₦airaland Forum

wait, SAS is out with a shoulder injury. On top wetin?!!! Lmao. We need Kyrie, Simmons and AD to comment on this situation. Wetin concern sportscaster with shoulder injury. Or is this a stylish contract dispute

Roland17:
Special Leprechaun? As much as I have defended him on this thread, he is no longer welcome in Boston. Houston will not be a bad landing spot, you can give him the Harden treatment..

We have not recovered from one diva, you say we should start another one. God is currently buttering our bread, and we are content. No thanks.

donlittle25:
Why he decided to team up with kyrie is something I will never understand in the first place.

Wan win championship with person wey say you no need coach

Izz like marriage. Na after wedding eye dey clear. You go begin dey reminisce some quotes wey you take style ignore before

felix00:
This kinda rules out KD to Suns. Is it possible for KD to run it back with the nets?

Has any super star put in a request but end up staying? Like has it happened before..

Kobe did. Its not that uncommon - we just didnt have social media to this extent to fan up the flames. In Kobe's case, Shaq left anyways, so it was easy to pacify Kobe. In this case, Kyrie is staying, and I think Durant wants out primarily to avoid another Kyrie season. I am not sure what could be done to pacify Durant in this case. It is hard to unload Kyrie because apparently nobody wants Kyrie, not even for a bag of chips. Maybe we can beg the celtics to take him back as special leprechaun

Roland17:
Big credit to D. Ayton!

This man bet on himself after the Suns stopped contract negotiations last year. He believes he is a max player and is now going to get his max contract. The Suns have no option than match the Pacers offer sheet or lose Ayton for free.

Once again, big credit to Ayton!

Gotta look out for yourself. Even though I dont think he is worth max player deal. I am feeling some Roy Hibbert vibes in this whole saga

Khanben:
So 1st round exists, but box office.

The owner is exactly that kind of douchebag

Khanben:
The knicks are trying to build a backcourt that cannot stop anybody. Donovan Mitchell and Brunson on D will be a joke.

It will be box office sell out for sure

A40:
Tony Parker and Kawhi literally won Finals MVP under Duncan's watch.

This was the last time Kobe and Tim Duncan went head to head. Don't tell me Duncan was old. He was only 32. Kobe got to the league before him.

And Kobe 31 I think. Surreal the cat is no more.

etidy:
You could say the same about Duncan. No one wins without help. Not lebron, not even MJ

Hence I tried to compare them without looking at rings etc - you need a great team and great organization and few injuries to win a ship. But if we talking player vs player, thats a different ballgame.

A40:
You are factually wrong.

It was definitely Kobe's doing. Shaq was a perennial underperformer vs Duncan and the Spurs. All their matchups the Lakers won was primarily because of Kobe's play. Kobe always outplayed Shaq wherever they were able to get the win. Duncan always outplayed Shaq as well in the series the Lakers lost to San Antone

1999. Shaq 23ppg Duncan 29 ppg

2001 Kobe 33-7-7 Duncan 23 ppg

2002 Kobe 26 ppg Shaq 21 ppg

2004. Kobe 26ppg Shaq. 22ppg

They were 3-2 and Kobe was the best player in all 3 series wins unquestionably. People always get caught up in Shaq's final numbers. Go and watch all their playoff series after 2000 season and see the work Kobe was doing

Lakers missing the playoffs is majorly due to Kobe missing 16 games while adding dross like Caron Butler etc.

Again another myth and urban legend. Paul Gasol in 08 averaged 13ppg in that 5 game series. He averaged fewer pts, fewer assists, fewer rebounds, fewer blocks so pray tell how did he offset Duncan? Duncan averaged 22ppg. It was Kobe's 29ppg that enabled them wipe the defending champion San Antonio Spurs with oraimo cord in 5.

Duncan played in a position that allowed him age with grace. He wasn't picking up guys 90 ft like Kobe could. Also anyone being honest will know that from 07 onwards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were arguably the best players on that Spurs team. At the very worst they were essentially a big 3. And in their battle with the Heatles claiming Timmy was still carrying the Spurs then is just flat out dishonest. They had like 4-5 guys averaging double digits every night

If you say Kobe can't carry a team to a ring then what did he do in 2009 and 2010? What do we call that? Kobe was the OG Spurs killa and the biggest reason Tim Duncan never repeated. Never forget it

Well lets here from the horse's mount how important Pau was:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM0DbbZnkKU


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOJeQAxo1T4

Without Pau, no ring. No way around it.

