2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[Black Adam]

He sucks. Tristan Thompson could produce twice as much in half the time. That's why he's worth the eleventy billion dollars that Lebron got him.
Which proves that Lebron is the greatest GM in the history of all sports. - Wiggy

what??!!! some of you had the sheer AUDACITY to question Wiggy's insight? unbelievable...

when are you cats gonna learn? that man's word is worth it's weight in feathers around here...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

He sucks. Tristan Thompson could produce twice as much in half the time. That's why he's worth the eleventy billion dollars that Lebron got him.
Which proves that Lebron is the greatest GM in the history of all sports. - Wiggy

If Whiteside could ever bottle up last nights effort, mindset, and energy, there would be little debate on whether or not he is worth a max and would be regarded as an elite top 1-4 C in the league.

 

[Heatles84]

If Whiteside could ever bottle up last nights effort, mindset, and energy, there would be little debate on whether or not he is worth a max and would be regarded as an elite top 1-4 C in the league.

He just got his 14th chance with me last night. Seriously, he was a man amongst boys in that game against the Wizards. First player to get 20+ points and 20+ rebounds off the bench since 1991-1992.

 

[bksballer89]

OKC does not match up with Cleveland

 

[Heatles84]

OKC does not match up with Cleveland

Yeah, if OKC makes it to the Finals, Cleveland will officially have its first title.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

OKC does not match up with Cleveland

They never matched up well with our James teams.
I think James is 16-3 vs Durant.
I think games like this is what Durant thinks about this summer, and is why he will leave.
It would be pretty hilarious if he goes to the Warriors.

 

[WiggyRuss]

helluva game for Kevin Love.

nice road win vs. OKC.......they looked focused and ready for a run.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

helluva game for Kevin Love.

nice road win vs. OKC.......they looked focused and ready for a run.

This result really had nothing to do with this "new" Cleveland or the supporting cast.
It is just a weird matchup hex of one player over the other.
Cleveland could have been on an 11 game losing streak and it would not have mattered.

LEBRON has owned and destroyed DURANT his entire career.
Even with homefield advantage and James Harden, the Thunder only won a single game vs Miami.

If LEBRON were to join the Sixers, he would beat DURANT next week in a game.
He might not be able to beat Curry or Duncan, but he always beats Durant.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

helluva game for Kevin Love.

nice road win vs. OKC.......they looked focused and ready for a run.

Love IMO could thrive just fine if he was option 2.

 

[WiggyRuss]

This result really had nothing to do with this "new" Cleveland or the supporting cast.
It is just a weird matchup hex of one player over the other.
Cleveland could have been on an 11 game losing streak and it would not have mattered.

LEBRON has owned and destroyed DURANT his entire career.
Even with homefield advantage and James Harden, the Thunder only won a single game vs Miami.

If LEBRON were to join the Sixers, he would beat DURANT next week in a game.
He might not be able to beat Curry or Duncan, but he always beats Durant.

the Cavs definitely have OKC's number

I gottta say, the Cavs seem to have taken well to Ty Lue as coach. It is going to be a fun last 1/3 of the season.....getting Love the ball in the post like that is really important--- plus, one of the things that i think was holding back Love a little bit is the fact that when he was on the court- Thompson and Mozgov obviously are not great stretch guys...id like to see a Frye/Love front court with Love in the post and Frye stretching the floor a little bit- that could be really freaking deadly depending on who else is also on the court as long as they could handle it on the other side of the floor.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I heard today that after the trade deadline, only 5 teams are on the hook for luxury tax.
Cavs, Bulls, Thunder, Warriors, Spurs.
The Cavs anount is almost the other 4 teams combined.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

the Cavs definitely have OKC's number

I gottta say, the Cavs seem to have taken well to Ty Lue as coach. It is going to be a fun last 1/3 of the season.....getting Love the ball in the post like that is really important--- plus, one of the things that i think was holding back Love a little bit is the fact that when he was on the court- Thompson and Mozgov obviously are not great stretch guys...id like to see a Frye/Love front court with Love in the post and Frye stretching the floor a little bit- that could be really freaking deadly depending on who else is also on the court as long as they could handle it on the other side of the floor.

Do you think as @tlance suggested, the Cavs might be better is Love was option 2 instead of
Kyrie?
It actually makes sense since James is a very good PG.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Do you think as @tlance suggested, the Cavs might be better is Love was option 2 instead of
Kyrie?
It actually makes sense since James is a very good PG.

no..kyrie is just so good and so versatile and can do so many things. He is nearly a 40% shooter from 3- is really developing a deadly mid-range game, and is amazing at getting to the hoop and finishing. If I am being honest- if there is one guy i trust the most to take and make a last second shot on the Cavs- at this point it has to be Kyrie---- if i am the opposition i clog the lane and make lebron take a jumper--- with Kyrie- you have to pick your poison and you are either going to give him some space or you are going to give him a lane.

