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Friday, December 18, 2020

NBA 2020 Season kick-off thread

I estimate it would take 10-12 Primates to beat James Harden in a wing eating contest.

Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: December 18, 2020 at 02:28 PM | 2690 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: best shape of his life, nba, off-topic

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501. rr: cosmopolitan elite Posted: January 06, 2021 at 07:23 PM (#5997806)

Talking about what is going on in DC is reasonable under these circumstances, especially as it connects to the NBA. Not like it's extraneous partisan sniping.

502. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 06, 2021 at 08:02 PM (#5997812)

Given the way this season is going, I want Lowry in Philadelphia, instead of Harden. I think he'd be perfect, and the Raps aren't going anywhere.

the sixers aren't actually completely starved for ballhandling right now. simmons, maxey, milton and curry are getting the job done.

503. Russlan thinks deGrom is da bomb Posted: January 06, 2021 at 09:05 PM (#5997817)

Bradley Beal has 57 points with more than 9 minutes to go against the Sixers.

504. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 06, 2021 at 09:24 PM (#5997819)

nothing says crunch time quite like ish smith bricking a 3.

505. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 06, 2021 at 09:25 PM (#5997820)

seth curry is not steph curry.

506. Russlan thinks deGrom is da bomb Posted: January 06, 2021 at 09:34 PM (#5997823)

seth curry is not steph curry.

Are you saying he is better? Because then I agree.

(Just kidding).

Seth is now shooting 59.5% from 3 point range.

507. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 06, 2021 at 09:48 PM (#5997825)

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Scott Brooks on the Sixers: "This is the best team in basketball. They're playing at a high, high level."

508. JC in DC Posted: January 06, 2021 at 10:38 PM (#5997836)

Ugh, Fultz down and out with an ACL.

509. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 06, 2021 at 11:08 PM (#5997842)

Ugh, Fultz down and out with an ACL.

3:1 odds that he forgets how to blink when he comes back.

510. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 02:08 AM (#5997854)

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Draymond Green's press conference tonight was all about what went down in D.C. today. Here's the transcript.
pic.twitter.com/TTxhd6IFYs

i've said it before, and i'll say it again: there is no group of athletes that is collectively smarter than 10-year NBA vets.

511. jmurph Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:13 AM (#5997900)

Didn't see any of the game unfortunately because of, well, everything, but a -21 in 21 minutes from Iguodala is really something.

512. NJ in NJ Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:21 AM (#5997901)

Hot Take that I've been tossing around with my IRL friends over the past week: The Pelicans should test the Zion market.

513. jmurph Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:30 AM (#5997902)

I'm surprised that got by the filter, NJ!

514. tshipman

Posted: January 07, 2021 at 12:58 PM (#5997929)

New Orleans is kind of splitting the difference this year. They want to be decent, so they are playing mostly conventionally with two bigs, and doing the usual Stan van Gundy stuff like prioritizing rebounding over fast break.

Stan doesn't seem to think that Zion is ready to anchor a defense, so they are playing him about 2/3 of the time Steven Adams, and about 90% with other bigs.

It kiiinda works? They absolutely dominate the boards with the two big lineups, but even with all that domination, Zion's finishing numbers are way down--just 58.5% at the rim.

Zion has to make an adjustment and learn how to be great in this role too, but I continue to think that the future for New Orleans is Zion as the single big. Trading him would allow you to go all in on Brandon Ingram and Eric Bledsoe, which is, uh, not the move I would make.

515. spivey 2 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:27 PM (#5997949)

That take is certainly hot. I wouldn't deal Zion for anyone less than like Luka, at this point. Maybe a boatload of unprotected picks from an already bad team. This year hasn't been great, but the talent is there imo. I don't see any major fit issues with Ingram and Zion, either. The issue to me is the shooting/floor spacing from Adams, Bledsoe, and Lonzo - their "others" - is significantly below average. I forgot Adams signed an extension. I really didn't like that then, or now.

516. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:30 PM (#5997950)

the sixers gave up 136 points yesterday.

they are #1 in Drating.

517. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:32 PM (#5997952)

trade machine: who says no?

bonus: who says no?

518. spivey 2 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:36 PM (#5997953)

Pels say no in the first, though I could see both teams saying no.

Raptors say no in the second.

519. jmurph Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:40 PM (#5997955)

stiggles those are both works of art, don't get me wrong, but agree with spivey.

520. Mellow Mouse, Benevolent Space Tyrant Posted: January 07, 2021 at 01:45 PM (#5997957)

Luka is way better than Zion. Likely better than Zion will ever be. Zion has the chance of being really, really good, but Luka is MVP quality and looks to be there for a long time.

521. spivey 2 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 02:17 PM (#5997974)

Luka is way better than Zion.

For sure. I'm not saying Dallas would do, or should do, that trade. But Zion has an extremely high ceiling and there are very few young players with that kind of ceiling. I think he has a non-zero chance to be the best player in the NBA in 5 years. If I was New Orleans, I wouldn't trade him for Ben Simmons or Tatum or Morant, for instance.

522. tshipman

Posted: January 07, 2021 at 02:52 PM (#5998005)

Does Zion have that ceiling playing alongside Steven Adams, though?

523. spivey 2 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 02:57 PM (#5998012)

Does Zion have that ceiling playing alongside Steven Adams, though?

Doubtful. But I don't think the solution to that is dealing Zion.

I still remain optimistic about a Giannis-type offense that you can run around him - where you can still have a big, but they need to be able to shoot.

524. tshipman

Posted: January 07, 2021 at 03:04 PM (#5998015)

Myles Turner would be such a perfect pair with Zion. Particularly since he was available apparently for very little this offseason.

I would have to believe that the package that got Adams would have gotten Turner.

525. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 03:07 PM (#5998016)

oh. oh no. i think...i'm....no....can't happen....won't let...it...

WhySoSerious? @WhySoSerious_24
Tobias Harris cost me $1900. Damn son you had 1 job and you missed boff them damn free throws with 7 seconds left smfh.
Tobias Harris @tobias31
Should’ve invested that #### in Bitcoin ...

526. rr: cosmopolitan elite Posted: January 07, 2021 at 03:17 PM (#5998018)

NO does have roster-construction issues, but I really can't see moving Williamson. I agree with spivey. Also, I don't think there is any player in the league for whom Cuban would let his FO trade Doncic except maybe Antetokounmpo. But it was a cool hot take to get a convo rolling. Heh.

527. My name is Votto, and I love to get blotto Posted: January 07, 2021 at 03:25 PM (#5998020)

Zion could be the new Charles Barkley, who could have a bad year and still be in the Top-10 in scoring and FG%. Defense is obviously a work in progress, but let's at least let the man be able to buy a beer before we render judgment.

528. Your favorite TFTIO, me! Posted: January 07, 2021 at 03:45 PM (#5998025)

I mean, Zion's knees worry me, but it's crazy to think about moving him in this, his [checks notes] second year? The Adams extension was weird, but maybe he's a great culture guy or something. I don't think that NO is going to be competitive in the next couple of years, regardless of who they have next to Zion, so I don't actually think the opportunity cost of on-court production is that meaningful.

529. Mellow Mouse, Benevolent Space Tyrant Posted: January 07, 2021 at 04:09 PM (#5998034)

Hey, I love Zion's potential, but Luka is in a different ZIP code (for now anyway). I have concerns about Zion's defense and injury history. Also, I suspect he will be tough to build around.

I would still love him on my team though. I just have some concerns.

530. Mellow Mouse, Benevolent Space Tyrant Posted: January 07, 2021 at 04:24 PM (#5998041)

My hot take is that Morant will have a much better career than Zion.

