Around the NBA - October 2017

I'm the "laughing stock" huh?

 

I think the way the way that team is built, it won't matter where they will be ranked out west come playoff time. They will be tough to beat 4 times in a series. Chemistry will take some time, but they will be solid come xmas in my opinion. NOW is the time to play them.

 

Remember Butler has been out. Him missing is definitely effecting/affecting ( never know which one to use) that team on both ends.

 

Look at post 1660 in this thread. He has been a minus on defense in the 3 games he was in...

 

1st place out east, Orlando Magic on line 1......

 

You are better than this. You are forming an opinion on 2 games and hoping it holds water. Just like Patty was hoping to average 23 pts/game. Butler is one of the best two way players in this game. That negative D he has been playing is probably because he's on the court with some new players. That guy is fantastic and will have a positive effect/affect on the teams defense when all is said and done.

 

No, I am not. You said they were bad because Butler was not there - so far this year, this is not true.

I said before - that they were horrible defensively last year, lost their best defensive player at the most important defensive position (PG) and gained Butler which should elevate their defense in the SG position - but still, their defense is suspect.

I expect Butler to get better when he understands his new team - but I am not certain that this actually elevates them over where they were last year - when they were awful defensively. The reality is that so far this year - they were all awful - and the question is - will Butler's play elevate them all or will they bring him down? It is early - but it was not an immediate upgrade getting Butler - and as I said - I have my doubts. Rubio was by far their best defensive player last year - and he is not there anymore.

 

This actually confused me more, but thanks for the help. I'm good with there,their and they're.........and then and than......but this one has always got me. It has affected my effectiveness!

 

Not sure about the stats so far but I can't see how Minnesota could possibly be a bad defensive team this year. Based on their coach and players. Now offensively I can see where they might struggle a bit.

 

Funny. Based on what we have seen last year and what happened - I find it hard to believe they will be a good defensive team this year.

 

Yep, their young guys (KAT and Wiggins) haven't bought into playing defense or shown they are capable of doing so at the NBA level. Thibs is supposed to be a defensive Svengali, but that team sucked ass on defense last year and he seems to hope bringing in his guy Jimmy Buckets will change the team's mindset. Not so far, but time will tell...

BNM

 

Learning fast !!

 

I guessed on that last sentence. had a 50/50 shot.

 

Kinda like your Blazers chances of making the playoffs.

 

Your Fuckers won't win 25 games tho.

 

I guess I was looking at their starting 5. KAT, Wiggins, Butler, Gibson and Teague should be pretty decent. But now that you mention it other than Dieng their bench does look weak defensively. (JC, Brooks, Shabazz, Bjelica)