NBA 2016-17

Westbrook is also going to smash the all time nba usage rate for a season too.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/usg_pct_season.html

http://www.foxsports.com/nba/stats?category=ADVANCED&team=0

He's on course for 41.7% (5.4%) ahead of anyone in the league this season and 3% more than all-time second place (Kobe in 05-06 at 38.7%). LeBron's most ever was 33.8% which places him at most 32nd all time. Kinda shows how insanely efficient he's been throughout his career to average what he does.
 
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syrian_scholes said:
Honestly if anyone says Westbrook doesn't deserve MVP they would be lying.
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To
syrian_scholes said:
I agree, I'm just saying if Westbrook win it wouldn't be a surprise and it would be also deserved.
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And finally...
syrian_scholes said:
Harden's case is very strong too, you can't say he doesn't deserve it either, his team is 3rd in NBA, not 6th in the west.
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:lol: Either your conviction ain't all that convinced or you've got the memory of a goldfish.
 
Man of Leisure said:
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To

And finally...
:lol: Either your conviction ain't all that convinced or you've got the memory of a goldfish.
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It's true though. Both Harden and Westbrook have equally strong cases. Being a Westbrook fan I'd lean towards him but can't disagree with Harden winning it either.

Not just the regular season MVP, if Harden does well in the playoffs he can take the Rockets to the NBA finals this year, which will be mental.
 
Moby said:
It's true though. Both Harden and Westbrook have equally strong cases. Being a Westbrook fan I'd lean towards him but can't disagree with Harden winning it either.

Not just the regular season MVP, if Harden does well in the playoffs he can take the Rockets to the NBA finals this year, which will be mental.
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That's what I was trying to say, THANK YOU. :lol:
 
syrian_scholes said:
That's what I was trying to say, THANK YOU. :lol:
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:lol:

It's quite refreshing to have such a close race for the award this year with people being kept in suspense till the last moment in contrast to having a unanimous winner last season. One of the closest races I have witnessed, both have just continued putting up crazy numbers from start to end.
 
Curry was ridiculous 75% 6/8 from 3 and 56% from the field with 28 points in 29 minutes with a +9.

He now leads +/- in the NBA with 979, a lead of 147 over his nearest teammate in Draymond Green and an absolutely stupid 450 lead over the next highest not in his team in Chris Paul.

Harden has a score of +432. Westbrook +254. LeBron James +482. Even his own teammate KD only has +675. None come close to the 979 of Steph Curry.

People have no idea how stupid that is really.
 
So do the Warriors play better when Durant lets Curry be an aggressive, option 1A point-guard? It's interesting. After seeing Westbrook this season I wonder if sometimes the Thunder tried too hard to make Durant 'the guy' and should have had him defer or take a back seat to Westbrook more.
 
ZDwyr said:
So do the Warriors play better when Durant lets Curry be an aggressive, option 1A point-guard? It's interesting. After seeing Westbrook this season I wonder if sometimes the Thunder tried too hard to make Durant 'the guy' and should have had him defer or take a back seat to Westbrook more.
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It's a very difficult situation for any team to be honest. Like you say there have been cases where not having every play revolve around him, both for Thunder and Warriors, would probably be beneficial but on the other hand you cannot imagine having an all time great scorer in your team and not giving him the ball enough.
 
ZDwyr said:
So do the Warriors play better when Durant lets Curry be an aggressive, option 1A point-guard? It's interesting. After seeing Westbrook this season I wonder if sometimes the Thunder tried too hard to make Durant 'the guy' and should have had him defer or take a back seat to Westbrook more.
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Well the reason he left apparently was because Westbrook was always 'the guy' and he wanted to play in a more team orientated environment, whether you believe that or not. If you remember all of Westbrook's late game bricked 3s last season it would make sense.
 
ZDwyr said:
So do the Warriors play better when Durant lets Curry be an aggressive, option 1A point-guard? It's interesting. After seeing Westbrook this season I wonder if sometimes the Thunder tried too hard to make Durant 'the guy' and should have had him defer or take a back seat to Westbrook more.
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Well, they reached a final and three conference finals with Durant as 'the guy'. Lets see how they do with Westbrook as 'the guy'. My prediction is that they won't reach a conference finals during the entire Russ' career.

Thuders biggest mistake was trying to make Russ the 'co-guy', instead of shipping him where they did Harden. Harden is a better team player than Westbrook. Durant has always been a team player, even where he was considered the superstar of the team (with Russ as supporting crew), Russ on the other hand was more the guy who wants stats.
 
Revan said:
Well, they reached a final and three conference finals with Durant as 'the guy'. Lets see how they do with Westbrook as 'the guy'.
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Well, Westbrook doesn't have a Westbrook to partner him, or James Harden, or Serge Ibaka, or a Steven Adams who can catch the ball... Not that I don't know how much you love Durant tbh to go to any lengths.
 
