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Post by chopper31 on Apr 10, 2019 8:53:32 GMT -7
Isn't the NBA the only pro league where the players have the most power. Esp. when it comes to coaches and personnel? Everyone knew the lakers were not going to be all of the sudden contenders again with LeBron. They needed someone else. The Talent pool on the lakers is not good enough. I’m not sure how to come with an answer to your question. I think it happens in all sports to some extent, but in no cases is it something that actually comes with the territory. As for the comment...apparently not everybody know that. There seems to be plenty of people who actually thought he would make them instant contenders again. In fairness, take away the injury, and they almost certainly would be in the playoffs. LeBron just being in the PO’s always made his teams contenders in the East (but to say the same would apply in the West this year would probably be a stretch). |
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 10, 2019 8:59:32 GMT -7
Pistons dodge a major bullet (was looking pretty scary there for a while). Raptors clinch 2nd best record in NBA, therefore HCA in the NBA Finals, should they make it. Hornets win & keep their slim hopes alive. (Go Magic !) That game was hard to watch. Halftime lasted forever. Great comeback win (although against Memphis' G-League team). Hopefully Detroit can ride that wave into MSG tonight. A Knicks win won't hurt their draft spot, so they have nothing to lose in this one....kind of scary but a win and Detroit is in. Now where they ends up is still anyone's guess going into the last night of the season: 8th Seed Detroit W OR Charlotte L 7th Seed Detroit W + Orlando L + Brooklyn W No Playoffs Detroit L + Charlotte W Brooklyn still has something to play for (6th seed). Charlotte has everything to play for. The 7th seed scenario is still alive. Games (all 8pm) Pistons @ Knicks (Pistons win and they are in) Orlando @ Charlotte (Charlotte at home with a 4 game winning streak and the season on the line) Miami @ Brooklyn (Miami is done...Brooklyn wants to stay in 6th. But it is Wade's final game, does he have one big performance left?) Should be a fun night of basketball. Go Pistons! You can’t seriously be worried about the Knicks tonight, could you ? I think how Brooklyn approaches their game tonight will be key. Are we certain they want to remain at 6 ? I think many teams would probably try to avoid Philly if they could, and in Brooklyn’s case they can do a pretty good job of avoiding that. I’m also not sure if Wade will play tonight, given there is nothing to play for. He may want his final home game (last night) to be his final game. The most interesting game I think for certain will be Orlando vs Charlotte. That can go either way, and I think Orlando will go full speed ahead in an effort to avoid the Bucks in Round 1. Should be a fun night indeed ! |
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Post by chargerfreak on Apr 10, 2019 9:10:24 GMT -7
You and chopper will have to explain it to me (pretending that I don't know absolutely everything about everything. I know its a joke, but the villagers get tickled when I play pretend, in between scheduling Lion Den Death Matches.......) LeBron in LA has been a disaster. One way or the other, this led to Magic leaving. How bad has this been mishandled. Am I reading it right that LeBron has that much say in the organization ? This baffles me to no end. Rivers has input, but he has no final say. Tom Freaking Brady has input, but no final say. How did they give LeBron that much power ? I would be go to hell if I would do it. Was Pat Riley the only one that put him in his place ? LeBron being a disaster in LA is not entirely accurate. His extended injury played a huge part in the Lakers shortcomings. Before he got injured and missed several weeks, they were very much in the playoff picture. What he did do that had a further hand in screwing things up, was publicly trying to recruit Anthony Davis, who could only be acquired via trade. Aside from being considered tampering, that didn’t sit well with his current teammates, who were the ones being viewed at as expendable. Let’s say those expendable guys lost some motivation after that debacle. I am pretty sure Magic would have pursued Davis regardless though, and I have no idea if he sent LeBron out to try and court him, but one way or another it was a really dumb move. I think we can rule out the whole thing being LeBron’s idea though, it was very common knowledge that the Lakers would be looking for a second superstar in the very near future. The assumption that LeBron has “power” is only a speculation at this point, I‘m not aware of any moves being made to appease him. There is speculation that the Lakers next HC could be a hire that LeBron may have strong influence on, but that is obviously nothing more than speculation (as the current coach hasn’t even been fired yet). With a new Team President coming into the mix, I’d say that is a pretty big hit towards the rumor that LeBron will be hand picking his next Coach. Magic’s resignation was not LeBron’s doing at all, that was Magic’s decision on his own. Magic claims he would rather be a mentor to players (regardless of whom they play for), but I think he also realizes they won’t be landing Davis via trade this summer, and they also are not likely gonna be able to pull off a major FA signing either (very few people wanna be LeBron’s sidekick). There are a LOT of expectations that come with that position he held, and I think he realized he wasn’t likely going to be able to live up to them. So it was a good time to jump ship and try to save some face, because at this point he’ll be known as the guy who brought LeBron to LA, and that could still end up having a happy ending at some point... Great post. I'm not feeling all of it though. If Lebron doesn't have that kind of power, he certainly wants it. Just wanting it can cause trouble.
