Any NBA Basketball fans?
 

I'm looking forward to the playoffs, especially as some of the injured players come back. I wish my Pistons were there, but they have been awful lately.

I can't remember the last time Atlanta or GS had the best records in their conferences, and I think all the match-ups in the West will be exciting. I'm hoping the Heat (a team I didn't like) make it, because of Bosh going down, and to see how Dragic fits.

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I will be excited to watch Curry in the playoffs this year. Being close to Atlanta I will be paying close attention to the East as well. My knicks are horrendous so I don't have a dog in the fight but playoff time is always great. I never thought I would be the guy that doesn't watch the regular season but that is what I have become the last few seasons. Every game seems so uneventful in the regular season now. I miss the 90's.

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Not too much. Until my Bucks become relevant again, anyways.

That being said, the NCAA is much better and it's been a very exciting tournament. My bracket is obviously in shambles like every other year.

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I was a really big NBA fan for awhile, but a couple years ago I kinda fell out of it for some reason. I still watch it casually though.

The Houston Rockets are my team, I'll definitely be paying attention to them in the playoffs (sucks what happened to them last year)

Harden for MVP!

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The Bucks screwed up trading a guy like Brandon Knight. They improved so much from last year, even considering losing the #2 pick, and Larry Sanders.

I wonder how the Rockets are with Howard? If he comes in and does most of his work on the defensive end, rebounding, protecting the rim, setting good screens, scoring off alley-oops and missed shots, they should be in a good spot.

I agree with Knight. I've never liked Michael Carter Williams. Knight would have been a solid player. Sad that they thought they couldn't afford him, but that's why they will never be relevant probably. You can pay a boatload to Sanders, but not to Knight:mad:

I think with him being out for awhile and Harden dominating like he is, it's a given that they're gonna make Howard the defensive workhorse while Harden handles the other side of the court. Before his injury, they tried to have him be a bigger offensive presence but now he'll probably be almost strictly defensive.

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MCW is a pass-first, but Brandon is a better shooter than MCW is as a passer.. And Knight was a hell of a defender when he was here with Detroit. How lucky you guys were not only to get rid of Jennings, but to get Knight AND Middleton who is turning out be a good player.

Sanders was a hell of a player, but he has issues. I only wonder who else they could have had, as Sanders could have been signed and traded. He might not ever play basketball again, I think he's more concerned with his personal well-being, as most guys would have taken the minimum to play for a contender.

The Pistons were a half game away from the 8th spot, until we traded for Reggie Jackson. I watched the trade deadline special, and everyone said how great it was for Detroit.. Wrong...

How has Harden been on defense? I know in previous years he was one of the worst.. Houston has a good team all around, plenty of guys who do the non-statistical stuff.. The deflections, the hustle, defense, including several guys who score in double figures.

Patrick Beverly is hell for opposing teams. The guy is fearless, plays so hard, probably the best defender at the 1. We waive Smith, and he seems to be helping the Rockets out. I think Detroit is just a weigh station... The weather is one of the worst, high crime, bad economy, and the longest losing drought..

Anyone in favor of getting rid of the lottery odds? I'm tired of certain teams tanking. I also wouldn't mind going 1-16 regardless of the conference. They never play back to backs..

He's improved but still not great, with Howard back leading the defense, I believe the Rockets have the potential to be a championship contender. And yeah Pat Beverly is awesome!

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Can somebody take the Thunder to a PokeCenter for me? Please. Preferably before the playoffs.

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I went to the season opener for the Hornets this year. Live games have so much juice, compared to any other viewing experience. I follow the NBA, but will rarely watch a full game outside of the playoffs.

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Yeah, it's great watching a game live. You see and hear so much you don't on TV.

I think the Cavaliers are gonna win it... Any predictions?

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I'll say cavs in six over the rockets. I would love to see the warriors but that's a couple years off. Lebron is still the best player in the world.

