OT: NBA Thread
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I'm constantly amazed at the improvements in shooting mechanics and S&C, the accuracy at range that NBA players have now is just absurd.
Maybe it was always the quest to "get a better shot" and focus on cutting, screening, passing, post position, rebounding, that coaches viewed jumpshooting as superfluous and not sound basketball.
Then analytics folks started to figure out, I can shoot 6-10 (60%) from the field inside the 3 part arc of 4-12 (33%) from the 3 line and still accomplish the same thing.
I honestly think Horford is fine; your expectation is probably more relative to his salary than what should be reasonably expected. But, he is a 33-34 year old guy that was never a star, always a role player. He does what he does. He plays D, is responsible and capable of stretching the floor some. I think he was as advertised for them, but just a poor fit.
They did not need that guy next to Embiid. I think you are completely right, they needed the guards/other depth. Horford's contract could land you at least two quality players and potentially three or four if you are shrewd.
I paid attention a little to the Sixers this year (as a former Philly resident, I feel lightly obligated) but I just found it all to be a mess. No real plan or conviction to one.
I have not yet seen the evidence that Embiid and Simmons are a championship combination. They have never even gotten out of the second round. Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill almost made it that far as a combination long ago without Hill playing for a few seasons.
Brand so far has chased names a little too much. He was given the job too early, he needed more seasoning. I am not a fan of the Harris deals (the signing or the trade where they gave up Shamet and two first round picks). Nor the Horford signing. I did not like the Bridges trade either. I think getting Butler was a great idea but they did not have the follow through with him. I liked the Thybulle trade but it would not have necessary if they kept Bridges and Shamet.
Because Brand likes chasing names, I think something like the Beal trade mentioned above by 13-9 is realistically feasible and would be a very solid return for Simmons. Partnering Beal with Embiid and Harris would make a ton of sense and that would shield their other guard wing situation because those players are so ball dominant (basically, surround those guys with cheap 3 and D players and you have a credible big player in reserve in Horford).
To me, something like that gets them closer to the top of the Eastern Conference. Still not at the level of the Bucks or Celtics, but they could outlast the Raptors, Heat or maybe Brooklyn and stress the hell out of the top 2 teams.
But, end thought, I think it is a lot easier to build around Embiid than Simmons. I think Simmons is a great defender, strong playmaker and athletically challenging for anyone to guard. He will make All-Star teams consistently and be a draw. But, his weaknesses make it hard to look at him as a lead player to build around. And, if he ever wins anything, I would guess it will be as number 3 type guy.
LeBron's mechanics have gotten a lot better over time. His consistency with his feet/balance is much, much better than it used to be. Not much fading or leaning to a side anymore like always did as a young player.
Honestly what Philly got from Horford this year was pretty much what you would expect from a 6'9" 33 year old center playing alongside another center, actually he probably did a good deal better than I expected even. He's still really good at efficiently scoring the basketball and you can use him to stretch the floor but he just became a convenient scapegoat because of that absurd contract that he was given. And the only way forward for the Sixers is to try to turn that contract into some sort of playable asset which is why you probably package him with Simmons.
And I agree with you completely about Simmons, he's a very good defensive player and he can do things that most players that his size can't dream of doing but his complete unwillingness to shoot a basketball means that you really have to create an offense around him to maximize his strengths. And even then you're limiting yourself in a way that legitimate superstars just don't force you to.
I think Philly's best overall contending attribute right now is that they play in the East. The right bold move puts them back into the fray if Embiid gets right with the lord of fitness and conditioning. I think moving Simmons has to be the play to get another stud and potentially free some cap space for better role guys.
It still amazes me that all of the draft pick capital is gone ... meanwhile Boston adds two more first round picks this year to Tatum, Brown, Walker, Smart, etc and has Gordon Hayward as a likely (probably) piece to fetch more capital and potential contributors.
For a long time, I have thought the Sixers and Celtics to be the most interesting teams back East and the Celtics have mostly hit on their moves while the Sixers have mostly flailed ...
Love everything the NBA does for social change but I’m not sure I totally understand how playing takes away from their ability to promote change. If anything, it seems it’d help for them to have such a big platform.
But I don’t know, maybe I’m just biased by the fact that I want to see basketball.
But I don’t know, maybe I’m just biased by the fact that I want to see basketball.
I agree with you, everyone already knows where the players, and the league itself, stand on this issue. Every broadcast is packed with references and comments, and that seems to be the best way to get the message across. But that is easy for me to say, sitting at home watching the games.
I don't want to speak for the players, but to me not playing says "if you, as a society, can't value my life(or lives like mine) then I'm not going to entertain you." That sends a bigger message than any statement on a shirt or writing "Black Lives Matter" on the court.
Yeah I get it. I guess my thing is there isn’t that big of an overlap between racists and NBA fans. Very progressive league, but this has gotten the attention of a lot of people and I hope it sparks some change.
