2015-16 NBA Season

[Boston Red]

Curry made some insane plays down the stretch in SLC last night to keep the Warriors undefeated.

Side note: I think the Jazz are going to be really, really good next year. Who knew Quinn Snyder could coach?!? Certainly not Mizzou fans.

[Boston Red]

Golden St. is getting a lot of pub, and rightfully so......but how about those Sixers!!!!! LOL

The Sixers should be contracted out of existence. They are a complete joke.

[Stray]

The Sixers have some nice pieces. I really like Bob Covington and Noel. Okafor seems to have a pretty solid offensive game, but he's been getting handled by good defenders. Not real sure about Isaiah Canaan but he's showed a little upside, as has Hollis Thompson and Jeremi Grant.

I think long term you either gotta move Noel or you gotta move Okafor. Neither can work well together on the floor, but moving Okafor would mean hoping Embiid gets his act together and lays off the shirley temples. Keep Noel for his defense and versatility and you won't get a whole lot of post offense, or keep Okafor who plays no defense but can score a little better.

[Stray]

Curry made some insane plays down the stretch in SLC last night to keep the Warriors undefeated.

Side note: I think the Jazz are going to be really, really good next year. Who knew Quinn Snyder could coach?!? Certainly not Mizzou fans.

Jazz really did play a great game. They controlled the pace and played great offense and defense all night. But yea down the stretch Curry just made insane plays.

Didn't like Hood taking that shot tho. Gotta go to Hayward or Favors there imo.

[Assembly Hall]

The thing about the Sixers, it just doesnt appear like they are trying to win. And havent for sometime.

[Revering4Blue]

The Sixers have some nice pieces. I really like Bob Covington and Noel. Okafor seems to have a pretty solid offensive game, but he's been getting handled by good defenders. Not real sure about Isaiah Canaan but he's showed a little upside, as has Hollis Thompson and Jeremi Grant.

I think long term you either gotta move Noel or you gotta move Okafor. Neither can work well together on the floor, but moving Okafor would mean hoping Embiid gets his act together and lays off the shirley temples. Keep Noel for his defense and versatility and you won't get a whole lot of post offense, or keep Okafor who plays no defense but can score a little better.

Agreed.

Noel has been injured - which helps to explain why he's been borderline dreadful at times this year - and hasn't played for a week. A healthy Noel will go a long way towards close losses without him, as they've been experiencing lately, becoming wins. The big man rotation will sort itself out - Embiid or no Embiid. Let's not forget that Richaun Holmes and Christian Wood are first round talents, albeit extremely raw.

Canaan isn't a true point guard, but is built like a mini tank and can score. He may better paired with a taller PG/combo guard like Tony Wroten or Kendall Marshall when they return, moving McConnell to the bench with Thompson, and the team is instantly better.

[Stray]

Agreed.

Noel has been injured - which helps to explain why he's been borderline dreadful at times this year - and hasn't played for a week. A healthy Noel will go a long way towards close losses without him, as they've been experiencing lately, becoming wins. The big man rotation will sort itself out - Embiid or no Embiid. Let's not forget that Richaun Holmes and Christian Wood are first round talents, albeit extremely raw.

Canaan isn't a true point guard, but is built like a mini tank and can score. He may better paired with a taller PG/combo guard like Tony Wroten or Kendall Marshall when they return, moving McConnell to the bench with Thompson, and the team is instantly better.

Crowded paint with Noel and Okafor on the floor together, when Philly has both out there their spacing is awful. Pretty sure there's no way those two can work together. Embiid at the 5 lets them have proper spacing.

I've found it interesting that the 6ers have been going with small lineups more and not playing Okafor as much. Could be his off the court issues, or it could be that they're better defensively w/o him.

But yea like you said, they have a ton of close losses. They could easily have 4-5 wins right now. And they're definitely in line for another lottery pick, and this year's draft has a lot of value in the lottery.

[Stray]

The thing about the Sixers, it just doesnt appear like they are trying to win. And havent for sometime.

I think they've been playing hard. They're a limited roster with a lot of decent pieces that don't fit well together. Even with all that, they've been in a ton of games late but the lack of a good PG makes them horrible in crunch time possessions.

I'd rather have a young team playing hard than a talented team that doesn't seem to care like Houston haha.

[Stray]

76ers get their win tonight. Kobe has gone full YOLO. He's just hogging the ball and jacking up crazy shots at this point. It's still entertaining tho haha.

[Kingspoint]

Kobe announced that he's retiring after this season.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/

The night before or so, everyone in the crowd at Portland was yelling, "Shoot! Shoot!" every time he touched the ball. He's pretty pathetic, and he may finally realize it, but it hasn't apparently stopped him from jacking up dozens of horrible shots per game.

[Tom Servo]

When I heard about Kobe retiring, I thought it was effective immediately because he realized how horrible he's become. I already figured he was done after this year.

[Stray]

Kobe turned back the clock tonight. He had a pretty good game and made some clutch shots down the stretch. He still has a few of these games left in him I suppose.

[Stray]

Just ridiculous.


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

[Tom Servo]

Beginning of the end for Hinkie and The Process?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14317233/nba-owners-lobbied-league-office-philadelphia-76ers-changes

[goreds2]

Wow, going on this thread, I did not expect talk about my SIXERS. :cry:

[Stray]

So yea, I think it's pretty safe to say that Kristaps Porzingis is easily the best rookie in this class. I think the Knicks got themselves a legit superstar.

[Revering4Blue]

Beginning of the end for Hinkie and The Process?

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14317233/nba-owners-lobbied-league-office-philadelphia-76ers-changes

Colangelo is essentially filling the same role that Jerry West fills in the bay area. Nothing to see here.......yet. Nothing's changed regarding Hinkie; if next season's roster - specifically, by mid-year - doesn't look appreciably better than this one, Hinkie will walk the plank. Simple as that.

[texasdave]

76ers with a very entertaining 51-point loss to the Duncan-less, Leonard-less, Ginobili-less Spurs. I can see why some folks would love to watch them play.

Anyone with a lick of sense can see that teams only need to play hard for about half a quarter to put this no-talent bunch away.

Since the start of the 2013-2014 season, Philadelphia has a shining record of 38-148, winning games at a .203 clip. Nice.

They are paying Javale McGee 12 million NOT to play for them.
They are paying Gerald Wallace 10 million NOT to play for them.
They are paying Furkan Aldemir (WHO?) 3 million NOT to play for them. Nice.

#TankingHardForSimmons.

[Bourgeois Zee]

So yea, I think it's pretty safe to say that Kristaps Porzingis is easily the best rookie in this class. I think the Knicks got themselves a legit superstar.

Umm, Karl Anthony Towns says hi.

[Stray]

Umm, Karl Anthony Towns says hi.

I like Towns a lot. Don't get why the Wolves are babying him as much as they are.

Porzingis is on a different level tho. He has the entire package at 7-3. Can take guys off the dribble, shoot 3s, pull up jumper game, post game, block shots, rebound, etc.. And is one of the more efficient scorers in the entire NBA. He's going to be a superstar if he can stay healthy, dudes shouldn't have the skill he has at 7-3.

[Boston Red]

Umm, Karl Anthony Towns says hi.

That's nice of him to say hi to the best rookie in the class.

[Revering4Blue]

That's nice of him to say hi to the best rookie in the class.

Eh, not if you compare the two.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3136195/karl-anthony-towns

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3102531/kristaps-porzingis

[Assembly Hall]

Well I tuned into the Pacer game last night....that was a waste of my time.

[Stray]

Eh, not if you compare the two.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3136195/karl-anthony-towns

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/3102531/kristaps-porzingis

Both have had weird minute restrictions at various points in this season. Wolves have opted to go to Dieng more often than not to protect Towns, and Porzingis started the year pretty slow.

I think both have great futures, but Porzingis has one of those freaky potentials that you don't see very often.

[Boston Red]

Well I tuned into the Pacer game last night....that was a waste of my time.

The fourth quarter got pretty good.

[Razor Shines]

Well I tuned into the Pacer game last night....that was a waste of my time.

Was it? That 4th quarter was fun and the Warriors are fun to watch anyway.

[Assembly Hall]

Was it? That 4th quarter was fun and the Warriors are fun to watch anyway.

Kind of hard to get into a game when a team is down 30 early. My God, I just cant take it!!!!!! I will put it on the Western channel!!!!!!

[Boston Red]

So yea, I think it's pretty safe to say that Kristaps Porzingis is easily the best rookie in this class. I think the Knicks got themselves a legit superstar.

Utah may have broken him tonight.

[Revering4Blue]

Utah may have broken him tonight.

No Exum and no Gobert, and the Jazz keep trucking along. The bright spots to missing the aforementioned two are the emergence of Neto, allowing Burke to flourish as a sixth man, and Lyles - 10 rebounds tonight - and Withey to play extended minutes.

I still can't believe that the Pelicans decided to pay Asik for little production, while allowing Withey to walk.

As an aside, while I realize that we haven't yet seen the best of Victor Oladipo or Nerlens Noel, unless I'm overlooking somebody - which is possible - Gobert and Antetokounmpo have to be considered, as of today, the premier players from the Class of '13.

[Bourgeois Zee]

No Exum and no Gobert, and the Jazz keep trucking along. The bright spots to missing the aforementioned two are the emergence of Neto, allowing Burke to flourish as a sixth man, and Lyles - 10 rebounds tonight - and Withey to play extended minutes.

I still can't believe that the Pelicans decided to pay Asik for little production, while allowing Withey to walk.

Yep. Pelicans are only adequate because of Davis. Without him, New Orleans is the worst team in the league outside of LA or Philly.


As an aside, while I realize that we haven't yet seen the best of Victor Oladipo or Nerlens Noel, unless I'm overlooking somebody - which is possible - Gobert and Antetokounmpo have to be considered, as of today, the premier players from the Class of '13.

True. But that whole class absolutely sucks.

I think Giannis has kind of plateaued until he improves that outside shot. He's brutal from anywhere outside of three feet. He's slipped defensively from crazy active, hyper athletic, long-limbed shot blocker to a rather lazy defender that depends on his long arms instead of moving his feet. He still has the tools and could very well put it all together, but he's treading water at this point.

Gobert's injury should scare every Utah fan. Bigs with bad knees don't tend to age well or play effectively for more than about half a game. He's another that I'd thought would have blossomed, but instead is just treading water.

But Noel has taken a giant step backward so far this season and Oladipo has only shown flashes.

[Revering4Blue]

I cannot recall a season in which so many teams have been missing key players to injuries for extended periods of time. Now, Eric Bledsoe - one of my favorite players - and Jarret Jack - who was enjoying a fine season for Brooklyn - are both out for the year. When will it end?

On the bright side, MKG is likely to return to action this season, which will help the Hornets exponentially. On a related note, it appears that I was/am dead wrong with my assessment of the Batum trade - that Charlotte overpaid for Batum and that the Hornets traded the wrong guy in the deal (Vonleh instead of Zeller.) So far, I'm wrong on both counts.

[Kingspoint]

I'm at the game last night, and I go, "Why is Crabbe starting? What's wrong with C.J.?" Took almost a quarter before word got around that Stotts accidentally had him on the IR list when he turned in the lineup. When they figured it out, the deadline had passed and the league/refs wouldn't let the change be made.

