NBA 2019-2020 season thread

[Who]

Over the last 10 games, Russell Westbrook has scored 234 points in the paint, something only Shaquille O'Neal has done in a 10-game span over the last 20 seasons.

71% of Westbrook's shots have come in the paint over the last 10 games (52% prior 34 games). Houston's small ball lineup working well - opening up the game for him.

Only 5% of his shots have been 3s over same period (23% prior 34 games). Midrange attempts the same.

https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1227291209149931521

[Fafnir]

Westbrook playing C is working a whole lot better than at SG.

I love D'Antoni so much.

[SparzWizard]

I still have an odd confidence that we can beat Toronto, even if without homecourt advantage. There's no Kawhi Leonard on that team anymore and I feel that'll be the difference in the playoffs.

For us, our job is to stay in the Top-3 of the conference, and to try and be as healthy as possible.

Not me.  After Milwaukee, they scare me the most. I would rather play the Sixers than the Raptors. Likely to see a scenerio where we face Toronto in 2nd round. It will be a battle.

I don't disagree, but that's why I say "odd confidence". My gut feeling just thinks despite them being our 2nd biggest threat in the East (after MIL), I think we can take them. Health is the key.

And also, while it's not a "fun choice", I'd prefer playing Toronto in the 2nd round, not MIL.

I rather not play the 76ers in Round 1. They seem to have our number this year. And Brooklyn can be dangerous, streaky. But it is what it is, Celtics will have to draw the 76ers most likely.

But I prefer to play Toronto than Milwaukee. Have another eastern conference team weaken them or wear them out.

[jpotter33]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

[gouki88]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Honestly just a completely nonsense statement on both counts. JVG was in the NBA system when a certain David Robinson won ROTY, nearly averaging 4BPG and 2SPG. How about Shaq? Tim Duncan? Even in terms of wing/guard defenders Smart and CP3 blow him out of the water.

Manute Bol was the runner up for the DPOY in his rookie season IIRC.

The Simmons one isn't even worth touching, lol

[Who]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Maybe he wants to get back into coaching and is auditioning for the Sixers gig.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Thybulle is the best rookie defender I've ever seen. I don't think he is wrong about that.

[jpotter33]

To be honest, LAC doesn’t impress me much when I watch them. They always seem to be low energy and not great chemistry.

[jpotter33]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Maybe he wants to get back into coaching and is auditioning for the Sixers gig.

Lol this makes sense. Reminds me of Mark Jackson a few years back when the Lakers job was open and he was a candidate.

[gouki88]

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Thybulle is the best rookie defender I've ever seen. I don't think he is wrong about that.

Jeesh.

[gouki88]

 

What is Van Gundy smoking out there?

Thybulle the best rookie defender he’s ever seen? Smart was much better on a much worse and less talented team.

He also said - with no jest whatsoever - that Simmons (the guy who doesn’t shoot outside the paint) is just as good of a two-way player as Kawhi and George. Dude is losing his mind!

Honestly just a completely nonsense statement on both counts. JVG was in the NBA system when a certain David Robinson won ROTY, nearly averaging 4BPG and 2SPG. How about Shaq? Tim Duncan? Even in terms of wing/guard defenders Smart and CP3 blow him out of the water.

Manute Bol was the runner up for the DPOY in his rookie season IIRC.

The Simmons one isn't even worth touching, lol

Just realised I confused Jeff & Stan. My bad.

[jpotter33]

You'd think this was the home team's broadcast how they're calling this, jeesh.

[gouki88]

You'd think this was the home team's broadcast how they're calling this, jeesh.

Stan really DOES want that gig huh? Lol

[CelticSooner]

When Philly are engaged they look pretty good. Hopefully they stay on the Bucks side of the bracket.

[nickagneta]

If Thybulle is such a tremendous defender, what does that say about Jaylen Brown offensively as he made Thybulle look foolish several times defensively that game?

Point being, Brown is getting really good offensively but he isn't elite yet but made Thybulle look silly. Maybe, Thybulle ain't all that.

The 6-7 times I have seen Thybulle this year he has looked like the full spectrum defensively...from really good to really bad. Overall, he doesn't seem as advanced as Smart or Draymond Green were as rookies. Heck, he isn't even as good a rookie defender as his own teammate, Joel Embiid, was