2017-18 NBA Regular Season Game/Observation Thread

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Its a new season, the league has a bunch of interesting young talent and potentially intriguing story lines away from Golden State and Cleveland.

OKC and their new big three are at the forefront - how does Russ play with a guy like Melo? How does Melo play with a guy like Russ? How do they keep George engaged?

What about the Bucks? Or the T-Wolves? Do they each make leaps?

Does Houston jack more threes then ever before? Does CP3 propel Harden to new heights?

Have we seen the peak of this version of the Spurs or do Pop & Buford spin more magic depth out of their bench?

How about the new look Clippers?

Does Denver continue to improve?

Does Rodney Hood step up with Hayward gone for greener pastures?

What about the Blazers? Does a full season of Nurkic along with Dame D.O.L.L.A. and McCollum see them rebound into lower seed contention?

Is this the season that trust in The Process is finally rewarded? Can Embiid stay healthy and fulfill all of his potential beyond his entertainment prowess?

Even when you get down to less competitive teams, there are plenty of interesting stories. Is Porzingis ready to carry a team on his shoulders? How doe the new look Lakers do with Ball leading the charge? How bad are the Nets with Cleveland's first round pick (ugh...ugh...ugh)?
 
Aug 24, 2017
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So is this the sort of ongoing game thread for October?

I'm really excited to see how Chris Paul and James Harden play together; I didn't watch a second of preseason. And I'm also one of those weirdos that enjoys watching GS because it's just beautiful basketball. Really excited for this game.
 

luckiestman

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I hope Houston hits 80 3s. Fuck the Warriors. I like Klay though. He can play for the Cs anytime.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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WTF... When the Celtics game had 1:32 left... They said that the Warriors game would be on NBA TV if the Celtics game went long and tip-off was in 12 minutes (at 10:25)...game still hasn't started yet
 

Kliq

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The Warriors have a great home crowd that maximizes one's hatred for the home team. The people might not be as annoying as peak Heat fans, but they are much more engaged with the game.
 

Kliq

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So the Rockets look a lot better without Paul on the floor...
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I mean, the Warriors added Swaggy P to replace Ian Clark's minutes/production. Let that sink in for a minute.
 

luckiestman

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It is a good thing I am not a ref because I would eject Harden for flopping every game. Great player but no heart.
 

Kliq

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That flagrant call was a joke. Shouldn't have even been a review
Webber did a great job analyzing how it was a textbook foul to prevent a layup, with the chest contact for and a hard swipe at Durant's arm to prevent a shot getting up. That's been a standard play in the game forever, but it looks like it may be on its way out.

Paul on Houston is going to be a work in progress; he doesn't appear to have changed the way he plays at all and the offense flowed so much better when Harden was the lone distributor.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Paul on Houston is going to be a work in progress; he doesn't appear to have changed the way he plays at all and the offense flowed so much better when Harden was the lone distributor.
I agree that Paul's integration into the Rockets flow is in its infancy and I find it fascinating.

As I referenced upthread, I think the Thunder working Melo into their system with Westbrook is going to be extremely challenging but the Rockets system should work for both Paul & Harden.

Harden and Paul are different types of players who both appear to be more comfortable sharing the wealth. I think this Rockets team will be every bit as lethal offensively as NBA pundits expect by the time we get to the second half of the season. Contrary to what some here and in the analysis community think, I think the Rockets defense will suffer. Paul is older and seems to have lost a step defensively over the past few seasons. I am on record as saying that P.J. Tucker, while a fine NBA player, is way overrated for his defense - at least at this point in his career. Mbah a Moute is still decent but he cant cover for the rest of that squad.
 

Kliq

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Houston's bench, mainly Gordon/Mbha Moute/Tucker, have worked hard to make this a game. GS relying a lot on Bell and Looney. Houston's going to be really tough; it sounds cliche but they have a lot of grinders who are going to make their opponents work for points.
 

Kliq

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That possession where Houston had Tucker/Ariza/Mbaha Moute on the Curry/Durant pick and roll should be studied by every team in the league looking to stop GS. That was tremendous.
 

Kliq

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GS deserves that loss; they were really bad down the stretch.
 

Kliq

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Obviously minus Iggy and Draymond hurt GS and they will be better with those guys for sure; but Houston came in and closed with a lineup of Harden/Ariza/Moute/Tucker/Gordon and GS didn't have an answer on either end. Interesting to see Paul not involved, but can't view as anything but a positive for Houston.
 

