NBA 2016-2017 Season Thread

[RFX45]

What difference does it make who exited first?

People tend to talk and wonder when the league's "strongest" team can't even make it out of the first round. How can you actually play that down?

It's **** like this why no one here could ever take anything you say seriously.

It's funny because if it were the Lakers that exited first and he won the bet, we would never hear the end of it and all his argument will be backed up by that.

 

[Steve B.]



God! I certainly did not miss Steves idiotic comments. You keep blaming Laker fans for turning this into a Laker thread but you initiate it before anyone could even say anything about the team. Then you get mad when a Laker fan responds.
And to give yourself credit for having balls to bring up another team? WTF? The season hasn't even started, heck we don't even know if there will be a season (not everything has been agreed upon) and you just happen to be the first and not only that, but you actually mentioned the Lakers before your precious Spurs. Plus people were more than willing to talk about the Heat, Bulls, Grizzlies, Knicks, Magic, etc... last season. So I really have no idea why the hell you are raging already, especially on the Lakers before anyone could even say anything about it.

I asked if it was OK to start bagging on the Lakers in a playful way. Guess it's not.

How can you expect him to count to 16 when in his world 4 > 5.

I believe the article quoted LAST YEAR was these figures are from 1999 to present day. Or something like that. I'm not willing to dig back through 300 pages to find it. I believe it was posted by an impartial observer watching the feces flinging.

People tend to talk and wonder when the league's "strongest" team can't even make it out of the first round. How can you actually play that down?
It's **** like this why no one here could ever take anything you say seriously.

I think if you read back a page or so I said I was disappointed in the Spurs' performance, especially given that record. And I think they will be worse this year because they traded George Hill. They are making steps to get younger, but replacing any of the big 3 will be next to impossible.

It's funny because if it were the Lakers that exited first and he won the bet, we would never hear the end of it and all his argument will be backed up by that.

As is yours because the Spurs exited first.

So- what's the bet this year? CLEARLY. So I'm not expected to BUY a Kobe jersey AND have my picture taken in it?

 

[RFX45]

It's funny because if it were the Lakers that exited first and he won the bet, we would never hear the end of it and all his argument will be backed up by that.

As is yours because the Spurs exited first.

Well, yeah. It is a valid argument/point for the Lakers but you saying it doesn't matter because it goes against your Spurs is ridiculous. You don't consider it a valid point because it doesn't help your argument? Makes no sense at all.

How can you expect him to count to 16 when in his world 4 > 5.

I believe the article quoted LAST YEAR was these figures are from 1999 to present day. Or something like that. I'm not willing to dig back through 300 pages to find it. I believe it was posted by an impartial observer watching the feces flinging.

Man, no one mentioned that article at all in this recent discussion so no point in bringing that up now. But either way, 5 is still more than 4 so no matter how you look at it, the Lakers are better in that regard. Now, even as a Laker fan, I'll give you win %. Spurs have been more consistent but 5 will always be greater than 4 and the Laker even 3-peated. The Spurs couldn't even win back to back. Let me guess, you'll say it is easier to win a 3peat/back2back than winning them apart? Let me beat you to the punch and say no, they aren't easier and that is why your Spurs can't do it.

God! I certainly did not miss Steves idiotic comments. You keep blaming Laker fans for turning this into a Laker thread but you initiate it before anyone could even say anything about the team. Then you get mad when a Laker fan responds.
And to give yourself credit for having balls to bring up another team? WTF? The season hasn't even started, heck we don't even know if there will be a season (not everything has been agreed upon) and you just happen to be the first and not only that, but you actually mentioned the Lakers before your precious Spurs. Plus people were more than willing to talk about the Heat, Bulls, Grizzlies, Knicks, Magic, etc... last season. So I really have no idea why the hell you are raging already, especially on the Lakers before anyone could even say anything about it.

I asked if it was OK to start bagging on the Lakers in a playful way. Guess it's not.

In jest or not, you started the Laker talk so live with it. It was a jab to the fans and the team and don't even deny it because your hatred is oozing off of this thread. If you simply said "season is starting, yay!" or posted a link to the lockout being over, then none of these would even exist. Also, the initial response to your post was a joke too but you took major offense to it right away.

Originally Posted by whodini

Once we see painted nails pics, then you can start bagging.

As I've often stated, I am technologically challenged. And as I've also often stated, the picture does exist. PM your address and I'll mail it to you.

Lakers suck.

Kobe= Barnie Fine.

Mr. Kardashian's going to Turkey because he is one.

 

[Steve B.]

OK...fair enough.
Yes I know 3 peats and back to backs are harder,

West?
Trust me the Mavericks are more loathed here than the lakers. I've especially always thought Dirk was soft. But he proved me wrong last year.

East=Heat or Bulls. I wanted to see the Heat win because they were playing the Mavs, but Bron just couldn't hack it. I don't see anyone else...

 

[RFX45]

I'm not sure if the short season will beneficial for older teams. Yes they have less games but there have been talks of teams playing 3 nights in a row so I am not sure how that will go. Hopefully Kobe got all the rest he needs to pull off one more chip.

With that said, depending on who the Lakers acquire, I'd put my pick on them. Dallas is a good choice but they might not retain Chandler and w/o him, I don't think they can pull off what they did last year. If they get a better scoring center, then they lose that defensive strength in the paint so we'll see. I read that they're gunning for Nene or even David West. We shall see.

OKC will make a run and they will be gunning these teams down. Very young, very athletic and talented. I might even be bold enough to pick them #2 over Dallas. Spurs seems like they're going to start rebuilding, not sure what to expect from them. Same with Portland, injury plagued team that lost their 2 best talents. NO might lose West and CP3 will follow suit. Memphis isn't a sleeper anymore so I expect better things from them than last season.

