2016-17 NBA Regular Season Thread

[WiggyRuss]

Actually, it does matter. Not now, of course, because Lebron is still playing at a high level. However, those games that he doesn't play in are a look into a Lebronless future for the Cavs and so far, it ain't pretty.

And once again, your post had nothing to do with the post you quoted.

a look into the LeBronless future? when do you think that is? 5-6 years from now? Even if its 3-4 years from now (when he possibly starts not being one of the best in the game)- that means Kyrie will be RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of his prime when LeBron starts his decline and there is ZERO reason to think that Kyrie will not continue to get better and peak around his age 27 season when most guys peak.

Thats what is just so fucking amazing about Kyrie. He is this good and this special and has not even hit his prime yet. I cant wait to see what his game looks like as he continues to mature, get better, has more experience at around age 27-28. If he is a without-a-doubt top 20 player- arguably top 10 (i personally have him somewhere between 9 and 13).....he without a doubt has that top-end potential to be one of the very very very elite players in this game.

 

[trojanfan12]

a look into the LeBronless future? when do you think that is? 5-6 years from now? Even if its 3-4 years from now (when he possibly starts not being one of the best in the game)- that means Kyrie will be RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of his prime when LeBron starts his decline and there is ZERO reason to think that Kyrie will not continue to get better and peak around his age 27 season when most guys peak.

Thats what is just so fucking amazing about Kyrie. He is this good and this special and has not even hit his prime yet. I cant wait to see what his game looks like as he continues to mature, get better, has more experience at around age 27-28. If he is a without-a-doubt top 20 player- arguably top 10 (i personally have him somewhere between 9 and 13).....he without a doubt has that top-end potential to be one of the very very very elite players in this game.

I'm not saying Kyrie isn't a great player. I'm on record as saying I love watching the kid play. However, when Lebron is declining and/or retired, the Cavs will become Kyries team.

If he's truly as special as you claim, he should be able to lead the Cavs to a better record than 4-17 when Lebron doesn't play.

That record, is what would concern me if I were a Cavs fan. Also, he has hit his prime (although he literally just entered it). He's 24 and most NBA players prime years are from about 24 to 30.

Hopefully, for the Cavs sake, Kyrie develops more court vision and learns to share more. Right now, when Lebron is out, Kyrie is Russell Westbrook minus the assists and defense. I'd say he was James Harden, but I hate James Harden and would never insult Kyrie like that.

Also, I think Lebron has probably 3 more years of playing at or very close to this level. I will say though that, barring injury, his will be more of a steady decline rather than falling off a cliff like Kobe because he's being smarter about his minutes than Kobe was.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I'm not saying Kyrie isn't a great player. I'm on record as saying I love watching the kid play. However, when Lebron is declining and/or retired, the Cavs will become Kyries team.

If he's truly as special as you claim, he should be able to lead the Cavs to a better record than 4-17 when Lebron doesn't play.

That record, is what would concern me if I were a Cavs fan. Also, he has hit his prime (although he literally just entered it). He's 24 and most NBA players prime years are from about 24 to 30.

Hopefully, for the Cavs sake, Kyrie develops more court vision and learns to share more. Right now, when Lebron is out, Kyrie is Russell Westbrook minus the assists and defense.

no - not at all- because in some of those games Kyrie sat out too- or Love sat out- or they both sat out--- or a lot of those games where right when the Cavs pulled off their trade for Shump and Jr and the whole roster was in upheaval. --during that stretch where LeBron sat 10 games in a row in his first year- Love missed time, Kyrie still had knee issues- and they turned over a large amount of their roster.

For games like against Indiana the other night- you are on the road- on the 2nd night of a back to back- playing without your best player- and your backup SF is Richard Jefferson. Thats the thing- most of the games LeBron is going to sit- are games like that- 2nd night of a back to back- its just common sense that you are not going to have a great record on the 2nd night of back to backs- let alone when your starting SF sits

just one example-- like against Miami last season. Cavaliers vs. Heat - Box Score - December 5, 2015 - ESPN lebron AND Kyrie sat

so when you quote that stat- 4-17- and ask why Kyrie couldnt have helped- I guess you dont realize that- Kyrie didnt even play in some of those games, Love didnt even play in some of those games, shit- ALL THREE of them didnt play in at least one of them---- and many of the others were the 2nd night of back to backs- or when the Cavs were in upheaval after making trades. I know its very convenient for you to ignore those facts and brush them aside- but they are the facts.

 

[trojanfan12]

no - not at all- because in some of those games Kyrie sat out too- or Love sat out- or they both sat out--- or a lot of those games where right when the Cavs pulled off their trade for Shump and Jr and the whole roster was in upheaval. --during that stretch where LeBron sat 10 games in a row in his first year- Love missed time, Kyrie still had knee issues- and they turned over a large amount of their roster.

