Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

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carey
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Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by carey »

Nationally televised games this week

Monday:
Tuesday: L.A. Lakers @ NOLA 7:30 PM EST TNT, Philadelphia @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Brooklyn @ Utah 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Portland @ Miami 7:30 PM EST NBATv, Philadelphia @ L.A. Lakers 10:30 NBATv
Friday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Atlanta @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Philadelphia @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Atlanta @ Denver 9:00 PM EST NBATv

NBA News

Los Angeles Lakers star and former LA Clippers exec Elgin Baylor dies at 86 - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/311 ... or-dies-86

2021 NBA trade deadline: What should and will happen this week - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/311 ... appen-week

USC’s Evan Mobley is getting closer to his NBA dream - https://theundefeated.com/features/usc- ... nba-dream/

College players are no longer settling for being on the sports plantation - https://theundefeated.com/features/coll ... planation/

Is John Collins Worth It? - https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/22 ... e-deadline

The Latest Intel Heading Into NBA Trade Deadline Week - https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/3/21 ... hn-collins

Power Rankings Roundup

NBA Power Rankings: What LeBron James' injury means for our latest update, plus a new No. 1 rises - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/311 ... no-1-rises
#4 Suns - In Sunday's game against the Lakers, Suns point guard Chris Paul joined an exclusive club. With his ninth assist, Paul became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career assists, joining John Stockton (15,806), Jason Kidd (12,091), Steve Nash (10,335), Mark Jackson (10,334) and Magic Johnson (10,141). At his current average, Paul will pass Johnson later this season. -- Lopez
NBA Power Rankings: Lakers tumble after LeBron James injury, Nets stay No. 1 as trade deadline nears - https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba- ... ine-nears/
#5 Suns - The Suns had a slight blip on the radar when they allowed 42 points to rookie Anthony Edwards in a loss to the Wolves, but won their three other games this week to continue their march toward the top of the Western Conference standings. Devin Booker got loose for 26 points per game this week while the bench made major contributions behind Langston Galloway and Cameron Payne. New addition Torrey Craig got into his first game in Sunday's win over the Lakers, and could carve out a rotation role with his defensive ability.
NBA Power Rankings: Will There Be Any Fireworks Before the Trade Deadline? - https://www.si.com/nba/2021/03/23/nba-p ... ine-rumors
#5 Suns - Life has to be pretty good for Cameron Johnson right now. Phoenix’s second year forward is earning significant minutes for a fringe Finals contender after being a late lottery selection in 2019, and he has a pretty plum gig in the context of the Suns’ roster. While Mikal Bridges spends nights chasing opponents’ best wings for significant stretches, Johnson is a simple spacer, getting hidden defensively as he bombs open threes on the other end. Johnson has made the 12th most threes defined as “wide open” per NBA data, hitting those triples at a solid 41.8 percent clip. Playing alongside Chris Paul and Devin Booker certainly has its benefits, especially for a player of Johnson’s skill-set.
Power Rankings, Week 14: Bucks climb to No. 2 as trade deadline looms - https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2020-21-week-14
#4 Suns - There are two teams that rank in the bottom five in both free throw rate and the percentage of their shots that have come in the restricted area. One of the two is the Orlando Magic (27th and 30th), who rank 27th in offensive efficiency. The other is the Suns (30th and 27th), who rank eighth offensively, making up for their lack of layups and free throws by taking care of the ball and shooting well away from the basket.

In their first of two meetings with the Wolves last week, the Suns were outscored, 68-38, on restricted-area buckets and free throws. They shot well from the perimeter, but turned the ball over 22 times and couldn’t make up that 30-point discrepancy. They blew an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead, and when they had a chance to tie in the final minute, Devin Booker lost the ball and Chris Paul missed a three.

