2020-2021 NBA Game Thread

DannyDarwinism

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Candace Parker is good in the studio, she has an easy-going charisma and obviously knows the game. Her cohost on this TNT broadcast is a stiff though. He’s not doing her any favors.
 

Kliq

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Clint Capela is putting up good numbers for ATL, whose lottery-pick big man, Onyeka Okongwu, has barely played since returning from a foot injury.

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401267365
Capela has always put up good numbers, thought he was good in Houston but he didn't fit into how they wanted to play.

That Minnesota vs Atlanta game was terrible, a zillion turnovers, Trae in foul trouble. Ugly, ugly basketball.
 

DannyDarwinism

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I’m glad I can root for Memphis now that there’s no picks in play. Ja is a blast and they have a bunch of young dudes that I like in Tillman, Clarke, Bane, Melton, and SloMo. Not even Grayson Allen can cancel that out.
 

BigSoxFan

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I’m glad I can root for Memphis now that there’s no picks in play. Ja is a blast and they have a bunch of young dudes that I like in Tillman, Clarke, Bane, Melton, and SloMo. Not even Grayson Allen can cancel that out.
Sounds like Jaren Jackson Jr. is close to returning as well.
 

Sam Ray Not

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I’m glad I can root for Memphis now that there’s no picks in play. Ja is a blast and they have a bunch of young dudes that I like in Tillman, Clarke, Bane, Melton, and SloMo. Not even Grayson Allen can cancel that out.
Your Grizzlies are now my Timberwolves, haha. I've always kinda liked the Wolves; and from lurking on Canis Hoopus I find them one of the smartest and most passionate fanbases around. They deserve to root for a legit contender one of these years. And lord knows KAT deserves some joy in his life after his awful year from hell. Just let the Wolves' blossoming begin after our pick conveys. :)
 

jmcc5400

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Not a lot of defense, but that Brooklyn-Milwaukee game was crackling. Looking forward to them going 7 in the Eastern Conference semis to get a crack at the C's in the conference finals. ;)
 

chilidawg

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Warriors hanging in there with the Lakers, you get the feeling though that the Lakers are just half assing it.

Oubre such an intriguing player, great finisher, has had a number of nice defensive plays and shot the 3 decently. Just seems like such a knucklehead though that you just don't think it can last.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Whatever else you say about Andrew Wiggins: the dude mans up Kawhi and LeBron every game and shuts them down. The King had nothing for him tonight.

Trash Brothers: extremely not trash tonight. Great win.
 

lovegtm

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Whatever else you say about Andrew Wiggins: the dude mans up Kawhi and LeBron every game and shuts them down. The King had nothing for him tonight.

Trash Brothers: extremely not trash tonight. Great win.
He seems to be showing more on defense than I thought was there. Good for him.
 
That Minnesota vs Atlanta game was terrible, a zillion turnovers, Trae in foul trouble. Ugly, ugly basketball.
I'm certainly hoping that this is the natural process of what happens when you change two-thirds of your roster in one offseason, and not a sign that after a 4-1 start Trae has forgotten how to play basketball. (Which is on the list of possibilities right now.)
 

chilidawg

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Whatever else you say about Andrew Wiggins: the dude mans up Kawhi and LeBron every game and shuts them down. The King had nothing for him tonight.

Trash Brothers: extremely not trash tonight. Great win.
Endless hype for Lebron vs. Steph and neither was very good. Stars!

Fun game, nice to see Wanamaker out there, would much rather see him in Green than Teague. Had some good moments D'ing up Lebron and ball seemed to move much better when he was on the court.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Whatever else you say about Andrew Wiggins: the dude mans up Kawhi and LeBron every game and shuts them down. The King had nothing for him tonight.

Trash Brothers: extremely not trash tonight. Great win.
I posted somewhere about Wiggins defense last week too. Kid is flat out balling and could be the poster child for why throwing together a bunch of 20-year olds without a veteran presence is a terrible way for a young player to develop.
 

128

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Anybody know if Philly will have a full complement of players tonite? If the Sixers put out an injury report, I haven't been able to find it.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Anybody know if Philly will have a full complement of players tonite? If the Sixers put out an injury report, I haven't been able to find it.
Embiid not on injury report.
Mike Scott out.
Seth Curry and Korkmaz available to play.
 

benhogan

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Just curious SRN. Is there any pressure on Golden State to consider changing "Warriors"?

There are dozens of more indigenous/appropriate names from that area (wasn't it brought from Philly?).
 

Sam Ray Not

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Just curious SRN. Is there any pressure on Golden State to consider changing "Warriors"?

There are dozens of more indigenous/appropriate names from that area (wasn't it brought from Philly?).
Yeah, and the Philly Warriors brand was decidedly insensitive...

38080

I feel like since the current iteration has long since scrubbed all Native American iconography — and since “Warriors” doesn’t have any specific connection to indigenous peoples — that there’s no reason to get rid of it. But obviously I’m not objective, and open to counter-arguments...
 

