NBA 2015-2016 Season thread

Alex_sl said:

How injurious was Draymond Greens outburst? - Golden State Of Mind

It's probably a non-story. But yeah, that loud "explosion" was likely all Draymond.

Click to expand...

No doubt, I only said that it was probably aimed AT Barbossa for taking those contested 3's with 20seconds left on the clock. That and he's the worst shooter on the team, guy is only good because of his speed, drive, and finishing near the basket. He's like a shitty version of Rondo who can't pass. Who thinks someone like-Rondo bricking 3's is a good strat? Not Draymond.

Rose still hasn't played since he made the "I feel like I'm back" comment. lol wtf?

I got a little ballsy last night and played a 25$ line up in fanduel. I manged to get 348 pts and still only won $100. A shit load of players went off last night.

Rajon Rondo might be the most insufferable cunt in the world. When Boogie has to reign you in, you dun lost it.

Robot Rondo Crashes Operating System, Earns Bizarre Back-To-Back Delay Of Game Fouls

I used to like Rondo, but he was in the perfect setting for his playstyle with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen. I know that Pierce and Garnett kept him in line, and that Allen probably hated him. Without those 'father' figures, he's kind of gone off the deep end. I regarded him as a top 3 PG back between '08-'13, but the league has changed so much with PGs handling a huge scoring load like Irving/Curry. Rondo was just left behind.

Don't get me wrong, he's got Westbrooks athleticism and the dude can make a highlight reel, but he makes shitty decisions and can't shoot. He's still a max player and all... but he passes the ball when there's a wide open layup just to get a triple double with assists SO fucking often, and the other team ends up stealing it. It's so fucking infuriating.

He did kick ass in the 2012 Playoffs and almost carried the Celtics to another title. Got fucked by the refs and they lost game 6. I think he scored 44.

No. 1 - May 30, 2012: 44 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals

Rondo played all 53 minutes of a 115-111 overtime playoff loss to the Heat in Miami. He shot 16-of-24 from the field (.667), 2-for-2 from three point land and 10-of-12 (.833) at the free-throw line en route to a career-high 44 points.

That's was one of the best performances I've seen by a non-Curry PG. Sick game.

And don't shoot me for saying this, but I think Paul Pierce was probably one of the best players in the early 2000's. There's a reason he was called 'The Truth'. Guy was probably top 3 in his prime. And I love Garnett. Him and Duncan are going to go down as two of the best big men ever to play the game, and KG has been playing forever. Guy has made more money playing basketball than anyone else in history. Yeah, I liked everyone on the 2008 Boston squad except for Ray Allen. Fuck that guy.

Paul Pierce is the NBAs overlooked legend - SBNation.com

True story, I was in Vegas 2012 WSOP. There's a kid who shoots lights out (can't play basketball, think he was injured). I mean really, really fucking good. Greater than 95% free throw shooter and he just hangs around casinos hustling people. We were there for the WSOP, and Paul Pierce had just lost in the playoffs vs the Heat. Guy walks up and offers Paul Pierce a shooting contest (and the guy would've probably beaten him). Pierce told him he was a punk and would only do it if they wagered a million. I honestly think Paul would've lost though, I've heard so many stories about how great this guy is at shooting and he makes his living off the hustle. His standard bet is that he can make more than 90-95/100 free throws.

Woolygimp_sl said:

No doubt, I only said that it was probably aimed AT Barbossa for taking those contested 3's with 20seconds left on the clock. That and he's the worst shooter on the team, guy is only good because of his speed, drive, and finishing near the basket. He's like a shitty version of Rondo who can't pass. Who thinks someone like-Rondo bricking 3's is a good strat? Not Draymond.

Click to expand...

Barbosa has been in a bit of a shooting slump, but he's fine for what the team needs of him. Would prefer to see his 3p% get back above 35%ish where his career average is, but he still gets some easy buckets that make him worth playing. Lol if you think Draymond was upset about Barbosa, the 4th or 5th guy off the bench. Draymond threw a tantrum because Kerr has been on him about shooting 3's too early in the shot clock and Green has been in a big shooting slump. It was mostly due to his own frustration with himself but it sounds like he has also tried to put some blame on Kerr for getting into his head and making him think about it too much. Green's shot attempts are way down since Kerr's return.

Rockets buy out Ty Lawsons contract - Houston Chronicle

Woolygimp_sl said:

No doubt, I only said that it was probably aimed AT Barbossa for taking those contested 3's with 20seconds left on the clock. That and he's the worst shooter on the team, guy is only good because of his speed, drive, and finishing near the basket. He's like a shitty version of Rondo who can't pass. Who thinks someone like-Rondo bricking 3's is a good strat? Not Draymond.

Click to expand...

Pretty sure it was aimed at Kerr.

