2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[dtgold88]

They got swept by a mediocre Cavs team last year.

The whole series might have gone down differently had Toronto win either game on their home court, but if you get swept by that Cavs team with home court, then you got to go.

That Cavs team did beat Boston. Yeah took 7 games. Just not a good matchup for Toronto.

 

[dtgold88]

It was time for Casey to go. He had a good run but he peaked and Masai made the right call.
Nurse worked under him and had the respect of the team. It was his turn to take the reigns

I don't disagree. Sometimes a change is needed.....but so far team is no better and team Casey joined is better.

 

[shopson67]

On the Westbrook and fan thing:

According to the fan, he told Westbrook to "ice his knees", Westbrook says that the fan told him to "get on his knees".

Based on what has been said about that fans social media, it looks like the fan may have gone in with an agenda. Looks like there was a lot of stuff that targeted Westbrook.

I don't believe the fan just said "ice your knees" and the fan was wrong because it's likely that he crossed a line.

On the other hand, Westbrook can't be getting into it with fans. He should have gone to security and asked to have the fan removed. He was also wrong for threatening the guys wife, who apparently didn't say anything.

Agree that the NBA needs to crack down on some of the fan behavior that is going on.

Basic heckling, booing, telling a guy he sucks, is fine. But you can't be getting personal, going racial, etc. Not only is it wrong to say those kinds of things to players, but it ruins the experience for the other fans as well.

On the other hand, players can't be getting into it with fans. It's a bad look for them, their team and the league. It also makes them a target in every arena because there are idiot fans everywhere and it shows them that they can get into the guys head.

Am I missing something? Is "get on your knees" blatantly racist? Seems more homophobic to me?

 

[dtgold88]

It was time for Casey to go. He had a good run but he peaked and Masai made the right call.
Nurse worked under him and had the respect of the team. It was his turn to take the reigns

I don't disagree. Sometimes a change is needed.....but so far team is no better and team Casey joined is better.

 

[shopson67]

On the Westbrook and fan thing:

According to the fan, he told Westbrook to "ice his knees", Westbrook says that the fan told him to "get on his knees".

Based on what has been said about that fans social media, it looks like the fan may have gone in with an agenda. Looks like there was a lot of stuff that targeted Westbrook.

I don't believe the fan just said "ice your knees" and the fan was wrong because it's likely that he crossed a line.

On the other hand, Westbrook can't be getting into it with fans. He should have gone to security and asked to have the fan removed. He was also wrong for threatening the guys wife, who apparently didn't say anything.

Agree that the NBA needs to crack down on some of the fan behavior that is going on.

Basic heckling, booing, telling a guy he sucks, is fine. But you can't be getting personal, going racial, etc. Not only is it wrong to say those kinds of things to players, but it ruins the experience for the other fans as well.

On the other hand, players can't be getting into it with fans. It's a bad look for them, their team and the league. It also makes them a target in every arena because there are idiot fans everywhere and it shows them that they can get into the guys head.

DOUBLE POST, stupid lag time lol...

 

[dtgold88]

Dude, wasn't Randle renounced on July 2nd?

How is that pre free agency?

He was extended the qualifying offer and had it rescinded on the 2nd.



Prior to the start of free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers extended a qualifying offer to Julius Randle, which officially made him a restricted free agent.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers have rescinded their qualifying offer to Randle, which officially makes him an unrestricted free agent and able to sign with any team:

Then that explains that....wasn't aware of the timeline.

 

[shopson67]

I don't disagree. Sometimes a change is needed.....but so far team is no better and team Casey joined is better.

I would disagree. The roster is miles better, needs a bit of time to gel with Gasol. This roster is much more of a postseason threat than the previous one IMO. They're only one game off of last year's regular season pace of 59 wins (like a surprise loss recently to the Cavs).

 

[dtgold88]

Yeah, he hasn't done a bad job, but he has also made some rookie mistakes as well.

He got them out of the Mozgov deal which was huge when it came to opening up cap space and he got Lebron. Those are pretty big moves.