The Suns are still 20-5 since late January. And they’re not the only Western Conference playoff team that doesn’t get to the rim or the line a lot. The Nuggets (23rd), Mavs (24th), Blazers (26th), Jazz (27th) and Clippers (29th) all rank in the bottom eight in points per game from restricted-area buckets or free throws. It’s a jump-shooting conference and the Lakers are the exception to the rule.

Their last four losses have come at home. They’ve won their last six road games, with a four-game tip starting Tuesday in Miami.
NBA Power Rankings: Bucks move into top spot, plus who’s been ballin’ lately for each team? - https://theathletic.com/2450411/2021/03 ... each-team/
#7 Suns - Who is ballin’ lately? Mikal Bridges

We know the Phoenix Suns are incredibly deep, and they’re playing some of the best basketball in the NBA. They don’t require these heroic efforts by their stars each night to win games. They just keep having players step up in their roles and contribute what needs to be done. One of those guys is Bridges. We know all about his exploits as a defender. He’ll clamp up the best of them most nights. Great scorers usually try to force switches to get him away from them. But Bridges is also a very good offensive player. His role is reduced a bit more than it would be on most teams, but his shot making in the last 10 games is stellar — 73.9 percent true shooting in his last 10 games! That doesn’t even make sense.

Why are they ranked here? They lose one spot in the rankings, despite a winning week, because they lost to Minnesota. Not a huge deal, but they shouldn’t slip up against them.
Go Suns!

Og Snus!

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bajanguy008
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

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SUNS Fan from the Land of Sun, Sea and Sand ;)

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Indy
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

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He isn't top 10. He, at one point, was the ultimate connector (using Monty's term) for the Warriors. And he did a very good job talking and organizing their defense. But I just don't see him as great. Put him on another team and he isn't even thought of as a great player.

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Superbone
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Superbone »

I'd put him at the top of the nut busters of the league.
"Be Legendary."

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Indy »

He is probably the best defensive Green to play in the NBA.

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Mori Chu
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Mori Chu »

Speaking as a secondary Warriors fan, Draymond is a lot tougher to tolerate when he is playing poorly and the team isn't very good. His big mouth and antics are fine if you're winning 70 games, but when you are a fringe playoff team he just sounds like a loud-mouthed distraction.

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Mori Chu
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Mori Chu »

carey wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:22 am
Nationally televised games this week

Monday:
Tuesday: L.A. Lakers @ NOLA 7:30 PM EST TNT, Philadelphia @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Brooklyn @ Utah 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Portland @ Miami 7:30 PM EST NBATv, Philadelphia @ L.A. Lakers 10:30 NBATv
Friday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Atlanta @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Philadelphia @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Atlanta @ Denver 9:00 PM EST NBATv
Surprised the national networks don't swap out those Laker games given that both Lebron and Davis are out. That won't be very good TV.

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Superbone
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

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Indy wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:33 am
He is probably the best defensive Green to play in the NBA.
Yeah, he's got Gerald beat by a country mile.
"Be Legendary."

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Superbone »

Mori Chu wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:47 am
carey wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:22 am
Nationally televised games this week

Monday:
Tuesday: L.A. Lakers @ NOLA 7:30 PM EST TNT, Philadelphia @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Brooklyn @ Utah 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Portland @ Miami 7:30 PM EST NBATv, Philadelphia @ L.A. Lakers 10:30 NBATv
Friday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Atlanta @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Philadelphia @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Atlanta @ Denver 9:00 PM EST NBATv
Surprised the national networks don't swap out those Laker games given that both Lebron and Davis are out. That won't be very good TV.
At least the highly ranked Phoenix Suns have a bunch of national games.
"Be Legendary."

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by bajanguy008 »

Indy wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:34 am
He isn't top 10. He, at one point, was the ultimate connector (using Monty's term) for the Warriors. And he did a very good job talking and organizing their defense. But I just don't see him as great. Put him on another team and he isn't even thought of as a great player.
Well ya know how these things go with Social Media these days.....

