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2013-14 NBA Pre-Season |OT| Nobody won more with less than Lebron. Maybe Phil Jackson
- Thread starter reilo
- Start date
Fab Melo, believe.
Let the Lakers get worse?
They're probably not as terrible as you think they'll be (Dirk for the whole year) but that team also has the potential to be complete trash. Monta Ellis takes them as far as they go!
Also I think I'm going to miss the entire opener against Chicago ;_;
-Dirk potentially on the team for more than half a season
-Actual starting point guard who isn't 50 years old and retired
-OJ Mayo cancer excised
-Dirk potentially on the team for more than half a season
-The last two playoff spots in the west are pretty up for grabs
-Dirk potentially on the team for more than half a season
2008 Marbury?
Spoken like someone who hasn't watched Mayo play for his team for 82 games. I once thought as you did, then I found out the truth the hard way.
Their centers last year were Kaman and Brandan Wright. They suck at the position but let's not act like they got dramatically worse there in the offseason.
Rodeo Clown
All aboard! The Love train!
A backcourt combo of Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis would seem to leave a lot to be desired defensively, but what do I know.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
Monta is worse than Mayo but Calderon and Dalembert are a good bit better than Collison and Kaman (even if Calderon and Dalembert decline)
I think Dirk will have a bounce-back year and get the Mavs into the playoffs even if Vince and Matrix decline. Portland's defense is still questionable even with the massive upgrade at center and their bench is still bad. The Wolves have almost no defense, injury-prone players, and I'm skeptical of how good they'll be able to be offensively with a PG that can't score so I would probably project the Mavs getting into the playoffs over those two.
I think Dirk will have a bounce-back year and get the Mavs into the playoffs even if Vince and Matrix decline. Portland's defense is still questionable even with the massive upgrade at center and their bench is still bad. The Wolves have almost no defense, injury-prone players, and I'm skeptical of how good they'll be able to be offensively with a PG that can't score so I would probably project the Mavs getting into the playoffs over those two.
Red Blaster
Member
why is kyrie ranked number 9 in espn's top player thing
The weirder thing is that they put Marc Gasol Top 10 based off of advanced stats alone.
And then they put Stephen Curry #6 based off of his offensive production alone. Super weird list.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
But they didn't (it's voted on by a lot of different people, many of whom don't use plus or minus at all) and just showed the numbers that actually showed his level of defense impact as a detail to his profile.
iamshadowlark
Banned
At least you won't be in the desert
Future PhaZe
Member
The list is based on what they think people will do this season, not based on what they've already done.
I guess they think with defensive genious Mike Brown in the house, that Kyrie will actually start to defend now.
idk wtf @ Marc and Steph though.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
Curry was one of the best offensive players in the NBA while being a solid defensive player, Gasol is a top 5 defensive player in the NBA while being very productive offensively despite maybe being in the worst situation he could be for his stats (since Z-bo steals potential post touches and offensive rebounds, Prince and Allen turn his potential assists into bricks, and Memphis plays at the slowest pace in the league).
Gasol was 6th in Win Shares last year while Curry was 7th and their teams did very well despite major issues on the roster, I don't see any issue with them in the top 10.
Gasol was 6th in Win Shares last year while Curry was 7th and their teams did very well despite major issues on the roster, I don't see any issue with them in the top 10.
Tallshortman
Member
Dalemburt's gonna need a respirator waiting for him on the bench trying to defend the Harden/Lin layup drill with that Dallas backcourt. Mavs fans should at least get a fun to watch, if somewhat dysfunctional, offensive team though.
You're right, it's weird. Marc should realistically be a top 5 guy.
captmcblack
Member
Harden is that good?
Wade is still that good?
Love has been healthy enough to be ranked as that good?
Wade is still that good?
Love has been healthy enough to be ranked as that good?
Dominican Power
Member
If Love is healthy, if Wade is healthy, if Harden can add on to what he did last year.
Dwight is quite seriously, not the best C in the west.
The only 2 players you can make legitimate arguments for picking over marc are LBJ and Durant. Other than those 2, you pretty much always have to pick the Best C in the league, which he realistically is. Particularly when they're 2 way players.
There's only 2 other C's in the same league as Marc at the moment, Bosh (who i still think of more as a PF) and Hibbert. And hibbert just isn't quite as good. Duncan obviously enters the picture here, but age, and him reverting back to the 4 last year... And people are going to bring up dwights past. But it's just that, his past. He never really looked the same last year at any point.
And i don't think you take wade or love over tony parker.
We can agree though, YNB isn't the 4th best pg/sg, let alone player.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
I would probably go:
1. LeBron
2. Durant
3. CP3
4. Gasol
5. Westbrook
6. Dwight
7. Rose
8. Curry
9. Harden
With Bosh/George/Duncan/Davis/Wade/Parker/Dirk/Deron/LMA at 10 depending on their decline/progression due to age/injuries or what game I'm watching.
Josh Smith's "Fuck efficiency" campaign of the last couple years keeps me from loving his probable impact for next year
I don't think ESPN's top 20 has had that many horrible picks other than Irving being so high though. Some of the picks outside of that top 20 range on the other hand...
