NBA 2019-20: Hoopingest place on earth

[M2]

They're still hammering out the particulars of how to basketball and how to Orlando, but it seems like they're gonna basketball and they're gonna Orlando.

Might as well start this off with who you think is a serious playoff sleeper team, Who's got a serious shot at winning this thing or going way deeper than anyone expects? Kingspoint doesn't get to pick Portland (sorry, that's the rule).

[Rojo Rijo]

Pacers. Already liked the roster but now Oladipo should be more than ready.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Who's got a serious shot at winning this thing or going way deeper than anyone expects?

Honestly, I'm having a hard time picking a solid upset choice.

Philly has the most talent, but they've been worse than the sum of their parts all season. If Brown suddenly realizes Horford needs to play limited minutes in lieu of more spacing/ another ball handler, that might make a difference. But Simmons has become a Tony Allen-sized square peg on offense. He gums up the works in a rotation (and offensive set) that depends on ball sharing and shooting. (Which makes Embiid, an elite post player, step outside way too often.) Were I Brown, I'd stagger the minutes of Embiid and Simmons and play the Australian as a modern version of 1980 Finals Magic. At center. He'd be less of a liability as the spoke around which the offense could hum. With four shooters (Thybulle, Burks, Horford, Korkmaz?), that team could cook. Embiid could get Richardson, Harris, Robinson, and Melton as the primary ball handler. They could mix and match for just about any team.

That said, Boston is the absolute worst match-up for Philly because they can also play chameleon ball. They have just as much depth. And a better coach. Kanter can actually guard enough at the big to keep him in the game and take advantage of his screens and offensive rebounding. (Stevens' defensive acumen gets consistently undersold. He may be a wizard. He's made Kanter into one of the better statistical defenders on Boston's team and in the league. Part of that is situational, part is Kanter's work ethic, and part is Stevens' understanding of how his team needs to play.)

I'd pick Boston to move to the Finals-- as they have that type of talent-- but they don't match up well with either Toronto or Milwaukee.

Out West, I think it's the Lakers or Clippers.

[texasdave]

The season is over as far as I'm concerned. Is that a legitimate response?

And has Orlando really been the hoopingest place on earth for an entire decade?

[M2]

Pacers. Already liked the roster but now Oladipo should be more than ready.

Should he be? I question whether months of not playing basketball has knocked the rust off his game.

[M2]

Honestly, I'm having a hard time picking a solid upset choice.

Philly has the most talent, but they've been worse than the sum of their parts all season. If Brown suddenly realizes Horford needs to play limited minutes in lieu of more spacing/ another ball handler, that might make a difference. But Simmons has become a Tony Allen-sized square peg on offense. He gums up the works in a rotation (and offensive set) that depends on ball sharing and shooting. (Which makes Embiid, an elite post player, step outside way too often.) Were I Brown, I'd stagger the minutes of Embiid and Simmons and play the Australian as a modern version of 1980 Finals Magic. At center. He'd be less of a liability as the spoke around which the offense could hum. With four shooters (Thybulle, Burks, Horford, Korkmaz?), that team could cook. Embiid could get Richardson, Harris, Robinson, and Melton as the primary ball handler. They could mix and match for just about any team.

That said, Boston is the absolute worst match-up for Philly because they can also play chameleon ball. They have just as much depth. And a better coach. Kanter can actually guard enough at the big to keep him in the game and take advantage of his screens and offensive rebounding. (Stevens' defensive acumen gets consistently undersold. He may be a wizard. He's made Kanter into one of the better statistical defenders on Boston's team and in the league. Part of that is situational, part is Kanter's work ethic, and part is Stevens' understanding of how his team needs to play.)

I'd pick Boston to move to the Finals-- as they have that type of talent-- but they don't match up well with either Toronto or Milwaukee.

Out West, I think it's the Lakers or Clippers.

My take on the East is there's four coaches who seem a step ahead of the rest - Bud, Nurse, Stevens and Spo. I don't like Philly's chances just because of Brett Brown. Seems like the Sixers are staring at a tough first-round matchup no matter what and I feel like Brown gets outcoached in any of them. The upside for Philly is Embiid will be fresh.

For a sleeper in the East, I'll take Miami. Lots of shooters. Bam's becoming a real star. Dragic and Iguodala are healthy. And we've seen Jimmy Butler elevate his game. I think they're the toughest matchup for Milwaukee. Though, for the record, I do think the East is Milwaukee's to lose.

In the West I'm trying to figure out what skinny Nikola Jokic means. Is that better? Or does he get pushed around? If it unlocks a new level to his game, then Denver could be a sleeper. Though I like Houston to climb into that 4-5 matchup, win it and then give the Lakers hell. I'm not sure anyone can keep Russ away from the rim and this seems like the perfect moment for a James Harden redemption playoffs.

So, I'll got Bucks-Rockets for the final.

[Kingspoint]

How about changing the thread title to 2019 instead of 2010?

- - - Updated - - -

Blazers, of course. Lakers already said that the Blazers are the last team they want to face in the 1st Round. Injured Dame's 48 on Kobe Night was just a preview.

[Kingspoint]

The season is over as far as I'm concerned. Is that a legitimate response?

And has Orlando really been the hoopingest place on earth for an entire decade?

A rested Harden speaks volumes.

[Kingspoint]

They're still hammering out the particulars of how to basketball and how to Orlando, but it seems like they're gonna basketball and they're gonna Orlando.

Might as well start this off with who you think is a serious playoff sleeper team, Who's got a serious shot at winning this thing or going way deeper than anyone expects? Kingspoint doesn't get to pick Portland (sorry, that's the rule).


Sorry, didn't see your post.

OK. I'll play.

Too much dissension in UTA. DEN and PHI do not have the killer instinct. OKC is the most fun pick in the West while IND is the most fun pick in the East.

Have to go with HOU out West and BOS in the East as far as upsets with TOR, MIL, LAL and LAC being the four favorites.

[M2]

How about changing the thread title to 2019 instead of 2010?

Doh! Can't get into the original to edit it. If a mod could change that 0 to 9, would be much appreciative.

[adkindo]

I am thinking odds are about 60% the NBA actually returns....the good news is I was thinking 50% yesterday.

[adkindo]

Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone says he had coronavirus in March (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29316542/denver-nuggets-coach-michael-malone-says-had-coronavirus-march)

[dubc47834]

Should he be? I question whether months of not playing basketball has knocked the rust off his game.

Oladipo is a work horse. Guarantee you he has been busting his tail to be ready when the season resumes.

- - - Updated - - -


How about changing the thread title to 2019 instead of 2010?

- - - Updated - - -

Blazers, of course. Lakers already said that the Blazers are the last team they want to face in the 1st Round. Injured Dame's 48 on Kobe Night was just a preview.

Are the Blazers even gonna make the playoffs?

[M2]

Oladipo is a work horse. Guarantee you he has been busting his tail to be ready when the season resumes.

I'm not questioning his effort, just dubious about how much game rust he can knock off without playing games. I'm sure he bust his tail before he came back too, but he laying bricks and consistently a step behind the flow of the game. I'm not sure the A version of Dipo is coming back this season. More power to him if he does. I like Indiana's team. Brogdon and Warren were two of the best moves last summer. I just figure everyone who misses a year is going to take some time to regain their game.

[Kingspoint]

Are the Blazers even gonna make the playoffs?

Yes.

[M2]

Yes.

Let's ask Zion what he thinks about that.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/h6lip6VG701nlRDpXr/source.gif

[Kingspoint]

Let's ask Zion what he thinks about that.

https://media2.giphy.com/media/h6lip6VG701nlRDpXr/source.gif

Well, he will be allowed 42 travels and 29 fouls per game, so that gives him a small chance.

"Lord, I'm a travelin' man."


Wonder how the layoff will effect his free-throw shooting. I'm more worried about Alvin Gentry's good coaching and the NBA's desire to get their annointed one into the playoffs than any quality NBA play Zion will bring to the tournament (it's essentially the NBA's version of the NCAA tournament).

[Kingspoint]

The way they set up the hotels, by seeding, I wonder if they will keep the eight games among the teams in the hotels in order to limit contact. It also makes sense to set the seeded teams against each other for the jockeying of spots. They are limiting three preseason games to teams in the hotels.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think Lakers win it all. Lebron’s last title.

Cindyrella: Mavericks

[Reds Fanatic]

The way they set up the hotels, by seeding, I wonder if they will keep the eight games among the teams in the hotels in order to limit contact. It also makes sense to set the seeded teams against each other for the jockeying of spots. They are limiting three preseason games to teams in the hotels.

yes the 8 games as far as I know are the next 8 games on your schedule and if you had a team on your schedule that did not make it then it would skip on to the next game. So there may be some small adjustments but it is pretty much going to be who was on your upcoming schedule.

[M2]

Well, he will be allowed 42 travels and 29 fouls per game, so that gives him a small chance.

Yes, he will.

I think the Pelicans going 23-14 since Dec. 23 gives them more than a small chance.. Portland is 15-21 over that same period of time.

[Kingspoint]

yes the 8 games as far as I know are the next 8 games on your schedule and if you had a team on your schedule that did not make it then it would skip on to the next game. So there may be some small adjustments but it is pretty much going to be who was on your upcoming schedule.

The NBA has never made any statement regarding the schedule. What you are reporting has been false assumptions from a reporter after Day 1 that continues to recirculate.

[Kingspoint]

Yes, he will.

I think the Pelicans going 23-14 since Dec. 23 gives them more than a small chance.. Portland is 15-21 over that same period of time.

Those records mean absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Then let's crown the Kings Champions. They were 10-5 over their last 15.

[RedTeamGo!]

Those records mean absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Then let's crown the Kings Champions. They were 10-5 over their last 15.

23-14 means nothing in the NBA? That’s like more than 1/3 of the season.

Why do you hate Zion so much?

[Bourgeois Zee]

Why do you hate Zion so much?

He hates everyone that's not a Blazer.

[M2]

Those records mean absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Then let's crown the Kings Champions. They were 10-5 over their last 15.

If that shoe was on the Blazers' foot, you be insisting they were maybe the most important numbers in the history of mankind. And, yeah, you should be concerned about the Kings too.

[texasdave]

I assume that the results of these 8 games are going to be added to the games played already. How is that equitable, since the teams will not have played the same number of games? I think it is likely that one or more teams might be getting messed over because of this. The league should schedule the needed amount of additional games for each team, so that they all end up with the same number of games played in the end. If that issue has already been addressed, just ignore my sometimes-incoherent ramblings.

[Kingspoint]

23-14 means nothing in the NBA? That’s like more than 1/3 of the season.

Why do you hate Zion so much?

It means nothing because how New Orleans played and how Portland played then, especially Portland because of their roster differences (Dame/Nurk/Ariza/Zach/Trent), is no indicator of how they will play during this. While I think MEM is POR's biggest challenge because of POR having to go 2-0 in a playoff format, NOP is their second biggest challenge because of Silver's annointment of Zion Gentry's excellent coaching.

I have stated this a zillion times: My complaint is with the NBA giving blatant preferential treatment to certain players. Giannis literally can take six steps with the ball whenever he feels like it making it physically impossible to defend. The difficulty in defending Giannis and Harden and Zion isn't because of their physical skill, but because it's impossible to defend someone who is allowed six steps in the case of Zion and Giannis and Offensive fouling in the case of all three. Anyone who denies this to be true is living in la-la-land.

[Kingspoint]

If that shoe was on the Blazers' foot, you be insisting they were maybe the most important numbers in the history of mankind. And, yeah, you should be concerned about the Kings too.

You know I wouldn't. I've never favored anything in my life that wasn't fair to all, except in cases of abuse of power by a majority, or infringing on the rights of a minority.

[Kingspoint]

He hates everyone that's not a Blazer.

Trying to make 1 + 1 = 22 again?

[Kingspoint]

I assume that the results of these 8 games are going to be added to the games played already. How is that equitable, since the teams will not have played the same number of games? I think it is likely that one or more teams might be getting messed over because of this. The league should schedule the needed amount of additional games for each team, so that they all end up with the same number of games played in the end. If that issue has already been addressed, just ignore my sometimes-incoherent ramblings.

The only reason there are more games, per reports, is that so many of the franchises can reach the 70 game number that their local television contracts call for.

As far as what's equitable? The only way to be equitable is to have the entire rest of the season play out because of the unbalanced strength of schedule already played. So, they are left with either not playing any more games or keeping teams to the same number of games left to meet television contracts. There's nothing equitable about it at this point, but they can't have one team play seven games and another play 10. There's no home-court advantage for teams that earned it. They spoke about a home-team getting extra fouls. So, Zion can commit 35 fouls in that scenario before he fouls out instead of 29.

[Kingspoint]

June 24th is the last day a player can tell his team that he won't participate.

Toronto players will arrive sooner because of traveling difficulties.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Trying to make 1 + 1 = 22 again?

Nah, just enjoying yet another hot take from the king.

And be forewarned, big man: The first time Portland loses, I'm coming for your last hot take.

[M2]

You know I wouldn't.

In just this season I lost count of you making short winning runs from Portland into pronouncements that they were about to conquer the world. Meanwhile, their record is 29-37. Your irrational confidence in this team has been off the charts.

[RedTeamGo!]

It means nothing because how New Orleans played and how Portland played then, especially Portland because of their roster differences (Dame/Nurk/Ariza/Zach/Trent), is no indicator of how they will play during this. While I think MEM is POR's biggest challenge because of POR having to go 2-0 in a playoff format, NOP is their second biggest challenge because of Silver's annointment of Zion Gentry's excellent coaching.

I have stated this a zillion times: My complaint is with the NBA giving blatant preferential treatment to certain players. Giannis literally can take six steps with the ball whenever he feels like it making it physically impossible to defend. The difficulty in defending Giannis and Harden and Zion isn't because of their physical skill, but because it's impossible to defend someone who is allowed six steps in the case of Zion and Giannis and Offensive fouling in the case of all three. Anyone who denies this to be true is living in la-la-land.

Dame is one of the biggest faces of the league...

[Kingspoint]

Dame is one of the biggest faces of the league...

Yes. He's well-respected by his peers and coaches.

But, is not among the "anointed" group by the NBA, thankfully. He couldn't even catch a break two years ago. Now he gets some he shouldn't get as often as he doesn't get some he should get.

[Kingspoint]

In just this season I lost count of you making short winning runs from Portland into pronouncements that they were about to conquer the world. Meanwhile, their record is 29-37. Your irrational confidence in this team has been off the charts.

I'm referring to any pronouncement by me that someone or a group should receive preferential treatment unfairly. That was your suggestion of my character regarding the Blazers. I would be disgusted if I saw Dame all of a sudden begin getting preferential treatment. I saw it beginning to happen with Roy before Roy's knees prevented the rest of the league from seeing it happen. I spoke out often about Roy and how much I hated it. As far as pronouncing a Blazer improvement before it occurs, I prefer not to be one of those people who make an announcement after it happens and say that I had predicted it. I make my predictions and wait for the results.

As far as the Blazers' record, Nurk was ready to return five weeks sooner, but he had an unexpected setback. Dame had a hamstring pull when he was playing his normal phenomenal 2nd Half basketball. The Blazers also had the toughest schedule in the league with a patsy schedule before them, so the prediction would have come true that they would have gotten the 8th seed. Their record was due in part, also, to Rodney Hood's freak injury (2nd in the league at the time in 3-pt % when he went down) and Zack's freak injury (non-contact shoulder separation). The Blazers results coming up will back up my earlier predictions.

[Kingspoint]

Have to agree with the Coaches here as it's already established that a person of African ancestry under 60 years old has a greater chance of dying from the virus than a person who is 60-70 of non-African ancestry. The decision needs to be in the hands of the individuals. All people, regardless of race or age, are equally capable of spreading the virus, so there isn't any reason to exclude anyone based on age or race.

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The NBA Coaches Association fears new league standards and guidelines that could bar team staffers in high-risk categories for the coronavirus from attending the season's restart in Orlando could "severely jeopardize" their future employment opportunities, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN.com.

"Absent a significant threat, we believe a coach should be able to understand and assume their individual risks, waive liability, and coach in Orlando," the coaches association told ESPN. Woj adds NBCA executive director Dave Fogel and president Rick Carlisle have concerns that several assistants and three head coaches -- Houston's Mike D'Antoni (69 years old), New Orleans' Alvin Gentry (65) and San Antonio's Gregg Popovich (71) -- could be restricted from leading their teams and some could face considerable challenges in resuming their careers. Additionally in the report, D'Antoni recently shared the same medical information that league doctors would evaluate with an independent doctor in Houston and was given clearance to coach the Rockets in the Orlando restart.

