The Official NBA 2019-20 Season Thread

[PilotMan]

You are right. They are a waste of time. Thanks for pointing that out.

If you're enough of a narcissist, everyone else in the world is a waste of time.

Unless it's bottom need on Maslow's list, sports, jobs, travel, so many other things are all superfluous to our existence.

[JPhillips]

What will the sports protests accomplish? Probably very little. But that's not the fault of the players. We live in a country where when a school was filled with the bodies of dead children the response was to make it easier to buy guns and ammo.

Right now overwhelming majorities favor a number of police reforms, but few of them will happen in any police departments. No speeches, no votes, no protests will change that. The GOP is already talking about ways to give more money and weapons to the police without any training or policy changes required.

Don't blame the players for throwing up their hands and saying fuck this. What else can they do? All they have is a platform to speak and they've decided to use it. We'll do all of this again in six months, or two months , or next week, but that won't be because the players failed. We live in a country where those in power don't care and aren't willing to listen to the majority.

History says that eventually that will end badly.

[GrantDawg]

The players and owners are holding meetings today on how to go forward. n the meeting last night, the Lakers and the Clippers players voted their preference is to end the season.

[Ksyrup]

I find the whole thing odd. One, I thought one of the driving factors to finish out this year to begin with was the George Floyd situation, that playing and being visible would give them more of a voice than if they sat home. Now they are doing a 180 in response to the next George Floyd situation.

But more than that, I just don't get what not playing accomplishes. Do the players really think that not playing is going to get 30 ownership groups motivated to force changes at a national level? Because that's the only tie to the NBA that I can see here. Otherwise, you're just hurting your employer for something they have no responsibility for.

Do they think that "no NBA" is going to create a national movement to make changes? There's no way. Heck, the NBA was already about 2 weeks away from being relegated to second page news by football's return anyway, so the timing/impact of doing this is muted, IMO.

I have no problem with them speaking out/protesting, etc., but I just don't get how this is going to be effective at all. And I'm not sure how the league/team owners are supposed to fix the country's problems in 48 hours to save another month of bubble basketball.

[wustin]

Yeah I'm just gonna drop this link here and I hope everyone has the chance to read the article no matter which side you fall under.

The reality of Black pain is breaking American sports' status quo (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29749948/the-reality-black-pain-breaking-american-sports-status-quo)

The most important part is when he talks about the passive aggressive responses to the players' strikes (it's not a boycott people).

[wustin]

dola

actually I'll just quote it

Underneath it all -- the passive-aggressive questions about what walking out will prove, how people will never, ever watch the NBA again -- is threat, questions less in search of illumination but designed to diminish the players, to question their authenticity and disavow them of any thought of self-determination. There is no citizenship beneath their tank tops, and even less humanity. You're here to entertain us. No, you're literally here to entertain us. That's your job.

The NBA has used their platform to protest throughout the bubble in Orlando. Underneath that layer of threat is more threat, which is to say you better be grateful there are people willing to watch, because if we don't watch, you're back to being nothing. The message is, of course, to remind these Black players of how precarious their positions are, to let them know in case they forgot how thin the margin is, that one misstep, injury or arrest, backtalk or protest can put you back there with the rest. Never forget who you owe.

Yet everyone in America knows what the players are feeling right now, because they have felt it themselves, when the pain that lives down deep rises up and paralyzes them -- body, heart, mind -- and playing a game really doesn't matter. Nothing feels like it matters. We remember that from Sept. 11. We remember that from the Boston Marathon bombing. We remember that when family and the closest people to us die. We remember that when the constant racism breaks our hearts, and then our backs. Going to work doesn't matter. It simply isn't that important. There is no doubt many people have felt it during the more hopeless moments of the coronavirus pandemic, where it is difficult to see a future around the corner.

[bob]

I also agree it seems odd to be giving up their platform. No one really cares about 99% of these guys off the court. And by playing they can get paid and use that money towards charities or lobbying or whatever if they so choose (yes, I know they already have most of their money since the regular season is over but there is still playoff money).

If they feel "weird" or whatever the proper term would be for playing a game while others are protesting for change, that's a different story and I get that.

And while I know the goal from a high level, what concrete steps do they want? Isn't most police policy set at the local level? These major cities are all democratic run areas, so re-electing those guys in November isn't going to do much.

[bob]

(it's not a boycott people).

Ignoring everything else in this story, its weird to me that the media keeps using the term boycott. Shouldn't they know the difference?

