Lin otoh is fun to watch. There's something pretty graceful about his game, I think he actually looks better on the court than he really is, whereas Dragic, an unquestionably better pg, looks kind of gangly and awkward.
― signed, J.P. Morgan CEO (Hurting 2), Saturday, December 21, 2013 8:21 PM (50 minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i disagree with every word of this post
― k3vin k., Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:13 (ten years ago) link
I agree except I think Lin looks clumsy and weird too and is likely much better than he looks (but fun to watch nonetheless)
― Nhex, Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:19 (ten years ago) link
lin is super herky-jerky to me and dragic is smooth, almost a poor man's manu. also i think lin is better
― k3vin k., Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:25 (ten years ago) link
Yah dragic is super fun to watch. All kinda weird awesome turnaround pivot up and unders and such.
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:29 (ten years ago) link
lin has a pretty wide variance between "completely take over a game" performances and "make 10 mistakes in a row and get pulled" performances. still wish mchale let him go a little more.
― ryan, Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:32 (ten years ago) link
dragic is fun to watch, I just don't think his moves are exactly pretty
― signed, J.P. Morgan CEO (Hurting 2), Sunday, 22 December 2013 02:59 (ten years ago) link
thunder have a great chance to win it all right now
― moullet, Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:18 (ten years ago) link
boris!!
― k3vin k., Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:24 (ten years ago) link
BOOOOOOOOOOORIS
― moullet, Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:25 (ten years ago) link
what he do?
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:28 (ten years ago) link
I still want to like harden and when he is on he is devastating
If he could figure out how to give 45% of the effort on defense he gives to offense he would probably be a top ten player overall
Obv staying in the Manu role in OKC would have made them unstoppable
― z-time champion (agent hibachi), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:33 (ten years ago) link
marvelous catch w a glorious spin xpost
― moullet, Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:34 (ten years ago) link
I'd also still give him another half season to finish adjusting to being the first option esp w Dwight there I think he can still clean up the bad threes and what not but if he doesn't he probably ends up just being a briefly more exciting Stephen Marbury or Gilbert or whatever yikes
― z-time champion (agent hibachi), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:34 (ten years ago) link
jogged a little, too
― moullet, Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:37 (ten years ago) link
ha
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:37 (ten years ago) link
http://m.sporcle.com/games/jfey5/0009NBAMVP
got 138 but having the team names felt like cheating
― k3vin k., Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:38 (ten years ago) link
Ibaka shooting corner threes is kind of a nice wrinkle
― z-time champion (agent hibachi), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:42 (ten years ago) link
yeah i was just gonna say, makes 100% sense for him to be shooting that shot. probably shoots it in the high 40s
― k3vin k., Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:46 (ten years ago) link
Totally unfair but when I appraise Lin all I can think of is that first Miami game where Wade and Bron went all Jordan/Pippen-on-Kukoc on him.
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 03:48 (ten years ago) link
Keep fighting ithttp://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/21/lebron-says-heat-shooters-already-upset-about-christmas-day-jerseys/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 04:57 (ten years ago) link
srsly though, they may interfere with shooting, but at least they look stupid
― signed, J.P. Morgan CEO (Hurting 2), Sunday, 22 December 2013 05:24 (ten years ago) link
but hey you can put an Exxon logo right on the sleeve, net gain
― #SwaggyRambo (Clay), Sunday, 22 December 2013 05:24 (ten years ago) link
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Saturday, December 21, 2013 10:48 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
He is definitely a player that can be shut down if a team focuses on it, but I feel like he's not worth that kind of effort in most games. I remember that game and I almost felt like they just wanted to give him a little reality check or "welcome to the NBA" kind of hazing.
― signed, J.P. Morgan CEO (Hurting 2), Sunday, 22 December 2013 05:28 (ten years ago) link
The last time the Blazers had fewer than 10 losses through 28 games was in 1999-2000, when they started 21-7 en route to a monumental fourth-quarter meltdown in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers
Let's hope history repeats itself!
― #SwaggyRambo (Clay), Sunday, 22 December 2013 06:42 (ten years ago) link
I was nearing the end of my first year of college that year btw, and after the lakers won that game my roommate took his tv outside and smashed it to hell with a baseball bat and threw it in a dumpster all while yelling "fuck shaq" over and over again. We were the "art" dorm so nobody really cared.
― #SwaggyRambo (Clay), Sunday, 22 December 2013 06:46 (ten years ago) link
Oh no, totally that's what happened. It was basically Wade/Bron deciding to up and play playoff-level defense for a relatively meaningless game and Lin was obviously unprepared for it. I'm sure 95% of the league would've looked just as helpless as Lin that night. It just sticks out in my head.
