2006 - 2007 NBA Season Discussion Thread

[ThaSaltCracka]

btw folks, I need to eat some crow. Dickau played well tonight.

LA with a big win over SA.


[censored] da Lebrons.

[tuq]

Re: Russell/Chamberlain.

I've read the definitive autobiographies of both, I've read books by refs like Earl Strom, I feel as a non-old-guy that I'm qualified to comment on this topic.

I'm not sure it's as easy as their supporting casts. Reading about both of them independently you had Wilt, an incredibly talented but equally self-promoting individual, and Russell, a guy who seemed to value team chemistry and rhythm above all else.

In short, they may have been perfect for their teams: the Celtics were stacked, and Russell was comfortable to defer to whomever was the best option - and had to deal with being a player-coach during the improbable title wins in his final two seasons.

Wilt, meanwhile, bounced around from the Warriors to the Sixers to the Lakers. He was a part of arguably the greatest team in NBA history, the 1967 76'ers, a team absolutely loaded which wouldn't exist today because of dilution. They went 68-13 and until 1996 were only bested by Wilt's 69-13 team in 1972 with the Lakers.

I think that Wilt was more about himself - which could still help the team - but Russell was caught in a perfect storm given his talent and interests. He could rebound, block shots, play defense, and defer to the rest of his team for everything else. I'm pretty sure the NBA got lucky because if the roles were reversed history would look a lot different.

[Green Kool Aid]

[ QUOTE ]
34-28, 2:47 left in the 2nd quarter.

This is why less and less people like the NBA.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fans' cyclical observations on the NBA

"OMG THEY PLAY NO DEFENSE!"
to
"ZOMG THE GAME IS TOO SLOW AND LOW SCORING"
to
"ZOMFG ITS ALL FAST BREAK LIKE STREET BASKETBALL THAT BLACKS PLAY"
to
"ZOMFGKILLMENOW THE PISTONS JUST WON A GAME WITH 60 POINTS"

[ThaSaltCracka]

no, if you watched the game it was apparent the scoring was low because both teams suck. At one point(I believe in the 3rd quarter), there was 12 recorded assists in the game. portland had 11 of the 12.


I love it when people see a low scoring game and assume it was because of good D. Usually its two [censored] teams playing.

[Green Kool Aid]

I really don't think teams sucking has a lot to do with the overall points scored. I don't think anyone would argue that Golden State is a really good team.

It's really all about pace, fast break vs. halfcourt.

Players like Ilgauskus, Snow, Marshall, Jones for the Cavs all favor a much slower pace, and the better team (Cavs, even though they lost) generally decides the pace of the game. This really shouldn't be huge news to a basketball fan.

Also, remember, the Blazers decided to trade Telfair because they wanted to run a halfcourt offense.

The lack of assists, well, that comes from LBJ being a ballhog, and Sergio not getting 40mpg. He is looking like the best player out of the 2k6 draft.

3.3 assists in 11 minutes per game is scary good. This guy has Nash/Kidd/Paul type vision from the little Ive seen of him. Im eagerly awaiting a HOllinger article on this guys extrapolated stats making him the Next Nash. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[MoreWineII]

[censored]ing Randolph. I admit I clapped for him last night. :/

Roy, Aldridge, and Sergio (9 assists / 0 TO in 23 minutes!) are keepers. Udoka is molding himself nicely into a poor man's Bruce Bowen type of player, tough defense and solid 3 pt shooting.

Also I had forgotten that Jarrett ran his car into a parked semi at the practice facility and got himself a concussion. I heard he wanted to play last night but they wouldn't let him. I hate to say it but he might be the backup when he gets back.

Lebron is unstoppable when he wants to be (and at the risk of sounding like a whiny baby my God he gets a lot of calls) but despite their record I don't really like that team either.

[ThaSaltCracka]

GKA, I really don't think Cleveland is all that great. Its basically Lebron and I think thats the problem. Maybe he doesn't want to get his teamates involved or maybe they just want him to do everything. Very one dimensional team, but if you are going to have that one dimension, its nice its Lebron.

I believe the Blazers moved Telfair because he isn't very good.

As for Sergio, yeah he is playing quite well. He needs to shoot more though. teams are starting to not guard his shot and instead focus on the pass because for some reason he is hesitant to shoot around the basket. I think if he can work on his D, he will be the starting PG for Nate's team.

Also, Morewine, I too was rooting for Zach. He had an off night, but he worked hard on the offensive end and at rebounding. He needs to play some D [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Aldridge needs to be playing more. Trade Magloire already. And stop playing Roy at PG!!!!

[gusmahler]

[ QUOTE ]
Re: Russell/Chamberlain.

I've read the definitive autobiographies of both, I've read books by refs like Earl Strom, I feel as a non-old-guy that I'm qualified to comment on this topic.

I'm not sure it's as easy as their supporting casts. Reading about both of them independently you had Wilt, an incredibly talented but equally self-promoting individual, and Russell, a guy who seemed to value team chemistry and rhythm above all else.

In short, they may have been perfect for their teams: the Celtics were stacked, and Russell was comfortable to defer to whomever was the best option - and had to deal with being a player-coach during the improbable title wins in his final two seasons.

Wilt, meanwhile, bounced around from the Warriors to the Sixers to the Lakers. He was a part of arguably the greatest team in NBA history, the 1967 76'ers, a team absolutely loaded which wouldn't exist today because of dilution. They went 68-13 and until 1996 were only bested by Wilt's 69-13 team in 1972 with the Lakers.

I think that Wilt was more about himself - which could still help the team - but Russell was caught in a perfect storm given his talent and interests. He could rebound, block shots, play defense, and defer to the rest of his team for everything else. I'm pretty sure the NBA got lucky because if the roles were reversed history would look a lot different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, I'm too young to have seen either play and can only go by their stats. Why did Wilt move around so much? Then again 3 teams isn't that much. Shaq played for 3 teams and Kareem played for 2.

WRT selfishness, by the time Wilt turned 30, he never averaged over 24 points per game and even led the league in assists one year. And, as you pointed out, he was part of the two most successful teams in NBA history (in terms of regular season wins). How do those facts reconcile?

[Green Kool Aid]

Sergio/ Jack
Roy/ Webster
Iduoka/ Outlaw
Randolph/ Joel
Aldrige

That's a really nice 9 for the Blazers. I totally agree taht Roy should not be playing the point, but at the same time he's not gonna elevate his game until he adds 3-pt range.

If I were a fan of the organization, I would be hoping they don't trade anyone, and for once, let an NBA team develop together and see what they can do. Add a big from this year's draft (of which there are many), and this team is a contendor out West two years from now.

[gusmahler]

On another note, Simmons's article compares the Suns to the "last great teams", the Celtics and Lakers. Why exclude Jordan's Bulls, who won 6 championships in the 90s and won 67 games or more 3 times?

I assume it's because they weren't great "teams", they were a transcendant player, a great second banana, and a bunch of interchangeable other parts. Could it be something else? Or are the 90s Bulls not regarded as "great"?