2016-17 NBA Thread

Pro Sports 1,475 replies 36,535 views
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 16, 2017 2:28pm
Raps have lost the first game of the playoffs like the last 4 trips. Spurs spanked the thunder by 30 pts, only to lose the series. I'm not writing the Raps off just yet, but I am concerned about Lowry and DeRozan shooting like shit inthe playoffs. I think that will be a fun series, Giannis is insane!
Terry_Tate's avatar
Terry_Tate
Posts: 7,606
Apr 16, 2017 4:47pm
Love seeing Portland hang with Golden State, even though the Warriors will end up winning by 18.
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superman
Posts: 3,582
Apr 16, 2017 5:14pm
If the refs continue to actually call moving screens, the Warriors could be in trouble against a legit team.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Apr 16, 2017 5:20pm
superman;1848108 wrote:If the refs continue to actually call moving screens, the Warriors could be in trouble against a legit team.
Don't hold your breath.
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superman
Posts: 3,582
Apr 16, 2017 5:21pm
like_that;1848110 wrote:Don't hold your breath.
A man can dream.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 16, 2017 5:31pm
Refs missed two obvious calls, one was a curry travel, the other was a tipped 3 pt shot from Lillard that went out of bounds. SMH
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Apr 16, 2017 5:31pm
Portland pulled back to a tie after 3 but you can just feel what's going to happen
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Apr 16, 2017 11:28pm
A lot of respect for Isaiah Thomas today. A terrible tragedy for him.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 17, 2017 12:29am
Ironman92;1848162 wrote:A lot of respect for Isaiah Thomas today. A terrible tragedy for him.
100% agreed.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 17, 2017 9:01am
Azubuike24;1846775 wrote:LeBron is the best player of the era and it's not really close. That doesn't mean he has the best season every year.
Lebron James is the MVP every year. Maybe not statistically, but he is the "most valuable player" in this league EVERY year. Put him on just about any team and they instantly become a title contender. That can't be said for really any other player in the league.

The reason he's not winning this award year in and year out is that he's competing against the ghosts of Lebron "past" and all of the former greats that came before him.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Apr 17, 2017 9:17am
Disagree. Take LeBron off the Cavs, they still probably still go over .500 because they have talent that could be more involved to make up some of what LeBron did. Take Westbrook off the Thunder, they probably are in the running for a top 3 pick.
like_that's avatar
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Apr 17, 2017 9:21am
Azubuike24;1848176 wrote:Disagree. Take LeBron off the Cavs, they still probably still go over .500 because they have talent that could be more involved to make up some of what LeBron did. Take Westbrook off the Thunder, they probably are in the running for a top 3 pick.
You obviously haven't watched the cavs the last 3 seasons.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 17, 2017 9:36am
Azubuike24;1848176 wrote:Disagree. Take LeBron off the Cavs, they still probably still go over .500 because they have talent that could be more involved to make up some of what LeBron did. Take Westbrook off the Thunder, they probably are in the running for a top 3 pick.
Wrong. To piggyback on what like_that said, the Cavs are total dog shit without LBJ. Even with Love & KI, it's like they forget how to play without their 6'8" & 250 lb "security blanket" on the floor with them. Check out their record without LBJ. They might be an 8 seed without him.

Lebron has been so fantastic, for so long, that he's competing against his own greatness when it comes to MVP voting. If he averaged a triple double for a season, he'd have to do it repeatedly to even be considered for the award.
SportsAndLady's avatar
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Apr 17, 2017 10:18am
The cavs .500 without lebron? lol dear god man. Watch the cavs much? They were 0-8 without him this season!
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 17, 2017 10:38am
Azubuike24;1848176 wrote:Disagree. Take LeBron off the Cavs, they still probably still go over .500 because they have talent that could be more involved to make up some of what LeBron did. Take Westbrook off the Thunder, they probably are in the running for a top 3 pick.
It would be a miracle if they went over .500 without Lebron. As good as the team is on paper, they seem to completely forget how to play basketball without Lebron there.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Apr 17, 2017 10:58am
If they are 100%, without LeBron, you're saying they couldn't make the playoffs in the East? If they knew they wouldn't have him, I'd think they would be close maybe 35-45 wins.

