Opinion The NBA Thread

[nahnah]

Why Kyrie over Lowry and Isaiah ? The other two have had a lot better seasons than him. Can't argue with any of your other starters.

I'll look more in depth at bench options later as I've only had a think about starters


Edit: I say this after Ive voted for Kyrie 30 times aha gotta get your favourites in

 

[Knightmare]

Why Kyrie over Lowry and Isaiah ? The other two have had a lot better seasons than him. Can't argue with any of your other starters.

I'll look more in depth at bench options later as I've only had a think about starters


Edit: I say this after Ive voted for Kyrie 30 times aha gotta get your favourites in

If I was to review the point guards by production in the East. Isaish is the most productive by position in his conference, but with Kyrie Cleveland's closer and having to share the offense with LeBron and Love, I'd lean towards rewarding winning on balance. I also like some size at least in my point guards for defensive purposes. And Kyrie has done really well, particularly in recent years v Steph Curry actually winning more matchups on production than he has lost. So I give him the edge, though I'm with you it is the one position I'd ponder and with further thought probably lean towards Isaish.

Will be interested where/if you have any other differences in the full team.

 

[nahnah]

With no bias on who i think deserves a spot.

East:
Isaiah Thomas
Demar Derozan
Giannis whatverkompo
Lebron james
Dwight Howard

East:
Joel Embiid
Hassan Whiteside
Kevin Love
Jimmy Butler
Kyle Lowry
Kyrie Irving
John Wall

Melo and Paul George have been underwhelming, i personally prefer to have a center in the line up even though Jimmy Butler, Kyrie, Wall and Kyle Lowry are imo having better seasons than Howard. Also Kevin Love is too but I prefer having a shot blocker as a big.

West:
Russ Westbrook
James Harden
Kawhi Leonard
Kevin Durant
Anthony Davis

West:
Rudy Gobert
DeMarcus Cousins
Karl-Anthony Towns
Klay Thompson
Steph Curry
Damian Lillard
Chris Paul

One difference is Klay over Green otherwise i think its the same. Yes Green is really good at defense and passing... the guy cant score or shoot anymore and has regressed pretty significantly imo. Klay has a low PER despite having good shooting... his turnovers to assists are bad but his role has changed from last year and he literally just shoots when he gets the ball and does a decent job at it.


For the 3pt shoot out I would like to see:
Steph
Klay
Kyrie
Frye
Gordon (rockets)
Lowry

I think Harden will get in like usual though

For the dunk contest i would like to see:
Lavine
Gordon (magic)
Westbrook
Nance
Wiggins

 

[Knightmare]

With no bias on who i think deserves a spot.

East:
Isaiah Thomas
Demar Derozan
Giannis whatverkompo
Lebron james
Dwight Howard

East:
Joel Embiid
Hassan Whiteside
Kevin Love
Jimmy Butler
Kyle Lowry
Kyrie Irving
John Wall

Melo and Paul George have been underwhelming, i personally prefer to have a center in the line up even though Jimmy Butler, Kyrie, Wall and Kyle Lowry are imo having better seasons than Howard. Also Kevin Love is too but I prefer having a shot blocker as a big.

West:
Russ Westbrook
James Harden
Kawhi Leonard
Kevin Durant
Anthony Davis

West:
Rudy Gobert
DeMarcus Cousins
Karl-Anthony Towns
Klay Thompson
Steph Curry
Damian Lillard
Chris Paul

One difference is Klay over Green otherwise i think its the same. Yes Green is really good at defense and passing... the guy cant score or shoot anymore and has regressed pretty significantly imo. Klay has a low PER despite having good shooting... his turnovers to assists are bad but his role has changed from last year and he literally just shoots when he gets the ball and does a decent job at it.


For the 3pt shoot out I would like to see:
Steph
Klay
Kyrie
Frye
Gordon (rockets)
Lowry

I think Harden will get in like usual though

For the dunk contest i would like to see:
Lavine
Gordon (magic)
Westbrook
Nance
Wiggins

Completely forgot about Klay. I'd put Klay in for for Chris Paul. Clippers fans wouldn't like it, but it's just a better fitting team with too many point guards already and Westbrook/Harden/Steph deserving the minutes. Lillard I also marginally favour to Chris Paul as the better scorer of the two, but you could go either way depending on whether you favour distribution or scoring.

Your call on Paul George is a good one. You're also completely right about Mello. They're both not playing to the standard they should be this season. I placed George in there for balance as he can slot in, in the all-star format into the 2-4 positions and is one of those athletic, long types who can hit 3s which suits the style the game is played in. Embiid I get the choice of and many will agree with you, I'd just like to see him wait another year being a rookie still on mildish minutes. Embiid is great though and his per 36min numbers are outstanding. He's even shooting the 3 better than Steph and Klay were in their first seasons which is ridiculous from your big man who is dominating inside.