Jun 17, 2020, 5:53 PM ET

[M2]

I'm referring to any pronouncement by me that someone or a group should receive preferential treatment unfairly. That was your suggestion of my character regarding the Blazers.

No, I was outright saying you take homerism to extreme levels. How you got on this other tangent from that, I have no clue.

[Kingspoint]

No, I was outright saying you take homerism to extreme levels. How you got on this other tangent from that, I have no clue.

Well, I do play into the homerism thing as it seems to offer some entertainment to those reading the posts. Try to have some fun with it.

I was referring to this: "If that shoe was on the Blazers' foot (they having the better record since the All-Star Game or whatever instead of New Orleans), you be insisting they were maybe the most important numbers in the history of mankind." First, if the Blazers had those results, they would be in the 3-6 seed right now, so the question wouldn't even come up. If the Blazers had those results with the personnel that they had to deal with, then I would need to know why because one or two, if not all four of Mario Hezonja, Nassir Little, Caleb Swanigan and Anfernee Simons would have had to really have stepped up their games to outrageous levels. All four of those, with possibly Simons being the exception, will be removed from the equation and rotation when play resumes. They were all a big part of the rotation in the games you are mentioning. There will also be no Anthony Toliver, who played way too many minutes for Portland this season. No team will have a greater change to it's roster than the Blazers. They will basically be a brand new team.

This season had been one injury disappointment after another. Zack looked strong...goes down after three games. Hood going bananas. Goes down after, what, 10-12 games or so. Pau Gasol was supposed to be ready in September. Never set foot on the court as his injury never responded well to treatment. Already short-handed at Center, they were forced to go with Skal Labissiere too early. Skal then begins to prove himself worthy of being in the rotation. Next night, bangs a knee with Anthony Davis early in the 1st Quarter of his first start of the season. Never see him again. Nurk about a month or so away and gets a setback in December. Blazers are extra cautious and give him three months. Dame pulls a hamstring just as he was on fire throughout the league. Nassir Little takes two steps forward and then gets injured in December. Doesn't get really healthy again. Hezonja plays injured all season (back and other issues, but mostly back), and never shows any confidence on the court even when he was healthy, but is forced to play heavy rotation minutes all season because Portland simply ran out of bodies early. Toliver was a rotation player while he was here because of injuries to others.

[M2]

Well, I do play into the homerism thing as it seems to offer some entertainment to those reading the posts. Try to have some fun with it.

I am.

For instance, I missed when they taught Nassir Little how to play basketball.

[Kingspoint]

I am.

For instance, I missed when they taught Nassir Little how to play basketball.

Sorry. Meant to word it that "I", "me", am trying to have fun with it. Wouldn't try to tell you how to behave. That would not be right.

(It was only about two weeks on Little...easily missed. :laugh: ).

[Kingspoint]

If they don't let Gentry coach, New Orleans doesn't have a chance. (I did say that about Toronto two years ago, and was wrong, but Coaching is important in some situations.)

[adkindo]

I am.

For instance, I missed when they taught Nassir Little how to play basketball.

I watched him play a couple times in high school, and I truly thought his development would explode once he arrived at UNC....just not sure what went wrong.

[Kingspoint]

I watched him play a couple times in high school, and I truly thought his development would explode once he arrived at UNC....just not sure what went wrong.

Injury and opportunity.

[Rojo Rijo]

Injury and opportunity.

Most of the information Florida fans were receiving about him through his 2nd and 3rd years of HS was that he was considered a strong bet to end up at UF. That changed quickly and UF didn't even make his top 5.

Not surprising as his name has been mentioned in the AAU/NCAA investigation.
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article219913275.html

[M2]

Davis Bertans officially became the 1st NBA player to decline his bubble invite. Makes sense as DC is a longshot to even make it to a play-in game and he's got a free agent payday coming after the season concludes. Also makes me think he's not coming back to the Wizards.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Trevor Ariza's decision to stay with his son instead of going back to his day job as a Blazer's wing may impact Portland's ability to go unbeaten.

[adkindo]

Definitely respect Ariza's decision....one of those many things that fans do not think about when they think it is just easy for a pro athlete to take a couple months out of their lives unexpectedly. Sounds like he only has that month of custody under the current arrangement. I am sure it would be a much tougher decision if he was on a team that was considered a legitimate contender.

[Kingspoint]

Definitely respect Ariza's decision....one of those many things that fans do not think about when they think it is just easy for a pro athlete to take a couple months out of their lives unexpectedly. Sounds like he only has that month of custody under the current arrangement. I am sure it would be a much tougher decision if he was on a team that was considered a legitimate contender.

...and you have to figure that this was prearranged many months ago.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld...

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has tested positive for the coronavirus. Jokic tested positive in Serbia and his return to the U.S. has been delayed. He hasn't shown any symptoms since testing positive last week and is still expected to be cleared for travel to Denver within a week. Tests will have to come back negative before he'll be allowed to compete in Orlando. Jokic was reportedly hanging out with tennis star Novak Djokovic last week and now they've both tested positive.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld...

Two Suns have tested positive for Coronavirus according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also reports that NBA teams are bracing for "significant numbers of positive tests" as players begin traveling to Orlando for the restart. Woj adds that one Western Conference playoff team had four positive tests over the last few weeks.

[M2]

From Rotoworld...

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has tested positive for the coronavirus. Jokic tested positive in Serbia and his return to the U.S. has been delayed. He hasn't shown any symptoms since testing positive last week and is still expected to be cleared for travel to Denver within a week. Tests will have to come back negative before he'll be allowed to compete in Orlando. Jokic was reportedly hanging out with tennis star Novak Djokovic last week and now they've both tested positive.

When I heard Jokic caught it, the joke I made to my wife was he must have caught it from Djokovic. Little did I know all Serbians really do know each other and hang out.

[adkindo]

...and you have to figure that this was prearranged many months ago.

and if I am reading it correctly, they are still in the family court process. If so, you do not want to be seen as problematic to a family court judge. I am not saying this will help him in his case.....but showing that he puts his child above everything else will not hurt him in family court.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Avery Bradley isn't going to play for the Lakers. That's a sneaky big deal given his role on that team and their relative lack of depth.

[Rojo Rijo]

Avery Bradley isn't going to play for the Lakers. That's a sneaky big deal given his role on that team and their relative lack of depth.

There are rumors that they'll sign JR Smith into his open spot

[adkindo]

Avery Bradley isn't going to play for the Lakers. That's a sneaky big deal given his role on that team and their relative lack of depth.

It could be....it really just depends. I can look at the numbers and make a case their defense will be impacted, but I can also make the case that giving his minutes to KCP and Caruso will be a net positive. AB was often listed as the starting PG, but as everyone knows he plays almost exclusively off ball on offense with Lebron on the court. Personally, I see no benefit in adding JR Smith to this roster....ideally they could use a ball handler that could run the offense for 5-10 minutes a game and defend a legit PG, but I doubt that guy is out there. I think if I was the GM, I may add Gasol just for the sentimental aspect of chasing the title with Kobe's last running mate.

[Revering4Blue]

Alternate NBA Universe: Bullets

Picture it…Washington, D.C…June of 1983: Despite compiling a winning record in ’82-’83, the Bullets finished in last place in the Atlantic division, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. The Championship season of ’79 seemed like a lifetime ago, and the franchise was in dire need of a talent boost in order to place itself in a position to realistically compete within its own division, let alone contend for another NBA title. That was going to be no easy task with Philadelphia and Boston as established powers and New Jersey on the rise. Still, with a new 8-team per conference playoff format in place, the Bullets, even if they managed to finish last in their division, with poor/rebuilding franchises in Cleveland, Chicago and Indianapolis, were a virtual lock to grab an NBA East playoff spot.
The Bullets concluded the previous season with a team with a solid starting frontcourt; a so-so starting backcourt; and little quality depth and overall athleticism, sporting the following starting lineup: PG Frank Johnson; SG Ricky Sobers (signed away from Chicago mid-season as a free agent in exchange for 2nd round picks in this very ’83 draft – originally obtained by the Bullets from Houston in exchange for F Elvin Hayes , and the 1st pick in the second round – and ’85); SF Greg Ballard; F/C Rick Mahorn and C/F Jeff Ruland.

Your Move(s), Washington: Bullets GM, Bob Ferry (Danny’s father) entered the 1983 NBA draft with With two picks apiece in both the 1st and second rounds – 10, 22 (from the Lakers as part of the compensation package for then-free agent F/C Mitch Kupchak), 32 (from Detroit as compensation for then-free agent PG Larry Wright) and 34 – at his disposal. It was widely assumed that the Bullets would go with a guard at 10 and either a center of power forward at 21. As the draft played out, several highly acclaimed guards were available at #10. But instead of selecting a relatively safe pick in Mississippi State SG Jeff Malone, who would be happily selected by Denver at #15, Ferry decided to swing for the fences and go solely for upside: Commissioner Larry O’Brien – The Washington Bullets select…Clyde Drexler from the University of Houston. The knock-on Drexler, a swingman, was his outside shot, but Ferry and Coach Gene Shue felt as though the franchise had nothing to lose at that point.
As for pick #22, In a pre-arranged deal with Chicago – who had previously selected UNLV F Sidney Green and also acquired the rights to Alabama PG Ennis Whatley from Kansas City – the Bullets selected and sent the rights to Clemson high-scoring SG Mitchell Wiggins to the Bulls in exchange for pick #25 and the higher of the two (at the time) Bulls’ ’84 second rounders. As local hero G/F Randy Wittman from IU was selected by his hometown Pacers and Cleveland, with a bonus pick purchased from the NBA by the new Cavs owners to compensate for Ted Stepian (Previous Cavs owner) trading away several first rounders in a space of three years, ended the first round with the selection of LSU SG Howard Carter, Chicago then selected Old Dominion Center Mark West on behalf of the Bullets. But Ferry was not finished, as he acquired veteran F/C Tom McMillen from Atlanta in exchange for the rights to pick #32: Iowa SG Bobby Hansen. Ferry then selected local hero swingman Michael Britt from the University of District of Columbia at #34.

So, how did it turn out?
In inverse order of selection:
• 3rd round selection SF Darren Daye from UCLA beat out veteran swingman Don Collins, who had performed solidly in two consecutive seasons, for the final roster spot.
• Michael Britt never suited up in an NBA regular season game.
• While Tom McMillen would provide solid minutes as reserve for three seasons before retiring to a career in politics, the Hawks would win this trade in a landslide as Bobby Hansen, within two seasons, grabbed the starting SG spot, holding it for several seasons.
• While Mark West played well when called upon, it was clear that he would be hard pressed to receive minutes in the Nation’s Capital with Ruland, Mahorn and McMillen ahead of him in the rotation.
• Drexler, beginning his inaugural season in a reserve role, far exceeded the expectations of most scouts – eventually.
As expected, heading into the final 24 hours of the ’84 NBA trading deadline:
• The Bullets’ Atlantic division brethren were all considerably stronger and the Bullets were a lock for last place
• Nevertheless, the Bullets, despite being four games under .500, held a four-game lead on their nearest competitor for the final playoff spot in the East: Chicago.
Within minutes of the actual trading deadline, Ferry engineered the following bold move with, oddly enough, Chicago: The Bullets traded starting PG Frank Johnson, reserve C Mark West, the Bulls ’84 second rounder (originally sent to Washington along with West in the ’83 draft day deal – G/F Corey Blackwell later selected) and Washington’s ’86 second rounder (G Jeff Hornacek later selected) to the Bulls in exchange for G Reggie Theus (who had been inexplicably benched in Chicago in favor of three rookies) and reserve PG Ronnie Lester (who had become redundant with Sobers and Theus, and was sold to the Lakers at season’s conclusion). The Bullets would fail to finish the season .500, finish last in their division, while keeping every playoff game against the top-seeded Celtics competitive in a gentlemen’s sweep.

Butterfly Effect/Reality Check: While the Bulls would still be edged out by the Bullets for the final playoff spot, they (Bulls) would win too many games to qualify for a top-three position in the last pre-lottery NBA draft.
Entering the ’84 draft with the sixth overall pick, and no second round picks, in what was deemed a stacked draft – alternate NBA universe and all, all top 7 picks and #16 pick (PG John Stockton to Utah) would enjoy either Hall-of-Fame and/or multiple All-Star selection careers – the following selections occurred:
1. Houston Cougar C Hakeem Olajuwon to Houston.
2. The ‘Blazers, having selected C Randy Breuer in ’83, went for the BPA: UNC G Michael Jordan. They would also grab PG Steve Colter and SF Jerome Kersey in the 2nd round.
3. The Mavericks (via Cleveland) finally selected their franchise center: UK’s Sam Bowie.
4. UNC F/C Sam Perkins to Chicago.
5. Auburn F Charles Barkley to Philadelphia (via San Diego).
Sandwiched by the Barkley pick and the Spurs’ #7 overall selection of Arkansas G Alvin Robertson, the Bullets went with UK C Mel Turpin, and subsequently dealt him to Cleveland for F Cliff Robinson (not to be confused with Uncle Cliffy) and the rights to #12 pick and Michigan C Tim McCormick.

