2020-2021 NBA Season thread

[mac222b]

So annoyed that Chris Paul is going to win a ring. Literally can barely stand to look at the dude and he and D. Wade are literally everywhere. And their kids will be around “acting” and other annoying shit. Commercials. Game shows. Bronny and on and on ad infinitum. And this Suns team may be the weakest championship team since like the Sonics in ‘79. Basically the healthiest team this year left standing. And next year we get the pleasure of watching the Nets steamroll for Beard’s ring. Thank god for Luka or I might actually tune out the NBA all together.

[Jack.Kerr]

Originally Posted by mac222b

So annoyed that Chris Paul is going to win a ring. ....And this Suns team may be the weakest championship team since like the Sonics in ‘79. Basically the healthiest team this year left standing. ...

Agree with the battle of attrition observation; but object to the characterization of the '79 Sonics as 'weak'. Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, John Johnson, Lonnie Shelton (replacing Marvin Webster from the '78 team) and Jack Sikma; with Fred Brown and Paul Silas off the bench. Coached by Lenny Wilkens. Weak?

That '79 championship was brutal, literally physically brutal. They had lost to the Bullets the year before in 7 games, but showed up for the rematch carrying lead pipes, and crushed the Bullets in 5 games, which could easily have been a sweep.

I'd put these Suns more on par with the 2004 Pistons (Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun, and the Wallaces), who defeated that dysfunctional Kobe-Shaq team in 5.

And yes, Chris Paul is an odious figure, but he has brought all his classic, old-school point-guard skills to bear on this Suns team, feeding Booker, feeding Ayton, scoring himself when need be, and defending like a vet. And they have responded with a high level of play. Ayton, in particular, has blossomed by having a PG facilitate for him.

Maybe the Mavericks can acquire a legit point guard for Kidd to develop; one who facilitates, distributes, defends, and scores when necessary a la Kidd, and who will take a lot of load, responsibility and pressure off Luca freeing him up to be more of a Booker-type scorer; while simultaneously involving KP to take advantage of his elite skills. That'd be best case.

[mac222b]

Originally Posted by Jack.Kerr

Agree with the battle of attrition observation; but object to the characterization of the '79 Sonics as 'weak'. Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, John Johnson, Lonnie Shelton (replacing Marvin Webster from the '78 team) and Jack Sikma; with Fred Brown and Paul Silas off the bench. Coached by Lenny Wilkens. Weak?

That '79 championship was brutal, literally physically brutal. They had lost to the Bullets the year before in 7 games, but showed up for the rematch carrying lead pipes, and crushed the Bullets in 5 games, which could easily have been a sweep.

I'd put these Suns more on par with the 2004 Pistons (Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun, and the Wallaces), who defeated that dysfunctional Kobe-Shaq team in 5.

And yes, Chris Paul is an odious figure, but he has brought all his classic, old-school point-guard skills to bear on this Suns team, feeding Booker, feeding Ayton, scoring himself when need be, and defending like a vet. And they have responded with a high level of play. Ayton, in particular, has blossomed by having a PG facilitate for him.

Maybe the Mavericks can acquire a legit point guard for Kidd to develop; one who facilitates, distributes, defends, and scores when necessary a la Kidd, and who will take a lot of load, responsibility and pressure off Luca freeing him up to be more of a Booker-type scorer; while simultaneously involving KP to take advantage of his elite skills. That'd be best case.

Ok I may have been a little dismissive of that Sonics team. Maybe it’s the lack of all-time greats; though of course prime Sikma, Gus Williams and young Dennis Johnson were certainly no slouches. And Lonnie Shelton was a rugged dude. Brown was one of the o.g. snipers. Maybe I’m just used to teams needing an “all time great to win a title. That Pistons team was incredibly solid though. Chauncey, Rip and the Wallaces were all all-star level players and they could all defend and had Larry Brown coaching them.

I can’t wait to see Luka with another playmaker/bucket getter next to him. I certainly wouldn’t move him off ball too much. He will only get better at cutting down turnovers and ft shooting with time. Look at how much he added just between bubble season and this past. His mid range game is bordering elite. His 3 and dismissing are better. He needs better teammates that can actually dribble a basketball.

[Zeus]

Originally Posted by mac222b

Ok I may have been a little dismissive of that Sonics team. Maybe it’s the lack of all-time greats; though of course prime Sikma, Gus Williams and young Dennis Johnson were certainly no slouches. And Lonnie Shelton was a rugged dude. Brown was one of the o.g. snipers. Maybe I’m just used to teams needing an “all time great to win a title. That Pistons team was incredibly solid though. Chauncey, Rip and the Wallaces were all all-star level players and they could all defend and had Larry Brown coaching them.

I can’t wait to see Luka with another playmaker/bucket getter next to him. I certainly wouldn’t move him off ball too much. He will only get better at cutting down turnovers and ft shooting with time. Look at how much he added just between bubble season and this past. His mid range game is bordering elite. His 3 and dismissing are better. He needs better teammates that can actually dribble a basketball.

Is elite. Became elite mid range this season.