NBA Thread

[Irish Insanity]

Not nearly as bad as what LeBron did, in terms of optics. Much worse in terms of "sellout" cuz he went to the team he couldn't put away wit ha 3-1 series lead.

I also wouldn't be surprised if KD is there for only two years and then moves on (possibly back to OKC).

I know it's a 2 year contract, but is it full 2, or 1 and 1?

Doesn't mean it isn't worth bringing it up. It's a comparable situation.

It's not comparable at all. Cleveland failed at even putting a decent team with James. James was drafted by, then left, his home town. He left to join 1 star and got another to join. Miami was basically starting fresh when they all got together. Durant is going to a team that he looked at, and knew, going forward no matter where he went he may not be able to beat them.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I know it's a 2 year contract, but is it full 2, or 1 and 1?

It's not comparable at all. Cleveland failed at even putting a decent team with James. James was drafted by, then left, his home town. He left to join 1 star and got another to join. Miami was basically starting fresh when they all got together. Durant is going to a team that he looked at, and knew, going forward no matter where he went he may not be able to beat them.

Don't see how that's likely as he was 1 win away from beating them this year. The lack of support doesn't excuse the way in which Lebron made his decision and the way he and his new Miami teammates flaunted said team-up.

 

[KPENN]

Doesn't mean it isn't worth bringing it up. It's a comparable situation.

It's not that, but man you are still butthurt over it. Like let it go.

 

[bkess8]

Classic bitch move imo, guess if you can't beat them join them. OKC had a strong foundation around Durant and Westbrook and only got better through the draft and some trades. If KD would of resigned with OKC and they met GS in the playoffs I would of taken OKC after what they learned from the last match up and watching the finals.

As some of you have said, it is making an already boring sport more boring next season.

Hopefully my Lakers can get Westbrook and about 8 other superstars next off season!

 

[jerboski]

Winning the championship isn't going to shut everyone up. It will only fuel the haters more...

The complaint is that he took the easy way out.

So did lebron, how is this different? When lebron left Cleveland he went and hitched his wagon to wade and bosh... Wade was certainly a top 5 player at that time and bosh was probably top ten and Miami had just won a title with wade a few years before.... If your gonna hammer Durant then you better still hold that grudge with lebron

 

[Crazy Balki]

It's not that, but man you are still butthurt over it. Like let it go.

Again, not butthurt, it's relevant to the discussion. At no point did I say I was butthurt, but it doesn't change the fact that Lebron made a complete a$$ of himself.

 

[KPENN]

So did lebron, how is this different? When lebron left Cleveland he went and hitched his wagon to wade and bosh... Wade was certainly a top 5 player at that time and bosh was probably top ten and Miami had just won a title with wade a few years before.... If your gonna hammer Durant then you better still hold that grudge with lebron

It was totally different man. LeBron had absolutely no help in Cleveland. That team was horrendous and he carried them. At no point during his first stint in Cleveland did he have a Westbrook, hell he didn't even have an Ibaka. He also didn't bolt Cleveland for a championship team, sure there was potential of it with those 3 together but this GS core has won a title already.

 

[bkess8]

It was totally different man. LeBron had absolutely no help in Cleveland. That team was horrendous and he carried them. At no point during his first stint in Cleveland did he have a Westbrook, hell he didn't even have an Ibaka. He also didn't bolt Cleveland for a championship team, sure there was potential of it with those 3 together but this GS core has won a title already.

I would agree with everything but the bolded. Remember when the big 3 were on the stage counting championships, they knew what they were doing and what potential they had.

 

[KPENN]

I would agree with everything but the bolded. Remember when the big 3 were on the stage counting championships, they knew what they were doing and what potential they had.

Again there's a difference between that Miami team and this golden state team. This GS team has won a championship team and set the wins record. I don't care that those three knew they were going to win titles, saying it and doing it are two different things.

 

[NDRock]

It was totally different man. LeBron had absolutely no help in Cleveland. That team was horrendous and he carried them. At no point during his first stint in Cleveland did he have a Westbrook, hell he didn't even have an Ibaka. He also didn't bolt Cleveland for a championship team, sure there was potential of it with those 3 together but this GS core has won a title already.

