NBA

[Tharmas]

Do we have any other fans of professional basketball here?

My local team, Dallas Mavericks, have an incredible young star (we nabbed him from Europe) but then they traded away 80% of their starting lineup for another big star who won’t play until next year. So last night we won our first game in a good while. Meanwhile we’re hoping to nab another star this summer in the off season, and build a championship team. It’s a gamble, involving tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. I hope it works out.

 

[ruby sparks]

I can't say that I am familiar with the NBA. But, I have a claim to fame. I've played against Charles Smith! Last year, in Galway. I play Master's (veteran's) tournament basketball for a Dublin team and he was guesting for a London team. Here he is in action (albeit failing to score) for the New York Knicks in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals:

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRFKhpMKX0E[/YOUTUBE]

And here's me (32 green) and him (10 yellow) in the 2018 Galway Master's semi-final:



He's got 6 years on me (he's 53, I'm 59) and 10 inches (he's 6' 10", I'm 6' 0").

 

[Tharmas]

Very cool!!!

 

[ruby sparks]

Thanks. It probably goes without saying that we lost. I'd have bragged otherwise.

As for watching the NBA, it's not on any tv channels I subscribe to, unfortunately. Nor even is British basketball. So when it comes to fandom, I'm into footie (soccer), which is slightly odd because I only ever played it recreationally, and I have played and coached basketball (competitively, though not professionally).

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I just hitch the wagon to the Cavs train whenever James decides to play for them. Otherwise, too much other stuff. Also the Golden State Warriors have ruined basketball with their epic playing... and Curry's ugly, but remarkably on target shooting style.

 

[Tars Tarkus]

I became a Milwaukee Bucks fan in 1973 or so because of some Quaker Oats promotion (liked the logo, hey I was 12). Maybe this year with the Greek Freak.

 

[rousseau]

I just hitch the wagon to the Cavs train whenever James decides to play for them. Otherwise, too much other stuff. Also the Golden State Warriors have ruined basketball with their epic playing... and Curry's ugly, but remarkably on target shooting style.

Yea, since Golden State signed Durant it's felt pointless to watch the NBA. The last couple years I just waited until the finals then watched a few games.

 

[Harry Bosch]

I can't say that I am familiar with the NBA. But, I have a claim to fame. I've played against Charles Smith! Last year, in Galway. I play Master's (veteran's) tournament basketball for a Dublin team and he was guesting for a London team. Here he is in action (albeit failing to score) for the New York Knicks in the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals:

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRFKhpMKX0E[/YOUTUBE]

And here's me (32 green) and him (10 yellow) in the 2018 Galway Master's semi-final:

View attachment 20360

He's got 6 years on me (he's 53, I'm 59) and 10 inches (he's 6' 10", I'm 6' 0").

That's a great picture! I loved the NBA when I was little. I've lost some interest over the years. I prefer more of the old fashion pass the ball around, set screens, get it to the guy on the post for a better shot. I'm not as much into the isolation shoot from the 3 line. But it's fun to go to live games...

 

[Tharmas]

That's a great picture! I loved the NBA when I was little. I've lost some interest over the years. I prefer more of the old fashion pass the ball around, set screens, get it to the guy on the post for a better shot. I'm not as much into the isolation shoot from the 3 line. But it's fun to go to live games...

I’ve heard at least one commentator on TV (probably ex-coach Van Gundy but I’m not sure) remark that the three point shot ruined basketball.

I wouldn’t go that far. No doubt the game has changed, but there’s still plenty of passing the ball around and setting screens. Instead of just finding the open man under the basket there’s now the added option of passing back out to the three-point line. I find the game plenty exciting and fun to watch. Nowadays big men do more than just dunk. They can often shoot too, even from beyond the arc.

What may be in danger is the mid-range shot. Houston this year has taken almost all of their shots from either the three-point line or from in the paint. Personally I think that’s a passing fad.

 

[Tharmas]

I just hitch the wagon to the Cavs train whenever James decides to play for them. Otherwise, too much other stuff. Also the Golden State Warriors have ruined basketball with their epic playing... and Curry's ugly, but remarkably on target shooting style.

Yea, since Golden State signed Durant it's felt pointless to watch the NBA. The last couple years I just waited until the finals then watched a few games.

I think that's unduly pessimistic. I think Golden State is vulnerable this year. (However, what's often overlooked about Golden State, with their incredible shooting, is just how good their defense is.) A Golden State/Rockets series would be very interesting, as would a Golden State/Nuggets series.

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I became a Milwaukee Bucks fan in 1973 or so because of some Quaker Oats promotion (liked the logo, hey I was 12). Maybe this year with the Greek Freak.

Go Bucks! They currently have the best record in the NBA.

 

[rousseau]

I think that's unduly pessimistic. I think Golden State is vulnerable this year. (However, what's often overlooked about Golden State, with their incredible shooting, is just how good their defense is.) A Golden State/Rockets series would be very interesting, as would a Golden State/Nuggets series.

