2015 NBA Thread: I felt a great disturbance in the trolls, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. (1 Viewer)

[mr. furley]

Why would any really good coach want to coach James though?

perhaps because he is the best player of his generation and it's not really close?

 

[Jayrod]

I think Lebron is the most skilled player in the game.  He's strong.  He's physical.  He plays D.  He wants to win.  

THAT BEING SAID...

If Lebron and Kyrie were traded for Curry and Thompson  ...  Curry and Thompson's new team would be the favorites.  Suddenly Love is better.  Suddenly Mozgov has a role.  Suddenly Channing is open for 3s.  Dellavedova has space to penetrate.  But put Lebron and Kyrie on the Warriors, and Iguodala stops trying.  Bogut gets frustrated standing there watching Irving dribble.  Barbosa can't get to the hoop.  

FACT:  Curry and Thompson are totally happy passing to Iguodala, Barnes, Barbosa, Bogut. Hell, they'll even let Speights shoot 3s without telling him to stop.  The Warriors supporting cast is fueled by the fact they can be individually successful playing with Curry and Thompson.   But if Lebron and Kyrie were on Speights teams and he missed a single shot, they'd ostracize him.  If Bogut got a rebound or blocked a shot they wouldn't even acknowledge the effort.  If I'm picking who I want to play with, it isn't the ball hogs.  Give me the guys that can shoot lights out but understand how their skills are made better by their teammates also being successful and how their skills make their teammates better.

Conversely the Cavs have paired Lebron with ball in hand alongside Kyrie with ball in hand.  It's 18 seconds of them playing around, and if they don't launch it, 6 seconds of their teammates trying to bail their a$$ out. Usually followed by 2 minutes of Lebron and Kyrie crying about their teammates.  It doesn't matter who the supporting cast is.

Warriors, Spurs, and Thunder all would beat CLE easily.

You've got some dragon in your blood, brother.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Frosty is slippin':

1.  Towns

2. Wiggins

3. Curry

4. LeBron

5. LaVine

 

[GOB]

Frosty is slippin':

1.  Towns

2. Wiggins

3. Curry

4. LeBron

5. LaVine

I'd legit put KAT in top 5 if we are talking next 3 years but I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole.

I kind of just need to leave the thread until the nba draft but...

https://youtu.be/jwlYo8EYTWI

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I'd legit put KAT in top 5 if we are talking next 3 years but I didn't want to go down the rabbit hole.

I kind of just need to leave the thread until the nba draft but...

https://youtu.be/jwlYo8EYTWI

Not clutch, can't handle the pressure. No thanks.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Not clutch, can't handle the pressure. No thanks.

PACK OF ANGRY WOLVERINES?

 

[Frostillicus]

Not clutch, can't handle the pressure. No thanks.

Wow and he missed twice.  I'm shook.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

USA Basketball Select Squad:

Featuring 15 players owning USA Basketball experience and including seven members of the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie first and second teams, USA Basketball today announced 25 players have been chosen for the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 18-21 with the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Selected for the 2016 USA Basketball Select squad were: Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia); Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit Pistons); Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings); Kris Dunn  (Providence College); Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic); Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers); Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets); Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz); Brandon Ingram (Duke University);Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina), Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons); Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves); CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers); Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls); Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets); Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers); Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks); Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers); D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers); Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics);Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers); Denzel Valentine (Michigan State University); Justise Winslow (Miami Heat) and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).

ZACH!

As a reminder:

The 31 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team include: LaMarcus Aldridge; Carmelo Anthony; Harrison Barnes; Bradley Beal; Jimmy Butler; Mike Conley; DeMarcus Cousins;Stephen Curry; Anthony Davis; DeMar DeRozan; Andre Drummond; Kevin Durant; Kenneth Faried; Rudy Gay; Paul George; Draymond Green; Blake Griffin; James Harden; Gordon Hayward; Dwight Howard; Andre Iguodala; Kyrie Irving; LeBron James; DeAndre Jordan;Kawhi Leonard; Damian Lillard; Kevin Love; Chris Paul; Klay Thompson; John Wall; andRussell Westbrook.

Curry bowed out already I think (due to injury supposedly)..probably others too.

 

[Gr00vus]

I'd love to see DeAndre Jordan get to play D under international rules.

 

[DrJ]

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have been able to sign Love to his current contract if he wasn't already on the team.

He'd just have to do a Lebron type contract with a 1 year opt out.

 

[dschuler]

Bosh did not....and won two titles. He knew how to adapt and change his game offensively (learning to become a three point shooter and a top flight pick and roll defender) and concede to Wade and Lebron when asked/needed. It worked for The Heat.

Kevin Love is no Chris Bosh.

Are you joking me?  Chris Bosh was much more of a laughing stock than Love in the playoffs with Lebron.  The dude camped out at the three point line, and had less of an impact.  He was killed on Twitter until they won a title.  Lebron is a disease for PF. 

 

[NewlyRetired]

Curry bowed out already I think (due to injury supposedly)..probably others too.

