NBA Season 2016-2017

[LarBrd33]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

[ederson]

It doesn`t look like it... Even now you your phrasing is derogatory.

Smart averages ~13p 3,8re 3,7as
Nothing spectacular
But not in any case disappointing especially when you try to find something good to say about stiffs like Stauskas.

[wayupnorth]

Andrew Wiggins has been outstanding so far this year.  Still only 21 years old.  Averaging 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists with 45%/57%/73% shooting... that's before tonight where he went off for 47 points.  Living up to the hype.

Meanwhile... Jabari Parker, who many folks here told me was not worth trading the Brooklyn pick for just a handful of months ago, is averaging 19.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2 assists with 47%/35%/87% shooting... and is also only 21.

Oh, and Joel Embiid, in case you missed it, looks like a true future superstar so far. 

So much for the 2014 draft being "overrated".   The top 3 looks epic.  Those were the 3 guys pegged as potential superstars.  Still only kids... showing signs of it.   

After the top 3, others in that draft are showing progress as well.

Exum is still coming back from his injury, but averaging 6.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists with 43%/36%/86% shooting in limited minutes... perhaps he's the one most likely to bust?  But he's still only 21.

Aaron Gordon continues to show improvement.  Averaging 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1 block. 

Smart's been a disappointment, but #7 pick Julius Randle has been carrying the Lakers to a surprising 6-5 record so far and looks like a future all-star as well.  Averaging 14 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block with 54% shooting.  Living up to the Z-Bo comps.   

Even oft-ridiculed #8 pick Nik Stauskas is showing some life.  Double-digit scoring his last two games and his shooting percentages are 49%/39%/85% to start the season.

As you go deeper you'll find other gems such as Nukic, Saric, Capela, and LaVine.

Payton and McDermott are a couple stand-out role players.

The 2014 draft is looking underrated.

rofl. Well done my friend. Instant classic post.

TP.  it really is something.

I don't get what's so funny about it.  I'm just marveling at how good (for the most part) the 2014 draft looks.  Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, Exum, Gordon, Randle, Stauskas and others seem to be living up to the hype. 

Sure, there might be a dud here or there.  But even 2003 had a dud in the top 6 - Darko Millicic... and yet it doesn't take away from how great that draft is regarded.

LOL Stauskas is living up the hype, but Smart isn't.

Really great stuff, just grade A bait

[LarBrd33]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

[tankcity!]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

He's a future HOF

[tankcity!]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

The thread is about to explode in 1..2...3.....

[green_bballers13]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

Haha that's like hearing Trump talk about how no one respects women more than him.

"Poor man's Tony Allen"- yeah I'm sure that no one respects him more than you with such glowing praise. Maybe, if he's lucky, he will one day be as good as the legend Nik Stauskas?

[LarBrd33]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

The thread is about to explode in 1..2...3.....

I've written tremendous things about Smart recently.  I pointed out that his shooting percentages have gone from a historically bad 35%/25% to just below the mendoza line at 40%/32% so far this season.  That's huge if he keeps that up.   I still think Smart can be terrific.   I hope this is his break out season. 

[LarBrd33]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

Haha that's like hearing Trump talk about how no one respects women more than him.

"Poor man's Tony Allen"- yeah I'm sure that no one respects him more than you with such glowing praise. Maybe, if he's lucky, he will one day be as good as the legend Nik Stauskas?

I do have tremendous respect for Smart.  I've repeatedly written that regardless of what anyone else tries to say, I still personally have Smart ahead of Julius Randle and Nik Stauskas. 

[Neurotic Guy]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

As far as TA's tenure with the Celtics goes, Marcus is already a "wealthy-man's Tony Allen".  Do you remember the feeling you got when the ball was in TA's hands (as a Celtic)?  I remember it well -- it was a rather unsettling.   

Marcus at 22 is a better player than the 28yo TA that left Boston.

[alldaboston]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

Did the Sixers subreddit also tell you he has the highest usage rate in NBA history if he continues at this pace? Did they also tell you he would be averaging the most turnovers per game in NBA history if he continues at this pace?

