Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 195. (Read 902495 times)

Well, the father will make the son cry again in the playoffs.
If the current standings will be the standings for the playoffs, both the Mavericks and the Suns will only face when they reach the Conference Finals which is for me, low to no chance. TBH, I don't think that both teams will be facing in the playoffs because they might get eliminated already. I love both the Mavericks, and the Suns, but I have a feeling that they might get eliminated in the first round. I hope I'm wrong though.

As for the Rockets, they are continuing their winning streak, and looking at their remaining games, most of them are against bottom teams already compare to the Warriors that has a harder schedule than them. TBH, I'm thinking that the Rockets might end up getting that 10th spot or even the 9th if they continue to play like this. Surprisingly, they are doing this without Sengun. I guess it's a blessing in disguise for the team because players like Jalen Green and others are stepping up, still fighting for that play-in spot.

I can't think of any player that's impressive on defense, and on offense.
Like you said, I don't also think that the Suns are a team to watch out in the West because of 2 reasons and you said it already. Defense, and injuries. It's kind of funny that a team filled with G-league players have a better defensive rating than them.

Anyway, if there's any team in the West that other teams must watch out with, it's the defending champs. I also put a huge bet on them on Stake that they will win the Western Conference, and the title as well.

Every good perennial team needs a Bruce bowen type of player that you can use to sick on the opponents best player.  I agree with everything but still think they are good enough to challenge deep into the playoffs.  Any team with Durant on it will always be in the mix.  Dude is impossible to cover and can get his shot whenever he wants.  They will have issues with a Denver type of team, they won't be able to stop jokic with that D.

Spot on! baby.
Underrated. That's one of the guys in the NBA that have always been laughed about.
C'mon let's face it, those claps are not to boost him, that's a way to just make comedy out of him.
But this dude had been playing like the Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. He can shoot, he can D, he can move without the ball and still, he have fewer minutes than Suns players who are not really contributing for the team.
I get it, the name is what defines him for other NBA fans but he had been working his ass off just to prove he is worthy of more minutes.
Bol Bol is phenomenal and he is not even playing for 20+ minutes. The Suns management should think about that twice because he had been effective on both ends of the floor.
19 minutes. This is his highest after 20+ games.

That would be hard for them tomorrow, because even if the Wolves loss KAT, they are still playing great, 6-4 on their last 10 while the Warriors are 4-6. Right now, it's only the hope that the Warriors will be in the playoffs that is keeping them and we think they really are good since they were a championship team but we have get real here, this team is struggling especially against a good team, so I think Warriors will loss again.

They don't have problems on the D, they have NO D at all. They love to shoot the ball, but it's almost like they just move when a player is coming at them with the ball and let them score. I love the Suns, but they will never win a championship with this team. Time to sell some pieces and replace them with something better.

Tell that Shaq, he often said he thinks Bol Bol is better than Wemby. 

I don't think Phoenix will be dangerous in the post season though.
Their defense is just not good enough and against solid teams they often get exposed. Obviously health is another issue.
They are the classic 3 headed dragon offensively but on D they have many problems. 13th place in defensive rating doesn't sound super bad but that's just in the middle of the pack and if you want to win a chip this must be much better. Hell, even Memphis has a better def rtg than Phoenix.

Yeah, the Rockets are becoming a problem for the Warriors. By the way, the Rockets will probably win the next game the same way because they will be playing vs. the Blazers, while the Warriors' next opponent will be the Wolves, which means the Warriors will have a hard time winning.

You are just right in term as you have watched the best version of the Mavericks this season. Kyrie and Luka's chemistry is on fire and they make everyon better. I bet they'll bet the Suns again when they meet in the playoffs, and it will be Luka getting his first NBA finals appearance.

He's been getting good minutes recently, looks like he already found a team that had unleash his true potential, but like i mentioned above, I believe Luka and company will make them cry...

Meanwhile, how about the Rockets continue the surge, they won today, win streak improved to 8 and they are very close to the Warriors in standing.

Bol Bol got the best of Wemby tonight. I think Bol is underestimated and deserves more minutes. He got a funny clip tonight too… Phoenix is going to be dangerous in the playoffs.

I haven't watched the NBA for a long time, but I watched Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz the other day and it was a fun game.
Kyri Irving had a great dunk that night. I haven't watched a dunk like this in a long time. We should not forget that Luka Doncic's assists were very good.

Lakers do look like they are doing as fine as they could, and they are still not going any higher, which is a trouble for them but at the same time they are going to end up with trouble one way or another anyway. It makes sense that they wouldn't get better at standings even though they are winning, because they had a terrible start of the season.

Looking back on their opponents, Warriors are doing terrible and Rockets are doing great lately but they are too far off. One thing that everyone is wondering right now is how Rockets will do compared to Warriors, will Rockets get to that 10th place or not. I can't say yet, but there is a very solid possibility of that happening soon, and that I believe is very important in the end.

