Random NBA Discussion 2013-14 Season

[_Steve_]

If OKC keeps winning...

[Lamrock]

If OKC gets the #1 seed, he would win it without question. As long as they get the NW division crown (unless Westbrook misses more time than expected, I don't see Portland holding them off) though, he should be the favorite. Statistically he's been even better than LeBron, and Paul George as well. With Chris Paul's injury, there aren't any real candidates out of those three (unless the Warriors win like 20 in a row).

[SoF'nAwesome]

Not unanimously, but he's gonna go for it for sure. Can't blame LeBron, Heat are just not that serious this season as my best friend benji keeps saying.

At the moment it's Durant> James>Aldridge>George>Parker.

[Andrew]

If nothing else, the media's general reluctance to give the same player the MVP three years running works against James, but right now Durant does have a legitimate case to at least edge him out for the award. I'd also be surprised if it's unanimous, but with the way he's playing it looks like it could be Durant's year.

[Stress Fracture]

Someone here campaigning for Terrence Jones as MIP?

[stereoxide]

phpBB [video]

Sick dunk by George.

[Andrew]

Wow. Probably one of the best in-game dunks we've seen, certainly one of the best in a while that hasn't involved a defender.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Watch out for Griffin. He doesn't like nobody taking his dunk limelight.

[Alpha_]

[Andrew]

Same as the video that was just posted, only that's a GIF to slow the page down.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Anybody watch the Heat-Hawks game today? The first 2 quarters were just amazing. One of the best shooting performances by both teams this season. Heat lost though, despite LeBron doing what he does in the 4th-- the back to back 3s rainfall.

Among other upsets today, Nets giving Knicks a 23 point beater and Rockets beating Trailblazers.

And Mamba being Mamba:

Is there any chance the league could revert back to the no harm, no foul ways of the 1980s?

"Kids might be a little too sensitive for that nowadays," Bryant said with a smirk.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/stor ... ba-finesse

[Stress Fracture]

I don't see why the Rockets beating the Blazers is an upset.

[NovU]

Since D-Mo and Asik both are on the trade block...

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=l7qykdk

Do IT!

[NovU]

[Andrew]

That's cool. On a related note, it's a shame he's said no to the dunk contest.

[bowdown]

Its no longer that big of a deal anyways. The dunk contest has become stale and kinda silly at times.

[Andrew]

The format hasn't helped. At its best, it's still capable of being a fun sideshow, producing at least a few entertaining dunks. Besides, it wouldn't be as stale if players like George were in it and pulling off stuff like that.

[bowdown]

Yeah its true but the event has already built up a bad reputation now. Superstars won't bother to associate themselves with it. Especially considering how the likes of Kobe (not since rookie year), Lebron have refused to do it. It kinda sets a trend.

Though, an upcoming superstar like George should take that opportunity to hype himself up even more.

[Andrew]

Star power helps, but as long as the dunks are creative and the format isn't contrived or illogical, it can be entertaining.

I wish they'd scrap fan voting, or at least open it up after the final round has concluded. As it stands, it basically makes the final two dunks moot.

[Sauru]

it seems every time they change the dunk contest to make it better it only makes it worse. i no longer could care about it. the only thing i like about all star weekend is the game, rookie/sophomore game and 3 point shoot out. i would like to see them do something with some retired players, like a 3 on 3 4 team tournament or something but good luck with that.

[Andrew]

The contest still looks alright in highlights, but the current format doesn't make it as entertaining as it unfolds live.

Meanwhile, Durant with another 30+ point game.

[bowdown]

As good as Durant has been playing recently, how much better was Jordan compared to this current KD? I've never watched Jordan completely. Only highlights.

I see that Jordan's shot attempts were well into the 20s and in his highest scoring season he averaged 37 PPG on 28 FGA. Neither Durant or Lebron have come close to averaging that many FGAs.

Yes, I know scoring doesn't tell the complete story but just wondering.

[Andrew]

Well, MJ was better, but that's not to take anything away from KD. Even in that season where he attempted 27 field goals per game, MJ led the league in PER (and would do so for the next six years as well).

[shadowgrin]

Durant doesn't even compare to the best, he can't even score 40+ points in 9 straight games like Kobe did in 2003.

[NovU]

MJ played in slower paced era with different rules (illegal D, hand check, etc). And there was no 5 second backing down calls so the bigs played under favorable rules compared to today's where perimeter players tend to dominate in scoring department. So overall, feels to the game was very very different at the time as I remember.

Younger MJ, I was too young to remember much nor watch games a lot then but it was 90s MJ that I can remember a bit. He was dominant and superior to his opponent in each and every night and that's where the fun was at. Nobody dominated their competition like MJ did and his moves were some unseen artistry. It was the time when scoring came hard and game was more physical, more so for the guards.

As for KD, I think he's a great scorer and I thought he's had one of the historical seasons last year (OMG that TS%!). And he's also besting everyone else this season. Keep this up and win rings, I think he's gonna be legit in his own ways. But it's probably likely that he won't be as much of sheer dominance over his peers for his gen.