The ILF-ILNBA Basketball Thread

[infamousalien]

So I used to love basketball but haven't really followed it in 20 years more or less. Started watching some games recently. The only thing that bothers me is the less physical play and people overreacting to getting touched. I grew up watching the Bad Boys era Pistons so it's quite a change.

[rustywire]

Yeah it's as if it transformed into a completely different game...but you picked a good time to get back in.
If you're a fan of heady basketball, Spurs & Warriors are operating at historic levels right now.
They personify "team" and when everyone buys in like that it's harmonious poetry in motion.
Keep an eye on Kawhi Leonard & (obv) Steph Curry. Very fun time to watch...League Pass sub is worth it IMO.

[D.o.S.]

On the other hand players actually have to play instead of mauling each other, which is nice. I do miss handchecking sometimes, though.

[infamousalien]

It was watching a couple Warriors games that got me back into it. They're insane. Such a high level of skill. I do like that kind of basketball better. It's just a lot different now.

[bigchiefbc]

I will say that the insanely ridiculous amount that the current game depends on the 3-pt shot kinda sucks though. That was always why I didn't like the college game, and now the NBA is basically in the same spot. The Warriors are the most extreme, but at least half the league tries to set up a 3-pointer on every single possession.

[D.o.S.]

I will say that the insanely ridiculous amount that the current game depends on the 3-pt shot kinda sucks though. That was always why I didn't like the college game, and now the NBA is basically in the same spot. The Warriors are the most extreme, but at least half the league tries to set up a 3-pointer on every single possession.

If you're going to lay blame I think you blame it on Morey/Houston/the Sloan nerds:
http://bkref.com/tiny/5N6lS

Right after he retired Shane Battier said he believed the NBA would do away with the corner three in the near future -- i.e. to turn the three point line into a '(' rather than a 'C', and I suspect he's right.

You can still dislike the NCAA for being substandard basketball, though!

[rustywire]

NCAA is unwatchable unless you're in college and every game is an event.
They just implemented the new dead-ball timeout rule because control-freak coaches would call TO every possession & micromanage.
But NCAA still needs fixes (1 and dones, reduce shot clock, extend 3pt line to pro range) to be watchable to the world outside of college towns, industry & gambling circles.
NBA is the best talent in the world where even the last place team will beat the best college team...decidedly...with rare exception.
High IQ players don't really exist anymore in today's NCAA. It takes a few years to figure things out...and again at the pro level...with rare exception (The Dream)

Edit: Even Keem took a few years now that I think about it. Learning to pass & make every1 around him monumentally better

[odontophobia]

MEN LIE WOMEN LIE BUCKETS DNT

BALL DON'T LIE

[pelliott]

oh man

favorite sheed moment:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l_S_0GG4pI[/youtube]

i swear on some of the recordings you can hear him call glass on this shot

[Chuckchuck]

The this:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSnAvhvfniw[/youtube]
Gotta love buzzer beaters but OMG I hate Rasheed.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/mE0ptkNYVRI[/youtube]

[D.o.S.]

Sheed is so legit. I wish he'd been in better shape for the 2010 Finals, though (although it wasn't his fault Perk got killed)

[rustywire]

Sheed is so legit. I wish he'd been in better shape for the 2010 Finals, though (although it wasn't his fault Perk got killed)

Also wasn't his fault the zebras gave the Lakers game 7 & the series in the 4th quarter. It was a Joey Crawford toot parade of purple & gold to the freethrow line. I couldn't believe the disparity in how his whistle only seemed to work on 1 end of the floor

Fav Sheed moment is from that series:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Butg9dQD0tc[/youtube]

From game 4. Live tv, before the replay it was on screen for a solid 5s, no slowmo. I think he had 15 Ts at the time...or maybe already hit 16 & missed a game...and was on thin ice trying his damnedest to not show up the officials

[hbombgraphics]

so can GS win the next 4?
Do they even want to?

[D.o.S.]

They lost to the Timberwolves dude I think they're checked out.

[Chuckchuck]

We lost to Celtics the other night. I know it's useless at this point but I wanted that one at least, because it was Kobe's last game against them. He had a good game.
Fantasy land: Jeannie Buss & Phil Jackson run the Lakers, get Luke Walton to coach. I'll take Scott Brooks 2nd choice.