Dang Windows 10!

[Kingspoint]

Watching Lillard live hit five 3's in two minutes to lead the Blazers to a win over OKC last night took the sting out of another Bengals' playoff loss.

[Revering4Blue]

Watching Lillard live hit five 3's in two minutes to lead the Blazers to a win over OKC last night took the sting out of another Bengals' playoff loss.

Hey, ya gotta take comfort any way you can. You've got a favorable schedule in the next week or so, you can make headway toward a Playoff run. The Kings can, as well, as Willie Cauley-Stein has returned.

[Revering4Blue]

Even though he was following orders from Nets' ownership for the most part, I can understand reassigning Billy King. But I don't quite understanding the firing of Lionel Hollins, as I'm not sure was expected from a decimated roster.

The good news for the future:

The skill sets of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who also can swing to the back court, and Chris McCullough - He's effectively their '16 First Rounder - compliment each other, as well as Brook Lopez's game. Throw in Thad Young and Thomas Robinson, and the next coach should have a nice front line. They'll also have plenty of cap space. If they strike out with high-profile free agents, free agents the caliber of the Knicks' signings this past season should improve the team exponentially. The Nets are beginning this "reload" with a much stronger talent base than what Phil Jackson inherited in NY.

[Kingspoint]

The future was mortgaged. You are stating the best of a bad situation, but it's still a bad situation for any Coach. Can't think of anyone who would want the job. They now have no General Manager to make a deal going into this current trade deadline. As Brent Barry said, "when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you need to do, is to stop digging". Yesterday's firing was more digging.

[Revering4Blue]

The future was mortgaged. You are stating the best of a bad situation, but it's still a bad situation for any Coach. Can't think of anyone who would want the job. They now have no General Manager to make a deal going into this current trade deadline. As Brent Barry said, "when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you need to do, is to stop digging". Yesterday's firing was more digging.

IMHO, the best strategy for the Nets now is NOT to conduct a 76ers-like tear-down for at least two reasons:

* Doing so virtually insures that a contender is built via the lottery.....in Boston. You need to do your best to remain relevant - shoot for the last Playoff spot each season - to ensure that free agents give you more than a passing glance, as you are not in a position to primarily build via the draft. Again, try to augment the roster with Afflalo-level free agent signings.

* The makeup of the rosters of this Nets team and the 76ers team that Hinkie inherited - thanks to the gawd-awful Bynum trade - are like night and day. Granted, market-wise, you can make a case that Lopez equates with Jrue Holiday, but that's where it stops. The 76ers were a team full of non-cornerstone type players a year away or two from free agency, who were promptly liquidated. The 76ers, other than Holiday, had no promising youngsters like the Nets possess now. If the Nets were to liquidate the aforementioned assets, back to point #1.

The Nets, with no First rounder until '19, are currently slated to pick 33rd in a deeper draft than last year. Many teams own several first rounders this year in the 20's. They can package that 2nd rounder with cash to move up or, given the fact that Suns' owner Robert Sarvo is a cheapskate known to sell first-rounders, puchase one straight-up. The Nets may need to package Bogdanovic with Joe Johnson to obtain value, but given that Tim Hardaway Jr. and G. Vasquez both garnered first-rounders last year, Bogdanovic alone is worth more than either THJr or Vazquez.

[Tom Servo]

The Nets, with no First rounder until '19,
Good god, I keep forgetting just how long it is.

I agree though, Billy King was but a mere foot solider. They told him to compete for a championship, and he did.

I liked Lionel Hollins with Memphis and thought he was a solid hire following Kidd's departure, but he was simply not a fit for our collection of overpaid veterans and young kids. Nobody probably was, it was a fairly thankless task, but we need to move forward and see what we have with some kids and get rid of the deadweight. Lionel loved him some Joe Johnson, that's for sure.

All hope is not lost when you play in the East, but the Nets need to start being smarter with how they spend. And without draft picks they will need to spend to get out of the hole, like Keynesian basketball.

[Revering4Blue]

I stand corrected regarding the Nets' future picks. Thanks to the Stepian Rule, they do have a '17 first rounder. Alas, the Celtics have the option to swap with them, but that's better than no pick at all.

[Kingspoint]

I know 2nd Rounders can be purchased with cash (up to $2M, I believe), but I don't think 1st Rounders can be purchased with cash. I'll try to look up why I think this is so.

[Kingspoint]

While I'm still looking for information about 1st Round restrictions regarding the swap of cash for picks, here's an entry about restrictions of trading the picks themselves (so if you want a Suns pick, etc.):

The Hoops Rumors glossary includes an entry on the Ted Stepien Rule, a condition that prohibits teams from trading back-to-back future first-round picks. Our write-up also includes a few other rules related to draft-pick trades. Still, while that glossary entry is definitely worth reading if you want to understand the basics of draft-pick trades, it may help more to take a look at a few specific cases with up-to-date examples to understand how those rules work in practice.

The article from Dec. of 2013:

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2013/12/trading-future-draft.html

[Portland did lose that pick to Charlotte last season, and will now lose their 2016 pick to Denver (Afflalo trade) if they make the playoffs, but if they miss the playoffs, they keep it and it's deferred to 2017.]

[Kingspoint]

I think what it is, is that because there is a restriction on the amount of cash that can be traded between any two teams (currently between $3M and $4M and changes from year to year), the amount is so low compared to the value of a 1st Round pick (control of a player for seven seasons at a low cost through the first four years), that it rarely makes economical sense to trade away a 1st Round pick for cash, unless you have so many of them that you don't have the roster spot to sign the person anyway (76er's/Celtics). Better to trade the 1st (we're talking about trading lower 1st Round picks here) economically for some 2nd's.

[texasdave]

This site has a wealth of information regarding the NBA's CBA.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm


Cash cannot be the only asset sent out in trade for a first round draft pick. In other words, teams can't "sell" their first round draft picks, but they can sell second round picks, player contracts or draft rights.

[Revering4Blue]

Cash cannot be the only asset sent out in trade for a first round draft pick. In other words, teams can't "sell" their first round draft picks, but they can sell second round picks, player contracts or draft rights.

I thought so. But, as Kingspoint pointed out, it doesn't make much sense financially to sell First Round draft rights, but I wouldn't put it past Sarver and the Suns, who also own the Cavs first rounder, to go that route or accept a second rounder and cash in return for the late First Rounder.

That stated, the Nets should stay put in this draft, as a quality prospect/player, such as LSU's Tim Quarterman or Oregon State's Gary Payton II, should be there for the taking.

[Stray]

It's the Warriors and the Spurs, and then it's a long way down to everyone else.

[Kingspoint]

Cleveland still has to be the favorite.

[Tom Servo]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojVerticalNBA 5m5 minutes ago
Cleveland has fired coach David Blatt, sources tell Yahoo.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojVerticalNBA 5m5 minutes ago
Cleveland has fired coach David Blatt, sources tell Yahoo.

That loss to GS did it. Cleveland is all in to win it this year and you can't lose by 34 points at home. And also Lebron hates him.

[WVRed]

That loss to GS did it. Cleveland is all in to win it this year and you can't lose by 34 points at home. And also Lebron hates him.

Breaking News: LeBron named Player-Coach.

Let the Calipari to Cleveland rumors pick back up again.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Breaking News: LeBron named Player-Coach.

Let the Calipari to Cleveland rumors pick back up again.

Tyronne Lue was already promoted and given a multi year contract. Put the Calipari rumors to bed.

[Revering4Blue]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojVerticalNBA 5m5 minutes ago
Cleveland has fired coach David Blatt, sources tell Yahoo.


http://i.giphy.com/1r6KkcEU0qyu4.gif

10289

10290

[RedTeamGo!]

The more I read about Blatt the more it seems this was not just lebrons decision. The guy sounds like he was in completely over his head.

[KronoRed]

I just wish they would be honest about it "Yeah LeBron wanted him fired, and because he basically holds us hostage with these 1 year deals, we fired him"

[Bourgeois Zee]

The more I read about Blatt the more it seems this was not just lebrons decision. The guy sounds like he was in completely over his head.

*Snort*

Okay, sure. Yeah.

If LeBron wanted him there, he'd still be there.

Blatt came within a couple of injuries of winning the crown last year. (Had Irving been healthy, they might win it.) He didn't deserve to get canned.

Were I the owner, I'd be looking at my GM. Love has been a huge disappointment, while Wiggins would have been a nice piece both offensively and defensively on the wing. James, at this point, should probably be more of a PF anyway. And you can't play both he and Love together defensively because of the lack of effort (in James) and talent (in Love).

[Revering4Blue]

*Snort*

Okay, sure. Yeah.

If LeBron wanted him there, he'd still be there.

Blatt came within a couple of injuries of winning the crown last year. (Had Irving been healthy, they might win it.) He didn't deserve to get canned.

Were I the owner, I'd be looking at my GM. Love has been a huge disappointment, while Wiggins would have been a nice piece both offensively and defensively on the wing. James, at this point, should probably be more of a PF anyway. And you can't play both he and Love together defensively because of the lack of effort (in James) and talent (in Love).

Yep.

And it isn't revisionist history, as some of us were suggesting just that at the time.

King James is no GM. This firing, the Wiggins trade - which lead to an oddly constructed roster - and a max contract for TT are not moves,IMO, that Pat Riley would make. It's obvious that the Cavs have more or less given LBJ carte blanche as a concession to land him again on Cleveland. Unless, Lue is some sort of coaching genius, the franchise may pay a huge price for this given the year-to-year deal with James.

[Kingspoint]

I can't blame Cleveland for doing whatever pleases LeBron. They have zero Championships. LeBron may be the greatest player of all time. It's an opportunity that won't present itself again in this franchise's lifetime.

Go all in.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I can't blame Cleveland for doing whatever pleases LeBron. They have zero Championships. LeBron may be the greatest player of all time. It's an opportunity that won't present itself again in this franchise's lifetime.

Go all in.

Cleveland gets a top pick seemingly every other year. Giving a player any kind of personnel druthers beyond "What do you think about Player X?" is asking for your team to be run into the ground. Good GM's know how to play on their star players' egos without resorting to acquiescing to their every desire.

[Revering4Blue]

I can't blame Cleveland for doing whatever pleases LeBron. They have zero Championships. LeBron may be the greatest player of all time. It's an opportunity that won't present itself again in this franchise's lifetime.

Go all in.

H-y-p-e-r-b-o-l-e.

The opportunity has existed before, and given history, is likely to once Lebron retires or plays elsewhere.

How about the mid-to-late '70's - the Austin Carr days - with a solid infrastructure that lasted until Ted Stepien destroyed the franchise.

What about the Brad Daugherty/Mark Price days? You don't believe that that team at least reaches the finals at least once without the idiotic Harper for Ferry deal?

Good GMs trade a future second round pick for Price, draft/steal Hot Rod Williams (RIP) in the second round, draft Harper instead of the many drug-related draft busts that year and send a supposed up-and -coming star (Roy Hinson) and $$$ for the rights to Daugherty. They do not trade the top pick in the draft who balances your roster - with-or-without Lebron - when Minnesota with Love was already in the over-a-barrel state, in which they could have lost Love with no compensation at the conclusion of last season.