Love is definitely important- but he really has a very good all around game in that he is a very good passer, those outlet passes are ridiculous- he is a great rebounder, a pretty solid screener....they need to keep using his very broad skill set...

but as far as offensive options go? Kyrie is just insanely skilled and is a matchup nightmare...last year in those 50+ point games he hit game winning or game tying 3's over Kawhi Lenoard and Nik Batum- 2 of the best, longest, perimeter defenders out there--- and he had a LITTLE extra room on those guys since he can get to the basket in a blur with what is generally regarded the best handle in the league.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

no..kyrie is just so good and so versatile and can do so many things. He is nearly a 40% shooter from 3- is really developing a deadly mid-range game, and is amazing at getting to the hoop and finishing. If I am being honest- if there is one guy i trust the most to take and make a last second shot on the Cavs- at this point it has to be Kyrie---- if i am the opposition i clog the lane and make lebron take a jumper--- with Kyrie- you have to pick your poison and you are either going to give him some space or you are going to give him a lane.

Love is definitely important- but he really has a very good all around game in that he is a very good passer, those outlet passes are ridiculous- he is a great rebounder, a pretty solid screener....they need to keep using his very broad skill set...

but as far as offensive options go? Kyrie is just insanely skilled and is a matchup nightmare...last year in those 50+ point games he hit game winning or game tying 3's over Kawhi Lenoard and Nik Batum- 2 of the best, longest, perimeter defenders out there--- and he had a LITTLE extra room on those guys since he can get to the basket in a blur with what is generally regarded the best handle in the league.

Not stating you are wrong or right, but there is no evidence from play, that I've seen, that would really support what you are saying since they were both out during the Finals.

 

[ChrisGar15]

Do you think as @tlance suggested, the Cavs might be better is Love was option 2 instead of
Kyrie?
It actually makes sense since James is a very good PG.

The problem with "Lebron as point guard" is many times it would degrade into him holding the all for most of the shot clock and then trying to make something happen. During Finals last year -- it worked as well as anything given the depleted roster. Yesterday -- they mostly avoided that -- it only showed up a couple of times. (at least one Lebron made a long jumped -- bailed out the possession)

When Delly was in -- movement was better -- and it freed Lebron up to make some cuts for layups. (weak side back pick near baseline)

Also, I'd like to see Lebron post a little more -- which probably would not happen if he was also PG.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Yeah, if OKC makes it to the Finals, Cleveland will officially have its first title.

Which is why Durant will walk if OKC doesn't improve that roster at 12:01 the first day guys can commit verbally.

* gives DeAndre Jordan the siiiiiiiiiide eye*

 

[ChrisGar15]

This result really had nothing to do with this "new" Cleveland or the supporting cast.
It is just a weird matchup hex of one player over the other.
Cleveland could have been on an 11 game losing streak and it would not have mattered.

LEBRON has owned and destroyed DURANT his entire career.
....

One of the most interesting things yesterday was watching Dion on offense. He had ZERO confidence. I don't like him at all as a player -- but the one thing I thought was that he had confidence. (actually, I thought he had too much confidence) JR Smith >>>> Dion. (as of now with them on their respective teams -- I would not have thought that a couple of years ago)

Yesterday was the type of performance that may make a difference in a couple of months. (I think most single games now will make no difference during the playoffs.)

Also, when OKC & Cavs meet again -- Russell Westbrook won't forget the extended arm from Delly. (Delly instigated it -- and RW got called for the foul.)

 

[WiggyRuss]

One of the most interesting things yesterday was watching Dion on offense. He had ZERO confidence. I don't like him at all as a player -- but the one thing I thought was that he had confidence. (actually, I thought he had too much confidence) JR Smith >>>> Dion. (as of now with them on their respective teams -- I would not have thought that a couple of years ago)

Yesterday was the type of performance that may make a difference in a couple of months. (I think most single games now will make no difference during the playoffs.)

Also, when OKC & Cavs meet again -- Russell Westbrook won't forget the extended arm from Delly. (Delly instigated it -- and RW got called for the foul.)

yah...its a shame with Dion that someone with that much natural talent just cant figure it out....who knows..maybe when he is like 28, 29 years old he will finally become a player that helps you win rather than a guy out for himself.

those people that felt the Cavs were downgrading from Waiters to JR certainly look awful STUPID now.

 

[gordontrue]

I heard today that after the trade deadline, only 5 teams are on the hook for luxury tax.
Cavs, Bulls, Thunder, Warriors, Spurs.
The Cavs anount is almost the other 4 teams combined.

So the 4 maror title contenders.... and the bulls.

 

[WiggyRuss]

So the 4 maror title contenders.... and the bulls.

Cavs are looking pretty good...its nice to watch them run actual offense instead of win-this-game-at-all-costs-hero-ball......When the going gets tough they resorted to the iso so much- now it sure looks like they are committed to the system and sharing the ball. Not only that- but if Love can punish teams on the offensive end and the boards likwe we all know he can- the Cavs will be very very tough.