2017-2018 NBA season

[TonyJ]

Either that or he's a troll.

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Early take: The Pacers got the better part of the Paul George trade. Oladipo's been a 25+ PPG guy so far. And they got rid of a bit of a head case. I'm not seeing much of a downside here.

[TonyJ]

Let's wait a bit before deciding Oladipo is that good. Still a very small sample size and his previous history doesn't support this kind of leap. Not to say it's impossible, just that we should wait and see. I hope he had made a leap though, I'm a big fan of his.

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Originally Posted by TonyJ

Let's wait a bit before deciding Oladipo is that good. Still a very small sample size and his previous history doesn't support this kind of leap. Not to say it's impossible, just that we should wait and see. I hope he had made a leap though, I'm a big fan of his.

Same here. Fan since the I.U. days. I'm hoping the "home cooking" familiarity aspect is bringing out the best in him. I don't know if he's a 26 PPG guy over a whole season, but I don't think 20 is out of the question.

[Déjà Bru]

This is scary. No, not the scoring prowess of LBJ. It's the part about 15 seasons. Can it possibly be 15 years already since he burst upon the scene?

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Pacers: Can beat the Cavs in Cleveland, can't beat the Suxers in Philly. If anybody can figure this team out, let me know.

[Cobra Mgr]

I saw a story about Jimmer Fredette getting into an altercation w/Stephon Marbury in a CBA game. It got me thinking.....who was drafted afterJimmer @ 10.........

11. Klay Thompson
13,14. The Morris twins
15. Kawhi Leonard
16. Nikola Vucevic
17. Iman Shumpert
19. Tobias Harris
22. Kenneth Faried
24. Reggie Jackson
28. Norris Cole
29. Cory Joseph
30. Jimmy Butler
31. Bojan Bogdonavic
33. Kyle Singler
38. Chandler Parsons
60. Isaiah Thomas

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by TonyJ

Bledsoe didn't quit so much as he was fired. He said the "I dont want to be here" tweet was about being at his girl's hair salon, which was obviously bull****. After meeting with the GM he was sent home and the GM made it clear he isn't welcome back. He should be traded very quickly. But, yeah, that organization is a dumpster fire and has been for a while.

There were rumbles that my Cavs might be able to get him, but I guess it was not meant to be. I hope Phoenix can fix whatever is wrong with their organization. I don't follow them that closely these days, them being in the west, but I remember the Steve Nash days and enjoyed watching them then.

As far as the Cavs are concerned, losing Kyrie was definitely a big blow. My wife and I thought before the season began that we seemed to be assembling a bunch of parts and expecting the whole thing to work because of LeBron's undeniable brilliance and will to win. She called our team the official team of the AARP, and maybe she was not far off.

Maybe things will settle down when Thomas is back and everybody settles into a realistic role.

I wonder sometimes if anyone has ever done a study of how players relate to each other on a team with a single incandescent talent. It can't be easy playing with LeBron--the amazing talent, the freakish basketball IQ, the larger-than-life ego. How was it playing with Jordan, or Kobe in his prime? Not easy, I'm sure.

[Cobra Mgr]

Luc Mbah a Moute scored a +57 last night.

[rudel.dietrich]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2...e-bobby-portis


Nikola Mirotic may be a better human being than me.

[Cobra Mgr]

Just read a stat. Jayson Tatum is shooting a higher percentage from the 3pt line than Lorenzo Ball is hitting from the free throw line.

[TribeFanInNC]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Just read a stat. Jayson Tatum is shooting a higher percentage from the 3pt line than Lorenzo Ball is hitting from the free throw line.

Yeah, Tatum was definitely supposed to be the most NBA-ready player, just maybe with a lower ceiling in general. Looks like the first part may be the case. Though 50% is pretty ridonkolous.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Just read a stat. Jayson Tatum is shooting a higher percentage from the 3pt line than Lorenzo Ball is hitting from the free throw line.

I am not super worried about Ball. Rookies have shot terribly before. He comps pretty well with a rookie Jason Kidd.


However the thing that worries me the most is as of when I last looked he was averaging 1.6 FTA per game.
There are some real warning signs there. With his size he should be getting to the rim. He is not the most athletic guard but with his size he should be around the basket more and getting fouled.


I have nothing invested into him or the Lakers so I am just wanting the best for him. That is the only stat I am really worried about. He may be a below average shooter over his career but he already shows the court vision that was promised and he rebounds well and has shown flashes of being a good defender.
I think the Jason Kidd comp is a good one. He was a terrible shooter until very late in his career and he played for a very long time and finished with a 40.3 FG%




Ball came in with too high of expectations not helped by his father and he is part of the best rookie class in a very long time (even if you don't think Simmons is a rookie)

[TonyJ]

The problem with Ball's shot is not so much the poor shooting so far as much that it's broken. That release just isn't going to play in the NBA. The FTA are also an issue and I think it's because he basically has no confidence right now. I suppose he's got time to turn it around but he looks like an absolute bust at this point.

[rudel.dietrich]

I really like the trade by the Nets. I cannot believe that Okafor’s worth is that little.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by TonyJ

The problem with Ball's shot is not so much the poor shooting so far as much that it's broken. That release just isn't going to play in the NBA. The FTA are also an issue and I think it's because he basically has no confidence right now. I suppose he's got time to turn it around but he looks like an absolute bust at this point.

There are some awful shots in the NBA that work. And a shot is something that is fixable over time with good coaching and effort in the gym.


Khwaiii Leonard perhaps being the best example. He would be a great player without a good shot but he added that over years of work and is a top 8 player because of it.

And Ball does not need to be great. 43% and 33% from three would be okay with his other skills and improving defense.
I am far from calling him a bust.

His lack of getting to the FT line or driving is what has me most concerned. You are correct, he is afraid of getting fouled and having to go to the line.
That has to change and I hope the Lakers coaching staff can rebuild his confidence.

[TheMaus2]

Didn't Ball become the youngest player to get a triple-double not too long ago?

[TonyJ]

Yes. He also can't shoot. At all. Right now he's shooting 32% from the field and 24% from three. That is unplayable.

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

I really like the trade by the Nets. I cannot believe that Okafor’s worth is that little.

That surprised me. What in the world happened to him? In his rookie season we kept saying "Wow! It would be great if he played with the Cavs!"

Maybe some 76ers fans out there can explain just what went wrong for the kid.

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by TheMaus2

Didn't Ball become the youngest player to get a triple-double not too long ago?

There seems to be so much pressure on him. Sometimes I wish the spotlight would go elsewhere so the kid can just develop.