[Revering4Blue]

What about the trade that brought Josh Smith back to Houston? Did Morey make the deal under the pretense of trading away Terrence Jones or Montiejunas?

Either way, IMO, it's a good deal for Houston and provides Morey roster flexibility.

[Bourgeois Zee]

With the Josh Smith deal, the NBA trade season is upon us. So let's make up some hypothetical deals to strengthen both teams:

Houston trade KJ McDaniels, Corey Brewer, and Terrance Jones for Markieff Morris, Archie Goodwin, and PJ Tucker.
Jones needs a new place to play. So does Morris. Everyone else is there for salary ballast.

Kevin Love and Timofy Mozgov to Boston for Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson, Evan Turner, and Jared Sullinger. Boston gives up their lowest 1st round draft pick this season.
Love gets out of Cleveland and could become a star again in Bean Town. Bradley gives Lue a defensive presence outside, Johnson gives one inside. Turner and Sullinger come home as role players, but good ones. Juicy just for the possible conference finals best of seven.

New Orleans trades Ryan Anderson to Toronto for their 1st round pick (via NYK) and Patrick Patterson
Anderson makes Toronto really interesting and the Raps have their own 1st rounder anyway. Patterson could help NO if they decide to go small and play Davis at C. He's a shooter who does all the little things pretty well. Good teammate too.

Sacramento trades Rudy Gay and Kosta Koufos to Orlando for Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo
Gay gives Orlando a good defender who can also shoot/ score consistently, while Koufos gives some help underneath as a backup C. Harris starts at SF and Oladipo becomes the SG Sac-Town needs to pair with Rondo and go-go-go.

What you got?

[Stray]

Maybe Cleveland should go ahead and fire Lue while they're at it.

[Stray]

Kinda knew it was going on to some extent behind the scenes, but Woj's column on the Cleveland/Lebron thing really clarified some things.

Ultimately I don't blame Lebron for doing things that help Lebron, more power to him. Dan Gilbert looks like the clown here. You can't get conned into giving TT that contract. You can't let Lebron be your GM because Lebron has shown nothing to prove that he's a good GM. Wiggins would be a pretty good 2 with TT playing 4 right now.

And they don't have the players to matchup GSW's small lineup, and they cannot defend what SAS does. So if they do make the finals good luck.


http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-david-blatt-never-stood-a-chance-with-lebron-james-and-his-camp-035612484.html

[RedTeamGo!]

People acting like the cavs are the Phoenix Suns right now are cracking me up. They are 30-12.

[Stray]

People acting like the cavs are the Phoenix Suns right now are cracking me up. They are 30-12.

Holding them to a different standard, as the best team in the Eastern Conference should be. They're also 30-12 against a very favorable early schedule. Their best win is...against Toronto or the Clippers w/o Blake?

I mean the East is pretty bad this year so regardless I'd be shocked if Cleveland doesn't make the Finals, but they don't have the pieces to compete with the Spurs or Wars. It wasn't Blatt, it's a dinosaur roster. GSW changed the NBA last year and everyone everywhere is adapting, yet the Cavs have been throwing money at bigs which makes no sense.

Edit: Forgot their win over the Thunder. That's their best win obv.

[RedTeamGo!]

Holding them to a different standard, as the best team in the Eastern Conference should be. They're also 30-12 against a very favorable early schedule. Their best win is...against Toronto or the Clippers w/o Blake?

I mean the East is pretty bad this year so regardless I'd be shocked if Cleveland doesn't make the Finals, but they don't have the pieces to compete with the Spurs or Wars. It wasn't Blatt, it's a dinosaur roster. GSW changed the NBA last year and everyone everywhere is adapting, yet the Cavs have been throwing money at bigs which makes no sense.

Edit: Forgot their win over the Thunder. That's their best win obv.

Pretty favorable schedule other than the fact they have played less home games than any other team in the NBA?

[Stray]

Pretty favorable schedule other than the fact they have played less home games than any other team in the NBA?

By favorable I mean that they've beaten up on a bunch of teams they should beat up on. With their roster they're among the best teams in the NBA. But with a Western Conf schedule they aren't anywhere near 30-12 right now and surely you know this.

And by getting blown out of the water by the Wars and losing a couple more to the Wars and Spurs, it doesn't look good for how the East's best matches up with the West's bests.

Not trying to be unfair to them, they're in the same boat as everyone else in the East. Literally no chance to win the Finals unless the Wars and Spurs get upset.

[Stray]

and FWIW, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Wars blow out the Spurs on Monday. I hope they don't since I want the WCF to live up to all of the hype this year. If these two are even close to equal it'll be amazing.

But the Wars can go on runs that nobody else can. And Parker isn't the best defender anymore so Curry has an adv. Unless Pop puts Kawhi on Curry.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think Pop will put Kawaii on Curry. Either that or Pop will come up with master strat no one expects.

The cavs have a lot of talent. I think people are overreacting to the events of the last couple of weeks. Let's not forget at this point last year they were barely above .500 and they ended up 2 games away from being NBA champs down 2 of their 3 best players and a worse bench.

[Stray]

I think Pop will put Kawaii on Curry. Either that or Pop will come up with master strat no one expects.

The cavs have a lot of talent. I think people are overreacting to the events of the last couple of weeks. Let's not forget at this point last year they were barely above .500 and they ended up 2 games away from being NBA champs down 2 of their 3 best players and a worse bench.

That's the weird thing for me with the Cavs in regards to the Warriors matchup. Because I think they're definitely better when Delly is guarding Curry because Kyrie plays no defense at all, and I just don't think Love makes any sense whatsoever against the Warriors. Love can help you beat a lot of teams, but not Golden State.

I think the all defense grindy lineup where Lebron totally takes over is the best chance to beat this Wars team. Earlier this year before Kyrie had totally gotten back they held the Wars to like 90 points or something.

Love and Kyrie on the floor together means you gotta outscore the opponent cuz you're a weak defensive team. And that's a terrible idea against the Wars.

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Cleveland has a while to make a move or change things up. I think they all know that they can't win the Finals as constructed.

[dubc47834]

Holding them to a different standard, as the best team in the Eastern Conference should be. They're also 30-12 against a very favorable early schedule. Their best win is...against Toronto or the Clippers w/o Blake?

I mean the East is pretty bad this year so regardless I'd be shocked if Cleveland doesn't make the Finals, but they don't have the pieces to compete with the Spurs or Wars. It wasn't Blatt, it's a dinosaur roster. GSW changed the NBA last year and everyone everywhere is adapting, yet the Cavs have been throwing money at bigs which makes no sense.

Edit: Forgot their win over the Thunder. That's their best win obv.

The East isn't the joke it used to be!

[Kingspoint]

The Spurs and Warriors have only played one more home game than Cleveland.

[Stray]

No idea what to expect tonight. Hope it lives up to the hype tho.

[Boston Red]

No idea what to expect tonight. Hope it lives up to the hype tho.

Golden State certainly lived up to the hype. They're....pretty good.

[Kingspoint]

Just crushed the Spurs. It was laughable how good they were.

Seriously? GSW have won 91 straight in games they've had a 15-pt lead. That is sustained maturity and focus.
So, to beat them, you can't let them explode during a game. Good luck with that.

[Kingspoint]

Cousins is playing at an elite level right now. Poorly officiated game in Sac tonight. Cousins doesn't seem stoppable right now.

[texasdave]

Blake Griffin broke his hand in a fight with the equipment manager. He will be out for weeks.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14651663/los-angeles-clippers-forward-blake-griffin-injured-hand-fight-member-team-equipment-staff

You gotta keep'em separated.

[Boston Red]

Blake Griffin broke his hand in a fight with the equipment manager. He will be out for weeks.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14651663/los-angeles-clippers-forward-blake-griffin-injured-hand-fight-member-team-equipment-staff

You gotta keep'em separated.

Are you sure that's not a story from the Onion?

[texasdave]

Are you sure that's not a story from the Onion?

If it's not, it should be.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Blake Griffin broke his hand in a fight with the equipment manager. He will be out for weeks.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14651663/los-angeles-clippers-forward-blake-griffin-injured-hand-fight-member-team-equipment-staff

You gotta keep'em separated.

DeMarcus Cousins gets hammered by casual fans for being a "thug".

Griffin is continually considered one of the best ambassadors the game has.

I hate NBA marketing.

[Kingspoint]

DeMarcus Cousins gets hammered by casual fans for being a "thug".

Griffin is continually considered one of the best ambassadors the game has.

I hate NBA marketing.

About to go watch Cousins. Expect nothing less than 34 pts, 17 boards, 4 ast, 2 st and 2 bk. Should be a great game.

[Bourgeois Zee]

About to go watch Cousins. Expect nothing less than 34 pts, 17 boards, 4 ast, 2 st and 2 bk. Should be a great game.

As long as you're not expecting too much.

[Stray]

DeMarcus Cousins gets hammered by casual fans for being a "thug".

Griffin is continually considered one of the best ambassadors the game has.

I hate NBA marketing.

To be fair Cousins has routinely gotten kinda outta control on the court in his short career. The 'thug' tag is over the top, cuz off the court he's been great from what I've read. I love Boogie tho. One of my fav players in the league to watch.

Blake just turned his dunks into a Kia deal and quite a few others. Difference between the LA market and the Sacramento market. If Boogie was a Laker he'd be one of the more marketable players in the NBA.

[Stray]

About to go watch Cousins. Expect nothing less than 34 pts, 17 boards, 4 ast, 2 st and 2 bk. Should be a great game.

Kings burned themselves out last night. I wanted to put Boogie on my DK roster but I just knew a let down was coming after 45 mins and 50 somethin points last night.

Picked a bad night to see the best big in the league lol.

[Kingspoint]

Kings burned themselves out last night. I wanted to put Boogie on my DK roster but I just knew a let down was coming after 45 mins and 50 somethin points last night.

Picked a bad night to see the best big in the league lol.

Yes. He was getting at the rim early, but the Blazers either blocked him, altered his shots, or what was going in last night kept rolling off the rim. The repeated misses around the rim had him settling for jumpers, but he still got a ton of calls. But, he missed some free throws early and then he lost focus. He let Leonard bother him and started missing every free throw. He got hurt twice in the second half...first his right wrist early in the 3rd, and then he almost got knocked out when he collided with Rondo early in the 4th (he should have been taken out and called it a night, but he stayed in the game). His play reminds me of Shaq's most dominating days, where he gets permission to bull his way through traffic, where he either gets a shot at the rim, free throws, or both,...except he usually makes his free throws. He's almost unstoppable. His bad-boy on the court, out of control behavior is controlled right now, but it looks to be simmering, just waiting for another explosion.

They missed Rudy Gay tonight (poked eye from last night).

The Blazers actually have the 8th seed by percentage points right now.

[Kingspoint]

Klay Thompson had no business making the All-Star game ahead of Lillard.

Dame is outplaying him in nearly every area you can judge a Guard's or NBA Players game by. In the two most important areas, Dame is a greater leader for his team and he makes the players around him better. Portland is only five wins away from surpassing their pre-season over/under, and they should get those wins before the All-Star break.

