People seem to forget just how good Blake was in his rookie season, 22-12 with at least one amazing, highlight play each game and turned a perennial laughingstock of a franchise into a must-see team.No fucking doubt about that now. Ayton would have to be Shaq to impact the game as much as Doncic could.
Doncic is the best rookie since who? KD?
And while he has two rings to show for it, Curry might have already passed Miller by now were it not for the presence of Durant on his team. The Warriors are the NBA death star right now. As such, their collection of all stars obscures how remarkable and unique Curry is as an offensive player.The top of the all-time threes list is now as it should be, since Curry passed the careers of like six guys in the past 5 minutes.
1. Ray Allen 2973
2. Reggie Miller 2560
3. Stephen Curry 2285
Games played: Ray 1300, Reggie 1389, Steph 656.
Yeah, the Sixers were clearly a better team with Simmons on the bench, which is why he only played 43 minutes, including the entire second half.Simmmons -12, McConnell +14.
They seem to forget that Durant was terrible his rookie year too. Averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game on .430/.288/.873 shooting. He took a huge leap his 2nd year.People seem to forget just how good Blake was in his rookie season, 22-12 with at least one amazing, highlight play each game and turned a perennial laughingstock of a franchise into a must-see team.
Here is a list of all rookies who have had a PER of at least 20. Interesting that Ayton is currently on the list, but Doncic is not. I know PER is a flawed stat, but just used it as an indicator for a player's total contribution to his team:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&season_start=1&season_end=1&lg_id=NBA&age_min=0&age_max=99&is_playoffs=N&height_min=0&height_max=99&birth_country_is=Y&as_comp=gt&as_val=0&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=pts_per_g_req&c1stat=per&c1comp=gt&c1val=20&order_by=ws
And then loses to the T-Wolves 110-106 despite putting up 30 points and 14 boards. If the Pelicans continue to play .500 ball would anyone be surprised if we start hearing noises out of the Davis' camp?Davis takes an elbow to the eye and has what looks to be a wicked shiner blossoming.
We complain about the Celtics on the road, but New Orleans is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Can’t Play Away From Home: 15-6 in New Orleans, 5-17 away from the Big Easy.And then loses to the T-Wolves 110-106 despite putting up 30 points and 14 boards. If the Pelicans continue to play .500 ball would anyone be surprised if we start hearing noises out of the Davis' camp?
Even if just one of those picks were Mitchell, LeVert, or Booker that team would look so different.Too bad SVG took Stanley Johnson, Henry Ellenson and Luke Kennard as his first-round picks and saddled Detroit with just an awful collection of guards and wings, so it looks like Detroit is doomed regardless.
That absolutely sucks - I was watching during the injury and he knew something serious was wrong as he went to the locker-rooom. That said, as scrappy as Barea is, he was having a relatively poor season offensively (he hoists about as many 3PA as Marcus Smart and is hitting at 29.7%!).It's official: torn achilles for Northeastern's finest José Juan Barea. Ugh. Given his age (35 in June) and physical limitations, you have to think there's a real chance that's the end of his NBA career. Total bummer for a seemingly cool guy who's one of the all-time NBA scrappy overachievers. Has there ever been a player who did more with less size and athleticism?
20/22/9 in his second straight 10-13 shooting night.Simmons
20/21/9
Good lord
Wouldn't a low usage point guard be a good fit next to Doncic?That absolutely sucks - I was watching during the injury and he knew something serious was wrong as he went to the locker-rooom. That said, as scrappy as Barea is, he was having a relatively poor season offensively (he hoists about as many 3PA as Marcus Smart and is hitting at 29.7%!).
As a side note, the good news for C's fans is that this potentially creates another landing spot for Rozier though his fit next to Doncic is even more questionable than DSJ.
Harden going for 1 for 17 on 3, may have contributed to the loss.I guess the Orlando Magic didn't read the "scheduled loss" memo.
Celtic/Rocket scalps on back to back nights
Yeah, but he ended up with 38 points (15/16 from the charity stripe), 12 assists and 9 rebounds, so he'll probably pick up a couple MVP votes anyway.Harden going for 1 for 17 on 3, may have contributed to the loss.
