2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Warriors are going to win the title like everyone said in July. Only certain Warriors fans were acting like this wasn't going to happen because of struggles they were having in November

They struggled earlier this season, became complacent, were too methodical, had some team squabbles/infighting...and eventually rose above it to recapture their cohesion. There's still a long way to go. It's only mid January, and I'm not about to give them the title just yet, but if they can manage to stay healthy over these next 3+ months, they are gonna be very tough to beat come playoff time.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Is this the end of the Clippers @Mecca ?

4 games losing streak including 3 straight at home with the Warriors in town tomorrow followed by a 4 game road trip.

RIP

Depends on what their objective was.

I have said from the beginning, the Clippers aren't a playoff team.

I wasn't hedging...lol

We need to keep our draft pick.

That can't happen if we squeak out the 8th seed.

Free Agents know who the Clippers are.

They know the historical , and hysterical, failings of the front office.

So, if they are interested in signing here, not making the playoffs won't be a barrier.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Steph is DEFINITELY NOT on the level with Magic, Michael Shaq and LeBron.

LeBron, Michael, Magic are arguably the top 3 players of all time, and Shaq would have been much higher up on that list if he had more longevity- at the height of his prime Shaq may be the MOST dominant of all time.

Curry is DEFINITELY NOT in that company. He is not in the 1-A tier.

Put him somewhere towards the middle/bottom of the next tier. 2-B. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of to be in the same class as Wilt, Kobe, Timmy, Bird, Hakeem, Robertson, etc.

but please- sober up and admit that he does not belong ANYWHERE NEAR Jordan, LeBron, Magic, Shaq at his height

Not yet.

But, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could get there.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

How 'bout old men Iggy and Shaun? They crushed it tonight.

Well, Iggy still has some gas.

But, he's probably gonna want to get paid.

So, I expect both to be gone.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Bro, Steph bent my weak ass over and said 'how's my ass taste?' LOL

There have been 5 super duper transcendent players, that can never be duplicated, that dominated all attention (since I've paid attention): Magic, Michael, Shaq, LeBron, Steph end of list

Can't decide if I need to add Hakeem, total 50/50 call

Please add dream.

That foot work, at that size?

Dude completely undressed Shaq and the Admiral.

I don't know how David Robinson didn't just swing on his ass after being put in the popcorn machine.

That Shit was BRUTAL

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

What happened to the Clippers? They've been garbage lately.

Clippers gonna clip.

 

[msgkings322]

Well, Iggy still has some gas.

But, he's probably gonna want to get paid.

So, I expect both to be gone.

He's sneaky important to the team, if he leaves it's not nothing

 

[Gman]

Kyrie trying to put the problems of the Celtics on the rest of the team is what it sounds like to me

Nah... if you've been following the recent Celtics news, that's what he did in the past week or two. He called out the young guys... publically.

This was him showing all kinds of humility after that... in a public way that needed to be done.

 

[trojanfan12]

And I know FTs are efficient

Lonzo and the Lakers say..."Wanna bet? Hold our beer".

 

[Shanemansj13]

Please add dream.

That foot work, at that size?

Dude completely undressed Shaq and the Admiral.

I don't know how David Robinson didn't just swing on his ass after being put in the popcorn machine.

That Shit was BRUTAL

Like I have said for some time. Hakeem and Kareem are 1a and 1b for best centers of all-time but I wouldn't have any problem taking Hakeem. He was the definition of unstoppable but he was so smooth, his game looked easy he was that great

 

[WiggyRuss]

As of now, I agree. But if he keeps up what he's been doing the last 5 seasons for 5 more seasons that could change.

Steph will NEVER be on the same level as LeBron, Magic, and Michael.

He simply does not have tools.

LeBron, Magic, Michael had everything

Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time- no doubt- but its all he does. Scoring is by FAR the most important thing- and Curry may one day crack the top 15 player of all time, but he will never ever be in that 1-A company.

Magic could play all 5 positions at an All Star level. Michael was a transcendent defender in addition to a transcendent offensive player. LeBron can simply do everything- the signature play of his career is an insane block that defies physics and he is probably the only player in the history of the NBA that could have made that play.

Curry will never have the type of multi-pronged elite level game the truly top level players have. NEVER.

Plus, how many truly "transcendent? years has Curry had? 4? COUNTING this year?

'13-'14 and '14-'15 were great years, but hardly "wow this is one of the all time greats we are watching" years--- even if you DO count those years- 6 years? Kareem laughs his balls off at 6 great years.

He will never crack the inner-ring. He doesnt have the skill set to do so.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Here's a little more detail from Kyrie on this... interesting stuff:

Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics Live Score and Stats - January 16, 2019 Gametracker

''I had to call Bron, and tell him I apologize for being that young player that wanted everything at his fingertips,'' Irving said after the Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 118-107 on Wednesday night. ''I wanted to be the guy that led us to a championship. I wanted to be the leader. I wanted to be all that.''

Also:

"I did a poor job of setting an example for these young guys what it's like to get something out of your teammates,'' he said. ''Going forward, I want to test these young guys, but I can't do it publicly. That was a learning experience for me, realizing the magnitude of my voice and what I mean to these guys."

Seems really stand up of Kyrie to show this kind of humility publically.

Finally, a little more for LeBron:

"The responsibility of being the best player in the world and leading a team is something that's not meant for many people. And Bron was one of those guys that came to Cleveland and tried to really show us what it's like to win a championship. And it was hard for him. Sometimes getting the most out of the group is not the easiest thing in the world. Fewer are meant for it or chosen for it. And I felt like the best person to call was him."

