timschochet's thread - Ranking hemorrhoids (1 Viewer)

[Britney Spears]

I give the Cavs a ton of credit for the way they have played so far, but I think the fact they are only playing 7 players basically every game is catching up to them and they lose the next 2. Game 5 will be close with the extra day off, but game 6 will be pretty close to a repeat of game 4.

I think the Dubs have been playing 7 as well, haven't they?

No

Curry

Thompson

Barnes

Green

Bogut

Ezzeli or however you spell it

AI

Lee

Barbosa

Livingston

Prob more like 8, maybe 9 in one or two, if we looked back game by game at meaningful minutes.

Yeah, I don't think all those guys are getting legit minutes.

What does that even mean? Legit minutes, every game has been close going into the 4th quarter there haven't been too many minutes for the scrubs. Even before Irving got hurt everyone knew the Warriors had the deeper team.

I guess my point was that they definitely HAVE more depth, but they aren't really playing huge rotations.

They aren't beating the Cavs because they are deeper, they are beating them because they have better players across the board, save one.

 

[Britney Spears]

Anybody have a good stream? Stuck in Romania but cannot access the ESPN one

The struggle is real in Romania.

How are you even posting?

Is this a reference to my dad?

 

[Jack White]

I give the Cavs a ton of credit for the way they have played so far, but I think the fact they are only playing 7 players basically every game is catching up to them and they lose the next 2. Game 5 will be close with the extra day off, but game 6 will be pretty close to a repeat of game 4.

I think the Dubs have been playing 7 as well, haven't they?

No

Curry

Thompson

Barnes

Green

Bogut

Ezzeli or however you spell it

AI

Lee

Barbosa

Livingston

Prob more like 8, maybe 9 in one or two, if we looked back game by game at meaningful minutes.

Yeah, I don't think all those guys are getting legit minutes.

What does that even mean? Legit minutes, every game has been close going into the 4th quarter there haven't been too many minutes for the scrubs. Even before Irving got hurt everyone knew the Warriors had the deeper team.

I guess my point was that they definitely HAVE more depth, but they aren't really playing huge rotations.

They aren't beating the Cavs because they are deeper, they are beating them because they have better players across the board, save one.

If you look at the bench minutes for GS the last two games, this becomes clear.

 

[Frostillicus]

In future NBA player news, Team USA won the FIBA Americas U16 title. USA beat Canada in the gold medal game, 77-60, after trailing 19-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Gary Trent Jr, "Son Of The Shaq Of The MAC", led the USA U16s in scoring.

Apple Valley HS got game, eh?

They are having a nice run. it's a nice part of town near the MOA and several big employers, so it's a desirable place to live. There's some level of open enrollment in the Cities, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if Trent Jr lived in-district.

Anyway, the kid already has offers from most of the Big Ten, and the rest of the country is discovering him - Duke is recruiting him as well.

Future Gopher, imo.

 

[Frostillicus]

The Love decision is going be extremely interesting.

Wolves could use a stretch 4.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Hawes and Barnes for Stephenson had been agreed upon.

Well....at least they got something for Lance. He was terrible last year.

As bad as Barnes was in the postseason, still better than anything Lance did in 2014-15 season. I think the Clips downgraded.

 

[Short Corner]

Anyone thinking Cleveland might be better off without Love, assuming they could do something beneficial with the resulting cap space?

There is no resulting cap space.

 

[Short Corner]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not.

In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

It's not just LBJ getting rest, it is seasoning the end of your bench to be able to contribute come playoff time. People blow off the contributions of Speights, Ezili, and some of the guys playing "non-meaningful minutes" for GS. How "non-meaningful" are those minutes if they are the difference between LeBron playing 46 minutes and LeBron playing 41 minutes and having fresher legs down the stretch?

 

[Daywalker]

The Love decision is going be extremely interesting.

He's only 26. He'll make a lot more money if he stays rather then opt-out now. Even if he gets hurt next year he'll still get what the market is offering this offseason the following year if not more.

As far as winning, as well as money, don't see any upside in opting-out.

