etidy:


I swear na only curry they ever get this kind disrespect because he's not the prototypical hip or flashy black basketball player with tattoos who chooses to pound the ball for 20secs before making a low iq, low efficiency attempt and he doesn't do the highlight dunk.

Imagine still doubting Steph curry in 2024

Skrrrrrrr no bother yourself, I don give you the guy diagnosis already, some people's prototypical star player is an athletic hip black nigga, who huffs and cuffs with the ball before taking a low iq, low efficient shot.
They can't comprehend a 6ft 3, light skin, baby face guy dominating from the backcourt like shaq purely based on his threat to make any type of shot.

greypencils:
At the end of the day, the pundits and fans dont know better than the coaches. Jaylen Brown has been sitting on the fence these last 2 seasons, you wouldnt know if he was a guard or a forward. The first team is easily Curry, Booker, Durant, Bron and Embiid with the substitutes. Holiday, Edwards, Bam, Tatum and A.D. Which of these 10 people would brown be replacing? and in what capacity? I daresay these are the best guards and forwards in the US. Final MVP or no Final MVP, If Brown had been on this roster, he would have warmed his arse on the bench.

For those yapping at me about Curry, you people are only reiterating what I have said all along. Curry needs the ball in his hands to gain momentum. Curry in the last two games played the most minutes in the 4th quarter and the ball was in hands the longest so he could build his confidence and keep launching. In the first and second quarter in the finals, babyface kept throwing bricks the same way he threw bricks an entire half last two seasons and started cooking in the third unlike Edwards who was cooking from Q1. Curry is lethal no doubt about that, everyone knows that but he needs the ball in his hands and the patience of his coach to cook. He was not given such time in his first three games hence his low scoring.

By the way, this is one of the coolest pictures on the internet.

Ogbeni just accept you goofed on that Steph statement. Now you're dribbling backwards.

A40:
Nothing you can do when the younger guys couldn't take the game and run with it. I will also blame the league for it's really poor job of marketing the talent.

Anyway they might have to endure a lull like post MJ era. That weird time on and off between 99-07 when basketball was in a bit of a purgatory

This Olympics came threw away all the new faces of the league talk that dominated last season. It demonstrated that there are levels to this stardom business. There are many all stars, some superstars but the circle of megastars is very small.

All stars are good players having a good season or two. Superstars are perennial all stars who have won titles , MVPs or have been close to winning a title. But the megastars have had so many years of excellence and charisma that they have transcended basketball, they are cultural icons who have shifted the game that even casuals know them. Players like Lebron and Steph come into your gym and turn it into theirs, your home fans turn to their fans , even the french fans started cheering after the barrage at the end.

Giannis, Jokic, Tatum, Jaleyn Brown Doncic and Embiid are still just Superstars

chic2pimp:
Roland17

The Guards on the US Women's team were woeful today. I can see why some folks were demanding for the inclusion of Caitlin Clark. Not only do they need to change the Guard Roster, the coach also needs to be left in paris.

Them for hear am if they lost today , God save them

The NBA has work to do, losing Lebron, Steph and Durant will cause a systemic shock to the league.
These guys are still the faces of the game.

Imagine doubting steph that person whey mention brunson, kyrie and demar may God forgive you.

A part of me wants either the lakers or warriors to break the bank and give us Steph and Lebron on the same team

steady986:


One good game in 5 and you don run comot. I know what you are

My point is that, it doesn't really matter.

There is nothing players like Lebron, Steph and to a lesser extent KD can do again to remove from their legacy, they can only add to it.

Those guys are set.

I know you're a big Lebron fan. Imagine someone shitting on Lebron's offensive prowess and comparing him to Paul George because he has a few bad shooting games at this stage of his career, no be colos be that

The only acceptable debate out there is Lebron vs Jordan for who is the GOAT.

Likewise, you can't be mentioning Steph and Brunson, Kyrie, Derozan in the same debate.

greypencils:
That is what happens when they don't develop a midrange jumper. The hype of a 3 going in is louder than a regular jumper so they play to the gallery. Here in the real world, FIBA, the Olympics, there are no crowds to hype. You have to go grind out results. This is what stands KD out. He has a consistent midrange. This is where guys like Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Iverson and DeMar DeRozan would have thrived instead of Curry.

You can make your argument for KD against Steph even though their overall body of work puts Steph ahead of him.

But imagine mentioning names like Brunson, Kyrie, Iverson and Demar Derozan
It's obvious you never watched prime Steph.

Skrrrrrrr:


Smh
Curry don suffer sha.
The disrespect.

I swear na only curry they ever get this kind disrespect because he's not the prototypical hip or flashy black basketball player with tattoos who chooses to pound the ball for 20secs before making a low iq, low efficiency attempt and he doesn't do the highlight dunk.

