Opinion The NBA Thread

[Knightmare]

That's the pack I was talking about. They ain't no 95-96 Bulls I'll give you that much.

The best team ever is such an interesting debate.

As a Bulls fan I feel flattered by the notion that MJ is the greatest ever and that his 95-96 Bulls were the best team in any single season.

I look at MJ as the best guard/perimeter player ever certainly, but as an individual ball player Wilt I look at as greater. Wilt had a 50 point, 25 rebound season, and while blocks weren't recorded he may have averaged 10+ blocks while he was at it. And he did that in an era where he faced Bill Russell every few games.

For the greatest team title I favour Bill Russell's Celtics with those 11 chips. That's incredible when he played in an era v Wilt, Oscar, Baylor and West. As for greatest single season if the Warriors grab the greatest record ever and win the chip I'd be inclined to give them that award, because the Spurs are playing to a standard that since the 1998 Bulls would probably win a championship every year since.

Regarding the Warriors though the era certainly helps and only serves to make them more dominant. Under the modern rules they're substantially favoured as there is more room on the perimeter to clown on people. They're so good they can win 70 games several times and go for 75 wins at some point. If they played under the rules we saw in the 80s I'd favour the 1995-1996 Bulls. A dream matchup in any era though, those two teams. Just the versatility of the players on both sides. Pippen/Jordan/Harper could defend anyone on the perimeter, switch and still be able to defend, trap guys before half court which would work great v the Warriors. They've got Kukoc to stretch the floor, and he can switch on defence, same with Rodman. Kerr can play off the ball at the point and catch and shoot. Then they've got the bigs who can play as required.
And it's much the same dynamic with the Warriors a highly impressive defensive team with Iguodala, Green, Thompson, Barnes and Livingston particularly so versatile on the defensive end. Curry will get his steals. Then on offense pretty much everyone other than Ezeli and Bogut can stretch the floor. Curry on offense I look at as even more deadly than MJ due to the nature of the way he stretches the floor and how it opens up driving lanes and open 3s for teammates, and if you press up on him he'll finish in some crafty way at the rim.
Would make for a great matchup any way you slice it.

 

[sirlothie]

The best team ever is such an interesting debate.

As a Bulls fan I feel flattered by the notion that MJ is the greatest ever and that his 95-96 Bulls were the best team in any single season.

I look at MJ as the best guard/perimeter player ever certainly, but as an individual ball player Wilt I look at as greater. Wilt had a 50 point, 25 rebound season, and while blocks weren't recorded he may have averaged 10+ blocks while he was at it. And he did that in an era where he faced Bill Russell every few games.

For the greatest team title I favour Bill Russell's Celtics with those 11 chips. That's incredible when he played in an era v Wilt, Oscar, Baylor and West. As for greatest single season if the Warriors grab the greatest record ever and win the chip I'd be inclined to give them that award, because the Spurs are playing to a standard that since the 1998 Bulls would probably win a championship every year since.

Regarding the Warriors though the era certainly helps and only serves to make them more dominant. Under the modern rules they're substantially favoured as there is more room on the perimeter to clown on people. They're so good they can win 70 games several times and go for 75 wins at some point. If they played under the rules we saw in the 80s I'd favour the 1995-1996 Bulls. A dream matchup in any era though, those two teams. Just the versatility of the players on both sides. Pippen/Jordan/Harper could defend anyone on the perimeter, switch and still be able to defend, trap guys before half court which would work great v the Warriors. They've got Kukoc to stretch the floor, and he can switch on defence, same with Rodman. Kerr can play off the ball at the point and catch and shoot. Then they've got the bigs who can play as required.
And it's much the same dynamic with the Warriors a highly impressive defensive team with Iguodala, Green, Thompson, Barnes and Livingston particularly so versatile on the defensive end. Curry will get his steals. Then on offense pretty much everyone other than Ezeli and Bogut can stretch the floor. Curry on offense I look at as even more deadly than MJ due to the nature of the way he stretches the floor and how it opens up driving lanes and open 3s for teammates, and if you press up on him he'll finish in some crafty way at the rim.
Would make for a great matchup any way you slice it.

While Chamberlain and Russell's achievements are certainly very impressive on paper, I don't include them in my best ever discussions having only seen brief highlights. I was lucky enough to see a lot of the '90's Bulls so I can comment there. Jordan himself could also kill you with the 3 if he chose as seen in the 1992 Finals against the Blazers where he hit 6 in a half, but what separates him from Curry is he could also dunk right in the face of the biggest and best, such as Ewing, Robinson and Mutombo. Basically he could dunk on whoever he wanted, often after beating 2-3 players off the dribble. His mid range and fadeaway game was as good as any, he was a beast on defense and was exceptional in so many areas. He had no notable weakness. He is vastly superior to Curry, he was also mentally tougher than him and would 'find a way' to win games they shouldn't have. I haven't seen Curry do this. Similarly, Pippen's game was amazingly well rounded. Rodman was the best rebounder I've ever seen, Harper was all class. Longley was just an adequate bit player, Bogut is probably better. Kukoc could come off the bench and score 20 very quickly and Kerr was rated the best 3 point shooter at that time. Even if the Warriors go past 72, they're not better.