 

[Daywalker]

J. Crawford for A. Varejao?

 

[Short Corner]

J. Crawford for A. Varejao?

Don't think it works cap wise.

 

[Daywalker]

J. Crawford for A. Varejao?

Don't think it works cap wise.

sure some junk could be thrown in.

 

[Short Corner]

J. Crawford for A. Varejao?

Don't think it works cap wise.

sure some junk could be thrown in.

would have to be Farmar + Wilcox/Hudson

Then you are over the cap with 7 players

CP3

Reddick

Lance

Blake

Deandre

Varejao

Wilcox/Hudson

I think Crawford is more important to your guard rotation than Varjao is to your big rotation. Especially the way the game is being played today.

 

[Niles Standish]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not. In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

He averaged 43, 41 and 38 min in the first 3 rounds, including the 2 other best teams in the east. With a healthy team he would never average anywhere near 46 a game. Probably not even in the finals.

I don't know, Jordan always played 42-46 minutes per game in the playoffs.

He never averaged 43. Maybe finals.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not. In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

He averaged 43, 41 and 38 min in the first 3 rounds, including the 2 other best teams in the east. With a healthy team he would never average anywhere near 46 a game. Probably not even in the finals.

I don't know, Jordan always played 42-46 minutes per game in the playoffs.

He never averaged 43. Maybe finals.

They are different body types. That threshold could be completely different for each of them.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Hawes and Barnes for Stephenson had been agreed upon.

Well....at least they got something for Lance. He was terrible last year.

As bad as Barnes was in the postseason, still better than anything Lance did in 2014-15 season. I think the Clips downgraded.

Yep. Not sure how this makes LAC better. Getting out of the Hawes deal is nice I guess

 

[MAC_32]

Bogut, a NBA second All-Defensive team player, is basically worthless now. I think that proves the opposite because the GS roster is that deep (yes, they still haven't won, but seems unlikely now they don't). Playoffs are a seven game series which allows for teams to adjust. Golden State so far has shown they have the personnel to construct a roster that Cleveland can't compete with and have dominated the last two games. Having that ability means you are really good, not really bad.

Golden State did not dominate game five.

Not really sure what game you were watching.

GS 48% from the field, CLE 39.5%

GS 46.2% 3PT, CLE 34.3%

GS 58.8% FT (34 attempts), CLE 71.4% (21 attempts)

GS OR 11, CLE OR 10

GS DR 32, CLE DR 27

GS 25 AST, CLE 17 AST

GS 16 TO, CLE 10 TO

Seems dominating to me or is the only category that you look at FT %?

I was watching the game that was a 2 point game with 4 minutes to go.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not.

In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

He averaged 43, 41 and 38 min in the first 3 rounds, including the 2 other best teams in the east. With a healthy team he would never average anywhere near 46 a game. Probably not even in the finals.

I don't know, Jordan always played 42-46 minutes per game in the playoffs.

Despite his career average MPG being 41.8?

 

[TobiasFunke]

The games have been entertaining. But watching last night I started to think about teams that have won an NBA title and wondered how either of these two would rate against them. The eventual winner,imop,may be one the worst "teams" to ever win a championship.

This Golden State team is one of the better teams in NBA history.

Two weeks ago, I would have agreed.

However, them struggling this much to beat a Cavs team that is severely outmanned takes them down a few notches. Regardless of how awesome LBJ is, one of the better teams in NBA history would have won disposed of this Cavs team in 4.

You mean like the 72 win 1996 Bulls did to a Sonics team that was Payton, Kemp, Detlef Schremp and a bunch of lifeless corpses? They started 34 year old braided and eterna-stoned Sam Perkins and their bench player who got the most minutes was 36 year old Frank Brickowski. Took the Bulls six games to dispatch them, including a 21 point blowout loss in Game 4 and a double digit loss in Game 5.

 

[Jack White]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not. In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

He averaged 43, 41 and 38 min in the first 3 rounds, including the 2 other best teams in the east. With a healthy team he would never average anywhere near 46 a game. Probably not even in the finals.

I don't know, Jordan always played 42-46 minutes per game in the playoffs.

