Opinion The NBA Thread

[the mighty T]

Rose.. *sigh*

Such a shame for us and the league as a whole. What to do now? Unfortunately our former MVP is starting to look a little like an anchor to our title chances than the spearhead

 

[Knightmare]

Rose.. *sigh*

Such a shame for us and the league as a whole. What to do now? Unfortunately our former MVP is starting to look a little like an anchor to our title chances than the spearhead

It's a shame for the sport whenever one of the better players misses time with injury, and with Rose it has been a more common occurrence the past few seasons than with almost any other star.

It will mean the end to the Bulls championship chances this season, but with Hinrich and Brooks to share the minutes at the point I'm really excited to see Snell get the opportunity for more minutes and perhaps even McDermott who I'm exceptionally keen to see play some minutes late season for his development.

 

[the mighty T]

It's a shame for the sport whenever one of the better players misses time with injury, and with Rose it has been a more common occurrence the past few seasons than with almost any other star.

It will mean the end to the Bulls championship chances this season, but with Hinrich and Brooks to share the minutes at the point I'm really excited to see Snell get the opportunity for more minutes and perhaps even McDermott who I'm exceptionally keen to see play some minutes late season for his development.

The question isn't so much the short term (frankly, I think we'll see a marked improvement on the defensive end).. we'll still fight out games and probably get past the bottom half of the East in playoffs this season. But looking forward there have to be some questions. I'm not one to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but its becoming increasingly unlikely that Rose will lead us to the promised land. This should've been one big year, considering the talent on the roster but its been largely indifferent, littered with poor performances.

Is it time perhaps to look beyond Rose as the cornerstone of the franchise?

 

[Knightmare]

The question isn't so much the short term (frankly, I think we'll see a marked improvement on the defensive end).. we'll still fight out games and probably get past the bottom half of the East in playoffs this season. But looking forward there have to be some questions. I'm not one to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but its becoming increasingly unlikely that Rose will lead us to the promised land. This should've been one big year, considering the talent on the roster but its been largely indifferent, littered with poor performances.

Is it time perhaps to look beyond Rose as the cornerstone of the franchise?

Trading Rose would be a challenge given his recent injury history and his really large, long contract unless you want Deron Williams who is on a slightly larger contract again and not the same player he was as a now once was, and widely considered a problem guy around the league. The current time will be the lowest Rose's value has ever been (unknown whether it increases/decreases in the future). As a contending team you still want to remain in the mix, particularly in the East, so I can't really see anything happening with the Bulls needing Rose to have a shot at the championship.

Rose is a hard worker who the players still look up to and support so I'd lean towards retaining him and just hope to sign him more cheaply next contract which is another 2.5 years years away.

In terms of that franchise player I regard Joakim Noah as that franchise player in the respect that he is the spiritual leader, but overall I'm not someone who believes it needs to be "this guy's team", it's a team sport so it's about the totality of the team performance for me and not just one individual. If anything from an on court standpoint it's Thibs team as a guy who rules with an iron fist and really controls the way everything happens.

The East is weak so the Bulls may even without Rose still win a round. Just minus Rose v the Cavs, Hawks, Raptors or Wizards I can't see the Bulls winning the series this year, and depending on matchups it could again be over first round for the Bulls.

 

[TradeDraft]

Rose.. *sigh*

Such a shame for us and the league as a whole. What to do now? Unfortunately our former MVP is starting to look a little like an anchor to our title chances than the spearhead

He is Finshed.

Reminds me a Lee Walker. Who’s Knees where almost always injured

 

[nahnah]

Sad news regarding Rose, he had such a promising career that's been cruely ruined.
I think they will still get through to the second round, how far they go after that depends on how well brooks and hinrich play. I'm not sure what it means long term either, wouldn't get a lot in return for Rose now so you'd think they'd keep him.

 

[Knightmare]

He is Finshed.

Reminds me a Lee Walker. Who’s Knees where almost always injured

Penny Hardaway would for Rose be a more correct comparison as a super athletic guard who through knee injuries no longer was the same player. Rose will still be in the NBA another 6-8 years in all likelihood and have sticking power as Hardaway did, but obviously as with Hardaway after the knee surgeries you're not looking at the same player with Rose to no longer be that rim attacking guard who would break down defenses and penetrate as he once did.