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I became a Milwaukee Bucks fan in 1973 or so because of some Quaker Oats promotion (liked the logo, hey I was 12). Maybe this year with the Greek Freak.

Go Bucks! They currently have the best record in the NBA.

Maybe so, but it does seem like basketball has a definite parity problem.

I don't know if it's just the playing time the stars get combined with their composition of those on the court, or something else, but teams with a handful of excellent players do seem to win a disproportionate amount.

In the NHL, for instance, it's fairly hard to predict who is going to win from year to year, but for the past three seasons the Cavs and Warriors were pretty much a shoe in for the finals.

Not that the finals weren't fun to watch, but it does make the brunt of the season feel pointless, and if a game is inconsequential, how good can it be?

We actually have the same issue in the NBL of Canada. My own city's team is so disproportionately good every year that they're just expected to win. After a while why bother even going to games?

 

[Tharmas]

I think that's unduly pessimistic. I think Golden State is vulnerable this year. (However, what's often overlooked about Golden State, with their incredible shooting, is just how good their defense is.) A Golden State/Rockets series would be very interesting, as would a Golden State/Nuggets series.

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I became a Milwaukee Bucks fan in 1973 or so because of some Quaker Oats promotion (liked the logo, hey I was 12). Maybe this year with the Greek Freak.

Go Bucks! They currently have the best record in the NBA.

Maybe so, but it does seem like basketball has a definite parity problem.

I don't know if it's just the playing time the stars get combined with their composition of those on the court, or something else, but teams with a handful of excellent players do seem to win a disproportionate amount.

In the NHL, for instance, it's fairly hard to predict who is going to win from year to year, but for the past three seasons the Cavs and Warriors were pretty much a shoe in for the finals.

You’re probably right about parity. Due to the way contracts are structured in the NBA different teams can develop a core of great players that they can keep together for a few years and win some championships. League rankings do change, although it may take a few years.

A few years ago the Lakers and the Spurs were the ones to beat in the West. Now they’re struggling to make the playoffs. In the East, Miami came and went. Then Cleveland. Now the Bucks and the Raptors are in the lead.

Not that the finals weren't fun to watch, but it does make the brunt of the season feel pointless, and if a game is inconsequential, how good can it be?

We actually have the same issue in the NBL of Canada. My own city's team is so disproportionately good every year that they're just expected to win. After a while why bother even going to games?

I actually disagree with this. I don't think the brunt of the season is pointless and that inconsequential games must be pointless. Maybe I'm just a basketball geek, but I get a lot of pleasure watching games that don't necessarily involve bona fide contenders. That's why I mentioned in the OP that my team wasn't doing too well. But that game they just won was against a statistically much superior opponent, and the game was exciting. It's fun watching our young team learn how to win and watching the players develop.

I watch the league enough to know a lot of the players. Right now I'm watching the Raptors play the Trail Blazers. The Raptors added two big pieces - Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs last summer and, in the last month or so Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies. Both those teams are in the Mavs' division, so I've seen both those players play a lot. I'm enjoying watching them adapt to play in the Great White North. But, like I say, I'm probably just a basketball geek.

 

[Tharmas]

There's also the problem of players' height. Exceptionally tall men with exceptional skills are very rare and in great demand in the NBA. There aren't enough to go around, and, as they say, you can't coach height.

 

[rousseau]

Maybe so, but it does seem like basketball has a definite parity problem.

I don't know if it's just the playing time the stars get combined with their composition of those on the court, or something else, but teams with a handful of excellent players do seem to win a disproportionate amount.

In the NHL, for instance, it's fairly hard to predict who is going to win from year to year, but for the past three seasons the Cavs and Warriors were pretty much a shoe in for the finals.

You’re probably right about parity. Due to the way contracts are structured in the NBA different teams can develop a core of great players that they can keep together for a few years and win some championships. League rankings do change, although it may take a few years.

A few years ago the Lakers and the Spurs were the ones to beat in the West. Now they’re struggling to make the playoffs. In the East, Miami came and went. Then Cleveland. Now the Bucks and the Raptors are in the lead.

Not that the finals weren't fun to watch, but it does make the brunt of the season feel pointless, and if a game is inconsequential, how good can it be?

We actually have the same issue in the NBL of Canada. My own city's team is so disproportionately good every year that they're just expected to win. After a while why bother even going to games?

I actually disagree with this. I don't think the brunt of the season is pointless and that inconsequential games must be pointless. Maybe I'm just a basketball geek, but I get a lot of pleasure watching games that don't necessarily involve bona fide contenders. That's why I mentioned in the OP that my team wasn't doing too well. But that game they just won was against a statistically much superior opponent, and the game was exciting. It's fun watching our young team learn how to win and watching the players develop.

