jersey for the next...

* looks at calendar *

3 months tops.

He's going to turn that franchise around in a few years completely

 

[Hambombs]

I agree.

Harden's award....

Nah Giannis

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

If he didn't win it last year, I think it's gonna be tough for him to win another one. I think up until this year he was the real MVP pretty much every season for the last decade. And as you say, might have been this year if he didn't get hurt.

Agree.

This year is different.

The fact that the Celtics and Raptors just keep on rolling when Kyrie and Kawhi miss a games pretty much eliminates them.

Well, the Raps keep rolling Boston is 50/50. But, they stay afloat.

But, The Bucks and Lakers are hot, buttered GARBAGE, sans their Star Players.

I will say that I'm starting to come around on Paul George.

Yeesh.

He won't win, I think it will be Freak or Harden.

But, George and Embiid deserve a few votes.

 

[Hambombs]

One reason why Steph Curry is immensely underrated. His personality and genuine love for teammates and team makes it nearly impossible for other Warrior players to be selfish. Best culture I have ever seen in the NBA.

Truth