[Ksyrup]

I'm still stuck on the practical effect of the strike, and particularly, forcing the cancellation of the rest of the season. If there was a purpose for it, I would get it. I think if this is the crux of the issue, they are not exactly setting themselves up for sympathy:

Yet everyone in America knows what the players are feeling right now, because they have felt it themselves, when the pain that lives down deep rises up and paralyzes them -- body, heart, mind -- and playing a game really doesn't matter. Nothing feels like it matters. We remember that from Sept. 11. We remember that from the Boston Marathon bombing. We remember that when family and the closest people to us die. We remember that when the constant racism breaks our hearts, and then our backs. Going to work doesn't matter. It simply isn't that important. There is no doubt many people have felt it during the more hopeless moments of the coronavirus pandemic, where it is difficult to see a future around the corner.

I'm sure there are plenty of Americans - black or otherwise - who feel the same way and who simply don't get to decide to walk off the job. There has to be more to it than that.

[Butter]

So is your problem that they are privileged enough to get to walk off the job?

[Ksyrup]

I don't have a problem with what they want to do, other than questioning the effectiveness of it. If you're going to do something like this, there ought to be some sort of tangible benefit from it that furthers your cause. They decided a few months ago that playing would further their cause, and now they are doing a 180.

But yeah, at a higher level, I don't think it's a great PR move to simply say, "I can leave my job/employer because what happened bothers me and I can't concentrate." That's Bryant's argument. I'm saying there has to be more to it than that or else it really looks bad.

On one hand, entertainment is a luxury in our society; on the other hand, they are responsible for so much money in the entertainment system that they have power. But I'm not sure what pulling this power play does to advance their cause.

And I wouldn't call it privilege, since that word is being used way too often these days to mean much of anything anymore.

[sterlingice]

Let's see if the season is actually cancelled, though. The "season cancel" threat has the NBA board of governors meeting and that may ultimately be the end goal. I think the players driving this are savvy enough to know that if they end the season, they lose their platform.

SI

[Comey]

It shouldn't be called a strike. A strike is against an employer. The employer--the teams and the NBA--support what is going on.

It shouldn't be called a boycott.

It should be called what it is: a protest. It is protesting what it has been protesting all along...police brutality.

I listened to Woj this morning; it was discussed that many players had misgivings for going to the bubble in the first place, but went for a variety of reasons. Many feel helpless in the bubble, removed from their communiities and helpless to do anything constructive. That's why some players have considered leaving, so that they can be more active in their community. The league supports that, though they have to figure out what all of the ramifications are.

Those who don't care to find out (not anyone here; if you're posting in this thread, you have an interest and investment in it, jbergey22 notwithstanding) are just labeling them whatever they want. It's maddening to see, and the Kaepernick situation all over again. If I'm a player, I'm angry and somewhat broken by the response...but also know it was coming.

They aren't answering to the public; they made that clear when they told the guy in Washington to shove his opinion up his own ass. They are attempting to do what they feel is right for their community. Whatever that is...well, I'm not sure anyone, they included, have answers yet. I do think, and this is pure speculation on my part, that the games may feel meaningless to them, when there is something bigger than all of us going on.

Again, that's just my opinion. I'm basing it off what I hear and read coming out of the bubble.

[JPhillips]

The husband of a colleague, Sam Anderson, is a writer for the NYTimes and was in the bubble until last week. I bet he wishes he were still there now.

[ISiddiqui]

As I said in the MLB thread, there seems to be a pain in the hearts of black basketball players to where they feel it's not right to play with what is going on. You can see it in Chris Weber's comments last night or Kenny Smith walking off Inside the NBA. I don't know if they know the end game, but there is a definite I don't feel right about this sort of feeling.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[molson]

So so far in this NBA season we've had (saw this compiled on reddit):

-China controversy
-COVID
-The Bubble
-Strike/Protest
-Kobe
-David Stern
-Anti-Semitism
-Jamal Murray sex tape.
-Strip Club Kawhi
-NBA Summer League Earthquake

What's next?

[PilotMan]

What's next?

https://media.tenor.com/images/698710f98b896964808bc154f1280b27/tenor.gif

[molson]

Haha. A Russo booking swerve would be a fitting end to the season. Maybe an a eliminated team will show up at the finals and the Commissioner will declare a triple threat championship-on-a-ladder game for the title.

[albionmoonlight]

For those wondering what the point of player protesting by not playing a game is . . . it is worth noting that Kap started his protest 4 years ago.

And without that protest, there is no way (IMO) that the players protest today by not playing a playoff game.

Who knows where this goes 4 years from now? And 4 years after that? And 4 years after that?

White supremacy enforced by the police arm of the state is baked into America's DNA. It is our original sin. Tearing it down is going to take more than a few years.