A40:
These new players are just divas and buttersoft. This is what they are calling Player empowerment? Smh. All I see is the softest era ever

Even as much of a fraud I consider Ben Simmons I don't see why he's not a good fit with the Nets. There's enough guys and shooters they are never going to need shooting from him and he can defend. It's a crying disgrace if KD is allowed to run from this team. If he wins just 1 chip with the Nets. he will win back so much respect. There's something about winning a team it's first title. It permanently alters your legacy positively. Guys like Olajuwon, Dirk, Wade and Giannis will forever live off that tax and be respected like KD never will unless he can do it with the Nets.

You forgot to add Lebron na . He won Cavaliers first title. That was Lebron's finest leadership moment imo. Team chemistry was excellent until the Kyrie debacle.

Which is why I cant understand why he would entertain reuniting with Kyrie, assuming the rumors are true. Kyrie is locker room cancer. He camoflages it by being silent and pleasant, but the results speak for itself.

Khanben:
Thanks for all those who contributed to the kobe vs TD debate. I really appreciated the thought put behind each person's choice.
I just want to ask another question, which criteria is best for ranking players?.
Some background,I came across a podcast where everyone on it believes that Prime Draymond Green is better than Prime Blake Griffin, which was shocking to me, and they kept repeating their reason as Draymond impacts winning more than Blake.
My issue with that approach is, one guy is judged on his impact as the 4th best player on a championship winning team, while the other is judged on being the 1st option on a team. I truly believe that players should be ranked on a level playing field.
So really looking forward to reading your opinions

Bwahahaha , I think some of these podcasts are just trying to stir sh** up and generate online buzz. Draymond is so way overhyped, there are at least a dozen SF/PF type guys who make the same or better impact in the league. Thats why Draymond talks so musch ish. He knows, deep down, that he is just a role player riding the coat tails of a great.

Imaging the Warriors having Blake Griffin instead. LOL! Blake is his prime was stronger, nastier on offense, dirtier on defense and hustled way more - in fact I hated Blake most of his career, he would play you like you owed his mom money. Dude had a legit midrange, and could create his own offense and dunk over you and your mama . Blake's main weakness was that injury bug

Khanben:
With due respect to the Admiral, he averaged 15.6pts and 10rbs for the Spurs first chip and 8pts and 7rbs for the 2nd one. So he was no longer the MVP caliber player he used to be

Yeah, I was going to say this, but, I think everybody is set on who they want lol. Those were his last years in the league, and he was a shadow if himself by then. The second ring he was averaging like 10pts or something.

Robinson was never a showman, so most folk are surprised to hear he dropped a 70pt game once. But by the time Duncan got drafted to become the face of the Spurs, Robinson was an old man. Just like Olajuwon.

I hope this report of Lakers courting Kyrie is not true - nahah

A40:
I would have picked Duncan just for consistency and stability till I dug into their playoff series clashes. Kobe used to absolutely destroy them. I can't in good conscience put Duncan over Kobe after seeing how much Kobe used to torch Duncan and the Spurs.

Kobe averaged 28 a game on Duncan. And dethroned him and his team 3x. There's a reason Timmy never repeated. Kobe

You do have a point there. Kobe Lakers whopped Duncan Spurs the first 2 WC finals and had a 3-1 advantage in all their first 4 matchups.

But was that Kobe's doing? I think not. Remember Kobe had Shaq at his most dominant! In fact the year Shaq left to Miami, Lakers didnt even make the playoffs! So it wasnt so much Kobe's brilliance as much as having a superior supporting cast. In fact Shaq was responsible for dousing Duncan's fire, not Kobe.

After the Kobe/Shaq era, the next time Spurs would meet Lakers in the playoffs, Kobe again had a Pau Gasol to help offset Duncan. Finally, as both Duncan and Kobe's careers came to an end, Duncan's consistency helped them get to the finals versus the deadly Heat back-to-back, and they won another ring.

