2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Heatles84]

Maybe, but I'd blame it as much on Riley and the players. Many think team with the better player often wins and I'd say all those teams' best player is better than Miami's best player.

That's fair. I think the problem that Riley dealt with is he rewarded hungry dogs for their effort two years ago. It was a season without Wade where we had a lot of hungry guys that were overlooked. In the 2nd half of that year, we had the best record in the league 2nd to the Warriors over a half season. A pretty large sample size to make an assumption that if this unit could play like this every night, it'd be a team that could be competitive (2nd tier, not a title contender though). But, once the hungry dogs got fed, you saw the effort go with it with some of the guys. I think Riley gets some blame for that at the very least. Not going to complete slam him though as he's the guy that built the franchise from the expansion team level to one of the more consistent franchises in the league.

But he does have work to do as he now has to find his next franchise player now that Wade's gone and retiring.

 

[trojanfan12]

Shit got me feeling real sad tonight.

All these guys I grew up watching when I was a teenager (and a little before) are leaving the game. Been watching all of these guys for about 20 years so to see them leave the game really sucks.

Not the biggest LBJ fan but I know I'm going to be fucked up when he retires.

Yeah, it sucks. Started following the Lakers in 1970. So, I've watched Wilt, The Logo, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq and Kobe all get old and retire (or in Shaq's case. get old, leave, get really old and retire lol).

Funny thing is, the players from Lakers history that I most hated seeing retire/leave and then retire were...Happy Hairston, Kurt Rambis and AC Green.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Possible great news for the Heat @Heatles84 @TurnUpTheHeat

I saw.
Thoughts @WiggyRuss ?

 

[Wamu]

Yeah, it sucks. Started following the Lakers in 1970. So, I've watched Wilt, The Logo, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq and Kobe all get old and retire (or in Shaq's case. get old, leave, get really old and retire lol).

Funny thing is, the players from Lakers history that I hated seeing retire/leave and then retire were...Happy Hairston, Kurt Rambis and AC Green.

You know which Laker I miss? And no the answer isn't none of them. The answer's Dwight Howard.

 

[Heatles84]

27M?!?!?! Hassan Whiteside turning down a GUARANTEED 27M for one season?!?!?!

not likely.

Typically I'd agree with you, and I'm doubtful that actually happens. But in Whiteside's current role as Bam's starting to steal his minutes, I think Whiteside recognizes that in the last year of his contract, he's not going to have much offers going his way after next year at this rate. Hitting the market after having 2 consecutive years of lackluster production from a numbers stand-point is bad when you hit 31 (if he opts in). As opposed to just having a down year where you're just hitting 30.

But again, I myself doubt he opts out as well. I've had the expectations that we're locked in with this roster for 1 more year.

 

[Wamu]

Yeah, it sucks. Started following the Lakers in 1970. So, I've watched Wilt, The Logo, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq and Kobe all get old and retire (or in Shaq's case. get old, leave, get really old and retire lol).

Funny thing is, the players from Lakers history that I hated seeing retire/leave and then retire were...Happy Hairston, Kurt Rambis and AC Green.

In 1970 huh? Good deal. Did you ever rock the Leisure Suit during those dynamic disco days?

 

[dtgold88]

Yeah, it sucks. Started following the Lakers in 1970. So, I've watched Wilt, The Logo, Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Shaq and Kobe all get old and retire (or in Shaq's case. get old, leave, get really old and retire lol).

Funny thing is, the players from Lakers history that I hated seeing retire/leave and then retire were...Happy Hairston, Kurt Rambis and AC Green.

You're welcome for James Worthy. Pretty sure we got Jerome Whitehead for that pick. Whoops.

 

[trojanfan12]

Plus a trade like that would make wiggy's head explode.

So, a win for tHoop too. lol

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Typically I'd agree with you, and I'm doubtful that actually happens. But in Whiteside's current role as Bam's starting to steal his minutes, I think Whiteside recognizes that in the last year of his contract, he's not going to have much offers going his way after next year at this rate. Hitting the market after having 2 consecutive years of lackluster production from a numbers stand-point is bad when you hit 31 (if he opts in). As opposed to just having a down year where you're just hitting 30.

But again, I myself doubt he opts out as well. I've had the expectations that we're locked in with this roster for 1 more year.

I doubt he opts out also.
I’ll give it 10%.
Money in the bank is just that.

 

[dtgold88]

Typically I'd agree with you, and I'm doubtful that actually happens. But in Whiteside's current role as Bam's starting to steal his minutes, I think Whiteside recognizes that in the last year of his contract, he's not going to have much offers going his way after next year at this rate. Hitting the market after having 2 consecutive years of lackluster production from a numbers stand-point is bad when you hit 31 (if he opts in). As opposed to just having a down year where you're just hitting 30.

