NBA 2015/16 thread
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<p>Highlights of the early season so far.</p>
<p>Pelicans zero from 4, Anthony Davis being useless, so much for the MVP momentum...</p>
<p>Golden State carrying on and if not doing even better.</p>
<p>And my team OKC, having a good win against the spur-borg. Then a double over time escape over Orlando, before bottling it against Houston and losing a game they were in control of.</p>
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Good man Baron. <br><br>
What a start by Steph Curry. That 2nd game against the Pelicans was insane some of the stuff he did. Steph hitting 3s over Davis. <br><br>
Yesterday another big quarter. He can just turn it on. <br><br>
I like what I see from the Pistons. Drummond has the room to move and they are a more versatile side. <br><br>
Loved that double OT game. The Thunder duo on fire, but I'm a fan of Oladepo and he hit some big shots. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="539229" data-time="1446632634">
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<p>Good man Baron.<br><br>
What a start by Steph Curry. That 2nd game against the Pelicans was insane some of the stuff he did. Steph hitting 3s over Davis.<br><br>
Yesterday another big quarter. He can just turn it on.<br><br>
I like what I see from the Pistons. Drummond has the room to move and they are a more versatile side.<br><br>
Loved that double OT game. The Thunder duo on fire, but I'm a fan of Oladepo and he hit some big shots.</p>
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<p>re the Pistons, I am not convinced that Jackson is 'all that'., but they are looking like a team that might compete for the 8th seed in the weak east.</p>
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<p>Curry kinda annoys me, but only because he is that damn good, and he doesn't play on one of the teams I support... and his contract is insane. He is massively underpaid.</p>
<p>As for the Thunder, they fired Brooks to get away from ISO ball... hope they dont revert to it under pressure. But only 4 games in,.. so they have time.</p> -
<p>Well, 2 weeks in so we have a view on the season - and it doesn't look like too much has changed from last year:</p>
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<ul><li>GSW look next-level as expected, and appear to be a lock for a top 2 finish in the WC. The ability to play any style, and to play both ends so well, they are fantastic team. Amazing how they materialised too, you have to feel a little sorry for Mark Jackson. Curry is just incredible (34, 5.5 and 6 at 55.3% in just 33mpg - um, fucking what??!!!!). The funny thing is there will be millions of kids in playgrounds around the world now shooting step-back 3's off the dribble and floating running bankers of the roof - and making them at about a 12% rate...</li>
<li>Jury is still out on OKC - takes time to gel with a new coach (see Cavs last year), and KD will be feeling his way back a little (those doesn't look to rusty (see what I did there...). But I think they will be good - and the end of the day, they haven't had an offense for the last 5 years and they've excelled somehow. Why they stuck with Brooks for so long is beyond me.</li>
<li>Cavs will be strong if fit at the business end - I don't think they'll mind giving up home court in return for LBJ being well rested (ditto for the Spurs with [insert ageing member of the big 3 here]</li>
<li>Atlanta again a fantastic regular season team, but nobody thinks they can beat the Cavs/Bulls over 7 games. Even the Heat would trouble them I reckon.</li>
<li>I haven't seen him play yet this year, but I'd be giving Davis a little more slack - certainly not an MVP-start though is it.</li>
<li>What about Drummonds rebounding so far, outrageous!</li>
<li>Good to see a few of those recently-average teams making small moves, Detroit as mentioned, Bucks, Minnesota all looking like improvers this year</li>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="voodoo" data-cid="540169" data-time="1447029227">
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<p>Well, 2 weeks in so we have a view on the season - and it doesn't look like too much has changed from last year:</p>
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<ul><li>GSW look next-level as expected, and appear to be a lock for a top 2 finish in the WC. The ability to play any style, and to play both ends so well, they are fantastic team. </li>
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<p>Watched that Clippers and Rockets game this morning and whilst Harden had a huge scoring game and Griffin has a high % mid range game, both of these teams can't play defence. Good team defence like the Warriors will beat these teams over a series. Both of these teams could pull off a win on the back of some unbelievable offence, but not over 7 games.</p> -
<p>Knicks are looking improved from last year's mess (admittedly not a tough ask). The European kid they drafted Porzingis has started well - stereotypically labelled a soft euro who would take years to develop/contribute, he had a double-double (12 points, 10 boards) today vs the Lakers. Seems to have a knack for put-back dunks. An impressive big man it seems - something to build around for the Knicks.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="540231" data-time="1447038665">
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<p>Watched that Clippers and Rockets game this morning and whilst Harden had a huge scoring game and Griffin has a high % mid range game, both of these teams can't play defence. Good team defence like the Warriors will beat these teams over a series. Both of these teams could pull off a win on the back of some unbelievable offence, but not over 7 games.</p>
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<p>Oh, I agree, the top 2 comments was referring to the regular season only, and even then it would need some spectacular runs from (probably) the Clips . Over 7 games, with the ability to go big with Bogut where necessary but then switch to smallball at a whim, I'm not sure how any team can run with them over 7 games. Remember they only really found out they could play smallball so well in the finals last year so they will only improve there!</p>
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<p>And as you say, the Warriors aren't just good on D, they are excellent. Individually, Green, Bogut, Klay and Iggy are all fantastic - and now they have had another year to play better as a team.</p>
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<p>I think they roll through the west playoffs this year. The only challenger for me would be if the Spurs manage to get there with a relatively fresh side, and Parker and Manu re-learn how to play the game. Kawhi is probably the best defensive player out there, and I think GSW will struggle to go small against Aldridge and Duncan.</p>
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<p>Cavs will be tough for either of those teams in the finals (I'm assuming the Bull capitulate, mainly because I just hate them)</p> -
