2022-2023 NBA Season Thread

[Syd Thrift]

There were guys who regularly went clubbing and still commanded respect and leadership. AI is the obvious example but that was also Gary Payton (in fact, teammates at the time said that the reason why Vin Baker became an alcoholic, weirdly, is that he chose not to go out with GP and drank in his hotel room instead). I guess from Payton’s standpoint he was acting so much like the general he was even in clubs that he just didn’t have time to drink much. Needless to say, I don’t remember either Iverson or Payton walking around the clubs with a gun - I got the sense that neither needed that to assert their authority.

[Cobra Mgr]

He's always long-winded & never loses a chance to take 5 minutes to say what could be expressed in 30 secs. But Ja & his
"camp" needs to listen to Stephen A.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

If so, I hope it is a good sign. Going live @ 5AM from the club shows zero maturity. He needs to reassess his life's direction.

Agreed. There are strong indications that the team, and some of his teammates, have addressed the gangsta's that he surrounds himself with.

Ja is from a rural community, and has zero experience in being a thug. He isn't about that life..or shouldn't be.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

He's always long-winded & never loses a chance to take 5 minutes to say what could be expressed in 30 secs. But Ja & his
"camp" needs to listen to Stephen A.

I didn't used to like Stephen A. Like Howard Cosell used to be, he uses his statements to generate interest. Thanks for sharing.

[rudel.dietrich]

So far, Morant has done nothing that cannot be forgiven. But he for sure needs to get ahold of himself and those around him.
He has the potential for half a billion in future earnings as well going down as an all time guard.
He is also really exciting to watch and resonates with fans.

I really hope he can get things turned around and excise some people from him life.

I did some really dumb stuff in my early 20s and I have never even had 0.1% of his wealth.
There is still plenty of time for him to turn this around before or someone in his inner circle ends up doing something that cannot be forgiven.

[Syd Thrift]

Um… so if Morant makes $40M a year, 0.1% of that would be $40,000…

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Syd Thrift

Um… so if Morant makes $40M a year, 0.1% of that would be $40,000…

Well, I was going for lifetime earrings. And comparing 24-year-old him to 24-year-old me.


My point is that he has a chance to be generationally wealthy while I have a chance at being upper middle class 😂

[Syd Thrift]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Well, I was going for lifetime earrings. And comparing 24-year-old him to 24-year-old me.


My point is that he has a chance to be generationally wealthy while I have a chance at being upper middle class 😂

Sure! I’m just saying, you probably weren’t too far off from 0.1% at his age (I worked in crap retail jobs when I was 24 and even I, adjusted for inflation, would be ahead of 0.1% haha).

[Antonin]

Very nice performance tonight by my Cavaliers vs the visiting Celtics. Donovan Mitchell had 40 points, but really the player with the biggest impact was undrafted Lamar Stevens.

Stevens does all the little things you need to do to win. Super aggressive on defense, boxes guys out and goes for every rebound, and this year he has added offense to his game. He doesn't get a lot of minutes, but when he is called he has a huge impact. Mitchell had said before and said again tonight during the post-game interview that Stevens is the guy who calls out teammates (including him) when they are not doing their job.

Another guy who seems to be flying beneath the radar of other teams is Caris Levert. Much better on defense this year, can create his own shot. I think I read somewhere that this is the last year of his contract. I hope his agent is talking to the Cavs right now.

Ours is a young team and I wonder if we can beat Boston in a playoff series. One of our TV guys said Boston has the best roster in the league from the 6th guy on to the end of the bench. They certainly have a lot of everything. But on a given night, I think the Cavs are capable of beating any team.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Antonin

Very nice performance tonight by my Cavaliers vs the visiting Celtics. Donovan Mitchell had 40 points, but really the player with the biggest impact was undrafted Lamar Stevens.

Stevens does all the little things you need to do to win. Super aggressive on defense, boxes guys out and goes for every rebound, and this year he has added offense to his game. He doesn't get a lot of minutes, but when he is called he has a huge impact. Mitchell had said before and said again tonight during the post-game interview that Stevens is the guy who calls out teammates (including him) when they are not doing their job.

Another guy who seems to be flying beneath the radar of other teams is Caris Levert. Much better on defense this year, can create his own shot. I think I read somewhere that this is the last year of his contract. I hope his agent is talking to the Cavs right now.

Ours is a young team and I wonder if we can beat Boston in a playoff series. One of our TV guys said Boston has the best roster in the league from the 6th guy on to the end of the bench. They certainly have a lot of everything. But on a given night, I think the Cavs are capable of beating any team.

The Cavs did what a lot of teams do when they face a short-handed team: Don't take the other team seriously. However, they kicked it in just in time to bring the game down to the wire, then benefited by Grant Williams completely choking on two ft's - either one of which would've pretty much clinched the game - at the end of regulation...

The way my C's are currently playing, if the two teams met now I'd give the Cavs at least a 50/50 shot at winning the series. The Cavs are pretty solid, and probably one year away from serious contention. (A likely first round matchup between the Cavs & Knicks should be pretty entertaining.)

