The NBA Thread

[around the bend]

Dave from Knoxville-- what are you doing?  I don't get it.

Anyhow, as a Blazers fan I've been really surprised (pleasantly so) by Damian Lillard.  That guy can shoot it!  That guy goes hard left and can finish!

The bench leaves a little to be desired.

[dave from knoxville]

It's just a ranking of teams based mathematically on results to date.

[fonpr]

It's just a ranking of teams based mathematically on results to date.

What does the smiley represent?

[dave from knoxville]

It's what this blog host does whenever you try to write the number 8 to the right of a right-paren. You know, like

10)
9)

7)
6)

etc etc etc

[Greggulator]

Damian Lillard is legit. He has superstar potential once he learns to play anything resembling defense. I don't think I've been this excited for a young Blazer since Brandon Roy. Hopefully Lillard doesn't suffer the same fate as every other Blazer.

I can not possibly be more into the Memphis Grizzlies. We've all kind of liked them since they took the Spurs in the playoffs two years ago. But they are really playing ball right now. They haven't had a team with a healthy Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay on it for any length of time. Those two, plus Marc Gasol, gives them the best frontcourt in basketball and I don't think it's all that close. Mike Conley has also become a very good point guard. Tony Allen's a pitbull on defense. They have a really good bench. Lionel Hollins can coach. They're just a really good basketball team.

I called them on our podcast "America's Team In The Best Possible Version of America" last year. They're a collection of misfits and castoffs playing in what is by all accounts a really quirky, crazy city. What's even crazier -- they're this good and also whiffed on a bunch of draft picks. One of the great What Ifs of all-time is the Hasheem Thabeet pick -- what if they grabbed James Harden, Steff Curry, Ricky Rubio or Brandon Jennings? (Jennings is the least of these guys but somehow makes the most sense on that team, which is why I love them.)

The Celts/Nets fight was so funny. Kris Humphries is such a chump. I still don't know if I love or hate Rajon Rondo but I love how he punked (via NBA standards) Humphries. I also loved how Gerald "Crash" Wallace (a true hidden gem of a player) ran into things which makes sense since he's like that on the court forever and always. But the true star of this fight was KG himself, for lying on the floor for about 10 minutes while this thing is taking place and then acting like the biggest tough guy in the world once there's about 50 guys in front of him. That guy is such a bully.

[gravy boat]

Damian Lillard is legit. He has superstar potential once he learns to play anything resembling defense. I don't think I've been this excited for a young Blazer since Brandon Roy. Hopefully Lillard doesn't suffer the same fate as every other Blazer.

I can not possibly be more into the Memphis Grizzlies. We've all kind of liked them since they took the Spurs in the playoffs two years ago. But they are really playing ball right now. They haven't had a team with a healthy Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay on it for any length of time. Those two, plus Marc Gasol, gives them the best frontcourt in basketball and I don't think it's all that close. Mike Conley has also become a very good point guard. Tony Allen's a pitbull on defense. They have a really good bench. Lionel Hollins can coach. They're just a really good basketball team.

I called them on our podcast "America's Team In The Best Possible Version of America" last year. They're a collection of misfits and castoffs playing in what is by all accounts a really quirky, crazy city. What's even crazier -- they're this good and also whiffed on a bunch of draft picks. One of the great What Ifs of all-time is the Hasheem Thabeet pick -- what if they grabbed James Harden, Steff Curry, Ricky Rubio or Brandon Jennings? (Jennings is the least of these guys but somehow makes the most sense on that team, which is why I love them.)

The Celts/Nets fight was so funny. Kris Humphries is such a chump. I still don't know if I love or hate Rajon Rondo but I love how he punked (via NBA standards) Humphries. I also loved how Gerald "Crash" Wallace (a true hidden gem of a player) ran into things which makes sense since he's like that on the court forever and always. But the true star of this fight was KG himself, for lying on the floor for about 10 minutes while this thing is taking place and then acting like the biggest tough guy in the world once there's about 50 guys in front of him. That guy is such a bully.

I'm with you on the Grizzlies love--I love the way that team works and fits together.  My next vacation may be a trip to Memphis--I really want to see a game there.

[Greggulator]

I am smelling a total conspiracy from last nights Spurs/Heat game.