Imagine still doubting Steph curry in 2024

Some folks here wanted to drag the legacy of a 2 time MVP, 1 time Finals MVP, 4 Time NBA champion, scoring title winner, because he had a few bad shooting games while he was playing well overall.

Comparing him to jalen fucking brunson.

Oh wrong now..
Questioning the offense of the greatest 6 ft 3 inch and below player in nba history.

Imagine thinking the greatest shooter ever and only unanimous mvp winner doesn't have an offensive bag.
Player that was cooking even under Mark jackson's poverty offensive schemes.

Khanben:


Genuine question, is an offense based on setting screens not part of the game?.
Its like having a striker like van nisteroy and saying you know he won't be effective if his team does not have good crossers of the ball.

Their definition of great basketball player is a 1 v 1 iso merchant like iverson. They have forgotten it's 5 V 5.

greypencils:
You are still reiterating the same things being said. Curry needs a system (Draymond a key part) to be built around him to function. He needs to be the primary ball handler and shoot consistently to get into rhythm. On the contrary KD always seems prepared with his midrange to kill you irrespective of whatever team he finds himself. You shouldn't diss KD for his playoff loss against Celtics. Who were his teammates in Brooklyn? Joe Harris, Nic Claxton, Royce'ONeale, Give Curry this same three people and let's watch him win a ring.

Hmm actually KD had Bruce brown who averaged double digits, kyrie irving, goran dragic and set curry.

And hey lets not pretend like we didn't just see KD swept with devin Booker and Bradley beal.

kendrick93:
Who knows if Dennis has this level of play in him in the NBA if he's made the first option/primary ball handler.

Look at Jalen Brunson, went from an average NBA player at Mavericks to a top 6 MVP NBA Star at the Knicks because he became the first option.
Luck and opportunities can play a part too not just talent

Nobody knew jalen would ascend to this level, but there were signs, he had it in him. He was good during his last season at Dallas. He also averaged something like 30 points in the playoffs when Luke was out Injured .

Skrrrrrrr:
Lol.
Unnecessary analysis.
The fact that most of the guys scoring in the Olympics cannot do much on their own is all you need to know.
You are rating players based off how they play in a Team of Hall of famers.

as in, so much unnecessary analysis.

Ricky rubio used to kill it for Spain at Olympics and Fiba, Bam literally led the team in scoring against South sudan.
Does that mean they have a bigger offensive bag than Steph or Dame.

Even in that last game against puerto rico, Steph had a joint highest plus minus of +18 despite scoring single digits.
His game is clearly a bit off, which can happen for a few games, and he doesn't have the luxury of shooting himself out of his slump due to limited amount of shoots he will get in a shortened game time.
In addition, he's clearly being asked to be a decoy and to stretch the floor for others to eat.

We are not going to question the bag of a then 35 player who as a primary offensive option nuked the best defensive team (celitics) who had the reigning DPOY in a NBA Final because he's shitty in a few games.

Same Celtic team in that nba run locked up "mr instant offense " Kevin durant.

greypencils:
That is what happens when they don't develop a midrange jumper. The hype of a 3 going in is louder than a regular jumper so they play to the gallery. Here in the real world, FIBA, the Olympics, there are no crowds to hype. You have to go grind out results. This is what stands KD out. He has a consistent midrange. This is where guys like Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Iverson and DeMar DeRozan would have thrived instead of Curry.

I don't care whatever the context maybe, please don't mention jalen brunson, kyrie or demar derozan in the same breathe with curry.

A40:

Lakers are a very funny conundrum. Glamor franchise with the 'poorest' owner in the league

What they had in the past was the name recognition and Jerry West who had elite eye for talent and the aura to sell you on the Lakers. You think West drafts better than Lonzo and Ingram? With the top 2 picks back to back? Most likely

The problem today is that it is no longer the case, the perception ever since the Magic/Pelinka beef is that they are now a bit of a circus.

Now LeBron is not the orisun of the drama what he is though is the catalyst, he's come and seen that this franchise has no proper backbone and so has commandeered it to his wishes. This off-season was the final chapter of the takeover

The problem now is he wants to have his cake and eat it too. You can't serve God and Mammon. You can't pull all these stunts and think you will attract anyone who is not desperate. No serious player that wants a ring is gonna come there cos they're not sure a ring is the priority

Klay basically flipped the bird on his dad and refused to meet the team that pays his dad and reportedly offered him more money, let that sink in.

I think we have to cut the Lakers some slack sha.
It's the most demanding job in the NBA as a GM, coach or player.

The fan base is delusional and expects to win every year, media circus around the team is hysterical while previous club legends put crazy pressure on the team to win.

