The NBA

[LexieLily]

45 minutes ago, twoods said:

I don’t even think us Lakers fans want them to make the “play in” tournament. They are playing absolute garbage basketball and it is painful to watch. This season can’t end quickly enough.

I can't decide what is more fun to watch in a schadenfreude sort of way: them getting blown out by thirty-plus like they did by New Orleans, or something like the Dallas game where they clawed all the way back from a twenty-plus deficit, take the lead, and lose in the end because Westbrook is chucking everything and they don't score at all for five minutes :-)

Real talk, though: Bronny isn't going to be NBA-eligible for two more years. Do we think LeBron will be able to hang on that long?

Edited March 3, 2022 by LexieLily

[twoods]

Honestly I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to be into it anymore so maybe he will move back to Cleveland for two years since he got his ring in LA and the team sucks, and just wait for Bronnie and play one season with him and retire. 

[LexieLily]

The latest I heard was that Bronny wasn't even projected to be a first-round pick, more than likely second round. FWIW.

Devin Booker is in Covid protocol. 

[Magog]

8 hours ago, Carey said:

The fact is that I feel bad for LeBron, but to a certain extent.  Had Los Angeles gone all the way, I would have been pretty happy.  That being said, it's sad what's happening to the Lakers.

I'm just playing my smallest violin when it comes to the Lakers. Except for LeBron obviously, I have absolutely no sympathy for Magic Johnson, Stephen A Smith, & others on ESPN who are always bragging & repping for the Lakers. As if that franchise can't do no wrong & aren't suppose to suck like the other NBA franchises. It will bring me even more joy if the Lakers can be as crappy like the Knicks. 

Besides, I know that Jim Buss is somewhere laughing at them & enjoying their failure. His sister Jeanie isn't doing much better running that team. I'm surprised that Stephen A Smith hasn't yet found a way to blame this on Jim Buss like he did when Jim owned the Lakers. I actually feared for Jim Buss when Stephen A talked about him. Stephen A was always very angry at Jim Buss everytime he mentioned his name so much that I feared that Stephen A would of personally strangled Jim Buss if they ever met in person. Yet, ESPN & Stephen A hasn't shown that same energy towards Jeanie for her incompetence in running the Lakers. 

8 hours ago, Carey said:

However, I wouldn't mind seeing Golden State roll (over Phoenix).  Only if it meant the Warriors winning over teams like Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and/or Philly.  That, and most important: Steph winning Finals MVP

Uh, NO. I will rather suffer & root for a Lakers - Knicks NBA Finals or yet another Lakers - Celtics Finals before I want to suffer through yet another Warriors Championship with Steph being Steph & ESPN worshipping their hero over it. I also would rather see Memphis, Charlotte, or Atlanta winning it all.

8 hours ago, LexieLily said:

Real talk, though: Bronny isn't going to be NBA-eligible for two more years. Do we think LeBron will be able to hang on that long?

I was kind of hoping that he would retire once his contract was up after next season. 

[cambridgeguy]

LeBron is going to play as long as his body lets him.  His one big advantage over the rest of the greats is his incredible durability and counting stats.  He'll want to break Kareem's regular season scoring record.

Plus I'm fairly certain he knows another ring would really bring him up a notch.  Five is a magic number (Magic, Kobe, Duncan) so he'll go around to any team he can force into win now mode.

[NUguy514]

No one should feel bad for Bron-bron since the sorry state of the Lakers is due to his massive entitlement.

[emma675]

6 hours ago, cambridgeguy said:

LeBron is going to play as long as his body lets him.  His one big advantage over the rest of the greats is his incredible durability and counting stats. 

I totally agree. Lebron is a workhorse who has put a massive amount of time into conditioning and his overall health. Injuries inevitably come with age, but he has done everything and more to be at his physical best over the years. I think it's ridiculous to hold on just to play one season with his kid, but it doesn't surprise me that he wants to do it. I think if Bronny goes in the first round of the draft, it won't be on his talent, it will be because a team wants Lebron for a season. 

James Harden's first game at home in Philly as a Sixer was even more fun than I imagined. The team looked like trash for more than half of the game but they dug in and came out on top. Apparently Harden asked Tyrese Maxey at one point "are you going to play today?" when he was struggling in the first half and he exploded during the last two quarters. Can you imagine Ben Simmons in that situation? He would have given up and refused to take another wide open dunk. I cannot wait to see how he plays with Brooklyn (assuming he ever does).

