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

[longislandcuse]

I'm taking Steph down some notches given how easily it became KD's team and the fact Kyrie owns him as of late head to head.

 

[Knicks411]

As far as I understand it, the Warriors can bring both Curry and Durant back, but in the process, it would basically be the Big 4, Kevin Looney, Patrick McCaw, Damion Jones, Ian Clark, two $4 million per year guys, and then minimum contracts. Not exactly ideal in terms of depth; they'll essentially have to replace Iguodala, Livingston, and Zaza with a couple super cheap free agents and minimum guys.

I wonder if they'll be able to bring in guys for Zaza and West for cheap again

 

[OrangeDW]

I'm taking Steph down some notches given how easily it became KD's team and the fact Kyrie owns him as of late head to head.

Eh, KD has been the second best player in the world for a half a decade though.

Agreed, he can't guard Kyrie. Kyrie is one of the best one on one scorers in the league though, and when he's on a team where that's his only real responsibility, that's a perfect role for him.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Agreed.

I guess I went too far last year because I was one of the people saying that Steph at least was playing better during the season than Lebron, even if he wasn't necessarily a better player than Lebron in a vacuum, because you had to know Lebron was at least on cruise control a little during the season. And the thing is, if Steph is going to have a 67% true shooting, he might be better than Lebron even when Lebron turns it on, because that kind of shooting is out of this world.

The Warriors are amazing to me, they actually rank higher in defense now (first) than offense (2nd). Though the offensive rating is one of the best of all time, the Raptors are somehow ahead of them. And they're first in defense after trading Bogut!

a bit of a tangent, if you had to rank the Warriors big 4 in importance, what's your order? Mine is

1) Durant
2) Steph
3) Green
4) Klay

You could actually convince me to flip flop Steph and Green because of how valuable Green is defensively, but i dunno

Call me crazy, but I'd flip No. 2 and 3.

As for Steph and LeBron, LBJ brings way more to the game than scoring, although his ppg are higher than Steph's this year and for their careers. Man, hard to believe this is LeBron's 14th season...and Steph's eighth.

And, as far as Steph and Kyrie, Kyrie's only 24, 4 years younger than Steph, he's on the ascent. Just hope his knee holds up.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

I've really enjoyed watching Carmelo evolve and mature on and off the court, but he doesn't help his team, or himself, doing like this and getting tossed from games. Second game he's been thrown out of this season, 10th of his career. Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony is thrown out for hitting Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha in the face

 

[OrangeDW]

I've really enjoyed watching Carmelo evolve and mature on and off the court, but he doesn't help his team, or himself, doing . . . . like this and getting tossed from games. Second game he's been thrown out of this season, 10th of his career. Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony is thrown out for hitting Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha in the face

Yeah, from what I saw he overreacted for no real reason. Not sure what set him off there.

His other ejection was BS though. Seemed personal.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I wonder if they'll be able to bring in guys for Zaza and West for cheap again

That's the Miami Trio strategy.

I kind of wonder if teams with a bunch of superstars could succeed going the other direction from grizzled vets chasing rings, and instead scoop up the best of the best specialists from the D-League. You, find the guy that's a great defensive rebounder, find the guy that's the best rim protector, find the guy that's the best game manager backup point guard type and just slot them into the roles around the big dogs and let the big dogs eat.

 

[Knicks411]

That's the Miami Trio strategy.

I kind of wonder if teams with a bunch of superstars could succeed going the other direction from grizzled vets chasing rings, and instead scoop up the best of the best specialists from the D-League. You, find the guy that's a great defensive rebounder, find the guy that's the best rim protector, find the guy that's the best game manager backup point guard type and just slot them into the roles around the big dogs and let the big dogs eat.

I think the only problem with that is for the most part, those guys are either controlled by a team or a lot more volatile than the vets like West and Zaza. For the most part, you know what you're getting with those guys, and when you have the stars already locked in, it's a lot more important to get performance you can count on.

I was curious, because I literally never look at D league stats, the top guy in the D league in blocks per game is Keith Benson, he's averaging 18-11-3 in 32 MPG in the d league. (Averaging more than a block per game more than anyone else int he league, fwiw)

Dashonte Riley is 11th in blocks! Name from the past.

