2018 Around the NBA - October

Maybe this was already mentioned - I don't know. It's too much of a hassle for me to get to this thread, but I always like seeing people talk shit about CP3 (and Kobe).
(This is just a screen shot, not the video.)

 

I don't agree with the bulk of the Chris Paul and Rondo are both dirty debate. Chris Paul is a dirty ass bitch, game in and game out, all game long. He's sneaky about it, and the refs rarely, rarely ever call him on it. I haven't personally noticed the same from Rondo. Rondo to me is more like a guy who has a loose wing nut, and if he gets ticked off he may do something dirty, but it's much more likely to be out in the open. Just my perspective, wrong as it may be

 

Totally agree. Something has to set Rondo off to do the things he does, and he doesn't care about the repercussions. CP3 is just dirty by nature, but doesn't want people to know.

 

He's the Arod of the NBA. Wants everyone to like him, but does dirty stuff all the time.

 

FOUR? Jesus.

 

You know what would put an end to that argument? Not getting swept out of the playoffs by a healthy squad. Until that happens, or at least a competitive series, we're just a regular season over-achieving team.

 

It was happening even before the playoffs. It seemed to start when we beat MIN without Butler. Never mind that he missed two games before us and 14 more after, we were somehow the luckiest team in the league when it came to facing teams without the "star" players.

BNM

 

So, like 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025 1st round picks?

I suppose that kind of fits MIN's window as Towns and Wiggins will "only" be 30 in 2025.

I don't see HOU having any of the top prospects MIN covets, but as of 10/31 they can trade the expiring contracts of Brandon Knight and Marquese Chris to get the cap relief they desire.

So, if you're MIN would you do Butler for Knight, Chris and 4 future 1st round picks?

Since the aren't getting back anyone who would help them replace Butler's production, I'd insist that all 4 picks be unprotected. With HOU's core rapidly aging, I'd imagine they'd want to protect the picks. Maybe a sliding scale of something like top 5 protected in 2019, top 8 protected in 2021, top 10 protected in 2023 and lottery protected in 2025.

BNM

 

There you go with that before and after playoff confusion again... Yes, it was happening before the playoffs because many people didn't believe the team was as good as the record indicated, based on repeated playoff failures.

 

Regardless of when it happened, it's bullshit and has been proven incorrect. We were not the luckiest team in the league when it came to opponent health last season. Somewhere there's a thread about it, complete with supporting data. I believe of the playoff teams in the West, plus DEN we were pretty close to "average" (maybe slightly above average) with respect to playing opponents without their top players. It's a false narrative, but a popular one around here none-the-less.

BNM

 

Its been happening for years ever since LA left. There is always some excuse on why we won and its not just on this forum its all over ESPN and other NBA media outlets. When we have done well the last few years there was always an excuse for why it happened and it wasn't like that for any other team that made the playoffs. Its almost as if the media was offended we were in the playoffs and taking away from the product as a whole.

 

I'm willing to be wrong but I think the only way Houston can trade 4, first round picks legally is to make them all unprotected.

 

In the hands of a savy GM, that would be a valuable offer. For the T-Wolves.....

 

I think as long as the protection doesn't cause them to be without a 1st round pick two years in a row, they will be ok.

For example if they trade their 2019 and 2021 1st round picks with the 2019 top 5 protected. The 2019 pick can't convert to a 2020 1st round pick if it ends up being top 5.

The protection could be something like, if the 2019 pick ends up being a top 5 pick, MIN gets HOU's 2019 and 2020 2nd round picks.

Or something like, if HOU's 2019 pick is top 5, MIN gets the better of their own pick and HOU's pick in 2020.

BNM

 

So to me the only arguement in terms of them being “lucky” to be the 3 seed that has some merit isnt the whole oh they played a bunch of teams that had injured players, its how good would those teams have been without injuries.

New Orleans with Cousins was starting to plag really well before DC got hurt would they have had a better a record than portland?
San Antonio had Kawhi for 9 games if he’s playing does SA have a better record?
Minnesota was the 3 seed before Butlers Injury.

I dont really count Denver and millsap because from all Ive seen they were kind of similar with and without him.

Im not saying it matters, the Blazers had various injuries last year too. All the ifs and butts dont matter they got their 49 wins and the 3 seed thats who they were.

 

It's why they play the games. Health matters and so does managing your roster and balancing playing time. Injuries can happen to anyone at any time, but having a roster that depends on older players, or players with a significant injury history, or playing your starters into the ground, is a recipe for disaster. Thibs had a history if playing his starters into the ground in CHI that he's carried forward to MIN. Gobert had significant injuries 3 of his first 5 season in the league. Millsap is old with a lot of heavy minutes under his belt, etc.

BNM

 

@Boob-No-More is so right about Westbrook

 

Let's go Celtics and make OKC 0-4! Westbrook is bricking down the stretch as usual. Tied with under a minute to go.

 

The Morris brothers are so damn underrated