[ballislyfe25Participant]

I presume the media and trigger happy owners are largely the reason for this, as they are as guilty as anyone of doing so, but people and fans are jumping to conclusions like never before this NBA season. I cannot count the number of times I’ve seen articles writing off teams and players in December or before the new year.

Zach Lowe is mine and many others favorite basketball talking head and before the year he picked Houston to win the championship. Houston has had just about everything go wrong for them, aside from a major injury, and they are 5 and 1/2 games out of the four seed in the West. People wrote them off before Christmas. The Clippers (one of my picks to win the title) were around .500 for the first 2 months of the season and are currently the 4 seed and playing incredibly well. Um, yeah, the team is going to play worse than we are accustomed too when their best player (Chris Paul) has a hamstring injury. It’s hard enough to walk with a pulled hammy, let alone play NBA basketball. The Pelicans are finally somewhat healthy and starting to show signs of the team everyone has been waiting to see. The Wizards haven’t had their second best player for what feels like the whole season. In the past week on the forum, we’ve had topics posted about trading Jabari Parker/he and Wiggins not living up to expectations and James Harden not being an All-Star. Can Parker and Wiggins even legally drink? And like…it’s James Harden. He is one of the 5 or 10 best players in the league and his skills are being questioned because of his inefficiency. Basketball is a game created by a human being and played by human beings, not computers or algorithms (I am not anti-analytics but there is so much of the human element it does not and cannot yet account for). Yes, he doesn’t play as hard as he can on defense, especially when the team is struggling, but players who have to carry an entire load on offense usually cannot defend at a high level. It’s tough enough to do in pickup basketball, I cannot fathom how tough it is at the NBA level. Tyreke Evans is not an All-Star but to suggest he’s a bad basketball player is just absurd. He is a good point guard and sets up an incredible amount of offense and good looks for Anthony Davis. The Sacramento Kings have been playing good, smart basketball but have a mix of personalities, limited experience together, and decent depth. They don’t need to fire the coach or trade the best big man in the league. These are just a few examples.

I know I’m ranting and sound bitter but I just don’t see the need to draw such definitive conclusions and suggest that correctable "flaws" in the games of professionals are forever before the season even hits 30 games, especially when the eye test tells you something different. We don’t remove Golden State from the contenders list when they lose to Denver, and that is what a lot of these conclusions feel like. It happens across all sports (writing off the Seattle Seahawks, who could very well lose today, before week 6). 

[SteezGawdParticipant]

nobody thinks anymore. It’s all because the internet. I don’t need an analytical assessment of the 72-10 Bulls. They were 72-10. I could watch them play and see how dominant they are. How afraid of Jordan everyone was. How Pippen and Mike wouldn’t let guys get off shots for whole quarters. How they were popping champagne and smoking cigars at halftime. Please. 

No I don’t need you to tell me why Harden, Westbrook and AD are better than KD. I know it’s bullshit. I know none of them ever have maybe never will have a year were they not only challenge Kobe’s but surpass MJ’s consecutive games of 25 pts. I saw how he became the Peopes champ by playing during the lockout before all the stars decided that it was "safe". I saw him go to Rucker park. Alone. Score 60+ Get his team to the WCF, and wining MVP at age 25. Beating out Lebron who was in his prime coming off his best "statistical season" at the time. He chucks like Kobe, win’s scoring titles like T-Mac all while being as efficient as MJ, and he gets one injury and the media decides that WB, JH, and AD are better and they cant even get to the WCF alone. I won’t even talk about how elite he is as a defender. Or Curry who in my opinion is 1b to Durant’s 1a and Bron’s 1c on their own planet as far as the rest of these superstars they may be monstars but we’re talking about Mike Like individuals here who can change the whole landscape of the league with a single "Decision". 

Durant had a point as he is becoming the Yeezus of the league, bashing the media. They wrote off the Thunder and I was baffled too. as if a healthy Thunder team in the playoffs (which hasn’t happened since 2012 which they went to the finals because they was healthy in the playoffs) can’t beat the Warriors or Spurs.

