Those portraits definitely made me lol, Joker looks totally monged.

Well, we've locked in Giannis for the forseeable anyway, makes my fanlife less complicated. I'd lol pretty hard if somehow Harden turns up in Mil too.

Euroleague commentary is so bizarre.

Bunch of dudes who've spent equal time in Europe and states with just fascinating accent combos over explaining every detail for entire games. I kinda love it.

Also, overexcitement for completely average dunks. Bless 'em.

Still, watched a Moscow derby last night that was a cracker of a game.

(Also, booo, it appears the NBA has cought up to VPNs. I am no longer canadian for billing purposes.)

The Hawks look great... Atlanta Vs Nets was an L, but there probably won't be another game like that all season.

So I can walk back the above a little. It's a bit team by team.

Indiana are a great watch. Sabonis is doing his dad proud and passing like a bit of a gun and being a beast on the low block.

New Orleans are interesting to watch too. Zion is a freak, they have a weird mix of individually good players and JJ reddick is struggling. Seems to be a lot of chatter and confusion between guys, but then some good stuff.

Dallas watchable, as always. Their city unis are quite the thing. White and gold. Strong 70s SF vibes. And/or sun rand/fountainhead inspiration. I know Cuban is a fan.

It's an interesting mix. That's a lot of offensive talent. And Nash could be the horse whisperer as far getting guys to play the right way.

Be cool to watch harden in an offense that isn't just 5 out or spread pnr with little movement.

I mean I don't expect prime warriors v2.0, but even a few little actions to get looks in different ways would be fun.

Yeah this is going to be either a depressing super team or a deeply entertaining sitcom.

Brooks wrote:

Yeah this is going to be either a depressing super team or a deeply entertaining sitcom.

Kyrie is the magic sauce to ensure the latter.
Also who's playing defence?  KD is eliete when he wants to but can't see him doing it throughout the regular season.

I'm not watching heaps, but have hammered all the Lowe posts, and a few breakdowns of nets games and it seems to me LAL are just legit. Everything just as they want it. Bron cruising etc. The aim is only to get to finals and hope.

Nets have HEAPS to work out. Offense already looks ridic, but there's so much that could still go wrong there. They need to do well out of buy outs, for a start.

Tbh, I'm more and more enjoying the euroleague. Nba talent is off tap, but it's obvious in so many games that they don't give a shit this season. Add to that games with multiple players out and the product isn't that flash right now.

Euroleague is in a much better state, fewer games cancelled, fewer teams with major outs, and they're playing hard as hell.

Fiba/euro rules > nba rules on so many levels too.

Still stand by some of what I said above. More games with all players there and the giving a shit seems to have improved.

Nets clips was a fascinating watch.

1. The sheer offensive talent of harden kyrie and durant is insane. It does almost break the sport as a team game. Harden Iso, durant rip and middy are just super high percentage shots, and require very little set up. Great shot making, and I was with Grant Hills commentary late game, all you can do is laugh.

2. Because the talent is literally more grounded in euroleague, there has to be more reliance on team offense and systems. Consistent tough shots are lower percentage than good team offense.

3. Late game is so different in both leagues. The international rules, where you can't call a time out in general play, make for a much quicker resolution.

(I'm on the fence as to witch I prefer on that front in late game.)

Also, the AllStar game might not be the best idea this year.
Perhaps wait a year, and see how things work out, once the experts are sure vaccines will contain the pandemic.

I'm amused by Utah's progress the season, but I hope we fucking beat them this month. In any event, I have a strong feeling Bud is for the chop.

If Bud gets the axe, I can imagine Schlenk making a call, immediately.

Also @charlie, regarding AllStar games. It is silly, but for casual fans like myself, it's a good barometer for the league in a way. I think all round it's good.

The players enjoy the prestige, the league organisers enjoy the exposure, and the fans get a talking point.
Why would you not do it, tbh?

Except this year, when sport itself can be considered frivolous, it's a huge logistical risk. 
So why take it?

AndCallMeCharlie wrote:

Just find it completely dull, friendly games for back patting purposes  I need a competitive edge and love watching great defence so not for me

The game itself is a procession, absolutely (though the last quarter of the Kobe tribute game was actually quite good, for what I remember).
But it's really just about the prestige. Like national team callups in football, in some respects, it's just a frame of reference.

I reckon Adam Silver is just dangling the prospect, and running proper voting, for the hype.
When the time comes for actually scheduling the thing, he'll back out of it, for health and safety reasons.