There is a part of me that thinks that if Hinkle stayed in charge, he would not have hesitated to keep blowing the team if the ceiling was visible and not championship level. I know that he had a lot of political capital stuck in Embiid and Simmons so that was not likely, but I doubt he would have evaporated all of his draft capital like the others.
I think they would have been in a better place with some combination of Saric, Covington, Shamet, Bridges and probably Redick/(other random shooter) than where they are now, plus with the draft capital still in stock.
I agree; I think that the platform means everything to promote thoughts/messages and makes the players more meaningful. And, the NBA is not a league that inside is massively fighting racial/racist elements.
I completely understand having a day or two of boycotts, but I think that they should get back to playing come tomorrow. To me, it is a really simple issue/situation. Protesting by sitting out the NBA season and blowing it up does nothing except cause some folks to lose money and takes away from the platform that many guys have to talk about matters.
If you are LeBron James or Steph Curry or like 10-20 other guys, the platform is not necessary at this stage. They, themselves, have their own platform. But for the others, being able to play the games does a lot for them and I would be willing to bet a lot more guys in bottom 150 or so of the league really need the checks for their futures (and maybe present) too.
Which is pretty much exactly what Draymond Green said today.
I'm glad that they've worked it out with the league and at the same time will continue to support social justice.
Lowry active. Hope he's close to his usual self. Should be a great series!
Bummer that Porzingis is out for the Mavs.
Bummer that Porzingis is out for the Mavs.
If Luka can will this game to the Mavs today, it will be a huge accomplishment. The Clips really should close them out; however, this game is looking like it will go to the wire.
It was a little surprising how the Celts just rolled through Toronto today. They may not be as proficient as the series progresses, but everything that the Celts were able to get today will be there for them during this entire series.
FWIW, Luka is trying to put on another epic performance coming down the stretch right now.
The Mavs need an enforcer to prevent what Morris and Crew did to him this series.
The Mavs are literally trying to hide at least 3 players on D right now. It is not a good strategy. Seth Curry has been a mark for the Clips all day.
I think they need more tough defensive players before worrying about that.
Kawhi Leonard has abused everyone that they have thrown at him today. And, he has hit the point now where they are just giving him the 15-20 footers that he gets nearly automatic with when in a rhythm.
I don't expect the Raptors to shoot as poorly as they did today in any game the rest of the series.
Neither do I. They just had bad game to me.
Bucks/Heat....I think Heat can definitely upset the Bucks.
Bucks don't impress me, but I'm the same guy that said the same about the Lakers, then they went on a tear....lol. so, what do I know 😀
The Bucks have looked pedestrian so far in the playoffs. I think it comes down to a battle of LA for the title. I don’t see a team in the East winning.
I wasn't too off here. Let's go Denver and OKC!
I'm pretty concerned about the Bucks. They just don't look right. I agree that the champ will likely be the winner of the LA series. Though I could see Boston maybe challenging the LA teams.
I think that Boston is pretty criminally slept on as a title contender, betting markets still have them at +700 as the 4th favorite but in my simulations they are in a dead heat with the Clippers as the title favorites.
They're the 4th best offense in the league, the 4th best defense in the league, and 5th in the league in performance against strength of schedule. Only the Clippers have that level of team balance and the Celtics have the advantage of a much easier path to the Finals.
They're the 4th best offense in the league, the 4th best defense in the league, and 5th in the league in performance against strength of schedule. Only the Clippers have that level of team balance and the Celtics have the advantage of a much easier path to the Finals.
Boston - Miami would be an excellent conference finals of teams that just play well together. I wouldn't rank either as the most talented in a traditional "big three" style star title run, as good as Butler or Tatum is playing, they just play well and have chemistry. It's the little things, like the Celtics "switch back" after switching on screens as well as anyone in the NBA, like they won't just settle for a bad match up.
I think that the Celtics will have real problems with the size that teams like Milwaukee, LAC and LAK present. I love them as a team (especially their offensive style and intelligence), but I think that the lack of presence near the hoop will kill them if teams slow the game down on them.
Toronto does not quite have the same firepower near the hoop to give them tons of issues. So, I see that as a masked problem (for Boston) presently. I would guess that in Game 2, you see a lot more of Siakam and Ibaka grinding them near the hoop. I still think the Celtics win that series, but it will not be as easy as Game 1.
My guess with Milwaukee and Miami is that the Bucks will clamp down and get them out in 6. The Bucks oddly seem to really feel teams out; I had the sense during their last two Game 1s that they were more or less feeling their way through the other squad's tendencies and strengths. They also had a similar Game 1 against the Celtics last year, then rolled through them.
I do not think that Miami will roll over like the Celtics did last year, but I think that a lot of the good looks from Game 1 will disappear and Giannis will be more dominant offensively near the bucket and in transition starting in Game 2.
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