2017-2018 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Black Adam]

Lakers next 10 games:

@ Denver
vs. Houston
@ Philly
@ Charlotte
@ New York
@ Cleveland
vs. Golden State
@ Houston
@ Golden State
vs. Portland

They could find themselves in a race with Dallas and Sacramento for worst record in the West after this stretch. If they went 3-7 I'd consider that good.

because of how close the game was last night BSpn was talking about how much of last night was a step forward for the Lakers, or was it just the way we match up against the Dubs...

me personally, i think it's more of a match-up thing, but i DID like the effort last night...

 

[ericd7633]

because of how close the game was last night BSpn was talking about how much of last night was a step forward for the Lakers, or was it just the way we match up against the Dubs...

me personally, i think it's more of a match-up thing, but i DID like the effort last night...

Lakers did play very well last night, they are certainly much better than a year ago. This is just an extremely tough stretch for a young team. And the Houston home game is a back to back getting in from Denver the night before. Add on top of that Charlotte is a very good home team, as are the Cavs and Sixers.

 

[flyerhawk]

I'm guessing the Sixers are going to get stomped tonight by the Celtics. 3rd game in 4 days in Boston. No word on Embiid but I would surprised if he plays tonight.

 

[trojanfan12]

because of how close the game was last night BSpn was talking about how much of last night was a step forward for the Lakers, or was it just the way we match up against the Dubs...

me personally, i think it's more of a match-up thing, but i DID like the effort last night...

Yeah, I agree. They are trying to be like the Warriors in how they play, so it makes sense that they would match up fairly well with them.

Fun game.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

@TurnUpTheHeat wish Wiggy was around to tell us how the Heat are so much better without Whiteside lol

What happened to Wiggy?

 

[ManuForever]

Amazing what can happen when players and coaches are on the same page.

Kudos to Pop and Aldridge for talking it out like men.

I'm just wondering how it'll work out when Kawhi comes back, cause Aldridge won't be getting nearly as many touches as he is now.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm just wondering how it'll work out when Kawhi comes back, cause Aldridge won't be getting nearly as many touches as he is now.

I think it will be easier for Aldridge.

There won't be any misunderstandings because he understands his role now.

Plus, now the fans can see that he is capable of carrying the load and won't overreact when he's back at 18-20 ppg.

Last year, it looked like he was fools gold.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

They compete well at home. They are a bad road team, and 7 of these games are on the road. Their only 2 road wins are against the Suns. Because of that, the easiest game IMO is probably against Portland. I thought giving them 3 wins was generous. IMO I'd say the odds are better they go 0-10 than 5-5.

Fair point.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

What happened to Wiggy?

 

[BottleWalk]

The hack-a-Simmons that was going on last night was a funny thing to watch. You have to figure they'd lose tonight anyway to the celts but the wizards may be on to something

 

[LAD]

He still needs to learn how to shoot. The difference between last year and this year is he's attacking more to compensate for his lack of shooting skills (Hey Lonzo! Maybe pay attention to this). He's long enough to still get his shot off rim runs or at least draw fouls, which he's doing a lot more of. But I don't think he looks like a young KD. Durant had (still has) a much more natural shooter and scorers look to him. It came easy. Ingram has to work for it. But Ingram doesn't have to have it to be successful. He may not be KD but he can still make an all star team if he can get just a league average 3 pointer and a better midrange shot

I think the player you've described was Ingram last year. This season so far he's made tremendous strides in improving his game. He looked really polished last night. He has more control of his body & the ball at the rim. He's developed that soft touch around the rim. IMO he looks great. His defense has come along as well. He defended KD as good as one could've hoped - even picked his pocket at a crucial moment in the game. Lets give credit where credit is due.

I think if the Lakers can get that one established star player they will be contenders. PG might want to start paying attention. He could go to LA free & clear & they could keep the squad they have if they wanted to. Will be very interesting 2018 summer.

 

[LAD]

The story of the night is definitely OKC giving up 121 in a loss to the struggling Magic. Now 8-12 and last place in their division. Did not look like offense was the problem last night.

While the schedule is easy for the month of December, they do have 11/17 games at home. I am going to say if they can't get their record to .500 by the new year, they are in serious trouble. Time to start figuring it out.

Time for RW to start figuring out that he should probably USE his team mates in crunch time rather than his desire to play iso ball & alienate them. If he doesn't it won't be long until at least one - if not both - look for another option outside of OKC.

 

[LAD]

Amazing what can happen when players and coaches are on the same page.

Kudos to Pop and Aldridge for talking it out like men.

Yea, but where in the world is Khawi?

 

[LAD]

I think it will be easier for Aldridge.

There won't be any misunderstandings because he understands his role now.

Plus, now the fans can see that he is capable of carrying the load and won't overreact when he's back at 18-20 ppg.

Last year, it looked like he was fools gold.

I don't know. He doesn't seem to be able to adjust quickly and when Leonard returns it will require yet another adjustment from LA.

 

[gordontrue]

Yea, but where in the world is Khawi?

At this point I'm starting to think IT might come back before Kawhi.

No one would've believed that when the season started

 

[Wamu]

What happened to Wiggy?

He accepted a full time job in Las Vegas as an Elvis impersonator. He's too damn busy now to spend time on SportsHoopla.

 

[logic]

I don't know. He doesn't seem to be able to adjust quickly and when Leonard returns it will require yet another adjustment from LA.

I don't think it will. I think Leonard is great at adjusting and will adjust to the way they are currently playing. He did fine before when he was not the primary option. I don't think he has the ego that demands everything runs through him and will understand that he will get his just fine with Aldridge being the first option.

 

[Black Adam]

He accepted a full time job in Las Vegas as an Elvis impersonator. He's too damn busy now to spend time on SportsHoopla.

KNEW he was fattening his belly up for a reason...

 

[tducey]

Yeah, that Kahwi Leonard injury has to be getting worrisome for the Spurs right now. Team is still playing good but he's among the league's best so you know they're missing him.