2021-22 Around the NBA Thread

[AzStevenCal]

Yep it was happening in real time. People were even calling out the rotations and the team pulling the starters way early in games while the rest of the talk was happing around "resting" players.

Your memory is playing tricks on you.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Yeah. That’s complete revisionist history.

Really? Show me something from that era that supports this? I don't mean someone's opinion later on about what happened back then, I mean something from back then that supports this.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yeah. That’s complete revisionist history.

Not to mention it was just coincidence that the Spurs at the time were trying to sell getting a new arena. It's not like getting Ducan would help sell that at all. Holt was floating the idea that he didn't know if it was possible for the Spurs to stay financially competitive at the Alamo dome. Holt even said we have to find a way to sell more tickets. Mmmmmm.

Weird.. I remembered that just fine.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Really? Show me something from that era that supports this? I don't mean someone's opinion later on about what happened back then, I mean something from back then that supports this.

Steve, I’m not going to spend time refuting your opinion, which is in the minority on the board and amongst the entire NBA fan base.

I’ll take my memory of sports over yours any day of the week.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Steve, I’m not going to spend time refuting your opinion, which is in the minority on the board and amongst the entire NBA fan base.

I’ll take my memory of sports over yours any day of the week.

For most of my life, my memory defined me. I'd put it up against anyone's. But almost five decades of heavy pain medication along with constant sleep deprivation have left me with difficulty concentrating and huge memory gaps so yeah, I'd take your sports memory over mine too (in general). But I also know how events can influence one's memory over time and IMO that's what's going on here.

And yes, my opinion on this subject is very much in the minority here and throughout the basketball world. But I'm confident if we could go back to 1997, that would not be the case. But it's been said and written so many times since then it's become gospel to many.

 

[Covert Rain]

For most of my life, my memory defined me. I'd put it up against anyone's. But almost five decades of heavy pain medication along with constant sleep deprivation have left me with difficulty concentrating and huge memory gaps so yeah, I'd take your sports memory over mine too (in general). But I also know how events can influence one's memory over time and IMO that's what's going on here.

It's your opinion. There are plenty of articles on the tank. Some agreeing and some disagreeing. There is enough smoke there for someone to reasonably believe it was a legit tank. I guess the vast majority have that syndrome.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

The talk that season was about Boston tanking, I never heard a word about San Antonio doing it until they hit the lottery and then it was all we heard and grew by leaps and bounds as Simmons made it an issue every he chance got.

Not counting the pick-less expansion team, the Spurs were in last place for much of the season but won their way out of it thanks to wins of their own and Boston deciding to throw games. Who tanks to win something other than the best lottery position?

Boston had 15 wins but closed the season 6-42 to pass the Spurs.

I recall lots of talk of tanking. And remember tanking isn’t purposefully losing. Even the suns didn’t purposefully lose games. Teams that tank purposefully sit players who are healthy enough to play with the intent that the remaining players won’t win. But no coach or player ever plays to purposefully lose. So any change in winning percentage was more happenstance of actual game facts. The tanking was sitting players healthy enough to play, which they definitely did.

 

[AzStevenCal]

It's your opinion. There are plenty of articles on the tank. Some agreeing and some disagreeing. There is enough smoke there for someone to reasonably believe it was a legit tank. I guess the vast majority have that syndrome.

Yes there are but try finding some from that season before the lottery.

 

[Chaplin]

I remember the tanking conversations happening in real time as well.

I'm kind of curious, though @AzStevenCal, why you are posing this argument?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

For most of my life, my memory defined me. I'd put it up against anyone's. But almost five decades of heavy pain medication along with constant sleep deprivation have left me with difficulty concentrating and huge memory gaps so yeah, I'd take your sports memory over mine too (in general). But I also know how events can influence one's memory over time and IMO that's what's going on here.

And yes, my opinion on this subject is very much in the minority here and throughout the basketball world. But I'm confident if we could go back to 1997, that would not be the case. But it's been said and written so many times since then it's become gospel to many.

I’d take cheese’s sports memory over anyone’s (including mine). It’s not infallible, but the ish he remembers is sometimes frightening. He’s like a sports rain man.

 

[Cheesebeef]

For most of my life, my memory defined me. I'd put it up against anyone's. But almost five decades of heavy pain medication along with constant sleep deprivation have left me with difficulty concentrating and huge memory gaps so yeah, I'd take your sports memory over mine too (in general). But I also know how events can influence one's memory over time and IMO that's what's going on here.

And yes, my opinion on this subject is very much in the minority here and throughout the basketball world. But I'm confident if we could go back to 1997, that would not be the case. But it's been said and written so many times since then it's become gospel to many.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I’d take cheese’s sports memory over anyone’s (including mine). It’s not infallible, but the ish he remembers is sometimes frightening. He’s like a sports rain man.

Lol... this is true.

Also, @AzStevenCal my memory comment wasn’t meant to be taken as a dig at you and I apologize if you took it as such. I'd just take my sports memory over pretty much anyone because I know the above is true about myself when it comes to remembering pretty much all completely useless sports info.

well, about issues that effect the Suns or Cardinals anyway.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yes there are but try finding some from that season before the lottery.