SUNS Fan from the Land of Sun, Sea and Sand ;)

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pickle
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by pickle »

Superbone wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:24 pm
Mori Chu wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:47 am
carey wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:22 am
Nationally televised games this week

Monday:
Tuesday: L.A. Lakers @ NOLA 7:30 PM EST TNT, Philadelphia @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST TNT
Wednesday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Brooklyn @ Utah 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Thursday: Portland @ Miami 7:30 PM EST NBATv, Philadelphia @ L.A. Lakers 10:30 NBATv
Friday: Boston @ Milwaukee 7:30 PM EST ESPN, Atlanta @ Golden State 10:00 PM EST ESPN
Saturday: Philadelphia @ L.A. Clippers 10:00 PM EST NBATv
Sunday: Atlanta @ Denver 9:00 PM EST NBATv
Surprised the national networks don't swap out those Laker games given that both Lebron and Davis are out. That won't be very good TV.
At least the highly ranked Phoenix Suns have a bunch of national games.
It's alright. I can't stand the TNT announcers and the streams that I watch don't give me a choice of announcers to listen to...

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pickle
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by pickle »

Superbone wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:22 pm
Indy wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:33 am
He is probably the best defensive Green to play in the NBA.
Yeah, he's got Gerald beat by a country mile.
But could he out do AC in wholesomeness?

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pickle
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by pickle »

Mori Chu wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:46 am
Speaking as a secondary Warriors fan, Draymond is a lot tougher to tolerate when he is playing poorly and the team isn't very good. His big mouth and antics are fine if you're winning 70 games, but when you are a fringe playoff team he just sounds like a loud-mouthed distraction.
I would *love* to see him play alongside Ayton, even if he's a shell of his former self. If anybody in this league can fix Ayton, it'd be Draymond.

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by ShelC »

Good article on Oubre and his situation with the Ws as the deadline approaches. Ws like him but he's not irreplaceable and the article does a good job what he does well vs what he doesn't - which we're all familiar with

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warri ... g-his-game
Yet the Warriors will trade Oubre without remorse if the right deal comes along. Why? Why would they even consider losing a young, 6-foot-7 wing with so many valued assets in a league where no position, perhaps besides point guard, is more essential?

Because Oubre, 25, is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there is no unanimous agreement on whether he is a long-term keeper. On a franchise placing a much higher priority on its future than its present, that makes him expendable.

Where Oubre loses points is in two categories that really matter to the Warriors. One, his defense. There has been enough video to see that his on-ball defense runs hot and cold, terrific in some instances and a devastating mental lapse in others. He is prone to taking risks, and sometimes they backfire spectacularly....The second area of concern, which is an offshoot of the first, is the “feel for the game, feel for the moment” equation. Oubre has the athleticism of a young Andre Iguodala but has not shown the discipline or innate sense of what to do and when to do it.

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by O_Gardino »

Superbone wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 1:22 pm
Indy wrote:
Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:33 am
He is probably the best defensive Green to play in the NBA.
Yeah, he's got Gerald beat by a country mile.
Is he really better than AC Green?
The league needs heroes, villains... and clowns. -- Aztec Sunsfan

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specialsauce
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by specialsauce »

ShelC wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:56 am
Good article on Oubre and his situation with the Ws as the deadline approaches. Ws like him but he's not irreplaceable and the article does a good job what he does well vs what he doesn't - which we're all familiar with

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warri ... g-his-game
Yet the Warriors will trade Oubre without remorse if the right deal comes along. Why? Why would they even consider losing a young, 6-foot-7 wing with so many valued assets in a league where no position, perhaps besides point guard, is more essential?

Because Oubre, 25, is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there is no unanimous agreement on whether he is a long-term keeper. On a franchise placing a much higher priority on its future than its present, that makes him expendable.

