Boston beats the nets at the buzzer. Big Al still going strong in the NBA after all these years. What an Ironman. 20 and 15!
Was going to start a thread yesterday - glad you did it. This is the time of year where I'm lost for sports. After the ncaa tourney, it drops off a cliff. Gator baseball and softball are nice pick ups. Then there's the NBA playoffs, which go into the summer. Can't say I'm really excited about the NBA these days, but I will root for MN (residence) and Philly (childhood team).
Nice going for Al Horford. Good to see one of the '04's still playing at a high level. Yesterday, Dorian Finney-Smith (14 pts, 5 reb) played a key role for the Dallas Mavericks but his team lost late to the Utah jazz, 93-99. Here is a cool article about DFS's steady 5-year improvement in the NBA which is an NBA record for improvement. Mavs Forward Dorian Finney-Smith Sets NBA Record For Improvement
I hate both the Celtics and the Nets, but man was I impressed with Big Al! What a game from him. One thing I noticed in addition to his ridiculously efficient 20 and 15 game, was that he actually boxes out!! I mean really boxes out. It's part of the reason he got that big defensive rebound at the end. He finds his man, puts a solid body on him and clears the lane. He's old school and it's great to see. So few box out properly anymore, in college or the pros.
Funny Philly was my childhood team too. Dr J was the man. I know Magic and Bird came along and had more success, but for me the doctor was the most entertaining to watch and was an amazing ambassador for the league. All class. And I loved their '83 team, one of the all-time best.
Me too, and I was really mad at Pat Williams ( GM?) , for not keeping that group together and that horrible Jeff Ruland - Roy Henson trade.
Oh yeah, those were the days for the NBA. I hated the Celtics with a passion. Bird scmird. Of course he was great, but they always got in the way of the Sixers. When they finally broke through in '83, it was just grand. Dr J was the straw that stirred the drink and Moses Malone was the difference maker who got them over the hump.
It is. NBA players have never been more talented, more athletic, better shooters, passers than ever before. Some defensive lapses and track meet focused offenses aside, the ball movement, spacing, shooting and position-less basketball make is so much more difficult to defend. Some (many) older fans criticize the game, but it's evolved way past where it was in the 80s and 90s (and I was a huge fan then). If you're not watching it now, you're missing out.
Haha Bird scmird indeed. Yes Moses coming on board that year was the final piece they were desperately missing. Imagine if Dr J had played his early days in the NBA instead of the ABA. He was less than a month from his 34th birthday when he "lost" to Larry Nance in the NBA's first dunk contest. Think of that for a second. Not many participants now are over 23, let alone 33. A lot of Dr J's best moments weren't even televised. What a different time...
Maurice Cheeks was (is) one of the most underappreciated point guards in NBA history. Bill Russell used to study Cheeks body language and tell you if the Sixers were going to win that day, even against the Celtics or Lakers. I loved that Sixers team. Boston / Philly matchups were just classics.
Billy D and the underdog Bulls stole one on the road last night against the defending champs. Billy is so impressive as a coach with what he gets out of his guys. But we already knew that.
Hopefully they can get Lonzo back if they can get out of the first round. The injuries really derailed them.
Watching Twolves hosting Memphis - two of the top scoring teams in the NBA (I think). The offensive schemes in the NBA are so damn boring. Because there appear to be few schemes. Not basing this strictly on the current game. It's so much clear-out and one-on-one. Pick & roll is employed less. It's basically - "you're good enough to go get your own shot, so do it" basketball. Please tell me I'm wrong and that there's more nuance to the game. I'd say (ironically) that there is more nuance on the defensive end in the NBA today than on the offensive end.