They don't even compete on a level playing field. Lillard is double-teamed 60-70% of the time as soon as he crosses halfcourt with the ball and again if he receives the ball in a potential one-on-one situation. Thompson is allowed to operate with the ball facing single coverage more than 90% of the time.

Lillard is outperforming him while working with all new faces with both the starters and the bench, while Thompson has no personnel adjustments to make.

[Revering4Blue]

Klay Thompson had no business making the All-Star game ahead of Lillard.

Dame is outplaying him in nearly every area you can judge a Guard's or NBA Players game by. In the two most important areas, Dame is a greater leader for his team and he makes the players around him better. Portland is only five wins away from surpassing their pre-season over/under, and they should get those wins before the All-Star break.

They don't even compete on a level playing field. Lillard is double-teamed 60-70% of the time as soon as he crosses halfcourt with the ball and again if he receives the ball in a potential one-on-one situation. Thompson is allowed to operate with the ball facing single coverage more than 90% of the time.

Lillard is outperforming him while working with all new faces with both the starters and the bench, while Thompson has no personnel adjustments to make.

Agreed. No logical argument for KT ahead of DL.

Pau Gasol and Al Horford are both questionable snubs for the East, IMO.

[Stray]

I still love the potential of Towns and Porzingis, but man I didn't see this kinda domination coming from Towns. I knew he could be a beast down in the post but he's just knocking down jumpshots like it's nothing. He's obviously your ROY of the year right now, but he's also one of the best bigs in the NBA right now. And is only 20 years old. He just makes it look easy...

Minnesota will have to really try hard to screw up a future with Wiggins and Towns. Would think they could attract some quality coaching interest.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42jlDszQyd8

[Bourgeois Zee]

Minnesota will have to really try hard to screw up a future with Wiggins and Towns. Would think they could attract some quality coaching interest.

McMillan doesn't seem likely to keep the job. His lack of cohesiveness in terms of minutes might be his choice or might come from GM Milt Newton.

It's an odd strategy, to say the least, to play really old veterans with little left in the tank in place of young up-and-comers.

[Kingspoint]

It's an odd strategy, to say the least, to play really old veterans with little left in the tank in place of young up-and-comers.Like Byron Scott?

[Kingspoint]

When I saw Wiggins play Portland (on TV from Minnesota) the thought that came to my mind was that Portland better hurry up and do their rebuild.

[WVRed]

I still love the potential of Towns and Porzingis, but man I didn't see this kinda domination coming from Towns. I knew he could be a beast down in the post but he's just knocking down jumpshots like it's nothing. He's obviously your ROY of the year right now, but he's also one of the best bigs in the NBA right now. And is only 20 years old. He just makes it look easy...

Minnesota will have to really try hard to screw up a future with Wiggins and Towns. Would think they could attract some quality coaching interest.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42jlDszQyd8

No surprise. He always had the midrange game, but never showed it or had to at Kentucky. Cal developed him into an inside player which moved him ahead of Okafor.

He's Anthony Davis 2.0.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The Cavs had an "extended and spirited" players-only meeting following the firing of David Blatt, sources told ESPN.

Per the report, the meeting turned into an "airing of grievances," so we're hopeful there was a Festivus pole involved. A "central issue" was the "need for accountability," and it sounds like the team is now on the same page. LeBron, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving owned up to "personal faults," and that undoubtedly helped set a new tone for a club that needed one.

Source:*ESPN

[texasdave]

The Houston Rockets must be one seriously dysfunctional team. They don't even pretend to care about half of the time.

[Kingspoint]

Great win by the Blazers. We play in Memphis Monday, then host the Rockets Wednesday.

[Boston Red]

The Blazers are in a great spot in the standings. Let Utah take the GSW bullet.

[Kingspoint]

I'd rather go 0-4 in the playoffs and get the experience than have the middle 1st round pick. Olshey has proved he doesn't need them.

Dallas should fade, so there's a good chance that Utah, Portland or Sacramento could leapfrog Houston and Dallas.

I see no value in not making the playoffs in order to get the 14th pick in the draft, even if it means going 0-4 against whoever they face. They just got a great lesson Thursday night when they faced a much better team in Toronto. Even though the refs had a major influence in the outcome of the game, Toronto showed in a number of ways how much better they are and how there's no room for lulls against a good team.

This afternoon, Portland had a 3rd Qtr stretch where they had 2 free throws over almost six minutes and another similar stretch in the 4th. Houston couldn't capitalize. Toronto would have capitalized. While it suggests that they didn't learn from the Toronto game and got away with it against Houston (and so many others lately), they are going to have to not have the letdowns Monday vs Memphis. It will be a test to see if they can play like a Toronto, Golden State or San Antonio. Probably not, as they just aren't there, yet. But, the effort will be there, the results probably won't be. Probably too many turnovers, passing up of good looks for bad ones, and not enough blocking out of Randolph and Gasol.

[Kingspoint]

Utah should start to lose a few. They won six in a row, but all at home except for today's at Phoenix, the league's worst team since Christmas. Portland's had a similar fortune of playing a lot at home after spending most of December on the road. They have a terrible stretch after Feb 26th, where they play 13 of 15 games on the road. They'll lose ground in the standings during that stretch.

[Boston Red]

So do the Knicks have a splashy name in mind to replace Fischer? Are they going to bring Rick Pitino back or someone of that ilk?

Otherwise, firing Fischer seems kind of pointless at this juncture. Kurt Rambis obviously isn't the long-term answer. Does Phil think they've made enough progress that he's ready to come back to bench next year and give it one last go?

[Kingspoint]

Great win by the Blazers last night in Memphis. A sweep in Houston and Memphis, and now winners of 11 of 14. One more game tomorrow against Houston before the break. Unfortunately, it may not last.

The winning has coincided with Gerald Henderson's play. Henderson was originally traded for to be the starting shooting Guard, but a hip injury had him miss all of training camp, not being able to learn Stott's system. Then McCollum broke out and ended Henderson's hope of being the starter, a new role he's embraced while he's here. As his hip slowly healed and he adjusted his mid-range game to fit Stott's 3-pt spread-the-floor Offense. Henderson has replaced Crabbe in the last five minutes of the game, not because of Crabbe's bad play, but because of Henderson's superior play. He does everything right.

Stott's has also made a philosophical adjustment. In the last nine games, the Blazers lead the NBA in points off turnovers. Before that, they were 29th. Stott's has never had the philosophy of aggressive Defense, as the group of Aldridge, Batum, Matthews, Lopez and Lillard were always at the very bottom of the league in points off turnovers, always choosing instead to stay in front of their man. It created more difficult shots for the opponent, but made it easy for opponent's to run pick-and-roll, while also always letting Blazers' opponents to set up their Defense going the other way.

Henderson has been a major part of this change, too, but he may be gone by the All-Star break. He's a Free Agent this Summer, Moe Harkless and Alan Crabbe can take his place, and Henderson's style, though adjusted now, really doesn't fit Stott's style. I'll be sorry to see him go.

But, if the deal isn't sweet enough, he'll stay in order to lead this club through the rest of this season.

[Boston Red]

Big win for the Jazz tonight in Dallas. They're on fire! Too bad Exum got hurt, or they may have had a really nice season. Now have to find a way to sneak into 6th to have any shot at a competitive playoff series that they still can't win.

[Kingspoint]

Yes, great win by Utah.

Tough loss for Memphis (Gasol broken foot...not sure how long he'll be out). That should clinch homecourt in the first round for the Clippers.

Just have to mention once again what a great job I think Ainge has done as GM. The results speak for themselves.

[Kingspoint]

4-6 months for Gasol.

[Bourgeois Zee]

So do the Knicks have a splashy name in mind to replace Fischer? Are they going to bring Rick Pitino back or someone of that ilk?

Otherwise, firing Fischer seems kind of pointless at this juncture. Kurt Rambis obviously isn't the long-term answer. Does Phil think they've made enough progress that he's ready to come back to bench next year and give it one last go?

Luke Walton is likely their hope. I'm guessing he's looking for a better offer with better talent and some draft picks though. The Lakers make sense for him. I'd like to see Mark Jackson run things in New York, if only because he's who I think of when I think of NY PGs. He'd probably drive Jackson crazy. (Though, to be fair, I think Jackson's going back to Cali once Jeanie gets her brother canned. Deservedly.)

[westofyou]

I saw Luke Walton the other day in an Oakland coffee shop, he was wearing an A's cap and was quite tall

[Kingspoint]

31 points off 20 turnovers tonight as Portland easily dispatches Houston again. Howard makes like 14 of 18 from the floor with 13 boards, but is a -17 while he's on the floor. No defense by Houston. 8 turnovers by Harden.

Portland goes into the break as the #7 seed. Amazing. They aren't hot. They just keep getting better. The last 28 games is a brutal schedule, though. Will be interesting.

[Tom Servo]

Monty Williams wife died in a car accident in OKC the other day, tragic.

[Kingspoint]

Monty Williams wife died in a car accident in OKC the other day, tragic.

Yes. Heard that last night. He was an Assistant at Portland. There had to be a 1000 friends of his at the game last night. Very sad.

[dubc47834]

Anyone else think that it's going to take a monumental effort by anyone not named Kobe Bryant to win the MVP this weekend. If Kobe even puts up decent numbers I think he wins!

[Boston Red]

He will certainly have the best performance among players with no business being in the same area code as the All-Star Game.

[dubc47834]

He will certainly have the best performance among players with no business being in the same area code as the All-Star Game.

I disagree. Many times over the years guys have played as a life time achievement thing. I have no issue with that. Kobe deserves to be there. Jordan didn't deserve to be at his last couple either but was. Magic Johnson had no business at his final ASG either but was.

[Boston Red]

I don't really have an issue, either, because all star games are, as a general rule, stupid.

[dubc47834]

I don't really have an issue, either, because all star games are, as a general rule, stupid.

Oooohhhhhh come on. They're fun, the defense is great, and it really matters...:beerme:

[Kingspoint]

I disagree. Many times over the years guys have played as a life time achievement thing. I have no issue with that. Kobe deserves to be there. Jordan didn't deserve to be at his last couple either but was. Magic Johnson had no business at his final ASG either but was.
Kobe has been bad for years...at least three years. That wasn't the case with Jordan. I can't stand Kobe Bryant. I hope he slips in the bathtub at the hotel and misses the game.

[dubc47834]

Kobe has been bad for years...at least three years. That wasn't the case with Jordan. I can't stand Kobe Bryant. I hope he slips in the bathtub at the hotel and misses the game.

All 3 years he was injured!

[BillDoran]

Kobe has been bad for years...at least three years. That wasn't the case with Jordan. I can't stand Kobe Bryant. I hope he slips in the bathtub at the hotel and misses the game.

Spoken like a true Blazers fan.

[Kingspoint]

All 3 years he was injured!

Exactly. He just sat back and collected the paychecks while handcuffing the Lakers, like he has again this year. He gladly accepted the injury excuses to justify collecting the paychecks, knowing full well that his play wouldn't have justified it.

[Roy Tucker]

Of all the All Star games, I think the NBA and NHL ones are the best. Wide open offense games.

[dubc47834]

Exactly. He just sat back and collected the paychecks while handcuffing the Lakers, like he has again this year. He gladly accepted the injury excuses to justify collecting the paychecks, knowing full well that his play wouldn't have justified it.