The only position I can't quite agree on is starting Howard. He's been slightly better this season, but he's more someone who is only just fitting inside the team. I wouldn't start any of the East bigs and as above I'd take Butler.
If it's for a practical team where you do play a big, I'd go Whiteside over Howard. He's been the more dominant rebounder and defender and his post play has also been better, with his athleticism also still by comparison much more a feature of his game relative to Howard.

--

For the dunk contest. I think you've pretty much got it. LaVine, Gordon (Magic) and Nance I agree completely are the three must haves. Not that he will turn up, but LeBron I'd invite. Terrence Ross I'd be interested in seeing again. For a smokie, Kristaps Porzingis could go either way, but with his hops and length, I just can't help but be interested to see what he can do in a dunk contest.
Westbrook is an in-game dunker and not of any great interest to me. Wiggins I sense is probably much the same. I'd rather Vince Carter to those guys and even turning 40 on Jan 26th, he can still dunk and would be a real throwback I'd be half tempted to see in the contest if he thinks he still has enough lift to do somethings.

--
For the 3pt my choices are
Steph
Klay
KD
E.Gordon
Korver
N.Young (he's been seriously good this season with his 3pt per 36min at a ridiculous 4.0 on 43% shooting. That has to be rewarded)

 

[nahnah]

Completely forgot about Klay. I'd put Klay in for for Chris Paul. Clippers fans wouldn't like it, but it's just a better fitting team with too many point guards already and Westbrook/Harden/Steph deserving the minutes. Lillard I also marginally favour to Chris Paul as the better scorer of the two, but you could go either way depending on whether you favour distribution or scoring.

Your call on Paul George is a good one. You're also completely right about Mello. They're both not playing to the standard they should be this season. I placed George in there for balance as he can slot in, in the all-star format into the 2-4 positions and is one of those athletic, long types who can hit 3s which suits the style the game is played in. Embiid I get the choice of and many will agree with you, I'd just like to see him wait another year being a rookie still on mildish minutes. Embiid is great though and his per 36min numbers are outstanding. He's even shooting the 3 better than Steph and Klay were in their first seasons which is ridiculous from your big man who is dominating inside.

The only position I can't quite agree on is starting Howard. He's been slightly better this season, but he's more someone who is only just fitting inside the team. I wouldn't start any of the East bigs and as above I'd take Butler.
If it's for a practical team where you do play a big, I'd go Whiteside over Howard. He's been the more dominant rebounder and defender and his post play has also been better, with his athleticism also still by comparison much more a feature of his game relative to Howard.

--

For the dunk contest. I think you've pretty much got it. LaVine, Gordon (Magic) and Nance I agree completely are the three must haves. Not that he will turn up, but LeBron I'd invite. Terrence Ross I'd be interested in seeing again. For a smokie, Kristaps Porzingis could go either way, but with his hops and length, I just can't help but be interested to see what he can do in a dunk contest.
Westbrook is an in-game dunker and not of any great interest to me. Wiggins I sense is probably much the same. I'd rather Vince Carter to those guys and even turning 40 on Jan 26th, he can still dunk and would be a real throwback I'd be half tempted to see in the contest if he thinks he still has enough lift to do somethings.

--
For the 3pt my choices are
Steph
Klay
KD
E.Gordon
Korver
N.Young (he's been seriously good this season with his 3pt per 36min at a ridiculous 4.0 on 43% shooting. That has to be rewarded)

I should have mentioned if your team is 11-29 you dont get to start imo, also Whiteside is a good shot blocker but he isnt a good team defender. Often tries to get the block and is left out of position.

No kyrie in the 3pt contest? He is a previous winner and is really the only one that has shown an ability to compete with steph and Klay. Korver always underperforms in them. Nick young is a nice choice.

I remember we had this westbrook argument last year or the year before, I wanna see him in a dunk contest I reckon he has the flare and creativity. Wiggins being in it might mean he actually uses his 44inch vertical for a change which would be nice. Vince Carter would be a yes from me, Kristaps a no.. unless theyre super athletic like Nance and Gordon i prefer guards for this event.

 

[Knightmare]

I should have mentioned if your team is 11-29 you dont get to start imo, also Whiteside is a good shot blocker but he isnt a good team defender. Often tries to get the block and is left out of position.

No kyrie in the 3pt contest? He is a previous winner and is really the only one that has shown an ability to compete with steph and Klay. Korver always underperforms in them. Nick young is a nice choice.

