NBA Thread 2020-21 Season

[STEVEHOLT]

Everyone raving about him. Sounds like he’s a rotation player this year.

Dudley was signed to watch film, practice and be a liaison between players and coaches. Nice gig for 2.5.

bunch of lebron hype cause he's a clutch sports guy ...that all it is.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Any team that trades for him is making a mistake

In my fantasy world rockets cut him and nobody signs him.

 

[UpstateSM]

James Harden is now one of my top 3 favorite players on principle alone

 

[moqui]

I agree with your smaller group of four contenders that have separated themselves based on talent / or past pedigree. What is interesting though about that group of 4, is they have some pretty big question marks -- the Kyrie factor, Durant recovery, Bucks playoff issues, Kawhi drama.

a friend of mine was on the developmental staff with the clippers last year. your takes on kawhi are not accurate.

 

[Day2]

a friend of mine was on the developmental staff with the clippers last year. your takes on kawhi are not accurate.

He's still bitter. I thought he turned a corner, but I think Ibaka broke that scar wide open.

 

[jncuse]

a friend of mine was on the developmental staff with the clippers last year. your takes on kawhi are not accurate.

A friend. OK thanks.
Your friend must be right - Kawhi teams have not had any drama at all in any one of the past 3 seasons after all.

Is your friend claiming that in he did not demand in 2018 to be traded from San Antonio and sit out a season under arguably questionable circumstances. Did that not happen according to your friend?

Is your friend claiming there was not a major issue between Kawhi Leonard, Fred Van Vleet and one other member within the Raptors in February 2019?

Does your friend deny the multiple articles, including at least one in the Atheltic, that said that favours granted to Kawhi (and PG) rubbed multiple key supporting members of the Clippers the wrong way in 2020?

So that is drama involving Kawhi in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Should I believe your friend or multiple stories including the Athletic? Or his interview with Rachel Nichols after the NBA finals where he basically said that that there were tough moments with some of his Raptor teammates at times -- for which it is well assumed that Lowry soothed over It's not him personally that is bad, or that he is a bad guy per se, it's the favours he gets. That is the drama. And it rubs some of the minions the wrong way. You need a strong middle party in these circumstances. I am just not sure if the Clippers have that party -- that is my main point.

Of course he is not James Harden either so it could certainly be worse. He is much more professional then that which is why if things go right you can win with him. But where he has won, there has been another large personality that cares of the locker room (players, coaching and executive) while Kawhi takes care of business on the court.

 

[Day2]

I can see that scenario. I referenced the VC 2005 scenario above in Toronto... it seemed like it was a two sided effort to sabotage his value. That happens when both parties get agitated with each other.
- Vince played like crap on the floor and was a baby.
- The Raptors let several things leak that showed their agitation with Vince.

It resulted in a craptacular trade package of Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, draft picks (#16 and #20), and we had to buy out Mourning who did not want to play in Toronto

This was the first Clippers game I ever went to:

Raptors vs Clippers, March 8, 2000 | Basketball-Reference.com

TOR (95) vs LAC (94). Get the box score, shot charts and play by play summary of the Raptors vs Clippers, March 8, 2000.

www.basketball-reference.com

Carter did nothing for three quarters, then took over in the 4th and hit the game-winner at the buzzer.

 

[jncuse]

This was the first Clippers game I ever went to:

Raptors vs Clippers, March 8, 2000 | Basketball-Reference.com

TOR (95) vs LAC (94). Get the box score, shot charts and play by play summary of the Raptors vs Clippers, March 8, 2000.

www.basketball-reference.com

Carter did nothing for three quarters, then took over in the 4th and hit the game-winner at the buzzer.

That was part of a sensational run for Vince Carter when he was an NBA legend for a prior after the dunk contest. I was working in Houston for two months that season and he was all over the news. There was a stretch of about 10 games, where had four game winning shots.

If you have been a Clippers fan since 2000 I will be happy for you if the Clippers do well this year. As a Montreal Expos fan, there are only a handful of organizations for which suffering fans have had to put up with nearly as much crap as I did. It would be great for you as a fan for it to finally pay off.

I would be happy for you and even Kawhi for that matter. But not for Steve Ballmer or the Clips executive - those are the people I do not want to see win.

 

[Day2]

That was part of a sensational run for Vince Carter when he was an NBA legend for a prior after the dunk contest. I was working in Houston for two months that season and he was all over the news. There was a stretch of about 10 games, where had four game winning shots.

If you have been a Clippers fan since 2000 I will be happy for you if the Clippers do well this year. As a Montreal Expos fan, there are only a handful of organizations for which suffering fans have had to put up with nearly as much crap as I did. It would be great for you as a fan for it to finally pay off.

I would be happy for you and even Kawhi for that matter. But not for Steve Ballmer or the Clips executive - those are the people I do not want to see win.

Fair enough, fair enough.

(BTW, it’s since 1998. I was fresh out of school
and too poor to go to a game that first season.)

 

[Arangeman]

bunch of lebron hype cause he's a clutch sports guy ...that all it is.