Despite his career average MPG being 41.8?

In the post season?

I didn't look it up. I was going by memory.

Point is, rotations get shorter and your best player is going to play heavy minutes. Maybe not 46, but this is a unique situation for LeBron.

Even 42 minutes is only three minutes rest per half.

 

[Jack White]

Also, LeBron's minutes average skewed by 2.0 per game with two OT games.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Curious to know what other people think. Lebron obviously puts a tremendous amount of wear and tear on his body going this deep into the playoffs year after year. Why not rest him more during the regular season and forfeit a few spots in the standings? He played 69 games during the regular season. Let's say he sits another 20 games and they lose 10 of those dropping them down to a 5th seed. So now you'll have on paper a more difficult playoff path, but I'd think a much fresher James. Or maybe play him strategically during the regular season against the tougher opponents expecting the rest of the squad to be able to handle the lesser opponents on their own.

I don't think it would help if he sat 20 games. Playing 46 minutes a game takes a toll on you whether you are rested or not. In fact being the 5th or 6th seed could make him more worn down come finals time because you would have faced tougher opponents on your path and could end up playing 46 minutes a game in far more series.

He averaged 43, 41 and 38 min in the first 3 rounds, including the 2 other best teams in the east. With a healthy team he would never average anywhere near 46 a game. Probably not even in the finals.

I don't know, Jordan always played 42-46 minutes per game in the playoffs.

Despite his career average MPG being 41.8?

In the post season?

I didn't look it up. I was going by memory.

Point is, rotations get shorter and your best player is going to play heavy minutes. Maybe not 46, but this is a unique situation for LeBron.

Even 42 minutes is only three minutes rest per half.

yes, post-season.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01.html#all_playoffs_per_game

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Leaders for total Minutes Played in a single post-season:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=Y&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&birth_state=&college_id=&draft_year=&is_active=&debut_yr_nba_start=&debut_yr_nba_end=&debut_yr_aba_start=&debut_yr_aba_end=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&award=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=mp&c1comp=gt&c1val=0&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=mp

Jordan's highest individual post-season total was 40th all-time. Lebron has had 3 post-seasons greater than that (not including this one).

MPG doesn't seem to be a category in the play index, so would take a little more work.

I don't care about a Jordan vs. LeBron debate, just giving numbers.

And Jordan played in a few OT games, as well.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I'm not sure it makes a whole lot of sense to use a guy who played college basketball until he was 21, missed almost his entire age 22 season to injury, skipped virtually all of his age 30 and age 31 seasons, and then retired at 34 (Wizards comeback aside) as a jumping off point for usage/health/longevity for LeBron James.

 

[[icon]]

Back on the game tonight....

Barring any Ref-induced NBA theater..... GSW by 11?

 

[Jack White]

Leaders for total Minutes Played in a single post-season:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=Y&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=0&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&birth_state=&college_id=&draft_year=&is_active=&debut_yr_nba_start=&debut_yr_nba_end=&debut_yr_aba_start=&debut_yr_aba_end=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&award=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=mp&c1comp=gt&c1val=0&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=mp

Jordan's highest individual post-season total was 40th all-time. Lebron has had 3 post-seasons greater than that (not including this one).

MPG doesn't seem to be a category in the play index, so would take a little more work.

I don't care about a Jordan vs. LeBron debate, just giving numbers.

And Jordan played in a few OT games, as well.

No, not looking to debate either. Obviously LeBron is playing this many minutes out of sheer necessity.

As to whether the Warriors should be downgraded because of Cleveland's injuries, I agree with what JVG said about it on Zach Lowe's podcast yesterday.

 

[No. 16]

Since random thoughts.....

I like Mike Malone for the Nuggets. He was doing well with Boogie and he'll be way better than Shaw.

I also like the Stephenson deal for the Clippers. CP3 should keep him in check and with Blake Griffin around he's should know his place on the offensive pecking order. Worth a gamble for them.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Since random thoughts.....

I like Mike Malone for the Nuggets. He was doing well with Boogie and he'll be way better than Shaw.