[cambridgeguy]

3 minutes ago, emma675 said:

James Harden's first game at home in Philly as a Sixer was even more fun than I imagined. The team looked like trash for more than half of the game but they dug in and came out on top. Apparently Harden asked Tyrese Maxey at one point "are you going to play today?" when he was struggling in the first half and he exploded during the last two quarters. Can you imagine Ben Simmons in that situation? He would have given up and refused to take another wide open dunk. I cannot wait to see how he plays with Brooklyn (assuming he ever does).

James said he hoped everyone could tell from his smile and his play how excited he was to be with such an unbelievable organization from top to bottom.  He also vowed to do whatever it takes to win.

Oh, I'm sorry. That's what he said last year after his first game with Brooklyn.  Eh, I'm sure there's no way this will implode if the Sixers have a bad run in the playoffs.

[LexieLily]

1 hour ago, emma675 said:

I think if Bronny goes in the first round of the draft, it won't be on his talent, it will be because a team wants Lebron for a season. 

I agree totally, and in that regard I do feel a little bit sad for the kid.

LeBron's made the media rounds making it clear he wants to play with his son and will go to whatever team Bronny gets drafted to, and that's sweet in a father/son way, but inevitably down the road Bronny will look back on his draft night and wonder if he got drafted because he was talented and/or the team wanted him, or because they wanted his dad.

[Rootbeer]

9 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

I agree totally, and in that regard I do feel a little bit sad for the kid.

LeBron's made the media rounds making it clear he wants to play with his son and will go to whatever team Bronny gets drafted to, and that's sweet in a father/son way, but inevitably down the road Bronny will look back on his draft night and wonder if he got drafted because he was talented and/or the team wanted him, or because they wanted his dad.

Considering the kid is named LeBron James Jr and his father has been one of the most recognizable athletes in the world and one of the top players in the NBA for virtually his entire life, I expect Bronny has already encountered situations where he was singled out not for himself, but for his father.  Recall that multiple colleges offered him full rides to play ball for them when he was still in middle school.

When he lived in Cleveland, his class went on a school trip to Chicago.  Security had to be called to escort him out of a museum because someone recognized him as LeBron's kid and a large crowd started following him.  He was maybe 10 at the time.  Being the namesake of a rich and successful father isn't always easy.

As for LeBron and how long he'll play; he has a will of iron and a body to match.  I think he'll play as long as he wants to, and, if playing with Bronny in the NBA is what he wants to do, it won't be because of him if it doesn't happen.

Edited March 3, 2022 by Rootbeer

[LexieLily]

Brooklyn with KD blew a double-digit lead and lost to a Miami team without Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and P.J. Tucker. Durant played thirty-one minutes in his first game back.

The Lakers allowed a 26-2 run out of halftime and lost to the Clippers by twenty-one. They've lost four in a row out of the All-Star break and seven of their last eight. At this rate it's for sure more than a 50/50 chance the Lakers don't make the play-in tournament.

It's a great night for schadenfreude.

[Marley]

The Warriors are sucking lately too. They need to do something to turn it around.

[Carey]

I guess Draymond Green returning would be a start (unless he's already back)

[Magog]

11 hours ago, LexieLily said:

The Lakers allowed a 26-2 run out of halftime and lost to the Clippers by twenty-one. They've lost four in a row out of the All-Star break and seven of their last eight. At this rate it's for sure more than a 50/50 chance the Lakers don't make the play-in tournament.

It was fun watching that game, especially the 3rd Quarter when the Clippers ran the Lakers out of the building & was mocking them while doing it. This is making watching Spectrum Sportsnet Lakers Postgame Show must-see TV. Other than LeBron, there is nothing sad about the Lakers basically giving up on the season & looking bad doing it. I know that Magic Johnson was crying somewhere last night & (Laker Fan & part of "Laker Nation") Stephen A Smith was pissed off about the beatdown. Overall, last night's game made me very happy. Hopefully, the losing will continue, though I have to be forced to root for them on Saturday Night because of a certain scummy team playing against them.

 

[emmawoodhouse]

17 hours ago, Carey said:

I guess Draymond Green returning would be a start (unless he's already back)

Not back yet. He's currently playing 3 on 3 practice with James Wissman, who hasn't played all year. The Dubs really miss him. 