1. LeBron
2. Durant
3. CP3
4. Gasol
5. Westbrook
6. Dwight
7. Rose
8. Curry
9. Harden
With Bosh/George/Duncan/Davis/Wade/Parker/Dirk/Deron/LMA at 10 depending on their decline/progression due to age/injuries or what game I'm watching.
Josh Smith's "Fuck efficiency" campaign of the last couple years keeps me from loving his probable impact for next year
I don't think ESPN's top 20 has had that many horrible picks other than Irving being so high though. Some of the picks outside of that top 20 range on the other hand...
Black Mamba
Member
Now that the whole gov't fiasco is over with, I can finally get ready for the NBA season and embrace a season where I'm okay with the Lakers piling up losses.
StickSoldier
Member
Guys, mayo is fucking awful. Ellis plays way better with Dirk and we have found that out in less than 3 games.
Wright hurt his often injured shoulder again too.
Also Brett Brown sez Nerlens Noel may not play this season, stay free Knux
Rose that high? Considering even during the lockout season he was mostly out with injuries, he hasn't really played in two full seasons now and his MVP season wasn't even as good as Harden or Curry's seasons last year. And your love for Westbrook is weird.
Dwight was obviously hurt and still had as good a season as Gasol. It's not his fault Kobe and D'Antoni sabotaged the defense. There's not any reason to think Dwight will be worse than last year.
I feel like there's a bit of a drop off after Dwight (#5) where everyone down to like #15 is pretty much at the same level with guys like Dirk and Curry possibly able to vault themselves into the Not-Lebron tier. Actually, Durant and CP3 are probably in their own level too if Dwight doesn't improve into his Orlando self.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
Ehh, I change my opinion on Rose and Westbrook a lot, but while both were less efficient than Harden and are coming off injuries, both guys are okay defensively (Westbrook less so, but his activity usually makes up for his bad judgment) whereas Harden has been horrible on defense. Curry might actually be better than Rose and Westbrook, but his defensive on/off makes me wonder if he was actually an okay defender last year or if I just thought he was.
Westbrook has been productive in every area on decent efficiency while previously never getting hurt, but maybe that will change with these knee issues.
I would like Davis, Duncan, Wade, and Dirk over all of those guys if Davis reaches his potential this year while Duncan, Wade, and Dirk stay healthy and don't decline due to age, but those are major questions.
Black Mamba
Member
I think this is a smart move by Philly. They're tanking, why play a big man who had an ACL tear this year? it takes 12-18 months for a real full recovery. Let it happen, don't risk him, let the losses pile up.
Rodeo Clown
All aboard! The Love train!
That's fine, the Sixers shouldn't rush him back. They're going to be trash this year anyway, so why risk it.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
Noel is the only exciting and interesting player on the 76ers and needs defensive reps more than anything else, this is kind of dumb other than giving him a shot at ROY next year and possibly getting his weight up.
His injury was 8 months ago, no?
Dominican Power
Member
Might as well ship Thad Young and Turner. No use for them to dwell on a losing ass team.
Black Mamba
Member
I read he had surgery in March. So 12 months is next March, or near the end of the season. Sure, he could come back in 9 months because it's been done (see Adrian Peterson), but what do the Sixers have to gain from that kind of risk?
Hell, Rose didn't come back.
Psychological Intellect
Banned
Turner is perfect for Philly
he's trash sixers are trash. Thad is the tragedy(and their best player)
Tallshortman
Member
Philly may as well keep all their assets out for the season, gotta make sure nothing gets in the way of that tank.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
Breakdown of ESPN headlines.
Today: "Nerlens Noel to miss season."
Next week: "Rajon Rondo being held out for entire season"
Two weeks from now: "Jeff Green to miss entire season with mysterious hangnail injury"
Two months from now: "Is Andrew Wiggins the most overhyped prospect of all time?"
Two months and one day from now: "Front office people in Philly and Boston fearing for their lives."
April: "Lakers claim best odds for lottery with a 12-70 record despite Kobe's 18 PPG on 34% shooting"
Today: "Nerlens Noel to miss season."
Next week: "Rajon Rondo being held out for entire season"
Two weeks from now: "Jeff Green to miss entire season with mysterious hangnail injury"
Two months from now: "Is Andrew Wiggins the most overhyped prospect of all time?"
Two months and one day from now: "Front office people in Philly and Boston fearing for their lives."
April: "Lakers claim best odds for lottery with a 12-70 record despite Kobe's 18 PPG on 34% shooting"
Black Mamba
Member
I missed the Gordon Heyward not living up to his max contract headline, in there.
ItWasMeantToBe19
Banned
G-Time will empty stats it up to 20 PPG to look like he's justifying the contract JRue Holiday style though.
Psychological Intellect
Banned
Rox fans, do you care that Harden doesn't have a mid range game?
I mean, it's the biggest criticism of his offensive game but is it really that bad when he virtually only takes the two most efficient shots in basketball? He only drives to the rim or shoots the three and is probably the best in the league at drawing free throws. I'd like to see him add some more moves and stuff but Is it much of a concern?
I mean, it's the biggest criticism of his offensive game but is it really that bad when he virtually only takes the two most efficient shots in basketball? He only drives to the rim or shoots the three and is probably the best in the league at drawing free throws. I'd like to see him add some more moves and stuff but Is it much of a concern?
His defense is what needs improvement over anything
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