₦airaland Forum

A40:
How come all this efficiency and what not always vanish come playoff time?

I don't see most of these scorers in the postseason.

I'm telling you most of it is an effort issue. Physicality and defense has being legislated out of the game. The 3pt spamming is another factor. I don't know that there are better shooters what I know is that they are spamming more shots so it's incredibly hard to tell. I always use the Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez example. We would never know if they could shoot 3s if they didn't go from 0.5 one year to 5 the next

The point is you're overstating the efficiency angle, I'm saying it's more of an effort and general lack of defense issue than anything else

Last year's close out game finished 94-89

The leading scorer in the regular season went from 34 pts to 23 come playoff time.

So much for better and efficient scoring

Every metric and even the so called salty old heads all agree that if it just comes to shooting, the average nba player today is far better than it has ever been.
People like you always talk about 3pts spamming, I tend to watch either scoring cuts or highlights of 90s 2000s or 2010 basketball and as far as I can see all the emphasis on 3pts has done is remove those stupid 19ft-22ft long twos and replace them with 3s. You watch and see more 3s, I watch and see less long 2s. Shooting a 19ft-22th midrange at 38% when you can take shoot 3s at 35% has always been the most stupid shoot selection choice I have ever seen.
Also you act like Embiid is the first player who plays great in regular season games and then drop off in post season games, why didn't you name Luka, Jokic, J murray, Kawhi, Steph, Giannis,etc all players consistently raise their performance levels come playoff time.
Peyton manning was and still is the greatest regular season QB of all time, but come postseason his play took a dip, same with Thierry Henry, greatest striker in EPL history, but he more often than not came up small in the biggest of games.
So it is very possible Embiid has a big game block, hopefully he gets back healthy and puts that possibility to bed this season with a great playoffs run.

PS: As for cherry picking games, a 90s finals game had a final scoreline of 96-54, not a first round or regular season game but a FINALS game.
If any of today's star played on either side of a match-up of this they would be buried with abuse

A40:
I will recommend Watch Pacers, Mavericks and Hawks and tell me if what these teams play is basketball. There's more teams but these 3 are especially egregious

2012-2013. That's not 90s oh or even 2000s. Just 10 years ago. You had just 9 players scoring 20pts or more. Let that sink in

Did your analysis take into account the increase in 3pts shooting, a bigger emphasis is today's NBA on efficient shot selection, and IMHO the biggest factor which is the greater spread of scoring talent across teams in today's NBA.
A look at the 2012-2013 scoring leaders list shows that 6 teams were represented 2x in the top 20 scoring leaders list, which leads to only 2 players averaging more that 20 FGA per game. while for last year only 2 teams had two representatives. With 9 players averaging over 20 FGA per game with a substantial amount of them being 3pt shots.
So to me it's not surprising that more players are averaging over 20pts, because in today's NBA there is more emphasis on efficient shot selection, players take more 3pts shots and are on average better shooters overall, then finally because of the talent spread the scoring options on teams nowadays average more FGA than in 2012-2013, so all factors point to more players averaging over 20pts per game.

chic2pimp:
Atrocious defending is more often than not the root cause of players going off and scoring a ridiculous amount of points. For example The Raptors defense when Kobe went off for 81 was even worse. Luka taking 46 shots like Kobe did would have been the first to score 100 since Wilt.

Thank you, I recently watched and analysed every shot Kobe took during that game. What i observed was that, just like any other high scoring output it was a combination of incredible shot making on Kobe's part, plus questionable defense by the Raptors. With how hot the dude was they never doubled him, he only saw an extra Raptors defender when he got into the lane after either blowing past his primary defender. Don't get me wrong he made some incredible shots, but I also saw occasions where he was so wide ass open it was just laughable.