Swedgin

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Just curious SRN. Is there any pressure on Golden State to consider changing "Warriors"?

There are dozens of more indigenous/appropriate names from that area (wasn't it brought from Philly?).
I think it would be different if Golden State traded on/exploited Native American imagery. I know the Philly version used a headdress as part of its logo. I do not when Golden State dropped it, but it has been a least 3 decades (since that's when I started following the NBA).
 

benhogan

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I think it would be different if Golden State traded on/exploited Native American imagery. I know the Philly version used a headdress as part of its logo. I do not when Golden State dropped it, but it has been a least 3 decades (since that's when I started following the NBA).
I believe Golden State used a headdress at one point, along with some sort of modern Warrior holding a lightning bolt. I don't think they are being insensitive, just curious if there were groups protesting outside the arena over the last few years (pre-COVID)?

I'm a SoCal lib and just a hair surprised San Fran doesn't make a pre-emptive move. There are a dozen other names that would be more fitting for the San Francisco area IMO

(+ an increase in jersey sales to pay for Oubre)
 

Cellar-Door

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I believe Golden State used a headdress at one point, along with some sort of modern Warrior holding a lightning bolt. I don't think they are being insensitive, just curious if there were groups protesting outside the arena over the last few years (pre-COVID)?

I'm a SoCal lib and just a hair surprised San Fran doesn't make a pre-emptive move. There are a dozen other names that would be more fitting for the San Francisco area IMO

(+ an increase in jersey sales to pay for Oubre)
Can't see anyone getting riled up about the generic "warriors" name, given they got rid of any Native associated branding way back in the 1960s. There just isn't any real association there, and unlike something like "Braves" the name alone doesn't really tie into Native Americans without any associated logos or branding.
 

Kliq

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They don't even have any real generic "warrior" branding once they ditched the ninja guy ten years ago. It's all just like, pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge and shit.
 

benhogan

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Maybe I'm just more aware of it since Syracuse University got rid of their Warrior mascot in the 1980s.

Then took the next step of changing the name from Orangemen to Syracuse Orange 17years ago (at Nike's urging).

Probably nothing there, but saw this trend take hold last year with several pro teams. I was surprised my neighbors up north didn't address it (even if it was in name only)
 

Sam Ray Not

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Note to Big 3 Nets: if you aspire to all-time greatness, you might not want to give up 147 points to the Cavaliers.
 

TripleOT

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Only 14 shots in 51 minutes for Harden. 25 shots for KD in 50! minutes. 28 shots in 48 minutes for a returning Kyrie.
 

TripleOT

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Capela 27 points, 26 rebounds, 5 blocks. 12 offensive rebounds as the Hawks overcome a 17 point Pistons lead and win
 
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TripleOT

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Wolves up 2 with one FT to go with 4.6 seconds left and no timeouts for the Magic. A long rebound goes to Cole Anthony, who takes four dribbles and raises up in front of the Magic bench for a three. Game time.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Wolves up 2 with one FT to go with 4.6 seconds left and no timeouts for the Magic. A long rebound goes to Cole Anthony, who takes four dribbles and raises up in front of the Magic bench for a three. Game time.
Wolves also had a 10-point lead with 2:45 left. Ouch.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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I looked but couldn't find the official explanation for Kyrie's forearm to Sexton's chin being ruled not to be an offensive foul on the review, was there any given?

 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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I looked but couldn't find the official explanation for Kyrie's forearm to Sexton's chin being ruled not to be an offensive foul on the review, was there any given?

I just went back and checked and the refs just overturned the call.

The announcers (and twitter) suggested that Sexton was reaching in and lead with his face and that might have been the reason for overturning.

If the refs hadn't called the elbow (even with overturning it), the Cavs probably lose the game as Sexton is called for a reach in and I assume KI goes to the line with like 1.5 seconds (or less) left.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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I just went back and checked and the refs just overturned the call.

The announcers (and twitter) suggested that Sexton was reaching in and lead with his face and that might have been the reason for overturning.

If the refs hadn't called the elbow (even with overturning it), the Cavs probably lose the game as Sexton is called for a reach in and I assume KI goes to the line with like 1.5 seconds (or less) left.
The reach in part is interesting. I had thought they weren't allowed to take into account other fouls they should/could have called on the play during the review, but looking up the review rules, apparently they are allowed to review for "Whether a different foul proximate to the called foul should have been called." That's good to know going forward that they can notice another missed call on the play and negate the challenged call for that reason (and now I'll know I can complain vociferously in Celtics game thread when they don't invoke that rule on any of Brad's challenges).
 