Revan said:
Well, they reached a final and three conference finals with Durant as 'the guy'. Lets see how they do with Westbrook as 'the guy'. My prediction is that they won't reach a conference finals during the entire Russ' career.

Thuders biggest mistake was trying to make Russ the 'co-guy', instead of shipping him where they did Harden. Harden is a better team player than Westbrook. Durant has always been a team player, even where he was considered the superstar of the team (with Russ as supporting crew), Russ on the other hand was more the guy who wants stats.
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As @Moby said, it's hardly a fair comparison because he doesn't have a superstar alongside him. So making any kind of comparison is just stupid. I'm curious as to why you think Harden is a better team player than Russ? And why you think Westbrook cares more about stats than Durant? Particularly as you seem to indicate Russ cared more about stats when he was with Durant too.

Durant certainly cares about his FG% because he will pass up attempting a half-court shot at the end of quarters. Westbrook isn't the only player concerned about stats.

Redondo_Pirri said:
Well the reason he left apparently was because Westbrook was always 'the guy' and he wanted to play in a more team orientated environment, whether you believe that or not. If you remember all of Westbrook's late game bricked 3s last season it would make sense.
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Durant left because he was worried about finishing his career without a ring. So he hitched himself to a guaranteed championship. There might have been some other factors (I am sure there was) but that was the main reason IMO. A lot of the bricked 3s was because they never sorted out who was going to close games. A lot of the time Westbrook looked for Durant but he couldn't get the ball to him and ended up taking an ill-advised shot. Look at how clutch Westbrook is this season. Maybe if Durant had just said, 'give the ball to Russ and let him go' Thunder might have won more close games. But the temptation to give the ball to Durant was too great.
 
Moby said:
Well, Westbrook doesn't have a Westbrook to partner him, or James Harden, or Serge Ibaka, or a Steven Adams who can catch the ball... Not that I don't know how much you love Durant tbh to go to any lengths.
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Because they didn't want to play with a point guard with shot accuracy, who takes too much shots, and who keeps the ball forever. Similarly, how superstars avoided Iverson, Melo or even Kobe Bryant.

Adama was playing well last season. Now that Russ has decided to take more shoots than the rest of his team combined, Adams is not playing that well. What a surprise!
 
Revan said:
Because they didn't want to play with a point guard with shot accuracy, who takes too much shots, and who keeps the ball forever. Similarly, how superstars avoided Iverson, Melo or even Kobe Bryant.

Adama was playing well last season. Now that Russ has decided to take more shoots than the rest of his team combined, Adams is not playing that well. What a surprise!
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Well that's just a blatant lie.

He has career best numbers in: points, steals, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and FT%
 
I see that Lakers have forfeited at their tanking attempt.

If there is any justice, top 3 picks will go to Boston, Miami and Sacramento. Boston to make Brooklyn feel like even more like idiots after they traded their future for three 35-year olds, Miami because they did make a try to get a playoffs spot rather than surrendered their season in the middle of it - and with the amount of injuries they had they had every reason to pack it in and give up. Sacramento because they had the guts to trade Cousins for Hield and a pick and it now turns out Hield is pretty good and that pick will actually be in lottery and will come ca. 11 which is not bad at all. Moreover I just want them to catch a break for once. Or alternatively Philadelphia for making their first attempt at winning in ages, and to make it even more funny when Lakers lose their pick because they jumped into their place.

Phoenix and Lakers do not deserve top 3 for the blatant tanking they commited.
 
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Sarni said:
I see that Lakers have forfeited at their tanking attempt.

If there is any justice, top 3 picks will go to Boston, Miami and Sacramento. Boston to make Brooklyn feel like even more like idiots after they traded their future for three 35-year olds, Miami because they did make a try to get a playoffs spot rather than surrendered their season in the middle of it - and with the amount of injuries they had they had every reason to pack it in and give up. Sacramento because they had the guts to trade Cousins for Hield and a pick and it now turns out Hield is pretty good and that pick will actually be in lottery and will come ca. 11 which is not bad at all. Moreover I just want them to catch a break for once. Or alternatively Philadelphia for making their first attempt at winning in ages, and to make it even more funny when Lakers lose their pick because they jumped into their place.

Phoenix and Lakers do not deserve top 3 for the blatant tanking they commited.
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Meh, guaranteed to get a bad pick eventhough this seems to be the richest draft in a while. And if they somehow manage to get a good pick, they'll ship him in a few years for some average player.
 
