NBA 2019-2020 season thread

[Who]

I expect the Rockets plan of using PJ Tucker at center will be successful. He is a very strong man. He will be better able to hold his position and defend bigger opponents than most of those opponents will be able to defend on the perimeter on the other end of the floor.

It will kill any centers who are plodders / semi-mobile defenders. It will take them right off the court.

It is the athletic mobile defensive bigs that can cover a more limited offensive threat like Tucker than Houston may have issue with. But even then, they'll be able to get a lot more switches and force that mobile big onto more dangerous offensive threats (Westbrook, Harden, E.Gordon) much easier than before because it's harder to leave a guy like Tucker open than a garbage man big like Capela or Tyson Chandler.

I fully expect this strategy to be successful. It puts Houston back in the Championship mix (with Harden & Westbrook as cornerstones) although maybe not this year because I think they are a bit light on bodies. They need a bit more depth SF-PF-C to help maintain pressure on opponents for 48 minutes.

But ... they are really onto something here. They have found a way to unlock Westbrook and Harden as a dynamic duo. How to make them together.

And ... how to further exploit the decline in post play / interior scoring / offensive rebounding. They have identified the next opportunity. The next evolution at exploiting these rule changes.

Houston are ahead of the curve.

[SHAQATTACK]

The 76ers are imploding right now, and I love it. How do you force Embiid and Horford to shoot 22 3pt shots? Such a bad roster makeup.

they in my screwed up brain are playing ALL wrong.   They kinda play more better  . ,  when Embiid is comletely OUT of the game or not available. 

With Embiid , they should,be play n inside out . You got three 6-10 or better ....just play inside .   But they got rid of the two players they needed most to go along with Al, Simmons,and Embiid .  Now they are gonna have to locate Two knockdown shooters or slashers . Harris can score alot , like Melo , but he doesn't seem to help alot overall to win a game.  Trade him and Al , get back REAL scorers who play team ball. ....or trade Embiid .

I d rather have Simmons even if he can't shoot .

[RPGenerate]

I'm torn, I do enjoy the process zealots being brought down a couple pegs.

But I also remember who awful all of last year made me feel as a sports fan, so I have some very real empathy for them. They truly are this year's 2018-2019 Celtics.

If it makes you feel better, Sixer fans definitely had no mercy for us last year lol. I do agree they are definitely us from last year, just hoping things click in the playoffs.

[SHAQATTACK]

I sleep soooo awesome, knowing the Lakers lost ......ahhhh sweet dreams it was.

[fairweatherfan]

I'm torn, I do enjoy the process zealots being brought down a couple pegs.

But I also remember who awful all of last year made me feel as a sports fan, so I have some very real empathy for them. They truly are this year's 2018-2019 Celtics.

Embiid is not himself, whether it's injuries or attitude. But he wasn't assertive at all until a short stretch in the 4th. Just kept hucking 3s.

[Moranis]

I expect the Rockets plan of using PJ Tucker at center will be successful. He is a very strong man. He will be better able to hold his position and defend bigger opponents than most of those opponents will be able to defend on the perimeter on the other end of the floor.

It will kill any centers who are plodders / semi-mobile defenders. It will take them right off the court.

It is the athletic mobile defensive bigs that can cover a more limited offensive threat like Tucker than Houston may have issue with. But even then, they'll be able to get a lot more switches and force that mobile big onto more dangerous offensive threats (Westbrook, Harden, E.Gordon) much easier than before because it's harder to leave a guy like Tucker open than a garbage man big like Capela or Tyson Chandler.

I fully expect this strategy to be successful. It puts Houston back in the Championship mix (with Harden & Westbrook as cornerstones) although maybe not this year because I think they are a bit light on bodies. They need a bit more depth SF-PF-C to help maintain pressure on opponents for 48 minutes.

But ... they are really onto something here. They have found a way to unlock Westbrook and Harden as a dynamic duo. How to make them together.

And ... how to further exploit the decline in post play / interior scoring / offensive rebounding. They have identified the next opportunity. The next evolution at exploiting these rule changes.

