25-26 NBA Regular Season thread.

[bluebirds987]

Lebron was awful on defense last night. Never thought I'd see him get dominated by Dillon Brooks.

Might be time to end all back to backs. Teams don't seem to care that much about the result

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by robert0629

He failed to score 10 points or more in a playoff game twice during the streak. I don't believe he has the record if you count playoff games. Jordan never scored less than 15 points in a playoff game.

Interesting story about Jordan's streak ending. Coach Doug Collins said he put Jordan on the bench with just six points in a blowout loss to the Pacers. He said he didn't realize Jordan's streak was on the line until after the game was over. When the two spoke later about it, Jordan told him he didn't care about the streak. He said he only cared that Collins believed he could still play. In the next game Jordan led the Wizards to a blowout win against the Hornets who were a playoff team that year by scoring 51 points. In the game after that, he led them to another blowout win by scoring 45. This time it was against the Nets, a team that would go to all the way to the NBA Finals that year.

Anyone watching last nights game knows LeBron shouldn't have been in there that late in the game to continue his streak. Especially, if we're to believe he's been battling a back injury all this time. He's obviously being load managed. He missed the game against the Pelicans the night before. What's he doing in there down by 20 in a game the Lakers had all but conceded at that point? Every time I saw Reaves passing him the ball I knew exactly why. He played horribly last night. He was practically invisible out there, like he's been most of the time since his return.

The question now for LeBron and the Lakers is how do they respond? The Lakers are a fun team to watch, but they don't impress me at all. They have the worst point differential of the top six teams in the West. Looking at their resume, there aren't many games that stand out that makes you think this team can compete for a championship this season. They have a two point win over the Spurs, and they beat the Timberwolves twice, one was a blowout. Most of their other blowout wins came against lousy teams. This team will be tested, and LeBron's going to have to be better.

Not reading all this. I saw a mention of Jordan. Here we go. Nothing was comparative in my post. But I know where this goes when Jordan is brought up. So drop it.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by robert0629

The Lakers are a fun team to watch, but they don't impress me at all. They have the worst point differential of the top six teams in the West. Looking at their resume, there aren't many games that stand out that makes you think this team can compete for a championship this season. They have a two point win over the Spurs, and they beat the Timberwolves twice, one was a blowout. Most of their other blowout wins came against lousy teams. This team will be tested, and LeBron's going to have to be better.

Agree with Robert. They’ve benefitted tremendously from a light schedule and good fortune winning some close games. Don’t see them as a contender at all, and think they’ll fall back post-NFL when they’re playing good teams on primetime regularly.

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Agree with Robert. They’ve benefitted tremendously from a light schedule and good fortune winning some close games. Don’t see them as a contender at all, and think they’ll fall back post-NFL when they’re playing good teams on primetime regularly.

No one is contending with OKC /thread

[robert0629]

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

Not reading all this. I saw a mention of Jordan. Here we go. Nothing was comparative in my post. But I know where this goes when Jordan is brought up. So drop it.

You brought up the record. Don't pretend you weren't talking about Jordan. You're just like everyone else on this topic, you just don't want to admit it.

It's just my opinion, but I think he should have let the streak die. Then use it as motivation to be better for the rest of the season. OKC is head and shoulders above everyone right now, but it doesn't mean they can't be beaten. A lot can happen. OKC could suffer a key injury. Who knows? LeBron hasn't shown yet that he can help this team compete for a championship, but it's still early. Bottom line is he has to be better, and he can be better. He should stop worrying about records and stats and start playing to win.

[Ismael80]

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

Pretty sad when they were winning you had nothing to say when they were winning and the second they lose and a bad game I knew what I’d find on here. You want to throw your hat in the ring with hermo and be that guy. Go for it.

He still has the record and no amount of hate will change that “LOL”.

If he sits. He doesn’t care. If he plays. Stat pad. This is what we ridicule one of the best players ever for. Speaking of sad. And petty.