Revan said:
Meh, guaranteed to get a bad pick eventhough this seems to be the richest draft in a while. And if they somehow manage to get a good pick, they'll ship him in a few years for some average player.
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Maybe. I would like them to try for the way they handled the whole Cousins thing. They looked absolutely ridiculous at the time but not so bad now that Hield has settled and the New Orleans pick does not look like no. 20 obscurity anymore because, guess what, they have not really gone on that amazing run everyone predicted they would with Cousins and Davis. Obviously they cannot have New Orleans pick moving any higher because it is top 3 protected but their could land high. However I am stupid saying that I want them to be top 3 while not mentioning that Philadelphia will have to be higher than them for them to keep that pick anyway because Phila have the rights to swap. But still, Phila's would be about 4 or 5 if Sacramento leapfrogged them in lottery.
 
It totally sucks that Miami don't make the playoffs.

On the other side of the US, Durant had an incredible performance, scoring 29 points in 26 minutes and having a very nice accuracy. Curry is a boss, get the ball, make a player jump, shoot and score a three. Seriously, how are the other teams supposed to defend a team with Curry and Durant while both are in form? It is literally impossible, especially considering that Klay can shoot from everywhere too and in these three players they have the three best shooters in the league. One of them being a 7 foot player.

I don't think that they are going to lose more than three or four games during the entire playoffs.
 
As a Knicks fan, It's sad \ crazy to see that Melo has likely played his last game for the Knicks. One of my favorite players of all time i'm just happy I got chance to see him playing in the Garden.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
As a Knicks fan, It's sad \ crazy to see that Melo has likely played his last game for the Knicks. One of my favorite players of all time i'm just happy I got chance to see him playing in the Garden.
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Why? Do you reckon he will be traded now? With his no-trade clause I very much doubt they will find it easy to shift him. Teams that would normally be interested in him will be the teams he will not agree to go to. With his wife being keen on NY life I think the only way he leaves is to LA team and I cannot see Clippers or Lakers going for that. Lakers are rebuilding, don't need an old forward who cannot defend and Clippers will have no money if they resign their free agents (Paul, Griffin and Redick are all free to go this year).
 
Revan said:
It totally sucks that Miami don't make the playoffs.

On the other side of the US, Durant had an incredible performance, scoring 29 points in 26 minutes and having a very nice accuracy. Curry is a boss, get the ball, make a player jump, shoot and score a three. Seriously, how are the other teams supposed to defend a team with Curry and Durant while both are in form? It is literally impossible, especially considering that Klay can shoot from everywhere too and in these three players they have the three best shooters in the league. One of them being a 7 foot player.

I don't think that they are going to lose more than three or four games during the entire playoffs.
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I feel for Miami. They actually made one of the most remarkable comebacks in history, if not the most remarkable one, as they crawled from 11-30 to make it 30-11 in the following 41 games and get to .500, only to lose out to Indiana and Chicago teams who have been just meh for the whole season.
 
Sarni said:
Why? Do you reckon he will be traded now? With his no-trade clause I very much doubt they will find it easy to shift him. Teams that would normally be interested in him will be the teams he will not agree to go to. With his wife being keen on NY life I think the only way he leaves is to LA team and I cannot see Clippers or Lakers going for that. Lakers are rebuilding, don't need an old forward who cannot defend and Clippers will have no money if they resign their free agents (Paul, Griffin and Redick are all free to go this year).
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I've always been against us trading him and never truly believed we would, but this time it seems very different. I think the relationship between Phil and Melo is toxic, and with Phil signing an extension I think this is the right time for him to go. He knows it to. Whereas once upon a time he would of stayed in NY for a money, I think this time he may lower his wages to try and get a Championship. To which team though is the question. I cannot see him going to Boston but I can see him perhaps going to the Clippers. Blake is broken down and a huge concern IMO so I would not be shocked if they let him go. Then there is the Cavs, Cap wise you would think they'll be no chance but if Lebron wants it to happen he generally always finds a way.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
I've always been against us trading him and never truly believed we would, but this time it seems very different. I think the relationship between Phil and Melo is toxic, and with Phil signing an extension I think this is the right time for him to go. He knows it to. Whereas once upon a time he would of stayed in NY for a money, I think this time he may lower his wages to try and get a Championship. To which team though is the question. I cannot see him going to Boston but I can see him perhaps going to the Clippers. Blake is broken down and a huge concern IMO so I would not be shocked if they let him go. Then there is the Cavs, Cap wise you would think they'll be no chance but if Lebron wants it to happen he generally always finds a way.
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Well he cannot take a paycut. He is making circa $27M per year for the next two seasons, 2018-19 is a player option.

Even if Clippers let Blake go, taking Carmelo will still put them in luxury tax once they sign Paul to a max, and that is without even re-signing Redick. It's still not a championship team either, Carmelo or not.
 
Sarni said:
Well he cannot take a paycut. He is making circa $27M per year for the next two seasons, 2018-19 is a player option.

