Official NBA 2012-2013 Season Thread

[big j 33]

But how many teams have won with three perimeter stars?

OKC was a play here, a play there from doing just that last year. All at 22-23. If that same squad was 25 with 2 more years of playoff know how, that's their title. That's how fine the line was.

What's done is done, no doubt, Harden went the hard line, so be it, but the 3 man perimeter thing was about to be out the window QUICK if not for that little thing called money.

Not saying it would have been impossible, but history doesn't suggest it's common. 

As a Knicks fan, I have no patience for championships. I might have been ok with the trade initially because it made sense and could be rationalized for all parties involved.. but the more I think about it, the less I like it. Pay Harden, take a shot for a couple years and if it doesn't work, trade Russ for a decent PG and cap relief. There was no guarantees to return to the Finals with Harden, San Antonio might take them down, the Lakers could do it, then they have to face Miami again, but that road is much harder without Harden. 

 

[solarius49]

Kevin Martin

got to the line, had 5 assists and 15 points, all in his 1st game in this offense....

 

[buc em]

Kevin Martin
got to the line, had 5 assists and 15 points, all in his 1st game in this offense....

I was a big supporter when I heard of this trade with them bringing in Martin, but I will say one thing.....Martin holds the ball waaay too long. Guy needs to get the ball and make a quick explosive move instead of standing there with the ball jab stepping. That's not gonna flow well with KD and Westbrook out there.

 

[duba169]

The only criticism he will get is getting things done with ibaka before harden

 

[flyerthandelta]

That move Cp3 put on Conley

 

[dyyhard]

 

[solarius49]

The only criticism he will get is getting things done with ibaka before harden

But I can kind of understand the thinking behind. Obviously Harden is an outstanding multifaceted player. I can see Presti thinking

"Ok well I have the most dynamic scorer in the league in Durant, and another outstanding scorer in Westbrook...Should I pay another scorer? Or should I invest in a player who can change the game on the defensive end?"

And Ibaka does that. Obviously Harden has the potential to be an absolute STAR in this league, but I dont think Presti's choice was so black and white or 100% wrong

 

[Bert.]

unless he finds another team, the team he was supposed to sign with the deal fell apart and they ended up signing Terrance Williams yesterday.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I can't wait to see these two matchup again.

 

[grandtheftbike]

zbo blatant hate is blatant

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

I saw someone ask but didn't see anyone answer...if Rondo is this all world best point guard in the league...why would Boston entertain a deal for Westbrook...clearly an inferior player right? They'd be taking on a bigger contract and an inferior player.
Ya'll play NBA 2K too much.

Obviously that trade wouldn't happen now as evidence by my in my posts.


But just last year people were at the thought of the two swapping places. Now without the playmaking abilities of Harden to cover Russell's weaknesses things are looking pretty hazy. The main thing I wanted to point out however is the salaries. It's just a fantasy scenario anyway, but if the trade had of somehow happened Rondo makes so much less than Westbrook they could've kept Durant, Ibaka and Harden as well.



Obviously this is a grand overreaction seeing as how this is the first game of the season. But if something doesn't click for Westbrook soon they're not getting anywhere. And I don't think it will. He's just not a pure point. I don't know what Brooks or Presti can do to remedy it either.

 

[Maximus Meridius]

Classic gif

This will never get old


Like C-Webb said on Inside The NBA James Harden was the best facilitator on OKC, he made sure everybody ate. Westbrook is not a damn PG, he's a great SG though. Thats not a knock on him. Thats just what it is.


I still cant get over him being on the other side of the court while his man is WIDE OPEN.

 

[jesusshuttlesworth34]

That was no suplex......


This is a suplex:

 

[CP1708]

Blake wanted NOTHING to do with Zach. NOTHING.

You see the flop back when Zach bumped his chest?

Still tho, that first vid, the take down by Zach, you could see that hurt Blake a little, he lifted his back up right away, Zach gotta chill on that.

When they play next? I want to see that game, I'm pissed I missed this one.

 

[Chester McFloppy]

"Battle for LA."

Clippers fans gassed as hell. Reminds me of:

 

[a baboon cow]

Better that than...

Or...

Or...

Or...

Best part is AI still dresses like that and drives a maybach.

 

[datznasty]

Better that than...

Or...

Or...

Or...

Best part is AI still dresses like that and drives a maybach.

And "some" NTers will argue for 40 pages how AI is a great role model and call your Thomas's Uncle if you disagree.