Another lost for the Warriors though still 2 games away from the Rockets in terms of winning stats, but like you mentioned unless a bad losing streak hits them Rockets may snatch the play-in opportunity with them, everything still possible especially with how the team will position themselves to this upcoming 2nd round, those on the top 10 spot will try to keep their position and and will do their best for the remaining games that they've got, making sure that they'll have the shot of they'll be able to make it in the playoffs.

Regarding to Kyrie, seems that he's now finding himself back, I mean those old form where he really contribute well he's chemstry with Luka and the rest of the Mavs improves a lot. They might kept the 6 spot as they really playing so well and really doing their best to continue trying to win games.

The Rockets have won 7 games in a row and are getting closer. If they play in play-in games that would be nice. I don't think the Warriors have much of a chance this year, even if they make the play-in, they will be eliminated early. Their bright days are long gone. I would like to see the Rockets in the play-in. The teams in the West are very close. There are ten games left but only 8 wins between 4th and 10th. I don't think the standings will change much, unless suddenly a team has a very bad streak. Mavs, Suns and Kings are competing for the 6th place. The competition there looks very exciting. Seeing how Kyrie has been playing lately, it looks like the Mavs are not going to give it up. In the play-in, it's important to have an advantage, there's a big difference between 7th and 10th.

Been up 12 at one point, and ending up losing by 12 points.
I wonder what's happening with the Warriors. At one point, they're on a winning streak and winning 9 on their last 10 games but now, the only won 4 on their last 10 games.

TBH, I just don't know why Coach Kerr suddenly not let Kevon Looney play. I mean he's been a good center for the team, but in the last games, there are times where he isn't even playing. With the Warriors losing, and the Rockets winning, I'm afraid there might be a chance that the Rockets might clinch on that final spot letting the Warriors go down to 11th spot and will be eliminated. I want to see a classic Lakers Vs. Warriors match-up on the 9-10 spot, but I just hope that what happened in their last game will not happen again. IYKYK .

This is also the reason why the Thunder are the team to watch out in the next 3-5 years.

They might not win it this season due to inexperience in playoffs, but as they gain experience, they will be a team to watch out during the playoffs. Their core is very young lead by SGA, and with the right role players, they might reach the NBA Finals in 2-3 years at least. I just hope that they will not make that much trades on their key players, and focus more on acquiring role players that will help the team.

The Thunder already have a young and talented players, and an amazing coach. What they need now is experience.

Oh yeah! I forgot about the injury, thank you for reminding me of that. He was in restricted minutes before the All-Star so I think he was still in the healing process. It's just that, the defense in All-Star was so bad which is why he is shooting like that. Well, this is the part of the season where teams are playing like it is the playoffs because every win will matter. While those who are under the rankings (no chance for playoffs) will never just give away any win, they have to earn it.
Back to Hali, yes, the consistency is what is gone from him after the injury. I guess he was still affected mentally and then Siakam came. It's a rebuilding chemistry with him and they cannot just bench him because his production numbers are way too good to sit him down.

The Pacers will have their rest today, but the next day they will be up against the Lakers who also badly need a win. I guess we will be watching a good game on that night at the Lakers' home. Good matchups, Turner-AD, Lebon-Siakam, and Hali-DLo.

I agree.  Watching them last night they can't defend, don't look like they have a sense of urgency just not the same team.  Might not be the best opinion but I'd like to see steph on a different team.  This current team is cooked and will waste away the rest of his career there.  They had a nice run but it's safe to say it's pretty much over.

I'm seeing the warriors like the OKC team, they failed last season and now they are at the top and will not have to go with the play-in as they secured their spot. The OKC is a young team, unlike the Rockets where they already have the veterans that could help them in the playoffs, so if they'll miss it this season but will improve next season, they'll be a better team and will have a shot in the playoffs. They will also have a healthy Steven Adams next season, they'll be better for sure.

Yes, getting into the play-in will be a big bonus for them, but in any case the Warriors makes it (although they take a L today), then Houston shouldn't take this as negative. But for of a motivation from the team. It's a total upgrade from their coaching staff, to getting Fred and Brooks, it's already a big upgrade from one season ago. And so with the development of the team, they will be more competitive next year. Sengun I predicted will have another break through run and will be one of the teams offensive weapon and they will be at par with some of the best team in the West by that time.

Yeah, and I thought that this is a winnable game for them as they needed this one big. But they fall unfortunately to the Pacers, it was really close and with Steph and the Warriors known to be a 3rd quarter team, I put a slight bet on them.

But they are really inconsistent, Klay will have a good game, but it's seldom to be back to back. If they continue with this, the Rockets might get close on them at the 10th and might knock them down for a play-in spot.

It was probably due to the adjustment he is making when Siakam was one of the go to guys. Yes he wasn't the same anymore when he comes back but that was before he suffered from injury, and some players like him needs some time to get his grove back and he showed that confidence in this game on the road. Let's see if he'll keep that consistency in the upcoming games, because if he'll play like that, I can expect that the Pacers will be winning most of their succeeding games and will ensure their playoffs ranking when the regular season ends.