I remember we had this westbrook argument last year or the year before, I wanna see him in a dunk contest I reckon he has the flare and creativity. Wiggins being in it might mean he actually uses his 44inch vertical for a change which would be nice. Vince Carter would be a yes from me, Kristaps a no.. unless theyre super athletic like Nance and Gordon i prefer guards for this event.

Kyrie for me is a possible but not a necessary in the 3pt contest. He's a great 3pt shooter off the dribble but not great as a catch and shoot. He's someone I'm fine with seeing, without viewing him as a best 6 3pt shooter in the NBA.

 

[nahnah]

Kyrie for me is a possible but not a necessary in the 3pt contest. He's a great 3pt shooter off the dribble but not great as a catch and shoot. He's someone I'm fine with seeing, without viewing him as a best 6 3pt shooter in the NBA.

his catch and shoot has improved a lot since 2014, i saw a stat about a month ago where he was right up the top of the league in % from catch and shoot 3's.

 

[nahnah]

Ugh, can't wait till Korver is integrated properly and we have a back up pg and find our outside shooting again

 

[Stoods]

Is the draft looking to be a strong one this year? My Celtics have the Nets first round pick again and as it stands the nets are last by at least 4 games at this stage so we would be getting the number 1 overall pick, crazy!

 

[nahnah]

Is the draft looking to be a strong one this year? My Celtics have the Nets first round pick again and as it stands the nets are last by at least 4 games at this stage so we would be getting the number 1 overall pick, crazy!

Yep it's a good draft, you'll probably be looking at Lonzo Ball from UCLA. 6'6pg with a weird but effective jump shot and great play making ability

 

[Knightmare]

Is the draft looking to be a strong one this year? My Celtics have the Nets first round pick again and as it stands the nets are last by at least 4 games at this stage so we would be getting the number 1 overall pick, crazy!

It's a good draft if you want a point guard. Five of the first six or thereabouts are early days looking like point guards.

 

[Knightmare]

Yep it's a good draft, you'll probably be looking at Lonzo Ball from UCLA. 6'6pg with a weird but effective jump shot and great play making ability

I wouldn't take Lonzo Ball number one. He's someone I'd up the top end actually prefer some other team take, if I had a top five choice. He's not a great scorer and I get the sense he'll struggle to make shots in the NBA.

Markelle Fultz would be my choice. Much better scorer who off the dribble does a lot of damage.

 

[nahnah]

I wouldn't take Lonzo Ball number one. He's someone I'd up the top end actually prefer some other team take, if I had a top five choice. He's not a great scorer and I get the sense he'll struggle to make shots in the NBA.

Markelle Fultz would be my choice. Much better scorer who off the dribble does a lot of damage.

Fultz is more of the modern day PG that scores the ball more than facilitates, I'm not much of a scout other than being certain Stanley Johnson would be a bust so I'll take your word on it but I have seen Ball #1 on a few sites

 

[Knightmare]

Fultz is more of the modern day PG that scores the ball more than facilitates, I'm not much of a scout other than being certain Stanley Johnson would be a bust so I'll take your word on it but I have seen Ball #1 on a few sites

Watch for Fultz. Whether he goes number one or two, it remains unclear.

He'd be my clear pick. Athletic, plays an analytic friendly game - getting to the basket, hitting 3s, scoring off the dribble. Solid on defence.

We all get some/miss some though.

*In checking through draftexpress (who along with nbadraft.net are the websites I sometimes check for some further NBA draft info), draftexpress have Fultz at number one, though nbadraft has Ball at one for now.

I also like Dennis Smith over Ball.

 

[Stoods]

I follow basketball scores but not full on into it like AFL or NFL, what do the Celtics need in your guys opinion? Thomas is a point guard isnt he? So not sure if we will go for one?

 

[nahnah]

I follow basketball scores but not full on into it like AFL or NFL, what do the Celtics need in your guys opinion? Thomas is a point guard isnt he? So not sure if we will go for one?

Yeah he is a pg. You would move Smart for a big and have Fultz/Ball as your back up until they're ready to overtake Thomas. Your biggest need is a center imo, Horford isn't a very good rebounder and is more suited to playing PF

 

[Stoods]

Yeah he is a pg. You would move Smart for a big and have Fultz/Ball as your back up until they're ready to overtake Thomas. Your biggest need is a center imo, Horford isn't a very good rebounder and is more suited to playing PF

Yeah i have noticed we arent great on rebounding, both offensive and defensive

 

[nahnah]

Yeah i have noticed we arent great on rebounding, both offensive and defensive

I think you guys would be all over Nerlens Noel

 

[Stoods]

I think you guys would be all over Nerlens Noel

Is he a top prospect in this years draft?

 

[nahnah]

Is he a top prospect in this years draft?

No he plays for Philly, he was taken pick 6 a few years ago but doesnt get played much because they also drafted 2 bigs with top 3 picks in recent years. He is a solid rebounder and good rim protector.

