NBA Season 2017/18
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Lonzo Ball is a dud in his NBA debut - scoring just 3 points, 4 assists and seemingly being targeted out on the floor (he can thank his Dad for that) as the Lakers get beaten by the Clippers.
@kiwimurph said in NBA Season 2017/18:
Lonzo Ball is a dud in his NBA debut - scoring just 3 points, 4 assists and seemingly being targeted out on the floor (he can thank his Dad for that) as the Lakers get beaten by the Clippers.
Beverley in his face all night. Problem Ball has is that there’s not much out on the floor for the Lakers to take some of the pressure off him or even set him up for an easy bucket.
Griffin and Jordan were monsters out there in a men against boys matchup.
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Clippers might be the surprise packet of the season, though it's dependant on Blake staying healthy.
They actually have a very handy unit. The form of the Clips and Rockets this season will tell us heaps about Chris Paul.
I am very interested to watch OKC. You feel like they could be the biggest threat to the Warriors if they can get PG, Russ and Carmelo to work. Could be an absolute mess, too.
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Its heavily dependent on Blake staying grounded as well.
My picks for ROTY are currently De'Aaron Fox and Ben Simmons.
Adams makes a defensive team.
Lebron MVP
OKC go deep but lose conference finals to Houston who then go on and win against Cavs in the finals.
Harden FInals MVPThat's right. No GSW.
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Rockets to lose first round of the playoffs.
Raptors and Cavs to play in the ECF.
Warriors to go back to back.
Smith Jnr to win ROTY -
Conference finals - GSW/OKC and CLE/WAS
Finals - GSW/CLE, with the Warriors winning in 6.
MVP - Giannis
ROTY - SimmonsOn another note, watched Jazz/OKC yesterday. When OKC click into gear they will be fine, but the Jazz thoroughly dusted them in Salt Lake. Utah have no real scorers of note (especially with Hood injured) but their defence is the best in the league and that should see them to a 6-7-8 seed in the finals.
OKC have enough talent to put big numbers up if they get it to work. It's still Russ' team, but Carmelo holds the key IMO. If he can get to his best form then the sky is the limit.
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@canefan said in NBA Season 2017/18:
Phoenix is the first team of the season to fire their coach
Appears they are already tanking it for the lottery...
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Ben Simmons recorded a triple-double tonight in just his third game. And more importantly, the 76ers won the game in Detroit.
I've watched some of the highlights, and man oh man he's good. He drives with such authority, and his passing game is amazing. He could be really special.
I hope he puts his hand up to play for Australia, I really do. He could single-handedly put the game on the map here. Already you could argue he's our greatest ever player - Bogut, Delly and Mills have won rings but I've never seen any of them boss a game like Simmons did today.
Apparently he has signalled his intention to play for the Boomers (he played a game for them when he was 17), but I hope he follows through.
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Early signs indicate Kyrie was right to go out on his own. He can win games without Lebron. Ben Simmons is a man child. Scary having guys like him, Devon Booker and Giannis coming in and ready to go at such young age. All 3 are future MVP candidates. Giannis could do it this year.
Super teams not looking so super so far. GSW 5-3, OKC 4-3 and Cavs floundering at 3-5.
Loving the way the NBA is heading though, with these young players. There's a 90's super star feel to the league again. Every match up is important. You can almost watch any team this season and its worthwhile. Except the Bulls. They're just horrible.
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Though I maintain we're heading for GSW vs Cavs IV, it has been a very entertaining start to the season.
And as an Aussie, I'm starting to dream of a Rio starting 5 of Maker/Baynes/Ingles/Simmons/Mills, with Delly and Bogut coming off the bench with the second unit. It's not the dream team, but if Simmons is as good as I think he can be, by 2020 it will be a potent side.
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Though I maintain we're heading for GSW vs Cavs IV, it has been a very entertaining start to the season.
And as an Aussie, I'm starting to dream of a Rio starting 5 of Maker/Baynes/Ingles/Simmons/Mills, with Delly and Bogut coming off the bench with the second unit. It's not the dream team, but if Simmons is as good as I think he can be, by 2020 it will be a potent side.
@barbarian yeah you guys have a lot of players in the league now. The local system is doing a great job of bringing those guys through. VIC and NSW youth programs are very good. Pero Cameron has a lot to do with local basketball on the GC where I am. Where my son plays there are some really skilled kids and lots of kids are playing basketball. Rugby in my area(well in almost every area really) is dying but basketball still gets a ton of kids every week.
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You'd buy shares in Aussie basketball right now, for sure.
It's got so many situational factors that help it. Relatively non-contact, so no fear of concussions or impact injuries (no worrying mums on the sidelines). Indoor sport, so no worry about weather-related cancellations. Never impacted by ground shortages (a massive problem especially in Sydney for outdoor sports).
And now a few great role models/heros for local youngsters to look up to. The NBL is getting back to what it used to be, and League Pass has opened the NBA up to Aussies, with all the games played at good viewing times.
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I can't be bothered finding the long reads thread, so I'll out this in here, about why Shane Battier was such a valuable player. It's a bit long, but very interesting if you've played or were watching back in 2009, when it was written, via longform:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/magazine/15Battier-t.html?_r=4&pagewanted=all
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OKC looking good with one half done versus Boston. Adams having a great defensive game, they look scary good when everything is clicking. Meanwhile Lebron explodes for 57 to drag the Cavs to victory and Kristopf Porzingis looks like he will be the one bright spot of the Phil Jackson era. He will be an all star this year
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@canefan said in NBA Season 2017/18:
Game of two halves as OKC falls asleep and Boston gets hot to win on the road
Kyrie and Horford were unstoppable in that second half.
Tatum is playing beyond his years. Jaylen Brown a much improved player and then they have a bunch of role players that have been doing their job.
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SPOLIER ALERT - IF YOU RECORDED IT DO NOT READ
OKC finally delivered on what they could be if all the pieces fit. Easily accounting for GSW. Westbrook and Durant got into it and it was great theatre. Steven Adams is the real deal and a 12-18 foot shot away from being an All Star. Paul George and Melo played great supporting roles to Russ tonight, who finally decided that it was his team and they are his supporting players. Great blow out win.
