This isn't the same big 3 as Miami assembled, or Boston before them. Those both had much more veteran leaders, older and more mature players, and more guys who had experience as winners before they can together.

 

Is Cleveland a bad team? No. But they aren't on the level of the Big 3 Heat either. I don't see anyone else out there besides the Bulls who are going to stop the Cavs from getting to the ECF, but this is not a title winning team, as of this year. Maybe a few years down the road is you get some growth out of everyone but LeBron.

Interestingly Shaq mentioned this in the preview of the Knicks/Bulls game last week. They went like 10-8 to start a year because no one wanted to really learn the triangle. Then they did, and they dominated.

 

I still find it odd that Lebron would do that. Why not, ya know, have a conversation with Irving? "Hey dick, pass the ball. Do you know who I am? Do you know who Love is?"

From all accounts, LBJ's basketball IQ is off the charts. I think part of it is, you can hear something 100 times but until you really see it, people struggle to change. I think in this case he looks at it as, when everyone realizes it won't work, everyone will buy-in to the bigger picture much quicker and more long-term.

Even if they get to the Finals, I don't think either one has much of a shot against the West. If healthy, the Spurs will dissect both of these teams. The Clippers will out run both teams. The Warriors will out shoot them (an especially bad match-up for the Bulls, who let teams shoot jump shots. The Warriors make jump shots).

Have you watched the Clippers? They don't play defense and have actually been pretty lousy this year (and throughout the preseason). Again small sample size and while I'm not saying the Bulls will win, If the season were to end today, I'd take our chances with any team in this league and feel that we would have a fair shot at winning it all.

It's just way too early to tell with a bunch of these teams especially the Bulls and Cavs. I think SA is the favorite as of now because why not but there are certainly teams out there that can beat them including Chicago and Cleveland.

Edited November 6, 201411 yr by Rowand44

From all accounts, LBJ's basketball IQ is off the charts. I think part of it is, you can hear something 100 times but until you really see it, people struggle to change. I think in this case he looks at it as, when everyone realizes it won't work, everyone will buy-in to the bigger picture much quicker and more long-term.

 

http://deadspin.com/report-lebron-and-kyri...dium=socialflow

 

FWIW apparently Lebron did talk to Irving about passing the ball....after the Portland loss, and before Irving shot it 20+ times with 0 assists. Clearly the message got through.

Edited November 6, 201411 yr by Jenksismybitch

Have you watched the Clippers? They don't play defense and have actually been pretty lousy this year (and throughout the preseason). Again small sample size and while I'm not saying the Bulls will win, If the season were to end today, I'd take our chances with any team in this league and feel that we would have a fair shot at winning it all.

 

Not really worried about them. They have a good coach, a bunch of veterans, and basically the same team as the two playoffs teams that won 57 regular season games.

Not really worried about them. They have a good coach, a bunch of veterans, and basically the same team as the two playoffs teams that won 57 regular season games.

Their playoff success with this team isn't exactly inspiring. Again, not saying they aren't a good team, they are, but they can't play D when it counts and that is a huge issue.

LeBron James ‏@KingJames 5m5 minutes ago

In the words of the great @AaronRodgers12 "RELAX"

Their playoff success with this team isn't exactly inspiring. Again, not saying they aren't a good team, they are, but they can't play D when it counts and that is a huge issue.

I don't consider them a title contender.

Bosh, his last year in TOR: 24 ppg, 11 rpg

Bosh, first year in MIA: 19 ppg, 8 rpg

Bosh, this year: 24 ppg, 11 rpg

 

Love, last year: 26 ppg, 12.5 rpg

Love, this year: 18 ppg, 12 rpg

Edited November 6, 201411 yr by Jake

Their playoff success with this team isn't exactly inspiring. Again, not saying they aren't a good team, they are, but they can't play D when it counts and that is a huge issue.

 

I think they get a pass last year for the Sterling stuff.

I don't consider them a title contender.

 

They're top 3 in the West IMO. I think that's enough to put them in the contender short list.

Bosh, his last year in TOR: 24 ppg, 11 rpg

Bosh, first year in MIA: 19 ppg, 8 rpg

Bosh, this year: 24 ppg, 11 rpg

 

Love, last year: 26 ppg, 12.5 rpg

Love, this year: 18 ppg, 12 rpg

 

4 game sample sizes.

Rose a TBT picture of him and Jabari on Facebook. Pretty amazing how time flew by.

 

https://www.facebook.com/derrickrose/photos...e=1&theater

James Harden has been other worldly so far this year.

James Harden has been other worldly so far this year.

 

He just goes to the line all game. It's pretty ridiculous, 63 FTs in the first 4 games

James Harden has been other worldly so far this year.

 

That entire team has been other worldly.

He just goes to the line all game. It's pretty ridiculous, 63 FTs in the first 4 games

He also looks a million times better on defense. Houston is making a mockery of the nba right now. Granted the schedule hasn't been great.

Edited November 7, 201411 yr by Buehrle>Wood

Hopefully Silver has a spine like Stern and fines the hell out of the Spurs and Popovich again

Hopefully Silver has a spine like Stern and fines the hell out of the Spurs and Popovich again

 

 

Why though? Popovich is smart. His old team needs periodic rest. He would never win a title if he took the Tom Thibodeau approach with that roster. He owes his fan base the best chance at a World Championship. That's it. He doesn't owe anyone else anything.

You're really going to toot your own horn after 4 games? Ok.

 

I'll be the first one to give you props if they don't make it to the ECF's. But once again, no chance that happens.

Not just because of four games but because of how they're playing, they'll eventually learn to play as a unit but I just don't see it happening in one season. Like I posted before, this learning to play as a unit and become a playoffs hardened veteran team doesn't happen in one season.

Why though? Popovich is smart. His old team needs periodic rest. He would never win a title if he took the Tom Thibodeau approach with that roster. He owes his fan base the best chance at a World Championship. That's it. He doesn't owe anyone else anything.

 

I understand this and you can't argue against Pop's record, but it feels like he is starting to become an ass about all this. It's early in the season, a big prime time game, and sits Duncan and Ginobli. C'mon. At least try and even care about the fans who came to see the game and the match ups.

I understand this and you can't argue against Pop's record, but it feels like he is starting to become an ass about all this. It's early in the season, a big prime time game, and sits Duncan and Ginobli. C'mon. At least try and even care about the fans who came to see the game and the match ups.

Yep. Big prime-time road game 5 games in. He's just being a dick.

Hopefully Silver has a spine like Stern and fines the hell out of the Spurs and Popovich again

I don't see why they should be fined for wanting to win another championship.

This was about pissing the powers at be off, not about winning a championship. He could have easily rested them in a throwaway game against the Hawks at home, but chose not to. The nba is an entertainment business.