It's NBA time

[fiopadp7791]

Both Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio out for the first couple months of the season for my beloved T-Pups? Season over before it started. I was really just hoping they'd be a .500 club or maybe vie for an 8-seed in the playoffs. So much for that now.

[vulcandeathgrip]

I hold out hope for the T-Wolves yet. I know you can't discount the loss of those two players but you have much improved depth and the lower spots in the West are pretty open.

This may all come down to wishful thinking on my part as my wife is T-Wolves fan and my domestic harmony will be much improved should they be even moderately successful.

[fiopadp7791]

Their season went in the tank once Rubio went down last year. Now no Rubio and no Love. Their bench is better. They signed every meaningful white dude in the league and Brandon Roy (the crazy rumor is true... he still has knees... for now...). They got rid of Wes Johnson, Michael Beasley (2 guys that still could be wayyy better than they they showed with the Wolves... Beasley might be the new age Derrick Coleman) and Darko. It's pretty much addition by subtraction getting rid of Wes and Darko. We'll see... It's Derrick Williams' time to shine now if they even wanna be close to staying afloat.

[stuporfly]

Damn, Michael Sweetney is enormous. He's currently playing for Vaqueros de Bayamón in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico, where clogging the lane is apparently a one man operation.

[fiopadp7791]

Damn he was a beast at GTOWN, but he never amounted to much in the NBA. Maybe he makes a comeback as the next Oliver Miller?

[lehorne]

Nash is smart as hell and slow as hell. Seems like the last couple years he's been turning the ball over on routine crossovers and dribbling, not so much errant passes. He'll help the Lakers, as anything is an upgrade over Sessions/Blake, but think CP and Bled can abuse him.

And liking this Hollins guy. Big upgrade over the one dimensional Reggie Evans.

[Gribbz]

Nash was a terrible defender even in his prime.

[Gribbz]

David Stern to retire in 2014

A blessing.

[downingthief]

Nash was a terrible defender even in his prime.

One on One, maybe. He is a smart team defender, though.

[SepaGroove]

David Stern to retire in 2014

A blessing.

Finally!! He's such a bastard.

[lehorne]

Nash was a terrible defender even in his prime.

we were talking about it, with glee at how CP and Bledsoe will abuse him, over on the Clipper board. Also discussed his turnover problems and new look hairstyle as well. Since 1998, Nash has been the 6th worst PG at turnover rate who's played 10,000 minutes:

http://bkref.com/tiny/U4MeY

It's the Battle for LA, folks. We are scrutinizing the enemy.

[tyles]

This season is going to be Awesome for the Clippers. Yahoo has the clippers ranked at #5 going into the season, just below the Celtics.

Still, the team to bet in the West is OKC... thoughts?

[GuyInTucson]

Nash is smart as hell and slow as hell. Seems like the last couple years he's been turning the ball over on routine crossovers and dribbling, not so much errant passes. He'll help the Lakers, as anything is an upgrade over Sessions/Blake, but think CP and Bled can abuse him.

And liking this Hollins guy. Big upgrade over the one dimensional Reggie Evans.

Are you talking about Ryan Hollins, aka the worst player in the NBA?

[HotHamWater]

Are you talking about Ryan Hollins, aka the worst player in the NBA?

And he thinks Reggie Evans is too one dimensional. At least Evans is GOOD at that one dimension. Hollins is a scrub.


Also, it's time to post your picks. I'll have mine, shortly....

