Around the NBA 2022 Playoffs: The Thread

Do you think if given the same rosters Lillard would have any rings?

 

Unlike any of the other all time greats Curry is an absolute liability on defense that has only been saved from exposure by the scheme that Kerr has set up and his teammates. He's the greatest shooter of all time, he's one of the best dribblers of his generation, he's a decent passer and has a good floater... he can also finish inside at an average rate for a guard. Those are the extent of his greatness. Being the greatest shooter of all time, having a generational handle and having players and a scheme around him that cover up his huge amount of weanesses does make him great.

That being said, after his career is over he will be remembered as Steve Nash with a better coach and more complementary teammates. I seriously hope he doesn't win another championship because two of his rings were won with an actual all time great (KD) and all of his championships have been won because Steve Kerr knows how to make up for his weaknesses. Jordan didn't have exposable weaknesses, neither do LeBron, Kobe, Magic, Bird, KD, The Big O, Giannis and Elgin Baylor. Shaq, Wilt, Duncan, Hakeem, Bill Russell, The Admiral and Joker were so dominant in their area on both ends (far more dominant than Curry on the perimeter) that their weaknesses on the perimeter didn't matter. So if today, after this win, you want to put Curry fifteenth in the history of the game, I guess that's OK but Dr. J, KG, Jerry West, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Sir Charles, The Admiral and Dirk might have something to say about it because in their day they weren't liabilities in any part of the game like Curry is. So realistically I can agree that Curry is in the top 25 in the history of the game which is fucking fantastic but look at all of those players and realize that all of them made an impact on defense and Curry's only impact on defense is negative.

I'm not saying Dame is better than the guy but I am saying that they are pretty close because both are exclusively generational offensive weapons who aren't even good on defesne let alone great. So yeah, in a 75 year history Curry is one of the greatest of all time but he can't be on anyones Mt. Rushmore or top 10.

 

Roster and coach, he'd probably have more because he would have squashed the beef between Dray and KD, so the whole team would still be playing together and dominating.

 

Would be hilarious if Warriors win series but somehow Wiggins gets Finals MVP.

 

It would be especially hilarious for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who included a top-3
protected 2021 1st-round pick with Wiggins when they sent him to the Warriors for D'Angelo Russell. The pick turned out to be Jonathan Kuminga.

 

It fits the correct timeline

 

The Timeline starts today. Start building now no matter who is on the roster or how old they are. I understand the whole "Dame's Timeline" thing but it's foolish to keep working toward that.
Build a winner. If Dame is still here great. If he's moved on so be it.

 

That is vastly understating his finishing ability, where he's among the best in the league.

Also, he's not a strong defender, but he's far from an "absolute liability" at that end. He's a significantly better defender than Dame, who many here try to argue has become average at that end. If Curry were an absolute liability, Tatum would have monster numbers this series every time they get that desired switch. Teams try to target Curry, but he does a pretty good job of keeping it from being easy for them.

That's one of the more ridiculous takes I've read. I doubt even Nash will join you on that memory. I have a tough time rooting for Curry after he pulled the race card last year with his ignorant Sha'Carri Richardson comments (e.g., the marijuana doping ban being racially motivated, even though it was in following with international rules), but I can still recognize greatness when I see it.

On a different topic, Draymond seems to have lost his lift after the back injury. He looks to have no touch on his shots around the rim, where he's traditionally been pretty good, is more awkward than ever shooting 3's, and can't play up against the bigs like he has in the past. If the Warriors survive this series, it'll be pretty impressive that they've done so with basically all guards and wings, against a Celtics team with legit bigs who have been routinely punishing them.

 

Trash? Is better than Dame?

 

Seems like a good model, surround Dame with great defenders.

 

Long athletic wing defenders that can shoot and a good mobile rim protecting center that can rebound and make a three.

 

Two things separate Curry from Dame
1. Handles
2. Willing to work off ball to get his shot

By the way not knocking Dame just the differences in their game

 

If the Blazers could get their Draymond, ie Daniels out Sochan, Damian could be sold on playing more off the ball and I think he'd be even better. That's why some of us were pushing for Ben Simmons in the past.

 

Theyre also in different tiers for 3pt shooting.

 

That’s where I disagree, they are pretty close to same skill level on 3’s only difference is Curry does his with flair doesn’t make him better.

 

Hoping to see more of #2 next season. Winslow was great at receiving a pass then passing right back for a better scoring opportunity à la Draymond Green.

 

Dame is a career 37.3% shooter from 3 on 8 attempts per game. His best season, he shot 40.1% and the only time in nine seasons that he crossed the 40% threshold.

Steph is a career 42.8% shooter from 3 on 9 attempts per game. His WORST season was this past year when he shot 38%. He has been above 40% for 11 of his 13 seasons.

I don't think they're close. This probably stems a bit from the difficulty of looks Dame is getting because of reasons you mentioned (inability to play off ball), but the point remains. Dame isn't close to the kinda shooter Steph is. This is not really much of a knock: few guys are.