NBA Season 15-16: General Thread - Page 16 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Melonhead · 04-28-2016, 01:14 PM

I think its great to see the East be somewhat competitive.

On a sidenote, how beautiful was it to see the refs swallow their whistle at the end of the Heat/Hornets game? Wade fouled and went into full jordan crying mode and his wife tweeted for the next hour saying refs should get fined.

Underdog · 04-28-2016, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I think its great to see the East be somewhat competitive.

Are they, though? Seems like 3 or 4 of the top-5 teams are in the West, as per usual.

Melonhead · 04-28-2016, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

Are they, though? Seems like 3 or 4 of the top-5 teams are in the West, as per usual.

GA/SA/Cavs/Thunder/Raps/Miami(w/bosh)/Clips(healthy)/Hawks would be my top 8 with Portland right behind. So yeah 3 of top 5 from West.

I think the teams in the East are evenly matched. Im not saying theyre better than the West, but its a noticeable uptick than in years past.

Underdog · 04-28-2016, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

GA/SA/Cavs/Thunder/Raps/Miami(w/bosh)/Clips(healthy)/Hawks would be my top 8 with Portland right behind. So yeah 3 of top 5 from West.

I think the teams in the East are evenly matched. Im not saying theyre better than the West, but its a noticeable uptick than in years past.

It's not just about regular season W-L records -- name one serious competitor from the EC in the last eight years that didn't have LeBron on their roster... It's still no different. Like, I don't even know if Toronto beats a healthy Clips squad in a 7-game series. They definitely wouldn't beat OKC.

Underdog · 04-28-2016, 02:28 PM

@ESPNSteinLine: A long summer with lots to contemplate awaits James Harden, who remains a brilliant individual force offensively but must be a better leader

‏@ESPNSteinLine: ESPN sources say Harden, for example, frequently skips the team bus to road games, not just in this series as reported by our Calvin Watkins

@ESPNSteinLine: The optics are bad for a team leader not to ride with his teammates whatever Harden's reasons are. It's likewise on Houston for allowing it.

@ESPNSteinLine: Roster changes and a coaching change loom in Houston, but the Rockets need a culture change too. Harden's too good not to set a better tone

@ESPNSteinLine: As for Dwight Howard, don't forget that it's his option -- not the team's -- whether he stays or goes this summer and Howard does love the city of Houston. But the overwhelming expectation around the league is that Dwight will bypass his $23.3 million option for next season and opt for free agency in July. As one team source told our own Calvin Watkins this week, Howard's relationship with James Harden is "cordially bad." Meaning that the players aren't openly in battle but the disconnect between them is an undeniable and pressing issue.

Bryan_Wilson · 04-28-2016, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog

@ESPNSteinLine: A long summer with lots to contemplate awaits James Harden, who remains a brilliant individual force offensively but must be a better leader

‏@ESPNSteinLine: ESPN sources say Harden, for example, frequently skips the team bus to road games, not just in this series as reported by our Calvin Watkins

@ESPNSteinLine: The optics are bad for a team leader not to ride with his teammates whatever Harden's reasons are. It's likewise on Houston for allowing it.

@ESPNSteinLine: Roster changes and a coaching change loom in Houston, but the Rockets need a culture change too. Harden's too good not to set a better tone

@ESPNSteinLine: As for Dwight Howard, don't forget that it's his option -- not the team's -- whether he stays or goes this summer and Howard does love the city of Houston. But the overwhelming expectation around the league is that Dwight will bypass his $23.3 million option for next season and opt for free agency in July. As one team source told our own Calvin Watkins this week, Howard's relationship with James Harden is "cordially bad." Meaning that the players aren't openly in battle but the disconnect between them is an undeniable and pressing issue.

Funny how to start the season the national media called the Rockets "loaded" and "deep". Now they need roster upgrades and Harden remains a "brilliant individual offensive force". And According to Harden they need to upgrade the roster didn't even point the finger at himself rly much at all. It's definitely not that he plays a toxic brand of basketball that inspires lazy defense and lethargic effort.

mac222b · 04-28-2016, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I think its great to see the East be somewhat competitive.

On a sidenote, how beautiful was it to see the refs swallow their whistle at the end of the Heat/Hornets game? Wade fouled and went into full jordan crying mode and his wife tweeted for the next hour saying refs should get fined.

It was especially sweet since they had swallowed their whistles on wade's obvious push off with the shot clock winding down before Deng's 3point make and then not calling his obvious goaltend when he blocked Courtney Lee's layup off the backboard. So glad the hornets didn't get screwed. I hate wade.