[GrantDawg]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In 61 I walked out if an exhibition game much like the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nba</a> players did yesterday. I am one of the few people that knows what it felt like to make such an important decision. I am so proud of these young guys. It reminded me of this Pls RT ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/MSNBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MSNBC</a>⁩ ⁦⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a>⁩ ⁦⁦ <a href="https://t.co/70VAIFxhtf">pic.twitter.com/70VAIFxhtf</a></p>&mdash; TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBillRussell/status/1299058622660395008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

[sterlingice]

I don't get what the end game of the protests was? Why didn't they turn it into tangible reforms going forward like trying to get out the vote in large numbers or using their platform for a more lasting message. Oh, wait

NBA playoffs will resume Saturday; players agree to form social justice coalition with coaches and own - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-will-resume-saturday-players-agree-to-form-social-justice-coalition-with-coaches-and-own/)

All parties agreed to resume NBA playoff games on Saturday, Aug. 29 with the understanding that the league together with the players will work to enact the following commitments:

1. The NBA and its players have agreed to immediately establish a social justice coalition, with representatives from players, coaches and governors, that will be focused on a broad range of issues, including increasing access to voting, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for meaningful police and criminal justice reform.

2. In every city where the league franchise owns and controls the arena property, team governors will continue to work with local elections officials to convert the facility into a voting location for the 2020 general election to allow for a safe in-person voting option for communities vulnerable to COVID. If a deadline has passed, team governors will work with local elections officials to find another election-related use for the facility, including but not limited to voter registration and ballot receiving boards.

3. The league will work with the players and our network partners to create and include advertising spots in each NBA playoff game dedicated to promoting greater civic engagement in national and local elections and raising awareness around voter access and opportunity.


SI

[spleen1015]

I think part of the issue amongst the players when Milwaukee decided to sit out, they didn't have an end game in mind. Seems to like they're trying to piece meal something together.

[Ksyrup]

I just find the whole "walking off the job" thing as a protest not against your employer but for a cause bizarre. Like, I get that's the players' power, but it doesn't really mean anything other than no games. And it's spreading, so apparently ESPN workers walked off the job. It's just bizarre to me.


For all those who don't understand why healthcare is tied to your job, this is the equivalent to me.

[ISiddiqui]

A general strike isn't uncommon around the world. It just isn't in the US because we tend to be very anti union compared to other Western European countries (and have less a history of mass protests as even many countries in Latin America or Asia). That's what this feels like - a general strike.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Ksyrup]

A strike suggests a grievance against your employer, though.

Here's the thing - as far as I see, while several leagues temporarily stopped playing to support the protest, the only one that has resulted in any tangible outcome is the NBA's, and they are the one league that has been vocal in its support of its players. So if they didn't refuse to play but went to the league and asked to partner on some of these initiatives, I believe they would have happened anyway. MLB, NHL, etc., shutting down for a couple of days was just window dressing.

[JPhillips]

These things are going to become more common if the majority isn't able to hold power at any point. One aspect of the Wisconsin protests is that the GOP has so efficiently locked down the legislature and neutered the Governor's office that there really isn't a democratic pathway for change. In 2018 the Dems won 53% of the state House vote and didn't get even 40% of the seats. Even more outrageous, there was a net change of about +13 towards the Dems from 2016 to 2018 and they only picked up one seat.

This is why I'm really worried about the election. A minority can't hold power over a majority forever. Eventually the majority abandons the system and then the minority has to decide whether they agree to reform or whether they choose to hold on to power through violence. I don't know what happens if Trump loses by 4 or 5 million votes but still wins, but it won't be good.

[ISiddiqui]

A strike suggests a grievance against your employer, though.

Not a General Strike.

General strike - Wikipedia (https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_strike)

[Ksyrup]

OK, so this was a specific general strike?

[Comey]

I don't get what the end game of the protests was? Why didn't they turn it into tangible reforms going forward like trying to get out the vote in large numbers or using their platform for a more lasting message. Oh, wait

NBA playoffs will resume Saturday; players agree to form social justice coalition with coaches and own - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-playoffs-will-resume-saturday-players-agree-to-form-social-justice-coalition-with-coaches-and-own/)



SI

The advertising alone makes it a win. And if they are able to convert more arenas to polling places where they are need (coughRuppArenacough), it's another win.

Everything I read indicates that the players know their options are severely limited while in the bubble, which is why there was consideration towards ending the season. They were able to bring about some progressive changes as best they can, I think. They got the league to eat some ad money for promoting civic responsibility.

Of course, they will be rejected by the shut up and dribble club, and be derided by those who will say they should drop their contracts and demand unreasonable things. The NBA continues to do right by their community. I am happy to be a fan, and will continue to support them however I can.

