Around the NBA - March 2018

Shit Kawhi to remain out, Spurs are tanking! This better not end up a Tim Duncan situation.

http://bleacherreport.com/post/nba/570322cd-aaaa-4652-8e04-44ec3202f346

Calling BULLSHIT on a return

 

I love that they're wasting the last few years of Aldridge's prime.

 

Shoot just a couple years ago you needed 50 wins just to make it into the playoffs in the West.

 

Yep. 8 seed OKC in 2010 was 50-32 but 1 seed Lakers were only 57-25.

 

This has to be wrong. I was told only Portland plays injured team.

 

wow the lakers were the #1 seed 8 years ago? It seems so much longer.....

 

Many here will refuse to, but I think a lot of the credit should go to Stotts. With basically the same underachieving
bad-at-defense roster as last year, he's turned the team into a top defensive team. There's not a lot of other
explanations for the defensive improvement other than coaching.

 

Not sure where to post this; it's an analysis by Eric Griffith which seems to show assists may not be that important to an offense, also that Blazers don't convert very well when they have a chance to get an assisted basket. Also a video clip of something I missed in the Miami game; Turner gets a foul for a butt pat, almost seems like he was going for the butt crack?
https://www.blazersedge.com/2018/3/...s-why-it-doesnt-matter-hidden-highlights-heat

 

I was actually thinking about this earlier today. I think the Allen Crabbe trade was a case of addition by subtraction. The Crabbe fans said we'd miss his 3-point shooting (we haven't - we're 2nd in the league at 3FG% = .381, last year we we're 7th at .375), but last year he was the worst defender on a bad defensive team and was 3rd on the team in total minutes played. That hurt our overall defensive rating.

This year his minutes have been replaced by Connaughton and Napier. While Connaughton is not a lock down one-on-one defender, he has much better defensive awareness than Crabbe, He doesn't lose his man or blow rotations the way Crabbe did. Napier, on the other hand, is a great defender in spite of his diminutive size. He has quick, active hands and really puts a lot of energy into harassing his man. He get's a lot of steals and deflections, and surprising gets posted up very little. I think this is a major reason for our improved perimeter defense.

But, there's more to it than that. On the inside, we have a full year of Nurk, which also makes a big difference, as well as a defensive minded rookie coming off the bench. We have a healthy Ed Davis, and Dame and even C.J. are putting a lot more effort into their defense this year. Evan Turner seems to be taking a great deal of pride in his defense this year. I give Stotts credit for getting these guys to buy in on the defensive end, and having the guts to play a rookie who struggled on offense early.

This defense keeps us in games when we struggle to score. Defense and rebounding wins championships. Hopefully, the way we have been playing lately will continue into the post season.

BNM

 

All these damn tanking teams...

Minny is playing Washington. That should be a good game. Hopefully Wiz can pull it off.

OKC is playing ATL (tanking)

LAC is playing Chicago (tanking)

NOP is playing Charlotte (tanking)

SAS is playing ORL (tanking)

Utah is playing Detroit (hopefully the Pistons pull this one out)

Lakers are playing Denver

At this point I want Denver, LAC, and Utah to win so San Antonio misses the playoffs. I want the Thunder, Wolves, and Pelicans to lose.

 

I was going to mention those three very significant reasons. For all intents and purposes, we have a completely new front line this year, and they all bring an abundance of defense to the table. Plus, the one carryover (Aminu) happens to be strongest on defense.

 

First of all, it's great to have you back, Nate. Second of all, don't count out the Hawks tonight. They're decent at home and OKC played last night. Charlotte isn't tanking yet. They think they still have shot at playoffs. And we don't want Pistons to beat Utah like you said later. I'll close with this: Go Magic!!!!

 

Fixed this for you.

 

Sure looked like a blatant travel to me at the time. I thought they got away with several clear travels.

There was another travel at the other basket where the Heat player traveled before going into his move and scoring. Stupid PJ on the replay said, it was a travel, but he was fouled on the shot, but it wasn't called, so it balances out. WTF? What kind of logic is that? If the travel had been called, there would have been no shot, and therefore, no foul, but more importantly, no 2 points. All I can do is shake my head. And complain to you guys of course

 

Are the Pacers for real? KP executive of the year?

 

Yes

Mostly because of great coaching and outstanding moves made by the front office

 

Terry should be coach of the year if we finish 3rd in West

 

I'll take, THINGS YOU'VE BEEN TOLD BY EVERY WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE for $1,000 Alex #BAM

 

Not considered a big road win back in October as I recall....