Underdog · 04-28-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan_Wilson

Funny how to start the season the national media called the Rockets "loaded" and "deep". Now they need roster upgrades and Harden remains a "brilliant individual offensive force". And According to Harden they need to upgrade the roster didn't even point the finger at himself rly much at all. It's definitely not that he plays a toxic brand of basketball that inspires lazy defense and lethargic effort.

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/4/28/11...howard-goodbye

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-28-2016, 04:38 PM

Dwight Howard should have manned up this season and made it his team. Instead, he just sat back in the shadows like a kid in timeout. Sorry, but true stars don't do that. He really had nothing to lose by being a true leader. He and Harden just aren't those types of players.

Luckily, Matthews, Dirk, and Parsons are leaders enough to cover up that flaw of Howard's. But he is going to have to accept that role and not pout about it. Either you are going to be a true superstar or you are a role player. He was a role player this past season.

Skywalker · 04-29-2016, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I think its great to see the East be somewhat competitive.

On a sidenote, how beautiful was it to see the refs swallow their whistle at the end of the Heat/Hornets game? Wade fouled and went into full jordan crying mode and his wife tweeted for the next hour saying refs should get fined.

That was absolutely glorious. And the cherry on top was the way the game ended with two cHeat players knocking each other out. I need a gif of that.

MavzMan · 04-29-2016, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Dwight Howard should have manned up this season and made it his team.

I agree with you to a small extent. But, if he had gone to the coaches, owners, teammates, and paper and said, "This team needs a leader and I'm taking over. Pass me the ball." What exactly do you think the reaction would have been? Morey gave this team to Harden 100%. He doesn't even make Harden ride the bus to games with the rest of the team. Howard would have been labeled a malcontent and blasted by everyone involved. Make no mistake about it, this is Harden's team one hundred percent.

Now, given that, yes Howard should have at least stepped up. But who knows, maybe he did at some point midway through the season and saw how it went down.

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-29-2016, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I agree with you to a small extent. But, if he had gone to the coaches, owners, teammates, and paper and said, "This team needs a leader and I'm taking over. Pass me the ball." What exactly do you think the reaction would have been? Morey gave this team to Harden 100%. He doesn't even make Harden ride the bus to games with the rest of the team. Howard would have been labeled a malcontent and blasted by everyone involved. Make no mistake about it, this is Harden's team one hundred percent.

Now, given that, yes Howard should have at least stepped up. But who knows, maybe he did at some point midway through the season and saw how it went down.

Isn't Howard already malcontent since he was almost traded at the deadline? That team sank in the first 20 games so I don't see much of a risk. I suppose he'd risk a future contract, but come on, he'll be making north of 20 mil next season no matter what.

He could have demanded the ball more on offense since they almost completely ignored him. If he doesn't want to do PNRs AND you won't iso him, then the offense he provides is mostly garbage or put backs.

MavzMan · 04-29-2016, 05:10 PM

Even as pure garbage goes, his 5 playoff games this year he still averaged 13.2 ppg on 9.6 FGA and also 14 reb. If you go back three seasons to his first year with Houston and most importantly before he got Harden-ized, he average 18.3 ppg and 12.2 reb for the season. We need defense and rebounding. That is what you will get from him. Any offense that he provides above the "garbarge 12 points" should be considered pure bonus.

Yes, you will overpay even at a "modest" $20 million. No matter who you get this offseason, you are going to overpay.

It is what it is.

EricaLubarsky · 04-29-2016, 09:49 PM

Go portland

Melonhead · 04-29-2016, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Even as pure garbage goes, his 5 playoff games this year he still averaged 13.2 ppg on 9.6 FGA and also 14 reb. If you go back three seasons to his first year with Houston and most importantly before he got Harden-ized, he average 18.3 ppg and 12.2 reb for the season. We need defense and rebounding. That is what you will get from him. Any offense that he provides above the "garbarge 12 points" should be considered pure bonus.

Yes, you will overpay even at a "modest" $20 million. No matter who you get this offseason, you are going to overpay.

It is what it is.

Isnt he getting north of 27m tho?

EricaLubarsky · 04-29-2016, 11:06 PM

Austin rivers down. I wanna see Clips play 4on-5

Underdog · 04-29-2016, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Austin rivers down. I wanna see Clips play 4on-5

Doc suiting up, nobody will notice!