Houston are ahead of the curve.

I had Houston in the Finals before the season started and I'm sticking with that.  We saw last night what the new look can be and Harden had an awful shooting night and they still beat the Lakers by 10 (though Lebron was pretty darn bad as well).  The only concern I'd have if I'm Houston is Davis had a field day.  They have no one that can defend him, and over the course of a series he could have a field day (the same would be true of Jokic as well).  The mobile great scoring bigs will be a problem for this new look Rockets team.  That said, Houston has 2 open roster spots, so I do think they will get some bodies in the buy out market that might help out with that problem. 

[Donoghus]

I'm torn, I do enjoy the process zealots being brought down a couple pegs.

But I also remember who awful all of last year made me feel as a sports fan, so I have some very real empathy for them. They truly are this year's 2018-2019 Celtics.

I don't think I'm capable of ever feeling bad for that fan-base.

[Tr1boy]

Thybulle is overrated

76ers are in big trouble without Josh Richardson

[Moranis]

Thybulle is overrated

76ers are in big trouble without Josh Richardson

Burks and Robinson should both help.  Obviously not the player Josh Richardson is, but Burks in particular, should give them decent production as a starter until Richardson is back and Robinson becomes their best back-up. 

They really did get great value acquiring both of them for 3 2nd round picks.  Both also fill that shooting need the Sixers need. 

They still have fit problems in the starting lineup, but the bench shouldn't be as much an issue with those 2 on it.

Guards - Simmons, Richardson, Burks, Milton, Smith, Neto
Wings - Harris, Robinson, Thybulle, Korkmaz
Bigs - Embiid, Horford, Scott, Bolden, O'Quinn

I'd honestly think they'd be better starting Simmons, Richardson, Burks/Robinson, Harris, and Embiid and bring Horford in off the bench.  I think that would give them a more cohesive starting 5 and would help a lot of the fit issues that Embiid and Horford have playing together and the extra shooter would help as well.  Horford would then come in for Burks/Robinson with like 4 minutes gone in the quarter, and play some with Embiid before he leaves the game and they go back to the smaller lineup but with Horford as the sole center (or he can play with Scott).  Horford would obviously need to buy into that, but I do think that would make them a better team.

[Who]

I am expecting Indiana to take a step backwards now that Oladipo has returned.

Oladipo is a dribble-heavy guard with a streaky jump-shot. He needs a lot of the ball to be consistent.

I don't think their twin towers lineup will be as effective anymore. It will be harder to Indiana to space the floor effectively. Add TJ Warren to that who is more of a two point jump-shooter than a three point shooter.

Plus, both Brogdon and Sabonis are more effective offensive players than Oladipo but Oladipo is the star and he will need a lot of touches and shots. Touches and shots that will in part likely be taken from Brogdon and Sabonis.

So, anyway, to sum it up -- I expect Oladipo's return to cause chemistry issues for the Pacers. That team does not fit well together and they have (unexpectedly) managed to avoid some of those problems without Oladipo in the lineup but I expect that to change now that he has returned.

[keevsnick]

I expect the Rockets plan of using PJ Tucker at center will be successful. He is a very strong man. He will be better able to hold his position and defend bigger opponents than most of those opponents will be able to defend on the perimeter on the other end of the floor.

It will kill any centers who are plodders / semi-mobile defenders. It will take them right off the court.

It is the athletic mobile defensive bigs that can cover a more limited offensive threat like Tucker than Houston may have issue with. But even then, they'll be able to get a lot more switches and force that mobile big onto more dangerous offensive threats (Westbrook, Harden, E.Gordon) much easier than before because it's harder to leave a guy like Tucker open than a garbage man big like Capela or Tyson Chandler.

I fully expect this strategy to be successful. It puts Houston back in the Championship mix (with Harden & Westbrook as cornerstones) although maybe not this year because I think they are a bit light on bodies. They need a bit more depth SF-PF-C to help maintain pressure on opponents for 48 minutes.