You get paid while injured man. The Lakers handcuffed themselves. They offered Kobe that contract, he didn't demand it, he didn't hold out, he didn't demand a trade. What are you talking about injury excuses, are you saying he was faking?

[Revering4Blue]

You get paid while injured man. The Lakers handcuffed themselves. They offered Kobe that contract, he didn't demand it, he didn't hold out, he didn't demand a trade. What are you talking about injury excuses, are you saying he was faking?

Yep.

No one held a gun to GM Mitch Kupchak's head in this case. It should have been painfully obvious to the Lakers' brass at the time - Dwight Howard bailed and the ill-fated Steve Nash trade blew up their face - that it was time to rebuild.

Then again, so long as Kobe continues to throw up some of the most ill-advised shots ever, hogging the ball, and Byron Scott continues his baffling handling/phasing out of the youngsters, Randle and Russell, the franchise is well on the way to accomplishing this season's goal: retaining their first rounder, which goes to Philly if it is outside of the top three.

[Revering4Blue]

With the Josh Smith deal, the NBA trade season is upon us. So let's make up some hypothetical deals to strengthen both teams:

Houston trade KJ McDaniels, Corey Brewer, and Terrance Jones for Markieff Morris, Archie Goodwin, and PJ Tucker.
Jones needs a new place to play. So does Morris. Everyone else is there for salary ballast.

Kevin Love and Timofy Mozgov to Boston for Avery Bradley, Amir Johnson, Evan Turner, and Jared Sullinger. Boston gives up their lowest 1st round draft pick this season.
Love gets out of Cleveland and could become a star again in Bean Town. Bradley gives Lue a defensive presence outside, Johnson gives one inside. Turner and Sullinger come home as role players, but good ones. Juicy just for the possible conference finals best of seven.

New Orleans trades Ryan Anderson to Toronto for their 1st round pick (via NYK) and Patrick Patterson
Anderson makes Toronto really interesting and the Raps have their own 1st rounder anyway. Patterson could help NO if they decide to go small and play Davis at C. He's a shooter who does all the little things pretty well. Good teammate too.

Sacramento trades Rudy Gay and Kosta Koufos to Orlando for Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo
Gay gives Orlando a good defender who can also shoot/ score consistently, while Koufos gives some help underneath as a backup C. Harris starts at SF and Oladipo becomes the SG Sac-Town needs to pair with Rondo and go-go-go.

What you got?

All in all, these are all good proposals. That stated, were I Orlando, I'd amend the proposed deal with the Kings, allowing for Ben McLemore to go to Orlando with Jason Smith heading to Sac-town.

As we get closer to Thursday's trading deadline, I'll think of more deals to add, but for now, here are some non-blockbusters that may, nevertheless, pay huge dividends.

Boston trades David Lee and one of the many '16 second rounders that they own to the Lakers for Roy Hibbert
A relatively low-cost way for the Celtics to add a rim-protector for a playoff-run. As for the Lakers, well, they are tanking anyway, so they'd be better served by calling up Center Robert Upshaw from the D-league to see what, if anything, he can provide.

Brooklyn trades Joe Johnson, Andrea Bargnani and Donald Sloan to Portland for Gerald Henderson, Chris Kamen, Pat Connaughton and a '18 second round pick
Blazers increase bench production - a must for a playoff run - at non-prohibitive cost, as all players included in deal from both teams - with the exception of Bargnani, who only has one year remaining on an affordable deal, and Connaughton - are all free agents at this season's conclusion.

Nets also recoup one of the second round picks that they owe to Charlotte for Juan Vaulet and Connaughton, originally drafted by the Nets, has potential, which never will be realized while playing for an organizationally deep Blazer team.

Indiana trades Chase Budinger and a '17 second round pick to Phoenix for Mirza Teletovic
In a swap of soon-to-be free agents, local hero Budinger, who has struggled to fit in in Indy, returns to Arizona, along with a second round pick to balance the deal. Teletovic provides the Pacers offense with an element they currently lack..a true stretch four.

[Kingspoint]

You get paid while injured man. The Lakers handcuffed themselves. They offered Kobe that contract, he didn't demand it, he didn't hold out, he didn't demand a trade. What are you talking about injury excuses, are you saying he was faking?

If he had any class at all, he would have retired years ago.

[dubc47834]

If he had any class at all, he would have retired years ago.

That's funny. His last fully healthy year he was still one of the 5 best players in the league. Hardly worth retiring over. You're dislike of Kobe is obvious!

[Stray]

Aaron Gordon got robbed in the dunk contest. That dunk where he basically sat down in mid air beside the rim literally wow'd me. Unreal.

[Stray]

Somehow this didn't win the dunk contest. Lavine was great but seriously man.

10395

[dubc47834]

Seriously, best dunk contest since the Jordan years. Those dunks were amazing. All the Gordon dunks were just stupid hard.

[Stray]

Humans shouldn't be able to do this.

10396

[Redhook]

Humans shouldn't be able to do this.

10396

I honestly didn't see the contest, but I saw his dunks. Holy smokes. His head. Seriously, his head is as high as the rim. And, more impressive is the fact that both his legs are 7 feet off the ground. How is that possible? I couldn't get that high if I had a trampoline.

[Razor Shines]

So the guys with the least amount of wasted movement in their jump shot finished 1 and 2 in a standstill shooting contest? That's weird.

[dougdirt]

So the guys with the least amount of wasted movement in their jump shot finished 1 and 2 in a standstill shooting contest? That's weird.


https://media.giphy.com/media/yODVOeMxWBwBO/giphy-facebook_s.jpg

[dabvu2498]

Humans shouldn't be able to do this.

10396

I think that's Stuff the Magic Dragon.

[Kingspoint]

That was the best dunk I ever saw.

[dougdirt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtTbVcn7HPw

[Chip R]

I guess Kobe wasn't the MVP after all.

[Boston Red]

I guess Kobe wasn't the MVP after all.

Since he only took 11 shots, I assume he only got the ball 11 times.

[dubc47834]

Man...the Kobe hate is strong...lol. I respect his ASG performance. He could have came out gunning for the MPV, the others would have more than willing gave him the chance. Before the game he said he wasn't gonna do that outa respect for the game. He just wanted to compete like it was a normal game!

[Kingspoint]

Detroit and Charlotte made the first major moves of the trade deadline, with starters moving from both teams....

The Eastern Conference Playoffs should be good in all three rounds this year. With the Western Conference so top-heavy, only the final two rounds should be entertaining (though I'll enjoy the first round).

[Bourgeois Zee]

Who says no to the following:

Cleveland trades Kevin Love, A. Varejao, and T. Mozgov to Houston for D. Howard, T. Lawson, and T. Jones?

[Revering4Blue]

Who says no to the following:

Cleveland trades Kevin Love, A. Varejao, and T. Mozgov to Houston for D. Howard, T. Lawson, and T. Jones?

If you are Houston, considering that you have Capella - a rim-protector - and you can get Love for Howard, you do it and ask questions later. Heck, you are just a game out of the playoffs as it is. Getting Love to Houston, where he's a much, much better fit than with Lebron, Irving et all, likely gets you there this season. Though he's not a rim-protector in the traditional sense, Varejao can defend and hit the mid-range shot. Mozgov is a decent rim-protector and offers an interesting pick-and roll offensive option.

This trade improves the Cavs starting unit, bench and offers more versatility. Lost in the shuffle is the fact that the Cavs are going to also win games with a traditional lineup at times and Howard and T. Thompson should control the boards when paired together. With rim-protection, you can play Lawson - tailor-made for the up-tempo offense Lue is installing - along with Dellavedova (spot-up shooter) with Shumpert playing the three at times. In short, you can mix and match virtually any backcourt member with Howard and/or TT on the Floor to erase mistakes. Underrated as a stretch-four, Jones is a defensive upgrade over Love at the 4 - all together now...virtually anyone is an upgrade defensively at the 4 for the Cavs than Love - and can do what no other four on the Cavs roster with the exception of LBJ, when he plays there, can do, beat his man off the dribble.

[Revering4Blue]

The Kings are “aggressively pursuing” Bulls center Pau Gasol, tweets Chris Mannix of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports. Sacramento is offering center Kosta Koufos, shooting guard Ben McLemore and “sweetener” in return.

Chicago would also send swingman Tony Snell to the Kings and would receive a relaxation of the lottery protections on the first-round pick that Sacramento owes the Bulls this summer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical on Yahoo Sports. The pick is currently top-10 protected, but that provision could be lowered to give Chicago a better chance of having it this year.

Wojnarowski also reports that the Kings called the Sixers today because Philadelphia has the option to swap first-rounders with Sacramento this summer. Sacramento can’t make a trade with the Bulls without an agreement with the Sixers. Philadelphia plans to seek some type of unidentified compensation for going along with the deal.

http://www.hoopsrumors.com/2016/02/kings-making-push-for-pau-gasol.html

[Stray]

Lance Stephenson and the Grizzlies seem like a match made in heaven.

[Kingspoint]

Golden State Warriors ..... 105
Portland Trail Blazers ..... 137

Lillard ..... 51 pts, 6 Stls, 64% shooting, 9-12 on three's, 7 Asts.

Not an All-Star.

13 of 16 now for the Blazers.

[dubc47834]

Golden State Warriors ..... 105
Portland Trail Blazers ..... 137

Lillard ..... 51 pts, 6 Stls, 64% shooting, 9-12 on three's, 7 Asts.

Not an All-Star.

13 of 16 now for the Blazers.

Probably should have been an All-Star, but there are snubs every year. That's what happens when the fans vote!

[Boston Red]

20, 10, 5 and 3 for Favors last night, and he's not an all-star, either. 8 of 10 for Utah. Match up of two hot teams Sunday Portland. I hoping for a little Portland letdown. How could they not have at least a bit of a letdown after last night? Wow.

[Kingspoint]

20, 10, 5 and 3 for Favors last night, and he's not an all-star, either. 8 of 10 for Utah. Match up of two hot teams Sunday Portland. I hoping for a little Portland letdown. How could they not have at least a bit of a letdown after last night? Wow.

Utah and Portland are legitimate and should continue to have a strong finish to the regular season. Utah and Portland should get the #6 & #7 seeds, while Houston and Dallas battle for #8.

There will be no letdown. It's all business for Lillard. Portland has never had a leader like him on their franchise...he's better than Porter as a leader.

Since Favors came back, what...about 15 games ago, Utah has been the team they were the second half of last season.

[Kingspoint]

Favors should have made it over Aldridge, who is not having a good season...not an All-Star season, or as good as Favors.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Anthony Davis tonight against Detroit: 59 points, 20 rebounds, four assists.

Not a bad game, that.

[Kingspoint]

What a fantastic game by two strong teams.

Utah 111
Portland 115

What a weekend.

Utah dominated at one point with a 21-2 run in the 1st.

Shelvin Mack was great tonight. He makes the Jazz better.

Moe Harkless was the best player on the floor tonight, and has been great the last five games.

Houston again on Thursday, after Brooklyn Tuesday.