Sad news regarding Rose, he had such a promising career that's been cruely ruined.
I think they will still get through to the second round, how far they go after that depends on how well brooks and hinrich play. I'm not sure what it means long term either, wouldn't get a lot in return for Rose now so you'd think they'd keep him.

I don't expect a whole lot from Brooks or Hinrich. Hinrich just isn't healthy this season and is hardly able to score and Brooks can put up points in bunches but isn't a great defender as a small point guard and is not a great distributor/playmaker either. Without Rose it will be the one weak position on the Bulls, but at the same time I don't feel anyone else better could be added.

If the Bulls make it past the second round I can only imagine it would be due to a favourable matchup or an opponent with a key player of similar importance to Rose missing. I'm not betting on the Bulls making it past the 1st round anyway, I can only see that happening with home court advantage against a team that isn't the Wizards, as out of form as they have been of late.

 

[nahnah]

I don't see what you see in the wizards. They're average, bucks are better imo. if Rasaul Butler is youre 6th man you have issues

 

[Knightmare]

I don't see what you see in the wizards. They're average, bucks are better imo. if Rasaul Butler is youre 6th man you have issues

Without Rose the Wizards beat the Bulls 4-1 last year in the playoffs.

Then this regular season the Wizards have a 2-1 record v the Bulls and similarly in the 2013/2014 season also the Wizards had a 2-1 record v the Bulls.

It's not a good matchup.

Nene kills the Bulls inside and their front-line is the only front-line in the NBA that contains/outplays the Bulls front-line which has long since Rose's injuries outside of just defence been the Bulls one edge v most everyone.

 

[Knightmare]

On the Bulls trade scenarios I'd be curious with Rondo clashing in Dallas with coach Carlisle whether he could in a sign and trade for Rose be an option. Coach Thibs is familiar with Rondo from Boston and was a central part to Rondo's development back when he became a name player on that championship team and those few years after where he took over as Boston's best player.

Chicago feel like they have enough shooters coming through for Rondo to be a suitable addition with McDermott, Dunleavy and Snell all 3pt shooters and Butler improved from long range, then Mirotic can stretch the floor at the 4. With those types of floor spacers and Thibs someone who overcoaches to allow point guards to have the play run through them I see Chicago as the optimal destination for Rondo.

Then for Dallas Rose and Ellis in that backcourt would be fun to watch and Rose would be the more coachable and better fit for that Carlisle up-tempo, flowing offense with Rose unselfish and willing to pass and move the ball without needing to dribble, dribble, dribble the duration of the shot clock. With Dallas with Nowitzki and Chandler a win now situation, a healthy Rose as a better talent than Rondo as a guy who can actually score and fit their system as they like to play, that team could really be something.

 

[nahnah]

Damn Kyrie killed the Spurs, it was really insane because a lot of his shots, especially his 3's which he was a perfect 7/7 were highly contested. He went video game mode..
Cavs have really got the 2nd seed in their taking with a very easy last 15 games, only tough games are vs grizz and bulls. Could make a case for Bucks and wiz I suppose as they're the only +500 teams they play left. Hopefully get the W tomorrow vs orlando.. I hope wiz sneak into third spot so cavs play them second round but that's very doubtful

 

[Knightmare]

Damn Kyrie killed the Spurs, it was really insane because a lot of his shots, especially his 3's which he was a perfect 7/7 were highly contested. He went video game mode..
Cavs have really got the 2nd seed in their taking with a very easy last 15 games, only tough games are vs grizz and bulls. Could make a case for Bucks and wiz I suppose as they're the only +500 teams they play left. Hopefully get the W tomorrow vs orlando.. I hope wiz sneak into third spot so cavs play them second round but that's very doubtful

I saw that game and I'm really glad I did. Really fun game of basketball.
7/7 for 3, 10/10 from the line. Kyrie was playing really well, and it's something he can do more often than people realise. I remember Kyrie in the rookie/sophmore game if that's what it was called when he played in it. He had a 10/10 3pt shooting game from what I recall. So it's within his capabilities to go off for that kind of game where he doesn't miss a long ball.

Beating Orlando shouldn't be an issue, though they will offer a competitive game in the sense that they really go after you on the defensive end so you still need to compete to get the W.

The Cavs have no real need to get concerned about matchups. You'd probably prefer not to play the Bulls in the second round, so the Bulls making the 3 seed probably from a Cavs fan point of view I'd imagine would be your less preferred outcome. But as a basketball fan that's the matchup I really want to see. It's the matchup going into the season I was really looking forward to seeing and I just want to see it, whichever way it goes.