Butterfly Effect/Reality Check: With the Bullets opting to hold on to McCormick, the Supersonics choose to retain PG Gus Williams, Therefore, have no need to trade their ’86 #1 to Boston for PG Gerald Henderson, and proceed to grab a superstar (F Len Bias, alternate NBA Universe and all) with the 2nd overall (lottery) pick in ‘86. Most of all, with Bias, Dale Ellis, Nate McMillan (and later) Derrick McKey in tow, Jack Sikma backs off his demand to be traded in ’86 and retires as a Sonic.
But this situation also benefits the Celtics as they instead send their ’87 #1 (PG Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues later selected) along with F Cedric Maxwell to the Clippers for C/F Bill Walton in September of ’85, and draft F Dennis Rodman with their own ’86 #1 following their victorious NBA championship series. The Blazers ( who used the pick originally belonging to Boston to draft C Arvydas Sabonis) in ’86 – with a mid-first round pick, several second round picks and a subsequent trade of PG Steve Colter to Chicago – still wind up with the rights to C Kevin Duckworth, Sabonis and G Drazen Petrovic, however.
An overlooked key pre-’85 season move for the Bullets: (October of ’84) Signed C/F Charles “Gadget” Jones as a free agent.
Following another sub .500 season and first round series loss, this time to Philly, Ferry went right to work:
• (Draft day ’85) – Traded Ballard to Golden State for the rights to C Manute Bol and an ’87 second round pick (G/F Kevin Gamble later selected by Philadelphia).
• (Draft day ’85) – Traded Mahorn, first right of refusal to Daye and a conditional future second-round pick (not conveyed, as Daye was retained/signed to the acquiring team) to San Antonio for F Gene Banks and F/C Ozell Jones.
• (Draft day ’85) – Selected Louisiana Tech PF Karl “The Mailman” Malone with 1st round pick.
• (Draft day ’85) – Selected Tulane F/C John “Hot Rod” Williams with Milwaukee’s second round pick (acquired as compensation for losing G/F Kevin Grevey as free agent in September of ’83), though legal issues prevented him from suiting up until October of ’86.
While aided by the unavailability of Moses Malone and Andrew Toney for the 76ers due to injuries, the Bullets win their first playoff series since ’79 before narrowly falling in seven games in a road loss to the Bucks. The Bucks would enter the ’86 draft week with a mid-first round pick and zero second round picks at their disposal, having dealt away their 2nd rounder to the Bulls in the Reggie Theus deal, but two major draft day-eve trades executed by Philly would shake things up:
• The Bullets sent Ruland, McCormick, their mid-first round pick (SG Dell Curry later selected) and the highest of the Bullets’ ’87 2nd round picks (G/F Kevin Gamble later selected) to the 76ers for Moses Malone and Philadelphia’s late first round pick (#21).
While McCormick, who had played well when Ruland had spent a considerable part of the previous two seasons sidelined with injuries, and Curry lived up to their end of the bargain, the 76ers would quickly regret this deal, as Ruland barely lasted one injury-plagued season in Philly before being forced to retire. To make matters worse for Philly, they blew the chance to draft UNC C Brad Daugherty with the first pick overall (via the Clippers) by dealing the pick to Cleveland for F/C Roy Hinson (whose game didn’t mesh with Charles Barkley’s at all) and a substantial amount of cash. Philly wouldn’t right the ship until acquiring C Mike Gminski in a multi-player deal with New Jersey (which included Hinson and McCormick) and 2G Hersey Hawkins (actually trading down in the draft to so so) in ’88. It should also be noted that the deal between Washington and Philadelphia was originally slated to include F Cliff Robinson heading to Philly, but that never came to fruition as the 76ers had no adequate wings to send the Bullets’ way and refused to part with the #1 overall pick in such a deal.
Ferry selected UNLV G Anthony Jones with the 21st pick, and proceeded to pull of what amounted to one of the best trades in franchise history by sending Jones’ rights to Dallas for cash and the rights to the 25th pick in the draft: PG Mark Price from Georgia Tech. Also:
• (August ’86) Traded ’88 2nd round pick (SG Tim Legler later selected) to New Jersey for G Darwin Cook.
• (August ’86) Free agent G Ricky Sobers signed with an Italian League team.
• As mentioned earlier, John “Hot Rod” Williams was set to begin his rookie season with the Bullets.
With only one more year remaining on Moses Malone’s contract, Ferry again went to work following a first round ’87 series loss to Detroit that went the distance:
• (Draft day ’87) – Acquired G Darrell Walker and F Mark Alarie from Denver in a three way trade, which also included Detroit; The Nuggets acquired the rights to (Detroit draftee) F/G Reggie Lewis (no life-threatening health issues in this alternate universe), F/G Johnny Newman (Detroit’s ’86 2nd round draftee) and the rights to F Brad Lohaus (Washington’s ’87 2nd round pick; The Pistons acquired the rights to F Ken Norman (Washington 1st round draftee).
Simply put, all three teams would benefit greatly from this deal.
• (October ’87) - Signed free agent SF Bernard King; Oddly enough, New York (who had drafted SF Scottie Pippen at #5 overall) waived their right of first refusal and received no compensation from Washington.
• (October ’87) – Traded Gene Banks and Darwin Cook to Golden State for a ’90 2nd round pick (more on this below).
The aforementioned moves – the draft day deal and signing Bernard King as a free agent - proceeded to push the Bullets over the top, as they ousted the Celtics in the East Finals, and captured the ’88 crown with a 6 game series victory over (coincidently enough) Seattle, who had knocked off the defending champion Lakers in the conference semifinals, as well as outlasting an enormously talented Denver team in the Conference finals, to reach the Finals.
Post ’88 Championship, while still very much a playoff power, the Bullets entered a retooling mode, as they failed to advance past the conference semifinals for the next two seasons – Detroit in ’89 and Portland in ’90 would hoist the next two NBA Championship trophies:
• (June ’88) - Lost Cliff Robinson in expansion draft to Charlotte.
• (Draft day ’88) - Selected Florida G Vernon “Mad Max” Maxwell with 1st round pick.
• (August of ’89 -) Lost Moses Malone as an unrestricted free agent to Atlanta.
• (June ’89) - Lost Reggie Theus in expansion draft to Orlando.
• (Draft day ’89) – Selected Serbian C Vlade Divac with 1st round pick.
• (July ‘89) – Lost Manute Bol to Golden State as unrestricted free agent.
• (Draft day ’90) – Selected SF Cedric Ceballos of Cal State Fullerton in 1st round, UNC F/C Scott Williams (with the 2nd round pick acquired in late ’87 from Golden State) and Iowa PF Matt Bullard (Bullets’ own ’90 2nd round pick) in 1990 NBA draft; Traded the rights to Ceballos to the Lakers in exchange for F Orlando Woolridge and cash - As usual, long-term, Jerry West would win this deal in a landslide, but no regrets for the Bullets here…
• (July ’90) – In a surprising move, Head Coach Gene Shue retires from coaching, enthusiastically endorsing his replacement: Assistant Coach, and former Bullets’ great, Wes Unseld.
• (February ’91 – Trade Deadline Day) – Traded Maxwell, Walker, Woolridge, a ’91 1st round pick (SG Bobby Phills later selected), and a ’93 1st round pick (C Ervin Johnson later selected) to Dallas for G Derek Harper and F Rodney McCray.
• (February’91 – Trade Deadline Day) – Required G Reggie Theus from New Jersey for F Mark Alarie and a ’92 2nd round pick (F Sam Mack later selected).
The Washington Bullets are - once again – NBA Champions after defeating the Lakers.
• (June ’91 – Selected Coppin State F Larry Stewart with 2nd round pick, who managed to work his way onto the All-Rookie Second Team, while moving ahead of Rodney McCray in the rotation by Playoff time.
• (June ’91) – Reggie Theus retires. Within 30 days, Bullets fill void by signing unrestricted free agent G John Battle.
Bullets win (survive, actually) a classic 7 game NBA Finals series against the “Blazers. While Michael Jordan and the ‘Blazers would win another NBA title during the decade (once Arvydas Sabonis finally suited up for them), this Bullets’ core, talented as they were, were not as fortunate.
• (June ’92) – Bernard King calls it a career after 16 seasons.
The ’92-’93 Bullets would be eliminated by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, and subsequently eliminated in the first round the following two seasons. At that point, with several teams within the conference (if not their own Atlantic Division) having either surpassed the Bullets franchise or on the upswing, began to incrementally move core players. By the Summer of ’97, zero core players from the ’92 Championship team were still Bullets – now known as the Wizards. Compounding the issue for the franchise, the returns from the aggregate trades – when said players did not depart as free agents – netted a glaring lack of elite talent, while many of the jettisoned core players would later go on to enjoy deep playoff runs with their new teams. In fact, some – Malone in Utah, Price (as a reserve) in Orlando, Drexler in Portland, and “Hot Rod” Williams in Indiana – would be fortunate to win an additional ring as a member of a championship team.
The franchise would bottom out by the strike-shortened ’99 season. Fortunately, the Bullets/Wizards franchise would then begin assembling another championship-caliber core around draftees Richard Hamilton, Jamal Crawford, Pau Gasol, Gilbert Arenas and Amare Stoudamire, which invoked memories of the time period in which a moribund franchise once began its road to multiple championships with a swing-for-the-fences first round pick in 1983.

Next up, Alternate NBA Universe: Bulls

[Kingspoint]

Nah, the NBA would never cheat about anything. They never fix things towards a particular player's outcome. Never happens.


POR's 8 games:

The winning percentage among Portland’s eight opponents is 60.0%.
The Blazers play three Top 3 seeds among the conferences (Celtics, Clippers, and Nuggets), but neither of the #1 teams (because they are both likely to rest their starters during the 8 games).
They play no teams outside of the Top 8, thus no teams with a worse record than they.


NOP's 8 games:

Combined Winning Percentage: 49.5%, with four teams the same or worse than they on the schedule. Throw in their game in UTA, without which the percentage would be much worse, and minus Bogdanovic and a team with internal strife, and that's basically another bad team.
[ed. How can you assemble a field of teams either making or close to making the playoffs but still give a team a schedule against opponents with a net losing record?]


POR's 8 games:

MEM
BOS
HOU
DEN
LAC
PHI
DAL
BKN (BKN should rest their starters for this one with nothing to play for.)



NOP's 8 games:

UTA (the most troubled team in the league emotionally and no Bogdanovich)
LAC
MEM
SAC
WAS (will be eliminated by the time they meet)
SAS (no Aldridge)
SAC (will be eliminated by the time they meet)
ORL (will have nothing to play for by this game and rest their starters)


So, not only did POR have the league's toughest schedule before the break, but they get handed the toughest schedule of the teams trying to qualify for the 9th spot in the playoffs.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Pelicans definitely got an easier road, but I’m not sure how much it matters. Any of those teams currently on the outside can lose one, maybe two games, unless Memphis just falls apart.

Who knows how any of this is going to go too. Fitness levels, chemistry, rust are all going to be major factors. Just because a team was good or bad in March doesn’t have a lot to do with the first few games.

[M2]

Nah, the NBA would never cheat about anything. They never fix things towards a particular player's outcome. Never happens.


POR's 8 games:

The winning percentage among Portland’s eight opponents is 60.0%.
The Blazers play three Top 3 seeds among the conferences (Celtics, Clippers, and Nuggets), but neither of the #1 teams (because they are both likely to rest their starters during the 8 games).
They play no teams outside of the Top 8, thus no teams with a worse record than they.


NOP's 8 games:

Combined Winning Percentage: 49.5%, with four teams the same or worse than they on the schedule. Throw in their game in UTA, without which the percentage would be much worse, and minus Bogdanovic and a team with internal strife, and that's basically another bad team.
[ed. How can you assemble a field of teams either making or close to making the playoffs but still give a team a schedule against opponents with a net losing record?]


POR's 8 games:

MEM
BOS
HOU
DEN
LAC
PHI
DAL
BKN (BKN should rest their starters for this one with nothing to play for.)



NOP's 8 games:

UTA (the most troubled team in the league emotionally and no Bogdanovich)
LAC
MEM
SAC
WAS (will be eliminated by the time they meet)
SAS (no Aldridge)
SAC (will be eliminated by the time they meet)
ORL (will have nothing to play for by this game and rest their starters)


So, not only did POR have the league's toughest schedule before the break, but they get handed the toughest schedule of the teams trying to qualify for the 9th spot in the playoffs.

Isn't this just the schedule they told us they were go with the whole time and that you dismissed out of hand? Everybody plays the teams that were left on their schedule. The Pelicans had played the strongest schedule in the league prior to the stoppage and had the softest remaining schedule (http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php). So they're just getting what was coming their way if the season hadn't stopped, up against the teams they were supposed to play. Same with the Blazers.

[adkindo]

Isn't this just the schedule they told us they were go with the whole time and that you dismissed out of hand? Everybody plays the teams that were left on their schedule. The Pelicans had played the strongest schedule in the league prior to the stoppage and had the softest remaining schedule (http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php). So they're just getting what was coming their way if the season hadn't stopped, up against the teams they were supposed to play. Same with the Blazers.

I do recall the Pels had one of if not the easiest schedule remaining when the season ended....which is why so many still thought they had a chance to chase down Memphis.

[M2]

I do recall the Pels had one of if not the easiest schedule remaining when the season ended....which is why so many still thought they had a chance to chase down Memphis.

Exactly. This is the opposite of a conspiracy theory. They did what they told us they were going to do, based on each team's remaining schedule.

[Kingspoint]

Isn't this just the schedule they told us they were go with the whole time and that you dismissed out of hand? Everybody plays the teams that were left on their schedule. The Pelicans had played the strongest schedule in the league prior to the stoppage and had the softest remaining schedule (http://powerrankingsguru.com/nba/strength-of-schedule.php). So they're just getting what was coming their way if the season hadn't stopped, up against the teams they were supposed to play. Same with the Blazers.
No. They substituted POR's easiest two games with games against DEN and LAC.

[Rdirtypirates]

Nm

[M2]

No. They substituted POR's easiest two games with games against DEN and LAC.

Yes. It's almost exactly what people were forecasting it would be earlier this month - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/each-nba-teams-presumed-remaining-schedule-as-22-team-plan-officially-approved-for-orlando/. The only changed is they swapped out the Lakers for the Clippers and inserted Denver in an open slot (probably because it's a divisional rival). You dismissed it out of hand. You should have listened.

This is what Portland had left on its schedule and you don't get to be surprised about what the league was up front in telling you it was going to do. It's the teams the Blazers would have had to play if the season never had stopped. Same for everyone else too. Plus, how is this a problem? I thought Portland wasn't going to lose another game.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I thought Portland wasn't going to lose another game.

They are the juggernaut through which the rest of the league must pass. All teams fear Portland's mighty 9th seeded near-playoff team!

[Kingspoint]

Nurk Fever!

[Kingspoint]

Bring 'em on!

We'll knock 'em all out one at a time.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

[M2]

Some playoff odds from a 2,500-sim sample of the new schedule: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/6/29/21306311/nba-restart-schedule-odds.

It's good news for the Grizzlies and bad news for Wizards. Also a lot of potential for the 4-5-6 seeds to get scrambled.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Some playoff odds from a 2,500-sim sample of the new schedule: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/6/29/21306311/nba-restart-schedule-odds.

It's good news for the Grizzlies and bad news for Wizards. Also a lot of potential for the 4-5-6 seeds to get scrambled.

This must be incorrect. The Ringer must not have known that both Nurkoc and Collins are healthy and coming back from injury.

Both of them.

That has to raise Portland's odds of earning a playoff spot to 137%. At least.

[texasdave]

Ariza out. Adams in.

From ESPN:
The Portland Trail Blazers plan to sign guard Jaylen Adams as a substitute player to replace Trevor Ariza, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Adams was the G-League's MVP runner-up this season with the Wisconsin Herd. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 33 games for Wisconsin. Ariza is opting out of participation in the NBA's Orlando, Florida, restart of the season, committing instead to a one-month visitation window with his young son, sources told Wojnarowski last week.

Here is Adam's basketball-reference page. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsja01.html

[Kingspoint]

The Kingspoint Simulator was run 108,000 times and the results were:


Jul 31st POR vs MEM FINAL POR 122, MEM 105
Aug 2nd POR vs BOS FINAL POR 124, BOS 118
Aug 4th POR vs HOU FINAL POR 132, HOU 122
Aug 6th POR vs DEN FINAL POR 124, DEN 117
Aug 8th POR vs LAC FINAL POR 125, LAC 122
Aug 9th POR vs PHI FINAL POR 130, PHI 112
Aug 11th POR vs DAL FINAL POR 121, DAL 119
Aug 13th POR vs BKN FINAL POR 126, BKN 96

PLAY-IN

GAME 1 POR 120, MEM 112
GAME 2 POR 124, MEM 108

[Kingspoint]

Ariza out. Adams in.

From ESPN:

Here is Adam's basketball-reference page. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsja01.html

They needed a PG. Thought they would sign Tim Frazier. They still can replace Ariza at no cost against the cap. Adams fills the 15th spot against the cap.

[adkindo]

Ariza out. Adams in.

From ESPN:

Here is Adam's basketball-reference page. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsja01.html

I was big on Adams in college when he was @ St. Bonaventure....

[Bourgeois Zee]

DeAndre Jordan opts out.

This may accidentally help the Nets win more, as Jarret Allen is a better overall player (and better player for this squad).

If Spencer Dinwiddie opts in (and that's questionable at this point), they're a sneaky good team. I don't think they'll necessarily upset Toronto (or perhaps Boston), but they could win two or three games and make them work for it.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:


The Nuggets have temporarily shut down their practice facilities after two undisclosed positive tests for the coronavirus within the traveling party headed to Orlando, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Woj adds that the practice facilities have been closed since Saturday and will continue to be for "several days." The doors could open back up later this week though, but that will depend on the next few days of testing. Mandatory workouts for all teams heading to Orlando were set to begin on Wednesday so this is unfortunate timing for the Nuggets.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter


David Griffin said that three Pelicans players had positive COVID tests but won’t comment on who that is. Griffin added that those three players are in self isolation and are being tested daily, and that they can return to the team after two days of negative tests. Griffin said that he expects all of his players to opt into the Orlando restart but the only question mark right now is whether or not coach Alvin Gentry goes as well.

SOURCE: Andrew Lopez on Twitter


Spencer Dinwiddie has tested positive for Covid-19 and is symptomatic, putting his status in doubt for Orlando. Given that Rudy Gobert is still not fully recovered three months later there's a decent chance Dinwiddie won't play again this season.

[Kingspoint]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Nba-2k21-damian-lillard-cover-1-397x500.jpg

https://www.newsreaderweb.com/damian-lillard-nba-2k21-cover-athlete-blazers-star-announced-as-1st-cover-star/amp/

[Kingspoint]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Nba-2k21-damian-lillard-cover-1-397x500.jpg

[M2]

Spencer Dinwiddie has tested positive for Covid-19 and is symptomatic, putting his status in doubt for Orlando. Given that Rudy Gobert is still not fully recovered three months later there's a decent chance Dinwiddie won't play again this season.

It's possible. And I'm assuming Kyrie won't be playing for one reason or another. The Nets might be so undermanned they let the Wizards into the playoff picture.