I watch the league enough to know a lot of the players. Right now I'm watching the Raptors play the Trail Blazers. The Raptors added two big pieces - Kawhi Leonard from the Spurs last summer and, in the last month or so Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies. Both those teams are in the Mavs' division, so I've seen both those players play a lot. I'm enjoying watching them adapt to play in the Great White North. But, like I say, I'm probably just a basketball geek.

Yea, to each their own. I prefer games when there's something on the line and the players visibly care about the outcome outside of accruing stats.

My dad is like you. He avidly watched the Detroit Tigers in a rebuild year last season. That's commitment.

 

[Tharmas]

I prefer games when there's something on the line and the players visibly care about the outcome outside of accruing stats.

Yeah if I felt that way I probably wouldn't watch the games either. I'm just not that cynical.

 

[rousseau]

I prefer games when there's something on the line and the players visibly care about the outcome outside of accruing stats.

Yeah if I felt that way I probably wouldn't watch the games either. I'm just not that cynical.

I don't know if it's cynicism on my end, it's just that I find the intensity that players play at more entertaining to watch.

For instance, a few years ago when the Blue Jays were in the ALCS one of their players (forget his name) was batting with 2 outs, late in the game, when they were down by a couple runs. He struck out and was so angry he went to town on a garbage can in the dugout with his bat. You just can't replicate that kind of passion and tension in a game that has nothing on the line.

Not that I'm arguing that there's anything wrong with watching unmeaningful games, I get why more serious fans would be interested, and at times that person is me too. But averaged out I'd just far rather watch playoff hockey/basketball/baseball and similar.

 

[Tharmas]

Yes there’s no doubt the intensity increases in the playoffs. You will often hear, during a particularly intense rivalry game, the announcers exclaim “This is just like playoff basketball!”

However, I do think the playoff structure in the NBA, in contrast with Major League Baseball, encourages much more intensity as the regular season progresses. For one thing, eight teams from each conference make the playoffs, which is more than the number of teams that don’t make it. This makes for a long playoff run, or “second season” as it’s known in the NBA. Meanwhile it encourages a lot of scrambling for a playoff berth as the regular season progresses, and this I think helps keep the intensity level up. Teams aren’t eliminated that early on. For example, right now in the East there are only five games difference between the sixth seed and the tenth seed.

As for the game I was watching last evening as we were typing back and forth, Portland came back from a deficit to tie, and for the last five minutes or so the lead see-sawed back and forth, with Toronto (the team I was rooting for) finally winning with a basket with three seconds left. I was thoroughly entertained.

 

[Derec]

As for watching the NBA, it's not on any tv channels I subscribe to, unfortunately.

That's surprising. I think NBA is by far the most popular American pro league in Europe, even to the extent that there are quite a few European players in the league. Maybe you are just a cheapskate when it comes to your TV package.

Nor even is British basketball.

Probably because hardly anybody watches it even in UK.

Speaking of British, I am with Jeremy Clarkston on basketball and scoring.

So when it comes to fandom, I'm into footie (soccer), which is slightly odd because I only ever played it recreationally, and I have played and coached basketball (competitively, though not professionally).

Speaking of recreational-level play, our teachers often made us play basketball in PE. I hated it compared to football (soccer) because there are so many rules like travelling and such. In soccer you just have to remember not to use your hands really.

Btw, anyone know why basketball has such a ridiculous number of games per season and especially playoffs? It takes away from the intensity of the final when it's a series of up to seven games. Can't have something like Superbowl or World Cup final in such a format. Even Champions' League, with the two leg formal throughout the knockout stage has a one game final.

 

[Tharmas]

If anyone cares…the playoffs have reached the Conference semi-finals.

In the East, Philadelphia and Toronto are 1-1, and Milwaukee and Boston are also 1-1. I predict Toronto and Milwaukee in the finals, with the edge going to the Milwaukee Bucks ("Fear the deer").

In the West, it’s Portland and Denver. Denver leads 1-0. I say “meh” – whoever wins loses to the winner of the other match, Houston vs Golden State, which, as I expected, is a barn-burner. GS is currently ahead 2-0 due to some bad luck for Houston (Harden was injured during last night’s game), but next they move to Houston for two games and we’ll see…

I predict Milwaukee in the Finals, vs – dare I say – Houston?

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Golden State are just ridiculously good. They have been in control of the NBA for years now, though it feels like forever. Personally, I think they are a bunch of bums... but that is rational hate... unlike the hate people have for the Patriots, which is irrational.

They are just too good. Their ability to use the three pointer to effectively make the playoffs noncompetitive is unbelievable. Though, in many cases, they aren't blowing teams out in the playoffs right now, but they are winning. I remember when the Cavs would be up 15 points in the Finals they won over the Warriors, and thinking 15 points could be consumed by Golden State in 2 minutes. They are the Barcelona FC of the NBA. No lead is safe against them.

I can't wait until they are knocked down a peg and I can go on to hating the next great team (of course, with it being rational hate).