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Yeah, Lebron is still the best... I'd put Anthony Davis at #2.. I wasn't the biggest Westbrook fan because of his shot selection sometimes, trying to do it all himself, but he plays harder than anyone. I like toughness..

I'm really undecided on the West. GS has been really great on defense because of Bogut, he hasn't been injured. Klay Thompson is just as important as Curry. He's been shooting a higher percentage than Curry for one, and he doesn't get the double-screens Curry does. Steph has to be put on the worst offensive player, while Klay guards the best. Gotta give Steve Kerr a lot of credit. Mark Jackson is a hypocrite who told his team to either practice to go to his church while he's cheating on his wife. Kerr seems to have learned a lot from Phil just by his humor, and all the mentions about things outside of basketball.

The best defensive team always wins the title..

Houston lost in the 1st round, I don't think they can make it to the Finals. It will take a few games for Dwight and the team to get acclimated. They have a good supporting cast, but if they double-team Harden, it would be like what opposing teams did to Chicago when they doubled Rose, it hurt the flow, and that great offense because stagnant.

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Who do you believe in in the west? SA again? I haven't watched Portland this year, but I didn't like them very much last year. I still think GS is too young.

True but they usually have one great scorer and a nice compliment to him as well.

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I think the champs are always a contender, and the Spurs constantly show them come up strong in the playoffs except when they went up against Memphis, a great team as well.

I agree with GS being too young. Besides that, playoff basketball is much slower, as GS plays with lots of possessions. Portland has a really good team as well. Wesley Matthew was the heart and soul of that team, but Aaron Afflalo is the closest to his kind of play.

I have a feeling Durant might not even play. He's in the last year of his contract and might just rather be extra careful.

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They pulled the plug on Durant yesterday I thought?

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I read Sam Presti say that Durant isn't coming along as expected, and that he's out indefinitely. 2 weeks ago they estimated he'd be back in 2 weeks, so when the two weeks were up, I guess they're saying this to avoid any timetables, and to put a stop to reporters' asking questions.

Durant quit USA Basketball the minute Paul George got injured (who is coming back soon) and said it had nothing to do with that.. He even made a documentary in the wake of a 300 million dollar shoe deal by Under Armor, and went out of his way to explain and explain..

I think the Olympics should go back to non-professional players like it was before 1992.

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Yeah, the first dream team was fun but past that I don't know if I have ever watched a full minute of olympic basketball. Not fun.

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I'm still upset that Isiah was left off that team.

Like you said, it wasn't fun watching them beat teams like Angola by 50 points, though I remember them losing in 2002 at the Worlds, and they lost when they had Larry Brown in 2004 I believe.

The NBA season is long enough, and both programs suffer as a result.

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Who's been watching?

I watched every second of the Celtics this year, including preseason and summer league. But I'm an addict.

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I only just got into basketball so I'm pretty new, but am getting addicted as well.

I didn't watch for a few years until I started watching the C's again halfway through last year. What team do you like?

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I didn't realize how deep into the Cs you were cricket. Impressive. How much do you love Marcus Smart?

He's the heart and soul of the team. They must retain him and trade Terry Rozier.

He's a lot of fun to watch, so I'd be disappointed if they let him go. It's frustrating that the Celtics didn't have a healthy Kyrie (and Gordon too), because I really wanted them to make it to the Finals once the Sixers were out. Rockets vs Celtics would be straight up 1980's and I'd've been down with that.

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When did the Rockets ever make the finals in the 80s?

Nevermind, I'm an idiot, they did :facepalm:

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I wouldn't trade Rozier. Guys got a lot of talent, just had a really bad game yesterday.

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Cavs-Warriors IV coming up! Hooray.....I guess

It's not that I want to, but they're going to have to especially if they keep Smart. You can't pay and play everyone, and his value will never be higher. Of course, they could possibly choose him over Smart.

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If it were up to me I'd get rid of Smart over Rozier.

