NBA Season 15-16: General Thread

[Thespiralgoeson]

Holy sh*t, Klay Thompson is putting on one of the greatest shooting clinics I have ever seen. He is single-handedly keeping the Warriors' season alive.

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Holy sh*t, Klay Thompson is putting on one of the greatest shooting clinics I have ever seen. He is single-handedly keeping the Warriors' season alive.

Yes. Especially the one from like 4 meters behind the arc

[GermanDunk]

Those were costly turnovers.

[Thespiralgoeson]

So is ANYONE betting against the Dubs in game 7 on their homecourt? I'm sure as hell not going to.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

So is ANYONE betting against the Dubs in game 7 on their homecourt? I'm sure as hell not going to.

Only if Steph gets injured again before then... Maybe.

[Underdog]

[DevinHarriswillstart]

It will be very interesting to see if OKC chokes it. I mean, Westbrook and Durant were about as bad as you could get in a serious game like this. Perhaps they just can't handle the pressure?

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

It will be very interesting to see if OKC chokes it. I mean, Westbrook and Durant were about as bad as you could get in a serious game like this. Perhaps they just can't handle the pressure?

Outside of G2 and G3(63%), Durant shooting has been horrible. 32%, 33%, 33%, 38%. And I dont know why he shoots 3s. (9-35 25% for the series)

Westbrook helps in other ways so I dont want to completely knock his shooting which is about 40% for the series. He just goes erratic at the end of tight games.

[Melonhead]

I still think OKC has a shot because nothings changed as far as how OKC has been beating them with the big guys down low clogging up the lane. Just so happened that Klay decided to break a record on 3s. Otherwise, that game was over. Lucky for fans, we get to see a game 7. #Cantwait

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

I still think OKC has a shot because nothings changed as far as how OKC has been beating them with the big guys down low clogging up the lane. Just so happened that Klay decided to break a record on 3s. Otherwise, that game was over. Lucky for fans, we get to see a game 7. #Cantwait

Thing is, it's Curry that's been the biggest issue. He's been getting better but not nearly as good as he was before the injuries. OKC abused with bugs but honestly no one can stop Curry and Thompson.

I think there are two main x-factors:

1) can Curry keep climbing back to his old form

2) will we get 70/30 good Westbrook or 70/30 bad Westbrook. Durant has been relatively quiet. Westbrook is an idiot who will do two great things and then two dumb things. one in three games he has a game that is almost entirely good, but the more the pressure, the worse he does. I'd favor the Warriors, but only by a little. If Westbrook has one of his freak games he could drop 40-9-7 with only a few mistakes and the Warriors wouldn't have a chance. Westbrook could just as easily come in and shoot 7-26 with 6TOs.

[dirt_dobber]

totally agree with your take EL -
just read where the line is Warriors by 8

[EricaLubarsky]

I'd say betting on the Thunder is a bad choice according to the NBA's Facebook

[Thespiralgoeson]

I'm rooting against the Warriors as hard as I can. Rooting against them... but not betting against them.

[GhostFace]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm rooting against the Warriors as hard as I can. Rooting against them... but not betting against them.

Sigh, indeed.

[Thespiralgoeson]

OKC off to a great start. Klay Thompson is ice cold.

On a side note- it's weird to see Chris Webber on commentary. He's actually decent. Reggie Miller on the other hand is still f*cking terrible.

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

Klay Thompson is ice cold.

Guess I jinxed it.

[Melonhead]

All series it's been the same. Warriors can only shoot 3s because of Thunder 7 footers in the paint along with Roberson. Just have to hope they start falling

Edit: klay makes it rain

[Thespiralgoeson]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Edit: klay makes it rain

Just like game 6, he is single handedly keeping GSW from getting blown out.

Also- holy sh*t, what a crazy shot from Curry to end the half.

[Melonhead]

10 offensive rebounds already for thunder...

[Thespiralgoeson]

I'm calling it right now, OKC's done. They've blown their best chance, and now they look nervous and are playing stupid. GSW will win by double digits... I really hope I'm wrong.

[Melonhead]

OKC doesnt trust what got them to 3-1. Reverting in game 6 and game 7 to iso ball and not relying on their bigs. 3 minutes to see if they overcome GSW.

[Melonhead]

Is Westbrook laughing now? Continue disrespecting the mvp and reigning champs. I am glad they often dont respect other players. And KD is such a follower of Westbrook in his words and attitude. They need to split up in order to grow.

[Underdog]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Is Westbrook laughing now? Continue disrespecting the mvp and reigning champs. I am glad they often dont respect other players. And KD is such a follower of Westbrook in his words and attitude. They need to split up in order to grow.

100% agree... Not only do they need to mature as men, but I also think their individual games would benefit if they each had their own team to lead (much like Dirk & Nash). It's no coincidence that they tend to play their best basketball when the other is injured or slumping -- those two rarely fire on all cylinders at the same time.

[Underdog]

[TripleDipping]

I believe this is the end of OKC as we know it. This kinda reminds me of the '07 Mavs that got beaten in the first round. I don't see how a team can survive this. Donovan will remain as coach since this is his first year, but either Durant will leave, or he stays and others like Westbrook or Ibaka will be traded.

