OT: NBA 2021-2022
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I’ll go Lakers over Nets. The Nets are such a wild card because Irving is a head case. Injuries will be the biggest factor for the Lakers.
I'm really at a loss this year.
Of course, because of my Son, I have become a huge Blazers fan, but it just hard to see how they get better unless Chancey Billups is a notably better coach than Terry Stots (which is somewhat possible -- I wasn't much of a Stots fan).
Plus, the west is so deep. I'd like to go with Denver, and I would if there was any chance that Murray returns sooner and ready to go. But since they are saying April at best, I'll avoid that. The Clippers are out without Leonard. I feel like the Suns will let down just a smidge, and I'm not a believer on Westbrook on the Lakers. Klay returning with Steph is enticing but it's just so much missed time to go all in on Thompson. Dallas needs more than Luka. My sleeper is Memphis because I think Ja is going to be special and like their starting 5. But it's hard to see then succeeding in the playoffs against so much experience.
So by the process of elimination, I'm going to go with Utah in the West.
In the East, I'm just going to pick against the Bucks for the heck of it even if that's silly. Too much drama in Philly. I really like both Miami and Atlanta but since I can't decide which one so I won't go with either. I'm still not a believer in the Knicks and the Celtics aren't part of the top anymore.
So assuming that Kyrie gets his jab, it's hard not to look at all of their firepower and go wow. Plus, KD is my pick for MVP this year.
Put me down for the Nets to win it all.
I will pick my NBA team like the league does by position --
First Team -- Forward -- KD and Giannis -- Center -- Embiid -- Guards - Harden and Doncic
Second Team -- Forward -- Zion and Tatum -- Center - Jokic -- Guards -- Trae Young and Curry
Third Team -- Forward -- Davis and LeBron -- Center -- Rudy -- Guards -- Lillard and Morant (why not?)
Forth Team -- Forward - Butler and George -- Center --KAT -- Guards -- Booker and Mitchell
Fifth Team -- Forward -- Randle and Middleton -- Center -- Bam -- Guards -- Paul and LaVine
I left off injured players -- Murray, Thompson, Leonard, Jaylen Brown and Kyrie because of his issues.
Here's a full projection from my Son who follows the NBA more closely than I do ...
All-NBA First Team
G: Steph Curry
G: Luka Doncic
F: Kevin Durant
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Nikola Jokic
All-NBA Second Team
G: Damian Lillard
G: James Harden
F: LeBron James
F: Paul George
C: Joel Embiid
All-NBA Third Team
G: Chris Paul
G: Zach LaVine
F: Jayson Tatum
F: Jimmy Butler
C: Rudy Gobert
All-Defensive First Team
G: Matisse Thybulle
G: Jrue Holiday
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
F: Jimmy Butler
C: Joel Embiid
All-Defensive Second Team
G: Dejounte Murray
G: Marcus Smart
F: Draymond Green
F: Paul George
C: Rudy Gobert
All-Rookie First Team
G: Cade Cunningham
G: Jalen Green
F: Scottie Barnes
F: Franz Wagner
C: Alperen Sengun
All-Rookie Second Team
G: Josh Giddey
G: Davion Mitchell
F: Kai Jones
F: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Evan Mobley
MVP
Giannis Antetokounmpo
DPOY
Giannis Antetokounmpo
ROY
Cade Cunningham
6MOY
Derrick Rose
MIP
Jordan Poole
COY
Chauncey Billups
EXOY
Bulls GM
Western Conference Seeding
- Utah Jazz
- Los Angles Lakers
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Golden State Warriors
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Atlanta Hawks
- Chicago Bulls
- Miami Heat
- Philadelphia 76ers
- New York Knicks
- Boston Celtics
- Charlotte Hornets
- Washington Wizards
Bucks beat Lakers 4-2
Bunch of over-payed spoiled athletes. I don’t watch or follow any longer.
But some really, really amazing over-payed athletes which is why I follow more than ever.
Then don’t bother posting in this or any other thread regarding the NBA. Problem solved.
Mulling over the Lakers loss on Tuesday... I just don't think Russ is the right fit. I think they sneak in as a 6 seed and hope they've figured it out. Still the most dangerous team in the playoffs but I think they'll lose a surprising amount. They lost and AD and LeBron put up 60+.
To me, Kyrie is similar to Leveon Bell and Antonio Brown in that they don't love their sport. They like to play, sure, but they don't love it. These are extremely rich people who've made enough money to live a life of luxury. They don't have a burning desire to play. While Kyrie may truly not be a believer in the vaccine, the bottom line is that if he loved playing in the NBA, he'd get it. I cant say I blame these guys. If you put $50 million in my bank account, I'm not sure I'd be motivated to play either.
I’m hardly an NBA buff but wondered how he’d fit in. Long way to go but he’s always been best with the ball. And that’s not likely gonna be the case ever on this team.
