2017-18 NBA Regular Season Game/Observation Thread

Kliq

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And while there is absolutely no denying the brilliance of the season Ben Simmons had, the Jazz resurgence is another reason why Donovan Mitchell can be mentioned as a ROY candidate. To be clear, Simmons will and should win. However given Utah and Mithchell's season, he deserves consideration.
It’s kind of sad you had to make that post with so many disclaimers, lol.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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It’s kind of sad you had to make that post with so many disclaimers, lol.
You people are a tough audience. Just trying to be fair and balanced.

As a side note, its worth noting that this rookie class, including Simmons, was otherworldly. Even the guys who looked raw/lost at the start of the season showed some flashes as the year went on.
 

Kliq

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Agreed; Tatum could probably win RoY in a lot of years and he’s a distant third.
 

Kliq

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16 minutes, 1 point, 10 boards, 10 assists on 0/2 shooting is an interesting stat line.
 

jmm57

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I think he's the better player, but voters will look at traditional counting stats. Kuzma and Markkanen both average more points and rebounds. Smith Jr more points and more assists than Tatum has rebounds. Tatum will be much closer to 5th than 2nd in the actual voting, imo.
 

Manzivino

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Props to Toronto playing all their starters down the stretch against Miami, have to think Casey wants them as the 8th seed.
 

lovegtm

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I think he's the better player, but voters will look at traditional counting stats. Kuzma and Markkanen both average more points and rebounds. Smith Jr more points and more assists than Tatum has rebounds. Tatum will be much closer to 5th than 2nd in the actual voting, imo.
Tatum has had really good buzz all year though--the league thinks quite highly of him, and he's quite high-profile with voters.
 

jmm57

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Tatum has had really good buzz all year though--the league thinks quite highly of him, and he's quite high-profile with voters.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23089236/predicting-nba-awards-2017-18-mvp-rookie-year-more

ESPN did an awards prediction thing this week, I'd imagine this is fairly close to what the actual results will look like:

1. Ben Simmons, PHI 261
2. Donovan Mitchell, UTA 190
3. Jayson Tatum, BOS 42
4. Kyle Kuzma, LAL 17
5. Lauri Markkanen, CHI 5

Tatum third, but much closer to 3-5 than 1-2. Not that the award or spot in the voting maters, just saying its possible Tatum doesn't even finish top 3.
 

Manzivino

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No, Casey wants 60 wins
I thought of that but it's just such a meaningless thing to play for when you've got your starters logging 40 minutes in game 82 and you've already clinched everything.

A lot of glass just got broken in Orlando's FO, they slide from 3 to 5 in the lottery. Also, LOL Wizards.
 

The Needler

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I think he's the better player, but voters will look at traditional counting stats. Kuzma and Markkanen both average more points and rebounds. Smith Jr more points and more assists than Tatum has rebounds. Tatum will be much closer to 5th than 2nd in the actual voting, imo.
That's not really saying much, with the way the scoring works (5 points for a first-place vote, 3 for a second), and the fact that Simmons and Mitchell will get all of the first and seconds.

I'd bet Tatum will have more votes and points than the rest of the rookies (besides #1 and 2) combined, though.
 

jmm57

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That's not really saying much, with the way the scoring works (5 points for a first-place vote, 3 for a second), and the fact that Simmons and Mitchell will get all of the first and seconds.

I'd bet Tatum will have more votes and points than the rest of the rookies (besides #1 and 2) combined, though.
That was in response to a quote that:
Tatum has a much better case for 2nd than any of those guys have for third.
Which I disagree with.
 

Manzivino

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Best case for Boston, imo. Miami is a weird team but Spo is a good coach, and I don’t think Milwaukee is built particularly well for the playoffs.
Agreed, Giannis is the best player in the series but Milwaukee as a team is the best matchup the C's could hope for in the first round - a bad defensive team with one real offensive threat.
 

Ale Xander

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I thought of that but it's just such a meaningless thing to play for when you've got your starters logging 40 minutes in game 82 and you've already clinched everything.

A lot of glass just got broken in Orlando's FO, they slide from 3 to 5 in the lottery. Also, LOL Wizards.
You're right that it's meaningless and stupid, but he wants his 60 wins to solidify the COY, since Raptors never won 60 previously. It's very selfish and short-sighted. It is what is.
 

Lazy vs Crazy

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It wasn’t meaningless. If they won and face the Warriors in the finals they would have the better record so they have home court.

Wait no they were already up one, I misread.
 

jmm57

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Having a better case for second and being closer to fifth in point totals are not mutually exclusive, though. They're different things.
Well luckily it will be an easy one to determine....if Tatum doesn't get more 1stsecond place vote, but one of the others gets a third than the voters would not agree that Tatum has a better case for 2nd than the others have for third. Happy to admit I'm wrong if Tatum gets equal/more seconds than the other guys get thirds, or sweeps the third place vote.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Agreed, Giannis is the best player in the series but Milwaukee as a team is the best matchup the C's could hope for in the first round - a bad defensive team with one real offensive threat.
I see it exactly opposite. Hate playing against a team with the best player on the court in a series. Also, while MIL may be a flawed team, especially on defense, they do have a ton of athleticism and length.

Also Heat are terrible on the road.

Only consolation is that MIA is one of two teams that have beaten PHI since March 1.