2016-17 NBA Regular Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

The culprits are the GMs that give them the money, it's not like they aren't trying.

Good avi.

Yep, it's completely on the teams that pay them.

As much as we like to bash guys for getting too much money, who is ever going to go into work, be offered a raise they really don't deserve and say "Ya know, I don't really deserve that much, how about you pay me less?"

 

[gordontrue]

so you think missing the playoffs in a league where over half the teams make does not qualify as a "lost season"? I do. Obviously that is just my opinion.

Every game the heat played meant something, There were compelling reasons to watch and hope for a win. If I was a Heat fan I would have been invested and interested throughout the season (especially post all-star break though).

If I was a Nets or Lakers or Suns fan, though? That would be really hard for me to be invested in this season. You can get excited about watching some of the promising players... but there's little reason to hope for a win or care about any given game. Little reason to even tune into most of the games.

For me personally as a fan, that experience of enjoying the season and playing for wins is worth something.

 

[bksballer89]

Every game the heat played meant something, There were compelling reasons to watch and hope for a win. If I was a Heat fan I would have been invested and interested throughout the season (especially post all-star break though).

If I was a Nets or Lakers or Suns fan, though? That would be really hard for me to be invested in this season. You can get excited about watching some of the promising players... but there's little reason to hope for a win or care about any given game. Little reason to even tune into most of the games.

For me personally as a fan, that experience of enjoying the season and playing for wins is worth something.

Dude don't waste your time with him. This season was amazing. As I said a few days this season beats tanking losing interest in the year by mid January. I don't think you would find a Heat fan who would tell you they didn't enjoy this season. It was really fun but you're talking to a tool so don't waste your time.

 

[Black Adam]

Yep, it's completely on the teams that pay them.

As much as we like to bash guys for getting too much money, who is ever going to go into work, be offered a raise they really don't deserve and say "Ya know, I don't really deserve that much, how about you pay me less?"

yeah, THAT ain't happening any time soon...

 

[trojanfan12]

Someone makes sense of this for me

 

[gordontrue]

When Miami loses, they barely lose. When the Hawks lose, they lose big.

 

[bksballer89]

When Miami loses, they barely lose. When the Hawks lose, they lose big.

Pretty much and also Miami dominant 2nd half probably influenced that

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah this is what was expected at season start. They even won the number of games everyone expected. Had to stay healthy, and they come into the playoffs at full strength. If they stay unhurt it's not even a question.

Considering that KD was out for a significant amount of time and the Warriors still won 67 games. If he had stayed healthy, last years 73 win season may have been in jeopardy of at least being tied.

 

[trojanfan12]

Pretty sure the Clippers would have the tie-breaker over the Cavs cause they swept them this season.

The Jazz split, so it gets more complicated. Different sources are saying different things.

If you go off the nba website... the tie would fall to conf record and the Cavs would win. But that procedure is for seeding, and its unclear whether it applies to the Finals.

I found one source from a few years ago saying that in the Finals it goes to your record vs the opposing conference... which would mean the Jazz would get it.

Then another source that said the first tie-breaker in the Finals HCA is actually seed... in which case the Cavs would have the tie-breaker over the Jazz and the Clips.

So, in other words, no one knows? lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Translation:"i'm blowing smoke up the asses of all the Cavs fans, season ticket holders, and LeClown zombies on the face of the flat world"...

fify

 

[Mecca]

who cares?

Ummm, me?

 

[trojanfan12]

Well they have a beast on their team

Even with PG-13 beasting, I don't see the Pacers getting past the Cavs...but it could make it a much more interesting first round series than the Cavs would like. Especially if they don't improve defensively.

 

[trojanfan12]

Maybe its easy for me to say... but I'd much rather my team have a season like the Heat, competitive and entertaining right down to the last game and miss the playoffs... then have my team tanking and not watchable for half the season.

The lottery is a crapshoot anyway

It's why, even though the Lakers were clearly tanking, I had zero problems with the young guys winning some games at the end. They have played hard all season long, never gave up (something that we saw happen many times over the past couple of seasons) and finished up a better team than they started.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Cavs rested players last night also? They have no momentum heading into the postseason.

None.

True. But they are veteran team coming off of back to back finals appearances and have a title under their belts. They should be able to develop some momentum in the first round that should get them through the East.

Having said that, it means they have to flip the switch. If I'm a Cavs fan, I'm confident that Lebron and Kyrie will be able to do just that. Not so much with everyone else.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Every game the heat played meant something, There were compelling reasons to watch and hope for a win. If I was a Heat fan I would have been invested and interested throughout the season (especially post all-star break though).

If I was a Nets or Lakers or Suns fan, though? That would be really hard for me to be invested in this season. You can get excited about watching some of the promising players... but there's little reason to hope for a win or care about any given game. Little reason to even tune into most of the games.