I mean, you could argue semantics about this move vs. Lebron's but to say it is "totally different" is not accurate. Those Cavs teams won 61 and 66 games the two previous years so it's not like they were doormats. In fact, one could argue that the Cavs teams were closer to a title than the OKC teams of the past couple years.

The major difference between the two moves was the way they each went about it. I'm sure Lebron would do things different today. The "decision" and insane pep rally that followed turned a lot of people off. The way he chose to come back to Cleveland was much better. I really can't blame KD for leaving (or any athlete) just as I wouldn't blame anyone of here for changing positions or companies if they thought that was best for themselves. I thought KD's statement made sense:

The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.

 

[bkess8]

IMO Lebron started all of this so any fan of his that is complaining (not saying that is you KPENN) is like the pot calling the kettle black.

They both (Lebron and KD) knew what they were doing when they left. I could understand the Lebron leaving more than I do KD leaving, OKC was building another strong team around their two superstars.

Moves like these are loosing fans in the NBA and making the regular season less relevant. The only reason I will watch regular season Laker games now is to see if we can tank enough to get the number 1 pick next year because no free agent wants to play for us!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

The Celtics started this, but they did it through trades. The Heat "big 3" was the first group who got together and decided to sign in a particular location in order to win a title. This is just an extension of that.

 

[KPENN]

I mean, you could argue semantics about this move vs. Lebron's but to say it is "totally different" is not accurate. Those Cavs teams won 61 and 66 games the two previous years so it's not like they were doormats. In fact, one could argue that the Cavs teams were closer to a title than the OKC teams of the past couple years.

They won 61 and 66 games because of LeBron, they were not a good team and proved it the year after he left. There is noway to prove which was closer but OKC's supporting cast was better than the one LeBron left in Cleveland.

 

[NDgradstudent]

Hopefully this year the media-industrial complex waits until GS actually wins the title before planning the parade?

 

[pumpdog20]

62 wins? They'll have a better chance of winning 75 than 62. They are replacing Harrison Barnes with freaking Kevin Durant. He's not going to be one to disrupt the chemistry which is the only way they'd lose more games than this year.

IMO, the only reason Cleveland was able to pull it off was because Barnes went ice cold in the final 3 games. One key chemistry disrupt-or might be Green, as he's obviously going to be the 4th option, but as long as they win, I think he is ok.

 

[GATTACA!]

62 wins? They'll have a better chance of winning 75 than 62. They are replacing Harrison Barnes with freaking Kevin Durant. He's not going to be one to disrupt the chemistry which is the only way they'd lose more games than this year.

IMO, the only reason Cleveland was able to pull it off was because Barnes went ice cold in the final 3 games. One key chemistry disrupt-or might be Green, as he's obviously going to be the 4th option, but as long as they win, I think he is ok.

They have to have time to gel. Plus their depth is going to take a big hit. 62 seems low, but if I had to bet on 62 or 75 I would go 62.

 

[irishfan]

The NBA is very frustrating to follow. Even as a Boston fan where my team is better positioned than most, it's hard to closely follow a league where the top teams are miles away from the rest of the league. Barring an injury or an unforeseen trade, there's about a 1% chance the finals won't be GSW/Spurs vs. Cavs.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Westbrook was gone after next year anyway. KD would've only stayed in OKC for 1 more year if he returned. His choice was give it one more shot and start fresh in 2 years, or start fresh next year.

 

[Ndaccountant]

It would be so perfect if they became the 2003/4 Lakers.

 

[NDRock]

It would be so perfect if they became the 2003/4 Lakers.

I'd be surprised if they did, not nearly the egos of those Lakers teams.

 

[irishfan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In <a href="https://twitter.com/NBASummerLeague">@NBASummerLeague</a> debut, All-ACC performer Demetrius Jackson scores 8pts (3-5FG) in Celtics win.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDinNBA?src=hash">#NDinNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/mar41ozF2P">pic.twitter.com/mar41ozF2P</a></p>— Notre Dame MBB (@NDmbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/NDmbb/status/750151677169270788">July 5, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishLax]

We think he'll make the roster?