Thank you for sharing.

[sterlingice]

I saw this on Twitter earlier today because one of the things trending in Houston was that Toyota Center was going to be a polling place for all of early voting and election day. That's a huge thing to try and blunt some of the voter suppression going on.

SI

[miami_fan]

I just find the whole "walking off the job" thing as a protest not against your employer but for a cause bizarre. Like, I get that's the players' power, but it doesn't really mean anything other than no games. And it's spreading, so apparently ESPN workers walked off the job. It's just bizarre to me.


For all those who don't understand why healthcare is tied to your job, this is the equivalent to me.

It doesn't mean anything to who? There are certainly a large number of people who seem to be very appreciative of the protest and it seems to have garnered some results.

A strike suggests a grievance against your employer, though.

Here's the thing - as far as I see, while several leagues temporarily stopped playing to support the protest, the only one that has resulted in any tangible outcome is the NBA's, and they are the one league that has been vocal in its support of its players. So if they didn't refuse to play but went to the league and asked to partner on some of these initiatives, I believe they would have happened anyway. MLB, NHL, etc., shutting down for a couple of days was just window dressing.


2-3 months ago, their employers talked about their support for the causes of the players. The employers said that they would be partners with the players in advancing the cause. Every sports league and all of the sports TV networks said they are supporting this cause because it was important to them and it was the right thing to do. There are those who believe they supported the cause t was important to the players and if that what they needed to do to keep the money coming in, that is what they were going to do. Whatever the reason, there was pretty much universal support.


Talking specifically about the NBA, remember, there were a significant number of players who did not want to go into the bubble. Not because they were worried if they would be safe but because they did not want the games to be a distraction from their cause. They are not the only ones who had that concern. My assumption is that their employers made certain commitments to continue the support of the cause of their players. There has been a noticeable decline of outward actions from their employers since basketball returned to the floor. I am not saying everything has to be outward. I can't speak as to whether things were going on behind the scenes by the employers. Then the video came out.

Based on several reports, many of the players were done then. Monday, nothing from the employers. Tuesday, nothing from the employers. All the while things are happening in Washington and Kenosha. Then Doc Rivers speaks Tuesday night, the players stopped playing on Wednesday and all of a sudden, the employers seemed to be engaged once again. The causes of the players were once again front and center. Small steps were taken that seemed to be missing since the season restarted.

It is not just their employers, I took a quick look at the Michael Brown thread. IMO, that has been the main thread for these topics. From the day the NBA started until this past Tuesday, there were 11 posts total and four of those were about Masai Ujiri which was also a issue for the players. Since Wednesday, there have been over 150+. The boycott seemed to do more to bring the causes front and center once again than all the special jerseys, painted floors and even the initial release of the video of the most recent shooting.

Would the NBA have partnered with the players on the initiatives without the boycott? Maybe. On the other hand, the players have been talking about Breonna Taylor for the last month while they have been playing and well... I have heard very little from their employers on that issue. I heard little about the Jacob Blake shooting before the boycott. The players believe that their employers are powerful people who have influence and a voice that matters. They want their employers to use their influence to affect change. If stopping the games can bring about these steps, I can't really speak on the other leagues other than maybe this is their first step. I do know their employers made the same commitments. I just don't know if they have the ability to hold them as accountable if the cause is that important to them.

[stevew]

Thought it was a overpay when Jamal Murray got the max, but dude is flat up lighting it up. Crazy shooting display tonight.

[Ksyrup]

Glad I happened to catch the last half of the 4th quarter. That was insane. UL vs UK, can't escape it.

[miami_fan]

Be honest Celtics fans. These three pointers that Marcus Smart are hitting. Good thing or bad thing?

[SirFozzie]

Marcus Smart is the king of many things.

Two of them are the "No, NO! NO!!!! YES!!!!!!!!" and the "YES... NO!" shots

[stevew]

Denver Utah uglyball tonight.

[Ksyrup]

I could not believe Denver tried to score at the end instead of running the clock out. That was middle school ball-type stuff. There was a dude on the left wing all alone and if they pass it to him, he probably dribbles out the game. Instead, they almost gave it away.

[miami_fan]

WTF are these refs doing?

[spleen1015]

Bad call to give the Bucks three FT, then a make up call.

Is it me or is this announcer butchering Giannis' last name every time he says it?

[miami_fan]

So from Champions League analyst to NBA head coach? Sounds like when I close out of FM and then open DDS: PB.

