Topic: 2019 NBA Pre-Season - page 881. (Read 919140 times)

Lakers 112 - 109 Heat

 

we have been performing well in the last few games, for this game in the first period we won comfortably by a difference of 11 points, then in the second period we lowered the pace and with that we lost by a small difference of points, but in the third period we lost again but with a small difference in points compared to the 2nd period, and finally in the fourth period we managed to win by a small difference in points, with this victory we have 4 victories in the last 5 games and we already have 3 consecutive victories, and a better performance than even a few weeks ago


https://s22928.pcdn.co/recap-shorthanded-lakers-come-away-with-scrappy-win-over-heat/2023/01/04/

without a doubt Dennis Schroder was the guy who boosted our victory, he scored 32 points, our next game will be against the Hawks, we're going to beat them again

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King 117 - 120 Hawks

without a doubt this was a very disputed game, in the first period the two teams tied, it was a very disputed period, already in the second period the Hanwks won but with a slight advantage of 3 points, in the third period again the two teams tied, in the fourth and last periods again the two teams tied, with that it was clear that the second period was decisive in this game

Of course, we can't compare era's, and as well as the team and players have evolved, 3 point shot are part of the norm now, There are players like Lillard, Trae Young and Curry who are shooting beyond the arc. Big men two have evolved into shooting outside, like Jokic.

So we are in a different era right now that as Luka said, it's easy to score in the NBA. And we can add to the sports medicine and trainings too has progressed in the last 20 years. A lot has really contributed why we are now seeing players scoring 40 points and higher per night.

I am one of those who believe that today's players just evolved. I'm so fed up with how old people romanticising the past as if their defense still works the way how players played today compared before.
We can obviously see the difference when watch the games from the 70's, 80's or even the 90's. You wont see much players with a heavily built physic but could be as agile and fast as a PG. You won't see much of a big men who can shoot anywhere on the floor.
The past era of the NBA are only more physical than today, because they're also less athletic than the players today.

One of the reasons why he hasn't reached 60+ per game before was his free throw shooting. He is always fouled but his free throw sucked. Now it's improved although not perfect. Today 15/16 at the line and I think that's one of his best career free throws made especially that many attempted.
If he keeps this up nightly basis then he would break his career-best over and over.

New added rules. It's difficult to be good defensively in this era.
Yes, because of the flaw, many players are taking advantage of it and just polishing their offensive power instead of defense. Those who cannot shoot well though will make this a top priority to keep their career. Like Draymond Green. He always argues with the referees because he plays by the book and it can be seen in how he contests paint attackers. I am not a fan of his bad mouth but he's really good at what he does, overall defense.

Hmm... your question is interesting.

I have no doubt that the NBA of the 70s, 80s and 90s is different ""style of play"" today.

In the last decades, there were hardly some tall players with an excellent shoot and good ball control, unlike today, when there are several PF, C with these attributes that I mentioned just above.

I would also include the qualities that most players have today, it is the three point shoot, in the past, very rare were tall players who had this attribute, unlike today, there are several PF and C with this quality.

And that's the future, time goes by I have no doubt that many tall and skilled players will be drafted into the NBA.

You can add Devin Booker, not personal best but he had 58 points two weeks ago and then Klay Thompson 54 points a week ago.

So yes, it seems that the league plays no defense at all, we can say that as well as we have seen teams scoring 140 or higher points per game. Just the other night, OKC blasted Celtics with a huge 150 point game, a Celtics team that lead the Eastern Conference.

And with that, I do agree that there are no defense and the game is being played at a high pace game right now.

Adding to that, some players today can really score that much even with good defense and well-contested, either on the perimeter, beyond the arc, or inside the paint. That's why I mentioned that it's not just about the question of where's the defense now in today's generation but rather players really evolved that's why offense becomes efficient.

Even big men in today's NBA can even nail a shot beyond the arc compared to before the era. These big guys even have a much higher 3-point FG percentage compared to some SG and SF role players. That's how big the changes is since then.

I guess it was just a surprise test because Donovan Mitchell managed to put 71 points with 11 assists which got the NBA executives thinking that maybe he was on PEDs that's why he managed to drop that kind of stats, honestly, it was surprising too but that didn't gave me some doubts that he was on some kind of enhancing drugs. Also, he is not alone in this season because lots of players in any given team also managed to put up huge stats.

Even analysts are also saying that today's generation isn't the same as where it was in the 90's.

During the time of Jordan, you can see the physicality in their games. Sometimes there is blood coming out on them. Players are very physical that if they play in the current era, you will just get ejected immediately. Referees right now are softer. The league is more focusing on offense more than defense that's why we are seeing players who are scoring more than 40 and sometimes 50 in a single game. I just saw an ESPN video hours ago saying that the '98 Finals against the Jazz and Bulls. On that whole series, no team scored more than 100 points. That shows how tough it is to score and just how they are playing defensively

We can also say that there is much talent right now with the players that's why they can put up these many points. Players got evolved and they are into "Offense wins games" mindset where they will be focusing more on offense. Just look at Gobert. He is the perfect example of how defense is almost non-existent right now. Gobert is a very good defender and won DPOY in the past but lacks offense and now, he is having his worst season in the Timberwolves (and I also consider it the worst trade).

