The NBA

[twoods]

I still remember the Jazz fans singing “cancer cancer” at Derek Fisher when he left the Jazz to go back to the Lakers because his daughter had retinoblastoma. I felt sick. Not saying that all Jazz fans are like that, but they are notorious for saying some terrible things.

[mojoween]

In other NBA news James Dolan continues to be terrible.  How sad to be that thin-skinned.

PLEASE Knicks fans, when the Lakers visit, an arena-wide chant of “sell the team” would be glorious.  Is he going to ban every one of them?

[Ohwell]

Aaaannnnnd this comes as no surprise.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/jazz-fan-who-yelled-at-russell-westbrook-is-filing-a-lawsuit/ar-BBUHhkp?OCID=AVRES007

[mojoween]

The internet does not forget, man.  Those old tweets of yours that have been recorded before you “were advised to shut down your social media” show just what kind of person you are.

How about, you don’t talk to players.  They’re not your friends.

[xaxat]

15 minutes ago, mojoween said:

The internet does not forget, man.  Those old tweets of yours that have been recorded before you “were advised to shut down your social media” show just what kind of person you are.

Discovery is not going to be friendly if he decides to proceed with the lawsuit.

[Magog]

In a shock to nobody, those Warriors beat the Rockets 106-104 tonight. Kevin Durant (eyeroll in disgust) didn't play tonight. But, DeMarcus Cousins (gag) was very helpful last night (27 points). And Stephen Curry was his usual smug happy-go-lucky self. At least, he didn't mock anyone tonight.

The Rockets won 3 out of 4 this season on those Warriors & frankly I don't give a damn about that. James Harden & the Rockets will find a way to fall flat on their faces like they did last season in the playoffs. The Nuggets will also get massacred by those Warriors & it would basically be a cakewalk if they meet. The OKC Thunder won't fare any better. In fact, the Thunder are going to lose to those Warriors on Saturday Night. I also wouldn't be surprised if Stephen Curry hits a half-court on the Thunder like he usually does. 

As for the Lakers, its way too late for them to tank For Zion now that their season is in the toilet. I really don't want them getting a top 5 pick in the NBA Draft. Since their season is basically dead, I'm certain that some of those Laker fans (especially the pro-Kobe - anti-LeBron fans) are actively rooting for those Warriors like some of them have been doing for the past 4 years.

Edited March 14, 2019 by Magog

[NUguy514]

41 minutes ago, Magog said:

And Stephen Curry was his usual smug happy-go-lucky self. At least, he didn't mock anyone tonight.

Just for you, Magog!

[MVFrostsMyPie]

A very happy birthday today to smug, happy-go-lucky Steph Curry! 😉 

Edited March 14, 2019 by MVFrostsMyPie

[Jx223]

Though the rockets lost last night, I think overall they have played the Warriors tough/well this year. Maybe if they meet in the playoffs again it will be another long series like it was last year.

Also, League Pass is free again until the end of Friday. I think that this is the most free trials they've ever had. I am glad they are doing this again, and I am looking forward to the Thunder/Pacers game that will air tonight on League Pass. I am pleased with how well Indiana has been playing especially in spite of losing Victor Oladipo for the season. They have one of the best records in the league including better records than the 3rd place in the West Thunder and most Western Conference teams.

I also am glad that OKC got back to the 3rd seed and want to see them continue to do well. I think they will end up the 3rd or 4th seed. (Hopefully no less than 5th.). Tonight's game should between these two teams should be interesting.

It's going to be interesting to see how everything shapes up for the playoffs this last month or so of the regular season. A few teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention, including the Suns in the West and Cavs, Bulls, and Knicks.

[xaxat]

Man, Lakers/Knicks was competitive hot garbage.

[Jx223]

Another rough loss for the Lakers. It looks like they are just about out of the playoffs. I read an article from a couple of days ago that said that after their recent loss to the Raptors, they could only afford to lose about three more games. They needed to win against the Pistons/Knicks and they lost both games. And next up they play the #1 seed Bucks.  

https://heavy.com/sports/2019/03/lakers-playoff-chances-loss-raptors/

Also, the Philadelphia 76ers are the latest team to officially make the playoffs, with their win against the Bucks today. 

Edited March 17, 2019 by Jx223

[Jx223]

With their loss to the Nets tonight, the Lakers have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

I think that this season has been a very disappointing season for them. I understand that LeBron got hurt and missed several games, putting them back. But even taking that into consideration, I still feel they could have performed better. And possibly still made the playoffs a lower seed. I never believed like some analysts that they would go the WCF this year ( and at best I had them as a 4th seed). But I did think they were going to fare better than they ended up faring this season.