[HotHamWater]

East

1. Miami
2. Boston
3. Indiana
4. Brooklyn
5. New York
6. Atlanta
7. Chicago
8. Milwaukee

West

1. Oklahoma City
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Denver
4. San Antonio
5. Los Angeles Clippers
6. Memphis
7. Dallas
8. Golden State

Miami def Milwaukee in 4
Brooklyn def New York in 7
Boston def Chicago in 6
Atlanta def Indiana in 6

Miami def Brooklyn in 5
Boston def Atlanta in 5

Miami def Boston in 6


Oklahoma City def Golden State in 5
Los Angeles Clippers def San Antonio in 6
Los Angeles Lakers def Dallas in 4
Denver def Memphis in 6

Oklahoma City def Los Angeles Clippers in 5
Los Angeles Lakers def Denver in 6

Oklahoma City def Los Angeles Lakers in 7

Miami def Oklahoma City in 6

MVP: LeBron James
ROY: Damian Lillard
COY: Avery Johnson
Finals MVP: LeBron James

[Somewhat Damaged]

Holy shit, that makes you look like a bigger dork than the assholes who do fantasy football.

[HotHamWater]

You know that's one of the worst things you can say to me. I know the game (the real game, not fantasy game) and it took me just a few minutes to do that.

[GuyInTucson]

East

1. Miami
2. Boston
3. Chicago
4. Brooklyn
5. 76ers
6. Indiana
7. Milwaukee
8. New York

West

1. Los Angeles Lakers
2. Oklahoma City
3. Denver
4. Los Angeles Clippers
5. San Antonio
6. Memphis
7. Dallas
8. Minnesota

Miami def New York in 5
Philly def Brooklyn in 7
Boston def Milwaukee in 6
Chicago def Indiana in 6

Miami def Philly in 6
Boston def Chicago in 7

Miami def Boston in 5


LA Lakers def Minnesota in 5
LA Clippers def San Antonio in 7
Oklahoma City def Dallas in 5
Memphis def Denver in 7

Lakers def Clippers in 7
Oklahoma City def Memphis 4

Lakers def Oklahoma City in 7

Lakers def Miami in 7

MVP: LeBron James
ROY: Bradley Beal
COY: Tom Thibodeau
Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant

EDIT: Removed Cleveland from 8th spot. Forgot about the 76ers.

[HotHamWater]

I love the homer pick. And, yes, I consider it a homer pick to pick them as a #8 seed. I don't really see much of anything on that roster worth noting. I guess I'm not sold on Dion Waiters, and I've never been a Tristan Thompson fan. I am rooting for Tyler Zeller, though.

Has Kyrie worked on his defense at all? As much as you can practice that part of your game. From everything I read, and the little bit I saw, he was absolutely atrocious on that end last year.

[HotHamWater]

I would also be tempted to put Minnesota in the playoffs, if not for Kevin Love's injury.

[lehorne]

Are you talking about Ryan Hollins, aka the worst player in the NBA?

si' pues. Maybe it's just pre-season, but I've been impressed having never watched him in the past. The guy can block, board, and catch & throw down a lob pass...which is important in Lob City. Reggie was a fan favorite, for his hustle and junkyard dog mentality, but he was detrimental on offense. Hollins won't get a lot of minutes behind DJ, Turiaf, and even Odom, but I'd rather have him than Evans after seeing a few games.

Except for all his turnovers, that Sacre kid on the Lakes looked pretty good last night. They may have found a steal in the second round. Again, it's preseason.

[HotHamWater]

si' pues. Maybe it's just pre-season, but I've been impressed having never watched him in the past. The guy can block, board, and catch & throw down a lob pass...which is important in Lob City. Reggie was a fan favorite, for his hustle and junkyard dog mentality, but he was detrimental on offense. Hollins won't get a lot of minutes behind DJ, Turiaf, and even Odom, but I'd rather have him than Evans after seeing a few games.

Except for all his turnovers, that Sacre kid on the Lakes looked pretty good last night. They may have found a steal in the second round. Again, it's preseason.

If you want to take steps toward winning a little more, Evans is a more valuable commodity. Sometimes you need guys who only give a shit about rebounding and hustling. Hollins does neither, and he's not even that much of a scorer. I guess he's taller than Evans, so that's.....something.

I think Luke Walton is the worst player in the NBA, but Hollins is still a scrub.

[lehorne]

he's been hustling and showing court passion. Had a game saving block a few nights ago. Download the broadcasts off torrents to see. Heh.