1. Bill Simmons‏Verified account @BillSimmons 9m9 minutes ago
   Agree with @tomecurran — Kyrie’s latest story about calling LeBron was a fancy way of saying publicly that he’s playing with some young, immature dickheads who reminded him of his former self. Whether it was intentional or inadvertent — I dunno. But he should really stop talking.
   
   56 replies71 retweets476 likes
   
2. 
   Bill Simmons‏Verified account @BillSimmons 2m2 minutes ago
   The best 2000s superstar leaders were Duncan, Dirk and Nash. All of them avoided discussing locker room issues publicly. I think Curry handles stuff well too. None of them would have beaten this “These young guys are ridiculous, they don’t know how to win” card into the ground.
   

 

[Gman]

1. Bill Simmons‏Verified account @BillSimmons 9m9 minutes ago
   Agree with @tomecurran — Kyrie’s latest story about calling LeBron was a fancy way of saying publicly that he’s playing with some young, immature dickheads who reminded him of his former self. Whether it was intentional or inadvertent — I dunno. But he should really stop talking.
   
   56 replies71 retweets476 likes
   
2. 
   Bill Simmons‏Verified account @BillSimmons 2m2 minutes ago
   The best 2000s superstar leaders were Duncan, Dirk and Nash. All of them avoided discussing locker room issues publicly. I think Curry handles stuff well too. None of them would have beaten this “These young guys are ridiculous, they don’t know how to win” card into the ground.

The context here is that Kyrie already opened his big, fat mouth to the media the last week or two.

Him showing contriteness and humility in a public fashion was needed after that.

We could quibble about whether he showed humility perfectly or not... but (IMO) the key and meaningful part of this is that he's taking action to try to right that wrong, in equally public fashion. That's what shines through, IMO.

Now... hopefully he shuts up and plays.

 

[DJ Fieri]

As of now, I agree. But if he keeps up what he's been doing the last 5 seasons for 5 more seasons that could change.

This.


He's easily the best shooter of all-time but not quite in Magic, Shaq's, MJ's, or James strastophere,

 

[WiggyRuss]

This.


He's easily the best shooter of all-time but not quite in Magic, Shaq's, MJ's, or James strastophere,

and never will be.

he doesnt have the talent/athleticism/skill set to be near those guys.

 

[WiggyRuss]

The context here is that Kyrie already opened his big, fat mouth to the media the last week or two.

Him showing contriteness and humility in a public fashion was needed after that.

We could quibble about whether he showed humility perfectly or not... but (IMO) the key and meaningful part of this is that he's taking action to try to right that wrong, in equally public fashion. That's what shines through, IMO.

Now... hopefully he shuts up and plays.

"By apologizing to LeBron for being immature and not seeing the big picture, Kyrie is trying to send the message to his younger teammates that they should do the same thing to him. 'You guys owe me an apology because I'm your LeBron.'" — @RealSkipBayless



The Ringer‏Verified account @ringer
It seems like the Celtics are getting tired of hearing Kyrie mention his championship and big shot in Game 7. @ZachLowe_NBA and @BillSimmons discuss Kyrie’s leadership on the latest #BSPodcast.


Peter Vecsey‏Verified account @PeterVecsey1 10h10 hours ago
The more Kyrie Irving talks, the less I want to hear what he has to say...

 

[msgkings322]

Steph will NEVER be on the same level as LeBron, Magic, and Michael.

He simply does not have tools.

LeBron, Magic, Michael had everything

Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time- no doubt- but its all he does. Scoring is by FAR the most important thing- and Curry may one day crack the top 15 player of all time, but he will never ever be in that 1-A company.

Magic could play all 5 positions at an All Star level. Michael was a transcendent defender in addition to a transcendent offensive player. LeBron can simply do everything- the signature play of his career is an insane block that defies physics and he is probably the only player in the history of the NBA that could have made that play.

Curry will never have the type of multi-pronged elite level game the truly top level players have. NEVER.

Plus, how many truly "transcendent? years has Curry had? 4? COUNTING this year?

'13-'14 and '14-'15 were great years, but hardly "wow this is one of the all time greats we are watching" years--- even if you DO count those years- 6 years? Kareem laughs his balls off at 6 great years.

He will never crack the inner-ring. He doesnt have the skill set to do so.

Totally missing my point. Also he does way more than shoot. He's not Korver or Ray Allen.

 

[Gman]

"By apologizing to LeBron for being immature and not seeing the big picture, Kyrie is trying to send the message to his younger teammates that they should do the same thing to him. 'You guys owe me an apology because I'm your LeBron.'" — @RealSkipBayless



The Ringer‏Verified account @ringer
It seems like the Celtics are getting tired of hearing Kyrie mention his championship and big shot in Game 7. @ZachLowe_NBA and @BillSimmons discuss Kyrie’s leadership on the latest #BSPodcast.

Yeah... guys like Skip Bayless are sh!t stirrers. And media often creates a story.

Kyrie's words last night struck me as genuine and from the heart... even if he wasn't 100% perfect in what he said.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Totally missing my point. Also he does way more than shoot. He's not Korver or Ray Allen.

shooting is the only thing that he is truly great at.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

and never will be.

he doesnt have the talent/athleticism/skill set to be near those guys.

Neither did Bird.

And yet......