Publicly pimping Davis while the situation puts your young teammates on the chopping block is not good chemistry created.
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Post by moekid on Apr 10, 2019 9:21:51 GMT -7
LeBron being a disaster in LA is not entirely accurate. His extended injury played a huge part in the Lakers shortcomings. Before he got injured and missed several weeks, they were very much in the playoff picture. What he did do that had a further hand in screwing things up, was publicly trying to recruit Anthony Davis, who could only be acquired via trade. Aside from being considered tampering, that didn’t sit well with his current teammates, who were the ones being viewed at as expendable. Let’s say those expendable guys lost some motivation after that debacle. I am pretty sure Magic would have pursued Davis regardless though, and I have no idea if he sent LeBron out to try and court him, but one way or another it was a really dumb move. I think we can rule out the whole thing being LeBron’s idea though, it was very common knowledge that the Lakers would be looking for a second superstar in the very near future. The assumption that LeBron has “power” is only a speculation at this point, I‘m not aware of any moves being made to appease him. There is speculation that the Lakers next HC could be a hire that LeBron may have strong influence on, but that is obviously nothing more than speculation (as the current coach hasn’t even been fired yet). With a new Team President coming into the mix, I’d say that is a pretty big hit towards the rumor that LeBron will be hand picking his next Coach. Magic’s resignation was not LeBron’s doing at all, that was Magic’s decision on his own. Magic claims he would rather be a mentor to players (regardless of whom they play for), but I think he also realizes they won’t be landing Davis via trade this summer, and they also are not likely gonna be able to pull off a major FA signing either (very few people wanna be LeBron’s sidekick). There are a LOT of expectations that come with that position he held, and I think he realized he wasn’t likely going to be able to live up to them. So it was a good time to jump ship and try to save some face, because at this point he’ll be known as the guy who brought LeBron to LA, and that could still end up having a happy ending at some point... Great post. I'm not feeling all of it though. If Lebron doesn't have that kind of power, he certainly wants it. Just wanting it can cause trouble.
Publicly pimping Davis while the situation puts your young teammates on the chopping block is not good chemistry created.
Lebron as GM and HC.
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 10, 2019 9:38:05 GMT -7
LeBron being a disaster in LA is not entirely accurate. His extended injury played a huge part in the Lakers shortcomings. Before he got injured and missed several weeks, they were very much in the playoff picture. What he did do that had a further hand in screwing things up, was publicly trying to recruit Anthony Davis, who could only be acquired via trade. Aside from being considered tampering, that didn’t sit well with his current teammates, who were the ones being viewed at as expendable. Let’s say those expendable guys lost some motivation after that debacle. I am pretty sure Magic would have pursued Davis regardless though, and I have no idea if he sent LeBron out to try and court him, but one way or another it was a really dumb move. I think we can rule out the whole thing being LeBron’s idea though, it was very common knowledge that the Lakers would be looking for a second superstar in the very near future. The assumption that LeBron has “power” is only a speculation at this point, I‘m not aware of any moves being made to appease him. There is speculation that the Lakers next HC could be a hire that LeBron may have strong influence on, but that is obviously nothing more than speculation (as the current coach hasn’t even been fired yet). With a new Team President coming into the mix, I’d say that is a pretty big hit towards the rumor that LeBron will be hand picking his next Coach. Magic’s resignation was not LeBron’s doing at all, that was Magic’s decision on his own. Magic claims he would rather be a mentor to players (regardless of whom they play for), but I think he also realizes they won’t be landing Davis via trade this summer, and they also are not likely gonna be able to pull off a major FA signing either (very few people wanna be LeBron’s sidekick). There are a LOT of expectations that come with that position he held, and I think he realized he wasn’t likely going to be able to live up to them. So it was a good time to jump ship and try to save some face, because at this point he’ll be known as the guy who brought LeBron to LA, and that could still end up having a happy ending at some point... Great post. I'm not feeling all of it though. If Lebron doesn't have that kind of power, he certainly wants it. Just wanting it can cause trouble.
Publicly pimping Davis while the situation puts your young teammates on the chopping block is not good chemistry created.
