*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (4 Viewers)

[Notorious T.R.E.]

New Draft Order Rule:

Each NBA team hires a professional poker player to represent them. They enter into a 30 man poker tournament that is aired on NBATV.

 

[Slapdash]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

The lottery is bad enough. If a team wants to tank, let them.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

This gif cracks me up. I love the air hump by Stephenson after the breaking of ankles.

Stephenson's becoming one hell of a player & only getting better. He'd get my vote to be an All Star this season. He's everything the Pacers could hope for at the 2.

Figured the guy would have fizzled out of the league when he came out of Cincy.

 

[Daywalker]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

 

[scoobus]

New Draft Order Rule:

Each NBA team hires a professional poker player to represent them. They enter into a 30 man poker tournament that is aired on NBATV.

And the amount they pay for the poker player counts against the cap. How much does Ivey go for?

 

[simmonjm]

New Draft Order Rule:

Each NBA team hires a professional poker player to represent them. They enter into a 30 man poker tournament that is aired on NBATV.

And the amount they pay for the poker player counts against the cap. How much does Ivey go for?

Knicks would give up future first round pick for him.

 

[Abraham]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

 

[scoobus]

I'm not the biggest Kobe fan by any stretch, but did you just compare him to ####### Rafael Palmeiro?

 

[Abraham]

I'm not the biggest Kobe fan by any stretch, but did you just compare him to ####### Rafael Palmeiro?

Yes. really good for a long time, rarely seen as "the best" at any given time.

 

[Daywalker]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

 

[Daywalker]

I'm not the biggest Kobe fan by any stretch, but did you just compare him to ####### Rafael Palmeiro?

Yes. really good for a long time, rarely seen as "the best" at any given time.

Shaq left and Kobe won two titles. Gasol? Great player but give me a break.

Lakers won the first three on Shaq's back but Kobe was the guy in crunch time. You don't just insert anyone else and have the same success.

Shaq, Duncan and Lebron. Perhaps Kobe was never the best at any given time but #2 for the majority of his career is pretty spectacular.

I'd take Duncan over Kobe. Duncan is like 5-7 all time. Kobe is borderline top 10.

Plus you take into account that Kobe is one of the most exciting players ever to watch and you have a once in a generation talent.

 

[SoCalBroncoFan]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

I would actually compare him to Barry Bonds or A-Rod, disregarding their steroid use. They were all bigger than life players. They were all among the best of all-time. They were all gigantic a-holes. You never hear former teammates say how they enjoyed them as teammates.

 

[Daywalker]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

I would actually compare him to Barry Bonds or A-Rod, disregarding their steroid use. They were all bigger than life players. They were all among the best of all-time. They were all gigantic a-holes. You never hear former teammates say how they enjoyed them as teammates.

You never hear that about MJ either. Kobe is not MJ but as a fan hard not to appreciate Kobe's intensity. It's why when Shaq was shown the door Lakers' fans were on board.

 

[tommyGunZ]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

I would actually compare him to Barry Bonds or A-Rod, disregarding their steroid use. They were all bigger than life players. They were all among the best of all-time. They were all gigantic a-holes. You never hear former teammates say how they enjoyed them as teammates.

You never hear that about MJ either. Kobe is not MJ but as a fan hard not to appreciate Kobe's intensity. It's why when Shaq was shown the door Lakers' fans were on board.

exactly

 

[pollardsvision]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

I would actually compare him to Barry Bonds or A-Rod, disregarding their steroid use. They were all bigger than life players. They were all among the best of all-time. They were all gigantic a-holes. You never hear former teammates say how they enjoyed them as teammates.

A-Rod, maybe, but absolutely not Bonds.

Bonds led the league in Win Probability Added 10 times, never finishing lower than 3rd until he was 41 years old (even then, he was top 10 in his last 2 seasons). He's #1 all-time.

Bonds led the league in offensive WAR 8 times, including 5 straight seasons.

