"We're going to Disney World!" NBA to resume season July 31 at WDW

Jed Zeppelin

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Man, Lonzo is such a mixed bag. I saw two or three of the best passes of the year from him in the first half. And he shoots 55% from the free throw line. What do you do with a guy like that?
Such a strange player. He absolutely does have a preternatural passing sense, from day one. Good BBIQ in general, great size.

Wondering if he is a guy that hits like his third team and suddenly takes a huge leap.
 

The Raccoon

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So, as expected, the Nets are up by 8 on the Bucks at halftime even with Giannis going 7 for 8 for 16 points so far.
Just as a little reminder why I don't bet on sports...
 

JCizzle

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So, as expected, the Nets are up by 8 on the Bucks at halftime even with Giannis going 7 for 8 for 16 points so far.
Just as a little reminder why I don't bet on sports...
And they ultimately lost to the Nets. Right now the Suns are hanging with the Clips
 

HowBoutDemSox

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And they ultimately lost to the Nets. Right now the Suns are hanging with the Clips
I didn’t watch, but looking at the box score Giannis played 16 minutes and none of the starters went over 20 minutes for the Bucks, so I assume this was a quasi load management day for Milwaukee.
 

Kliq

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Milwaukee easily could have won that game but basically only played Frank Mason, DJ Wilson, Pat Connaughton, Divencenzo, Ilyasova and Sterling Brown down the stretch. They didn't try to win the game at all.
 

JCizzle

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I didn’t watch, but looking at the box score Giannis played 16 minutes and none of the starters went over 20 minutes for the Bucks, so I assume this was a quasi load management day for Milwaukee.
Oh for sure, but the Nets also sat LeVert and Harris (not to mention everyone back up in Brooklyn ha). Totally meaningless game though I agree, they clearly didn't care about it.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Oh for sure, but the Nets also sat LeVert and Harris (not to mention everyone back up in Brooklyn ha). Totally meaningless game though I agree, they clearly didn't care about it.
Also it looks like Robin Lopez fouled out in 20 minutes, which is pretty funny.
 

JCizzle

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I really wish this Kings - Mavs game was on national TV over the PHX-LAC game. It would be amazing if Memphis somehow loses out and we get pure chaos for the 8 seed.
 

azsoxpatsfan

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I really wish this Kings - Mavs game was on national TV over the PHX-LAC game. It would be amazing if Memphis somehow loses out and we get pure chaos for the 8 seed.
If the suns win (up 6 with 8 mins) they’d be ahead of the Kings which could make the 8 seed even more chaotic
 

PedroKsBambino

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I realize these games mean nothing to MIL and thus it is probably nothing. But....they would have lost to Celtics with even somewhat normal officiating, then they lost next two. It is not a great opening even with Giannis doing load management today, some guys being out other games.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Rockets getting outrebounded by the Blazers at the half, 37-15.

Last game v the Bucks: 65-36.

Dallas 55-43.

I mean, they’re 2-0 in the bubble and right in this game, but it’s hard to believe this is a sustainable path through four rounds of playoffs. D’Antoni has played only eight players total since the return, including the 153-149 OT game. 6’-8” Jeff Green is the biggest of the eight. Would it kill him to mix in a minute or five of Tyson Chandler?
 

Kliq

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Rockets getting outrebounded by the Blazers at the half, 37-15.

Last game v the Bucks: 65-36.

Dallas 55-43.

I mean, they’re 2-0 in the bubble and right in this game, but it’s hard to believe this is a sustainable path through four rounds of playoffs. D’Antoni has played only eight players total since the return, including the 153-149 OT game. 6’-8” Jeff Green is the biggest of the eight. Would it kill him to mix in a minute or five of Tyson Chandler?
I think they are in trouble because to play defense with that kind of lineup you have to make up for your lack of size by playing with a lot of energy and double-teaming quickly to avoid guys getting buried in the post. That kind of energy is tough to sustain over a long period of time, especially in a playoff series when teams become more adjusted to confronting such a microball lineup. It is also tough to sustain when your two key offensive players are...not always engaged defensively.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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It might end quickly but damn the NBA is having a great week. These games are like mini-playoffs given some of the stakes or simply pent up competitive juices.

