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NBA
Apr 7, 2019 12:44:50 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 7, 2019 12:44:50 GMT
Another win for Philly last night, and another 50-win season.
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NBA
Apr 7, 2019 13:13:18 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 7, 2019 13:13:18 GMT
Yeah, the 50 wins kinda crept up. With all of the roster changes, different lineups, guys taking nights off, and even coaching changes (Billy Lange left to replace Phil Martelli at St. Joe's), this season felt more like one of preparing for a playoff run rather than taking care of business on a nightly basis. Again, not complaining. That's a sign of a championship contending team I guess. I know a lot of fans of other teams would gladly change places.
Deviating from the NBA for a second, wasn't that a dramatic last couple of minutes of the Auburn/Virginia game? Historical actually.
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NBA
Apr 7, 2019 13:24:09 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 7, 2019 13:24:09 GMT
Exciting finish, to be sure. And here we are now with one of the least "big name" championship games ever. Virtually every title game has had one, if not two, blue-bloods (depending on how far down that list you want to go still calling powerhouses "blue-bloods"). It's a rare year without at least one of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, or Kansas, and then the next-tier perennials like Connecticut, Michigan, Louisville, Villanova, Florida, Syracuse, Michigan State--the kinds of programs that tend to cycle up and down between themselves into the top tier. I mean, Virginia and Texas Tech? Ooof. Guessing CBS and the NCAA aren't thrilled.
Staying on college for a second, I think St. Joe's did wrong by Phil Martelli. The guy deserves that job: he has had a great career there.
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NBA
Apr 7, 2019 22:14:14 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 7, 2019 22:14:14 GMT
I think the Phil Martelli firing is complicated. Phil was at St. Joseph's for 34 years as an assistant and head coach. He devoted most of his adult life to that school. There wasn't a better advocate for the basketball program or the university. He was a class act on and off the court and everybody loved Phil. He will be hard to replace. Maybe.
Does Phil Martelli's record warrant a lifetime contract? Should he have the right to say when he is going to leave? Many say "yes" to both of those questions. Phil had some outstanding seasons, no doubt about that, but over the last couple of years, his "in game coaching decisions and strategies" have come into some question. I really can't say; I haven't watched the games. I just read and hear things. I do know that he's been bitten with the injury bug the last few seasons, and we know how that can seriously affect a season/record.
Phil was given the opportunity to resign and have his "farewell tour" but he refused. He forced their hand. Oh, and by the way, Phil wants to continue coaching, and I'm pretty sure he'll be on the sidelines next season somewhere.
Now, this is what's really going on. Jay Wright changed everything in Philadelphia basketball. Now, everybody wants to hire a Jay Wright type - relatively young, handsome, great dresser, articulate/great interview, charismatic, knows all the major college coaches personally, and, oh, did I mention that he won two National Championships. Now, all of the Philly schools are wondering how Villanova can do it, and they're just across the street. Look at their enrollment. Why can't we do it, too? Why can't we win a National Championship? Why can't we hire a Jay Wright. Well, we have to try!
Some think that's what happened to Fran Dunphy at Temple. Some think he was forced out, but opted to retire. And now, after "an extensive search", St. Joe's hired an NBA coach! A relatively young guy who coached Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Who was recommended by Brett Brown and Elton Brand. Get the picture?
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NBA
Apr 7, 2019 22:37:28 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 7, 2019 22:37:28 GMT
I think smaller or lower profile schools make huge mistakes when they dream too big. That's not to say it's never warranted: it was only 20 years ago that Gonzaga was an interesting little team out west that did turn into a national powerhouse.
But usually those small schools have a moment in the sun, get excited, spend a fortune, and get caught on a carousel they're not ready to ride. And in making those decisions, they move on from often well established coaches who have some real histories of success and deep roots in their regions. They often bring in the hot new thing--sometimes with no connections at all to the school or area (e.g., Richard Pitino here)--and it doesn't go well. So they fire him and move on. Or he does well ... and he moves on. If you're not a perennial Top 20 program, you can't act like you are. It won't end well.