Brooklyn Nets hire Hall of Famer Steve Nash as head coach (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29800840/nets-hire-hall-famer-steve-nash-head-coach)

[stevew]

The heat laying an ass whooping to this Bucks team is absolutely what the world needs. I'm frankly shocked the Bucks players can even run down the floor without slipping, given all the tears they shed over calls.

[stevew]

And also I know better than to listen to most of what Steven A says, but calling Nash's hiring "White Privilege" is a bit of a stretch. The last two guys hired without coaching experience are Derek Fisher and Jason Kidd. Nash actually has a better playing resume than both of them

[spleen1015]

I guess I'm old school.

That Walker pass is what I like to see, pass for a dunk/layout instead of passing outside for a 3.

[miami_fan]

What an ending!

[spleen1015]

Great play at the end for Toronto.

[BishopMVP]

It's a shame that skilled basketball players like Marcus Smart need to share the floor with floppers like Kyle Lowry.

[stevew]

I used to hate Smart the most on the Celtics, but fuck that Daniel Theiss guy

[stevew]

Also Siakam has been invisible this series. Doesn’t make the 140M extension look particularly good.

[miami_fan]

Expected a bit more from the COY on that last possession.

[stevew]

who snitched on Danuel House for bubble protocols?

[molson]

So so far in this NBA season we've had (saw this compiled on reddit):

-China controversy
-COVID
-The Bubble
-Strike/Protest
-Kobe
-David Stern
-Anti-Semitism
-Jamal Murray sex tape.
-Strip Club Kawhi
-NBA Summer League Earthquake

What's next?

OK, we now know what's next:

-Player gets banned from the bubble and the playoffs for boinking a COVID tester in his hotel room.

But is this all part of a conspiracy????

THE NBA IS RUINING DANUEL HOUSE'S MARRIAGE AND BREAKING UP HIS FAMILY IN ORDER TO HELP LEBRON WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP - TexasTakes (https://texastakes.com/2020/09/10/the-nbas-ruining-danuel-houses-marriage-and-breaking-up-his-family-in-order-to-help-lebron-win-a-championship/)

[miami_fan]

We won't know until we find out what she was wearing.

If she was showing even a little bit a leg...

[spleen1015]

A Texas based website is claiming the NBA is screwing a Texas team.

I totally believe it!

[stevew]

Siakam is trash. Needs to get benched.

[SirFozzie]

Had em all the way. Never was a doubt.

(I am lying horribly and still recovering from the end of the game)

[BishopMVP]

A Texas based website is claiming the NBA is screwing a Texas team.

I totally believe it!I haven't paid attention, is there any (reported) evidence House was involved beyond a door allegedly opening?

Not the best played game tonight, but a W is a W. I don't have the time now but I just want to find everyone who ever said Marcus Smart was overpaid when signed to his current $13m/y deal and thank them for any part they played in keeping that chip on his shoulder.

Also agreed Steve, I won't claim I watched that many Raptors games this year but I heard Siakim made the jump and was a real All Star... I'd take Jayson over him, I'd take Jaylen over him, I might even take Marcus over him if I was building a playoff team.

[stevew]

Siakam shot 12.5% on threes this series and 10 for 51 for the playoffs. That's shitting the bed hardcore. He makes 29 million next year and is roughly a 3rd or 4th option.

[Brian Swartz]

On the other hand he shot 36% during the season and 33% for his career. Which is more likely to be representative of his performance going forward? I'm not saying he isn't overpaid, but it would seem evident that he just hit a shooting slump at the wrong time.

[BishopMVP]

]On the other hand he shot 36% during the season and 33% for his career. Which is more likely to be representative of his performance going forward? I'm not saying he isn't overpaid, but it would seem evident that he just hit a shooting slump at the wrong time.
It wasn't just a shooting slump though. He clearly needs transition to be good on offense & struggles in the half court - FVV was Toronto's offense when it wasn't Lowry.

And defensively Boston (and Tatum in particular) were targeting him, which is odd for an alleged All-defense candidate. (And speaking of All-Defense Marcus Smart probably won't be 1st team All-NBA & it's laughable. There isn't another player under 6'10 who changes games on D as frequently as he does.)

[stevew]

It wasn’t just the epic record setting brick laying. (Eye test) his handles were awful. His decision making with the ball was suspect. He seemed good for one gut wrenching turnover a quarter at least. It was like he was doing his best Alfonso Ribeiro impression of out of control Giannis. Although with 2 shitty brothers in the league, maybe he was playing like Thanniss

[sterlingice]

D'Antoni out in Houston. I thought, given the personnel, that he was as good a fit for the job as there was. They were one CP3 hammy tweak away from a title in 2008. But, alas, it was not to be.