DevinHarriswillstart · 04-29-2016, 11:28 PM

Please Portland. Please.

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Please Portland. Please.

The Basketball Gods favor the Blazers in Round 1... F the Clips anyway, buncha bitches.

Melonhead · 04-30-2016, 09:46 AM

Im very grateful for this NBA season. Got to see Dirk continue his climb in the playoffs.

But seeing the Clips and Rockettes implode brought it all full circle.

EricaLubarsky · 04-30-2016, 10:49 AM

It's official: Mavs and Clippers made it equally far in the playoffs

Melonhead · 04-30-2016, 07:42 PM

Oooohhh weee Them Spurs making Westbrook dance his ass right out of the playoffs.

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 08:03 PM

Spurs score 43 points (Aldridge 15, Leonard 12) in the FIRST QUARTER!

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 08:11 PM

I guess Danny Green wanted in on some easy buckets as well... Thunder look ready to punt this series.

Melonhead · 04-30-2016, 08:22 PM

Westbrook has already pushed Green to the ground. Durant getting mad at his teammate for dropping a ball out of bounds...Friends laughed at me when I said no one is afraid of the Thunder. Mavs just didnt have enough healthy players.

Melonhead · 04-30-2016, 08:23 PM

Billy Donovan looks WAY in over his head.

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 08:34 PM

At the half...

Leonard/Aldridge: 45 points
OKC Thunder: 40 points

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 08:36 PM

Westbrook shooting 3-13 for 8 points (-27)... Durant leads all Thunder players with 11 points, making him the 4th-highest scorer in the game behind Green's 13.

Melonhead · 04-30-2016, 08:46 PM

As biased as we are, if you watched the mavs thunder series this should be no surprise. I mean Spurs shooting lights out is, but the squandering of the thunder isnt.

Underdog · 04-30-2016, 08:59 PM

LOL< Aldridge just hit his first three of the season... Just rubbing it in.

DirkFTW · 04-30-2016, 09:16 PM

sefant77 · 04-30-2016, 10:04 PM

If Durant wants to see the NBA finals again during the next five years he has to join the Spurs or Warriors in the summer as FA.

sefant77 · 04-30-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

As biased as we are, if you watched the mavs thunder series this should be no surprise. I mean Spurs shooting lights out is, but the squandering of the thunder isnt.

Thunder defense was hot garbage against us, it was pretty clear that the Spurs system would rip them apart and the Thunder MAY win one or two games if they are able to out-gun them

sefant77 · 04-30-2016, 10:05 PM

https://twitter.com/SportsComedy_/st...292864/photo/1

mac222b · 05-01-2016, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Billy Donovan looks WAY in over his head.

Donovan's a good coach but this was kind of a curious hire for them. OKC needs to win now. They don't have time to wait for Donovan to get up to speed. RC for Steven Adams this offseason?

DevinHarriswillstart · 05-01-2016, 08:25 AM

Series is over is LA and Leonard keep playing like this.

Melonhead · 05-01-2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Series is over is LA and Leonard keep playing like this.

Kanter cant come out that far and play defense, Adams just cant guard LMA.
Kawhi just obliterated any defense Durant was trying. It was pathetic.

Durant has a great shot but we've already seen the clamps put on him. Westbrook will do his usual frenetic pace, but it wont work vs the Spurs.

I see the Thunder mucking it up down low and making it physical next game. Its their only hope.

mac222b · 05-01-2016, 11:01 AM

I don't know what happened to Durant. Used to be such a like able guy. Not a good look for him.

MavzMan · 05-02-2016, 08:22 AM

Yeah, I'm liking Durant less and less these days while liking Adams more. He seems just like regular dude that plays hard ball and gives great quotes.

Steven Adams after being reminded #Spurs beat OKC by 35 points in ’14 playoffs, “Thanks for the reminder, mate. Just piling it on. Cheers.”

DevinHarriswillstart · 05-02-2016, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavzMan

Yeah, I'm liking Durant less and less these days while liking Adams more. He seems just like regular dude that plays hard ball and gives great quotes.

Steven Adams after being reminded #Spurs beat OKC by 35 points in ’14 playoffs, “Thanks for the reminder, mate. Just piling it on. Cheers.”

If this series keeps going south, then Durant needs a separation from Westbrook. You just can't live with a player that shoots you out of games like Westbrook does, and he'll keep on doing it as well. It's not much different than Montaball except the Thunder don't need Westbrook to play hero ball like the Mavs did with Monta.