It's showtime -- let the (NBA) games begin!

[MikeSU02]

Russ got his 42nd triple double, setting the record.

Think they are going to lose the game, though.

 

[MikeSU02]

Russ got his 42nd triple double, setting the record.

Think they are going to lose the game, though.

Spoke too soon. Russ hits a ridic shot to win the game. Probably locked up MVP as well. 50-16-10.

 

[OrangeDW]

Just a few throughts...

Most disappointing team of the season: Detroit Pistons. I thought for sure they'd be a playoff team and likely in the 4-6 seed range. Reggie Jackson was never right all year, Stanley Johnson not only didn't develop but seemed to go backwards, the locker room was a mess, and they really took a step back.

Most surprising team for me...Houston. In hindsight, Harden and D'Antoni being a great fit makes a ton of sense. But I really didn't see them having enough to win like this. And given D'Antoni's last few stops, I thought his best days were behind him. Very wrong.

Runner up: Washington. I wouldn't have been surprised if they got a 7-8 seed, but did not see them having this much success. Beal finally got healthy and really progressed from a pretty good young player into a legit, outstanding 2 guard. Wall has had a first team All NBA caliber season(probably will get second though).

 

[OrangeDW]

Spoke too soon. Russ hits a ridic shot to win the game. Probably locked up MVP as well. 50-16-10.

After getting the final assist he needed and getting a standing O from the visiting crowd while trailing by 13, he then scored OKC's last 15 points and hit a 35 footer to win the game and elimate Denver from playoff contention? LOL. Awesome.

I don't always love watching it, but what he's done since KD left is easily the greatest post blowup superstar season ever.

 

[Melancer46]

Just a few throughts...

Most disappointing team of the season: Detroit Pistons. I thought for sure they'd be a playoff team and likely in the 4-6 seed range. Reggie Jackson was never right all year, Stanley Johnson not only didn't develop but seemed to go backwards, the locker room was a mess, and they really took a step back.

Most surprising team for me...Houston. In hindsight, Harden and D'Antoni being a great fit makes a ton of sense. But I really didn't see them having enough to win like this. And given D'Antoni's last few stops, I thought his best days were behind him. Very wrong.

Runner up: Washington. I wouldn't have been surprised if they got a 7-8 seed, but did not see them having this much success. Beal finally got healthy and really progressed from a pretty good young player into a legit, outstanding 2 guard. Wall has had a first team All NBA caliber season(probably will get second though).

Based on Vegas O/U totals from the beginning of the year:

Most underrated:
1. Houston +12.5 wins from their projection
2. Washington +5.5
3. San Antonio +4.5
4. Denver +3.5
5. Miami +2.5

Most overrated:
1. Minnesota -10.5
2. Orlando -8.5
2. Knicks -8.5
2. Detroit -8.5
5. Dallas -7.5

A few notables:
Cleveland with the 7th worst finish at -5.5.
Everyone is trying to hype up Westbrook's season as even more amazing because nobody expected OKC to be competitive without Durant, but they're only 0.5 wins better than they were predicted.
Considering where they were halfway through the year, the fact that Miami beat their O/U is pretty remarkable. They looked like a lock to finish with a top 5 pick and suddenly turned into one of the best teams in the NBA over the last couple months. I can't remember ever seeing an in-season turnaround like the one they had.

 

[Cusefan0307]

My MVP vote.

1. Harden
2. Kawhi
3. Westbrook.

 

[Melancer46]

My MVP vote.

1. Harden
2. Kawhi
3. Westbrook.

This is where I'm leaning still as well, but Westbrook has played really great lately.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

It just cracks me up that averaging a triple double was supposed to be the Holy Grail of basketball achievements and emblematic of an all around player when people whispered that LeBron might have that potential and were riding his nuts about it, and now Westbrook has actually done it and it's being diminished.

 

[Knicks411]

It just cracks me up that averaging a triple double was supposed to be the Holy Grail of basketball achievements and emblematic of an all around player when people whispered that LeBron might have that potential and were riding his nuts about it, and now Westbrook has actually done it and it's being diminished.

I think this is a little overboard.

Averaging a triple double is an incredible accomplishment, don't get me wrong. I don't think it should make you a lock to win the MVP or anything though.

Don't forget; no one who has ever averaged a triple double in a season has won the MVP. People forget that.

 

[Melancer46]

It just cracks me up that averaging a triple double was supposed to be the Holy Grail of basketball achievements and emblematic of an all around player when people whispered that LeBron might have that potential and were riding his nuts about it, and now Westbrook has actually done it and it's being diminished.

To be fair, people have been trying to diminish the triple double for a long time now. It just so happens that because of Westbrook's season, the triple double has gotten far more attention than it usually does, and therefore, that criticism has gotten more publicity.

I think a triple double is a cool thing. I don't think 10/10/10 is better than 12/10/9 though. Obviously Westbrook's stats speak for themselves though. He's having an incredible season offensively.

The rebounding really annoys me though. To an extent, it makes sense to just have your teammates box out and let the PG come in and grab the rebound to start the fast break, but once the PG completely gives up on playing defense in order to get those rebounds, it really bothers me.

 

[Alsacs]

Westbrook has taken 1000 more shots than the 2nd highest shot taker on OKC.
Steve Nash won 2 MVPs in Mike D'Antoni's system. That is what Harden is doing.

