2021 NBA regular season thread

[Gman]

He and AD ain't playing.

I know.

I stand by what I said.

 

[tlance]

Dame? I think so.

I don't think Dame and CJ have underachieved, but I agree with Heatles that the organization did by not putting better pieces around them. Maybe they tried and couldn't get anyone and Dame and CJ are certainly good enough to make draft lottery help difficult to get. But the end result is the same. Just seems like they kind of wasted an opportunity.

Lots of special players currently in the league though. Like more than ever before.

Which makes Dame relatively less special.

And by extension, I am just not sure what opportunity the Blazers really had.

I think the point would be valid if Dame were a multiple MVP. To date he has only made 1 1st team all NBA

 

[Wamu]

He and AD ain't playing.

That's cause they bitches!

 

[flyerhawk]

Lots of special players currently in the league though. Like more than ever before.

Which makes Dame relatively less special.

And by extension, I am just not sure what opportunity the Blazers really had.

I think the point would be valid if Dame were a multiple MVP. To date he has only made 1 1st team all NBA

I honestly think the Blazers needed to be more aggressive and try go move one of McCollum or Dame. Hard to do, for sure. But I just don't see the Blazers ever getting over the hump as constructed. Of course, front offices are heavily incented to NOT make those kinds of aggressive moves.

 

[bksballer89]

Portland has done well to get to the WCF. They have not underachieved at all IMO. Lillard and McCollum are not a championship 1-2.

Yeah I think they done decent. They were never title contenders

 

[bksballer89]

Could be wrong, but I think Heatles point is that Portland as an organization underachieved because they had a special talent like Dame and another at least near all star player and never put a team around them that could truly contend.

Easier said than done imo since portland isn't a big market. Players aren't really signing there and really no trade they can make to improve the team without trading dame or cj

 

[tlance]

I honestly think the Blazers needed to be more aggressive and try go move one of McCollum or Dame. Hard to do, for sure. But I just don't see the Blazers ever getting over the hump as constructed. Of course, front offices are heavily incented to NOT make those kinds of aggressive moves.

I agree.

They are too similar.

CJ would definitely be an all star on a team where he was the primary play maker.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Atlanta is 16-5 with McMillan as their HC....

I was saying from the jump this year that i think this franchise would take a big step forward this year. Changing direction with the coach was an incredible move. Trae Young has really progressed as more of an all around offensive player. He’s still a subpar defender but his game has really evolved. It’s no longer about him chucking up as many shots as he can get up. Also, I love John Collins. Such an underrated guy.

 

[flyerhawk]

I was saying from the jump this year that i think this franchise would take a big step forward this year. Changing direction with the coach was an incredible move. Trae Young has really progressed as more of an all around offensive player. He’s still a subpar defender but his game has really evolved. It’s no longer about him chucking up as many shots as he can get up. Also, I love John Collins. Such an underrated guy.

Trae Young isn't sub-par defensively. He's maybe the worst defensive starter in the NBA.

 

[flyerhawk]

I agree.

They are too similar.

CJ would definitely be an all star on a team where he was the primary play maker.

Most definitely. But GMs just don't have any incentive to make that sort of move. The risks are too great and owners will just dump them if it doesn't work. Whereas if they keep the status quo they were keep their job despite having no chance to win a title.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Trae Young isn't sub-par defensively. He's maybe the worst defensive starter in the NBA.

Ha! I was trying to be kind but yeah I can’t disagree. He defends like he grows hair on his dome...really patchy.

 

[trojanfan12]

Easier said than done imo since portland isn't a big market. Players aren't really signing there and really no trade they can make to improve the team without trading dame or cj

Yeah, I think I acknowledged that they may very well have tried, but just couldn't get anything done. I don't really remember them pursuing anyone very aggressively in FA, but then again, it's Portland, so I wasn't exactly following what they were doing (which is kind of your point lol). Also, Dame and CJ are good enough to make getting someone through the draft more difficult as well.

 

[trojanfan12]

That's cause they bitches!

They figured it was the only way the Celtics could be competitive.

 

[trojanfan12]

Didn't realize that the Lakers are 13-14 without AD and 6-7 without Lebron.

Obviously, some of those AD games were played with Lebron. But it shows why they aren't worried about rushing them back.

 

[trojanfan12]

Lakers can't hit a damn shot. lol

 

[DJ Fieri]

Didn't realize that the Lakers are 13-14 without AD and 6-7 without Lebron.

Obviously, some of those AD games were played with Lebron. But it shows why they aren't worried about rushing them back.

I think both could be playing but they are being extra cautious with short layoff and all. They need them for the playoffs....that is when it matters.

 

[trojanfan12]

If the Lakers could hit a 3, they'd be leading.

 

[Black Adam]

If the Lakers could hit a 3, they'd be leading.

Yup, KCP has been Captain Clank so far. Still, Lakers are playing hard considering...

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

 

[wildturkey]

If the Lakers could hit a 3, they'd be leading.

Yeah, not happening. This team hasn't been able to shoot worth shit all year. They're killing it on D though, even with AD/Lebron out. So with those two back, hopefully those shooting woes won't matter