Led league in WAR for Positional Players 11 times.

Kobe never finished better than 4th in Win Shares. He cracked the top 10 in only 8 of 17 seasons.

The Palmeiro comparison was a little low, and I think we all know that, but Kobe's far closer to Palmeiro (5 Top 10 WAR finishes in 20 seasons) than Bonds.

 

[Abraham]

I wasn't trying to disparage Kobe but rather make the point that his longevity is as much a part of his being a top10 all player as anything else. He's been really good for a really long time. I think he was probably a top-5 player in the league for a large part of his career. But outside of one or two seasons, he has never been the "best" player in the league.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I wasn't trying to disparage Kobe but rather make the point that his longevity is as much a part of his being a top10 all player as anything else. He's been really good for a really long time. I think he was probably a top-5 player in the league for a large part of his career. But outside of one or two seasons, he has never been the "best" player in the league.

Debatable, but that's still way better than Palmeiro.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I wasn't trying to disparage Kobe but rather make the point that his longevity is as much a part of his being a top10 all player as anything else. He's been really good for a really long time. I think he was probably a top-5 player in the league for a large part of his career. But outside of one or two seasons, he has never been the "best" player in the league.

Debatable, but that's still way better than Palmeiro.

Frank Thomas? Great for a long time, best in his league/conference a couple of times, but never really the best in the game. Also mostly known for his offensive contributions, towards the end of his career stopped playing defense entirely.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Hardest working and most exciting player of his generation. Five titles. You cannot ask for more.

I like Kobe, but he has Rafael Palmeiro disease in this sense: in an abundant and successful career spanning a decade and a half, there were very few moments when he was widely regarded as the best player alive. Yes, he won an MVP. Maybe he deserved one or two more. But he didn't win them for one reason or another. Kobe is an amazing player and I've enjoyed watching him. And maybe history will forget that he had Shaq and Gasol on those title teams. But I remember him as being an excellent player with a lot of good circumstance.

The one MVP was a shame lifetime achievement award. Never did he deserve the MVP.

 

[tommyGunZ]

OFFICIAL Victor Oladipo HOF Watch Update

FG%: .398

TO's: 92

Assists: 92

PER: 11.9

And benched by the 8-20 Magic.

Merry Christmas Cappy!

 

[Premier]

OFFICIAL Victor Oladipo HOF Watch Update

FG%: .398

TO's: 92

Assists: 92

PER: 11.9

And benched by the 8-20 Magic.

Merry Christmas Cappy!

How is Dwight doing in LA this season?

Btw, my favorite team in any sport is playing for the title in 13 days. Trolling denied.

 

[simmonjm]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

 

[Daywalker]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

Yeah I follow. But that would only benefit the weaker teams to an extent which isn't such a bad thing. If the Nets have nothing to play for a weaker team would chose them to play.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

What would be the point of tanking for those teams? To help the team that owns their pick? Multi-year tank job?

 

[Frostillicus]

This gif cracks me up. I love the air hump by Stephenson after the breaking of ankles.

Stephenson's becoming one hell of a player & only getting better. He'd get my vote to be an All Star this season. He's everything the Pacers could hope for at the 2.

Figured the guy would have fizzled out of the league when he came out of Cincy.

He's no Dermarr Johnson

 

[BigSteelThrill]

76ers ..

Worst record in the NBA over the past 15 games (2-13).

Now a lottery team with the 3rd worst record in the NBA.

 

[Premier]

Wow what a horrible slate of games. And jerseys.

 

[Abraham]

Wow what a horrible slate of games. And jerseys.

Agreed. The mid afternoon game should always be a finals rematch.

 

[simmonjm]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

What would be the point of tanking for those teams? To help the team that owns their pick? Multi-year tank job?

