2015-16 NBA Eastern Conference OFFICIAL THREAD

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Hassan Whiteside finished this week with 22 blocks in 3 games

He alone is averaging 4.83/game which is higher then currently 15 TEAMS average.
No other play is at 3 or more, and there is only 1 at even that level.
Then figure in his mpg are not that high, which makes what he is doing pretty historic.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Cavs are 5th in offense at 103.9 ppg and 6th in defense right now with 96.7 ppg Thats some pretty awesome balance. ESPECIALLY considering the last 2 games they have played without Kyrie Irving, Mo Williams, Iman Shumpert, and Timo Mozgov- 3/5ths of their starting lineup.

Kevin Love has really played great ball. ALL STAR level ball. LeBron has of course been his transcendent self. The Cavs were 19-20 at one point last year- until they finally got healthy and got everyone together and then took off- and went like what? 33-3 the last 36 games Love, KI and Bron played together? Something like that....

IT would be pretty cool if they could keep up this pace and be in such great position for when they finally get healthy and hit that groove again. It should be a fun season.

At this point, what does a 19-20 start have to do with anything moving forward?
Cavs biggest opponent in the East this year is prob the injury bug.
No way to anticipate who will or won't be healthy for the playoffs, but based on the roster and what we're already seeing, chances are much greater then not that they will have some issues to deal with.

 

[bksballer89]

Wiggy keep bringing up that slow start like anyone expected the Cavs to struggle. Its like when Miami started 9-8 in LBJ first year. Nobody in their right mind expected them to start slow in year 2 together.

 

[gordontrue]

At this point, what does a 19-20 start have to do with anything moving forward?
Cavs biggest opponent in the East this year is prob the injury bug.
No way to anticipate who will or won't be healthy for the playoffs, but based on the roster and what we're already seeing, chances are much greater then not that they will have some issues to deal with.

I think its time to start giving the East some credit. 11 teams above .500 and 7 over .600.

Obviously its early, the standings are fluid and things can change... but for right now the East is looking competitive.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Wiggy keep bringing up that slow start like anyone expected the Cavs to struggle. Its like when Miami started 9-8 in LBJ first year. Nobody in their right mind expected them to start slow in year 2 together.

with LeBron getting a back injection right before the season started, the Thompson holdout, the WHOLe starting back court out STILL, Love AND Mozgov coming off offseason surgeries,--- and then put on top of that injuries to JR Smith and Mo Williams which ahve caused each to miss multiple games- I certainly did not expect them to be #1 in the East in November.

 

[bksballer89]

with LeBron getting a back injection right before the season started, the Thompson holdout, the WHOLe starting back court out STILL, Love AND Mozgov coming off offseason surgeries,--- and then put on top of that injuries to JR Smith and Mo Williams which ahve caused each to miss multiple games- I certainly did not expect them to be #1 in the East in November.

LOL who did you expect to be 1st? Its not like the Cavs exactly had a tough schedule. The only team I would have suggested would be ahead of Cleveland is Atlanta. Did not expect Chicago or Miami to be ahead of Cleveland as Chicago is getting used to a new system while Miami is still adjusting to playing with a new roster.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I think its time to start giving the East some credit. 11 teams above .500 and 7 over .600.

Obviously its early, the standings are fluid and things can change... but for right now the East is looking competitive.

East is for sure very competitive top to bottom, but the difference in any best of 7 series is having a healthy James.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

LOL who did you expect to be 1st? Its not like the Cavs exactly had a tough schedule. The only team I would have suggested would be ahead of Cleveland is Atlanta. Did not expect Chicago or Miami to be ahead of Cleveland as Chicago is getting used to a new system while Miami is still adjusting to playing with a new roster.

Exactly.
Cavs have had one of the easier schedules.
Preseason, on paper, games 1&2 seemed the toughest.
Who knew Memphis would be that bad starting off the year?
Basically, the Cavs have found a way to win all their home games so far and then lost a few 50/50 games on the road.

Long, long, way to go, and peaking too early is never good if that's the case, but NOBODY is beating what we've seen from the Warriors SO FAR 4/7.

 

[WiggyRuss]

LOL who did you expect to be 1st? Its not like the Cavs exactly had a tough schedule. The only team I would have suggested would be ahead of Cleveland is Atlanta. Did not expect Chicago or Miami to be ahead of Cleveland as Chicago is getting used to a new system while Miami is still adjusting to playing with a new roster.

I have no clue- who was in first place in January last year when the Cavs were 19-20? The Hawks? I know the Wizards- at the time- were in front of them- as were probably a lot of teams- No one but an idiot (like DJ) thought the Cavs would actually lose to a team other than possibly the Bulls the East...but they struggled early.

I certainly thought with LeBron having back issues, with Thompson having no training camp, with a horrible preseason, with Mozgov and Love coming off surgery, with NO STARTING back court for at least the first month of the season, with Mo Williams and JR Smith sitting out multiple games....

your saying with all that--- you are not in the least bit surprised the Cavs right now have the best record in the East? I know I am- especially after watching them struggle early last year.

Obviously a huge part of it is Kevin Love is comfortable- knows he is going to be here- and is playing aggressive and at a very high level befitting of his multi-time all star status. Tristan Thompson not missing a beat- and shooting over 60% with about 10 boards a game despite about 28 a minutes a night certainly helps....and of course- the main ingredient- LeBron playing BRILLIANTLY. Not too mention- stellar point guard play from Delly and Mo (when he is healthy). You should have some major depth when you have the 2nd highest payroll in the history of the league though- and give credit to Griffin- he obviously delivered it in a big way.


you know LeBron just feels more and more vindicated about his decision when he sees the Cavs bringing in more and more depth- while the Heat go about cutting into their depth to save cash.

