***2021-2022 NBA Season Thread***

[Mr. Sinister]

Stephen A is an idiot, that much is certain. But that doesnt make him wrong.

There is a difference between joining a team of losers and winning with them (Irving was so good they earned a 1st overall pick the year before Lebron's return), and joining the two time mvp, winningest team in history, and back to back finals contenders. Whats so hard about understanding that?

There's nothing hard about understanding it. Its just an incredibly irrelevant, childish point to try and make ( and quite frankly its growing increasingly annoying that people are trying desperately to cling to it), and yes, Stephen A is a moron, which bears repeating.

[The Evil Genius]

Remember when Karl Malone and Gary Payton (at the end of their careers but still pretty damn good) agreed to play for the Lake Show (the Shaq and Kobe one) for like $1 mil a year each?

 

Most of the NBA thought it was cool. Hell I bet Stephen A. was a Lake fan then. 

 

Times have changed. Now people get mad at superstars (or HOF's like those 2) changing teams because they finally wanted to win a ring.

 

Oh and the Lakers had won a ring 2000-2002 and lost in 2003 in the WC Championship. 

Edited July 5, 2016 by The Evil Genius

[Mr. Sinister]

Remember when Karl Malone and Gary Payton (at the end of their careers but still pretty damn good) agreed to play for the Lake Show

Remember Wilt, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West?

Or are we allowed to still make believe in these neverending bull**** arguments that this is somehow something new?

[justice98]

Remember when Karl Malone and Gary Payton (at the end of their careers but still pretty damn good) agreed to play for the Lake Show (the Shaq and Kobe one) for like $1 mil a year each?

Most of the NBA thought it was cool. Hell I bet Stephen A. was a Lake fan then.

Times have changed. Now people get mad at superstars (or HOF's like those 2) changing teams because they finally wanted to win a ring.

Oh and the Lakers had won a ring 2000-2002 and lost in 2003 in the WC Championship.

At the end of their careers (or at minimum, past their primes) is a significant detail. Ring chasing at the end isnt seen the same way. And wasnt Malone like 40 years old or something? He retired after the season, that's how done he was. It's not the same thing as what Durant is doing. Edited July 5, 2016 by justice98

[Hersh]

Remember Wilt, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West?

Or are we allowed to still make believe in these neverending bull**** arguments that this is somehow something new?

 

Do you really not get the point that there is literally no drama/competition in the NBA for next season? Barring major injuries, it's the Cavs and the Warriors again. That's what the complaining is about. It makes for a boring league and boring competition. If Durant had gone to Boston, no one would have a problem because it immediately creates competition to the Cavs in the East. Do you at least get that part of it?

[Dont Taze Me Bro]

So back to my reality.  Hornets are going to sign Ramon Sessions and Hibbert to deals.  That fills the back-up PG and C spots.  So, y'all Wiz fans, how is Sessions game off the bench now days?  He last played for us back in 2013-14, so it's been a while since I saw him play since I'm out of market.

[Mr. Sinister]

Do you really not get the point that there is literally no drama/competition in the NBA for next season? Barring major injuries, it's the Cavs and the Warriors again. That's what the complaining is about. It makes for a boring league and boring competition. If Durant had gone to Boston, no one would have a problem because it immediately creates competition to the Cavs in the East. Do you at least get that part of it?

My post had nothing to do with that argument. I already acknowledged that this season was going to suck, if you've followed the posts I've made.

And no, thats not what the complaining is about, not all of it. It is a combination of several arguments, the post you quoted being one of them.

Hopefully you at least got that.

EDIT, oh, right, "if he had gone to Boston"

Back to going where the fans would have been at ease. Yes, Kevin, go where the fans want you to go.

Yeah, no.

Edited July 5, 2016 by Mr. Sinister

[Mooka]

Remember when Karl Malone and Gary Payton (at the end of their careers but still pretty damn good) agreed to play for the Lake Show (the Shaq and Kobe one) for like $1 mil a year each?

 

Most of the NBA thought it was cool. Hell I bet Stephen A. was a Lake fan then. 

 

Times have changed. Now people get mad at superstars (or HOF's like those 2) changing teams because they finally wanted to win a ring.

 

Oh and the Lakers had won a ring 2000-2002 and lost in 2003 in the WC Championship. 

 

C'mon man, Malone was 40 years old and Payton had already fallen off. Not anywhere near the same situation and people still didn't like it. No one likes all-star assembled squads. The closest example is Lebron, Wade and Bosh teaming up in Miami. 

 

Times don't change that much. There are always haters. If you don't have haters, then you can't be the best. People look back at Jordan with fond memories, but when the guy was playing; everyone hated his ****ing guts. You knew Jordan and the refs were coming to town and it made everyone sick. Magic and Bird conversations would start a race war in the neighborhood. 

[KingGibbs]

So taking the easy road to a championship is what is considered being a man these days? eh...

So calling out another man's manhood because he wants to better himself and he knows his situation has plateaued makes you more of a man eh?

I loved that LeBron won the 'ship because it pissed people off. People seem to forget how much money he raised for the 'Boys and Girls club' as a result of 'The Decision.'

