Okay. So, USA beat S Sudan. 4 of the 5 starters had a negative +/-. The only players to register negative +/- were from the starting group. Only Devin Booker had a plus next to his name. Why are we putting out a starting lineup with Curry as the defacto PG? Sure, both LeBron and Tatum can run the offense from the forward positions. But still, I want Curry on the floor with Holiday, White or Hali. I want Curry off ball, really OFF BALL. Sorry, I just said it. Just another chapter in this year's one man campaign to have Curry finish his career the same way he started it: as a Shooting Guard.
"C'mon, People!" Shout out, Rick Barry.
I believe Curry can still avg 30 pt p/gm, IF he can stop worrying about the opponent's PG on defense and he sheds 90% of his responsibility to make plays for his teammates. Less CP3 mentality and more Mello. Maybe he can take a page from Klay's book. Touch ball -> shoot ball. Of course, I am exaggerating a bit, just trying to make a point. Curry's greatest attributes are his shooting and his gravity. Do I ever want to see him throw a pass to Wiggins out of a double team with 5 seconds left on the shot clock ... ever again?? Nooooooo. I want him either shooting or dragging 3 opponents with him and creating easy looks for his teammates. And this ain't happening so long as everyone, including his own d**m coach, continue to believe that Curry is a point guard.
I'm not sure if I'm putting Denver in the same group as OKC and MIN as far as contention goes. We'll see but losing KCP and not really getting a replacement for him is huge. They lost even more depth despite adding Westbrook and Dario. Doubt those guy will contribute anything meaningful come playoff time
I hope you're not getting your hopes too much for that one. I think its more likely we stand pat now and wait to see if someone who is a good fit pops up at the deadline (unlikely)
There aren’t too many teams that ended up going very far with a trade at the deadline…plus the warriors have a total jog jam at the wing and they lack height. Yes BI isn’t 7ft tall, but he certainly helps that effort of getting bigger. MDJ even said as much.
So yes, I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but Mike should at least explore the option
Who is rwdy for pre—season and bored of roster construction? I know I am. I'm bracing for no major moves and setting my expectations to watching jk, moody, TJD, and podz grow
Really, really pathetic performance from the women. At least with the men it's a bunch of fringe G-Leaguers and they were arguably underdogs against Serbia anyway, but the women have actual talent. Rhyne Howard was literally the #1 pick in the 2022 draft, Dearica Hamby was literally an All-Star this season.
I don't know if this was posted here already in some other form, but apparently Luol Deng has been paying for the South Sudan team for 4 years. I'm really amazed/inspired by what he's accomplished with the generational wealth he earned in the NBA.
> "Luol Deng has been funding this thing for four years out of his own pocket. He pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets—everything. Kudos to Luol and the staff. We wouldn't have been able to put this team together without them," Ivey credited a former 15-year NBA veteran, Luol Deng, who inspired the growth of South Sudan basketball by organizing local talent camps and funding basketball program.
Just watched the highlights. I know steph looks average in a lot of high stakes games when teams sell out to stop home meanwhile others look great. Was it like that or was he just off
If Kerr & the coaches just played the best/most cohesive lineups: even if they win Gold in dominant fashion, it would just be the expected outcome on the podium. But for everyone that didn't start, didn't play much, or didn't play that expected to, there'd probably be plenty of lingering bad blood between the coaches (and their organization) and those players, their agents, their teams, and possibly even contract/legacy impacts due to lingering aspersions on how good they are.
If Kerr and the coaches play everyone with minutes apportioned largely by star power (like they did in the exhibitions): they get criticized as bad coaches for weird lineups and rotations, and for not maximizing the potential of the roster. And woe to them if they drop a game or don't get Gold!
I don't envy them this lose-lose situation, and I expect a lot more different rotations, starting/closing lineups, DNPs, etc. to try to end up somewhere in between.
I think the respect Kerr has as a coach and reputation as a player’s coach in particular makes him ideally suited to managing all the egos.
Here’s my guess at what he said in the first team meeting about it:
“Here’s the bad news: Not only are you a bunch superstars, each of you is the best player on your team…except for Book and Derrick. (Sorry guys, I had to say that because Kevin and Jason are standing right there and we know they’re fragile.) The point is, we’ve only got 200 minutes a game to dole out and you all are used to playing a combined 600 minutes a game. That means a lot of you aren’t gonna be happy with your minutes from one game to the next. The guys playing in their final Olympics might get a little more, but it’s mostly about matchups. I’m happy to sit down with any of you, but let’s all work together and put the prize in front of our egos.
