By Zeus Ex MachinaIts going to be interesting when Kevin Love leaves the Cav's for LA (Cause another season of stretch 4 and K love isn't going to get a better contract in 2016 anyway)I didn't really consider this until now. Love still gets a max contract this summer but another year of watching Kyrie and LeBron is really hurting his value.
I hope he leaves. Even if he goes to the Lakers. He's too good for this.
By IWMTB19Best defensive 3 man combos since the all-star break.
New Jazz, first one to 85 wins.
Jingles <3
All the down play on Memphis is not really deserved.
They've obviously been playing within themselves for stretches finding it really hard to motivate themselves for every game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs start they'll be locking everyone down again.
They've obviously been playing within themselves for stretches finding it really hard to motivate themselves for every game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs start they'll be locking everyone down again.
By MethodBy VahagnRemember when Bill Simmons was writing articles and going on Grantland podcasts suggesting that Kevin Love is far and away the best player Lebron's played with? And that Lebron will be able to take Kevin's game to a whole new level and vice versa?
That's prime for a Wade/Bosh/Mo Williams "Simmons how my a** taste" freestyle rap.
mo williams? cmon now, lol
Mo Williams has the wolves career franchise scoring mark. Let that sink in.
By giririsssAll the down play on Memphis is not really deserved.
They've obviously been playing within themselves for stretches finding it really hard to motivate themselves for every game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs start they'll be locking everyone down again.
It's gonna be great to watch them make the opposing team suffer hard for points. Thunder have no chance. I don't think the Mavs have a chance either.
By giririsssAll the down play on Memphis is not really deserved.Well the downplay is mainly coming from the lone Grizzlies fan on this site.
They've obviously been playing within themselves for stretches finding it really hard to motivate themselves for every game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs start they'll be locking everyone down again.
Rockets would still beat them in a 7 game series though.
By creepingfearand Noah is out… The Bulls play musical chairs with injured players.They should still be able to beat Charlotte at home. Maybe this year is just a sign that Chicago is trying to manage player minutes/health even if Thibodeau won't.
I don't see the Rockets beating Memphis in 7 series. Their strength is the Rockets biggest weakness.
By ratcliffjaI don't care, as long as they have all players healthy and playing come playoff time. No Noah= more of Mirotic.By creepingfearand Noah is out… The Bulls play musical chairs with injured players.They should still be able to beat Charlotte at home. Maybe this year is just a sign that Chicago is trying to manage player minutes/health even if Thibodeau won't.
By KumaJGI don't see the Rockets beating Memphis in 7 series. Their strength is the Rockets biggest weakness.I think a lot of it depends on Dwight's health, but I don't see Dwight getting healthy enough even if they don't meet until the WCF.
By RBKTerrible troll.By giririsssAll the down play on Memphis is not really deserved.Well the downplay is mainly coming from the lone Grizzlies fan on this site.
They've obviously been playing within themselves for stretches finding it really hard to motivate themselves for every game of the regular season.
Once the playoffs start they'll be locking everyone down again.
Rockets would still beat them in a 7 game series though.
By KumaJGI don't see the Rockets beating Memphis in 7 series. Their strength is the Rockets biggest weakness.
By giririsssTerrible troll.
Both ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency...both ranked 13th in offensive efficiency overall for the season.
Someone would have to correct me what are the stats post all-star break but we have the bigs to throw at Randolph/Gasol plus we have the best scorer in Harden out of all the players.
Houston in 6 over Memphis is very reasonable and as I said before: Dallas, Memphis, or Portland would be our best chances in a playoff win. Avoid OKC(at full strength) or the Clippers at all costs. Spurs and Golden State could go either way, and you can throw Portland in this group since they did beat us last go round.
No trolling whatsoever.
By TruphenomThe Thunder aren't beating the Grizzlies if they meet in the first round Wtf lol.I said we *could* if Ibaka comes back healthy, not that they would.
By ratcliffjaI think a lot of it depends on Dwight's health, but I don't see Dwight getting healthy enough even if they don't meet until the WCF.
Well everything depends on Dwight's health. As long as he's able to play, it's a plus. 16/11/2 is still all-star caliber stats regardless of his injuries.
By RBKBy KumaJGI don't see the Rockets beating Memphis in 7 series. Their strength is the Rockets biggest weakness.By giririsssTerrible troll.
