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NBA
Mar 21, 2019 23:14:40 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 21, 2019 23:14:40 GMT
A thread to discuss the National Basketball Association...
And, before we start that discussion, could everyone list their favorite team if you have one. I'm a fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, going all the way back to the days of Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, and the Kangaroo Kid - Billy Cunningham!
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NBA
Mar 21, 2019 23:30:27 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 21, 2019 23:30:27 GMT
The Minnesota Timberwolves, going back to the inaugural season of Tony Campbell, Tyrone Corbin, Sam Mitchell, Pooh Richardson, Sid Lowe, Randy Breuer, Donald Royal, Doug West, Scott Roth, Tod Murphy, all under the tutelage of the late Bill Musselman (assisted by ... Tom Thibodeau, among others). Professional basketball hit Minnesota in 1989-90 and I was TOTALLY engrossed. Our local play-by-play man? Kevin Harlan. The color commentator? Kevin McHale. It was so much fun.
Granted, there wasn't much winning. I was fortunate enough to be in college and doing some "semipro" sportswriting when the Wolves first made the playoffs, so I had (literally) great seats to the first hints of success. Kevin Garnett, Tom Gugliotta, Steph Marbury, Terry Porter, Hollywood Robinson, Anthony Peeler, etc. under the direction of the late Flip Saunders. (Our two best coaches are deceased.)
Anyway, through thick and (mostly) thin, here I am, still a fan. I love the Wolves. When they're winning 15-20 games, I'm looking at prospects, thinking about pathways to competence. When they're winning 30-40 games, I'm hoping to sniff the playoffs. And of course in those (rare) seasons we're in the hunt, it's just glorious. I LOVE BASKETBALL.
Speaking of which, the Gophers won today and the HS state tourney is going on right now. I'm planning to catch a few of those high school games Saturday. Minnesota is really improving in terms of high school talent, and a good deal of it is in the tourney now. Should be fun.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 13:38:57 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 13:38:57 GMT
The Wolves look like they're stumbling and limping to the finish this year. While not mathematically out of the playoffs, they're for all practical purposes out--and have tacitly admitted it.
At point guard, starter Jeff Teague and top backup Derrick Rose are out for the season. Starting wing Robert Covington hasn't played in a long time and is also out for the season. Taj Gibson has been banged up and missed several games lately. Luol Deng, who had come back from the dead once Thibs got fired averaging 9 ppg and 4 rpg in February as a key rotation player, hasn't played yet in March and is out indefinitely.
The good news is it gives the team a chance to really get heavy minutes to some young guys whose futures we need to decide. Reserve Tyus Jones--a local kid who is a restricted free agent this summer--has been the starting PG and played heavy minutes for weeks. (He looks like he is rightly placed as a solid backup, though.) Josh Okogie is getting TONS of minutes, and we're even getting nice looks at Keita Bates Diop and Cam Reynolds.
Andrew Wiggins hasn't stepped up at all and remains a tremendously frustrating, expensive player.
At least KAT has dominated. He is averaging about 29 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 apg, and 1.5 bpg (shooting 55 FG%, 50 3pt% and 85 FT%) in March!
And we're getting Ryan Saunders a chance to whet his whistle as a head coach. I'm personally hoping he also has the chance to be the coach at least through next season, with a summer to sort things out roster-wise and then a healthy team next year. He's not a Popovich, but we're the Wolves: we're not likely to get a Popovich as a "free agent" coach. Saunders is promising, and he has local support.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 13:50:18 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2019 13:50:18 GMT
I knew the Wolves were banged up but I had no idea how bad it actually was!
I did know that KAT was stepping up but I didn't know he was averaging nearly 30 in March.
The 76ers are on a roll since Embiid returned to the lineup. Everybody is healthy now so injuries can't be used as an excuse. Some players - Embiid, Butler, and Redick - are taking or are done taking their "load management" night's off. This is the best they've been playing all year, even though they turn the ball over way too many times, and the defense disappears for spurts. The only real concern right now is chemistry and Brett Brown figuring out combinations. Brett's a little bit under the spotlight right now.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 13:59:07 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2019 13:59:07 GMT
NBA trivia question!