[adkindo]

Read an article today talking about the Raptors having to get to Florida early because they could not have their players return to Canada to prepare because it would require them the quarantine. There were so many inaccuracies in the article, I think the author may have just made most of it up. First it claimed they were staying in neighboring Naples because Orlando being an epicenter of the COVID outbreak. First, Orlando is not a hotzone for COVID, and never has been....the entire county of Orange which is where Orlando is located has had a grand total of 58 COVID related deaths. Second, Naples does not neighbor Orlando....it is about 3.5 hours away in Collier County which is a smaller population with a higher amount of deaths than Orange County. The thing that really made me think the Athletic article was simply made up in the authors apartment is because it claims the Raptors chose Naples because it was using Florida Gulf Coast Universities facilities as part of their small bubble.....but FGCU is not in Naples....it is over an hour away in Fort Myers. It just did not make sense....

[Kingspoint]

Read an article today talking about the Raptors having to get to Florida early because they could not have their players return to Canada to prepare because it would require them the quarantine. There were so many inaccuracies in the article, I think the author may have just made most of it up. First it claimed they were staying in neighboring Naples because Orlando being an epicenter of the COVID outbreak. First, Orlando is not a hotzone for COVID, and never has been....the entire county of Orange which is where Orlando is located has had a grand total of 58 COVID related deaths. Second, Naples does not neighbor Orlando....it is about 3.5 hours away in Collier County which is a smaller population with a higher amount of deaths than Orange County. The thing that really made me think the Athletic article was simply made up in the authors apartment is because it claims the Raptors chose Naples because it was using Florida Gulf Coast Universities facilities as part of their small bubble.....but FGCU is not in Naples....it is over an hour away in Fort Myers. It just did not make sense....

Yeah, Canada today/yesterday extended their 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving from beyond their borders.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

After a positive test for the coronavirus in the Los Angeles Clippers traveling party headed to Orlando next week, the organization closed its practice facility to players and staff as a precaution on Thursday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

A second Heat player has tested positive for COVID-19, and the Heat will shut down individual workouts at AmericanAirlines Arena, according to Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports. Derrick Jones Jr. is the first positive test, and it's currently unknown who has also tested positive on the Heat. Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel does add that it is a rotation player. The Heat are headed to Orlando on July 8, and they will resume activities in the Disney facilities.

SOURCE: Ethan Skolnick on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Gordon Hayward said he'll leave the bubble in Orlando when his wife, whose due date is in September, goes into labor. September would be the midst of the playoffs, so Boston may need to navigate the loss of a key player at a less-than-ideal moment. "That's a pretty easy decision for me," Hayward said. "I've been there for the birth of all my children." Most players who leave the bubble will be required to quarantine for at least 10 days upon re-entry, but players with permission (which Hayward will have) may quarantine for as few as four days.

SOURCE: Jared Weiss on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The notion of a 'second bubble' for the eight teams not going to Orlando appears to have met resistance from many of those teams. Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the NBA is "closing in on ... a second 'bubble' in Chicago ... enabling mini-training camps and subsequent games." However, an executive told NBC's Tom Haberstroh, “I’m shocked [by that report]. There was definitely no consensus." Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com adds that an unnamed veteran texted him, "I probably won’t play if it gets approved. Doubt many vets will.” The Knicks didn't participate in a recent call about the potential 'second bubble', but Steve Popper of Newsday reports that the Knicks "remain skeptical" about the idea.

SOURCE: Tom Haberstroh on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Victor Oladipo has decided to sit out of the resumed NBA season. "As a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart," Oladipo told The Athletic. "But I truly believe continuing on the course I’m on and getting fully healthy for the 2020-21 season is the right decision for me.” Oladipo had been unsure of his status for Orlando since last month, and his decision to opt out isn't a big surprise. Back in March, Oladipo said he still wasn't 100% from his knee surgery, and all this time off does add additional unknowns on his recovery. Oladipo also has one more year under contract with the Pacers, so focusing on 2020-21 makes sense. With him out, Aaron Holiday, T.J. McConnell and Justin Holiday figure to see some extra minutes.

SOURCE: The Athletic

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

A third Heat player has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. One of the players is Derrick Jones Jr., who tested positive on June 23. The other two players have tested positive in recent days -- their names aren't being disclosed, but Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald writes they are both "rotation players." The Heat will travel into the Orlando bubble without these players, and will be without them until their self-isolation is complete, they've passed two negative tests, and they've been cleared to play by a physician.

SOURCE: Barry Jackson on Twitter


Landry Shamet has tested positive for coronavirus and is unlikely to travel with the Clippers to Orlando this week. This doesn't mean Shamet won't eventually join the Clippers in the bubble. Before he does, though, he'll need to self-isolate and pass two negative tests, then test negative again upon arriving in Orlando. Teams won't play exhibitions until July 22 and the Clippers' first real game will be played July 30, so Shamet may not miss any games. Still, the more practices and workouts he misses, the more he'll need to catch up once he's healthy and cleared to play.

SOURCE: Shams Charania on Twitter

[adkindo]

The asterisk is going to be huge for the team that claims the 2019-20 NBA Championship...the funky format, players not participating and what ever players have to exit because of COVID. I get the intentions are good, but if the NBA wanted fans to take the playoffs seriously, the social justice phrases in place of the names and BLM on the courts will only take away from that effort.

[Kingspoint]

Two very important Assistant Coaches, both highly regarded for their ability to inspire quality Defensive efforts from their players, won't be attending because of underlying medical conditions. They did not pass the NBA's 5-member medical team panel that makes the decision.

The Lakers' Lionel Hollins and the Pelicans' Jeff Bzdelik will have to give their assistance from their home training facilities, where they can use the taperoom to assist them and their teams.

This is huge as these are two of the NBA's favorite teams. They were clearly hoping for a 1st Round matchup between the Lakers and the Pelicans. NBATV is featuring just a handful of teams before preseason games begin with repeated multiple times previews of the Lakers, Pelicans, Bucks, Rockets, Clippers and Celtics.

[M2]

The asterisk is going to be huge for the team that claims the 2019-20 NBA Championship...the funky format, players not participating and what ever players have to exit because of COVID. I get the intentions are good, but if the NBA wanted fans to take the playoffs seriously, the social justice phrases in place of the names and BLM on the courts will only take away from that effort.

Does anybody slap asterisks on the 1999 or 2011 titles? I haven't seen it.

And if BLM messages around the court offend you, the NBA probably isn't the league for you.

[Kingspoint]

Does anybody slap asterisks on the 1999 or 2011 titles? I haven't seen it.

And if BLM messages around the court offend you, the NBA probably isn't the league for you.

I see the health of the teams as overriding any asterisk. Never before has a playoff had all the teams involved as nearer full health as they will be this time. Not even close. The conditioning will be an issue over the first 3 preseason games, the 8 pre-playoff games and into the 1st Round, but after that, conditioning won't be an issue. For the first time we will actually see the best teams going head-to-head at full strength, unless of course some go down to COVID or another illness or injury, but that happens anyway in every playoff. They will at least be starting at full strength. With best-of-seven series, the outcomes should not be flukes or have any reason for an asterisk to be placed upon them.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The NBA has informed teams that a player will not be allowed to travel to Orlando if he misses a coronavirus test on one of two days before the travel date (July 7-9), according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Shams adds a player would then have to register three consecutive negative tests before traveling. Additionally, Malika Andrews of ESPN adds that if a player doesn't travel with the team and either flies privately or drives, he will have to have two negative test results before resuming basketball activities -- three tests if it's via a commercial flight.

SOURCE: Shams Charania on Twitter


The Bucks have closed down their practice facility in Milwaukee after a new round of testing on Friday. The facility will remain closed until the team goes to Orlando on Thursday and it will be interesting to see what players might be impacted by a positive test for covid-19. The Bucks are one of the favorites to win an NBA title in Orlando and the odds-on favorite to win the East.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter


Mike Conley is likely to leave the NBA bubble for his child's birth, with a due date of Aug. 27, according to Jazz coach Quin Snyder. Conley was equivocal when asked about exiting the bubble this week, saying, "I’m gonna be in a bubble, but yet if I leave to go see my baby born, I’m gonna be quarantined on the way back in, and possibly have to miss a game or whatever the situation is." Snyder was more direct, saying, "I think he needs to be there [for his child's birth], and he knows that, and he agrees." Players who exit the bubble with approval from the league are only subject to a four-day quarantine, so if Conley does leave he ideally won't miss many games.

SOURCE: Salt Lake Tribune

[adkindo]

Does anybody slap asterisks on the 1999 or 2011 titles? I haven't seen it.

And if BLM messages around the court offend you, the NBA probably isn't the league for you.

Offend me? What are you talking about? Where did I say it offended me? Come on....do not take my post out of context just for the opportunity to virtue signal. The '99 and '11 seasons were labor shortened seasons.....how is that similar in any way to what is taking place now? Everyone knew the rules and format entering those seasons, and outside of X number of games removed from the schedule, the seasons played out as any other season would play out. If someone is watching a clip of the '99 Finals...they may not even be sure if it is the '99 or '03 Spurs team unless they knew the opponent or could pick out a few different players. This season came to a sudden stop around 75% of the way through....took a few months off, and is returning in a format created during the break and playing with no home court advantage. That alone makes it very different than '99 and '11...then on top of that, incorporating the heavy social justice message will just give it a XFL meets exhibition charity tournament feel that will diminish the focus on the actual basketball. Maybe you think that is a good thing and the message is more important than the game....and I am 100% ok with that and even understand the logic behind that opinion....but that does not reduce the fact that it will only highlight the abnormality of the season even more.

[Kingspoint]

When the Kings got hosed, that should have an Asterisk.

[Kingspoint]

Offend me? What are you talking about? Where did I say it offended me? Come on....do not take my post out of context just for the opportunity to virtue signal. The '99 and '11 seasons were labor shortened seasons.....how is that similar in any way to what is taking place now? Everyone knew the rules and format entering those seasons, and outside of X number of games removed from the schedule, the seasons played out as any other season would play out. If someone is watching a clip of the '99 Finals...they may not even be sure if it is the '99 or '03 Spurs team unless they knew the opponent or could pick out a few different players. This season came to a sudden stop around 75% of the way through....took a few months off, and is returning in a format created during the break and playing with no home court advantage. That alone makes it very different than '99 and '11...then on top of that, incorporating the heavy social justice message will just give it a XFL meets exhibition charity tournament feel that will diminish the focus on the actual basketball. Maybe you think that is a good thing and the message is more important than the game....and I am 100% ok with that and even understand the logic behind that opinion....but that does not reduce the fact that it will only highlight the abnormality of the season even more.

When the ball gets tossed into the air, I won't be focusing on anyone's personal opinions about social issues. This is the players' concern. I will try my best to ignore anyone's opinons on social issues.

[Revering4Blue]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Victor Oladipo has decided to sit out of the resumed NBA season. "As a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart," Oladipo told The Athletic. "But I truly believe continuing on the course I’m on and getting fully healthy for the 2020-21 season is the right decision for me.” Oladipo had been unsure of his status for Orlando since last month, and his decision to opt out isn't a big surprise. Back in March, Oladipo said he still wasn't 100% from his knee surgery, and all this time off does add additional unknowns on his recovery. Oladipo also has one more year under contract with the Pacers, so focusing on 2020-21 makes sense. With him out, Aaron Holiday, T.J. McConnell and Justin Holiday figure to see some extra minutes.

SOURCE: The Athletic

The smart choice, IMO.

Given the pre-season questions about Oladipo's health, the fit of Sabonis and Turner playing extended minutes together and Brogdan's durability (the Bucks may have dodged a bullet there), this was considered sort of a redshirt season, so to speak.

[M2]

Offend me? What are you talking about? Where did I say it offended me? Come on....do not take my post out of context just for the opportunity to virtue signal. The '99 and '11 seasons were labor shortened seasons.....how is that similar in any way to what is taking place now? Everyone knew the rules and format entering those seasons, and outside of X number of games removed from the schedule, the seasons played out as any other season would play out. If someone is watching a clip of the '99 Finals...they may not even be sure if it is the '99 or '03 Spurs team unless they knew the opponent or could pick out a few different players. This season came to a sudden stop around 75% of the way through....took a few months off, and is returning in a format created during the break and playing with no home court advantage. That alone makes it very different than '99 and '11...then on top of that, incorporating the heavy social justice message will just give it a XFL meets exhibition charity tournament feel that will diminish the focus on the actual basketball. Maybe you think that is a good thing and the message is more important than the game....and I am 100% ok with that and even understand the logic behind that opinion....but that does not reduce the fact that it will only highlight the abnormality of the season even more.

It won't diminish anything. Anybody who's been following the NBA at all knows this is right in line with where the league has been moving.

[Revering4Blue]

Does anybody slap asterisks on the 1999 or 2011 titles? I haven't seen it.

Phil Jackson, who was in the midst of his one year sabbatical during the '99 season, repeatedly placed the "asterisk" title on the '99 season. While I personally don't refer to the '99 and '11 seasons as an "asterisk" season, his reasoning was/is sound : compressed season with many back-to-backs (long before the practice of load management) hampered the older contending teams at time, such as Utah and Indiana. But it may have been San Antonio's time, anyway and that's still no excuse for the Pacers gagging away the ECF - worst blown referee's call in game three (Larry Johnson's phantom four-point play) be dammed. And New York, IMO, may well have won it all that season with a healthy Ewing.

Edit: The '11-'12 season was the shortened season with virtually the same dynamic as '99, and the young whippersnappers in OKC lost to the considerably older Heat in the Finals.

[Revering4Blue]

When the Kings got hosed, that should have an Asterisk.

No question that the '02 WCF game six was clearly rigged, but, IMO, more so to ensure a game 7 than to place the Lakers into the Finals. After all, the Kings had home-court advantage and were hosting game 7 and IIRC, lost game one at home in addition to losing game 7 thanks to bricking too many free throws. And Webber getting hurt and missing a great deal of the '03-'04 season (he was never really the same player after that) effectively ended the window of contention for that Kings core.

[Kingspoint]

The smart choice, IMO.

Given the pre-season questions about Oladipo's health, the fit of Sabonis and Turner playing extended minutes together and Brogdan's durability (the Bucks may have dodged a bullet there), this was considered sort of a redshirt season, so to speak.

Though a personal decision, Nate and Prtich are good people to have had available to confer about this.

[Kingspoint]

Does anybody slap asterisks on the 1999 or 2011 titles? I haven't seen it.



Would like to place an question mark over Dunleavy's decision to remove Stoudamire from the game in the 4th Quarter. His headiness was needed to hold back the wave of the Lakers' 4th Quarter, game 6 rally.

[adkindo]

It won't diminish anything. Anybody who's been following the NBA at all knows this is right in line with where the league has been moving.

Ok, feels like you are conflating your personal feelings about the social justice issues with how these decisions will effect public perception as a whole. I am not making an emotional argument.....they could be focused on promoting the greatness of WVU Football/Basketball and my feelings would be exactly the same. The goal is uniformity between the seasons....and everything that gets away from the look and feel of the standard NBA Season / Playoffs will only increase the weight of the asterisk.

I am not sure why you suggest this is in line with the direction of the NBA. Sure it has been more progressive in allowing players to express views, but just last year it was still mandatory to stand for the anthem, and now some owners and league officials are almost encouraging players to protest during the anthem. Similar in regards to any messaging....last year players needed league approval to wear a shirt in warmups, and this year they are promoting personal messages on the court and jerseys. In line? Maybe, but that line is taking a massive leap this season.

Finally, from the initial post, I am looking at it from a business and legacy perspective. I have explained why I do not think any deviation helps in the legacy department, but I also expect it to hurt business if recent history is an indicator. Since Silver took over the league and pushed a more progressive narrative, every year the television ratings and game attendance decline...and I would expect a significant drop off this season because of the manner they are moving forward. It is a large reason why the NBA is terrified of upsetting China, because they are desperate for China to fill in for the decline in the US.

[adkindo]

Would like to place an question mark over Dunleavy's decision to remove Stoudamire from the game in the 4th Quarter. His headiness was needed to hold back the wave of the Lakers' 4th Quarter, game 6 rally.

Assume you are referring to the 2000 Playoffs? I think it was Bonzi Wells getting his minutes in that game? Game 6 was Bonzi's best game in the playoffs that year.

[M2]

Ok, feels like you are conflating your personal feelings about the social justice issues with how these decisions will effect public perception as a whole. I am not making an emotional argument.....they could be focused on promoting the greatness of WVU Football/Basketball and my feelings would be exactly the same. The goal is uniformity between the seasons....and everything that gets away from the look and feel of the standard NBA Season / Playoffs will only increase the weight of the asterisk.