Dude. relax. You're letting words and opinions of strangers on the internet hurt your feelings. Lebron fans really are the most sensitive and insecure fanbase in all of sports. LOL

Originally Posted by robert0629

Anyone watching last nights game knows LeBron shouldn't have been in there that late in the game to continue his streak. Especially, if we're to believe he's been battling a back injury all this time. He's obviously being load managed. He missed the game against the Pelicans the night before. What's he doing in there down by 20 in a game the Lakers had all but conceded at that point? Every time I saw Reaves passing him the ball I knew exactly why. He played horribly last night. He was practically invisible out there, like he's been most of the time since his return.

Originally Posted by robert0629

It's just my opinion, but I think he should have let the streak die. Then use it as motivation to be better for the rest of the season. OKC is head and shoulders above everyone right now, but it doesn't mean they can't be beaten. A lot can happen. OKC could suffer a key injury. Who knows? LeBron hasn't shown yet that he can help this team compete for a championship, but it's still early. Bottom line is he has to be better, and he can be better. He should stop worrying about records and stats and start playing to win.

This guy gets it.

[yiguiri2002]

I can't never fully trust OKC until they stop playing down to the competition in the playoffs. They are still the favorite though.

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by robert0629

You brought up the record. Don't pretend you weren't talking about Jordan. You're just like everyone else on this topic, you just don't want to admit it.

It's just my opinion, but I think he should have let the streak die. Then use it as motivation to be better for the rest of the season. OKC is head and shoulders above everyone right now, but it doesn't mean they can't be beaten. A lot can happen. OKC could suffer a key injury. Who knows? LeBron hasn't shown yet that he can help this team compete for a championship, but it's still early. Bottom line is he has to be better, and he can be better. He should stop worrying about records and stats and start playing to win.

I was 100% not thinking anything of Jordan. He doesn’t cross my mind every 5 seconds like he does yours. Don’t tell me my intentions. Ever.

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by Ismael80

Dude. relax. You're letting words and opinions of strangers on the internet hurt your feelings. Lebron fans really are the most sensitive and insecure fanbase in all of sports. LOL





This guy gets it.

My feelings? No. It’s just annoying and old. Year 23. Still the same old circus that ruined the basketball forums. That’s not sensitive. Wanting to come on here and not read the same quip for 23 years. Also grouping fan bases together as you are in fact in the same tiring group saying the same things.. so many pot meet kettle moments.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I can't never fully trust OKC until they stop playing down to the competition in the playoffs. They are still the favorite though.

Where I'm at as well. They are rightfully the favorite, but they aren't unbeatable.

[BlueXtreme]

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

Where I'm at as well. They are rightfully the favorite, but they aren't unbeatable.

Who else is in contention if they’re fully healthy?

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

Who else is in contention if they’re fully healthy?

Denver and Houston (assuming that by they, you mean the teams going against OKC).

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by BlueXtreme

Who else is in contention if they’re fully healthy?

What if they are not? We take health for granted and OKC can fall victim too. They were heavy beneficiaries of it last year. Nuggets matched up well, wasn't fully healthy. The Pacers matched up well, got punched by that "if healthy" and still went 7. In the playoffs, no one knows. So it's hard to answer your question when you could say the Pacers...if fully healthy. Not healthy, they only have 4 wins so far...

[jcardstore]

If I were the admin I would ban anyone engaging in LeBron discourse.

Brain damage is required to go on and on about the same things year after year between the same people.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

What if they are not? We take health for granted and OKC can fall victim too. They were heavy beneficiaries of it last year. Nuggets matched up well, wasn't fully healthy. The Pacers matched up well, got punched by that "if healthy" and still went 7. In the playoffs, no one knows. So it's hard to answer your question when you could say the Pacers...if fully healthy. Not healthy, they only have 4 wins so far...

Good points. I still think Pacers win game 7 if Hali doesn’t go down. I think Houston has the sort of structure that could give OKC some serious problems. They take away some of OKC’s inherent advantages. Also play with defensive physicality and now also have an elite isolation scorer.

