The Official Week 1 Thread: "The Thread Awakens"

[hans moleman]

It's late October and for months the BigFooty Basketball community has eagerly been awaiting one thing:

...Hang on, while that looks impressive and all, it's not exactly what we're here for.

What we've actually been waiting for looks something more like this:

Spoiler

Yep the new NBA season is finally here and the Weekly Thread has awakened.

We've endured a long Offseason, passing the time by shaking our heads at Tristan Thompson's contract, hearing Bulls fans gush about their latest draft pick, lamenting the loss of MKG and trying to figure out what in the hell Sacramento's front office is doing.

Some of BigFooty's finest posters (allegedly) have even gone to the trouble of putting out in-depth previews of each team. Seriously, if you haven't already, you really should head over and read the Season Previews.


Best Play of the Preseason




What To Watch For This Week

Wed: New Orleans @ Golden State. The defending Champs unfurl the banner and we get our first look at MVP candidate Anthony Davis.

Thu: 14 games on tap, so I'm sure you'll all gravitate to the teams that you support. But make sure to catch the San Antonio vs OKC game too.

Fri: Memphis @ Indiana. The first real test for the new smallball Pacers.

Sat: Miami @ Cleveland. Bosh & Co. meet up with LeBron & Co.

Sun: New York @ Washington. A chance to gauge whether the Knicks are for real this season.


In the next post: the BigFooty Basketball Survey results...

 

[hans moleman]

The 2015-16 BigFooty Basketball Survey

You've no doubt read a ton of articles and listened to a bunch of podcasts all predicting how the upcoming season will turn out.

But how does the BigFooty Basketball community see things? The Survey will provide the answers...

(Yeah, I've been bugging you the last couple of days but eventually we got enough repsonses. Thanks to everyone who responded)


Playoff Predictions

Which team will win the 2016 NBA Finals?
1. Cleveland -- 67.7%
2. San Antonio -- 16.1%
3. Oklahoma City -- 9.7%
4. Golden State -- 6.5%

NBA GM Survey: 1. Cleveland 53.6%

Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Cleveland -- 100%

Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. Golden State -- 33.3%
2. San Antonio -- 26.7%
3. Oklahoma City -- 16.7%
4. L.A. Clippers -- 13.3%
5. Houston -- 10%

Rank the Top 4 teams in the Eastern Conference.
1. Cleveland -- 39.8%
2. Chicago -- 25.2%
3. Atlanta -- 16.8%
4. Washington -- 7.3%
5. Miami -- 5.8%
6. Toronto -- 4.4%
7. Milwaukee -- 0.7%

%Total = Percentage of total points (4 for 1st, 3 for 2nd, 2 for 3rd, 1 for 4th)
NBA GM Survey: 1. Cleveland 38.9%, 2. Chicago 24.7%, 3. Atlanta 12.8%, 4. Miami 11.5%

Rank the Top 4 teams in the Western Conference.
1. Golden State * -- 34.9%
2. Oklahoma City -- 21.9%
3. San Antonio -- 17.8%
4. L.A. Clippers -- 13.8%
5. Houston -- 11.5%

* Despite being ranked the best team in the West, barely anyone picked Golden State to repeat.
NBA GM Survey: 1. Golden State 32.8%, 2. San Antonio 29.0%, 3. OKC 19.0%, 4. LAC 9.3%



Players

Who will win the 2015-16 MVP?
1. Anthony Davis -- 42.3%
2. Kevin Durant -- 30.8%
Tied-for-3rd. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James -- 11.5%
4. James Harden "now that he has broken the Kardashian and Lil B curses." -- 3.8%

NBA GM Survey: 1. LeBron James 39.3%, 2. Anthony Davis 25.0%, 3. Kevin Durant 10.7%

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the NBA, who would it be?
1. Anthony Davis -- 90.5%
T-2. DeMarcus Cousins -- 4.8%
"Definitely not Doug McDermott." -- 4.8%

NBA GM Survey: 1. Anthony Davis 86.9%

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2015-16?
1. C.J. McCollum -- 20.0%
2. Otto Porter -- 15.0%
T-3. Giannis Antentokounmpo -- 10.0%
Jabari Parker -- 10.0%
Bradley Beal -- 10.0%
T-6. Andrew Wiggins -- 5.0%
Nerlens Noel -- 5.0%
Derrick Favors -- 5.0%
Victor Oladipo -- 5.0%
Gary Harris -- 5.0%
Kobe Bryant* -- 5.0%
Derrick Williams ** -- 5.0%

* I know what you're thinking but peternorth did NOT provide this vote
** That is not a typo

NBA GM Survey: 1. Wiggins 17.2%, Antentokounmpo 13.8%

Who will win the 2015-16 Rookie Of The Year?
T-1. Jahlil Okafor -- 28.0%
Emmanuel Mudiay -- 28.0%
3. Karl-Anthony Towns -- 20.0%
4. Stanley Johnson -- 12.0%
5. D'Angelo Russell -- 8.0%
6. Myles Turner -- 4.0%

