NBA Thread

[Orpheus]

Yeah, I was mainly talking about college football and where the players are produced. Stuff like Lousiana still producing more football players per capita than any other state. It seems like Southerners are much more attached to the idea of paternalism vs. basketball fans in cities like NY and Chicago.

[verb_to_trust]

Best case for the Wolves is Thibs getting those guys a few years ahead of schedule before KAT inevitably signs with Dub Nation. I feel your pain. If it wasn't for lucking into Rose at 1.7% odds the Bulls would consistently have topped out at second round fodder for the last 18 years. That's why it hurt so much when he got hurt. Difference making free agents don't want to play here. And they sure as hell don't want to play in Minnesota so you have it even worse up there.

[daft twat]

Best case for the Wolves is Thibs getting those guys a few years ahead of schedule before KAT inevitably signs with Dub Nation. I feel your pain. If it wasn't for lucking into Rose at 1.7% odds the Bulls would consistently have topped out at second round fodder for the last 18 years. That's why it hurt so much when he got hurt. Difference making free agents don't want to play here. And they sure as hell don't want to play in Minnesota so you have it even worse up there.

I don't mind. It's fucking awesome here. Even with sports....except for basketball, we feel like we have as good a chance as anyone else. Hockey players want to play here, football is even across the board, and as KC has proven, a smart gm and good farm system can beat dollars in baseball. If I was a young black man, I sure as hell wouldn't want to come here for a sport played primarily in the winter months. I guess that was the heart of my question - why bother when moral victories are all you can hope for?

[bada]

Guys. The historical free agent and NBA Champion destinations cities Cleveland, Toronto, OKC and Oakland where last 4 teams standing this year. Any fans of those teams could have had the what's the point conversation a few years ago.

[Monkey_Driven]

The NBA is never going to have much parity. There just isn't enough room for enough guys on the court. The ability for one or two players to dominate a game dictates who has the power. Sure, there are creative ways to change the CBA to eliminate max contracts and rejigger the salary cap, but star players have way too many other sources of income for the salary to always be the determining factor in where they play. Veterans have and will continue to chase rings on lower deals and friends will want to play with each other. Don't you want to have fun at work and like the people you work with? I completely understand people's frustration with Durant choosing to play in Golden State. I hated on Lebron for doing the same thing in 2010. At this point history has shown that you can't really compare the NBA to other leagues because it is so dependent on superstars.

As far as why do people watch and follow a league that is predictable year after year, there a few answers.

One, for as much as we bemoan free agency dictating the best teams, the great majority of title contenders over the years have been led by one or two star players drafted by that team. Three of the Warriors best four players were drafted outside the top 5. They built that culture over time. Although it is often painful, it is incredibly rewarding to see that culture being built year after year. I remember watching several games during Thompson's rookie year where you could see the potential of future 3 point barrages. The Wolves this year will be a blast to watch for this same reason. It seems like they finally have a system/structure in place that will lead to title contention in the (hopefully) near future.

Second, sometimes predictions don't always come true. Super teams fail just as much as they succeed and upsets are even more exciting when they happen. Look how entertaining it was to watch the Mavs knock out the Heat in '11 or the Pistons take out the Lakers in '04. The Lakers in '11-12 were a train wreck that you couldn't look away from. You need good management, coaching, player buy in, and good chemistry to make the dream work.

Third, I enjoy watching high level basketball. Sure, scheduling issues and injuries can make some games really sloppy but usually there are a few high quality contests on a given night. The NFL suffers from this, but no one seems to care that much (Thursday night games anyone?). Pro basketball is infinitely better than college in my eyes.

[verb_to_trust]

The Bulls are leaking the 'dont worry we're going to sign Griffin and Westbrook' stuff. Just be patient and keep buying stuff guys, even if the product sucks. NO BULLS FAULT!. Obviously they have no chance at either of those guys.

[Electromatic]

So what's the draw, b-ball fans? I don't care for the sport for 2 main reasons: 1) every time a game is close, it's ground to a halt by time outs. 2) there's a whistle every time someone drives to the basket.

I don't watch b-ball, but I watch PTI religiously. Weren't the 80s mainly just Lakers and Celtics? In the 90s, you had the Pistons. Bulls, and Rockets (because Jordan was bored). The aughts was the Lakers and Spurs with mini Pistons and Celtic resurgences. Since then, it's basically been Lebron teams. The Mavs and the Warrriors are the two teams in my lifetime that have felt like surprising, feel-good wins. That's twice in 40 years. I just don't get why anyone watches this product when the outcomes are so predictable. Even this year, I get that GS was the favorite, but did anyone think a different team might come out of the East? Why even have a season? Or a playoffs, really? Just get GS and Cleveland to do a series and be done with it. Why do fans in Salt Lake or Memphis even bother? What a weird Association.

It's a 2 team league. Maybe 4 have a chance to win. Regular season is useless especially in the East. If you don't have superstars, it can be quite boring but still 1000 times better than College right now. Pay structure is ridiculous. Stars don't earn anything close to what they are worth to teams.

So either you have superstars or you try to position yourself to get one and play out the string.

Being some kind of hometown superfan is wholly ridiculous, this is a free agency model designed on following stars, not teams.

The NBA is more enjoyable now if you just follow players not a particular team.

[Joesanity]

Only 1000 times better? You're being generous.

[verb_to_trust]

Wade knows his team isn't one of the two that have a chance so he's going to wring every last cent out of Miami.

[Electromatic]

Also, predictable? Well, I mean game 7 was pretty amazing.

Lebron is great, but that block and the Irving shot... Legendary.

[E.H. Ruddock]

going to wring every last cent out of Miami.

We know he won't "ring" them amirite

[Monkey_Driven]

Only 1000 times better? You're being generous.

[verb_to_trust]

Lebron is great, but that block and the Irving shot... Legendary.

In KDs warped mind he thinks he will have the same status as those guys after winning a title next year averaging 19ppg doing a Harrison Durant impersonation.

[bada]

The NBA is more enjoyable now if you just follow players not a particular team.

I look forward to Celtic summer league games.

[Electromatic]

Only 1000 times better? You're being generous.

I thought so too

[Monkey_Driven]

The NBA is more enjoyable now if you just follow players not a particular team.

I look forward to Celtic summer league games.

I enjoy summer league.

[Electromatic]

The NBA is more enjoyable now if you just follow players not a particular team.

I look forward to Celtic summer league games.

Lots of people go to College Football Spring Games too.... some people like watching scrimmages. The Celtics and Lakers have what half of the NBA championships though?

I mean, if you were into watching the 76ers regular seasons... or the Timberwolves summer league or D league games... that's something to brag on right?

You've got decades of stars to fall back on and a pretty interesting team right now with a good coach.


Also, Las Vegas is a pretty nice venue anyway. I like the Thomas and Mack Center.

[verb_to_trust]

What would be the most Vegas starting 5 be if the NBA were to expand there?

JR Smith and who else?

[E.H. Ruddock]

Rondo for sure

[Coach]

I have no problem with what KD did. He wants to win. Going to GSW --- in his mind --- gives him the best chance to win.

I do have a problem with seemingly everyone (fans, media, social media) already giving multiple titles to GSW!! The same thing happened with Lebron to Miami and he, and others, predicted like 6 titles. They got 2. That's it.

So, let's just pause for a sec and not automatically give the next 4 or 5 titles to GSW. It doesn't work that way. Injuries, bad calls, bad luck, etc. play a lot into it, too. You gotta play the games.

Bring on those GSW. If anything, we've built up yet another superstar and superstar team that we can systemically destroy when they don't win every title every year for the remainder of KD's tenure.