Around the League: Week 6 (11/21 - 11/27)

[Mori Chu]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

[Mori Chu]

Also, FUCK PATRICK BEVERLEY.

[specialsauce]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

He would’ve dribbled two steps to the right or left and handed it off, and somebody here would be complaining that he just doesn’t get the ball ever.

[INFORMER]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

Ayton did have a play like that versus the Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs when he was playing for a max contract extension. He didn't dunk on anyone, but he did dribble from the 3-point line all the way to the basket and finished with a pretty emphatic slam.

[INFORMER]

The West is tough again this year. The Suns, as the top seed, are only 3 games up on the eleventh seed GSW.

[JeremyG]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

He would’ve dribbled two steps to the right or left and handed it off, and somebody here would be complaining that he just doesn’t get the ball ever.

Most centers are not great at driving from the 3-point line. Does that mean he doesn’t deserve to get the ball in any other position on the court? “He touched the ball 45 times at the 3-point line, so he’s getting plenty of touches.” It’s a ridiculous argument. Why not give him the ball where he’s more effective?

[JeremyG]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

Ayton did have a play like that versus the Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs when he was playing for a max contract extension. He didn't dunk on anyone, but he did dribble from the 3-point line all the way to the basket and finished with a pretty emphatic slam.

Are you talking about this and-1?

[Mori Chu]

2021 Playoffs Ayton was a real thing of beauty. Seemed like the sky was the limit for us with that team.

[specialsauce]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

He would’ve dribbled two steps to the right or left and handed it off, and somebody here would be complaining that he just doesn’t get the ball ever.

Most centers are not great at driving from the 3-point line. Does that mean he doesn’t deserve to get the ball in any other position on the court? “He touched the ball 45 times at the 3-point line, so he’s getting plenty of touches.” It’s a ridiculous argument. Why not give him the ball where he’s more effective?

Yep and that’s why there’s not a center in the league making the max who isn’t good at driving from the 3 point line or elbow.

[Split T]

Well scratch any Hayward ideas

[The Bobster]

Well scratch any Hayward ideas

Not so fast -

https://hoopshype.com/2022/11/26/gordon ... p68fW9PMl0

[bajanguy008]

This seems unfathomable

[Mori Chu]

Did you know that as of today, YOUR Phoenix Suns are #1 in the West with a 12-6 record? Woohoo! Not bad for a team missing 2 starters and still going through some bumps.

https://www.espn.com/nba/standings

Other interesting things in the standings:

- Boston is #1 in the East at 15-4 and looks like the best team in the league right now IMO. Scary good and deep. Right behind them are the Bucks, who also look like a title contender, and the Cavs (!) at #3 with a 12-7 record.

- The Brooklyn Nets have been playing better lately and are now 10th in the East with a 9-11 record, just a game out of the 8 seed.

- The West standings are kind of hard to parse because literally the #11 team (GSW) is only 3 games back of the #1 team (us). Is it impressive that the Pelicans are #3? Should the Mavs be concerned that they're #9? Well, they are literally 1 game apart.


Some interesting things jump out from league stats leaders:

https://www.espn.com/nba/stats

- Luka Doncic is leading the league in scoring with 34.0 ppg (!).

- Want to be mad at James Jones? One Tyrese Halliburton is leading the league in assists with 11.1 per game, 2 full assists ahead of the second place player, Trae Young.

- Brook Lopez is leading the league in blocks (2.8) and many are hyping him up as a leader for the DPOY award. If you'd told me ten years ago that Brook Lopez was a future DPOY, I would have been shocked.

[bajanguy008]

I remember how ugly a Break Up it was and I don't feel like checking how many times he's been back since but.....
This is either sad or funny

[carey]

Nah, fuck the way he treated New Orleans.

[Split T]

Ya I’m cool with players asking for trades, but I’m also cool with the teams/fans to turn on them. You ask out the way AD did and you lose the right to be upset about getting a warm welcome on your return.

[Split T]

Does he realize how bad of a look this is?

[INFORMER]

^ That entire play was such a not-Ayton play. He gets the lane to drive because they're (rightly) concerned about his 3-point shot. Then he attacks the basket quickly and elevates for a thunderous jam. Ayton would have done absolutely none of those things.

Ayton did have a play like that versus the Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs when he was playing for a max contract extension. He didn't dunk on anyone, but he did dribble from the 3-point line all the way to the basket and finished with a pretty emphatic slam.

Are you talking about this and-1?

No, that wasn't it. I already screwed up the year, so I am probably getting the team wrong too. It was on the other end of the court, he dribbled behind his back and then dunked it.

[Split T]

Hasn’t played in 2 years….remember when he went crazy in the bubble season(especially in the bubble) and everyone talked about how big of a steal that trade was for Indy…he’s played 4 games since the bubble and isn’t even on the pacers anymore. Not saying we got good value in that trade as we obviously gave up a pick just to move him, but turns out there was a good reason we sent him packing.

[bajanguy008]

Say what now ?!?!?
Lol