NBA Season 2016-2017

[Neurotic Guy]

Indiana got torched by Denver. With Toronto unable to get an above average PF, it looks like Cleveland won't lose more than 3 games en route to the Finals.

Cleveland does have some issues with depth and have been losing a bit recently. They only have 3 less loses than the raptors at this point and definitely are missing the depth of Jr Smith and Delly at the moment. If they don't upgrade the backup point (which I assume they will since Lebron asked) they would lose more than 3 games en route to the finals.

Also despite an 8 page thread where people talked about the Korver trade and the impact he is averaging 2 points a game in 20 minutes for them. I am sure he will have his moments as the season progresses but he is 35 and pretty washed up. He is not the savior the ESPN frontpage article and reaction of NBA players made him out to be.

You may be right about Korver, but I think it's likely that the expectation for Korver is a guy who will impact one game per series in the playoffs; more is gravy, less a disappointment.  I'd be surprised if he disappoints given this criterion.

[LarBrd33]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for. 

[tazzmaniac]

Davis is out tonight so might be looking at a Nets W. 

[celticsclay]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

[jpotter33]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

Of course he is, because it doesn't fit his entire narrative this whole time. I literally just posted all of that stuff from Kyler, and he just ignored it and reaffirmed his original position lol Classic LarBrd33! Even some of the more objective LibertyBallers posters were chastising other posters about selectively ignoring reports of Noel not wanting to stay in Philly or be a backup for them.

[mr. dee]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

Being a backup on a lottery team is one thing. Being a backup on a contender is another. Noel might change his mind if he's playing on a winning team. And C's could use more of his rebounding and rim protection more than any team. We could also convince him for a hometown discount since he's a Massachusetts native.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

This guy serious?



You won 50 games over the past three seasons and had 3 shots at a good NBA center, you finally stumbled across a really good one, and you're suddenly under the impression that there was never a culture of losing?

It was well worth that 3 years of being a laughing stock. You're so close to that elusive championship now. Its just around the corner.

And you're closer? 

You've been blasted out of the first round two years in a row, you're a year away from tossing max money to a 5'9 guard who relies on his athleticism to score, your 2nd best player is making 30 million dollars in a bid for him to peak at his previous career apex which was a non-competitive ECF with LeBron, and you basically are playing the same "dear god please let us win the lottery this year" game we played for the last 3 with the illusion of "contending" in the mean time.

What exactly is a culture of losing? The team lost because the few good players they had good were hurt, they had an empty cupboard thanks to the Bynum trade and they didn't shoot their wad on the Aaron Afflalo and Marco Belinelli's of the world to pretend like this was going to be anything other than a long process.

Losing culture is nonsense idiots made up so they could thump their chests over a pair of sub 50 win seasons in which the Celtics got run off the court in the first round despite playing in the weaker NBA conference. Huzzah!

Guess what? I played that game for half a decade with Iverson following the Finals run, it doesn't mean anything.

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

I mean, congrats and all, but the team with the best record you've beaten in that time is the now 17-23 Knicks who are on a 10-game losing streak.  But yeah, being 5th-worst instead of absolute worst is progress of some sort.

This is still pretty clearly a bottom 5 team, probably bottom 3.

But... Where exactly do you think the Celtics would be right now if their starting PG and PF had played in a combined 71 minutes this year?

You think a:

Smart-Rozier
Bradley
Brown
Crowder
Johnson

Lineup is not bottom 10? Or maybe Brown sits for a 3 guard lineup, because those have worked great this year...

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

LOL! You want proof that there's a losing culture in Philly - you're over here bragging about a .306 winning percentage with a record of 11-25. lol The proof is in the pudding.

This coming from a fanbase that has been thumping it's chest about 1st round playoff exits and Kevin Durant not signing here but saying nice things after he shot down their offer?

Ok then.

[tazzmaniac]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

Of course he is, because it doesn't fit his entire narrative this whole time. I literally just posted all of that stuff from Kyler, and he just ignored it and reaffirmed his original position lol Classic LarBrd33! Even some of the more objective LibertyBallers posters were chastising other posters about selectively ignoring reports of Noel not wanting to stay in Philly or be a backup for them.