I wonder how they may regroup and what decisions they will end up making in the offseason. 

And this is the first time in several seasons that LeBron has not made the playoffs. I think not playing in them will feel weird to him. 

[Magog]

Quote

Just for you, Magog!

You're welcome.

Quote

With their loss to the Nets tonight, the Lakers have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

And I'm very happy about that. 

10 hours ago, Jx223 said:

I think that this season has been a very disappointing season for them. I understand that LeBron got hurt and missed several games, putting them back. But even taking that into consideration, I still feel they could have performed better. And possibly still made the playoffs a lower seed. I never believed like some analysts that they would go the WCF this year ( and at best I had them as a 4th seed). But I did think they were going to fare better than they ended up faring this season.

I wonder how they may regroup and what decisions they will end up making in the offseason. 

I thought that the Lakers are going to be OK once LeBron came back from his groin injury. But, I was wrong. He is the only one that I feel bad for their crappy season. I also feel bad Brandon Ingram & hopefully he will get better. The other players (especially Javale McGee), Big Baller Brand, Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka (whatever he does for the Lakers), Jeannie Buss, & Laker fan Stephen A Smith won't get an ounce of sympathy from me. I'm not even losing an ounce of sleep over the Lakers being home for the 6th straight season. I'm already used to the Lakers not being relevant in the contending for a championship. Hopefully, there will be another non-playoff appearance next season. BTW, Doc Rivers wil be an absolute idiot (like his loser son, Austin) if he even considers about coaching the Lakers next season. 

10 hours ago, Jx223 said:

And this is the first time in several seasons that LeBron has not made the playoffs. I think not playing in them will feel weird to him. 

It will be the 3rd time in his career that he won't be playing in the Playoffs. His rookie season (2003-04), his 2nd season (2004-05), & this current season (2018-19).

James Harden scored 61 points on the Spurs last night, but it wasn't anything special. I'll be more impress if he did that on those repulsive Warriors in the Playoffs this season like he should of done last season (especially on Games 6 or 7). He hasn't won me over yet & I better see at least a few of those types of performances on those Warriors in the upcoming Playoffs & beating them in the process to even think of him being an elite player. 

Edited March 23, 2019 by Magog

[xaxat]

I will always remember this season for "LeBron's gonna trade you!" Probably the greatest fan taunt ever.

[AimingforYoko]

Wizards fire Team President Ernie Grunfeld.

Here's an appropriate Simpsons quote: "Why now? Why not ten years ago?"

[bosawks]

Holy heck, Ernie was there for 16 seasons?!?!?!?

That's bananas.

[Magog]

On 4/2/2019 at 5:12 PM, bosawks said:

That's bananas.

You want to know what else is bananas? That the Nuggets have a chance in hell of beating those Warriors in the Playoffs if they meet. Last night's game really sucked (Those Warriors 116 - Nuggets 102) & it was basically over by the end of the 1st Quarter. It was just another nauseating walk in the park dog walking by those Warriors. The Western Conference Playoffs is going to downright suck like it did in the past few years. 

[KillingAdam]

On 4/2/2019 at 5:12 PM, bosawks said:

Holy heck, Ernie was there for 16 seasons?!?!?!?

That's bananas.

You think the Wizards are a clown show now, you have NO IDEA.

Wes Unseld as head coach and later GM. World class fatass Ledell Eackles panting his blubbery tractor trailer sized ass only to throw up a brick or airball.

Drafting human stick insect Manute Bol, the tallest player in NBA history at 7' 7", whose nickname was "The Project." BOY DOES THAT GIVE ME CONFIDENCE. And it was SO much fun watching him play and seeing him spend 3/4 of the game standing at the top of the circle and then stepping back and launching 3 pointers.

Drafting Gheorghe Muresan TIED with manute Bol for tallest NBA player ever at 7' 7" and then watch him plod up and down the court and stand immobile in the lane and get called for 3 seconds. 

I've seen sloths that were faster.

