5 hours ago, J._Bricker said:

 

Championships;

Celtics- 18

Lakers- 16

Bulls- 6

Warriors- 5 (including Philadelphia Warriors)

Spurs- 5

 

BTW, the Celtics, Hawks, Bucks, and Rockets ALL had a "run" in this year's NBA playoffs. In my opinion things are progressing in the right direction, towards a team game with ball movement and defense as opposed to iso ball and the "l'm getting mine" attitude (example: Indiana's blowing of a 25 point lead to the Cavs) of some players. 

 

You get get better by playing the best. And as of the last few years, the Cavs (not just LeBron James) have brought out the best of the Warriors and renewed interest in our favorite teams, players, and the league in general.

 

Looking forward to the NBA draft. Funny how the Lakers and Celtics are picking 1 and 2....

 

Good fishing all. Go A's! JB 

My point was back then it was never a cakewalk to the finals like it has been. Jordan never ripped thru the playoffs and dominated the finals, there was always a test. The Lakers of the late 90s early 2000s were a couple robert Horry shots from going home. The celts of the 80s were tested in tough 6-7 game series, often, as were those 80s lakers. That element of the playoffs, and nba is gone. Now its, let's play 82 and we know it's gonna be cavs and gs. That's really a newer phenomena and a result of a non competitive product. 

Good move Charlotte... Keep it up..

Anyone gonna watch the draft tonight? 

51 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

Anyone gonna watch the draft tonight? 

I will be.. As a Jayhawk fan and former Lawrence Kansas resident, looking forward to seeing where Josh Jackson and Frank Mason go...

 I might watch for a little bit, just to to see what personnel moves are made. Should be interesting considering all the front office moves and trades/ trade rumors since the Finals.

 As for the draft itself, the funny thing is after watching the movie "Draft Day" with Kevin Costner, the Mrs now likes to watch both the NFL and NBA drafts. I look forward to everyone's comments tomorrow after the dust settles. Otherwise, finishing up "Narcos" on Netflix.

I don't get ESPN anymore (TV), but may listen to the first

few picks on ESPN radio. Curious if Lakers will get a last-min

deal and trade out of #2...my guess is not, but with the 

Paul George possibility out there, who knows.

More than likely not. I haven't read through this thread and I probably won't but the players are picking and choosing who they play for and now I read reports that kids coming out of college as high draft picks are picking and choosing which teams they work out for? Blows my mind.

1 hour ago, J._Bricker said:

 I might watch for a little bit, just to to see what personnel moves are made. Should be interesting considering all the front office moves and trades/ trade rumors since the Finals.

 As for the draft itself, the funny thing is after watching the movie "Draft Day" with Kevin Costner, the Mrs now likes to watch both the NFL and NBA drafts. I look forward to everyone's comments tomorrow after the dust settles. Otherwise, finishing up "Narcos" on Netflix.

I just started Breaking Bad on Netlfix a couple weeks ago... Best show I have ever watched...

4 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

More than likely not. I haven't read through this thread and I probably won't but the players are picking and choosing who they play for and now I read reports that kids coming out of college as high draft picks are picking and choosing which teams they work out for? Blows my mind.

This is not a new thing, just more players are doing it these days. John Elway is the earliest I can remember, but I would bet there was many before him.

I have one hope for the draft, and that is for the Lakers to pass on Ball with the 2nd pick just because his dad is so ridiculous. I have nothing against the kid, and he is actually my favorite type of player; a pass-first "floor general" type point guard. He also has an effective outside shot, as goofy as it's form is. I look forward to watching him play in the NBA, just not for the Lakers. 

Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota! So happy they didn't include Rubio in the deal. Lavine, Dunn and a pick. 

Totally understand that it has happened in the past,@deaknh03, and it has been executed by a select few individuals in all 4 major pro sports leagues. The NBA is just flat selling out to these guys coming into the league and those who are already in the league. A lot of these games aren't even competitive. They're not worth watching during the regular season on TV much less family friendly to take your kid to view a game at the arena.

 

I'd rather do something else with my money than to fund the guys playing in the NBA.

After getting back into the NBA fully this year, I think I have a new team to follow...  Sacramento... DeAaron Fox and my boy Frank Mason... Happy for them both... Especially Frank..

