2016-17 NBA Regular Season Thread

[TurnUpTheHeat]

How Kyrie Irving became the best dribbler in the NBA

Great read:

Pay attention to the crowd and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ bench when Kyrie Irving is about to dribble.

Irving’s bag of tricks includes quick crossovers, hesitation moves and hard dribbles that can lead to step-back or step-side jumpers. There is also his trademark baseline dribble to an athletic reverse lay-in over an always late big man or a quick pass to a wide-open teammate. Always pretty. Always unstoppable. Always creative.

And once Irving’s use of his “weapon” on the poor defender is complete, fans and his teammates are always on their feet laughing and shaking their heads in amazement as the unguardable guard glides back on defense.

Stephen Curry, James Harden, Chris Paul and Jamal Crawford are NBA guards with undoubtedly intimidating handles. But when it comes to the best dribbler in the NBA, the name Kyrie Irving seems to come up the most.

The rest of the NBA seems to agree.

“Hands down, Kyrie has the best ball-handling skills that we have in our league,” Atlanta Hawks All-Star forward Paul Millsap said. “The way he reads defenses, the way he reads your feet, it’s unbelievable … His biggest asset is his creativity. He is one of the most creative point guards we have.”

“Kyrie has the best handle of all time,” said Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon. “Very creative and uses different motions, as well.”

Maybe he should join the Globetrotters?
Let us know when that dribbling leads to winning games in the NBA without James.

 

[bksballer89]

The graph started as of what date?
How many teams have a better record then the Heat since that day?

Are we betting the game tonight?
Give me 15 points?

He is too much of a bitch so the answer is no

 

[WiggyRuss]

Maybe he should join the Globetrotters?
Let us know when that dribbling leads to winning games in the NBA without James.

LOL, funny you should say that....the article talks about possibly Kyries two biggest dribbling moves.

Perhaps Irving’s two most notable dribbling plays came against the Golden State Warriors.

In a deciding Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, Irving engaged in a seductive double crossover dribble from behind the 3-point line while being guarded by Curry before hesitating, dribbling once hard with his right hand to create space and launching the biggest shot of his career. Irving nailed the clutch 3-pointer with 53.1 seconds left to give the Cavaliers a 92-89 lead. Irving’s 3-pointer was the most notable shot of the franchise’s first NBA championship.

Last Christmas, with the Warriors up 108-107 with 13.5 seconds remaining, Irving patiently dribbled all the way to the low block with stellar defender Klay Thompson smothering him. After stopping on a dime, Irving dribbled once hard and low with his right hand, spun back the opposite way and drilled a game-winning jumper over the fellow All-Star’s outstretched hand. Merry Christmas, Cleveland, from Kyrie Irving.

“He is able to use both hands and he’s shifty and crafty,” Curry said. “He changes speeds to keep people off-balance. Perhaps the best way to put it into words, he has an uncanny kind of ability to go one way, stop on a dime, right to left, left to right, whichever, and still be on balance and get by you. It’s unpredictable. You just don’t know which way he is going.”

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

what draft are you guys talking about?

the 2015 draft looks pretty crappy to be honest....

a few really good guys- but not much depth

Towns is #1 obviously
Porzingis is #2
Booker #3
Turner #4

id say thats the top tier from that draft- the guys that look like they should be all stars

the next tier of guys...def. still have some potential- but arent on the level as those top 4

the

Russells, Johnsons, Mudiays, Winslows, WCS, Lyles, ---shit i want to see Terry Rozier- i think he has some really good potential.

after that- not a whole lot has really shown up yet.

We were talking about 2014.

Those guys are up for extensions this Summer.

Who outside of Wiggins is a no brainer?

Saric and Randle have shown flashes. But, I'd wait another year.

Embiid, Parker, Lavine are all uber talented. But, all 3 are injured.

Below is my original post.

I was reading a article about Zach Lavine and how he could lose money if he signs an extension this Summer and I am shocked at how poorly his draft class has performed.

Andrew Wiggins is the only guy that is a No brainer.

He needs to get that killer instinct. But, the talent is there.

Lavine, Parker, Embiid ....I would give a Curry injury discount deal.

Smart, Hood I'd give a half assed offer below market.

Julius Randle, Saric I'd need another year.

Harris, Warren, Capela...meh....if the price is right.

Gordon...no.

Exum, Staukus, Vonleh....no, no, hell no.

Elfrid Payton...Lmfao


This has to be the worst draft class in history.

 

[CitySushi]

what draft are you guys talking about?

the 2015 draft looks pretty crappy to be honest....

a few really good guys- but not much depth

Towns is #1 obviously
Porzingis is #2
Booker #3
Turner #4

id say thats the top tier from that draft- the guys that look like they should be all stars

the next tier of guys...def. still have some potential- but arent on the level as those top 4

the

Russells, Johnsons, Mudiays, Winslows, WCS, Lyles, ---shit i want to see Terry Rozier- i think he has some really good potential.

after that- not a whole lot has really shown up yet.

I think the 2015 is a pretty good/average draft. Any draft, what you're really looking at is maybe a star or two, a couple potential all-stars, few starters and a bunch of role players. That's exactly what this draft has.

You have two bonafide future stars in Towns and Porzingas. Booker you might be able to put there too. Turner has been really good. One guy you forgot to mention, Frank Kaminsky has been balling lately. Check out his numbers.

You have probably three other borderline starters in Winslow, Russell and Mudiay. WCS really hasn't had much time to shine, but with Cousins gone you're seeing him make an impact in Sac. He could be a potential future starter. Not sure about what Okafor will do.