A big part of what has happened is all of the injuries. Can't put that on Magic.

But, he let the AD trade attempt spin out of control and basically got trolled big time by Demps.

Also, he needed to either fire Luke or publicly support him. The constant speculation about Luke's job can't be helping the team.

The roster, after getting Lebron, isn't great. I give him a little bit of a pass because we don't know who he talked to or what was said. Not bringing back Lopez was an oversight, imo. Especially since Lopez said he'd consider coming back if they got Lebron.

Not that Lopez was going to be a difference maker on whether or not they made the playoffs, but with his ability to shoot the 3, he's closer to a modern NBA big than McGee. Plus, he already knew Luke's system and knew all of the kids from playing with them last year.

I'd have liked to see them sign both, McGee for his defense and rebounding and Lopez for his offense.

Can't put it all on Magic, but "got them out of the Moz deal" by giving up an all star PG for a good but lesser player.

And still not buying don't know who he talked to... Yes, we don't know. But we do know what he did and it was less than ideal for a roster with Lebron.

 

[dtgold88]

I would disagree. The roster is miles better, needs a bit of time to gel with Gasol. This roster is much more of a postseason threat than the previous one IMO. They're only one game off of last year's regular season pace of 59 wins (like a surprise loss recently to the Cavs).

Agree roster is "miles better". Wouldn't that credit Casey who won a little more with a lesser roster?

 

[shopson67]

Agree roster is "miles better". Wouldn't that credit Casey who won a little more with a lesser roster?

Depends. They've rested Kawhi A LOT, and the top of the Eastern conference is much better this year.

 

[shopson67]

Can't put it all on Magic, but "got them out of the Moz deal" by giving up an all star PG for a good but lesser player.

And still not buying don't know who he talked to... Yes, we don't know. But we do know what he did and it was less than ideal for a roster with Lebron.

The options last summer, once George, Durant, or Kawhi didn't happen, were pretty limited. It's not like they had great choices they passed on, only some slightly better choices that may not have wanted to change teams and come to LA (like Redick, Ellington, etc).

 

[dtgold88]

@dtgold88 @lebron23james

if the Cavs get the #2 pick they should def. take Barrett,

but if they get #3 they should take Morant without a doubt (as long as Barrett or Zion are not there of course).

WE def. dont need a point guard with Sexton but the Cavs made this mistake once before when they took Waiters over Lillard.

You take the elite talent in the NBA

if the #4 guy was close to Morant--- if Reddish was playing great- then it would be a debate.

but its clear there are 3 elite players in this draft.

1. Zion
2. Barrett
3. Morant

I sure hope the Cavs get one of them.

Sexton is such a hard worker- and he has a ton of talent. A guy like that is gonna be able to fix his weaknesses.

Its amazing what he has done with his 3 pt shooting in his age 19/20 season.

It will be fun to watch this kid continue to progress the next few years.

agree almost 100%. would not be surprised to see Morant blow up in tourney and be the #2 guy.

Love what we are hearing about Sexton's work ethic as this cannot be taught and to be where he is at such a young age?

 

[dtgold88]

Horrible game for the Raptors.

And the Cavs in a way.

 

[trojanfan12]

Am I missing something? Is "get on your knees" blatantly racist? Seems more homophobic to me?

Not sure it's racist. But yeah, definitely seems like more of a gay slur than a racial one.

 

[dtgold88]

Depends. They've rested Kawhi A LOT, and the top of the Eastern conference is much better this year.

Much better? Boston is a little worse and Milwaukee replaced the Cavs. I do agree Indiana is a lot better (even without Oldipo it seems).

 

[dtgold88]

Props/Big Ups to Looouuuuuuuuu...........

Celtics vs. Clippers - Game Recap - March 11, 2019 - ESPN

LOS ANGELES -- Lou Williams scored 34 points and became the NBA's career leader in points off the bench as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Boston Celtics 140-115 on Monday night for their fifth straight win.