23 Offensive Rebounds tonight. 7 for Vonleh, 6 for Harkless. No Jazz player had more than 5 Defensive Rebounds.

[Chip R]

Anthony Davis tonight against Detroit: 59 points, 20 rebounds, four assists.

Not a bad game, that.

Only 4 assists? Black hole much? ;)

[Boston Red]

What a fantastic game by two strong teams.



Definitely lived up to the hype. Just wish Utah could have held their own on the glass.

[Kingspoint]

Three good games tonight...

Tobias Harris starts for Detroit at Cleveland.

Indianapolis tries to make Charles Barkley think again (as Charlotte is also doing) about not making the playoffs coming off of a big win at OKC with a visit to Miami tonight.

On NBATV, Golden State travels to Atlanta.

[Kingspoint]

Shelvin Mack may take over starting duties at PG as soon as tonight.

[Revering4Blue]

As I type this, the Brooklyn-Portland and Houston-Utah games are in overtime.

More highlights from tonight:

35 points and 9 rebounds for Nikola Vucevic against the team that originally drafted him, only to foolishly give him away in the Bynum deal.

Another day at the office - 39 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks - for DeMarcus Cousins on the road against Denver, who has been playing well lately.

Three post-deadline questions:

*After failing to deal Ryan Anderson, who is going to walk as an unrestricted free agent, why does GM Dell Demps still have a job?

*The team which, in your estimation, stood pat the deadline, but shouldn't have is ______?

*How on earth did Myles Turner last until the 11th pick in last June's draft?

[Kingspoint]

Portland, though they played poorly, pulled away in the final two minutes of regulation to win it. Not comfortable.

Houston at Portland Thursday (for the 3rd time in the last 7 games), before the Blazers have 11 of 13 on the road. Blazers with the 2nd toughest post-all-star schedule. Utah should have the 6th seed after those 13 games.

Not sure who should have made a deal. Maybe Memphis. Lance Stephenson? I don't think so.

I'm not believing that Memphis will necessarily hold onto the 5th spot.

Charlotte getting Jefferson back is probably the biggest post-all-star move.

[Kingspoint]

What a great debut for Channing Frye. He dominated the game while he was in it.

[Kingspoint]

Tough loss for the Heat....surgery to repair a torn fascia for Dragic. So much hope was put into that signing. It's amazing that with one loss of an important player after another that Miami continues to be highly competitive year after year.

[gilpdawg]

Tough loss for the Heat....surgery to repair a torn fascia for Dragic. So much hope was put into that signing. It's amazing that with one loss of an important player after another that Miami continues to be highly competitive year after year.

When the heck did this happen? I watched the end of their game tonight. He was in.

[Revering4Blue]

When the heck did this happen? I watched the end of their game tonight. He was in.

It didn't happen to Dragic; it happened to Udrich, with Tyler Johnson already sidelined. Riley doesn't make many bad moves, but Chalmers, who was dealt for Udrich, has been out-performing Udrich all season. Oh, well..Riley will likely sign some NBDL PG or a PG whose season in China just ended, and said PG will become a solid contributor. That's why the Heat continue to truck along after losing important players.

[Kingspoint]

Not so bad news, then, for the Heat.

[Kingspoint]

Going to be tough to beat the Rockets for the 3rd time in 7 games. The first two were blowouts, but this should be like the Utah/Houston game of the other night. Rockets are fighting for their lives not to get passed up by Sacramento (and then Denver).

[Revering4Blue]

Kerr: Warriors aren't resented because team is 'homegrown'


Miami's "Big Three" infamously banded together in the summer of 2010. Not only did three top-10 talents opt to conjoin, they also flaunted their ascension. James had the public relations disaster that was "The Decision," and all three players took part in a gaudy, self-congratulatory introduction before they'd even played a game together.

The Warriors, meanwhile, mostly built through the draft. Their three All-Stars - Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green - were all picked by Golden State through shrewd drafting, and their biggest free-agent addition was Andre Iguodala, who hardly ranks as a marquee addition on the scale of Bosh or James.

That's the dynamic for now, and the Warriors are still widely revered. But if Golden State manages to lure Kevin Durant to the Bay Area this summer, that image could change quickly.

http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/966746

[Kingspoint]

If the Warriors win again, the resentment will begin. Nobody likes anyone who wins too often.

[Kingspoint]

Utah hosts the Spurs tonight. I think the Jazz continue to play exceptionally well and win again.

Hickson signs with the Wizards. Joe Johnson got bought out. Miami? Andre Miller getting bought out. Jazz?

[Revering4Blue]

Utah hosts the Spurs tonight. I think the Jazz continue to play exceptionally well and win again.

Hickson signs with the Wizards. Joe Johnson got bought out. Miami? Andre Miller getting bought out. Jazz?

Miller to the Heat makes sense, as they need a backup PG.

Not sure Johnson fits a need for the heat, unless - assuming Bosh is done for the year - Deng moves to the four with Johnson at the three, with Winslow and McRoberts behind them. If not, the Thunder's fifth-starter-by-committee plan isn't exactly working.

Cleveland? Maybe, but Frye has given them a new dimension, bolstering bench firepower - a must if you're going to take down Golden State or San Antonio.

With Stanley Johnson, Toliver and Meeks out, how about Detroit? Ditto the Raptors, who are counting the return of Carroll as the shot-in-the-arm that pushes them past the Cavs and into the NBA Finals. Don't hold your breath on that line of thinking.

[Revering4Blue]

Portland, though they played poorly, pulled away in the final two minutes of regulation to win it. Not comfortable.

Houston at Portland Thursday (for the 3rd time in the last 7 games), before the Blazers have 11 of 13 on the road. Blazers with the 2nd toughest post-all-star schedule. Utah should have the 6th seed after those 13 games.

Not sure who should have made a deal. Maybe Memphis. Lance Stephenson? I don't think so.

I'm not believing that Memphis will necessarily hold onto the 5th spot.

Charlotte getting Jefferson back is probably the biggest post-all-star move.

FWIW, both Hairston and Stephenson have been playing well for Memphis. But it's obviously tough sledding without Gasol. At this point, just retaining the fifth playoff spot with a match-up against the fourth seeded Paper Tiger Clips would be an accomplishment.

Hard to argue with your Jefferson call, and astonishingly enough, he's the team's best rim-protector.

[Stray]

Jazz have been under the radar impressive. Especially considering all of the injuries they've dealt with and the fact that they have pretty much played the entire season without a PG. I never expected Rodney Hood to be this good.

[Kingspoint]

Impressive win by the Spurs.

[Stray]

Impressive win by the Spurs.

They smother inferior teams with their defense. An even normal offensive night lets them run away with the game.

Those really good offensive teams that take and make tough shots break their entire philosophy tho. I love the Spurs and root for em, but they're gonna need GSW to lose before the wcf which is pretty highly unlikely. SA needs to just out maneuver you and beat you with guile or whatev, when they run into GSW it's gonna be a shootout that SA can't win.

[Stray]

OKC/Warriors is great tv

[Kingspoint]

OKC/Warriors is great tv

OKC will implode by taking bad shots in the last two minutes.

[Kingspoint]

They smother inferior teams with their defense. An even normal offensive night lets them run away with the game.

Those really good offensive teams that take and make tough shots break their entire philosophy tho. I love the Spurs and root for em, but they're gonna need GSW to lose before the wcf which is pretty highly unlikely. SA needs to just out maneuver you and beat you with guile or whatev, when they run into GSW it's gonna be a shootout that SA can't win.

Now they are doing it in Houston.

[Stray]

Curry is ridiculous man

[Stray]

But yeah, 7 of these in the postseason wouldn't be bad.

[Kingspoint]

Curry is ridiculous man

Oscar: "I'd stop that".

[Stray]

Cold blooded shot by Durant. Great game.

[Stray]

what the lol

wat just happened at the end of this game?

[RedTeamGo!]

That was so weird.

1.) why didn't Durant call timeout?

2.) why jump at Igoudala in that situation?

Warriors are so going to win this game.

[Stray]

Durant fouled out gg OKC.

[Stray]

We're gonna be telling grandkids about how we watched Curry play. Like Tiger in 2000...seemingly broke the game with cheat codes.

[RedTeamGo!]

We're gonna be telling grandkids about how we watched Curry play. Like Tiger in 2000...seemingly broke the game with cheat codes.

It really is crazy. I think it's official he is the best shooter of all time.

[Stray]

I don't even

OKC played a good game with a few bad stretches. But they destroyed GSW on the glass and caught an off night from Dray and Klay. And were at home. And yeah...Steph gonna Steph.

[RedTeamGo!]

Best shooter in NBA history.

The crazy thing is that I would have been more surprised if that shot didn't go in.

[Stray]

Definitely the best shooter I've ever seen. I've really never seen anything like it. I don't even know.

[RedTeamGo!]

The reason he is the best ever is because he takes shots 15 feet behind the arc and they aren't Hail Marys. He expects them to go in, and it's not because of his ego. He is that skilled.

[Stray]

Kanter threw his hands up in the air in disgust...while the shot was still in the air. That pretty much tells you all you need to know about how crazy Steph is.

https://vine.co/v/i69tLr7LUAr

[Stray]

In case we needed more proof that he's broken basketball.

10444

[Boston Red]

Oscar: "I'd stop that".

Oscar is a moron.

[texasdave]

Oscar is a moron.


Oscar the Grouch? Which Oscar?

[Boston Red]

Oscar the Grouch? Which Oscar?

Yes, Oscar the Big O Grouch.

[Razor Shines]

Curry is just stupid.

[Razor Shines]

10445

[dubc47834]

The reason he is the best ever is because he takes shots 15 feet behind the arc and they aren't Hail Marys. He expects them to go in, and it's not because of his ego. He is that skilled.

That...and his release is stupid fast!!!

[Kingspoint]

February Eastern Conference Coach of the Month Brad Stevens hosts February Western Conference Coach of the Month Terry Stotts on Wednesday in Boston. Boston has an 11-game home winning streak. It will be Portland's 4th game in 5 nights (Chi, Ind, NYK).

If you're another owner or G.M., you've got to be looking at the models that Boston and Portland have used in order to regroup so quickly and so successfully. It's a long way to go to a Championship for either club, but the foundations are there for it to happen. Several pieces are still needed for both clubs, but they are developing assets and setting themselves up to acquire those pieces. (Lillard was acquired from a Nets' 1st rd pick).

[Stray]

I'm a big fan of what Stevens is doing in Boston. I don't know their cap or draft situation, but they're seemingly just a few moves away from being a legitimate eastern conf rep...and that's if they aren't already (idk what to make of cleveland).

Stevens can really coach man. He takes away things from other teams and his teams will play unconventional when needed. He's not different to be different, but he's different when he needs to be. And it usually works. He could use a better roster but it won't be long before Boston is back.

[Boston Red]

I had the Warriors under 213.5 last night. How bad of a beat is that? Ouch.

[Kingspoint]

You mean under 113.5?

OKC @ GSW Thur.

On Lillard....all of a sudden he's shooting this lean-in 3 coming off a pick about three times a game and hitting two of them. He used to do one every 5th game or so. And, he's consistently coming up with spurts where he hits three 3's in about 90 seconds and just changes the game. Also noticed the last three games referees are giving him calls for the first time in his career,...the opposite of his whole career where he would continually get beat up on (and he doesn't flop) and get no call.