Other guys who project as solid role players for good teams: Trey Lyles, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Sam Dekker, Bobby Portis, Nance Jr., Montrezl Harrell, Stanley Johnson, Josh Richardson.

One guy we haven't really seen much of that I think could be a really good backup PG is Tyus Jones. He's stuck in that PG purgatory in Minnesota.

 

[WiggyRuss]

We were talking about 2014.

Those guys are up for extensions this Summer.

Who outside of Wiggins is a no brainer?

Saric and Randle have shown flashes. But, I'd wait another year.

Embiid, Parker, Lavine are all uber talented. But, all 3 are injured.

Below is my original post.

i dont think saric gets credit does he?

Smart has shown enough to get a big contract- prob. not max though. Aaron Gordon has some disgusting athleticism if he could ever learn how to play hte game.

Hood and Capela......not much though- for a draft that was supposed to be one of the most amazing in years...of course Parker and Embiids injuries ahve really hurt it- like you said.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I wonder how long it will be before the Miami Heat get an elite player like Kyrie Irving again...could be a long long time...

Ummmm, random much?

Is it time to hit the switch on you again?

 

[WiggyRuss]

He is too much of a bitch so the answer is no

my 20 point offer is sitll on the board if you have found a pair...

 

[bksballer89]

my 20 point offer is sitll on the board if you have found a pair...

I found a bigger man than you.

 

[bksballer89]

I wonder how long it will be before the Miami Heat get an elite player like Kyrie Irving again...could be a long long time...

Are you going to answer @TurnUpTheHeat question or not?

 

[Wamu]

Matt Barnes- been there for 2 minutes and he is already ahead of them

for PRECISELY the reason i said at the beginning of the year. You take a vet that has a clue over a 2nd round rookie every single day of the week when you are a team trying to win a title.

Kay Felder, every time he is sent to the dleague lights it up- has done some decent things for the Cavs here or there- but if he is playing minutes during the playoffs- that means David Griffin hasnt done his job.

In all fairness David Griffin can't do his job until LeBron tells him what to do. And quit pickin' on McCaw dammit!

 

[CitySushi]

I found a bigger man than you.

That's what she said.

 

[CitySushi]

Matt Barnes- been there for 2 minutes and he is already ahead of them

for PRECISELY the reason i said at the beginning of the year. You take a vet that has a clue over a 2nd round rookie every single day of the week when you are a team trying to win a title.

Kay Felder, every time he is sent to the dleague lights it up- has done some decent things for the Cavs here or there- but if he is playing minutes during the playoffs- that means David Griffin hasnt done his job.

Umm, but this was in relation to the regular season. You said he couldn't contribute on any meaninful level.

Of course I wouldn't expect him, (nor did anyone else) to produce in the playoffs. It was always about being a rotational guy in the regular season. Rotations shrink significantly in the playoffs, especially with the amount of rest these guys get.

Also Barnes isn't ahead of McCaw. He starts ahead of him, but you know that starting doesn't really mean anything. It's about who finishes. Otherwise Barnes is already ahead of Iguodala too.

 

[CitySushi]

We were talking about 2014.

Those guys are up for extensions this Summer.

Who outside of Wiggins is a no brainer?

Saric and Randle have shown flashes. But, I'd wait another year.

Embiid, Parker, Lavine are all uber talented. But, all 3 are injured.

Below is my original post.

Nikola Jokic will be maxed immediately.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I wonder how long it will be before the Miami Heat get an elite player like Kyrie Irving again...could be a long long time...

Definition of elite is??

Very few players are the best player on a championship team.
He will never, ever make that list.

Maybe say elite scorer?

Greatness to me, is measure by making the players around you better.

IMO, Kyrie doesn't do that.

 

[bksballer89]

Wade missing a game when we need the Bulls to defeat the Pistons tonight

 

[WiggyRuss]

Umm, but this was in relation to the regular season. You said he couldn't contribute on any meaninful level.

Of course I wouldn't expect him, (nor did anyone else) to produce in the playoffs. It was always about being a rotational guy in the regular season. Rotations shrink significantly in the playoffs, especially with the amount of rest these guys get.

Also Barnes isn't ahead of McCaw. He starts ahead of him, but you know that starting doesn't really mean anything. It's about who finishes. Otherwise Barnes is already ahead of Iguodala too.

ill bet you Matt Barnes plays more minutes than McCaw the rest of the way...name your terms.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Definition of elite is??

Very few players are the best player on a championship team.
He will never, ever make that list.

Maybe say elite scorer?

Greatness to me, is measure by making the players around you better.

IMO, Kyrie doesn't do that.

a top 20-25 player in the league.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

i dont think saric gets credit does he?

Smart has shown enough to get a big contract- prob. not max though. Aaron Gordon has some disgusting athleticism if he could ever learn how to play hte game.

Hood and Capela......not much though- for a draft that was supposed to be one of the most amazing in years...of course Parker and Embiids injuries ahve really hurt it- like you said.

I forgot Saric didn't come to the NBA immediately.

So, you might be right.

I refuse to get caught up in Gordon.

I remember hearing he's the next Bg32.

But, what has the first one done outside of Dunking over a Kia for that to be high praise?

I love Blake.

But, something is missing in him that I can't put my finger on.

With that being said, Gordon is athletic. But, so was Tyrus Thomas, Stromile Swift...lo l

I will say, I'd pay him before I gave Payton a nickel.

 

[CitySushi]

ill bet you Matt Barnes plays more minutes than McCaw the rest of the way...name your terms.

Only if you admit McCaw is a rotational player, and you were clearly wrong. Then I'll gladly take you up on the bet.