For the East, it's just difficult to go against the Heat. The top stars are just too young and talented. I would say it would depend who else they get but Wade with a little help from Lebron and Bosh is enough to carry that team. The Bulls will give them the run in the East though. With Boozer and Noah actually being healthy (shorter season, less chance of injury?) then they can compete heavily. They'd be my very close second pick.

NY will be better, they still need better support though but CP3 might be knocking down their door soon. Boston will always be in the running, just need to stay healthy but this team is definitely getting older, not better. No clue who else will rise in the East.


As for my bold prediction for the year... The Clippers will make it to the playoffs!!!! Maybe even past the first round.

 

[foodguy]

i think shorter season is going to be tougher on the older teams because of shorter turnarounds and those back-to-back-to-backs. i also think this is going to be a tough year for the lakers with a new coach and a new system. to say nothing of last year's dismal ending. i expect to see a lot from kobe, but i'm not sure what pau and bynum will be bringing. best-case scenario is they get the kind of year they were hoping for out of barnes and blake, who were disappointing last year for various reasons. if the "character actors" can come through (including fish, shannon brown, ron-ron) could be interesting. odom will bring what he always does -- great in the long run but frustratingly erratic in the short run.
i'm actually liking okc a lot right now. i think dallas and sa both are showing their age a bit. i think denver's time in the sun has passed.
in the east, i like the bulls, but mainly because i hate the heat.

 

[RFX45]

The Lakers is officially Kobes team again, Mike Brown will do nothing just like when he ran the Cavs with Lebron. I still think they'll make a run for it. I heard rumors that they want to let Artest go and I have no clue who they want. I think they are looking for a new PG too, although for the future, they got their eye on Howard and CP3. It'll be very interesting to see if they can get both to make it a smooth transition from Kobes Lakers to the future w/o some downtime.

 

[Steve B.]



The Lakers is officially Kobes team again, Mike Brown will do nothing just like when he ran the Cavs with Lebron. I still think they'll make a run for it. I heard rumors that they want to let Artest go and I have no clue who they want. I think they are looking for a new PG too, although for the future, they got their eye on Howard and CP3. It'll be very interesting to see if they can get both to make it a smooth transition from Kobes Lakers to the future w/o some downtime.

I think CP3 and Superman would have to do a Heat like compromise to all come to LA.

I dont know about the Spurs either. Duncan looked like a deer in the headlights in the playoffs the last 2 years. Tony P. is inconsistent and I think it's wearing Ginobili down to carry the team.

I like Memphis, if for no other reason than they slaughtered the Spurs WITHOUT Rudy Gay.

See- I can be a good boy.

Maybe I'll wear my Lakers vintage T this year when they play the Mavericks and Celtics. Except I think I'm too fat to fit in it.

 

[HRoi]

I'll wait until things like amnesty cuts and free agent offseason signings get sorted before making my predictions. too much uncertainty going on right now, and some of these players who will supposedly be cuts (Arenas, Roy, Lewis, Baron, Okur, Boozer...?) are still talented enough to swing a borderline team's fortunes

part of me hopes CP3 forces his way to NY and makes the old Knicks Heat rivalry really mean something again. although I'm sure he'll get tired of being the littlest guy on the floor and the only one playing defense....

 

[Cordwinder]

Im reading Ainge is trying for Rondo/CP3 trade.

Anyone in Boston can beat some sense in Ainge for me please.

I don't understand this...

 

[RFX45]

Any movement of Rondo out of Boston w/o getting either Lebron or Wade in return is just plain crazy. I know CP3 is arguably the best pg in the league (maybe just behind Rose?) right now but Rondo just fits in well with the douchebags in Boston (minus Ray).

I think CP3 and Superman would have to do a Heat like compromise to all come to LA.

Rumor is they'll try and trade Pau and Bynum for both, depending on who the team wants who. The Lakers will probably have to sweeten the deal more but it is certainly what they want to do. They pulled off the Pau for Kwame so I wouldn't be surprised if Mitch can do this one too.

 

[Steve B.]



Any movement of Rondo out of Boston w/o getting either Lebron or Wade in return is just plain crazy. I know CP3 is arguably the best pg in the league (maybe just behind Rose?) right now but Rondo just fits in well with the douchebags in Boston (minus Ray).
Rumor is they'll try and trade Pau and Bynum for both, depending on who the team wants who. The Lakers will probably have to sweeten the deal more but it is certainly what they want to do. They pulled off the Pau for Kwame so I wouldn't be surprised if Mitch can do this one too.

Don't know if I'd want to give up Pau...

 

[RFX45]

I'll let go of a 31 yr old Pau and and injury prone 24 yr old Bynum for a pair of 26yr old superstars. From what I read, they are thinking of the future so the younger the better. Plus they'd still be able to play with Kobe for 2 more years if they pull off that trade.

 

[ConcernedParent]

^^

 

[foodguy]

the new CBA is going to have a huge impact on the lakers, i think. one of our columnists pointed out that last year they had something like a $91 million payroll, which meant $21 million in luxury tax. That same payroll next year would result in something like $60 million in taxes. the league is really working to prevent the concentration of megastars in big markets. whether it will work (and if it does, whether those minimarket teams will achieve anything like parity), remains to be seen.
as for the lakes, i'm afraid that all of this is creating a kind of perfect storm: transition from phil to brown plus transition from Buss senior to the lucky sperm club. it'll be interesting to see how they navigate the big decisions they're going to have to make in the next two years.