Oh, totally. I thought the "breaking news" part made it clear that that was playful trashtalk. Luka's incredible — possibly the most impressive 19 year old I've ever seen, more so than LeBron or Durant at the same age — but he's got a ways to go before he's at Steph's level. I mean Steph himself wasn't "Steph level" till like age 25. If Luka takes care of his body and continues to hone his craft, I could see definitely him reaching that level (not as a shooter, but the 6'-8" frame could make up a lot of that difference).MHO, its not fair to compare the two
FWIW, Doncic is 10 months older than LeBron was in their respective 'age 19' seasons, so the more fair comparison would be LBJ's second season when he was already closing in on first-team All-NBA. Don't get me wrong, that it's even a discussion is deeply impressive, but just saying.Luka's incredible — possibly the most impressive 19 year old I've ever seen, more so than LeBron or Durant at the same age
Did anyone note the similarities? Celtics had a 10 pt. halftime lead that was cut by 5 after the third quarter. The Rockets had a 7 pt. halftime lead that was cut by 5 after the third quarter. Then the Magic outscored the Celtics in the last frame by 7 and the Rockets by nine. Can't get overconfident with these Magic, it looks like.I guess the Orlando Magic didn't read the "scheduled loss" memo.
Celtic/Rocket scalps on back to back nights
46 points on 14-28 shooting through three. They are beating the Grizzlies by 14 so he may be done cooking for the evening. You can say what you want about his style of play but he is the most dominant offensive player in the game right now. Period.36 of Houston’s 54 points at the break. Harden is simply conducting one of the great basketball performances of our lifetime.
Challenge accepted!Harden is going to have to score 50 a game now.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25763735/mavericks-ramp-efforts-deal-pg-dennis-smith-jr-sources-sayThe Dallas Mavericks are escalating talks to trade guard Dennis Smith Jr., pushing to end a partnership that has run its course for both the franchise and former first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN.
Two teams in pursuit of a point guard -- Phoenix and Orlando -- have been active in talks with the Mavericks, league sources said.
Dallas has also searched for deals that would include veteran Wes Matthews, who is making $18.6 million in the final year of his contract, league sources said.
Dallas has sat Smith for three straight games with what the franchise has termed a sore back, but there's motivation with the organization and Smith to find a new home for him, league sources said. Smith was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Coach Rick Carlisle and Smith have struggled to find a common ground, league sources said. The arrival of rookie of the year favorite Luka Doncichas pushed Smith off the ball and changed the trajectory of his role with the team. Carlisle has often been frustrated with Smith's decision-making, league sources said.
Yup. If either Orlando or Phoenix trade for Smith, there goes a potential landing spot for Rozier. Too bad we can’t trade Rozier + FOR Smith as a pure value play.Per Woj, the Mavs are shopping Dennis Smith Jr., with Orlando and Phoenix in the mix:
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25763735/mavericks-ramp-efforts-deal-pg-dennis-smith-jr-sources-say
Could also have ripple effects for Rozier, both in his trade market now and his free agency this summer.
If Rozier drives people here crazy, they won't like DSJ any more. He is talented but like Rozier, his instincts and decision making are questionable at best.Yup. If either Orlando or Phoenix trade for Smith, there goes a potential landing spot for Rozier. Too bad we can’t trade Rozier + FOR Smith as a pure value play.
Unless you’re an elite PG that’s almost always going to be the case with young 1’s who don’t peak until their late 20’sIf Rozier drives people here crazy, they won't like DSJ any more. He is talented but like Rozier, his instincts and decision making are questionable at best.
This is really insane. Jordan averaged 38 a game one season and didn't do this, neither did Kobe, LeBron, Rick Barry, West, Kareem, Pete Maravich, Iverson, Gervin, or anyone else. Just insane consistency.Harden's on a historic run...
Tim MacMahon ESPN Staff Writer
James Harden has his 17th consecutive 30-point game before halftime. It's the longest run of 30-point performances since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.
You are right about young 1's but Rozier is going to be 25 in 2 months. He's not really a young 1. There are plenty of decent PGs in the NBA around that age that aren't elite and won't drive you crazy.Unless you’re an elite PG that’s almost always going to be the case with young 1’s who don’t peak until their late 20’s