greypencils:
Between Shai and Jimmy Butler, who would you describe as the better baller? I would choose Jimmy despite the fact that he has never been first team All NBA. I would choose Jimmy because he is battle tested and has come out clutch in 3 Eastern Conference finals in 4 years. To me, 1st team All NBA means nothing. The likes of Luka and Shai put up good stats because they are the ones handling the ball mostly in their respective teams. MVPs, All NBAs, All Stars are regular season popularity contests. The playoffs is everything. The playoffs reveal who the real ballers are. Your nerves in game 7s,That's what determines the real ballers. Why do you think Embiid commands no respect irrespective of his high PPGs during regular season? If I was to choose between Embiid and Jimmy Butler, I will still choose Butler.
So your argument for Shai against Reggie Miller still holds no water. Reggie wasn't flashy, no First team All NBAs, no MVPs, no rings but he was a dog during playoffs. This is aside his longevity stats as you call it. Don't also forget, there was serious defence during Miller's time which also affected his PPG.
Give Shai time to prove himself. Until then, he is just another Trae Young without the showboating.

I personally disagree because this is the very mindset that led to extreme load management. Jimmy butler for all his playoffs heroics has never produced any body of work in the regular season that is any where close to what Shai has produced last season and so far this season, or what Luka has produced since his second season in the league. Jimmy has repeatedly been a coast during the season, and then turn it up in the playoffs in the last 5 seasons he has only played more than 60 games once, but he has in that same time produced 2 finals appearances and one conference finals.
I respect great playoffs performances but the regular season should either matter or it does not.
If fans and media continue to judge guys based on only playoffs performances, then don't blame them if they start implementing programs, that will allow them to coast during the regular season and then ramp up the intensity during the playoffs .

steady986:
But he still has made them better, no matter how minute it might be. On the other hand it looks like the Spurs have regressed. He got nice individual numbers though, I'll give him that, but we need to see it translate to some wins. Just some.

Both of these dudes are big men who don't initiate offense. One plays with a first team allnba pg and a team which has better players top to bottom and the overall team improves.
The other guy plays for a team where a small forward with a very weak handle and dubious playmaking ability in Sochan spends so much time initiating the offense and somehow we still blame the inability of Wemby numbers translating into wins on him.
Please we are not Skip Bayless and co who trive on outrage, this is a team sport and available talent and context matter.
If we switch both players right now, the Spurs will still be where they are if not worse, while OKC will be legitimate title contenders.
If Wemby was on OKC right now, no one will be talking about them needing to make a trade to get over the hump, but with Chet that is what the discussion is right now.

steady986:
Chet has made OKC better. What has Wemby done for the Spurs? Abeg x3

So chet who came into a team with a 1st team all-nba guard is what you are using. Chet is the 3rd option most nights on that team. While Wemby spends half the time playing against his own teammates.

Nba suspends Draymond Green indefinitely

SmooshCHN:
Draymond is a clown sha. Nothing wey anybody wan tell me. He and Klay can geddifock. I wished the team had just let them go and built around Steph and even Poole. We the Warriors fans are tired of the team at this point. Absolute waste of money those two.

Poole has been a waste of money at Washington. The dude is just a role player who got paid based on possible potential

That Dillon Brooks contract is now looking well priced. The dude is not only taking less shots but is also making them at a very good percentage. All while playing incredible defense.

After all the talk. Ayton is shitting the bed as usual 😴

Is it just me or has Evan Mobley not taken that leap offensively that he was expected to take. Dude is due an extension and is no where near a max player.

A40:
You can be tough and fair. I use example of guys like Gary Payton, Dennis Rodman, Tony Allen, Dennis Johnson,Olajuwon, Duncan. Tough but fair.

What you find is a lot of players hide behind the mantra of toughness to hurt people look at what Draymond did, can you imagine he broke Sabonis rib and the rib punctured his lungs. Or that rubbish defender at United Lisandro abi wetin be him name. Look at Brevin Randle that college player that literally stomped on someone's head while he was on the ground

In a sport like ice hockey where you wear blades on your shoes there is no circumstances where your feet should ever leave the floor. This mofo threw a wheel kick. I can't even imagine being related to that guy. I would sue him, sue the team that employs him and sue the league

Nothing I hate more than seeing blowhard players who aren't even defensively sound hide behind the fact that it's a tough sport to potentially end careers and in this case lives.