Maybe Bogut

Can we talk about Paul Pierce with his ageless transition from being fast and athletic to a game where he's slow, methodical, and still manages to be one of the best clutch players the league has ever seen?

Paul Pierce Hits Game Tying Shot Waived off | Hawks vs Wizards | Game 6 l 5/15/15 - YouTube

Well...he tried.

This guy, Rondo, Kevin Garnett, and an Allen who was only a shell of his former self managed to bring the super-stacked Heat to the very brink in the 2012 ECF.

Slaythe_sl said:

Pierce wasn't clutch. Neither was Kobe. They both were just on TV a lot and took a lot of late game shots. I don't blame fans for making the connection though. It gets shoved down your throat and when you see a guy hit a bunch of late shots you end up forgetting about all the misses.

As a guy that throws out "stats don't lie" as much as you do (thats normally my line!) I figure you'd know this one.

Click to expand...

Pierce wasn't nearly the ball-hog that Kobe was. The guy had Allen on his team, and you're saying that he took the most late game shots? Then there's Kevin Garnett who arguably one of the very, very best shooting big men ever. Pierce isn't a fantastic shooter, although he's definitely way above average for SF. But in the 4th, he drills them. Shaq thought very, very highly of the young Paul in 2002, and while he may have been off, 'The Truth' was probably top 3.

You can compare Harden to Prime Pierce. Paul is the superior all around player.

After this run that Pierce has been on it's got me thinking about where he would be on the All-Time greatest players list. I think this run has moved him up a couple of spots, and when you are talking about All-Time greats that is a big deal. I think it goes without saying that he's easily one of the best players from his generation, top 5, and is still making his presense felt in this one. His list of accomplishments are:

- 1 NBA Championship (2008)

- NBA Finals MVP (2008)

- 10x All-Star (02-12 with 07 being the year he was hurt. All-star for practically the whole decade)

- 4x All-NBA teams

- All Rookie first team

- #16 all time in points scored in the NBA (Can crack top 10 if he plays next year)

- #4 all time in 3pnt field goals

- #24 all time in career Win Shares

- #7 all time in free throws with 6845

- #22 all time in steals

- #32 all time in defensive rebounds (I found this stat interesting)

- #19 in minutes played all time

In his prime Pierce was putting up monster numbers averaging out to about 25/6.5/4.2 from 2001-2007. That's crazy good, and even more so when you take into account he was top ten in Defensive Win Shares 6 times in his career, so he wasn't just a scorer. He has hit countless clutch shots, more so than any player I can think of not named Jordan, and has done it for 15 strait years. He was a beast at getting to the line (Harden before Harden existed, he pattented the pump-fake jump into a defender), was a great 3pnt shooter, and a good passer. I think playing on those bad Boston teams really hurt his brand, as he wasn't in the limelight for a couple years when he was going off on the league.

Right now I think he's solidified himself as a top 30 player all time, by stats and the eye test, and wonder where you guys would put him on the all-time list. I think the only def. people above him at this point are The Big Three, the Domiant Centers, and Kobe/LeBron. After that I wonder if people would pick Pierce over guys like Scottie Pippen, Isaiah Thomas, Gary Payton, or Drexler?

Click to expand...

'Take this down. My name is Shaquille O'Neal, and Paul Pierce is the (very long expletive) truth. Quote me on that, and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth.'
Read more atHow Paul Pierce Became | SLAMonline

Tim Duncan followed by Kevin Garnett as the two greatest PFs of all time? Abdul would've taken the care but he was a Center.

And you need skills to pull this off!Paul Pierce Faker Where Amazing Happens - YouTube

Woolygimp_sl said:

Pierce wasn't nearly the ball-hog that Kobe was. The guy had Allen on his team, and you're saying that he took the most late game shots?Then there's Kevin Garnett who arguably one of the very, very best shooting big men ever.Pierce isn't a fantastic shooter, although he's definitely way above average for SF. But in the 4th, he drills them. Shaq thought PP was the best player in the NBA back in 2002, and while he may have been off, 'The Truth' was probably top 3.

You can compare Harden to Prime Pierce. Paul is the superior all around player.


?Take this down. My name is Shaquille O?Neal, and Paul Pierce is the (very long expletive) truth. Quote me on that, and don?t take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn?t know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth.?
Read more atHow Paul Pierce Became | SLAMonline

Tim Duncan followed by Kevin Garnett as the two greatest PFs of all time? Abdul would've taken the care but he was a Center.

Click to expand...

Do you even watch basketball?

Ambiturner_sl said:

Do you even watch basketball?

Click to expand...

Porn is the only thing I watch more...

Oh dude, Garnett? The guy rarely dunks or lays it in. He plays like Duncan and spaces the floor and hits mid-range jumpers. He's been shooting at around 51% for say 50 years. Garnett = Duncan. Garnett =/= Griffin/Howard.

