Around the League: Week 9 2/15-2/21

[O_Gardino]

Abolish conferences

All the billionaires who are good at business are out west. The east is just old money with no innovation and no ability to see talent.

[Superbone]

Counterpoint; these games don't really matter much for the Lakers and Nets. I included the Nets because I think they'll hold out Durant until after the break, just like it's becoming expected with AD. I don't think it's really a bad thing for those teams to get some mileage out of bench players right now even if they're losing games.

The Suns, Jazz, Sixers, and others in that group are going all to win every night right now.

I get what you're saying but Bron out there playing 40 a nite and I believe it's because they would like to win enough games early so that they can rest as they wish later on without losing much sleep over ramifications

My original post was from Indy and Split discussing if we can move higher than 4th so that was my take on why/how we can catch Lakers. So while I agree with your point that they will prioritize playoffs more than seeding, I don't think that it's that they're not locked in right now. I just believe they are not playing well period and missing AD shows their weaknesses in PnR D and rim protection which was a strength last season

On the other hand, it seems like the Nets play better when they're missing at least one of their big 3.

[Mori Chu]

Next week, my money is on the next story including Rubio riding onto the court on a horse (Putin-style) to destroy the Suns title hopes with a last second assist.

Go on...

[Split T]

Exactly what I expected for the west. No Bam on the east is surprising...especially with Vucevic making the team.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Paul is going to sit out and they'll give his spot to Booker.

[In2ition]

I hope to see Scorched-Earth Book after the All-Star weekend.

[Superbone]

Paul is going to sit out and they'll give his spot to Booker.

That's a good bet.

[ShadowHawke]

Counterpoint; these games don't really matter much for the Lakers and Nets. I included the Nets because I think they'll hold out Durant until after the break, just like it's becoming expected with AD. I don't think it's really a bad thing for those teams to get some mileage out of bench players right now even if they're losing games.

The Suns, Jazz, Sixers, and others in that group are going all to win every night right now.

I get what you're saying but Bron out there playing 40 a nite and I believe it's because they would like to win enough games early so that they can rest as they wish later on without losing much sleep over ramifications

My original post was from Indy and Split discussing if we can move higher than 4th so that was my take on why/how we can catch Lakers. So while I agree with your point that they will prioritize playoffs more than seeding, I don't think that it's that they're not locked in right now. I just believe they are not playing well period and missing AD shows their weaknesses in PnR D and rim protection which was a strength last season

On the other hand, it seems like the Nets play better when they're missing at least one of their big 3.

That's because there is only one basketball on the floor at a time. If there were three, the Nets would be favorites to win the championship.

[Nodack]

Paul is going to sit out and they'll give his spot to Booker.

That's a good bet.

I think Book would like to earn a spot for once without help from his friends.

[Indy]

Paul is going to sit out and they'll give his spot to Booker.

That's a good bet.

I think Book would like to earn a spot for once without help from his friends.

It won't be Paul. AD is hurt and won't be there, so book will be the replacement.

[AmareIsGod]

Paul is going to sit out and they'll give his spot to Booker.

That's a good bet.

I think Book would like to earn a spot for once without help from his friends.

It won't be Paul. AD is hurt and won't be there, so book will be the replacement.

Two years in a row he didn't earn it and was an injury replacement. That's respect

[Indy]

It doesn't show up in the box score or in his bbref page or on his final resume as a "replacement."

[AmareIsGod]

It doesn't show up in the box score or in his bbref page or on his final resume as a "replacement."

Oh, I'll hold a grudge for at least 4 or 5 days! You'll see!

[Superbone]

Jayson Tatum = Stud

For a stud, he sure loses a lot of games.

[The Bobster]

All-Star injury replacements since 2010 -

2010
Kobe Bryant, LAL/Jason Kidd, DAL
Allen Iverson, PHI/David Lee, NYK
Chris Paul, NWO/Chauncey Billups, DEN
Brandon Roy, POR/Chris Kaman, LAC

2011
Yao Ming, HOU/Kevin Love, MIN

2012
Joe Johnson, ATL/Rajon Rondo, BOS

2013
Rajon Rondo, BOS/Brook Lopez, BRK

2014
Kobe Bryant, LAL/Anthony Davis, NWO

2015
Kobe Bryant, LAL/DeMarcus Cousins, SAC
Anthony Davis, NWO/Dirk Nowitzki, DAL
Blake Griffin, LAC/Damian Lillard, POR
Dwyane Wade, MIA/Kyle Korver, ATL

2016
Jimmy Butler, CHI/Pau Gasol, CHI
Chris Bosh, MIA/Al Horford, ATL

2017
Kevin Love, CLE/Carmelo Anthony, NYK

2018
DeMarcus Cousins, NWO/Paul George, OKC
John Wall, WAS/Andre Drummond, DET
Kevin Love, CLE/Goran Dragić, MIA
Kristaps Porziņģis, NYK/Kemba Walker, CHA

2019
Victor Oladipo, IND/D’Angelo Russell, BRK

2020
Damian Lillard, POR/Devin Booker, PHO

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Not so bad company, hopefully next year he goes in directly.

[Wally_West]

Jayson Tatum = Stud

For a stud, he sure loses a lot of games.

Would y’all trade Ayton, Mikal, and 1st rounders for Tatum?

[Indy]

Jayson Tatum = Stud

For a stud, he sure loses a lot of games.

Would y’all trade Ayton, Mikal, and 1st rounders for Tatum?

Boston wouldn't.

[In2ition]

Jayson Tatum = Stud

For a stud, he sure loses a lot of games.

Would y’all trade Ayton, Mikal, and 1st rounders for Tatum?

Nah

[Wally_West]

Jayson Tatum = Stud

For a stud, he sure loses a lot of games.

Would y’all trade Ayton, Mikal, and 1st rounders for Tatum?

Boston wouldn't.

That’s not what I asked! Lol.

And in my defense, it works in 2k after I press trade override, so it’s not like it’s that crazy, Indy.