Dame finally cooled off. All 5 on the court contributing. Portland spends the whole timeout bitching like little babies then Simons gets 2 soft ass calls.
Would seriously consider giving him more minutes from Grimes at this point
I think you could find some minutes for him from Grimes, RJB, and Brunson. Brunson plays so hard it makes sense to spell him a little more at times, RJ plays so many minutes you could easily steal a couple from him, and Grimes you LT in if hot and less when not.
The past month or so. Unfortunately he hasn't given us the offensive versatility we were hoping for especially on the perimeter but he's really been rebounding and playing defense
In the playoffs these games come down to crunch time all the time and the knicks are a bad FT shooting team that can't afford to leave points out there
Would seriously consider giving him more minutes from Grimes at this point
I think you could find some minutes for him from Grimes, RJB, and Brunson. Brunson plays so hard it makes sense to spell him a little more at times, RJ plays so many minutes you could easily steal a couple from him, and Grimes you LT in if hot and less when not.
To get Dame to NY?
His shooting on this team would give us a real shot at a championship .
Nothing, he wont leave Portland now, there was a chance last year before he got hurt...He quietly tokd the Blazers he would be cool with a trade if they wanted to but he got hurt before talks got anywhere..
Now he doesnt want to be traded, he is fine staying in Portland
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
He was ready to mkve last year before he got hurt and portland and NY talked but then he got hurt..
Now he is not moving, he got his contract and doesnt want to go anywhere..
Thats from someone inside the Portland front office..
Kind of losing a little bit of Respect for Lillard to be honest
It's noble to want to stick with 1 team your whole career but when they are clearly rebuilding and you have no shot to win just being ok with wasting the end of your prime is a loser mentality. I understand he is probably very comfortable there but it is rare for a great player to just be ok with losing
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
He was ready to mkve last year before he got hurt and portland and NY talked but then he got hurt..
Now he is not moving, he got his contract and doesnt want to go anywhere..
Thats from someone inside the Portland front office..
16 agreed. Played well. How about this, who would have thought a few months ago with 4 potential first round picks we could legit get 0 this year. Mavs top 10 might not happen.
is really good at bball. He's like the opposite of RJ and Randle. His decision making is top notch, he's clutch and he does not give up. It's full speed all the time. He may be our 2nd best player at some point soon.
RE: Kind of losing a little bit of Respect for Lillard to be honest
It's noble to want to stick with 1 team your whole career but when they are clearly rebuilding and you have no shot to win just being ok with wasting the end of your prime is a loser mentality. I understand he is probably very comfortable there but it is rare for a great player to just be ok with losing
That's how you view this situation? He has a loser mentality? I could not disagree more. This is a brutally bad take. You watch lillard and think he's ok with losing???
RE: RE: Kind of losing a little bit of Respect for Lillard to be honest
It's noble to want to stick with 1 team your whole career but when they are clearly rebuilding and you have no shot to win just being ok with wasting the end of your prime is a loser mentality. I understand he is probably very comfortable there but it is rare for a great player to just be ok with losing
That's how you view this situation? He has a loser mentality? I could not disagree more. This is a brutally bad take. You watch lillard and think he's ok with losing???
Lillards been clear that it feels cheap to just jump to a different team to chase a title and I respect the hell outta that. This isn’t a case of him not caring about winning. It’s a case of Portland not putting a winner around dame. He is a legitimate number 1 option. I can respect his career for not just pulling a Durant and going to be a sidekick to others because he’s mentally soft.
They are the ones with the loser mentality, not Dame. Dame busts his ass on the court, a true winner. He's like the Patrick Ewing of this generation.
Fyi Jj reddick pod that dropped today is an interview with Lillard and he touches on some of the narrative from social media and older players that value the ring chasing ideology nowadays.
Caught a snippet yesterday. Interested to listen to the whole thing
I don't blame Lillard for this, but if they are keeping him and want to compete- why did they trade Josh Hart? I'm not saying he's going to make or break their season, but if you plan on keeping Dame then Hart is the type of player I would want to keep.
It seems like they are trying to be good and compete with Lillard while also rebuild? Very difficult to do in the NBA.
but he leaves the door open for that criticism, i am sure he wants to win but he hides behidn this he doesnt want to ring chase and says he wants to be loyal and you cant criticize that..
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
but he leaves the door open for that criticism, i am sure he wants to win but he hides behidn this he doesnt want to ring chase and says he wants to be loyal and you cant criticize that..