When it comes to atrocities as regards the  Bullets/Wizards, over the past few years, this is NOTHING. Fuck, the team made it to the conference semifinals 3 times in the last 5 years

Edited April 4, 2019 by KillingAdam
inserted comma after fuck

[KillingAdam]

Now that Lebron James has officially been shut down for the season, anyone care to discuss how badly he fucked the Lakers over? I mean I get it, you want to play with your friends, although nowadays EVERY player in the NBA is friends with EVERY OTHER player in the NBA. But if you are going to handpick your teammates because your GM is even less than a figurehead, it makes ZERO sense to pick teammates WHO CAN'T FUCKING PLAY WELL TOGETHER. And I don't mean well in the sense of 'get along,' I mean well in the sense of 'know how to play basketball at the level the NBA requires.'

And honestly, the NBA should change it's rules and make player/head coach combinations legal again and stop making EVERYONE pretend that Lebron has ANY respect for Luke Walton or has paid ANY attention to ANYTHING Walton has said the entire year.

[isalicat]

As a Warriors fan, I can tell you that watching what has happened to Luke Walton over the last year is almost heartbreaking. He was such an excellent sub while Steve Kerr was out all those months and well suited to step up into a head coach job. And then came LeWhine....

I wish we could take Luke back but that's not going to happen so assuming James stays and Magic stays with the Lakers etc. I hope Luke can move on to another team (the Wizards have a vacancy, right?) that will value his skills and experience before the start of the next NBA season.

[Ohwell]

17 hours ago, KillingAdam said:

Drafting human stick insect Manute Bol, the tallest player in NBA history at 7' 7", whose nickname was "The Project." BOY DOES THAT GIVE ME CONFIDENCE. And it was SO much fun watching him play and seeing him spend 3/4 of the game standing at the top of the circle and then stepping back and launching 3 pointers.

Aww now, Manute. *sniff*  Bless his heart.  I do remember one time when he got pissed and stomped along the sideline and cleared the bench.

[KillingAdam]

23 minutes ago, Ohwell said:

Aww now, Manute. *sniff*  Bless his heart.  I do remember one time when he got pissed and stomped along the sideline and cleared the bench.

He DID kill a lion using a spear.

It wasn't a happy day when I heard he died, but it's nice seeing his son in college and probably the NBA.

[KillingAdam]

1 hour ago, isalicat said:

As a Warriors fan, I can tell you that watching what has happened to Luke Walton over the last year is almost heartbreaking. He was such an excellent sub while Steve Kerr was out all those months and well suited to step up into a head coach job. And then came LeWhine....

I wish we could take Luke back but that's not going to happen so assuming James stays and Magic stays with the Lakers etc. I hope Luke can move on to another team (the Wizards have a vacancy, right?) that will value his skills and experience before the start of the next NBA season.

Unfortunately I think with Luke you have a case of 'famous name/famous father who gets to step in on a team overstuffed with talent."

He got the Lakers job because HE IS A NAME. Not because he's shown he can bring a mediocre team to respectability. You could argue that Lebron has actually made the Lakers worse.

[xaxat]

11 minutes ago, KillingAdam said:

He got the Lakers job because HE IS A NAME

And that time he coached the Warriors to a 39-4 run.

[KillingAdam]

32 minutes ago, xaxat said:

And that time he coached the Warriors to a 39-4 run.

You don't think Kerr had ANY input while Walton was 'head coach?'

Oh yeah, the Warriors didn't win the title that year.

[MVFrostsMyPie]

So that completely negates his record? Oh, ok then. 

[Carey]

Don't think it matters, IMO, whether Luke Walton was great because of Kerr or got hired because of his Dad or got an opportunity over a 39-4 record.   I personally think he's pretty good.  Not great at all but pretty good.  I think the players in Golden State had more to do with Luke's success thank Steve Kerr.  Either way however he got the job as HC or fill-in, it was unsuccessful for Walton and LA, and the man has to go.  I think he can do well elsewhere.  If he's allowed to return to G.S. when he's fired then with a do-over and the right team & circumstances it would be an improvement.  The Lakers have just sucked over the past half-decade

[KillingAdam]

The problem with the Lakers is that in today's sports culture you can't have an 'unknown' as head coach, it has to be some 'in your face type because hey  IT'S THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS!!!!!! HOLLYWOOD!!!! PORN CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE!!!! 2 NFL FRANCHISES THAT NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT!!!! THE ACADEMY AWARDS!!!!

[xaxat]

2 hours ago, KillingAdam said:

The problem with the Lakers is that in today's sports culture you can't have an 'unknown' as head coach, it has to be some 'in your face type because hey  IT'S THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS!!!!!! HOLLYWOOD!!!! PORN CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE!!!! 2 NFL FRANCHISES THAT NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT!!!! THE ACADEMY AWARDS!!!!