531. NJ in NJ Posted: January 07, 2021 at 04:39 PM (#5998051)

I was a huge Zion backer going into his rookie year. A year later, I have some concerns. He's already lost significant athleticism compared to where he was in college. I assume some of that is injury and some of that is weight gain. Not much you can do about the injury stuff and I am not part of the "there's no way a guy that size isn't a significant injury risk" crowd (in part because like Zion, I too am thicc). The weight gain concerns me because he has not been able to get that weight off and, at that age, I feel like that's just laziness. That laziness/lack of motor shows up on the court in the Jahlil Okafor level effort he gives on the defensive end. If you ar e a young player who is a bad defender because you just aren't processing things at NBA speed but you're trying...I can work with that. Being a lazy defender this early really concerns especially when you're not a guy who has the ball in his hands a ton. It's also really weird considering one of the reasons I loved college Zion was his motor.

Overall, I saw Zion the prospect as something like Giannis in a different sized package (not as good a defender, but still very disruptive 2nd best defender on a great defensive team level). I've now lost all hope for him on the defensive end and think that that significantly changes his ceiling. Still a potential all star, but not a franchise guy.

532. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 05:37 PM (#5998078)

sixers v. nets tonight.

no durant
no kyrie
sixers have the best record in the league.
sixers have the best defense in the league.

...they'll lose by 20.

533. asinwreck Posted: January 07, 2021 at 08:43 PM (#5998123)

The last couple of minutes of the first half make it seem that way. Jarrett Allen getting every rebound.

534. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 09:07 PM (#5998127)

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Gregg Popovich spoke tonight. A transcript of his main answer:
pic.twitter.com/KGLLZR3ZVP

535. jmurph Posted: January 07, 2021 at 09:59 PM (#5998149)

sixers v. nets tonight.

no durant
no kyrie
sixers have the best record in the league.
sixers have the best defense in the league.

...they'll lose by 20.

Credit where it's due. Pretty close.

536. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:47 PM (#5998178)

Luka's 1-5 from 3 tonight so far, which actually raises his season average from the arc. Rough start for him, and the Mavs are really flailing right now.

537. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:48 PM (#5998179)

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
The Philadelphia 76ers learned of a positive coronavirus test for a player during tonight’s game in Brooklyn, forcing the entire team to quarantine in New York tonight and contact trace, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
Sixers guard Seth Curry returned a positive test for the coronavirus, which the team learned of near the start of a loss in Brooklyn tonight, sources tell ESPN. He went to an isolation room immediately, and thereafter left arena separate from team.

538. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: January 07, 2021 at 11:58 PM (#5998182)

I wonder if that affected their performance tonight.

Also, Kyrie didn't play for "personal reasons," so Kyrie clearly has galaxy brain.

539. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:18 AM (#5998184)

CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter
@cjzero
Andre Drummond with what may be the most incredible offensive possession of all time

Link is worth the click.

540. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:24 AM (#5998185)

Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
Excuse the blurry screenshots here, but looking back through the first quarter footage tonight.

Seth Curry was the only player on the first row of the bench to start the game. As time wore on, other guys (including Embiid right next to him unmasked) were much closer
pic.twitter.com/AZqYWUOpYs

this is not going to turn out well, is it ....

also, given glenn rivers' propensity for chin diapering, and that he's already been fined 10K for violating covid protocols, i kinda want to see the sixers ass-hammered over this. a 500K fine doesn't even feel like it's enough.

541. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:29 AM (#5998188)

Link is worth the click.

can confirm.

shades of the 2010s zardos.

542. tshipman

Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:43 AM (#5998192)

CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter
@cjzero
Andre Drummond with what may be the most incredible offensive possession of all time
Link is worth the click.

This is amazing. It started out great, then got better.

543. Your favorite TFTIO, me! Posted: January 08, 2021 at 06:51 AM (#5998218)

I’m glad my personal style of basketball remains well represented after my career was cut short by injuries.

544. jmurph Posted: January 08, 2021 at 08:41 AM (#5998221)

CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter
@cjzero
Andre Drummond with what may be the most incredible offensive possession of all time
Link is worth the click.

Oh my god.

I'm like 2 years of playoff appearances away from intentionally watching a Cavs game (against anyone but the Celtics). There is nothing interesting about that team.

545. asinwreck Posted: January 08, 2021 at 09:26 AM (#5998230)

Is that the one-corner offense?