Edited July 5, 2016 by KingGibbs

[The Evil Genius]

Do you really not get the point that there is literally no drama/competition in the NBA for next season? Barring major injuries, it's the Cavs and the Warriors again. That's what the complaining is about. It makes for a boring league and boring competition. If Durant had gone to Boston, no one would have a problem because it immediately creates competition to the Cavs in the East. Do you at least get that part of it?

 

Thats how the NBA has existed for quite awhile. In the past 21 years, 8 teams have won it all. 

 

Bulls 3x

Sputs 5x

Lakers 5x

Pistons 1x

Heat 3x

Celtics 1x

Mavs 1x

Dubs 1x

Cavs 1x

 

 

 

C'mon man, Malone was 40 years old and Payton had already fallen off. Not anywhere near the same situation and people still didn't like it. No one likes all-star assembled squads. The closest example is Lebron, Wade and Bosh teaming up in Miami. 

 

 

 

Payton averaged almost 15 pts a game that year for the Lakers. He was still one of the best all around PG in the league at that time. Malone was injured part of the way into the season (and the same injuries forced him to retire after the season), but when he played he still put up over a 13/9/4 a game that season. That would have gotten him at least 15mil a year this offseason.

 

Edited July 5, 2016 by The Evil Genius

[Hersh]

My post had nothing to do with that argument. I already acknowledged that this season was going to suck, if you've followed the posts I've made.

And no, thats not what the complaining is about, not all of it. It is a combination of several arguments, the post you quoted being one of them.

Hopefully you at least got that.

 

The super majority of sports fans don't like super teams because of the competition aspect. In other words, the arguments are all tied together. KD represented a chance for a team to knock off GS. People are disappointed because he was on a great team that had a chance for a title next year and went to the best team in the West. Again, it all ties back to competition. Very few people would complain if OKC was a terrible team and he chose to go to GS. That wasn't the case.

 

Teams in the past and/or comparisons to past their prime stars chasing rings aren't relevant at all to how the NBA is today and what KD did.  

[Momma There Goes That Man]

Do you really not get the point that there is literally no drama/competition in the NBA for next season? Barring major injuries, it's the Cavs and the Warriors again. That's what the complaining is about. It makes for a boring league and boring competition. If Durant had gone to Boston, no one would have a problem because it immediately creates competition to the Cavs in the East. Do you at least get that part of it?

And this is so much differrnt from this season when we were all 98% sure it as flight it be the Cavs and Warriors and nobody would stop the Warriors anyway?

It's basically the exact same and this season was entertaining as hell, just watching the Warriors be awesome not even considering how fun it was to see other teams try to step up and knock them off and round into form come postseason

[Bozo the kKklown]

Do you really not get the point that there is literally no drama/competition in the NBA for next season? Barring major injuries, it's the Cavs and the Warriors again. That's what the complaining is about. It makes for a boring league and boring competition. If Durant had gone to Boston, no one would have a problem because it immediately creates competition to the Cavs in the East. Do you at least get that part of it?

the best time ever for hte NBA was when it was Lakers vs. Celtics every year in the 80s.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

The super majority of sports fans don't like super teams because of the competition aspect. In other words, the arguments are all tied together. KD represented a chance for a team to knock off GS. People are disappointed because he was on a great team that had a chance for a title next year and went to the best team in the West. Again, it all ties back to competition. Very few people would complain if OKC was a terrible team and he chose to go to GS. That wasn't the case.

Teams in the past and/or comparisons to past their prime stars chasing rings aren't relevant at all to how the NBA is today and what KD did.

The NBA has always had super teams. Always. Regardless of how they were formed. Not sure why it impacts KDs legacy to leave for a better / all time great situation but doesn't impact Magic'a when he stayed on a great team rather than leave and make his own name.

Hell, using this logic everybody on this board should ****ing worship Kobe for wanting to be the man and do it without Shaq and we know that's not the case.

Y'all a bunch of hypocrites.

For that Kobe notion as well as criticizing a guy for going to a better work environment where he will either be happier, have more fun, less stress, accomplish his goals, still make tons of money. Because every single one of you would do it in your profession too.

Edited July 5, 2016 by Momma There Goes That Man

[Hersh]

Thats how the NBA has existed for quite awhile. In the past 21 years, 8 teams have won it all. 

 

Bulls 3x

Sputs 5x

Lakers 5x

Pistons 1x

Heat 3x

Celtics 1x

Mavs 1x

Dubs 1x

Cavs 1x

 

I'll give you an example of the difference. During the Bulls great run of 6 titles in 8 years (probably only not 8 in a row cause of MJ being secretly suspended), the Bulls went through the defending champs to reach the top. Every year or every couple of years there was a new team in their way in the finals. There was always great competition on one side of the bracket. Plus, only one time did the Bulls bring in a great player in Rodman and that gave them a big three. The equivalent would be if that great 72 win Bulls team added a 4th great player.

Now you have two teams that are almost certain to reach the finals and that could for the next few years the way they are built. Of the 4 major pro sports, the NBA is the only league like this.