Boston will have too many guards and not enough bigs
Philly has too many bigs and not enough guard even if they use a high draft pick this year on one

so a Noel for Smart trade makes sense to me, Boston may need to add something else to get it done. Noel is a legitimate starting C and Smart is a player that can play both guard positions and is very good at defense which philly needs.

 

[Knightmare]

I follow basketball scores but not full on into it like AFL or NFL, what do the Celtics need in your guys opinion? Thomas is a point guard isnt he? So not sure if we will go for one?

Thomas is a point guard. It's the position Boston are loaded in. Otherwise Boston's roster is shoulder shrug stuff with Horford a very good center/power forward depending on the complimenting big.

Marcus Smart was a recent top 4 pick and point guard.

Terry Rozier plays point/shooting guard and has some scope to develop. Likewise Demetrius Jackson. Avery Bradley is another while he plays shooting guard, he is another point guard height type who isn't a natural shooting guard (established player). So there is serious depth behind Thomas, and Thomas is arguably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference on current production.

Needless to say given Boston's situation they'll be shopping something. Be it existing point guards or picks.

With the new broadcasting money it's an interesting time with trading and free agency. I get the sense Boston may play it relatively conservative and not overspend, not really having a team that can contend (who can when Golden State have Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green and Cleveland have LeBron, Kyrie and Love)?

Filling those other list positions and building around Thomas and Horford, it will be interesting to see how Boston do that and how aggressively and how quickly.

 

[Knightmare]

I agree with the Nerlens Noel call for Boston. Horford shoots well from the mid range so that combo can work. Noel is a terrific rim protector, rebounds and finishes around the rim. He can fit and come cheaper than someone of his talent should. He's not a problem guy, just a guy who is lacking opportunity in a loaded big man rotation.

 

[Stoods]

Thomas is a point guard. It's the position Boston are loaded in. Otherwise Boston's roster is shoulder shrug stuff with Horford a very good center/power forward depending on the complimenting big.

Marcus Smart was a recent top 4 pick and point guard.

Terry Rozier plays point/shooting guard and has some scope to develop. Likewise Demetrius Jackson. Avery Bradley is another while he plays shooting guard, he is another point guard height type who isn't a natural shooting guard (established player). So there is serious depth behind Thomas, and Thomas is arguably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference on current production.

Needless to say given Boston's situation they'll be shopping something. Be it existing point guards or picks.

With the new broadcasting money it's an interesting time with trading and free agency. I get the sense Boston may play it relatively conservative and not overspend, not really having a team that can contend (who can when Golden State have Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green and Cleveland have LeBron, Kyrie and Love)?

Filling those other list positions and building around Thomas and Horford, it will be interesting to see how Boston do that and how aggressively and how quickly.

Who is someone you see us going for KM? Seeing as if things keep going.. we will have the number 1 pick

 

[Knightmare]

Who is someone you see us going for KM? Seeing as if things keep going.. we will have the number 1 pick

Trade scenarios will need to be explored.

Serge Ibaka as a free agent would be a suitable pairing in the front court for Horford if he doesn't require an over the top offer to acquire.

In saying that, I'd recommend with that first pick to trade it. Isaish Thomas is a terrific point guard. There is no reason to break up a good team just to accommodate the first draft selection.

That first pick or second pick, or whatever Boston end up with I'd be looking to move to probably the 76ers and I'd look to take back the best possible package I can.

As bigs I'd be asking for one of Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel. Then I'd be looking at a combination of the rights to players stashed overseas (mostly in Europe) that the 76ers have accumulated. I'd also try to add Dario Saric as part of the deal who is a good developing power forward who can stretch the floor and hit 3 pointers and give the Boston front court some versatility. Then whatever other picks I can get in the deal, which will come down to whether it's pick 1,2,3 or 4 and whether that big included is Okafor or Noel (Noel holding the less value around the NBA).

With the draft lottery system this is all in the world that Boston end up with a higher pick than the 76ers which would give them the flexibility to fill other needs with their other picks or trade their picks to fill other roster needs.

If the 76ers end up with a higher pick or a deal can't be organised with them, then I'd offer that first pick + anything else needed for Jimmy Butler. As a Bulls fan I'd say outright, no, to any deals for Butler. He is the clutchest player and best 4th quarter player in the NBA. But if Boston have that top pick or the second pick and the Bulls know their preference will be there and Boson offer first round picks or some other recent first round picks, maybe the Bulls consider the deal, with the front office considering a total rebuild.

 

[nahnah]

Cavs lack of effort + experimenting new things has been pretty annoying recently, I didnt think I would miss JR so much but we lack his ability to get his own shot