I am not sure why you suggest this is in line with the direction of the NBA. Sure it has been more progressive in allowing players to express views, but just last year it was still mandatory to stand for the anthem, and now some owners and league officials are almost encouraging players to protest during the anthem. Similar in regards to any messaging....last year players needed league approval to wear a shirt in warmups, and this year they are promoting personal messages on the court and jerseys. In line? Maybe, but that line is taking a massive leap this season.

Finally, from the initial post, I am looking at it from a business and legacy perspective. I have explained why I do not think any deviation helps in the legacy department, but I also expect it to hurt business if recent history is an indicator. Since Silver took over the league and pushed a more progressive narrative, every year the television ratings and game attendance decline...and I would expect a significant drop off this season because of the manner they are moving forward. It is a large reason why the NBA is terrified of upsetting China, because they are desperate for China to fill in for the decline in the US.

From a business perspective, the NBA will continue to march in the direction it's been headed since Silver took over and the courtside/jersey messaging will be a natural extension of that. That should be as plain as the nose on your face. You can look at this chart of the league's total revenue - https://www.statista.com/statistics/193467/total-league-revenue-of-the-nba-since-2005/ - to see how well it's been working.

[dubc47834]

The asterisk is going to be huge for the team that claims the 2019-20 NBA Championship...the funky format, players not participating and what ever players have to exit because of COVID. I get the intentions are good, but if the NBA wanted fans to take the playoffs seriously, the social justice phrases in place of the names and BLM on the courts will only take away from that effort.

I don't get it...fans will take the playoffs more seriously if they don't put BLM on courts and the phrases on jersey's. I doubt it. That won't affect the team that eventually wins it and their credibility as the season champ. Now I do see it driving away some viewers, right or wrong!

[dubc47834]

It won't diminish anything. Anybody who's been following the NBA at all knows this is right in line with where the league has been moving.

Exactly...the NBA is one of the most progressive and player friendly leagues in sports!

[Boston Red]

Exactly...the NBA is one of the most progressive and player friendly leagues in sports!

Just as long as none of those players take issue with China, of course. Uyghur Lives Matter would have been a tough sell.

[Kingspoint]

Assume you are referring to the 2000 Playoffs? I think it was Bonzi Wells getting his minutes in that game? Game 6 was Bonzi's best game in the playoffs that year.

Yes. The 2019-20 season. Damon Stoudamire was the only player on the team (not even Pippen) who was under control in the 4th Quarter and who could hit a basket. Everyone else was throwing up clinkers and duds and making mental mistakes. Dunleavy was not a very good coach. He couldn't even see this and took Damon out putting in his regulars. I don't remember Wells from that game.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The Kings practice facility has reportedly been shut down due to COVID-19. Sam Amick is reporting that there was a positive test within the team's traveling party on Sunday and the Kings are set to head to Orlando on Wednesday. The Kings are the seventh of 22 teams heading to Orlando who have taken similar measures recently, joining the Bucks, Heat, Clippers, Nuggets, Suns and Nets. Orlando is going to be a very interesting experiment, but it's not off to a very good start so far.

Source: Sam Amick on Twitter

[M2]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The Kings practice facility has reportedly been shut down due to COVID-19. Sam Amick is reporting that there was a positive test within the team's traveling party on Sunday and the Kings are set to head to Orlando on Wednesday. The Kings are the seventh of 22 teams heading to Orlando who have taken similar measures recently, joining the Bucks, Heat, Clippers, Nuggets, Suns and Nets. Orlando is going to be a very interesting experiment, but it's not off to a very good start so far.

Source: Sam Amick on Twitter

The thing European soccer had going for it was those nations hammered down the incidence of the disease. Our sports leagues are trying to do this in the middle of a Petri dish.

[Kingspoint]

The thing European soccer had going for it was those nations hammered down the incidence of the disease. Our sports leagues are trying to do this in the middle of a Petri dish.

Yes. Trying to apply social distancing when social distancing isn't taken very seriously seems impossible. The NBA could shut down before the first 11 games get played. We just don't know. They have to at least try. The economies have to get moving or COVID-19 will be the least or our worries.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Yes. Trying to apply social distancing when social distancing isn't taken very seriously seems impossible. The NBA could shut down before the first 11 games get played. We just don't know. They have to at least try. The economies have to get moving or COVID-19 will be the least or our worries.

I feel like there’s a saying about learning to crawl before you learn to walk...

[Kingspoint]

I feel like there’s a saying about learning to crawl before you learn to walk...

Yes.

[adkindo]

I don't remember Wells from that game.

if my recollection is correct....Game 6 is when he came off the bench and dropped like 20 points and made almost every shot.

[adkindo]

From a business perspective, the NBA will continue to march in the direction it's been headed since Silver took over and the courtside/jersey messaging will be a natural extension of that. That should be as plain as the nose on your face. You can look at this chart of the league's total revenue - https://www.statista.com/statistics/193467/total-league-revenue-of-the-nba-since-2005/ - to see how well it's been working.

Link requires a subscription? Revenue has increased, but that increase has been from international revenue and most of the growth is taking place in China. It is black and white facts that Game Attendance and Television ratings in the US have been on the decline since Silver took over. Having to cozy up to a brutal oppressive communist regime to keep the dollars flowing is somewhat repulsive. The NBA lost all credibility in caring about human rights, social justice and racial/ethnic oppression when they bent the knee to China in October....and suddenly guys like Lebron, Kerr, Popovich and Silver had no opinions in regards to China. The NBA takes a stand when North Carolina tries to mandate biological males utilize male bathrooms....but has no issue with over a million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, ethnic Turkic Muslims and Christians being held in concentration camps in China. I am not surprised in the least that you do not see the hypocrisy.

[M2]

Link requires a subscription? Revenue has increased, but that increase has been from international revenue and most of the growth is taking place in China. It is black and white facts that Game Attendance and Television ratings in the US have been on the decline since Silver took over. Having to cozy up to a brutal oppressive communist regime to keep the dollars flowing is somewhat repulsive. The NBA lost all credibility in caring about human rights, social justice and racial/ethnic oppression when they bent the knee to China in October....and suddenly guys like Lebron, Kerr, Popovich and Silver had no opinions in regards to China. The NBA takes a stand when North Carolina tries to mandate biological males utilize male bathrooms....but has no issue with over a million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, ethnic Turkic Muslims and Christians being held in concentration camps in China. I am not surprised in the least that you do not see the hypocrisy.

Doesn't require subscription for me and I definitely have no subscription. Anyway, league revenues were static in Stern's later years (spent 8 years $3 billions). Silver took over and they hockey-sticked up ($8.76 billion in 2071/18). That's the black-and-white fact. The NBA has more than doubled its revenues in a fairly short amount of time. You can keep shifting the goalposts all you want. Won't change that your original point was flat wrong. What they're doing in response to nationwide BLM protests is completely in line with where they've been headed. If MLB was doing this, it would feel like a reach. With the NBA, seems like business as usual ... and business has been booming. It would actually be weird if the NBA didn't use its platform to further this cause.

As for the China stuff, I'm all for them taking stands against any oppressive regime. And more people should have come out to support Darryl Morey for a simple RT. Yet the league operates in the U.S., which means our issues are going to be front and center.

[Boston Red]

As for the China stuff, I'm all for them taking stands against any oppressive regime. And more people should have come out to support Darryl Morey for a simple RT.

Personally, I don't think anyone in the NBA has a responsibility to speak out on China. I just think it's disappointing the way the league reacted when someone actually (very gently) did.

[M2]

Personally, I don't think anyone in the NBA has a responsibility to speak out on China. I just think it's disappointing the way the league reacted when someone actually (very gently) did.

Totally agreed. However, that doesn't form the case for why the NBA now can't address a domestic issue that has seized our nation and involves the bulk of its players. I'm just not having these made up and nonsensical rules for why it can't do what it was obviously going to do.

[Kingspoint]

if my recollection is correct....Game 6 is when he came off the bench and dropped like 20 points and made almost every shot.

Not in the 4th Quarter.

[Kingspoint]

Blazers lost their Assistant Coach, Dale Osbourne. It's not stated why he won't be traveling with the team, but he won't. He was Stotts' first hire when he became Head Coach of the Trailblazers.

[Kingspoint]

Beal's not going to play, making their game against the Pelicans that much easier. There isn't a single team worthy of being in the playoffs among the eight games the Pelicans will play.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

The Nuggets have officially promoted Calvin Booth to be their next general manager.

Calvin was the assistant GM in Denver since 2017 and this move was the expectation since April after former GM Arturas Karnisovas joined the Bulls. “Calvin is one of the brightest basketball minds in our league,” president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said. “We are very fortunate to have him as part of our organization and are extremely excited for his new role.”

SOURCE: Marc Stein on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

With the Nets and Wizards depleted of players, the Bucks can just rest up and wait for the 2nd round to start.

[dubc47834]

With the Nets and Wizards depleted of players, the Bucks can just rest up and wait for the 2nd round to start.

I disagree. Teams should already be rested up, now they need to build that on court team chemistry back up. There is no home court advantage now, so it's going to be all about which team is playing the best. In years past teams could skate by because they had home court, not this year!

[Bourgeois Zee]

I disagree. Teams should already be rested up, now they need to build that on court team chemistry back up. There is no home court advantage now, so it's going to be all about which team is playing the best. In years past teams could skate by because they had home court, not this year!

If anything, the best teams get screwed over by this whole scenario. Those who've been truly dominant all season get no home court help.

Teams with extreme splits are really interesting to examine. Do they get hyped by the home crowd and will therefore play lackadaisically in Orlando? Or will they be able to play better against tougher competition without away crowds getting in their heads?

If anything, this is the year to bet on the NBA (and MLB). This type of sprint/ lack of home court hasn't been done before. Vegas is driving blind. As a result, mistakes can be made.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has been cleared to travel with the team to the bubble in Orlando, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Gregg Popovich will also be traveling with the Spurs, and all signs point to Mike D'Antoni coaching the Rockets when they resume the season -- that accounts for the 65+ contingent of NBA head coaches.

SOURCE: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter

[Revering4Blue]

Yes. The 2019-20 season. Damon Stoudamire was the only player on the team (not even Pippen) who was under control in the 4th Quarter and who could hit a basket. Everyone else was throwing up clinkers and duds and making mental mistakes. Dunleavy was not a very good coach. He couldn't even see this and took Damon out putting in his regulars. I don't remember Wells from that game.The Blazers actually won game 6 of the 2000 WCF on the same night that Indiana advanced to the Finals. It was game 7 on the road in LA in which the Blazers collapsed in the 4th quarter. But you are correct about all other details.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

[Kingspoint]

The Blazers actually won game 6 of the 2000 WCF on the same night that Indiana advanced to the Finals. It was game 7 on the road in LA in which the Blazers collapsed in the 4th quarter. But you are correct about all other details.

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

Even worse. No wonder I couldn't remember Bonzi's contribution, because it was Game 7 I was speaking of.

[Kingspoint]

Information regarding the restart with schedules, teams, etc.

https://stats.nba.com/returntoplay2020/

[Kingspoint]

From blazersedge.com :

https://www.blazersedge.com/2020/7/10/21320256/portland-trail-blazers-nba-season-restart-2020-orlando-covid-disney-bubble



"When it comes to isolating during the NBA season restart in Orlando, Florida, the Portland Trail Blazers are well-positioned. On the scale of team temperament, they’re far closer to Marian the Librarian than the guys from Animal House. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, that makes them well-suited for multiple weeks of solitude on the Disney campus.

Quick offers this assertion:
"The Blazers are in large part a no-frills team when it comes to entertainment. During the season nobody is big on the club scene. Nobody gambles. And when it comes down to it, most Blazers would rather spend their free time getting shots up in an open gym. It’s part of the DNA top executive Neil Olshey looks for in building a roster — players who are at the point of their career where basketball and winning matters more than the weather, the club scene and other nightlife accouterments that are lacking in Portland."

He bolsters the claim by citing Carmelo Anthony’s year-long preparation regimen to return to the NBA, plus the habits of Damian Lillard, Zach Collins, and more. Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts seems unconcerned about the issue, or his team’s focus:

"The businesslike approach is consistent with how the Blazers have conducted themselves under coach Terry Stotts, who has rarely needed to fine or discipline players during his eight seasons. He called this group “very focused” because of the tone set by Lillard, Anthony, McCollum and Nurkic."

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld.com:

Goran Dragic said that Bam Adebayo and Kendrick Nunn are not with the Heat on Friday. "Hopefully Bam can come and K. Nunn and we can be a whole team and make some damage,” Dragic said. Besides Derrick Jones Jr., two other Heat rotation players have tested positive for COVID-19, so it's possible the two players are Bam and Nunn. The team is optimistic that they will have a full team before the games start. There could be an update on Bam and Nunn in the coming days.

Source: Ira Winderman on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Buddy Hield posted on social media that he's on the way to Orlando. Hield told the Sacramento Bee earlier this weekend that he'd be arriving in Orlando soon, and coach Luke Walton indicated that Hield has registered two negative COVID-19 tests which means he should have the green light to join his teammates at practice in the near future. Hield was thriving in his new role off the bench prior to the pause, averaging 19.4 points, 2.7 dimes and 4.4 triples.

SOURCE: Sacramento Bee

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Coach Doc Rivers confirmed Kawhi Leonard is in Orlando and is in quarantine. This confirms a report on Friday night that Kawhi was headed to Florida, and the quarantine is just part of the NBA protocol. Rivers also said that he doesn't know the plan on Kawhi's minutes, but said everyone is fully healthy now. Leonard will likely have some form of limit on him over the eight seeding games, and he may sit out more than one contest.

SOURCE: Jovan Buha on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Celtics coach Brad Stevens confirmed that Kemba Walker (left knee) will likely have restrictions at the beginning of the Orlando restart. Stevens basically echoed his comments from Friday in which he said the Celtics are "going to move very slowly with Kemba." Stevens hinted that he's expecting a minutes limit for about the first week of seeding games in the hope that Kemba doesn't have to be limited at all during the actual postseason.

SOURCE: Boston.com Celtics News

[adkindo]

Rondo is out 6-8 weeks with broken thumb...

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29453748/lakers-rajon-rondo-suffers-broken-right-thumb-practice

[Kingspoint]

Rondo is out 6-8 weeks with broken thumb...

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29453748/lakers-rajon-rondo-suffers-broken-right-thumb-practice

Yes. Lakers will be missing their best PG when they play the Blazers in the 1st Rd.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Buddy Hield posted on social media that he's on the way to Orlando. Hield told the Sacramento Bee earlier this weekend that he'd be arriving in Orlando soon, and coach Luke Walton indicated that Hield has registered two negative COVID-19 tests which means he should have the green light to join his teammates at practice in the near future. Hield was thriving in his new role off the bench prior to the pause, averaging 19.4 points, 2.7 dimes and 4.4 triples.

SOURCE: Sacramento Bee


***UPDATE***

Buddy Hield and Jabari Parker have joined the Kings in Orlando on Sunday. Both guys will have to pass a couple COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour period to start practicing with the Kings. The Kings went full-contact on Sunday for their third straight day of practice and will have the day off on Monday. Hield and Parker will be a little behind once they're back on the court but it sounds like should be ready to go very soon.

Source: James Ham on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

“There are unknown effects it has on lung capacity, unknown effects it has on cardiac health,” said one general manager of a team entering the NBA bubble, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “What if a 24-year-old catches it in Orlando and, in 14 days, he quarantines and is fine, but then he has these everlasting heart problems? [Or he] gets winded so easily, or he becomes a little bit too susceptible to fatigue? ... These are all the unknowns.”

The league has plans to screen players for cardiac anomalies prior to their return to play.

"Any player who tests positive for the virus must undergo a “COVID-19 Pre-Participation Cardiac Screening” in accordance with CDC protocols before beginning team-organized activities, according to the league’s health and safety protocols."

The above from a sports article speaking about the unknown long-term effects that these players are gambling doesn't happen to them. Remember, these aren't your Joe-Blow's off the street. They have the best doctors, cardio and health and fitness experts money can buy advising them daily about anything happening to their bodies.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2020/7/12/21321785/coronavirus-may-have-lasting-consequences-for-athletes-cardiovascular-system

[M2]

Yes. Lakers will be missing their best PG when they play the Blazers in the 1st Rd.