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
Sure you can, because it's a ridiculous statement. Damien Lillard does everything he can to help his team win. He clearly wants to win, but what he doesn't want to do is team up with the other superstars somewhere else to do it. Kevin Durant is the loser mentality. He's the one that has to attach to other stars for a chance at a championship whereas Lillard wants that challenge. You guys have it backwards.
but he leaves the door open for that criticism, i am sure he wants to win but he hides behidn this he doesnt want to ring chase and says he wants to be loyal and you cant criticize that..
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
Sure you can, because it's a ridiculous statement. Damien Lillard does everything he can to help his team win. He clearly wants to win, but what he doesn't want to do is team up with the other superstars somewhere else to do it. Kevin Durant is the loser mentality. He's the one that has to attach to other stars for a chance at a championship whereas Lillard wants that challenge. You guys have it backwards.
No one is saying go hook up with other stars and become the 3rd option and try to win a ship but it gets to a point where it is a dead end with a team. Portland is at a dead end..
if for example he cmae to the Knicks and won is it ring chasing? no
He wants to win in Portland. He doesn't think he's clsoe to done,
there will be opportunities to get better players in Portland. Should Patrick Ewing have left teh Knicks?
At the point he wanted to? yes..before Riley got there, absolutely...the team never gave him a 2nd star and he kept running into a brick wall, then they finally gave him some players around him and he was done...
This idea of players asking out is weak is laughable to me..if a team continues to fail to put the pieces around you then yeah its ok to ask out..
No one is going to begrudge Lillard if he asks out
of unfair to both criticize the Durant/Lebron's for super teams AND the Lillard's for not wanting to bolt. At least in Beal's case he openly admitted it was about the money (not giving him more respect in any way, rather he basically said it wasn't about winning).
especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Yeah, lumping Lebron in with those other three is a bit odd. He's changed teams three times but also brought championships each time too. The other three are definitely the poster children for the disgruntled superstars and have also won a lot less.
2-2 West Coast trip without Brunson for all but one half. Team has balls.
To me these last 2 games, as ugly as they may have been, convinced me this team is for real or at least legit good. Who knows how far they go this season but they have earned every bit of their 47 or so win pace. I was a little nervous after the 3rd straight loss, but to get off the mat and win these 2 says a lot. 3-3 without Brunson and it wasn't exactly a cakewalk 6 game stretch.
Also, kudos to McBride and even RJB for picking up the slack in JB's absence. All the players, really.
but when they lose they seem to follow the same script (even happens in some of our wins). I think we're looking at some painful losses in the playoffs due to the usual dumb things that plague us: awful Randle possessions, can't indbound the ball, dumb RJ shots, missed free throws, etc.
but when they lose they seem to follow the same script (even happens in some of our wins). I think we're looking at some painful losses in the playoffs due to the usual dumb things that plague us: awful Randle possessions, can't indbound the ball, dumb RJ shots, missed free throws, etc.
I dont think Rj or Grimes will be in games late in the playoffs, Rj was playing well last night and was effecient and he didnt close..
Brunson, Quick, Hart, Randle, Mitch or hartenstein will close most games in the playoffs, i think that is who Thibs trusts..
and ball will be in Brunson's hands, even last night, ues it was a 14 point game, but Randle gave the ball to Quick or Hart to run the offense
a lot of bad blood with the Suns and Bucks last night
the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
RE: a lot of bad blood with the Suns and Bucks last night
the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
is really good at bball. He's like the opposite of RJ and Randle. His decision making is top notch, he's clutch and he does not give up. It's full speed all the time. He may be our 2nd best player at some point soon.
IQ is getting to the point where I'd make him untouchable even in a trade for a super star. Let them take their pick out of RJ, Grimes, Obi and a bunch of picks etc...He's gotten so good. With the style Brunson plays he's always gonna miss some games and IQ is the perfect guy to step in and and ramp his minutes up to 35 or so. He plays well at both ends and as you said doesn't force things. He's a reliable shooter and can get into the paint as well with that patented floater and gets to the line.
RE: RE: a lot of bad blood with the Suns and Bucks last night
the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
agreed and unlike a lot of superstars I really like Giannis, he's great for the game but I agree they let him create way too much contact. Booker really was fair in his comments after the game. He was saying that a guy like Torrey Craig lines up in legal position gets obliterated by Giannis(even lost a tooth on a play last night) and they call it a block then what's the motivation for Craig to try it again?
especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Well, lets look at his first Cleveland run. He forced the team to bring in bad players on bad contracts in order to appease him, only for those bad players and contracts to be the reason he left them and go join Wade and Bosh and form his superteam.