546. CFBF's Results are Certified Posted: January 08, 2021 at 10:54 AM (#5998255)

Was...was Drummond trying to pass there at the end? Did he start trying to pass the ball, then mid-motion decide, "No, I'm going to score this thing?"

547. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 08, 2021 at 11:02 AM (#5998259)

My favorite description of the Drummond play:

it’s like he put down the controller to respond to a text, and then picked it up with his fingers on the wrong buttons.

548. Your favorite TFTIO, me! Posted: January 08, 2021 at 11:10 AM (#5998266)

I can't stop watching it. It is so wonderful.

549. Crispix Attacksel Rios Posted: January 08, 2021 at 11:23 AM (#5998274)

That was like the Jets decision to not play pass defense on the last-second play that needed to be a touchdown pass. "They'll never expect me to do this. I'll catch them off guard" followed by "They didn't expect me to do it because it didn't work"

550. PJ Martinez Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:07 PM (#5998293)

Robert Williams has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, and Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson will apparently be quarantining for seven days because of their contact with him.

551. jmurph Posted: January 08, 2021 at 12:21 PM (#5998309)

Robert Williams has reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus, and Grant Williams and Tristan Thompson will apparently be quarantining for seven days because of their contact with him.

Pssshh, centers, who needs em.

EDIT: Might need some team rules about only socializing outside your position group!

552. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 08, 2021 at 01:06 PM (#5998332)

You may or may not be joking about that edit, but it seriously is a good idea. After the Broncos (all their QBs) and Browns (all their WRs) went through similar issues, I thought that same thing.

The Bulls came oh so close to something similar, but along racial lines (Satoransky/Arcidiocano*/Markkanen had to quarantine after Hutchison tested positive; Kornet wasn't invited I guess).

*Yes, he does have a man bun this year.

553. jmurph Posted: January 08, 2021 at 01:08 PM (#5998334)

I mean I am joking because it seems like an unfair workplace restriction, but it definitely would make actual sense in the context of team sports.

554. Athletic Supporter is USDA certified lean Posted: January 08, 2021 at 03:03 PM (#5998388)

"25 guys, 25 cabs" is the new market inefficiency.

555. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 05:49 PM (#5998437)

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Brad Stevens on being down three bigs (Tristan Thompson, Grant Williams, Robert Williams): "It is what it is."

556. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: January 08, 2021 at 05:50 PM (#5998438)

Well, you know, people don't think it be like it be, but it do.

557. asinwreck Posted: January 08, 2021 at 08:38 PM (#5998481)

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
76ers’ players currently listed questionable for Saturday vs. Denver due to health and safety protocols:

Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, Danny Green, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Vincent Poirier, Paul Reed
8:30 PM · Jan 8, 2021·TweetDeck

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
13m
Mavericks’ players quarantined due to health and safety protocols: Josh Richardson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson.
Quote Tweet
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
· 3h
Sources: Prior to flight from Denver to Dallas today, the Mavericks learned of a positive coronavirus test for a player and two additional players who are expected to quarantine for seven days due to contact tracing. The three players remained in Denver.

558. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 09:00 PM (#5998488)

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Celtics, down four of their top 10 in their rotation, lead Washington 76-49 three minutes into the second half. Scott Brooks may be soon be joining today's somewhat memorable "trending topics" on Twitter.

559. spivey 2 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 09:39 PM (#5998500)

I've watched very little NBA this year, but I'm watching this New Orleans/Charlotte game. LaMelo is playing like more of an adult than I expected, and I agree with some of NJ's concerns about Zion Williamson. He's not rebounding worth a damn as the 5, and just generally seems to be moving very stiffly and tentatively. He doesn't look in great shape, but he also just isn't moving like a guy who 100% trusts his body. Of course, he still has 24 points on 11-19 shooting, and I liked his attitude and motor in college - so I think (hope?) this stuff is fixable with the right coaching staff.

560. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 10:23 PM (#5998510)

LaMelo is playing like more of an adult than I expected

the kid has been an adult since he was 15 years old; anyone who had concerns about his maturity just wasn't paying attention (no offense meant).