I agree that the C's have the best roster in the league. It's probably not that close. However, they are just not playing well right now. The C's started the year at 21-5 but since then they have played at the pace of a 51-win team, which is solid, but not a title contender. And 1-4 in their last five games, with just 16 games remaining, is not encouraging (and home court advantage - a must, IMO - vs Milwaukee is now looking pretty unlikely). Lots of kudos have gone to young rookie coach Joe Mazaula. I'm not saying the C's lack of performing to expectations is Mazzula's fault, but the way things are developing for the stretch run, Brad Stevens may regret not replacing Ime Udoka with a veteran coach.

IOW, does Mazzula command the respect necessary to really call out his players, hold them to accountability, etc., and right this ship? Time will tell...

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by thehef

The Cavs did what a lot of teams do when they face a short-handed team: Don't take the other team seriously. However, they kicked it in just in time to bring the game down to the wire, then benefited by Grant Williams completely choking on two ft's - either one of which would've pretty much clinched the game - at the end of regulation...

The way my C's are currently playing, if the two teams met now I'd give the Cavs at least a 50/50 shot at winning the series. The Cavs are pretty solid, and probably one year away from serious contention. (A likely first round matchup between the Cavs & Knicks should be pretty entertaining.)

I agree that the C's have the best roster in the league. It's probably not that close. However, they are just not playing well right now. The C's started the year at 21-5 but since then they have played at the pace of a 51-win team, which is solid, but not a title contender. And 1-4 in their last five games, with just 16 games remaining, is not encouraging (and home court advantage - a must, IMO - vs Milwaukee is now looking pretty unlikely). Lots of kudos have gone to young rookie coach Joe Mazaula. I'm not saying the C's lack of performing to expectations is Mazzula's fault, but the way things are developing for the stretch run, Brad Stevens may regret not replacing Ime Udoka with a veteran coach.

IOW, does Mazzula command the respect necessary to really call out his players, hold them to accountability, etc., and right this ship? Time will tell...

I don't think they failed to take the Celtics seriously because the latter were short handed. We've seen thing kind of performance a number of times from the Cavs this season, against short handed teams and teams at full strength--they just lose focus. Suddenly, nobody can shoot. Not even Mitchell or Garland. Or our league-leading defense just breaks down, and guys stand there looking at each other as if to say "Was that your guy or mine?" This is why some people on the Cleveland radio call-in shows are demanding that the coach be fired or that this player or that player be traded.

This kind of thing, I believe, is a good example of the idea that basketball is very much a mental game. When a team is "feeling it," nobody can stop them. The playoffs are a different animal, but anything can happen.

You saw how the Cavs turned things up on defense in the 4th quarter. Suddenly, we started swarming the Celtics, and everybody in the arena came to their feet. We have seen this a number of times this season. It drives coach Bickerstaff crazy, even when we get the win. Because you really can't win a playoff series and ultimately a championship this way, by flicking a switch near the end.

In a number of games we have dominated from the 1st quarter until the end, but too many times we have been flat for most of the game.

A running joke in my home is what happens when Evan Mobley starts dribbling. Maybe he used to be a point guard when he was a kid, but he's not one now. He's an elite-level forward. Yet time and time again he tries to go coast-to-coast, dribbling the ball up the court. Every time I start screaming at the TV "Get rid of it, Evan!!!" And immediately after that, every single time, somebody on the other team takes the ball from him. Then my wife bursts out laughing.

We have elite ball handlers on the team, but in one or two possessions in almost every game, Evan Mobley tries to play point guard.

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by thehef

However, they kicked it in just in time to bring the game down to the wire, then benefited by Grant Williams completely choking on two ft's - either one of which would've pretty much clinched the game - at the end of regulation...

...Lots of kudos have gone to young rookie coach Joe Mazaula. I'm not saying the C's lack of performing to expectations is Mazzula's fault, but the way things are developing for the stretch run, Brad Stevens may regret not replacing Ime Udoka with a veteran coach.

IOW, does Mazzula command the respect necessary to really call out his players, hold them to accountability, etc., and right this ship? Time will tell...

I think I saw Williams and Mitchell exchanging comments right before the free throws. I couldn't see what Mitchell was saying, but Williams appeared to say at least twice, "I'm going to make them both." So maybe Donovan was telling him "You're going to miss."

About Mazzula, I hope they will at least give him a chance.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Antonin

I don't think they failed to take the Celtics seriously because the latter were short handed. We've seen thing kind of performance a number of times from the Cavs this season, against short handed teams and teams at full strength--they just lose focus.

Agree. You phrased it better than I did: just lose focus is what I meant. Better choice of words than "failed to take the opponent seriously"

Originally Posted by Antonin

You saw how the Cavs turned things up on defense in the 4th quarter. Suddenly, we started swarming the Celtics, and everybody in the arena came to their feet. We have seen this a number of times this season. It drives coach Bickerstaff crazy, even when we get the win. Because you really can't win a playoff series and ultimately a championship this way, by flicking a switch near the end.

In a number of games we have dominated from the 1st quarter until the end, but too many times we have been flat for most of the game.