What part are you not feeling ? I pointed out how he caused a problem amongst his teammates with the Davis situation, so clearly I agree with that. Another thing I will say is, if LeBron’s injury never happened, and the Lakers were going to the playoffs people would be singing a different tune right now... |
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Apr 10, 2019 11:09:20 GMT -7
That game was hard to watch. Halftime lasted forever. Great comeback win (although against Memphis' G-League team). Hopefully Detroit can ride that wave into MSG tonight. A Knicks win won't hurt their draft spot, so they have nothing to lose in this one....kind of scary but a win and Detroit is in. Now where they ends up is still anyone's guess going into the last night of the season: 8th Seed Detroit W OR Charlotte L 7th Seed Detroit W + Orlando L + Brooklyn W No Playoffs Detroit L + Charlotte W Brooklyn still has something to play for (6th seed). Charlotte has everything to play for. The 7th seed scenario is still alive. Games (all 8pm) Pistons @ Knicks (Pistons win and they are in) Orlando @ Charlotte (Charlotte at home with a 4 game winning streak and the season on the line) Miami @ Brooklyn (Miami is done...Brooklyn wants to stay in 6th. But it is Wade's final game, does he have one big performance left?) Should be a fun night of basketball. Go Pistons! You can’t seriously be worried about the Knicks tonight, could you ? I think how Brooklyn approaches their game tonight will be key. Are we certain they want to remain at 6 ? I think many teams would probably try to avoid Philly if they could, and in Brooklyn’s case they can do a pretty good job of avoiding that. I’m also not sure if Wade will play tonight, given there is nothing to play for. He may want his final home game (last night) to be his final game. The most interesting game I think for certain will be Orlando vs Charlotte. That can go either way, and I think Orlando will go full speed ahead in an effort to avoid the Bucks in Round 1. Should be a fun night indeed ! D'Angelo Russell when asked if he would be resting tonight vs Miami: "Sh*t, I’m trying to win," he said, almost smiling, with confidence. "What you mean? It makes sense if guys are banged up to rest. But I’m playing," he insisted, with a smile. Go Nets! EDIT: Yes...I am certainly worried about the Knicks. I said earlier that Detroit was capable of losing all 4 games to end the season and that includes NY. A team at home in their season finale that has finished tanking for the worst record and has nothing to lose. Any given Sunday Wednesday......Last night's 1st half debacle against Memphis' 2nd stringers is all you need for doubt, and Blake is on one leg and will probably not play. I did predict that Detroit would to lose to OKC/Charlotte and beat Memphis/NY so I will be confident based on the 3-0 so far.
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 10, 2019 18:39:40 GMT -7
The audio on this is hilarious...overreaction of the decade ?
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Post by ChargerTom on Apr 10, 2019 19:42:28 GMT -7
In the face? Looked like it hit him in the gut to me.
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 11, 2019 3:41:43 GMT -7
You can’t seriously be worried about the Knicks tonight, could you ? I think how Brooklyn approaches their game tonight will be key. Are we certain they want to remain at 6 ? I think many teams would probably try to avoid Philly if they could, and in Brooklyn’s case they can do a pretty good job of avoiding that. I’m also not sure if Wade will play tonight, given there is nothing to play for. He may want his final home game (last night) to be his final game. The most interesting game I think for certain will be Orlando vs Charlotte. That can go either way, and I think Orlando will go full speed ahead in an effort to avoid the Bucks in Round 1. Should be a fun night indeed ! D'Angelo Russell when asked if he would be resting tonight vs Miami: "Sh*t, I’m trying to win," he said, almost smiling, with confidence. "What you mean? It makes sense if guys are banged up to rest. But I’m playing," he insisted, with a smile. Go Nets! EDIT: Yes...I am certainly worried about the Knicks. I said earlier that Detroit was capable of losing all 4 games to end the season and that includes NY. A team at home in their season finale that has finished tanking for the worst record and has nothing to lose. Any given Sunday Wednesday......Last night's 1st half debacle against Memphis' 2nd stringers is all you need for doubt, and Blake is on one leg and will probably not play. I did predict that Detroit would to lose to OKC/Charlotte and beat Memphis/NY so I will be confident based on the 3-0 so far. Congrats to the Pistons...now go get them Bucks ! See you in the Conference Finals ? PS - the G League Grizzlies on the 2nd night of a back to back, were too much for the Warriors to handle last night.
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 11, 2019 3:43:11 GMT -7
In the face? Looked like it hit him in the gut to me. It definitely was the gut...but still the most violent act (in Philadelphia) seen in years.
