*NBA THREAD* Abe will be missed (3 Viewers)

[saintfool]

Well the 'punchers' have a chance now against the Heat. And while I fully expect the Heat to respond, what if the Pacers win game 2?

Will fantasycurse lose a hand he's planning to bet?

"The series doesnt begin until the road team wins a game." Nice win by Indy.

I would love okc to win the series, and they have been playing with a horseshoe up their collective backsides all postseason. But it will take Westbrook going bananas for the whole series to do it. Should be fun.

i think the loss of Ibaka is big for OKC. the more i think about it, it will leaves a big hole at the basket and in the paint. ibaka is a terrific shot blocker and aggressive enough in the paint to put a player like Parker on his ###. collison has size, capable defender, blahblahblah but he's not ibaka. i think the path to rim is now wide open. westbrook is going to have to work his ### off on both ends of the floor now.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Ibaka was huge for OKC in a couple of games against SAS in 2012 WCF. With Duncan playing at an elite level, Splitter really coming on, crafty Diaw off the bench as far as bigs. Then Manu and Parker et al ability to get in the lane. Just seems like Ibaka is a huge loss.

I dont know.. I tend to be a pessimistic fan, and I realize Westbrook and Durant can win a series by themselves, but this thing is there for the taking for los Spurs. SAS in 6.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I don't think the Thunder can beat the Spurs without Ibaka. The Spurs are arguably the best team in the league anyway and Ibaka's loss is big on both ends.

As for Pacers/Heat, it's a slim possibility, but I wonder if the league doesn't look at that Chalmers foul on Watson and suspend him a game. A two hand shove while the guy is in the air seems like the type of play the league could decide was an intent to injure. With it not being called a Flagrant 2 in the game and the stakes at hand I doubt it happens, but it seems like something that should be reviewed anyhow. That would be a gigantic loss for the Heat if he missed a game.

 

[Kraft...]

Weather the Love to Celtics rumors have any truth to them or not, I have hope. Assets have been accumulated, tomorrow nights result likely a major factor. Ainge is a

Oh and the "Sullinger is as good as Love" calls have already started on local sports radio

 

[thecatch]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

 

[Frostillicus]

Weather the Love to Celtics rumors have any truth to them or not, I have hope. Assets have been accumulated, tomorrow nights result likely a major factor. Ainge is a

Oh and the "Sullinger is as good as Love" calls have already started on local sports radio

Man I hope it's Boston. I took a look at all the possibilities and they're the only team with enough where I could see myself feeling ok about a trade.

 

[Jayrod]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston

#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

 

[Frostillicus]

Wolves get: Omer Asik (Rockets), Jeff Green (Celtics), Celtics 2014 1st rounder, Clippers 2015 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2016 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2017 1st (Celtics)

Celtics get: Kevin Love (Wolves), Jeremy Lin (Rockets)

Rockets get: Deron Williams (Nets)

Nets get: Rajon Rondo (Celtics)

 

[thecatch]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA. Rondo, Love, and another good not great player is not exactly an unstoppable juggernaut.

 

[Freelove]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA.

Come again?

 

[Abraham]

Wolves get: Omer Asik (Rockets), Jeff Green (Celtics), Celtics 2014 1st rounder, Clippers 2015 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2016 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2017 1st (Celtics)

Celtics get: Kevin Love (Wolves), Jeremy Lin (Rockets)

Rockets get: Deron Williams (Nets)

Nets get: Rajon Rondo (Celtics)

We're not getting Melo? And we aren't getting Love? Ok, I can live with Williams (although I'd prefer Rondo).

 

[ArbyMelt]

I don't think the Thunder can beat the Spurs without Ibaka. The Spurs are arguably the best team in the league anyway and Ibaka's loss is big on both ends.

As for Pacers/Heat, it's a slim possibility, but I wonder if the league doesn't look at that Chalmers foul on Watson and suspend him a game. A two hand shove while the guy is in the air seems like the type of play the league could decide was an intent to injure. With it not being called a Flagrant 2 in the game and the stakes at hand I doubt it happens, but it seems like something that should be reviewed anyhow. That would be a gigantic loss for the Heat if he missed a game.

I think the West foul on Lebron was just as bad, you pull someone back by the neck while they are up in the air, it can be just as dangerous as the Chalmers foul. But Lebron is so much bigger and strong than Watson, he didn't go down. If Chalmers pushes someone like Lebron, he probably makes the layup and noone notices.

Bottom line, neither should be suspended by the current rules, but both are very dangerous.

 

[thecatch]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA.

Come again?

Who was the last major FA they signed? They have a rich history obviously but I don't recall anyone falling all over themselves to sign in Boston. No weather or tax advantages like the TX, CA, FL teams and it's not the market that NY or CHI is.

 

[Freelove]

Every location in the northeast corridor is a significantly better media pull than Chicago. The EC time zone and interlocking media/TV deals guarantee those guys way more exposure on regional and nat'l TV than the midwestern giants. Boston is a few slots behind in terms of market for pricing local ads, but their de facto market size is enormous.