In the last 45 years, this is the best improvement I've seen during a single NBA season of a team from the beginning of it to the end of it (though there's 21 to go) since the '76-'77 Bulls.

The Blazers' Defense has been tremendous, even though McCollum and Lillard's Offense has been getting the accolades.

So far this season they're allowing to opposing small forwards the sixth-fewest points (18.2 ppg), eighth-fewest rebounds (7.1), and third-fewest assists (3.0). Aminu guards them the most, but Henderson, Crabbe or Harkless all play excellent Defense, too. Carmelo was very good tonight, and his strength made it difficult to stop him around the basket. Aminu, for the second time this season, stifled Paul George Sunday.

[dubc47834]

You mean under 113.5?

OKC @ GSW Thur.

On Lillard....all of a sudden he's shooting this lean-in 3 coming off a pick about three times a game and hitting two of them. He used to do one every 5th game or so. And, he's consistently coming up with spurts where he hits three 3's in about 90 seconds and just changes the game. Also noticed the last three games referees are giving him calls for the first time in his career,...the opposite of his whole career where he would continually get beat up on (and he doesn't flop) and get no call.

In the last 45 years, this is the best improvement I've seen during a single NBA season of a team from the beginning of it to the end of it (though there's 21 to go) since the '76-'77 Bulls.

The Blazers' Defense has been tremendous, even though McCollum and Lillard's Offense has been getting the accolades.

So far this season they're allowing to opposing small forwards the sixth-fewest points (18.2 ppg), eighth-fewest rebounds (7.1), and third-fewest assists (3.0). Aminu guards them the most, but Henderson, Crabbe or Harkless all play excellent Defense, too. Carmelo was very good tonight, and his strength made it difficult to stop him around the basket. Aminu, for the second time this season, stifled Paul George Sunday.

Unfortunately they are in the Western Conf. I like the way Portland plays, but I don't think they have much of a chance to make it to the Finals. Most likely they would have to go thru 2 out 3 between the Spurs, OKC, and the Warriors. I just don't see it happening. But I do think they are setting themselves up nicely for the future, they are fun to watch!

[Boston Red]

You mean under 113.5?

No, I meant combined GS/ATL. Ended up 214 with overtime, including Green's 3 that should never have gone in.

[Kingspoint]

No, I meant combined GS/ATL. Ended up 214 with overtime, including Green's 3 that should never have gone in.

Yeah...miracle shot cost you.

[klw]

I'm a big fan of what Stevens is doing in Boston. I don't know their cap or draft situation, but they're seemingly just a few moves away from being a legitimate eastern conf rep...and that's if they aren't already (idk what to make of cleveland).

Stevens can really coach man. He takes away things from other teams and his teams will play unconventional when needed. He's not different to be different, but he's different when he needs to be. And it usually works. He could use a better roster but it won't be long before Boston is back.

I believe Boston has quite a bit of cap space for next off season and has IIRC three 1st round picks including the Nets first rounder (they currently have the 4th worst record) The nets pick is unprotected.

[Kingspoint]

Charles is getting senile. He's bitter because he was blatantly wrong that Charlotte sucked, Indiana sucked and that Chicago would stay in the playoff race. He thinks there is only four teams worth watching. He's getting really stupid.

Toronto gets no love. They are an excellent team.

In the 45 years I've been paying attention closely to the NBA, there's always been a Magnificent Seven from year to year. I came up with seven because I could always find a lot of reasons why the 8th best team belongs in the next group rather than in the top group, and vice-versa with the 7th team. Part of it is that with the Blazers always being a good team decade upon decade, but rarely a great team, I always found them falling short of being able to crack that elite seven.

The second group of seven is also great basketball to watch, regardless of what Charles thinks (going BigO on us, whom I at least saw play in person several times and Charles has not).

The Elite-7 right now:

GSW (challenging for the best record of all time after the best start of all time)
SAS (the league's best Defensive team by a wide margin)
CLV (the game's most dominant player since Bill Russel and Wilt Chamberlain)
TOR (the NBA's 2nd best backcourt playing alongside a deep roster)
LAC (the 2nd best PG, 3rd best Center, and Griffin will be rested for the playoffs)
OKC (2 of the game's top-10 players with a very deep frontcourt)
BOS (can matchup against any style, GSW, SAS, CLV,...and win the game...on the rise)

Then there's another group of seven that are very good and fun to watch:

POR (Only GSW have a longer road winning streak this season than their current 6-gm,...will set an NBA record for fewest ISO plays per 100 possessions, 2.6, as no team sets more off-ball screens than they do making them fun to watch. They lead the NBA in points off of turnovers the last 20 games,...winners of 14 of 16, 18 of 22, and crushed both CLV and GSW by 30+ since Christmas)
ATL (They came a hair away of giving GSW their first home loss...inconsistency has been their problem because at times they have played like an elite-7 and at other times like a lottery team,...I don't see them enough so someone else needs to comment here)
IND (their Defense keeps them in most games, while they have a top-15 player in PG,...from what I've seen, they are well-coached, and look to be on the rise this third of the season.
CHA (lot's of new faces just learning to play with each other and finding their roles,...AJ dominates while on the floor, Walkeris elite as a scorer, and Batum is as good of a glue guy as there is in the NBA, joining Lebron, Harden, Green and Westbrook as the only players with 15 pts, 7 reb and 5 ast per game)
UTA (the 2nd best Defense in the NBA,...dominant after Favors came back,...working out some PG issues as they get the chemistry and roles worked out with this change)
MIA (Wade has this team once again playing very well. JJ adds 3-pt shooting, while Whitehead anchors the Def in the middle as good as anyone in the league)

Then there's arguments to make for these teams as to why they should be the last team in the 2nd tier of seven: MEM, DAL, HOU, DET, WAS,...and someone might want to throw another hat into the ring.

So, Charles, there's more than four teams worth watching. The game is played out along the 3-pt line now, and there's a ton of pick-and-roll. I hate ISO basketball, so I'm glad to see the change.

[Kingspoint]

Portland couldn't come close to matching Boston's energy level.

Boston (3rd best defense in the NBA and 4th fastest pace, along with being very relentless and physical), was the worst type of team to be playing in the 4th City in 5 nights. Marcus Smart, as I feared, would make a big impact. Sullinger dominated inside. Thomas was at his All-Star best. Boston destroyed them. Great opportunity for the Blazers to learn from this, most specifically about the energy level Boston displayed on every part of every possession. Boston should threaten to reach the Eastern Conference Finals as I think they win the 1st Round and win at least 2 games in the 2nd rd.

I mean, Portland plays hard, mostly every game, but Boston played at another level. That credit goes to the coach and chemistry of the team.

[Stray]

So yeah, 7 games of OKC and GSW in the playoffs plz.

They're on TNT right now, btw. This is must watch tv.

[Stray]

Steven Adams has one of the better mustaches in sports.

10456

[Revering4Blue]

So yeah, 7 games of OKC and GSW in the playoffs plz.

They're on TNT right now, btw. This is must watch tv.

Entertaining games? Yes. But I doubt that series would go seven games. If any team in the West takes GSW to seven games, it's San Antonio. They are not the '07 Spurs - they won't put you to sleep. I wouldn't count them out.

[Boston Red]

Entertaining games? Yes. But I doubt that series would go seven games. If any team in the West takes GSW to seven games, it's San Antonio. They are not the '07 Spurs - they won't put you to sleep. I wouldn't count them out.

Plus, they have David Freaking West!

[Kingspoint]

Andre Miller could put anyone to sleep.

So, after losing to Boston, Portland faces another team in a couple of hours with an 11-game home winning streak in Toronto.

Prediction:

Portland 108
Toronto 106

Dwayne Casey has done a terrific job. He reminds ke of Jerry Sloan when I hear him speak about basketbal.

[Kingspoint]

Lauren Holtkamp and Eric Lewis have turned the game into a joke. 34 fouls and 46 free throw in the first half. It's been i. Toronto's favor, but it's been horrible officiating on both sides. Every Toronto starter has 2 fouls, Biyombo has 3. Every Portland big js in foul trouble because DeRozan and Valanciunas get a call every time they drive. Plumlee with 4, Leonard with 3, Ed Davis and Vonleh with 2, and toss in 3 for Crabbe because they won't let anyone near DeRozan. Blazers with 10 fewer free throw attempts, and down by 6 at halftime.

Half of the Blazers' free throw attempts have been by their two worst shooters, Ed Davis and Mason Plumlee. Selective foul-calls. A trick to balance out the calls. 13 of Holtkamp's first 15 foul calls were against Portland.

The NBA really needs to fix their officiating issues. It makes it hard to watch games. I can't imagine what a casual fan thinks when they see a game like this.

[Kingspoint]

I'll bet the house that Holtkamp won't be working a playoff game this year. She shouldn't ref 8th graders.

She turned the game into a joke.

DeRozan is 21 for 21 from the free throw line after 3 Qtrs. The Blazers have 22 free throw attempts. Toronto has another 21 free throw attempts in addition to DeRozan's.

[Kingspoint]

54 free throw attempts for Toronto, 18 more attempts and 17 more makes by Toronto.

Blazers lose by 2, 117-115.

Lillard with 50.

Nice rally by the Celtics.

[Kingspoint]

Boston @ Cleveland tonight should be great.

Utah gets Alex Burks back in about 10 days.

[Kingspoint]

Not everything is bad for the nets. Lopez is out tonight. Willis Reed starts in his place.

But, this opens things up for Thomas Robinson, who is starting tonight, too. He's been playing better defense lately, and it doesn't take much to play better Defense than Brook Lopez.

I'll be shocked if T-Rob gets anything less than 15 Rebounds.

[Kingspoint]

Warroirs are going to lose to the Lakers? No thanks to Kobe, who has missed 10 of 14 shots with only 2 boards through 40 minutes.

Curry & Thompson are 1-15 from 3...GSW are 3-27.

[Kingspoint]

Not everything is bad for the nets. Lopez is out tonight. Willis Reed starts in his place.

But, this opens things up for Thomas Robinson, who is starting tonight, too. He's been playing better defense lately, and it doesn't take much to play better Defense than Brook Lopez.

I'll be shocked if T-Rob gets anything less than 15 Rebounds.

17 Reb, 5 Ast, 4 Stl

[Kingspoint]

I have to place Memphis as that last team in the 2nd tier of 7. Missing 4 starters while starting their 4th-string Center @ Cleveland, and they pull out the win in Grizzlies style...16 Stls, 8 Blks, 7 Batted Passes.


Also, half-way through Portland's 17-Cities in 30 days stretch and they haven't lost any ground...still tied for that 6th seed in the West as they host the Wizards before heading to Oakland for their next game (Warriors want revenge).

Charlotte continues to climb the standings as Al Jefferson dominates every opponent he faces. Getting to go against the other team's 2nd team gives them a huge advantage.

[Kingspoint]

Gotta give the Rockets credit for a big win in Toronto ending the Raptors home winning streak.

[Kingspoint]

See if Memphis can continue to amaze everyone and beat good teams with their bench players. Tonight at Boston.