 

[bksballer89]

I have no clue- who was in first place in January last year when the Cavs were 19-20? The Hawks? I know the Wizards- at the time- were in front of them- as were probably a lot of teams- No one but an idiot (like DJ) thought the Cavs would actually lose to a team other than possibly the Bulls the East...but they struggled early.

I certainly thought with LeBron having back issues, with Thompson having no training camp, with a horrible preseason, with Mozgov and Love coming off surgery, with NO STARTING back court for at least the first month of the season, with Mo Williams and JR Smith sitting out multiple games....

your saying with all that--- you are not in the least bit surprised the Cavs right now have the best record in the East? I know I am- especially after watching them struggle early last year.

Obviously a huge part of it is Kevin Love is comfortable- knows he is going to be here- and is playing aggressive and at a very high level befitting of his multi-time all star status. Tristan Thompson not missing a beat- and shooting over 60% with about 10 boards a game despite about 28 a minutes a night certainly helps....and of course- the main ingredient- LeBron playing BRILLIANTLY. Not too mention- stellar point guard play from Delly and Mo (when he is healthy). You should have some major depth when you have the 2nd highest payroll in the history of the league though- and give credit to Griffin- he obviously delivered it in a big way.


you know LeBron just feels more and more vindicated about his decision when he sees the Cavs bringing in more and more depth- while the Heat go about cutting into their depth to save cash.

No I'm not.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I have no clue- who was in first place in January last year when the Cavs were 19-20? The Hawks? I know the Wizards- at the time- were in front of them- as were probably a lot of teams- No one but an idiot (like DJ) thought the Cavs would actually lose to a team other than possibly the Bulls the East...but they struggled early.

I certainly thought with LeBron having back issues, with Thompson having no training camp, with a horrible preseason, with Mozgov and Love coming off surgery, with NO STARTING back court for at least the first month of the season, with Mo Williams and JR Smith sitting out multiple games....

your saying with all that--- you are not in the least bit surprised the Cavs right now have the best record in the East? I know I am- especially after watching them struggle early last year.

Obviously a huge part of it is Kevin Love is comfortable- knows he is going to be here- and is playing aggressive and at a very high level befitting of his multi-time all star status. Tristan Thompson not missing a beat- and shooting over 60% with about 10 boards a game despite about 28 a minutes a night certainly helps....and of course- the main ingredient- LeBron playing BRILLIANTLY. Not too mention- stellar point guard play from Delly and Mo (when he is healthy). You should have some major depth when you have the 2nd highest payroll in the history of the league though- and give credit to Griffin- he obviously delivered it in a big way.


you know LeBron just feels more and more vindicated about his decision when he sees the Cavs bringing in more and more depth- while the Heat go about cutting into their depth to save cash.

You're so FOS lol.

What part of James stat line this year is "brilliant"?

He's prob at career lows in FT and outside shooting %'s??
What is he better at now then he was when he played here?
Nothing that I have seen.

And the Heat is trying to stay out of the repeater tax offender group..
Who wouldn't if all it is is costing you is Chalmers, when Tyler has been very good most if the time he's been n the court?

That just isn't a case of being cheap , it's a case of preparing yourself to hopefully be able to upgrade when needed vs being handcuffed to where you can't.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

GO ZINGERBOCKERS!!!

FUCK THE HEAT!!!

 

[gordontrue]

I guess when you average 25, 7, & 7 consistently for 12 straight years.... people aren't going to be impressed by a 25, 7, & 7 statline?

I think LeBron has been great this year. Particularly at the end of close games.

 

[ChrisGar15]

I guess when you average 25, 7, & 7 consistently for 12 straight years.... people aren't going to be impressed by a 25, 7, & 7 statline?

I think LeBron has been great this year. Particularly at the end of close games.

Yes -- I just looked up yearly stats. He has been amazingly consistent from year to year.

His 3-point % is down from last year -- but I don't think there is any reason to think it is anything other than statistics of only having 13 games so far this year.

 

[bksballer89]

Love with 27 at half. Cavs only up 4 though

 

[WiggyRuss]

LEBron with 15 pts 13 assists on 7 of 14 shooting......Love 11/18 for 34 points and 6 of 9 from 3.....Cavs handled the Magic there in the 2nd half.

 

[bksballer89]

Another dominant defensive performance for Miami.

5 blocks for Whiteside.

95-78 heat win

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I guess when you average 25, 7, & 7 consistently for 12 straight years.... people aren't going to be impressed by a 25, 7, & 7 statline?

I think LeBron has been great this year. Particularly at the end of close games.

Wiggy said "brilliant".
James is James which = difference maker.
Curry has been brilliant.


Not that the Cavs should go undefeated, but was James really that good at the end of the 3 games they lost?

 

[bksballer89]

@logic what happened to your Pistons?

 

[logic]

@logic what happened to your Pistons?

What do you mean?
They started hot, but are at .500, which is better than I anticipated for the year. They have 0 bench, which will only become more and more evident as the season progresses. Hopefully getting Jennings and Meeks back will help with the depth, but I still doubt that Jennings and Jackson can exist together. Stanley Johnson is showing some flashes, but needs to step it up if he is going to take the starters role, and he should consider who is ahead of him.

And they would be fighting for the #5 spot in the west this year.