But ... they are really onto something here. They have found a way to unlock Westbrook and Harden as a dynamic duo. How to make them together.

And ... how to further exploit the decline in post play / interior scoring / offensive rebounding. They have identified the next opportunity. The next evolution at exploiting these rule changes.

Houston are ahead of the curve.

I had Houston in the Finals before the season started and I'm sticking with that.  We saw last night what the new look can be and Harden had an awful shooting night and they still beat the Lakers by 10 (though Lebron was pretty darn bad as well).  The only concern I'd have if I'm Houston is Davis had a field day.  They have no one that can defend him, and over the course of a series he could have a field day (the same would be true of Jokic as well).  The mobile great scoring bigs will be a problem for this new look Rockets team.  That said, Houston has 2 open roster spots, so I do think they will get some bodies in the buy out market that might help out with that problem.

The most important aspect of Houston's move maybe the effect they have on Westbrook, the last 10 games or some Westbrook's 3 pta count had dropped significantly. By adding another shooter over Capela its gives Hou the best spacing its gonna get allowing Westbrook to attack the rim more effectively. It also gives them a guy to credibly guard the many good wings in the west.

Its an intriguing approach.

[johnnygreen]

The idea of Houston playing a starting lineup of guys 6’6” and under is intriguing. However, it feels more like a short term solution, as opposed to something that can last for the rest of the season. It’s one thing for a small defender to take on a big man for one game. The question that remains to be answered is, can those smaller defenders hold up and sustain the physical abuse and exhaustion that comes with taking on those bigger guys over the course of the remaining season. I think it’s more of an end of game type of lineup, as opposed to something you should go all in on at the trade deadline.

[celticsclay]

The idea of Houston playing a starting lineup of guys 6’6” and under is intriguing. However, it feels more like a short term solution, as opposed to something that can last for the rest of the season. It’s one thing for a small defender to take on a big man for one game. The question that remains to be answered is, can those smaller defenders hold up and sustain the physical abuse and exhaustion that comes with taking on those bigger guys over the course of the remaining season. I think it’s more of an end of game type of lineup, as opposed to something you should go all in on at the trade deadline.

Yeah I think playing Howard and Davis 6 games in a row Tucker is going to dead by the end of the series. I think people may forget Tucker is actually going to be 35 by the time the playoffs start.

[RPGenerate]

The idea of Houston playing a starting lineup of guys 6’6” and under is intriguing. However, it feels more like a short term solution, as opposed to something that can last for the rest of the season. It’s one thing for a small defender to take on a big man for one game. The question that remains to be answered is, can those smaller defenders hold up and sustain the physical abuse and exhaustion that comes with taking on those bigger guys over the course of the remaining season. I think it’s more of an end of game type of lineup, as opposed to something you should go all in on at the trade deadline.

Yeah I think playing Howard and Davis 6 games in a row Tucker is going to dead by the end of the series. I think people may forget Tucker is actually going to be 35 by the time the playoffs start.

Yeah, people are getting WAAAAY ahead of themselves with this Rockets team. It was one game. Let's see how well it does when teams start game planning for it.

[fairweatherfan]

The idea of Houston playing a starting lineup of guys 6’6” and under is intriguing. However, it feels more like a short term solution, as opposed to something that can last for the rest of the season. It’s one thing for a small defender to take on a big man for one game. The question that remains to be answered is, can those smaller defenders hold up and sustain the physical abuse and exhaustion that comes with taking on those bigger guys over the course of the remaining season. I think it’s more of an end of game type of lineup, as opposed to something you should go all in on at the trade deadline.

I agree but I'm super interested to watch them try. Last night's game was a fascinating contrast in styles, particularly because the Lakers' style lost 

One of the most enjoyable things was seeing the Lakers adjust their lineups toward Houston's over time (mainly by going to 1 big lineups instead of 2) and then realizing it was basically impossible for Houston to ever do the same because they literally don't have the personnel for it. Really fun dynamic. Probably doomed but no more so than the pre-trade roster was.