I'm confused. Will the Blazers be on site to watch the Lakers face CP3/SGA or Jrue/Lonzo?

[dubc47834]

I'm confused. Will the Blazers be on site to watch the Lakers face CP3/SGA or Jrue/Lonzo?

Maybe they have received special clearance from the NBA to be fans in the stands once the regular season is over!

[Kingspoint]

I'm confused. Will the Blazers be on site to watch the Lakers face CP3/SGA or Jrue/Lonzo?

While it's true that the NBA did everything in their power to ensure that NOP will go 8-0 in this, they need only lose once to open the door for the Blazers to get in instead of them. (if POR and NOP have identical records over these 8 games, such as 7-1, 6-2, then POR gets the 9th seed on percentage points. If they both go 8-0, POR loses it's percentage points lead because both teams reach .500. NOP then gets in having won the season series.)

Westbrook has COVID-19. He'll surely miss the game against the Blazers. The GODS will get this right.

[Kingspoint]

From the idiots-r-us pages:

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Richaun Holmes broke quarantine while picking up a food delivery and he now must quarantine an additional 10 days. The NBA is taking their bubble at Disney very seriously, so Holmes stepping off the campus for even a minor thing will result in a 10-day quarantine. He should be fine for the re-start of the NBA season, though.

Source: Shams Charania on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Steve Clifford said he'll need another 2-3 weeks before the Magic can determine if Jonathan Isaac (knee) will be able to play in the re-started season. "In terms of will [Isaac] be ready, I don’t think we’ll know that for 2-to-3 weeks," said Clifford. "He’s not able to play 5-on-5 yet. He’s made great progress, he’s a terrific worker, so I couldn’t say enough good things about him. It’ll be difficult to know for a couple more weeks." Just last week we heard reports of it being unlikely that Isaac would be cleared, and while Isaac is "optimistic" about his chances, it's not uncommon for players to be overly optimistic when discussing their injuries. There's a chance he'll play, but he'll likely have restrictions, and the Magic may be wise to err on the side of caution here.

Source: John Denton on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Gary Harris, Michael Porter Jr. and Torrey Craig have yet to join the Nuggets in the Orlando bubble. They still have time to get to the squad for the restarted season, and Nikola Jokic is another player who has yet to join the team in Orlando. Once they arrive, they will be required to post two negative COVID-19 test results before they're cleared for basketball activities.

Source: Chris Haynes on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

More from the idiots-r-us files:

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Bruno Caboclo reportedly inadvertently broke quarantine and he will now need to self-quarantine in his room for eight days. Caboclo is in Orlando and left his room during the initial quarantine period, which is explicitly against the rules. He claims he didn't know he wasn't allowed to leave his room, however, the league made it clear to all their players and staff of the required protocol for the Orlando bubble. Still, he'll have enough time to get cleared for the restart of the NBA season on July 31.

Source: Tim MacMahon on Twitter

- - - Updated - - -

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Russell Westbrook has tested positive for COVID-19 and he's gone into quarantine. Westbrook was not part of the initial Houston crew that traveled to the Orlando bubble, so at least this isn't something that will start spreading in the locker room. He'll now have to self-quarantine for 14 days and Westbrook will not be allowed to enter the bubble until he posts two negative COVID-19 tests. Luckily, he's feeling well and should have enough time to join his squad for the restarted season.

Source: Russell Westbrook on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Melo:

"You may feel stuck. You may feel lost. You may be confused. I’m sure you have so many questions. The unknown is what keeps you up at night, but I want you to know your thoughts are POWERFUL. Believe me when I say this, you will get through this fog and uncertainty. Know you can do anything you set your mind to. Learn to trust your instinct. Get rid of that doubt. challenge your fears, overcome them and make them your strengths. Your circumstances do not define who you are as a young man, especially a black boy. It’s hard for me to tell you not to be afraid. I’m still afraid.

The struggle of life is, and always will be, a struggle against your own weakness. Will you become cowardly and think, “I can’t do this. I’m certain to fail”? Or will you challenge the difficulties that lie ahead with the courage of your convictions and tell yourself, “I AM STRONG! oh, and by the way, I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD”? You’re probably questioning whether or not you can become stronger still. Your destiny in life will vary greatly depending on the spirit that you maintain and where you allow it to take you. Just like anything else in life, there will be good and there will be evil. The key is in how you work to overcome that evil, and harness that energy to turn it into power."


In other words, You decide what happens to you in Life. Nobody but you. Your Life is 100% the results of your own decisions. Do not let doubt creep into your mind about your possibilities and your abilities. You can do anything you set your mind to.

[M2]

But does Melo want to play defense?

[Kingspoint]

But does Melo want to play defense?

Yes. He's in phenomenal shape. Slimmer than in March.

Oladipo does, too. He changed his mind and is opting in. Better hurry up and get there.

Starting five will be:

Zach
Nurk
Melo
Dame
C.J.

Trent and Whiteside will be first two in.

[M2]

Yes. He's in phenomenal shape. Slimmer than in March.

Oladipo does, too. He changed his mind and is opting in. Better hurry up and get there.

Starting five will be:

Zach
Nurk
Melo
Dame
C.J.

Trent and Whiteside will be first two in.

I have never seen a sports fan Wile E. Coyote off a cliff repeatedly quite the way you have with the Blazers this season.

[Kingspoint]

I have never seen a sports fan Wile E. Coyote off a cliff repeatedly quite the way you have with the Blazers this season.

It's going to be so much fun when I'm right and everyone else is wrong (just like the last several years with the Blazers finishing above national expectations every single season). Will be a blast waving good-bye to the NBA's newest annointed one.

[M2]

It's going to be so much fun when I'm right and everyone else is wrong (just like the last several years with the Blazers finishing above national expectations every single season). Will be a blast waving good-bye to the NBA's newest annointed one.

Well, enjoy your delusion while it lasts.

[Kingspoint]

Well, enjoy your delusion while it lasts.

Thank you. Gives others something to root against, too.

[Kingspoint]

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1282429350000951298


https://mobile.twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1282429350000951298

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Harrison Barnes has tested positive for COVID-19. Barnes tested positive prior to the team flight to Orlando and he's currently quarantining at home, but he expects to join his teammates at Disney once he's medically cleared. He's primarily been asymptomatic and is feeling well, so he should be able to rejoin his teammates in time for the re-start.

SOURCE: Harrison Barnes on Twitter


The Blazers need him healthy for any hopes for the Kings winning one of the two games they have against the Pelicans. With him, they could win both. Without him, they will get swept.

Barnes is the #1 reason the Kings went 10-5 after Feb. 3rd. He scored efficiently. He scored in volumes. He put pressure on the opposing Defense by both spreading the floor with volume and efficiency from beyond the arc while also getting to the free throw line at a decent clip. He distributed the ball at a very high rate for a scoring non-PG. He rebounded well and as a very experienced veteran, he obviously was a leader on the floor.

[Kingspoint]

https://www.kittyworks.com/images/qo2gowzutpm-i.jpg


From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

Multiple tips have been placed on the NBA's anonymous hotline to report protocol violations, which has resulted in some players receiving warnings. The NBA is enforcing strict social distancings and mask guidelines at the Disney World Campus, and they have provided an avenue to anonymously report violations in order to ensure their policies are followed.

SOURCE: Shams Charania on Twitter

[Boston Red]

If you see something, say something! Normally a bit creepy, but in this case I certainly get it.

[TOG]

It's going to be so much fun when I'm right and everyone else is wrong (just like the last several years with the Blazers finishing above national expectations every single season). Will be a blast waving good-bye to the NBA's newest annointed one.

The blazers have been awful all season.

[Kingspoint]

The blazers have been awful all season.

Yes. Those scrubs the Blazers had to use were awful. We won't be seeing any of them in Orlando.

[Kingspoint]

So, Oladipo decided to play after he was informed that he wouldn't get paid. Same goes for the WNBA's reigning MVP.

[DocRed]

BTW the whole Rajon Rondo hotel outrage twitter thing is WAY overdone. I saw the pictures of the hotel room and that room is no better than the thousands of nights I have spent at Holiday Inn's and Hampton Inns over the years. Definitely not what I would expect out of a $300 a night Disney Resort that the NBA paid $150M for....

[Kingspoint]

BTW the whole Rajon Rondo hotel outrage twitter thing is WAY overdone. I saw the pictures of the hotel room and that room is no better than the thousands of nights I have spent at Holiday Inn's and Hampton Inns over the years. Definitely not what I would expect out of a $300 a night Disney Resort that the NBA paid $150M for....

They make up for it with selfies with Mickey.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

James Harden has arrived in Orlando for the resumption of the NBA season. There were rumors that he had tested positive for COVID-19 but that does not appear to be the case. He'll have to isolate for three consecutive negative tests before he's cleared to join the team, but our money's on him being out there for Game 1 of the restart on July 31 against the Mavericks.

SOURCE: Marc Stein on Twitter


Nikola Jokic has officially joined his teammates in the Orlando bubble. Jokic tested positive for the coronavirus while in Serbia and some logistical issues delayed his arrival to the bubble, but he's posted multiple negative tests for COVID-19 and is officially on the Disney campus. He still needs to clear a physical before he's allowed to practice, though, so he'll be watching Tuesday's practice from the sidelines.

SOURCE: Denver Nuggets on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Dennis Schroder says that his wife is due in three or four weeks with their child and that he will "for sure" leave the bubble when it happens. It doesn't mean that he won't return for the playoffs, but it does mean that he could miss some time, especially with the quarantine rules for re-entry into the bubble. While he's out, both Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are going to eat, big time.

SOURCE: Royce Young on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles are the only Kings' big men available for the resumption of play in late July. "The only bigs we have out right now are Marvin and Harry," Coach Luke Walton said. "So They’re both getting a lot of reps and they’re both playing great. They look good, they’re moving well and they’re getting 100 percent of the reps right now." The Kings take on the LaMarcus Aldridge-less Spurs on July 31, so both players will be in play in DFS. Alex Len (COVID-19) and Richaun Holmes (quarantine) aren't available right now.

SOURCE: Jason Jones on Twitter

[Bourgeois Zee]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles are the only Kings' big men available for the resumption of play in late July. "The only bigs we have out right now are Marvin and Harry," Coach Luke Walton said. "So They’re both getting a lot of reps and they’re both playing great. They look good, they’re moving well and they’re getting 100 percent of the reps right now." The Kings take on the LaMarcus Aldridge-less Spurs on July 31, so both players will be in play in DFS. Alex Len (COVID-19) and Richaun Holmes (quarantine) aren't available right now.

Not a huge deal, IMO. While Holmes is a blow, Bjelica is big enough to bang down low (and should be a shoot-first, stretch five anyway). Cory Brewer and Harrison Barnes can move down to the PF position too, providing Sacramento with real shooting around Fox at all times.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Markelle Fultz has arrived in Orlando and will now quarantine inside the bubble. He didn't travel with his teammates back on July 7th to tend to a personal matter. All we know is that it wasn't in any way related to COVID-19. Fultz will rejoin his teammates at practice in the near future and will look to build on his promising season as Orlando's starting PG. Prior to the pause, Fultz was averaging 12.1 points, 5.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.5 triples.

SOURCE: Josh Robbins on Twitter

- - - Updated - - -

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Malcolm Brogdon (COVID-19) went through practice for the first time on Wednesday. He recovered from the virus over a week ago and "looked pretty good" at practice. Conditioning will likely be the main concern for Brogdon, as the time off likely helped him recover from the variety of injuries he suffered this season. With Victor Oladipo optimistic about playing, the Pacers should be close to full strength for the restart and look like a sleeper team in the East. Before the season was paused, Brogdon was having a career year with 16.3 points, 7.1 dimes, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 triples.

SOURCE: Scott Agness on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes told Bill Simmons on his latest podcast that the Blazers could be a “dangerous” team, even for the top-seeded Lakers, if they make the playoffs:

“If Portland gets the play-in game, I think they win it. And if Portland is in this thing, Bill, to me, they’re the most dangerous team in this league. I think if they get in, even if it’s the Lakers at the No. 1 seed, Portland has the potential to take the Lakers to the distance. And if they happen to get by the Lakers, you could see them in the Finals, man.”

Haynes then went to explain his confidence in Portland, citing the team’s improved health and “ultra-motivated” stars:

“[Jusuf] Nurkic is back. Zach Collins is back. Dame and CJ, they have been ultra-motivated. I’m being dead serious, they are ultra-motivated. That’s the scariest team out there.”

In the East, Haynes believes nothing will stop Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks from making the Finals.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Marcus Smart said he's not experiencing any negative side effects after having recovered from the coronavirus. "Everything is copasetic for me,” Smart told reporters following Wednesday's practice. “My breathing is fine, my heart is fine. It just feels good to be back out here. I think I’m back to myself." Smart was part of the initial wave of players that tested positive for COVID-19, but he's since recovered and ready to attack the re-started season. He could have a slightly larger role out the gates with Kemba Walker (knee) expected to be limited.

SOURCE: masslive

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

An MRI revealed that De'Aaron Fox suffered a left ankle sprain at Wednesday's practice and he'll be re-evalauted in 7-10 days. Yikes, Fox had a tough time staying healthy this season, and this is the second time he's sustained an ankle injury during practice. We don't know the severity just yet, but he won't have much time to recover with the season set to restart at the end of July. If he's not ready when the season resumes, Cory Joseph would start and Buddy Hield would be asked to do a bit more on offense. Stay tuned.

SOURCE: Jason Anderson on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

The Pelicans announced Thursday morning that Zion Williamson has left the team to attend to an "urgent family medical matter." "We fully support Zion's decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family," Pelicans executive VP David Griffin said in a statement released by the team. "Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time." Williamson plans to rejoin the team in Orlando at a later date, but when that will be is unknown for obvious reasons. And upon his return the rookie will have to go through a quarantine period before he's allowed to rejoin the rest of the Pelicans travel party. New Orleans opens seeding play on July 30 against the Jazz.

SOURCE: New Orleans Pelicans

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said on Thursday that Jalen Brunson has remained in Dallas to finish rehab after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Carlisle also reiterated that Brunson, who underwent surgery in March right after play was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will not see any action this season. It remains to be seen if he will join his teammates in Orlando at some point.

SOURCE: Callie Caplan on Twitter


That's actually a good thing for DAL as Seth Curry was lighting it up when given the opportunity at the end of the season in February/March. 30+ minutes a game for Seth is a good thing for DAL.


Rick Carlisle reiterated on Thursday that Dwight Powell (right Achilles tendon) will not play again this season, even if the team were to reach the NBA Finals. This was understood from the moment that Powell ruptured his Achilles in January, with the recovery period projected to run anywhere from nine to twelve months. But he has made strides in his recovery, as it was reported in early July that Powell was doing some light jogging and agility work. The Mavericks will be without two rotation players in Orlando, as Jalen Brunson (right shoulder) continues to rehab after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum.

SOURCE: Dwain Price on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Nikola Jokic (COVID-19) joined his teammates for Wednesday's practice session in Orlando. Jokic tested positive for COVID-19 in his native Serbia in June, and after getting back to full strength he dealt with some travel issues in getting back to the States. After going through the league-mandated quarantine period, the All-Star center was back on the court with his teammates for Wednesday's practice. Jokic and the Nuggets open their eight-game schedule on August 1 with a matchup against the Heat.

SOURCE: Denver Nuggets

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Trey Lyles will not be available for the Spurs' re-start due to appendicitis. The Spurs are already without LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) for the remainder of the 2019-20 re-start, so without Lyles they'll be leaning heavily on Jakob Poeltl, Chimezie Metu and Luka Samanic. Most of the Spurs' fantasy value will skew to the guards, though Poeltl will be an intriguing per-minute source of boards and blocks.

SOURCE: Paul Garcia on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

Markieff Morris has reportedly not joined the Lakers in Orlando due to an "excused absence." Morris is "expected to join the [Lakers] in the bubble soon."

SOURCE: Mike Trudell on Twitter

[Kingspoint]

A LeBron James rookie card, currently set to sell for nearly $1 million at auction, could fetch up to $2 million by the time bidding ends on Saturday night, as detailed by Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report:
Bidding opened at $150,000, but it was up to $900,000 as of Wednesday night. With the fee, that would push the final price to more than $1 million.

