40 minutes ago, Dick Allen said:

So in the ESPN expert NBA MVP  poll, the Bulls have won 5 straight, back to #1 in the East. DDR has gone on an unprecedented in NBA history streak, and somehow he has dropped from 6th to 7th . 

Clown shit.

Realistically, DeRozan is probably 4th or 5th in MVP odds. Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis are clearly in front of him. But I feel like he's definitely separated himself from guys like Steph, Morant, and Paul with his latest stretch of play.

The problem with DeMar's candidacy is that he doesn't really play defense. I think he's on par with Giannis and Embiid from an offensive standpoint, but those 2 are much better defensive players. 

Edited February 17, 20224 yr by chw42

16 hours ago, chw42 said:

Clown shit.

Realistically, DeRozan is probably 4th or 5th in MVP odds. Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis are clearly in front of him. But I feel like he's definitely separated himself from guys like Steph, Morant, and Paul with his latest stretch of play.

The problem with DeMar's candidacy is that he doesn't really play defense. I think he's on par with Giannis and Embiid from an offensive standpoint, but those 2 are much better defensive players. 

I understand all that, but I just don't get how do you actually drop a spot in the last 2 weeks when you have played like he's played those 2 weeks, doing something no one has ever done in the NBA, and the team is #1 in the East.

Edited February 18, 20224 yr by Dick Allen

1 hour ago, Dick Allen said:

I understand all that, but I just don't get how do you actually drop a spot in the last 2 weeks when you have played like he's played those 2 weeks, doing something no one has ever done in the NBA, and the team is #1 in the East.

With DeMar becoming Jordan's heir since donning a Bulls jersey, he'll take this personally and will himself into the #1 spot.

Just gotta keep scoring 35+ PPG on 50% shooting for the rest of the season (and playoffs, while we're at it).

 

 

 

Bulls had to outbid teams for TT:

Also means the BAE will reset in 2023, the year Vuc is a FA.

Lonzo's rehab, lmao.

Not having to use the BAE woulda been nice, but I get it, TT is actually a solid NBA player. If the Bulls play their cards right in the off-season, they won't need it. 

 

Lonzo is "Rehabbing" and Caruso was cleared for some contact. It'd be really nice if they get both those guys AND PW back by the end of March. Adding those 3 along with Thompson is really gonna give them the added punch they need defensively. 

1 hour ago, scs787 said:

Not having to use the BAE woulda been nice, but I get it, TT is actually a solid NBA player. If the Bulls play their cards right in the off-season, they won't need it. 

 

Lonzo is "Rehabbing" and Caruso was cleared for some contact. It'd be really nice if they get both those guys AND PW back by the end of March. Adding those 3 along with Thompson is really gonna give them the added punch they need defensively. 

Most importantly it gives those three some time to get back into rhythm 

Man, the NBA lockout is going to make the MLB lockout look like child's play.

30 minutes ago, Quin said:

Man, the NBA lockout is going to make the MLB lockout look like child's play.

I am confused - what does that video have to do with a potential NBA lockout in 2024?

23 minutes ago, raBBit said:

I am confused - what does that video have to do with a potential NBA lockout in 2024?

It's the latest in the Zion saga. Sports Illustrated recently reported that GMs are bracing for a trade demand from him, which fits with his family wanting him out of there (reported last summer) and the fact that he's rehabbing away from the team. 

Combined with Simmons and a bunch of other stars demanding trades while on long-term contracts, the CBA negotiations won't look pretty. Shaq alluded to this when talking about Simmons' hold out.

I'm not actually sure it will. I'd be surprised if players can stay together on this "players absolute right to movement". 

The owner-led caps on contract lengths and max contracts are what have facilitated the player movement. Unwinding that would already mostly benefit the players.

The structure of the NBA now is getting everyone paid. The cap has consistently moved up. I have a hard time believing this can't be resolved with a normal CBA cycle. The marginal NBA player is really going to hold the line, lose their salary,  to prevent James Harden from faking an injury to go to strip clubs and eat hardees? 

I've been dying to talk some NBA, so I'll throw this out there.....

 

Portland, winners of 4 straight, has had the toughest schedule in the NBA so far and now have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NBA the rest of the way. 

 

I kinda gave up on that pick for this year, but man, it still seems completely possible they can work their way into the playoffs. Simmons, Nurkic, and Hart are all good players and matched up with an easy schedule, they could go on a run. 

Just now, scs787 said:

I've been dying to talk some NBA, so I'll throw this out there.....