The Bucks seem to have given up on the season of late. They just feel content that with making the playoffs, and with that looking like the outcome they're not playing with the energy they did pre-all star break. Whoever gets them first round as much as I'm loving the play of Khris Middleton for them, I just don't see them winning a series at this early stage in their team development.

 

[nahnah]

I saw that game and I'm really glad I did. Really fun game of basketball.
7/7 for 3, 10/10 from the line. Kyrie was playing really well, and it's something he can do more often than people realise. I remember Kyrie in the rookie/sophmore game if that's what it was called when he played in it. He had a 10/10 3pt shooting game from what I recall. So it's within his capabilities to go off for that kind of game where he doesn't miss a long ball.

Beating Orlando shouldn't be an issue, though they will offer a competitive game in the sense that they really go after you on the defensive end so you still need to compete to get the W.

The Cavs have no real need to get concerned about matchups. You'd probably prefer not to play the Bulls in the second round, so the Bulls making the 3 seed probably from a Cavs fan point of view I'd imagine would be your less preferred outcome. But as a basketball fan that's the matchup I really want to see. It's the matchup going into the season I was really looking forward to seeing and I just want to see it, whichever way it goes.

The Bucks seem to have given up on the season of late. They just feel content that with making the playoffs, and with that looking like the outcome they're not playing with the energy they did pre-all star break. Whoever gets them first round as much as I'm loving the play of Khris Middleton for them, I just don't see them winning a series at this early stage in their team development.

Yeah I think (correct me of im wrong) he made his first 13 threes in his first 3pt shoot out, in the final round vs Bonner, so when he gets hot he gets really hot

As a cav fan Raptors and bulls are equal in terms of don't wanna play in second round, Lou williams is a major reason why I see raptors as a threat.. He's been almost unstoppable 2/4 games vs them.

I hope Bulls or Raptors beat Atlanta, I really expected cavs to beat them last week and it made me realised how badly I was underestimating them. Their defence is very, very good. But then they lost to philly the next day...

Pacers are another team I wouldn't mind cavs avoiding for as long as possible, they play games till the end, you can't let up or they'll come back.. I like them.

Yes the Bucks have lost the plot a bit, the trade was always gonna hurt giving up their best player. Boston beating Indiana today makes it impossible to know which two team will make the 7th and 8th see. I hope hornets, Celtics or pacers do preferably Hornets 7th to face cavs... I don't want miami making it because i don't like them lol

I don't know why Durant still isn't playing but he better come back soon because there aren't many games left and Pelicans aren't going anywhere.

Spurs are starting to play well again, especially parker which is great to see. Memphis vs Spurs would be a great first round match up if it were to eventuate and obviously warriors vs thunder with durant would be fantastic also.

 

[nahnah]

When I'm saying raptors and bulls are equal I'm assuming Rose isn't playing, I heard he was a chance to come back and if he was then obviously Chicago are a major threat again if he plays well which he does against Kyrie

 

[Knightmare]

Yeah I think (correct me of im wrong) he made his first 13 threes in his first 3pt shoot out, in the final round vs Bonner, so when he gets hot he gets really hot

As a cav fan Raptors and bulls are equal in terms of don't wanna play in second round, Lou williams is a major reason why I see raptors as a threat.. He's been almost unstoppable 2/4 games vs them.

I hope Bulls or Raptors beat Atlanta, I really expected cavs to beat them last week and it made me realised how badly I was underestimating them. Their defence is very, very good. But then they lost to philly the next day...

Pacers are another team I wouldn't mind cavs avoiding for as long as possible, they play games till the end, you can't let up or they'll come back.. I like them.

Yes the Bucks have lost the plot a bit, the trade was always gonna hurt giving up their best player. Boston beating Indiana today makes it impossible to know which two team will make the 7th and 8th see. I hope hornets, Celtics or pacers do preferably Hornets 7th to face cavs... I don't want miami making it because i don't like them lol

I don't know why Durant still isn't playing but he better come back soon because there aren't many games left and Pelicans aren't going anywhere.

Spurs are starting to play well again, especially parker which is great to see. Memphis vs Spurs would be a great first round match up if it were to eventuate and obviously warriors vs thunder with durant would be fantastic also.