Kliq

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Earlier in the fourth; Curry kept getting the switch against Ryan Anderson with predictable results. D'Antoni then I believe swapped in Ariza for Anderson and suddenly Houston was able to switch everybody onto everybody which complicated matters for GS. Warriors were also sloppy with the ball down the stretch and didn't necessarily do a great job getting into their offense in crunch time, something Kerr said he wasn't happy with at the start of the fourth.

Green and Igoudala make a big difference because you are talking about two of the most versatile defenders in the league as well as maybe the two best passers on GS.
 

Imbricus

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Anyone see the line on the Warriors game? I was trying to figure out the loss -- GS was 54% FG and 53% from three-point. Also, more assists and blocks than Houston. But Kevin Durant had 8 turnovers. That's Jeremy Lin territory. Ouch.
 

DJnVa

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Swaggy P leads the Warriors in scoring.

There’s a chance in June 2018 that you can say that at one point during the season the greatest team ever’s leading scorer was Swaggy P.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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saw a story that CP was dragging his left leg and that's what kept him on the bench during crunch time. Any info on that? Probably not serious since no one here mentioned it.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Has there ever been 2 players on the same team to average over 10 assists a game for a season? Has a team ever had 2 players finish in the top 3-5 in apg? What about 1-2?
 

Sam Ray Not

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Swaggy P leads the Warriors in scoring.
On 1.218 true shooting, even. ;-P

@Imbricus: I watched the game, naturally. Most of it unfolded exactly as you'd expect: two high-octane offenses going at it, with the Warriors having the upper hand throughout, including a couple of their patented haymaker stretches where they pushed a single-digit lead out to 16-17 points and threatened to blow the game open. Warriors led by 13 after three. But the Rockets hung tough and battled, took advantage of some sloppy turnovers and the absence of Green (strained knee) and Iguodala (sore back) and in the 4th Q, took their first lead of the game (since 2-0) with under a minute left, and survived when replays showed KD's game-winner still on his fingertips as the buzzer sounded. Argh! Shitty sports night for me, between that, the disgusting Hayward injury, and the late comebacks by the Cavs and MFY.

Throughout, Kerr got somewhat cute with his rotations — 20 minutes combined for Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell, and 45 minutes for McCaw and Swaggy. e.g. — while D'Antoni stuck exclusively to his eight-man playoff rotation (literally zero minutes for anyone else). Overall, I think it's fair to suggest that the Rockets may have taken the game a bit more seriously than the Ws did.

As a Ws fan, outside of the Draymond knee strain (which doesn't appear too serious, maybe a 2-3 game thing?) I was mostly encouraged. The team looks deeper and more explosive than last year's version, with Young and Casspi both looking like perfect fits; and McCaw and Bell playing with maturity and poise beyond their years. More fun with small samples: Draymond is currently averaging 14.1 rebounds and 16.7 assists per 36 minutes.

If I were a Rockets fan, I'd be pretty psyched too: beyond the win, both PJ Tucker and Mbah a Moute look like perfect fits for them, bringing toughness and D they lacked last year while still being able to knock down shots; and while the CP3 fit is a clearly a work in progress, the ability to have either CP3 or Harden on the floor at all times is almost certainly going to pay dividends.
 
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Tony C

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I know D'Antoni won coach of the year last season, but he's non-Belichick-ian in that he has his system and expects players to conform to it. A great hire/fit for Harden and last year's Rockets as well as the Rocket 5 that finished last night's game, but I don't see a vision for integrating Paul and Harden and D'Antoni doesn't seem to me to be a guy to develop that vision. It's just one poor game for CP3 and maybe it was his left leg that led to him being on the bench down the stretch (my own guess is that's a convenient cover story for D'Antoni recognizing it wasn't working with him on the court, but that's just speculation). But D'Antoni will have to convince me that he can figure out a way to take advantage of CP3's awesome skill set, a skill set that seems like a terrible fit with Harden's equally awesome but quite different skill set.
 

luckiestman

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I know D'Antoni won coach of the year last season, but he's non-Belichick-ian in that he has his system and expects players to conform to it. A great hire/fit for Harden and last year's Rockets as well as the Rocket 5 that finished last night's game, but I don't see a vision for integrating Paul and Harden and D'Antoni doesn't seem to me to be a guy to develop that vision. It's just one poor game for CP3 and maybe it was his left leg that led to him being on the bench down the stretch (my own guess is that's a convenient cover story for D'Antoni recognizing it wasn't working with him on the court, but that's just speculation). But D'Antoni will have to convince me that he can figure out a way to take advantage of CP3's awesome skill set, a skill set that seems like a terrible fit with Harden's equally awesome but quite different skill set.