Players like these should be spotted early and weeded out of the sport. Part of being an elite competitor is being your brother's keeper and prioritizing the safety of not just your teammates but your opponents

If it happened in the USA, a huge lawsuit/settlement will be around the corner. As it happened in the UK, their litigation laws are a bit different.

A40:
Even as someone that has high tolerance for gore that was tough to watch. People can say it's a mistake but what fvckin type of mistake is that. Drunk driving and accidentally killing someone behind the wheel is also a mistake but there's still need for punishment.

Players really need to be taught that you owe it to your opponent as much as your teammates to also protect them out there so you can compete against them another day. It was just unconscionable what that fool did

This is what happens when people keep encouraging violence in the name of toughness. A sport that is not about combat encouraging people to fight, it was bound to happen. All it just takes is the right set of circumstances and an accident, like this was, leads to irreparable consequences.

Luka is a walking bucket

Is Kyrie still a guy or is he now one of those streaky scorers can win you a game but is along for the ride in a full series. This is 4plus years and counting and he has done next to nothing

Skrrrrrrr:
This chris Paul experiment might actually work.
And no one is beating Denver in the western conference.....

Based on just the one game, you can clearly see why they made the move. The kind of 2-man game him and Saric played during those bench minutes looks promising. Also if Kuminga,Moody and Saric improves their finishing in the paint and those GSW bench minutes that has been awful for like 3-4 years now will start looking respectable.

Finally, the truth is coming out. I kept saying it that players who are paid millions just don't sit without a directive from management. Now the league is saying that the load based policy was based on league wide studies done that it could help reduce injuries. Owners were the drivers behind that policy, and if I was them I would do the same. If you are told that resting your franchise player for 10-15 games a year can not only help reduce injuries to said player, but can increase the chance of prolonging the backend of their prime by 3-4 yrs. As the money man anyone will implement that policy all day long.

Cvxxx:
Wembanyama doesn't have the x factor the media seems to propagate. Only time will tell. Not bad for his rookie debut night. 15 points

Did you watch the game, or are you talking from seeing stats. He shot the ball only 9 times throughout the game. The ball hogs on the Spurs lost them that game. If they had just played the one unstoppable match-up they had, they would have won
That is the issue with being a big man. You need someone else to get you the ball, and if they don't, then you might just be there for the ride.

Android17:
I am not challenging what you have said but is it because he blocked Klay Thompson in a preseason game?

Shots will get blocked here and there. Patrick Beverley had blocked Lebron if I am not mistaken.

It's not the blocks at all, it's the way guys have to change the arcs on their shot as soon as they feel him around.

Nba dudes will have to relearn all their ingrained angles with this Wembayama dude. His 8ft wingspan is just disrupting everything. You think he's out of position and all of a sudden that frame is contesting the shot. The nba needs to hope this dude stays healthy because if he does and fulfills his potential, he his going to make money for a lot of people

chic2pimp:
Bruhhh and we are also forgetting Khris in this equation. Not having to be the second option on offense is perfect for Him. Assuming everyone is fit, you are going to see a few more 40points game from Him with how open He'd be.

Every Middleton iso this up coming season will be against the 3rd best defender the opposition has and that will be huge for the Bucks.

Roland17:
Yes sir, like I predicted. Brogdan will be the center piece but adding TimeLord to the deal just hurts. We are giving way too much for a 33 year old.

They prioritized perimeter defense in this trade.

chic2pimp:
The only thing that can make this trade not worth it in the end is Dame's health. You are basically pairing the League's second best shooter with Adetokunbo. Only Steph would have made this deal better. I don't think people realise how abysmal Jrue's half court offense is. Dude literally shot under 40%(with a few under 30% games thrown in) from the field multiple times during the last 2 playoffs and yes even during their title winning season.

Jrue also shot around 28% from 3s, with a lot of them being open looks. The Bucks half-court offense was abysmal this past 2 seasons when Giannis is not trying to get a shot. The number of options a Giannis/Dame PnR alone will elevate their half-court offense. Also, in half-court situations Dame will now get to enjoy the luxury of shooting open look 3s from a kickout, whenever defenses collapse on a Giannis drive

steady986:
Jrue could just replace Dame in that starting lineup and play alongside Anfernee. The rest can be coming off the bench like they did when Dame was there. But I guess Jrue is the one who doesn't want to be there.