Williams came into the game needing 28 points to pass Dell Curry, who had 11,147 points when not starting. Williams surpassed Curry with 9:53 remaining in the fourth quarter with a driving layup.

It is also Williams' 29th career game with 30 or more points. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, starters and reserves were tracked in box scores beginning with the 1970-71 season.

"If you're in anything that ends in ever it's pretty impressive," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said before the game. "The way Lou does it with his size and how often he gets in the paint and finishes over big men is amazing."

Lakers let him go, too

I kid....I kid

 

[trojanfan12]

Can't put it all on Magic, but "got them out of the Moz deal" by giving up an all star PG for a good but lesser player.

And still not buying don't know who he talked to... Yes, we don't know. But we do know what he did and it was less than ideal for a roster with Lebron.

Unfortunately, Russell was the cost of getting rid of Mozgov to get Lebron. Sorry, but if you can get Lebron for Russell, you do it every time.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the other. Funny though that you acknowledge not knowing who he talked to, but don't "buy it".

 

[CitySushi]

I'm honestly not sure which of us is interpreting this wrong.

I have seen a few articles that suggest you are right, others that say I am.

Check out this scenario....

@CitySushi , @LAD, @yoga≈surfing , @msgkings322

Warriors fans would probably hate it. But, they are experts at reclamation projects.


If Durant leaves...

This deal wouldn't make them SPLASHtastic on a Pacific Ocean level, like having Durant.

But, Damn if they couldn't still drown your ass in 3's in that above ground swimming pool.




The sign-and-trade

The other long-shot option to replace Durant would be to execute a sign-and-trade. There is certainly little hope of that with the Knicks now that they have opened up two max slots. However the Clippers, should Durant decide to join Jerry West (who let’s not forget was crucial in recruiting Durant to the Warriors) and another max star there, might be interested.

The Clippers currently don’t quite have enough cap room for two max salaries due to the combination of Danilo Gallinari’s salary ($22.6m) and Lou Williams ($8m). So they would presumably be quite happy to move off that salary in order to carve out enough space for another max player. For the Warriors, if Durant is leaving for nothing, a sign-and-trade for a package centered around Gallinari and Williams would work out nicely. Gallinari can play the starting small forward or small-ball power forward and would be a nice fit around the core of Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, and Green. What’s more Gallinari’s contract only runs through 2019/20, meaning it frees up the Warriors cap space the following summer. Meanwhile, Williams would add the sort of scoring punch off the bench the Warriors have never had.

Think the Warriors would be less inclined to facilitate a sign and trade to a West Coast rival, much less a Western Conference team in general. I think if any of the Eastern Conference teams wanted to, the Warriors wouldn't hesitate to help so long as it didn't hamper their future #lightyears thinking.

I like the thinking. I'm sure if Durant leaves the Warriors will highly consider S&T options if KD wants to keep them involved. Another possible hindrance to any S&T is that the team trading for KD presumably would have to give up assets. If KD is going there he likely wants to compete for a Championship right away and wouldn't want the roster depleted.

 

[dtgold88]

Unless they could get a draft pick for him without any salary that would extend past that same offseason, that asset would've been cleared as well to try to clear room for another max salary. The Lakers forced themselves into a corner wit their plan for the offseason (and could very well do so again this summer). While better than Jimmy signing veterans to terrible contracts was much worse, Pelinka and Magic haven't exactly proven themselves a long term solution yet either (and I am a HUGE Magic fan from his playing days, but he also failed terribly as a coach prior).

I agree they could make up for it, but as of now looks like a major gaffe.

 

[dtgold88]

Unfortunately, Russell was the cost of getting rid of Mozgov to get Lebron. Sorry, but if you can get Lebron for Russell, you do it every time.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the other. Funny though that you acknowledge not knowing who he talked to, but don't "buy it".

Not saying it didn't need to be done, but not like he did anything that impressive getting a team to take an all star PG from him along with the Moz deal.

 

[bksballer89]