 

Portland, winners of 4 straight, has had the toughest schedule in the NBA so far and now have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NBA the rest of the way. 

 

I kinda gave up on that pick for this year, but man, it still seems completely possible they can work their way into the playoffs. Simmons, Nurkic, and Hart are all good players and matched up with an easy schedule, they could go on a run. 

I'd believe anything in the West right now. It's hard to believe they'll be overtaken from the play-in. After that it's all about health above them. Could they advance past the clippers? Lakers? Well, if AD is out, If Kawhi does not come back, I could see playoff dame overcoming (playoff George). I think they'd have a real tough time vs. Minny though. They don't have the same injury vulnerability.

8 minutes ago, bmags said:

I'd believe anything in the West right now. It's hard to believe they'll be overtaken from the play-in. After that it's all about health above them. Could they advance past the clippers? Lakers? Well, if AD is out, If Kawhi does not come back, I could see playoff dame overcoming (playoff George). I think they'd have a real tough time vs. Minny though. They don't have the same injury vulnerability.

Is it just me or does it feel like an abnormal amount of this season is hinging on injuries for key teams (not counting players being out during COVID)?

 

1 minute ago, Quin said:

Is it just me or does it feel like an abnormal amount of this season is hinging on injuries for key teams (not counting players being out during COVID)?

 

I think it's a combo of the incredible number of games of the last few years and its effect on the older superstars - whose teams are built around them with creaky parts because of how much cap % they consume. 

The Cavs weren't hurt with Sexton out. Grizz are insane.  We'll see what happens to PHX without Paul.

12 minutes ago, bmags said:

I'd believe anything in the West right now. It's hard to believe they'll be overtaken from the play-in. After that it's all about health above them. Could they advance past the clippers? Lakers? Well, if AD is out, If Kawhi does not come back, I could see playoff dame overcoming (playoff George). I think they'd have a real tough time vs. Minny though. They don't have the same injury vulnerability.

I think a lot depends on injuries yes. Is there a chance Dame comes back? Even if he doesn't I still really like them if AD and Kawaii are out. Their "Big 3" is better than anything in LA.

3 minutes ago, scs787 said:

I think a lot depends on injuries yes. Is there a chance Dame comes back? Even if he doesn't I still really like them if AD and Kawaii are out. Their "Big 3" is better than anything in LA.

I guess they may not care about this year, but I thought he was only out for 2-3 months not the whole season but again I can't stay up past 9pm so the west is like hearing about the NPL.

10 minutes ago, bmags said:

I guess they may not care about this year, but I thought he was only out for 2-3 months not the whole season but again I can't stay up past 9pm so the west is like hearing about the NPL.

He indicated he wouldn't rush if the team was tanking. Now they've indicated they want to push for the playoffs and go FA shopping, so that might incentivize him to comeback.

9 minutes ago, Quin said:

He indicated he wouldn't rush if the team was tanking. Now they've indicated they want to push for the playoffs and go FA shopping, so that might incentivize him to comeback.

I thought he was out for the season for some reason, but yeah, this seems to be the case. 

 

If Simmons keeps playing the way he has since the trade, Simmons and Dame could be better than Dame and CJ. Simmons had arrived and looks like a stud. 

 

Josh Hart has also been putting up better numbers than CJ ever has. They lack depth, but if they can roll out a healthy Dame, Simmons, Hart, and Nurkic they're gonna be a tough out.

Edited February 23, 20224 yr by scs787

4 minutes ago, scs787 said:

I thought he was out for the season for some reason, but yeah, this seems to be the case. 

 

If Simmons keeps playing the way he has since the trade, Simmons and Dame could be better than Dame and CJ. Simmons had arrived and looks like a stud. 

I am not an online speller stickler but just wanted to point out it's Simons like Simonsays just in case you verbally say it at a bar.

2 minutes ago, bmags said:

I am not an online speller stickler but just wanted to point out it's Simons like Simonsays just in case you verbally say it at a bar.

Ope. My bad. Regardless, dudes good good right now. 

3 hours ago, scs787 said:

I've been dying to talk some NBA, so I'll throw this out there.....

 

Portland, winners of 4 straight, has had the toughest schedule in the NBA so far and now have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NBA the rest of the way. 

 

I kinda gave up on that pick for this year, but man, it still seems completely possible they can work their way into the playoffs. Simmons, Nurkic, and Hart are all good players and matched up with an easy schedule, they could go on a run. 

lol