Yeah, but I think it'd be a huge mistake to choose Rozier over Smart if it comes down to that. Smart adds way too much diversity to get rid of, plus he has that mythological intangibles quality. Plus he just gets after it. He is hard-nosed. He can get under the opponent's skin. His offensive game isn't the greatest, but with Kyrie playing, you can cover that up. I think he is one of those guys that you just feel good about him being on your team, and you'd probably hate playing against him. If he does go somewhere else, you better hope you never have to play against him in a series. He's gonna be getting in that ass. If Gordon is back next year, that trio is nasty plus you have Al Horford. It'll be another great year.

I also think Smart is the smarter player and probably more comfortable coming off the bench. Rozier believes he's a starter now, and he probably is. If the starting backcourt remains Irving and Brown, there's just not enough minutes for the four. I say keep the defensive stopper since there will be plenty of offensive options. Rozier is also very ball dominant for a motion offense.

Kind of fell into Warriors fandom 'cause my closest friends are Warriors fans. That said, I have enjoyed the other teams too. Rockets were really good.

I think I most enjoy the respect they give each other after a game. It was cool seeing LeBron hug Tatum the other night. That kid seems to have a bright future ahead of him, yeah?

I don't like Durant but I do like their other players.

He's going to be a superstar and it's fun to root for players before their heads get too big. He just needs to mature and get stronger, and work on his left a little bit.

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I like Golden State and I hate the Cavs and Lebron, so no need to say who I'm rooting for. Now as for how the Cavs made it to the Finals, I'm extremely disappointed. I know the Celtics are going to be a beast of a team next year and that they exceeded expectations this year given the circumstances, but I still don't get what they were doing in the second quarter of that last game. They'd built a 12 point lead and the Cavs were ready to be put away. Then all of a sudden they start walking the ball up the court. Rozier would just be stepping over the half-court line when the shot clock was already done to 16 seconds. They totally let up on the Cavs, gave them a chance to regroup, and start chipping away at the lead. What were they thinking?! Attack, for god's sake! Keep the pace up. So instead of pushing the lead up toward 20 points, it was done to only 4 at halftime.

I know they missed a whole lot of shots, but that's also what happens when you let yourself get out of your rhythm and suddenly you're playing in desperation to try to hang onto a lead. It was very, very disappointing. They didn't do that crap in the first two games. Hence the reason they won them.

Oh, well. I needed to rant a little. The good news is they should be an incredible team next year, and they really missed having Irving at certain times that series.

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Any chance Cavs can win?

Why don't you like Durant?

I was thinking the same thing. They wore the Cavs out in their wins and suddenly they went to a slow paced game. I don't get it.

I can't picture it. Only if GS has injury issues imo.

It was a bad look just going to play for them for one thing. Besides that, I just don't like the way he carries himself and his aura. Same for king James. Both are great players obviously.

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I liked GS until Durant went there after losing to them, a team that won 73 games..I loved when I first got into basketball, the era days (late 80s-) when the best wanted to BEAT the best, instead of joining them... The only thing I ask from basketball are no injuries. It's not just awful to the player, but to the game, families, fans, economies.. And I'm curious, I wanna see the best team win. I wonder if Houston would have won with Chris Paul, because I think he's the best point guard of this era (Jason Kidd being the last era) but has had the WORST luck in the playoffs.. "Getting Injured With Blake Griffin" could have been a series.

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Yeah, KD going to Golden State was the biggest bitch move in the history of the NBA. On the Bitchter Scale, it almost makes The Decision look like a non-registering offense. I mean, I guess his legacy or whatever. But that only works if we pretend like he didn't leave his pregnant 9 for a 10 on birth control.

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LeBron leaving Cleveland again will be even bigger on the Bitchter scale, especially joining Houston.