 

[Knightmare]

While Chamberlain and Russell's achievements are certainly very impressive on paper, I don't include them in my best ever discussions having only seen brief highlights. I was lucky enough to see a lot of the '90's Bulls so I can comment there. Jordan himself could also kill you with the 3 if he chose as seen in the 1992 Finals against the Blazers where he hit 6 in a half, but what separates him from Curry is he could also dunk right in the face of the biggest and best, such as Ewing, Robinson and Mutombo. Basically he could dunk on whoever he wanted, often after beating 2-3 players off the dribble. His mid range and fadeaway game was as good as any, he was a beast on defense and was exceptional in so many areas. He had no notable weakness. He is vastly superior to Curry, he was also mentally tougher than him and would 'find a way' to win games they shouldn't have. I haven't seen Curry do this. Similarly, Pippen's game was amazingly well rounded. Rodman was the best rebounder I've ever seen, Harper was all class. Longley was just an adequate bit player, Bogut is probably better. Kukoc could come off the bench and score 20 very quickly and Kerr was rated the best 3 point shooter at that time. Even if the Warriors go past 72, they're not better.

Jordan is the better basketball player between himself and Curry. I completely agree. Career (where Steph is still proving himself after struggling early days with injury) and prime v prime.

Jordan did his damage on both ends whereas Curry more so is deadly on offense and an only ok defender with his strength on that end being more in his ability to get steals. Jordan was an aerial assault on the rim, particularly before his first retirement and when he came back he became 15 feet and in probably the best mid-range jump shooter in basketball. And his scoring numbers (and fg%) speak for themselves as the best we've seen from a perimeter player, single season or over the course of his career.

In saying that though on the offensive end I would if NFL style we're talking only one side of the ball, I'd take Steph first. Steph doesn't need to dunk to get to the rim, he is such a crafty finisher, creating space on the perimeter due to his handle and speed and he gets to the rim and finishes so easily v defenders at the rim because he has all the tricks in the book, that's something that doesn't get spoken about enough with Steph as something he has developed these past few seasons into a major weapon in his game. Then from behind the 3pt line shooting that volume and that efficiency it's on another level what Steph is doing. He is a point guard who leads the NBA in scoring, yet he has the highest true shooting % in the NBA (in what is the hardest position on the court to possess a high shoot % as a small mans position where you're stationed typically furthest away from the rim). And that's before considering the concept of gravity where defenders will pay more attention to Steph on defence and get dragged out past the three point line which opens up the floor and opens up driving lanes for teammates. In basketball that is the ultimate offence.

As for Golden State v Bulls 95-96 the consensus is that the Bulls are the better team. I look at it more that each team in their respective era would be better. In today's game the Bulls would push the Warriors (due to their perimeter defence as per the Warriors) but I'd lean towards the Warriors in a 7 game series. In the 90s I'd back the Bulls under the rules then. In saying that though it's something more in hindsight when this season is complete and we have all the information on games won/lost, winning margins, individual stats etc.

 

[nahnah]

Bring on the playoffs where I can build up false hope

 

[BoxMatrix]

Kobe with 60. Greatest Laker of all time.

 

[mattys123]

Staggering finish from Kobe today, he was that good that no one (other than Warrior fans and their bandwagoners) were watching a team break the regular season win record.

60 in his last game, just wow.

Oh, and the Spurs get the Grizzlies in the opening round, haha.

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Kobe with 60. Greatest Laker of all time.

Not even close. Kareem 1st then Magic then Kobe 3rd

 

[Primetime Pricey]

Staggering finish from Kobe today, he was that good that no one (other than Warrior fans and their bandwagoners) were watching a team break the regular season win record.

60 in his last game, just wow.

Oh, and the Spurs get the Grizzlies in the opening round, haha.

Its hard to knock a bloke who scores 60 and im happy for him but he took 50 shots. I mean that summed up the whole Lakers season. Never seen a sporting season where the player got put ahead of the team and its future. The Lakers lost a season of development in there future to give a bloke a 82 game farewell tour. No offence but that should never happen for any player. You cant have a bloke chucking up close to 30 shots a game and letting it pass just because he is a all time great when you need guys like Clarkson, Russell etc developing and getting their share.

 

[Knightmare]

Kobe with 60. Greatest Laker of all time.

For longevity probably.

The Lakers have had some incredible ballers. Wilt, West, Baylor, Kareem, Magic, Shaq, Kobe were those greatest of the greats.

Wilt playing his best ball in Phili, same with Kareem with the Bucks, Shaq only spending a portion of their career as a Laker. Magic while a better baller than Kobe didn't play as many years which is all that counts against him relatively, same story with Baylor and West.