People weren’t singing the Warriors praises last year until they won in the Finals, so much so they didn’t even give Curry The Finals mvp to show how much they respected him (iggy played great but I’d rather give it to Lebron if you wouldnt give it to the guy who won them the damn series with his 3rd quarter and late game heroics) and now that Curry done went darth vadar on the nba they are doing the ole "if you can’t beat them, join them".

The Warriors are so similar to the Bulls it’s scary. The C in Curry doesn’t stand for classy it stands for "clutch" and "cocky" / supreme "confidence" and if you watch them play Curry is the cockiest sob that’s hit the league since MJ and like MJ’s Bulls the Warriors are as cocky and embody his mindset. For anyone to win the title this year it’s going through the Warriors again. The Spurs are fucking incredible and I still give The Thunder a better shot at beating them because there’s no way you beat Curry’s Warriors with a quiet leader. You need somebody whose just as confident leading your squad against him and KD if he ever stops fretting about his efficiency and just tries to win at all costs like LBJ in that 15 finals possibly has the best chance with his skill set and running mate (Westbrook) to beat them. 

[SteezGawdParticipant]

nobody thinks anymore. It’s all because the internet. I don’t need an analytical assessment of the 72-10 Bulls. They were 72-10. I could watch them play and see how dominant they are. How afraid of Jordan everyone was. How Pippen and Mike wouldn’t let guys get off shots for whole quarters. How they were popping champagne and smoking cigars at halftime. Please. 

No I don’t need you to tell me why Harden, Westbrook and AD are better than KD. I know it’s bullshit. I know none of them ever have maybe never will have a year were they not only challenge Kobe’s but surpass MJ’s consecutive games of 25 pts. I saw how he became the Peopes champ by playing during the lockout before all the stars decided that it was "safe". I saw him go to Rucker park. Alone. Score 60+ Get his team to the WCF, and wining MVP at age 25. Beating out Lebron who was in his prime coming off his best "statistical season" at the time. He chucks like Kobe, win’s scoring titles like T-Mac all while being as efficient as MJ, and he gets one injury and the media decides that WB, JH, and AD are better and they cant even get to the WCF alone. I won’t even talk about how elite he is as a defender. Or Curry who in my opinion is 1b to Durant’s 1a and Bron’s 1c on their own planet as far as the rest of these superstars they may be monstars but we’re talking about Mike Like individuals here who can change the whole landscape of the league with a single "Decision". 

Durant had a point as he is becoming the Yeezus of the league, bashing the media. They wrote off the Thunder and I was baffled too. as if a healthy Thunder team in the playoffs (which hasn’t happened since 2012 which they went to the finals because they was healthy in the playoffs) can’t beat the Warriors or Spurs.

People weren’t singing the Warriors praises last year until they won in the Finals, so much so they didn’t even give Curry The Finals mvp to show how much they respected him (iggy played great but I’d rather give it to Lebron if you wouldnt give it to the guy who won them the damn series with his 3rd quarter and late game heroics) and now that Curry done went darth vadar on the nba they are doing the ole "if you can’t beat them, join them".

The Warriors are so similar to the Bulls it’s scary. The C in Curry doesn’t stand for classy it stands for "clutch" and "cocky" / supreme "confidence" and if you watch them play Curry is the cockiest sob that’s hit the league since MJ and like MJ’s Bulls the Warriors are as cocky and embody his mindset. For anyone to win the title this year it’s going through the Warriors again. The Spurs are fucking incredible and I still give The Thunder a better shot at beating them because there’s no way you beat Curry’s Warriors with a quiet leader. You need somebody whose just as confident leading your squad against him and KD if he ever stops fretting about his efficiency and just tries to win at all costs like LBJ in that 15 finals possibly has the best chance with his skill set and running mate (Westbrook) to beat them. 