[twoods]

WTF. Did they switch the scores on ESPN? The Lakers actually beat the Warriors? I guess they can play one decent game every two weeks. 

Edited March 6, 2022 by twoods

[LexieLily]

16 minutes ago, twoods said:

WTF. Did they switch the scores on ESPN? The Lakers actually beat the Warriors? I guess they can play one decent game every two weeks. 

LeBron played forty minutes and scored a season-high fifty-six points, and still  they only beat the Warriors by single-digits. Neither of those things are sustainable. When do they play next? 

Edited March 6, 2022 by LexieLily

[Carey]

FWIW, the game was pretty close, at least at the half (not super close but within five)

[LexieLily]

Brooklyn just lost to Boston and is in a three-way tie with Charlotte and Atlanta for play-in position #8-10.

[xaxat]

It's getting late, early Brooklyn.

It's interesting how many analysts who see Simmons as the savior for the Nets' hopes also tacitly acknowledge that the "back pain" will go away right after the Nets visit Philly.

That's the guy to save the season?

[emma675]

Supposedly Simmons is traveling with the Nets to Philly and will sit on the bench during the game. I really, really hope they triple security around him, some Sixers fans are idiots (and I say this as a Sixers fan). I'm wondering if they are doing this to just get it over with before the teams potentially face each other in a playoff game, where Simmons can't use back problems as an excuse not to play? 

I know it's harsh, but I really just can't stand Simmons. So many people would kill to be in his position and are working harder than him to try to eek their way in; he's incredibly physically gifted and is just wasting all of that potential; and anytime something doesn't go his way, he just shuts down and refuses to act like an adult. I am fascinated to see if Nash and the Nets can make something out of Simmons or if they'll run into the same issues the Sixers and LSU had with him. 

[xaxat]

12 hours ago, emma675 said:

I know it's harsh, but I really just can't stand Simmons. So many people would kill to be in his position and are working harder than him to try to eek their way in; he's incredibly physically gifted and is just wasting all of that potential;

Another Sixers fan here And I agree. I am so over Simmons.

Can't wait for the jeers of "shoot!" any time he touches the ball in the half court when he is on the road.

[xaxat]

This Britney Griner story is so damn weird.

I hope she is safe.

[isalicat]

3 hours ago, xaxat said:

This Britney Griner story is so damn weird.

I hope she is safe.

I hope she is safe and can get out of there ASAP, but from what I've read there is nothing weird about it unless the substances were planted in her luggage - it just seems a case of someone (Griner) forgetting she had stuff with her that is pretty much illegal everywhere but a few states in the U.S.  I assume when professional athletes travel internationally to play they clean out their luggage between trips or this would happen more frequently.

[LexieLily]

On 3/7/2022 at 10:11 PM, emma675 said:

Supposedly Simmons is traveling with the Nets to Philly and will sit on the bench during the game. I really, really hope they triple security around him, some Sixers fans are idiots (and I say this as a Sixers fan). I'm wondering if they are doing this to just get it over with before the teams potentially face each other in a playoff game, where Simmons can't use back problems as an excuse not to play? 

I'm sure the national media wants a Nets/Sixers playoff series for the narrative but at the rate Brooklyn is playing as of late and home games vs. away games Brooklyn is going to be lucky to squeeze into the play-in tournament and even luckier to get out of it. As of right now they would play Toronto in the play-in (7/8) and and I don't think Kyrie is allowed to play in Canada, either.

[xaxat]

12 hours ago, isalicat said:

t from what I've read there is nothing weird about it unless the substances were planted in her luggage

From the New York Times.

What We Know About Brittney Griner’s Detention in Russia

The W.N.B.A. star was stopped at an airport outside Moscow and accused of carrying hashish oil in her luggage. But much about the case remains unclear.

One of the best athletes in the world was detained in  Russia and nobody initially noticed. Perhaps for weeks.

[emma675]

xaxat, tonight's the night! Although, I'm already hearing rumors Simmons won't even be on the bench tonight, he'll be in the locker room getting treatment for his "back problems" the entire game. 

[Lady Whistleup]

James Harden and disappearing in a big game. Name a more iconic duo.

[cambridgeguy]

James Harden - the Karl Malone of his generation.  Yeah, yeah, it's only one regular season game, but still.  At least Karl was loyal to his team until he went ring chasing at the very end.