We don't know how badly Noel's value has actually been hurt.  He's also a RFA which tends to limit offers.  I was surprised the Bucks were able to sign Middleton so cheap.  The Sixers just have to offer the minimum qualifying offer and then see what offers Noel gets.  What if Noel's  best offer is 4yr/40M and the Sixers are willing to offer 4yr/60M? 

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

Of course he is, because it doesn't fit his entire narrative this whole time. I literally just posted all of that stuff from Kyler, and he just ignored it and reaffirmed his original position lol Classic LarBrd33! Even some of the more objective LibertyBallers posters were chastising other posters about selectively ignoring reports of Noel not wanting to stay in Philly or be a backup for them.

We don't know how badly Noel's value has actually been hurt.  He's also a RFA which tends to limit offers.  I was surprised the Bucks were able to sign Middleton so cheap.  The Sixers just have to offer the minimum qualifying offer and then see what offers Noel gets.  What if Noel's  best offer is 4yr/40M and the Sixers are willing to offer 4yr/60M?

I tend to think he absolutely hates Bryan Colangelo...

So I kinda think they might have to move him unfortunately. I fear that those sentiments aren't limited to Noel either, Embiid openly referred to Hinkie as the GOAT and tweeted at him for all star votes the other day. That's not very normal for a former GM.

[Ilikesports17]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

I mean, congrats and all, but the team with the best record you've beaten in that time is the now 17-23 Knicks who are on a 10-game losing streak.  But yeah, being 5th-worst instead of absolute worst is progress of some sort.

This is still pretty clearly a bottom 5 team, probably bottom 3.

But... Where exactly do you think the Celtics would be right now if their starting PG and PF had played in a combined 71 minutes this year?

You think a:

Smart-Rozier
Bradley
Brown
Crowder
Johnson

Lineup is not bottom 10? Or maybe Brown sits for a 3 guard lineup, because those have worked great this year...

are you comparing Jeryd Balyss and a rookie Ben Simmons to Isaiah Thomas and Al Horford?

Is that really the point you are making?

On losing culture, Ive always felt it was bull**** in "learning how to win". I do believe it hinders player development. I think that both Okafor and Noel have seen their developments stunted by Phillys lack of competitive basketball. First, Philly often gets half-efforts from other teams. Second, the open tanking policy of the Sixers led to guys sitting out a ton of basketball and overall creating what I felt like was a negative atmosphere for player development.

I truly believe that, even on other bottom-feeders(except the Kings) both Noel and Okafor would have developed better even if they were on the same team.

However, this is just a casualty of the process. Any team would trade some prospect development to get Embiid and Simmons.

My conclusion: Losing culture exists and hurts teams, but can be wiped away in a second and doesnt hurt you in any lens outside of player development.

Article on playoff experience which is kinda similar to "winning culture"
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/01/04/does-playoff-experience-matter-belichick-says-no/

[jpotter33]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

LOL! You want proof that there's a losing culture in Philly - you're over here bragging about a .306 winning percentage with a record of 11-25. lol The proof is in the pudding.

This coming from a fanbase that has been thumping it's chest about 1st round playoff exits and Kevin Durant not signing here but saying nice things after he shot down their offer?

Ok then.

More like this coming from a fanbase that has 17 championships to a measly 3 championships; been in the playoffs the last two years; won more games last year than you did in the previous three years; and is currently beating you in the tankathon race, all while being the third best team in the East compared to the third worst team in the NBA. 

It's going to be hilarious when the Sixers' actual taste of not completely sucking this year makes them fall back to fifth in the draft and you're yet again unable to add a competent guard to that mismatched roster of yours. Have fun with TJ freaking McConnell hitting game winners for you guys to put you even futher out of reach of having any actual NBA guards! 

[LarBrd33]

I hope Ainge is calling the Sixers for Noel.

For reals. He'd help us so, so much, and we certainly need it with how terrible we've been defensively and on the boards.

I think we can really challenge Toronto in the playoffs with a Noel upgrade.