Enough of these games are close and the level of play is already approaching mid season form.

Then you get the side stories like Booker, Warren, VanVleet, Porter Jr., the Blazers as well as the tough ones in Isaac and JJJ - we are getting sports drama from actual play vs the off the field noise that has been plaguing baseball/NFL.

I hope you all are able to find some escapism and joy from the hooping. Its definitely working for me.
 

Royal Reader

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Yeah, it's great to have stories about sports leagues that are actually sports stories. And basketball seems to suffer much less from the lack of fans than soccer does. (The less said about MLB right now, the better).
 

ElUno20

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It might end quickly but damn the NBA is having a great week. These games are like mini-playoffs given some of the stakes or simply pent up competitive juices.

Enough of these games are close and the level of play is already approaching mid season form.

Then you get the side stories like Booker, Warren, VanVleet, Porter Jr., the Blazers as well as the tough ones in Isaac and JJJ - we are getting sports drama from actual play vs the off the field noise that has been plaguing baseball/NFL.

I hope you all are able to find some escapism and joy from the hooping. Its definitely working for me.
I'm ready to trade Kawhi and PG for TJ Warren. Who do i call?
 

Kliq

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Yeah, plus you factor in MLS has been doing a bubble format for longer and also remain intact, it is clear that when handled properly things can go well. NFL absolutely needs to be looking into this, although I doubt they are.
 

azsoxpatsfan

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Grizzlies about to lose to the Jazz. This 8th seed is gonna be insane. 5 teams within 2.5

edit: not to mention an 8-9 play in series is basically inevitable
 
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DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Grizzlies about to lose to the Jazz. This 8th seed is gonna be insane. 5 teams within 2.5
Everyone rooting for competitive basketball should hope the Blazers make it. They are a totally different team with Nurkic and Collins back and Trent Jr. making a bit of a leap.

They aren't likely to upset anyone but they will definitely give the Lakers a tough time. Lillard is having a career year and right now is arguably a top five or even top three player. Between him, McCollum, Melo and Trent, they have a pretty good offensive attack while Nurkic, Collins and even Whiteside give them some size to bang LA's bigs. Again, they won't beat the Lakers but Portland should give them a series.
 

johnmd20

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Yeah, plus you factor in MLS has been doing a bubble format for longer and also remain intact, it is clear that when handled properly things can go well. NFL absolutely needs to be looking into this, although I doubt they are.
Logistically, it would be tough for football, given their need for humongous club houses and locker rooms and training rooms. And the gigantic rosters and coaches and training staff.
 

Kliq

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Logistically, it would be tough for football, given their need for humongous club houses and locker rooms and training rooms. And the gigantic rosters and coaches and training staff.
Right, it would be more challenging and everyone applauding the NBA and criticizing the MLB needs to acknowledge that the NBA basically needing a place to do the playoffs is different than other sports trying to put together entire seasons.

That being said, I still think it could be done if the NFL was able to plan quickly and put together a strategy. It could mean having a few different bubbles in different parts of the country, it could mean teams playing in a format that has them doing two weeks on and two weeks off. It could mean playing the same team multiple times. It would be a different season, but I think with enough effort it could be done and is worth considering.
 

johnmd20

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Right, it would be more challenging and everyone applauding the NBA and criticizing the MLB needs to acknowledge that the NBA basically needing a place to do the playoffs is different than other sports trying to put together entire seasons.

That being said, I still think it could be done if the NFL was able to plan quickly and put together a strategy. It could mean having a few different bubbles in different parts of the country, it could mean teams playing in a format that has them doing two weeks on and two weeks off. It could mean playing the same team multiple times. It would be a different season, but I think with enough effort it could be done and is worth considering.
Out of the gate, the NBA had 8 to 10 less teams to deal with because they only took 22 teams. And much smaller rosters. Doing a bubble was feasible. And their logistics were far less difficult to plan.

That said, I am not shitting on the NBA. If Roger Godell was the commissioner of the NBA, there is no chance the bubble would be even half as good as what Silver has done. Silver is an impressive dude, he's unbelievably smart and accomplished. He should run for President. And I am not joking.