I just read that LeBron James' playoff streak of 13 consecutive years has come to an end. Question: What NBA player(s) holds the record for most consecutive seasons playing in the postseason? Bonus points for getting the number of seasons correct.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 14:44:27 GMT
Post by B.E. on Mar 23, 2019 14:44:27 GMT
A thread to discuss the National Basketball Association... And, before we start that discussion, could everyone list their favorite team if you have one.
Knicks fan (over 20 years). Adopted the Spurs as my 2nd favorite team (15 years ago). NBA trivia question! I just read that LeBron James' playoff streak of 13 consecutive years has come to an end. Question: What NBA player(s) holds the record for most consecutive seasons playing in the postseason? Bonus points for getting the number of seasons correct.
Without looking it up, I'll guess... Tim Duncan: 18.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:00:34 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 15:00:34 GMT
I'll say Bill Russell.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:01:42 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 15:01:42 GMT
How do you feel generally about Ben Simmons? He's so unique, he seems polarizing.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:31:43 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2019 15:31:43 GMT
I stumped ya! The answer is John Stockton and Karl Malone - 19 years each. That's hard to believe; almost two consecutive decades in a row.
About Ben Simmons...I think I'm more patient with him than most fans. Patient you ask? Yes, over the last year or so, Ben has been criticized for not developing a jump shot, poor free throw shooting, and too many turnovers. Well, developing a jump shot, especially for an NBA level, is going to take some time. It doesn't happen overnight; it doesn't even happen in a season or two. Give him a little more time on that, and I don't care if he never shoots the three. Ben has been going to/using his right hand a lot more this season. And, Ben HAS improved his free throw shooting this year, and lately he has been over 72% (don't quote me on that). Actually, I never thought his form was that bad.
My biggest criticism of Ben Simmons is his carelessness with the basketball. Way too many turnovers, and at crucial times of the game. He has a tendency to drive the lane, get stopped with defensive help, and then LEAVE HIS FEET. He'll then desperately try to find an open man, and end up throwing it away or into the hands of a defender going the other way. I just think he has to figure that out, not leaving his feet, keeping his dribble.
Two things about Ben Simmons that aren't talked about enough. First, he hustles on defense; he's all over the place. And, second, he's a warrior in my book. He's not afraid to stick his nose in anywhere, and he doesn't back down to anybody.
And he has a nice-looking girlfriend who attends most of the home games, sitting in the front row and getting shown numerous times on TV.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:33:03 GMT
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 23, 2019 15:33:03 GMT
A thread to discuss the National Basketball Association... And, before we start that discussion, could everyone list their favorite team if you have one.
Knicks fan (over 20 years). Adopted the Spurs as my 2nd favorite team (15 years ago). NBA trivia question! I just read that LeBron James' playoff streak of 13 consecutive years has come to an end. Question: What NBA player(s) holds the record for most consecutive seasons playing in the postseason? Bonus points for getting the number of seasons correct.
Without looking it up, I'll guess... Tim Duncan: 18. A Knicks' fan? You'll have a lot to talk about over the next several months - I think.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:37:00 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 15:37:00 GMT
I'm a big Simmons fan, too. As you've probably noticed, I really like keeping tabs on international ball to some extent, and so I remember hearing about him when he was probably about 16-17 and the talk was beginning to grow about whether he'd play pro (internationally) or go to college. Obviously he went to college (note: I didn't say class!) through his freshman season anyway.
Anyway I love big, versatile players. Always have. Magic Johnson was my favorite player when I was young, and the Magic-Bird rivalry was the epitome of sports itself for me. From then on, whether as stars (Magic, Larry, Penny, Kobe, Lebron) or complementary players (Derrick McKey, Billy Owens, Toni Kukoc) or something in between (Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol), guys who can play 2-3 positions and especially guys who can pass just delight me.