[OKC Thunder fan]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

What if they are not? We take health for granted and OKC can fall victim too. They were heavy beneficiaries of it last year. Nuggets matched up well, wasn't fully healthy. The Pacers matched up well, got punched by that "if healthy" and still went 7. In the playoffs, no one knows. So it's hard to answer your question when you could say the Pacers...if fully healthy. Not healthy, they only have 4 wins so far...

OKC has had more starter minutes missed to injury this season than any other team in the league except for Indiana Pacers.

Injuries in the finals are more common than not. In the last 10 NBA finals, 6 of them had major starter injuries in it.

People forget this but the Lakers in 2020 played a Heat team that was missing 3 starters for multiple games.

What happened last year in the Finals is NOT an anomaly.

[ninjacookies]

OKC can keep winning with anyone else sidelined save for FTMVP. He goes down and the caboose stops.

Otherwise, bidniss as usual. He's simultaneously their floor and their ceiling.

[ninjacookies]

And today was yet another example of why I continue to have distrust in the Nix organization.

8 Mile in 4.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by OKC Thunder fan

OKC has had more starter minutes missed to injury this season than any other team in the league except for Indiana Pacers.

Injuries in the finals are more common than not. In the last 10 NBA finals, 6 of them had major starter injuries in it.

People forget this but the Lakers in 2020 played a Heat team that was missing 3 starters for multiple games.

What happened last year in the Finals is NOT an anomaly.

Understand your point that teams are rarely fully healthy for the finals, but last year was definitely an anomaly. Hali wasn’t just a starter; he was the piece that enabled Indiana to play their offensive system. Moment he went down the offense collapsed. They went from high pace no turnovers to high pace tons of turnovers. Siakam disappeared without his facilitator. Rarely do we see a team without its key piece, because that team just doesn’t make the finals. Think OKC would have been better if Jdub’s wrist hadn’t been hurt too though.

[duron]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

And today was yet another example of why I continue to have distrust in the Nix organization.

8 Mile in 4.

We got beat by the Powder guy

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by duron

We got beat by the Powder guy

It be like that sometimes.

[Chryghst]

OKC literally on cruise control. Wonder if GS makes a move to try to salvage this like they did last year or if they’re just going to concede the Steph era. This version ain’t close.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by Chryghst

Understand your point that teams are rarely fully healthy for the finals, but last year was definitely an anomaly. Hali wasn’t just a starter; he was the piece that enabled Indiana to play their offensive system. Moment he went down the offense collapsed. They went from high pace no turnovers to high pace tons of turnovers. Siakam disappeared without his facilitator. Rarely do we see a team without its key piece, because that team just doesn’t make the finals. Think OKC would have been better if Jdub’s wrist hadn’t been hurt too though.

I think the understated part of their fight was Rick Carlisle. A coach that adjusted and prepared his team to play. His experience was key bc prior the western conf teams they played had from a few weeks to a couple months coaching experience. That’s an anomaly.

[ninjacookies]

Love how Daigneault's purposely using GS as a testbed labrat for JDub to get his confidence back.

[Chryghst]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

I think the understated part of their fight was Rick Carlisle. A coach that adjusted and prepared his team to play. His experience was key bc prior the western conf teams they played had from a few weeks to a couple months coaching experience. That’s an anomaly.

Agree with you, but I think he lost them G4 in Indiana. Rick’s media talking point throughout the playoffs was always ‘this is a 17 day journey’ etc to describe each round but he had an opportunity to close the door G4 in Indiana and he left his bench in way too long to end 3Q/start 4Q. He did a similar thing game 3 against NYK. He talked a lot about Pacers being an ecosystem and needing every piece to contribute, but he had a chance to end that series in G4 and basically kept a regular season rotation as their lead slipped away.

OKC was playing their starters in a must win situation and Rick was playing his bench. They would never have advanced to that point without him, but I do think that was a big mistake that he made in an earlier series too but got away with it.