But again, I myself doubt he opts out as well. I've had the expectations that we're locked in with this roster for 1 more year.

One way to look at it and you could end up being right. Another is what if he takes a lot less to prove himself and sucks? Better to stay silent and thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt. Or in his case better to sit and be thought mediocre than play and remove all doubt.

 

[trojanfan12]

In 1970 huh? Good deal. Did you ever rock the Leisure Suit during those dynamic disco days?

View attachment 202103

lol

I plead the 5th.

 

[bksballer89]

there is a better chance that i win the Iron Throne on Game of Thrones than Whiteside turning down 27M in one season.

Depends how much he really values playing time.

The way he looking at it is I need to play for my next contract. So if he think going somewhere else where he is guaranteed to play 30+ MPG and start every game gives him a better shot at more money next summer then he may do it.

Opting in and playing about 25 MPG while possibly not starting doesn't give him a great chance for good money next summer.

But yeah 27M is hard to turn down

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

One way to look at it and you could end up being right. Another is what if he takes a lot less to prove himself and sucks? Better to stay silent and thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt. Or in his case better to sit and be thought mediocre than play and remove all doubt.

He doesn't suck. Puts up nice stats nightly.
I think his production is better in this role because he picks up too many stupid fouls to play starters minutes.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

That's fair. I think the problem that Riley dealt with is he rewarded hungry dogs for their effort two years ago. It was a season without Wade where we had a lot of hungry guys that were overlooked. In the 2nd half of that year, we had the best record in the league 2nd to the Warriors over a half season. A pretty large sample size to make an assumption that if this unit could play like this every night, it'd be a team that could be competitive (2nd tier, not a title contender though). But, once the hungry dogs got fed, you saw the effort go with it with some of the guys. I think Riley gets some blame for that at the very least. Not going to complete slam him though as he's the guy that built the franchise from the expansion team level to one of the more consistent franchises in the league.

But he does have work to do as he now has to find his next franchise player now that Wade's gone and retiring.

Which players lacked effort?
I think it was more injuries, plus they’re talent level was maxed out.

 

[dtgold88]

He doesn't suck. Puts up nice stats nightly.
I think his production is better in this role because he picks up too many stupid fouls to play starters minutes.

Doesn't suck, but could show to be mediocre.

 

[bksballer89]

One way to look at it and you could end up being right. Another is what if he takes a lot less to prove himself and sucks?

Hard to imagine. Him being the size he is. He basically is a lock for a double-double once he gets low 20 MPG.

He has not had a season where he didn't avg a DD so to say a player who can give you a DD in under 30 minutes/limited fg attempts sucks is such a stupid comment.

As a bench player this year, he is avg 11 & 9 in 17 MPG.

Those are great numbers for a player coming off the bench.

 

[Heatles84]

Which players lacked effort?
I think it was more injuries, plus they’re talent level was maxed out.

Can't specifically say, I know guys like Richardson and Winslow keep working. In terms of team mentality, it seemed to go from underdog/hungry to satisfied quickly. As I said before, this was at best a 2nd round team. This team IMO underachieved considering teams like the Nets and Magic beat them out for the playoffs. Are their rosters so much better than ours. And fully aware about the injuries.

 

[dtgold88]

Hard to imagine. Him being the size he is. He basically is a lock for a double-double once he gets low 20 MPG.

He has not had a season where he didn't avg a DD so to say a player who can give you a DD in under 30 minutes/limited fg attempts sucks is such a stupid comment.

As a bench player this year, he is avg 11 & 9 in 17 MPG.

Those are great numbers for a player coming off the bench.

Fair points, but not sure I said he would suck. Said what if he does. It's doubtful, but players have fallen off a cliff before. could also get hurt or even just be average. we are talking about $27 mil.

 

[dtgold88]

Can't specifically say, I know guys like Richardson and Winslow keep working. In terms of team mentality, it seemed to go from underdog/hungry to satisfied quickly. As I said before, this was at best a 2nd round team. This team IMO underachieved considering teams like the Nets and Magic beat them out for the playoffs. Are their rosters so much better than ours. And fully aware about the injuries.

Their rosters are not "so much better" which is why they are only 1-3 games ahead of the Heat

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Just dropping by today to say I'm really looking forward to the playoffs and I can't wait for them to start. Should be a lot of fun.....and also, to say thanks to DWade & Dirk41 for being class acts and top professionals of the game all these years.

Btw: Does anyone know if Vince Carter +/or Jamal Crawford are also officially retiring?? If so I wanna thank them too.