I get why you'd dislike Miami with LeBron winning them two championships and suddenly up and leaving. In saying that had LeBron stayed it's hard to see him having really won anything in Cleveland as there wouldn't have been any of Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Waiters or Bennett with those picks to have created a formidable roster like is presently constructed. And being Cleveland with only LeBron, Anderson Varajao and Mo Williams it's hard to have seen any big time free agents other than veterans nearing the ends of their careers having signed there as was LeBron's problem pre-decision.
I think and I'd be interested in your view on this, but the fact that LeBron left then has come back when the pieces have fallen into place has actually helped Cleveland's chances of winning a or possibly multiple championships.

Durant is out due to a bolt in his ankle being uncomfortable. He has just had it changed over to something else they're hoping doesn't rub/irritate him and he is just getting used to it now and will be back for playoffs or a bit before.

Tony Parker seems to have more of his speed back and is starting to penetrate more which has needed to do all season. And as a result the Spurs are looking better. And it's just good for basketball to see him back to being himself and the Spurs competitive again, just the quality of basketball they play as a basketball fan I just can't help but enjoy.

Memphis would really like not to play San Antonio. I could see them losing in 5/6 v the Spurs. San Antonio consistently just pack the paint and get numbers inside for rebounds and Memphis consistently struggle with that style the Spurs play so well on them. I don't think it would be as close as expected. It's for me just purely down to the dynamic of the matchup, if Memphis avoid San Antonio completely, they're for me making the Western Conference finals, but just with that matchup, I see them losing first round fairly convincingly.

Golden State and OKC Thunder would be a fun first round game out West. If Durant is healthy and Bogut for GSW is healthy. Now that would be fun. I'd take Golden State in that matchup because they actually share the ball, whereas the Thunder on offense are too iso heavy. But just on sheer star power with Curry and Thompson on one side, and Durant and Westbrook on the other. That would be fun.

When I'm saying raptors and bulls are equal I'm assuming Rose isn't playing, I heard he was a chance to come back and if he was then obviously Chicago are a major threat again if he plays well which he does against Kyrie

On Rose he is expected to be back for the playoffs and maybe a week or two before. His timeline is 4-6 weeks and he is a a couple of weeks into that now and from reports seems to be tracking well. He isn't rushing but he seems to think he'll be back so we'll have to see what happens.

Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson are also nearing their returns. So the Bulls while they'll be down for another week should when Jimmy and Tajewoo return be back to winning games with a greater consistency than the other Eastern teams outside of Cleveland and Atlanta.

 

[nahnah]

I get why you'd dislike Miami with LeBron winning them two championships and suddenly up and leaving. In saying that had LeBron stayed it's hard to see him having really won anything in Cleveland as there wouldn't have been any of Irving, Wiggins, Thompson, Waiters or Bennett with those picks to have created a formidable roster like is presently constructed. And being Cleveland with only LeBron, Anderson Varajao and Mo Williams it's hard to have seen any big time free agents other than veterans nearing the ends of their careers having signed there as was LeBron's problem pre-decision.
I think and I'd be interested in your view on this, but the fact that LeBron left then has come back when the pieces have fallen into place has actually helped Cleveland's chances of winning a or possibly multiple championships.

Durant is out due to a bolt in his ankle being uncomfortable. He has just had it changed over to something else they're hoping doesn't rub/irritate him and he is just getting used to it now and will be back for playoffs or a bit before.

Tony Parker seems to have more of his speed back and is starting to penetrate more which has needed to do all season. And as a result the Spurs are looking better. And it's just good for basketball to see him back to being himself and the Spurs competitive again, just the quality of basketball they play as a basketball fan I just can't help but enjoy.

Memphis would really like not to play San Antonio. I could see them losing in 5/6 v the Spurs. San Antonio consistently just pack the paint and get numbers inside for rebounds and Memphis consistently struggle with that style the Spurs play so well on them. I don't think it would be as close as expected. It's for me just purely down to the dynamic of the matchup, if Memphis avoid San Antonio completely, they're for me making the Western Conference finals, but just with that matchup, I see them losing first round fairly convincingly.

Golden State and OKC Thunder would be a fun first round game out West. If Durant is healthy and Bogut for GSW is healthy. Now that would be fun. I'd take Golden State in that matchup because they actually share the ball, whereas the Thunder on offense are too iso heavy. But just on sheer star power with Curry and Thompson on one side, and Durant and Westbrook on the other. That would be fun.