Garnett was a beast in his prime, but pretty far from one of the best shooting big men of all time. Players like Brad Miller, Rasheed Wallace, Sabonis, etc. were much better shooters. Then you have players like Larry Bird and Dirk Nowitzki who are all time greats at any position and put Garnett's shooting to absolute shame.

Ambiturner_sl said:

Garnett was a beast in his prime, but pretty far from one of the best shooting big men of all time. Players like Brad Miller, Rasheed Wallace, Sabonis, etc. were much better shooters. Then you have players like Larry Bird and Dirk Nowitzki who are all time greats at any position and put Garnett's shooting to absolute shame.

Click to expand...

Name one PF you'd take over Garnett, besides Duncan? Dirk's a better shooter but isn't as good all-around. And KGs longevity is legendary at this point. Guy has made SO much money from basketball that he could buy Serbia.

I don't give a shit who's all around better, you said KG was one of the greatest shooters of all time which is ridiculous.

You've really taken my title as biggest shit poster in this thread in record time

Ambiturner_sl said:

I don't give a shit who's all around better, you said KG was one of the greatest shooters of all time which is ridiculous.

You've really taken my title as biggest shit poster in this thread in record time

Click to expand...

I said shooting big men. Big men. He's closer to Dirk's/Abdul-Jabar's level than he is Griffins/Howards. He is a career 87.5% free throw shooter. That's about 2.5% less than Steph Curry, and you're arguing with me? The guy wasn't a traditional big, he spaced the floor and played to take those 12-14 foot 2's.
This is one of my favorite players of all time. I've seen him play so many times I can't remember. He does his little turnaround fadeaway about halfway to the 3pt line and they go in about 60% of the time.

There's a video of an interview with Pierce of Rondo with KG doing shots in the background. Guy made 30 in a row from 10+ feet.

He's an elite shooter mid range shooter. That WAS his game.

Woolygimp_sl said:

Name one PF you'd take over Garnett, besides Duncan? Dirk's a better shooter but isn't as good all-around. And KGs longevity is legendary at this point. Guy has made SO much money from basketball that he could buy Serbia.

Click to expand...

Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, MAYBE Kevin McHale. Pretty much all I can think of. I would not take Dirk over Garnett.

Pierce played ugly, and looked slow. He will never get his recognition because of that. He was good not great IMO. Did he ever break top 10 in the league? maybe that year they won it all.

Woolygimp_sl said:

I said shooting big men. Big men. He's closer to Dirk's/Abdul-Jabar's level than he is Griffins/Howards. He is a career 87.5% free throw shooter. That's about 2.5% less than Steph Curry, and you're arguing with me? The guy wasn't a traditional big, he spaced the floor and played to take those 12-14 foot 2's.
This is one of my favorite players of all time. I've seen him play so many times I can't remember. He does his little turnaround fadeaway about halfway to the 3pt line and they go in about 60% of the time.

Click to expand...

You're talking about KG or Dirk?! I thought you were defending KG but Dirk is the one that is an 88% career FT shooter. KG is at like 79%. Dirk is the one with the disgusting mid-range fadeaway, not as much so for KG.
Also, how are you going to group Griffin and Howard into the same tier of shooters. Griffin has turned himself into a pretty respectable shooter, while Howard is and always will be terrible.

Overall though agree that KG is about as knockdown of a mid-range shooter as you'll see outside of Dirk as far as the all-time great PF's go. Malone was great as well and Barkley was pretty good, but I don't think either were discernably better than KG. I do think that KG improved that aspect quite a bit in Boston though where he didn't have to be as much of a playmaker. He knew that on that team he would get a lot more open mid-range looks at the elbow extended due to the other guys, so he worked more on it at that point for sure. Never saw him as a knock down mid-range shooter while he was in Minny.

Woolygimp_sl said:

Don't get me wrong, he's got Westbrooks athleticism....

Click to expand...

Apologies, but I'll definitely have to get you wrong on this one. Westbrook's athleticism? Fucking Rondo? He's athletic compared to 90's point guards, I suppose, but Westbrook? Tha fuck?

Then again you think Pierce was fast and athletic recently enough to mention his transition to the way he's played for many years now.

You sir, continue to amaze me!

edit: You think Pierce is going to crack the top 10 in points? He'd need 738 to pass Hakeem. And he'd have to out pace Lebron (not happening) and Duncan (maybe) since they're still active and ahead of him. So, unless injury, he's not going to out pace Lebron, so that means he'd have to pass the current 9th place. That means Pierce would need to score 1104 points the rest of this season and next to crack the top ten. And that's assuming he out scores Duncan in that time. Duncan has 373 points this season in 44 games to Pierces 310 in 53 games. In conclusion, you're a fucking moron.