SI

[miami_fan]

D'Antoni out in Houston. I thought, given the personnel, that he was as good a fit for the job as there was. They were one CP3 hammy tweak away from a title in 2008. But, alas, it was not to be.
SI

I assumed that Morey would be going as well but early reporting is saying that Fertitta is going to keep him. It will be interesting to see who they bring in. The idea of going from D'Antoni to Jeff Van Gundy and then watching Van Gundy deal with Harden and Westbrook might actually be worth the price of League Pass alone.

[stevew]

Rockets are at an interesting position. No draft picks, and only have basically their top 6 guys(including House, who I assume has to be traded) signed for next year. Not really a lot of outs for them to rebuild a bench. Especially if they don't want to pay tax.

[sterlingice]

Rockets are at an interesting position. No draft picks, and only have basically their top 6 guys(including House, who I assume has to be traded) signed for next year. Not really a lot of outs for them to rebuild a bench. Especially if they don't want to pay tax.

And Fertitta has shown no desire to pay any tax at all.

Morey's pretty good at finding diamonds in the rough - it feels like half of the guys who are #4-9 on rotations around the league have passed through Houston at one point. But it also always feels like the scene in moneyball where they're trying to recreate missing players by signing 2 and 3 players who are just a bit too one dimensional. And in that NBA, that gets exposed come playoff time.

SI

[sterlingice]

I assumed that Morey would be going as well but early reporting is saying that Fertitta is going to keep him. It will be interesting to see who they bring in. The idea of going from D'Antoni to Jeff Van Gundy and then watching Van Gundy deal with Harden and Westbrook might actually be worth the price of League Pass alone.

I figured that as soon as the China thing went down earlier this year (or whenever the hell that was, damn 2020), they were laying the groundwork for him to get booted. But he's been edging toward the door for a while now, too. There have been a number of moves the last couple of years that have been trying to finish off the team and have really diluted the assets for the future.

I also think Fertitta is going to grow tired of Morey and fire him sooner rather than later. He seems like one of those owners who wants to meddle and has no concept of the limitations of making moves in the NBA.

Morey managed to rebuild the Rockets without bottoming out and tanking. The last time they had a losing record was 2005-06, which was the year both TMac and Yao Ming were hurt a bunch, if that says anything. They didn't just float around as playoff flotsam the whole time either. They made 2 WCF (and should have won a title in 2018) and only lost in the 1st round once in the last 6 seasons. They were really the only team that really pushed the Warriors in the West after the got Durant.

But that's done now. Harden has a couple of elite years left. The rest of the team is mostly locked in with contracts now until he starts to fade and that'll be that.

SI

[stevew]

Bam

[spleen1015]

I don't think I have ever seen a block like that. Crazy.

[stevew]

Clippers have unlimited time for load management

[Atocep]

Jamal Murray has been incredible in the playoffs. Should be an interesting match up with the Lakers.

[BishopMVP]

Bam block is iconic (and might've torn MY labrum!!!)

Also, is Doc getting fired?

[rjolley]

Also, is Doc getting fired?

This was my first thought when I heard about the loss. He may get one more year because of the oddity of this year, but to not make it to the conference finals to face the Lakers? Might be unforgivable.

Edit: Forgot it was a 3-1 series failure as well. That could be enough to push him out the door, which would be a shame.

[bhlloy]

Only coach in NBA history to blow three 3-1 series leads. Even if you only look at his record as a coach and not even consider him as a roster constructor, how can you look at that and justify him sticking around for another year of prime Kawhi. Especially when you saw what he was able to lift a good roster to last year.

[Brian Swartz]

I think the answer to that question is who is available that's better. I don't think it's enough to say Rivers deserves to be fired (I agree with that in this case). Who specifically can they likely bring in that would be an improvement? That's the question I don't know the answer for. I think if they do kick him to the curb they need to do it quickly.

[miami_fan]

I hear what you are saying Brian. The counter with the Dwane Casey/Nick Nurse situation in Toronto. There is something to the idea of that this guy can't be the coach anymore. Lawrence Frank maybe?

[miami_fan]

Dola,

I say that also not being sure if Doc should be fired. Just that I don't think it would be unreasonable if they did.

[JPhillips]

Heat/Nuggets is the dream matchup made for TV.

[sterlingice]

Heat/Nuggets is the dream matchup made for TV.

The NBA is not letting this happen. Paging Scott Foster, paging Tony Brothers. We need company men on this, stat.

SI

[Warhammer]

Considering the Lakers are still in, there is no way the Nuggets are advancing to the Finals.

[JPhillips]

Obviously, Lakers/Celtics is the best matchup for the NBA.

