NBA Discussion Thread - Page 2188

iowatreat54 · 03-23-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Sanders Dreadlock

The knicks continue to impress

I'm impressed that a team that would easily beat the Bulls in a 7 game series has lost 4 games in a row and 7 of their last 10.

I honestly think the Knicks are secretly playing to how the Bulls are seeded. Bulls comfortably in 3rd? Knicks comfortably in 6th. Bulls start winning and moving up, Knicks start tanking and moving down.

I smell a conspiracy.

D-Unit · 03-23-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Sanders Dreadlock

The knicks continue to impress

One day the lights are gonna click in NY. I'm just glad it wasn't today. Orlando is so shaky, it scares me as the playoffs approach.

scottyboy · 03-23-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

One day the lights are gonna click in NY. I'm just glad it wasn't today. Orlando is so shaky, it scares me as the playoffs approach.

you guys have Dwight though. I LOVE how much he's improved. He's been an all world defender for a few years, but his offensive game continues to impress me. He's no longer: fumble around with the ball, turn and try to dunk on everyone. You guys just need one more consistent player. It seems like everyone around Dwight is sooooo hit or miss

wordofi · 03-23-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zycho32

Think back to the Celtics Big Trio- essentially Three Franchise Players in one package. You have to REEEEEEAAAAAALLLLLLLY stretch things a bit to eliminate any of them from said label- age, effectiveness, inability to guide teams to titles, etc- so they're all top guys.

And they prove that a Multiple Franchise Guy system CAN work, but that it takes considerably more effort than just showing up.

Okay, I'm editing so I can properly explain my point. Here's what you want in a 'Multiple Star'-style roster;

1. Your Stars must have skillsets that compliment one another.
1a. If Stars do not have complimentary games, one or more Stars must 'shift' their game to fill in what is needed.
2. Your Stars must establish the pecking order between themselves so they know who the primary Alpha Dog is and who can fill in if said Alpha Dog is forced to leave the game.
3. Your Supporting Cast- typically scrubs or ring chasers- need to possess quality skills that compliment what the stars already bring to the table.
3a. Your Supporting Cast also typically needs to have at least one or two high-character guys who can have a positive effect on team chemistry.

It's a basic and simple set of rules. 1 and 2 involve the Stars properly meshing and adjusting to their new dynamic, while 3 involves just a basic guideline of what you want from the supporting cast.

The biggest problem with the Heat is rules 1 and 2. LeBron and Wade currently struggle with Alpha Dog issues and too-similar skillsets, but it's difficult to do a better job at finding a supporting cast that compliments them and Bosh based on what was available. A ton of warm bodies at the 5? Check. Perimeter Shooters? Check, believe it or not.

Two things could've potentially happened differently. First, they could've saved money spent on Mike Miller- you gotta figure at least one or two scrubs could've been had for cheaper money and similar perimeter production- and put it towards a higher quality 5. This is assuming one was available. Second was finding one of those Glue Guys, like James Posey for Boston's 08 title team. Again, this is subjective to the idea that someone like that existed in the Free Agent Pool and that someone could've off-set whatever Ego problems LeBron and company brought to the table.

They have these problems and they still have a hot record and are a dangerous team no matter what night it is, and at the very worst they look like they could use a standard off-season tune-up of the supporting cast, if not a rapid shifting of play philosophy from either one of the Big 2.

New York is in the same boat, only they butchered the majority of the Supporting Cast to get Anthony, and are more or less just treading water until the off-season, when they can start stockpiling bench players again. Then again, they're ahead in one key factor; Stoudemire has essentially changed himself in terms of attitude if not his actual game and went balls-out back when he was the only star. If Melo is anything close to smart he'll follow that example.

And then there's Boston.

You start off with Paul Pierce and get Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in a series of trades which don't totally drain the bench. Right off the bat these guys score a Grand Slam because all three have perfectly complimentary games between one another, and all three became hardwired to win titles and were willing to sacrifice what it took to get there. Think of an intagible weakness one of them may have had, and you'll probably find it as a strength in another, if not both of the other two. Same for the game. Garnett plays up close- more High Post than Low Post but it's still a close-up game. Allen's the deadeye shooter bombing threes from all over. And Pierce works in-between much like your typical perimeter Superstar.