The Lakers is a team that the GMs can't afford multi-year methodical slow rebuilds especially when you now have lebron on the roster. So the GM is always going to have to hit or miss moves to win now.

For all the great job Sam presti and Danny ainge have done to stack bazillions of picks, Rob pelinka has won a ring before them and in this league winning is everything.

I think what the Lakers need to do now is avoid mortgaging their future picks to placate LeBron which they have smartly done recently.
In two years time, they can start a rebuild.

larride:


Warriors just traded valuable picks away for CP3.

Trade that shouldn't have happened.

Very stupid trade, first round pick for that matter in 2030 when the warriors will likely be poor.

It was clear that Mike Dunleavy jr got that GM job based on nepotism and many people in the NBA felt that way when he got the job.

A team that appeared old, short and unathletic.
Then you sequester 30 million per year for a Chris Paul into your cap.

They couldn't salary dump poole and picks for an average center or forward which would have improved the warriors greatly.

etidy:
Someone did a salary dump for a 23-year-old PG who averages 20 points per game.
Poole is obviously in a perfect situation with the wizards, he gets to play on his own team with less demand for defensive attention but the warriors goofed trading him for a bag of chips.

Poole is a starting caliber PG in the NBA.

I knew the warriors was finished when they made an inexperienced mike dunlevay the GM.

Poole was horrendous for the wizards this last season but the guy is just 25 years.

He was clearly trending in the right direction with the warriors, averaging 12, 18.5 and then 20.5 points per game in his last three seasons with the warriors.

Dunlevay trade Poole for a soon to be 40 years, injury prone Chris Paul while also giving the wizards a first round pick.

Now the Chris Paul experiment has failed and they couldn't get anything done with his 30 million dollars expiring contract.

You don't just salary dump a 24 yr old player who is averaging 20+ points per game. No matter how badly he's playing, there will be one sucker somewhere who will give you more than Chris Paul.

Best offensive back court in history

At least the Kyrie agenda don die , most skilled player ever where dy average 15 points for finals.

Acrobatics no be skill, the skill is in scoring efficiently with the least amount of effort.

Kilishihunter:

The wolves won't lose three in a row to the Celtics even though they don't have anyone on the talent levels of Luka and kyrie, they work more as a unit especially on defense
People look at this Mavs team and try to put them on a pedestal not knowing they over achieved these playoffs, once the nuggets got eliminated I already predestined the Celtics have the championship in the bag provided most of their roster stayed healthy

Same wolves lost three in a row to this mavs team in the WCF and also lost 3 games in a row to the nuggets after going 2-0 up.

A40:
Where was this defense all this time

The Mavs are really terrible at free throws. Even their guards. This cannot bode well in close games

Pressure and lack of experience. The mavs are not as bad as they have played.
Pj Washington and gafford have never experienced playing for a winning team or in the playoffs and suddenly they are starting in a NBA finals. Derrick lively is a rookie.
Yes doncic has been poor defensively but we know that's his weakness and he also been playing with a myriad of injuries.

I am most disappointed in Kyrie because he's the only one who has played at this level before yet he let the team down in game 1 and 2 which was crucial for this series.

As for those saying wolves would have done better
I laugh in Spanish.
The wolves couldn't shut down mavs offense, na Celtics 3 points spamming , well spaced offense them want stop? Gobert will practically be useless against the Celtics.

In addition, the wolves struggled greatly offensively against the mavs , imagine what the Celtics defense will do to them? The Celtics will hold them to 80 points per game and then you also have to consider that the wolves are even more mentally weaker than the mavs. KAT and Gobert will shit their pants in the garden.

There was no reason Dwight Howard shouldn't have been top 75 ( Apart from bad press) especially when frauds like Lillard was on it.

Defensively, I will take Dwight howard compared to Gobert any day.
One of the reasons Gobert's awards don't sit well with many people is because of it's potential to distort how we perceive the hierachy of NBA defensive greats.
Just among NBA Centers/Forward, players i will take ahead of Gobert include Dwight howard, dennis rodman, Diekembe moutombo, Tim duncan, Ben wallace, Hakeem Olajuwon , Bill rusell, in fact Kevin garnett and Draymond green.

Then you have wings and guards like Pippen, Kawhi and gary payton who i will take ahead of him in the nba defensive echelon.

Yet, Rudy is tied with ben and moutombo as having the most DPOY.

Even if you argue it's a regular season award, can you imagine a player having the highest amount of MVPs but its not considered amongst the GOAT debate

greypencils:
What Kyrie is doing so far is cementing the claim that he is NO batman. Right now, he is not even being a robin. And to think I once thought he deserved a shot at being a part of NBA 75. Delusion on my part. More deluded are those who think Kyrie is better than Iverson. With Mr Kyrie's handles, he should at least have a scoring title, but Mba! He doesn't. Iverson is the real nigger. Meanwhile Jokic, has cemented his place in history. No other player has stepped up three years after NBA 75. Also about NBA 75, I think I understand why Dwight Howard wasn't on that list. Rudy Gobert that has won DPOY 4 times would make anyone cringe if his name is mentioned in any context relating to any NBA list, not to talk less of Howard who has just 3.