Now for the good news: None of my PT decisions are gonna impact your next contract.”
Completely insane! They would only be left with NINE of the best players in the best league in the world. How could they possibly compete that way?????????
These last 60 days have been unbelievable locking in with @jonathan_kuminga | 3 workouts a day focusing on Ball handling, Shooting, PNR reads, Defensive concepts, ISO’s, & mastering the art of the mid-range |
The high quality of the photos makes me wonder what language is in the contract about PR / social media. Clearly hype is part of what you’re paying for.
Okay. So, USA beat S Sudan. 4 of the 5 starters had a negative +/-. The only players to register negative +/- were from the starting group. Only Devin Booker had a plus next to his name. Why are we putting out a starting lineup with Curry as the defacto PG? Sure, both LeBron and Tatum can run the offense from the forward positions. But still, I want Curry on the floor with Holiday, White or Hali. I want Curry off ball, really OFF BALL. Sorry, I just said it. Just another chapter in this year's one man campaign to have Curry finish his career the same way he started it: as a Shooting Guard.
"C'mon, People!" Shout out, Rick Barry.
I believe Curry can still avg 30 pt p/gm, IF he can stop worrying about the opponent's PG on defense and he sheds 90% of his responsibility to make plays for his teammates. Less CP3 mentality and more Mello. Maybe he can take a page from Klay's book. Touch ball -> shoot ball. Of course, I am exaggerating a bit, just trying to make a point. Curry's greatest attributes are his shooting and his gravity. Do I ever want to see him throw a pass to Wiggins out of a double team with 5 seconds left on the shot clock ... ever again?? Nooooooo. I want him either shooting or dragging 3 opponents with him and creating easy looks for his teammates. And this ain't happening so long as everyone, including his own d**m coach, continue to believe that Curry is a point guard.
"C'mon, People!" Love you, Rick.
:-) From Normandy with Love.
I haven't seen the SS game but with the Dubs, Steph does not necessarily defend the opposing PG. It depends on matchups and the flow of the game.
Kerr really having to deal with multiple angry fan bases instead of just one.😅😅
I'm not sure if I'm putting Denver in the same group as OKC and MIN as far as contention goes. We'll see but losing KCP and not really getting a replacement for him is huge. They lost even more depth despite adding Westbrook and Dario. Doubt those guy will contribute anything meaningful come playoff time
Murray also not looking as elite as he has.
I think OKC is in a league of their own tbh
They aren’t until they win a title.
Trade for Jokic NOW!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-athletic-nba-show/id1358187061
Even Anthony Slater seems to think LM is going to re-sign with Utah
It’s been ovah. Time to turn to BI
I hope you're not getting your hopes too much for that one. I think its more likely we stand pat now and wait to see if someone who is a good fit pops up at the deadline (unlikely)
There aren’t too many teams that ended up going very far with a trade at the deadline…plus the warriors have a total jog jam at the wing and they lack height. Yes BI isn’t 7ft tall, but he certainly helps that effort of getting bigger. MDJ even said as much.
So yes, I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but Mike should at least explore the option
BI was getting pushed around by Lou Dort in the playoffs, he isn’t going to help much with any size issues
Who is rwdy for pre—season and bored of roster construction? I know I am. I'm bracing for no major moves and setting my expectations to watching jk, moody, TJD, and podz grow
3X3 US teams are....not doing well.
Really, really pathetic performance from the women. At least with the men it's a bunch of fringe G-Leaguers and they were arguably underdogs against Serbia anyway, but the women have actual talent. Rhyne Howard was literally the #1 pick in the 2022 draft, Dearica Hamby was literally an All-Star this season.
I don't know if this was posted here already in some other form, but apparently Luol Deng has been paying for the South Sudan team for 4 years. I'm really amazed/inspired by what he's accomplished with the generational wealth he earned in the NBA.
https://basketnews.com/news-209732-how-a-heartbreaking-mistake-turned-into-historic-win-for-south-sudan-basketball.html
> "Luol Deng has been funding this thing for four years out of his own pocket. He pays for gyms, hotels, plane tickets—everything. Kudos to Luol and the staff. We wouldn't have been able to put this team together without them," Ivey credited a former 15-year NBA veteran, Luol Deng, who inspired the growth of South Sudan basketball by organizing local talent camps and funding basketball program.