And their bench? Posey was the ultimate Glue Guy. They had a series of big bodies down low to compliment Garnett, they had Rondo at his embryonic stage when all he needed to do was bring the ball up and dish- and look how he turned out! Then they had Eddie House back when he was still effective raining threes at the point and they almost got Reggie freaking Miller to be Allen's understudy for 10-15 minutes a pop!

Yeah, the 'One Superstar' formula is tried and tested and what-not, but it's not the be-all end-all of basketball roster strategy. You can win with a multiple-star format, or even a no-superstar format. I grant you, it takes much more effort to construct the right team and coach them, but it's doable.

I think the Celtics example doesn't compare all that well to the Heat. James and Wade are in their prime. I wouldn't necessarily Garnett or Allen in their prime (maybe Pierce), and they were more than established. Also, they complement each other very well, unlike James and Wade. The most important thing is that their individual scoring numbers went down, which is not the case with Wade and James. I don't think it's good that those two and Bosh account for about 80% of the scoring.

SickwithIt1010 · 03-23-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordofi

I think the Celtics example doesn't compare all that well to the Heat. James and Wade are in their prime. I wouldn't necessarily Garnett or Allen in their prime (maybe Pierce), and they were more than established. Also, they complement each other very well, unlike James and Wade. The most important thing is that their individual scoring numbers went down, which is not the case with Wade and James. I don't think it's good that those two and Bosh account for about 80% of the scoring.

He was using the Boston Big 3 as the way to do it. Saying the heat way isnt a great way of doing it.

The big 3 in Boston complimented each other, they would have in their prime too. Doesnt matter how old they are.

Sure Wade, and Lebron are in their primes but they dont compliment each other AT ALL.

Shiver · 03-23-2011, 11:53 PM

I'm really amazed at how the Nuggets have flourished post-trade. They have so much talent, depth, length, speed and shooting. Who needs an alpha dog, right?

KCJ58 · 03-24-2011, 12:39 AM

Could the Wizards win road game #2 there going to a 2OT at least at Staples for the 2nd consecutive night, but this is against the Clippers

KCJ58 · 03-24-2011, 12:46 AM

Great off. board by Jamario

Randy Foye "BINGO!"

KCJ58 · 03-24-2011, 12:51 AM

It took him 2 OT to do it but, Blake Griffin got his 1st career triple-double

33 Points
17 Rebounds
10 Assists

Clippers Win 127-119, btw

RaiderNation · 03-24-2011, 01:45 AM

Orlando needs to add a consistant scorer from the SG/SF position. Hedo and Richardson best years are behind them and Dwight is still young so they need to add another young scorer somehow to the team. Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis and Danny Granger are young scorer who are on bad teams. If Orlando can pull off a great trade in the off season I can see them as a very good team. I think the Celtics, Bulls or Heat will beat Orlando in 7 games.

SimonRath · 03-24-2011, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

Orlando needs to add a consistant scorer from the SG/SF position. Hedo and Richardson best years are behind them and Dwight is still young so they need to add another young scorer somehow to the team. Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis and Danny Granger are young scorer who are on bad teams. If Orlando can pull off a great trade in the off season I can see them as a very good team. I think the Celtics, Bulls or Heat will beat Orlando in 7 games.

do they have anything to trade for one of those guys?..

RaiderNation · 03-24-2011, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonRath

do they have anything to trade for one of those guys?..

Lol thats the problem for them. Nobody wants Arenas or Hedo's contracts

D-Unit · 03-24-2011, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimonRath

do they have anything to trade for one of those guys?..

No they don't. That's why there is a lot of frustration among the Magic fan base.

thenewfeature06 · 03-24-2011, 11:16 AM

The most valuable piece outside of Dwight is who Brandon Bass? Jameer?

SimonRath · 03-24-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewfeature06

The most valuable piece outside of Dwight is who Brandon Bass? Jameer?

Jameer. that a easy question.

thenewfeature06 · 03-24-2011, 11:28 AM

Well I can't really think of any1 besides them, Jameer is a good point but he isn't a great one. When it comes playoff time we'll see if he can step his game a little more, but I love Bass.. he is a dog.

SeanTaylorRIP · 03-24-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCJ58

It took him 2 OT to do it but, Blake Griffin got his 1st career triple-double

33 Points
17 Rebounds
10 Assists

Clippers Win 127-119, btw

John Wall got his first triple double in his 6th career game :). But yeah for two horrendous teams that was an entertaining game. Too bad John wasn't hitting the boards like he usually does because that would have been awesome if both he and Blake had triple doubles.