Look for it to go much higher before bidding ends Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, though, as TMZ Sports noted experts believe it could fetch $2 million by the end of the auction.

[Boston Red]

A LeBron James rookie card, currently set to sell for nearly $1 million at auction, could fetch up to $2 million by the time bidding ends on Saturday night, as detailed by Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report:
Bidding opened at $150,000, but it was up to $900,000 as of Wednesday night. With the fee, that would push the final price to more than $1 million.

Look for it to go much higher before bidding ends Saturday at 10 p.m. ET, though, as TMZ Sports noted experts believe it could fetch $2 million by the end of the auction.

Oh man, I better dust off my Gregg Jefferies Donruss Rated Rookie card. And my Billy Ripken fk face!

On NBA cards, I actually bought exactly one pack of cards for the 1986-87 Fleer set ('Nique but no Jordan for me). If I had bought as many packs of that Fleer basketball set as I did Topps baseball cards the same year, I'd be comfortably retired.

[Kingspoint]

Oh man, I better dust off my Gregg Jefferies Donruss Rated Rookie card. And my Billy Ripken fk face!

On NBA cards, I actually bought exactly one pack of cards for the 1986-87 Fleer set ('Nique but no Jordan for me). If I had bought as many packs of that Fleer basketball set as I did Topps baseball cards the same year, I'd be comfortably retired.

My favorite baseball set is the '86 Fleer Glossy (and the extended set that they added to it). Worked at a card shop in '87.

- - - Updated - - -


Oh man, I better dust off my Gregg Jefferies Donruss Rated Rookie card. And my Billy Ripken fk face!

On NBA cards, I actually bought exactly one pack of cards for the 1986-87 Fleer set ('Nique but no Jordan for me). If I had bought as many packs of that Fleer basketball set as I did Topps baseball cards the same year, I'd be comfortably retired.

My favorite baseball set is the '86 Fleer Glossy (and the extended set that they added to it). Worked at a card shop in '87.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld with Rotoworld comments:

James Harden was a full participant in Thursday's practice. "I thought we'd have to ramp him up a little bit, but he's been going hard before he got here," said Mike D'Antoni of Harden. "I didn't see any difference whatsoever. We'll watch tomorrow. If he's sore, maybe we'll back him off. He looks like he's ready to go." Harden was a late arrival to the Orlando Bubble due to a family issue, but it sounds like he stayed in shape during the hiatus.

SOURCE: Alykhan Bijani on Twitter

[adkindo]

My favorite baseball set is the '86 Fleer Glossy (and the extended set that they added to it). Worked at a card shop in '87.

- - - Updated - - -



My favorite baseball set is the '86 Fleer Glossy (and the extended set that they added to it). Worked at a card shop in '87.

I was a late 80's (mostly baseball) collector. Still have the thousands of cards. Sucks that was the era of mass over production, and few cards maintained any real value.

[adkindo]

Markieff Morris has reportedly not joined the Lakers in Orlando due to an "excused absence." Morris is "expected to join the [Lakers] in the bubble soon."

SOURCE: Mike Trudell on Twitter

It has been so long, I was looking at the roster the other day and forgot the Lakers (my team) had Morris and Waiters on the roster. Now they add JR Smith! Not one of my favorite Laker teams.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Markelle Fultz has passed the NBA's quarantine protocol. He arrived in Orlando earlier this week and now has the green light to join his teammates for practice on Friday. Fultz was tending to a personal matter not related to COVID-19 so he should be all systems go for the restart.

SOURCE: Josh Robbins on Twitter

[adkindo]

is it just me, or does it seem like a lot of NBA players have had "family emergencies" during the last week? I just read that Montrezl Harrell has left the bubble....and the Clippers were already missing Zubac, Morris and Shamet.

[Kingspoint]

is it just me, or does it seem like a lot of NBA players have had "family emergencies" during the last week? I just read that Montrezl Harrell has left the bubble....and the Clippers were already missing Zubac, Morris and Shamet.

There are a lot, yes. The "family emergency" qualifies for fewer days of quarantine upon return, so it may be being abused.

[adkindo]

There are a lot, yes. The "family emergency" qualifies for fewer days of quarantine upon return, so it may be being abused.

So Lou Williams claims he must exit the bubble for a personal matter and is in photographs @ a strip club. He should not be allowed to return.

[M2]

So Lou Williams claims he must exit the bubble for a personal matter and is in photographs @ a strip club. He should not be allowed to return.

I don't know. That seems pretty personal. Also, Lou's whole game is irrational confidence. Surely you didn't think that only applies on the court.

[Bourgeois Zee]

So Lou Williams claims he must exit the bubble for a personal matter and is in photographs @ a strip club. He should not be allowed to return.

As per the agreement, Williams gets 10-day quarantine.

He apparently visited the strip club for "its food."

;)

[Kingspoint]

SAC is getting healthier these last few days (though they lost Bagley for the rest of the play-in games).

[Bourgeois Zee]

SAC is getting healthier these last few days (though they lost Bagley for the rest of the play-in games).

To be fair, Bagley has been "lost" pretty much since he was drafted.

[texasdave]

Marvin Bagley III has stud written all over him. I am not sure which Bagley you are referring to. Per 36 minutes in his career, he is putting up 21 points to go along with 10.8 rebounds. Most of that damage was done at the age of 19. Yeah, I'll take Bagley on the Rockets any day the Kings want to rid themselves of his services.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Marvin Bagley III has stud written all over him. I am not sure which Bagley you are referring to. Per 36 minutes in his career, he is putting up 21 points to go along with 10.8 rebounds. Most of that damage was done at the age of 19. Yeah, I'll take Bagley on the Rockets any day the Kings want to rid themselves of his services.

If he could play 36 minutes per game, that'd be fine offensive production.

So far, he can't stay healthy enough to do that.

He's also perhaps the worst defensive player in the league. At -1.12 DRPM, he's the worst big-minute player by far.

[Kingspoint]

Holmes and Barnes got in what they needed to today during the game.

[texasdave]

If he could play 36 minutes per game, that'd be fine offensive production.

So far, he can't stay healthy enough to do that.

He's also perhaps the worst defensive player in the league. At -1.12 DRPM, he's the worst big-minute player by far.

He's 20. I'll still take him on my team any day.

[M2]

Unless MB3 develops an outside shot, I think he's too much of a tweener. Good enough to post some stats, not good enough on the defensive end. He's an old style power forward in a league where bigs need to stretch and defend (like a good pair of underwear). I suppose he can be a rim runner with a stretch 5 on the floor, but I'm not sure he'll be a good fit as a lone big.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Unless MB3 develops an outside shot, I think he's too much of a tweener. Good enough to post some stats, not good enough on the defensive end. He's an old style power forward in a big where bigs need to stretch and defend (like a good pair of underwear). I suppose he can be a rim runner with a stretch 5 on the floor, but I'm not sure he'll be a good fit as a lone big.

He's also got balky feet/ ankles.

That's not great for a big man.

[M2]

He's also got balky feet/ ankles.

That's not great for a big man.

Especially one trying to play above the rim.

[Kingspoint]

And, the season begins in just a few hours...

LAC vs LAL
UTA vs NOP

[Bourgeois Zee]

Clippers, Lakers will be fun, even if neither team is at full strength.

But the game of the day is absolutely going to be NOLA v. Utah.

Assuming Williamson plays, it'll be fascinating to see how he works against a legitimate defensive force in the middle. Brandon Ingram v. Spider-Man? Sign me up.

[Kingspoint]

One cheap foul and a flat-out bad call knocked out Ingles for the entirety of the 2nd Quarter resulting in zero offensive flow for the Jazz with Clarkson jacking up bad shot after bad shot every time he touched it. No Defense as usual for the Jazz whenever Gobert isn't in the game. To Clarkson's credit, he got two foul calls on Ball resulting in trips to the line.

[Kingspoint]

YES!!!

NOP go down. Opens the door for POR.

Thank you Utah!

[adkindo]

ugh....this is a$$ basketball so far

[Kingspoint]

ugh....this is a$$ basketball so far

Everyone will be rusty because they couldn't practice as a team until they got to Orlando.

[Boston Red]

0 rebounds for Zion and a -16 +/-.

[adkindo]

Everyone will be rusty because they couldn't practice as a team until they got to Orlando.

don't give me excuses....( ;) )

- - - Updated - - -


0 rebounds for Zion and a -16 +/-.

he is a bum

- - - Updated - - -

so Lebron could not shoot while he was off?

[adkindo]

remember how good Kuzma was before his primary focus became IG models?

[adkindo]

how y'all like that Dion Waiters spin move....

[Rojo Rijo]

remember how good Kuzma was before his primary focus became IG models?

I'm enjoying it. After his "I'd rather be talked about bad in LA' than irrelevant in Orlando" statement I'm all for him falling flat.

[adkindo]

everytime I watch PG-13, I come away feeling he should be better. Even when he plays well, I still look at the size, length, athleticism and just extreme talent level and feel like he has never really reached his potential. He "should" perform at a 1st Team All NBA level every year in my opinion.

[M2]

Note to the Pelicans: If Lonzo Ball shoots the ball 13 times in a game, you're probably going to lose.

[adkindo]

Did you see Jonathan Isaac stand for the anthem and not wear the BLM gear? People may agree or disagree with his actions, but damn that took courage. He has been the only one....and he had to know the backlash in social media would be fierce.

[ScotlandRed]

Did you see Jonathan Isaac stand for the anthem and not wear the BLM gear? People may agree or disagree with his actions, but damn that took courage. He has been the only one....and he had to know the backlash in social media would be fierce.

Nvm

[Boston Red]

Did you see Jonathan Isaac stand for the anthem and not wear the BLM gear? People may agree or disagree with his actions, but damn that took courage. He has been the only one....and he had to know the backlash in social media would be fierce.

It's funny how the pendulum swings on what actions involve following the herd and what actions take courage.

[adkindo]

It's funny how the pendulum swings on what actions involve following the herd and what actions take courage.

I never agreed with Kap taking a knee during the anthem....but I have always thought it took guts to continue to do it in the face of the severe backlash. You are correct in that the guys that are doing it now....feel however you choose about their actions, but it takes zero courage. In the words of Antonin Scalia...."that was then, this is now"

Not sure if you are a country music fan, but when fans turned on the Dixie Chicks over their comments about the war.....I was one of those fans. Then a year or two later, they returned to perform at one of the major awards shows (Grammy's?), and everyone thought they would try to cater to the fans and get their careers back. They stepped on stage and performed their song "Not Ready to Make Nice"! I still do not like them....but that took massive cajones, and I respected the hell out of it.

[M2]

De'Aaron Fox is having a statement game.

[Stray]

Rockets scored 75 in the first half and are trailing the Mavs by 10. Not a lot of defense being played in this one.

[Stray]

On a mini roll in NBA DFS since the restart. Two nights and 6 tournaments well into the money. Coulda won hundreds or even into the thousands tonight if it weren't for one bad SG pick. All my other guys went off. Gonna be up around 175ish after tonight. But now I've jinxed myself and will pick duds for the next week.

[Stray]

Did you see Jonathan Isaac stand for the anthem and not wear the BLM gear? People may agree or disagree with his actions, but damn that took courage. He has been the only one....and he had to know the backlash in social media would be fierce.

I'm pretty neutral on protests as I don't care about the politics or social positions athletes have, but Isaac being grilled in his post game presser on if he agrees that "black lives matter" was bs. Choosing to stand shouldn't require an explanation or a defense, just like choosing to kneel shouldn't. I mean they're all adults who are presumably able to make their own personal decisions for their own reasons. Anything beyond that feels gross from journos wanting clicks. Anyone who knows anything about Jonathan Isaac and all he's done to help those in need in his short life knows the kinda dude he is. He doesn't need to explain himself or his worth to clickbait seeking journos.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I'm pretty neutral on protests as I don't care about the politics or social positions athletes have, but Isaac being grilled in his post game presser on if he agrees that "black lives matter" was bs. Choosing to stand shouldn't require an explanation or a defense, just like choosing to kneel shouldn't. I mean they're all adults who are presumably able to make their own personal decisions for their own reasons. Anything beyond that feels gross from journos wanting clicks. Anyone who knows anything about Jonathan Isaac and all he's done to help those in need in his short life knows the kinda dude he is. He doesn't need to explain himself or his worth to clickbait seeking journos.

I disagree. A lot.

Most of the country has no clue who Isaacs is or why he might stand instead of kneel. He becomes a story when he chooses to do something different. If he has something to say, we can all listen and perhaps learn. If it's smart, perhaps he changes to conversation-- or society benefits. If he's a moron who can't string two sentences together or makes obvious errors in his statements, we can disregard his thoughts.

Regardless, this is how (IMO) we learn about others' perspectives.

[adkindo]

I disagree. A lot.

Most of the country has no clue who Isaacs is or why he might stand instead of kneel. He becomes a story when he chooses to do something different. If he has something to say, we can all listen and perhaps learn. If it's smart, perhaps he changes to conversation-- or society benefits. If he's a moron who can't string two sentences together or makes obvious errors in his statements, we can disregard his thoughts.

Regardless, this is how (IMO) we learn about others' perspectives.

He stood for the national anthem of his country....it has always been seen as a sign of patriotism, respect and love of country for the largest most powerful nations to the smallest globally irrelevant nations. His action requires no explanation because the assumption would be that his actions meaning is the same as it has been for centuries across the globe for billions of humans.

[Bourgeois Zee]

He stood for the national anthem of his country....it has always been seen as a sign of patriotism, respect and love of country for the largest most powerful nations to the smallest globally irrelevant nations.

This is largely untrue. Most people who stand for the anthem of their country do so in order to wait for the concession line to die down.

[Kingspoint]

30 Free Throws for the Grizzlies at halftime (50 for the game). All the Bigs for POR were given ticky-tack fouls (some where they weren't within a foot of the play) early in the game and throughout, leaving POR having to play light Defense for most of the game. If MEM missed a shot, they were given free throws. Even BS techs were called, once when C.J. was talking to his own bench after a make. It was so ridiculous, Stotts was forced to use his challeng with 6 minutes to go in the first half because it would have been Nurk's 3rd (Whiteside and Collins already had 3, while Melo had 2, Hezonja 3, C.J. and Dame 2 each halfway through the 3rd). Of course, the play not only was overturned, but a foul was called on MEM. But, that didn't stop the refs from continuing to whistle POR for non-fouls throughout the game, with Stotts left without any challenges (he always saves his challenges for the last two minutes of a game, so that tells you how bad it was. Whiteside came back in the game in the 2nd Quarter and was given his 4th. It was as bad of an officiated game there has been in a long time.

[dubc47834]

30 Free Throws for the Grizzlies at halftime (50 for the game). All the Bigs for POR were given ticky-tack fouls (some where they weren't within a foot of the play) early in the game and throughout, leaving POR having to play light Defense for most of the game. If MEM missed a shot, they were given free throws. Even BS techs were called, once when C.J. was talking to his own bench after a make. It was so ridiculous, Stotts was forced to use his challeng with 6 minutes to go in the first half because it would have been Nurk's 3rd (Whiteside and Collins already had 3, while Melo had 2, Hezonja 3, C.J. and Dame 2 each halfway through the 3rd). Of course, the play not only was overturned, but a foul was called on MEM. But, that didn't stop the refs from continuing to whistle POR for non-fouls throughout the game, with Stotts left without any challenges (he always saves his challenges for the last two minutes of a game, so that tells you how bad it was. Whiteside came back in the game in the 2nd Quarter and was given his 4th. It was as bad of an officiated game there has been in a long time.

And so it begins :rolleyes:

[Bourgeois Zee]

Miami looked good today. Adebayo and Butler were All-Star caliber, and Duncan Robinson was monstrous.

They'll be a tough out, I suspect.

[Kingspoint]

And so it begins :rolleyes:

You have your head in the sand if you don't think 30 free throw at Halftime is anything but insane.

For some perspective, because clearly you need some here, MEM is not a team that goes to the free throw line. They averaged 13 makes per game this season. They had 30 attempts by Halftime, 50 for the game. The refs were clearly absurd in their thinking during this game.

[ScotlandRed]

You have your head in the sand if you don't think 30 free throw at Halftime is anything but insane.

For some perspective, because clearly you need some here, MEM is not a team that goes to the free throw line. They averaged 13 makes per game this season. They had 30 attempts by Halftime, 50 for the game. The refs were clearly absurd in their thinking during this game.