RE: RE: a lot of bad blood with the Suns and Bucks last night
the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
With substitutions and leaving the right players on the court, I don't think you can say who is closing out games in the playoffs I think it will be the hot hand.
Look at last night McBride played 25 minutes.
This has been the best I have seen Thibs from a substitution standpoint except bringing Randle back for the last 6 minutes up 18.
especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Well, lets look at his first Cleveland run. He forced the team to bring in bad players on bad contracts in order to appease him, only for those bad players and contracts to be the reason he left them and go join Wade and Bosh and form his superteam.
Quick question, who were the bad players on bad contracts that he forced on the Cavs? I just did a quick review of their roster during his first run with them and I didn't see a lot unless you count one year of Shaq the season before he left
RE: RE: RE: a lot of bad blood with the Suns and Bucks last night
the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
and randle?
Randle goes to the line 7 times a game..
Embiid 12 times a game and Giannis 13 times a game..
Rsndle doesnt get nearly the calls they do
Yeah that's bizarre to say Randle is on the same level
As those 2 in getting calls. The guy gets hammered and because he doesn't flop gets nothing half the time. Also he correctly gets called for many offensive fouls.
is really good at bball. He's like the opposite of RJ and Randle. His decision making is top notch, he's clutch and he does not give up. It's full speed all the time. He may be our 2nd best player at some point soon.
Agree. IQ is a core player no doubt about it. HE's the perfect sidekick/alternative/partner to Brunson.
He never gets much credit when he does the right thing, everyone in here jumps on his every mistake. His outside shot wasn't falling so he diched it in the 2nd half and took everything to the basket. The thing with Hart and IQ is that they have dragged Thibs and the rest of the team into the modern NBA. They push of turnovers, rebounds and even makes sometimes and get easy chances at the rim because of it. We were never getting baskets on run-outs like that before except for Obi and now Hart looks for him right away.
Adrian Wojnarowski
@wojespn
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28s
The NBA is suspending Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, sources tell ESPN.
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
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1m
NBA investigation into Ja Morant did not conclude that the gun belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period... "also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility."
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
·
1m
NBA investigation into Ja Morant did not conclude that the gun belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period... "also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility."
Sureeeeeee. The NBA is comical at times at what they deem to be "bad" and punishable.
Brunson #13 (what a signing!), Hart #31 (what a trade! assuming they keep him), Randle #35, IQ #41, Mitch #66, Hartenstein #88 round out @knicks in the top 100 players in the NBA
pretty much all advanced/new stats hate RJ. And the eye test isn't kind to him as well. Yet he's putting up 20 points a game for a good team with a very good offense. Weird.
Right now he sucks from three point range and gives you nothing from the mid-range. So you have a below the rim player who's really only effective at the rim. Again, weird. Oh, and he sucks on defense, doesn't box out, can't throw lobs, and is generally a low IQ player.
WTF is he?
RJ needs to find some consistency or he'll never be a plus scorer
He's just way too inconsistent from 3 and the line to be an efficient player. And his desire on defense has been bad all year. To my eye it seems a little better since Hart has taken minutes from him.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
RE: RJ needs to find some consistency or he'll never be a plus scorer
He's just way too inconsistent from 3 and the line to be an efficient player. And his desire on defense has been bad all year. To my eye it seems a little better since Hart has taken minutes from him.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
His free throw percentage has improved this year; not great but solid now. He’s also improved significantly inside the arc, improving his shot selection as well as execution around the basket. But his poor three point shooting is just killing him. And as you noted his defense has dropped markedly.
RE: RJ needs to find some consistency or he'll never be a plus scorer
He's just way too inconsistent from 3 and the line to be an efficient player. And his desire on defense has been bad all year. To my eye it seems a little better since Hart has taken minutes from him.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
he's connected on a few but he's botched at least 10 this season. Might even be 20+. Just last week he had two in Celtic game. I don't think nba.com has stats for this but RJ would have to be among the worst in the league.
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
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48s
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will undergo a third surgery on his left knee that is expected to cost him most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic
@Stadium
.
The sides are optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball's career. 🙏🏽
He's just way too inconsistent from 3 and the line to be an efficient player. And his desire on defense has been bad all year. To my eye it seems a little better since Hart has taken minutes from him.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
he's connected on a few but he's botched at least 10 this season. Might even be 20+. Just last week he had two in Celtic game. I don't think nba.com has stats for this but RJ would have to be among the worst in the league.