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Apr 11, 2019 5:11:00 GMT -7
D'Angelo Russell when asked if he would be resting tonight vs Miami: "Sh*t, I’m trying to win," he said, almost smiling, with confidence. "What you mean? It makes sense if guys are banged up to rest. But I’m playing," he insisted, with a smile. Go Nets! EDIT: Yes...I am certainly worried about the Knicks. I said earlier that Detroit was capable of losing all 4 games to end the season and that includes NY. A team at home in their season finale that has finished tanking for the worst record and has nothing to lose. Any given Sunday Wednesday......Last night's 1st half debacle against Memphis' 2nd stringers is all you need for doubt, and Blake is on one leg and will probably not play. I did predict that Detroit would to lose to OKC/Charlotte and beat Memphis/NY so I will be confident based on the 3-0 so far. Congrats to the Pistons...now go get them Bucks ! See you in the Conference Finals ? PS - the G League Grizzlies on the 2nd night of a back to back, were too much for the Warriors to handle last night. I agree with most Piston fans....we are disappointed to draw the Bucks. Although Detroit would likely lose to Toronto it would bring more hope. Where I don't agree with most Piston fans is in relation to Blake's knee. The majority are all calling for him to sit out of the playoffs and rest for next year. I completely disagree....even if he is at 80% there is no way to beat the Bucks without their best player. Just hoping for a fun series that goes more than 4 games. Detroit is now the team with nothing to lose, they are expected to be swept.....if they play loose and players like Kennard and Galloway get hot from 3 it could be interesting. I am not thinking conference finals yet....just hoping to win a game. If Detroit miraculously wins this series we can talk about and ECF matchup with Toronto  My predictions for the end of the season were close. Pistons games were correct and the scenario where Detroit gets the 7th seed was in play all the way until about 4 minutes left in the Orlando/Charlotte game. Oh well....forget the 7th seed, on to Milwaukee.
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Post by LIGHTS OUT on Apr 11, 2019 5:14:31 GMT -7
Orlando won last night without their best big man....I can't spell his name so I'm not going to try. They are definitely a legit team right now. Terrence Ross crushed the hopes of the Hornets and Pistons last night.....he couldn't miss! That is a name you should know well Toronto is going to have to guard him tightly....he will be returning to Toronto with a lot of confidence after last night's performance. |
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 11, 2019 18:00:27 GMT -7
Congrats to the Pistons...now go get them Bucks ! See you in the Conference Finals ? PS - the G League Grizzlies on the 2nd night of a back to back, were too much for the Warriors to handle last night. I agree with most Piston fans....we are disappointed to draw the Bucks. Although Detroit would likely lose to Toronto it would bring more hope. Where I don't agree with most Piston fans is in relation to Blake's knee. The majority are all calling for him to sit out of the playoffs and rest for next year. I completely disagree....even if he is at 80% there is no way to beat the Bucks without their best player. Just hoping for a fun series that goes more than 4 games. Detroit is now the team with nothing to lose, they are expected to be swept.....if they play loose and players like Kennard and Galloway get hot from 3 it could be interesting. I am not thinking conference finals yet....just hoping to win a game. If Detroit miraculously wins this series we can talk about and ECF matchup with Toronto My predictions for the end of the season were close. Pistons games were correct and the scenario where Detroit gets the 7th seed was in play all the way until about 4 minutes left in the Orlando/Charlotte game. Oh well....forget the 7th seed, on to Milwaukee. Wow ! I can’t believe Pistons fans are saying rest Blake for next year. The Bucks really are an incredible team, but most people (myself included) just can’t help but think the are gonna fall apart some point during the playoffs. The question is when...
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 11, 2019 18:16:41 GMT -7
Orlando won last night without their best big man....I can't spell his name so I'm not going to try. They are definitely a legit team right now. Terrence Ross crushed the hopes of the Hornets and Pistons last night.....he couldn't miss! That is a name you should know well Toronto is going to have to guard him tightly....he will be returning to Toronto with a lot of confidence after last night's performance. Yeah, Vucevic was out last night with a stomach virus, which got me a little nervous for them. Geez, I sure hope it’s not a virus that sticks around for a week or so I watched that game. T-Ross was an absolute beast last night. He looked like an All-NBA caliber player last night. T-Ross has already had a couple big games against us this year, so I’m sure better game planning against him is a priority. I hope the team takes Orlando seriously, and doesn’t just look past them, because they seem to me like a hot team that is capable of pulling off an upset or two. Overall I'm feeling pretty good heading into these playoffs. Everyone is healthy, and everyone who should be seeeing posting time in the playoffs, has been playing pretty good lately. Not having to face Dwayne Casey is definitely a relief too.
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Post by chopper31 on Apr 11, 2019 18:25:34 GMT -7
So for my playoff bracket prediction I’m going with:
Round 1:
Warriors over Clippers
Rockets over Jazz (but a hard fought series for sure)
OKC over Portland
San Antonio over Denver (experience over youth)
Bucks over Pistons
Celtics over Pacers (Not as easy as a pick as you may think)
76ers over Nets
Raptors over Magic
Round 2:
Rockets over Warriors (<<< That’s right, I said it)
OKC over Spurs
Bucks over Celtics
Raptors over 76ers
Conference Finals:
Rockets over OKC
Raptors over Bucks (epic series)
Finals:
Rockets over Raptors
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