2020-2021 NBA Game Thread

jon abbey

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Yeah, MVP has a lot to do with games played and a regular season award in the NBA has always seemed absurd to me since we all know the playoffs are another level of effort (the year where David Robinson won it and then Hakeem obliterated him head to head in the playoffs is particularly memorable), but HOU collapsing after Harden left (and Wood got hurt) is a positive in Harden's column in my book.
 

Kliq

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Quite the Westbrook line tonight: 35 pts, 14 reb, 21 ast.

Beal-less Wiz take down the Pacers, 132-124.
21 assists in a game that featured a starting lineup of Russ, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avija, Jerome Robinson and Alex Len, with immortals Raul Neto, Chandler Hutchinson and Daniel Gafford seeing major minutes off the bench, is pretty nuts.

Westbrook is somehow shooting 61% from the free throw line this season. Up until a few years ago he was a solid 85% shooter, but he has completely lost it over the last few seasons. What an odd career.
 

Apisith

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Zion looks like he will be awesome. For the season he’s up to 26ppg on 66% true shooting. This is historic efficiency for someone so young.
 

Apisith

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21 assists in a game that featured a starting lineup of Russ, Rui Hachimura, Deni Avija, Jerome Robinson and Alex Len, with immortals Raul Neto, Chandler Hutchinson and Daniel Gafford seeing major minutes off the bench, is pretty nuts.

Westbrook is somehow shooting 61% from the free throw line this season. Up until a few years ago he was a solid 85% shooter, but he has completely lost it over the last few seasons. What an odd career.
First ever 35pt/20ast triple double. Truly a Russ game.
 

Kliq

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Russell Westbrook shot 40% from three in January, 15% from three in February and 37% from three in March.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I mentioned Cauley-Stein’s indifference toward the game and his conditioning last week and see that he’s now in “medical protocol” which got me thinking.......

We know that there are x percentage of NBA players who love the money and the lifestyle but who don’t necessarily love (or even like) the basketball aspect of it. I wonder how many players in this category recognized that if they were caught violating protocol they would be essentially given a paid vacation from work? If the rumors about TT repeatedly violating code are true would be fit into this group of those not concerned with missing time with the team?
 

Cesar Crespo

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I mentioned Cauley-Stein’s indifference toward the game and his conditioning last week and see that he’s now in “medical protocol” which got me thinking.......

We know that there are x percentage of NBA players who love the money and the lifestyle but who don’t necessarily love (or even like) the basketball aspect of it. I wonder how many players in this category recognized that if they were caught violating protocol they would be essentially given a paid vacation from work? If the rumors about TT repeatedly violating code are true would be fit into this group of those not concerned with missing time with the team?
Or he's sick.
 

Kliq

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I mentioned Cauley-Stein’s indifference toward the game and his conditioning last week and see that he’s now in “medical protocol” which got me thinking.......

We know that there are x percentage of NBA players who love the money and the lifestyle but who don’t necessarily love (or even like) the basketball aspect of it. I wonder how many players in this category recognized that if they were caught violating protocol they would be essentially given a paid vacation from work? If the rumors about TT repeatedly violating code are true would be fit into this group of those not concerned with missing time with the team?
I'd like to think that the game is so competitive that in order to even make the league you had have to be driven at an intense level, even if you are really naturally gifted. WCS might fit into the category of someone who could get away not being wired like that and still be able to carve out a career just because of his extremely rare combo of size and athleticism, but he is probably one of a few exceptions. Even big guys now really have to work on their game and have a lot of different skills.

Simmons mentioned in a podcast that he didn't like the trend of so many guys just being willing to sit at home and way to be bought out or traded. Drummond, Aldridge, Horford, Griffin, etc. Star players who you think would have a lot of pride but seem fine just going home and collecting their money until they can latch on somewhere else. There is an apathy that feels misplaced in what should be a really competitive environment where players should want to play and compete and show that they are great.

Simmons brought up Drummond going to the Lakers as an example. Now granted, he is probably just pissed the Lakers got Drummond for nothing, but he pointed out that if Drummond really wanted to prove his worth and try and get paid in the off-season, he should have gone to the Knicks, who could offer him a bigger role with Mitchell Robinson out, and Drummond could thrive and put up numbers and play for a team that will always play hard and have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The allure of going to LA and playing with LeBron as a role-player and probably the 4th or 5th option and getting a chance to win a ring was bigger to him; but it would kind of be more fun to have seen him on the Knicks.
 