A lob is a feel pass. That deep laceration on his finger is healed but he still probably lacks sensitivity in the finger. His shooting touch wasn't ever great but it was a heck of a lot better than what it is now since returning from that injury.
Game time decision..
Grant is out
Quote:
.
Game time decision..
Grant is out
and now i was wrong Lillard is playing
Go NYK
Grimes, McBride, Hart , Hartenstein and Randle.
They only have ISO Randle
Couldn't be a worse start.
Yup, he had a fricken layup
Then other stars its "what have they won?"
Well now 6 at the half, but still promising heading to the second half
at this point if Grimes cant knock down that open 3 he cant be playing in the playoffs
I think you could find some minutes for him from Grimes, RJB, and Brunson. Brunson plays so hard it makes sense to spell him a little more at times, RJ plays so many minutes you could easily steal a couple from him, and Grimes you LT in if hot and less when not.
People kill RJ and with good reason at times, but at least he's inconsistent Grimes has been flat out awful for a long period. Deuuuuuuce!
Mission accomplished 😁
They need to find some minutes for him
Mcbride is feistier(dont know if that is a word) his defense is annoying and a lot of hustle..
Grimes is more positioning and being in the right spot, not as agressive
Probably could use less minutes over the last 11 games
I love the results of the 9-man rotation but the Knicks are deep enough to give some of the guys a game off now and then.
His shooting on this team would give us a real shot at a championship .
It's my biggest fear outside of Randle.
In the playoffs these games come down to crunch time all the time and the knicks are a bad FT shooting team that can't afford to leave points out there
But McBride plays that in-your-shorts defense that makes it tough on the opponent.
back to a game up and in the 5th seed..Nets have a tough week, Kings, Cavs twice and then the Heat..
Knicks dont play until Saturday
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Would seriously consider giving him more minutes from Grimes at this point
I think you could find some minutes for him from Grimes, RJB, and Brunson. Brunson plays so hard it makes sense to spell him a little more at times, RJ plays so many minutes you could easily steal a couple from him, and Grimes you LT in if hot and less when not.
100% agree
11 to go boys let's close this thing out strong!!!
His shooting on this team would give us a real shot at a championship .
Nothing, he wont leave Portland now, there was a chance last year before he got hurt...He quietly tokd the Blazers he would be cool with a trade if they wanted to but he got hurt before talks got anywhere..
Now he doesnt want to be traded, he is fine staying in Portland
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Quote:
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
Quote:
In comment 16064478 Giantfan21 said:
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I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
He was ready to mkve last year before he got hurt and portland and NY talked but then he got hurt..
Now he is not moving, he got his contract and doesnt want to go anywhere..
Thats from someone inside the Portland front office..
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In comment 16064480 nygiants16 said:
Quote:
In comment 16064478 Giantfan21 said:
Quote:
I dont understand what Portland is doing. If they are rebuilding then i get trading Hart, but then why Keep Lillard around when you can get a haul for him ?
If you are not rebuilding then why trade a guy like Hart who has such a huge impact on winning ?
Lillard was pissed when they traded him
Not only do I not get what their GM is doing i don't get Lillard either. He is wasting the end of his prime on a rebuilding team and he's ok with it ?
He was ready to mkve last year before he got hurt and portland and NY talked but then he got hurt..
Now he is not moving, he got his contract and doesnt want to go anywhere..
Thats from someone inside the Portland front office..
16 agreed. Played well. How about this, who would have thought a few months ago with 4 potential first round picks we could legit get 0 this year. Mavs top 10 might not happen.
Deuce and Hart led the charge off the bench with Rj who played a very good game last night attacking the basket..
Randle started terribly but ended up finishing ok 8 for 20 24 points..
I am glad thibs let Deuce finish the game but thought it was interesting even though Rj had a good game he still didnt finish
You are a rebounder/shotblocker and get paid pretty well to do it...stop complaining
That's how you view this situation? He has a loser mentality? I could not disagree more. This is a brutally bad take. You watch lillard and think he's ok with losing???
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It's noble to want to stick with 1 team your whole career but when they are clearly rebuilding and you have no shot to win just being ok with wasting the end of your prime is a loser mentality. I understand he is probably very comfortable there but it is rare for a great player to just be ok with losing
That's how you view this situation? He has a loser mentality? I could not disagree more. This is a brutally bad take. You watch lillard and think he's ok with losing???