Paul tweaked his left leg and asked out of the game. Dantoni kept him in. Game went to timeout CP3 was still in. He might have tightened up if he came out for a while.

Your analysis overall might be correct, but Paul really did look to sustain a minor injury.
 

bowiac

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I know D'Antoni won coach of the year last season, but he's non-Belichick-ian in that he has his system and expects players to conform to it. A great hire/fit for Harden and last year's Rockets as well as the Rocket 5 that finished last night's game, but I don't see a vision for integrating Paul and Harden and D'Antoni doesn't seem to me to be a guy to develop that vision. It's just one poor game for CP3 and maybe it was his left leg that led to him being on the bench down the stretch (my own guess is that's a convenient cover story for D'Antoni recognizing it wasn't working with him on the court, but that's just speculation). But D'Antoni will have to convince me that he can figure out a way to take advantage of CP3's awesome skill set, a skill set that seems like a terrible fit with Harden's equally awesome but quite different skill set.
Seems a bit harsh on a coach who just beat the greatest team of all time on the road.
 

Tony C

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:)

(and fair enough on CP3, wasn't tuned in for that part of the game).
 

Brand Name

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Moving the Line
Has there ever been 2 players on the same team to average over 10 assists a game for a season?
Nope, but the 1983-84 Spurs come close: John Lucas with 10.7 assists per game over 63 G, 39 GS and Johnny Moore with 9.6 Assists/Game over 59 games, 42 started.

Has a team ever had 2 players finish in the top 3-5 in apg? What about 1-2?
Aforementioned Spurs could be seen #4 and #5 that season. Additionally:

Al Cervi and Dolph Schayes were 3, 5 for the Syracuse Nationals in 1949-50 (4.7, 4.0).

Andy Phillip and George Senesky were 1, 3 for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1950-51 (6.3, 5.3).

Phillip and Senesky were 1,5 in 51-52 (8.2, 4.9).

George King and Paul Seymour were 3,5 in 52-53.

Jack George and Tom Gola were 2, 4 in 55-56.

56-57 could technically qualify as #4, Slater Martin, ended the season with the St. Louis Hawks, in addition to #2, Jack
McMahon, who spent the whole season there.

58-59 had #4 Richie Guerin (5.1) and #5 Carl Braun (4.8), both of the Knicks.

59-60 had Guy Rodgers at #2 (7.1), Tom Gola at #5 (5.5) for the Philly Dubs.

64-65 Celts had KC Jones at #3 (5.6) and #5 Bill Russell (5.3).

81-82 Lakers had Magic at #2, 9.5 in addition to Norm Nixon T-4th at 8.0 (with Tiny Archibald).

1996-97 is kind of like its predecessor 40 years prior: #3 Kevin Johnson (9.3) stayed the full year with the Suns, but they added in Jason Kidd, who with the Mavs and Phoenix combined, averaged 9.0, good for #4 overall in the Association. Like Martin before him, he finished the season the team with the additional top-five dimes per game leader.

1998-99 has things get a bit odd: Marbury at 8.9 was 3rd, Terrell Brandon at 8.6 was 5th. Both played for Minnesota...except for the fact they were traded for one another as part of a larger three-team deal between Minnesota, Milwaukee, and the Nets. Never teammates, which I think is a bigger criterion, but they did share the same team that season, if that how you choose to interpret things. Personally, I don't count this one, but reasonable minds can differ.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Doesn't surprise me the list is dominated with pre 90 ball. This year we could see history made, then.
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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76ers on ESPN vs the Wizards. I'll be watching Embiid, Simmons and Fultz for as long as it's interesting (and as I type this Embiid fakes a 3, drives past Gortat and nearly slams home a monster dunk before getting fouled).

Edit: then runs the break off a turnover that led to an open 3 pointer. He's fun to watch.
 

Nick Kaufman

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It's probably just me, but finally, this year for the first time ever, my Verizon box is showing League Pass games in HD. Just in time to see the details on the advertising logos!
 

Cesar Crespo

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Cousins had 5 blocks in the 1st quarter to go with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 1 assist on 4/7 shooting, 2/3 from 3. He comes out of the game and the Grizzlies go on a 9-0 run.
 

Tony C

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Boy, Philly is so fun to watch and is going to be really good if their precarious health holds up. Simmons is way too good, and Fultz showing some of that ability to play at different levels from which he was touted. Assume Washington wins this game, but if I were a fan I'd be excited.
 