[Thespiralgoeson]

OKC just collapsed mentally in both games 6 and 7. Both times they were controlling the game, but as soon as the Dubs started hitting threes, OKC started making awful decisions and turning the ball over. You could see it in their body language. They were scared.

I don't think Cleveland matches up with GSW nearly as well as OKC, but I think they'll have a better chance just because they're smarter and more mature.

[MavzMan]

OKC lacked the maturity to close out the series under a massive amount of pressure. You can't put the blame solely on one person but the majority definitely resides on Durant. I do agree with the TNT crew that KD would be stupid to leave given what they've built there and the quality of still young players. Honestly, I'm sure GSW will make a pitch to him, but he doesn't really fit with the rest of their team and may actually hurt more than help.

[TripleDipping]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

OKC lacked the maturity to close out the series under a massive amount of pressure. You can't put the blame solely on one person but the majority definitely resides on Durant. I do agree with the TNT crew that KD would be stupid to leave given what they've built there and the quality of still young players. Honestly, I'm sure GSW will make a pitch to him, but he doesn't really fit with the rest of their team and may actually hurt more than help.

But how much maturity period you can give a team? This OKC core (minus Harden) has been essentially there since '11 when Mavs beat them in conference finals. And you can draw similarities to the '11 WCF and '16 WCF: got close but not close enough and when the pressure mounted in a crucial game, they resorted to chucking bad shots or committed turnovers. The only difference is that both Westbrook's clothing and thrashtalking got louder over the years.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by MavzMan

OKC lacked the maturity to close out the series under a massive amount of pressure. You can't put the blame solely on one person but the majority definitely resides on Durant. I do agree with the TNT crew that KD would be stupid to leave given what they've built there and the quality of still young players. Honestly, I'm sure GSW will make a pitch to him, but he doesn't really fit with the rest of their team and may actually hurt more than help.

I wouldn't say the majority of the blame is on Durant. He definitely needs to be more assertive at times, but Westbrook's ill-advised shots often results in a complete turnaround in momentum. Not to mention all the missed wide open shots by Roberson (2-11) and Waiters (2-9), both of whom combined to miss all 9 threes they took. And don't get me started on Donovan's rotation. Thunder were at their best when they moved the ball and had Adams or Kanter down low to clean up. I get that they wanted to make sure they were able to switch picks but you can't let the Warriors dictate what sort of game you're playing or you've already lost. 35 minutes for both Kanter and Adams is just not good coaching.

[EricaLubarsky]

Westbrook is yet another case of a guard who you love and hate for the same reason-- he plays with reckless abandon. He'll make plays no one else would dare to try, but it isn't conducive to the efficiency-maximization ball of the playoffs. You can only play stupid ball so much in the playoffs and also the harder Westbrook goes, the less Durant gets the ball. Westbrook's next level makes Durant obsolete or at least turns him into a spot-up shooter because Westbrook needs the rock to be effective. Durant figured that out.

OKC just got better as the playoffs went on, but they absolutely hit their peak in the finals and it still wasn't good enough. They remind me of the Kings when the Lakers were dominant-- good enough to trash other teams but just not good enough to ever go to the finals.

[Underdog]

Yeah, I can't root against GS at this point because I absolutely hate LeBron.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Yeah, I can't root against GS at this point because I absolutely hate LeBron.

Same, but I instead hate Love, JR Smith, and Dellavadova

[Melonhead]

I dont want to see Lebron win another title. I have no problem admitting the greatness of GSW, so it wont bother me if they win. But I hateeeeee Green.

[Thespiralgoeson]

I'm rooting for Cleveland partly because Cavs rhymes with Mavs.... don't laugh.

[TripleDipping]

Originally Posted by Thespiralgoeson

I'm rooting for Cleveland partly because Cavs rhymes with Mavs.... don't laugh.

Go Mavaliers!

[MavzMan]

Cavs better be careful what they ask for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwwY9y6O3hw

[EricaLubarsky]

David Lee to Spurs on two year deal. Multiple sources reporting.

Loved the guy, sad he's on our rival. Actually glad to have youth.

[Underdog]

NBA union boss ‘optimistic’ there won’t be a lockout next year

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Underdog

NBA union boss ‘optimistic’ there won’t be a lockout next year

Adam Silver need just say Solomon Hill in negotiations.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by Underdog

NBA union boss ‘optimistic’ there won’t be a lockout next year

If the CBA is re-negotiated and not extended, the owners really need to push for a provision that allows players to sign extensions of higher value than what they could get in free agency. Right now there's no reason for them to re-sign, ever... if they're really concerned with the whole "small market teams can't sign/keep superstars" that's one of the first things they should address. I think that whole concept is bullshit, as top-tier players have gravitated towards winning organizations instead of just glamorous ones, but it's a small-ish thing I see that can contribute to greater competitive balance.

And FWIW if it was up to me, there would be no salary cap, no max salaries and no luxury tax. I want owners in the league that are here to compete. The new TV deal guarantees enormous profitability.