 

[MikeSU02]

I've really enjoyed watching Carmelo evolve and mature on and off the court, but he doesn't help his team, or himself, doing . . . . like this and getting tossed from games. Second game he's been thrown out of this season, 10th of his career. Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony is thrown out for hitting Hawks’ Thabo Sefolosha in the face

Agreed.

With that said, that game was way out of hand on all sides, but Melo has to be smarter than that. With him, they definitely win that game. These are the games that mean the difference between fighting for the 3/4 seed and fighting for the 5/6 seed.

I have no false hope that we can beat Cleveland in a series, but I would love to at least get to the ECF and just take a shot at them (probably losing 4-1, but still).

 

[MikeSU02]

There's no question in a vacuum, starting a team from scratch tomorrow, I take Steph over Dray, for the points you make. I just meant in the context of the Warriors. Steph is the best shooter in the history of the league, but the Warriors also have 2 of the best shooters in the league with KD and Klay. If they lost Steph, I think they'd have a better chance of filling in those offensive possessions with more looks for KD and Klay than if they had to replace what Draymond does for them across the board.

Fair argument, agree to disagree.

To me, the difference between Steph and an average PG in that role is larger than Draymond and the next best d0-everything average guy, but I can see your point. Especially because you take the good with the bad with Draymond (you could argue his antics lost them the series last year).

I guess the Dubs don't have to worry about that issue this year, though.

Either way, fun to watch.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Gordon Hayward really needs to be on the Western Conference All-Star team this season.

Rudy Gobert probably deserves a spot too.

Both those guys have taken huge steps forward this season.

 

[Knicks411]

Gordon Hayward really needs to be on the Western Conference All-Star team this season.

Rudy Gobert probably deserves a spot too.

Both those guys have taken huge steps forward this season.

So, 12 spots on the team right? I think it's 5 guards, 5 /c, and 2 wild card spots?

They don't have a chance to be voted in, starters are I guess Steph/Russ/Durant/Kawhi/Anthony Davis? I'm actually not sure at the last forward spot, and the guard spots probably come down to 2 of Steph/Russ/Harden. You gotta figure Chris Paul makes it, and probably Klay as the last guard?

So for reserve bigs, you're talking guys like Dray, Cousins, Towns, Jordan, Gasol (Marc), and Aldridge as competition for Rudy and Gordon. I could see one sneaking on. 2 is probably pushing it though?

 

[Melancer46]

So, 12 spots on the team right? I think it's 5 guards, 5 /c, and 2 wild card spots?

They don't have a chance to be voted in, starters are I guess Steph/Russ/Durant/Kawhi/Anthony Davis? I'm actually not sure at the last forward spot, and the guard spots probably come down to 2 of Steph/Russ/Harden. You gotta figure Chris Paul makes it, and probably Klay as the last guard?

So for reserve bigs, you're talking guys like Dray, Cousins, Towns, Jordan, Gasol (Marc), and Aldridge as competition for Rudy and Gordon. I could see one sneaking on. 2 is probably pushing it though?

My guesses so far (in no particular order, but I bolded my guesses at starters):
1. Steph
2. Harden
3. Durant
4. Unibrow
5. Russ Westbrook
6. Cousins
7. Lillard
8. Kawhi
9. Chris Paul
10. Gordon Heyward
11. KAT
12. Rudy or Gasol

And in the East:
1. LeBron
2. Kyrie
3. Giannis
4. Porzingis
5. John Wall
6. Demar Derozan
7. Kyle Lowry
8. Paul George
9. Isaiah Thomas
10. Kemba Walker
11. Kevin Love
12. Carmelo

 

[Knicks411]

My guesses so far (in no particular order, but I bolded my guesses at starters):
1. Steph
2. Harden
3. Durant
4. Unibrow
5. Russ Westbrook
6. Cousins
7. Lillard
8. Kawhi
9. Chris Paul
10. Gordon Heyward
11. KAT
12. Rudy or Gasol

And in the East:
1. LeBron
2. Kyrie
3. Giannis
4. Porzingis
5. John Wall
6. Demar Derozan
7. Kyle Lowry
8. Paul George
9. Isaiah Thomas
10. Kemba Walker
11. Kevin Love
12. Carmelo

Rudy Gay? I don't see that one happening at all. Gasol seems like a more reasonable pick.