Aldridge pulled out yesterday with a finger injury.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Are you joking me?  Chris Bosh was much more of a laughing stock than Love in the playoffs with Lebron.  The dude camped out at the three point line, and had less of an impact.  He was killed on Twitter until they won a title.  Lebron is a disease for PF. 

Oh my.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Is the Olympic team normally not chosen at this late of a date?

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Aldridge pulled out yesterday with a finger injury.

Chris Paul and Griffin are most likely out with the injuries they sustained in the playoffs as well.

 

[sports_fan]

Is there any way to put an entire thread on ignore?

 

[ShamrockPride]

Is there any way to put an entire thread on ignore?

Don't click?

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I don't know if this was posted but I just saw it

Sean Rooks dies at 46

 

[GOB]

Are you joking me?  Chris Bosh was much more of a laughing stock than Love in the playoffs with Lebron.  The dude camped out at the three point line, and had less of an impact.  He was killed on Twitter until they won a title.  Lebron is a disease for PF. 

Wut

 

[Capella]

Everybody in the league sucks and they're all losers 

 

[Abraham]

Everybody in the league sucks and they're all losers 

Except Scola and Martin 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Scola, Martin, a protected 1, and a 2 for Love.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

WHO SAYS NO?!?!?!???!?!?!

 

[Capella]

USA Basketball Select Squad:

Featuring 15 players owning USA Basketball experience and including seven members of the 2015-16 NBA All-Rookie first and second teams, USA Basketball today announced 25 players have been chosen for the 2016 USA Men’s Select Team that will train July 18-21 with the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its training camp in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Selected for the 2016 USA Basketball Select squad were: Malcolm Brogdon (University of Virginia); Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Detroit Pistons); Willie Cauley-Stein (Sacramento Kings); Kris Dunn  (Providence College); Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic); Jerami Grant (Philadelphia 76ers); Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets); Rodney Hood (Utah Jazz); Brandon Ingram (Duke University);Brice Johnson (University of North Carolina), Stanley Johnson (Detroit Pistons); Zach LaVine (Minnesota Timberwolves); CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers); Doug McDermott (Chicago Bulls); Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver Nuggets); Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia 76ers); Jabari Parker (Milwaukee Bucks); Julius Randle (Los Angeles Lakers); D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers); Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics);Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers); Denzel Valentine (Michigan State University); Justise Winslow (Miami Heat) and Cody Zeller (Charlotte Hornets).

ZACH!

As a reminder:

The 31 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team include: LaMarcus Aldridge; Carmelo Anthony; Harrison Barnes; Bradley Beal; Jimmy Butler; Mike Conley; DeMarcus Cousins;Stephen Curry; Anthony Davis; DeMar DeRozan; Andre Drummond; Kevin Durant; Kenneth Faried; Rudy Gay; Paul George; Draymond Green; Blake Griffin; James Harden; Gordon Hayward; Dwight Howard; Andre Iguodala; Kyrie Irving; LeBron James; DeAndre Jordan;Kawhi Leonard; Damian Lillard; Kevin Love; Chris Paul; Klay Thompson; John Wall; andRussell Westbrook.

Curry bowed out already I think (due to injury supposedly)..probably others too.

Been meaning all day to take a crack at this. I think Lebron plays. Wall, Blake, Paul, Steph, unibrow, Aldridge are all out. Sounds like Carmelo and Westbrook are out too  

G: Lillard, Klay, Harden, Butler, Conley 

C: Cousins, Drummond or DeAndre

F: Durant, Lebron, George, Kawhi, Draymond

went with Conley to add some extra ball-handling. If Lebron drops I would say Hayward for shooting or Faried for ferociousness. Starting lineup of Lillard/Klay/Cousins/Lebron and Durant is terrifying. 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I hope Harden gets the Zika.

 

[Abraham]

Lebron is bound to want a break. 

 

[thecatch]

Been meaning all day to take a crack at this. I think Lebron plays. Wall, Blake, Paul, Steph, unibrow, Aldridge are all out. Sounds like Carmelo and Westbrook are out too  

G: Lillard, Klay, Harden, Butler, Conley 

C: Cousins, Drummond or DeAndre

F: Durant, Lebron, George, Kawhi, Draymond

went with Conley to add some extra ball-handling. If Lebron drops I would say Hayward for shooting or Faried for ferociousness. Starting lineup of Lillard/Klay/Cousins/Lebron and Durant is terrifying. 

Lebron may be the worst shooter in that starting lineup. 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Now everybody has something to root for.

No shtick, I always kinda-sorta want the US to lose.

 

[Moe.]

No shtick, I always kinda-sorta want the US to lose.

You feel the same way about soccer? Is it just because we're overwhelming favorites in bball or is there something else to it? 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Coach K. And I think it's lame that we send the best dudes available, I think there's a middle ground between sending a team of NBA All-Stars and good college players. Maybe have an age cap or something.