Just watched the US-SS game. Sadly, Steph was the worst player and looked very much like a rookie. I feel bad for him. Hope he finds his mojo soon.
Just watched the highlights. I know steph looks average in a lot of high stakes games when teams sell out to stop home meanwhile others look great. Was it like that or was he just off
If Kerr & the coaches just played the best/most cohesive lineups: even if they win Gold in dominant fashion, it would just be the expected outcome on the podium. But for everyone that didn't start, didn't play much, or didn't play that expected to, there'd probably be plenty of lingering bad blood between the coaches (and their organization) and those players, their agents, their teams, and possibly even contract/legacy impacts due to lingering aspersions on how good they are.
If Kerr and the coaches play everyone with minutes apportioned largely by star power (like they did in the exhibitions): they get criticized as bad coaches for weird lineups and rotations, and for not maximizing the potential of the roster. And woe to them if they drop a game or don't get Gold!
I don't envy them this lose-lose situation, and I expect a lot more different rotations, starting/closing lineups, DNPs, etc. to try to end up somewhere in between.
I think the respect Kerr has as a coach and reputation as a player’s coach in particular makes him ideally suited to managing all the egos.
Here’s my guess at what he said in the first team meeting about it:
“Here’s the bad news: Not only are you a bunch superstars, each of you is the best player on your team…except for Book and Derrick. (Sorry guys, I had to say that because Kevin and Jason are standing right there and we know they’re fragile.) The point is, we’ve only got 200 minutes a game to dole out and you all are used to playing a combined 600 minutes a game. That means a lot of you aren’t gonna be happy with your minutes from one game to the next. The guys playing in their final Olympics might get a little more, but it’s mostly about matchups. I’m happy to sit down with any of you, but let’s all work together and put the prize in front of our egos.
Now for the good news: None of my PT decisions are gonna impact your next contract.”
*Jrue starts looking around at the rest of the players to figure out where he was traded to
Kerr: “Look how stacked the West is. I got enough on my plate without having to worry what’s going on in the other conference.
Saw Steph hit some nice shots... After the whistle blew. Is it a rhythm thing?
MIght be a good decision to rest Steph Curry and possibly Le Bron James in the next game....?
I like this idea. Would it be crazy to hold out all of Steph, LeBron and KD?
Move those guys over to 3x3 for the next game.
Completely insane! They would only be left with NINE of the best players in the best league in the world. How could they possibly compete that way?????????
KD didn't play in the preliminary games so may not need it as much. Maybe AD?
Would send the message to the rest of the roster that they are all valued equally.
South Sudan sharp shooting Omot is a poor man's Lauri Markkonen. Would not require getting fleeced by Ainge.
At 29, wouldn’t the NBA have “discovered” by now? I figure there’s a reason he plays in China.
Not at 6'9"
Also I remember Robbie Hummel playing for Purdue when I was in college so seeing him on NBC’s set is jarring
AD with the steal, flip to Curry who puts up a lob to Tatum for the swish!
Ok, weirdest highlight ever. Very 2K.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-GUNbBvCIG/?img_index=1
These last 60 days have been unbelievable locking in with @jonathan_kuminga | 3 workouts a day focusing on Ball handling, Shooting, PNR reads, Defensive concepts, ISO’s, & mastering the art of the mid-range |
Just Know x #itsjustmental
-----------------------------------------
From his trainer's IG page.
The high quality of the photos makes me wonder what language is in the contract about PR / social media. Clearly hype is part of what you’re paying for.
“Best shape of his life!”
Nice that he is putting in the work, now lets see it translate.
I WANT TO BELIEVE
Just once, I want to see an agent or trainer say:
"You know, this guy doesn't do anything in the offseason. Eats Cheetos and plays NBA2K all summer. He doesn't need a trainer, he needs Instacart."
If only everyone did this, then Zion would be the MVP of the league
I don't remember if there were offseason reports on Shaq, but they would have said that
Him and Allan Iverson.
How about “My guy is putting in the hours but he’s just not getting it. Just not a natural dribbler and can’t make reads fast enough’”
We worked on pull-up jumpers, but then we ran out of diapers, so ....
Team USA officially in the quarters