NBA Thread

[Hoosier Guy 7,947]

6 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

The Pacers always seem to play LeBron tough and George always plays well against him. I think the Cavs win game 2 and then lose one in Indy. I'm expecting a 5 game series but I expect every game to be competitive.  

Considering all three series between LeBron and George were 1-1 after two games, I expect this one to be no different

[Class of '66 Old Fart 87,687]

Terrible tragedy for the Celtics team family on the eve of the playoffs.

NBA star Isaiah Thomas' sister killed in Federal Way I-5 accident

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - The Tacoma woman who died in a one-car accident on Interstate 5 in Federal Way Saturday morning is Chyna J. Thomas, 22, the sister of NBA star Isaiah Thomas, according to family friends.

Chyna Thomas died at the scene of the accident on the shoulder of I-5, according to the Washington State Patrol who identified her.

The wreck occurred around 5 a.m. on southbound Interstate 5 near South 288th Street, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Witnesses reported that the car, a 1998 Toyota Camry, was being driven normally at first.

“All of a sudden it started to drift very casually onto the left shoulder,” State Patrol spokesman Trooper Nick King said.

The car traveled about 50 feet partially off the roadway until it hit a Jersey barrier.

“That vaulted the vehicle head-on into the sign post,” King said.

The car came to rest on top of the barrier and against a large metal pole holding a carpool sign on the shoulder of the freeway.

The State Patrol reports that Chyna Thomas was not wearing her seat belt.

Chyna Thomas’s Facebook page’s profile lists her a package handler for Federal Express and a former student at Tacoma’s School of the Arts.

Isaiah Thomas is a point guard for the Boston Celtics. He’s a former Curtis High School student and University of Washington graduate.

The Celtics are scheduled to play the Chicago Bulls in the NBA playoffs Sunday in Boston.

[mdn82 25,779]

Jordan quit basketball for two years during his prime. Was he soft for that? 

Yes, his father was murdered and he wanted to play the game his father wanted him to while knowing he was losing out on millions annually. He couldn't give basketball his all. Yes, soft.


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[mdn82 25,779]

That's two years where he didn't have wear and tear on his body from the grind of the NBA. Who knows if he would've won 6 titles had he never quit. 

Jordan's Bulls were head and shoulders above most every team minus the Jazz. The Jazz pushed them no doubt. But Jordan wins 8 if he doesn't leave. As for the mileage, Jordan just didn't sit out. He didn't miss games. He was going to finals every year as well. So I don't know what your comment about mileage is. Jordan played every game. Lebron is great. He gets a lot of heat. More so than MJ did. Different players, with different careers. You couldn't go wrong with either. I just prefer MJ and what he did at both ends. He was guarding the top player unless he was a 4 or 5 every night while putting up 30 plus. He would just mentally shut down the top player at both ends. Lebron is more of a Magic Johnson type of player that has to get his teammates involved. Nothing wrong with that.


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[HoosierAloha 30,092]

LeBron James is a top 5 all time talent/physical player but not sure about top 5 overall player. What he dominates the league with in physical ability Jordan dominated in mental ability. Jordan's legacy isn't in jeopardy unless LeBron strings together 3-4 championships in a row. I don't think LeBron would be the player he currently is if he played in the same era as Jordan. Kobe is probably the closest to Jordan in ability, mental toughness, and the shear hatred to lose.

[Brass Cannon 25,171]

I have always felt Lebron is the better athlete. MJ was the better basketball player. 

 

[Hoosierfan2017 23,253]

1 hour ago, mdn82 said:

Jordan's Bulls were head and shoulders above most every team minus the Jazz. The Jazz pushed them no doubt. But Jordan wins 8 if he doesn't leave. As for the mileage, Jordan just didn't sit out. He didn't miss games. He was going to finals every year as well. So I don't know what your comment about mileage is. Jordan played every game. Lebron is great. He gets a lot of heat. More so than MJ did. Different players, with different careers. You couldn't go wrong with either. I just prefer MJ and what he did at both ends. He was guarding the top player unless he was a 4 or 5 every night while putting up 30 plus. He would just mentally shut down the top player at both ends. Lebron is more of a Magic Johnson type of player that has to get his teammates involved. Nothing wrong with that.


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I wish I could've seen Michael Jordan in real time. I watched him when he was finishing up with the Wizards but that wasn't the same obviously.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/lebron-james-michael-jordan-nba-rest-2017-3

This was what I meant with mileage though. He's already played more minutes in his career than Jordan did. So much of Lebron's game is centered around his athleticism so he can't go all out every night anymore or else he'll burn out before the season is over. The only thing that matters for his legacy at this point is rings, and the only way he wins any more of them is if he goes through the regular season in cruise control. I'm interested to see how his game changes as his athleticism declines and he enters the tailend of his career.  