On Rose he is expected to be back for the playoffs and maybe a week or two before. His timeline is 4-6 weeks and he is a a couple of weeks into that now and from reports seems to be tracking well. He isn't rushing but he seems to think he'll be back so we'll have to see what happens.

Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson are also nearing their returns. So the Bulls while they'll be down for another week should when Jimmy and Tajewoo return be back to winning games with a greater consistency than the other Eastern teams outside of Cleveland and Atlanta.

Yeah I fully agree the cavs are better off with LeBron leaving and then coming back, it would have been nice if miami choked every year tho.. but, maybe LeBron would have signed with a team that has a history of winning given he would be ringless heading into free agency under that scenario.. I always told my friends that LeBron and kyrie would team up, in fact i posted it a few times during last season in the basketball forum and the cavs thread that he would leave because why stay with wade when Kyrie is about to enter his prime. Funny story, a miami fan (won't call him a friend, but a guy i use to go to school with) actually told me last season Kyrie was gonna join the heat and asked me why would anyone choose to play for the cavs. I told him in 7 months time LeBron will be a cavalier and Miami will have no one, i screen shotted the convo and put it on his wall the day Lebron announced he was going back. I thought bosh was gonna leave as well but i was wrong on that but i don't really care. I just wish there was a way to have kept Mo Williams (who would be a great back up now)but he was traded for Kyries pick.. weird how things play out.

Durant being out that long is a real problem, its 50/50 for me given that new piece of info. Thats good news about Rose, whats chicagos schedule like ?

I love watching the spurs too, I was supporting them in the playoffs the last few years because of Mills.. There roster hasn't changed much at all from last season, in fact the main rotation is made of the exact same players from last years rotation which isn't necessarily a good thing imo. But Pop knows best.

I remember watching a memphis/spurs series a few years ago when Memphis was 7th or 8th and actually beat the spurs, ZBO was huge and it has me excited about seeing another great series between the two teams.. it will most likely be a low scoring series but that usually means a close series.

 

[nahnah]

Also the season Rose did his ACL, firstly he shouldn't have been in the game given it was the playoffs and the game was won. Anyways I'm sure that's been discussed heaps, but Im confident the Bulls would have beaten Miami that year.. They had all the match ups going for them, Deng could guard LeBron reasonably well and Rose was playing better than Lebron at the time.. I just felt Chicago was going to win it that season and then Rose got injured, your thoughts ?

 

[Knightmare]

I wasn't supporting the Heat at all either. I felt during the decision process that LeBron should have come to the Bulls with D.Wade to team up with D.Rose, Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Omer Asik. So naturally as a result I didn't like the Heat and wanted them to lose every year.

I don't study the schedules beyond the games that are happening tomorrow but I can't imagine any schedule would be too challenging for the Bulls. They seem to play better v the better teams anyway, so either way I'm not too fussed as to who is to come.

The year Rose did his ACL it's hard to know what the outcome would have been. The thing with the Bulls is they play the regular season like the playoffs, so their level will always be the same. Whereas largely every other team decides to go from 90% effort to 100% effort. But then again both years the Bulls had the NBA's best record (shared with the Spurs) so at the same time they were the best in the competition - and during the regular season consistently beat the Heat, and in at least one of those two seasons swept the Heat 3-0 and the other season I believe was 2-1 in favour of the Bulls.

The Bulls with full health may have won both years, may have split the years, or may have lost both years to Miami. It's really hard to say. The first year I was really excited about the Bulls chances (when they lost 4-1 to the Heat), the Bulls took out game one but then Omer Asik - who the Heat couldn't score on, consistently stopping anyone from getting to the rim got hurt and was out for the series and the Bulls from there just collapsed after initially looking the better team in that series.
Then year two Rose got hurt with the ACL. The thing with that second year where the Bulls also had that NBA's best record and the clear best in the East, Rose who for the first time was hurt and missed time during the regular season, only played the 39 games. So the Bulls getting the best record in the NBA that year (shared with Spurs like the year prior) really was surprising (albeit in a shortened 66 game season) and showed just how strong that team was.

 

[Knightmare]

It could be an interesting run for Cleveland from here in the playoffs.

There could be matchups for Cleveland of Indiana with Paul George back. Chicago with D.Rose, Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson back in the second round. And Atlanta in the Eastern Conference finals. That could make for some interesting viewing and I can't help but hope that happens just for the curiosity of seeing some really good playoff series and seeing how the Cavs deal with some good teams in the playoffs.