That's not really the point though. My point was the Thunder are a good 25 games worse without Westbrook. Maybe more. If the Cavs are more than 25 games worse without LeBron, with nearly 3 other max contracts on their books, they should re-evaluate.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Apr 17, 2017 10:59am
SportsAndLady;1848184 wrote:The cavs .500 without lebron? lol dear god man. Watch the cavs much? They were 0-8 without him this season!
Big difference when he's "out" for a game to rest than having him for a whole season knowing he won't be there.
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 17, 2017 11:06am
Azubuike24;1848193 wrote:If they are 100%, without LeBron, you're saying they couldn't make the playoffs in the East? If they knew they wouldn't have him, I'd think they would be close maybe 35-45 wins.

That's not really the point though. My point was the Thunder are a good 25 games worse without Westbrook. Maybe more. If the Cavs are more than 25 games worse without LeBron, with nearly 3 other max contracts on their books, they should re-evaluate.
The Cavs overpaid all of their players to make sure Lebron got the players he wanted. You take Lebron off and the whole team falls apart so no I don't think they would make the playoffs without him.

They should re-evaluate after winning the NBA championship last year? LOL
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 17, 2017 11:08am
Also, as said earlier, you could put Lebron on any team in the NBA and they would be instant title contenders. Can you say the same about Westbrook? Harden? Curry? Durant?

Fuck no.
Commander of Awesome's avatar
Commander of Awesome
Posts: 23,151
Apr 17, 2017 11:20am
sleeper;1848197 wrote:Also, as said earlier, you could put Lebron on any team in the NBA and they would be instant title contenders. Can you say the same about Westbrook? Harden? Curry? Durant?

Fuck no.
Are the Thunder and Rockets currently title contenders? FUCK NO
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Apr 17, 2017 11:38am
I don't believe LeBron being on the Suns makes them title contenders.

I don't disagree with anyone who feels LeBron or Westbrook are the MVP.

I'll be pretty shocked if LeBron wins. I think Kawhi takes enough from Harden that Westbrook wins it.
Azubuike24's avatar
Azubuike24
Posts: 15,933
Apr 17, 2017 11:44am
I never disagreed that LeBron is the best player in the league overall and the best of the era. THIS year, I think Westbrook's team impact and numbers are more worthy of the MVP. Pretty simple. And I'm not sure how you can say LeBron on any team makes them a title contender. That's ridiculous. LeBron on the Kings or Suns and they could beat the Warriors/Spurs?
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 17, 2017 11:58am
Ironman92;1848205 wrote:I don't believe LeBron being on the Suns makes them title contenders.

I don't disagree with anyone who feels LeBron or Westbrook are the MVP.

I'll be pretty shocked if LeBron wins. I think Kawhi takes enough from Harden that Westbrook wins it.
The Suns would absolutely be title contenders with Lebron James.

2009-2010, Cavs were the 1 seed in the East with Lebron James at 61-21. The following year after he left? 19-63 good for the worst record in the East. Fast forward to the return in 2014-2015, NBA finals appearance.

Reverse is true for the Miami heat. They were a mediocre Eastern conference team; all LBJ, 4 NBA finals appearances. Year of return? 10th in the East, missed playoffs.
sleeper's avatar
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 17, 2017 11:59am
Azubuike24;1848209 wrote:I never disagreed that LeBron is the best player in the league overall and the best of the era. THIS year, I think Westbrook's team impact and numbers are more worthy of the MVP. Pretty simple. And I'm not sure how you can say LeBron on any team makes them a title contender. That's ridiculous. LeBron on the Kings or Suns and they could beat the Warriors/Spurs?
No question. It wouldn't even be close.
SportsAndLady's avatar
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Apr 17, 2017 12:00pm
The suns are definitely title contenders with lebron. Come on people. Think.