Completely disagree about AB. Sure, he’s a lunatic. Not even debatable. But I don’t question his loving football. It’s quite possible he squandered a ton of money and wants to get paid more, but he’s always worked and kept himself in shape. And he’s still pretty darn good. He’s certainly not mailing it in.
Bell I tend to agree. And he definitely can be accused of mailing it in.
And while Kyrie can be kooky I don’t think he’s a dummy. And im willing to be financially he’s just fine. Plus he’s gonna bank 19 mil (I think that’s the figure) for doing absolutely nothing. I read a quote about him that seems fitting. Some writer called him a rebel without a cause. I always saw him as being a contrarian just to be a contrarian.
Kyrie loves basketball but loves being a Devil’s Advocate more.
Ben Simmons is the one who doesn’t really love basketball and frankly I wouldn’t mind never seeing him play another NBA game. He’s an idiot.
I don't think there's any way you can say Kyrie loves basketball. He's a rich guy who wants to play basketball only on his terms. Nothing wrong with that but he doesn't love hoops
Glad to have these guys back. I'm not a huge NBA fan but love watching their show.
As for Kyrie, he's been a distraction everywhere he's been so this is par for the course. He doesn't seem super interested in playing sometimes so maybe this is just a convenient excuse. Though he also said he doesn't know if the earth is flat or round so maybe he really is espousing another anti-science viewpoint. Either way, the Nets were smart to shut that circus down early.
The Sixers are really screwed with Simmons. He obviously won't play (at least with full effort) to improve his trade value. They might be better off just taking what they can get at this point. Find a package of a few complimentary pieces and a draft pick or two to shed his salary. They are a good team that doesn't need a whole lot, even without Simmons.
My one random prediction is I think Dallas gets a top 4 seed in the West. Their division is awful with New Orleans, San Antonio and Houston (Memphis probably destined for another play in game). Luka is good enough to get them to a Top 4 seed with that division.
As for the finals, I still like the Nets. If Harden and KD are healthy, that's enough, regardless of the Kyrie situation. In the West, if you don't love the Lakers (and I don't), I think its wide open. Denver, Phoenix, Utah even Golden State...
But I think the Suns get back to the finals...Nets over Suns in 6.
As for the finals, I still like the Nets. If Harden and KD are healthy, that's enough, regardless of the Kyrie situation. In the West, if you don't love the Lakers (and I don't), I think its wide open. Denver, Phoenix, Utah even Golden State...
But I think the Suns get back to the finals...Nets over Suns in 6.
I think Russ would be better suited as their 6th man. The question is can they convince him that it’s the right move.
I wonder why none of us are picking the Bucks.
I have the Bucks. Giannis is going to be unstoppable even more than usual. Though it pains me to root for Grayson Allen.
First Team All Socialite: Ben Simmons
Yeah the statement that AB "doesn't love his sport" is criminally insane. AB went from homeless, to WMU, to late round pick, to Hall of Fame WR. He took the jobs of multiple good WR in Pittsburgh who were also drafted significantly higher than him. At times, he has displaced Mike Evans (also a borderline HoF WR) and Chris Godin (an All Pro WR) who are both much younger than him. He was the focal point of some historically good offenses.
Ben Simmons was the #1 overall pick and he got a max contract yet refuses to shoot. He's mentally weak and a coward. He would be working at a car wash if he wasn't 6'10". Antonio Brown became one of the best to ever play his position because of a Michael Jordan-like commitment to his craft. AB absolutely loves football. He's just a clown.
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For football, I agree, football you're always bruised and battered all season long, even if you're not out because of injury, it's a literal pain in the butt. Basketball is FUN, I would of kept playing forever if my body hadn't broken down, it doesn't take the physical toll football does.
Me too. Looking at those picks for first and second team just tells you how amazingly talented this league is. And the games, even the regular season, are competitive and fun. I don’t think the league has ever been more competitive or interesting but I guess I’ve not historically been a huge fan so who knows.
Antonio Brown loves playing football and is one of the hardest workers out there.
Mavs and Blazers both fire coaches that shouldn't have been fired. Stotts and Carlisle made up for the horrible roster construction they were saddled with.
Jury is still out on Chauncey, but Kidd isn't a head coach. They thought Carlisle underachieved? they're in for a rude awakening this season.
Jury is still out on Chauncey, but Kidd isn't a head coach. They thought Carlisle underachieved? they're in for a rude awakening this season.
Yup. Why on earth Cuban thought Kidd could coach is beyond me. The day he got fired the Bucks turned into a completely different team.
I'm a big NBA fan but this is probably the least excited I've been for the start of the NBA. It's mainly because of the Ben Simmons' saga. They've treated him like a kid since he came into the league and bam he gets a little criticism, he is ready to bolt the eastern seaboard. If the sixers sucked, I'd get it. If it was the last year of his contract and he wanted to go play loserball and make a boatload of money, I'd be like cool I understand. For a guy that just signed a max deal, on a contending team that was the No. 1 seed, get outta here with that crap.