Definitely changes my perspective of the guy a bit. JJ it must hit harder for you because you're a Thunder fan. My friends all love him since he's with the Warriors. I'm a little more open than that. Maybe because I'm still learning, but I also just like the variety each team brings to the table. Each team is different in how they navigate, so it's fun watching all of them and figuring out how they work. This is old and obvious news to all of you I'm sure. But it's exciting for me. I definitely never gave the sport anywhere near enough credit. It's like a dance, and everyone dances a little differently but together it's a work of art.

Cricket - who's your team?

I live in Boston so I'm with the Celtics. I grew up in Chicago so they were my team during the Jordan years.

JJ is a Thunder fan? He lost Durant and Harden. That hurts!

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Expectation - Warriors in 5. Conspiracy theorist in me - Warriors in 7

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I wouldn't be too surprised if Lebron left.. Next year will be his 16th season, and they don't even have anyone to build around. The Cavs are only in the Finals because Lebron elevates his teammates play.. I hope it's competitive (and wish the games wouldn't start so late).

I don't know how it's possible, but I hope they both lose.

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What a poor ending to Game 1....Great game up until the last minute of the 4th quarter where it just became a bunch of WTF moments

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LeBron on his Jerry West out here.

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That was too crazy.. It would have been nice for the Cavs to win and make it competitive.. I bet they're deflated now.

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I really want the Cavs to get swept but LeBron wins the MVP because he averages 50 points.

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If he wasn't from Cleveland, I'd say there's a 100% chance to leave... If he does leave, I think the Lakers would be the team he'd go, or perhaps Philly. He can't put that much on his back on his 16th season and beyond.

I actually felt bad for James at the end of that game.

Some favorite NBA players over the years by Nostromo

Shawn Kemp

http://image.ibb.co/cp0zq8/shawn_kemp.gif

6 Foot 10, 230 Lbs
Career Numbers:
15 Points 8.5 Rebounds 1.1 Steals 1.2 Blocks Per Game

Horace Grant

http://image.ibb.co/fFAM3T/grant.jpg

6 Foot 10, 215 Lbs
Career Numbers:
11 Points 8 Rebounds 1 Steal 1 Block Per Game

Julius "Dr. J" Erving

http://image.ibb.co/kkL4OT/dr_j.jpg

6 Foot 7, 210 Lbs
Career Numbers:
24 Points 8.5 Rebounds 4 Assists 2 Steals 1.7 Blocks Per Game

Marcus Camby

http://image.ibb.co/eVpW3T/Camby.jpg

6 Foot 11, 220 Lbs
9.5 Points 10 Rebounds 1 Steal 2.5 Blocks Per Game

Rasheed "Sheed" Wallace

http://image.ibb.co/b8p9q8/sheed.gif

6 Foot 10, 225 Lbs
14.5 Points 6.7 Rebounds 1 Steal 1.3 Blocks Per Game

Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal

http://image.ibb.co/jb38iT/ezgif_1_87ba2f1fc7.gif

7 Foot 1, 325 Lbs
23.7 Points 11 Rebounds 2.3 Blocks Per Game

and of course...












































Michael "Mike" Jordan

http://image.ibb.co/jfEaV8/mike.gif

6 Foot 6, 195 Lbs
30 Points 6.2 Rebounds 5.3 Assists 2.3 Steal 0.8 Blocks Per Game
Made it to SIX NBA Finals
Won All Six
6 To 0

Better than every basketball player, ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSjqG7p7lzk

You got Horace in the wrong uniform!

"The General"

http://image.ibb.co/ca1L08/708700cd0...425c94265d.jpg

Man! Great show tonight NBA..................

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Sarunas Marciulionis is an old-school dude that I like a lot, since we are talking old heads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szIUx2OHC9s

The Warriors won to pretty much no one's surprise. I feel somewhat ashamed as a Warriors fan because I wasn't uber enthusiastic about much during the finals, knowing both teams have dominated the last few years. But of course, I'm happy they won - they're a great team. Funnily enough my mindset during the finals was "I want the Warriors to win, but I want LeBron to perform well". I know he's polarizing but I've come to really respect LeBron as a player and as a person (as well as I can).