561. asinwreck Posted: January 08, 2021 at 10:44 PM (#5998522)

Zach LaVine, early in the second quarter: 8-8 (2-2 from 3), +5, 19 points.

562. spivey 2 Posted: January 08, 2021 at 10:57 PM (#5998526)

the kid has been an adult since he was 15 years old; anyone who had concerns about his maturity just wasn't paying attention (no offense meant).

His shot selection discipline is miles better than what I saw in highlights, and what his triple slash numbers suggested. I mean, he's still sitting at a TS% of 50, but I thought it could be laughably bad this year.

563. asinwreck Posted: January 08, 2021 at 11:05 PM (#5998528)

LaVine missed a couple: 9 for 11 at the half, 21 points. No turnovers so far.

564. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:11 AM (#5998548)

It's kinda blowing my mind watching Patrick williams trying to guard Lebron, considering LeBron has been in the nba for essentially Pat's whole life. Not to mention I'm older than Lebron...

565. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:16 AM (#5998551)

The florist is actually doing an ok job btw...

566. Russlan thinks deGrom is da bomb Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:00 AM (#5998557)

Not gonna a lie, after a loss against the Clippers in their previous game, and being down 85-63 with about 15 minutes left, with Steph Curry being pretty mediocre in both games, I was feeling kinda smug about by Curry take.

Curry went nuclear and the Warriors went on a 52-20 run in the last 15 minutes.

567. NJ in NJ Posted: January 09, 2021 at 11:26 AM (#5998581)

LaMelo looks like he has a chance to be a really, really special playmaker. The combination of size, ballhandling and passing ability feels Magic-esque. Curious what the guys here who saw Magic play think since I'm basing this on my monthly Magic YouTube binges. Regardless, it seems like he should have been the clear choice at 1. He also would have actually been great in Kerr's system considering that part of Draymond helping Curry so much is just being a guy who can capably move the ball.

568. Mellow Mouse, Benevolent Space Tyrant Posted: January 09, 2021 at 11:35 AM (#5998582)

I wanted the Wolves to take Ball at #1. I know why they didn't, but I think it was a mistake. Not taking Wiseman is a million times more defensible than not taking Ball (assuming they blow up and Edwards disappoints).

There is still time for the decision to work out, but I am not optimistic.

569. tshipman

Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:10 PM (#5998592)

LaMelo looks like he has a chance to be a really, really special playmaker. The combination of size, ballhandling and passing ability feels Magic-esque. Curious what the guys here who saw Magic play think since I'm basing this on my monthly Magic YouTube binges. Regardless, it seems like he should have been the clear choice at 1. He also would have actually been great in Kerr's system considering that part of Draymond helping Curry so much is just being a guy who can capably move the ball.

The challenge is that the Magic in my memory is the Magic of 1987-91, at the peak of his powers. LaMelo looks good, but he doesn't have the kind of aggression yet that I remember from Magic. LaMelo allows himself to get slowed down in transition sometimes, and doesn't put the same kind of pressure on the rim. Magic used to ram the ball down your throat on the fast break. LaMelo doesn't yet have that in him.

In the half court, it's so difficult to compare because of how a lot of the dishes are to the 3p line now. There's so much more space in general. I see LaMelo making good passes, sometimes great passes, but I can always see the guy is open when the pass is made. The delivery is impressive, because it's on time and to the right spot, but it's not quite the same, both because of the spacing and the changes in the game.

Again, this is all very, very unfair because I'm talking about a rookie.

Edit: and just a tiny thing, but Magic used to use the bounce pass a ton, and I almost never see that from LaMelo. None of his advanced passes are bounce passes.

570. rr: cosmopolitan elite Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:22 PM (#5998595)

I have not seen LaMelo Ball play; his numbers through nine games are very impressive for a 19-year-old. As to his maturity, like I said at the time, Lonzo carried himself very well here with the Lakers in a brutal situation before the Davis deal, so I think all three of them probably had to grow up fast in some ways, for obvious reasons.

571. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:30 PM (#5998596)

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Philadelphia has nine eligible players today for 3 PM tip vs. Denver, including Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Isaiah Joe, Dwight Howard, Dakota Mathias, Tony Bradley -- the three who sources say were cleared from protocol this morning: Embiid, Green and Reed.

so, that's 3 regular starters, 2 other rotation players, and 3 Dleaguers ...against an opponent that made the conference finals last year.

i smell a win.

572. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 09, 2021 at 12:50 PM (#5998601)

None of his advanced passes are bounce passes.

I mean...

573. Moses Taylor hashes out the rumpus Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:03 PM (#5998603)

Shams:

Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum is expected to enter quarantine and miss 10-to-14 days due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

574. Tin Angel Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:28 PM (#5998608)

This Curry pass last night was kind of nuts.

575. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:31 PM (#5998609)

Noah Levick @NoahLevick
Doc Rivers says Ben Simmons had knee stiffness during Nets game and Joel Embiid started complaining about his back yesterday. Neither will play today vs. Nuggets.

so that's 1 regular starter, 2 bench players and 3 Dleaguers.

...i am marginally less confident about a sixers' win today.

576. tshipman

Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:39 PM (#5998613)

Shams:

Boston Celtics All-NBA star Jayson Tatum is expected to enter quarantine and miss 10-to-14 days due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.

That means they think he has it right? Because it's only like 5 days if you were exposed, I thought.

577. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 01:43 PM (#5998614)

Tim Bontemps
@TimBontemps
Doc Rivers says "I don't think we should" be playing, but that it isn't up to him to decide that. He reiterates he's concerned about the health of his available players, and the minutes the healthy guys are going to have to play.
1:26 PM · Jan 9, 2021·Twitter Web App

578. NJ in NJ Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:06 PM (#5998628)

To clarify, I meant more along the lines of "Of the pool of guys who are wing-sized (or bigger), his ability to dribble and pass appear to be in the 99th percentile (or thereabouts)." For example, LeBron is a better passer than him, but the gap between LaMelo's ballhandling and LeBron's ballhandling is bigger than the passing gap. Obviously, LeBron's ability to shoot/score/do a million other things makes him a much more impactful offensive player at the moment.

579. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:15 PM (#5998638)

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Doc Rivers says "I don't think we should" be playing, but that it isn't up to him to decide that. He reiterates he's concerned about the health of his available players, and the minutes the healthy guys are going to have to play.

he's right; this is ridiculous; it should not be happening.

also: the sixers need to be fined into the stone age for fostering the circumstances that allowed it to happen.

580. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:20 PM (#5998642)

i'm ~85% sure that if the sixers were playing another east coast team, this game would be postponed. i think the league is concerned about fitting in a bunch of cross-country make up dates later in the season.

581. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:25 PM (#5998645)

for some reason, possibly because dwight howard averages 16 fouls per 36 minutes, this just popped into my head.

582. NJ in NJ Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:37 PM (#5998648)

It looks like either Wizards are the superspreader or lots of guys said #### it and had big holiday get-togethers...or both.

583. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 02:57 PM (#5998653)

today's starting lineup for your philadelphia 87ers:

PG: tyrese maxey
SG: isaiah joe
SF: dakota mathias
PF: danny green
C: dwight howard

wanna take a guess at who's on the bench?

over/under: 55 3PAs

584. tshipman

Posted: January 09, 2021 at 03:55 PM (#5998665)

To clarify, I meant more along the lines of "Of the pool of guys who are wing-sized (or bigger), his ability to dribble and pass appear to be in the 99th percentile (or thereabouts)." For example, LeBron is a better passer than him, but the gap between LaMelo's ballhandling and LeBron's ballhandling is bigger than the passing gap. Obviously, LeBron's ability to shoot/score/do a million other things makes him a much more impactful offensive player at the moment.

The biggest concern I have with LaMelo is the same I had before the draft:

His 3p shot is broken and needs to be fixed, and he's a very poor finisher because he depends on a bunch of weird layups.

585. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 04:14 PM (#5998669)

down 7 at the half. noone has fouled out, or lost consciousness. yet.

586. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 04:26 PM (#5998679)

Green has four fouls and Howard has three. Those are the numbers I'm looking at in the third quarter.

Edit: Howard now has four, and the Nuggets are up 17.

587. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 04:59 PM (#5998687)

Unlikely this game goes to overtime, but I keep thinking about how well Joe and Maxey would do with extended play.

588. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 05:06 PM (#5998689)

Unlikely this game goes to overtime, but I keep thinking about how well Joe and Maxey would do with extended play.

maxey is a player.
joe...is only as good as his shot.

589. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 05:10 PM (#5998690)

Bol Bol sighting.

590. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 05:13 PM (#5998691)

Respectable final score, in no small part due to Maxey.

591. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 05:16 PM (#5998692)

the smile on tyrese maxey's face after the game ended was just so adorably pure. he knew he did well and he was proud of it.

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Anybody remember when the Pistons pulled a mutiny against John Kuester back in 2011 I think? And they suspended those players and they played the Sixers with just 6 players? Not comparing the situation, but it was just something random I remembered just now.

592. Edmundo got dem ol' Kozma blues again mama

Posted: January 09, 2021 at 05:32 PM (#5998695)

Aren’t 76er rookies supposed to be injured for a minimum of 1 year?

593. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 09, 2021 at 06:43 PM (#5998702)

John Hollinger @johnhollinger
Philly only had 8 players today, but between Isaiah Joe, Paul Reed, Tony Bradley, Mike Scott and Dwight Howard, they had 13 first names.

594. asinwreck Posted: January 09, 2021 at 06:45 PM (#5998704)

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
This is part of health and safety protocols investigating potential exposure that occurred when Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum were speaking in close proximity on the court postgame Friday night, sources said.
Quote Tweet
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
· 30m
Wizards star Bradley Beal is out for tonight vs. Miami due to health and safety protocols and contact tracing exposure to Jayson Tatum, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
6:26 PM · Jan 9, 2021

595. Crosseyed and Painless Posted: January 10, 2021 at 01:25 AM (#5998778)

Who's getting canned first? Luke Walton or lloyd pierce or scotty brooks?

596. asinwreck Posted: January 10, 2021 at 08:50 AM (#5998791)

I wonder if teams are reluctant to fire coaches for fear of disrupting health and safety protocols. I'm a little surprised the league has managed to play for three weeks without shutting down. Training personnel are already overwhelmed. Would having them deal with new coaches (even if it's an assistant being bumped up the bench) really be a good idea right now?

597. "bothsidesism" word 57i66135 Posted: January 10, 2021 at 12:31 PM (#5998816)

Brad Townsend @townbrad
A source confirms that two of the four Mavericks now in the "health and safety" protocol have tested positive for COVID-19 and two are out due to contact tracing. The team's training facility has been shut down as a result of latest positive test and contact tracing is underway.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber is entering isolation and will miss 10-to-14 days due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.

598. tshipman

Posted: January 10, 2021 at 01:31 PM (#5998824)

I think Dwane Casey or Ryan Saunders are much more likely candidates to be fired.

edit: and Ryan Saunders probably deserves to be fired.

599. Athletic Supporter is USDA certified lean Posted: January 10, 2021 at 02:12 PM (#5998832)

Scott Brooks has been the head coach in Washington for 4 years, and over that time the Wizards have had a worse record every season. They are on pace to have an even worse record this year, despite making a win-now trade for a highly rated player. He wasn't hired by the current front office. If he survives the season, they should just put that in the dictionary as the definition of "white privilege".

600. asinwreck Posted: January 10, 2021 at 04:37 PM (#5998847)

@ShamsCharania
9m
The Boston Celtics-Miami Heat game tonight has been postponed, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. A Heat player has returned an inconclusive test, and team does not have required eight players to proceed with game tonight due to contact tracing.

@wojespn
3m
ESPN Sources: While the Celtics-Heat game has been postponed tonight, the NBA has no plans to pause the season despite thinning rosters because of COVID-19 protocols in several places.

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