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 I don’t think Durant is worrying about his efficiency. I think he is just trying to allow Westbrook to play to the level that he was at when Durant was out last season. He is being passive but to allow his teammates to play to a higher level cause he knows he can get his at any time

[DukeDaSquadParticipant]

 I don’t think Durant is worrying about his efficiency. I think he is just trying to allow Westbrook to play to the level that he was at when Durant was out last season. He is being passive but to allow his teammates to play to a higher level cause he knows he can get his at any time

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Steph didn’t deserve finals MVP!!! He was shut down by delly for a in stretches over 1& a1/2. Iggy’s defense definitely was more significant than what curry did. To be honest curry can’t guard anyone & I’m glad that someone who can’t contribute on the defensive side of the ball, who wasn’t his best on offense, didn’t get the MVP. 

This thread is about going against premature conclusions, well curry is apart of this wave of great offensive, no defense playing guys, who, to be honest because their are so many inconsistent players in today’s game, they get labeled greats even though they don’t/can’t play defense.I get it, I agree.out of the no defense playing great players today he is the best, & his box office factor is must see defense, but I like gritty 2&way players more. Butler, wall, Anthony davis, lebron, leonard. I take these guys over curry, harden, Irving, Griffin, love all day.

Other than curry should of won finals MVP statements, I agree with everything you just said.

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Steph didn’t deserve finals MVP!!! He was shut down by delly for a in stretches over 1& a1/2. Iggy’s defense definitely was more significant than what curry did. To be honest curry can’t guard anyone & I’m glad that someone who can’t contribute on the defensive side of the ball, who wasn’t his best on offense, didn’t get the MVP. 

This thread is about going against premature conclusions, well curry is apart of this wave of great offensive, no defense playing guys, who, to be honest because their are so many inconsistent players in today’s game, they get labeled greats even though they don’t/can’t play defense.I get it, I agree.out of the no defense playing great players today he is the best, & his box office factor is must see defense, but I like gritty 2&way players more. Butler, wall, Anthony davis, lebron, leonard. I take these guys over curry, harden, Irving, Griffin, love all day.

Other than curry should of won finals MVP statements, I agree with everything you just said.

 

 

[Mr.JoshuaParticipant]

 I think Zach Lowe commented on how much of NBA fandom involves analysis of roster moves to the point where the draft, free agency period and trade deadline activity get more coverage and discussion than the actual games themselves. Because fans develop strong opinions on what moves were made or not made, they are quick to draw conclusions on the success of those moves.

There is also more awareness of player contracts and ‘windows’ for success. Part of the scrutiny with the Rockets is based on the fact that Dwight Howard is going to opt out of his contract after this season. 

Overall I think passionate analysis is a sign that the fans care and that the league is thriving. Enjoy it.

 

[Mr.JoshuaParticipant]

 I think Zach Lowe commented on how much of NBA fandom involves analysis of roster moves to the point where the draft, free agency period and trade deadline activity get more coverage and discussion than the actual games themselves. Because fans develop strong opinions on what moves were made or not made, they are quick to draw conclusions on the success of those moves.

There is also more awareness of player contracts and ‘windows’ for success. Part of the scrutiny with the Rockets is based on the fact that Dwight Howard is going to opt out of his contract after this season. 

Overall I think passionate analysis is a sign that the fans care and that the league is thriving. Enjoy it.

 

[phila9012Participant]

 I think people care about the draft, free agency and the trade deadline more because for about 10 to 15 teams a year they don’t really have much of a chance. In the NFL, really only 5 teams you could have written off at the start of the year. Using my two teams as a comparison. The Timberwolves will probably take another 2 years till they make the playoffs at the earliest and that is without having a chance at a championship for another year or two after. Where the Vikings got a good coach and solid young QB and were in the playoffs in two years, where it will probably take the Twolves 4 from when they got wiggins. 

[phila9012Participant]

 I think people care about the draft, free agency and the trade deadline more because for about 10 to 15 teams a year they don’t really have much of a chance. In the NFL, really only 5 teams you could have written off at the start of the year. Using my two teams as a comparison. The Timberwolves will probably take another 2 years till they make the playoffs at the earliest and that is without having a chance at a championship for another year or two after. Where the Vikings got a good coach and solid young QB and were in the playoffs in two years, where it will probably take the Twolves 4 from when they got wiggins. 

[Author]

Posts