 

[grandtheftbike]

dont forget the goat

 

[Deleted member 38182]

dont forget the goat

It wouldn't actually be that bad if he wore a different shirt, untucked....

 

[coldcity]

dont forget the goat

It wouldn't actually be that bad if he untucked the shirt....

fixed .......everything else is money ....pun intended


& why am i just seeing that FP/kd/westbrook gif

 

[pmatic]

Surgery in Eric Gordon's future?

No firm decisions have yet been made as New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon continues to seek additional opinions on his troublesome right knee, but microfracture surgery has been presented as one of a number of potential remedies, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

Gordon is scheduled to consult with a knee specialist this weekend as the Hornets try to pinpoint a definitive course of action -- whether that's a surgical procedure or a revamped rehabilitation program -- after their highest-paid player was shelved indefinitely this week.

The recovery plan, sources said, is unlikely to be finalized before early next week.

Gordon missed all but nine games last season due to knee problems but still received a four-year, $58 million maximum offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns in July as a restricted free agent. The Hornets matched the offer and held out hope all month that Gordon would be ready to play by opening night, only for Hornets coach Monty Williams to announce earlier this week that Gordon would need more time off.

In a visit with local media Thursday, Gordon acknowledged that there has been "a little bit of a setback as far as this injury" since he publicly addressed his health in September. Gordon last played full-speed basketball without restrictions in July in an unsuccessful audition for Team USA in Las Vegas.

"Nothing structural," Gordon said of the injury. "There has been a little bit of soreness and swelling. I'm always listening to the doctors and they've told me there is swelling, but obviously I can tell myself that there has been a little bit of swelling.

"That's why I'm not playing. The past few days I have been practicing because I thought it was something I could deal with pain-wise. I went to the organization the other day and told them that it was not feeling good. It is very painful."

Gordon expressed hope that a timetable for treatment would be finalized this weekend, but it remains unclear whether surgery will be needed or if further rest and rehabilitation will prove sufficient.

The idea of microfracture surgery was broached with Gordon last season, sources told ESPN.com, but Gordon was resistant to such serious surgery heading into his free-agent summer. Gordon, 23, did end up having arthroscopic surgery -- a lesser procedure -- in February.

Concerns about the knee prompted the Hornets to let Gordon become a restricted free agent, but New Orleans ultimately decided to match the Suns' offer sheet despite Gordon's public pleas to be set free so he could join Phoenix.

Gordon is a big part of the Hornets' plans not only because of his new contract but because he's the primary player New Orleans received from the Los Angeles Clippers in last December's Chris Paul trade. He's projected as one of New Orleans' prime complements to new franchise player Anthony Davis, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in June.

"It has been very frustrating not to be able to play," Gordon said Thursday. "I only played nine games last year and I haven't played any games this year. I didn't play in any preseason games. It has been very frustrating watching the guys play and not being a part of it. I know from a fan's perspective that it is very frustrating for them, but as a player it is most frustrating for me and this organization.

"I know it's tough, but it's very hard on me. This is an injury that I have battled with and it's frustrating, because this is a great city and a great organization and I definitely want to be a part of it. Being a part of it for me is being out there playing. The reason I'm not playing is because of this injury."

Link

Well damn.

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

"Battle for LA."
Clippers fans gassed as hell. Reminds me of:

 

[jhawk826]

So it was suggested that he have the surgery last year, but decided not to in order to secure a pay day. That's on him and whoever in his corner that gave him that advice. Entire situation is a mess.

Also, props to D-Wade for coming out and saying that the NBA should have canceled tonight's game given the situation in NYC and the tri state area.

 

[elpablo21]

Read that article on Wade a few minutes ago...I was surprised to find out they were even playing tonight

 

[dmbrhs]

Presti has been the NBA golden boy as far as GMs are concerned. It's WAY early, but if the Thunder don't make the finals - yes, I said FINALS, he's gonna feel heat (no pun).

Nah. But I will agree that now is the time we find out how good of a GM Presti is. He's had the luxury of striking gold in three straight draft lotteries, and having incredible success with those guys on rookie contracts (or very early in their max extensions). Now that small market economics have become a reality, it'll be interesting to see where they go. They got draft picks in the Harden deal, but even then it's not like it's an unprotected Bobcats pick. If they pick no higher than 10, will they always find a diamond in the rough (like Ibaka)? Or will they finally whiff on a pick? Now is the real test.