2021-22 Around the NBA Thread

[AzStevenCal]

This year is probably the first year since the TMC days where the Suns and Warriors are expected to be within the same tier of teams and Klay's injury defused that some since the Warriors are no longer favorites in the West but still considered dark horse contenders.

I think the Lakers, Nets and Bucks were all the rage before the season started but recently I've seen several of the talking heads on ESPN pick them as the best all around team and the favorite to win it all.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think the Lakers, Nets and Bucks were all the rage before the season started but recently I've seen several of the talking heads on ESPN pick them as the best all around team and the favorite to win it all.

The concern is age and injuries so many of the key guys are 30 plus. And of course they have 2 major players coming back from injury, Klay and Wiseman that have to be worked into the rotation. On the one hand getting Klay and a 7 footer is great, on the other minutes change guys roles change. Right now Poole is starting 2 and one of the key scorers, when Klay gets back that changes. Looney had I think 19 boards last night, Wiseman cuts into his minutes and Bjelica's off the bench. Payton loses minutes when Klay comes back. So it will take adjustments but obviously in the end adding a guy like Klay even if he's not 100% and a 7 footer ultimately is going to be good for the Warriors.

Draymond got hurt last night a thigh contusion, Iggy has been banged up in a couple of games. Steph is constantly getting dinged up from the pounding he takes. What's making them so good this year is defense, they're #1 in almost every defensive category. Wiseman struggled there last year so his minutes will be limited at first as they work him in.

Azabuike on the game last night said the thing the rest of the league has to consider, they're 10-1, had a big homestand so a bit misleading, but 10-1 and their best player Steph is shooting 43% from the floor and 38 from 3, both well below his career numbers. Unless it's the new ball or you think Steph has lost it, those numbers are going to come up.

 

[Russ Smith]

This would have been the best dunk of them all IMO had he not got fouled so it went in. You can see the joy on Iggy's face after the play just having so much fun playing with Payton

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[Mainstreet]

Nikola Vucevic will reportedly miss at least 10 days due to health and safety protocols.

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[Russ Smith]

can't find a non FB link for this video. It's a collection of the best dunks by GP2 this year.

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[Finito]

I was reading this thinking Gary Payton jr was like this phenom rookie lol

This is his 8th year in the league and he’s a career 3/2/1. He’s gone up to 6/2/0 this year.

But yes he can dunk

 

[AzStevenCal]

I was reading this thinking Gary Payton jr was like this phenom rookie lol

This is his 8th year in the league and he’s a career 3/2/1. He’s gone up to 6/2/0 this year.

But yes he can dunk

I've always liked him but as a change of pace guard near the back of the rotation, something like a Jevon Carter. But on a team with the weapons GS has, maybe he can be even more?

 

[Finito]

I've always liked him but as a change of pace guard near the back of the rotation, something like a Jevon Carter. But on a team with the weapons GS has, maybe he can be even more?

Na. If he was going to be more he would of showed it especially on bad teams where he pretty much would of had a green light if he had that kind of skill. It’s his 8th year. He’s a veteran at this point.

 

[Russ Smith]

I've always liked him but as a change of pace guard near the back of the rotation, something like a Jevon Carter. But on a team with the weapons GS has, maybe he can be even more?

No that's ultimately what his role will be, if/when Klay gets back Payton's minutes will drop. But in Nov he's averaging about 18 MPG 10 PPG, 4 RPG shooting 70% and he's the catalyst on defense when he's in with Iggy. I don't know if he can sustain it all year but he's been pretty remarkable

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns are in 2nd place in the West as the Jazz lost to the Pacers yesterday where four players were ejected.

It looks like Rudy Gobert pulling down Myles Turner started it. Turner had blocked his Gobert's shot.

Here is a link with video.

Rudy Gobert, Myles Turner tussle ends in four ejections in Pacers win over Jazz

Rudy Gobert, Myles Turner, Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles were ejected after the two centers got into a scuffle late in Thursday's game.

www.espn.com

 

[Carolinacacti]

Ball 16 rebounds

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[Russ Smith]

He did it again, Payton rips Lavine and reverse dunks. Warriors played a box and 1 on Zach with payton on him for several minutes

 

[95pro]

I was reading this thinking Gary Payton jr was like this phenom rookie lol

This is his 8th year in the league and he’s a career 3/2/1. He’s gone up to 6/2/0 this year.

But yes he can dunk

I thought so too until I read this lol

 

[Mainstreet]

The NBA tampering probe has reached advanced stage.

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[GatorAZ]

The Warriors play so hard on defense.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The Warriors play so hard on defense.

They just have energy up the freaking wazoo.

 

[Mainstreet]

No suspension in Pacers/Jazz altercation. Only fines?

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[Phrazbit]

The Lakers are getting bulldozed by a Timberwolf team that hasn't been able to beat anyone lately.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Lamelo is a nice player.

 

[Vacard]

Ant-man Edwards didn’t look good but Pups blew the Lakers. KAT is a liability on defense however.

 

[Phrazbit]

Ant-man Edwards didn’t look good but Pups blew the Lakers. KAT is a liability on defense however.

It was very encouraging watching that game (and pretty much every Laker game I've watched this year).

The Wolves did not look particularly good... and the Lakers looked like ass. The Lakers simply don't defend, they just watch guys plant their feet and jack up shots.

If either James or AD miss an extended stretch then I think they're going struggle to make the playoffs... again.

 

[Hoop Head]

That Westbrook trade was bad. Not only does Russ not fit well with the Lakers but they lost 3 key rotation guys in KCP, Kuzma, and Trez. Washington is getting a lot from those guys right now and have the best record in the East. They also added Dinwiddie who seems to be a much better PG for their system, getting everyone going rather than just Beal.

 

[Adrian]

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[Finito]

That Westbrook trade was bad. Not only does Russ not fit well with the Lakers but they lost 3 key rotation guys in KCP, Kuzma, and Trez. Washington is getting a lot from those guys right now and have the best record in the East. They also added Dinwiddie who seems to be a much better PG for their system, getting everyone going rather than just Beal.

It’s easy to look at Westbrook and say he’s the problem but all he’s doing is being Russell Westbrook. You knew that when you traded for him. Did they think he was going to turn into Steve Nash

That entire team is a disaster. I’m looking at Anthony Davis who is just super passive and not vocal. His voice is getting ran over. Carmelo is not good and DeAndre Jordan is bad. The coaching is beyond bad.

Derozan said he would of taken a pay cut to play in LA where he grew up. He playing great in Chicago so is Caruso.

Heild is a sniper, Trez is playing well. Schroeder is getting 16/4/5 and he’s playing well.

They could of really built a good team but instead they went after guys who had big names because that’s what Lebron likes

But I must say I love it

 

[Finito]

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This made me laugh

Oh but he dresses cool