NBA GM Survey: 1. Okafor 44.8%, Towns 34.5%

Which player do you hate the most?
1. Chris Paul -- 17.4%
2. Kobe Bryant -- 13.0%
T-3. James Harden -- 8.7%
Dwyane Wade -- 8.7%

Other nominees included: J.J. Barea, Rudy Gay, Kirk Hinrich, "Whoever is guarding Kirk Hinrich", "Almost any Clipper" and this:

Who is the best white guy in the league?
1. Marc Gasol -- 38.1%
2. Kevin Love* -- 14.3%
3. Blake Griffin -- 9.5%
T-4. Pau Gasol -- 4.8%
Dirk Nowitzki -- 4.8%
Danilo Gallinari -- 4.8%
Meyers Leonard -- 4.8%
Kirk Hinrich -- 4.8%
Alex Len -- 4.8%
"Slo Mo Joe." -- 4.8%
Brian Scalabrine -- 4.8%

* One poster refused to vote for Love because: "it's unproven that Kevin Love is not a woman with a fake beard."

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Marc Gasol 22.2%

Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?
T-1. Damian Lillard -- 28.6%
Stephen Curry -- 28.6%
3. Kevin Durant -- 19.0%
T-4. LeBron James -- 4.8%
Kyrie Irving -- 4.8%
James Harden -- 4.8%
Paul Pierce -- 4.8%
Carmelo Anthony -- 4.8%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Curry 42.9%, 2. LeBron 14.3%
NBA GM Survey: 1. Curry 51.7%, 2. Durant 31.0%


Teams

Which team will be most improved in 2015-16?
1. Oklahoma City -- 36.7%
2. Orlando -- 22.7
3. Sacramento -- 13.6
4. Denver -- 9.1%

NBA GM Survey: 1. OKC 25.0%, 2. Milwaukee 17.9%

Which team will have the worst record in the league?
1. Philadelphia* -- 48.0%
2. L.A. Lakers -- 20.0%
3. Minnesota -- 16.0%
4. New York -- 12.5%
5. Portland ** -- 4.0%

* One poster explained: "my god, that backcourt"...I'd agree if actually knew who made up the 76ers backcourt.
** This vote comes from a Blazers fan seemingly desperate for that #1 pick

Which team is the most fun to watch?
1. Golden State -- 66.7%
2. Oklahoma City -- 14.3%
T-3. New Orleans -- 4.8%
Cleveland -- 4.8%
San Antonio -- 4.8%
L.A. Lakers -- 4.8%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Golden State 84.2%
NBA GM Survey: 1. Golden State 93.1%

Which team do you most like seeing lose?
1. L.A. Clippers -- 28.6%
2. L.A. Lakers * -- 14.3%
T-3. San Antonio -- 9.5%
Houston -- 9.5%

One voter elaborated: "The Clippers in the playoffs, the Lakers in the regular season."

Previous BigFooty Survey: T-1. Houston, LA Clippers 16.7%

Which team couldn't you care less about?
1. Brooklyn -- 33.3%
2. Charlotte -- 14.3%
T-3. Denver -- 9.5%
Detroit -- 9.5%

Previous BigFooty Survey: T-1. Denver, Brooklyn 25.0%


BigFooty

Which team has the best fans on BigFooty?
1. New Orleans -- 38.1%
2. Chicago -- 19.0%
3. New York -- 14.3%
T-4. Detroit -- 4.8%
San Antonio -- 4.8%
Phoenix -- 4.8%
Denver -- 4.8%
Golden State -- 7.8%
Golden State (pre-bandwagon) -- 4.8%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. New Orleans 36.8%, 2. New York 21.1%, 3. Golden State 15.8%

Which team has the worst/most irrational fans on BigFooty?
T-1. Houston -- 20.8%
Chicago -- 20.8%
T-3. Boston -- 12.5%
L.A. Clippers -- 12.5%
T-5. New York -- 8.3%
L.A. Lakers -- 8.3%
T-7. Cleveland -- 4.2%
Miami -- 4.2%
"Golden State bandwagoners." -- 4.2%
"Anyone Primetime Pricey supports." -- 4.2%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Houston, 2. LA Clippers

If you had to pick a '2nd team' to support, which would it be?
1. New Orleans -- 20.0%
2. Milwaukee -- 12.0%
T-3. Phoenix -- 8.0%
Cleveland -- 8.0%
Oklahoma City * -- 8.0%
Memphis -- 8.0%

* A vote was also cast for Seattle.
Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Portland 25.0%, 2. Golden State 20.0%, 3. New Orleans 15.0%

Who is the player most underrated by BigFooty?
1. Mike Conley -- 23.5%
2. Kirk Hinrich -- 11.8%
T-3. Kyle Lowry, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, Enes Kanter, Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Russell Westbrook, Nerlens Noel, Blake Griffin, Ty Lawson -- 5.9%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Hayward 14.8%