 

[irishfan]

We think he'll make the roster?

I think he barely does. He's an NBA player for sure, they just have a logjam there.

I'm kind of torn on if it's a good situation for him or not in Boston. He's behind Thomas, Smart, and Rozier but he is playing for one of the best coaches in the league so he's certainly going to be given every chance to earn PT. It's just going to be very hard to come by without an injury or a trade.

 

[Irish#1]

The reason why the NBA is the least interesting sports league of the big four is because it's completely noncompetitive. Free agency is 100% broken. No other league has such talent imbalance issues. European Soccer is the closest comp in terms of imbalance, but they fix that by having regular season == championship with "cups" to keep things interesting.

There's no point in even have a regular season next year... just skip to a four team playoff between Golden State, Cleveland, San Antonio, and Boston.

I've heard on the radio that the Pacers may have improved themselves more than any team in the east.

I know it's a 2 year contract, but is it full 2, or 1 and 1?

2 years, but Durant has the option on the second year.

Westbrook was gone after next year anyway. KD would've only stayed in OKC for 1 more year if he returned. His choice was give it one more shot and start fresh in 2 years, or start fresh next year.

I've heard that more than once and that may be why Durant left now.

I really don't care one way or the other about the decision, but most experts felt GS's biggest weakness was their lack of size. Durant not only brings size, he brings length which would make James path to the basket much tougher.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I've heard on the radio that the Pacers may have improved themselves more than any team in the east.



2 years, but Durant has the option on the second year.



I've heard that more than once and that may be why Durant left now.

I really don't care one way or the other about the decision, but most experts felt GS's biggest weakness was their lack of size. Durant not only brings size, he brings length which would make James path to the basket much tougher.

As a Durant fan by biggest worry for GSW is by trading Bogut they aren't getting better on D. And Durant coming in and Barnes leaving is about a wash on D. So they've obviously gained more scoring but lost some D. There's only so many balls to go around. They need to get Durant to play better D. He's got length and mobility but isn't anywhere near a great defender.

 

[gkIrish]

This is fun

https://theringer.com/building-a-super-team-to-beat-the-warriors-ad63f1f728eb#.v4n6tdcrq

Gut choices for me would be:

Giannis ($3)
Bradley ($1)
Kawhi ($5)
Porzingis ($2)
Towns ($4)

Porzingis and Towns will be tough for Green and Durant to deal with defensively. Way too much size. Bradley can contain Steph. Kawhi can guard Klay. Giannis can guard Iggy.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

NBA Thread

This is fun



https://theringer.com/building-a-super-team-to-beat-the-warriors-ad63f1f728eb#.v4n6tdcrq



Gut choices for me would be:



Giannis ($3)

Bradley ($1)

Kawhi ($5)

Porzingis ($2)

Towns ($4)



Porzingis and Towns will be tough for Green and Durant to deal with defensively. Way too much size. Bradley can contain Steph. Kawhi can guard Klay. Giannis can guard Iggy.

I like your LU, but The Freak (love that guy, and definitely would keep him) as full time PG concerns me. I would swing for the fences with:

Kemba Walker $2
Freak $3
Kawhi $5
Porzo $2
Gorgei Dieng $1
Vucevic or Brolo $2

*Kemba IMO was the best distributor of the cheaper PGs, the Freak can play 1-3 at a high level and even the 4 at a serviceable one against GS, Kawhi is a steal at $5, Porzo at $2 is too, Dieng is out there to grab boards and club guys, and Vucci or Brolo are offensive minded enough to produce.

 

[bkess8]

Warriors just added David West also!

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Another interesting LU for $15, would be one with some lunacy (Rondo & ZBo) built around Lebron like:

Rondo: $1
Butler: $4
Nicolas Batum: $1
Lebron: $7
Z-Bo: $2

 

[KPENN]

Lowry($3)
Avery Bradley($1)
Wiggins($3)
LeBron($7)
Tristian Thompson($1)