MVP
1. LeBron James
2. Kwahi Leonard
3. James Harden
4. Russell Westbrook

 

[Melancer46]

My guess at the final vote totals:

1. Westbrook
2. Harden
3. LeBron
4. Kawhi
5. Isaiah
6. Curry
7. John Wall
8. Giannis
9. Durant
10. Torn between Gordon Hayward and DeRozan but I'll go with DeRozan

 

[Knicks411]

Westbrook has taken 1000 more shots than the 2nd highest shot taker on OKC.
Steve Nash won 2 MVPs in Mike D'Antoni's system. That is what Harden is doing.

MVP
1. LeBron James
2. Kwahi Leonard
3. James Harden
4. Russell Westbrook

I mean, yes, and no. Harden is averaging 30-11-8 on a 61% true shooting. Nash was more like 19-11-4 on 64% true shooting. i don't think they are really in the same universe.

 

[Melancer46]

I mean, yes, and no. Harden is averaging 30-11-8 on a 61% true shooting. Nash was more like 19-11-4 on 64% true shooting. i don't think they are really in the same universe.

I always believed Nash was the best offensive PG I've ever seen and still think it to an extent, but Harden's ability to draw fouls is a layer that Nash simply could not possibly have. Nash took far better care of the ball though and he was just a filthy shooter. Harden is a good shooter but Nash is in the conversation for best shooters ever.

 

[Alsacs]

I mean, yes, and no. Harden is averaging 30-11-8 on a 61% true shooting. Nash was more like 19-11-4 on 64% true shooting. i don't think they are really in the same universe.

I went to the Rockets game in Charlotte by the end of the first quarter I wanted to strangle the refs because James Harden got fouled whenever he was breathed on.
Harden averages 11 FTs per game.

It really gets annoying and Harden is an awful defensive PG like Steve Nash.
Harden has excelled with D'Antoni's spread them out system which has given lanes to drive and tons of assists from open 3s.

Neither Westbrook or Harden are more valuable than either LeBron or Kwahi. Stats shouldn't be the end all be all.
Defense isn't even mentioned. Leonard is a first team defensive player. LeBron is a first or second team defensive player.
Westbrook has stopped playing D and Harden never could play D.

 

[Knicks411]

I always believed Nash was the best offensive PG I've ever seen and still think it to an extent, but Harden's ability to draw fouls is a layer that Nash simply could not possibly have. Nash took far better care of the ball though and he was just a filthy shooter. Harden is a good shooter but Nash is in the conversation for best shooters ever.

I think Nash was the best shooter ever until Steph came around.

Not sure how true this still is, but for a while, if you looked at the greatest offenses of all time (basically offensive rating relative to league average) there were a bunch of Nash teams at the top, which is a pretty good indication of how amazing he was offensively. I think the Warriors the last few years are also on that list now

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I always believed Nash was the best offensive PG I've ever seen and still think it to an extent, but Harden's ability to draw fouls is a layer that Nash simply could not possibly have. Nash took far better care of the ball though and he was just a filthy shooter. Harden is a good shooter but Nash is in the conversation for best shooters ever.

See, the "drawing fouls" thing is part of why I can't stand Harden's game. Tons of those calls are bull.

 

[longislandcuse]

Westbrook for MVP all day.

Dude brings it every night and has 1/10th the talent around him that these other guys have.

 

[RF2044]

Anybody catch the Cavs / Hawks game yesterday?

Nobody is happier to see the Cavs struggle than I normally am, but man did they get the short end of the stick on several calls late in OT. It was like watching an NBA playoff game, given how lopsided the officiating was in favor of the home team.

Also, how the heck did CLE squander a 20 point lead?

 

[Knicks411]

Anybody catch the Cavs / Hawks game yesterday?

Nobody is happier to see the Cavs struggle than I normally am, but man did they get the short end of the stick on several calls late in OT. It was like watching an NBA playoff game, given how lopsided the officiating was in favor of the home team.

Also, how the heck did CLE squander a 20 point lead?

I saw some of those. Man.

It was worse than 20; a 26 point lead, int he 4th!

Westbrook for MVP all day.

Dude brings it every night and has 1/10th the talent around him that these other guys have.

Are the Rockets really that much more talented than the Thunder? Certainly before the season both teams had similar expectations. (Which isn't to take anything away from Russ)

 

[Cusefan0307]

Didn't catch the Hawks game, but saw bron was complaining about the officials. Wasn't sure if it was legit or he was just mad he fouled out...

 

[Knicks411]

Didn't catch the Hawks game, but saw bron was complaining about the officials. Wasn't sure if it was legit or he was just mad he fouled out...

The one he fouled out on was, to use a word, amazing.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I saw some of those. Man.

It was worse than 20; a 26 point lead, int he 4th!



Are the Rockets really that much more talented than the Thunder? Certainly before the season both teams had similar expectations. (Which isn't to take anything away from Russ)

The Rockets have better shooters. OKC is the worst 3 point shooting team in the league outside of Orlando.

 

[RF2044]

The one he fouled out on was, to use a word, amazing.

Agreed. Again, have to give the Hawks a TON of credit for overcoming such a huge deficit [26, as Knicks411 points out above] against a Cavs team that was motivated to play, given that the Hawks had trounced them earlier in the week in Cleveland. But they sure benefited from some home cookin' in the OT.

 

[Alsacs]

It was a bad call. However the foul LeBron drew the previous position was and this was viewed as a makeup. This just happened to be LeBron's 6th foul.