This is just a bunch of excuses. Bottom line, when Kyrie plays and Lebron doesn't, the results are not good. There's no way around it, those facts are indisputable.

You'd look a lot better just saying something like "yeah, Kyrie is young and the next step in his development is learning to lead the team to wins when Lebron doesn't play, is the next step in his progression."

 

[Vyle203]

This is just a bunch of excuses. Bottom line, when Kyrie plays and Lebron doesn't, the results are not good. There's no way around it, those facts are indisputable."

Yep. Let's be real here too. We're talking about a scoring guard who "may" be a top 5 player when he hits his prime vs. a top 10 (some say 5) player ALL-TIME. To think the Cavs won't miss a step as LeBron slides out and Kyrie assumes control of the team is silly. Nobody in the league, especially guys like Kyrie can do what James does to impact a game.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yep. Let's be real here too. We're talking about a scoring guard who "may" be a top 5 player when he hits his prime vs. a top 10 (some say 5) player ALL-TIME. To think the Cavs won't miss a step as LeBron slides out and Kyrie assumes control of the team is silly. Nobody in the league, especially guys like Kyrie can do what James does to impact a game.

Yes and no. Kyrie will be the face of the franchise when Lebron retires. As Lebron declines, more and more of the load will be placed on his shoulders. What we have seen so far doesn't really speak well to that. But he's young and has time to learn.

Also, who said the Cavs shouldn't miss a step when Lebron is out? Kyrie is an all-star, one of the better players in the game and the Cavs leader on the floor when Lebron is out, so it's not silly at all to expect him to step up and do a better job of leading the team when Lebron is out than he has done so far.

No one is saying that the Cavs record with Kyrie playing and Lebron out should be as good as when Lebron plays, but it should be better than it is.

 

[Vyle203]

Yes and no. Kyrie will be the face of the franchise when Lebron retires. As Lebron declines, more and more of the load will be placed on his shoulders. What we have seen so far doesn't really speak well to that. But he's young and has time to learn.

Also, who said the Cavs shouldn't miss a step when Lebron is out? Kyrie is an all-star, one of the better players in the game and the Cavs leader on the floor when Lebron is out, so it's not silly at all to expect him to step up and do a better job of leading the team when Lebron is out than he has done so far.

No one is saying that the Cavs record with Kyrie playing and Lebron out should be as good as when Lebron plays, but it should be better than it is.

I certainly didn't say they shouldn't miss a step when LeBron leaves for good.It sounded like WiggyRuss was hinting at that though, unless I misinterpreted his post.

 

[WiggyRuss]

This is just a bunch of excuses. Bottom line, when Kyrie plays and Lebron doesn't, the results are not good. There's no way around it, those facts are indisputable.

You'd look a lot better just saying something like "yeah, Kyrie is young and the next step in his development is learning to lead the team to wins when Lebron doesn't play, is the next step in his progression."

LOL...yah a bunch of excuses...

why cant KYrie win more games when LeBron is out when Kyrie is sitting out too?!!! LOL o man...that is a new one...ill have to rememebr that one.

any of you guys play Mario KArt for N64- and remember the Time Trials?- you could race against your ghost? maybe ghost Kyrie should have played on thise games that both him AND LeBron or Love were sitting. LOL.

and of course- everyone with common sense knows that ANY NBA team does a lot worse on the 2nd night of back to backs- which SURPIRSE SURPRISE!!!! are the games that LeBron is sitting most often.

its just hilarious how you purposefully disregard logic like a flamingo with his head in the ground to try and push your narrative.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I certainly didn't say they shouldn't miss a step when LeBron leaves for good.It sounded like WiggyRuss was hinting at that though, unless I misinterpreted his post.

well, when is LeBron "leaving for good"...

i think its hard to look forward passed 3-4 years in the NBA- everything passed that is almost all pure speculation. I dont see LeBron declining a whole lot for at LEAST the next 2 years after this one- and after that he will still likely be a top 5 player- but maybe just not the best.

I mean- Tim Duncan just made All NBA 1st team at age 37. If the Cavs continue to monitor LeBron's minutes and games played - and he continues to take care of himself and uses technology and information that was not avaliable to guys even 5-10 years ago to stay in peak shape- why couldnt he do the same as Duncan if not better?--- like i said- looking passed 3-4 years i think is extremely difficult to do- but the planning and preperation you take now can effect you long down the road. LeBron has never had a major injury or a surgery or a condition that makes you overtly worried.

As for Kyrie- he is 24 years old. NBA players hit their prime about when? 27 probably? He should only continue to improve and get better. Hopefully 3-4 years from now when he is right in the middle of hjis prime- LeBron is still a great player.

 

[trojanfan12]

...yah a bunch of excuses...