I am not going all the way back but why is that important? It was being talked about by fans everywhere. Also, the league was different back then. Stern was all about protecting the reputation of the league in the 90's. Read some of the stories about Stern and the lengths he went to for the league. It's not like players are asked to tank. I read a great article several years ago about the "art of tanking" or whatever they called it. They said it's not so much the players but the subtle things the organization does. Convincing players they need more rest, so they don't risk reinjury or their career. Making subtle substitutions during games or playing with the DNP list. Not making moves to shore up the roster by the front office. It basically said, it's not really that hard for an organization to tank and the leagues can't do much about it.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Just as an aside. I remember believing that the Spurs were tanking for Duncan at the time. However, I am not sure tanking was even a term we used then, and no one really talked about it openly, at least in the media, at that time.

 

[Covert Rain]

Just as an aside. I remember believing that the Spurs were tanking for Duncan at the time. However, I am not sure tanking was even a term we used then, and no one really talked about it openly, at least in the media, at that time.

Which is what I was alluding to above. Even the article that was talking about sports in general (teams tanking) I don't think used the term either. I might try and find it when I get a chance. Stern was notorious for manipulating the narrative in the media during his time. There are stories of him calling up members of the media and threatening them. If I recall, David Aldrige was one I remember off the top of my head.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I also thought Pop did his coach dirty at the time. I think it was Bob Hill. He fired him when the team was way down, so that Pop could look good once DRob and Timmy clicked.

Not saying it actually was the case, it is just what I thought at the time.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I also thought Pop did his coach dirty at the time. I think it was Bob Hill. He fired him when the team was way down, so that Pop could look good once DRob and Timmy clicked.

Not saying it actually was the case, it is just what I thought at the time.

Yeah, a lot of us did. It seemed like Pop was setting himself up for the next season knowing that his stars would be back. We were both on the AOL sports board at the time and I know it was a topic of discussion there. Most of us were unfamiliar with Pop at the time and thought it looked very shady.

And Bob Hill had just coached them to one of the best records in the league for two seasons in a row. At the time, I just assumed he was a quality coach but from the outside looking in he was horrible in Seattle after being fired from SA.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yeah, a lot of us did. It seemed like Pop was setting himself up for the next season knowing that his stars would be back. We were both on the AOL sports board at the time and I know it was a topic of discussion there. Most of us were unfamiliar with Pop at the time and thought it looked very shady.

And Bob Hill had just coached them to one of the best records in the league for two seasons in a row. At the time, I just assumed he was a quality coach but from the outside looking in he was horrible in Seattle after being fired from SA.

I thought the same thing as all of you while still not being that impressed by Hill. Those Spurs teams were perennial playoff disappointments. What I didn’t know at the time though was Pop would end up one of the best coaches of all time.

 

[GatorAZ]

The Spurs were so lucky not only bottom out that year but also the fact Duncan came back for his Sr year at Wake Forest. We were supposed to see Duncan-Stackhouse star duo in Philadelphia. The 97’ draft was historically bad if you remove Duncan and it’s likely Keith Van Horn goes #1.

 

[1tinsoldier]

i don't really have any idea of where Dragic's game or head is at these days

all i know is that i'm pissed that Payton is still getting playing time
still getting his shot blocked and blowing layups
(he's probably spooked about getting fouled and being embarrassed at the free-throw line)
and it's too late in the season for a Holiday experiment

i don't know what Monty was thinking playing both of them at the same time in the 4th against the Clips
we blew an 11 point lead in minutes
seems the games are often getting tight with Paul on the bench in the 4th

the backup pg is our only weak link now
Payne has under-performed this season and it will be a miracle if Paul stays healthy the rest of the way

truth is, i'm from the future. and when i harp on something it's because i'm warning about disasters that i know are coming.

this is what i posted a couple of weeks ago, before Kyler dissed his team:

to mature, Kyler needs a stronger coach to steer him instead of just giving him the keys. Booker improved under Monty and with CP3. To go further, both Kyler and Booker need to make better decisions)

regarding the next 2 months, i must repeat this warning, "to go further, Booker needs to make better decisions." if he can work on his leadership, we could be even stronger when Paul comes back -- and win... well. i've said too much

 

[Mainstreet]

Trail Blazers waive Dennis Smith Jr. and are signing two-way player Trendon Watford to a new four-year contract.

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[GatorAZ]

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[JCSunsfan]

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Goodness. That would be like the Suns running a season promo without mentioning Book or CP3.

 

[boisesuns]

I’d bail on Zion at this point. It’s a promise of greatness that will never come. He’s already a “later years” version of Shawn kemp mixed with some Oliver Miller.

(Early Shawn Kemp was awesome)

 

[Proximo]

Goodness. That would be like the Suns running a season promo without mentioning Book or CP3.

I'm not really surprised.

He is this generations Oliver Miller at this point.

I honestly think he may never play at a high level again. I think they made a big mistake not trading him at the deadline, I have a feeling his situation is only going to get worse.