Agree he’s become quickly over hyped. Disagree that’s all it is.

 

[moqui]

A friend. OK thanks.
Your friend must be right - Kawhi teams have not had any drama at all in any one of the past 3 seasons after all.

Is your friend claiming that in he did not demand in 2018 to be traded from San Antonio and sit out a season under arguably questionable circumstances. Did that not happen according to your friend?

Is your friend claiming there was not a major issue between Kawhi Leonard, Fred Van Vleet and one other member within the Raptors in February 2019?

Does your friend deny the multiple articles, including at least one in the Atheltic, that said that favours granted to Kawhi (and PG) rubbed multiple key supporting members of the Clippers the wrong way in 2020?

So that is drama involving Kawhi in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Should I believe your friend or multiple stories including the Athletic? Or his interview with Rachel Nichols after the NBA finals where he basically said that that there were tough moments with some of his Raptor teammates at times -- for which it is well assumed that Lowry soothed over It's not him personally that is bad, or that he is a bad guy per se, it's the favours he gets. That is the drama. And it rubs some of the minions the wrong way. You need a strong middle party in these circumstances. I am just not sure if the Clippers have that party -- that is my main point.

Of course he is not James Harden either so it could certainly be worse. He is much more professional then that which is why if things go right you can win with him. But where he has won, there has been another large personality that cares of the locker room (players, coaching and executive) while Kawhi takes care of business on the court.

tl/dr

 

[shandeezy7]

In my fantasy world rockets cut him and nobody signs him.

A better scenario would be him holding out and the Rockets just refusing to trade/cut him. Of course, he'd never walk away from that kind of money, so he's going to half-@** it at best and try to force his way out through insubordination/sabotage at worst.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

tl/dr

total richard reply

 

[Day2]

tl/dr

You would have preferred his original reply, where all he said was he has a friend, too.

 

[Day2]

A friend. OK thanks.
Your friend must be right - Kawhi teams have not had any drama at all in any one of the past 3 seasons after all.

Is your friend claiming that in he did not demand in 2018 to be traded from San Antonio and sit out a season under arguably questionable circumstances. Did that not happen according to your friend?

Is your friend claiming there was not a major issue between Kawhi Leonard, Fred Van Vleet and one other member within the Raptors in February 2019?

Does your friend deny the multiple articles, including at least one in the Atheltic, that said that favours granted to Kawhi (and PG) rubbed multiple key supporting members of the Clippers the wrong way in 2020?

So that is drama involving Kawhi in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Should I believe your friend or multiple stories including the Athletic? Or his interview with Rachel Nichols after the NBA finals where he basically said that that there were tough moments with some of his Raptor teammates at times -- for which it is well assumed that Lowry soothed over It's not him personally that is bad, or that he is a bad guy per se, it's the favours he gets. That is the drama. And it rubs some of the minions the wrong way. You need a strong middle party in these circumstances. I am just not sure if the Clippers have that party -- that is my main point.

Of course he is not James Harden either so it could certainly be worse. He is much more professional then that which is why if things go right you can win with him. But where he has won, there has been another large personality that cares of the locker room (players, coaching and executive) while Kawhi takes care of business on the court.

Obviously he was only talking about the Clippers. You really have no insight into what went on with the team last year, other than one article you could cite specifically, which doesn’t mention anyone by name, and which you only read if you have a subscription.

His friend would be considered an excellent source if he held a similar position at SU. Should be no different with another team.

 

[moqui]

total richard reply

 

[jncuse]

tl/dr

So you are denying that Kawhi and Uncle Dennis caused drama in 2018/2019/2020 because your "Friend" told you so. Your "Friend" says those multiple public articles about the 2020 Clippers season are all fake. Your "Friend" says no drama occurred in San Antonio or Toronto.

Your "Friend" should tell you that anybody that pulls the "Friend" told me card on the internet is a clown.

 

[jncuse]

Final post on this hopefully for a while as I know I am easily triggered by the Clippers and Kawhi talk to the point that it negatively impacts my rep and behaviour on this board.

That being said I will not let a poster with a "Friend" claiming that I am just making stuff up and that there have never been issues in San Antonio, Toronto or Los Angeles. There are public trade demands / interviews / articles where all that information is available. Kawhi and Uncle Dennis,have brought drama wherever they go for each of the past 3 years.

You can claim all you want that the drama is not a big factor. That is an opinion, and can't be proven right or wrong. My opinion is that sometimes it can be overcome, but sometimes it cannot. And by observation the times it has been overcome there was a strong established veteran voice in the locker room to keep the team running fairly smoothly.

I still have the Clippers as my top 4 contenders for 2021. Obviously any issues that the drama surrounding Kawhi caused in 2019 were overcome because he is one of the league's best players. I think the bigger issue with the Clippers is concerns about the rest of the team and whether PG can get back to his star levels of only a few years back.

That being said Kawhi is no James Harden, and it frightens me when I see Raptors fans demand we trade for him.

Hopefully this is my last post on this for a while for my own well being.