[The Evil Genius]

I still think the East is wide open - especially in light of what the Cavs have lost in depth this offseason (unless they actually do sign DWade).

 

Also - what would have been appropriate would have been to rip KD on this tweet from 6 years ago.

 

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/750001320111828992

 

Edited July 5, 2016 by The Evil Genius

[Hersh]

And this is so much differrnt from this season when we were all 98% sure it as flight it be the Cavs and Warriors and nobody would stop the Warriors anyway?

It's basically the exact same and this season was entertaining as hell, just watching the Warriors be awesome not even considering how fun it was to see other teams try to step up and knock them off and round into form come postseason

 

That is simply not true. There were legit questions about the Warriors Championship run the year before and people figured SAS, OKC and possibly the Clippers would have a shot to beat them. That was the story line all season. Which teams have a chance to beat GS now in the west?  

[Mr. Sinister]

The super majority of sports fans don't like super teams because of the competition aspect. In other words, the arguments are all tied together. KD represented a chance for a team to knock off GS. People are disappointed because he was on a great team that had a chance for a title next year and went to the best team in the West. Again, it all ties back to competition. Very few people would complain if OKC was a terrible team and he chose to go to GS. That wasn't the case.

Teams in the past and/or comparisons to past their prime stars chasing rings aren't relevant at all to how the NBA is today and what KD did.

History says otherwise. Thats what the NBA was built on, thenI s what made it popular, thats what elevated it to a global brand, and most recently, during the Heat Big III era, our Finals appearances drew some of the highest ratings in years.

People can complain all they want... It all reeks of bull****... Because they will watch, in droves, whether to see them succeed or fail, they will watch, and the companies won't give a damn which one it is.

[The Evil Genius]

Probably, in the west, only the Blazers can score with the Dubs. But this doesn't discount injuries and who will play C for them (if Zaza can fill Bogut's role). 

[Destino]

It is fun to watch the Warriors and Lebron is a living legend, but the league needs people to buy tickets to see the other 28 teams play, during the regular season.

This current set up is clearly not making a more competitive league. The next lockout will be interesting. and long.

[Hersh]

I still think the East is wide open - especially in light of what the Cavs have lost in depth this offseason (unless they actually do sign DWade).

 

Also - what would have been appropriate would have been to rip KD on this tweet from 6 years ago.

 

 

 

Until Lebron shows signs of slowing down, I just don't think other teams have a chance in the East. They lost a little depth but no one that isn't easily replaced. It's not like they really had a close series in the East. Even in the conference finals, they blew out Toronto at home and in game 6 on the road.

[Momma There Goes That Man]

That is simply not true. There were legit questions about the Warriors Championship run the year before and people figured SAS, OKC and possibly the Clippers would have a shot to beat them. That was the story line all season. Which teams have a chance to beat GS now in the west?

It was a foregone conclusion got most of the season the Warriors were gonna run away with the title. Maybe SA could beat them but that was it. Maybe not at the start but about a month in it was the feeling. and we saw how that played out.

[Skin'emAlive]

No. I have more pride in my work and profession. Do you respect the person who married into their riches, or the one who worked their ass off for it? Do you respect the guy who got the promotion because he was friends with the owner, or the guy who earned it. Winning a championship on a team of allstars is not the same as winning it on a team of overachievers.

 

We arent talking Kobe. We arent talking Shaq. This is not the same situation at all.

 

So calling out another man's manhood because he wants to better himself and he knows his situation has plateaued makes youore of a man eh?

 

I think you are confused. Im calling out this man out because he didnt earn success himself. He lost to a team that he should have beaten and decided to jump ship and join his enemies rather than put in the work to win it. Also, his situation didnt plateau. If not for his poor closeout performance, he very well could have gone on and beaten Lebron. God knows Kyrie wouldnt have stopped Westbrook. If anything, the Thunder got better by replacing Ibaka/Waiters with Oladipo/Sabonis.

It was a foregone conclusion got most of the season the Warriors were gonna run away with the title

 

And yet, if not for Curry getting injured slipping on the court and Lebron going supersaiyan in the tail end of the finals, thats exactly how it did play out.

[CrypticVillain]

Everybody complaining about KD, ain't nobody talking about this...

 

[Hersh]

History says otherwise. Thats what the NBA was built on, thenI s what made it popular, thats what elevated it to a global brand, and most recently, during the Heat Big III era, our Finals appearances drew some of the highest ratings in years.

People can complain all they want... It all reeks of bull****... Because they will watch, in droves, whether to see them succeed or fail, they will watch, and the companies won't give a damn which one it is.

 

Quick, latch onto a completely different situation and use finals ratings during that situation as proof that all complaints should stop. No, that doesn't reek of bull****. There was trashing talking between the C's and the Heat, there were questions about can Lebron go over the hump and win it all and there were teams in the West that could and did beat the Heat. Here we have two teams that can make the finals over and over again with very little competition at all. This would be a different conversation if GS hadn't just broke the regular season wins record or hadn't just one a title the season before.