Random NBA Observations 2016 - 2017

[#1 pick]

The pace is the highest it's been since 1993, and the offenses today have just figured out how to beat defenses, currently the highest eFG% in NBA history. I think teams are going to have a response on defense, which is what I think Milwaukee is building, guys who can switch everything on picks & screens. You'll see less and less specialists, they're already an endangered species as it is, but if you can't be a two way player it's a wrap for you.

This is so true. Teams are developing non-defensive players at a higher rate than any other time I've seen in the NBA as well.

While specialists will always be needed, you better be a 3&D, rebounding and PnR D, two way or all around star in this new generation of NBA ball. Not to mention, not having BBIQ is a thing of the past, even Swaggy P got on board and is playing a much more intelligent form of Basketball.

 

[jwinfield]

Just saw this too:

LeBron James season 4 (22) 27-7-6-2-1, .552 TS%, 24.5 PER
Giannis Antetokounmpo season 4 (22) 24-9-6-2-2, .617 TS%, 28.9 PER

 

[#1 pick]

Giannis is unreal, his progression has been just

Everyone talks about how Kawhi worked himself into being a star, but this dude Giannis was playing in what looked like a Greek rec league before he got to the NBA, and was basically an HS to NBA pro based on his age.




Look at his competition before he got to the league

It's not a surprise. Watching him at 18, I knew he was going to be special and sooner than later. But his growth spurt really sped things up. Him and Gobert's improvement rate is not just elite, HOF level shyt. They literally was terrible as rookies, even in the D-League for Gobert and to see where they are today. It's faster than Kobe and T-Mac acceleration rate.

To me, Dennis Schroeder rate is high but his is normal compared to other high ceiling players but Giannis and Gobert. shyt, Jimmy Butler. Insane.

Jimmy Butler is that dude for me. He literally went from 12th man to star in 5 years and he was 21 years old. Even his growth rate is college wasn't this huge. Usually you see this with 18 year olds like DeAndre Jordan and Steven Adams who need time but Jimmy was 21.

 

[#1 pick]

Brogdon was the steal of the draft


Thon looks lost a lot of the time, and he definitely needs to gain weight, dudes stay pushing him around. But, I see the vision there, I see what they want from him and he also shoots just about anytime he touches the ball

I love his game in college, him and fukking Bembry. Crazy how well he fits Kidd's system. Usually Kidd system has to grow on players but I personally think his athletic ability was vastly underrated. A lot of scouts didn't think he had the quickness to get pass NBA defenders(Brogdon).

No one is saying it but Milwaukee is becoming San Antonio in terms of development. They are taking players with potential like Maker, Middleton and Brodgon and really turning them into something special.

As for Maker, he was drafted in the top 12 for a reason. Dude has tools for days.

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

If Russ does finish with a triple double and is within a 3-5 games of the Rocket he's getting it

Never. It's fukk Flopter 'til one of us dies. Hopefully him.

Russy is shooting worse, but Harden having 'Antoni and shooters makes for a better situation I think. They are neck and neck to me. Giannis and Bron both deserve way more consideration than they'll get.

Barring major historical events, when you factor in media storylines and everything, Harden and Westbrook are the only two serious candidates this season IMO. The one with the better record will probably take it, and thats likely Harden.

 

[The War Report]

All of these statlines are insane:

Russy: 30.9-10.7-10.5

Heliflopter: 28.5-12-8, 45%fg, 36%3pt

Isiah Thomas: 27.7 &6.1, 45%fg, 35.5%3pt

Giannis: 23.8-5.9-8.9, 2 blks, 2 stls, 53.6%fg

AD: 29.2-11.7, 2.6 blocks

Kyle Lowry: 22.7-7.2-4.9, 47.8fg, 45.6%3pt

Bron: 25.6-8.7-7.9, 51%fg, 38%3pt

KD: 27.2-5-9.4, 1.6blks, 53.7%fg, 39.6% 3pt



MVP race is going to be impossible
Right now I'd rank candidates:
Flopter
Russy
Giannis
Bron
KD

This dude Bron is supposedly on "cruise control" and is having a season on par with dudes who are putting up career-narrative-changing numbers. I hope now that he has his "signature championship" people can appreciate how phenomenal Bron is.

You forgot Cousins, Kemba, Jimmy Butler, John Wall, Kawhi.


You know what's crazy about KD's numbers? Is that he's 29th in usg rate. Gordon Heyward has a higher usg rate than him.

 

[#1 pick]

The pace is the highest it's been since 1993, and the offenses today have just figured out how to beat defenses, currently the highest eFG% in NBA history. I think teams are going to have a response on defense, which is what I think Milwaukee is building, guys who can switch everything on picks & screens. You'll see less and less specialists, they're already an endangered species as it is, but if you can't be a two way player it's a wrap for you.

More than anything, this is the best PG era in the NBA. If you do not have one, you are screwed. The Knicks was talking about that with Rose. How without him, it just falls apart. More than if Porzee is out or Melo. This is such a PG's league now and pace is the main reason.

