NBA 2012-2013

[SandYFan]

The Spurs are better at developing lower draft picks than anyone. It's insane what they can turn the 15th pick of the draft into. Leonard is really good.

[smokymountainrain]

In games 1 and 2 vs the Warriors Pop used a lot of different defenses. He had Tony Parker on Curry, Kawhi Leonard on Curry, Parker on Thompson, Green on Curry, Green on Thompson, Kawhi on Barnes, etc. It seemed like whatever combination he used didn't really matter the Warriors would have someone make shots.

In Game 3 he decided to stick with Kawhi on Thompson, Danny Green on Curry and let Parker try and guard Harrison Barnes with the assumption that if Barnes got his they would still be ok. Barnes was a monster in this series and really took that next step to becoming an elite nba player. Curry and Thompson on the other hand completely disappeared.

Look at Thompson in games 1 and 2:

Game 1: 19 points on 8-15 shooting
Game 2: 34 points 14 rebounds 13-23 shooting.

Enter Kawhi Leonard
Game 3: 17 points on 7-20
Game 4: 10 points on 5-13 (in 51 minutes)
Game 5: 4 points on 2-8
Game 6: 10 points on 4-12
He also had 6 total rebounds in the last 3 games.

Steph Curry faired a little better in the series overall but I saw a stat in game 3 where he was 2-19 when he was guarded by Danny Green.

Danny Green pretty much guarded him exclusively for the remainder of the series (Cory Joseph had a few small stretches on him as well) so from game 4 through game 6 he shot: 21 of 54. Assuming the majority of those shots came while being guarded by Danny Green that means he was 23 of 73 shooting 31.5% with Danny Green as the primary defender.

Against everyone else he was 28-53 shooting 52% from the floor. Maybe I am pointing out the obvious but that seems to be the difference in the series.

Good thoughts. Although even with Barnes, you're too kind. Not only was he not a monster, but it could be argued he was below average. He shot 43% FGs and 25% 3pt. This is not a shot at Barnes because he is a rookie playing in the playoffs against one of the best teams in the league (also, I thought he played admirably on the defensive end and rebounded fairly well), but he did struggle with inconsistency in his shooting just as he did in the regular season.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Good thoughts. Although even with Barnes, you're too kind. Not only was he not a monster, but it could be argued he was below average. He shot 43% FGs and 25% 3pt. This is not a shot at Barnes because he is a rookie playing in the playoffs against one of the best teams in the league (also, I thought he played admirably on the defensive end and rebounded fairly well), but he did struggle with inconsistency in his shooting just as he did in the regular season.

So he was Paul George.

I wish Barnes could've had another strong game last night, but the fall really set him back. He was 4-7 before that hard crash, and finished 4-10.

[smokymountainrain]

So he was Paul George.

I wish Barnes could've had another strong game last night, but the fall really set him back. He was 4-7 before that hard crash, and finished 4-10.

Barnes is going to be interesting to watch in the next few years. He's been one of those guys who seems better suited for the NBA game and despite my comments about his shooting struggles, for the first time in his career (NBA and UNC) I saw things out of him that make me think he has a chance to become a very good player.

[bluegoose]

Barnes is going to be interesting to watch in the next few years. He's been one of those guys who seems better suited for the NBA game and despite my comments about his shooting struggles, for the first time in his career (NBA and UNC) I saw things out of him that make me think he has a chance to become a very good player.

I had that same thought watching him the other night. He was a good college player, but I always felt like he way underachieved at UNC. He's one of those rare talents that could develop into a much better pro player than he was a college player.

[Blueintheface]

Barnes is going to be interesting to watch in the next few years. He's been one of those guys who seems better suited for the NBA game and despite my comments about his shooting struggles, for the first time in his career (NBA and UNC) I saw things out of him that make me think he has a chance to become a very good player.

I had that same thought watching him the other night. He was a good college player, but I always felt like he way underachieved at UNC. He's one of those rare talents that could develop into a much better pro player than he was a college player.

Up until recently he's looked far too rigid in his upper body but he now seems to be moving much more fluidly.

[SandYFan]

"Rooting for a perpetually hopeless franchise will drive you insane for a number of reasons. You know this. But you know when it gets really bad? The playoffs, when you have to watch players your team passed up dominate on another team. Actually that's not it, either. It gets REALLY bad when you watch someone like Kawhi Leonard dominating for the Spurs and realize that this never would've happened if he'd landed with your team."

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...life-is-unfair

[Art Vandelay]

"Rooting for a perpetually hopeless franchise will drive you insane for a number of reasons. You know this. But you know when it gets really bad? The playoffs, when you have to watch players your team passed up dominate on another team. Actually that's not it, either. It gets REALLY bad when you watch someone like Kawhi Leonard dominating for the Spurs and realize that this never would've happened if he'd landed with your team."

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...life-is-unfair

I read that article earlier. All I could think about was how much I hope Jimmer gets traded to real franchise, this off-season. Because of his ability to hit 28 footers, I think he will land on his feet regardless of what happened in Seattle Sacramento. However, he won't ever be able to recoup the lost knowledge inflicted upon him, by an inept coach, and a dysfunctional organization.

[MarkGrace]

jarron-collins-photo.jpg

[UtahJazzFan88]

I am really impressed with how Indiana has seemed to develop a lot of their guys. Of all the guys on the Pacers, the highest player picked on their team is DJ Augustin at 9 who isn't really their developed guy. Hibbert, Granger, George have been all-stars or are/fringe all-stars. Plus West & Hill are very good. Just look at Lance Stephenson, in the past 2 years he turned into some nobody who was only known for being a distraction to a very key contributor in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I wish we had Vogel as our HC.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

The Knicks should feel really good about their future.

They only owe Amare Stoudemire $46 M over the next two years. And 39 year old Jason Kidd is only on the books for 2 more years. Same for 38 yo Marcus Camby. And that Steve Novak guy that they only played 5 mpg in the playoffs is only going to get paid for 3 more years. But they should be able to make some big roster improvements this off-season since they only have $76 M on the payroll for the 8 guys currently under contract.

But at least their MVP is a guy who loves taking the least effective shot in the game, isn't very good from 3, doesn't play any defense, and has won a total of 3 playoff series in his first 10 seasons even though his teams have been in the playoffs each of those 10 years.

[Pelado]

The Knicks should feel really good about their future.

They only owe Amare Stoudemire $46 M over the next two years. And 39 year old Jason Kidd is only on the books for 2 more years. Same for 38 yo Marcus Camby. And that Steve Novak guy that they only played 5 mpg in the playoffs is only going to get paid for 3 more years. But they should be able to make some big roster improvements this off-season since they only have $76 M on the payroll for the 8 guys currently under contract.

But at least their MVP is a guy who loves taking the least effective shot in the game, isn't very good from 3, doesn't play any defense, and has won a total of 3 playoff series in his first 10 seasons even though his teams have been in the playoffs each of those 10 years.

I sense a hint of sarcasm.

[cougjunkie]

Spurs just bitch slapped Memphis in game one. Doesn't mean much as the Grizz lost games 1 and 2 against the Clippers and won 4 straight and lost game 1 against OKC before winning 4 straight.

Spurs shoot 53% from the floor and 48% from three against the leagues best defense.

Meanwhile Z-bo goes 1-8 and scores 2 points. Duncan only had 6 on 3-9 for the Spurs but they are a much deeper team and can afford an off day for Timmy.

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[MarkGrace]

Spurs offense was a thing of beauty today.

[Northwestcoug]

I can't imagine the Spurs having as easy a time with the Grizzlies in the next games. I still think it's going to be close.