Glad we agree.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

LOL...yah a bunch of excuses...

why cant KYrie win more games when LeBron is out when Kyrie is sitting out too?!!! LOL o man...that is a new one...ill have to rememebr that one.

any of you guys play Mario KArt for N64- and remember the Time Trials?- you could race against your ghost? maybe ghost Kyrie should have played on thise games that both him AND LeBron or Love were sitting. LOL.

and of course- everyone with common sense knows that ANY NBA team does a lot worse on the 2nd night of back to backs- which SURPIRSE SURPRISE!!!! are the games that LeBron is sitting most often.

its just hilarious how you purposefully disregard logic like a flamingo with his head in the ground to try and push your narrative.

This post is so ridiculous, even the Cavs are asking wiggy to hand in his homerism badge.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Glad we agree.

you siad "If he's truly as special as you claim, he should be able to lead the Cavs to a better record than 4-17 when Lebron doesn't play. "


I said- well- Kyrie didnt play in some of those games too- and Love also didnt play in some of those games- for instance the Miami game i quoted the box score- or ALL 3 didnt play - like in the regular season finale.

plus- all teams do worse on the 2nd night of back to backs- let alone teams that are missing their starting small forward.

plus- the many of those games occured when LeBron sat out for an extended period of time right when the Cavs made major trades and had a whole roster of upheaval- less then 2 months into a brand new coaches first time in the NBA

I am perfectly happy for you to label those as "excuses".....why cant kyrie help them win more when kyrie is not even playing either? LOL...that has me rolling.

 

[trojanfan12]

you siad "If he's truly as special as you claim, he should be able to lead the Cavs to a better record than 4-17 when Lebron doesn't play. "


I said- well- Kyrie didnt play in some of those games too- and Love also didnt play in some of those games- for instance the Miami game i quoted the box score- or ALL 3 didnt play - like in the regular season finale.

plus- all teams do worse on the 2nd night of back to backs- let alone teams that are missing their starting small forward.

plus- the many of those games occured when LeBron sat out for an extended period of time right when the Cavs made major trades and had a whole roster of upheaval- less then 2 months into a brand new coaches first time in the NBA

I am perfectly happy for you to label those as "excuses".....why cant kyrie help them win more when kyrie is not even playing either? LOL...that has me rolling.

And I pointed out that the Cavs record with Kyrie and without Lebron still sucks.

So yes, it's a bunch of excuses.

Like I said: Glad we agree.

 

[bksballer89]

I feel like this was unnecessary

Green rips 'desperate' C's fans for booing Durant

 

[WiggyRuss]

And I pointed out that the Cavs record with Kyrie and without Lebron still sucks.

So yes, it's a bunch of excuses.

Like I said: Glad we agree.

well when i said- Kyrie didnt even play in some of those games either- and you ignore that- its clear what your agenda is. Its cool though. Us Cavs fans are used to it. We have pretty much heard it all at this point....what else can we do but grit our teeth and enjoy watching the Cavs dominate for the better part of the next decade? its rough lemme tell ya.

 

[bksballer89]

Celtics' Thomas: 'We gave up' against Warriors

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

well when i said- Kyrie didnt even play in some of those games either- and you ignore that- its clear what your agenda is. Its cool though. Us Cavs fans are used to it. We have pretty much heard it all at this point....what else can we do but grit our teeth and enjoy watching the Cavs dominate for the better part of the next decade? its rough lemme tell ya.

Then what is the cavs record WITH kyrie and WITHOUT lebron? Is it above .500?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Celtics' Thomas: 'We gave up' against Warriors

what a clown...maybe you were subbed out because they were kicking your Isiah....the Warriors can make a good defense look just horrible- let alone a defense missing its best wing defender. They def. should have scored more than 88 points though at home against hte Warriros D.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

dude- no one cares about whiteside- he plays on a crappy team and is irrelevant. Despite being right in the middle of his prime- he is just not one of those guys that can elevate a team. He cares more about his stats and his 2k rating then actually winning.

1. Name any valid reason that you can use as an example that Whiteside doesnt care about winning?
Thats so stupid.
Hes a great player on a shitty team.
Are you saying AD, Cousins, Drummond and all the others dont care about winning?

2. Bosh never missed the All Star game while being in the same 3rd fiddle role as Bosh.

 

[trojanfan12]

well when i said- Kyrie didnt even play in some of those games either- and you ignore that- its clear what your agenda is. Its cool though. Us Cavs fans are used to it. We have pretty much heard it all at this point....what else can we do but grit our teeth and enjoy watching the Cavs dominate for the better part of the next decade? its rough lemme tell ya.

I didn't ignore it all. I addressed it. Nice try.

I said that their record in games when Kyrie plays and Lebron doesn't, still sucks.

This both acknowledges that Kyrie sat out some of those games and still points out the fact that their record with him and without Lebron still sucks.

I'm sorry the facts don't match your narrative (as usual) which causes you to deflect, make excuses and bloviate, because I really like Kyrie.