Luke Walton was not famous before he was hired to coach the Lakers (outside of that 39-4 run with the Warriors). His dad was. And while some owners hire guys because they are famous (Dolan and Phil Jackson) that's on them, not society.

Coach Spo, Pop, Kerr, not famous. Ty Lue's best known pre-championship moment was that time Allen Iverson stepped over him after breaking his ankles in a crossover. All have rings.

Edited April 5, 2019 by xaxat

[Ohwell]

36 minutes ago, xaxat said:

Ty Lue's best known pre-championship moment was that time Allen Iverson stepped over him after breaking his ankles in a crossover.

Wow.  Wish I had seen that.

[xaxat]

9 minutes ago, Ohwell said:

Wow.  Wish I had seen that.

[Ohwell]

I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.  I couldn't have done much worse than Lue.

[NUguy514]

12 hours ago, KillingAdam said:

The problem with the Lakers is that in today's sports culture you can't have an 'unknown' as head coach, it has to be some 'in your face type because hey  IT'S THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS!!!!!! HOLLYWOOD!!!! PORN CAPITAL OF THE UNIVERSE!!!! 2 NFL FRANCHISES THAT NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT!!!! THE ACADEMY AWARDS!!!!

I take it you’ve never been to LA.

[KillingAdam]

21 minutes ago, NUguy514 said:

I take it you’ve never been to LA.

My brother is Vice President of live entertainment for Disney so yes I have.

[NUguy514]

That’s cool. One of my best friends is an Imagineer at Disney. Be that as it may, your encapsulation of LA would suggest to me, someone who's lived in LA for over eighteen years, that you don’t really know this city or its residents at all since I know no one who obsesses over Hollywood or talks about porn at all, very few who care about the Lakers or the Oscars, and quite a few who at least like the Rams.

[KillingAdam]

On 4/5/2019 at 2:19 PM, xaxat said:

Luke Walton was not famous before he was hired to coach the Lakers (outside of that 39-4 run with the Warriors). His dad was. And while some owners hire guys because they are famous (Dolan and Phil Jackson) that's on them, not society.

Coach Spo, Pop, Kerr, not famous. Ty Lue's best known pre-championship moment was that time Allen Iverson stepped over him after breaking his ankles in a crossover. All have rings.

Kerr was certainly well known in the NBA and fairly well known to the larger world for his dad having been assassinated in Beirut and then having the ASU crowd viley taunt Kerr about his dad's death. And then there's the whole thing about he and Jordan getting into a fight at practice and Kerr getting his ass handed to him by Jordan and a huge kerfluffle about the fact that the Bulls trainer dared to drive out to Jordan's house to look him over/treat him after the fight while poor Steve was left to fend for himself.

But I should have been clearer. the Lakers are a franchise that is always going to be pressured, whether they feel it/respond to it or not, by the media and the fans to have a 'name,' as head coach. Magic Johnson, Del Harris, Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, Rudy Tomjanovich, Mike D'Antoni, Byron Scott, these are all NAMES, known VERY well within the NBA community and often working the media/analysis/color commentator side of things.

[Jx223]

Magic Johnson has just announced in a press conference that he is going to step down as President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers. Magic says he doesn't feel like he can freely be a statesman for Basketball/be himself as the President of the Lakers organization. 

Reporters are saying that no one knew he was going to do that today and Magic said that he hadn't even informed Jeanie Buss yet. 

Edited April 10, 2019 by Jx223

[AimingforYoko]

Damn, Magic resigns and Steph Curry turned his ankle just before the playoffs. 

NBA action, it's faaaaan-tastic.

[Spunkygal]

Pretty emotional night watching Dirk’s last home game. He’s such a great guy and is so self-effacing. Lots of sports tears in the Spunky house tonight.

Here is a short video shown at the game which brought the big, goofy German to tears.  https://mobile.twitter.com/JonahJavad/status/1115791348299378688

I don’t know how anyone could not like Dirk as caring, funny and nice as he is. And he never sought out attention and gladly sign autographs at home and road games. But knowing that he wanted his holiday visits to sick children to be kept quiet and to be all about the kids just floored me. He finally allowed one guy to tape it recently. 

Thank you for your loyal 21 years with 1 team. And it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow into a classy gentleman while never losing your wacky sense of humor. Can’t believe it’s over. 

[Court]

5 minutes ago, Spunkygal said:

Pretty emotional night watching Dirk’s last home game. He’s such a great guy and is so self-effacing. Lots of sports tears in the Spunky house tonight.