I've been digging a bit into NBA history lately. Watching a lot of career highlights. I think my fave so far has been Pete Maravich. Unbelievable passing sorcerer. I also like Bob Cousy, who seemed to somewhat forshadow future playing style from what I can tell. Wilt Chamberlain is cool. I just love seeing the different styles of all these great players. A testament to the strength of mind, body and soul.

I was just telling my wife last night that I gained some more respect for Lebron. It's impressive how much he takes on and how far he can take so little so far.

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Maybe Lebron definitely leaves and we can have some more competition.

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TV ratings didn't drop nearly as much as I expected they would have for this fourth time around. Only a couple million viewers lower than last year is what I'm reading. 20->18 mil

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LeBron joined Lakers, Warriors countered with DeMarcus Cousins. As a noob to the sport I have never seen him play, but apparently he's a very good center.

Any thoughts from others?

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The Warriors are pretty much a dream team if Cousins stays in check. The other 31 teams could put together an all star team, and it would make for a competitive finals series. Since it doesn't work like that....chalk another Finals win up for the Warriors.

The draft, free agency, trade deadline have all been more interesting than the Finals - the actual game..

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Lakers are in a tough position. They could get him as a free agent next season, but I think they need to trade Lonzo, now that they have Lebron AND Rondo.... I could also see Kahwi looking at the Lakers with eyes that say "save me". By next year, he could change his mind, thinking certain teams didn't try that hard. But these are all sources, usually by teams trying to manipulate the process.

Not impressed with the Cousins signing as I think it's an odd mix. Getting him for that cheap makes it a minimal risk, but this is a guy that wants the ball. He could disrupt their offense and their locker room, and he's average at best on defense. Besides that, he may never be the same player after his injury.

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Rondo sure isn't their point guard of the future.

He led the league in assists for centers, which fits perfect in that system. He average 25-10-5, and usually when a guy with personal issues tries to be "good" upon entering a team. Also, all his teammates say he's not only a great teammate, but a great guy who does a lot for the community sans hype... Another reason I think it might work is that he's coming in possible in January, and won't do things to ruin the flow. And if he is, they can play him less.. I wonder why the Lakers didn't sign him.


I think on defense, it's a downgrade from McGee to Cousins.. He wasn't fast laterally on defense before, and with this injury, who knows, but they're paying him less than many scrubs..

I'd be honestly shocked if the Warriors lose a game in the playoffs. If they do lose a game in the playoffs, I'm willing to bet anything they are already up 3-0 and they drop a lazy one. If Boogie was healthy and they made this signing, I'd be willing to bet they'd beat their record for best single season record. I think it's hilarious to analyze this move, because they just have so much star power on one team that doesn't even seem like real life. They added another legitimate all-star. I can't believe that this is being allowed to happen. It's pushing me further and further away from the league.

Rondo was basically brought in to be Lonzo's rabbi.


Lebron is definately clearing the team for Kwaii, developing the young players, clearing the field for Kwaii and winning an MVP this season.

C - Ivica Zubac (Javale McGee)
SF - Lebron James
PF - Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram
SG - Josh Hart (Lance Stephensen) <Kwaii Leonard>
PG - Lonzo Ball (Rajan Rondo)

I don't know man. He's always put up numbers but has never won. Reports say Anthony Davis didn't want him back and they got better once he went down.

Another thing about Boogie, he's a turnover machine.

That doesn't look like a contender to me even with Kawhi. I would trade Kuzma in a heartbeat as I don't see him improving much.

Rondo has always had issues and he's not coming there to take a backseat to Ball in any way.

I'd trade him for Kwaii or an established All-Star but I expect him and Ingram to both have monster seasons.

I like Ingram but he still looks a couple of years away to me. I wouldn't expect much from Kuzma; I see him as a career decent backup.