Where Oubre loses points is in two categories that really matter to the Warriors. One, his defense. There has been enough video to see that his on-ball defense runs hot and cold, terrific in some instances and a devastating mental lapse in others. He is prone to taking risks, and sometimes they backfire spectacularly....The second area of concern, which is an offshoot of the first, is the “feel for the game, feel for the moment” equation. Oubre has the athleticism of a young Andre Iguodala but has not shown the discipline or innate sense of what to do and when to do it.
This is flat out plagiarism. It’s what I’ve been saying exactly for the last year! He sucks when it comes to winning basketball. Suns fans just love drooling over him for the “culture”

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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Indy »

specialsauce wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:02 am
ShelC wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:56 am
Good article on Oubre and his situation with the Ws as the deadline approaches. Ws like him but he's not irreplaceable and the article does a good job what he does well vs what he doesn't - which we're all familiar with

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warri ... g-his-game
Yet the Warriors will trade Oubre without remorse if the right deal comes along. Why? Why would they even consider losing a young, 6-foot-7 wing with so many valued assets in a league where no position, perhaps besides point guard, is more essential?

Because Oubre, 25, is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there is no unanimous agreement on whether he is a long-term keeper. On a franchise placing a much higher priority on its future than its present, that makes him expendable.

Where Oubre loses points is in two categories that really matter to the Warriors. One, his defense. There has been enough video to see that his on-ball defense runs hot and cold, terrific in some instances and a devastating mental lapse in others. He is prone to taking risks, and sometimes they backfire spectacularly....The second area of concern, which is an offshoot of the first, is the “feel for the game, feel for the moment” equation. Oubre has the athleticism of a young Andre Iguodala but has not shown the discipline or innate sense of what to do and when to do it.
This is flat out plagiarism. It’s what I’ve been saying exactly for the last year! He sucks when it comes to winning basketball. Suns fans just love drooling over him for the “culture”
Hard to call it plagiarism when there are no exclamation points, no swearing, and no mention of push ups. :P

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specialsauce
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by specialsauce »

Indy wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:32 am
specialsauce wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:02 am
ShelC wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:56 am
Good article on Oubre and his situation with the Ws as the deadline approaches. Ws like him but he's not irreplaceable and the article does a good job what he does well vs what he doesn't - which we're all familiar with

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warri ... g-his-game
Yet the Warriors will trade Oubre without remorse if the right deal comes along. Why? Why would they even consider losing a young, 6-foot-7 wing with so many valued assets in a league where no position, perhaps besides point guard, is more essential?

Because Oubre, 25, is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, and there is no unanimous agreement on whether he is a long-term keeper. On a franchise placing a much higher priority on its future than its present, that makes him expendable.

Where Oubre loses points is in two categories that really matter to the Warriors. One, his defense. There has been enough video to see that his on-ball defense runs hot and cold, terrific in some instances and a devastating mental lapse in others. He is prone to taking risks, and sometimes they backfire spectacularly....The second area of concern, which is an offshoot of the first, is the “feel for the game, feel for the moment” equation. Oubre has the athleticism of a young Andre Iguodala but has not shown the discipline or innate sense of what to do and when to do it.
This is flat out plagiarism. It’s what I’ve been saying exactly for the last year! He sucks when it comes to winning basketball. Suns fans just love drooling over him for the “culture”
Hard to call it plagiarism when there are no exclamation points, no swearing, and no mention of push ups. :P
Bullshit! Your next picture in your office will be him doing push-ups!!!!!!

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Mori Chu
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by Mori Chu »

I'm going to buy an NFT of a Kelly Oubre doing pushups GIF and then give it to Saucey.

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ShelC
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Re: Around the League: Week 14 3/22-3/28

Post by ShelC »

Mori Chu wrote:
Wed Mar 24, 2021 12:13 pm
I'm going to buy an NFT of a Kelly Oubre doing pushups GIF and then give it to Saucey.
I was going to post literally that exact same thing but I didn't think anyone would know what an NFT is.

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