Here is a short video shown at the game which brought the big, goofy German to tears.  https://mobile.twitter.com/JonahJavad/status/1115791348299378688

I don’t know how anyone could not like Dirk as caring, funny and nice as he is. And he never sought out attention and gladly sign autographs at home and road games. But knowing that he wanted his holiday visits to sick children to be kept quiet and to be all about the kids just floored me. He finally allowed one guy to tape it recently. 

Thank you for your loyal 21 years with 1 team. And it’s been a pleasure to watch you grow into a classy gentleman while never losing your wacky sense of humor. Can’t believe it’s over. 

I was bawling during this. I love Dirk.

[Spunkygal]

1 minute ago, Court said:

I was bawling during this. I love Dirk.

Me too. I bet that Pop will have some very kind words for him in SA tomorrow night. A legend saluting a legend.

[bosawks]

I want a book written about this season of the Lakers.

It sounds like it would be bananas.

[xaxat]

Who could have guessed that Luke Walton would outlast Magic?

[Fukui San]

It's ironic that if the Lakers were to win the Lottery to get Zion, Magic will have pulled a Homer Simpson.

[xaxat]

6 hours ago, bosawks said:

I want a book written about this season of the Lakers.

It sounds like it would be bananas.

And that's just the chapter on the Anthony Davis "trade".

[Jx223]

Our playoff matchups are set:

Eastern Conference:

1. Bucks vs. 8. Pistons

2. Raptors vs. 7. Magic

3. Sixers vs. 6. Nets

4. Celtics vs. 5. Pacers

Western Conference:

1. Warriors vs. 8. Clippers

2. Nuggets vs. 7. Spurs

3. Blazers vs. 6. Thunder

4. Rockets vs. 5. Jazz

I am glad that OKC won again tonight (and their last five in a row) and secured the 6th seed. They will now face the #3 seed Blazers in the first round. I think this is a much more favorable matchup for them than if they faced the Nuggets or the Rockets, which were the other two outcomes they had tonight after they won. Both the Blazers and Nuggets ended up coming back and winning tonight in games they were down in.

Also, I wish Dirk and Dwyane the best in their retirements. They were both two very talented players who did a very nice job including bringing championships to their teams while they were in the league. 

Edited April 11, 2019 by Jx223

[Magog]

7 hours ago, Jx223 said:

Eastern Conference:

1. Bucks vs. 8. Pistons

2. Raptors vs. 7. Magic

3. Sixers vs. 6. Nets

4. Celtics vs. 5. Pacers

1 vs 8 - The Bucks will beat the Pistons pretty easily. 

2 vs 7 - Go Raptors. That's all I have to say about this matchup.

3 vs 6 - This could be somewhat entertaining.

4 vs 5 - I'm only here for Kyrie Irving & not having Marcus Smart in this series might hurt the Celtics

7 hours ago, Jx223 said:

Western Conference:

1. Warriors vs. 8. Clippers

2. Nuggets vs. 7. Spurs

3. Blazers vs. 6. Thunder

4. Rockets vs. 5. Jazz

Quote

1 vs 8 - If the Clippers somehow get this to 6 games, it'll be a victory to them. This series could possibly be nap-inducing. Stephen Curry is fine BTW. Its not like his ankle is completely busted.

2 vs 7 - Meh....

3 vs 6 - Zzzzzzzzzzzzz. 

4 vs 5 - This could of been kind of interesting. But its not because both the Jazz & Rockets can get lost for all I care. Besides, one of them will be a sacrificial lamb to those Warriors in the next rounds. 

As for the Lakers, I hope that Jim Buss is smiling & laughing somewhere. He may of sucked at running the Lakers. But, its looking like his sister (Jeannie Buss) isn't much better. I wonder if Stephen A Smith is going to go hard on her as much as he did at Jim Buss on a daily basis. 

Edited April 11, 2019 by Magog

[morriss]

Magic is gone.  Part 1 of master plan for Lebron to take over the Lakers is complete...lol

[xaxat]

On 4/2/2019 at 5:12 PM, bosawks said:

Holy heck, Ernie was there for 16 seasons?!?!?!?

That's bananas.

You want bananas? Give a listen to The Ringer's behind the scenes of Magic's presser. (About 2:00 in.)

[xaxat]

Remember when everybody was begging Jeannie to take over management of the team because they thought her brother was running the franchise into the ground?