Sam Ray Not

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Trae still seems to be struggling, but 27-26-5 is one hell of a stat line - Capela might be the Hawks' best true rim protector since Dikembe Mutombo.
Q: does the stellar play of Capela make you question the Onyeka Okongwu pick at all? Okongwu has a rep as a highly switchable defender, so could theoretically slide over to 4 occasionally, but I’m not sure he has the offensive skill level for that (yet?) In the meantime, he seems like a pure 10-15 mpg backup 5. I get the desire to shore up the overall team D, but is there any regret you didn’t nab a more versatile player like Haliburton, Vassell, Avdija, or Bey?
 
Q: does the stellar play of Capela make you question the Onyeka Okongwu pick at all? Okongwu has a rep as a highly switchable defender, so could theoretically slide over to 4 occasionally, but I’m not sure he has the offensive skill level for that (yet?) In the meantime, he seems like a pure 10-15 mpg backup 5. I get the desire to shore up the overall team D, but is there any regret you didn’t nab a more versatile player like Haliburton, Vassell, Avdija, or Bey?
It's a good question. For the moment, I'm happy the Hawks have a system which will allow Okongwu to develop at his own pace - and drafting another wing would have just increased the logjam for minutes. I'm sure Schlenk would have played the free agent game differently if he'd picked someone else, of course, but interior defense (and defense more generally) was the Hawks' biggest weakness coming into the season, and there were no guarantees that Capela would flourish in what of course are his first games in a Hawks uniform, having missed all of the post-trade and pre-bubble games through injury.

tl;dr - I'm still willing to TITS.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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The reach in part is interesting. I had thought they weren't allowed to take into account other fouls they should/could have called on the play during the review, but looking up the review rules, apparently they are allowed to review for "Whether a different foul proximate to the called foul should have been called." That's good to know going forward that they can notice another missed call on the play and negate the challenged call for that reason (and now I'll know I can complain vociferously in Celtics game thread when they don't invoke that rule on any of Brad's challenges).
I don't know if the foul mattered on this call as much as mitigating the elbow since Sexton may have lead with his head. Irving's arm wasn't over his shoulder either; I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

But good to know what officials can and can't do on replay.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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It's a good question. For the moment, I'm happy the Hawks have a system which will allow Okongwu to develop at his own pace - and drafting another wing would have just increased the logjam for minutes. I'm sure Schlenk would have played the free agent game differently if he'd picked someone else, of course, but interior defense (and defense more generally) was the Hawks' biggest weakness coming into the season, and there were no guarantees that Capela would flourish in what of course are his first games in a Hawks uniform, having missed all of the post-trade and pre-bubble games through injury.

tl;dr - I'm still willing to TITS.
Q: Athletic wrote about 2 weeks ago that there was some trouble in the locker room, particularly between John Collins and Trae Young. Do you see any of that on court or heard anything more about locker room issues?

Article is here if you haven't seen it: https://theathletic.com/2307304/2021/01/08/atlanta-hawks-john-collins-trae-young/
 
Q: Athletic wrote about 2 weeks ago that there was some trouble in the locker room, particularly between John Collins and Trae Young. Do you see any of that on court or heard anything more about locker room issues?

Article is here if you haven't seen it: https://theathletic.com/2307304/2021/01/08/atlanta-hawks-john-collins-trae-young/
Yeah, I've heard those rumors elsewhere as well. I'm worried about Trae's leadership (or lack thereof), but if it comes down to Trae vs. Collins, Collins will get traded before this year's deadline. Which might be the correct decision for the franchise in the longer term, depending on what asset(s) Schlenk could get back in return, as Collins is going to want a max contract and I don't think the Hawks would be first in line to give him one. We'll see...
 

HomeRunBaker

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Q: does the stellar play of Capela make you question the Onyeka Okongwu pick at all? Okongwu has a rep as a highly switchable defender, so could theoretically slide over to 4 occasionally, but I’m not sure he has the offensive skill level for that (yet?) In the meantime, he seems like a pure 10-15 mpg backup 5. I get the desire to shore up the overall team D, but is there any regret you didn’t nab a more versatile player like Haliburton, Vassell, Avdija, or Bey?
By the time Okongwu is ready for starters minutes Capela will be long gone.
 
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PedroKsBambino

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Yeah, I've heard those rumors elsewhere as well. I'm worried about Trae's leadership (or lack thereof), but if it comes down to Trae vs. Collins, Collins will get traded before this year's deadline. Which might be the correct decision for the franchise in the longer term, depending on what asset(s) Schlenk could get back in return, as Collins is going to want a max contract and I don't think the Hawks would be first in line to give him one. We'll see...
My read is Collins is going to get dealt. I suspect it will be for what looks like less than great value, but as you note there may be a choice to be made here and he's the guy you have to jettison in that scenario.
 

BigSoxFan

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My read is Collins is going to get dealt. I suspect it will be for what looks like less than great value, but as you note there may be a choice to be made here and he's the guy you have to jettison in that scenario.
Thinking out loud:

Bazley and a couple of OKC’s picks for Collins. Who says no? Maybe OKC if they think Collins isn’t good enough to cash in some of the chips.