It was my understanding that the more you win in this tournament the better pick you get. Is this not correct? With that being said what would be the Knicks motivation to win games if they knew it would give say the Nuggets a better draft pick? They would lose on purpose to make themselves appear as the trade winner. Your lying to yourself if you don't think the owner/GM have egos and listen to what fans/media say.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Nets

Zero heart. Zero energy. But at least they have a nice collection of washed up vets. Only 2 more years $48 mil left on Joe Johnson's deal.

Poor kids that got Bulls/Nets tickets as a 'gift' for Christmas.

 

[Abraham]

Atlanta gets the pick this year, right? What a disaster.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Yep. Atlanta has right to swap picks with Nets.

The Celtics will own less favorable pick (Hawks/Nets). So Nets won't have pick regardless.

 

[timschochet]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Everything you wrote describes Kobe Bryant to a tee, and he is also one of the most spectacular and talented guys ever to play basketball. So I don't understand the hate.

 

[Abraham]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Everything you wrote describes Kobe Bryant to a tee, and he is also one of the most spectacular and talented guys ever to play basketball. So I don't understand the hate.

Except for the playing like a team part.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Basketball comedy in NY today. Boos continue on from the Barclays Center.

Beno Udrih wide open 3 in corner -- hits side of backboard.

 

[timschochet]

I have been a Laker hater fir a long time, but I have come to the realization that it's not the Lakers I hate, it's Kobe. I find myself watching this Kobe-less team and I am rooting fir them. They are playing hard, they are playing as a team, and while they are mistake-prone, they are fun to watch. The Lakers have finally become the scrappy underdog and I like them.

Everything you wrote describes Kobe Bryant to a tee, and he is also one of the most spectacular and talented guys ever to play basketball. So I don't understand the hate.

Except for the playing like a team part.

You're buying into a myth, Abe. If Kobe was truly the terrible teammate people say, he'd have 0 rings instead of 5. He is a great teammate. But he also knows his own abilities, and he knows the team has the best chance of winning with the ball usually in his hands.

 

[General Malaise]

In 1991 I watched and actively rooted for a horrendous Dallas Mavericks team. One of the worst teams ever assembled. Today I've been treated to two teams that make that Mavericks team look like the '77 Blazers in the Nets and Knicks. Jesus Jordan Christ, Stern...contract these teams. Now.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Nets paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $80+ in luxury taxes alone this season.

Garnett just looks awful. Embarrassing watching him out there nowadays. Pierce isn't much better. Still amazing to me that ATL found a way out of Joe Johnson's contract AND the right to swap 1st rounders in 2014 and 2015.

These sleeved jerseys are awful. So is the basketball in NY today.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

What would be the point of tanking for those teams? To help the team that owns their pick? Multi-year tank job?

It was my understanding that the more you win in this tournament the better pick you get. Is this not correct? With that being said what would be the Knicks motivation to win games if they knew it would give say the Nuggets a better draft pick? They would lose on purpose to make themselves appear as the trade winner. Your lying to yourself if you don't think the owner/GM have egos and listen to what fans/media say.

Yeah. So they'd be in a multi-year tank job or they'd just tank a season to spite the Nuggets? That doesn't make much sense to me. By the time the tourney comes around, the GM can't do anymore tanking. You'd assume the players in the tourney are going to want to win. The owner would want those extra games for the cash. How exactly are they going to tank the tourney?

I don't think the players are going to be too concerned either way about what is at stake in the tourney. You'd assume, that as pros, they'd want to win for pride and could give two ####s about the draft pick since half the team could be gone away.

 

[thecatch]

Nets paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $80+ in luxury taxes alone this season.

Garnett just looks awful. Embarrassing watching him out there nowadays. Pierce isn't much better. Still amazing to me that ATL found a way out of Joe Johnson's contract AND the right to swap 1st rounders in 2014 and 2015.

These sleeved jerseys are awful. So is the basketball in NY today.

So, how do you feel about the Nets this year?