[molson]

It's funny how quickly the conspiracy theories shift after an unexpected outcome. I thought the NBA was going with Lakers/Clippers? That's all I've heard for weeks. Why did they change their mind?

[stevew]

I dunno if the heat can count on Crowder when it matters, but they’re going to be hard to beat.

[miami_fan]

I know it is the Lakers, but AD doing a Steph Curry impersonation at the end of that game was amazing. The off ball action from one side of the court to the other was impressive. Yes, Plumlee played the “You go get him” defense and did not follow his man.

[stevew]

Walker's numbers don't look bad or anything, but I feel like he's been totally trash all series. Robert Williams also needs a lot more burn than he's getting. I think him and even the other Williams have both looked good in the playoffs and should be taking more of Theiss's minutes.

[Lathum]

Jimmy Butler was right every time.

[stevew]

Did Davis just blow out his achilles?

[stevew]

nvmd. These refs love Davis/LeBron.

[Ksyrup]

Murray got fouled by LeBron going to the basket in a 3-point game with like 2-3 minutes left but it wasn't called and they could never make up the deficit.

[stevew]

Murray got fouled by LeBron going to the basket in a 3-point game with like 2-3 minutes left but it wasn't called and they could never make up the deficit.

I re-watched that play several times today. I'm tired of the refs allowing you to decapitate the other player if it was a clean block at some point, but god forbid if you breathe on a jump shooter.

Anthony Davis loves to flail after every shot attempt. You can tell he's hanging out too much with Bron and probably constantly watches Kobe highlights on his phone.

[stevew]

Rivers out in LA. Should shake up a bunch of stuff as I'd think he'll get a job fast. Houston? Philly?

[Brian Swartz]

It's funny how quickly the conspiracy theories shift after an unexpected outcome. I thought the NBA was going with Lakers/Clippers? That's all I've heard for weeks. Why did they change their mind?

This. NBA conspiracy theories are just so absurd.

[miami_fan]

Rivers out in LA. Should shake up a bunch of stuff as I'd think he'll get a job fast. Houston? Philly?

D'Antoni to the Clips? Maybe, possibly?

[Galaril]

Feeling like a 4 game sweep is coming in this series.

[stevew]

Bam and the Dragon both out of game 2. This is likely a sweep.

[stevew]

Doc Rivers in as Philly coach.

[miami_fan]

How the hell did he come in and take D'Antoni's job? I am pretty sure the quote was that D'Antoni had to bomb the 2nd interview in order not to get the job. Did he bomb that last interview? And how the hell are you almost going to hire Mike D'Antoni but then hire Doc Rivers? So many questions.

[miami_fan]

Bam and the Dragon both out of game 2. This is likely a sweep.

Well isn't this a female dog.

[stevew]

Kyrie talking about collaborative coaching is cringe. That’s not how anything works

[spleen1015]

How the hell did he come in and take D'Antoni's job? I am pretty sure the quote was that D'Antoni had to bomb the 2nd interview in order not to get the job. Did he bomb that last interview? And how the hell are you almost going to hire Mike D'Antoni but then hire Doc Rivers? So many questions.

If I'm the 76ers, I put D'Antoni on hold as soon as I hear Rivers is available.

[miami_fan]

If I'm the 76ers, I put D'Antoni on hold as soon as I hear Rivers is available.

I don't see them being similar enough coaches for me to be looking at both for the same job. If you are looking for a Doc Rivers type of coach, I don't see how you get so far down the road as they seemed to have gotten with D'Antoni. I think Doc is a better coach than D'Antoni. I don't think he is a better version of the type of coach Mike D'Antoni is.

[miami_fan]

No Bam, no Goran again. An uphill climb indeed.

That being said, I think I found a nominee for this year's "That guy is a champion?!" award.:D

Attention Required! | Cloudflare (https://www.change.org/p/nba-fans-kyle-kuzma-should-not-get-a-ring-if-the-lakers-win)

[stevew]

Dion Waiters wins either way?

But yeah wtf were all the Kuzma fanboi's talking about last year? He's straight trash.

[miami_fan]

Dion Waiters wins either way?

But yeah wtf were all the Kuzma fanboi's talking about last year? He's straight trash.

That is the other nominee. It does not look like it is going to matter but I could not find one on the Heat roster.

[miami_fan]

Well there’s one

[stevew]

LeBron’s body language is just brutal. He needs to stop bitching like a baby after every call

[Arles]

This is fantastic:

https://twitter.com/SupremeDreams_1/status/1314809503020462082?s=20

[Danny]

They are still likely to win but lakers need to find some new role players next year.