[Lady Whistleup]

On 3/11/2022 at 5:25 AM, cambridgeguy said:

James Harden - the Karl Malone of his generation.  Yeah, yeah, it's only one regular season game, but still.  At least Karl was loyal to his team until he went ring chasing at the very end.

Karl Malone was a pedo though.

https://www.sportscasting.com/karl-malone-escaped-statutory-rape-charges-in-college-after-impregnating-13-year-old-girl/

[Lady Whistleup]

Another day, another 4th quarter meltdown by the Knicks.

[LexieLily]

It's headscratching how Kyrie is allowed to sit courtside, maskless, at Barclays arena, yet not allowed to play in the games, but I don't like Durant taking shots at the NYC mayor postgame. Kyrie chose to remain unvaccinated and he and the Nets have to abide by the consequences of those choices. Full stop.

Edited March 14, 2022 by LexieLily

[Lady Whistleup]

5 hours ago, LexieLily said:

It's headscratching how Kyrie is allowed to sit courtside, maskless, at Barclays arena, yet not allowed to play in the games, but I don't like Durant taking shots at the NYC mayor postgame. Kyrie chose to remain unvaccinated and he and the Nets have to abide by the consequences of those choices. Full stop.

I live in NYC though and the rules around masking/vaccination are truly a jumbled mess. For instance, restaurants no longer check for vaccinations, but waiters still have to show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated spectators are allowed at Barclay's but employees also have to be vaccinated. I think its the total lack of consistency that's making people upset.

[xaxat]

As of today's standings, the Nets would have to go to Toronto for a play in game.

Canada currently requires proof of vaccination to cross the border.

[emmawoodhouse]

Nets fined for allowing Kyrie to attend game.

[Lamb18]

Wow, Karl Anthony Townes is on fire! He scored 60 points in the Wolves' game against the Spurs last night. Tomorrow night is Lakers.

 

[xaxat]

1 hour ago, Lamb18 said:

Wow, Karl Anthony Townes is on fire! He scored 60 points in the Wolves' game against the Spurs last night. Tomorrow night is Lakers.

 

KAT is really entertaining on the video game streaming service Twitch.  He seems like a regular dude. He shouts out subscribers for their $5 tips as sincerely as streamers who make a living there.

[isalicat]

And then there was Kyrie...the east is going to be a bloodbath during the playoffs.

I hope Magog enjoyed seeing Draymond back as much as the rest of the Warriors fans did! It was a splendid warm up game for the core three champions. Tomorrow is a visit from the Celtics and that will be more of a real test.

 

[Magog]

11 hours ago, isalicat said:

I hope Magog enjoyed seeing Draymond back as much as the rest of the Warriors fans did! It was a splendid warm up game for the core three champions. Tomorrow is a visit from the Celtics and that will be more of a real test.

I enjoyed seeing Draymond back on the court again. He & Andrew Wiggins are the only likable Warriors. However, I was not happy seeing Steph doing that stupid shimmy dance while scoring 47 points on the sorry ass Wizards. 

As for the Celtics, tonight is going to another lose-lose for me because I absolutely despise both these teams. I hate those Warriors (except for Draymond & Andrew Wiggins) for obvious reasons. The Celtics are just downright unrootable & unlikable. 

LeBron got 56 & 50 points recently. KAT got 60 points a couple of days ago. Kyrie got 60 points last night. When are going to see Steph get 60 or more points? I know that Klay got 60 several yrs ago, but I'm still waiting on Steph getting 60 points or more points.

 

[isalicat]

12 hours ago, Magog said:

LeBron got 56 & 50 points recently. KAT got 60 points a couple of days ago. Kyrie got 60 points last night. When are going to see Steph get 60 or more points? I know that Klay got 60 several yrs ago, but I'm still waiting on Steph getting 60 points or more points.

Well, not tonight. Celtics player (Smart - never heard of him previously) came down hard on Steph's ankle/foot and he did not come back from half time. Celtics are playing way dirty and the refs are letting them get away with it, so this game was over super early. Holding my breath until we get the x-rays on Steph.

To answer your point though, he coulda done it easily the other night vs. the Wizards - Kerr got booed for taking him out at 47 points because his shots were falling so well. If the basketball gods are smiling on us maybe you'll see that shimmy *a lot* during the playoffs 😸

[LexieLily]

The Lakers are awful. 