On 6/12/2017 at 10:09 PM, Jar11591 said:

That was a very entertaining game, as these two teams always are. Already looking forward to the Christmas Day game between the Warriors and Cavs. I wonder how LeBron the GM will go about dealing with having to possibly go at it with GS again for a championship. It's clear defense is their weak spot. 

 

Next up, the awards and the draft. 

 

My guesses are:

 

Westbrook for MVP

Draymond for Defensive POTY

Brogdon for Rookie OTY

Gordon for 6th man OTY

D'Antoni for Coach OTY

 

On da money with those predictions! Just like Carnac the Magnificent!

Is Phil Jackson actually gone?! Did it really happen?!

I think his arrogance got the better of him.

1 hour ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I think his arrogance got the better of him.

 

I'd have to agree given the situations involving Melo and Porzingis. I read this morning Phil's wage was 50k a DAY, must be (or have been) nice. With front office shake ups and all the projected movement via free agency and trades, I am looking forward to the fireworks of July as every team will be try to get better.

And now CP3 to the Rockets! 

1 hour ago, Jar11591 said:

And now CP3 to the Rockets! 

 

Rockets picking up some pieces and the Clippers didn't do to badly as well! And so it begins....

10 minutes ago, J._Bricker said:

 

Rockets picking up some pieces and the Clippers didn't do to badly as well! And so it begins....

 

Paul and Harden make one hell of a backcourt. Suprising to me though considering how much success Harden had at the point, and now he'll move back to the 2 spot. Seems like the Rockets could have used Blake Griffin more than Paul? 

23 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

 

Paul and Harden make one hell of a backcourt. Suprising to me though considering how much success Harden had at the point, and now he'll move back to the 2 spot. Seems like the Rockets could have used Blake Griffin more than Paul? 

 

Obviously both are ball dominant players, but only one plays a lick of defense.  I kinda have to wonder how much influence the logo had on this happening. The Clips got Beverly, Lou Williams, Dekker, and a 1st round pick. This is just the beginning of the Finals ripple effect and to think it's baseball season... crazy.  Oh, Go A's!

PG to OKC, after Rubio traded to the Jazz, and now Griffin is gonna re-sign with the Clips for 5 and 173 million?! Things are happening and I'm wondering if Boston is going to get something done with Heyward. I was really surprised by the PG to OKC though...

As an OKC fan I will say that PG won't make a huge difference if they don't add a shooter. Russ kicked the ball out all year and they didn't have that one guy that could knock down the three. Klay makes the Warriors so much better because of his ability to hit the shot that he has to be guarded and that leaves drives open for the other guys. I hope they can get Reddick or another shooter to add to the mix.

PG going to OKC was a good move in the present, and I'm pretty sure all the teams in the East are glad the Cavs didn't get him.  Having PG may prevent the type of late game offensive stagnation that took place when Westbrook went to the bench during the Houston series. OKC was able to jettison Oladipo's contract, but had no choice regarding Sabonis being part of the deal. And regarding OKC's ability to retain Westbrook and PG at the end of next season, well that's a good problem to have. I agree Reddick is a good shooter, just curious what you think of the Rudy Gay rumors.

 

The Dubs definitely took care of Curry, locked up Livingston, and are going to be patient as Iguodala tests the waters. 

 

I think everyone's gotta agree the NBA definitely keeps things interesting during the off-season 

Definitely didn't see the PG trade coming, not to OKC anyway. Certainly makes things interesting. Im curious how Westbrook's game will be affected. 

 

I was really surprised to see Iguodala talking to other teams. I thought for sure he was a lock to re-sign. Rudy Gay makes sense for the Warriors as a 6th man if Iggy signs elsewhere, but would they have enough cap room to sign him? He could command a bigger contract if he signs somewhere else I would imagine. 

 

I was disappointed to see Rubio traded away from my T Wolves, especially for them to then sign what seems like a significant downgrade in Jeff Teague. He is a better shooter/scorer, but Rubio is a good defender, the best passer in the league and after the all-star break last year, he averaged over 15 PPG on the best shooting of his career. They should have more than enough scoring with KAT, Wiggins and now Jimmy Buckets. They need defense and facilitation, two things that Rubio provided. Im not too down on Teague, he's a decent scorer and an ok passer. I just don't see how replacing Rubio with him makes sense for the Wolves.