Not really sure anyone would defend Lin's contract from a strict stats-based estimation. Still, I find he's still an exciting player to watch-- he's a great driving the ball. It probably comes off as herky jerky because iirc he has a tendency to pick up his dribble in the paint, a bad habit that probably robs him of a few extra points a game and definitely contributes to his TO rate. He's kinda redundant for the Rockets, so I think his skills orobably get devalued more than they should. I think he has the highest TS% of any point guard in the league this season!
Xp lol. Hope you guys weren't shamed for watching bball.
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 07:01 (ten years ago) link
Mike Trudell@LakersReporterD'Antoni on Nick Young: "He rubs off on me. He makes me happy. He starts ... swagging ... or something ... and it gets me going."
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 09:00 (ten years ago) link
Even if (houston) is a bit wonky now, I wouldn't be surprised to see them end up in the finals soon if they ever sir themselves out.― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Saturday, December 21, 2013
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Saturday, December 21, 2013
based on a recent small sampling, the rockets -- pacers finals won't be all that compelling.
― Daniel, Esq 2, Sunday, 22 December 2013 09:57 (ten years ago) link
― #SwaggyRambo (Clay), Sunday, December 22, 2013 1:46 AM (6 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
I nominate clays roommate for the ilh hall of fame and expect no objections
― z-time champion (agent hibachi), Sunday, 22 December 2013 13:11 (ten years ago) link
Lmao sounds like a scene out of PCU
― 乒乓, Sunday, 22 December 2013 13:27 (ten years ago) link
Clay filmed it and submitted it as his final project for ART242: Movement and Physicality of the Human Form
― 乒乓, Sunday, 22 December 2013 13:28 (ten years ago) link
lmao. perfection
― moullet, Sunday, 22 December 2013 14:19 (ten years ago) link
hahaha yes
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 22 December 2013 14:27 (ten years ago) link
Lmao
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 14:27 (ten years ago) link
ahhh yes roommate otm, i was rooting so hard for the blazers too and not just cause i h8 the lakers that team was sweet
― lag∞n, Sunday, 22 December 2013 15:43 (ten years ago) link
― k3vin k., Saturday, December 21, 2013 10:38 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
the two i missed in 2005 are completely bizarre
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 22 December 2013 15:48 (ten years ago) link
Missed Brandon Roy
How quickly we forget
― 乒乓, Sunday, 22 December 2013 16:01 (ten years ago) link
― call all destroyer, Sunday, December 22, 2013 10:48 AM (12 minutes ago) Bookmark
Camby and PJ? Me too
yeah--camby only started 66 games that year (on top of them both having completely unremarkable stats)
― call all destroyer, Sunday, 22 December 2013 16:04 (ten years ago) link
i got 134
― le goon (J0rdan S.), Sunday, 22 December 2013 16:29 (ten years ago) link
the lesson of that quiz for me was that i totally forgot carlos boozer played for utah
booz was so good for a while
― lag∞n, Sunday, 22 December 2013 16:36 (ten years ago) link
Yeah he was good in Utah. So was dwill.
― Al He Miola (Spottie), Sunday, 22 December 2013 17:38 (ten years ago) link
Feel like every PF did well in Sloane's pick and roll setup tho
― 乒乓, Sunday, 22 December 2013 17:46 (ten years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BcG8rakCQAA0r6M.jpg
reggie jackson is looking p dece
― lag∞n, Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:12 (ten years ago) link
Is Mr. OKCtober too good?Reggie Jackson has exploded, but will the Thunder be able to keep him?Updated: December 19, 2013, 10:28 PM ETBy Tom Haberstroh | ESPN Insider
In case you haven't noticed, the Thunder are juggernauts again. They're 20-4, which is the best record in the NBA. And they've achieved that lofty record despite the sixth-toughest strength of schedule in the league thus far. With 10 victories over winning teams -- no other team has more than eight -- they've earned the top spot on the Hollinger Power Rankings with a comfortable cushion over the rest of the league.
Kevin Durant is playing like an MVP once again, pushing his ceiling to seemingly impossible heights. Russell Westbrook is back, registering a Westbrook-like 23.2 PER in December. Only one other player can match Serge Ibaka's 14.6 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game this season, and he was drafted No. 1 overall a year ago -- Anthony Davis.
We knew the OKC trio was good. We just didn't know teammate Reggie Jackson would be this good, this quickly. This season, he is averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds per game. Not impressed? Well, those numbers are deflated because he's playing as a reserve. He is averaging 17.6 points, 5.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per 36 minutes while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor. As I pointed out in last week's episode of The Big Number, the list of players who can match those totals is a short one: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Manu Ginobili.