Who is the player most overrated by BigFooty?
1. Chris Paul -- 10.5%
T-2. Kyrie Irving, Matthew Dellavedova, Derrick Rose, DeMarr DeRozan, James Harden, Jimmy Butler,Rudy Gay, Draymond Green, Doug McDermott, Zach LaVine, Isaiah Thomas, Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin -- 5.3%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. Rose 25.0%


fidstar's Random Stuff

Number of games for Bogut
Low: 34
High: 70
Average: 60.3

Number of wins for the Lakers
Low: 9
High: 29
Average: 22.9

Number of wins for the Knicks
Low: 14
High: 56
Average: 30.3



Misc

How excited are you about the new NBL season?
1. "I think Australia needs a strong National league...but I don't really follow the NBL at all." -- 31.9%
2. "I’m too busy watching the NBA to notice." -- 22.7%
T-3. "I might go to the odd game or two." -- 13.6%
"Lolwut!?!" -- 13.6%
T-5. "A new NBL season has started?" -- 4.5%
"What's an NBL? Something to do with National Broadband?" -- 4.5%
"More excited now that the Downtown boys are podcasting again. Without their coverage I probably wouldn't pay much attention." -- 4.5%
"I'd rather stick hot razor wire in my gonads, smother in honey and immerse in a bee hive then apply a lit match to the top than watch a single minute." -- 14.5%


Whose last NBA season is it most likely to be?
1. Kobe -- 30.0%
2. Duncan -- 23.3%
3. Dirk -- 20.0%
T-4. Amar'e --10.0%
All of the above -- 10.0%
T-6. Garnett -- 3.3%
Pierce -- 3.3%

In any case, we're definitely coming to the end of an era.


What annoys you the most?
1. The Clippers whining -- 26.7%
2. The way James Harden always draws fouls -- 20.0%
3. Excessive Timeouts and Stoppages -- 16.7%
T-4. Kirk Hinrich -- 6.7%
"All of the above, except Kirk." -- 6.7%
T-6. Flopping -- 3.3%
Long Video Reviews -- 3.3%
"All of the above." -- 3.3%
Chris Broussard -- 3.3%
Blake Griffin -- 3.3%
"Matt Barnes' face." -- 3.3%

Previous BigFooty Survey: 1. The Clippers whining 31.8%

And lastly: If you could change one thing about the BigFooty Basketball board, what would it be?

• "Get rid of all bandwagoners come finals time."

• "Bring back Mead."

• "Bring back Mead. Every board needs a village idiot to throw stones at."

• "We need cheerleaders."

• "The only thing I'd change is advertising - this board is BF's best kept secret."

• "Bulls or Boston fan free days."

• "Going back to being able to have Kate Upton pictures etc. Seriously if this was a board mainly of women there would be pictures of hemsworth brothers everywhere. I really dont see the difference."

• "More love for Orlando."

• "Make it more organised."

• "More irrational Clipper fans pls."

• "Lock the forum to new people during the Playoffs, season post count minimum required."

• "Wouldn't change a thing!"

• "The posters to be better looking."

• "Better advice on the punting board."

 

[Footypie32]

Omg

 

[fidstar]

Awesome preview.

Almost as good as news.com.au which came up with this gem...

"If the Warriors can put together a season similar to their last one, then they’re a legitimate threat to repeat as NBA Champions."

Ohhh realllllllyyyy?!?!?

 

[Ron]

Can't wait to see this in a real game.


SET BONER TO MAX

 

[stewie griffen]

Glorious as always Hans

That photoshop is epic

 

[Dignan]

Yes, as some of the best players in the world take to the court Thursday morning, I have taken the day off work to watch Isaiah Canaan try to run an offence...

It's good to have nba back anyway

Nice work hans

 

[Jatz]

So happy to have this back!

 

[Oliver King]

Top stuff. Hopefully can kick off the season with a good win.

But Davis will probably ruin it.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Appreciate the head of Cosmo Kramer making it into the poster Hans
My body is ready.

 

[stewie griffen]

 

[Oliver King]

That Atalanta court looks great during the anthem

 

[stewie griffen]

Mirotic Butler oop, nice

Followed by the Love to Lebron oop

 

[PepeSilvia]

The big bloke singing the anthem in Atlanta killed it!

 

[Kickpuncher]

Good to be back

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Butler missed the wide open layup

 

[stewie griffen]

Threeeeeekola

 

[stewie griffen]

That Atalanta court looks great during the anthem

Looks fab

 

[Westy Bogan]

Wow... Will we every get a rebound with Niko and Gasol as our bigs?

 

[J Shuttlesworth]

Mirotic confirmed as the next Bull to have a outstanding regular season and underwhelm during there 2nd round exit.

 

[Westy Bogan]

Great to be back amongst my NBA BF buds

 

[J Shuttlesworth]

Looks fab

Whats with all the triangles though? Are triangles a big deal in ATL?

 

[mickelboy182]

Cavs defense shaky early but Bulls not capitalising.

 

[Oliver King]

Looks fab

Yeah the pregame intro looked even better.

 

[Westy Bogan]

Niko... early MVP frontrunner?