If anyone is a challenge for Cleveland in the East, Atlanta is probably the better chance just with the shooters everywhere, unselfish play and a commitment to team defence. They're the Spurs East and hardly an easy beat.

 

[nahnah]

I'm pretty annoyed about the heat game today, I didn't watch the game but I heard the Cavs were sloppy and LeBron was fooling around like the last time they were in Miami... Don't like that especially given when he played the Cavs over the past 4 years he didn't go easy on them. It's a real shame they didn't beat miami in miami this season, really wanted them too. At least they beat Lakers in LA.

At this stage I reckon atlanta is the better team and would beat the cavs in a series, Indiana has caused the Cavs issues even without George. I think they cause issues because Indiana play the game right till the end. where as the Cavs usually take the foot off the pedal badly in last quarters. Either way the series is 2-1 pacers, with the final game coming next week.

I think this season is very open and a number of teams have a legit chance of winning the championship

 

[Knightmare]

I'm pretty annoyed about the heat game today, I didn't watch the game but I heard the Cavs were sloppy and LeBron was fooling around like the last time they were in Miami... Don't like that especially given when he played the Cavs over the past 4 years he didn't go easy on them. It's a real shame they didn't beat miami in miami this season, really wanted them too. At least they beat Lakers in LA.

At this stage I reckon atlanta is the better team and would beat the cavs in a series, Indiana has caused the Cavs issues even without George. I think they cause issues because Indiana play the game right till the end. where as the Cavs usually take the foot off the pedal badly in last quarters. Either way the series is 2-1 pacers, with the final game coming next week.

I think this season is very open and a number of teams have a legit chance of winning the championship

Perhaps LeBron wants Miami to make the playoffs as he sees them being a tougher first round matchup than the Hornets for the Hawks.

Classically LeBron whenever played D.Wade, it was always at least in LeBron's first term in Cleveland a case of they would bring the best out of each-other and they'd go harder because of the matchup and show they are the alpha dog. But having played together they're chummy. And how hard they go at eachother will be something that will over future seasons be something to track.

Overall I feel LeBron is just saving himself for the playoffs knowing that's when he'll have to turn it on with his playoff success rather than his regular season success the only thing now given everything he has done in his career to this point that he is judged on.

I feel the difference between playing Cleveland or Miami is when he played Cleveland the fans really got into him, so that really brought out the competitive side to him. Playing the Heat and D.Wade this year, psychologically my impression is he doesn't have that same point to prove, with Miami fans/the organisation not being as heartbroken/enraged about his exit.

Overall I'd probably be of a similar mindset in LeBron's shoes. He doesn't need to prove anything to Miami, his focus is solely on whatever it takes to win the championship, and going all out in one regular season game isn't necessary with no real points needing to be proven.

But obviously as a fan I get why you'd want the W and for LeBron to go nuts and go for 40 and 10.

 

[nahnah]

Hurry up and arrive NBA playoffs, the final 10 or so games when your team already has a playoff spot and isn't competing to stay in the race for the last few seeds are kind of boring. I've been watching the NCAA tourney more than nba since that began. I like everyone else think Kentucky is going to win, but i was supporting for Kansas, i usually go for Syracuse but past 2 seasons I've liked wiggins and Oubre.
If you're like me and don't watch a whole of college then it can be a little confusing, but i think i have a pretty good understanding of the tournament. Joseph Young was really impressive and i tried to find him in the mock drafts for 2016 because he looks young but in his final game i found out he was actually a senior and doesn't project to be a top 60 talent in the draft lol

 

[Knightmare]

Hurry up and arrive NBA playoffs, the final 10 or so games when your team already has a playoff spot and isn't competing to stay in the race for the last few seeds are kind of boring. I've been watching the NCAA tourney more than nba since that began. I like everyone else think Kentucky is going to win, but i was supporting for Kansas, i usually go for Syracuse but past 2 seasons I've liked wiggins and Oubre.
If you're like me and don't watch a whole of college then it can be a little confusing, but i think i have a pretty good understanding of the tournament. Joseph Young was really impressive and i tried to find him in the mock drafts for 2016 because he looks young but in his final game i found out he was actually a senior and doesn't project to be a top 60 talent in the draft lol

I do watch a bit of College and International Basketball (EuroLeague, China etc) but primarily NBA.