Yeah, Jackson's good. But OKC fans might be dreading that he's too good. Here's why: One of the ironclad rules during general manager Sam Presti's tenure in OKC is he does not let his young studs get to free agency. Sign them to an extension before their rookie deal expires or flip them to another team for more assets. Jackson is eligible for an extension in July.
The small-market organization can't afford to let the open market set the prices. Faced with the possibility that his young player could walk away for nothing, Presti has made his policy clear: extend early or trade before it's too late.
Presti is serious about this rule. Just ask James Harden, who was traded four days before the final season of his rookie contract began. Look at Jeff Green, who was starting for the division-leading Thunder before he was dealt midseason in 2010-11.
Is Jackson next?
This is where OKC fans hope the alternate ending hits. Jackson has one more season left on his contract after this one, so the Thunder have some time to figure out his future. But he is boosting his price tag seemingly every game. At 23, Jackson is earning just $1.3 million this season and is due $2.2 million next season before his contract is up. The Thunder already have about $50 million dedicated to their star trio -- Durant, Westbrook and Ibaka -- in 2015-16, which is when Jackson's possible extension would kick in.
Here's the good news: The Kendrick Perkins albatross will expire that summer. Assuming Presti does not have a fetish for turnovers and pouting, Perkins won't be re-signed at big money, which would lift nearly $10 million off the books. The Thunder could fit Jackson into that space, assuming that he doesn't attract max offers from other teams in the same way that Harden did.
But Jackson is not as productive as Harden was at this age and likely wouldn't garner an eight-figure salary in 2015-16. That math changes if Jackson develops a 3-point shot. He already is an elite penetrator and finisher at the level of Harden, but the Boston College product has lacked a complementary jumper.
However, that might be a thing of the past. In 24 games this season, Jackson already has made more midrange jumpers than he did in 70 games last season. Jackson converted 35.4 of his shots in that area last season and is now up to 47.2 percent. His 3-point shot efficiency also has risen from an awful 23.1 percent last season to 29.3 percent. If Jackson continues to develop his perimeter game, the Sixth Man of the Year Award will be his. And then some.
Jackson is getting better and already views himself as a starter in the league. When recently asked by The Oklahoman about whether he saw himself as a starter in the NBA, Jackson gave an ominous (to OKC fans) response.
"Why not?" Jackson said. "To be the best, I think you eventually have to get to a starting role and you have to do it consistently. Thirty-plus minutes night in and night out and get championships. So that's the thing that motivates me each and every day and what I strive for."
Jackson doesn't have a starting gig. And he's not averaging 30 minutes night in and night out. The Thunder hope that Jackson doesn't follow in Harden's footsteps, looking for a starting opportunity and a star's salary, because he probably won't find it in OKC.
The Thunder have been notoriously stubborn about their starting lineup even though it's getting clobbered by a margin of 10.1 points every 100 possessions this season, according to NBA.com. Jackson has played with the starting personnel in place of Thabo Sefolosha for just 20 of his 590 minutes this season. The Thunder have outscored opponents by seven in those 20 minutes, if you were wondering. Even better: Jackson in place of Perkins, where the score is 91-59 OKC in 40 minutes of action.
Jackson deserves more playing time, but he is playing behind a top-10 player in Westbrook. Perhaps Jackson could supplant Westbrook one day and allow the Thunder to find similar production at a discount price. But breaking up one of the top duos in the game doesn't seem prudent for a small-market team that has them locked up through 2016-17.
Ultimately, this is a good problem to have. OKC has produced yet another Sixth Man of the Year candidate out of nowhere to complement its stud trio.
Rest assured, the majority of NBA front offices would gladly trade their problems for OKC's "dilemma" of having too much young talent. Two summers ago, OKC fans wondered if Jackson could step in and be the next Harden. They'd better hope the impression goes only so far.
― lag∞n, Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:17 (ten years ago) link
if scotty brooks doesnt stop playing perk and fisher i might murder him
― lag∞n, Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:18 (ten years ago) link
Looking forward to the 60 Minutes exposé on Perk blackmailing Brooks to stay in the league.
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:37 (ten years ago) link
Also, is this old interview between Minny-era Garnett and John Thompson common knowledge for people? Somehow had never seen it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef-f7EeDpYI
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:42 (ten years ago) link
(ftr, the clip is just Garnett breaking into tears of frustration because he's playing for a losing team)
― Call me Shitmael (CompuPost), Sunday, 22 December 2013 18:44 (ten years ago) link