A team who needs to make a trade more than ANY team is the Pacers. If they can land a solid SG, they would be a different team. Them getting someone like Terrance Ross or Wes Matthews if he's healthy would make the world of difference. Teague has some of the most balance offensive and defensive impact in the NBA. Where he's not overly good at one and not the other. He's good at both. PG13 is still an impact. Turner is improving at a high clip but they are getting negative impact from the 2. In fact, Glenn Robinson III is their best option. They need to make some moves. Al Jefferson pretty much killed the need for Ellis off the bench and he's not a starter next to Teague, he needs to be traded.

 

[Noah]

Nikola Jokic since becoming a starter (past eight games):

16.5 / 8.3 / 5.6 with 2.3 TOPG and 4 FPG in just under 26 MPG, 67.5% from the field

He'll really have to work on positioning on defense in order to cut down on fouls, but otherwise he's been fun to watch bout time he cracked the starting five

 

[#1 pick]

You forgot Cousins, Kemba, Jimmy Butler, John Wall, Kawhi.


You know what's crazy about KD's numbers? Is that he's 29th in usg rate. Gordon Heyward has a higher usg rate than him.

John Wall had a hell of a December breh. I was watching the games like, where this Wall been consistently for the last three seasons. Honestly, Otto Porter, Trey Burke and Oubre have been much better starting(Porter) and off the bench and it's helping everyone especially Wall. Wall has been dominate. I would say as impactful as Thomas(BOS).

Cousins really hasn't played team Basketball all that well, I hate to say. I watched some of the Kings games of late and man, he's doesn't do the little things. He does the big things but doesn't do the little things. The only time he did was v. Embiid.

Butler has been legit. He's not a superstar but he is a star and that shot v. the Nets but why use Bogdon to defend him.

Kawhi is one of the best 5 players in the NBA. I would say 3. Him and Durant on the same level to me.

Nikola Jokic since becoming a starter (past eight games):

16.5 / 8.3 / 5.6 with 2.3 TOPG and 4 FPG in just under 26 MPG, 67.5% from the field

He'll really have to work on positioning on defense in order to cut down on fouls, but otherwise he's been fun to watch bout time he cracked the starting five

His defense is problematic mainly on PnR's. Which is a staple for NBA PF's in today's league. He can get better at it but he doesn't have a center who can protect him like that. He needs to play next to a prime Tyson Chandler. His impact is better than the numbers.

 

[The War Report]

Durant and Kawahi are not the same. KD's offensive prowess dwarfs his and he's no slouch on defense either.

 

[#1 pick]

Durant and Kawahi are not the same. KD's offensive prowess dwarfs his and he's not slouch on defense either.

Khawi has better intangibles, is clearly better on defense, is an elite offensive player. Not out of the world good like Durant but who is? Khawi is one of the greatest impact players I've ever seen from a forward. Even the big ones. On top of that, his passing has improved and his off ball movement is deadly if he's has the ball or not. The one area I would love to see Durant improve his movement off the ball. He's good at it but I want him to be Reggie Miller at it. Or Richard Jefferson. Hell, Steph Curry. He has the movement and the stamina but too many times, I see his ass standing around. That is something you never see Leonard doing.

 

[Walt]

You forgot Cousins, Kemba, Jimmy Butler, John Wall, Kawhi.


You know what's crazy about KD's numbers? Is that he's 29th in usg rate. Gordon Heyward has a higher usg rate than him.

Cousins is a rockhead and I don't fukk with rockheads as a rule. All the rest are also putting up wild numbers, not sure I'd put Kemba on that list though. And yeah, his usage rate is wild.

You look at what's happening with the Warriors and you get an understanding of how great teams can bring the best out of some players but marginalize others. Only so many possession and seconds on the clock each guy can have the ball. A super team can only be so super. Look at Steph - dude went from two time MVP to a league afterthought.

 

[#1 pick]

Cousins is a rockhead and I don't fukk with rockheads as a rule. All the rest are also putting up wild numbers, not sure I'd put Kemba on that list though. And yeah, his usage rate is wild.

You look at what's happening with the Warriors and you get an understanding of how great teams can bring the best out of some players but marginalize others. Only so many possession and seconds on the clock each guy can have the ball. A super team can only be so super. Look at Steph - dude went from two time MVP to a league afterthought.

Afterthought tho

 

[Walt]

Nikola Jokic since becoming a starter (past eight games):

16.5 / 8.3 / 5.6 with 2.3 TOPG and 4 FPG in just under 26 MPG, 67.5% from the field

He'll really have to work on positioning on defense in order to cut down on fouls, but otherwise he's been fun to watch bout time he cracked the starting five

One of my favorite players to watch.

 

[Walt]

Afterthought tho

Nothing against Steph. I enjoyed what he did last season - truly one of the single most enjoyable runs of basketball excellence I have ever watched. Hit its peak with that pull up 3 vs. OKC. Dude looked unstoppable, you started to assume every shot was going to find the bottom of the net. But he hasn't looked the same since the start of the playoffs. Has had moments, but nothing sustained. The thing that turned him into a force of nature was his ability to create separation and finish at such a high rate near the basket. All of a sudden, he wasn't doing either the way I had seen him do it. I don't believe it's a confidence issue, not sure it's knee or ankle related, but it's impossible to watch him right now and not notice he's not on his game the same. It takes a fraction to a second on this level to totally change your game, that's all. Kyrie and Bron have also made his arrogance seem goofy at this point. All that posing and preening gets old when players are bringing it to your chest and embarrassing you.