2019-20 Around the NBA: Archived

[DanSchwartzgan]

#13

#8 in the West

[ThunderMav]

We play Rox tonight at Rox and I’m not sure I am ready to face Russ being in another team yet.  I hope we beat them but man it just sucks to have had him and so many other great players gone.  Its gonna be so strange.

[HanspardsShowerVoice]

I was surprised how many people were just writing the Warriors into the Western playoffs in ink.    That defense has the potential to be really, really, really bad.   You don't just lose 3 defenders like KD, Iggy and Klay and not have a gigantic dropoff.   All the playoff minutes and October-July schedules has put a ton of miles and wear on Draymond, especially playing the 5.   He can still bring it in small doses, but it's going to be an issue over an 82 game regular season.

[SportPsychMav]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2794...l-30-teams

#13

How the hell can they put Golden State at 17? They have legitimately been the worst team this season.

These Rankings are trash as always only good to provoke a.discussion and an eratic response by fans.
Good and cheap business I guess.

[jdb152]

DLo is terrible....I stand by that judgment I made from years ago. Last year was an anomaly.

I was with you in the Tap the DLo Brakes boat. I get the move from GS to acquire him, given where they are with the cap and restrictions. Still, so many of his peripherals screamed regression.

[ThunderMav]

OMG, I love twitter lol!  After GS beatdown its been lit.  Just one of many I saw:

https://twitter.com/SmoovShai/status/118...4780918784

[ThunderMav]

Wow.  Still only 3 games in so will be curious how it ends.  One note Harden is shooting so poor which will hurt his stats and once he starts making shots will increase his numbers.  Still impressed with Russ but he has a better supporting cast too.

https://twitter.com/OKCTHUNDERAlex/statu...2791620608

---

What is about GS every time we play them they kick us in the gonads?  Good for Steve who has experience in this:

https://twitter.com/GabeIkard/status/118...1016884227

---

Vs @ Rox tonight:  

We are 10 point dogs but I have a feeling we win.  

Harden is shooting really really bad lately.

Russ will internally be a mess playing his old team and although he will try to brush it off it might mess up his game.  He’s carried Rox last 2 games.

OKC players want to win and help fans move on.

Thunder found some shooting and mojo on Sun might carry over.

Punchers chance.  Road game.  Will take a good game with few turnovers and good shooting.  I think we can pull it off.  Likely fools gold too lol.

[ThunderMav]

Wow, I totally did’t think about this was too focused on Russ and that impact.  But he is right I think CP might stir things up.  This game should have plenty of subplots:

https://twitter.com/OKCTHUNDERAlex/statu...7699142656

---

Can I both want Thunder to win and Russ to get a triple double?  If Russ gets TD he will be only player to do so vs every team in league.  Wish list tonight:

1.  Thunder win
2.  Russ TD
3.  CP/Harden fight
4.  SGA game MVP makes winning last sec shot

[ThunderMav]

Wow, 10 point halftime lead 62-52 Thunder on road.  Did not see this.  Bench has 35 points!  Damn.

Likely lose but impressed with the youngsters.

[dirkfansince1998]

Wow, 10 point halftime lead 62-52 Thunder on road.  Did not see this.  Bench has 35 points!  Damn.

Likely lose but impressed with the youngsters.

Schroder is having a career night. Broken jumpshot turned into a 3-point specialist over night.

[omahen]

Philly is another team that desperately needs 3 point shooting.

[ThunderMav]

Down 4 in 4th the back to back legs caught up.  Never expected to win but happy with playing as good as we have.  Semi tank so to speak.

[mtrot]

Maybe RC should watch the tape of the Spurs/Blazers game tonight, as it appears the Spurs actually do know how to defend Dame and McCollum!

[sefant]

Maybe RC should watch the tape of the Spurs/Blazers game tonight, as it appears the Spurs actually do know how to defend Dame and McCollum!

We did much better in the first half. Luka tired + KP tired and defense went downhill.

In the first half KP challenged everything at the rim. In the 2nd half he was a step slow multiple times.

[mtrot]

Maybe RC should watch the tape of the Spurs/Blazers game tonight, as it appears the Spurs actually do know how to defend Dame and McCollum!

We did much better in the first half. Luka tired + KP tired and defense went downhill.

In the first half KP challenged everything at the rim. In the 2nd half he was a step slow multiple times.

You're talking about "at the rim".  I'm talking about limiting Dame and McCollum, who score most of their points NOT at the rim.  The Mavs need to learn how to limit these elite perimeter shooters, and it appears the Spurs are having some success there.

[ThunderMav]

Damn, lost by 4.  Hard(en) to win when James gets 20+ FTs.  Impressed to fight this close on back to back road game.  Fun game to watch came up just a bit short 3rd qtr 21 point deficit cost us the game.  Legs early season and Harden getting so many cheap fouls.  

Like the fight we had tho.

---

Pretty much sums it up:

https://twitter.com/PrimeNerlens/status/...7557941251

[dirkfansince1998]

Maybe RC should watch the tape of the Spurs/Blazers game tonight, as it appears the Spurs actually do know how to defend Dame and McCollum!

We did much better in the first half. Luka tired + KP tired and defense went downhill.

In the first half KP challenged everything at the rim. In the 2nd half he was a step slow multiple times.

You're talking about "at the rim".  I'm talking about limiting Dame and McCollum, who score most of their points NOT at the rim.  The Mavs need to learn how to limit these elite perimeter shooters, and it appears the Spurs are having some success there.

Lillard did most of his damage in the paint. Portland forced the switch and Lillard beat KP to the rim. McCollum hit really difficult pull up jumpers from midrange. That´s a shot the defense wants him to take. There is nothing any team can do about it if he is on fire. Both combined for 50+ points against the Spurs. Don´t think the Mavs were any worse outside of the 4th quarter.

[ThunderMav]

Amazing stats free throws out of hand

https://twitter.com/OKCTHUNDERAlex/statu...4289689600

[mtrot]

Maybe RC should watch the tape of the Spurs/Blazers game tonight, as it appears the Spurs actually do know how to defend Dame and McCollum!

We did much better in the first half. Luka tired + KP tired and defense went downhill.

In the first half KP challenged everything at the rim. In the 2nd half he was a step slow multiple times.

You're talking about "at the rim".  I'm talking about limiting Dame and McCollum, who score most of their points NOT at the rim.  The Mavs need to learn how to limit these elite perimeter shooters, and it appears the Spurs are having some success there.

Lillard did most of his damage in the paint. Portland forced the switch and Lillard beat KP to the rim. McCollum hit really difficult pull up jumpers from midrange. That´s a shot the defense wants him to take. There is nothing any team can do about it if he is on fire. Both combined for 50+ points against the Spurs. Don´t think the Mavs were any worse outside of the 4th quarter.

Looks like I spoke too soon, as the Blazers roared back in the fourth, just like they did vs the Mavs, scoring 39 points in the 4th.  Both Dame and McCollum ended up with almost 30 points, a bit less than vs the Mavs.  But the Spurs did get the win.

[ThunderMav]

What a shame how Harden and FTs ruin an otherwise great game.  And ruins the sport too.

Harden shot 22 FTs

OKC shot 24 “as a team”

That is just a travesty and happens every single game.  And half are BS calls.  I have no problem losing but hate losing to refs is all.  It is ruining the sport.