I usually agree with your basketball takes but i will have to disagree with your comparison of Dwight Howard and Gobert in this context. The difference between their careers is night and day.

Dwight had at least 4 seasons averaging 20+ points, he was 5 times All-NBA first team, once All-NBA second team, 8 times NBA All star, 5 times NBA Rebounding leader, 2 times block leader and we have not even talked about his Defensive accolades. The chasm between gobert and howard na like sleep and death .

Back then, he was the youngest player in NBA history to average a double double in the regular season , youngest to average at least 10 rebounds, and youngest to record at least 20 rebounds in a game.

Howard was fucking superman , he was one of the players that made Lebron think twice when attacking the rim and at 23 years, he led a lightweight orlando team to the NBA finals as the first option.

Injuries and indiscipline ruined howard, he could have approached shaq's status, despite being a shadow of himself, he was still one of the players who defended Jokic well in recent times.

Roland17:


Birdman eh!!!!! I talk am! The Lakers have fumbled the pursuit.

I think they shouldn't have let it leak that he was their primary target , same way they did with reddick, now they look like fools.

etidy:



This current warriors na retirement warriors , you cant be using them as example of why the mags are composed . When you bring warriors into any comparison people automatically think you are talking about their heydays.
Those cats have paid their dues, na to collect their money go retire remain

Regarding this series, Luka will be Luka but Kyrie needs to get out of his feelings and play well. Pj Washington also needs to step up and produce about 15 points per game.

As for the Celtics, they should prepare for a Luka onslaught in the season game.
I am sure that weyrey is coming for a 50 piece in game two, unlike game 1, they will needs Tatum to show up.

Luka showed up , Pj Washington did what a third wheel should do, but the reason Dallas is down 2-0 is Kyrie.

Your so called superstar number 2 option can't be playing this badly especially when they prematurely crowned the mavs backcourt as the best offensive version in history.

This series again puts into perspective the greatness of curry in that 2022 run.

He was carrying so much offensive load while playing very good defense.
The Celtics thought he will be a prey in that series but he clamped down the opposition guards.

Lastly if I am the mavs GM, I will low key try to get Wiggins, he's still an elite wing defender and he will eat as a lob and spot up shooting threat for the mavs.

greypencils:
Baba, I am not talking about pre-injured Klay. I am talking about GSW of today, when they lose, they lose big time. They can go bonkers on you the next game but these current warriors, when they are down 20 points in the first quarter, its night night, the margin keeps widening. No be this season Celtics beat them with 52 points? That's crazy and there is no excuse whatsoever for that. Mind you, I am a big big Curry and GSW fan but you and I know something is amiss this season. They are not the same team of 2 years ago. Neither are they the same team pre and with Durant.

This current warriors na retirement warriors , you cant be using them as example of why the mags are composed . When you bring warriors into any comparison people automatically think you are talking about their heydays.
Those cats have paid their dues, na to collect their money go retire remain

Regarding this series, Luka will be Luka but Kyrie needs to get out of his feelings and play well. Pj Washington also needs to step up and produce about 15 points per game.

As for the Celtics, they should prepare for a Luka onslaught in the season game.
I am sure that weyrey is coming for a 50 piece in game two, unlike game 1, they will needs Tatum to show up.

greypencils:
And Dallas never recovered from that first quarter debacle. I am impressed by their being calm with it. A team like GSW would have fallen totally apart letting the margin increase to 40 points or more.

Lol how many times have you seen a Steph led warriors teams blown out in a playoff game? I am not even talking about the overpowered version which had Kevin Durant, abeg find another example.

With Steph and prime Klay, you know no lead is safe coming back into the game in the third quarter, they lock in and tear you apart.

Who they advice reddick , he's about to find out that theory is different from practical

Lakers fan base whey no get joy.

donlittle25:


Steady matter don tire me. Everyone once in a while, he says some wild filth that reminds you of Ersan

Whey Ersan go? Number 1 LeBron fan on nairaland
What's his new username?

steady986:
This question was posed on Twitter and I can't believe there are people who are saying the Warriors

The problem I see here is westbrick and carmelo both of them just disrupt the flow of the game by their selfish nature and stat hunting. You can't have two of them in the same starting 5. One is enough

steady986:


These skewed graphics though Why are you giving me mid-series odds?

And the Grizzlies odds, was it before or After Ja went down?

It was before ja went down, just showing you how much people underrated that warriors team