Lillards been clear that it feels cheap to just jump to a different team to chase a title and I respect the hell outta that. This isn’t a case of him not caring about winning. It’s a case of Portland not putting a winner around dame. He is a legitimate number 1 option. I can respect his career for not just pulling a Durant and going to be a sidekick to others because he’s mentally soft.
Fyi Jj reddick pod that dropped today is an interview with Lillard and he touches on some of the narrative from social media and older players that value the ring chasing ideology nowadays.
Caught a snippet yesterday. Interested to listen to the whole thing
It seems like they are trying to be good and compete with Lillard while also rebuild? Very difficult to do in the NBA.
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
Sure you can, because it's a ridiculous statement. Damien Lillard does everything he can to help his team win. He clearly wants to win, but what he doesn't want to do is team up with the other superstars somewhere else to do it. Kevin Durant is the loser mentality. He's the one that has to attach to other stars for a chance at a championship whereas Lillard wants that challenge. You guys have it backwards.
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but he leaves the door open for that criticism, i am sure he wants to win but he hides behidn this he doesnt want to ring chase and says he wants to be loyal and you cant criticize that..
Dont we do the same thing with Beal? we question if he really wants to win? and Lillard could be happy where he is and thats fine but he cant get mad at the criticism of does he really want to win
Sure you can, because it's a ridiculous statement. Damien Lillard does everything he can to help his team win. He clearly wants to win, but what he doesn't want to do is team up with the other superstars somewhere else to do it. Kevin Durant is the loser mentality. He's the one that has to attach to other stars for a chance at a championship whereas Lillard wants that challenge. You guys have it backwards.
No one is saying go hook up with other stars and become the 3rd option and try to win a ship but it gets to a point where it is a dead end with a team. Portland is at a dead end..
if for example he cmae to the Knicks and won is it ring chasing? no
At the point he wanted to? yes..before Riley got there, absolutely...the team never gave him a 2nd star and he kept running into a brick wall, then they finally gave him some players around him and he was done...
This idea of players asking out is weak is laughable to me..if a team continues to fail to put the pieces around you then yeah its ok to ask out..
No one is going to begrudge Lillard if he asks out
Can you tell the difference?
Even Giannis though has said if he stops winning in Milwaukee he could leave..
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going to say Giannis is the "winner" of this generation of players. Stayed in a small market, won a title (may win more).
Even Giannis though has said if he stops winning in Milwaukee he could leave..
Well if Jimmy Haslam brings down the Bucks...
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
You are a rebounder/shotblocker and get paid pretty well to do it...stop complaining
Mitch brings a lot to the table but there's also some negatives. I wonder how a Center with a different skillset would look on this team.
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especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Yeah, lumping Lebron in with those other three is a bit odd. He's changed teams three times but also brought championships each time too. The other three are definitely the poster children for the disgruntled superstars and have also won a lot less.
To me these last 2 games, as ugly as they may have been, convinced me this team is for real or at least legit good. Who knows how far they go this season but they have earned every bit of their 47 or so win pace. I was a little nervous after the 3rd straight loss, but to get off the mat and win these 2 says a lot. 3-3 without Brunson and it wasn't exactly a cakewalk 6 game stretch.
Also, kudos to McBride and even RJB for picking up the slack in JB's absence. All the players, really.
I dont think Rj or Grimes will be in games late in the playoffs, Rj was playing well last night and was effecient and he didnt close..
Brunson, Quick, Hart, Randle, Mitch or hartenstein will close most games in the playoffs, i think that is who Thibs trusts..
and ball will be in Brunson's hands, even last night, ues it was a 14 point game, but Randle gave the ball to Quick or Hart to run the offense
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
IQ is getting to the point where I'd make him untouchable even in a trade for a super star. Let them take their pick out of RJ, Grimes, Obi and a bunch of picks etc...He's gotten so good. With the style Brunson plays he's always gonna miss some games and IQ is the perfect guy to step in and and ramp his minutes up to 35 or so. He plays well at both ends and as you said doesn't force things. He's a reliable shooter and can get into the paint as well with that patented floater and gets to the line.
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the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
agreed and unlike a lot of superstars I really like Giannis, he's great for the game but I agree they let him create way too much contact. Booker really was fair in his comments after the game. He was saying that a guy like Torrey Craig lines up in legal position gets obliterated by Giannis(even lost a tooth on a play last night) and they call it a block then what's the motivation for Craig to try it again?
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especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Well, lets look at his first Cleveland run. He forced the team to bring in bad players on bad contracts in order to appease him, only for those bad players and contracts to be the reason he left them and go join Wade and Bosh and form his superteam.
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the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
and randle?
