2017-2018 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Conceded... in fairness, though: the strength of Boston's bench is defense... just as defense is the strength of their whole team. Rozier, Smart, Theis, Ojeleye... these guys are all good defenders.

Which is part of the reason why a Heyward return might be such a big deal, potentially... (apart from the fact he is an allstar). The C's could really use some offensive pop off the bench.

You can't measure Smart and Rozier's contributions by looking at the stat sheet.

But, I agree a little scoring punch for the 2nd unit would be great.

You think that's why the Morris Twin is coming off the bench?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

No doubt about that. And I can see the Celtics getting outta the EC but I just can't see them pulling off the upset in the Finals.

Even if they don't make the Finals, this has been a remarkable Season for the Celtics and their fans.

I didn't think they could get by LeBron with Hayward. So, I gave them zero chance when he went down.

Boy was I wrong on both accounts.

Danny obviously knows how to build a winner.

 

[thunderc]

Yes it's huge, I honestly don't know what they will do. Expect a loss to Philly today unless they just don't show up.

 

[Gman]

You can't measure Smart and Rozier's contributions by looking at the stat sheet.

But, I agree a little scoring punch for the 2nd unit would be great.

You think that's why the Morris Twin is coming off the bench?

Ah, I forgot about Morris... yeah, he's a key role player... especially if Heyward never returns this season. They need him scoring 12-15 ppg.

 

[Wamu]

Even if they don't make the Finals, this has been a remarkable Season for the Celtics and their fans.

I didn't think they could get by LeBron with Hayward. So, I gave them zero chance when he went down.

Boy was I wrong on both accounts.

Danny obviously knows how to build a winner.

Watching Hayward's awful injury opening night I really thought the Celtics were gonna struggle all season long. We aren't to the A.S. break yet & they have exceeded all expectations I had for them after losing what was supposed to be a key starter. And I thought Ainge lost his marbles hiring Stevens. I'm glad I was wrong about that. He's turned out be a better NBA coach than I expected.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[tlance]

It's the best evidence we have, as I said when I conceded it was imperfect evidence.

Again, Boston isn't the "better team"... especially on paper. That's not what I'm saying or suggesting. What I'm saying is they match-up well vs. Golden State. No one can defend Golden State though.

FIFY

 

[tlance]

Conceded... in fairness, though: the strength of Boston's bench is defense... just as defense is the strength of their whole team. Rozier, Smart, Theis, Ojeleye... these guys are all good defenders.

Which is part of the reason why a Heyward return might be such a big deal, potentially... (apart from the fact he is an allstar). The C's could really use some offensive pop off the bench.

In all seriousness,

The Celtics do have the best corps of perimeter defenders in the league.

That said, you don't beat Golden State with elite play on 1 side of the ball. You need both. I don't think Boston has enough offense to seriously threaten GS.

Adding Heyward helps in that regard, but it also hurts the defense because it takes minutes from guys like Brown, Ojele and maybe even Smart.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Is LeBron James Still Worth the Hassle?

 

[tlance]

Is LeBron James Still Worth the Hassle?

So let me get this straight.

A couple weeks ago, the narrative was that LBJ was having arguably his best season ever. Now, he has one sub-par month and people ask whether he is worth the hassle?

Short answer:

Yes. As long as your team has the talent to contend.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

So let me get this straight.

A couple weeks ago, the narrative was that LBJ was having arguably his best season ever. Now, he has one sub-par month and people ask whether he is worth the hassle?

Short answer:

Yes. As long as your team has the talent to contend.

I think it could boil down to what length of contract he's seeking this summer.

 

[tlance]

I think it could boil down to what length of contract he's seeking this summer.

I don't think so.

Every max deal has risk. A 4 or 5 year pact for LBJ would too.

I would bet LeBron is more impactful 5 years from now than say, Kevin Love is today. The first 2-3 years will be worth the last couple being a bit less productive.

After all, good, not great players get those deals too.

 

[msgkings322]

What's wrong with Curry, Livingston?

I understand the ire at Durant and Dray.

But, the other guys are okay.

Everyone hates the frontrunner I guess...

Also David West. And shoot what's not to like about the Knucklehead Twins McGee and Swaggy?

 

[msgkings322]

No doubt about that. And I can see the Celtics getting outta the EC but I just can't see them pulling off the upset in the Finals.

Celtics will have the best odds vs GS but will still be pretty big underdogs

 

[Gman]

FIFY

But... the C's have been able to defend GS at a high level. Even without a key defender (Smart) last night the C's showed well overall... (Curry had a big night, of course... and GS made a bunch of free throws at the end that padded their final total)

In all seriousness,

The Celtics do have the best corps of perimeter defenders in the league.

That said, you don't beat Golden State with elite play on 1 side of the ball. You need both. I don't think Boston has enough offense to seriously threaten GS.

Fair enough, here... consistent offense is a real issue for Boston... neither Tatum nor Brown have put it together on this side of the ball with consistency... and Horford, while consistent, has a low ceiling when it comes to actual scoring.

Adding Heyward helps in that regard, but it also hurts the defense because it takes minutes from guys like Brown, Ojele and maybe even Smart.

This would be a wonderful problem to have... a good thing, not a bad thing.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I don't think so.

Every max deal has risk. A 4 or 5 year pact for LBJ would too.

I would bet LeBron is more impactful 5 years from now than say, Kevin Love is today. The first 2-3 years will be worth the last couple being a bit less productive.

After all, good, not great players get those deals too.

There's a pretty short list of 'good' players who have received a long term max at the age LeBron will be, correct?
It's a tough call.
I heard on NBA radio that Gilbert wants to sell?
That would be very telling because the Cavs value drops significantly if James is gone.

What do the Pelicans do with Boogie now?
Its a very risky 180M to spend coming off this injury.

 

[Heatles84]

Lebron's the only reason the Cavs are in the playoffs (as of this moment). If he weren't on that roster, they'd be in the bottom 5 of the East. Having said that, his team's struggling so much that I wouldn't put him as my top MVP candidate because of that.

 

[Black Adam]

Is LeBron James Still Worth the Hassle?

my vote would be nyet...

buuuuut, i MAY just be a skosh biased...

 

[Black Adam]

I think it could boil down to what length of contract he's seeking this summer.

he always gets short ones to keep his options open anyhow...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

he always gets short ones to keep his options open anyhow...

He adds opt outs.
It prob benefits him to get a long term max because then he's guaranteed the money.