Kliny frustrates me -- as does the USMNT as a whole a lot of the time -- but one World Cup win would be better than 10 straight Olympic basketball golds.

Also Coach K.

 

[Moe.]

I hope Canada makes it through qualifying next month. Won't be too long before they are the second best national team in the world. A real rivalry could make international bball more interesting.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I wanna see Delly/Bogut pick and rolls and Ben Simmons literally talking on Bluetooth to his agent during a pool game.

 

[Abraham]

Bill Simmons tweeted in response to "what's the worst team we could send and still win:"

"Kobe and 4 rebounders". Lol 

 

[Abraham]

I hope Canada makes it through qualifying next month. Won't be too long before they are the second best national team in the world. A real rivalry could make international bball more interesting.

Wiggins, Thompson, and who else?  I've had a lot to drink. 

 

[Good Posting Judge]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_men's_national_basketball_team

USA 174, Canada 32.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

USA 174, Canada 32.

Did you miss Anthony Bennett's name?

 

[tdoss]

Script says Cleveland wins Game 3 by 5 or more even though Warriors are slim favorites.

Bet your grandma on it.

 

[dschuler]

Oh my.

Chris Bosh averaged 12 PPG and 7 Rebounds in the 2013 playoffs.  He had ZERO points in game 7 of the finals after playing 28 minutes.  He averaged 15 PPG and 5 Rebounds in the 2014 playoffs.  So yes, Chris Bosh was a laughing stock in the playoffs with Lebron.  He was criticized much more than Kevin Love.  Love averages 16 and 9 his two playoffs with Lebron BTW, which is better than Bosh did in both categories.  You guys have a very short memory.  

 

[Protocols of Stringer Bell]

Hypothetical - suppose Team USA sent an actual NBA team instead of collection of players for the Olympics.  I believe value of a group of players that are used to playing together is significantly meaningful.  How good would that team have to be to medal?  Like is Portland good enough?  Could a non playoff team pull it off?  

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Seriously, how do you guys not remember Bosh getting shredded by fans and media 4 years ago?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I don't know if this was posted but I just saw it

Sean Rooks dies at 46

Sucks.  Ran into him at a Sam Goody once as a youf...he was a nice guy.

 

[GOB]

Seriously, how do you guys not remember Bosh getting shredded by fans and media 4 years ago?

I remember it. It took time for them to figure things out. Bosh was very good defensively. Love looks like me out there on D. 

His comment that LeBron is a PF killer is just not very bright.

 

[Jayrod]

I remember it. It took time for them to figure things out. Bosh was very good defensively. Love looks like me out there on D. 

His comment that LeBron is a PF killer is just not very bright.

LeBron is a hybrid PF playing SF.  He takes up space on the block more often and needs the lane open more than most SFs.

That should work well with a true stretch 4.  Bosh just basically "converted" himself into a stretch 4.

 

[The Gator]

Coach K. And I think it's lame that we send the best dudes available, I think there's a middle ground between sending a team of NBA All-Stars and good college players. Maybe have an age cap or something.

Kliny frustrates me -- as does the USMNT as a whole a lot of the time -- but one World Cup win would be better than 10 straight Olympic basketball golds.

Also Coach K.

Down with all Coach Ks?

In

 

[tjnc09]

Script says Cleveland wins Game 3 by 5 or more even though Warriors are slim favorites.

Bet your grandma on it.

Link?

The line is dirty that's for sure.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Hypothetical - suppose Team USA sent an actual NBA team instead of collection of players for the Olympics.  I believe value of a group of players that are used to playing together is significantly meaningful.  How good would that team have to be to medal?  Like is Portland good enough?  Could a non playoff team pull it off?  

Since there are foreign players on many teams you would have to break down each team and see how much effect it would have missing certain players.

I think there were over a 100 foreign players in the league this past season.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Hypothetical - suppose Team USA sent an actual NBA team instead of collection of players for the Olympics.  I believe value of a group of players that are used to playing together is significantly meaningful.  How good would that team have to be to medal?  Like is Portland good enough?  Could a non playoff team pull it off?  

Fun question.  Way better than conspiracy theories about tonight's game or ridiculous statements about how LeBron affects PFs.

I have zero evidence to back this up of course, but I think any team other than possibly Philly or LA would win easily.

 

[mr. furley]

Hypothetical - suppose Team USA sent an actual NBA team instead of collection of players for the Olympics.  I believe value of a group of players that are used to playing together is significantly meaningful.  How good would that team have to be to medal?  Like is Portland good enough?  Could a non playoff team pull it off?  

they'd have the benefit of being a team, rather than a hodgepodge of guys who have practiced together a few times before live bullets start flying at least. good question.

 

[SWC]

a skeleton could not even jump in real life tho just sayin brohans take that to the bank

 

[thecatch]

The Spanish team has the talent on paper to compete with several NBA teams (Gasols, Ibaka, Calderon, Rubio, Mirotic, a couple of other ex-NBA guys). Pau was thinking about skipping it though, so who knows what the actual team will end up looking like.