Look at last night McBride played 25 minutes.
This has been the best I have seen Thibs from a substitution standpoint except bringing Randle back for the last 6 minutes up 18.
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In comment 16064818 Kmed6000 said:
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especially when the guys asking out played a role in team building. Durant, Lebron, Kyrie, Harden.....all of these guys played a role in who was brought in and then all forced their way out. It's pathetic and it's ruined the NBA for a lot of people. Damien Lillard is the true winner of this generation.
LeBron has departed as a free agent 3x, but he's never "forced" his way out of anywhere.
Well, lets look at his first Cleveland run. He forced the team to bring in bad players on bad contracts in order to appease him, only for those bad players and contracts to be the reason he left them and go join Wade and Bosh and form his superteam.
Quick question, who were the bad players on bad contracts that he forced on the Cavs? I just did a quick review of their roster during his first run with them and I didn't see a lot unless you count one year of Shaq the season before he left
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In comment 16064993 Stu11 said:
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the Suns were doing a lot of bitching about the officiating and Giannis going to the line 24 times while the Suns shot a total of 16 fts. Evidently there was one point where CP3 decked Giannis on a rebound with one of his patented cheap shots and went to help him up and Giannis refused his hand.
Well when the refs let Giannis lower his shoulder and initiate contwct on every drive and they call the fouls on the defense, yeah i cna see being frustrated..Its ridiculous how they officiate guys like Giannis and Embiid
and randle?
Randle goes to the line 7 times a game..
Embiid 12 times a game and Giannis 13 times a game..
Rsndle doesnt get nearly the calls they do
but he does get called for them and they do the same thing and never get called for them.
Agree. IQ is a core player no doubt about it. HE's the perfect sidekick/alternative/partner to Brunson.
Any beast PF/Center does this. Karl Malone made a living obliterating defenders. Randle is no different. He just doesn't get as many calls, yet.
And he's awesome.
https://nycna.org/_site/find-a-meeting/ - ( New Window )
went to counseling for 2 days
Color me shocked.
News Cycle will move on and forget this one faster than a Morant drive to the basket.
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like Morant will in fact return this season
went to counseling for 2 days
2 days. The only problem one can rectify in 2 days is car troubles and even that is a stretch. 2 days....cool.
I love how this has been spun as a mental health thing as well
@wojespn
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The NBA is suspending Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant for eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, sources tell ESPN.
@ShamsCharania
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NBA investigation into Ja Morant did not conclude that the gun belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period... "also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility."
@ShamsCharania
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NBA investigation into Ja Morant did not conclude that the gun belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period... "also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility."
Sureeeeeee. The NBA is comical at times at what they deem to be "bad" and punishable.
Plaxico Burress was his counselor there
Oh, and Desmond Bane was ejected during this game for hitting Kevin Love in the balls on a drive to the hoop. Memphis gonna Memphis.
pretty much all advanced/new stats hate RJ. And the eye test isn't kind to him as well. Yet he's putting up 20 points a game for a good team with a very good offense. Weird.
Right now he sucks from three point range and gives you nothing from the mid-range. So you have a below the rim player who's really only effective at the rim. Again, weird. Oh, and he sucks on defense, doesn't box out, can't throw lobs, and is generally a low IQ player.
WTF is he?
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
His free throw percentage has improved this year; not great but solid now. He’s also improved significantly inside the arc, improving his shot selection as well as execution around the basket. But his poor three point shooting is just killing him. And as you noted his defense has dropped markedly.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
he's connected on a few but he's botched at least 10 this season. Might even be 20+. Just last week he had two in Celtic game. I don't think nba.com has stats for this but RJ would have to be among the worst in the league.
Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
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Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will undergo a third surgery on his left knee that is expected to cost him most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic
@Stadium
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The sides are optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball's career. 🙏🏽
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He's just way too inconsistent from 3 and the line to be an efficient player. And his desire on defense has been bad all year. To my eye it seems a little better since Hart has taken minutes from him.
Odd to see that RJ "cant throw lobs" when he and Mitch have had a nice Pick and Roll thing going for this season. He's hit Mitch on a bunch of them.
he's connected on a few but he's botched at least 10 this season. Might even be 20+. Just last week he had two in Celtic game. I don't think nba.com has stats for this but RJ would have to be among the worst in the league.
A lob is a feel pass. That deep laceration on his finger is healed but he still probably lacks sensitivity in the finger. His shooting touch wasn't ever great but it was a heck of a lot better than what it is now since returning from that injury.