College basketball is great because of coaches like Phil Martelli. Or in the era I grew up in Big Ten country, because of guys like Jud Heathcoate, Bob Knight, Tom Davis, Clem Haskins, Lou Henson, and Gene Keady. Of those, one was a legend: Knight. The others had their ups and down, but they were institutions at their institutions. It let fans build relationships with teams. Now it's almost like an NBA situation, with rosters and coaches turning over before people even get familiar with them.
That's my two cents.
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NBA
Apr 8, 2019 0:44:24 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 8, 2019 0:44:24 GMT
College basketball is great because of coaches like Phil Martelli. Or in the era I grew up in Big Ten country, because of guys like Jud Heathcoate, Bob Knight, Tom Davis, Clem Haskins, Lou Henson, and Gene Keady. Of those, one was a legend: Knight. The others had their ups and down, but they were institutions at their institutions. It let fans build relationships with teams. Now it's almost like an NBA situation, with rosters and coaches turning over before people even get familiar with them.
I go back even farther than that. I remember coaches like Lou Carnesacca at St. John's, Digger Phelps at Notre Dame, the McGuire brothers - Al at Marquette and Frank at South Carolina, Ray Meyer at DePaul, Dean Smith at North Carolina, Rollie Massimino at Villanova, and, yes, John Wooden at UCLA during the Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton days.
I don't know know if college basketball coaching will ever return to those days. After coaches like Coach K, Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams, and even guys like Tom Izzo and John Calipari retire, will there be future "legends" waiting in the wings? So many changes - money, one and done, win at all costs, the pro ranks, social media, and the media period! Will there be "lifers"?
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NBA
Apr 8, 2019 0:58:31 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 8, 2019 0:58:31 GMT
I think there are, and will still be, great coaches. I just don't think many programs or coaches will have the nerve to retain them long-term (other than a few Coach Ks of the world, the very top of the top, at the best schools, as long as they remain successful). It's that absurd money that's involved that's made things so upside down in terms of quality of the programs and games.
Honestly, you can look to San Antonio in the NBA as the analog. They understand what they have, and they don't try to do anything else. They don't overspend, almost ever. They don't chase players. They don't panic about anything: they stay the course. When they're down, they're a low-seeded playoff team. When they're up, they're champions. Utah has historically been similar, and with similar (but at a lower level) results: inordinately steady. Meanwhile the Minnesotas, the Atlantas, the Phoenixes just chase every shiny thing.
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 1:44:50 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Apr 10, 2019 1:44:50 GMT
Magic.
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 2:31:03 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 10, 2019 2:31:03 GMT
Wow, I didn't see that coming, but upon further reading, Magic appeared to be in the middle of things he didn't want to be in the middle of. He's not good at being the bad guy. Therefore, give it up. It's easier and more fun just being Magic. You know, I also shouldn't have been surprised because after his retirement as a player, Magic hasn't really done anything for a long or extensive period of time.
What say you?
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 12:24:31 GMT
via mobile
Post by Kapitan on Apr 10, 2019 12:24:31 GMT
From what I’ve read, he hadn’t informed the team, ownership or Lebron before his press conference. That’s not cool.
My bet is he found—as he did with his earlier foray into coaching and his brief playing comeback—that this isn’t the league he remembers. Players aren’t falling over themselves to get to LAL: this is a league where two top LA-born players might sign in OKC. There are complicated rules about everything. Charisma and charm only go so far. I’m guessing when it came down to it, he just didn’t like the job as it really is, so he didn’t want to do it. Simple as that.
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 15:32:51 GMT
Post by B.E. on Apr 10, 2019 15:32:51 GMT
My two main thoughts are: 1) Wow, that was unprofessional and 2) Magic must not have had much confidence in the Lakers ability to sign a top-tier FA this summer.
Meanwhile, Dirk and Dwayne had very memorable final home games. Good for them, and their fans.
