I basically interpret that NBA statement as admitting that the rules against vaccinated players' personal activities no longer have any basis in science. Which makes sense considering that they're rushing to open stadiums to full capacity. I'm guessing they're just trying to ride out the clock on the season before making it official with as little attention as possible.
(05-25-2021, 08:44 PM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]I basically interpret that NBA statement as admitting that the rules against vaccinated players' personal activities no longer have any basis in science. Which makes sense considering that they're rushing to open stadiums to full capacity. I'm guessing they're just trying to ride out the clock on the season before making it official with as little attention as possible.
There are two, separate issues here:
1) The validity (or lack thereof) of the NBA's rules regarding health and safety, and whether or not they are evolving to keep sane pace with the evolving situation in real life.
2) Whether or not the Mavs' players are focused enough on the team's goals and the current task of advancing past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a decade to follow those rules.
We can debate #1 at length, but it won't put a better taste in my mouth about KP and his relationship about #2, personally.
Listening to the podcast, I thought about the conversations we’ve had about positionless basketball and basically building a team like the Clippers. Wonder where those thoughts land now?
(05-26-2021, 02:22 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Listening to the podcast, I thought about the conversations we’ve had about positionless basketball and basically building a team like the Clippers. Wonder where those thoughts land now?
That's a good question. Is the "switch everything" approach to blame here, or is it this, specific mix of players on the Clippers roster? Is it their coach? I'm not sure, honestly.
At the end of the day, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to build a team. Any approach can win if the team is good enough, and if enough of the nebulous, intangible things break in their favor. It's REALLY hard to win an NBA Championship.
(05-26-2021, 02:27 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]That's a good question. Is the "switch everything" approach to blame here, or is it this, specific mix of players on the Clippers roster? Is it their coach? I'm not sure, honestly.
At the end of the day, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to build a team. Any approach can win if the team is good enough, and if enough of the nebulous, intangible things break in their favor. It's REALLY hard to win an NBA Championship.
Honestly, the answer is probably both. Look at the Lakers last year. It is about the top end talent, but it is very much also about an adaptable rest of the team who has that buy in for the good of the whole as a team. You NEED bigs to be sble to bang with Jokic/Embid/Ayton powerhouses. You also need multi-position defenders to contend with the small ball approach/5 out ball. It’s almost impossible to acquire those needs in 1 or 2 players (those guys are called superstars and transcendent players).
Roster flexibility is the name of the game in today’s NBA. You need players that have the skill AND don’t have the ego to get too upset with not “getting theirs”.
(05-26-2021, 02:27 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]That's a good question. Is the "switch everything" approach to blame here, or is it this, specific mix of players on the Clippers roster? Is it their coach? I'm not sure, honestly.
The interesting new development here, unless I just haven't been paying attention enough to the L the last few years, is that someone (Luka) is literally decimating the "switch everything" concept by simply choosing which Clipper he wants to torture as he brings the ball up on a good percentage of his times down the court. Have you seen someone do this to this extent before?
(05-26-2021, 02:58 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]The interesting new development here, unless I just haven't been paying attention enough to the L the last few years, is that someone (Luka) is literally decimating the "switch everything" concept by simply choosing which Clipper he wants to torture as he brings the ball up on a good percentage of his times down the court. Have you seen someone do this to this extent before?
It´s not a new concept but the Clippers are not playing it smart. No pre rotations/switches prior to the screen. LeBron and the Cavaliers tried it against the Warriors. Going after Curry but the Warriors protected him. Switched prior to the screen.
(05-26-2021, 02:54 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Roster flexibility is the name of the game in today’s NBA.
I couldn't agree with this more if you paid me.
But, and I don't think you'll disagree, I want to point out that it's really only the roster flexibility of your top 6-8 that helps. A team built to play "big" can't go to their 10th man in order to play "small" during the playoffs and hope for success that way, or vice versa.
What makes the Lakers' situation work from a "flexibility" standpoint is that adjusting to the smaller approach (emphasis on the 'er' at the end of smaller) is actually a movement towards getting MORE of their best players on the court, in addition to putting their two very best players in a situation to capitalize on athletic and skill advantages. BOTH of those benefits, together, are the thing.
(05-26-2021, 03:02 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]It´s not a new concept but the Clippers are not playing it smart. No pre rotations/switches prior to the screen
Totally agree. And even with what they're trying to do, which isn't adequate, the Clippers have had numerous breakdowns out there with their understanding of the plan.
IMHO, Lue is getting his lunch money stolen, so far.
(05-26-2021, 03:10 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]IMHO, Lue is getting his lunch money stolen, so far.
Ya, it’s close to the point of calling RC a bully. Two more wins and that’s what he is to Lue!
(05-26-2021, 03:17 PM)ItsGoTime Wrote: [ -> ]Ya, it’s close to the point of calling RC a bully. Two more wins and that’s what he is to Lue!
RC bullying Lue, and Luka bullying Pat. The Clips are going to be all out of lunch money
(05-26-2021, 03:24 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]RC bullying Lue, and Luka bullying Pat. The Clips are going to be all out of lunch money
Lemon/chocolate swirlies for everyone!
Perhaps the 1st quarter really is the most important quarter of the game....
(05-26-2021, 06:03 PM)fifteenth Wrote: [ -> ]WOW!!!!
What it tells us is Carlisle hardly ever gets out coached...
(05-27-2021, 02:18 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/...2113050625
The concern would be that some loony team would offer THJ superstar money, since you never know.
But
(a) the theory that something like that could happen, is a long way from it actually happening,
(b) he apparently likes this team, and
(c ) he's gotten the crazy money before and it was a disaster for him, so this time his priorities may be broader than just the dollars.
Also, while he's playing at the top of his game right now, it seems wise not to budget dollars based on a player's very best hot streak as his last deal is ending, but to instead negotiate for something more representative of his overall body of work. Hopefully that's how it will play out. $18M?