Duncan can carry a team to a ring. Kobe can will a team to win games. Big difference.

Khanben:
Quick question Kobe vs Duncan who was better?

Duncan, and its not close. If Duncan hogged the ball half as much as Kobe did, he would have 50 20 10 every night. He could score with his back to the basket on anyone. Or kiss it off the glass, an unblockable money shot

Tinneh:
Sir what about DURANT and kawhi

What has Kawhi done in the last 3 years? Perhaps you are right that I am too harsh on Durant. I think Nash sucked as a coach, and could not run plays to free up Durant. So yeah, Durant should bounce back in the right environment.

benji93:
He's box office. That's enough goods to sell.

as in cardboard box All the handles in the world and he cannot score over one determined defender. So what is the use of all the dribbling. Na streetball we come watch?

aliondo:
Mehn,just been following posts about my gee, K.D. Sentiment will not allow me post coz he's my favorite but gotta admit he effd up so bad. But I want to put more of the blame(for Brooklyn failure) on Kyrie. I think he deserves it more. Kyrie will be a good fit for the Lakers tho but just wondering which will be the best team for K.D?Maybe we can discuss that here

You dey scarce for here brah. The moment KD listened to Kyrie, that was the beginning of the end. I dont think Kyrie fits anywhere to be honest, and I am not sold on his skills. Kyrie has always been a streaky shooter, will win you some games, and lose a lot more. People need to shine their eye on this cat.

As for KD, I would like to see him on the Bulls team - I think that crew fits his personality and playing style very well. Even if they dont win a ring, I think he would be happy there.

Android17:
I dislike KD now but that man is a superstar. Come on. More so than even Jokic, Giannis and Embiid.

And tell us you did not watch Steph last season. Sucks on defense? lol

Post injury KD has some weak spots. Specifically he could not handle double teams. I suspect athletically he has declined a bit, but it was not noticeable until he had to read the defense of a very good team and still impose his will. Hence the struggles vs the well coached Celtics. I suspect that is why he also changed his shooting mechanics a bit. His shot always had a high arc, but it was even higher last season.

If the opposing team's superstar has the ball with 2s to go, Steph is not going to defend them. They will pick Klay before Steph even. The other 4 superstars I mention can be trusted for that last second defensive stand.

Khanben:
With Shaq saying there are currently only 4 superstars in the nba, let me just come out and ask, what is the criteria that makes a player a nba superstar? cause it seems to be all-over the place

I say 5: Lebron, Jokic, Giannis, Embiid, Steph

Its more than just skill. Your skill has to be capable of shining even with a double or triple team. Which means you have a very good basketball mind. You can read defenses and still execute your game plan. Which also means you are by nature a disciplined and driven person. And you can take over games on the offense as well as defense. Interestingly, my list is all mobile bigs, except Steph. Steph sucks on defense, but his offense more than makes up for it.

Also note that being a superstar does not equal ring - you need a complete team and disciplined organization for that. Any of these superstars would have won a ring with the Warriors cast. None of these superstars can win a ring with say for example Orlando

A40:
The next CBA go bloody gaan. These divas have ruined it for everyone. Na Ben Simmons I just dey sorry for. That one go kuku retire

Ha! Dem go make movie if e happen

Khanben:
Actually that part I understand, Kyrie has shown he cannot be counted upon to stay on the court for any extended period of time. In Hindsight KD probably knows it was a mistake to team up with him and has decided to the detriment of the Nets to cut bait, rather than continue their partnership.

The fact that Kyrie tried to opt out, and leave KD is what crossed the line in KD's mind. You brought me here to Brooklyn, and now you try to bail out. So even though Kyrie eventually stayed, the damage has been done.

Warriors have been complete @55holes since their win. It is good to see other NBA drama to wash away the stench of the sore winners

KNIGHTBlaed:
Have you guys seen the movie "Rise", about the Adetokumbo family and their rise to fame. A very interesting movie this one, so Giannis is more Nigerian then he is Greek fa. Lovely movie, you guys should see it. Na almost naija movie sha..