 

[Day2]

Final post on this hopefully for a while as I know I am easily triggered by the Clippers and Kawhi talk to the point that it negatively impacts my rep and behaviour on this board.

That being said I will not let a poster with a "Friend" claiming that I am just making stuff up and that there have never been issues in San Antonio, Toronto or Los Angeles. There are public trade demands / interviews / articles where all that information is available. Kawhi and Uncle Dennis,have brought drama wherever they go for each of the past 3 years.

You can claim all you want that the drama is not a big factor. That is an opinion, and can't be proven right or wrong. My opinion is that sometimes it can be overcome, but sometimes it cannot. And by observation the times it has been overcome there was a strong established veteran voice in the locker room to keep the team running fairly smoothly.

I still have the Clippers as my top 4 contenders for 2021. Obviously any issues that the drama surrounding Kawhi caused in 2019 were overcome because he is one of the league's best players. I think the bigger issue with the Clippers is concerns about the rest of the team and whether PG can get back to his star levels of only a few years back.

That being said Kawhi is no James Harden, and it frightens me when I see Raptors fans demand we trade for him.

Hopefully this is my last post on this for a while for my own well being.

You forgot the disclaimer again.

 

[jncuse]

You forgot the disclaimer again.

I don't follow, but by all means let me know.

 

[jncuse]

Obviously he was only talking about the Clippers. You really have no insight into what went on with the team last year, other than one article you could cite specifically, which doesn’t mention anyone by name, and which you only read if you have a subscription.

His friend would be considered an excellent source if he held a similar position at SU. Should be no different with another team.

I said multiple articles.

Kawhi, chemistry and a failed Clippers title run: Inside the issue that defines 2021

The Clippers never established the continuity or trust to win a championship in their first year together. Now what?

theathletic.com

Clippers players were upset with organization's preferential treatment toward Kawhi Leonard, per report

Leonard was reportedly allowed to dictate his own substitution pattern

www.cbssports.com

Clippers enter season with chemistry issues over special treatment for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, per report

Los Angeles enters the new season with apparent internal issues that new head coach Ty Lue needs to help settle

www.cbssports.com

Can Tyronn Lue turn around chemistry issues that upended Clippers?

More than Lue, more self-awareness from Kawhi Leonard and particularly Paul George may be needed.

nba.nbcsports.com

Chris Webber believes Clippers' Chemistry issues about locker room or leadership

Chris Webber was surprised at the Clippers mentioning chemistry issues.

www.si.com

Report: Lue to work with Kawhi, PG on fixing Clippers' chemistry

New Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is taking steps to repair his team's locker-room issues.Following reported complaints from players last season about preferential treatment given to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Lue plans to ask the club's two stars to discontinue some of their...

www.thescore.com

 

[NineOneSeven]

Hollinger has the Mavs being the 2nd best team in the west and a legit title contender. Obviously the caveat is if Porzingis is healthy(he never is).

Really a shame for me. When he plays, he's simply really fun to watch. Does he shoot too much from 3? Maybe. Is his on-ball D not great? Probably. But imo, he's clearly an all-star player and such a unique talent that it's a shame injuries rob him, and us, the ceiling of opportunity.

 

[NineOneSeven]

If memory serves, the Mavs lost a lot of tight games last year that they easily and probably should have won. That will get better this year with another year of Luka, and simple averages imo.

 

[jncuse]

If memory serves, the Mavs lost a lot of tight games last year that they easily and probably should have won. That will get better this year with another year of Luka, and simple averages imo.

Their scoring margin indicated they should have won six more games so you are correct. They had a rep for losing tight games and blowing huge leads -- things that should improve as they mature.

The Raptors were down by 30 points to the Mavs with just under 15 minutes left in the game, and ended up winning.

 

[Alsacs]

I said multiple articles.

Kawhi, chemistry and a failed Clippers title run: Inside the issue that defines 2021

The Clippers never established the continuity or trust to win a championship in their first year together. Now what?

theathletic.com

Clippers players were upset with organization's preferential treatment toward Kawhi Leonard, per report

Leonard was reportedly allowed to dictate his own substitution pattern

www.cbssports.com

Clippers enter season with chemistry issues over special treatment for Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, per report

Los Angeles enters the new season with apparent internal issues that new head coach Ty Lue needs to help settle

www.cbssports.com

Can Tyronn Lue turn around chemistry issues that upended Clippers?

More than Lue, more self-awareness from Kawhi Leonard and particularly Paul George may be needed.

nba.nbcsports.com

Chris Webber believes Clippers' Chemistry issues about locker room or leadership

Chris Webber was surprised at the Clippers mentioning chemistry issues.

www.si.com

Report: Lue to work with Kawhi, PG on fixing Clippers' chemistry

New Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is taking steps to repair his team's locker-room issues.Following reported complaints from players last season about preferential treatment given to Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Lue plans to ask the club's two stars to discontinue some of their...

www.thescore.com

It’s going to be fun to watch Kawhi bounce from the Clippers after this year.