GreenMonster49

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Simmons brought up Drummond going to the Lakers as an example. Now granted, he is probably just pissed the Lakers got Drummond for nothing, but he pointed out that if Drummond really wanted to prove his worth and try and get paid in the off-season, he should have gone to the Knicks, who could offer him a bigger role with Mitchell Robinson out, and Drummond could thrive and put up numbers and play for a team that will always play hard and have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The allure of going to LA and playing with LeBron as a role-player and probably the 4th or 5th option and getting a chance to win a ring was bigger to him; but it would kind of be more fun to have seen him on the Knicks.
The problem with that analysis is that Drummond signed with the Lakers to be the starting center there. He's not coming off the bench or being used in certain matchups. He might be more of the focal point of the offense in New York, but if his goal was to play, I can't fault him for picking one starting job over another.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Players can never win the narrative game. They stick it out with a non-contender? No desire to win, they must just care about putting up stats on a bad team. They want out so they can play for a contender and leave money on the table to do so? They’re front runners with no loyalty who just want to ride someone else’s coattails to a ring rather earn it by making their current team better. They’re ok with a lack of playing time? They don’t have the competitive desire to play more. They complain about playing time or try to get to a situation where they can play more? They’re bad teammates with bad attitudes who are just gunning for more stats for their next contract. I mean, really, play for the Knicks instead of the LeBron Lakers?
 

HomeRunBaker

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I'd like to think that the game is so competitive that in order to even make the league you had have to be driven at an intense level, even if you are really naturally gifted. WCS might fit into the category of someone who could get away not being wired like that and still be able to carve out a career just because of his extremely rare combo of size and athleticism, but he is probably one of a few exceptions. Even big guys now really have to work on their game and have a lot of different skills.

Simmons mentioned in a podcast that he didn't like the trend of so many guys just being willing to sit at home and way to be bought out or traded. Drummond, Aldridge, Horford, Griffin, etc. Star players who you think would have a lot of pride but seem fine just going home and collecting their money until they can latch on somewhere else. There is an apathy that feels misplaced in what should be a really competitive environment where players should want to play and compete and show that they are great.

Simmons brought up Drummond going to the Lakers as an example. Now granted, he is probably just pissed the Lakers got Drummond for nothing, but he pointed out that if Drummond really wanted to prove his worth and try and get paid in the off-season, he should have gone to the Knicks, who could offer him a bigger role with Mitchell Robinson out, and Drummond could thrive and put up numbers and play for a team that will always play hard and have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. The allure of going to LA and playing with LeBron as a role-player and probably the 4th or 5th option and getting a chance to win a ring was bigger to him; but it would kind of be more fun to have seen him on the Knicks.
Simmons is out of his mind on that take. #1 - What would Drummond have proven by playing for the Cavs over the last month? It isn’t like this is Kornet who is trying to find his niche in the league......Drummond is the classic Dennis Green veteran player. #2 - It’s freakin Cavs managements decision to not play him at the risk of him getting injured while they are trying to receive assets in return not Drummond refusing to play. They are tanking and know Drummond is leaving.....it makes no sense to keep him around.

Now let’s talk about Al Horford.
 

Remagellan

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Spot on. And while it may be that Drummond is strictly ring chasing, it also may be that he would rather live in LA than NYC, or would rather play for Vogel than Thibs. I'm also not happy about his choice, but it was his decision to make and he doesn't owe me or anyone an explanation about it.
 

Tony C

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Players can never win the narrative game. They stick it out with a non-contender? No desire to win, they must just care about putting up stats on a bad team. They want out so they can play for a contender and leave money on the table to do so? They’re front runners with no loyalty who just want to ride someone else’s coattails to a ring rather earn it by making their current team better. They’re ok with a lack of playing time? They don’t have the competitive desire to play more. They complain about playing time or try to get to a situation where they can play more? They’re bad teammates with bad attitudes who are just gunning for more stats for their next contract. I mean, really, play for the Knicks instead of the LeBron Lakers?
Absolutely to every word of this. See Simmons insanity on Drummond, but also all the ragging on Gordon H etc...the list goes on.

I do think it's fair to rag some on a guy like Blake Griffin who seems (based on a couple of games) to have not been playing as hard in Detroit as he has debuted in Brooklyn. That sucks. Otherwise, yeah, players can't get a break.
 

jon abbey

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Vucevic’s teams are now 2-16 in the last 18 games he has played, 2-12 with ORL, 0-4 with CHI. Somehow the two wins were against Brooklyn and Phoenix...
 