I also like the Stephenson deal for the Clippers. CP3 should keep him in check and with Blake Griffin around he's should know his place on the offensive pecking order. Worth a gamble for them.

Hmm. You must either think taking the ball out of CP3's hands in a good thing or Stephenson playing without the ball is a good thing. Which is it?

 

[Juxtatarot]

I also like the Stephenson deal for the Clippers. CP3 should keep him in check and with Blake Griffin around he's should know his place on the offensive pecking order. Worth a gamble for them.

I agree, particularly since they have a team option on him after next season and they shed the long-term contract of Hawes who fell out of the rotation.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

The Love decision is going be extremely interesting.

And it's probably the first domino in a long line, so a lot of player movement will stall until Love makes his decision.

It would seem playing out the option and entering free agency in the summer of the TV spike is the way to go, but the opinions of him are so polarizing he might not be able to afford the wait.

 

[Sammy3469]

The Love decision is going be extremely interesting.

And it's probably the first domino in a long line, so a lot of player movement will stall until Love makes his decision.

It would seem playing out the option and entering free agency in the summer of the TV spike is the way to go, but the opinions of him are so polarizing he might not be able to afford the wait.

My guess is he opts in, but that's just a guess. As long as Cleveland has LeBron and salary cap problems, he will always have a willing suitor.

 

[Slapdash]

Hawes and Barnes for Stephenson had been agreed upon.

Well....at least they got something for Lance. He was terrible last year.

As bad as Barnes was in the postseason, still better than anything Lance did in 2014-15 season. I think the Clips downgraded.

Yep. Not sure how this makes LAC better. Getting out of the Hawes deal is nice I guess

Hornets fans on the internet are pretty apocalyptic about this deal, which I don't get. Not sure why they rate players like MKG, Zeller, Biz, and Marvin Williams so highly that they think players like Hawes and Barnes shouldn't have a chance to win a role...

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Hawes and Barnes for Stephenson had been agreed upon.

Well....at least they got something for Lance. He was terrible last year.

As bad as Barnes was in the postseason, still better than anything Lance did in 2014-15 season. I think the Clips downgraded.

Yep. Not sure how this makes LAC better. Getting out of the Hawes deal is nice I guess

Hornets fans on the internet are pretty apocalyptic about this deal, which I don't get. Not sure why they rate players like MKG, Zeller, Biz, and Marvin Williams so highly that they think players like Hawes and Barnes shouldn't have a chance to win a role...

I don't really like it for the Hornets either. Barnes is nothing and expires this year which is fine. Having Hawes around for the next 3 is pretty terrible. They may get roles, but those roles won't move the needle much in the right direction.

They could have started the season with Lance and dumped him later for an expiring deal. Doesn't make them better this season (unless just getting rid of him is that big of a boost) or beyond.

 

[Slapdash]

Hawes and Barnes for Stephenson had been agreed upon.

Well....at least they got something for Lance. He was terrible last year.

As bad as Barnes was in the postseason, still better than anything Lance did in 2014-15 season. I think the Clips downgraded.

Yep. Not sure how this makes LAC better. Getting out of the Hawes deal is nice I guess

Hornets fans on the internet are pretty apocalyptic about this deal, which I don't get. Not sure why they rate players like MKG, Zeller, Biz, and Marvin Williams so highly that they think players like Hawes and Barnes shouldn't have a chance to win a role...

I don't really like it for the Hornets either. Barnes is nothing and expires this year which is fine. Having Hawes around for the next 3 is pretty terrible. They may get roles, but those roles won't move the needle much in the right direction.

They could have started the season with Lance and dumped him later for an expiring deal. Doesn't make them better this season (unless just getting rid of him is that big of a boost) or beyond.

I do think getting rid of Lance is an addition by subtraction thing. Charlotte's offense really cannot get worse....

 

[Yo Mama]

Barnes is only partially guaranteed this year - $1m I think. He'll probably be waived by the Hornets.

 

[Gr00vus]

So they traded an old mentally unstable guy for a young mentally unstable guy. Smart move, they need to keep the bonehead Clipper tradition going.