For me personally as a fan, that experience of enjoying the season and playing for wins is worth something.

ohh i totally agree with that--- much more reason to be invested in the season when a team is trying then when a team is tanking---- thats obvious.

just at the end of the day - no playoffs- and a slim shot at a franchise altering talent is not preferable to no playoffs- and a significant shot at a franchise changing talent.

and i mean- next year- i am sure say- the Heat draft like Ivan Raaab or Harry Giles--- okay cool....those guys have some kind of shot at being really good players.

but id rather my team get Lonzo Ball or Markelle Fultz or Josh Jackson---- and have a significant shot at having a franchise altering talent. Ill take sacrifice the extra 15-20 wins- ESPECIALLY when neither team you made the playoffs anyway---- to be able to get a Jackson who will have a chance to be my teams centerpiece for the next 7 years at a minimum.

To me- thats the best way to give yourself the best chance at winning over the longterm.

hey- if you can execute a trade for a Harden or Garnett and not give up your whole team to do it- or sign a Durant--- --or strike gold outside the top 10 on a Giannis or a Booker-----more power to you--- thats DEF. better than tanking--- the odds are just very very slim.

 

[Mecca]

Pretty sure the Clippers would have the tie-breaker over the Cavs cause they swept them this season.

The Jazz split, so it gets more complicated. Different sources are saying different things.

If you go off the nba website... the tie would fall to conf record and the Cavs would win. But that procedure is for seeding, and its unclear whether it applies to the Finals.

I found one source from a few years ago saying that in the Finals it goes to your record vs the opposing conference... which would mean the Jazz would get it.

Then another source that said the first tie-breaker in the Finals HCA is actually seed... in which case the Cavs would have the tie-breaker over the Jazz and the Clips.

Yeah, It's a mess.

If by chance, and by chance I mean a Draymond implosion, the Warriors don't make it, the top Teams in the East might not have HCA in the Finals.

Cavs and Raps have the same record as the Clippers and Jazz.

Cavs would still beat both.

I was just curious. So, Thanks!

 

[Mecca]

True. But they are veteran team coming off of back to back finals appearances and have a title under their belts. They should be able to develop some momentum in the first round that should get them through the East.

Having said that, it means they have to flip the switch. If I'm a Cavs fan, I'm confident that Lebron and Kyrie will be able to do just that. Not so much with everyone else.

Yeah, they don't need to be clicking on all cylinders until the Finals.

I love the little fella in Green.

But, the Celtics can't b eat the Cavs in a series.

I think the Pacers will be their toughest series before the Finals.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Every game the heat played meant something, There were compelling reasons to watch and hope for a win. If I was a Heat fan I would have been invested and interested throughout the season (especially post all-star break though).

If I was a Nets or Lakers or Suns fan, though? That would be really hard for me to be invested in this season. You can get excited about watching some of the promising players... but there's little reason to hope for a win or care about any given game. Little reason to even tune into most of the games.

For me personally as a fan, that experience of enjoying the season and playing for wins is worth something.

plus- to a certain extent- it depends on the draft.

I mean- there is a big difference tanking- like Boston did- in the draft where Durant and Oden were at the top---- or the Cavs with LeBron at the top-------or the Anthony Davis draft--- or the wiggins and parker and embiid draft--- or doing it in a year where the draft is rated as a weak draft at the top like the Bennett draft.

This is clearly a year where its been evident from the beginning that there are a small handful of potentially franchise altering talents in the top half of the lotto.

 

[trojanfan12]

Both the actual lottery and the draft of the lottery picks are crapshoots to an extent.

Of course your chances of a higher pick# go up with a worse record and your chances of getting a good player go up the higher you pick.

But is it enough of a difference to make up for a lost season? I'm not so sure.

There's also the fact that at least the Heat will be adding their lottery player to a team that just won 41 games

Exactly. Plus, if tanking is such a great strategy...Why are there several teams who seem to be chasing lottery balls season after season?

Wiggy likes to try and use the Cavs as an example of why tanking works, but they are really the exception to the rule. Had Lebron not been from the area and had he not decided that he could possibly bring a title to the Cavs and stick it to Dan Gilbert at the same time (or if Bosh and D-Wade were a little younger), the Cavs are likely still exactly where they have been almost every season without Lebron.

The best way to build has always been through a combination of at least 2 of the 3...draft, FA and trades.

 

[Mecca]

Well the Cavs essentially play a top team in the East in the 1st round. I thought the Pacers were going to be one of the best teams, struggled throughout the season, but they are playing great ball and PG is on fire. That is scary.

This isn't a time for playing games anymore Cavs. Dig deep and bury these douchebags

Paul George is motivated by dollar signs.

Never underestimate a Dude's love for his wallet.