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 19:23:57 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 10, 2019 19:23:57 GMT
And, Magic is taking some heat (no pun intended) for knocking Dwyane Wade and Dirk's final games off the front page. And that's funny because during his press conference, Magic expressed frustration at not being able to call/tweet/send a note of acknowledgement and praise to Wade on his career/retirement for fear of tampering. Then he goes and steals his thunder anyway.
I was watching First Take this morning and agreed with something Max Kellerman said. Max referred to Magic's sudden exit as his "no mas", comparing it to Roberto Duran's abrupt quitting in his boxing match with Sugar Ray Leonard. Magic was successful in landing LeBron James, but many think LeBron would've come to L.A. with or without Magic's influence. But then look at Magic's next three moves...or non-moves. First, Magic was not successful in landing that marquee free agent to join LeBron like a Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Second, some might question the drafting of Lonzo Ball. It didn't work out well this year though it's still too early to tell down the road. And finally, Magic looked pretty bad when his proposed trade for Antonio Davis was rejected. So, Magic had a good start with LeBron but it was all downhill after that and he basically said, "See ya".
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 23:14:08 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Apr 10, 2019 23:14:08 GMT
It's going to be really interesting to see whether they retain Luke Walton, whether they bring in another president or just let Maverick Carter and Lebron--er, I mean Rob Pelinka--run the show. And of course, whether they can acquire Anthony Davis which I don't think they can.
If I were LAL, I'd strongly consider signing some mid-tier players who fit around Lebron, Lonzo, Ingram, Kuzma, and Hart. Starters or rotation guys, but not necessarily max type players. If they can get a max player who fits well, OK, fine. But why go crazy trying to grab a superstar at the expense of your future, and maybe even your present (if there are chemistry or basketball problems)?
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NBA
Apr 10, 2019 23:38:51 GMT
B.E. likes this
Post by Kapitan on Apr 10, 2019 23:38:51 GMT
I've been diving into strange corners of basketball-reference.com the past hour or so, and somehow got to the 2014 NBA Draft, which is guys who have (generally) just finished their fifth seasons, and probably more or less are who they are. For fun, I have sorted the players from that draft by PPG. Here are the leaders, in descending order, with their draft position noted.
1. Joel Embiid (3), 24.3 ppg 2. Andrew Wiggins (1), 19.4 3. Nikola Jokic (41), 16.2 4. Zach LaVine (13), 16.1 5. Julius Randle (7), 15.4 6. Jabari Parker (2), 15.1 7. Jordan Clarkson (46), 14.7 8. TJ Warren (14), 14.4 9. Bogdan Bogdanovic (27), 12.9 10. Dario Saric (12), 12.7
11. Rodney Hood (23), 12.6 12. Aaron Gordon (4), 12.4 13. Gary Harris (14), 12.4 14. Clint Capela (25), 12.0 15. Jusuf Nurkic (16), 11.6 16. Elfrid Payton (10), 11.1 17. Spencer Dinwiddie (38), 11.0 18. Joe Harris (33), 9.4 19. Marcus Smart (6), 9.3 20. Jerami Grant (39), 8.7
It's always fun to look back at performance compared to projections, because most of us look at top-5 picks, lottery picks, first-rounders, etc., and think that's a sure-thing all-star, a sure-thing starter, etc. But realistically that just doesn't happen.
7 of the top 10 picks end up in the top 20 scorers (meaning 13 of the top 20 scorers were NOT in the top 10 picks) 5 second-rounders are among the top 20 scorers (two of them among the top 7!) 6 of the top 10 scorers were picked outside the top 10 (outside the top 12, actually)
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NBA
Apr 11, 2019 1:11:28 GMT
Post by B.E. on Apr 11, 2019 1:11:28 GMT
Jokic at #41. My goodness. Edit: Kapitan Since 2000 there have been some notable selections from #40 onwards: Michael Redd (2000), Luis Scola (2002), Kyle Korver (2003), Trevor Ariza (2004), Monta Ellis (2005), Lou Williams (2005), Paul Millsap (2006), Marc Gasol (2007), Goran Dragic (2008), Patrick Beverly (2009), Danny Green (2009), Patty Mills (2009), Isaiah Thomas (2011), and a few other solid role players.
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