NBA 2019-2020 season thread

[Somebody]

Sixers squeak by Hawks winning by 2.

Sixers have arguably the best starting 5 in basketball, but that they all have to play over 30 minutes every game could wear them down as the season goes on.  That bench is incredibly shallow right now.

Kind of like those late 80s Celtics teams. You have to be able to go more than 5 deep. It's a very long NBA season.

They also were in an insanely tough conference and had less top end talent than the Lakers (they stacked a ton of fringe all star talent for Magic to supercharge by the end of the decade).

[RJ87]

Sixers squeak by Hawks winning by 2.

Sixers have arguably the best starting 5 in basketball, but that they all have to play over 30 minutes every game could wear them down as the season goes on.  That bench is incredibly shallow right now.

Kind of like those late 80s Celtics teams. You have to be able to go more than 5 deep. It's a very long NBA season.

The only team right now with that kind of proven depth is the Clippers.

[GreenFaith1819]

If there is ever an NBA version of Dancing with the Stars, I'd expect Joel Embiid, Tim Duncan, Kevin Mchale and Hakeem to do well on it.

Beautiful footwork with these guys.

[tazzmaniac]

Kawhi Leonard is a modern day SF version of Tim Duncan.

Dude just puts his hard hat on every day and comes to work...with little to no fanfare.

Except all those games he misses due to injury.

Kawhi is definitely more injury-prone than TD, but TD still had quite a few seasons hampered by injuries.

TD 13 of 19 seasons 74+ games.  Kawhi 2 of 8 seasons 70+ games. 

[liam]

With all these little super quick points in the NBA I believe Waters will carve out a niche in the NBA.

[PhoSita]

Are the suns ... Good?

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

 

Are the suns ... Good?

They might just be

[gouki88]

Kawhi Leonard is a modern day SF version of Tim Duncan.

Dude just puts his hard hat on every day and comes to work...with little to no fanfare.

Except all those games he misses due to injury.

Kawhi is definitely more injury-prone than TD, but TD still had quite a few seasons hampered by injuries.

TD 13 of 19 seasons 74+ games.  Kawhi 2 of 8 seasons 70+ games.

Yep. That's right.

Still a weird point to bring up when it had nothing to do with the similarities that GreenFaith was talking about

[tazzmaniac]

Kawhi Leonard is a modern day SF version of Tim Duncan.

Dude just puts his hard hat on every day and comes to work...with little to no fanfare.

Except all those games he misses due to injury.

Kawhi is definitely more injury-prone than TD, but TD still had quite a few seasons hampered by injuries.

TD 13 of 19 seasons 74+ games.  Kawhi 2 of 8 seasons 70+ games.

Yep. That's right.

Still a weird point to bring up when it had nothing to do with the similarities that GreenFaith was talking about

Kawhi is put on such a pedestal nowadays.  Thought the impression that he comes to work every day when he's missed a lot of games needed pointing out.  Also, apparently people have already forgotten how he forced his way off the Spurs.  Just don't see him as being that like TD. 

[gouki88]

Kawhi Leonard is a modern day SF version of Tim Duncan.

Dude just puts his hard hat on every day and comes to work...with little to no fanfare.

Except all those games he misses due to injury.

Kawhi is definitely more injury-prone than TD, but TD still had quite a few seasons hampered by injuries.

TD 13 of 19 seasons 74+ games.  Kawhi 2 of 8 seasons 70+ games.

Yep. That's right.

Still a weird point to bring up when it had nothing to do with the similarities that GreenFaith was talking about

Kawhi is put on such a pedestal nowadays.  Thought the impression that he comes to work every day when he's missed a lot of games needed pointing out.  Also, apparently people have already forgotten how he forced his way off the Spurs.  Just don't see him as being that like TD.

I don't know what's surprising about a top 3 player in the world being put on a pedestal. Especially when his ability seems a lot less natural than the freakish athleticism of Giannis, or the ability to read the game like a book as LeBron does.

I feel like if TD felt his health was being compromised by a team he'd give significant consideration to leaving. He did get very close to leaving anyway to join the Magic.

[Who]

I see the fundamentally sound and disciplined part of TD & Kawhi comparison but I see Kawhi as far more of an individualistic player while TD was more team-focused and adapted himself to everyone around him, tried to make everyone else better and make the team the best version of itself. I don't see Kawhi in that same light. I see him more as an assassin who operates in a way that is very easy for others to play with (and play well alongside) him.

[Androslav]

I agree with Who.
I just wanted to add that there were 2 TDs, his career was that long.
Duncan "the beast" (perennial MVP and DPOY candidate, dominant scorer) - roughly first 10 years and 4 titles.
Duncan the Allstar/starter (Defensive minded and pass-first teammate) - later 9 years winning 1 title.

Kawhi is in the Kawhi "the beast" part of his career now, even though his defense slipped a bit last 2 years, his offense improved.

[gpap]

Are the suns ... Good?

Armageddon is near.

[saltlover]

Are the suns ... Good?

I don’t think they’re good.  I do think they will play competitively and keep themselves in games most every night, and thus win a few more.  30+ wins seems possible.

[Somebody]

I think mid 00s Duncan is a good comparison for Kawhi. "Strong" MVP impact based on resilient playoff scoring (Kawhi can score a bit more on higher efficiency) and strong defense (Kawhi is a worse team defender though) with a rather unselfish mindset and approach to the game, but hamstrung with mediocre passing and vision (compared to their peers) that limits their offensive impact. One thing to note is that Kawhi's passing looks to have improved so far this season, so he might be able to churn out an offensive footprint rivaling LeBron/Kobe/MJ/Wade instead of Dirk/Miller/Gervin/King if he keeps it up, which combined with his strong defense might be able to generate an All-Time season like peak Duncan in 2002 and 2003.