<p>Aldridge and Duncan will be interesting. Both like to play away from the basket. LA can get his shot over any big in the league. But if he just becomes a mid-range player then I don't think opposing teams will mind so much. Leonard is awesome. Can play on small forwards and 2 guards. He's even quick enough to throw at the point guards. He's got long arms to play against those 'stretch 4s' (love that new NBA phraseology...). Plus he has a genuine offensive game that they can go to on a more consistent basis.</p>
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<p>I've got a soft spot for the Spurs. George Gervin was the first NBA poster I had as a kid, so I supported them not knowing any better. They were useless after he was traded to the Bulls, but then Robinson and Sean Elliott came and both of these guys became favourite players.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="voodoo" data-cid="540251" data-time="1447046644"><p>I had you as more of a Matt Bonner guy...</p></blockquote>
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Sean Marks actually -
David Blatt was fired as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending an awkward 18 month tenure. It was always going to be tough when Blatt was hired as coach of a developmental Cavs team only to find Lebron James decided to return home. His lack of NBA street cred told in the end despite a decent record in the regular season both years and a good job getting a wounded team to the finals last year. He has expressed a desire to stay in the league and I reckon he'll be sought after by clubs wanting him to do what he was originally asked to do, that is build up a young team
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<p>Steph Curry getting hated on by purists who hate the rise and rise of the 3 pointer shooter as much as some of us hate the drop goal. But not me I love this kid.</p>
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<p>He hit two half court shot today!! The first was just after the buzzer and the second, just to prove a point beat the buzzer and rightly the place erupted.</p>
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<p>He's been getting some stick for receiving so much press time but not being the all round player some legends of the game were who got less love or get less credit now. But I say fuck up and get off the guys nuts. He's fun to watch, a great role model and he can shoot the lights out better than any other player in history.</p>
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<p>Steven Adams sat out today with an elbow strain but he's been on fire - not Curry level on fire mind - becoming a double figures scorer and an alley oop specialist. Russell Westbrook, in my opinion the best penetrating point in the game, has built up some serious chemistry with Adams and they are becoming what could be the new "lob city". Westbrook draws at least 2 to 3 defenders every time he goes into the key and Adams whether coming of the pick or the back door has little to no defense a lot of times and its meant some serious highlight reel dunks. He is a legit threat around the basket. His post moves are limited but he's done some pretty stuff and you sense theres a double/double machine waiting to explode. </p> -
<p>Raz I'll be interested to see how the Spurs decide to play the Warriors when they meet next week (finally). A part of me thinks Pop might fox a bit and sit Kawhi and LMA, but with OKC looming there is plenty of incentive to chase after the #1 seed in the West. Whoever gets that likely has an easy run to the conference finals (which probably will decide the title).</p>
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<p>Cavs firing Blatt was predictable after the Golden State loss, Lebron won't settle for second place for another year. They need to fit the puzzle pieces together a bit better, Love is way down on what he was in Minnesota, and Kyrie is taking a lot longer to get back to his prime than you would hope. Reckon they might try and make a trade or two before the finals like they did last year.</p> -
Love was top dog and is now 3rd fiddle. Its understandable that his production would become lessened but i think his willingness to give over to lebron ball has really effected his game. Hes an unselfish player and hes given away a lot of good looks to lebron. Kyrie too. This was his team remember....its never easy to relinquish your plan to be a part of someone elses.<br><br>
Leonard is close to being the most complete player in the game. Not because Charles Barkley says so either...hes just that fucken good. Pop is the best coach in the league IMO and i think he'll keep the powder dry. Limit kawhi and Aldridges minutes. Okc luming large right now. Aside from Adams elbow injury every one is fit. KD and Russ are the best 1,2 punch going. Ibaka goes from strength to strength. Their bench is deep as fuck now with Payne and unexpected early career success. Waiters easily one of the more consistent 6th men in the league. Kanter would start on this team if he could play defense but hes still a quick and prolific scorer and rebounder. Then they have vets like Collison contributing on and off the court. The old fella had 10 rebs today with 6 offensive! Okc are my team and i think they may be the darkhorse to take it all.<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="554329" data-time="1453792969">
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<p>GS pump SA by 30 points with Tim Duncan sitting the game out</p>
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<p>I watched the 1st half. The Spurs were still in it after the 1st quarter despite 8 turnovers but it only got worse after that. A classic Pop interview on ESPN. I'll wait for the return match in SA before drawing too many conclusions. </p> -
<p>Nah I'm calling it. Barring a serious injury to Curry or Green, Warriors are winning the title. And they will do it easily.</p>
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<p>We keep sitting back and going 'hmmm let's not call this too early' as they pump all the title contenders by 25+, as if something magical will happen over the course of the next 40 or so games to bring them back to the pack. It won't.</p>
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<p>The Warriors are quite simply the best team, and now have big playoff experience as well. I can't see them losing to anyone.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="554373" data-time="1453808091">
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<p>Nah I'm calling it. Barring a serious injury to Curry or Green, Warriors are winning the title. And they will do it easily.</p>
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<p>They are certainly at short odds to win back-to-back titles but I'm keen to see them face the Spurs at home with Duncan back in the lineup. The Warriors have one major weakness - interior defence. The Cavs exploited it in the first few games of the finals but once it became an up tempo game the Warriors were never going to lose. If the Spurs can go to Duncan and West inside, and make it a half-court game they will make it interesting.</p>
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<p>It's a shame that the 3 best teams are all in the West (GSW, SA and OKC).</p>