 

[simmonjm]

Did you guys see the new solution to tanking being discussed by the NBA? Essentially each team gets the #1-#30 overall pick once every 30 years. This would eliminate tanking in one fell swoop.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/86940/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel

Do not like. Simmons' Entertaining As Hell Tournament >>>> this.

All the teams that don't make the playoffs should play a single-elimination tournament for draft slots.

The bottom six teams are in the elite 8. The other 8 teams should play down until 2 are left. They join the other 6 for an elite 8.

The team with the worst record gets a home game and gets to pick who they want to play. Next worse remaining record does the same and so on.

Next round. Same process.

Championship game.

Would be a great tournament. Bottom six teams are guranteed a top 8 pick. Not so bad. Players would not pack it in with 10 games to go. Fanbases of crumby teams would have something dramatic to look forward too. Would be a difficult enough tourney that a good team that just missed the playoffs would not have a cakewalk to the #1 pick. They'd likely be playing all road games in a single elimination tourney against teams that are giving it their all.

I like the thought process but tanking would still happen if say for instance the Nets/Knicks got into the tournament and someone else owned their pick.

What would be the point of tanking for those teams? To help the team that owns their pick? Multi-year tank job?

It was my understanding that the more you win in this tournament the better pick you get. Is this not correct? With that being said what would be the Knicks motivation to win games if they knew it would give say the Nuggets a better draft pick? They would lose on purpose to make themselves appear as the trade winner. Your lying to yourself if you don't think the owner/GM have egos and listen to what fans/media say.

Yeah. So they'd be in a multi-year tank job or they'd just tank a season to spite the Nuggets? That doesn't make much sense to me. By the time the tourney comes around, the GM can't do anymore tanking. You'd assume the players in the tourney are going to want to win. The owner would want those extra games for the cash. How exactly are they going to tank the tourney?

I don't think the players are going to be too concerned either way about what is at stake in the tourney. You'd assume, that as pros, they'd want to win for pride and could give two ####s about the draft pick since half the team could be gone away.

I was referring to strictly the tournament and not the regular season as far as tanking. Take this season for example and say the Nets and Knicks both miss the playoffs (not beyond realm of possibility) and neither owns their 1st round draft pick. Why would the Nets and Knicks even try in the tournament and let the Nuggets and Hawks get better draft slots?

 

[simmonjm]

In 1991 I watched and actively rooted for a horrendous Dallas Mavericks team. One of the worst teams ever assembled. Today I've been treated to two teams that make that Mavericks team look like the '77 Blazers in the Nets and Knicks. Jesus Jordan Christ, Stern...contract these teams. Now.

In all fairness both NY teams were missing their best player.

 

[Abraham]

I really like watching melo play so I was sorry he was inactive.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Nets paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $80+ in luxury taxes alone this season.

Garnett just looks awful. Embarrassing watching him out there nowadays. Pierce isn't much better. Still amazing to me that ATL found a way out of Joe Johnson's contract AND the right to swap 1st rounders in 2014 and 2015.

These sleeved jerseys are awful. So is the basketball in NY today.

So, how do you feel about the Nets this year?

I don't recall a team playing with less heart and energy than the Nets. Dates back to even last year. Not a huge surprise the Bulls outworked the Nets yet again today. Embarrassing to see Joe Johnson's effort (especially side-by-side to Jimmy Butler)

Thought maybe Garnett could instill some heart, but he flat looks done. Even his defense is bad nowadays.

 

[Short Corner]

Miami putting on a clinic with that wide pin down.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Heat toying with the Lakers here. It's like an All State caliber varsity team playing against an 8th grade team.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Stay down Rock!

 

[Raider Nation]

Hanging on the rim for 16 seconds is perfectly fine these days?

 

[tommyGunZ]

SWAGGGGGGGGGGY P!

 

[streets]

Hanging on the rim for 16 seconds is perfectly fine these days?

It is if your name is Lebron James.

So sad the state of the NBA.