The Clippers are at OKC tonight trying to snatch the #3 seed from them. The last thing the Clippers want is to face Memphis in the first round and then Golden State in the 2nd Round. That's what awaits them if they don't overtake OKC.

[Kingspoint]

OKC, who lead the NBA with 10 blown games after leading going into 4th QTR (which is why I wouldn't want Westbrook or Durant on my team...they make too many stupid decisions at the end of games and won't ever win a Championship...Westbrook moreso), were able to hold on easily and extend their lead versus the Clippers, holding onto that 3rd seed for now.

Atlanta at Toronto tonight.

[texasdave]

DeMarcus Cousins suspended for one game by the team for a dust-up with Coach Karl. What do you do with a talent like that?

[Kingspoint]

DeMarcus Cousins suspended for one game by the team for a dust-up with Coach Karl. What do you do with a talent like that?

Let someone else deal with it.

(The Rockets have recovered from their skid...Utah is in freefall)

[Stray]

Been pretty impressed with the two Kentucky rookies, Booker and Towns. I knew Towns would be good but not this good, and after like the entire Phoenix Suns roster got injured Booker became option #1 for them, but it's worked out since he's getting good experience.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens praised rookie Jordan Mickey once again for his defensive ability.

"[The blocks] were great," Stevens said after Mickey swatted three shots in two minutes on Wednesday. "That’s what he does well. He gets off the floor really quick; he times it well. He’s got a lot of potential to be an impactful defensive player." He's averaging an incredible 15.8 blocks per 48 minutes.



Houston tries to end Boston's 14-game home winning streak, just as they recently ended Toronto's franchise-best home winning streak a few days ago.

Also tonight, Golden State is looking forward with pleasure a date they've had circled ever since they were given their worst beat-down in the Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr era to open up the post all-star season as they host the Blazers. Both teams were at full health then, and will be again. This will be Portland's 8th different City in their last 8 games, and come in having lost the defensive edge that had them winning 13 of 14 and earning for February Terry Stott's his 3rd Coach-of-the-Month award since joining Portland.

[texasdave]

Houston 102. Boston 98. Say goodbye to another lengthy home winning streak. Recent pickup, Michael
Beasley, with 18 points and 8 rebounds in 15 minutes of play.

[Stray]

Love that Sean Kilpatrick's journey has led him back to NYC where he's showing he belongs. I hope he can stick with the Nets and earn a real contract.

[Stray]

And Kilpatrick got a 2 year deal with the Nets. Awesome.

[texasdave]

The Rockets have trailed after the first quarter in 17 of their last 18 games.

[Stray]

Kinda feels like the Spurs need to win tonight. Warriors are on the 2nd night of a b2b, game is in SA, and the Warriors are on a run of a lotta games in a short span. And the Warriors have a few injuries they're dealing with.

[Stray]

Watching Kawhi's ridiculous defense is something else man. This is a good read on him too.

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/03/15/kawhi-leonard-spurs-tim-duncan-gregg-popovich-tony-parker-manu-ginobili

[Stray]

And the Spurs win a game they really did need to win. Just an unreal defensive performance, but Golden State looked tired and bad. Needless to say, if the winning score is in the 80s I'll take the Spurs over anyone lol.

[Stray]

SK with a career high 25 points tonight. He could end up working his way into a starters role if he keeps it up. Ellington isn't doing much to hold his job down.

[Stray]

Aside from getting dudes to switch to his agency and get ridiculous contracts on Dan Gilbert's dime, or convincing the Cavs to trade away the future for a super questionable rental who doesn't really fit, Lebron has actually been awesome in Cleveland. When he's not totally sabotaging the entire organization, he's on the floor leading his team to a ton of wins.

But Lebron is anything but dumb. Woj pulled back the curtain on Lebron's game a few months ago, but now Lebron isn't even trying to hide it? I mean, he's talking about teaming up with CP3, Melo and Wade...skipping warm ups to hang out with Wade, unfollowing the Cavs on Twitter (which is so insignificant and so hard to accidentally do that the only conclusion one could make is that Lebron did it on purpose so it would purposely be a story).

He's a drama queen man. Steph is THE guy in the NBA right now and maybe this is Lebron's reaction? Idk...either way it's really weird. It's not in character for him at all.

[improbus]

Aside from getting dudes to switch to his agency and get ridiculous contracts on Dan Gilbert's dime, or convincing the Cavs to trade away the future for a super questionable rental who doesn't really fit, Lebron has actually been awesome in Cleveland. When he's not totally sabotaging the entire organization, he's on the floor leading his team to a ton of wins.

But Lebron is anything but dumb. Woj pulled back the curtain on Lebron's game a few months ago, but now Lebron isn't even trying to hide it? I mean, he's talking about teaming up with CP3, Melo and Wade...skipping warm ups to hang out with Wade, unfollowing the Cavs on Twitter (which is so insignificant and so hard to accidentally do that the only conclusion one could make is that Lebron did it on purpose so it would purposely be a story).

He's a drama queen man. Steph is THE guy in the NBA right now and maybe this is Lebron's reaction? Idk...either way it's really weird. It's not in character for him at all.
Calling him a drama queen and then saying this is not in his characters doesn't really mesh. James has done this stuff for years. It is totally in his character.

[improbus]

DeMarcus Cousins suspended for one game by the team for a dust-up with Coach Karl. What do you do with a talent like that?

They could start by surrounding him with competent, relevant, and experienced adults. George Karl, Vivek, Vlade, and the Maloofs are not the answer.

[Stray]

Calling him a drama queen and then saying this is not in his characters doesn't really mesh. James has done this stuff for years. It is totally in his character.

Maybe I just never paid much attention to it. Other than The Decision, he's always came off as a team first unselfish kinda dude. Everything that he's been doing for the last month or so has been really weird. But maybe it is who he really is, idk.

[improbus]

Maybe I just never paid much attention to it. Other than The Decision, he's always came off as a team first unselfish kinda dude. Everything that he's been doing for the last month or so has been really weird. But maybe it is who he really is, idk.

Bron left Miami for a bunch of reasons. One was that the team wouldn't cater to his whims. In Cleveland, he would adjust the team flight schedule so he could go to certain parties or visit friends. Miami wouldn't let him do that. In Cleveland, he could have his crew around all the time, on team flights, courtside, etc... Miami again wouldn't allow that.

[Revering4Blue]

They could start by surrounding him with competent, relevant, and experienced adults. George Karl, Vivek, Vlade, and the Maloofs are not the answer.

You can make a similar case for New Orleans and Anthony Davis. As a thorough fan of the league, it's a travesty to watch the collective talents of Cousins and Davis go to waste.

[Revering4Blue]

Bron left Miami for a bunch of reasons. One was that the team wouldn't cater to his whims. In Cleveland, he would adjust the team flight schedule so he could go to certain parties or visit friends. Miami wouldn't let him do that. In Cleveland, he could have his crew around all the time, on team flights, courtside, etc... Miami again wouldn't allow that.

And he tried to get Erik Spoelstra fired, too. But the Heat have cajones and Pat Riley as GM, while the Cavs have LeBron Griffin as GM. It's also good to know that David Blatt was the problem, as they are a worse team now by every imaginable metric.

Despite it all, I still believe that LeBron is the best player on the planet, but he's sure difficult to root for at times.

[improbus]

And he tried to get Erik Spoelstra fired, too. But the Heat have cajones and Pat Riley as GM, while the Cavs have LeBron Griffin as GM. It's also good to know that David Blatt was the problem, as they are a worse team now by every imaginable metric.

Despite it all, I still believe that LeBron is the best player on the planet, but he's sure difficult to root for at times.

I don't think it was Riley. It was Wade. Wade is the only true peer with whom LeBron has played. Wade was the one who got him to trust Spoelstra. Wade brought him to Miami.

[Revering4Blue]

I don't think it was Riley. It was Wade. Wade is the only true peer with whom LeBron has played. Wade was the one who got him to trust Spoelstra. Wade brought him to Miami.

Even so, it was Riley's call to keep or can the coach and, unlike the Cavs brain-trust, he didn't kowtow to LeBron to the detriment of the franchise.

[Stray]

Now that you guys mention this stuff, it does make a lot of sense. I remember Spo being under an unusual amount of media heat early in the Miami days and being confused why. But if it were being pushed from Lebron's camp (which we now know is a real thing who feeds narratives to the media like Windhorst) then it all makes sense. Riley is too smart for that tho, Spo is a fantastic coach.

[Stray]

Kyrie should just stay off social media for a few days.

[Chip R]

Well, this is going to be awkward.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-dangelo-russell-nick-young-secret-video-released-20160329-story.html

[WVRed]

Well, this is going to be awkward.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-dangelo-russell-nick-young-secret-video-released-20160329-story.html

Just blow it up once Kobe leaves and start over.

Dr Buss has to be rolling in his grave.

[dubc47834]

Well, this is going to be awkward.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-dangelo-russell-nick-young-secret-video-released-20160329-story.html

Dude broke the bro code, you never break the bro code!!!

[Boston Red]

The Jazz are going to smack the Warriiors around tonight and make the Warriors pray that the Jazz get the 7th seed or better so that the Warriors can avoid them in the first round. I mean, the Jazz just beat the Lakers by 48, so they're clearly on FIRE!

[dubc47834]

The Jazz are going to smack the Warriiors around tonight and make the Warriors pray that the Jazz get the 7th seed or better so that the Warriors can avoid them in the first round. I mean, the Jazz just beat the Lakers by 48, so they're clearly on FIRE!

I doubt it!!!

[improbus]

I doubt it!!!

Don't be too surprised if Utah wins. The two most historically successful bets in NBA history are betting against teams playing at Denver and at Utah on the second leg of a back to back. The altitude just kills teams.

[texasdave]

Golden State slips by Utah in overtime. Utah goes all Dwight Howard from the free throw line, 13-29. With seven games left in the regular season, there are three teams tied for the 7th, 8th and 9th positions in the Western Conference - Dallas, Utah and Houston.

Utah: 4 games at home - Minnesota, San Antonio, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas. 3 games on the road - Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas: 3 games at home - Houston, Memphis, San Antonio. 4 games on the road - Detroit, Minnesota, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah.
Houston: 5 games at home - Chicago, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento. 2 games on the road - Dallas, Minnesota.

Utah vs Houston 2-2, Utah vs Dallas 1-1 (1 game left - home).
Dallas vs Houston 1-2 (1 game left - home), Dallas vs Utah (1 game left - away).
Houston vs Dallas 2-1 (1 game left - away), Houston vs Utah 2-2.

[Stray]

I know they've been on a brutal stretch and were in the 2nd of a b2b in the thin air in Utah last night, but the Warriors look exhausted. They've been not as Warriors like for a little while now.

I know they want the regular season record and all, but yea everyone else is resting up and getting ready for the playoffs right now.

[Boston Red]

I doubt it!!!

Jazz put the fear of (their Mormon) God in them last night! The Warriors know they'll be tested when Utah ends up as the 8 seed.

[dubc47834]

Jazz put the fear of (their Mormon) God in them last night! The Warriors know they'll be tested when Utah ends up as the 8 seed.

Even if they are the #8 seed, I doubt that the Warriors would be scared. In the playoffs there are no back to backs and there is more rest. My guess would be Utah wins at most 1 game in that series...if that!!!