I'm sure teams including Boston have asked about Noel, but until someone makes a worthwhile offer, there's no incentive for Philly to trade him.

The incentive is that his value becomes less and less as time goes on. 

His value has actually gotten higher and higher daily since he returned.  Philly is playing their best basketball in a long time with him back in the fold and he's putting up pretty outstanding numbers.  Also, he's showing signs of a mid-range shot which is kind of shocking if it's legitimate.

He's putting up per-36 stats of 19.1 points (way up) 8.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.6 blocks with 60% shooting (way up) and 67% from the line (way up).   

Small sample size, but if that continues and Philly keeps looking decent, his trade value will continue to increase heading into the trade deadline.

Philly might as well just keep him if nobody gives them a decent offer.  He could be the best backup big in the league next season if that's the role they want him for.

Are we just ignoring the report that he doesn't want to be a backup and wants to get a max contract today? Also nobody's value fluctuates daily. That is a bit absurd. I am pretty sure you are referencing about 9 mid range jump shots so far this season. I think there is a chance he could improve his shooting range cause many players have done this successfully. However, nobody is wildly adjusting their reports on him off of 9 shots.

Of course he is, because it doesn't fit his entire narrative this whole time. I literally just posted all of that stuff from Kyler, and he just ignored it and reaffirmed his original position lol Classic LarBrd33! Even some of the more objective LibertyBallers posters were chastising other posters about selectively ignoring reports of Noel not wanting to stay in Philly or be a backup for them.

I don't know who this Kyler guy is, but I checked his twitter and the only recent Philly post I see is him declaring Ben Simmons and Nerlens Noel "the stars" of Philly and suggesting everyone else needs to be traded. 



Sounds like if Philly listened to Kyler, Joel Embiid would be on his way out the door and Noel would be the franchise center. 

*shrug*

What's clear is that Noel's trade value is has at least doubled in the past month and Philly is gelling.  Your very own Kyler considers him a star.  If he ends up in the backup 25-30 minute per night role (similar to Marcus Smart here), maybe it works out for them long-term.   With Embiid as a budding future superstar, Noel would probably be the best backup center in the league.  They'd have 48 minutes per night of elite big man defense. 

[tazzmaniac]

Embiid and the 76ers have won 4 of their last 5 (barely lost to us).  Great for the Nets pick.   Simmons might be back within the next couple months.  They have been playing great since Noel returned.

Not possible. We have a losing culture.

The fact that we suddenly had a massive influx of talent including a 7'2 pterodactyl who can shoot 3s is irrelevant, the fact that once the talent assembled got healthy they improved dramatically is irrelevant. Nope the Sixers are winless regardless of wins this year because of culture.

What is a losing culture? ROFL if you don't know then you obviously have one, it's not something idiots make up because they can't logically refute losing games to acquire a Center who had an off night and went for 21 and 14.

LOL! You want proof that there's a losing culture in Philly - you're over here bragging about a .306 winning percentage with a record of 11-25. lol The proof is in the pudding.

This coming from a fanbase that has been thumping it's chest about 1st round playoff exits and Kevin Durant not signing here but saying nice things after he shot down their offer?

Ok then.

More like this coming from a fanbase that has 17 championships to a measly 3 championships; been in the playoffs the last two years; won more games last year than you did in the previous three years; and is currently beating you in the tankathon race, all while being the third best team in the East compared to the third worst team in the NBA. 

It's going to be hilarious when the Sixers' actual taste of not completely sucking this year makes them fall back to fifth in the draft and you're yet again unable to add a competent guard to that mismatched roster of yours. Have fun with TJ freaking McConnell hitting game winners for you guys to put you even futher out of reach of having any actual NBA guards! 

Have you not been paying attention?  This draft is projected to be very good and deep especially at PG and SF.  With their pick and the Lakers pick, the Sixers will get two good prospects at positions they need.  Add those 2 prospects to Embiid and Simmons and they'll have a very good young core.  They also have some good young support players/prospects:  Covington, Saric, Luwawu, Kormaz (stashed).  Haven't even mentioned Noel or Okafor.