Staggering finish from Kobe today, he was that good that no one (other than Warrior fans and their bandwagoners) were watching a team break the regular season win record.

60 in his last game, just wow.

Oh, and the Spurs get the Grizzlies in the opening round, haha.

I can't say I'm surprised to hear Kobe put up 50 shots in his final game. Typical Kobe. Terrific way to go out with 60 points though. Showed he still had a game in him.

In saying that though if I wasn't working I'd still have watched the Steph Curry show with the Warriors breaking the all time games won record in the regular season with 73, and Steph also passing 400+ 3pters made in the season, getting his points average to 30ppg, it's incredible Steph can do that and have a 50,45,90 season. Offensively that's the most special season since one of Wilt's colossal seasons.

 

[nahnah]

Its hard to knock a bloke who scores 60 and im happy for him but he took 50 shots. I mean that summed up the whole Lakers season. Never seen a sporting season where the player got put ahead of the team and its future. The Lakers lost a season of development in there future to give a bloke a 82 game farewell tour. No offence but that should never happen for any player. You cant have a bloke chucking up close to 30 shots a game and letting it pass just because he is a all time great when you need guys like Clarkson, Russell etc developing and getting their share.

To be fair he made 22/50 which is 44% which isn't awful

 

[danielnajdek]

Would laugh if Spurs beat Golden State when they meet each other.

 

[nahnah]

Would laugh if the Marvin Williams led hornets won the chip

 

[sirlothie]

To be fair he made 22/50 which is 44% which isn't awful

He was 7/21 at one stage so it takes some guts to put up another 29 shots after that.... he had more shots than the rest of his teammates combined.

But the Lakers knew having a Kobe farewell season would put bums on seats and the cynic in me says they just did it for the commercial aspect not so much as a farewell to Kobe from the heart. But some fans paid up to $25k for tickets to yesterday's game for the express purpose of seeing Kobe's last game so they got what they wanted to see I guess...

It shouldn't go down as one of the great performances though cos the D wasn't flash when he scored the last 13 of the game or whatever... it was a bit of a show let's be honest.

 

[nahnah]

We did not do playoff predictions...

 

[Knightmare]

Might have to get things started.

Round 2:
GSW over HOU 4-1.
LAC over POR 4-1.
OKC over DAL 4-1.
SAS over MEM 4-0.
CLE over DET 4-0.
ATL over BOS 4-1.
MIA over CHA 4-1.
IND over TOR 4-3.

Round 2:
GSW over LAC 4-1.
SAS over OKC 4-3.
CLE over ATL 4-2.
MIA over IND 4-3.

Conference finals:
GSW over SAS 4-3.
CLE over MIA 4-2.

Finals:
GSW over CLE 4-2.

 

[nahnah]

Round 1:
GSW over HOU 4-0.
LAC over POR 4-1.
OKC over DAL 4-1.
SAS over MEM 4-0.
CLE over DET 4-1.
ATL over BOS 4-1.
MIA over CHA 4-2
TOR over IND 4-2.

Round 2:
GSW over LAC 4-1.
SAS over OKC 4-2.
CLE over ATL 4-0.
TOR over MIA 4-2.

Conference finals:
GSW over SAS 4-2.
CLE over TOR 4-2.

Finals:
GSW over CLE 4-1.

 

[nahnah]

Can the Clippers beat a Curry-less Warriors?

 

[wicksy]

Can the Clippers beat a Curry-less Warriors?

Not without Chris Paul they can't.... FML!!!

EDIT: CP has broken his right hand and BG has re-injured his quad. Season over!! DEVASTATED!!!

 

[nahnah]

Not without Chris Paul they can't.... FML!!!

EDIT: CP has broken his right hand and BG has re-injured his quad. Season over!! DEVASTATED!!!

God dammit!!!!!!!

Can the Blazers do it??

 

[wicksy]

God dammit!!!!!!!

Can the Blazers do it??

No. We could have.

 

[mattys123]

On Tim Duncan's 40th birthday.

CP3 and Steph out injured.

Good work Timmy.

 

[nahnah]

On Tim Duncan's 40th birthday.

CP3 and Steph out injured.

Good work Timmy.

As a spur fan why would you want cp3 to get injured? Curry is probably gonna be back in time for the Spurs series

 

[wicksy]

On Tim Duncan's 40th birthday.

CP3 and Steph out injured.

Good work Timmy.

It's lucky Duncan has more class in his big toe than you're entire being - judging by that comment.
I now hope the Spurs get obliterated.

 

[Knightmare]

With Curry (for now) out my interest turns to the Spurs v OKC series. Depending on Curry's health, it could easily be one of those teams v the Cavs for the chip.

 

[sirlothie]

With Curry (for now) out my interest turns to the Spurs v OKC series. Depending on Curry's health, it could easily be one of those teams v the Cavs for the chip.

They will wheel out Curry in a wheelchair and park him beyond the arc if they have to, Curry will be back.