Official 2012-2013 NBA Thread

[Al Bundy]

Looks like James Harden has been To the Rockets for Jeremey Lamb, Kevin Martin and future picks. Plus... this is a general NBA thread.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Kevin Durant doesn't do what he did against the Spurs in that series without the major aid of James Harden. That was the point. His great play helped free up Durant and helped elevate that team.



Harden's defense isn't particularly good (at least if you're comparing him to the best players in the league like LeBron and Durant or defensive stoppers like Thabo), but it's not that bad either. When he wants to play hard defensively, he's quite capable. We're not talking about DeMar DeRozan or something here.

I'm telling you. I watched pretty much every minute he played for 3 years. I'm not saying he's not capable, but he does not bring it on D it a vast majority of the time.

Durant closed 2 of those games when pretty much no one but he or Westbrook touched the ball. Your theory would hold more weight if Brooks would have put more on Harden in clutch situations. They still do the same shit now with Martin. The only exception was game 4 in Dallas when they let him go and he did single handedly win that game. I always wanted to see more of that. This is why the Harden trade isn't as big as people make it. His talents would never be fully utilized in the Thunders offense(not that they really have one) in fact, Martin may fit what they need better being a better spot up shooter than Harden. Both have the same meh defense. Both Westbrook and Durant have become better play makers out of need. Really, it all falls on Scott Brooks. It's not all energy and execution. Sometimes you have to tweak what doesn't work against aome(mainly one) team(s)

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by okcchief

I'm telling you. I watched pretty much every minute he played for 3 years. I'm not saying he's not capable, but he does not bring it on D it a vast majority of the time.

I'm aware of this as well. The next step for him after this year is becoming a better two-way player and that means giving more effort defensively. It's not that easy to do and takes a lot out of a player, but if he want to be considered one of the top 5 players in the game, that's what it will take.

Durant closed 2 of those games when pretty much no one but he or Westbrook touched the ball. Your theory would hold more weight if Brooks would have put more on Harden in clutch situations. They still do the same shit now with Martin. The only exception was game 4 in Dallas when they let him go and he did single handedly win that game. I always wanted to see more of that. This is why the Harden trade isn't as big as people make it. His talents would never be fully utilized in the Thunders offense(not that they really have one) in fact, Martin may fit what they need better being a better spot up shooter than Harden. Both have the same meh defense. Both Westbrook and Durant have become better play makers out of need. Really, it all falls on Scott Brooks. It's not all energy and execution. Sometimes you have to tweak what's doesn't work against aome(mainly one) team(s)

Perhaps you are right and it won't matter when the games start to have meaning. OKC should clearly at least be able to get into the 2nd round without much problem. From that point on, I'll be interested to see if a lack of Harden hurts them against teams like the Spurs/Clippers/Grizzlies.

[okcchief]

He hasn't gotten much playing time this year, but I'm really excited about Jeremy Lamb next year. He's been getting a lot of time in the D League as Reggie Jackson did last year. I think Martin will sign for what they wanted to pay Harden, and Lamb will step in to that role soon. DeAndre Liggins looks like he could be a player a lot like Sefalosha. Our bench right now has a lot of potential. The strength of the staff is developing talent. If they learn to bring some more discipline and flexibility/adjustments watch out.

I don't know where they will wind up this year, but I really think the 3 years following we will have a really good shot of winning a title as the young bench grows and Russ and KD mature.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I'm aware of this as well. The next step for him after this year is becoming a better two-way player and that means giving more effort defensively. It's not that easy to do and takes a lot out of a player, but if he want to be considered one of the top 5 players in the game, that's what it will take.



Perhaps you are right and it won't matter when the games start to have meaning. OKC should clearly at least be able to get into the 2nd round without much problem. From that point on, I'll be interested to see if a lack of Harden hurts them against teams like the Spurs/Clippers/Grizzlies.

The West is tough. Even last year if a few things happen we don't make it to the Finals. The Clippers and Spurs are as good as OKC and Denver and Memphis are pretty damn close as well. Really, if they can just win one in the next four years I'll be ecstatic. I'm still just happy to live in with a professional sports team again. Them being really good is icing on the cake. Being a Chiefs and Royals fan the Thunder have given me more joy in five years than they have in the last 20 lol

[-King-]

Jerry Buss passed away today.
Posted via Mobile Device

[KevB]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

There's nothing to argue. It was plain to see. Neither of them were trying all game until Kobe decided to clown him out of nowhere. In a ****ing All-Star game. You can pin it on his ultra competitiveness if you want (instead of his need to have his ego stroked), but that's what happened.

Kobe was playing tough D on LeBron the entire 4th quarter, it wasn't just that one play. He blocked another shot later in the quarter. LeBron knew Kobe was trying to D him up, it wasn't an ambush. Now, if you want to argue that LeBron's heart wasn't in it because it was an All-Star game, I can see that. It was strange though, that for the 2nd AS game in a row, Kobe challenged him and he folded a bit (passed on the winning shot last year).

It doesn't really matter, as LeBron is probably going to win another ring and another MVP this season. But, it speaks to the ruthlessness that he doesn't seem to possess. He was challenged in a game that didn't really matter, and he treated it as such --- not a big deal. However, that would never have happened with MJ. He'll kick your ass in tiddlywinks if that's the game at hand. He would have treated that 4th quarter as his chance to emasculate Kobe if he were in the same position.

Don't take this the wrong way, it doesn't diminish how good LeBron is or will be in the future. Just a small window into who these guys are --- it's interesting.

[KevB]

I'll give Rudy Gay this, he has taken the opportunity (to shoot) in Toronto and run with it. Guy is taking 20+ shots a game. 24 points on 25 shots tonight. Between he and DeRozan, it's a race to see who can take more shots every game it seems. That said, I'm only seeing the box score, not the games. And, they've been winning some games with Gay on board.

[tk13]

In a battle of the top two teams behind Miami in the east... the Pacers are beating the daylights out of the Knicks tonight. 100-63 in the 3rd quarter.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by tk13

In a battle of the top two teams behind Miami in the east... the Pacers are beating the daylights out of the Knicks tonight. 100-63 in the 3rd quarter.

dayum

[Al Bundy]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

Y! Sources: Houston Rockets acquire forward Thomas Robinson in three-way deal with Kings and Suns.

[Al Bundy]

Adrian Wojnarowski ‏@WojYahooNBA

The Houston Rockets have traded Marcus Morris to the Phoenix Suns for a future second-round draft pick, league sources tell Y! Sports.

[RunKC]

Wow the Rockets get T-Rob?

Wow they have gotten so much better this year.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by tk13

In a battle of the top two teams behind Miami in the east... the Pacers are beating the daylights out of the Knicks tonight. 100-63 in the 3rd quarter.

It will be nice to get Danny Granger back.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by KevB

I'll give Rudy Gay this, he has taken the opportunity (to shoot) in Toronto and run with it. Guy is taking 20+ shots a game. 24 points on 25 shots tonight. Between he and DeRozan, it's a race to see who can take more shots every game it seems. That said, I'm only seeing the box score, not the games. And, they've been winning some games with Gay on board.

The race for 9th is theirs.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Wow the Rockets get T-Rob?

Wow they have gotten so much better this year.

I don't think it's about this year for them when making this deal. The hope is that he'll get better in the future. At the moment, his offensive game is non-existent.