Players right now are more focused on offense because you can't win with defense alone that's why you need to be better on offense as well.

Anyone see the game between the Pacers and the Sixers? no Joel, but they took the lead majority of the game, until it was down in the 4 minute mark wherein the Pacers take a 4 point lead.

However, they force several turn over and tie the score and force OT. And we all know that when the team that chases and force that OT, they usually have the momentum and so this what happen to them, Pacers got tired the whole regular quarters and then the home team has the final push, 129-126 score.

Speaking of career-highs, several players were able to establish it this season.

To name some:

Luka Doncic - 60 points
Anthony Davis - 55 points
Joel Embiid - 59 points
Donovan Mitchell - 71 points
Giannis Antetokounmpo - 55 points

Now leads again to the argument that NBA today has no defense at all.

Personally, I would say that today's NBA can't be compared to the past where hard defense is really a big thing. But is that really a defense or is it just that players today just evolved and got improved where the offense is way more efficient? Thoughts?

Career night for Giannis but it's weird that his previous career high was only 52. Now he made 55, I feel like he should've already scored 60+ a couple of times. I think a star player with 33 ppg stats can do better in a game. Of course, this makes the 60-70 point performances even more special. Shooting 60+ in a game is very different from throwing 30 in each game. Giannis is a special player, I think he will break his record again soon.
Besides Giannis I think Brook Lopez is the most important part of this team. His domination in the paint is something else. He might be the defender of the year so far. We should also mention Bobby Portis for Bucks' achievements. His double double stats from bench is very important. Bucks is going good but East is harder than ever, so anything is still possible.

Yeah, and for us bettors, how many times did Sacramento give us good wins, hehehe.

Sabonis is really the big difference for them obviously, they have a big guy, all over, that can shoot and include other players that's this team is very deep in my opinion.

And then Fox now becoming that we are expected of him, and he indeed put a show against the Jazz fans and that dagger drive for a 2 point lead. I wanted to see an OT by damn, Fox is really quick on his feet and easy lay up for a go ahead basket.

I think it is definitely possible for players to have good games and this was one of them, plus he didn't had this much points for the first three quarters neither, it didn't look like a 71 point game at all, it was like a 40+ even maybe 50 point game at best which does happen time to time, we have seen it done by Luka so many times in a row during December for example.

The difference was that he had a good game like that, but then it also went to OT and he scored a bunch of points there too. Other team gave up eventually, and his team got him the ball and he was on fire so he put them in. That's the greatest thing and it does help him a lot too.

Did you watch the game? Sacramento Kings are just getting better. Sabonis is a monster but when Fox also becomes a nine-tailed Fox they become a team that is hard to beat. Utah Jazz is not an awful team and in fact, it was a close game until the 4th quarter. I don't remember a time it went to a high double-digit lead or I must have missed it.

I can't argue with that.
Even good defenders are having a difficult time with the new rules. Just imagine trying to block a shooter and you are thinking about the ball in his hand and at the same time figuring out how you will not bump him before you land because there will still be a call after the release. That's torture for a defender.
I know it's to protect shooters but damn it's not easy to guard a jump shot nowadays.

Two very close games lost to the Kings, I don't know, maybe the Kings is for real this season with the acquisition of Sabonis as they have a lot of options now. And then Fox playing 100% healthy and so they are back playing good again.

As for the Jazz, there has been a debate whether they are going to tank this season with their new lineup, but in the beginning they are winning. But as of late they are in a slump, and they need to play defense too as they are giving up points very easy.

It's obvious that the game has change a lot since the 80-90's where some of us grew watching the NBA. Perhaps we could count players reaching 40+ points around that era.

Could be that the NBA is getting softer, and sooner we might see this being the norm and who knows, if the once Kareem Abdul Jabbar's untouchable record is going to be broken by Lebron, maybe we can see Wilt's 100 points also been broken in the near future?

The top players score 40-50+ points more and more often. It seems that there will come a moment soon when fans will no longer be surprised by such performances. Honestly, I think the trend is not that players are pushing their limits but that the NBA is getting softer and softer every year. I mean, 50+ points was a rarity and a difficult task for many players 15-20 seasons ago. However, the current top players can score the same number of points somehow too easily.
Maybe I'm wrong, and someone will disagree with me, but that's my feeling on the playing style of players in the NBA at the moment.

Many have been saying defensive plays right now are on all-star level hehe. Some players still remain exceptional to be fair. They make shots even if they've been doubled or tripled.

I already said it before that the recent monster performances of some players will spice up the regular season's MVP race. I know it's still a popularity contest but it's nice to see that there are plenty to choose from.

Finally getting some nationally televised games tonight. Been a long break since the Christmas holiday. Up first on ESPN is the Bucks and Raptors, so we can see if Giannis has another legendary performance in him. Then game 2 of the doubleheader is the Lakers vs Miami Heat, with LeBron facing off against his old team. Will the old guy have another big performance in him? We’ll see soon enough.