Imbricus

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Malachi Flynn with a nice line for Toronto last night: 6/13 shooting (2/4 from three), 16 points, 4 steals, 3 blocks, in 34 minutes. His stats have looked decidedly unimpressive this year, and he spent some time in the G League. It'll be interesting to see if he can build on this. Another short, older point guard drafted late in the first round last year.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Watched 2H of Nuggets/Magic from the other night. Apparently nobody woke up Denver until halftime but in the minutes I watched it really made me appreciate what Aaron Gordon could have brought to this Celtics team. A big switchable forward who can attack the basket and pressure defenses on the other end.
 

azsoxpatsfan

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Isaiah Thomas made his return for the Pels tonight and scored 10 with 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Played 25 mins and was a +7 in a game the team lost by 16
 

benhogan

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Milwaukee just absolutely threw a home game vs. Charlotte last night.

starting line-up:
Thanasis
Nwora
Portis
Forbes
Teague :oops:

Bucks starting 5 all got the night off
 

Jimbodandy

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Milwaukee just absolutely threw a home game vs. Charlotte last night.

starting line-up:
Thanasis
Nwora
Portis
Forbes
Teague :oops:

Bucks starting 5 all got the night off
Was wondering what the fuck happened when I checked my fantasy team this morning.

Sounds like one of those team meeting scenarios. Ok fellas, go home and put your feet up for one night. You've been working hard, blah blah.

Teams are realizing that home court and seeding means fuck all this year too.
 

Kliq

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Lakers blow out Brooklyn tonight. Brooklyn didn't have Harden, but Lakers beat them with LeBron and Davis, plus Kuzma, sitting.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Lakers blow out Brooklyn tonight. Brooklyn didn't have Harden, but Lakers beat them with LeBron and Davis, plus Kuzma, sitting.
Durant was on a minutes restriction and Kyrie got tossed early 3Q (w/Schroeder). It was essentially Lakers bench beating the Nets bench in the 2H. ABC got a real doozy for their Sat night Primetime game.
 

Kliq

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Not sure if Portland giving out Gary Trent Jr. in that trade for Norman Powell was wise. Trent is streaky, but when he has it going, he can be really good. 44 points tonight on 17/19 shooting!
 

Sam Ray Not

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Not sure if Portland giving out Gary Trent Jr. in that trade for Norman Powell was wise. Trent is streaky, but when he has it going, he can be really good. 44 points tonight on 17/19 shooting!
Streaky indeed. He followed up his worst game of the season v. CHI (39 minutes. 6 pts on 2-14 fg, 1 reb, 1 ast, 3 tov, -21 plus-minus, -5.8 game score) with last night’s insanity v CLE (33 minutes, 44 pts on 17-19 fg, 7 reb, 4 ast, +31 plus-minus, 41.6 game score). His previous high game score of the season had been 22.6, and he only broken 20 twice. And he busts out a 41.6.

I’m still not that high on Trent Jr. overall, cos his passing and rebounding numbers are so desultory (career 2.8 reb and 1.7 ast per 36), but yeah, it’s tough to give up on a productive player that young (he just turned 22) with good size and elite 3 pt gunning potential.

At the same time, Powell is not old (almost 28), and I get the logic behind upgrading to a slightly better overall player who’s more playoff battle-tested and better matches Dame and CJ’s windows. It assumes they think they actually have an outside title shot, which is a stretch, but as long as they’re not dumping Dame and CJ and committing to a full rebuild, I’m not sure I hate the trade for them.
 
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Phil Elliott

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Aug 12, 2020
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Just watching the Lombardi Line and a discussion of today's Celts/ Denver game. Fournier is obviously out, but at the very end one of the hosts said that Tatum and Brown are both questionable. WTF??? Anyone else know anything about this?
 

BigSoxFan

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Just watching the Lombardi Line and a discussion of today's Celts/ Denver game. Fournier is obviously out, but at the very end one of the hosts said that Tatum and Brown are both questionable. WTF??? Anyone else know anything about this?
Tatum non-COVID illness and Jaylen knee. Both could miss.
 

Sam Ray Not

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Speaking of the Nuggets, it seems like not enough has been made of the fact that after much jockeying and discussion in the early season, the MVP race is now all but over. Barring something really weird over the next 20 games, it’s Jokic all day ... right?
 

BigSoxFan

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Speaking of the Nuggets, it seems like not enough has been made of the fact that after much jockeying and discussion in the early season, the MVP race is now all but over. Barring something really weird over the next 20 games, it’s Jokic all day ... right?
I don’t see how it isn’t Jokic given the season he’s had and the injuries to Bron, Embiid, etc. Dude’s been awesome and deserves it.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Speaking of the Nuggets, it seems like not enough has been made of the fact that after much jockeying and discussion in the early season, the MVP race is now all but over. Barring something really weird over the next 20 games, it’s Jokic all day ... right?
I never bet on sports but a month or so ago I put $50 on Jokic to win MVP at +550. The 2 guys ahead of him were LeBron James (who the voters won't give another MVP award) and Joel Embiid who was currently on the DL.

I'm not a gambling man but if someone wants to hand me money for free...