They are trying to hand the franchise to Scott. He his their hope of a franchise guy, no way they will sit him at all.

steady986:
Apparently, Jrue might be on his way out of Portland in no time.

They cannot keep him. They have too many young guards who they need to give playing time

Rich Paul just explained why someone like Cousins is having issues getting on an nba team. When he was the man in Sacramento everyone and their mama knew that the dude had a bad attitude. Some of those low level FO guys in Sacramento are probably top or middle level guys in different FOs around the league and no way in hell are they rubber stamping a move for him even if it is at the veterans minimum.

birdman:
You right. Thats why to me, the most important thing about Lebron is not really even that he passes too much as opposed to ball hogging to get more points. It really is about his mindset, and the drive to keep getting better each year, even after getting fat contracts.

When you see jokers like Harden trying to get max contract after coming to camp rusty and out of shape, you appreciate the true greatness of Lebron. Almost 40 and 4 rings, and the guy comes into camp like a sophomore with something to prove. Meanwhile some cats are buying shares in strip clubs from vegas to htown.

I rank Lebron with MJ, Magic, Jabbar, Russell and Kobe for that reason. Its not just dropping points and rings. Its also that mindset that comes with it. that lifestyle, that day and night grind even when you already achieved so much! Giannis should be on this roster before his career is over if he ever solves his jumpshots and freethrows. Game over for the league!

You are absolutely correct, there is a reason why a lot of those guys have been the face of the league at one time or another. It is not just about doing it on the court but also making sure you are relatively drama free off it. Then there is the grind and willingness to improve or at the very least adapt your game to ensure that you continue to perform at a high level for as long as possible.

steady986:
Would be very difficult to replicate. All round guys like Harden, Russ, Luka and Jokic are reasonable candidates but they'd have to be great for 20+ years. Russ and Harden are already passed it. Jokic started slow and so won't make it. That leaves Luka. My best guess is he too won't make it.

Of all the players playing now Luka is probably the only one with a negligible chance. One very underrated thing about everyone in the 30k pts club is that their scoring had to age well. It's just truly remarkable IMHO

steady986:
If LeBron was a little more stingy with the ball like the other people on this list, he probably would have broken Kareem's record a long time ago. Do you know what it means to be no. 1 in points and no. 4 in assists? It basically means you look for your teammates almost as much as you look to score yourself.

In terms of regular season stats, Lebron will end up when it's all said and done with 40k+ pts, 10k+assists and 10k+ rebounds. That's just incredible and we might never see someone do that again

steady986:
KAJ was about 220/225 in his peak weight. But I know Wemby will get there too. But I also know he'll grow taller. He's currently 7"5. And the difference is Wemby's game is going to be different from KAJ's. And lets face it, 7"2' will always have a smaller centre of gravity than 7"5'

He his not 7"5 the Spurs measured him at 7"3 issh. All I am saying is, Kareem never bulked up. His training was more agility focused, and he was reIatively injury free for a big man.

steady986:
Dirk had a fine career, but he's not the GOAT neither can you say he's in the conversation. And you mention Jokic? Lol. Jokic is as physical as they come. Forget that he doesn't have muscle. You can't stop Jokic in the post. Go and ask AD Duncan was physical.

Note, when I say physical, I don't necessarily mean athletic. Although it could be part of it. There are many ways to be physically imposing, and size and build is definitely a reason for that, as well as the way you use that size.

Question, was Kareem physical? From what I have heard, Wemby's team is trying to go the KAJ route, instead of adding too much muscles, they are going for agility instead. KAJ played at around 205 all his career at 7ft 2in. Wemby can go for the lean, agile 80s style center who don't pump iron.

As all this contracts numbers are flying around, one thing has been severely underreported, and that is under the new CBA, teams are now allowed to give nfl style contracts, with some or most of the years not guaranteed. The Rockets especially have used this with FVV, with his 3rd year being a team option, Jock landale only has 1yr guaranteed and so many more will come out when the full details are released.