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The Lakers reportedly like Kuzma better than any of their young guys. He is apparently a gym rat and really gets after all aspects of his training. Engram's blood doesn't seem to be hot enough and he doesn't have as much fight in him, regardless of the talent.


The Boogie thing is interesting, because everybody passed on him...Achillies are hard to deal with, but I don't see the point of signing a guy that won't be in game shape till the playoffs and will have a need to be in the starting lineup. It says a lot that the Pelicans didn't want to keep him. Before the injury he is a max-level guy and he signed for the exemption with gsw.


I'm not a fan of the way the NBA salary cap works. It doesn't seem to help the small market teams out like in football. If guys don't want to come, you end up overpaying *Al Jefferson* , because you have to spend that money. Maybe it works for football because they have to sign so many guys and can't hide 5-6 league minimum players on the bench.


Good or bad, the Lakers and Warriors are great for the League whether I like it or not. The NBA is such a "product as a whole" that its great for business. Here's to that LA v. GS christmas day game.

I just wouldn't get too excited if I were a Laker's fan with that odd mix of players. As great as James is, he's getting up there and will be on the downside of his career before their young guys enter their prime. I think it would have been better if they had another losing season, got into the lottery, and then next year sign 2 younger max contract guys. They also lost their most consistent and productive player from last season in Julius Randle. The jury may still be out on him as well, but he's at the age when guys start to really figure it out. Kuzma is fine, but I think he's much closer to his ceiling than the typical player who's about to enter his second season. As far as Kawhi, I wouldn't put a ton of faith into a guy who quit on his team.

Do you think this because he had a surprising season, especially being one of the last picks in the 1st round? Sometimes when a rookie comes in already very good (Tatum), some think "How much better can they be?" but I would hang on to Kuzma.. Trading Lonzo/Lavar makes sense, but they could wait til this off-season, when there will be MANY free great agents. Also, before making a huge commitment for a guy with one year left on his contract could come bit them later (Dwight Howard, etc).. He only played 8-9 games last year, and they might want to see him play a bit before taking such a gamble. I also think starting the season without him would show what fits, what doesn't, and other needs, which might mean keeping one of their younger players over another.. I liked Julius Randle, but he didn't like coming off the bench, or not getting enough time.

Kuzma went to 3 years of college and was older than most rookies, thus making him more NBA ready. I think that also means he has less room to grow than the average 20 year old. I would also be a little wary about anyone that has a good season for a bad team because someone is going to put up numbers. I think he'll be a fine player but not a star.

If he put the numbers he did last year for the rest of his career, he's still a steal at the end of the 1st round... It seems like half of the lottery picks are busts.

No question and he was most definitely a steal with where he was picked. I just think people are going overboard on him.

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Any surprises from the pre-season? I think Jimmy Butler is a great player, I love his game, but he's been a prima dona... I hope this isn't the direction (pre-agency)..

I don't put much stock into the preseason, except for maybe seeing if some rookies are ready to play in the league. I am very excited for the Celtics. They are very talented, deep, and fun to watch. I believe they can challenge the Warriors.

https://i.imgur.com/0zDKk4d.gif?noredirect

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It's too bad Zion will be out for a few months...

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Raptors may potentially miss the playoffs. I dont think they will, but it's a possibility.

Glad to see Clippers beat Lakers too. LeBron is done with his annual finals appearances. Now if we could just have that happen to Brady in the NFL....

and they did it without Paul George... To me, Kahwi is the 2nd best player in the game, but I've always loved Patrick Beverly. He's a great defender, full of energy, fearless.

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Leonard is damn good. I'm not sure what the Spurs were smoking with that fall out.

Other than George, there isn't a lot of top talent surrounding him, but he's going to deliver.

They have a very cohesive unit. Well balanced, very good team defense, all-around. I think they could win the title this year. The Lakers could win it, too.

Re: Any NBA Basketball fans?