As for FA's? When's the last time that was relevant to Boston? They loaded the last roster up via trade and kept those huge contracts together and on the books for years. They're just now becoming a player in FA again. So we'll see.

I'd wager the weather and state tax implications mean a lot less to FA superstars than you're giving them credit for, but I'm sure that varies on a case to case basis.

In all, though, a world class city with a basketball tradition better than any other city in the league, with the entire NE megalopolis to pump them full of income, and one of the small handful of franchises the NBA bends over backwards to ensure maintains a national media reach. Doesn't make them everybody's dream destination, but to say it lags behind anyone in this respect seems a little short sighted.

I say all this as a Pistons fan, so I know what it's like to have a team in a place that nobody considers a dream destination.

 

[GroveDiesel]

I don't think the Thunder can beat the Spurs without Ibaka. The Spurs are arguably the best team in the league anyway and Ibaka's loss is big on both ends.

As for Pacers/Heat, it's a slim possibility, but I wonder if the league doesn't look at that Chalmers foul on Watson and suspend him a game. A two hand shove while the guy is in the air seems like the type of play the league could decide was an intent to injure. With it not being called a Flagrant 2 in the game and the stakes at hand I doubt it happens, but it seems like something that should be reviewed anyhow. That would be a gigantic loss for the Heat if he missed a game.

I think the West foul on Lebron was just as bad, you pull someone back by the neck while they are up in the air, it can be just as dangerous as the Chalmers foul. But Lebron is so much bigger and strong than Watson, he didn't go down. If Chalmers pushes someone like Lebron, he probably makes the layup and noone notices.Bottom line, neither should be suspended by the current rules, but both are very dangerous.

I thought the replay showed West trying to swipe at the ball from behind. Only reason it seemed bad at all was that moron Van Gundy immediately having a coronary before seeing the replay and completely backtracking. Swiping at the ball from behind and getting the shoulder instead is different than a two hand shove in the back while the guy is in the air.

 

[Snickers]

Wolves get: Omer Asik (Rockets), Jeff Green (Celtics), Celtics 2014 1st rounder, Clippers 2015 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2016 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2017 1st (Celtics)

Celtics get: Kevin Love (Wolves), Jeremy Lin (Rockets)

Rockets get: Deron Williams (Nets)

Nets get: Rajon Rondo (Celtics)

I couldn't imagine a worse trade for Boston, giving up 4 #1 picks and their two best players for Love and a borderline starting PG.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

Why does every team look timid against the Spurs? Happened in Game 1 against Portland and now here again with OKC. Sefalosha (sp?) and Collison with WIDE OPEN 15 footers and they look like they don't even want to shoot, then hoist it towards the goal with no chance of making it. Either shoot it with the confidence of making it or don't shoot it at all...

 

[sports_fan]

Already starting to look like a blowout

 

[sports_fan]

Already starting to look like a blowout

just kidding

 

[Frostillicus]

Wolves get: Omer Asik (Rockets), Jeff Green (Celtics), Celtics 2014 1st rounder, Clippers 2015 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2016 1st (Celtics), Brooklyn 2017 1st (Celtics)

Celtics get: Kevin Love (Wolves), Jeremy Lin (Rockets)

Rockets get: Deron Williams (Nets)

Nets get: Rajon Rondo (Celtics)

I couldn't imagine a worse trade for Boston, giving up 4 #1 picks and their two best players for Love and a borderline starting PG.

They could throw in Olynyk. That would be worse.

 

[CurlyNight]

11 minutes left!! Let's go Spursssssssssssssssssssssss! Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!

 

[fantasycurse42]

This San Antonio team looking better and better.

I think they have a real shot against Miami.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

If OKC is going small, they have to do something differently on defense. You can't just line up Jackson against a post player and play straight up. Either front the post or double on the pass or something...Boris Diaw is going to look like Wilt Chamberlain if you let him catch on the block with Jackson on his hip and no help.

 

[Frostillicus]

This San Antonio team looking better and better.

I think they have a real shot against Miami.

You mean Indiana

 

[Mister CIA]

Kawhi Leonard with what has to be NBA POTY.

 

[CurlyNight]

Ginobollllllllllllllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

 

[CurlyNight]

 

[saintfool]

If OKC is going small, they have to do something differently on defense. You can't just line up Jackson against a post player and play straight up. Either front the post or double on the pass or something...Boris Diaw is going to look like Wilt Chamberlain if you let him catch on the block with Jackson on his hip and no help.

i love seeing Boris on the block like that. his all-around rec league game is always worth a chuckle.

 

[Jayrod]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA. Rondo, Love, and another good not great player is not exactly an unstoppable juggernaut.

A lot of wrong in this post.I would love to see a healthy Rondo with Love and someone else like Gordon Hayward or Lance Stephenson. They could start to compete immediately in the East.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA. Rondo, Love, and another good not great player is not exactly an unstoppable juggernaut.

