Looking ahead to the season, have we settled on a Baby Dubs line up name yet? I don't wanna go through the whole Lineup That Shall Not Be Named ballyhoo again 🙉
Watson ban just went up to 11 games and fined $5 million. Still not what it should be, but at least a move in the right direction. Equivalent in basketball would be like getting suspended until after the ASG.
Which game on the schedule that is played in the northeast corner of the US has the greatest chance of everybody playing if healthy? I have a pick but want to crowd source a second opinion.
Okay, I just spoke with my co-worker who is personal friends with Ron Adams. A few interesting points that might be of interest here:
-apparently he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Really great guy.
-he's definitely more of a philosopher type who reads poetry. Not the sort you would expect to be a basketball coach.
-It sounds like he's quasi-retired at this point and not nearly as involved with the day-to-day as he used to be
-he often doesn't travel with the team
Most importantly... if he travels with the team when they come to Ohio she's going to see if she can get him to have dinner with us before the game and get us tickets! Probably a long shot, but hope springs eternal.
If I do have the pleasure of meeting him I'll tell him all about all of you! That is, unless Asher forces the trade he's trying to orchestrate before then. I guess then I'd share it with whatever fan base I get traded to, but I'm not sure if they'd appreciate it like all of you would.
Timpf's eval of Steph. Wow. That was a fantastic overview. You can really tell that Timpf loves Steph.
Calls 2020-2021 the best regular season of Steph's career. Best shooter of all time. Best pull-up shooter of all-time (KD is best midrange, but weighted by 3's, Steph wins). Calls him the best offensive engine in the game right now (LBJ is best of the era, but he second now, and Luka, Jokic come 3rd/4th). Not playmaker - engine - much of the offensive value Steph generates is off-ball. Playmakers like KD/PG/KL impact 30-40% of possessions they're on the court. Engines impact almost all of the possessions. Calls this last postseason the defining run of Steph's career. Calls his Jan-Mar slump fluky, and not regression of any sort. Talks about Steph's fluidity transitioning from handle to shot (one of the best in the league at this). Mentions how Steph could be a high assist heliocentric guy, but he doesn't need to be.
Timpf reviews The NBA Finals, and the Bos strategies for defending Steph and the Dubs.
Compares Steph to Dame, and says the big difference is what Step does off-ball.
Timpf talks about how inverted the Dubs' system is: They need playmakers not 3-pt shooters. Steph creates space around the rim, so you need playmakers who can take advantage of that.
Talks about Steph's improvement on defense in 2014-2015, and how he went from a bad defensive player to an above avg defensive player.
Calls Steph the best leader in the game as well as a total psychopath.
Two big flaws: (1) loose with handles. (2) not capable of leaving a physical imprint on either end of the floor - compared vs. LBJ, Giannis, KD, etc. Can never be better defensively than he is right now, can't impact and dramatically change a game defensively the way Giannis or LBJ can.
Says that if Steph wins 2 more titles, could be in GOAT convo as a dynasty foundation.
Biggest fear is that the young guys don't develop and Klay/Dray's bodies break down, thereby costing Steph his chance at winning more titles.
Calls GS model really important for the future of the league.
NBA also touting overall travel reduction, including this tidbit:
“The instances with no travel between games for teams on the road have increased by 66% from last season (88 from 53). The 88 no-travel instances include 55 instances of teams playing consecutive road games against the same opponent and 33 instances of teams playing two games in a row in Los Angeles (against the Clippers and Lakers) or New York (against the Knicks and Nets).” (From NBA.com).
Seems like they could have added Chicago/Milwaukee, SF/Sacramento, maybe even Phil/either NY a team. All of these are pretty easy drives so hotel transfer not required.
The most noteworthy thing is that we are enough past COVID that playing a full sports schedule isn't even remarkable. It's only been a couple of years since we were hiding in our living rooms.
And, that is not to say COVID is over (I read recently that deaths are still running at 2 to 3 times that of the flu). But, relative normality is a thing to celebrate.
Reading through some commentary on other teams' schedules, it seems like one of the goals the NBA had to make schedules less grueling was to have fewer stretches of 5 games in 7 nights. The Warriors have zero of these this coming season (based on my cursory study of their schedule, I'm sure one of you will tell me if I missed one). Unless the season was made longer, they have to do something to fit in 82 games. More back to backs means they can stretch breaks between them I guess. Interesting dilemma.
So, choose:
- fewer games (no way, they'd give up TV revenue!)
- longer season (no way, they need a break! The off-season is really short as is!)
- fewer 5 in sevens (yes please, those are brutal)
- fewer back to backs (sorry, can't have everything).
Great article in the Athletic with the NBA guy that is responsible for the schedule. Very detailed. No huge surprises, but good stuff.
https://theathletic.com/3518700/2022/08/18/nba-2022-23-schedule-explained
Looking ahead to the season, have we settled on a Baby Dubs line up name yet? I don't wanna go through the whole Lineup That Shall Not Be Named ballyhoo again 🙉
I, too, want to be in the NBA long enough to play with my son. Is that so much to ask?
OT: Randy Rainbow’s 🌈 latest is great as always…
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSZRkeQfnk
OT: (and off sport)
Watson ban just went up to 11 games and fined $5 million. Still not what it should be, but at least a move in the right direction. Equivalent in basketball would be like getting suspended until after the ASG.