[Fukui San]

5 minutes ago, isalicat said:

Well, not tonight. Celtics player (Smart - never heard of him previously)

Smart is the guy you hate unless he's on your team. Famous for his artful flopping.

 

[isalicat]

9 minutes ago, LexieLily said:

The Lakers are awful. 

Yes, they are! The best thing about this season so far (well, Klay coming back to the Warriors and that completely bizarre set of trades we had recently rated pretty high up there) has been watching the LeBrons move toward relegation (yeah, I know this isn't the Premier League but that would be awesome right? Kick the Lakers out of the NBA for being just terrible. 🏀

[LexieLily]

4 minutes ago, isalicat said:

Yes, they are! The best thing about this season so far (well, Klay coming back to the Warriors and that completely bizarre set of trades we had recently rated pretty high up there) has been watching the LeBrons move toward relegation (yeah, I know this isn't the Premier League but that would be awesome right? Kick the Lakers out of the NBA for being just terrible. 🏀

Can we kick out the Knicks, too? I've got nothing against Sacramento, particularly, but they haven't made the postseason in I think this is the sixteenth year. 

[Lady Whistleup]

Steph Curry out with an ankle injury. He's had so many ankle injuries. 

[emmawoodhouse]

28 minutes ago, Lady Whistleup said:

Steph Curry out with an ankle injury. He's had so many ankle injuries. 

I think they're saying it's his foot. 

But he's out indefinitely. 😭

[mojoween]

I *think* Marcus Smart in college got in trouble for saying something completely deserving to some asshole fan who thought it was cool to say derogatory shit to a teenage college student.  I didn’t look it up but I think that is a thing that happened.

I am no NBA expert, I think you can all tell that, but whether or not Russell Westbrook deserves all that is said about him, it bothers me.  It feels like he’s become the fall guy for what is essentially LeBron’s doing.

[Lady Whistleup]

50 minutes ago, mojoween said:

I *think* Marcus Smart in college got in trouble for saying something completely deserving to some asshole fan who thought it was cool to say derogatory shit to a teenage college student.  I didn’t look it up but I think that is a thing that happened.

I am no NBA expert, I think you can all tell that, but whether or not Russell Westbrook deserves all that is said about him, it bothers me.  It feels like he’s become the fall guy for what is essentially LeBron’s doing.

Westbrick brings it on himself. At this point he should know his own weaknesses. Don't shoot 3-balls you can't make and airball it. Don't ball-hog late in Q4. He seems to be a very kind person off the court, but on the court the guy has run into chemistry issues with almost every teammate since OKC. KD, Paul George, James Harden, Brad Beal, and Lebron all had issues playing with him.

Again, I once watched a video of him visiting a sick kid in the hospital and he was so kind and full of goodness that I cried. But in terms of playing, he needs to know his own weaknesses more.

Edited March 17, 2022 by Lady Whistleup

[LexieLily]

27 minutes ago, Lady Whistleup said:

Westbrick brings it on himself. At this point he should know his own weaknesses. Don't shoot 3-balls you can't make and airball it. Don't ball-hog late in Q4. He seems to be a very kind person off the court, but on the court the guy has run into chemistry issues with almost every teammate since OKC. KD, Paul George, James Harden, Brad Beal, and Lebron all had issues playing with him.

Again, I once watched a video of him visiting a sick kid in the hospital and he was so kind of full of goodness that I cried. But in terms of playing, he needs to know his own weaknesses more.

Westbrook has always been a stat-padder. But I think the 2016-2017 season when he was a one-man wrecking crew on his quest for triple-doubles - forgoing defense to fight Steven Adams for rebounds - did harm to his reputation that he can't come back from. 

I still don't know how Lebron thought Westbrook was the guy for them when the Lakers literally never guarded him at the three-point line when the Lakers played the Rockets in the bubble playoffs.

[twoods]

I’m surprised Weatbrook isn’t benched because he is playing some terrible basketball. Even shots he would usually make he’s airballing. I wonder if all the flack he’s getting by the fans and opposing teams is getting to him, but in a way he brought this on himself. He’s always had a mouth on him so now that people are seeing him down, they are pouncing on him. 
I am sure DeRozan is happy he’s not a part of this shitfest. Most Lakers fans are already done with this season and looking forward to the Dodgers.

Edited March 17, 2022 by twoods