TRUTHS: 1) I didn't see the game. 2) I don't think the game was fixed or rigged or anything of the sort.

What I do think is the conspiracy -- David Stern saw a way to get his league a ton of press when we're in the middle of football season. He's the master of doing that.

But in an even deeper conspiracy --

He's cast himself as a villain in recent years. Everyone thought the Spurs were boring for years but people started to come around during their crazy run last year when they played magnificent basketball and people started thinking Pop's interviews and general demeanor were hilarious. The Spurs have existed largely outside of the league's narrative since they became THE SPURS. The only controversy that I can  think of involving them involves the Steve Nash bodycheck. Now, they're in the spotlight for at least the next few games. Now the Spurs/Grizzlies on Saturday gets casual fan chatter, too.

As far as Pop's decision to sit his guys -- that's a terrific move. Getting your bench guys a lot of minutes against the defending champions is such a great way to develop confidence and see who can step up. He did something similar last year against Dallas. They were getting blown out so he pulled his starters and the bench guys ended up getting the game into OT (if memory serves correct) and didn't sub any of the starters back in at all.

[buffcoat]

There's clearly a conspiracy against my man 'Sheed.

He and I used to hang out, if by hang out you mean I used to walk by him as he sat on the steps of the dining hall listening to his walkman and singing out loud.

[dave from knoxville]

In a thrilling development, the last 4 days' games eliminated the bifurcation; you all know what a nightmare that can be.

1) Miami home 112
2) Oklahoma City home 110.2
3) San Antonio away 110.1
4) New York home 107.3
5) Brooklyn home 107.1
6) Memphis home 106.7
7) Atlanta away 105
Miami away 104.7
9) LA Clippers home 104.5
10) Utah home 103.2
11) Oklahoma City away 103.1
12) Philadelphia away 103.1
13) San Antonio home 102.6
14) New York away 102.1
15) Denver home 101.9
16) Phoenix home 100.8
17) Portland home 100.8
18) Brooklyn away 100.6
19) Memphis away 100.6
20) Detroit home 100.5
21) Golden State away 100.5
22) Indiana home 100.3
23) Boston away 100.1
24) LA Clippers away 99.9
25) Chicago home 99.7
26) LA Lakers home 99.4
27) Golden State home 99
28) Minnesota home 99
29) Atlanta home 98.8
30) Boston home 98.4
31) Houston home 98.1
32) Houston away 97.7
33) New Orleans away 96.9
34) Denver away 96.5
35) Milwaukee away 96.1
36) Chicago away 96
37) Dallas home 95.6
38) Toronto home 95
39) Indiana away 94.6
40) Milwaukee home 94.5
41) Minnesota away 94.4
42) Orlando home 94.4
43) Portland away 94.1
44) Orlando away 93.9
45) New Orleans home 93.5
46) Philadelphia home 93.5
47) LA Lakers away 93.1
48) Charlotte home 92.3
49) Charlotte away 92.1
50) Dallas away 91.9
51) Cleveland home 91.1
52) Sacramento home 90.8
53) Cleveland away 89.8
54) Sacramento away 89.2
55) Washington home 88
56) Utah away 87.3
57) Washington away 87
58) Toronto away 85.8
59) Phoenix away 84.8
60) Detroit away 83

[jbissell]

It's what this blog host does whenever you try to write the number 8 to the right of a right-paren. You know, like

10)
9)

7)
6)

etc etc etc

Under additional options, check "don't use smileys".

[fonpr]

It's what this blog host does whenever you try to write the number 8 to the right of a right-paren. You know, like

10)
9)

7)
6)

etc etc etc

Under additional options, check "don't use smileys".

[Trotskie]

Fontasy Question:

What does everyone/anyone think about John Wall for the rest of the year?  Think he will perform in the top 100 player range?  Or is he just a disaster.

Thanks.

[Mr. Spacely]

I'm scared about this upcoming Lakers loss to OKC.

[gravy boat]

I'm scared about this upcoming Lakers loss to OKC.

Better put on your big boy pants.

[Gilly]

Fontasy Question:

What does everyone/anyone think about John Wall for the rest of the year?  Think he will perform in the top 100 player range?  Or is he just a disaster.

Thanks.

He's barely top 100 when healthy because of his turnovers. It's very likely he's going to miss the season and I'd say he's out until 2nd half at the earliest.