But why the heck would have want to destroy his life like that?
 

azsoxpatsfan

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Everyone rooting for competitive basketball should hope the Blazers make it. They are a totally different team with Nurkic and Collins back and Trent Jr. making a bit of a leap.

They aren't likely to upset anyone but they will definitely give the Lakers a tough time. Lillard is having a career year and right now is arguably a top five or even top three player. Between him, McCollum, Melo and Trent, they have a pretty good offensive attack while Nurkic, Collins and even Whiteside give them some size to bang LA's bigs. Again, they won't beat the Lakers but Portland should give them a series.
I’m torn between wanting competitive basketball and loving dame vs. living in Arizona and loving booker. I want the 8-9 play in to be those two
 

azsoxpatsfan

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Jokic and porter jr look like a really nice 1-2 punch these past two games. Obviously jokers been a star but porter really living up to his potential in the bubble
 

The Social Chair

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Ben Simmons injured his knee. No confirmation on the seriousness of the injury.

Injury risk with out of shape players is a concern. Issac, JJJ, and now Simmons.
 

JCizzle

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Jokic and porter jr look like a really nice 1-2 punch these past two games. Obviously jokers been a star but porter really living up to his potential in the bubble
I wonder if they'll keep starting him. He's definitely got the bigger upside, but Malone might just play it conservative once everyone is healthy.
 

azsoxpatsfan

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At what point will it be fair to point out that LeBron is not what he was?
He averaged 25 points and 8 rebounds while leading the league in assists so idk that it’s fair yet. He didn’t have a great game but the real culprit tonight was AD who put up 9 points and 8 rebounds on 3/11 and was a -15
 

JCizzle

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I think LBJ will be fine in the playoffs, per usual. I think relying on JR and Waiters for real minutes instead of guys like Lou Williams and Harrell is a problem though.
 

johnmd20

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Ben Simmons injured his knee. No confirmation on the seriousness of the injury.

Injury risk with out of shape players is a concern. Issac, JJJ, and now Simmons.
It's unbelievable professional athletes can't compel themselves to keep in shape, even during a pandemic. You have one job! Even if you sat and did nothing in March and April, which is pretty understandable considering the situation, by May it was clear the NBA was coming back.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Haven't you been pointing it out for years now, every time he plays a less than perfect game? Hope springs eternal...
Hah, yeah, pretty much. At the same time, I think it's reasonable to note that he turns 36 in a few months; and that, like, most athletes that age, he's showing signs of gradual decline. His advanced metrics in 2017-18 and 2018-19 pretty clearly showed the mild downtick you'd expect from a 33-35 year old basketball player. This season, following the longest career break he has ever enjoyed, he burst out of the gate gangbusters, with on-court impact results more in line with his old, peak self (e.g. +9.8 RPM, #2 behind Giannis).

Since the long Covid layoff, though ... small sample alert, but he's looking more like the 35.7 year-old he is. It's not just one "less than perfect" game now; it's four games in which he has averaged 19.3 points and has yet to post a positive plus-minus (-4, -20, 0, -8).

More anecdotally, in the games I've watched, he seems to lack the top gear he used to have to blow past guys off the dribble, which combined with his mediocre shooting makes him a less devastating scorer than he used to be. (In a less small-sample, his .577 TS on the season, while not bad, is the lowest he has put up in 12 seasons). He has made up for that (mild) loss of quickness and athleticism in recent years by being such an elite passer and high-level thinker. But I don't think he really inspires terror off the bounce like Kawhi, KD, Curry, or Harden.

As far as defense, I don't what to say, since the advanced numbers look fantastic for him this season. But the numbers from the last few seasons showed a clear decline in his defensive impact, and the eye test suggests (to me) that he's lost a half-step on that end as well, particularly when it comes to chasing quicker guys around the perimeter.

TLDR, to answer my own rhetorical: he's still awesome, but I think the point at which it’s fair to note that "he is not what he was” is now. He was the best player in the league by a wide margin at his peak. I think it's a pretty big lift to suggest that's still the case.
 
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