[LarBrd33]

funny that most of the exciting prospects from the 2014 post similar statlines as the disappointing Smart......

Stauskas is showing signs of life after TWO half decent games but Smart is disappointing .....

It s not long ago when Avery Bradley was a disappointment

Nobody respects Marcus Smart more than I do.  He's starting to live up to the "poor man's Tony Allen" label.  I'm hopeful he can potentially even surpass that.

As far as TA's tenure with the Celtics goes, Marcus is already a "wealthy-man's Tony Allen".  Do you remember the feeling you got when the ball was in TA's hands (as a Celtic)?  I remember it well -- it was a rather unsettling.   

Marcus at 22 is a better player than the 28yo TA that left Boston.

That's the trouble right there.  When you reference TA on this forum, people automatically think you're talking about Tony Allen in his Celtic days.  We're talking about the Tony Allen that's 5x All-Defense (3x First Team).  That happened after the Celtics.  A lot of people here don't realize his career continued after he left Boston.

[LarBrd33]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

Did the Sixers subreddit also tell you he has the highest usage rate in NBA history if he continues at this pace? Did they also tell you he would be averaging the most turnovers per game in NBA history if he continues at this pace?

He's shooting 58% from three.  Kid's a stah.  7'2 Larry Bird.  Book it.

Seriously tho... for players with at least 10 three point attempts, the top two shooters in the league are Joel Embiid (58%) and Andrew Wiggins (55%)... which goes back to the point I was trying to make.  The 2014 draft got a lot of flack for being "overrated" after seeing guys like Marcus Smart struggle through two seasons, but now we're getting a chance to see many of the players from that class start to live up to their potential as guys like Embiid, Randle and Parker reach full health.

[alldaboston]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

Did the Sixers subreddit also tell you he has the highest usage rate in NBA history if he continues at this pace? Did they also tell you he would be averaging the most turnovers per game in NBA history if he continues at this pace?

He's shooting 58% from three.  Kid's a stah.  7'2 Larry Bird.  Book it.

Seriously tho... for players with at least 10 three point attempts, the top two shooters in the league are Joel Embiid (58%) and Andrew Wiggins (55%)... which goes back to the point I was trying to make.  The 2014 draft got a lot of flack for being "overrated" after seeing guys like Marcus Smart struggle through two seasons, but now we're getting a chance to see many of the players from that class start to live up to their potential as guys like Embiid and Parker reach full health.

Love that you single out Smart, the only guy who played for a winning team and actually made meaningful contributions to that team. In the grand scheme of things, a high draft pick putting up nice numbers on a trash team means very little. I'll take the guy who's actually helping his team win.

[LarBrd33]

Found on Reddit.  Joel Embiid's points per 36 minutes is the highest in NBA history: 

Did the Sixers subreddit also tell you he has the highest usage rate in NBA history if he continues at this pace? Did they also tell you he would be averaging the most turnovers per game in NBA history if he continues at this pace?

He's shooting 58% from three.  Kid's a stah.  7'2 Larry Bird.  Book it.

Seriously tho... for players with at least 10 three point attempts, the top two shooters in the league are Joel Embiid (58%) and Andrew Wiggins (55%)... which goes back to the point I was trying to make.  The 2014 draft got a lot of flack for being "overrated" after seeing guys like Marcus Smart struggle through two seasons, but now we're getting a chance to see many of the players from that class start to live up to their potential as guys like Embiid and Parker reach full health.

In the grand scheme of things, a high draft pick putting up nice numbers on a trash team means very little. I'll take the guy who's actually helping his team win.

On that note, I realize I might not be giving Doug McDermott enough credit.   Solid 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds with 45%/43%/86% shooting last season for a decent Bulls team.   Showing his worth even more this season averaging 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist with 51%/36%/87% shooting in only 23mpg for a solid 6-4 Bulls team.  You're right in that I should give a guy like McDermott more credit for making big contributions to help his team win.  Another big underrated selection from the 2014 draft.