So yes a 6-10 point guard with athleticism to burn and who sees the court with that special, rare vision is my kind of player.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 15:40:55 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 15:40:55 GMT
Re the Knicks, I am very curious to see how their offseason goes. In some ways they finally seem to be on the right track regardless of the draft or free agents. Fizdale has worked a minor miracle on Mudiay, for one thing. This year's rookie class of Knox, Robinson, and Trier is really exciting. Dennis Smith is very talented and quite productive for someone so young at that spot. Frankie Smokes still interests me, as bad as he has been this season.
Then you have the draft: next year with Zion? There would no doubt be rumors of the NBA rigging things to get him there (just like getting Ewing there all those years ago)! But if they don't get him but rather someone like Barrett or Morant or Reddish or whoever else, it's still more talent.
And then of course the big question: Durant? Kyrie? Both? Someone else?
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 16:26:48 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2019 16:26:48 GMT
I am not a sports fan. A long time ago in Westwood, I passed Lou Alcindor on the street.
I follow The Fighting Illini and The Mets. It makes for a happier household.
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NBA
Mar 23, 2019 20:54:49 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 23, 2019 20:54:49 GMT
I follow The Fighting Illini You're the one guy, eh? Must be lonely!
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NBA
Mar 24, 2019 14:21:05 GMT
Post by Kapitan on Mar 24, 2019 14:21:05 GMT
I almost want to brag about the Wolves winning last night ... except it was against Memphis. So I guess beating the likes of Bruno Cabolco and Tyler Dorsey isn't really worth bragging about.
On the other hand (if off topic a little), I enjoyed a couple of Minnesota high school state championship games yesterday. Between our class 2A and 4A--we have a four-class system, with 4A being the biggest schools--games, there were probably at least 10 legit D1 talents out there, and probably 2 nearly certain future NBA players. Some of the better players and prospects:
Jalen Suggs is a 6-5 junior point guard (and relative of NFL star Terrell Suggs) who has been among the best half dozen players in the state since he was an eighth grader. Watching him compete even in a game with plenty of other really good players was astounding: he seems to be two or three levels above everyone. Big, athletic, skilled, smart, level-headed ... the kid has played for USA Basketball as well as high school and traveling teams, he goes to the prominent national camps. He will go to whatever school he wants, if he wants. Or he might go pro for a year before entering the NBA, assuming that's still required by the league.
Zeke Nnaji is a 6-11 senior F/C who went from the kind of kid people thought might end up Division I to being a top 50 recruit headed to Arizona next season. (Though with their NCAA cloud hanging overhead, that could change.) Long and lean, a very good athlete, he looks the part of an NBA big, that's for sure.
Tyler Wahl is a 6-7 senior wing headed to Wisconsin next season. He is a versatile, athletic wing who clearly envisions himself a point forward (passing to a fault, actually, giving up open looks to feed teammates who simply aren't up to par).
Chet Holmgren is a 7-0 sophomore forward who teams with Suggs. Amazingly for his height, he is overwhemingly a face-up wing player at this point. He's a very good shooter, a good ball-handler, a nice passer ... but he's seven feet tall and a high school sophomore. He had a triple double in the 2A title game (which they won) in points, rebounds, and blocks. But I don't think he posted up a single time, and he's so, so, so painfully thin, he ended up on the floor about two dozen times. But he's so talented and so young!
Prince Aligbe is a 6-5 freshman wing who also plays with Suggs and Holmgren (on a loaded team). Right now his skill level trails his athleticism, but he's very coordinated and doesn't get outside of himself. He had a lot of great little one-dribble moves around the dunker's block resulting in easy baskets. He's going to be a high-level D1 player for sure ... eventually.
Kerwin Walton is a 6-5 junior guard who played alongside Nnaji. In an ugly game where nobody could hit a shot, he had 17 points including 4-9 3pt. But it was a quiet 17, and he didn't do as much else as you'd want from someone so talented.
Willie Wilson is a 6-3 freshman guard whose Minneapolis North lost the 2A title game. But he looks so physically mature, so athletic, it's promising. (So often, freshmen look like they'll trip if you look at them sideways.) And his handle and passing instincts were very good. He also hit a few shots in this high-pressure game. I'm going to enjoy watching him the next few years.
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