2016-17 NBA Regular Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

I disagree about that being a big reason they coughed up the lead against the Warriors. After going up 3-1, game 6 was likely going to be the game to win the series because they were not going to win a 2nd game in Golden State. Both guys deserve blame. Putting it all on Westbrook is just not fair.

I agree to a point. It's definitely not all on Westbrook, if for no other reason than KD needed to demand the ball, which he really never did. But I put more of the blame on Westbrook than Durant because Westbrook is the PG and instead of distributing the ball, he was making crazy ass drives to the hoop and launching ill advised 3's.

I remember there were many on here (except Warriors fans lol) during those 3 games that were getting really frustrated with what Westbrook was doing.

the Thunder's "stagnant" offense and above all else, the Warriors.

If a teams offense becomes stagnant, it's usually because the PG is holding the ball too much.

 

[bksballer89]

If a teams offense becomes stagnant, it's usually because the PG is holding the ball too much.

I place a lot of blame on the coach as well. If you see your offense is becoming stagnant then it is your job as coach to run a set play to get some movement in your offense.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Of course I've heard of it, he knew it was a Westbrook and others hang out. It's all good, it was handled properly.

It was, plus you're assuming that even if it had been rented to him privately that he wasn't going to invite Thunder players.

 

[trojanfan12]

Best and worst of athlete tipping habits.

Loved the "Tough break for waiters in Philly, they either get a free education or .20" line. lol

 

[thunderc]

The Thunder organization is very much to blame for not developing a better offense. The same thing going on this season, 2nd worst 3 pointing shooting percentage in the league but they are middle of the pack in 3 pointers attempted. If Roberson ever attempted a single 3 pointer I would cut him in the middle of the game.

 

[trojanfan12]

I place a lot of blame on the coach as well. If you see your offense is becoming stagnant then it is your job as coach to run a set play to get some movement in your offense.

True. On the other hand, it's still up to the PG to make it happen. For all we know, the Thunder coach did just that and Westbrook ignored it.

 

[thunderc]

True. On the other hand, it's still up to the PG to make it happen. For all we know, the Thunder coach did just that and Westbrook ignored it.

Lot of that went on with Scott Brooks for sure.

 

[trojanfan12]

Lot of that went on with Scott Brooks for sure.

And that's the thing and why I think players have too much power these days. If you're Phil Jackson or Greg Popovich, you can bench your star player(s) for not following instructions and no one is going to question you much.

If you're Scott Brooks and you bench your star player(s) for the same reason, you get vilified.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I disagree about that being a big reason they coughed up the lead against the Warriors. After going up 3-1, game 6 was likely going to be the game to win the series because they were not going to win a 2nd game in Golden State. Both guys deserve blame. Putting it all on Westbrook is just not fair. Durant attempted 31 shots in that game. He made 10 of them. The 2 of them went 3-14 in the 4th quarter of game 6. This was just not a westbrook issue. Durant disappeared and played just as bad in the 4th quarter of that game.

And with all due respect for Kevin Durant, and the weight he has to carry, and the greatness that embodies his career ... Durant failed. Again.

Durant shot 10-of-31 from the field in Game 6, including 1-of-7 in the fourth quarter and 1-of-3 in the final five minutes. You can point to his partner, Russell Westbrook, and to be sure, Westbrook's four turnovers in the final five minutes doomed OKC as much as Durant's struggles, the Thunder's "stagnant" offense and above all else, the Warriors.

However, this game doesn't go down like this if Durant doesn't shoot so poorly.

yah i totally agree

in those 3 losses they had in a row- Durant averaged 27 shots a game. thats a shitload of shots.

 

[WiggyRuss]

LeBron on DWill- who had another nice performance last night:

"We hope that this is a long-term thing," James said of Williams after the Cavs' 125-109 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. "Obviously, we know that he's on a 10-day contract, but we believe it's going to be long-term."

"We're happy to have him," James said. "It's not many places you're going to find a 6-[foot]-8 wing with athleticism like that at 25. So we're lucky to have him."

"He's been in some difficult situations, first of all, and we hope that this is a place that can help him grow and make that next step," James continued. "He's 25 years old. It doesn't seem like it because we've been hearing his name for so long. But he's 25. He hasn't even gotten to his potential, to his prime yet, so hopefully this group, this locker room, myself, my leadership [helps him]. Just want to see him grow every day, and it's a good place for him."


From Dwill himself:

"Atmosphere was great, man," Williams said. "I hadn't experienced anything like that since I've been in the NBA. Just taking it all in. Just trying to help this team win. That's what I'm here for. Just play with energy, play with effort, play with efficiency and try to get a win. That's why I'm here."

 

[WiggyRuss]

If voting happened right now- I would think Embiid and Saric would be my #1, and #2 for ROY. Saric has only played well of late though- so thatll hurt him- but you can see this guy is turning the corner. I thought he was a great pick a couple years ago- and he has been stashed overseas.

Everyone knows a lot about Embiid, but Dario Saric is gonna be a helluva player.....he is a good 3/4 that can stretch the floor.

A very good fit with Embiid and eventually Simmons.

This Philly team is going to be no joke sooner than later.

 

[bksballer89]

If voting happened right now- I would think Embiid and Saric would be my #1, and #2 for ROY. Saric has only played well of late though- so thatll hurt him- but you can see this guy is turning the corner. I thought he was a great pick a couple years ago- and he has been stashed overseas.

Everyone knows a lot about Embiid, but Dario Saric is gonna be a helluva player.....he is a good 3/4 that can stretch the floor.