Both ranked 3rd in defensive efficiency…both ranked 13th in offensive efficiency overall for the season.
Someone would have to correct me what are the stats post all-star break but we have the bigs to throw at Randolph/Gasol plus we have the best scorer in Harden out of all the players.
Houston in 6 over Memphis is very reasonable and as I said before: Dallas, Memphis, or Portland would be our best chances in a playoff win. Avoid OKC(at full strength) or the Clippers at all costs. Spurs and Golden State could go either way, and you can throw Portland in this group since they did beat us last go round.
No trolling whatsoever.
Now I know you done lost your mind. Also, I know that ORTG and DRTG is everyone's wet dream. But, it's lulz worthy. I remember having debates with Suns fans in 2010 right before the CF and them telling me that Phx had the best ORTG and Lakers were like 13th. LA would have nightmares trying to stop that team. There's no objective data that suggests LAL could beat Phx. Dumb shit like that. Any basketball fan that thought Phx had more than a 30% chance of winning that series before it began had lost their damn minds.
By creepingfearJimmy Butler is coming back!
By creepingfearand Noah is out… The Bulls play musical chairs with injured players.Maybe he just being rested, shoulda do that in detroit game.
By VahagnNow I know you done lost your mind. Also, I know that ORTG and DRTG is everyone's wet dream. But, it's lulz worthy. I remember having debates with Suns fans in 2010 right before the CF and them telling me that Phx had the best ORTG and Lakers were like 13th. LA would have nightmares trying to stop that team. There's no objective data that suggests LAL could beat Phx. Dumb shit like that. Any basketball fan that thought Phx had more than a 30% chance of winning that series before it began had lost their damn minds.It would be a 7 game series if we were to win, not a cakewalk.
We still match up with them(GS has the superior bench), but Howard was virtually out 3 of the 4 games(foul trouble in the 4th meetup) plus I don't think TJones played in any Warriors games either.
Unless Kerr's system has really made that much of a impact, history is in our favor.
By IWMTB19The Lakers' SRS was better than the Suns that year, what boogeymen is this dude fighting right now.
Ah there you go. When one stat doesn't work, just pick another one that does. That's the luxury of being an analytics guy. A team with a legendary ORTG loses to a team with a mediocre ORTG. Nothing to see here guys, my models are still flawless.
By RBKAlso could you use a better example Vahagn?
Suns have a very long-standing history of choking.
The Lakers were the better team. Everyone outside of Phoenix knew that. Ditto for this situation. GS is the better team. Everyone outside of Houston knows that. If you think you're beating a healthy GS team with HCA because something something offensive rating. You're in for a rude awakening.
By RBKAlso could you use a better example Vahagn?
Suns have a very long-standing history of choking.
By VahagnAh there you go. When one stat doesn't work, just pick another one that does.Are you that insane?
The Lakers were 4th in DRtg while the Suns were 23rd.
You have gone completely mental bro.
Literally bringing up examples that kill your point.
SRS is pretty much ORtg and DRtg combined adjusted for strength of schedule. I am using the exact same stats as before.
By diehardBy VahagnAh there you go. When one stat doesn't work, just pick another one that does.Are you that insane?
The Lakers were 4th in DRtg while the Suns were 23rd.
You have gone completely mental bro.
Literally bringing up examples that kill your point.
The Steve Nash Suns being trash defensively? Stop the presses!
My point has always been that the Nash suns were too shitty defensively because they sacrificed defense for offense to ever chip. Everyone else has been on the "The Suns were revolutionary and had the best offense ever. If only they didn't have bad luck"
So, how exactly am I wrong here? Because I didn't take ORTG in a vacuum and jerk off to "the most efficient offense ever"?
By IWMTB19SRS is pretty much ORtg and DRtg combined adjusted for strength of schedule. I am using the exact same stats as before.
Someone that actually believes that (instead of jumping on whatever bandwagon to win an argument) - would never be praising the Suns. Because the entire D'Antoni era SRS was mediocre to shit.
Oh clearly. No objective data that suggested the Suns could beat the Lakers except you know.. advanced stats.
You are arguing against people who don't know what defense is ... by discounting ORtg? What was your point again?