For the west we are pretty much in agreement, but the Warriors are again on pace for 70 wins, and the coaches always seem to value players on winning teams, I have a hard time believing they end up with 2 all stars only. I think 4 is more likely than 2.

I don't see the Knicks getting 2. You're probably a year too early on KP, as great as it would be to see him as a starter.

 

[Melancer46]

Rudy Gay? I don't see that one happening at all. Gasol seems like a more reasonable pick.

For the west we are pretty much in agreement, but the Warriors are again on pace for 70 wins, and the coaches always seem to value players on winning teams, I have a hard time believing they end up with 2 all stars only. I think 4 is more likely than 2.

I don't see the Knicks getting 2. You're probably a year too early on KP, as great as it would be to see him as a starter.

Rudy Gobert. Definitely not Gay lol. And I just think with the fan voting, Porzingis will get a starting spot. I think it'll be him or Giannis for the last starting spot in the frontcourt. Carmelo isn't really deserving this year, but there aren't 12 guys that ARE in the East IMO; potentially Hassan Whiteside instead I guess.

 

[Knicks411]

Rudy Gobert. Definitely not Gay lol. And I just think with the fan voting, Porzingis will get a starting spot. I think it'll be him or Giannis for the last starting spot in the frontcourt. Carmelo isn't really deserving this year, but there aren't 12 guys that ARE in the East IMO; potentially Hassan Whiteside instead I guess.

Ha that's hilarious, we were talking about Gobert and I still manged to think you meant Gay.

I think they slightly modified the selection process so it's not all fan voting this year? (If it was all fan voting btw I would say for sure Steph would make it as a starter)

You forgot Jimmy Butler, he's gotta make the team.

 

[Melancer46]

Ha that's hilarious, we were talking about Gobert and I still manged to think you meant Gay.

I think they slightly modified the selection process so it's not all fan voting this year? (If it was all fan voting btw I would say for sure Steph would make it as a starter)

You forgot Jimmy Butler, he's gotta make the team.

Definitely a good call on Butler; completely slipped my brain.

I know they modified the fan voting aspect somewhat, but I don't care enough to have looked up how much of a change it is haha.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

So, 12 spots on the team right? I think it's 5 guards, 5 /c, and 2 wild card spots?

They don't have a chance to be voted in, starters are I guess Steph/Russ/Durant/Kawhi/Anthony Davis? I'm actually not sure at the last forward spot, and the guard spots probably come down to 2 of Steph/Russ/Harden. You gotta figure Chris Paul makes it, and probably Klay as the last guard?

So for reserve bigs, you're talking guys like Dray, Cousins, Towns, Jordan, Gasol (Marc), and Aldridge as competition for Rudy and Gordon. I could see one sneaking on. 2 is probably pushing it though?

Towns hasn't earned the kind of respect to put him in an All-Star game yet, and his team is crappy.

Aldridge is really in the background this year. I don't think he's a sure thing to get a spot.

I think Marc Gasol is really underrated and should be a no brainer All-Star selection this season. He does tons for that team. It bothers me actually that he's having such a monster year and he's so under the radar.

Jordan is weird to me. He's an impact player, but I think Gobert is going to pass him by as an all-around player. Heck, he may have already done that. I think your West centers go Gasol and then Gobert and then Jordan. I don't count the Brow or Boogie as centers.

Cousins has all the talent in the world, but is brainless. His team isn't very good. I don't think he automatically deserves an All-Star nod when you have an up and comer like Gobert anchoring a team that's breaking through. Maybe he makes it on rep.

Draymond probably deserves it. I guess. I'm souring on his leg kick crap though.

I think both Hayward and Gobert should be there.

Here's an interesting blind player test:

Player A -
22.4 ppg/3.7 apg/6.2 rpg/23.16 PER

Player B -
24 ppg/3.1 apg/6 rpg/26.95 PER

And another:

Player A -
11.6 ppg/13.4 rpg/1.8 blk/19.49 PER

Player B -
12.6 ppg/12.1 rpg/2.6 bpg/22.13 PER

 

[Knicks411]

Towns hasn't earned the kind of respect to put him in an All-Star game yet, and his team is crappy.