I loved it. I need to stop doing some of the things his pops did I also didnt know he was yoruba/igbo, I was always wondering what the ugo stood for

Roland17:
The Spurs have wasted a lot of time retooling, instead of flat out rebuilding. Getting L. Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan were very bad ideas that set them back, worsestill, they did not make the playoffs during this period. Trading D. Murray is the right decision, he is going to be 26 this year, has never made the playoffs with the Spurs. They are getting 3 first round picks and Danilo Gallinari whom I think they should move, they don’t need that salary.

Also, there is a ton of uncertainty regarding the future of the Spurs in San Antonio. There are strong rumors that the owners of the Spurs are looking to move the team to Austin, Texas which is has become a huge tech hub with a lot of young people and a booming city in comparison to San Antonio. The Spurs are going to play 4 games in Austin coming season and that has fueled the rumor even more.

With D. Murray joining the Hawks I guess they are going to be utilizing the double PG which is now getting popular.

Popovich's coaching is also a sticking point. His style simply does not work in today's NBA. I like Pop as a human being, but I remember how he outed the previous coach Bob Hill during a down year filled with injuries and took over as coach. Its time for Pops to leave as well - at least he will have more benefit of doubt than he gave Hill.

It would be sad for Spurs to leave San Antonio, given how much identity that city has shared with the organization, 5 rings inclusive. But like I always said, I am more loyal to players than teams, because at the end of the day, its a business.

felix00:
Harden is declining his Max player option and taking a lesser contract to give Philly space to improve the squad

You really believe he is leaving that money on the table? Theres likely more to it - who knows what leverage the owner has on him

Android17:
Lebron wanted him but Kyrie slied the Lakers by using them to get his contract from the Nets. Similar to how Kawhi flattered and then went to the Clippers. I don't think it favors the Nets though. 3 cursed players on one team gotta have repercussions. lol

Based on what Lebron tweeted when this first started, I would say no. Lebron never came out to say anything officially, so we are all conjecturing. But that twitter post of a clown on the day all this news started to me is as good a confirmations as we can get. Went to check his timeline now, and its gone - someone probably advised him to keep mute. Its Kyrie that keeps mentioning Lebron as if they are still buddies. Lebron never talks about Kyrie publicly. Its like Durant/Westbrook. Sure they gon still chat, but that trust will NEVER be there again. Lebron butters up everybody's game with tweets. Dont mean they are buddies. Nobody in the league wants Kyrie right now - the guy burns houses down.

Even Durant and Nets, na to dey manage Kyrie. If they can trade him midseason, and take a hit, I think Nets would do it. The disrespect is too much.

But if you are right, and Lebron wanted Kyrie again, that would be very foolish to say the least.

Khanben:
Kyrie staying . Probably after no team guaranteed him close to max money without performance clauses

Thank God. I refused to believe Lebron would be ok playing with this guy again - once a snake, always a snake. Most of the noise was probably the front office, they will always entertain trades no matter how ridiculous

Skrrrrrrr:
Banchero is hella good. His game is more matured than Jabari IMO

People were saying that on Rockets forum, but I got that feel that we were saying it to make ourselves feel better

My problem is can Banchero play that way versus bigger, faster guys in the NBA? We have seen mature players not last long in in the nba. Where is oj mayo? Plus that Banchero name sounds like Darko milicic to me

For me Jabari's mindset is the biggest plus. He already has the skills. But he also has that attitude, and he has a legit jumpshot, better than Banchero's jumpshot IMO.

Shittaakeem:
I come in peace

I have no problem with the truth. Lebron's place on mount rushmore of the nba is secured. Better concentrate on your team

In other news, Rockets did extremely well in yesterday's draft. I was really worried we were going to get the Banchero guy - the name alone sef dey fear me . I still cannot believe we got Jabari!!! Wohooooohooooooo

Nets are understandably trying to get assurances from Kyrie before handing out a long term deal. Surely Kyries camp is not surprised

Roland17:
Caleb Swanigan’s story is heartbreaking. I watched this man while he was at Purdue. I knew he would have a short NBA career because of his limited skill set when compared to what the league expects from today’s NBA big man.
Sometimes it’s best for these guys to just stay in the league or any competitive professional sports because it may be the only reason they are still breathing.
This life no balance at all! Stay safe out there everyone.
#RIPCalebSwanigan
#RIP24

I never heard of this guy till today/ Looks like he was in league for just one season