Which game on the schedule that is played in the northeast corner of the US has the greatest chance of everybody playing if healthy? I have a pick but want to crowd source a second opinion.
Okay, I just spoke with my co-worker who is personal friends with Ron Adams. A few interesting points that might be of interest here:
-apparently he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Really great guy.
-he's definitely more of a philosopher type who reads poetry. Not the sort you would expect to be a basketball coach.
-It sounds like he's quasi-retired at this point and not nearly as involved with the day-to-day as he used to be
-he often doesn't travel with the team
Most importantly... if he travels with the team when they come to Ohio she's going to see if she can get him to have dinner with us before the game and get us tickets! Probably a long shot, but hope springs eternal.
If I do have the pleasure of meeting him I'll tell him all about all of you! That is, unless Asher forces the trade he's trying to orchestrate before then. I guess then I'd share it with whatever fan base I get traded to, but I'm not sure if they'd appreciate it like all of you would.
Hmm... Thinking about going to Warriors at Cavs, but it's a SEGABABA and the last game of a five game road trip. Might just be the baby dubs playing.
Just finished Timpf's KD breakdown (looking forward to Steph's next!)
At the end he says if KD had put in work on the defensive end from the start he would have been a top 2-3 DPOY and arguably the GOAT.
If KD loved the game so much (as is touted around) then why didn't he?
Also, do you think Steph's offense might dip the more he puts work in on the defensive end?
Timpf's eval of Steph. Wow. That was a fantastic overview. You can really tell that Timpf loves Steph.
Calls 2020-2021 the best regular season of Steph's career. Best shooter of all time. Best pull-up shooter of all-time (KD is best midrange, but weighted by 3's, Steph wins). Calls him the best offensive engine in the game right now (LBJ is best of the era, but he second now, and Luka, Jokic come 3rd/4th). Not playmaker - engine - much of the offensive value Steph generates is off-ball. Playmakers like KD/PG/KL impact 30-40% of possessions they're on the court. Engines impact almost all of the possessions. Calls this last postseason the defining run of Steph's career. Calls his Jan-Mar slump fluky, and not regression of any sort. Talks about Steph's fluidity transitioning from handle to shot (one of the best in the league at this). Mentions how Steph could be a high assist heliocentric guy, but he doesn't need to be.
Timpf reviews The NBA Finals, and the Bos strategies for defending Steph and the Dubs.
Compares Steph to Dame, and says the big difference is what Step does off-ball.
Timpf talks about how inverted the Dubs' system is: They need playmakers not 3-pt shooters. Steph creates space around the rim, so you need playmakers who can take advantage of that.
Talks about Steph's improvement on defense in 2014-2015, and how he went from a bad defensive player to an above avg defensive player.
Calls Steph the best leader in the game as well as a total psychopath.
Two big flaws: (1) loose with handles. (2) not capable of leaving a physical imprint on either end of the floor - compared vs. LBJ, Giannis, KD, etc. Can never be better defensively than he is right now, can't impact and dramatically change a game defensively the way Giannis or LBJ can.
Says that if Steph wins 2 more titles, could be in GOAT convo as a dynasty foundation.
Biggest fear is that the young guys don't develop and Klay/Dray's bodies break down, thereby costing Steph his chance at winning more titles.
Calls GS model really important for the future of the league.
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0LEAKJYLQ
PS> Dray, Klay, JP are all in his next tier of top players immediately after his top29 in this list.
I can't wait to see JTA get his ring. 19 stitches in his head diving for a ball out of bounds. Well earned.
Jason Timpf's #2 player in The NBA: Steph Curry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0LEAKJYLQ
Watching a movie, so I'll post a summary later if no one else has.
ESPN has already updated their schedule: https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule.
Usually they let you select between e.g. preseason/season and also see previous years, but I'm not seeing that available rn.
NBA also touting overall travel reduction, including this tidbit:
“The instances with no travel between games for teams on the road have increased by 66% from last season (88 from 53). The 88 no-travel instances include 55 instances of teams playing consecutive road games against the same opponent and 33 instances of teams playing two games in a row in Los Angeles (against the Clippers and Lakers) or New York (against the Knicks and Nets).” (From NBA.com).
Seems like they could have added Chicago/Milwaukee, SF/Sacramento, maybe even Phil/either NY a team. All of these are pretty easy drives so hotel transfer not required.
As usual, the NBA blows the lede.
The most noteworthy thing is that we are enough past COVID that playing a full sports schedule isn't even remarkable. It's only been a couple of years since we were hiding in our living rooms.
And, that is not to say COVID is over (I read recently that deaths are still running at 2 to 3 times that of the flu). But, relative normality is a thing to celebrate.
Reading through some commentary on other teams' schedules, it seems like one of the goals the NBA had to make schedules less grueling was to have fewer stretches of 5 games in 7 nights. The Warriors have zero of these this coming season (based on my cursory study of their schedule, I'm sure one of you will tell me if I missed one). Unless the season was made longer, they have to do something to fit in 82 games. More back to backs means they can stretch breaks between them I guess. Interesting dilemma.
So, choose:
- fewer games (no way, they'd give up TV revenue!)
- longer season (no way, they need a break! The off-season is really short as is!)
- fewer 5 in sevens (yes please, those are brutal)
- fewer back to backs (sorry, can't have everything).