Aldridge is really in the background this year. I don't think he's a sure thing to get a spot.

I think Marc Gasol is really underrated and should be a no brainer All-Star selection this season. He does tons for that team. It bothers me actually that he's having such a monster year and he's so under the radar.

Jordan is weird to me. He's an impact player, but I think Gobert is going to pass him by as an all-around player. Heck, he may have already done that. I think your West centers go Gasol and then Gobert and then Jordan. I don't count the Brow or Boogie as centers.

Cousins has all the talent in the world, but is brainless. His team isn't very good. I don't think he automatically deserves an All-Star nod when you have an up and comer like Gobert anchoring a team that's breaking through. Maybe he makes it on rep.

Draymond probably deserves it. I guess. I'm souring on his leg kick crap though.

I think both Hayward and Gobert should be there.

Here's an interesting blind player test:

Player A -
22.4 ppg/3.7 apg/6.2 rpg/23.16 PER

Player B -
24 ppg/3.1 apg/6 rpg/26.95 PER

And another:

Player A -
11.6 ppg/13.4 rpg/1.8 blk/19.49 PER

Player B -
12.6 ppg/12.1 rpg/2.6 bpg/22.13 PER

I was just throwing out a list of big guys. It's important to note that center isn't a distinct position anymore, so they don't need X number of C on the roster.

I'd say that I'd have Gobert over Jordan. Gobert has to be the best rim protector in the league and he's leading the league in FG% last I checked. Aldridge; I don't know, I'm kinda with you, not sure he's going to make it or deserve to.

Cousins is averaging 29/10, basically maybe even better than last year, when he made it, and the Kings are actually currently in the 8 spot in the west, though not really with a better record than last year, when he made it. Might be hard to keep off.

You're right that Minnesota is terrible, that's going to hurt Towns. he's so great, but might be a year too early on him.

Second comp I was able to figure out based on your post. I was able to guess one of the first 2 was Hayward, my first guess on the other guy was Butler. My second guess was right, I won't spoil it for anyone, but there's a massive difference in defensive value between the 2. I think I'm sold on Rudy. Gordon is a closer call.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I was just throwing out a list of big guys. It's important to note that center isn't a distinct position anymore, so they don't need X number of C on the roster.

I'd say that I'd have Gobert over Jordan. Gobert has to be the best rim protector in the league and he's leading the league in FG% last I checked. Aldridge; I don't know, I'm kinda with you, not sure he's going to make it or deserve to.

Cousins is averaging 29/10, basically maybe even better than last year, when he made it, and the Kings are actually currently in the 8 spot in the west, though not really with a better record than last year, when he made it. Might be hard to keep off.

You're right that Minnesota is terrible, that's going to hurt Towns. he's so great, but might be a year too early on him.

Second comp I was able to figure out based on your post. I was able to guess one of the first 2 was Hayward, my first guess on the other guy was Butler. My second guess was right, I won't spoil it for anyone, but there's a massive difference in defensive value between the 2. I think I'm sold on Rudy. Gordon is a closer call.

I think the West is kind of interesting for big men because you have three pretty legit centers in Gasoline, Gobert and Jordan, as well as guys like Cousins and Davis that realistically probably should be playing center.

 

[Knicks411]

I think the West is kind of interesting for big men because you have three pretty legit centers in Gasoline, Gobert and Jordan, as well as guys like Cousins and Davis that realistically probably should be playing center.

Yeah I made the statement about C not being an official position anymore on the ballot, hit send, and then pretty much realized exactly this, which kind of invalidates my point.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yeah I made the statement about C not being an official position anymore on the ballot, hit send, and then pretty much realized exactly this, which kind of invalidates my point.

Also it's awesome my phone autocorrect Gasol to be Gasoline.

 

[Fireball Jr.]

Also it's awesome my phone autocorrect Gasol to be Gasoline.

Love the nickname. He/they should keep it.

 

[Knicks411]

Also it's awesome my phone autocorrect Gasol to be Gasoline.

I was going to comment on that one, it's gotten me a million times as well. Gobert=Hobert also.

 

[Alsacs]

Does Boston have enough pieces to get Paul George?
Jaylen Brown, 2 Brooklyn picks including a probable top 3 and decent chance even better enough?