Random NBA Observations 2016 - 2017

[Regular_P]

The other new wrinkle is NBA sideline work, which Schefter first revealed to The MMQB’s Peter King during a podcast this week. But the NBA will be strictly one-off assignments. Schefter repeated multiple times during his interview with SI.com that he does not want anyone inside or outside ESPN to think he is taking gigs away from ESPN’s regular NBA sideline reporters.

Schefter’s close friends at ESPN know this but most do not: Schefter has become a hardcore NBA junkie. He plays daily NBA Fantasy and following the NBA has become somewhat of a pleasurable obsession. To wit, he’ll often reach out to ESPN NBA staffers Brian Windhorst and Antonio Davis just to talk the sport. He also counts Clippers point guard Chris Paul as an acquaintance. Paul calls Schefter for Fantasy Football advice; Schefter asks Paul about his league.

“I went from knowing nothing about the NBA a couple of years ago to knowing every player on every roster,” Schefter said. “It’s become a side hobby and the bosses are aware of that.”

Schefter declined to comment on any specifics relating to his contract negotiations but did say, “I want to make it very clear in no way am I looking to infringe on the turf of someone like Doris Burke, Rachel Nichols, J.A. Adande, Marc Stein or anyone else. They do a great job. That’s not what this is about. I could never do their jobs. This is just me doing an assignment where it will be 100 percent fun to me. My job is great but it is also intense and relentless.”

Viewer reaction to Schefter on the NBA sidelines will be interesting. (Schefter was a sideline reporter for the NFL Network for two years in the early days of that network’s Thursday Night Football presentation.) He has marinated in basketball reporting (he has some NBA sources) in small doses, and recalled being amused at how people told him, in essence, to stay in his own lane. “One of my proudest moments at ESPN was filing a couple of years ago that Dwight Howard was going to make his [free agency] decision by a certain date,” Schefter said. “People were like, Adam Schefter? What the hell is this?”

Schefter has already sent his schedule to Tim Corrigan, a senior coordinating producer who runs ESPN’s NBA game assignments, on dates he might have a break (December, the end of January, the second half of February) in his NFL schedule. Asked if he wanted a piece of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, a noted sideline reporter killer Schefter said, laughing, “Bring him on. He can’t be much different than Bill Belichick, right?”

 

[KOBE]

@KOBE
@Dwight Howard
@CantStop

This is what happens when Randle tries to be a go-to scorer. Better off putting the ball in Tarik Black's hands. He can't even be bothered to run back on defense.

You are a fukking moron.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

You are a fukking moron.

Looks like somebody didn't watch the game.

 

[Goat poster]

Russell Westbrook is quickly becoming UNDERRATED.

Hit a step back shot to send the game into OT...

Then got a W with his fourth triple double in a row.

Anybody else plays like this and ppl are going crazy...but ppl always want to hate on Russy.

 

[TrillaMonsoon]

KAT played great. He missed some open 3s but didn't settle tonight and attacked the hoop off the dribble, did a lot of work in the post and did a good job of keeping the ball moving. You just aint gonna win a lot of games only making 4 3 pointers all game. I don't think the Wolves hit a 3 in the second half until Lavine tied it with like 50 second. Bench was terrible and Rubio is a black hole this team can't overcome in crunch time.

Zinger and Jennings played a great game. Kyle O Quinn was good on the offensive glass when he was in there. They couldn't stop Jennings getting penetration and then we'd sink off shooters making it easy for them. I hope Thibs buries that Tyus/Dunn/Lavine/Belly and KAT lineup

 

[Derek Lee]

@Malta

 

[Broad Street Bully]

Russell Westbrook is quickly becoming UNDERRATED.

Hit a step back shot to send the game into OT...

Then got a W with his fourth triple double in a row.

Anybody else plays like this and ppl are going crazy...but ppl always want to hate on Russy.

 

[Nick Barnes]

KAT played great. He missed some open 3s but didn't settle tonight and attacked the hoop off the dribble, did a lot of work in the post and did a good job of keeping the ball moving. You just aint gonna win a lot of games only making 4 3 pointers all game. I don't think the Wolves hit a 3 in the second half until Lavine tied it with like 50 second. Bench was terrible and Rubio is a black hole this team can't overcome in crunch time.

Zinger and Jennings played a great game. Kyle O Quinn was good on the offensive glass when he was in there. They couldn't stop Jennings getting penetration and then we'd sink off shooters making it easy for them. I hope Thibs buries that This/Dunn/Lavine/Belly and KAT lineup

Bruh, I just finished the game and am now on suicide watch.

5 bench points? are you fukking kidding?

Trade rubio, belly and shabazz... fukk it everyone besides the big three can go.

Wiggins been settling for long two way to much, needs to attack and get to the line like last year.

Spoiler

 

[Nick Barnes]

@Malta

I am so ready for rubio to go, i'm done defending him.

fukk him

 

[LurkMoar]

Westbrook really gon average a triple double huh? this dude got that mega energy

 

[LezJepzin]

Kings charter flight got delayed due to rain.


Let these nikkas leave Philly

 

[Derek Lee]

 

[I.AM.PIFF]

Wait, his NBA career ain't over already?

@Gil Scott-Heroin

 

[LuckyLibra619]

This dude threw the ball mad hard off the backboard

 

[Th3G3ntleman]

The thing about Kris Dunn is yeah he's been playing bad statistically and all that. However when I watch them I'm just disappointed that on 90% of his offensive possessions he just hands it off to Lavine or Wiggins and just chills in the corner. He doesn't run any pnr with an attempt to get into the lane he doesn't really do anything out there other than spot in a corner. Fkin weird as fukk.