A lot of wrong in this post.I would love to see a healthy Rondo with Love and someone else like Gordon Hayward or Lance Stephenson. They could start to compete immediately in the East.

This combination seems like a 3-6 seed in the east with no real chance of winning a title.

 

[Jayrod]

I don't see why Love would ever go to Boston unless 2 other stars are going with him.

#1 - It's Boston#2 - Rondo is a star caliber point guard

#3 - They have the best young coach in the game, IMO

All they need is a third good-to-great player and I think it makes a lot of sense.

That said, I'd go to Chicago if I were him.

Boston isn't an NBA destination city like LA. Rondo, Love, and another good not great player is not exactly an unstoppable juggernaut.

A lot of wrong in this post.I would love to see a healthy Rondo with Love and someone else like Gordon Hayward or Lance Stephenson. They could start to compete immediately in the East.

This combination seems like a 3-6 seed in the east with no real chance of winning a title.

A ton depends on the other pieces they could find/fit around them.I think Stevens is a fantastic coach and can make the whole greater than the sum of its parts ala Pops.

 

[Mister CIA]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

 

[Abraham]

Curly wins again!

 

[Abraham]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

Tim Duncan is one of the top 3 players of the last fifteen years and one of the top ten players of all time and he has been largely ignored.

So "doubtful"

 

[CurlyNight]

Curly wins again!

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

 

[fantasycurse42]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

Tim Duncan is one of the top 3 players of the last fifteen years and one of the top ten players of all time and he has been largely ignored. So "doubtful"

Ignored is an over-statement. He is boring, no question about it, but anyone who watches basketball has a ton of respect for him getting #### done, regardless of how vanilla his game is.

 

[Prince Myshkin]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

Tim Duncan is one of the top 3 players of the last fifteen years and one of the top ten players of all time and he has been largely ignored.So "doubtful"

Ignored is an over-statement. He is boring, no question about it, but anyone who watches basketball has a ton of respect for him getting #### done, regardless of how vanilla his game is.

He's been ignored from a media standpoint.

 

[fantasycurse42]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

Tim Duncan is one of the top 3 players of the last fifteen years and one of the top ten players of all time and he has been largely ignored.So "doubtful"

Ignored is an over-statement. He is boring, no question about it, but anyone who watches basketball has a ton of respect for him getting #### done, regardless of how vanilla his game is.

He's been ignored from a media standpoint.

BC he is boring, on and off the court... The media doesn't care about bank shots or a guy eating a turkey sandwich with cheese on whole wheat toast. I bet Duncan drives a Ford Explorer.

 

[Abraham]

My pint was that kl is an underrated star in the media perspective and I expect him to stay that way.

 

[Jayrod]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

He has a reputation for being very shy and quiet. Personally, he is one of my favorite players to watch.

 

[fantasycurse42]

can't wait to see what happens with Indy tomorrow.. Do they show up or just get rolled?

 

[Frostillicus]

can't wait to see what happens with Indy tomorrow.. Do they show up or just get rolled?

I bet at least one person in this thread has a strong opinion on this.

 

[Britney Spears]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

He has a reputation for being very shy and quiet. Personally, he is one of my favorite players to watch.

I love when they say that Pop "had a hard time" letting George Hill go for Kawhi. I'm sure he loses a ton of sleep over it.

 

[Routilla]

Go Spurs!

 

[Daywalker]

If the Spurs win the title and Kawhi Leonard (aka Sugar K Leonard) continues his forceful march towards excellence, I think KL will become a top 3 NBA media star.

Tim Duncan is one of the top 3 players of the last fifteen years and one of the top ten players of all time and he has been largely ignored.So "doubtful"

Ignored is an over-statement. He is boring, no question about it, but anyone who watches basketball has a ton of respect for him getting #### done, regardless of how vanilla his game is.

Are we really debating Duncan's place in NBA history? If Ray Allen doesn't hit that three Duncan would have been in a stratosphere Lebron could never surpass. Allen hit it. That's the way it goes. Spurs looking great again this season. If they win it all it will be unlikely Lebron will ever surpass Duncan in the pantheon. At least in my book.

 

[Daywalker]

If Duncan wins I'd put it:

1. Jordan

2. Russell

3. Duncan

Will be tough to crack that top 3.

A lot riding on this season legacy-wise for Duncan and Lebron.

 

[Short Corner]

If Duncan wins I'd put it:

1. Jordan

2. Russell

3. Duncan

Will be tough to crack that top 3.

A lot riding on this season legacy-wise for Duncan and Lebron.

Lebron has a few more seasons left in him to build his legacy.

 

[pizzatyme]

can't wait to see what happens with Indy

tomorrow.. Do they show up or just get rolled?

I bet at least one person in this thread has a

strong opinion on this.

Heat by 60. This series is already ova!

 

[Premier]

Draft Lottery is tonight

 

[Premier]

The Spurs are such a joy to watch offensively. I have no ties to that city/area but I really hope they take this thing down.