I feel ya. The C's have infuriated us fans on a number of occasions for playing basketball at the highest levels, then having stretches where they aren't dialed in defense and are absolutely brutal on offense. Often in the same game, and often resulting in losing games that should've been won. Last night, where you saw the Cavs turning things up on defense, I agree but also saw of the C's - all too familiar - bone-headed offense including forcing threes, unfocused D, and giving up key O-rebounds...

Originally Posted by Antonin

I think I saw Williams and Mitchell exchanging comments right before the free throws. I couldn't see what Mitchell was saying, but Williams appeared to say at least twice, "I'm going to make them both." So maybe Donovan was telling him "You're going to miss."

Oh yeah. Williams clearly said he was going to make them both. Not sure what DM was saying but afterwards he fully admitted that he and other Cavs were trash-talking and trying to get into his head. Clearly, they did. To DM's credit, he was (not surprisingly) pretty classy about it, not only admitting it all but also complimenting Willaims and saying next time he'll make those free throws. I mean, it's not really a big deal either way, but in today's NBA where it's usually "all about me" and "respect" and whatever other blah-blah-blah, it's nice to see a guy showing some classy behavior.

Originally Posted by Antonin

About Mazzula, I hope they will at least give him a chance.

I don't think there's too much question about that. But this is definitely the time of year - considering the C's current play - where the coach needs to challenge the players and get them ready for the playoffs. Given that the C's have only really been a good-but-not-great team since their 21-5 start, it's questionable whether he can get through to them if he hasn't been able to yet. Publicly, he's insisting that he's "not concerned at all." That, if true, would be absurd. Hopefully he's taking a different attitude with them in the locker room.

[Antonin]

Originally Posted by thehef

I feel ya. The C's have infuriated us fans on a number of occasions for playing basketball at the highest levels, then having stretches where they aren't dialed in defense and are absolutely brutal on offense...

Maybe it's a "the grass is always greener" thing with us in Cleveland, because where we sit the Celtics look like a well-oiled machine, even though we beat them 3 out of 4 times this season. As "everybody" knows, the regular season doesn't mean much. Maybe the Celtics look 10 feet tall because we here don't see them every day. And, really, the national media talks about them far more than they do the Cavs. The team slogan this season is "let 'em know," which I assume means that we think we don't get the level of attention from the national media that we should.

Originally Posted by thehef

Oh yeah. Williams clearly said he was going to make them both. Not sure what DM was saying but afterwards he fully admitted that he and other Cavs were trash-talking and trying to get into his head. Clearly, they did. To DM's credit, he was (not surprisingly) pretty classy about it, not only admitting it all but also complimenting Williams and saying next time he'll make those free throws. I mean, it's not really a big deal either way, but in today's NBA where it's usually "all about me" and "respect" and whatever other blah-blah-blah, it's nice to see a guy showing some classy behavior.

I don't mind a bit of good-natured trash talking. What I really, really, really don't like is the vulgar, angry or threatening kind, insulting someone's wife and kids, etc. And I hate it when somebody screams the f-word so loud you can clearly hear it on the TV broadcast.

[thehef]

Originally Posted by Antonin

Maybe it's a "the grass is always greener" thing with us in Cleveland, because where we sit the Celtics look like a well-oiled machine, even though we beat them 3 out of 4 times this season. As "everybody" knows, the regular season doesn't mean much. Maybe the Celtics look 10 feet tall because we here don't see them every day. And, really, the national media talks about them far more than they do the Cavs. The team slogan this season is "let 'em know," which I assume means that we think we don't get the level of attention from the national media that we should.

Yeah, to me the Cavs look hungry, whereas the C's look entitled.

And the national media is, IMO, fooled by the 21-5 start where the O-rating was best in the history of the game. Since then they have merely been good, and with their recent stretch of very poor play, they're not inspiring confidence that they will get it together for the postseason...

Here are the records of the top five teams in the EC since Dec 7 (when Boston was 21-5):

Philly, 30-10
Milw, 28-12
NY, 27-14
Bos, 24-16
Clev, 25-17

Philly's record since then surprised me...

[David Watts]

This Kendrick Perkins stuff with Jokic is getting rather silly, but I guess that's what ESPN gets for trotting out that clown show to begin with.

[Cobra Mgr]

Ja sitting 4 more games.

[Cobra Mgr]

Ref ego run amok. Never knew a bounce pass could be so evil.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Well, I was going for lifetime earrings. And comparing 24-year-old him to 24-year-old me.

My point is that he has a chance to be generationally wealthy while I have a chance at being upper middle class 😂

A couple of years back, I kept getting phone calls from a guy wanting to sell me an Olympic Games tourist package to Japan. First Class all the way, top of the line hotels, and tickets to all the events.

I told him that he was wasting his time..no way was I going to pay thirty thousand dollars on a vacation. I told him that I wasn't a one-percenter, likely an 8-percenter. He laughed, and told me that I was correct. He WAS targeting the one-percenters.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Ref ego run amok. Never knew a bounce pass could be so evil.

He must have said something to the ref. He did have his back turned. Probably the Magic Words.