[mdn82 25,779]

LeBron is a Top 5 athlete and player. He would have dominated the game then like he does now. Even more so probably. Defense was scarce in the 80's. And to think he wouldn't have been able to adjust to the game in the time period is kinda silly. He plays his game built around how it is called. If Jordan could last the physical bearing, LeBron definitely could. LeBron isn't a scorer like MJ, but has much better court vision. Closer to Magic. Plus he has his size and athleticism.


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Jordan's prime was the 90's. Defense wasn't scarce in the 80's or 90's. They just didn't let people dunk on them. They beat the crap out of them if they got to the rim. It is funny though. The scoring average this year was 105. Which in Jordan's prime was pretty consistent with league averages the last few years, but I guess they didn't play defense. No one has said he wouldn't be a dominant player in Jordan's era. That is called a made up argument to fit your narrative that he is slighted like the defense thingy.


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[mdn82 25,779]

Lol they are/were both great players. Why is that so hard to fathom? I do wish you guys got to see Jordan from 89-98. From his rookie season to that point he was great, but that time frame it was another level. He made Nike rich. He made Gatorade what it is today. He made the NBA popular on a global level. All of those are for a damn good reason. Lebron is a fantastic player. He is the most talented player I have ever seen. From the time he was in high school until now. When he wants to he dominates.


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[Hoosierfan2017 23,253]

I've never liked Kobe and always thought he was overrated, but I think that was because I liked Shaq and took his side in their beef.

Speaking of Shaq, I hate that there aren't really any dominant big guys in the NBA anymore.  

[mdn82 25,779]

I've never liked Kobe and always thought he was overrated, but I think that was because I liked Shaq and took his side in their beef.
Speaking of Shaq, I hate that there aren't really any dominant big guys in the NBA anymore.  

Yeah Shaq was on another level with the Lakers. If him and Kobe could have coexisted longer they have a couple more rings.


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[HoosierAloha 30,092]

That's kind of where I was going with LeBron playing in a different era. The current era is about quickness more than hard nosed defense. I think LeBron getting taken out on a few drives would completely change his game. They're not allowed to do that anymore.

[IUfan_Charlie 3,867]

2 hours ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

I've never liked Kobe and always thought he was overrated, but I think that was because I liked Shaq and took his side in their beef.

Speaking of Shaq, I hate that there aren't really any dominant big guys in the NBA anymore.  

There's a lot of young, really good bigs in the NBA right now. Guys like Davis and KAT (25 and 12 at 21 is insane) are already posting ridiculous numbers, hell Boogie is only 26. Then there's guys like Jokic, Prozingis, and Turner. The center position probably has more young talent than any other position right now. 

[Dalton26 17,029]

I've never liked Kobe and always thought he was overrated, but I think that was because I liked Shaq and took his side in their beef.
Speaking of Shaq, I hate that there aren't really any dominant big guys in the NBA anymore.  

I'm right there with you lol Shaq is one of my favorite players of all time along with Alonzo Mourning and I've never really like Kobe.

[Hoosierfan2017 23,253]

1 hour ago, IUfan_Charlie said:

There's a lot of young, really good bigs in the NBA right now. Guys like Davis and KAT (25 and 12 at 21 is insane) are already posting ridiculous numbers, hell Boogie is only 26. Then there's guys like Jokic, Prozingis, and Turner. The center position probably has more young talent than any other position right now. 

Yeah that's true, I should've been more specific. I was meaning more along the lines of the traditional 'back to the basket' big guys that we used to see a lot of in the past. With the way the game has changed with teams shootings more threes and stuff we see that less often. Centers are more likely to go out and play along the perimeter in today's game. 

[HoosierAloha 30,092]

The problem is actually some trying to take him out of a drive. A full head of steam and there isn't anyone stopping him from any era. At 260 he has the size and strength of centers and power forwards.


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Yeah, you're right. Lambier, Barkley, Rodman, Shaq, Malone, etc. would have just allowed him to get the dunk without contesting or taking him out. The game is softer these days. If the players did what they used to they would be suspended. Bron Bron is a freak of nature in physical abilities but would stop driving after taking a few hits. I don't care how big he is players would recognize his mental shortcomings and attack it.

[HoosierAloha 30,092]

Do they call moving screens in the NBA anymore or has that gone the way of the walk/travel?

[BtownBanner6 1,298]

Do they call moving screens in the NBA anymore or has that gone the way of the walk/travel?

Just like Travels, it's awful. If you watch the Warriors especially it's 10 moving screens a possession.

[HoosierAloha 30,092]

Missed non call, missed non call, missed non call, missed non call, foul called. It balances out right? lol

[KingPG21 6,587]

1 hour ago, BtownBanner6 said:

Just like Travels, it's awful. If you watch the Warriors especially it's 10 moving screens a possession.

Or LeBron it is a completely different level for what goes for fouls. He can get away with all kinds of contact and doesn't get a ton of fouls called on him. Whereas if you touch him he'll get a lot of calls. Same goes for guys like Harden