I'm a scouting junkie (watching as much AFL, with the TAC Cup, U18 Champs, NEAFL, SANFL (League, Reserves, Macca's Cup) WAFL (League, Reserves, Colts). I just like to know the talent in all competitions and I'm like that with my basketball also. So I'll go watch Mirotic in Spain, Jusuf Nurkic when he was in the Adriatic League and he was really fun to watch dominate in the Adriatic League, I was really wishing the Bulls didn't make that trade for Doug McDermott as I just loved Nurkic's game that much, as high as his foul rate is.

Kentucky is the highly probable winner, they've just got so much depth and they all play unselfishly and have star power like no other team. They're unbeaten on the season for a reason.

A Kentucky v Duke final to generate a Towns v Okafor matchup is the one I think most fans are really hoping for.

I'm typically a Florida fan but through the NCAA tourny I'm supporting Wisconsin this year and I'd love them to pull the upset and go all the way. They're not the big basketball program of some of the others, but I just like their play. They play good team basketball and a really unselfish game. Frank the tank Kaminsky is a player I really like and I'd love to see him fall to the Bulls in the draft as a senior big, who plays a really unselfish game showing a real willingness to pass, but then he can put it on the floor and his shooting ability is terrific as a 3pt shooter and someone who can score closer to the basket. I'd love to see him learn off Pau Gasol and be another of those older guys the Bulls draft who can spend year one learning and year two really becoming a good player.

I saw the Wisconsin v Oregon game and I agree, Joseph Young from Oregon has some ability. He has the feel where he has that killer instinct. He can really score, will shoot the 3 and convert from the field and the line at a high %. Not great but sufficient playmaker. Late second round - as an undrafted rookie on a Summer League team, I'd like to see how he goes. If he doesn't make it to the NBA I'd back him to have a career in Europe which either way is the more realistic outcome for him. He can do something somewhere. But the reality is he'd be lucky to be a backup guard for a team, even for a short few years in the NBA.
But as a rule I do like the older recruits in basketball more, or at least of those College guys, you'll find the more you research it those younger guys, the fail rate is so high, but those older guys produce more immediately and have the better odds at becoming long term players.

From a scouting perspective I also feel the international talent is so grossly underrated. The teams just aren't paying attention. Rudy Gobert, Jusuf Nurkic. I don't know what NBA teams were not seeing with those guys. Though Giannis I had no idea had the game he has, and it became obvious from early season one just how good he can be and as a guy who is still growing and improving rapidly, I'm really looking forward to seeing how good he can become.

 

[Knightmare]

As a Bulls fan the one highlight at the moment is the play of Nikola Mirotic. He is like the James Harden of the four. Not nearly as advanced and not going to win the MVP obviously, and probably not even the ROY based on limited minutes for a large portion of the season. But offensively he does the same things as Harden and has that same style game. He can shoot the three, but that's not why he's good. Mirotic's greatest ability is getting to the line and then converting from his opportunities. He just has that crafty ability to get to the line with his pump-fakes then driving ability with his ability to put it on the floor and get to the rim for the easy layup, and draw contact on the drive. It's a really unique game and it's incredible as a rookie that he is taking over as the primarily option and the primary option on offence in the 4th quarter.

 

[nahnah]

As a Bulls fan the one highlight at the moment is the play of Nikola Mirotic. He is like the James Harden of the four. Not nearly as advanced and not going to win the MVP obviously, and probably not even the ROY based on limited minutes for a large portion of the season. But offensively he does the same things as Harden and has that same style game. He can shoot the three, but that's not why he's good. Mirotic's greatest ability is getting to the line and then converting from his opportunities. He just has that crafty ability to get to the line with his pump-fakes then driving ability with his ability to put it on the floor and get to the rim for the easy layup, and draw contact on the drive. It's a really unique game and it's incredible as a rookie that he is taking over as the primarily option and the primary option on offence in the 4th quarter.

Top 3 in ROY ? Wiggins, Payton, Mirotic ? Also smart would be up there, i haven't to much attention to award races this season so i could be way off other than Wiggins. There hasn't really been a rookie average 20+ points in a while.
Big game today with bulls playing raps, raps are currently up 54-50.
Hopefully cavs can beat memphis but they seem to struggle with slower paced teams, even though they beat them earlier in the season with waiters i think memphis will win today. Which opens the door for the winner of the bulls raptors game to some degree. Really if bulls win today then beat the cavs in their final meeting thats a chance for them to put pressure on the cavs 2nd seed, i don't see any way raptors can over take cavs in the final 10 games.