Clips at Utah this evening. Looking forward to seeing Heyward, who's on my fantasy team. As with Walton, he's an "intelligent player" (i.e. the label given to all white guys).

[HotHamWater]

Ok, I'm working with a bigger sample size here with Hollins. For the Clippers sake, I hope he's improved. He's always been just a tall guy, with a little athletic ability, who could never really do much on the court.

[mountmccabe]

Thomas, what can you say about Barclays? How was the game?

[lehorne]

been hitting his free throws too. Not a terrible player to have around on a Veteran's Minimum who won't get many minutes. I mean, I ain't gonna buy his poster and hang it over the bed or anything. Ain't the best looking chap, but he's doing alright so far out there.

[GuyInTucson]

I love the homer pick. And, yes, I consider it a homer pick to pick them as a #8 seed. I don't really see much of anything on that roster worth noting. I guess I'm not sold on Dion Waiters, and I've never been a Tristan Thompson fan. I am rooting for Tyler Zeller, though.

Has Kyrie worked on his defense at all? As much as you can practice that part of your game. From everything I read, and the little bit I saw, he was absolutely atrocious on that end last year.

The Cavs were battling for the 8th spot last year before Varejao went down. Then Kyrie went down for about 5 or 6 games, I believe. Thompson played better after the all star break. I am not sold on Waiters either, but I do like what Zeller brings to Scott's offense.

As for Kyrie's defense, it was inconsistent last year but he got better as the season progressed. He averaged a 1/2 steal per game more after the all star break. I believe calling him atrocious on defense is a bit of an exaggeration.

I mean, we're talking about the 8th seed in the east. I believe Atlanta will also take a serious step back without Joe Johnson and miss the playoffs. Yeah, I'm a homer, but I don't see it out of the realm of possibility given that last year's squad was in the playoff hunt until about 3-4 weeks left in the season, and, again, that was after Varejao went down.

[GuyInTucson]

Oh, and I think Minnesota still makes the playoffs. When Love comes back they will be very, very tough to beat and there is enough talent on that roster to keep them in the hunt until he and Rubio come back.

[HotHamWater]

The Cavs were battling for the 8th spot last year before Varejao went down. Then Kyrie went down for about 5 or 6 games, I believe. Thompson played better after the all star break. I am not sold on Waiters either, but I do like what Zeller brings to Scott's offense.

As for Kyrie's defense, it was inconsistent last year but he got better as the season progressed. He averaged a 1/2 steal per game more after the all star break. I believe calling him atrocious on defense is a bit of an exaggeration.

I mean, we're talking about the 8th seed in the east. I believe Atlanta will also take a serious step back without Joe Johnson and miss the playoffs. Yeah, I'm a homer, but I don't see it out of the realm of possibility given that last year's squad was in the playoff hunt until about 3-4 weeks left in the season, and, again, that was after Varejao went down.

I guess the Cavs did have a winning record after 7 games. That's progress. =) I guess the #8 isn't somewhat of a possibility. The East is awful. I just don't think the future is all that bright for the Cavs. They have a lot of spare parts. Regarding Kyrie's defense, I don't think steals is the best stat to cite when gauging defense. That's like defending a bad cover corner because he had a few interceptions. He may have improved, but he was really terrible most of the year. Byron Scott wasn't at all shy about saying it.

I don't see Atlanta missing Joe Johnson a bunch. On paper, maybe, but he was kind of a ball stopper on offense. Al Horford's health will have more of an impact. I bet people thought Denver might take a step back without Carmelo.

[HotHamWater]

Oh, and I think Minnesota still makes the playoffs. When Love comes back they will be very, very tough to beat and there is enough talent on that roster to keep them in the hunt until he and Rubio come back.

I'm looking at Minnesota's roster and I don't see the talent without Love. Pekovic is good. Rubio is alright, though I think his style got him more attention than his game dictated that he should. I just don't see it in the West. Without Love, they just have a bunch of role players.