If its anything other than "Houston isnt as good as GS because defense and offense both count" .. i'm lost.
You are arguing against people who don't know what defense is ... by discounting ORtg? What was your point again?
If its anything other than "Houston isnt as good as GS because defense and offense both count" .. i'm lost.
People still trying to engage with vag and his moving goalposts / fields / continents / sports debates baffle me.
By VahagnLakers were the better team. Everyone outside of Phoenix knew that. Ditto for this situation. GS is the better team. Everyone outside of Houston knows that. If you think you're beating a healthy GS team with HCA because something something offensive rating. You're in for a rude awakening.Twisting my words again.
GS would be the favorites, no doubt, they should be as they earned it so far. Don't think we'll get swept and while it could be a 5 game series, I would bet against that.
By IWMTB19SRS is pretty much ORtg and DRtg combined adjusted for strength of schedule. I am using the exact same stats as before.If Dallas a better team this season over Memphis/Houston, I can't trust SRS.
By RBKBy VahagnLakers were the better team. Everyone outside of Phoenix knew that. Ditto for this situation. GS is the better team. Everyone outside of Houston knows that. If you think you're beating a healthy GS team with HCA because something something offensive rating. You're in for a rude awakening.Twisting my words again.
GS would be the favorites, no doubt, they should be as they earned it so far. Don't think we'll get swept and while it could be a 5 game series, I would bet against that.
I'm not twisting your words. You said "it could go either way" - I'm saying, you don't have more than like a 20% chance. No one mentioned being swept, or knocked out in 5 games. Just that, a Hou/GS matchup is the furthest thing from "could go either way" in a 2nd round or CF matchup in my eyes.
By romreirockets lost to pacers fuck fraudsHow come you always say someone lost when there is plenty of time left?
harden is fuck overrated
harden is a jr smith like.
By RBKBy IWMTB19SRS is pretty much ORtg and DRtg combined adjusted for strength of schedule. I am using the exact same stats as before.If Dallas a better team this season over Memphis/Houston, I can't trust SRS.
Dallas' SRS since acquiring Rondo (and since Monta and Dirk have collapsed) sucks though. They were killing everybody at the beginning of the year which is why it's so high for the season overall.
How well they'll do in the playoffs depends on whether or not they'll be able to regain some of their pre-trade form in the playoffs... Which I don't expect personally. But SRS doesn't really make judgments or playoff predictions, it's just how good the teams have been overall in the season.
By unknownHow come you always say someone lost when there is plenty of time left?Brazilian time, the games are on earlier there.
SRS can give you a decent idea, but it still overlooks a few things like whether you keep your starters in blowout games , or are crappy/great team in the clutch.
SA with the same SRS as another team ... i'm going SA every time.
By diehardOh clearly. No objective data that suggested the Suns could beat the Lakers except you know.. advanced stats.
You are arguing against people who don't know what defense is … by discounting ORtg? What was your point again?
If its anything other than "Houston isnt as good as GS because defense and offense both count" .. i'm lost.
I'm not the one that said that. Suns homers are. Also you got the teams mixed up, but I'll assume it's an innocent mistake.
Anyone who actually genuinely looks at SRS before making judgement on ORTG or DRTG would never praise the D'Antoni Suns. So why the hell do you guys all praise the D'Antoni Suns?
Don't wax poetic for years about their greatness, then when someone points out their ORTG meant nothing in the playoffs go "well durr, SRS"
By VahagnSo why the hell do you guys all praise the D'Antoni Suns?Who is doing this??
They were fun teams and had a couple of really good teams.. but thats it. Nobody here talks about them.
Are you talking about recent articles about how the Suns offense changed parts of the NBA? It did and has.. but nobody ever suggested defense doesn't mean a lot.
By VahagnI'm not twisting your words. You said "it could go either way" - I'm saying, you don't have more than like a 20% chance. No one mentioned being swept, or knocked out in 5 games. Just that, a Hou/GS matchup is the furthest thing from "could go either way" in a 2nd round or CF matchup in my eyes.Would you care to enlighten on why Houston would only have a 20% of winning? I'm assuming you watch all 4 matchups and are not going off of stats.
You're twisting my words because I didn't use O/D ratings when talking about the Warriors. Wouldn't even make sense to considering they're superior in both categories.