That is a bit of a crazy stat. But what is also crazy is you thinking it’s some sort of anti Portland vendetta. It will be an outlier. Just a coincidence it happened vs Portland.

[Bourgeois Zee]

That is a bit of a crazy stat. But what is also crazy is you thinking it’s some sort of anti Portland vendetta. It will be an outlier. Just a coincidence it happened vs Portland.

It's always an anti-Portland vendetta with him.

That's his thing.

Relax, though. I've been assured the Blazers will win every game they play the rest of the season. We should just sit back and bask in the glory that is the Rose City as they unleash their remarkable brand of ball on an adoring public.

[dubc47834]

It's always an anti-Portland vendetta with him.

That's his thing.

Relax, though. I've been assured the Blazers will win every game they play the rest of the season. We should just sit back and bask in the glory that is the Rose City as they unleash their remarkable brand of ball on an adoring public.

They clearly won, even tho it was a one side ref'd game!

[RedTeamGo!]

You have your head in the sand if you don't think 30 free throw at Halftime is anything but insane.

For some perspective, because clearly you need some here, MEM is not a team that goes to the free throw line. They averaged 13 makes per game this season. They had 30 attempts by Halftime, 50 for the game. The refs were clearly absurd in their thinking during this game.

That is a lot of free throws at halftime, Portland should probably stop fouling so much.

[Stray]

Holy TJ Warren

[Stray]

TJ Warren pretty much just beat the 76ers by himself. Embiid had a huge game, but Warren couldn't miss. Dropped 53 and made every single big basket down the stretch. That was a fun game.

[M2]

TJ Warren, yo. 55 points tonight. That guy is seriously underrated.

[Stray]

Like the Heat and the Raptors in the East. If I had to pick now I'm taking the Raptors to win it all again. They play serious D and Siakam and co have developed enough to still be great w/o Kawhi. When Lowry is on I don't know that anyone beats them.

[SteelSD]

Warren was nuts, but if a team gives up 46 points in the 4th quarter, they should get two losses for that.

Let's see...what happened tonight...

1) Stagnant offense without Embiid on the floor (and one the opponent took 3 minutes to figure out regardless)? Check.
2) Poor mixes of offensive talent on the floor at critical times? Check.
3) +21 with Embiid on the floor and -27 in 14 minutes without him? Check.
4) Twenty-one turnovers? Check.

<Interlude...any of this sounding familiar yet...?>

5) Raul Neto getting 21 minutes while Burks and Thybulle get only 12 each? Check.
6) Sixers let another moderately talented player hit a career high in points? Check.
7) Sixers lose with a full compliment of players while the other team is missing two of their three best? Check.

<Interlude #2...No, really. Is ANY of this sounding familiar yet? It sure as heck does to me...>

8) Brett Brown gets dramatically out-coached. Check.
9) Sixers blow a double-digit fourth quarter lead? Check.
10) Shake Milton gets in a verbal altercation with Joel Embiid during a time out. Well, THAT'S new!

I'm not sure if the Milton/Embiid tiff was about one of Joel's lazy inbound passes or if Shake was just frustrated that no one would throw him the ball for pretty much the entire first half. Could have been both, I guess.

I loved the pundits raving about the Sixers during the down time. Embiid will be rested! Simmons will be healthy! Blah blah. That nonsense just cements them as the best off-season team in the NBA.

[Stray]

Worst sequence for the Sixers in that 4Q was the dagger 3 that killed them. They were down 3 with enough time to get the ball back. Aaron Holiday had the ball on the right side and Warren (who was on fire) was a few steps in from half court at the top of the key. All the Sixers needed to do was get a stop and every single person watching knew who was gonna take the shot. When Aaron Holiday started to drive Ben Simmons helped off of Warren at the top of the key and Holiday hit Warren for a wide open straight away 3 to win it. I get the Ben Simmons is a good player and all, but in what universe do you leave the guy w/50 and the game on the line to help on Aaron Holiday 18 feet from the basket? Bad basketball. Bad chemistry for the Sixers too, their PG and Embiid also got into a somewhat heated argument on the sidelines. I don't trust this Sixers team at all.

[adkindo]

TJ Warren, yo. 55 points tonight. That guy is seriously underrated.

I saw Warren...53 Points on the tv scroll....did not see team, full name or anything. I honestly could not figure out a "Warren" that could drop 50+ in an NBA game.....had to go to computer to look at the scores to find out who it was and was shocked it was TJ Warren. I recall just a couple seasons ago, he would not even attempt 3 pointers.....was a mid range guy.

[Revering4Blue]

I saw Warren...53 Points on the tv scroll....did not see team, full name or anything. I honestly could not figure out a "Warren" that could drop 50+ in an NBA game.....had to go to computer to look at the scores to find out who it was and was shocked it was TJ Warren. I recall just a couple seasons ago, he would not even attempt 3 pointers.....was a mid range guy.

I still cannot understand why Phoenix dealt Warren and a second round pick, which Indy then traded the drafted player to Miami for 2 future second picks, in exchange for Pile O'Cash - not unlike several Reds "trades" consummated during the Lindner/Allen days.

Warren would have complimented DeAndre Ayton (who has added the three-point shot to his arsenal) up front. Then again, Warren's defense has improved exponentially under Nate McMillan in Indiana.

[adkindo]

I still cannot understand why Phoenix dealt Warren and a second round pick, which Indy then traded the drafted player to Miami for 2 future second picks, in exchange for Pile O'Cash - not unlike several Reds "trades" consummated during the Lindner/Allen days.

Warren would have complimented DeAndre Ayton (who has added the three-point shot to his arsenal) up front. Then again, Warren's defense has improved exponentially under Nate McMillan in Indiana.

at the time, they saw this combo forward that was on his second contract and taking up material cap space, he was not an ideal fit with Booker's timeline, he did not play defense, he did not shoot the 3...and was really bad when he tried, played below the rim and they had recently used high draft picks on Small Forwards that they wanted to get on the court to see how they fit with Booker. In hindsight, I get what they were thinking.

[M2]

at the time, they saw this combo forward that was on his second contract and taking up material cap space, he was not an ideal fit with Booker's timeline, he did not play defense, he did not shoot the 3...and was really bad when he tried, played below the rim and they had recently used high draft picks on Small Forwards that they wanted to get on the court to see how they fit with Booker. In hindsight, I get what they were thinking.

Warren started burying 3's in the 2018-19 season (43% on 4.2 attempts per game). Indiana seemingly was the only team who took notice.

[M2]

Warren was nuts, but if a team gives up 46 points in the 4th quarter, they should get two losses for that.

Let's see...what happened tonight...

1) Stagnant offense without Embiid on the floor (and one the opponent took 3 minutes to figure out regardless)? Check.
2) Poor mixes of offensive talent on the floor at critical times? Check.
3) +21 with Embiid on the floor and -27 in 14 minutes without him? Check.
4) Twenty-one turnovers? Check.

<Interlude...any of this sounding familiar yet...?>

5) Raul Neto getting 21 minutes while Burks and Thybulle get only 12 each? Check.
6) Sixers let another moderately talented player hit a career high in points? Check.
7) Sixers lose with a full compliment of players while the other team is missing two of their three best? Check.

<Interlude #2...No, really. Is ANY of this sounding familiar yet? It sure as heck does to me...>

8) Brett Brown gets dramatically out-coached. Check.
9) Sixers blow a double-digit fourth quarter lead? Check.
10) Shake Milton gets in a verbal altercation with Joel Embiid during a time out. Well, THAT'S new!

I'm not sure if the Milton/Embiid tiff was about one of Joel's lazy inbound passes or if Shake was just frustrated that no one would throw him the ball for pretty much the entire first half. Could have been both, I guess.

I loved the pundits raving about the Sixers during the down time. Embiid will be rested! Simmons will be healthy! Blah blah. That nonsense just cements them as the best off-season team in the NBA.

I remain flabbergasted that they haven't added a ball-handler/distributor/scorer to that mix.

Yet, even more than that, how much clearer does Brett Brown need to make it that he's never going to make sense of what they've got?

[Bourgeois Zee]

at the time, they saw this combo forward that was on his second contract and taking up material cap space, he was not an ideal fit with Booker's timeline, he did not play defense, he did not shoot the 3...and was really bad when he tried, played below the rim and they had recently used high draft picks on Small Forwards that they wanted to get on the court to see how they fit with Booker. In hindsight, I get what they were thinking.

Warren's been an elite shooter for a couple of years, including his last season in Phoenix. There were multiple stories about Warren's marksmanship his last season in Arizona. He shot almost 43% on more than four attempts per game. That's volume and efficiency. The difference between Warren as a Sun and a Pacer is how well he's shot the mid-range jumper. (Part of that is Nate McMillan's old-school offense.)

McMillan may have stumbled on a major find. Warren may well blossom as a small(ish) shoot-first PF. In the Pacers' lineup against Philly, he was the nominal power forward. (The Holidays, Oladipo, and Turner were the other starters.) Moving him to the power forward spot makes him a tough match-up for most-- he's got a pretty good first step and a good step-back jumper. More importantly, he's got a solid handle and is decisive in his movements. Now, part of that may be because Ben Simmons was horrible in defending him-- and Embiid did absolutely nothing as a help defender. Simmons repeatedly lost him on back cuts to the hoop and around screens or, rather than fight through picks, he went under and allowed open looks from distance. Embiid was perpetually a step slow as a help defender as well. Warren hit six shots wherein Embiid was supposed to be help defense. Embiid chose not to challenge on all six. (That may be a Philadelphia defensive choice.) Check it out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG5tg7WOpwI

Regardless, with Sabonis out, this is likely the best lineup the Pacers can put out there. They'll have to rebound well enough to do so. PG Aaron Holiday abused Shake Melton (and Raul Neto) in grabbing 10 rebounds last night. We'll see what happens, of course, but with the NBA moving to smaller and smaller lineups, I like it.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I remain flabbergasted that they haven't added a ball-handler/distributor/scorer to that mix.

Yet, even more than that, how much clearer does Brett Brown need to make it that he's never going to make sense of what they've got?

The Simmons - Embiid lineups just don't work with Brown coaching.

I suspect it's more the two players and not the coach, but that's me.

I'd deal Simmons (Embiid's the far better player, though he is injury-prone) for an elite shooter.

Devin Booker for Simmons would be an interesting deal, for example, and would balance the Philly lineup by himself. The defense would take a step back, as would the play-making, but the gravity of Embiid would allow for more open shots from Harris, Booker, and Richardson. Horford could then be played as a PF/ C hybrid in the minutes Embiid's not on the floor (or they could go big when playing Milwaukee and other large teams).

Zach LaVine could be a part of another interesting package. LaVine and Coby White for Simmons and Thybulle?

How about a blockbuster wherein Miami deals Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Herro for Embiid?

[adkindo]

Warren started burying 3's in the 2018-19 season (43% on 4.2 attempts per game). Indiana seemingly was the only team who took notice.

As a former fan of Josh Jackson, I became very familiar with Warren in Phoenix....and while he did shoot over 40% on a moderately low volume his last season in PHX, it was an extreme outlier from his career numbers....and he was still a mid range bucket getter in a league that no longer valued that achetype of player. That combined with his lethargic defense, less than average handle and not displaying top tier athleticism diminished his value and interest around the league. I am not making a case that PHX made a good decision or they received fair compensation....only that at the time. I understand their perspective.

Just as a comparison.....Rondo shot over 40% from 3 last season on over 3 attempts a game...and yet nobody considers Rondo a good shooter and defenses often would allow him to shoot as many 3's as he wanted.

Also, was watching OG Anunoby last night and his 3 ball has came a long way since college. If you recall that was the massive knock on him as a college player before the injury....people doubted he would ever have a competent outside game. His shot looked nice last night.

[adkindo]

Zach LaVine could be a part of another interesting package. LaVine and Coby White for Simmons and Thybulle?

How about a blockbuster wherein Miami deals Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Herro for Embiid?

If I am Philly, I am not even taking that call in regards to Simmons for LaVine/White....and I may be in the minority, but if I am Miami I am not giving up that package for Embiid.

[M2]

The Simmons - Embiid lineups just don't work with Brown coaching.

I suspect it's more the two players and not the coach, but that's me.

I'm guessing another coach can figure out how to get the most out of those two. At the very least, the Sixers need to give another coach the shot to optimize them before breaking them apart.

[M2]

As a former fan of Josh Jackson, I became very familiar with Warren in Phoenix....and while he did shoot over 40% on a moderately low volume his last season in PHX, it was an extreme outlier from his career numbers....and he was still a mid range bucket getter in a league that no longer valued that achetype of player.

Warren shot too many 3's that season for it to be an outlier. He added range (also not the improved FT%). I don't blame Phoenix for jettisoning him so much. They were high on Oubre. What I find strange is that more teams weren't lining up to take him off their hands. He's a wing who can score (and apparently defend too now that he's playing for a non-dysfunctional organization).

[Bourgeois Zee]

I'm guessing another coach can figure out how to get the most out of those two. At the very least, the Sixers need to give another coach the shot to optimize them before breaking them apart.

If Philly would stagger their minutes, with Simmons as a Magic-like center with four shooter around him, they might be able to fake it the rest of the season. Embiid as a post presence, is perhaps the best in the NBA. As a pick and roll guy, he should be absolutely lethal. Instead, with Simmons as the primary ballhandler, every team in the league plays both defenders under the screen. that clogs up the middle and stagnates the offensive flow until it's literally just three or four guys passing the ball around the horn, while one guy posts.

Embiid should be paired with a strong lead guard who can shoot (Kemba would be ideal) and solid, intelligent 3 and D guys. Philadelphia doesn't have a point guard who can make defenses pay (though Milton takes good shots and makes them in limited minutes). An Embiid/ Harris or Embiid/ Richardson pick and roll pairing (or, better, both) would be tough to defend. An Embiid/ Thybulle pairing has promise too. (As does a Thybulle/ Richardson/ Harris pick-on-the-weakest-link triumvirate.)

The issue is Simmons and his propensity to dribble the ball into the ground and ignore open threes. He's become a play-making Tony Allen offensively. Which is to his disadvantage. Because, used correctly, Simmons has promise. He's good posting up anyone and can pass very well out of the break, the open floor, and underneath. He's a good rebounder too. But he needs to be a frontcourt guy with those skills rather than the primary playmaker. Or failing that, the primary playmaker in an offense with four elite shooters. If you make him your offense's primary pick guy, you open up all sorts of high-post play-making possibilities, allow Simmons to show off his varied game, and not kill the offensive flow. With great shooters, they can't play underneath-- he'd feast on lesser guys by the rim and/or make the pass to open shooters on the wings.

The rest of this season, I'd go with an Embiid/ Neto/ Richardson/ Thybulle/ Harris starting group and a Milton/ Korkmaz/ Burks/ Horford/ Simmons secondary unit. That's, IMO, the best blend of offense, shooting, and defense they have to offer. Still, it's better than the pseudo-balance of Simmons hiding in the short corner when Embiid posts or having Embiid hoist 30-footers with an otherwise open lane. At closing time, they can go with whomever has the hot hand.

In the off-season, I'd try to find a better fit. (One interesting move would be to take on Chris Paul's massive contract. I could see OKC biting on a Tobias Harris for Paul trade, for example, though Presti would probably want Thybulle as a sweetener.)

[Bourgeois Zee]

The Nets and Wizards are playing a glorified Summer League game right now. Jarret Allen is showing off a bit, but he can't stop Thomas Bryant at all.

I can't decide if that's because Bryant's offense is underrated or Allen's defensive game is overrated.

BTW, next season, I'm going to be watching the Wiz closely. Let's assume they re-sign Bertans, as they've pledged to do. Wall, Beal, and Bryant are three solid options around him. They'll need a defensive monster to close it out. That's probably not Hachimura yet (though he has the tools, IMO).

How about Nerlens Noel?

[M2]

Let's assume they re-sign Bertans, as they've pledged to do.

Looking at their cap situation, I assume they can't.

[dubc47834]

These refs must be bad!!!

[Bourgeois Zee]

Looking at their cap situation, I assume they can't.

They've got about $15M to spend on a top-flight starter at the wing or the PF position. If no Bertans, I might go Derrick Jones, Jr. (upside and defense) or even Andre Roberson on the wing, Serge Ibaka at the power spot, and see if Wall can goose those numbers a bit. (I know how little you like John Wall, but I'm telling you, he's going to make that team better.)