LondonSox

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Boy, Philly is so fun to watch and is going to be really good if their precarious health holds up. Simmons is way too good, and Fultz showing some of that ability to play at different levels from which he was touted. Assume Washington wins this game, but if I were a fan I'd be excited.
yeah i am for sure. simmons put up 20/10/5 and looked ok defensively too in his freaking debut. i know we all agree he needs a jump shot but... man people like oubre were playing 5 ft off him and hewas still just blowing by. Also as per preseason only 1 turnover.
i might revise it and say near term all he needs is a short range jump pull up.
too far from the basket the extra space gives him too much room to get up to speed and see for his passes.
if he had a jump shot ... i really think he needs to me made to learn it, we shall see.

covington and redick are just great fits, bayless i hope we move he is just so bad defensively.

fultz actually shot one of his old pull ups at one point late, the free throw is awful but his ft was always in need of fixing, his shot off the dribble was not!!

anyway with an unfit embiid a first game ever for three guys, no holmes and against a good team on the road they were in it all game. the talent is clear and brett brown is awesome. they are fun.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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yeah i am for sure. simmons put up 20/10/5 and looked ok defensively too in his freaking debut. i know we all agree he needs a jump shot but... man people like oubre were playing 5 ft off him and hewas still just blowing by. Also as per preseason only 1 turnover.
i might revise it and say near term all he needs is a short range jump pull up.
too far from the basket the extra space gives him too much room to get up to speed and see for his passes.
if he had a jump shot ... i really think he needs to me made to learn it, we shall see.

covington and redick are just great fits, bayless i hope we move he is just so bad defensively.

fultz actually shot one of his old pull ups at one point late, the free throw is awful but his ft was always in need of fixing, his shot off the dribble was not!!

anyway with an unfit embiid a first game ever for three guys, no holmes and against a good team on the road they were in it all game. the talent is clear and brett brown is awesome. they are fun.
Robert Covington is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. And that is before you consider that he is earning $1.5mm this season. He isn't a max player but he is a guy who stands to get paid this coming offseason.
 

queenb

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Suns losing by 49 points to the Blazers right now, early fourth. You guys. Ten minutes left, 104-55. The Losing for Luka has begun.
 

NWsoxophile

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Portland without McCollum is running up a 50 point 4th quarter lead on the Suns in Phoenix. Someone tell the Suns it’s their home opener.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Holy shit queenb & NWsoxophile - just saw that score. CJ not playing so its Pat Connaughton's night to step up big time. On the other side, even though he is getting checks, this has to suck for Eric Bledsoe.
 

NWsoxophile

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Caleb Swanigan is going to open some eyes this season. He’s a surprisingly well-rounded offensive player with very nice footwork and a pretty stroke for a big man. Seems really mature and is strong as hell for a 20 year old.
 

Kliq

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Caleb Swanigan is going to open some eyes this season. He’s a surprisingly well-rounded offensive player with very nice footwork and a pretty stroke for a big man. Seems really mature and is strong as hell for a 20 year old.
His story is awesome; I have a soft spot for late bloomers that turned out to be really good college players; like Frank Kaminsky and Buddy Hield. I would love to see Biggie have a 10+ year career.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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yeah i am for sure. simmons put up 20/10/5 and looked ok defensively too in his freaking debut. i know we all agree he needs a jump shot but... man people like oubre were playing 5 ft off him and hewas still just blowing by. Also as per preseason only 1 turnover.
i might revise it and say near term all he needs is a short range jump pull up.
too far from the basket the extra space gives him too much room to get up to speed and see for his passes.
if he had a jump shot ... i really think he needs to me made to learn it, we shall see.

covington and redick are just great fits, bayless i hope we move he is just so bad defensively.

fultz actually shot one of his old pull ups at one point late, the free throw is awful but his ft was always in need of fixing, his shot off the dribble was not!!

anyway with an unfit embiid a first game ever for three guys, no holmes and against a good team on the road they were in it all game. the talent is clear and brett brown is awesome. they are fun.
Other than Embiid (who made most of his 2P jumpers) and the one Fultz pull-up - did anyone on the 76ers shoot a shot that was not a layup or a 3P? A statistical dream game.

76ers are a really fun team to watch. Everyone knows that Fultz and Simmons are going to the basket but they can't stop from getting there - although I think people are going to have play Simmons more tightly because once he gets going, his strides are so long that even good defenders like Porter couldn't get back in front of him.