Even if Clippers let Blake go, taking Carmelo will still put them in luxury tax once they sign Paul to a max, and that is without even re-signing Redick. It's still not a championship team either, Carmelo or not.
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The Clippers could take a hit on the luxury tax for a year or two though if they genuinely believed that Melo would contribute to a championship. In my personal opinion I've never been convinced by the Clippers but you have to remember Melo is very good friends with CP3 and I'm sure he will be encouraging such possibility if there is in fact one.
 
adexkola said:
Tony Allen, our best perimeter defender, is out for a month with a calf strain. feck my life.
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I was hoping the Spurs/Grizz series would be competitive but with Allen out that will make it very, very tough.
charlton66 said:
For @ZDwyr
https://lasportshub.com/2017/04/11/2017-nba-playoff-predictions-breaking-series/
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:lol: I wish.
My predictions for the first round:
Warriors in 4
Spurs in 5
Rockets in 5
Clippers in 7
Cavs in 5
Celtics in 5
Raptors in 7
Wizards in 6
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
The Clippers could take a hit on the luxury tax for a year or two though if they genuinely believed that Melo would contribute to a championship. In my personal opinion I've never been convinced by the Clippers but you have to remember Melo is very good friends with CP3 and I'm sure he will be encouraging such possibility if there is in fact one.
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I am pretty sure Clippers would be repeating offenders therefore the penalty would be more severe and they'd have to pay a very significant luxury tax. Not sure Ballmer will dig this idea when he has already spent millions trying to get this team somewhere and it's not working at all.

Clippers should have probably blown it up when they had the chance. Their big three of Paul, Griffin and Jordan will not win them the championship in this current league. They had flashes of brilliance and period when they looked invincible (beginning of season, for instance) but ultimately whenever facing a top team, they struggle. Warriors have basically been destroying them casually for 3 years with some embarrassing scorelines. Their window for success was 3-4 years ago before Warriors (and Cavaliers) got this good, now the best idea would have been to trade players for picks and rebuild with a view to compete in 2019 or 2020. Taking Carmelo would only add to their problems.
 
ZDwyr said:
I was hoping the Spurs/Grizz series would be competitive but with Allen out that will make it very, very tough.

:lol: I wish.
My predictions for the first round:
Warriors in 4
Spurs in 5
Rockets in 5
Clippers in 7
Cavs in 5
Celtics in 5
Raptors in 7
Wizards in 6
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Portland 4-2
Spurs 4-1
Rockets 4-3
Jazz 4-2

Cavaliers 4-0
Celtics 4-3
Bucks 4-3
Wizards 4-2

Wishful thinking but please make it happen :drool: Cheering for Portland (obviously) and adopting Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
 
Sarni said:
I am pretty sure Clippers would be repeating offenders therefore the penalty would be more severe and they'd have to pay a very significant luxury tax. Not sure Ballmer will dig this idea when he has already spent millions trying to get this team somewhere and it's not working at all.

Clippers should have probably blown it up when they had the chance. Their big three of Paul, Griffin and Jordan will not win them the championship in this current league. They had flashes of brilliance and period when they looked invincible (beginning of season, for instance) but ultimately whenever facing a top team, they struggle. Warriors have basically been destroying them casually for 3 years with some embarrassing scorelines. Their window for success was 3-4 years ago before Warriors (and Cavaliers) got this good, now the best idea would have been to trade players for picks and rebuild with a view to compete in 2019 or 2020. Taking Carmelo would only add to their problems.
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That would be a bad idea. They aren't as good as Golden State but they can compete with anyone else. Their best bet is to hang around and hope GS has an injury or they have a good 30 game stretch like the 2011 Mavericks. Orlando just fired Rob Henigan after they sold off and went 5 years without making the playoffs.

Look through some recent high picks. Okafor went 3rd, Exum went 5th, Bennett went 1st, Waiters 4th, Williams went 2nd. That's just since 2011. So many teams sell off and spend years trying to claw back. It would be foolish to sell a trio like this for draft picks.
 
Eboue said:
That would be a bad idea. They aren't as good as Golden State but they can compete with anyone else. Their best bet is to hang around and hope GS has an injury or they have a good 30 game stretch like the 2011 Mavericks. Orlando just fired Rob Henigan after they sold off and went 5 years without making the playoffs.

Look through some recent high picks. Okafor went 3rd, Exum went 5th, Bennett went 1st, Waiters 4th, Williams went 2nd. That's just since 2011. So many teams sell off and spend years trying to claw back. It would be foolish to sell a trio like this for draft picks.
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That's true to an extent. Having high draft picks might not get you anywhere, Kings are a prime example. Even Cavaliers had to take four top 5 picks (and trade one for more experienced Kevin Love too) AND bring LeBron back to be competitive. Clippers situation once their big three and Redick plus Crawford decline looks pretty grim though. Zero young talent on that team and their picks situation does not look promising either. In 4 years they could be by far the worst team in the league.
 
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