A very good fit with Embiid and eventually Simmons.

This Philly team is going to be no joke sooner than later.

A lot depends on Ben Simmons

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

LeBron on DWill- who had another nice performance last night:

"We hope that this is a long-term thing," James said of Williams after the Cavs' 125-109 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. "Obviously, we know that he's on a 10-day contract, but we believe it's going to be long-term."

"We're happy to have him," James said. "It's not many places you're going to find a 6-[foot]-8 wing with athleticism like that at 25. So we're lucky to have him."

"He's been in some difficult situations, first of all, and we hope that this is a place that can help him grow and make that next step," James continued. "He's 25 years old. It doesn't seem like it because we've been hearing his name for so long. But he's 25. He hasn't even gotten to his potential, to his prime yet, so hopefully this group, this locker room, myself, my leadership [helps him]. Just want to see him grow every day, and it's a good place for him."


From Dwill himself:

"Atmosphere was great, man," Williams said. "I hadn't experienced anything like that since I've been in the NBA. Just taking it all in. Just trying to help this team win. That's what I'm here for. Just play with energy, play with effort, play with efficiency and try to get a win. That's why I'm here."

He's FOR SURE an upgrade over Bird.
His role here this season was bizarre.
For whatever reason, he kept losing his minutes.

 

[trojanfan12]

LeBron on DWill- who had another nice performance last night:

"We hope that this is a long-term thing," James said of Williams after the Cavs' 125-109 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. "Obviously, we know that he's on a 10-day contract, but we believe it's going to be long-term."

"We're happy to have him," James said. "It's not many places you're going to find a 6-[foot]-8 wing with athleticism like that at 25. So we're lucky to have him."

"He's been in some difficult situations, first of all, and we hope that this is a place that can help him grow and make that next step," James continued. "He's 25 years old. It doesn't seem like it because we've been hearing his name for so long. But he's 25. He hasn't even gotten to his potential, to his prime yet, so hopefully this group, this locker room, myself, my leadership [helps him]. Just want to see him grow every day, and it's a good place for him."


From Dwill himself:

"Atmosphere was great, man," Williams said. "I hadn't experienced anything like that since I've been in the NBA. Just taking it all in. Just trying to help this team win. That's what I'm here for. Just play with energy, play with effort, play with efficiency and try to get a win. That's why I'm here."

Let's pump the brakes a little bit. He's how many days into a 10 day contract? Some guys develop late, some guys never do. Maybe he's finally in the right situation or maybe he eventually reverts back to looking like a bust. Only time will tell.

 

[bksballer89]

Let's pump the brakes a little bit. He's how many days into a 10 day contract? Some guys develop late, some guys never do. Maybe he's finally in the right situation or maybe he eventually reverts back to looking like a bust. Only time will tell.

Exactly. Guy been in the league for 5 or 6 years now and failed with every team he's been on. If you need to play with Lebron James to be a solid player in this league then you're really not a good player

 

[WiggyRuss]

He's FOR SURE an upgrade over Bird.
His role here this season was bizarre.
For whatever reason, he kept losing his minutes.

this was kind of interesting from Lue and LeBron on the lineup they played with Williams- which is a freaking HUMONGOUS lineup.--

In the second quarter, Williams, recently released by Miami, took the floor with James, Channing Frye, Kyle Korver and Richard Jefferson, all of them taller than 6-foot-7.

"It's a fantastic lineup," James said. "We've got guys that can rebound, that can run and that can shoot. It's something coach can put in his pocket if he wants to use again."
Williams has shown some versatility thus far, guarding opposing point guards and even taking the ball up to get the Cavs into their offense. He was part of a plus-sized Cleveland lineup with James, Kyle Korver, Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson in the second quarter -- all measured 6-foot-7 or taller.

"I did like it because defensively we could switch 1-through-4 with those guys and kind of stay at home, and then we could run the floor and could play with big pace," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. "And also what helps us with that is now they got to put a point guard on Korver when they can't switch out onto all our stuff with our second unit, so that's why I like it and want to take a look at it."

 

[WiggyRuss]

we kind of take LeBron for granted at times. He is really having a phenomenal year.

Right now he is averaging a career high 8.8 assists a game. He is shooting 37.6% from 3- which is very solid number for him- especially considering his first 2 years back. He is shooting 53.3% from the field while shooting 4.5 3's a game.

7.8 rebounds per game which is a nice number for him. and of course his leadership.

25.8, 8.8, 7.8 is pretty ridiculous.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yawn. 13 straight.

its cool man...i know the Sixers are tough- even if Okafor AND Embiid werent playing.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

we kind of take LeBron for granted at times. He is really having a phenomenal year.

Right now he is averaging a career high 8.8 assists a game. He is shooting 37.6% from 3- which is very solid number for him- especially considering his first 2 years back. He is shooting 53.3% from the field while shooting 4.5 3's a game.

7.8 rebounds per game which is a nice number for him. and of course his leadership.

25.8, 8.8, 7.8 is pretty ridiculous.

Name one person here who has said James isn't having a great year.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Let's pump the brakes a little bit. He's how many days into a 10 day contract? Some guys develop late, some guys never do. Maybe he's finally in the right situation or maybe he eventually reverts back to looking like a bust. Only time will tell.

lets see if LeBron and his leadership can whip the guy into shape- like he said- its not everyday you get a guy that is that athletic who is 6'8" and still only 25.

At the very least its a guy that can suck up some minutes so old man Jefferson doesnt wear himself out. If Jefferson barely played until the playoffs that would be fine with me.