NBA 2019-2020 season thread

[Somebody]

Watching this Warriors game tonight, I realize that this team will be right back in contention next season.

I'd even say they will be right at the levels of the Clippers/Rockets/Lakers.

You get back Klay, Curry and Draymond. Get Wiggins, and you also get potentially a Top-6 pick in the draft if it lands between 4-6. And if it does, you could draft an elite prospect, or use it in a package to land another great established player.

They're giving the Lakers a good fight tonight and Wiggins looks good.

You forgot to mention the Warriors own pick which will be a top 3 pick most likely.  Unless I'm off on something....

(I thought the 4-6 pick you mention was not for this year..)

Oh yeah you're right, they'll have their own pick too which could very well be #1.

And the Minnesota pick they got in the Wiggins trade is Top-3 protected 2021, unprotected 2022. So they can only get it this season if it lands somewhere after #4. There's a good possibility it could but obviously with the new lottery rules, there is a potential for a lot of shakeup.

I thought the Minny pick was a top 3 protected 2021 pick. This is only 2020. GSW doesn't get that pick until the earliest, next year.

Wow I'm an idiot. Never mind then lol, you're right.

But either way, my point still stands (sort of) that they get back Curry, Klay to go along with Wiggins, Draymond, and likely a Top-4 pick in the Draft (though maybe even #1). They could use that pick, or package it for another star.

The one thing I notice with these Clippers/Lakers teams is that, while they obviously got superstar duos in their frontcourt, they are definitely susceptible to opposing all-star guards. Like, you may not have a perfect answer for Lebron/AD or Kawhi/PG, but I'd argue those same teams have no answer for Harden/Westbrook, or Dame/McCollum, and same when Curry + Klay both return.

To be fair the Clippers do have a great point of attack defensive guard in Beverley (no he's nowhere close to being as good as Smart on defence, but he can still slow explosive scoring guards down) as well as a pretty good offensive guard in Lou Williams. It's the Lakers who really don't have an answer to great backcourts, they do have Danny Green and Avery Bradley as good defenders but there's zero offensive punch in that backcourt (I think Green is great, but he needs a better two way PG as his backcourt partner).

[ozgod]

Dang. Bulls-Sixers currently tied with over 10 minutes left in the 4th 

Sixers won by 6 but wow Big Al has turned into Average Al for the Sixers...0 points on 0-6 shooting in 30 min

He also had the same number of 3s as Ben Simmons did - zero. Al had 2 attempts at least though.

[ozgod]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

[Somebody]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

[bopna]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

[bopna]

Dang. Bulls-Sixers currently tied with over 10 minutes left in the 4th 

Sixers won by 6 but wow Big Al has turned into Average Al for the Sixers...0 points on 0-6 shooting in 30 min

He also had the same number of 3s as Ben Simmons did - zero. Al had 2 attempts at least though.

Expect more of those in year 2 and three of his contract.. Wow the Sixers will be looking hard at takers for Al by next season. 😊😉

Ain't no team is gonna take that unless you attach a draft pick with it.

Poor Al.. I actually believe he would have had a legit chance at a title here with the Js improvement than how the current Sixers are constructed.

[gouki88]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

Getting ahead of myself, but how funky would a Celtics v Rockets Finals be.

You could see a match-up of:
Kemba: 6-0    v    Westbrook: 6-3
Smart: 6-4    v    Harden: 6-6
Brown: 6-6    v    House: 6-6
Hayward: 6-7    v    Covington: 6-7
Tatum: 6-8    v    Tucker: 6-5

Wild stuff

[SHAQATTACK]

Dang. Bulls-Sixers currently tied with over 10 minutes left in the 4th 

Sixers won by 6 but wow Big Al has turned into Average Al for the Sixers...0 points on 0-6 shooting in 30 min

He also had the same number of 3s as Ben Simmons did - zero. Al had 2 attempts at least though.

yeah ,but he is still getting that big paycheck deposited and many more to come . No i juries to worry ,  just set back collect millons of Philly dollars .  Oh so smug and happy laughing at being paid to kinda show up and accomplishing very little.  He is over the winning it all I believe , just saving ing his retirement money. Philly is being duped by Al

[celticsclay]

Dang. Bulls-Sixers currently tied with over 10 minutes left in the 4th 

Sixers won by 6 but wow Big Al has turned into Average Al for the Sixers...0 points on 0-6 shooting in 30 min

He also had the same number of 3s as Ben Simmons did - zero. Al had 2 attempts at least though.

Expect more of those in year 2 and three of his contract.. Wow the Sixers will be looking hard at takers for Al by next season. 😊😉

Ain't no team is gonna take that unless you attach a draft pick with it.

Poor Al.. I actually believe he would have had a legit chance at a title here with the Js improvement than how the current Sixers are constructed.