[miami_fan]

Well there’s one

There's another one.:D

I really want the Heat to win the series but I just don't see them winning if LeBron and AD bring it and they get anything from the other players on the Lakers. I love what have seen from the team though. I don't know if they are too young to know they are supposed to be scared or if they are just fearless. Either way I will take the confidence they are showing in their individual games and in the system Spo has them running. I would have like to have seen a healthy Dragic in the series though.

[Danny]

Just a follow up that Kuzma sucks. Trade him for whatever you can get next year.

[Drake]

Anybody know what time the Heat play tonight? 'Cuz it looks like the Lakers showed up about an hour ago.

[ISiddiqui]

Seriously. How do you pull out that effort last game and then don't even show up tonight?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[miami_fan]

Oh well. I guess the gas has run out of the Heat wagon.

[miami_fan]

Oh shit I forgot about Dwight Howard is going to win an NBA title.

[stevew]

Congrats to Kostas Antetokounmpo, NBA Champion. He’s like the Clint Howard of his family.

[miami_fan]

Congrats to Kostas Antetokounmpo, NBA Champion. He’s like the Clint Howard of his family.

There had to be someone who put $5 on Kostas to be the first of the Antetokounmpo brothers to win a title, right?

[stevew]

There had to be someone who put $5 on Kostas to be the first of the Antetokounmpo brothers to win a title, right?

It’s part of a parlay with Eric Trump to win the 2024 election

[albionmoonlight]

Oh shit I forgot about Dwight Howard is going to win an NBA title.

In Orlando! :lol:

[spleen1015]

There has been a Duke player on every Lebron championship winning team.

This is not a coincidence.

[sterlingice]

There has been a Duke player on every Lebron championship winning team.

This is not a coincidence.

Kansas Jayhawk, too

Mario Chalmers in Miami
Sasha Kaun in Cleveland
Markieff Morris this year

SI

[spleen1015]

That is a coincidence.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, because Quinn Cook was so instrumental in getting that title this year :p

EDIT: I mean, Kyrie, sure. Battier was a useful rotation piece (though I could argue less so than Chalmers). But, this year?

SI

[spleen1015]

Yeah, because Quinn Cook was so instrumental in getting that title this year :p

EDIT: I mean, Kyrie, sure. Battier was a useful rotation piece (though I could argue less so than Chalmers). But, this year?

SI

He was so instrumental the team bus left him behind the other night.

[miami_fan]

I assumed that Morey would be going as well but early reporting is saying that Fertitta is going to keep him. It will be interesting to see who they bring in. The idea of going from D'Antoni to Jeff Van Gundy and then watching Van Gundy deal with Harden and Westbrook might actually be worth the price of League Pass alone.

This time I was right in ASSuming. Morey is leaving the Rockets.

Daryl Morey stepping down as Houston Rockets GM, sources say (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30120824/daryl-morey-stepping-houston-rockets-gm-sources-say)

[sterlingice]

Well, fuck

SI

[stevew]

Turd Frittata is such a horrible type of owner.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, we went from a model owner to a meddling cheapskate

SI

[stevew]

Ty Lue to the Clips. Good for him to get a rebound job.

[stevew]

John Lucas has no business getting another head coaching job. his last winning season was 93-94. Not to mention that insane move to have LeBron practice with the Cavaliers when LeBron was a high school senior.

[miami_fan]

Yeah, we went from a model owner to a meddling cheapskate

SI

I can't tell if he is trying to emulate Mark Cuban or Jerry Jones. Both are all emcompassing and want to control everything for sure. Cuban seems more likely to listen to his basketball people before making a final decision while Jerry strikes me as an owner who feels he is the football person in his organization and his football people should be listening to him as he makes the final decision.

[sterlingice]

I can't tell if he is trying to emulate Mark Cuban or Jerry Jones. Both are all emcompassing and want to control everything for sure. Cuban seems more likely to listen to his basketball people before making a final decision while Jerry strikes me as an owner who feels he is the football person in his organization and his football people should be listening to him as he makes the final decision.

Peter Angelos?

SI

[BishopMVP]

Ty Lue to the Clips. Good for him to get a rebound job.
Good for him, bad for the Clips

[spleen1015]

Crazy. The Clippers really think replacing Doc Rivers with Ty Lue. Crazy.

[stevew]

Rivers-1 title
Lue-1 title

Rivers- 943-681 .581 91-89 in playoffs
Lue- 128-83 .607 41-20 in playoffs

[spleen1015]

Goes 0-6 without Lebron and gets fired.

[stevew]

I’m pretty sure he told them to fuck off because he wasn’t willing to do the tank thing.

I do think he’s a good coach. Basketball is basically all he has.