 

[TobiasFunke]

So they traded an old mentally unstable guy for a young mentally unstable guy. Smart move, they need to keep the bonehead Clipper tradition going.

You really have to appreciate their ambition here. Most organizations would find it hard to jettison a constant whiner who's been fined repeatedly for getting in fights with fans and somehow come out of it less likable. But these determined Clippers asked themselves if they could possibly acquire a player who had thrown his girlfriend down a flight of stairs and then slammed her skull on the bottom step to replace him. And lo and behold, just such a player was available!

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Great, the game Cleveland should be getting makeup calls we get Scott Foster of the 11-game road team winning streak as head referee. Pack it in, boys.

 

[Gr00vus]

So they traded an old mentally unstable guy for a young mentally unstable guy. Smart move, they need to keep the bonehead Clipper tradition going.

You really have to appreciate their ambition here. Most organizations would find it hard to jettison a constant whiner who's been fined repeatedly for getting in fights with fans and somehow come out of it less likable. But these determined Clippers asked themselves if they could possibly acquire a player who had thrown his girlfriend down a flight of stairs and then slammed her skull on the bottom step to replace him. And lo and behold, just such a player was available!

Steve Balmer: (awkwardly clapping hands and sweating like a busted fire hydrant) WOMAN BEATERS! WOMAN BEATERS! WOMAN BEATERS!..............WOMAN BEATERS! YEAH!

 

[Donkey Derp]

Great, the game Cleveland should be getting makeup calls we get Scott Foster of the 11-game road team winning streak as head referee. Pack it in, boys.

Makeup calls? Yeah, lets blame the refs that Cleveland is down 3-2.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Great, the game Cleveland should be getting makeup calls we get Scott Foster of the 11-game road team winning streak as head referee. Pack it in, boys.

 

[Bobcat10]

Great, the game Cleveland should be getting makeup calls we get Scott Foster of the 11-game road team winning streak as head referee. Pack it in, boys.

Hopefully the shot clock operators in the Finals change. The Cavs are owed an extra possession today.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Since random thoughts.....

I like Mike Malone for the Nuggets. He was doing well with Boogie and he'll be way better than Shaw.

I also like the Stephenson deal for the Clippers. CP3 should keep him in check and with Blake Griffin around he's should know his place on the offensive pecking order. Worth a gamble for them.

Hmm. You must either think taking the ball out of CP3's hands in a good thing or Stephenson playing without the ball is a good thing. Which is it?

You can't get the good Lance without the bad Lance. This will likely be a #######ed disaster.

 

[Hang 10]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

He has for the last 10 years.

 

[Hang 10]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

He has for the last 10 years.

Sure. I never said he wasn't right but people love giving him ####. So he'll get shovels full if doesn't play great in game 6.

 

[hxperson]

Are there really people out there that still think Stephenson is good?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

It's true. "Best player in the world" is like the heavyweight championship. If you're outplayed for a single night you lose the title. Who can forget 2011, when Jason Terry held the title all summer long by virtue of his performance in Game 6 of the Finals over LeBron and the Heat.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

He has for the last 10 years.

Sure. I never said he wasn't right but people love giving him ####. So he'll get shovels full if doesn't play great in game 6.

And those people are idiots and should be ignored.

 

[Hang 10]

Donning a fire suit to read some of the HotSportsTakes in response to LeBron's "I am the best player in the world" quote.

Analytics side has pretty much awarded Finals MVP to LeBron win or lose; add Kevin Pelton to the group with his column today.

Talking heads side is still trying to say stuff like "now LeBron has to back up those words tomorrow night" and keep a straight face.

I really don't think it's all that controversial of a take. He did just say he was the best player in the world. When you say things like that, you kinda have to prove it every night.

It's true. "Best player in the world" is like the heavyweight championship. If you're outplayed for a single night you lose the title. Who can forget 2011, when Jason Terry held the title all summer long by virtue of his performance in Game 6 of the Finals over LeBron and the Heat.

Agreed. LeBron was the best player in the world back then as well but he was a punch line for the way he played in that finals.