Both Al and the 76ers have to be regretting that contact a lot. Over the weekend Brett Brown said the possibility of bringing him off the bench is on the table. i think the only reason they have not done it so far is optics (which is something they care about more than any other organization see the fake firsts they touted when they traded Noel.)

[footey]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

Getting ahead of myself, but how funky would a Celtics v Rockets Finals be.

You could see a match-up of:
Kemba: 6-0    v    Westbrook: 6-3
Smart: 6-4    v    Harden: 6-6
Brown: 6-6    v    House: 6-6
Hayward: 6-7    v    Covington: 6-7
Tatum: 6-8    v    Tucker: 6-5

Wild stuff

Will be interesting to see how we fare playing their small ball team. Less a concern to have Kemba in the pick and roll on defense. But I still doubt he is the guy to cover Westbrook. Not sure who should guard him.  Will take good double teaming help vs Rockets.

[Somebody]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

Getting ahead of myself, but how funky would a Celtics v Rockets Finals be.

You could see a match-up of:
Kemba: 6-0    v    Westbrook: 6-3
Smart: 6-4    v    Harden: 6-6
Brown: 6-6    v    House: 6-6
Hayward: 6-7    v    Covington: 6-7
Tatum: 6-8    v    Tucker: 6-5

Wild stuff

Will be interesting to see how we fare playing their small ball team. Less a concern to have Kemba in the pick and roll on defense. But I still doubt he is the guy to cover Westbrook. Not sure who should guard him.  Will take good double teaming help vs Rockets.

Imo have Kemba guard House or Covington, they aren't going to destroy him 1 on 1.

[saltlover]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

Getting ahead of myself, but how funky would a Celtics v Rockets Finals be.

You could see a match-up of:
Kemba: 6-0    v    Westbrook: 6-3
Smart: 6-4    v    Harden: 6-6
Brown: 6-6    v    House: 6-6
Hayward: 6-7    v    Covington: 6-7
Tatum: 6-8    v    Tucker: 6-5

Wild stuff

Will be interesting to see how we fare playing their small ball team. Less a concern to have Kemba in the pick and roll on defense. But I still doubt he is the guy to cover Westbrook. Not sure who should guard him.  Will take good double teaming help vs Rockets.

Imo have Kemba guard House or Covington, they aren't going to destroy him 1 on 1.

Yeah, would definitely have Jaylen on Russ.

[fairweatherfan]

Here's a fun fact about how brutal the East is lately:

We've won 10 of our last 11. Over that stretch we've lost a game on the Raptors.

The Raptors have won 14 straight. Over that stretch they've gained ONE game on the Bucks.

At least we're getting some separation from 4-6.

[nickagneta]

Here's a fun fact about how brutal the East is lately:

We've won 10 of our last 11. Over that stretch we've lost a game on the Raptors.

The Raptors have won 14 straight. Over that stretch they've gained ONE game on the Bucks.

At least we're getting some separation from 4-6.

The three best teams in the NBA, right now, are Milwaukee, Toronto and Boston. All three have been playing outstanding basketball for the past three weeks and are doing so while beating excellent opponents.

I am not saying that come the playoffs these will be the three best teams, but right now, they are.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Great shot by Bogdon to win against the Rockets.

I've watched the Rockets a few games now. They might have a significant advantage with this small-ball lineup.

Absolutely, it baffles me that people think this small-ball lineup is a gimmick when they have Covington as their starting wing and Tucker/Gordon/House rounding out the rest of their lineup.

Small ball's only bad when it's the Celtics doing it 

I like Grant Williams at centre

Our ultra small ball line up actually has no center.. We would play Smart instead of Theis so it will be Kemba, JB, GH, JT and MS.

Now I'm sure Brad will be keeping an eye on those Rockets small ball as we all know how Brad is a big fan of it...

Getting ahead of myself, but how funky would a Celtics v Rockets Finals be.

You could see a match-up of:
Kemba: 6-0    v    Westbrook: 6-3
Smart: 6-4    v    Harden: 6-6
Brown: 6-6    v    House: 6-6
Hayward: 6-7    v    Covington: 6-7
Tatum: 6-8    v    Tucker: 6-5

Wild stuff

Will be interesting to see how we fare playing their small ball team. Less a concern to have Kemba in the pick and roll on defense. But I still doubt he is the guy to cover Westbrook. Not sure who should guard him.  Will take good double teaming help vs Rockets.

Imo have Kemba guard House or Covington, they aren't going to destroy him 1 on 1.

Yeah, would definitely have Jaylen on Russ.

In the game last night, they put Gobert on Westbrook and had him sit just below the free throw line. It really gummed up the Rocket's offense. We don't have a big that is skilled enough to avoid fouls while cutting off his lanes. Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, and Kemba Walker are probably the best at this.

I'd probably put Walker on him and encourage him to try to draw offensive fouls. I'd rotate Hayward, Tatum, and Brown on Harden and let them try to limit his step-backs.

Everyone else needs to stay home on shooters.